President’s Corner by Garfield Hughes III,    

  Summer is winding down as Labor Day Weekend approaches;  kids and grandkids will be returning to school after a fun summer at the lake.  How lucky we are to have such a beautiful place to live and visit. As I sit here counting my blessings, and there are many, I also think about all the work that goes into the upkeep and improvement of our community -   there are 836 properties in the  Shay Lake Subdivisions with approximately 425 owners. There is a wonderful group of people who consistently help when asked and we are very grateful for all their efforts.  These volunteers get tired and I know they would welcome additional help.  With a little effort I bet you could find some  really good reasons for lending a hand.  Please consider offering  help to your association and community.  It  really is needed and would  be  appreciated.  We are open to the suggestions you have on community maintenance, goose control, lake maintenance, new member welcome  program, web site management and update, newsletter format and writing, member to member outreach, and social activities. Newsletters are one of the best ways we have of sharing information with our members ,  I hope you will take the time to read each of the articles;  we want you to know what is happening and what is planned for our lake community. The newsletter is also available online. We need your attendance at  the scheduled monthly Association Meetings.  It is a wonderful opportunity to hear first hand what is going on in and around  your community and to have a voice in your  association.   We are also looking forward to seeing everyone  at our “End of the Summer Dinner Dance Fundraiser” on September 3, 2011 at Genesis on the Lake Clubhouse on Gilford Drive.  For info and tickets contact Co-Chairs: Mike Urban  989 550-9888 or Kelly Germain at 989 550 0662.

  From the Roads…….by Ernie Coleman 

 A few ways to keep the lake and community clean:*do not mow your grass onto the roadway.*when you rake your leaves or yard waste please bag it.  Don’t put it into the lake.*Please don’t burn anything that might eventually drain into the lake.  Bonfires shouldn't be at least 25 feet from the shoreline unless it is in a container that can be emptied.  In this way the lake  won’t receive any more phosphorus or other chemicals caused by burning.*please use phosphorus free fertilizers.

*please maintain your lot(s) by keeping debris picked up, lawns mowed and trees trimmed, especially dead trees, so that they don’t end up in the lake or the canals and a hazard to others.

 Scholarship Program  by Zenobia Adams, Financial Secretary 

“ Unity” is the glue that makes a community whole and cooperative.  This “Unity” is constantly asking you to give of your time and energy; it is time for us to give back to the community.  The Shay Lake Association is establishing a Scholarship Program as our way of giving back to the community.  Many of our members  have children or grandchildren that might be eligible.  The Association will award one $500.00 scholarship the first year of the program which is Spring 2012. Eligibility:  children whose parents or grandparents  are members in good standing (current dues paid) and have been a member for at least one year.  Applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 21 years old, with an overall GPA of 2.5(high school or college) and 100 hours of documented community service.  A written essay of at least 500 words of their leadership skills, community service and why the scholarship is important to them.  Application deadline is December 31, 2011.  Information and applications may be obtained from the program chairperson Milton Hill at (989)843-5884 starting September 1, 2011. Applicant interviews MAY be part of the selection process. The award will be sent directly to the institution the student will be attending. The Selection Committee will need a copy of the  applicant’s acceptance letter from the institution before the award can be forwarded to the institution.The Scholarship Committee is asking for donations (tax deductible) from our members to help fund this award in addition to the fundraiser they are planning. Donations are to be made payable to the Shay Lake Association and sent to P.O. Box 534,  Mayville, MI 48744. If you are interested in being a member of the  Selection Committee please contact Committee Chair Milton Hill at 989 843-5884 or  Assoc. President Garfield Hughes at (313) 715-4492.