Cobmoosa Shores - News & Notes
Cobmoosa Shores Nature Walk
When: Tuesday, July 25th; 9:30 am
This note was submitted by Barbara Rafaill
Posted July 19, 2017
Enjoy an hour or so of learning about the plants and birds of the Cobmoosa Shores area with your friends and neighbors. Barb Rafaill will be on hand to point out native plants in the area as well as invasive species to remove. A botanist who has studied the flora of Oceana Co. for over 25 years, she can also suggest native plants to use in your personal landscaping plans, as well as how we can all improve Cobmoosa Shores by removing non-natives and invasive species. She will also point out birds she knows.
Meet down at the south access. We will wander the roadsides and woods of Cobmoosa Shores and the nearby Black Forest.
Mark your calendars: Another Nature Walk is planned for Tuesday, August 22nd at 9:30 am.
When: Tuesday, July 25th; 9:30 am
This note was submitted by Barbara Rafaill
Posted July 19, 2017
Enjoy an hour or so of learning about the plants and birds of the Cobmoosa Shores area with your friends and neighbors. Barb Rafaill will be on hand to point out native plants in the area as well as invasive species to remove. A botanist who has studied the flora of Oceana Co. for over 25 years, she can also suggest native plants to use in your personal landscaping plans, as well as how we can all improve Cobmoosa Shores by removing non-natives and invasive species. She will also point out birds she knows.
Meet down at the south access. We will wander the roadsides and woods of Cobmoosa Shores and the nearby Black Forest.
Mark your calendars: Another Nature Walk is planned for Tuesday, August 22nd at 9:30 am.
Mowing Endangers Cobmoosa’s Native Grasses and Plants
This article was written by Bruce Vanderveen and presented at the annual meeting July 8th
posted July 13, 2017
Michigan has over 200 species of native grasses, some are only found on sand dunes. Cobmoosa Shores is home to three of these attractive dune grasses: marram grass, sand reed grass, and little bluestem. All three species are perennials and grow several feet high. Individual plants can live for many years. They require no watering, fertilizing, or cutting. See their pictures below.
Beach or Marram grass (Ammophila breviligulata). We’ve all recognize this one as it grows in a wide band, mostly just above the beach. Beach grasses’ extensive root system keeps the dunes from eroding and the 3-4-foot-high blades trap blowing sand – building dunes. This grass is rarely mowed, but trimming, excessive walking, and/or driving on it causes damage.
Sand Reed grass (Calamovilfa longifolia) is a lesser known grass which grows in the upper dunes, generally landward of Ottawa Trail. This beautiful tall grass forms loose clumps, sending flowering stalks 4-5 feet into the air. Sand Reed is an important sand-binder, but mowing cuts off all the green leaves – eventually killing it. Thus, it is a prime victim of dune cutting and mowing.
Little Bluestem (Andropogon scoparius) grows in sandy upland areas and prairies. A bunchgrass it’s often associated with Sand Reed grass. This species lives in our upper dunes giving them an attractive purplish color in the fall. Little bluestem also is killed by repeated mowing.
Help Keep Cobmoosa Natural Looking
We all come to Cobmoosa for its natural beauty and the dunes with their native grasses are important components. Mowing and trimming encourages erosion and weeds. This in turn negatively affects songbirds and wildlife. The three grasses mentioned above all give Cobmoosa a windswept look in the dune area, a look which simply cannot be created with turf grass. Indeed, turf grass will not grow well on sand.
Lake Michigan, the dune grasses, and forests, all make Cobmoosa an amazing place. Some may wish to recreate a suburban look with their cottage and lots but we should at least leave our common areas natural. Once the grasses are gone they are, unfortunately, hard to restore.
______________________________________________________________________________
Editor’s note: To see photos of these grasses please visit the Photo Gallery and scroll to the bottom.
This article was written by Bruce Vanderveen and presented at the annual meeting July 8th
posted July 13, 2017
Michigan has over 200 species of native grasses, some are only found on sand dunes. Cobmoosa Shores is home to three of these attractive dune grasses: marram grass, sand reed grass, and little bluestem. All three species are perennials and grow several feet high. Individual plants can live for many years. They require no watering, fertilizing, or cutting. See their pictures below.
Beach or Marram grass (Ammophila breviligulata). We’ve all recognize this one as it grows in a wide band, mostly just above the beach. Beach grasses’ extensive root system keeps the dunes from eroding and the 3-4-foot-high blades trap blowing sand – building dunes. This grass is rarely mowed, but trimming, excessive walking, and/or driving on it causes damage.
