Cloud Nine-June 2012 by Chris Porter

Carefree Country Club 12311 185th Ave SE Big Lake, MN 55309 Office: 763-263-6050

Fax: 763-263-3226

website: www.carefreecc.com email address: carefreecc1981@gmail.com mass e-mailing address: CarefreeccEvents@gmail.com Managers

Telephone

Fax

Mark & Debbie Reiter

763-263-8902

763-263-3226

Board Members

Officer

Lot

Home Number

Cell Number

E-Mail Address

Liaison of:

Nate Rathjen

President

720

Personnel

Vice President

308

612-8108279 320-2520392

natejan@comcast.net

Dennis Kunkel

763-5597571 320-7616277

dsckunkel@charter.net

Golf

Kathy Pomerleau

Secretary

224

612-8175867

krpomerleau@msn.com

Lee Pierson

Treasure r

455

952-5001255

Judy Cunningham

Director

181

763-2631801

John Barnes

Director

170

Don Davis

Director

145

plpierson@msn.com

Budget/ Finance

612-5986599

jscprop@hotmail.com

Recreation

763-4242275

612-7202028

jg170barnes@comcast.net

Communications

763-2637499

763-8077754

donld86@aol.com

Building & Grounds

CCC Website Administrator John Barnes 170 763-424-2275

612-720-2028

in-site@comcast.net

On Cloud Nine Editor Kathy Pomerleau 224

612-817-5867

krpomerleau@msn.com

On Cloud Nine Ads Donna Folkens 751

612-819-2793

cdfolk751@yahoo.com

Welcome Lady Margie Blackwell

415

763-350-3517

Pro Shop Shelly Hall

727

651-238-9083

shall@maple-island.com

PRESIDENTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CORNER JUNE 2012 Carefree Country Club was founded in 1981 by John Olson. He obviously was a man of great foresight. He also stated that, at any given time, 10% of the lots could be for sale. That has never been the case at CCC. We have always had less than that. But now we are part of that statistic. As of this writing we have 33 units and 7 lots for sale. There could be several reasons for that. The economy certainly plays a major role. Maybe it is changing demographics. It could be that many of the owners are no longer with us or have had to make life style changes. We can be proud of the fact our 10% for sale is less than the other RV parks in our area. Some have as much as 20% for sale! I believe that our percentage is lower because we are the premier park. We have a beautiful 18 hole golf course, a new pool, and other amenities that make our park more attractive. More importantly, we have a dedicated group of members who pitch in to make Carefree a great place. Our staff, led by Mark, also is dedicated to do the best possible job to make this place work. Back in 1981 the park was rather primitive, but very inviting. Over the years Carefree has become a beautiful spot with many improvements both corporately and individually. In 1989, when Jan and I bought lot 720 most places were still dual slide outs with Casitas or gazebos. Today most are Park Models with Minnesota rooms and permanent sheds. Carefree has been here for 31 years and like everything else, age begins to show and things need to be replaced, upgraded, or renewed. The board is currently looking at six areas that need attention. They are: the Welcome Center, the roads, the club house, the activity building, the main electrical lines, and the street lights. We are in the process of prioritizing them, gathering cost figures, and hope to come up with a long term plan for all of the above. We would also like to Wi-Fi the entire park. The primary consideration, of course, is cost. Everything we do will have a price tag. How we pay for all this is a primary concern. Do we use our reserves? We currently have over $300,000 in the reserve fund. This is an enviable amount, but only 34% of capital items. Do we have special assessments? I would prefer not to do that. Maybe the special assessment is just to give the reserve fund a kick to get that amount higher for those improvements.

Carefree will continue to exist because we, the members and staff, will work hard together to seek the solutions that will keep this place beautiful, updated, and welcoming to all who come here. I am a firm believer that we never stand still. We either move forward or fall behind. I don’t think we want to fall behind! If you have some thoughts about the subjects listed here and creative ways to solve them I would like to hear about them. Thanks! Happy June! Have Fun! Be Safe! Keep alert! Help your neighbor! Nate Rathjen – President PENDING APPROVAL

