Manager's Memo

By Tony Martin  

In December, the Board voted to authorize the purchase and erection of a fifty foot flagpole and huge American flag in the island recreational area. We looked at and discussed three different sites for the flagpole. Each location had its pro's and con's, and it came down to two sites that were clearly more viable than the third.
The chair of the Building and Grounds Committee and the Executive Committee members finalized the consideration of the sites by traveling to the area; three by boat with me, and two by vehicle, on a bitter cold Tuesday morning. As we crossed the lake in the boat, ice was striking us in the face. One of the sites under consideration was on the point of land by the new fuel center, where the small flagpole is currently located.
I do not put much stock in omens or premonitions, and usually am amazed at how many people do. But, as we pulled up in the boat, we spotted a huge, beautiful Bald Eagle, perched in a tree top right over the proposed flagpole location. He did not move. He simply sat regally and stared at us. That did it for me. I can take a hint. We did look at the other site, but the vote was unanimous for the Eagle's choice. Hopefully, we maintained our sense of reason throughout the discussion, but I for one am not about to deny or underestimate the impact of the presence of our national symbol at the chosen site at the exact time of our visit.

The flag will be visible night and day for many miles up and down the lake. The flagpole will probably be erected by the time you read this newsletter. We will allow the pole to set for a month or so, and will have a formal initial flag raising ceremony on Saturday, February 7, at noon. If the weather does not cooperate, we will have the ceremony the following Saturday, February 14, at noon. There will be more details about the ceremony in the next Chatter.
 

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