Managed and updated by a team of neighbor volunteers, the user-friendly OLCA website is designed to offer information and communication to condominium owners and residents. This is your “go to” place for important announcements, events, contacts, and resources. We welcome feedback and suggestions if you have ideas to help make our community grow!
Are you on Facebook? Overlook Lakes Condo Association now has a private group just for condo residents. Join Today .
Owners are encouraged to subscribe to the secure Owner’s section. This section includes board minutes, key condo documents, and an Owner’s Communication form where owners submit articles to post on the OLCA website.Non-owners are encouraged to subscribe to the OLCA email distribution list to receive ongoing email updates about OLCA News and Events.
Keep up to date with what is happening at OLCA and within our Community. The “OVER” View is a collection of OLCA News, Events, Public Service Announcements and Posts from people within our Community. If you would like to submit an article, please fill out the Owner’s Communication form.
Posted on: June 8, 2026 in: OLCA News Tagged: Buildings & Grounds
Annual Fire Alarm Testing will begin Tuesday, June 23, starting around 8 am and ending around 5 pm. They will start up again on Wednesday, June 24 around 8 am and should finish up sometime in the afternoon. The Alarm Tech will be testing inside fire alarms and checking alarm system batteries.
The buildings will be tested in the following order:
If you will not be home please make arrangements with the OLCA Property Manager, to access your condo. Each tester will be accompanied by a Property Management Staffer. Should you know of a neighbor that does not receive email please share this information with them.
It is very important that as many condos get tested as possible. Last year almost one in five were not tested because the tester could not obtain access to the condo unit. We need to get the number of condos successfully tested up to at least 90%, or better!
It is important to remember that the alarms being tested are to warn other owners in your building that there is a fire and need to evacuate the building. These alarms DO NOT automatically go to the Fire Department, so 911 needs to be called as well.
Please address any questions to: .
Thank you in advance!
Buildings & Infrastructure Committee – Overlook Lakes Condominium Association
Posted on: June 7, 2026 in: OLCA News Tagged: Buildings & Grounds, Public Service Announcements
A representative of the US Fish & Wildlife Service expressed unexpected concerns about bird feeders. Feeders share bacteria, spread certain diseases among birds, attract predators, and often end up feeding rodents and scavengers more than birds around homes. So why do many among us love bird feeders? To quote a wildlife expert: “The birds don’t need the feeders. Some people do.” we at Overlook Lakes understand that.
Our Founders gave us rules about bird feeders, rules that make sense to minimize problems for our buildings and residents—and wildlife. Our governing documents are simple and clear on this topic.
Wise and helpful guidance! We’re bringing this up at this time because several feeders we’ve seen are filled with food (e.g., cracked corn, sunflower seed, cheap mixes) that are largely spilled on the ground and attract rodents and small critters. That’s a no-no. Remember, only Niger/Nyjer thistle seed may be used. It’s 100% edible and leaves no mess on the ground. That ultimately leads to all of us enjoying more birds around us.
Posted on: May 21, 2026 in: OLCA News Tagged: Buildings & Grounds
Fertilizers and herbicides our contractor is using in 2026
Each growing season, our lawn maintenance contractor applies a combination of fertilizers and herbicides to our lawn (turf) areas. Often called lawn ‘treatments’, these chemicals keep our grass healthy and green and at the same time eliminate weeds. The chemical composition of these chemicals changes with each application, based on season.
Read Entire Article
Posted on: May 15, 2026 in: OLCA News Tagged: Community, General Interest, Health & Wellness, Upcoming Events
Please join us for an instructor led water aerobics class consisting of Aqua Fit and Zumba routines.
Wednesdays: from 10-11 am
Starting: June 3rd (weather permitting) until the end of the pool season
Cost: $20 for the entire summer. Payable on first day at class.
Instructor: Jenn Sandvick
If you have arthritis, M.S, fibromyalgia or a related condition; water provides stability, encourages free movement and gentle resistance to help build strength. Please join us for an instructor led water class.
Tuesdays: from 9:30-10:15 am
Starting: June 2nd (weather permitting) until the end of the pool season
Cost: $5 for each class. Payable on day of each class.
Instructor: Cherie E. (teaches at the Southwest YMCA)
Bring pool noodle/water bottle to each class.
On your first day we will request an email/phone number for each attendee. We will use this information for notification of class cancellations.
Posted on: May 9, 2026 in: OLCA News Tagged: Buildings & Grounds
Sanitation workers, teachers, and nurses. These occupations are often listed as overlooked, undervalued, or underpaid – despite their high necessity and impact. Briefly stated, they are essential among us, yet too often ignored or unappreciated.
Here at Overlook Lakes we can add another group to the list: Those who volunteer to water newly planted trees and shrubs. We gratefully acknowledge the volunteers who showed up last week to plant 11 shrubs and 2 trees. We anticipate other new plantings between now and the end of summer that will require watering into November. We are looking for more volunteers to water these shrubs and trees and we’re asking you to seriously consider this.
It’s a relatively simple task, but also a serious commitment because it’s essential to the plants. Currently, Board and Building & Grounds Committee Members are at risk for burnout because watering often doesn’t happen unless they do it. Perhaps you could water 1 or 2 trees, or maybe a new shrub or 2. This will greatly benefit our community. Ideally, a “Watering Committee” might be formed to oversee this vital work among us.
Interested? Want more information? Willing to try? Email the B&G-Grounds Committee, the OLCA Board or leave your name and contact information with Tonia in the Office. You are definitely needed and we will not underappreciate you.
Posted on: May 4, 2026 in: OLCA News Tagged: Buildings & Grounds
To keep owners informed about B&G-Grounds activity a new Newsletter will be periodically updated on the OLCA Website.