Carefree Country Club Board Meeting Minutes – May 12, 2012

Directors Present: Nate Rathjen, John Barnes, Lee Pierson, Denny Kunkel, Judy Cunningham and Kathy Pomerleau. The pledge of Allegiance was recited Comments from the Floor: New site by Chris Porter can be found in a link on the CCC website. It has all info about B2G2 tournament. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 9:04 Agenda Approval: Motion to approve. M/S/P Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes: Motion to approve. M/S/P Treasurer’s Report: Lee Pierson reported all expenditures in excess of $500 for April. The expenditures were approved. The May monthly report from Dorn & Wahlberg has not been received. M/S/P Committee Reports: Park Manager: Water usage for April was very comparable to last year. In May, last night was the first time course was watered since later part of April. Clean up day is May 19. Dumpster will be at maintenance by 9 am that morning. There is a fee for some articles. Know what you can recycle and break down boxes. Membership fees due by now – will be handing out 2012 stickers following the meeting. They will be in office available if dues are paid. Pool will open Saturday, May 26. Pool hours 10-10 Friday – Saturday. 10-9 Sunday – Thursday. Course chemicals are up-to-date. Largest projects has been the round-up in areas and broadleaf spray all over course and through common grounds. Clean up day: No tires. No chemicals or chemical containers. Paint (latex) ok but dried up. No batteries. No electronics – TV, microwaves, mini-fridges. Also, time & talent sheets and what can be recycled info sheets will be available with the stickers. Pool Pals will probably be used again this year. Steve Landwehr is no longer available in the park for construction. Course will be closed during park clean-up. Recreation: Check the events calendar for all that is going on. Need help for the June 9th meeting (coffee and treats). July 4th celebration will be June 30th and will be bigger and better than last year. This will be last year for this duo to run this activity so think about volunteering for next year. We are looking for volunteers to lead crafts – contact Diane

Kramer. We would also like to get youth activities up and running. Contact the committee if you’d like to set something up. Activities are listed on the board at the WC, on the website, and in the On Cloud Nine. Park Sales: A total of 13 homes have been sold May 1, 2011 through April 30, 2012. $19,270 was turned over to the park. There are 35 homes, 7 lots for sale at this time. June 10 12-4pm first Open House. Invite friends to visit that day. “Home for sale by owner” closing can be handled by the park sales and will have a fee attached for handling it. Buildings and Grounds: Path on 18 will be rebuilt. Estimate will decide what will be done. Cannot put culverts under there as it isn’t allowed by DNR. Golf: Committee would like 2 from each league. They want to expedite the cart path on 18. Want to make sure each Tuesday is reserved for the volunteers. A short ranger meeting to be held after this meeting. Communications: If you aren’t on the list for the broadcast e-mails, please stop in the office and add your name. Also, if you have changed your address, please notify the office. A new website has been developed for CCC and will have information for the events. A new router is being set up for the Clubhouse to get better wireless availability there. If you have trouble, contact John Barnes or Mark Reiter. Insurance: Have been watching it and it has the lowest rates available. Personnel: Nate is looking for a chairperson for the nominating committee. If anyone is interested or has the name of someone, please contact Nate. Jan Johnson is the Election Judge for 2012. Three positions will be open this fall. Pool: Awning and/or deck is being worked on. We have one bid on it and there is another we want to look at. Park Patrol: No one has stepped forward to chair this. All that needs to be done is the schedule, how to get at the cart in the shed. Nate has a list of volunteers. New Business: Motion to lower price on lots 748 & 749 from $25,000 to $20,000 or reasonable offer. Offer would be looked at by the board. M/S/P Old Business: Transfers: Lot 445 – Terry & Arlene Hadden to Kenneth & Marijo Krueger Lot 417 – Gary & Arvilla Hallaway to Joseph DeSua & Sandra Glessing Motion to Approve: M/S/P June 4th meeting will be at 8:30 am instead of 9 am due to the B2G2 tournament. Next meeting: June 9th at 8:30 a.m. at the Welcome Center Adjournment: M/S/P Respectfully submitted, Kathy Pomerleau, Executive Secretary

