admin

With Sympathy: James Gilchrist

From the Star Beacon:

ROAMING SHORES — James H. Gilchrist, age 83, of Roaming Shores, Ohio, passed away Monday, Dec. 9, 2013.

Born April 12, 1930, in Bellshill, Scotland, he was a son of the late Margaret (Cook) and James Gilchrist and married May Murray in Motherwell, Scotland, on August 16, 1952.

James worked as a pipefitter at Uniroyal. He served in the Scots Guards.

He was a former member of Chapel United Methodist Church.

James enjoyed spending time with his family. He especially enjoyed attending and watching his grandchildren participate in many sports and extracurricular activities. Traveling with his family was always a great joy.

He is survived by his wife, May Gilchrist of Roaming Shores; sons, James (Janet) Gilchrist of Centerville, Ohio, and Iain (Debbi) Gilchrist of Roaming Shores; grandchildren, Alec, Allison, Kyle and Amanda; and brother, Tom (Elspeth) Gilchrist of Blackpool, England.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert.

Private services were observed.

Donations in James’ name may be made to The American Cancer Society, 10501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44106-2204.

Arrangements are being handled by THE BEHM FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 26 River St., Madison, Ohio 44057. Obituary and condolences at www.behmfuneral.com and starbeacon.com.

The Annual Fall Turnover Algae Bloom

by Richard D. Gainar, CEBS
Chairman, LMC

Did anyone notice the huge algae bloom during the last week of October? That’s because the lake “turned over”. “Turnover” is an annual phenomenon in deep, stratified lakes like ours. Cold, dense water holds at the bottom of the lake during warm weather while lighter, warm water floats nearer the surface above it. The fuel that spikes the algae bloom is phosphorus, the primary enemy of good water quality. While there was only 28 ug/L in the surface water before the turnover, the bottom water contained a much higher 490 ug/L. Phosphorus is released from the organic lake sediment (decayed weeds, leaves, dead algae, etc.) by de-oxygenated water and is held during summer months at the bottom of our lake by the denser water. Every year when the weather cools the top water to a temperature below that of the bottom water, the lake “turns over” mixing all that phosphorus throughout the water column giving algae that annual shot-in-the-arm resulting in a major bloom.

At our November 7th Association meeting a resident provided some test results that seemed to indicate that algal toxin levels in the waters of three coves were well above acceptable levels. However, the subsequent testing of the same waters by our consultants using official Ohio EPA sampling protocol indicated no detectable levels of toxins. It may be that a difference in sample collection techniques accounted for the difference. Nonetheless, residents need to understand that higher toxin levels may be associated with algae scum and should avoid coming in contact with it when possible.

Christmas Events

Promotion Club Tree Trimmingchristmas-tree

On Friday, December 6th, the Promotion Club will be hosting a Tree Trimming Social Hour at the Clubhouse. Each family is requested to donate an ornament to decorate the Christmas Tree.

Polar Bear Club Breakfast with Santa

On December 14, the Polar Bear Club will be hosting Breakfast with Santa at the Clubhouse from 9am – 11am (Santa appears at 10am).

The party is free for all Children and Grandchildren (12 years old and younger) of Roaming Shores Residents. Each child will receive a gift from Santa. Registration is required with a cutoff date of December 7th. You can register by emailing the Polar Bear Club at joeythepolarbear@yahoo.com. Please make sure to indicate:

  1. Number of Adults
  2. Number of Kids
  3. Name, Age, and Gender of each kid

Donations are highly welcome to help cover increasing costs to host this event.

Rome Fire Dept Children’s Christmas Party
santa

Come Visit Santa & tell him what you would like for Christmas

Join us in welcoming Santa!
Visit with Santa while enjoying Christmas music & refreshments
Hosted By: Roman Candles Auxiliary
When: Saturday, December 14, 2013 from 1-3pm
Where: Rome Volunteer Fire Department
(The Corner of Rt. 6 & Rt. 45)
Children 12 & under

With Sympathy: Francis M. Chevalier

Francis M. Chevalier (1934 – 2013)
Obituary from the News Herald:

Francis M. Chevalier, 79, a resident of Painesville for 50 years, passed away Nov. 16, 2013, in Painesville.
He was born May 20, 1934, in Reedsville.
He was a member of Rome Rock Fishing Club and was employed by Chardon Rubber.
Survivors are his wife, Gertrude (nee Buchanan); children, Michael, Deborah, and Scott; siblings, Ferra Lou, Florence and Lana.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Lydia (nee Barber) Chevalier; and daughter, Christy Lynn.
A memorial service will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013, at 6778 Ravenna Road in Painesville.
Arrangements by Blessing Cremation Center, 440-352-8100, www.vitonero.com.

11/18/13 Power Outages

Update: All Power should be restored.

