A message from Carol and Dick:

Dear Friends,

As this past summer was our twenty-second year of White Birch Village operation, we think back at how quickly time flies by and the many good experiences. It has been a very rewarding venture.

We had a warm, pleasant summer, but it was very dry. Even though the lack of rain left our creek a bare trickle by October, some heavy rains in November helped bring it back. After spring thaws, we hope to see it back to normal. Fall color was unusually late and short this year, so our closing weekend quests were given a pleasant treat as the weather was also unusually warm.

In June we were treated to a fun jam session by two very talented musicians, that tried to stump our guests who were smart enough to guess most every tune. In October, we had a radio broadcast from the Red Barn by Mike Jackson of the Chicago area, that went coast to coast with some very complimentary conversation of our area and resort.

As the muskies that were stocked in 1996 have been growing, it was a very good year for fishing. There were several caught in the forty inch range, the largest from our lake being forty-four inches. The panfishing also improved and many large bluegills were brought in. To add to the health of the lake, 6,000 walleye fingerlings were added in July.

We have been informed of procedures to be taken in Wisconsin in cooperation with the public health departments to maintain beach health and reduce health risk to beach visitors. We started complying last summer by keeping pets off the beach area. We will be asking guests to be aware of and comply with the guidelines developed by the Wisconsin Health Department.

With the Rec Area across the road being completed this year, much activity ensued there, including many volley ball games. Not always just the younger set, but all ages, enjoyed the splash pond as a great way to cool off. The area now includes volley ball, basketball, tether ball, pickle ball, shuffleboard, horseshoes, and a newly sodded croquet course. Plans are to make the trail around the peninsula as handicap accessible, complete the frisbee golf course and have the exercise room ready and in place for early summer. The chapel will be the last construction over there, so if you haven't explored Across The Road, plan to do so this coming summer.

Work is progressing this winter on several projects. BlueBill will have an expanded bathroom, new bedroom paneling and windows, along with a new heating system and carpeting. BalsamFir will also have a new heating system and carpeting. Teal, WoodDuck and Hideaway will have new windows in the living and dinning areas. Shower doors will be installed in the Spa dressing rooms.

We are happy to have Phil and Lois back for the summer of 2004 along with Becky, Randy and Bud. If all goes well and the government comes through with the visas, Paul, Andrew and Dorothy will also be back.

Looking forward to also seeing each of you!

Carol and Dick