sherwood scene
April - June 2025
Board of Directors
Tom McBride: President
6724 SW Aylesbury Rd. Topeka, KS 66610
Kurt Bossert: Vice President
7544 SW Blue Inn Pl. Topeka, KS 66610
Randy Forbes: Corporate Secretary
7619 SW Robinhood Ct. Topeka KS 66614
Mike Kongs: Treasurer
7261 SW Fountaindale Rd. Topeka, KS 66614
Jo Hunt
7031 SW Fountaindale Rd. Topeka, KS 66614
Rob Seitz
7061 SW Fountaindale Rd. Topeka, KS 66614
Paul Feist
3624 Blue Inn Rd. Topeka KS 66614
Janell Mergan
7623 SW Robinhood Ct. Topeka, KS 66614
Joe Mans
7430 SW Falcon Topeka, KS 66610
Board member contact information is available at sherwoodlakeclub.org in the member’s only section. Email manager@ sherwoodlakeclub.org if you need help signing in.
Calendar of Events
Clubhouse Rentals
06/10 – Sherwood Improvement District
06/12 – Bridge Club
06/14 – Brenna Thornton
06/17 – Laura Harrison
06/18 – Sailing Club Social
06/21 – Linda Gwaltney
06/22 – Margret Stewart
06/23 – Sherwood Lake Club Board Meeting
06/28 – Michael Gibson
07/08 – Sherwood Improvement District
07/10 – Bridge Club
07/16 – Sailing Social Club
07/18 – Sailing Club Commodore Cup Awards
07/19 – Sailing Club Commodore Cup Awards
07/24 – LQEC Meeting
07/27 – Lori Moser
07/28 – Sherwood Lake Club Board Meeting
08/12 – Sherwood Improvement District
08/14 – Bridge Club
08/19 – Jen Foster
08/20 – Sailing Club Social
08/21 – Jen Foster
08/25 – Sherwood Lake Club Board Meeting
08/30 – Lyndsie Un
Other Events
06/20 – Trivia at the Beach
THINGS TO KNOW
Lake Patrol Schedule
M-F 7:00am to 2:30pm on call M-F 2:30pm – 10:00pm Weekends through Labor Day 7:00am – 10:00pm
Food Trucks
We will once again be hosting a weekly food truck at the beach starting Wednesday, May 28th from 5-8pm and all Wednesday evenings through the summer. You will receive a reminder that morning along with a menu. This information will also be available on the Club calendar at sherwoodlakeclub.org. Trucks are subject to change depending on the weather. We hope you can join your neighbors this summer at the Beach!
06/04 – Hook & Que
06/11 – DJ's Diner
06/18 – El Zocalo
06/25 – Tod's BBQ
07/02 – Flavor Wagon
07/09 – JLG MEXI-Q
07/16 – TBD
07/23 – Flavor Wagon
07/30 – DJ's Diner
08/6 – Hook & Que
08/13 – JLG MEXI-Q
08/20 – TBD
08/27 – El Zocalo
Facebook Group
We are using Facebook as another way to communicate to members. The Facebook Group “Sherwood Lake Club Inc. A/B Members” is our official private group for members only. To join, go to groups in Facebook and search for our group. Answer the two questions and select join. Once we confirm your lake club membership you will be admitted to the group.
We also have a public Facebook Page “Sherwood Lake Club Inc. – Topeka, KS”. This will be used periodically to promote the lake and share activities of interest to the non-member community.
Updated Bylaws and Rules and Regulations
New versions of our Bylaws and Rules and Regulations were approved by the Board at the December 23, 2024 meeting. They incorporate changes approved by the Board over the past several years. The following are links to the new versions.
https://www.sherwoodlakeclub.org/docs/SLC_ ByLaws_Board_Approved_Final_12232024.docx.pdf
https://www.sherwoodlakeclub.org/docs/SLC_Rules_ and_Regulations_Board_Approved_Final_12232024_1. docx.pdf
Shoreline and Dock
Any dock or shoreline additions or improvements must be approved by SLC. KDWR and Shawnee County Planning require a permit for any NEW improvements. Repairs or replacing existing shoreline without changing the layout do not require permits. When in doubt, give the SLC Lake Manager a call at 785-221-3248. For new docks or lifts contact Rob Seitz at 785-478-1745.
