Welcome to the Overlook Lakes Condominium Association Community Resource

With Labor Day behind us, the start of the NFL season and school back in session; it is time for the OLCA Website Fall Theme. The photos at the bottom of each website page show fall-themed photos, changing randomly on each page. Look for the Winter theme in early December.

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.

This month’s newsletter topics include:

B&G Volunteer Updates

• Grass, Shrub and Tree Watering
• Viburnum Hedge Replacement
• What About Other Viburnum Hedge Replacements?
• Why Owner Volunteers?
• Large Arborvitae Replacements
• What About Watering?

B&G-Grounds News

• Removal and Replacement of Dead Evergreen Bushes

Contractor Corner

• MMSD
• Volunteers Needed
• Grass Seeding

Owners Frosty, Mary Kay, Rich, Lori, Patti and Dave ventured out July 18 to plant shrubs to replaced hedges eaten by the viburnum leaf beetle. While the smoke cleared for one day and the temperature had returned to normal, the extra high humidity make work challenging.

In the end the group planted all three planned hedges, for a total of 13 bushes in the ground. In addition to planting the group hauled wagons of heavy soil and bags of compost. Buildings completed were 24, 32 and 44. Owners in each of the buildings have stepped up to water. We thank all waterers for helping.

There are three more former viburnum area hedges to be replanted in buildings 23, 30 north and 30 south. Those are planned for spring 2027. B&G will be determining layout and number and type of bushes between now and then.

This month’s newsletter topics include:

B&G Volunteer Updates

• Summer Watering Schedule
• Volunteers Needed

B&G-Grounds News

• Removal and Replacement of Dead Evergreen Bushes
• Viburnum Removal and Replacement
• Other Shrub Replacements
• Ash Trees
• Expediting Replacements

Contractor Corner

• MMSD
• Stump Grinding
• Former Trees Grass Seeding
• Ravine Edge Grass Seeding

To keep owners informed about B&G-Grounds activity a new Newsletter will be periodically updated on the OLCA Website.

This month’s newsletter topics include:

B&G Volunteer Updates

• OLCA Waterers Rock
• New Watering Schedule
• Garden at Bldg 26
• Volunteers Needed

B&G-Grounds News

• Stump Grinding
• Volunteer Grass Seeding
• Contractor Grass Seeding
• Upcoming Shrub Plantings

Contractor Corner

• MMSD

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.

Here are the basic rules:

• All bird feeders must be kept in a neat and clean condition.
• No bird feeder may be directly attached to any part of a building.
• All units are limited to one feeder each.
• Bird feeders must use Niger (sometimes “Nyjer”) thistle seed only.

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.

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.

Everyone is welcome!

Aqua Fit/Zumba Water Aerobics Class

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

Joint Effort Water Class

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.

Possibly Underrated But Definitely Needed

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.

To keep owners informed about B&G-Grounds activity a new Newsletter will be periodically updated on the OLCA Website.

This month’s newsletter topics include:

• Stump Grinding
• Grass Seeding
• How our landscaping contractors are keeping our property healthy and beautiful