This Year in Roaming Shores 2019

January

• We entered January with mild temperatures but the month’s weather fluctuated wildly with cold, wind, and even a tornado in the county just south of us!
• Friends and Neighbors began its Winter Dinner Nights.
• Roaming Rock Marina and RRA participated in the Cleveland Boat Show at the IX Center in Cleveland. They’ll be back in 2020.
• Roaming Shores Village Council voted to hold two monthly meetings.

February

• The month began with sub zero temperatures, our resident groundhogs falsely predicted an early Spring.
• The 14th Annual Polar Bear Plunge was moved to February, but that didn’t stop nearly 100 crazy folks from taking the plunge!
• RRA Board Member John Lindemann resigned.
• High Winds knocked out power for many.

March

• An early March winter storm knocked out power prompting the RSPD to encourage residents to sign up for Swift911
• The RSPD held a Woman’s Self Defense Course at the Clubhouse
• 4 candidates ran for 3 open seats on the Board of Directors.
• Paradise Bay held a Casino Bus Trip and also raised funds for the Fireworks Display

April

• Friends and Neighbors held their last Winter Dinner Night of the season.
• The split rail fence near the Clubhouse was replaced.
• Men’s Golf began its season.
• The Dredging Advisory Committee was formed.
• The RRA held its Annual Meeting.
• Rick Brothers retained his seat on the Board and was joined by newcomers, Cheryl Fain and Nadine Pope.

May

• The month began with heavy spring rains which lead to the High Water/No Wake lights being turned on. Rains persisted throughout the month.
• The Village hosted another successful Cleanup Day and Expo.
• Paradise Bay held a Fish Fry Fundraiser benefiting the Fireworks. Another Fish Fry is being planned for 2020.
• The Ashtabula County Metroparks revealed plans to build a new parking lot and trailhead facility for improved access to the Western Reserve Greenway Trail in the Village of Roaming Shores.
• Jason Krippel and his crew at True Care Landscaping donated their time and material to spruce up the RRA Office.
• Ladies Golf League kicked off their season.
• The Fishing Club held their first tournament of the year.
• The Water Aerobics Club began their summer season.
• Lake Management began their lake water testing program for the year.
• The Pools and Concession Stand opened for another season.
• The Roaming Shores Community Preparedness Club held a Family Water Safety Event.

June

• June also began with heavy rains that raised the lake to a level where the High Water/No Wake lights had to be switched on. Another event took place mid-June.
• The Fishing Club had a very busy month hosting their first tournament of the year, Kids Learn to Fish Day, a Rummage Sale, and Kids Fishing Day.
• Fortunately, one of our very sparse days without rain fell during one of the Annual Garage Sale days
• The Roaming Shores Community Preparedness Club held a Senior Care 101 seminar.
• Dredging on the south-end of the lake began.
• The Ashtabula County Auditors Office began revaluation for tax year 2020.
• The STARS Club held its first Winery Bus Tour of the year.

July

• Independence Day Celebrations began in the Shores!
• 127 signed for the STARS Club’s 2nd Roaming Shores 5K with 107 crossing the finish line!
• 7 boats participated in the Roaming Shores Police Department’s Annual Cardboard Boat Race.
• 13 teams entered the Annual Jason Scribben Memorial Volleyball Tournament held at Beach 1.
• The Fireworks Display lit up the sky and capped off another amazing weekend!
• Safety on the lake and enforcement became a hot topic following recklessness on the lake during the holiday weekend.
• Members of the Dredging Advisory Committee formed the Environmental Advocacy Club.
• The Village discussed future plans for the Boulevard.
• In addition to constant rain, our area was hit with Excessive Heat Warnings.
• The Roaming Shores Community Preparedness Club held Vessel Safety Checks.
• Roaming Rock Marina donated its proceeds to the Fireworks Fund for National Ice Cream Day.
• RSPD reported a tragic and fatal accident involving a golf cart.
• Yet another heavy rain event hit our area causing the High Water/No Wake lights to be switched on again. Our neighbors to the south received over 6 inches of rain!
• The RSPD received several reports of black bear sightings.