Boater’s Safety Course
You can watch the video and take the quiz via the website. If you do not have access, contact the Lake Club Manager 785-221-3248 or email manager@sherwoodlakeclub.org
Welcome New Members
Steele & Kasie Burgen
Devon & Brenna Thornton
Jordan & Kaitlyn Sester
Nathen & Erica Hill
Member Wait List (Top 5)
Josef Milazzo
Ashley & Toni Grady
Leslie Riegsecker-Murata
Kelly Swift Mike & Cathy Rinehart
Marina Slip Wait List (Top 5)
Greg Umscheid
Dan & Katie Milburn
Casey Simpson
James Hicks Sharad Doshi
Letter from the SLC Board President
Boating Season Friendly Reminder
With the Boating Season upon us I urge everyone to review the rules governing boat operation on Sherwood Lake. You may find the By-Laws, Rule & Regulations on the Lake Sherwood Club Website.
Please remember to contact Eric Bauer or Lake Patrol to put your boat on the lake. The annual registration can be obtained from Eric or the Patrol, too.
Chris Towle again this year has lined up the Food Trucks for most Wednesday Evenings. Please look for the weekly announcement and join your neighbors at the beach for good food and conversation.
Janell Mergan has the 4th of July festivities planning almost wrapped up, but we could always use more volunteers to help and donations for the fireworks, please. Janell also has planned a “Trivia Night” at the beach for June 20th! The first 20 Teams get to play.
The engineers keep answering the FEMA questions and FEMA keeps us waiting. Hopefully we will have some news about the dam construction soon.
Jo Hunt and Janell Mergan have developed a new Facebook group “Sherwood Lake Club Inc. A/B Members”. Please sign up for this new way to communicate with the Sherwood Lake Community.
I sincerely hope you have a wonderful Summer of Boating and Fun!
Thank you, Tom
Bus: 785-272-8858
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Lake Manager's Report
Thank you to the members who volunteered with spring clean-up this year.
• Suggestions from members to get more volunteers. It is always the same few members.
• Please review under the Rules and Regulations of Lake Sherwood. (Section I. Boating). BOAT REGISTRATION, DECALS & NUMBERING & EXPIRATION STICKERS – The following rules shall apply to all boats and personal watercraft: (a) No boat shall be launched or operated on Sherwood Lake until the boat has been registered in writing with the Club. Written Registration form requirements shall be established by the Board. Title or Bill of Sale, manufacturer’s specifications sheet and a safety check, as pursuant to Rules I.3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 are required at time of registration.
• Registration stickers are available from the Lake Patrol Manager. An Aquatic pledge form also needs to be signed by members. For purposes of controlling invasive species (zebra mussels), ability to rescue watercrafts that flow away during storms, and to ensure registrations are kept current, the following decal, numbering and expiration sticker rules apply:
• The carp spawn was only 2 days, so we removed 13. My process will get better in the future. I am still figuring out the fishery and talking to members fishing at the lake. Members can use small white marshmallows and a hook to catch carp currently, bring them to the lake patrol for disposal.
• Lake Patrol Hours.
On Call Hours M-F 7:00 am to 2:30pm. Patrol on duty M-F 2:30pm to 10:00Pm. Weekends through Labor Day 7:00am to 10:00pm.
• New members and existing members please watch the boater safety course and review the boating rules. To provide a safe boating season for all members. Login to members view on the website.
• Thank you, Judy Nightingale, for planting flowers at the beach and clubhouse; they look beautiful.
• Lake water samples were taken and sent off for analysis on May 21, 2025.
• Weathered deck boards at the marina will be replaced with composite in June. The plan is to replace 200ft each year until completion.
• Repairs to the beach dock system from ice damage from winter should be complete, by June 1, 2025
• Misplaced beach cards. Please contact the lake manager if they are lost so they can be deactivated. The replacement price is $15.00.