Sand Reed grass (Calamovilfa longifolia) is a lesser known grass which grows in the upper dunes, generally landward of Ottawa Trail. This beautiful tall grass forms loose clumps, sending flowering stalks 4-5 feet into the air. Sand Reed is an important sand-binder, but mowing cuts off all the green leaves – eventually killing it. Thus, it is a prime victim of dune cutting and mowing.
Little Bluestem (Andropogon scoparius) grows in sandy upland areas and prairies. A bunchgrass it’s often associated with Sand Reed grass. This species lives in our upper dunes giving them an attractive purplish color in the fall. Little bluestem also is killed by repeated mowing.
Help Keep Cobmoosa Natural Looking
We all come to Cobmoosa for its natural beauty and the dunes with their native grasses are important components. Mowing and trimming encourages erosion and weeds. This in turn negatively affects songbirds and wildlife. The three grasses mentioned above all give Cobmoosa a windswept look in the dune area, a look which simply cannot be created with turf grass. Indeed, turf grass will not grow well on sand.
Lake Michigan, the dune grasses, and forests, all make Cobmoosa an amazing place. Some may wish to recreate a suburban look with their cottage and lots but we should at least leave our common areas natural. Once the grasses are gone they are, unfortunately, hard to restore.
______________________________________________________________________________
Editor’s note: To see photos of these grasses please visit the Photo Gallery and scroll to the bottom.
Annual Meeting Election Results
posted on July 8, 2017
Covenant changes
posted on July 8, 2017
Covenant changes
- Golf carts change to covenants approved
- 285 yes
- 27 no
- Power Water Sports change to covenants approved
- 279 yes
- 34 no
- Campfires change to covenants approved
- 189 yes
- 34 no
- Road Improvements expenditure proposal approved
- 265 yes
- 45 no
- 2017-18 Budget Proposal approved
- 287 yes
- 3 no
- Trustees Election
- There were no nominations from the floor, nor any write-ins
- The incumbent Trustees, Ed Dedic, Rick Emerson, and Jan Morrison were re-elected for another 3 year term
We Must Be Careful with Fires on the Beach
Information about this incident has been reported by Cobmoosa Shore Association board members Paul Jordan and Mike Maloney
Posted on June 14, 2017
Fire rings have been placed by the Board on the beach for the safety of all. No one wants to have a fire burn out of control resulting in personal injury and/or damage to homes. Fire rings are not placed by the Board randomly but in locations where there is sufficient beach to serve as a fire break between fire rings and the grasses on the dunes. Given the minimal amount of beach at the south access this year, the Board has decided to place the fire rings northward from the path leading from the south beach access to a point where there is sufficient beach to serve as a fire break.
Just a day or two ago, someone decided that that location did not suit their purposes and moved one of the fire rings to build a fire. The fire ring was placed precisely in the middle of the main sandy path to the lake from the south beach entrance. This path is about 4 to 6 feet wide at that point, and most of this was taken up by the fire ring. All of us who use that entrance to access the beach must walk through that area.
The persons responsible had taken one of the CSA fire rings without permission. The night of their fire was particularly windy, resulting in an enhanced risk of starting a beach fire.
Although they had evidently brought some fuel with them, they also used part of the CSA walkway that was composed of boards bound together with narrow gauge cable for additional fuel.
It appears that the persons did attempt to extinguish their fire as there was evidence that sand had been placed on top of the fire and apparently, water was also used. However, these persons obviously did not check to ensure that the fire was extinguished when they left. When the smoldering logs were discovered by Paul Jordan (board member) and Maddy Maloney they burst into flames as soon as the logs were exposed to the air. Imagine what might have happened if the wind had exposed the smoldering logs.
After fully extinguishing the fire, the clean-up of the charcoal from this fire took Paul and Maddy approximately 2 hours. Because the debris included ash, it was impossible to completely clean the area. Ash laden sand remained, along with pieces of charcoal that were smaller than the apertures of the screen used to sift the sand of the debris. Paul and Maddy attempted to bury this dirty sand, but since erosion is part of the beach's reality it is inevitable that this will be exposed at some point in the future.
After cleaning the remains of the fire an inspection of the beach showed that the persons that built the fire also left debris on the beach below the pathway.
