Official Newsletter of the Lake Panorama Association October 2016

Governor Branstad Visits Lake Panorama

RIZ CREP Wetland Site On August 30th, Governor Terry Branstad along with around 40 guests toured the Lake Panorama Rural Improvement Zone (RIZ) CREP Wetland site that is currently under construc-tion. Guests included Iowa State Representative Clel Baudler and representatives from local newspaper and radio media, Guthrie County Supervisors, Iowa Depart-ment of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), Shive-Hattery Engineers, NCRS, FSA, Guthrie County Soil and Water District, LPA Board and Lake Panorama RIZ Board. Short presentations were given by Shive-

Hattery Engineers on the specifics of the CREP site construction. IDALS repre-sentatives talked about the CREP program. LPA General Manager John Rutledge spoke on the importance of RIZ and CREP projects. Gov-ernor Brandstad spoke on the importance of water

quality, RIZ and took questions from those in attend-ance. A walking tour of the wetland basin and where the overflow structure will be placed was taken before ending the event.

October 2016 SUNSET BEACH PLAYGROUND OPEN FOR BUSINESS

In just four days, a semi-load of playground parts and pieces was assembled into a destination playground at Sunset Beach. The equipment was delivered July 8, installation began July 11 and the playground opened for business July 14. Donations totaling $80,000 given to the Friends of Lake Panorama made up the base support for this new play-ground. The Lake Panorama Association provided an addition-al $50,000. The LPA also provided technical and construction assistance. Friends of Lake Panorama is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All contributions are tax deductible. The Friends nonprofit is sep-arate from the Lake Panorama Association, and has a goal of improving recreational amenities at Lake Panorama. The $130,000 raised by Friends of Lake Panorama covered the cost of the playground equipment and installa-tion, plus the play surface that is a base of pea gravel topped with wood fibers. Six rubber mats are buried in the wood fi-bers at the base of each slide to help protect these areas from heavy traffic. Remaining funds have been set aside to pay for a donor recognition sign, which will be installed next spring near the playground. While donations of all sizes are wel-come, only donors of $500 or more will be recognized on the sign and the Friends website. Donations for the Sunset Beach playground will con-tinue to be accepted through the end of 2016. Any additional funds designated for the playground during this time will be used for benches or other upgrades. Donations can be made in someone’s memory or in honor of someone. Donations by check can be mailed to Friends of Lake Panorama, PO Box 488, Panora, IA 50216. Do-nations also can be accepted electronically on the Friends website. The Friends board of directors met September 12 to discuss future potential projects and fundraising efforts. Pro-ject suggestions or general questions can be emailed to staff@friendsoflakepanorama.org. The website is www.friendsoflakepanorama.org.

Finished Sunset Beach Playground

Official Newsletter of the Lake Panorama Association October 2016 2

As Charles Dickens said, “It’s the best of times and the worst of times.” The kids and grandkids are back in school and the activity level has subsided a bit. Realizing another summer has come and gone, however, is a bit of a downer. That means leaves and snow are on the way. At least fall provides us with a wonderful array of color. Don’t let the cool weather deter you from having some great pontoon rides on the lake, and some spectacular golf on our two beautiful courses. If you or your neighbors are headed south this winter, make sure to share up-to-date contact information with each oth-er in case you need to connect during the off-season. Those who live here full-time often are willing to be a good neigh-bor to those who are a distance away. The LPA offers house check services for a nominal fee. Contact the LPA office for more information at 641-755-2301 or lpa@lakepanorama.org. The LPA staff have been busy this summer. When you see them, please thank them for all they do. A special thanks to Denny Merritt for his many years of service as LPA Security chief. Denny has done an outstanding job and we wish him well in retirement. He will be replaced by Jerry Armstrong, who has worked for LPA Security for 10 years. Knowing Jerry as I do, I can assure you he will continue to administer the department in the same professional and courteous manner as Denny. The seal coating went very well this year, with about 9.5 miles of road completed. Several members have said this was one of the best applications we’ve had in recent years. We were blessed with warm weather at just the right time. Thanks to both barge services for their efforts and cooperation in the Log Cabin Cove and Boulder Cove dredging pro-jects. They have done a nice job working together so the RIZ dredge could access those coves this fall. I am frequently asked if the LPN, LLC Board of Managers concept is “working.” The answer is the board of managers is working hard to make a significant impact on the relationship between themselves and the LPA. We thank them for their continued efforts and note they’re very committed to ensuring the LPN, LLC is the best it can be. Our thanks also to all the LPN staff who have worked tirelessly to make this LPA subsidiary a success. October and November is the time of year when departmental budgets will be considered by the LPA board. The board is focused on balancing the two goals of improving services and facilities, while controlling costs to the membership. Sever-al capital expenditures at the water plant, marina, LPN conference center and both golf courses will be considered this year. Membership input is welcome. To be considered, all suggestions must be offered no later than the board’s October 25 meeting. In closing I’d like to wish “safe travels” to all of you going south this winter. To the rest of you … Conni and I hope to see you at The Links all winter long for cards, fun and food!