August

• Generous residents came together to raise money for a local resident who had been diagnosed with kidney failure.
• The RRA Board of Directors held an Employee Appreciation Day.
• RSPD held its 2nd Annual Golf Scramble.
• The Fishing Club hosted another fun Ed Baitt’s Mixed Couples Tournament.
• The STARS Club held a Taco Night at the Clubhouse.
• An Informational Dredging Presentation was given by the Environmental Advocacy group at the Covered Bridge Pavilion.
• Friends and Neighbors held a Potluck Supper at the Clubhouse.
• Heavy rains and a sunny, hot summer contributed to elevated bacteria and algae counts in the lake.
• The Village of Roaming Shores turned 40!
• The southwest channel of the south-end of the lake was wrapped up with work progessing to the southeast channel.
• Utility Superintendent Vic Virmala left the RSV Utility Dept after 10 years of service.

September

• We reached the end of the summer season and the pools and concession stand were closed down for the year.
• Jim Swartz resigned from the Board of Directors as he and his wife were moving to Michigan.
• Ashtabula County held a forfeited land sale which auctioned off several delinquent lots in Roaming Shores.
• The Roaming Shores Community Preparedness Club held a Veterans Benefits Presentation.
• The Environmental Advocacy Group and RRA Board agreed to split the expense of completing a sediment survey.
• The Fishing Club installed a fountain in the Clubhouse Cove in memory of Ed Baitt.
• Members of the RRA Board and staff attended the Fall OLCA conference.
• Another month, another heavy rain event!
• The STARS hosted their 1st Annual Rib Cookoff. The event was a success and sold out quickly. Dan & Danielle Fultz – Team Dan’s Backyard BBQ were the winners. This event will be returning 2020 and we’re looking forward to the result!
• The STARS Club hosted a Wine Tasting Presentation with John Pallo presenting.

October

• Summer got confused and hung around until Fall.
• The Village hosted a meeting regard joining a Regional Water/Sewer District.
• As the Fishing Club was unable to host the Annual Clam Bake, the event was picked up by the Polar Bear Club.
• In addition to warning residents not to flush so-called disposable wipes, the RSV Utility Dept dealt with issues related to resident flushing injection syringes into their toilets/waste water system.
• It was a cold, wet Halloween, but the ghosts and goblins had fun trick-or-treating.
• RSPD Halloween events expanded to include its 1st Annual Pumpkin Races. In the evening, they held a Halloween Happening and Costume Contest at the Clubhouse.

November

• Not to be outdone, November began with a wicked wind storm!
• The lake lowering process began.
• Frank Cicogna for the 2nd time since donating the Roaming Shores entrance signs revamped them.
• During the General Election Roaming Shores voters passed the Police levy and re-elected Bob Cook to the Village Council joined by newcomer Gary Meighen.
• RSPD held a Can the Cruiser event filling 2 cruisers with goods and raising money for those in need.
• The new Greenway Trail Parking lot and Trailhead was completed by the Ashtabula Metroparks.
• The Community Preparedness Club held a Winter Preparedness and Fire Safety Program at the Clubhouse.
• The Village considered eliminating the ‘available for use’ fee assessed to vacant lot owners.
• The STARS Club held a Holiday Winery Bus Tour on Black Friday.

December

• Friends & Neighbors held a Tree Trimming Social Hour at the Clubhouse.
• The Polar Bear Club hosted the Annual Breakfast with Santa.
• The Toys for Tots bins at the RRA & RSV Offices, the Marina, and the Wright Place overflowed with presents for children in need thanks to the generosity of our many awesome donors!