Paul and Maddy, now joined by Mike Maloney (board member), checked with the home owners whose place is across from the south beach entrance to see if they knew anything about the persons that build the fire. They reported that the revelers drove a white Camaro and a pick-up truck. Other Cobmoosa residents who also live near the south beach access stated that the revelers were young people but that they did not know them.
If you have any further information about this incident, please report it to any member of the Cobmoosa Shore Association board.
Information about this incident has been reported by Cobmoosa Shore Association board members Paul Jordan and Mike Maloney
Posted on June 14, 2017
Fire rings have been placed by the Board on the beach for the safety of all. No one wants to have a fire burn out of control resulting in personal injury and/or damage to homes. Fire rings are not placed by the Board randomly but in locations where there is sufficient beach to serve as a fire break between fire rings and the grasses on the dunes. Given the minimal amount of beach at the south access this year, the Board has decided to place the fire rings northward from the path leading from the south beach access to a point where there is sufficient beach to serve as a fire break.
Just a day or two ago, someone decided that that location did not suit their purposes and moved one of the fire rings to build a fire. The fire ring was placed precisely in the middle of the main sandy path to the lake from the south beach entrance. This path is about 4 to 6 feet wide at that point, and most of this was taken up by the fire ring. All of us who use that entrance to access the beach must walk through that area.
The persons responsible had taken one of the CSA fire rings without permission. The night of their fire was particularly windy, resulting in an enhanced risk of starting a beach fire.
Although they had evidently brought some fuel with them, they also used part of the CSA walkway that was composed of boards bound together with narrow gauge cable for additional fuel.
It appears that the persons did attempt to extinguish their fire as there was evidence that sand had been placed on top of the fire and apparently, water was also used. However, these persons obviously did not check to ensure that the fire was extinguished when they left. When the smoldering logs were discovered by Paul Jordan (board member) and Maddy Maloney they burst into flames as soon as the logs were exposed to the air. Imagine what might have happened if the wind had exposed the smoldering logs.
After fully extinguishing the fire, the clean-up of the charcoal from this fire took Paul and Maddy approximately 2 hours. Because the debris included ash, it was impossible to completely clean the area. Ash laden sand remained, along with pieces of charcoal that were smaller than the apertures of the screen used to sift the sand of the debris. Paul and Maddy attempted to bury this dirty sand, but since erosion is part of the beach's reality it is inevitable that this will be exposed at some point in the future.
After cleaning the remains of the fire an inspection of the beach showed that the persons that built the fire also left debris on the beach below the pathway.
Paul and Maddy, now joined by Mike Maloney (board member), checked with the home owners whose place is across from the south beach entrance to see if they knew anything about the persons that build the fire. They reported that the revelers drove a white Camaro and a pick-up truck. Other Cobmoosa residents who also live near the south beach access stated that the revelers were young people but that they did not know them.
If you have any further information about this incident, please report it to any member of the Cobmoosa Shore Association board.
Ticks Spread Diseases: How to Prevent Tick Bites
Information for this note was published as a bulletin by Ottawa County on 05/24/17
Posted May 25, 2017
In Michigan, Lyme disease is the most commonly reported tick-borne disease. It is spread by an infected blacklegged (deer) tick. Most humans are infected through the bites of immature ticks called nymphs that feed during the spring and summer months. Nymphs can be difficult to see since they are approximately the size of a poppy seed. In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more before the Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted. Read the complete bulletin …
Information for this note was published as a bulletin by Ottawa County on 05/24/17
Posted May 25, 2017
In Michigan, Lyme disease is the most commonly reported tick-borne disease. It is spread by an infected blacklegged (deer) tick. Most humans are infected through the bites of immature ticks called nymphs that feed during the spring and summer months. Nymphs can be difficult to see since they are approximately the size of a poppy seed. In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more before the Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted. Read the complete bulletin …
Cobmoosa's Native Grasses: Save Them by Not Mowing
Information for this note was submitted by Linda & Bruce Vanderveen and Barbara Rafaill
Posted May 16, 2017
Did you know that within the state of Michigan one can find over 200 species of native grasses? Some of these are only found on sand dunes and thus, the Cobmoosa Shores area provides a habitat within which they can thrive. Three of these native dune grasses are marram grass (Ammophila breviligulata), sand reed grass (Calamovilfa longifolia), and little bluestem (Andropogon scoparius). Although their habitats intergrade, marram grass grows mostly in unstabilized foredunes behind beach areas, while the latter two are more common in the somewhat stabilized, upland dune areas more protected from the wind. In Cobmoosa, the majority of these two species are seen along Ottawa, Apache, and Erie Trail with marram most prevalent in the harsher frontal areas of the dunes here.