Clubs and Activities
Sailing Club
The Sherwood Sailing Club (SSC) has been in existence for 50+ years and has over 40 members. Season races are scheduled through September 28 on Sundays with a 1:30 start and snacks at the beach following each race. SSC is also all about social time. They host several parties throughout the year and a social/game night at the clubhouse on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. A one-day regatta will be held on July 19th, with dinner and awards that evening. All lake members are welcome to join the sailing/social club. Racing is not required to be a member and enjoy our social events and treats at the beach after Sunday races. Contact Jim Phelps at JimJoyPhelps@gmail.com for more information. SSC also provides free lessons in June on Tuesday evenings at 6:00, no experience or boat is required. Call or text Chuck Towle at (785) 845-1218 to register for lessons.
Bridge Club
The Bridge Club has also been in existence for over 50 years. They meet September to May on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 1:00 at the clubhouse. This year they had 7 tables with room to add more. They play 20 hands and award prizes each month. It is also a very social group including a lunch in May before play. Email or text Pam Boetcher at pboetcher@gmail.com or (785) 845-6569 you are interested in joining the group in September. You can join with a partner, as a single and get paired up, or as a sub.
Ski Club
If you or your kids are interested in learning how to wakeboard or ski, they are giving lessons on Wednesday nights at 6 PM this summer. To register, call or text Paul Feist at 785-249-3928 with your name, age (if not an adult) and phone number. They have trainer skis for kids and adults. There are plenty of adult life jackets, but if you have a life jacket for your kids, please bring them. NOTE: Wake surf lessons may be offered later in the summer.
Sand Volleyball
Informal groups have played sand volleyball by the clubhouse for years but it has been suggested to formalize our players. If you currently play, or are interested in playing, contact Brenna Thorton at (785) 217-8999 or brennameierthornton@gmail.com.
Couples Golf
This group plays 9 holes of scramble golf on Thursday afternoons during the summer, followed by dinner at a Topeka restaurant. Numbers are somewhat limited by tee times and space for dinner but they do add new members periodically.
Is there a group we are not aware of or are you interested in starting a new club? Contact Jo Hunt at anitajohunt@gmail.com for assistance and promotion of your activities. Previously suggested ideas are Bunko, Wine, Fishing, and Oar & Paddle, they just need an organizer. Clubs can be as formal or informal as you want.
Easter Egg Hunt
Our first Easter Egg Hunt was held April 19 and was a ton of fun! Thanks to new board member Janell Mergan for the great idea and organization. Thanks also to all who participated and to the Blind Barista for the warm and yummy drinks.
Easter Egg Hunt
Member Spotlight
by Joy Dodd
Randy and Lisa McAllister live on Robin Hood Court on the far west side of the lake. Randy is a retired physician and as a scientist has an innate interest in lake ecosystems. He moved to the lake in 1994 and served on the Long Range Planning Committee prior to being elected to the SLC Board. He served as president from 2000-2001. He was instrumental in enacting the Aquatic Management and Protection Plan that was developed to address Stonewart, a long stringy aquatic weed that was invading our lake. Best science at the time indicated a series of actions including the use of herbicides and the introduction of grass carp to eat non-beneficial vegetation. Also in this time, our first dredging project was undertaken and proved to be a partialsuccess. One problem was that the suction dredge couldn’t access under or around docks. Boat owners were asked to drop their motors and run them to displace the silt away from their docks. Dredged silt material was pumped via floating pipes to the east end and over the dam where it remained permanently. Some of these actions were more effective than others and much was learned in the process.
An interesting fact about the origin of our lake – Excavation was in high gear in the 1960’s but not completely finished when the lake began to fill up due to heavy rains. Because of this, construction stopped, preventing the west end from being as deep as originally planned. Even at full water capacity, the west end will always be shallow. An important feature of the bottom of a lake is a clay pan which covers much of the bottom of our lake. The clay pan is impervious to water absorption but if it is punctured by a faulty dredging process or a homeowner attempting to dig out silt without proper expertise, the pan can be corrupted and the lake could start leaking.