From First Energy:

As of 8:45 AM, approximately 660 Ashtabula County customers are without power following last evening’s strong winds and heavy rains.

Hardest hit communities are as follows:

  • Roaming Shores – 237
  • Conneaut – 202
  • Austinburg – 176

There also are scattered outages throughout the county.

Most affected customers should have their power restored by Noon today, if not sooner by this evening, hopefully by dinnertime.

FirstEnergy customers may now enroll to receive outage updates via text messages on their smartphones (an Outage App). Please see the Fact Sheet that explains the enrollment process. Customers also can can report outages the traditional way by calling 1-888-544-4877.

November Lake Management Committee Report

Lake Management Committee Report
by Richard D. Gainar, CEBS
Chairman, LMC

The Lake Depth Improvement Sub-Committee workshop meeting was held on October 28 in the Clubhouse to discuss the details of our Dredge Plan. Members of this committee made a formal presentation to approximately 75 residents in attendance that asked many good questions and commented on their concerns. The Committee’s slide presentation and handouts are currently available on our website for those who weren’t able to attend.

The Dredge Plan has 3 phases. In-lake sediment traps will first be excavated in the back of 10 major coves to first limit additional sediment from entering the lake. Professional lake studies have historically advised us to control incoming sediment before dredging for obvious reasons. This initial phase of the operation is currently underway and will be completed by this spring. The second phase involves dredging the river channels in major coves where river channel water depth is less than 5 feet. The third phase repeats this process removing sediment beyond the river channels. The total cost of phases 1 & 2 of the Dredge Plan is less than $350,000 and will be completed in about 2 years starting next spring.

Presentations by the committee members and our EnviroScience consultant, Martin A. Hilovsky, dispelled a number of misconceptions about the relationship between water quality and dredging. One of the most significant things residents learned at the meeting was that removing sediment from shallow coves, either hydraulic or mechanical, does little to improve water quality – it merely improves water depth. Your Lake Management Committee’s plans focus spending of your dollars on activities that actually improve our lake water quality. Accordingly, the presentation also included a discussion on activities of the other two LMC sub-committees that are charged with improving water quality (Lake Sediment/Nutrient Control Sub-Committee and the Lake Level Control Sub-Committee). The objective of our Dredge Plan is simply to restore lake access to those cove residents that once had such access.

Although the Dredge Plan presented was much less costly than the previous plan, it is also slower to remove sediment. Several residents were concerned about the mounting sediment buildup even though it doesn’t contribute to water quality issues. The Dredge Plan addresses this issue in its first phase of operations. Significant sediment traps are currently being dug from shore in all major coves and will be expanded during phase #2 operations within the lake. The goal here is to stop additional sediment from further accumulations. With incoming sediment controlled, we can take our time (and spend much less money) to remove sediment that has already entered the lake.

Another misconception discussed involved the fact that, due to liability concerns, no Association sponsored dredge operation, whether hydraulic or mechanical, should operate within 30 feet of any resident’s docks. Any movement of lake soil, either real or imagined, near the shoreline may inspire some residents to sue the Association for damages, and the Association is advised against accepting such a risk. That means that regardless of the dredging plan, residents will need to hire a contractor to clear sediment close to their dock. Some residents asked that if proper waivers were obtained from interested residents, could the Association act as an insured contractor using our scoop-dredging rig to clear dock areas. We will investigate this suggestion.

Although your current Lake Management Sub-Committees (19 current members) are only 3 months old, I’m sure you will agree that considerable planning and progress has already been made. In addition to being critical, these members also invest their time and best efforts to work on evidence-based solutions to water quality issues.

November Lake Level Control Sub-Committee Meeting Minutes

Lake Level Control Sub-Committee Meeting Minutes
November 13, 2013

Members present include Gil Kendrac, Dave Flaum, Dave Emick, Todd Gress, and Chairman Rick Gainar. Also present was RRA Board Member Dell Rogers.

Meeting called to order at 2PM at the Association Office.

Items discussed:
1. Discussed the recent lake turnover event that occurred on or about 10/24/2013 and the subsequent algal bloom. O2 and temperature data collected on 10/4/2013, while the lake was still stratified, was compared to data collected after the lake turnover on 10/24/2013. Before the turnover temperatures ranged from 21.5ºC at the surface to 12.5ºC at 31-foot level while dissolved oxygen ranged from 10.4 mg/L to 0mg/L at the 17-foot level and below. After the lake turnover temperatures remained constant throughout the water column at 5.2ºC. Dissolved oxygen was also nearly constant ranging from 1.6 mg/L at the surface to 0mg.L at the 29-foot level.
2. Lake turnover is an annual event at Roam Rock Lake. So is the subsequent, massive algal bloom that follows this event after a few days time. The lake turnover event causes the phosphorus that was released from the organic sediment but held at the lake bottom all year, to mix in the entire water column.
3. We discussed the model siphon that a team of committee members recently installed at the dam using a length of garden hose. Dissolved oxygen data is currently being collected from lake water 5-feet off the bottom. Phosphorus data collection will soon follow.
4. No report from the Lowrey/Martin work group on their investigation of the water/sewage lines that cross a cove near the dam. We will need to understand the effect a freezing, winter drawdown would have on these lines.
5. A discussion ranking 13 advantages of a siphon spillway determined that the committee felt that less phosphorus & nutrients, improved weed control, and ability to maintain lake level for emergency repairs were among the most important. A siphon design with the ability to keep up with 100% of expected water flowing into the lake would be necessary.