These native grassland communities have been here for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Their root systems are extensive and thus serve to anchor the sand and help prevent erosion. These plants are major stabilizers, allowing other species to begin to inhabit the dunes until, eventually, trees can survive and replace the dunes with forests. Cobmoosa Shores also includes wooded dunes, here today after hundreds of years of stabilization and soil forming has occurred. We are truly blessed to have all of this to enjoy.
Another great thing about our native grasses, and other native species, is that they don’t require maintenance. There is no need to water, fertilize, or trim them—they are native to the area and therefore used to the conditions.
Unfortunately walking on these grasses, especially marram grass, can damage their complex root systems, and mowing can simply kill them; they are designed to be tall. Mowing our duneland roadsides destroys the very plants that bind up the moving sand, allowing it to erode more easily and encourages invasion into the area by species such as plantains, knapweed, ragweed, poison-
ivy, and other “weeds,” many of which are non-native, may be invasive, and do not control erosion. Unfortunately, once the native grasses die, it can take years to restore them.
In addition, duneland grasses provide habitat for several bird and rodent species. Once we modify this environment, we take away needed places for birds to perch and nest, rodents to find shelter and resources, and so on.
It is up to all of us to preserve and protect our native grassland treasures and, in turn, our beautiful duneland ecosystem by not destroying it with mowing. Leave the native grasses untouched to continue to serve as wind breaks, control erosion, provide food and shelter for birds and mammals, as well as prevent non-native species from entering our area.
Information for this note was submitted by Linda & Bruce Vanderveen and Barbara Rafaill
Posted May 16, 2017
Did you know that within the state of Michigan one can find over 200 species of native grasses? Some of these are only found on sand dunes and thus, the Cobmoosa Shores area provides a habitat within which they can thrive. Three of these native dune grasses are marram grass (Ammophila breviligulata), sand reed grass (Calamovilfa longifolia), and little bluestem (Andropogon scoparius). Although their habitats intergrade, marram grass grows mostly in unstabilized foredunes behind beach areas, while the latter two are more common in the somewhat stabilized, upland dune areas more protected from the wind. In Cobmoosa, the majority of these two species are seen along Ottawa, Apache, and Erie Trail with marram most prevalent in the harsher frontal areas of the dunes here.
These native grassland communities have been here for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Their root systems are extensive and thus serve to anchor the sand and help prevent erosion. These plants are major stabilizers, allowing other species to begin to inhabit the dunes until, eventually, trees can survive and replace the dunes with forests. Cobmoosa Shores also includes wooded dunes, here today after hundreds of years of stabilization and soil forming has occurred. We are truly blessed to have all of this to enjoy.
Another great thing about our native grasses, and other native species, is that they don’t require maintenance. There is no need to water, fertilize, or trim them—they are native to the area and therefore used to the conditions.
Unfortunately walking on these grasses, especially marram grass, can damage their complex root systems, and mowing can simply kill them; they are designed to be tall. Mowing our duneland roadsides destroys the very plants that bind up the moving sand, allowing it to erode more easily and encourages invasion into the area by species such as plantains, knapweed, ragweed, poison-
ivy, and other “weeds,” many of which are non-native, may be invasive, and do not control erosion. Unfortunately, once the native grasses die, it can take years to restore them.
In addition, duneland grasses provide habitat for several bird and rodent species. Once we modify this environment, we take away needed places for birds to perch and nest, rodents to find shelter and resources, and so on.
It is up to all of us to preserve and protect our native grassland treasures and, in turn, our beautiful duneland ecosystem by not destroying it with mowing. Leave the native grasses untouched to continue to serve as wind breaks, control erosion, provide food and shelter for birds and mammals, as well as prevent non-native species from entering our area.