Terracon, an environmental consulting service, was hired by the Lake Club in the 1990’s to survey our shorelines and provide guidance and recommendations for seawalls. The recommendations of thirty years ago are still valid and the McAllisters have taken them seriously. More recently when their shoreline was crumbling and in need of an overhaul, a new limestone sea wall was installed. This was a major undertaking
as their property wraps around the point. They were mindful to protect the shoreline from erosion and have planted native plants that are not water-thirsty and have included numerous pathways, a woodland area and stone features. With careful consideration to native species, plants have been selected to create inviting and healthy habitats for animals especially birds, insects, and all pollinators. Hollowed out stumps will create nurseries for all kinds of beneficial creatures, especially bees.
When you are considering a shoreline improvement, remember that your work will require a permit to
Member Spotlight
proceed. Always check with the Board first. A variety of shoreline frontages are beneficial and not just for aesthetics. While every shoreline does not need aquatic plants, some are needed to shelter juvenile fish nurseries and create other critical habitats. Certain plantings can protect and stabilize your shoreline. While a sand beach may be fun for the kids, without some kind of boundary or buffer, it will likely end up in the lake.
Have you ever taken the time to read the informative and critically important documents provided on the Club’s website by the Lake Quality & Environment Committee? Randy McAllister researched, performed testing, and authored those papers which include critical information about SEDIMENTATION (siltation, sand, and organic debris), NUTRIENT LOADING (fertilization, leaf pollution and waterfowl fecal contamination), and AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES (predominantly Zebra mussels). Additional documents include Fishery Management and Water Quality Monitoring.
In Randy’s view, the two most important things YOU can do to keep our lake beautiful are to keep your leaves and lawn debris from entering the water. Mulch your grass and leaves whenever possible. Secondly, NO ZEBRA MUSSELS! Remain diligent. We all know the rules. Let’s follow them.
If you have questions, need recommendations, contractor referrals, or just want to have a conversation with Randy, please reach out to him at rmcallister4@cox.net. He is always happy to talk about the beauty and value of our incredible lake environment.
Sailing Club
TSaturday, May 17th at Linda Gwaltney’s house, followed by our first race on Sunday. Chuck Towle won this year's coveted “Charlie Hoch Award Winner First Race” travelling trophy. Our annual Commodore Cup Regatta is scheduled for Saturday, July 19th, with the awards banquet to follow in the Lake Clubhouse. This year's Pirate Treasure Hunt is planned for Saturday, August 23rd, with the dinner party at Julie Hein’s house. Our last race is scheduled for September 28, followed by the “last race party.” The season will be wrapped up with our annual season awards banquet on Saturday, December 6th.
Our 2025 SSC officers are the following:
• Jim & Joy Phelps, Commodores
• Al Hunt, Vice Commodore
•Chuck Towle, Treasurer
• Julie Hein & Linda Gwaltney, Social Co-Chairs
Feel free to contact them regarding the club and get on our mailing list. We constantly seek new members to join our sailing/social club. Also, note that we’ve started a “Third Wednesday of the Month” social at the clubhouse, where treats and drinks are brought to enjoy. We usually play cards and may have some racing rules and strategy sessions. Also, free sailing lessons will be available at the beach on Tuesdays in June, starting at 6 PM. You don’t need a boat, just a life jacket, boating shoes, and clothing that may get wet.
Sherwood Lake Club Fishing Regulations
The following creel, possession and slot limits shall apply to all fishing on Lake Sherwood.
Individuals that violate these limits shall be suspended from all Lake Club Privileges for one (1) year from date of violation, in addition to “Penalties” as may be determined under the Sherwood Lake Club Rules and Regulations which may be amended or updated from time to time.
NO WARNING WILL BE ISSUED!
Adopted 05/2021
Sherwood Lake Club Board of Director Minutes:
All minutes can be found on the website, sherwoodlakeclub.org. Members can use the links below to retrieve them.
February 24: http://www.sherwoodlakeclub.org/docs/20250224_Boar d_Minutes_.docx.pdf
March 24: http://www.sherwoodlakeclub.org/docs/_20250324_Boa rd_Minutes_.docx.pdf
April 28: http://www.sherwoodlakeclub.org/docs/20250428_Boar d_Minutes_.docx_1.pdf
