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8-17-16: Cass County Office of Emergency Management is recommending watercraft be operated at a no-wake speed until 8/23 because of the high water due to the abundance of rain!

8-10-16:   Homeowners!  Your annual Island meeting is set for August 27 @10:00 a.m. Please join us at Koranda / Manning lot. Plan on bringing a lawn chair to sit in. We have 3 open board positions so an election will be held at the end of the meeting.

August 27 Island Agenda

  • Gary Gries: Introduction of new homeowners
  • Mike Andrasco: Financial review
  • Billy Hullinger: Seasonal maintenance update
  • Kevin Douglas / Ed Koranda: Future Barge proposal
  • Gary Gries: New barge financial options
  •  Bob Price: Fall Barge Hours / Operators
  • Gary Gries: By law revisions
  • Kate Crane: Board Election
    • Homeowners running for the 3 open seats are:
      • Ann Spratt
      • Dave  Benhart
      • Jim O’Brien
      • Janet Chutro
      • Laura Ryan

7/18/16: Homeowners:

During our August 27 meeting we will be voting on three open board positions. If you are interested in running or have questions about being on the board, please reach out to a member of the nominating committee:
Kathleen Crane: kathleencrane4@gmail.com
Board Members who’s terms have expired are:
Mike Maloney, he will be seeking re-election
Gary Nolte, he will be seeking re-election
Dan Swinford, Thank-You for several years of service on the board!

06-25-16 DIA info meeting minutes

03/28/16 – A letter from Gary Gries regarding work that has been competed over the winter on the barge, today’s condition and the plans in the future for the barge. Please take the time to read.

3/27/16 – It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of Maryann Smerekanich, former island resident, cottage 13.

Sep. 28, 1946 – Mar. 18, 2016

SOUTH BEND – Mary Ann Smerekanich, 69, of 52220 Donald Street, passed away peacefully Friday in Hospice House, South Bend. Survivors include her husband, Andre; a daughter, Amy A. of South Bend; and a son, Andrew N. of Anchorage, AK. Memorial services will be at 11 am Tuesday, March 29th in St. Theresa, Little Flower Catholic Church. There will be no visitations. Hoven Funeral Home in Buchanan, MI is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Center for Hospice Care, Hospice House, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.

3/3/16 – 2016 Barge calendar added to the Barge info page. and populated with the spring schedule.

2/18/16 – 2016 member letter and letter from DIL mailed to each member.

1/25/16: Hugh Silberman’s obituary and memorial information is published in the South Bend Tribune.

1/20/16: We are sad to report former islander (cottage #63) Hugh Silberman passed away this morning. He is the father of islander Ursula (Barry) Irwin (#81 & #87). When arrangements are known, we’ll pass that along. Our thoughts and sympathies to Bonnie and the Silberman & Irwin families.

1/10/16:  Happy 2016 Homeowners!

The barge repairs are finished. The plan is to place the barge back in the water via 2 cranes on Monday January 11, 2016. All power going to the Island will be shut off temporarily during this process.

Due to the weather conditions it is very unlikely that the barge will be “parked” in the channel this season. We will continue to keep everyone updated.

 

1/5/16:  Happy New Year Homeowners!

We wanted to provide the latest updates on the barge:

  • The barge was relocated in order to inspect and repair the area that was sitting on the beams.
  • Large reinforcing and repair plates are in place; island and mainland side. 95% of welding on these are complete.
  • Welding & patching continues on the leaks and holes discovered during inspection.
  • Top deck work needs to be finalized: tack down loose plating, install plate across the weak area.

12/8/15:

The barge has been removed from the water. We could use help to clean the bottom of the barge. If you are interested, please come to the landing at 9 a.m. tomorrow. We recommend that you wear old clothes, you will need to bring a scrapper.

Thanks!  DIA Board

On December 8, 2015 the electric company will be turning off all power to the island.

This will occur at 9 a.m. with an estimated duration of 5 hours, or the power will be back on at approximately 2 p.m. The power outage is due to the barge being removed from the water. The entire barge landing will now be considered a construction site, with no access for parking.

The company leading this project requires all homeowners to stay at least 500 feet away from their equipment for their safety. We hope to have pictures of this project posted to the website as soon as possible to keep everyone informed.

12/7/15: Sadly, we report that Mary Beth McGrath’s mother, Helen recently passed away. There will be a Memorial Mass celebrated on Thursday, December 10, at 6:00pm at Saint Pius X Catholic Church, 52553 Fir Road, Granger, IN 46530 (corner of  Fir and 23).  You are invited to celebrate her life with her family and friends. For those of you who cannot be there in person, please keep Helen and our family in your prayers.

11/19/15 update: Northern Indiana Construction company estimates the removal and inspection of the barge will start the week of November 30, 2015. Continue to check your email and the island website for updates.

We hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.
D.I.A. Board

Any interest in a new DIA cookbook? All proceeds to go to the Barge Fund. It was a hugely successful fund raiser about 10 years ago. Shall we try again? Submit your recipes, with your full name and cottage number to diacookbook@gmail.com. Hard copy/ hand written recipes to cottage # 31 any weekend. Please submit before Christmas, 12/25/15. 

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