Needler February 2013 - Ponderosa Community Club

PONDEROSA COMMUNITY CLUB NEWSLETTER February 2013
The Ponderosa Community Club’s mission is to create and
maintain a safe and welcoming community which
enhances recreational and residential living through
active membership participation, visionary leadership,
and commitment to sustainability and harmony with the
natural environment.
PONDEROSA COMMUNITY CLUB
21100 CAYUSE
LEAVENWORTH WA 98826-9723
PINE NEEDLER
Presorted Standard
US Postage Paid
Permit #28
February 2013
1
SOME MAKE IT HAPPEN, SOME WATCH IT HAPPEN
SOME WONDER WHAT HAPPENED
By Tim Olson
This PINE NEEDLER has several articles of immediate as well
as far reaching importance to you as a property owner and association member. I encourage you to read all the articles if you
don’t want to be among those that “wonder what happened”
towards late May or even two years from now, being angry
about it, and expecting those who are “making it happen,” to
somehow fix it.
In the present, we face a huge clean-up and are scrambling to
meet the demands before fire season begins this summer. With
the increasing probability of future storms and further restrictions on burning, we are already behind in preparing to
meet our needs. In the near future, with the fire department no
longer policing our recreational burning, do we need more security?
Of immediate interest: No annual burn pile, change in permit
burning, storm cleanup.
What are our needs five years from now, even two years from
now? Will we prepare for that future with policies and equipment needed to meet it? A well run Ponderosa has members
enjoying their homes, the recreational opportunities and the
community’s amenities. A poorly run Ponderosa struggles
through hostile meetings with members arguing over what went
wrong and disagreeing about how to fix it. Rather than implementing the members’ vision for a thriving Ponderosa, the
management team struggles to improvise ways of putting out
brush fires. It’s our choice.
Of future interest: After soliciting members in the PINE
NEEDLER and Ponderosa Updates for the Strategic Planning
Committee, no members have volunteered. Alternatives are
outlined in this issue. Members need to keep two things in
mind: First, the Board is seeking member input on setting policies that impact whether we meet future Ponderosa needs or
drift into the future in a series of crises. Second, our management team is here to implement the policies of the association,
not to make them.
To paraphrase JFK’s famous phrase from 1962, “ASK NOT
WHAT THE COMMUNITY CAN DO FOR YOU; ASK
For instance, in the recent past, we had a community hullabaloo WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THE COMMUNITY”. DO CONabout owner short term rentals. Why? Ponderosa did not look
SIDER VOLUNTEERING FOR DEVELOPING A STRATEdown the road, see the surging values of rentals, and prepare for
GIC PLAN FOR THE PONDEROSA. LOOKING AHEAD
it. Is anyone really satisfied with the compromises in the reWILL KEEP PONDEROSA A VIBRANT COMMUNITY.
sults?
STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS UPDATE
By John McRoberts, Vice-president
Last summer the board approved a plan for updating the Ponderosa Strategic Plan. A call for volunteers for the Ad Hoc Strategic
Planning Committee resulted in one member stepping forward. No more volunteers have come forward in the succeeding months.
Therefore, we are revising the process since this is not a one-person job – it should represent the shared vision of the entire membership.
The goal of the strategic planning process is to identify strategies that will achieve our vision of what the Ponderosa will look like
in three to five years. Part of the process is to revise and reaffirm our vision of the Ponderosa’s future. From that vision flow our
goals and strategies that will guide our future annual budgets.
The responsibilities of the Ad Hoc Strategic Planning Committee members were to:
Create a recommended strategic plan using the approved planning process.
Attend ad hoc strategic planning committee meetings.
Accept individual responsibility to research assigned (volunteered based on skills/background) sections of the plan.
Since effectively there is no committee, there will be no strategic planning committee meetings. Instead, we will have to rely on the
participation of interested members through the Ponderosa web forum. Members can participate in just the topics of interest to
them, spending as much time as they would like on each topic. Hopefully, some members will choose to do some research on particular topics of interest to them. The single committee member and the board liaison will put together a strategic plan based on
input gathered through the web forum.