ANNUAL BOARD MEETING ON JUNE 23, 2012

MANAGER NEWS By the time this is being read, our pool will have opened for year two. It has been a huge asset for Carefree, and has unbelievable participation and usage. All the work that went into the development and realization of the pool was well worth the effort. This year helping Loren will be Callie, Eric and Kevin. Introduce yourself to these new young people and welcome them to Carefree. The course came through the winter in great shape. There was no outbreak of disease, no wind burn on open greens and very few breaks in the irrigation lines. We have had to hustle to keep up with the weather. We started over a week early, then had our March weather in April which slowed things down, and hopefully, now getting back to more normal weather. Honestly, I wore my shorts more often in March than I did in all of April and the first half of May. There are more events than I could ever list here so go through your Cloud Nine and all the web sites carefully to pick-and-choose your favorites. Do remember that the Carefree 4th of July celebration is June 30th. It sounds like the committee is outdoing last year – I didn’t think this could be done. I have few details, but watch bulletins, the sign and what you hear around the park to keep up with this event. I do know they are seeking volunteers. Get out and enjoy the Minnesota summer. It seems to go by quickly. Mark

CAREFREE ANNUAL GARAGE SALE SATURDAY, JUNE 23RD This year’s garage sale will be on Saturday, June 23rd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Carefree table will be located in the Activity building parking lot instead of the Welcome Center parking lot. If you have donations for the Carefree table, please bring them to the Activity building lot between 9 and 10 a.m. on Saturday. Make sure your items are clean, priced and saleable. NO electronics, micros, grills or air conditioners (we have no place to get rid of them if they don’t sell.) Sign up in the Welcome Center office so your name is on the list. Please sign up by noon on Friday so we can get the lists made. They will be available Friday afternoon and also on Saturday morning in the Activity building lot. A “Shopper’s Lunch” will be available in the Activity building from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. They will be serving sloppy joes. If you have any questions, contact Vicki Olson or Laurel Rohrer. BUILDING & GROUNDS Building & Grounds committee meetings are the 1st Saturday of each month at 8 am at the Clubhouse meeting room. Any questions, give me a call. Shari Bearl #546 or 763-263-1976

CLASSIFIED ADS WANTED: Empty wine bottles~~any color, any size, any shape. May be left at Lot 653. Mavis Hughes BUCKETS & BALLS GOLF GALA It’s time to enjoy each other with a MEMBERS ONLY golf event and potluck dinner Do Not Miss This One 10 a.m. check-in on June 9th – Golf: Best Ball Scramble Surprise Teams of Four – Not necessarily 2 women & 2 men $15 per person – ID holders 13 and over Sign up begins May 19 and ends June 3rd Raffle and Door Prizes – Bring to Vicki Olson (lot 626) or Laurel Rohrer (lot 182) Hole Sponsors - $10 – Words of Wisdom Signs at Office B2G2 Co-ordinators – Jeanne Porter and Paula Wong STAMPING WORKSHOP Our first session of the summer to create greeting cards will be on Monday, June 18. We will meet at 1:00 at the Activity Building. Each project will have all the materials and directions needed to make a special card with many options for greetings and verses. As always, beginners are welcome and we have fun learning some new ideas from each other. The fee of $14.00 will be collected at the workshop. Come join us for a "crafty" afternoon. Participation is limited to 16 persons. See the sign-up sheet in the office or call me at 763263-7914. Jan Malmberg

FOURTH OF JULY EVENTS TAKE PLACE JUNE 30TH

LADIES GOLF LEAGUE Welcome back to all recently returned lady golfers. Our 2012 schedule is posted in lower level of Welcome Center and elsewhere in this Cloud Nine issue. We started league play on May 15th with 19 golfers, some wind and a few gnats. We still meet on Tuesday and Thursday in the lower level of the Welcome Center. The June through August start time is 9:15am so please be there no later than 9:00am to sign in (this is a time change) for the $ .50 Game of the Day and $ .25 Chip in Pot. We also have an annual Hole in One pot for $1.00. We welcome new members at any time so come and try the league out by visiting a couple times before actually joining. I apologize for the error in the May newsletter (my fault) annual dues are now $12.00. JUNE DATES TO MARK ON YOUR CALENDAR: First meeting will be on Tuesday June 5th at 8:00am. We meet in the lower level of the Welcome Center. Please plan to attend. Salad Luncheon with the Msfits is scheduled for Thursday June 14th. Questions or comments please contact Cheri Hallesy @ 763-234-8949 or Lot 753 JUN

JUN

MEETING 8 AM/SIGN UP BY 9 AM/GOLF AT 9:15AM

BRIDGE Bridge classes will start on June 1 at 1:00 in the clubhouse. I'm still looking for a couple more people for a beginners' class. Please contact me if you are interested to schedule another time. My phone number until May 24 is (520) 578-4049, and my email is dnlpalm@aol.com. LaDonna

SUNSHINE & CLOUDS Did you enjoy this column? I know several people did! If you have any sunshine or clouds, please give them to Donna Folkens at lot 751or leave in the On Cloud Nine mailbox at lot 224.