Our next meeting is scheduled on December 11, 2013 at 2:00PM. Our regular meeting date is the 2nd Wednesday of each month at the Association Office so mark your calendars!

Meeting was adjourned at 3:45PM

by RD Gainar on November 14, 2013

Dog Found

black-lab

Are you missing a male black lab? This little guy was found on found at 2331 Morning Star Drive over the weekend. If this is your dog, please call 440-479-9930.

Thank you!

Sept & Oct Lake Mangement Committee Report

Lake Management Committee
by Richard D. Gainar, CEBS
Chairman, LMC

August and September were very busy months for the Lake Management Committee (LMC). As you may remember, three sub-committees were created in August in order to 1) attract more residents so that work on several complicated subjects can be done simultaneously, and 2) take advantage of the many professional disciplines our residents have to offer. Significant attention will be paid to water quality on the Lake Sediment Control Sub-Committee and Lake Level Control Sub-Committee as well as to improving water depth in our back coves on the Lake Depth Control Sub-Committee. I am happy to report that a total of 19 residents are now working on the committees – a much larger number than the one or two member LMC’s of previous administrations. These committee members are from a variety of disciplines (including engineering, construction, biology, science, business, and many others) and are eager to work to improve our lake. Residents who are not able to attend these committee meetings can find each meeting’s minutes published on our web site and can direct any questions or concerns to the sub-committee chairmen at each Association meeting.

The Lake Sediment Committee worked to develop a methodology and a database to contain all professional collected information from previously commissioned studies and data in order to make good, evidence-based decisions. Their focus will be on excess nutrients and algae to start.
The Lake Level Control Committee decided to work on two projects in the coming months. The first involves creating a “model siphon” using a garden hose installed near the principal spillway in order to collect water samples from lake bottom. This project would allow samples to be tested all year, including through the ice, to obtain a full year’s data. This important data will provide evidence of the water’s chemistry before discharging from a siphon Spillway into the river below.

The Lake Depth Control Sub-Committee was busy designing a scoop-dredging rig we can use on the lake for many years. Already, two track hoes were recently purchased from available funds. In October’s meeting, the committee announced its plans for a 3-phased approach to dredging. Digging a basin to trap incoming sediment in the back of major coves is already underway. These sediment basins created in Phase #1 will be cleared on a regular basis. Phase #2 will begin this summer with the dredging of the channel in Fisherman’s Cove. There we expect to work the kinks out of our “scoop rig” operations (currently and successfully used at Lake Lakengrin) in Fisherman’s Cove before proceeding to the river channel in Rock Creek. All other coves river channels will follow the dredging of Rock Creek channel in order of need as defined in the 2010 EnviroScience Sediment Survey. This way, all cove residents will benefit from some improved depth before we move on to Phase #3 which involves returning to the larger coves in order to widen the area cleared in Phase #2.
In addition to the sub-committee meetings, our lake water testing program results were posted on the web site so residents can see the lab results. So far, the levels of various blue-green algal toxins were below any level of concern defined by the Ohio EPA.

Marty Hilovsky, our consultant from EnviroScience, on his second visit to our lake last month, met with our LMC leaders to discuss our lake management plans. He believes our program is “on the right path”. Marty tested the water’s clarity, sampled from various depths for algae toxins, phosphorus and other nutrients, and measured oxygen at various temperatures. These tests will be repeated by your Lake Management Committee and the results will be used by the various LMC sub-committees and for historic purposes.

Cub Scout Food Drive

food-drive

The Webelos Den of Cub Scout Pack 72 is looking for your help! They are collecting non-perishable food to help others! Items can be dropped off at the Village Hall or Association Office through November 16th. Please help us show what a wonderful community this is by giving to others. Every little bit helps!

Association Office Hours: 8am – 6pm, Wednesday – Saturday
Village Office Hours: 9am – 4:30pm Monday – Friday

E-Mail Blast Sign-Up
email-blast




    Roaming Shores E-Blast Categories

  • Weekly Newsletter
  • Emergency & Lake Alerts
  • Meeting Updates/Changes

View previous campaigns.