The planning process depends upon the web forum which currently exists on the website, but the rules and procedures for use have
not yet been set. The planning process will begin once these procedures have been established. Watch the website and Mary’s
monthly emails for information about the forum and planning process. http://www.ponderosacommunityclub.org/committees/
StrategicPlanningCommittee.htm
PINE NEEDLER
February 2013
2
PRESIDENT DARYN’S CORNER
By Daryn Wilbur, President
Springtime is right around the corner. There is much to be done:
The Annual Members Meeting and Board of Trustee’s elections in May.
Clean up from the worst ice storm in decades.
Repairing the paved roads from last summer’s construction project
Just to name a few of the items on our list.
The Annual Members Meeting will be held Saturday, May 25th, at 10:00 AM. I would like to encourage all of
our members to attend and participate. This is an excellent opportunity to find out what has been happening,
what is ahead, and be involved in the community. Currently, there are two Board of Trustee positions that will
be open. If you or anyone that you know are interested in running for a Board position or volunteering in any
other capacity, please contact the office or submit a volunteer form available on our website. We are currently looking for volunteers for the Strategic Planning Committee.
Unfortunately, due to increased EPA regulations, the Fire Department will no longer be hosting the annual community burn pile
fundraiser. The Board is looking for suggestions and ideas while exploring alternative annual cleanup methods in order to help keep
the community looking good and be fire safe. One alternative is to purchase an industrial chipper and spread the chips throughout
the greenbelts. This option would be a more environmentally friendly way to dispose of needles and branches. Other immediate
options for disposing of natural vegetation are outlined by Chief Lamar in this issue of the Needler.
Later this spring, we will be advertising for bids on the paved road repairs. This is the final step in the Water Project. While it
will be quite a bit of work, it shouldn’t be as time consuming and inconvenient as the earlier construction that we endured
last summer. Thank you again for your patience and support. - Daryn Wilbur
PCC NOMINATING COMMITTEE SEARCHES FOR BOARD CANDIDATES
By Jeanne Whitlow, Chair
The Nominating Committee consisting of Jeanne Whitlow and Tom Bartlett has been established to find Board of Trustee nominees
to replace the expiring terms of Daryn Wilbur and Michelle Carter in spring of 2013.
If you are willing to consider serving on the Board or know of a possible nominee, please fill out the provided form and either send
it to or drop it by at the PCC office. Be assured that a response to the Nominating Committee is not a commitment to run for the
Board. You can make the decision to run or not to run for the Board after a committee member has provided you with further information. One of the committee members will be delighted to call you and discuss further what you might expect if you are willing to
be on the Board. As established in the by-laws, we are looking for members in good standing with the desire to promote and protect
the best interest of the membership without regard for individual special interest. If you have questions prior to filling out the form,
either phone Tom Bartlett at 509-763-0802 or e-mail at tbartlett62@msn.com or phone Jeanne Whitlow at 206-522-8534. Please
mail the Nomination Form to: Ponderosa Community Club, Nominating Committee, 21100 Cayuse, Leavenworth, WA, 988269723
Election will be by ballot and counted at the Annual Members Meeting, Saturday, May 25, 2013.
Ponderosa Community Club
2013 BOARD MEMBER ELECTION NOMINATION FORM
I wish to volunteer as a candidate or submit the following PCC member as a candidate for the 2013 Board of Trustees elections.
I have spoken to this owner and they have agreed to accept the nomination. I agree to volunteer as a candidate for the 2013 Board
of Trustees elections. Candidates who are elected will serve a three-year term on the Board beginning immediately after the election.
Nominee’s Name____________________
Nominee’s Phone __________________
Nominator’s Name:__________________
Nominator’s Phone:_________________
We ask that each member give serious consideration to serving on the Board.
PINE NEEDLER
February 2013
3
FIRE CHIEF MICK LAMAR EXPLAINS SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN
RECREATIONAL AND PROPERTY CLEAN-UP REGULATONS
Several questions have been generated by the damage caused with the 2012 Ice Storm. Most are about the downed timber and damaged trees. The staff of the PCC, CCFD4 (Ponderosa Fire Department) and some homeowners have met and are continuing to assess
the damage. The primary question is what to do with all the debris left behind by the storm? Secondly, what are the rules and who
controls recreational fires (campfires)?