4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION Fourth of July Committee is looking for donations for the carnival - please drop them off at the Welcome Center * 2 liter of pop * Ice Cream/Coffee Cans with lids * Suckers * Empty Glass Beer Bottles * Face Paint & Paint Brushes * Large Piece of Cardboard (i.e. refrig box for the fishing booth) We also need to borrow shelters/awnings the day of the carnival - they must be installed by 9:00 am the morning of the carnival. Check with Laural or Teresa for set up location. Any Crafters/Vendors that are looking for display tables to sell their items, tables are available at $10.00. Please contact Laural Kenney (639) 763-218-8204 or Teresa Winslow (612) 612-418-6647. This would be ideal for knitting, needle work, crafts, Mary Kay, Avon, Simply Tasteful, etc Dessert Bake off Sign Up Sheet is posted at the Welcome Center. After judging is completed, the bake items will be served at the Pig Roast. Float Sign Up Sheet is posted at the Welcome Center this includes walking groups, golf carts, bands, bike groups, motorcycle groups, animal groups, etc. Carnival Sign Up Sheet is posted at the Welcome Center. If you were responsible for a game last year, and would like to take charge again, please let Teresa Winslow know ASAP. If you would like to sign up as a "Helper", please use the sign up sheet. The Parade route will be the same as last year. Holes 9, 10 & 11 will be closed from 11:30 2:00. This year the Parade will not be judged, however, we will have a “People's Choice Award”. Ballot Box will be at the carnival, Award will be given at the Street Dance. Parade @ Noon Carnival - immediately following the parade until 4:30pm Pig Roast - 4:30 - 6:00 pm (ticket pricing still to come) Street Dance 7:00pm - 11:00pm at the Welcome Center Watch for information on a new contest coming to Carefree the day of the celebration. A “CCC Medallion” will be hidden on common grounds (excluding the Golf Course). This is very similar to the Pioneer Press Winter Carnival Medallion hunt. The 4th of July Committee is looking for volunteers to assist in the planning of the Event. Please contact Laural or Teresa if you are interested. Thank you for your support.

Laural Kenney 763-218-8204

CARES AND CONCERNS Cares and Concerns started in 1979 and, this issue is a first! There are no illnesses, deaths or happy events to report! Perhaps I haven’t been in Carefree long enough to have heard who needs our thoughts and prayers. Please let me know and I always check with the family before putting anything in Cloud Nine. A happy event over the winter was the Carefree winter get-together in Surprise AZ. There were about 70 people there, who all enjoyed the social time, good food and entertainment. Thanks to our hosts and to all of you who made the day so much fun. I called Debbie before giving this to Kathy for the June issue to see if she had heard anything new. She didn’t have any to report but Mark told me “he was feeling well” and that’s the extent of my news for June. Keep me posted at lot 572 763-263-6718 Marie Heiges Coincidence is God’s way of staying anonymous. P.S. Continue to remember Lou Davis (143) in your prayers.

CAREFREE “IDOL” June 23rd, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. - Activity Building Come, Be Entertained, Vote for your favorite contestant to be “CAREFREE’S 1ST IDOL” The audience is necessary to this event since they will determine the winner! Snacks will be provided – B.Y.O.B.

Tickets - $5 at the office (starting 6/1/12) $6 at the door DON’T MISS THIS EXCITING EVENT!!

PREACHING TO THE CHOIR!! It gets really OLD when we need to “preach to the choir” every month. What am I talking about?

GARBAGE TRASH JUNK

Every day it seems like something needs to be moved from the dumpster area! The other day, a couple of the volunteers moved two (2) scoops of trash with the bobcat that shouldn’t have been there. Behind the maintenance shed there are so many things people have taken upon themselves to dispose of that now it’s going to cost all of us money to get rid of it. A lot of it could be put into the dumpster that was being placed for park clean up. That left less space for you to dispose of things. If you want to get rid of something, DON’T LEAVE IT AT THE MAINTENANCE SHED WITHOUT ASKING MARK. There may be a slight fee but why should all of us pay for it when you know you’d have to pay for it at home or if we didn’t have this convenience? REMEMBER: Garbage costs us all money.

