RAINBOW AT LAKE CHARMAINE

Took this picture at the Lake Charmaine Community Center park yesterday. We did receive some rain this past week but our lake level has remained the same. We still need several inches of rainfall to begin filling our lakes again. Thank you for observing all posted signs in our parks and lake areas.

KWUD Local Radio Station

Check this out on the web. It is a great source of local information and weather radar.

WALKWAY TO NEW ENTRANCE IPOIA OFFICE

Volunteer's showed up bright and early this morning to build the new walkway for the entrance to the IPOIA office.

Sherwood Forest No. Park Cleanup Update

We got the clean up done before we were blessed with some much need rain! The park looks great. We are looking for volunteers that would be willing to mow this park on a regular basis. Please contact Ron at 377-1936.

BULKHEAD REPAIR PLANNED

Bulkhead replacement is scheduled to start the week of July 18th on the bulkhead located at the community center swim area. During this time the area will be roped off and off limits for safety reasons. If you want to take a swim there is a swim area located at Candy Cane Park and Charmaine So. Park. Water levels are very low and since there is no boat traffic swimmers have been leaving the designated swim areas. Please remember, you swim at your own risk. Once the lake levels return to normal you will need to remain in the swim areas for your own safety. We are working hard to clean up our park areas and the residents of Ivanhoe are responding by removing their trash when they leave. Plans are in place to repair or replace playground equipment and picnic tables. We love volunteers. You might have noticed the signs that say "Parks are maintained by Volunteers for your enjoyment". If you would like to help, please contact Ron Sikora at 377-1936.

STUFFED POTATO DINNER - AUGUST 13TH

The Friends of Ivanhoe will sponsor a Stuffed Potato Dinner on Saturday, August 13th right after the City of Ivanhoe Meeting (around 12:30). Menu is Potato with all the trimmings, Dessert and a drink. Your Potato can be with Chili or BBQ for $8 or without for $6. Dine in or carry out. Tickets are on sale at the IPOIA office on Friday, Saturday or Sunday during regular office hours. You may also purchase a ticket from any Friends of Ivanhoe Volunteer. All proceeds benefit our community.

SHERWOOD FOREST NO. PARK CLEANUP - JULY 16TH AT 7:30 A.M.

Ivanhoe Residents - Here is an opportunity for you to be a part of a great bunch of people who volunteer their time and help keep our parks in shape. This month we will be working at Sherwood Forest No. Park starting at 7:30 a.m. to beat the heat. Since this park has not been cleaning in several months, there is tall grass on the waters edge (bring your gas weed eaters) and fallen branches that will need to be picked up. If you have any questions, Call Ron at 377-1936. We also mow the community center on a volunteer basis. If you see the grass getting long and needing a mow job........do it! You won't hurt my feelings. Ron Sikora Chairman Parks and Lakes

July 2011 Newsletter

Click on the page you wish to see and it should enlarge to read.

ZERO TOLERANCE IF YOU BURN!

Due to drought conditions there is ZERO Tolerance if you decide to light up that pile of dry brush. I think our fire department would also agree that it is not a good idea to even burn in a barrell at this time. Recently one resident started a fire in his burning barrell and left to later find out that sparks had started a fire on the adjacent lot. YOU WILL BE FINED if you fail to observe the Burn Ban.

LAKE LEVELS CONTINUE TO DROP

We are experiencing one of the worst droughts in many years. According to an article in the Texas Neighbors magazine, it is the third worst in Texas history. It is very evident to all of us here in Ivanhoe when we see our lakes receding at a very rapid rate. Due to the conditions we are experiencing we closed Galahad Lake to motorized boats (includes trolling motors) on July 1st. It is a necessary precaution to prevent damage to the dam. We have also asked those residents who currently pump water from our lakes to water lawns to please discontinue until we get some rain.

NEWSLETTER IS BACK!

The July 2011 Newsletter is ready. Copies are in the black mailbox located in front of the IPOIA, City Office.

FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS DISPLAY CANCELLED

Due to the drought we are experiencing in the area the fireworks display that was scheduled at the community center on July 3rd has been cancelled. Please remember that we are also under a total fireworks ban in Tyler Co. This means no personal fireworks are to be used. We are also under a burn ban.