In reference to the Ice Storm damage, homeowners are left with the following choices in Chelan County:
Chipping,
Composting,
Taking the waste to a landfill
Burning.
If you choose to burn you must understand and follow these guidelines:
Burning in a burn barrel is illegal everywhere in Washington.
You can only burn natural vegetation.
If smoke from your fire affects your neighbor, you must put out your fire.
Burning is not your only option to getting rid of natural vegetation. Please consider chipping or hauling away.
Call and follow the guidelines Burn Day Hotline 1.800.406.5322. (http://www.chelancountyfire.com/2010/09/30/outdoor-burningopens-october-1/)
When burning is allowed, your pile must be less than 4’x4’x3’ and you may only burn 1 pile at a time.
Piles larger than 4’x4’x3’ will require a permit from one or more of the following organizations: Chelan County Fire Marshall,
WA State Department of Natural Resources or WA State Department of Ecology.
Do not leave your fire unattended.
Keep tools and water at hand to extinguish when necessary.
No residential fires are allowed within 500’ of forest slash.
No fires are allowed within 50’ of structure.
You can’t burn materials hauled from another property in your fire.
No outdoor fires are allowed when air pollution levels are unhealthy.
No burning is allowed after sunset, unless your permit specifically allows it.
Always check with your local fire district to see if additional safety restrictions have been imposed.
If you see someone burning illegally, or if the smoke from someone’s fire is bothering you, call Ecology’s toll-free complaint
line at 1.866.211.6284.
With regards to recreational fires (campfires only): Historically the Fire District has issued campfire only permits. This was started
many years ago when outlying agencies were not readily available, water sources and quantities were limited and the local government agencies had not established comprehensive rules and enforcement policies. The fire district stepped up to fill this void. We
now find ourselves (the Fire District) at a point where the permit issue is redundant, contentious, and sometimes in direct conflict
with other agencies rules and regulations. The cost effectiveness of the permitting program has been evaluated and deemed to have
an adverse impact on the District and often places us at odds with our constituents. We are by law an emergency response organization and the past permitting process often had us acting as the “Smoke Police or playing the role of Park Ranger”. Your volunteer
firefighters were often asked to mediate neighborhood concerns regarding renters, family usage, noise complaints or who really
owns what… it often involved past histories and issues unrelated to campfires but still ended up involving not only the fire district
but law enforcement personnel as well.
With that understanding, the Fire District will no longer issue burn permits for recreational fires. Chelan County has established, by
law, how large a campfire may be, the type of materials that can be burned and how the campfire pit must be constructed. It spells
out the clearance area around the fire area, tending the fire and the means to extinguish the fire. Weather permitting, open (attended)
burning is allowed October 1st through June 1st. After June 1st ONLY recreational fires are allowed. If there is an extreme fire danger event all outdoor burning will be banned. All of these dates and restrictions are made by resolutions from the County Commissioners after consulting with local fire experts and can be amended as necessary due to weather conditions.
Compliance by all land owners is the key ingredient for a safe fire season. However, when enforcement is necessary it is carried out
by State agencies like DOE or DNR, at the County level by the County Fire Marshall’s Office or the Sheriff’s Office. In addition,
(Continued on page 5)
PINE NEEDLER
February 2013
4
STORM CLEANUP
Remove Debris by June 1 to Reduce Wildfire Danger
By Mary Cox & Doug Pendleton
The December storm felled many trees, broke treetops, and created a lot of debris in the Ponderosa and surrounding areas. As this
debris dries, it will become a significant fire hazard. To avoid extreme fire danger this summer, please clean up your property by
June 1, when a county-wide burn ban is expected to go into effect. Each member is responsible for cleaning up their own property.
What are the options for removing debris?
Fire Chief Mick Lamar’s article in this Needler outlines options:
Chipping
Composting
Taking the waste to a landfill and/or
Burning.