In Memoriam:

Remembering those we lost this year…

• Ron Davis
• James Morgan
• Bob Johnson
• Gertrude Bozak
• Doris Cook (longtime Shores News reporter)
• Robert Crombie
• Shelia Nieder
• Kevin Zeller
• Gertrude Bozak
• Wilma Meddock
• Bob Berndt
• Cliff Eucker
• Brian Knipper
• Tom O’Keefe
• Bill Enstrom
• Mark Forgach

Looking towards 2020

We had a lot of fun in 2019 and 2020 will be no exception. Check out the planned 2020 Community Events proudly brought to you by our Clubs and the Roaming Shores Police Department.

See the RRA website for details. The success of our Clubs depends on the participation of our membership either as participants or organizers! If you’ve ever had an event or activity idea… or would just like to help out, consider joining a Club! Looking forward to a great new year!

Planned 2020 Events:

• Jan 10th—Winter Dinner Night—Friends & Neighbors
• Feb 7th—Winter Dinner Night—Friends & Neighbors
• Feb 29th—Polar Bear Plunge—Polar Bear Club
• Mar 13th—Winter Dinner Night—Friends & Neighbors
• Apr 10th—Winter Dinner Night—Friends & Neighbors
• Apr 25th—Annual Meeting
• May 2nd—Cleanup Day/Expo ‘20
• May 2nd—Ladies Golf Kickoff Brunch
• May 8th—Potluck Supper—Friends & Neighbors
• May 9th—Don Williams Fishing Tournament—Fishing Club
• May 9th—Cub Scouts Crossover Ceremony
• May 23rd—Pools & Concession Open
• June 6th—Kids Learn to Fish Day—Fishing Club
• June 12 & 13-Community Garage Sale
• June 20th—Kids Fishing Day—Fishing Club
• July 4th
  • Roaming Shores 5K—STARS Club
  • Cardboard Boat Races—RSPD
  • Jason Scribben Volleyball Tournament
  • Cornhole Tournament—STARS Club
  • Fireworks—STARS Club
• July 5th—Fireworks Rain Date
• July 10th—Potluck Supper—Friends & Neighbors
• July 11th—Jack Cone Fishing Tournament—Fishing Club
• Aug 8th—Ed Baitt Couples Fishing Tourn.—Fishing Club
• Aug 14th—Potluck Supper—Friends & Neighbors
• Sept 7th—Pools & Concession Stand Close
• Sept 12th—Dean Blanton Bass Tournament—Fishing Club
• Sept 12th—Rib Cookoff—STARS Club
• Sept 26th—Wine Tasting—STARS Club
• Sept 27th—Clam Bake—Polar Bear Club
• Oct 31st
  • Pumpkin Races—RSPD
  • Trick or Treating
  • Costume Contest—RSPD
• Nov 27th—Holiday Winery Bus Tour—STARS Club
• Dec 4th—Tree Trimming—Friends & Neighbors
• Dec 12th—Breakfast with Santa—Polar Bear Club

Club meeting dates:

• Community Preparedness: 3rd Monday of the Month at 6:30pm @ Clubhouse (Jan and Feb meetings will be held the last monday)
• Environmental Advocacy Group: Monthly on Saturdays at 9am @ RRA Office
• Fishing Club: 2nd Monday April, May, Oct, Nov at 7pm @ Clubhouse & following Tournaments
• Ladies Golf: 1st Thursday in May until the 4th Thursday in September @ Hemlock Springs
• Men’s Golf: Last Thursday in April till Mid-September @ Hemlock Springs
• Quilting Group: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 1:00pm @ Quilting Block on Route 45
• Shores Hold’em: 1st & 3rd Fridays at 7pm @ Clubhouse
• STARS Club: 2nd Wednesdays at 6pm @ Clubhouse
• Water Aerobics: Monday – Friday from 9am to 10am at Pool 2 from Memorial Day to Labor Day

Onwards

I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all of the hard working individuals who volunteer their time, energy, ideas, monetary contributions, assistance of their families, and so much more for to the community of Roaming Shores! You are the folks that truly make a difference! See you in 2020!

Jen Addair
RomeRock Association Office Assistant, Webmaster, and Editor of This Week in Roaming Shores