Lotawana Day and its organizers out-did themselves once again in 2021. The weather was perfect, the events were well attended and most importantly everyone had fun at the safe event. A huge thank you goes out to Jenny Fritz, Maddison Selley and Kim Duncan for spending endless hours and exerting immense efforts necessary to make this event such a huge success! You are wonderful! Thank you again!!!!
The dredge is finally pumping silt out of Big Rock Bay. I cannot thank enough the operations crew for all the preparation work that is necessary to make the dredging process a success. Just so you know dredging is like other things in life. At the beginning of the second day a piece of old submerged lawn chair lodged in the pump housing, which froze the impeller. Now you would not think that a powerful impeller could be frozen by a small piece of metal, but it will and does. Therefore, we spent the entire second day breaking apart the impeller to remove the problem. It was just another day in the operations world and dredging. Please thank the crew the next time you run across them at the lake. They are the backbone of getting things done for us around the lake and many times do not hear enough the accolades they deserve.
Well, I know it has been several articles now since you have heard from the Association staff. Just like the operations crew, we are so blessed to have the office staff constantly working on the multifaceted administrative part of the Association. The head of that staff is Marilee Magerkurth, who many of you know. Marilee, who for instance stayed up past midnight last week to make sure the draft of the Board of Directors meeting minutes was completed, found the time to share with you the following:
I’ll never forget the first time I came to Lotawana. I was “hooked” when having dinner on the lakeside deck at a friend’s weekend cabin a very long time ago and have been a full-time resident for 27 years. Since then, my kids grew up here and I’ve loved being part of this special community of which I’ve felt even more a part by working at the Association for the last 3 ½ years. I first started as Database Coordinator then became Office Manager in February of 2020, a very eventful year in which to learn a new job. I have no complaints and had it much easier than many during COVID, but it was a challenging year, to say the least.
In the office we strive to serve our members and achieve the goals of the Board of Directors by keeping track of property ownership and member contact information, collecting dues, registering boats, trailers, golf carts, and docks, accepting permit applications, and issuing citations. We maintain an enormous amount of data and all of that requires an impeccable attention to detail. I am so thankful for and proud of my staff members: Connie, Pat, Jordanne, Maria and Jennifer – each one brings unique talents to the team. I’m also grateful for the support we get from Harold and Scott. We’re always looking for opportunities to improve, and that wouldn’t be possible without the improvements that were made by all those who came before us, including Jan and Laura.
This community is incredibly special not only because we have the gorgeous natural beauty of the lake and a fun-loving laid-back atmosphere, but mostly because we have the best members! It’s been a pleasure interacting with you every day.
Thank you so much Marilee! We appreciate you and your staff for all you do for the Association. We are so lucky to have you as part of the team.
Thanks to all for who you are. Please call us at 816.578.4272 if you have any questions or concerns. Please call me with any concerns or comments at 913.305.7181 or email me at haroldmitts@lakelotawana.net. Be safe! Harold