Tires, bike, microwave oven, paint, TVs, tables, lawn chair, grill, antenna, board, door

Cleaned up trash area (Cans are gone also!) THIS IS THE WAY IT SHOULD LOOK!

HOLE-IN-ONE Ann Gallus (lot 542) got a hole-in-one on #3 on May 15, 2012 – witness was Verna Lundgren. Congratulations Ann! FIRST OPEN HOUSE OF 2012 Sunday, June 10, 2012 Noon to 4PM Listings available at Welcome Center Information Table after 11:30 am Sunday THANKS TO CHUCK MATTHEWS FOR TAKING IN ALL THE CANS & THANKS TO ROGER NELSON & JERRY POMERLEAU FOR CLEANING UP THE DUMPSTER AREA MONTHLY EVENTS COMING IN JUNE 9th - B2G2 (Buckets and Balls Golf Gala) Tourney 10am 15th – Cocktails & Cribbage 6pm 16th – Wine & Cheese Pool Party 3-5pm 16th – Comedian Pat Kavanaugh 5pm 17th – Father’s Day French Toast Breakfast 8:30-11am 18th – Stamping Workshop 22nd – Ladies Night In 23rd – Annual Board Meeting 23rd – Garage Sale 10-3 23rd – Shoppers Lunch 11:30-1 23rd – Carefree “Idol” 7pm 30th – July 4th Celebration See the calendar for Movie Titles showing on Friday nights, Bunco, Aerobics, Water Aerobics, All Games Night, Firm & Tone, Hand & Foot, Mexican Train, Mah Jong, Bridge, Computer Club, Golf, Tennis, Poker, and MANY OTHERS. NEW ACTIVITIES: Sewing, Shuffleboard, 500 Card Club, Stitch & Sip, Musical Events, Men’s Bible Study and Crafts If you’re bored at Carefree, you aren’t looking very hard! There seems to be something for everyone. CO-ED EXERCISE Welcome everyone back to this beautiful park. Now to get some exercise, come on down on M-W-F at 7:45am for exercise on the mat, and 8am for aerobic exercise to music. It is a lot of fun and you get your cardio working and what a good way to start the day off. Everyone is invited so come on over to the Activity Bldg any M-W-F. Any questions give either me, Shari Bearl a call or Irene Rizner. Both of us will be happy to answer any of your questions.

!! NEW !! Beginning Tuesday June 5 “STRETCH & STRENGTHEN” This is a ZERO to LOW impact CO-ED exercise class geared toward the “Super Senior” and those with physical limitations such as Hip, Knee, Back, Shoulder, etc. You will be working with a chair, stretchy band and floor mat Tuesday & Thursday 7:30 - 8:15 AM In the ACTIVITY BLDG For Information Contact: Jeanne Beckenbach # 521 651-270-3694 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What Are You Waiting For? Let’s Get Fit!

Co - ed Firm & Tone At the Welcome Center Beginning Tues. May 8th Tue - Thurs - Fri 11:30 - 12:30 (bring a mat) For Information Contact: Jeanne Beckenbach Lot # 521 Phone 651-270-3694

Co - ed Water Aerobics Move To The Beat Of 50’s & 60’s Music Beginning Saturday June 2 Mon - Wed - Sat 9:00 am - 10:00 am (Bring a Noodle) For info contact: Jeanne Beckenbach Lot # 521 Phone # 651-270-3694 *This is in addition to water aerobics with Shirley Nygren Beginning Fri. June 1 Tue - Thur - Fri 9:00 AM

MEN’S POKER Men's Poker will begin on Wednesday, May 30th at 7:00 PM in the Club House. All Players are welcome. Ron Norstrem 763-263-9178 Lot 721

TIME & TALENT SHEETS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE OFFICE IF YOU HAVEN’T FILLED ONE OUT - THE RECREATION COMMITTEE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE A SHEET FROM ALL ADULTS THAT ARE FULL-TIME OR “WEEKENDERS” AT YOUR LOT!!