President, LPA

LPA Contact Information: Phone (641) 755-2301, FAX (641) 755-3810, Security (641) 755-3101

Email lpa@lakepanorama.org, Website: http://www.lakepanorama.org, Office hours 8-4:30, M-F

BOARD PRESIDENT’S NOTE

LPA Office will be closed November 24 & 25

for holiday observance.

Fishing and Hunting Licenses (required at Lake Pano-

rama) are available at the LPA office during normal

office hours 8-4:30 Monday through Friday.

Official Newsletter of the Lake Panorama Association October 2016 3

LPA Security The Security department provides round-the-clock phone access to the LPA at (641) 755-3101. Please call Security to re-port unusual activities, reckless driving, reckless boating, excess noise, wild animal issues, vandalism or other concerns.

The Security department operates the Lake Patrol. For boat inspections to abide by the Invasive Species Rules, call Security ahead of time for appointments.

For Fire or Ambulance—Call 911, if no answer call Guthrie County Sheriff at 641-747-2214.

Winter Water Shut-off Policy

Historically, almost every year an empty

home receives water damage when a fur-

nace fails and pipes freeze, burst, and parts

of the home are flooded. The LPA Water

Company offers a free water shut-off ser-

vice to turn off service at the street and

turn it on again when owners return. There

is no fee for the first cycle of service per

year. There will be a service fee for subse-

quent shut-off requests, except for plumbing emergencies.

Call the office at (641) 755-2301 to make arrangements.

Since there is danger pipes may have frozen, the water de-

partment requires someone be home when service is re-

stored in the spring. The Water department recommends

shutting off the inside valves, (usually at the meter) during

these periods.

If a call to shut off water is made during the winter months,

the shut off must be cleared of snow and ice or visibly

marked in some manner so it is visible to the LPA Water De-

partment personnel.

New Fishing Dock

The Fin and Feather Club donated a new fishing dock that was constructed at the pond by the Lake Pano-rama West Golf Course. The dock’s purpose is to provide users a safe and stable place to fish that doesn’t interfere with golfers using the course. No overnight boat dockage or swimming/diving off of the dock is allowed. If you are in the area stop by and check out this great addition, and be sure to thank all the Fin and Feather members who made it possible.

After more than 11 years of serving as LPA

Head of Security, Denny Merritt (left) is re-

tiring. Jerry Armstrong (right) will take over

the position. Jerry has worked for the last

10 years for Lake Panorama Security on the

night shift. The LPA extends our best wishes

to Denny in his retirement.

Official Newsletter of the Lake Panorama Association October 2016 4

Are You Ready for Winter?

Fall is the time to prepare your home for winter—cold and wet conditions not only can make you miserable, but can damage your home. Some winterizing can wait, some can’t. Make a list of what needs to be done, and tackle the things that need done first. Here are some things to consider, whether a resident or a snowbird, to help get the jump on winter.

For All Residents

Indoor Winterizing

Examine doors and replace weather-stripping as needed.

Examine window caulking and reseal where needed.

Examine and repair vents where needed.