The Department of Ecology’s updated regulations now prohibit group burn piles, such as the “Ponderosa Burn Pile” held annually
in May in past years. Individual burn piles are still allowed – see Fire Chief Mick’s article in this issue of the Needler.
The following is a list of local businesses which provide a variety of services for storm cleanup: hazardous tree felling, log removal, brush removal, and/or cleanup. These suggested businesses have provided documentation that they are licensed, bonded, and
insured.
Robert Ferrel – RF Logging
509-548-4427
Martin Stoller – Altels Tree Service
509-679-0058
Travis Bradburn – D&B Tree Service 509- 433-1571
Harlan Sheppard – Wildland Home Protection 509-860-1732
Ponderosa Greenbelts
The Watershed Committee and PCC staff are working together to evaluate options for removing debris from the greenbelts. Funding may be available from the Department of Natural Resources. More information will be provided in future updates.
Thank you in advance for your efforts to reduce fire danger in the Ponderosa!
(Continued from page 4)
this past year the PCC has added another layer of enforcement in an effort to garner compliance.
We know this is a major shift from past practices, however, with the addition of the new water distribution system, strengthened automatic aid responses, more defined regulatory assistance, delineated enforcement authority and most importantly individual accountability we all can contribute to a Fire Smart community.
We will continue to and will always respond when someone calls 911 because they have a concern for their own safety or the safety
of their neighbors. We will need to constantly evaluate this process and adjust when required to ensure the safety of our community.
In closing the PCC and the Fire District will post through various media methods any changes or updates regarding open burning,
recreational burning or burn bans. Posting your address in a visible location helps responders find you more quickly during an emergency.
The Fire District and the PCC will maintain a list of local and state agencies as they relate to outdoor burning. Additional copies of
the County’s recreational fires ordinance are available online at the Chelan County website and will be kept at both the PCC office
and the Fire District office.
Fire Chief Mick Lamar
PINE NEEDLER
February 2013
5
Ponderosa Community Club Association Manager Report
November, 2012 through January, 2013
by Mary Cox
We welcome your suggestions and ideas for improvements. Our major activities are listed below.
Serving Homeowners
Responded to homeowner’s calls, emails, and office visits regarding weather conditions, snowplowing, sanding, 2013 dues and water assessment, water quality, the water system upgrade project, potholes in the roads, the December snowstorm, outdoor burning, dogs wandering around loose, security monitoring companies, and referrals for local companies that snowplow driveways,
remove brush, and cut down trees.
Winter sports are underway, please make SAFETY the top priority! Please ensure you and your guests observe PCC’s road rules:
Snowmobiles are allowed only on Ponderosa roads (not greenbelts) and must follow our Road Rules: 15 mph, stopping at
Stop signs, using turn signals, etc…
Sledding is prohibited on all Ponderosa roads.
At the end of January, the weather changed to an almost spring-like pattern: snow is melting during the day and freezing at night.
The roads can be icy. Please drive slowly and carefully. Carry chains and use them when needed.
In January, PCC maintenance staff, the Fire Department, members of the Watershed Committee, and our consulting forester, Richard
Schellhaas, met to discuss options for cleaning up tree debris after the December storm. This was a topic for the February 9th &
16th Board Meetings.
Roads & Equipment
We received our first snow in November and started the snowplowing season.
Earlier in November, Ken and Geno prepared our equipment for snowplowing: the dump truck, F350 pickup, bed sander,
dump truck sander, snowplows, F250 pickup, and backhoe. Regular services were performed and repairs were made,
as needed.
Installed studded tires on the F350, F250 and Yukon. Tire chains were checked and repaired, as needed.
After the water project was completed on November 30, we focused on the roads by filling the many potholes including those on
Stirrup, Saddle, and Cayuse.
After construction, most of the gravel roads were in good shape. However, some of those done late in the year, after the rains started, were “soft” in places when temperatures were above freezing.
For most of December and January, all the roads were frozen and held up pretty well.
In late January, temperatures rose to above freezing. If you see a soft spot, please avoid it, because driving on it will make it worse.
Thank you.