IVANHOE RESIDENTS

Please remember you must have a current sticker displayed on your vehicle to use the parks and lakes in Ivanhoe. Sticker fee's are $5 per vehicle and you must be a "member in good standing" (maintenance fee's paid up). Stickers are available at the IPOIA office during the summer months on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Please remember, if you do not have a current sticker you will be asked to leave the parks, swim areas and lakes. Also, please remember, NO DOGS are allowed in the swim areas and if you do bring your dogs to the parks they must be on a lease. Glass containers have also been a big problem this year. We ask that you do not bring them in the parks but if you do, please do not throw them into the swim areas.

SATURDAY - JUNE 11

Don't forget! IPOIA meeting at 10:30 and City meeting at 11:15 a.m. All residents are invited to attend at the Buck Priest Community Center.

FYI - Tyler Co. Emergency Management

The TCEMO will host a Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, June 7th at 7 p.m. at the Nutrition Center "Dining Hall" located at 201 Veterans Way in Woodville.

The topic and purpose of the meeting is to bring "Awareness" to the citizens of Tyler County to the unusual and radical weather conditions that are occurring in our region of the country as well as throughout the world. As we have entered the 2011 Hurricane season and are experiencing a record setting drought and the unsettled weather we have witnessed across our nation in the last few weeks, we need to be mindful of our weather outlook for the coming months.

Roger Erickson of the National Weather Service will be the guest speaker. This meeting will be the first of three planned "Town Hall Meetings" intended to allow us to make plans and preparations to lessen the effects of possible harsh conditions to our citizens, especially the most vulnerable.

LAKE CHARMAINE CLOSED TO BOAT TRAFFIC

As of June 1, 2011, Charmaine Lake is closed to all boat traffic due to low lake levels. We managed to get through the Memorial Day weekend without closing the lake but levels this morning were at the critical stage. The reason the lake closing is necessary is to prevent wash out from boat waves below the apron on the dam. Have you heard the old saying "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"? To leave the lakes open would cause costly repairs in the future. We will open the lake back up as soon as we get some rain and the levels rise. PRAY for rain. PLEASE remember we are under a burn ban.

Candy Cane Park Cleanup

Thanks to this group of men who showed up to work at Candy Cane Park Saturday. The Park really looks great!

NEW OFFICE HOURS IPOIA

NEW SUMMER HOURS

(starts May 20th)

Friday - 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday - 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sunday - 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

PARKS AND LAKES REPORT

At the Saturday meeting of the IPOIA a report was given by Ron Sikora about the conditions of our Parks. Over the last month Ron and his wife Karen have gone around Ivanhoe to each park, reserve and boat launch area. You might have notice the new bulkhead by the swm area at Charmaine South Park. Due to wave action it was necessary to raise the bulhead to prevent washout. Stairs were installed to give easy access to the water by swimmers. There is still some minor repairs that will need to be made over the next few weeks but work is progressing. Thanks to Jerry and Connie Rudd for mowing this park for our enjoyment.
At the Heli-Pad Park we removed the broken wooden slide structure due to safety concerns. Thanks to Betsy Strong and John Craven for helping with the removal. Also, a big thanks to Joe McIntyre for mowing this park. Chuck Vonderlin keeps the boat launch area mowed at Galahad for us. No need to do a lot of work at Memorial Park because Rusty Harrison takes great care of this area. Currently, due to wave action on the apron of the big dam bouy's are being installed by volunteer's Jerry Wendell and Howard Johnson. I have also talked with many of my neighbors here in Ivanhoe that have taken on the responsibility of mowing the park areas or reserves close to their homes. We do need volunteers willing to help keep our parks clean and mowed. REMINDER : A work day has been scheduled for Candy Cane Park on Charmaine East for Sat. May 21st starting at 7:30 in the morning. Please come and volunteer a few hours to help mow and trim this area. You might have also noticed many new signs going up in the park areas. Thanks to donations we were able to replace many of our signs in the park areas. Here is another opportunity for anyone wishing to help. Make a donation to the parks. We would like to replace the picnic tables and future plans do include replacing or repairing playground equipment. I am also planning on getting all the lake signs replaced. It all takes time and money.....I have the time....ha ha. I will try to post updates as the work is done. Ron Sikora, IPOIA Board Member

FISH FRY CANCELLED

The fish fry which was scheduled for June 18 by the Friends of Ivanhoe has been cancelled due to scheduling difficulties. Since this was such a big success last year we are looking at a August re-schedule date. More information will be posted when a date has been selected.