Clean chimneys and flues.

Remove items near heat vents.

Place nonskid runners or door mats outside to help keep water, sand and salt out of the house.

Outdoor Winterizing

Cut back tree branches and shrubs that hide signs or block lights.

Examine outdoor handrails.

Turn off electrical breakers for outdoor equipment.

Clean out gutters and downspouts.

Clear yard drains.

Spray outdoor locks and hinges with lubricant.

Stake or flag driveway and walkway edges that may be difficult to find under deep snow.

Residents—Check Supplies

Batteries

Candles and matches

Ice melt, deicer and sand

Have snow blower prepped for season (or get a contrac-tor lined up to clean drives and walks.)

Snow shovels

Generator fuel or snow blower fuel—store in approved containers away from heat sources and in outside shed, if possible.

Antifreeze

For Snowbirds

Schedule LPA Water Company to turn off water at street.

Before leaving, turn off water in home.

Check all windows and doors and make sure they are closed and locked.

Set furnace at minimum temperatures to keep home at 50 degrees or more.

Schedule Security department for winter house checks OR get neighbor, friends, or family to check house for the winter OR set up security system that will send alarm to security company if home temperatures go below safe levels or doors or windows are disturbed.

Arrange for and authorize plumbers or heating con-tractors to take care of issues found while you are gone.

If LPA office is contacted in winter months to shut off wa-ter, shut off must be cleared of snow and ice and/or visi-

bly marked for LPA water personnel.

Arrange for contractor to plow snow from drive and main walks to make home appear as someone is there.

Set some lights on timers to give appearance of some-one at home.

LPA House Checks—The Security Department has options available for winter house checks. Due to liability and safety concerns, houses being checked must have a minimum 12-inch diameter thermometer visible from the street or the ac-cessible driveway. Call (641) 755-2301 for details.

Hydrant Flushing

October 10 to 14 &

October 17 to 21

Flushing helps remove sediments accumu-

lating in the system from high mineral levels

in our Dakota wells. Use caution when doing

laundry during these flushing dates to avoid

possible staining or discoloration.

Beach Water Quality Summary Beach water quality is highly correlated to river flow. During periods of high flow, turbid-ity increases and, with it, come high levels of bacteria from runoff and from what may be stored in the silt deposits within the lake it-self. Testing for e-coli bacteria, an indicator bacteria for exposure to human or animal waste, was done weekly dur-ing the swimming season. Out of 17 tests, there were seven episodes of high bacteria levels at Boulder Beach, three at Shady, and 11 at Sunset. Tests showing 235 or more bacte-rial colonies per sample resulted in posting the beaches—“Swimming Not Recommended.” All but two high bacteria tests at each beach were attributed to turbid waters caused by rain. Tests have been regularly taken for 13 years. The most incidents of high bacteria levels at each beach were 11 at Boulder, 13 at Sunset and six at Shady. The cleanest years had only one incident at Boulder, four at Sunset and one at Shady (all were different years). Shady is consistently lower in incidents and Sunset is the highest, most likely due to their location on the lake.

Official Newsletter of the Lake Panorama Association October 2016 5

LPA + ADULTS + KIDS = OUTDOOR OPPORTUNITY

Brad Halterman, LPA Project Manager

Growing up in Guthrie Center and thus Guthrie County, and being raised in an outdoorsy family, there was ample opportunities to explore all that this area had to offer. Growing up, the timbers, rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, creeks, fields, pastures and wetlands were a playground I enjoyed every chance I could. Canoeing the rivers, fish-ing the ponds and lakes, camping anywhere you could pitch a tent with family and friends were the preferred ways of spending time. Those times and memories are forever etched in my mind and I look back on them with great fondness and a smile on my face.

After marrying a Guthrie County girl, working on the other side of the state and having two kids, we jumped at the opportunity to come back to Guthrie County and raise our own kids here. The outdoor life continued while raising our children. It has been a blessing doing that in this area.

Lake Panorama is where I learned to water ski as a kid with friends, fished with family friends, learned to drive a boat, and swam at the beaches with family and friends. I have great memories of Lake Panorama growing up.