Throughout the winter, snowplowing, sanding, and keeping the equipment running are our major tasks.
In January, Ken and Geno repaired the F350 snowplow, hydraulic hoses on the dump truck, and a problem with the F250 engine.
Water System Upgrade to New DOH Regulations and Fire Protection
KRCI completed construction on November 30.
Snow stakes are in place marking the water vaults. The fire hydrants are marked with flags.
Please do not remove the stakes – thank you.
Submitted final archaeological monitoring report for Saddle to DOH. Received subsequent letter of completion from DOH.
See the Board Meeting minutes for more information.
(Continued on page 7)
PONDEROSA COMMUNITY
CLUB STAFF
PCC BOARD 2011-2012
Daryn Wilbur
President
Term ends-2013
Mary Cox
Association Manager
John McRoberts
Vice President
Term ends-2015
Chelcie Strode
Office Manager
Stan Morgan
Treasurer
Term ends-2014
Ken Severance
Maintenance
Michelle Carter
Secretary
Term ends-2013
Gino Alejo
Maintenance
Vern Little
PINE NEEDLER
February 2013
Operations
Term ends-2014
6
(Continued from page 6)
Water System
A member reported a water leak on Morgan. We turned off the water and notified the homeowner.
If you see water leaks, please report them to the office. Thank you!
Ken worked with Bill Schmidt to repair and reprogram the controllers at the booster pump and well field A, which sustained extensive damage in the September lightning storm.
Basic repairs were made in September to allow the system to run and be operated manually. Additional repairs have been
on-going, as time and weather allowed.
A second controller was replaced.
This incident is covered under our insurance.
Next step is instrumentation repair at well field B.
Completed year-end water use records and set up new records for 2013.
Conducted monthly water quality tests and reported the results to DOH.
Turned water off/on for homeowners, as needed.
Buildings & Grounds
Thanks to Bob & Nancy Melson, Buildings & Grounds Committee, for overseeing clubhouse improvements in November:
Refinishing of the clubhouse floor and upgrading some of the clubhouse furniture.
PCC staff cleaned the clubhouse regularly for social events and rental groups.
Watershed Committee
Reviewed and discussed the Community Wildfire Protection Plan with Doug Pendleton, Watershed Committee Chair.
Reviewed and advised on the Forest Stewardship Plan application process. Reviewed application and documentation.
Financial Reporting and Management
Each month, we complete and post the monthly financial reports, make federal tax payments, transfer funds to specific accounts as
the Bylaws require, and review the Ponderosa financial reports with the PCC Board of Trustees Treasurer, Stan Morgan.
In December, the year-end financial transactions and tax payments were completed. This was challenging amidst the epic snow
storm.
January is a very busy month with all the year-end reporting and preparation for 2013.
Completed & posted 2012 year-end financial reports.
Issued 2012 W-2 and 1099 reports.
Updated our standard financial reports to reflect the new budget.
Closed 2012 files and set up new files for 2013.
Homeowner’s Dues
Chelcie created and mailed 2013 annual assessment invoices in early January. Please return your first half payment by February 15th
– thank you!
If you recently changed your phone or email, please be sure to update us with your February payment, or email us at pccoffice@nwi.net
Support to the Board of Directors and Committees
Prepared for and attended the Board Meetings on December 8 and February 9.
Recruited volunteer members to count the ballots at the December 8 meeting.
Updated Vern Little, Director of Operations, on a regular basis.
Submitted the PCC Annual Report to the Washington State Secretary of State.
For the Nomination Committee: provided process information and documentation.
Worked with Rose Ann Roberts, webmaster, to add new information to the website.
Provided information and support to the Paving the Gravel Roads Committee for their February meeting.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
The December 2013 Storm
On December 17, a winter storm began which was centered in the Plain, Chiwawa, and Lake Wenatchee areas. The major impacts
of the storm included more than 3 feet of snow, high winds, thousands of falling trees, power outages, phone outages, internet
outages, and closed roads. The newspaper reported that this was the worst winter storm to ever hit the area. For two weeks, it
was a constant struggle to keep our roads open, remove fallen trees, and deal with having no power. Between December 17 and
January 7, we received nearly 90 inches of snow. Specific damage in the Ponderosa follows:
(Continued on page 8)
PINE NEEDLER
February 2013
7
PONDEROSA WATER QUALITY UPDATE
By Ken Severance, Water Distribution Manager
The Ponderosa water has passed all water quality tests since October. We are confident the contamination detected in September,
which was caused by the water mains construction, has been completely resolved.