Posted on: April 28, 2026 in: OLCA News Tagged: Buildings & Grounds
This schedule shows the number of times each landscaping service is performed per month*.
| Service | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | Totals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Clean-up | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | Sod clumps replace/remove, rake, blow |
| Mowing Turf/Grass Areas | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 24 | – |
| Trim & Shape Bushes/Hedges | – | – | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | – | 2 | – |
| Turf/Grass Herbicide | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | 1 | – | – | 3 | Keep pets off grass on those days |
| Turf/Grass Fertilization | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | 1 | 1 | – | 4 | – |
| Curb/Sidewalk Edging | – | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | – |
| De-weeding Of Beds | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | – | 24 | – |
| Fall Clean-up | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | 1 | 2 | Rake, cut, blow |
| Gypsum Application | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | 1 | Prevents grass edge burn from salt |
*Does not include separately contracted items like wood chips/mulch and bed edging. Dates can vary based on weather conditions.
Posted on: April 16, 2026 in: OLCA News Tagged: Buildings & Grounds
You may have noticed circular fences growing around our newly planted trees. And you may have asked yourself, why are those things there?
B&G-Grounds, in consultation with MMSD, has determined that we need to protect young trees from animal damage. Specifically, the fencing keeps deer from eating the leaves and rubbing the trunk, and rodents from eating the bark.
In 2025 we installed trees with no fencing with the hope that our local deer and rabbit population would find more attractive food to eat. They didn’t! Instead these animals zeroed in on our new trees.
As we plant additional trees you will see our B&G volunteers erecting fences soon after the trees are in the ground. We expect to keep fences on trees for several years, until they are large and strong enough to withstand animal nibbling.
B&G-Grounds is also assessing the use of flexible tubes that go over the lower portion of the trunk. These tubes protect trees from rodents and deer rubbing after fencing has been removed.
If you have questions on this initiative, or anything else related to landscaping at Overlook Lakes please email B&G-Grounds.
Posted on: April 12, 2026 in: OLCA News Tagged:
Below is the list to-date of shrubs we plan to plant spring 2026. Most of these locations were identified in 2025. A few, such as the ravine area, were identified in winter 2026.
B&G-Grounds is sending this list to all owners so everyone is aware of our plans, so owners can ask questions or present concerns before planting, and to ensure we are communicating how we spend your HOA dollars. OLCA volunteers will be planting these 26 shrubs so the total cost is very reasonable.
All selected shrubs are Wisconsin native species, adapted to our environment and home to many animals including butterflies, birds and bees. Shrubs have also been selected to be as deer resilient as possible. However, in some cases we might place a circular fence around a shrub to ensure deer cannot nibble. Shrubs are also effective at keeping buckthorn from taking a hold. Some of these shrubs are in our complex now and some are new ones we are trying out.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact B&G-Grounds () by April 24, 2026. We hope to start planting the following week.
Help Needed! If you are interested in helping plant or being an ongoing waterer, please email B&G-Grounds ()
| Qty | Item | Location | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Red currants Ribes species | Large garden area center of complex | Conifers were removed many years ago but this area was never replanted. |
| 4 | Common Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius | Large garden area center of complex | Conifers were removed many years ago but this area was never replanted. |
| 1 | Staghorn sumac Rhus typhina | Large garden area center of complex | Conifers were removed many years ago but this area was never replanted. |
| 3 | Scarlet Elderberry Sambucus pubens | Along bldg 34 on the edge of the ravine where buckthorn was removed. Closest address is 8876 Woodbridge | Buckthorn will sprout in the area if we don’t plant something. Birds love this species and it will provide a nice green view from the drive and road. |
| 1 | Shrubby St John’s wort Hypericum prolificum | West of bldg 25 along private property fence. Closest addresses are 8907/8909 Woodbridge | This is a replacement for a dogwood shrub that deer consumed in 2025. Shrubby St John’s wort is more deer resistant. |
| 3 | Filbert/hazelnut Corylus americana | North, behind bldg 38 adjacent to the sidewalk on top of a short boulder wall. Closest address is 8774 Woodbridge | These are replacements for dying and dead viburnums at that location. |
| 4 | Dwarf Shrub Honeysuckle Diervilla lonicera | North, behind bldg 38 on top of the large boulders. Closest addresses are 8760/8762 Woodbridge | This area has seen major erosion and loss of grass. The shrubs will stop the erosion and form a nicer border edge to the lawn. |
| 1 | Shrub Cinquefoil Dasiphora fruticosal | In front of bldg 29 in the river birch garden area on the lawn. Closest addresses are 8991/8993 Woodbridge | At least one shrub died here several years ago and there is a gap in the garden. |
| 2 | Bladdernut Staphylea trifolia | Northeast of bldg 36 in the back by the spruce trees. Closest address is 8792 Woodbridge | In 2025 we removed a large maple tree here. The area now has a big gap. |
| 3 | American Elderberry Sambucus canadensis | South of bldg 25 in the wooded area facing Grange. Closest address is 8905 Woodbridge | Several years ago our contractor dumped boulders and gravel in this area. We will remove and plant shrubs. |
Note. After consulting with our garden center vendor, Johnson’s Nursery, we may change specific species, or add or remove specific shrubs.
B&G Grounds Committee
Posted on: March 24, 2026 in: OLCA News Tagged: OLCA Website
With the winter’s thaw upon us, the foliage starting to bloom and the grass turning green it is time for the OLCA Website Spring Theme. The photos at the bottom of each website page shows spring-themed photos, changing randomly on each page. Look for the Summer theme in June.
Additional photos were contributed from the residents. If anyone would like to share their photos for the website, please email them to the Communications Committee.