Obviously those memories growing up happened a long time ago, although it seems like just yesterday. Things have changed, time has moved on, I have gotten older but the enjoyment of the outdoors and what this area has to offer hasn’t changed.

These last few months working for the LPA, I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing families enjoying what the LPA has to offer. People boating, fishing, picnicking, golfing, walking, playing tennis, playing on the playground equipment, on the beaches, swimming and just sitting around talking is what this place is here for. Young and old alike have ample opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. I especially love seeing the families with kids out and about.

One of my favorite books is Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv. It is a book that has started a national dia-logue among educators, health professionals, parents, developers and conservationists. Mr. Louv directly links the lack of the outdoors in the lives of today's wired generation, he calls it nature-deficit disorder, to some of the re-cent childhood trends.

All of us who work for the LPA are dedicated to continuing to provide, among other things, good quality facilities for you, your families and your guests to enjoy the outdoors here at Lake Panorama. My hope is that you continue to get out and enjoy the area, and make sure any kids with you are there to enjoy it also.

I will leave you with one of my many favorite excerpts from the book. Have a great Fall Season.

“One evening when my boys were younger, Matthew, then ten, looked at me from across a restaurant table and said quite seriously, "Dad, how come it was more fun when you were a kid?" I asked what he meant.

"Well, you're always talking about your woods and tree houses, and how you used to ride that horse down near the swamp."

At first, I thought he was irritated with me. I had, in fact, been telling him what it was like to use string and pieces of liver to catch crawdads in a creek, something I'd be hard-pressed to find a child doing these days. Like many par-ents, I do tend to romanticize my own childhood—and, I fear, too readily discount my children's experiences of play and adventure. But my son was serious; he felt he had missed out on something important. Reducing that deficit—healing the broken bond between our young and nature—is in our self-interest, not only because aesthetics or jus-tice demands it, but also because our mental, physical, and spiritual health depends on it.”

Official Newsletter of the Lake Panorama Association October 2016 6

Measuring progress at Lake Panorama can be difficult. Each morning, we awake to a magnificent lake, a pair of remarka-ble golf courses and a community of great friends and neighbors. The bar for progress has been set very high. Yet, we begin each day with the ambition of raising the bar just a little higher. As your board and staff, our task is twofold. First, maintain the assets we already have in place and ensure our service level remains at a high standard. Second, improve, refine and expand our assets and enhance our services to members. We know additions will bring accolades and celebration, while maintenance is simply expected. Yet both responsibilities require substantial financial resources to fulfill. I believe balanced investment in the two is essential to the long-term success of LPA. Maintenance and upkeep of equipment is essential to running a good operation. Replacing an old, white truck with a new, white truck might not be cause for celebration. But it ensures association roads will be maintained without inter-ruption throughout the year – snow will be plowed and potholes will be repaired. Our current skid loader looks a lot like the one before it, but staff can tell you they spend more time completing their work than they do turning wrenches and troubleshooting a worn-out piece of machinery. I’m pleased the staff and board have done a great job of assessing and prioritizing the replacement of essential machinery to ensure key services remain uninterrupted. At the same time, it is important to consider addition and expansion of our assets. To ignore the importance of this would mean missing the opportunity for progress and improved efficiencies. The best example of this in my tenure has been the debris boom and utility barge. After years of frustration, LPA developed a system that is truly designed to do what we ask of it. Debris removal is far from an exact science, but we’ve clearly advanced our effectiveness on this task in the past decade. We continue to look for ways in which we can be more effective, more efficient and safer in our du-ties. In our communication to members, we inevitably focus on the new and improved items. Those stories simply make for more interesting news. But I believe it is important for you to know a substantial portion of LPA’s resources are allocated to ensure the core fleet remains in good order and safe condition. As we prepare the 2017 budget this fall, the focus of the association will remain on a balanced approach, which under-pins our current level of services and amenities while also seeking to improve the offerings we provide our membership. Thanks for your continued support of LPA! Best wishes –

John Rutledge GM - LPA