We’ve received some questions about air bubbles in the water. They can make the water initially appear cloudy, but then the bubbles disappear and the water is crystal clear.
PCC has six wells, with two in operation at any given time. The wells are rotated regularly. We have found that well #3 is introducing air in the water distribution system. It has been taken offline and we will resolve the issue before returning it to service.
Water quality and safety are top priority. The monthly water tests have been satisfactory, but as an extra precaution tests were performed on samples from two homes with air bubbles. Both tests were also satisfactory.
If you have questions about your water, please contact the office at 509-763-0320 or pccoffice@nwi.net
LANDLINE PHONE PROBLEMS?
The PCC office and a number of homeowners have been experiencing landline phone problems over the last two to three
months. Problems are intermittent and include no dial tone,
static, line drops, and/or clicking on the line. The cause(s) are
unclear – maybe the December storm, phone pedestals dam-
aged by out-of-control winter drivers, and/or phone lines repaired by Frontier during the water project construction.
Frontier has been very responsive to make repairs, but the
problems continue to recur. Frontier advises to report recurring
phone line problems to them at 877-462-8188.
(Continued from page 7)
Most of the damage was caused by trees falling on power lines, homes and buildings, and automobiles.
More than 30 homes had treetops or trees fall on the roof. The vast majority did not have serious damage, but some were
heavily damaged.
We contacted most members with tree damage. However, we couldn’t contact some members because we didn’t have
current phone numbers and/or email addresses. If you recently changed your phone or email, please be sure to update
us by emailing pccoffice@nwi.net
Hundreds of trees fell on member lots: thankfully, most did not hit homes.
Power outages began December 17. Power was restored to the “lower Ponderosa” on December 21. Those along Camp 12 Road
(upper Ponderosa) didn’t get power restored until December 24.
Several additional power outages, lasting 6 hours or less, occurred over the next 3 weeks.
Some power service lines to individual homes were taken down by falling trees, which the PUD worked to restore
throughout January.
If you do not have power, call the Chelan County PUD.
Additional power outages could occur with each new winter storm. Be prepared by winterizing your home, and having a neighbor you can contact for help during an outage.
Despite the power outages, the Ponderosa was able to continue to provide water to members via an emergency propane pump
which powered one well. Ken and Geno constantly monitored the reservoir levels and ran the pump as needed.
This was the first time we’d used the pump in an actual emergency.
Phone service (landlines) was out from approximately December 17 until December 28 for most members. If your landline phone
is not working, report it to your phone company.
Internet service was out for most members during power outages. It also went out from approximately December 21 – December
28. However, some members still did not have internet on January 4. The PUD and internet companies were working on repairs.
If your internet service is down, call your internet provider.
Roads were mostly open, but closures occurred when trees fell across the roads. Trees fell across every road at some point during
Please help keep the park and
playground clean by picking up
after your dog. Waste bag dispensers have been installed at both entrances to the park. Thank you!
PINE NEEDLER
There is still time to register for the FIREWISE PROGRAM to reduce the risk of
wildfire in the Ponderosa. Contact Doug
Pendleton at DougPen@nwi.net for more
information.
February 2013
8
MEMBERS KEEP PCC TRAILS CLEAR
AFTER STORM
By Bill Whitlow
Our trails are clear and attractive for winter recreational activities.
Thanks to two members of the Watershed Committee who are
also permanent residents, storm-related debris was cleared quickly. I was hiking many of the trails the second weekend in February and conditions were ideal; good snow and beautiful sunny
skies. That same weekend another member of the Trails subcommittee and I climbed beyond the upper water tank above Camp 12
Road to explore areas for future trail development. The winter
views from that high vantage point are spectacular and we are excited to begin developing at least one new trail in the area this summer. This effort will be part of our longterm plan to expand and improve the entire Ponderosa trail system. If you are interested in helping us
with this project please e-mail me at bwhitlow@interserv.com.
