Carlin Lake Association

Happy new year--for the third time!

 

One of my new year's resolutions---to learn not to hit the "enter" key till I have my message completed and ready to send!!  Sorry!

We had lots of smiling faces and laughter at this year's Carlin Lake holiday party--and welcome whoops from children playing.   I counted that 14 Carlin families were able to join us on Saturday night.

Sincere thanks to the Straus family, kids and grandkids included, for entertaining us so graciously--Richard and Sue had everything beautifully arranged, with appetizers on their lower level, and desserts displayed upstairs.  (Their son Ted is pictured here with Ricks Brewer--you probably remember that Ted is the person responsible for the attractive appearance of our lake newsletter.)

Wherever you are this holiday week, we hope you are having fun and relaxation with family and friends.  And, lots of good wishes for everyone in our Carlin community for health, contentment, and happiness in the new year!

Happy New Year (again)!

Happy New Year!

Snowy holiday

Does anyone have a snow report on the weather at Carlin Lake this weekend?   

We aren't there in the woods, to be able to comment on today's snowfall, but I will start this blog post, if any of you are there---and looking at your computer this Christmas week!   If so, and you have a comment on this new snowfall, click on Comments below. 

Thanks, and Merry Christmas to you and yours!  Have a happy and blessed holiday! 

Holiday party--hope to see you!

Here's a reminder of the Carlin Lake annual holiday party, on Saturday evening, December 29th, from 5:00 till 8:00--or whenever--at the home of Dick and Susan Straus.

rrstraus@gmail.com

715-686-7437

As your holiday plans get finalized, please remember to RSVP to the Straus' so they will know how many to plan for.   All visitors at your home that weekend are also welcome, of course.

Plates, napkins, soda, ice and glasses will all be provided; you are asked to bring your own beverage and either an appetizer or a dessert to share.

This evening is always fun, and I'm sure this year will be no exception--we look forward to seeing you!

A couple more

Here are two more good websites for local weather and snow conditions, suggested by Jim Stocker. 

Thanks, Jim!

www.johndee.com

(Has good charts and pictures, too.)

www.snowtracks.com/wisconsin/presqueisle.htm

(From our neighbor, Renn Karl)

Now, all we need is the snow!!

Additional snow information

Another website we have used to get information on Presque Isle snow conditions is the one Adam Johnson maintains at the Skyview Lodge.  He uses it to attract snowmobile business, of course, but he usually has a good description of local snow cover and predictions. 

We do need more snow to have great conditions between Christmas and New Year's, but right now a snowfall is predicted for this weekend---when many people will be traveling, naturally!  However, it has been cold enough that the snowcover still is beautiful.

http://www.skyviewlodge.com/snomo.shtml#report

We keep hoping for a snowy winter, one that will raise the water level in the lake for summer.

January Book Discussion

Since you probably won't be at your computer very often over Christmas week, I will send this reminder out a bit early.

On Wednesday, January 2nd, our book group will meet at Ramona Kubica's at 9:30 am for our discussion of Walking on Eggshells.   Carol Brewer will be our discussion leader.

If you would like to check out some discussion questions before our meeting, please click on the following link:

http://www.readinggroupguides.com/guides3/walking_on_eggshells1.asp

And, at amazon.com, you can always read reactions from others who comment on the book.

See you then!!  Remember,  even if you aren't at the lake very often, you are most welcome!

Holiday cards for wounded and recovering soldiers

Many thanks to Clara McCall for locating and forwarding the following information!   Now, we know all we need to be able to send a Christmas card to one of our service people.    Note that cards must be received by December 27th, so we need to get it done in the next few days.

Holiday Cards to Wounded and Recovering Soldiers

Walter Reed Army Medical Center cannot accept packages, letters, and holiday cards addressed to 'Any Wounded Soldier' or 'A Recovering American Soldier'.   The U.S. Postal Service is no longer accepting "Any Service Member" or "A Recovering American Soldier" letters or packages. Mail to "Any Service Member" that is deposited into a collection box will not be delivered.

However, through a unique partnership between the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc., communities across America are invited to mail cards along with personal messages of support to wounded service members at military hospitals around the country.

With the support of the U.S. Department of Defense and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and with help from Pitney Bowes Government Solutions, the American Red Cross will collect, review and distribute holiday greeting cards to wounded military personnel. For security reasons, the Red Cross will be able to accept only holiday cards but not packages. Red Cross volunteers will receive and bundle the cards, which will be shipped by Pitney Bowes Government Solutions. Then, Red Cross volunteers at the medical facilities will distribute the cards throughout the holiday season.

Please address your holiday cards to:

We Support You During Your Recovery!

c/o American Red Cross

P.O. Box 419

Savage, MD 20763-0419

Be sure to affix adequate postage. Cards must be received no later than December 27. Cards received after this date will be returned to the sender.  Again, senders are reminded that “care packages” are not part of the program––send only cards and notes.  Also, please refrain from using glitter or any other inserts that would not be appropriate in a hospital environment.

The outpouring of gratitude and encouragement from the general public, corporate America and civic groups throughout the past year has been incredible. Our Warriors in Transition are amazed at the thanks and support they receive from their countrymen.

Good idea?

My blog suggestion for today was going to be to send a Christmas card to "any recovering American soldier" at Walter Reed Medical Center.  Maybe you received that email suggestion from a friend, too.  It seemed like an easy and thoughtful thing to do, as we address our Christmas to other friends.

As I click onto the internet this morning, the headline says that the post office is not delivering any of the mail addressed only to a "recovering soldier," as they are concerned about anthrax, terrorists, or a negative person writing critical things to a soldier.  So, guess what seemed like a good idea is not!   

Merry Christmas, nevertheless, to all those at Walter Reed who have served us all and are now recovering!