For more information about Michigan’s dune ecosystem, follow these links:
Michigan DNR - Ecology
• See the section on “Vegetation and Ecology” and “Conservation”
Michigan Association of Conservation Districts - Dune Information
• This is a booklet about living in Michigan’s critical dunes
Michigan DNR - Ecology
• See the section on “Vegetation and Ecology” and “Conservation”
Michigan Association of Conservation Districts - Dune Information
• This is a booklet about living in Michigan’s critical dunes
Emergency Contact Numbers
Posted November 23, 2016
Posted November 23, 2016
Download/Print the Emergency Contact List
*Adobe Reader is required to open and view PDF documents. Depending upon your browser, the downloaded document will either open in a new window or be downloaded directly to your computer. You may then view it, print it and/or save it to your computer.
*Adobe Reader is required to open and view PDF documents. Depending upon your browser, the downloaded document will either open in a new window or be downloaded directly to your computer. You may then view it, print it and/or save it to your computer.
Amerigas Will Support Local Schools
Posted November 23, 2016
Are you an Amerigas customer? Would you like to help support one of our local schools? Amerigas customers submit page 2 of their bill to a local school and at the end of year the school gets a contribution from Amerigas. The schools involved are:
Instructions:
Posted November 23, 2016
Are you an Amerigas customer? Would you like to help support one of our local schools? Amerigas customers submit page 2 of their bill to a local school and at the end of year the school gets a contribution from Amerigas. The schools involved are:
- New Era School, the elementary school for grades 4 & 5 in Shelby Public Schools
- New Era Christian School in New Era
Instructions:
- To benefit New Era School, you may mail you invoices to Martha Bartlett, 8975 Shawbacoung Trl, Shelby, MI, 49445 or email them to her at [mcrbartlett@gmail.com]. If you elect the email option, please send page 2 of the invoices as a PDF attachment.
- To benefit New Era Christian School, mail the invoices to the school, Attn: Mary Frey, 1901 Oak Avenue, New Era, MI, 49446.
Cobmoosa Shores e-Newsletter
Posted September 17, 2016
With the goal of improving communication among the membership, and to keep everyone up-to-date with the news from CSA, the Board will begin sending out one or more e-newsletters throughout the year. This e-newsletter will contain “news & notes”, similar to what appears on this page of the website, educational items of importance to the membership, such as the report on the oak leaf skeletonizer given at the annual meeting, and educational items relating to any proposed covenant changes in preparation for the next annual meeting. It is the plan to have at least two e-newsletters during the year, perhaps one in the late summer/early fall, and another in the late winter/early spring.
This will be an OPT-IN e-newsletter. In other words, you will only receive it if you elect to share your email address with us. To do so now, use the Contact Form on this website. Be sure to complete all fields.
Posted September 17, 2016
With the goal of improving communication among the membership, and to keep everyone up-to-date with the news from CSA, the Board will begin sending out one or more e-newsletters throughout the year. This e-newsletter will contain “news & notes”, similar to what appears on this page of the website, educational items of importance to the membership, such as the report on the oak leaf skeletonizer given at the annual meeting, and educational items relating to any proposed covenant changes in preparation for the next annual meeting. It is the plan to have at least two e-newsletters during the year, perhaps one in the late summer/early fall, and another in the late winter/early spring.
This will be an OPT-IN e-newsletter. In other words, you will only receive it if you elect to share your email address with us. To do so now, use the Contact Form on this website. Be sure to complete all fields.
|
Book Lending Library
Information for this note was submitted by Abi Herpin. Posted July 16, 2016 Cobmoosa Shores Association now has Get-a-Book, Give-a-Book Lending Library. We hope that the library will be a fun way for members to read new books and to also share books that your have already read that with others. The library is located at the South access of the beach. The library is a box that was made by Ty (2), Kate (4), Lainey (7), and Abi (11). The kids used recycled wood and painted it in three different colors. The kids report that it was very fun to be able to make this, and they hope you enjoy using the library as much as they enjoyed making it! |
|
Parking Permit Stickers
Posted June 20, 2014
All owners in Cobmoosa Shores must have removable parking permit stickers when parking at the beach access areas. Vehicles without parking stickers are subject to towing. The parking permit stickers are to be displayed on the windshield of your car or your guest's car. At this point in time golf carts do not require a parking permit. Contact any board member if you need a parking sticker or use the Contact Form on this website.
Posted June 20, 2014
All owners in Cobmoosa Shores must have removable parking permit stickers when parking at the beach access areas. Vehicles without parking stickers are subject to towing. The parking permit stickers are to be displayed on the windshield of your car or your guest's car. At this point in time golf carts do not require a parking permit. Contact any board member if you need a parking sticker or use the Contact Form on this website.