Enjoying the view from the upper water tank.
The Ponderosa Community Club publishes the PINE NEEDLER quarterly. Letters and submissions are welcome. Mail to the
PINE NEEDLER at 21100 Cayuse, Leavenworth WA 98826; or phone the PCC Office at 509-763-0320; or visit the PINE
NEEDLER online at the Ponderosa Website: www.ponderosacommunityclub.org.
PINE NEEDLER Committtee: Maureen Mitchell, Donna Malcevski, Igor Malcevski, Lorelie Olson, Tim Olson
PINE NEEDLER
February 2013
9
RIVERSIDE PARK NOW MORE OPEN TO MORE SUN
By Tom Bartlett, Subcommittee Chair
This fall we were able to clear most of the scrub bush on the ground and limb trees up to twenty feet in the proposed River Park
area. It is now open to more sun and there is more space for our members to enjoy. The next step is to come up with a plan on how
best to develop the space that we now have available to enjoy.
If you have thoughts or ideas on how we can develop this space and would like to be part of this planning process please contact
me at tbartlett62@msn.com.
IDENTIFYING PONDEROSA’S NATIVE PLANTS
By Pam Nicklas, Plants of the Ponderosa Watershed Sub-Committee Chair
This committee’s scope includes all the plants of the Ponderosa, including wildflowers, native shrubs, trees,
mushrooms and noxious weeds. A goal of the subcommittee is to create a publication to list and describe
plants in our community. We are also planning to including wildflower identification signage on one of our
existing trails. The Noxious Weed Control Center of Chelan County is planning on checking on the growth
of Knapweed and Dalmation Toadflax this spring to see if we need to have bugs released for help in the reduction of these two very aggressive noxious weeds. The Chelan-Douglas Land Trust has a very good web
site on field guides for wildflowers and invasive weeds
that grow in this area. The web page can be found at
http://fieldguide.cdlandtrust.org. On April 6th there
will be an Arbor Day plant sale at the Fish Hatchery in
Leavenworth. This is a good time to purchase native
plants for your yard.
Members are invited to join this sub-committee. If you
are interested please contact Pam Nicklas 763-4327 or
email pnicklas@aol.com.
Dalmation Toadflax
Knapweed
PINE NEEDLER
February 2013
10
PONDEROSA 2013 SOCIAL CALENDAR
By Marisha Robinson, Social Committee Chair
Saturday, April 6
9:00 AM
Easter Egg Hunt and pancake breakfast.
Food and beverages provided.
Saturday, July 6
10:00 AM and 1:00 PM
Parade line up begins at 10 AM.
Parade begins at 10:30 AM.
Ice cream provided after the parade.
BBQ food served at 1 PM. Food and beverages
provided.
Saturday. August 31
1:00 PM
BBQ food served at 1 PM.
Food and beverages provided.
Saturday, November 9
12:00 PM
Decorate clubhouse.
Soup, rolls, and beverages provided.
Saturday, December 21
5:00 PM
Christmas lighting contest.
Saturday, January 11
11:00 AM
Remove Christmas decorations.
Soup, rolls, and beverages provided.
AUXILIARY #4 HOSTS CHILI FEED AFTER PCC ANNUAL MEETING
By Judy Drexler, District Fire Auxiliary #4 Chair
First, I would like to thank all of the people who volunteered to help out at our annual chili feed and either worked at the
rest area or donated cookies in 2012. Without these people we would not be able to have a well-equipped fire department
in Ponderosa.
I would like to encourage others to become members of District 4 Fire Auxiliary. It is a small contribution of time to help
support the community you live and play in. The auxiliary has two fund raisers a year: A chili feed and working at the
rest area on Highway 2 for 5 days. If you are interested in joining the auxiliary you can contact me at 253-653-6436 or
email me at cascaderojo@nwi.net.
