If you have been to the Clubhouse in recent years, you may have noticed the floor cracking on the west side. From January 18th to approximately March 9th, the Clubhouse will be closed to all activities while the floor is replaced. Please contact your Club leaders for an alternate meeting place.
When finished, the floor should have a sharp new look including a dance floor. The maintenance department have removed roots and installed drain tile to prevent future damage.
The winner of Early Bird Drawing #1 for 2016 and recipient of $500 is Lawrence Pisarick (Lot #2001J)! Congratulations!
Next week’s drawing will be for $450. The sooner your Dues & Assessments are paid in full, the more drawings you will be eligible for!
Climb aboard one of our plow trucks as the maintenance department tries to keep up with the snow! This video is from the night of January 12th, where the Shores received almost a foot of snow.
Plowing 26 miles of roads in the Shores is no easy task. A big thank you to the guys on the RRA maintenance department for their tireless efforts!
Please help them out. Remove all vehicles, boat trailers, basketball stands, etc. from the RRA right-of-ways. Do not park on the roads when there is a possibility of snowfall. Not only is it dangerous, it is against the RRA Rules & Regulations to park on the road when snowfall exceeds 2 inches.
Also note that the RSV has a regulation against plowing snow out into or across the roadways.
By David Ernes – Lake Management Committee
A frozen lake is just one more sign that winter has come to Roaming Shores. It presents a frozen snapshot of the beauty of the lake that has an almost alien quality to it. But have you ever wondered what is going on under the ice? A lake’s “winter” season is not usually associated with December 21st to March 21st, but often based on the dates that the lake becomes fully ice covered. There are some indications that the length of this winter season is becoming shorter with time, although linking this with climate change is a subject of much debate. Regardless, once the lake is frozen, the entire ecosystem changes to cope with the colder temperatures.
The most importance to many of our residents is the effect on the fish population. Fish seek the warmer waters under the ice and can survive as long as the oxygen levels in the water are adequate. They likely migrate to the sections in the lake that are the deepest, to have the best chances for survival. Since they are not warm blooded, they have several mechanisms to survive. Some can actually store fat and use it for energy. Also, their activity level decreases, requiring less energy to survive. This continues until the ice melts and the water starts to warm up again.
Aquatic plants can actually handle the winter better than their terrestrial cousins if they are protected under the water. Some will form nodules, which can store energy while they wait for the sun to reappear. Some may go dormant. However, if they are exposed to the cold air, they may dry out and then freeze. Lakes, who perform a winter drawdown as we have done this year and last, use this behavior as a method to reduce nuisance plants.
As far as algae are concerned, they are once again shown to be very adaptable. Some species can survive at the cold temperatures by become cannibals and consuming other algae species for food they will not get from the sun. Cyanobacteria (aka. blue-green algae) are one group of algae that can actually form a “resting cell” or cyst, much like a cocoon, that will protect them in a dormant state until conditions are more favorable.
This winter may be unusual as we are expecting an impact by an El Niño. If this happens, a warmer winter could significantly reduce the length of time that the lake is completely frozen over. It could also potentially impact the ice depth and it’s strength. Therefore, it is suggested that you be very diligent if you plan on doing any activities on the ice surfaces. Please follow the ordinances (mentioned in the latest “The Shores News”, page 3) regarding activities on the lake for your safety.
Like us, the lake and its many residents slow down their activity during the cooler winter months. But the lake is still an active environment, even if we cannot see it.
(Information presented in this article was extracted in part from Lakeline Vol 34, #4 (2014))
BE LAKE RESPONSIBLE
Update: The dogs have been surrendered.
Please be cautious in the area of Rome Rock Boulevard, Callender Rd, and Rock Lane. There are reports of vicious dogs and a Member’s dog being killed. The Association is working with the Village and Village Police, who in turn is working with the Ashtabula Courts and the Ashtabula County dog warden to eliminate the problem. The Association will keep you apprised. Please be aware that extra monitoring of your children and pets is needed until the situation is resolved.
The Board of Directors will meet this Thursday, January 7th at 7:3opm at the Village Hall.
RRA Attorney David King will be present to answer questions regarding the lawsuit.
Just to clarify a few questions that have come up regarding our new online billing option, if you pay your bill using check, there is no fee.
If you pay by your Dues & Assessments using a credit card by mail or in person, there is a 5% fee.
If you pay by your Dues & Assessments online using PayLease, there is a 3% fee for paying by credit card and $2.95 for using an eCheck. Paylease assesses a fee for each account (lot).
by Gayle Zirkle – Polar Bear Club President
This year’s Polar Bear Plunge event will begin at 1 pm on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at the Roaming Shores Clubhouse/Main Beach. The actual plunge will begin at 3pm.