This year we will be having our Annual Chili Feed at the Fire Hall immediately following the Ponderosa Annual Meeting on Memorial Day weekend. Please join us for lunch and support your community fire department.
If you would like to work at the rest area, June 10, 11th, 12th, 13th or 14th, contact me. We work four hour shifts: 8- 12am;
12-4pm; and 4-8pm. For safety reasons we always have 2 people per shift. You do not have to be a member of the auxiliary to volunteer to work the rest area.
Our duties there are to provide coffee, cookies and lemonade to the travelers. We collect donations only. If you are unable
to work the rest area, but would still like to help out, we would greatly appreciate your donation of cookies. The auxiliary
usually gives out about 150 dozen cookies in 5 days. Donations of coffee would also be appreciated.
PINE NEEDLER
February 2013
11
PLAIN “NOT-SO-LAZY” QUILTERS
By Nancy Melson
With all the activity at the Clubhouse on quilting days, I just had
to change the “given” name of the
group—because we have been anything but lazy!
back. The incredible machine quilting
was completed by Sandy Ashbrook of
East Wenatchee; we were all in awe of
the beautiful work she did, individually
quilting each of the 51 blocks made by
the children. (Thank you, Sandy!)
The quilters have completed many
beautiful quilts and projects
throughout the year, but this year
we were privileged to complete an
“extra special” quilt.
We have many group members
who contribute time, effort and
materials to many different organizations such as the Burn Center for children, church groups and
the Literacy Center in Wenatchee. We have “adopted” the Grief
Place of NCW (formerly the Good Grief Center) as the recipient
of dozens of quilts made especially for children (ages 3-17) who
attend a grief support group after someone special in their life
has died. Each child who attends the group (which meets twice a
month) receives an age appropriate quilt to keep and cherish.
We have recently decided to add an extra day per month to gather and just work on these special quilts.
We expanded our work this past year and created a quilt made up
of blocks hand painted by the 51 children who attended Camp
Erin at Lake Wenatchee in July. Camp Erin is a weekend camp
(free of charge to campers) funded by grants from The Moyer
Foundation. The Grief Place is fortunate to have received a ten
year grant. As a sign of our appreciation and recognition to the
Moyers we made the quilt—a wall hanging with a sleeve on the
We hoped it would be displayed in the
Foundation office in Seattle. It was
presented to Jamie and Karen Moyer on
December 14th by Karen Sheppard, the
director of The Grief Place. In all their
years of charitable work they had never
received a quilt. They fell in love with
it and Karen took it home to San Diego
to display there.
We are now busy working on 50 quilts for Camp Erin 2013. If
you would like to help or donate batting or materials, we would
so appreciate it.
“A quilt is a treasure which follows its owner everywhere.”
This is what community is about. And the Ponderosa is a wonderful community!
Nancy Melson
nbmelson@nwi.net
509-763-0266
If you would like more information about the wonderful loss
support services offered by the Grief Place, please visit the website at www.griefplace.org
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS PLANS RESTORATION OF PARK SIGNS
By Nancy Melson, Buildings and Grounds Committee Chair
The Ponderosa Clubhouse is beautiful all year long, but there is
something special about being in there for an event on a cold
winter day (or evening) with a crackling fire burning; it feels
like home. It is nice to see the number of people using and enjoying it in our Ponderosa community.
Projects planned by the Committee for this year include restoring the Dudley Carter carving in front of the Clubhouse and
ordering a new sign for the entrance to the Ponderosa.
Thank you to Mary for ordering the “Pet-i-pots” for the park
area; please be considerate of others and pick up after your animals when you are out walking.
As always, if there is something you would like us to add to the
Clubhouse or the park area, please contact Nancy Melson at
nbmelson@nwi.net We always welcome new volunteers for
committee work too.
Enjoy the winter/spring!
Small maintenance projects will continue inside the Clubhouse
and on the playground throughout the year. With our early
snow melt we may be starting clean up work on the playground
early. Last weekend we noticed many people out walking and
many little ones enjoying the park with their families. Who
would have dreamed that we wouldn’t still have two feet of
snow on Valentine’s Day?
PINE NEEDLER
February 2013
12