The Polar Bear Plunge will include brave students from Jefferson, Grand Valley and Pymatuning Valley Schools, as well as wild and crazy local area residents. Last year’s event was a huge success as we raised $7542. We need your help to make this year’s event even more successful.
This year, the money we raise will be used to benefit the Jeff Meddock Memorial Scholarship, Jefferson Area Local Schools Academic Boosters, Grand Valley Schools student programs in memory of Emily Plickert, and the Roaming Shores Breakfast with Santa event.
Grand Valley Schools strives to improve student programs in the memory of Emily Plickert, a beloved cheerleader, classmate and friend to all.
Jeff Meddock was a resident of Roaming Shores and the beloved principal of Pymatuning Valley High School. He died unexpectedly and the money we raise helps to continue his pursuit to educate.
Both Jeff and Emily were very proud active members of The Polar Bear Club.
The Jefferson Academic Boosters strives to reward students for academic success. Also, a portion of the money we raise is also used to host the Roaming Shores Breakfast with Santa event.
If you are interested in taking the Plunge, a minimum of $55 must be raised. There is no age limit (minors will need parental consent). Each courageous person that takes that icy Plunge will get a t-shirt as a thank you for participating. Please contact us using one of the methods listed below to get required Plunge forms.
There will be a DJ and a 50/50 raffle! We’ll be serving hot dogs, chili, popcorn, chips and soda. Additional merchandise will be available for sale. You can purchase items before and/or after the plunge. First come, first serve.
For plunge participation forms and information, please visit or contact:
http://www.roamingshores.org/RRA1/clubs/polar-bear-club/
Facebook: Joey ThePolarBear
Joeythepolarbear@yahoo.com
Gayle Zirkle, President
440-228-7850
If you are a business that is interested in sponsoring our event, please contact club Treasurer Shawn Morris at 440-725-2770 for more information.
Your Dues & Assessment invoices will be sent out after the first of the year. There are a few changes this year, so please make sure to read all of the contents contained within your envelope.
New for 2016:
You will notice there is a one-time lawsuit assessment of $25 added to your account for 2016. This new assessment is due to the lawsuit brought against the Association by the Neighbors for a Better Roaming Shores. Please tear off the bottom of the statement and return with your payment. Dues and assessments are due and payable May 1, 2016. Late charges will be added to bills after that date.
Online
The RomeRock Association is now offering owners the ability to pay dues online through our payment processing partner, PayLease. Using PayLease will allow you to:
**Note: There is a fee accessed for paying online. 3% is charged for using a credit card/debit card and $2.95 for an electronic check. Paylease assesses a fee for each account (lot).
If you have questions regarding your account balance, please contact The RomeRock Association at 440-563-3170. For questions regarding PayLease or your online payments, please contact PayLease Support at 1-866-729-5327.
Bank Bill Pay:
Many banks offer their customer’s bill pay on their website. You can set the RomeRock Association as a biller. If you use this option to pay your Dues, please make sure that your lot numbers are listed on the check (you can set your account number to your lot number(s)).
Mail:
You can send you payment via US Mail to P.O. Box 8, Rome, OH 44085. Checks and credit cards/debit cards are accepted. (If paying by credit/debit card please use form on the back of the return portion of your statement, there is a 5% fee).
In Person:
The Office’s winter hours are 8am – 6pm, Tuesday – Saturday. Checks, credit cards/debit cards (+5% convenience fee), and cash are accepted.
The RRA will again be holding an Early Bird Drawing for those who pay their Dues & Assessments in full early.
Each account paid in full before 5pm each Thursday between January 14th and March 17th will be eligible for weekly drawings for cash prizes. These prizes start at $500 per week until the award for March 17th becomes $50. This totals $2,750 in prizes. Good luck!
Pay your total RRA balance, AT ONE TIME, as soon as possible. Winner chosen will be returned to the box for the later drawings.
The sooner your Dues & Assessments are paid in full, the more drawings you will be eligible for!
If you pay by PayLease, when we are notified that your full payment is received, we will then enter you into the contest. We are not notified instantaneously.
2016 Rates:
| Type of Boat | Fee |
|
|
|
| Watercraft Over 10HP | $50 |
| Watercraft Under 10HP | $20 |
| Jetski | $50 |
| Over 5 Watercraft | Additional $100 |
| Non-Powered Watercraft | N/A (ensure lot number is on ALL watercraft) |
by Jim Swartz, Chairman
On December 10, 2015, the Board of Directors with the help of Jen Addair and Dan Mullins, presented the status of the Office relocation options via a PowerPoint presentation. Approximately 50 people were in attendance. The two outcomes seemed to indicate that the Board should consider: (1) a survey and a (2) cash flow analysis. The Board is considering these outcomes.
