THE PURPOSE AND A BRIEF HISTORY OF BOLROA

The Purpose of BOLROA

 The purpose and goals of BOLROA are stated in its By-Laws. They are as follows:

The goals of the Association shall be to:

· Protect Black Oak Lake waters and shoreline for recreation

· Protect and enhance the Black Oak Lake environment

· Manage natural fish and wildlife habitats

· Work to initiate and keep protective zoning ordinances consistent with private property rights

· Promote safety

Origin of BOLROA

On August 16, 1975, Black Oak owners met at the Land O’ Lakes Town Hall to form an association. This meeting was attended by 83 people, 37 of whom donated $5 each to cover organizing expenses.

Organization Committee

The organizing committee was comprised of Ed Nagel, Mike Rudderham, Emmet Fleming, Kimball Wyman, John Caruso, Walt Bates, Carl Truss, Earl Leimbacher, Virginia Schroeder, Betty Kistler, and Bill Van Haecke.

First Meeting

The first BOLROA Annual Meeting was held on July 3, 1976 at which the following were elected to comprise the first Board of Directors.

Emmet Fleming – President

John Caruso – Vice-President

Virginia Schroeder - Secretary

Vern Vineyard – Treasurer

Earl Leimbacher

Mike Rudderham

Howard Lloyd

Chuck Bates

Walt Bates

Ed Nagel

Ed Hook

The very first item of business discussed at that first meeting was.....planning a PICNIC! You can tell where our priorities are. Following the setting of the time and date for that picnic the next items of concern were the unusually high lake level, possible pollution sources, and rezoning all waterfront land parcels to Single Family Residential status.

Historical Listing of BOLROA Presidents

A history of BOLROA Presidents is as follows (changes always occur at the July annual meeting.):

1976-1978 - Emmet Fleming

1978-1980 - Ed Hook

1980-1982 - David Hoffman

1982-1984 - Walt Bates

1984-1986 - Leo Lang

1986-1988 - Dan Kegel

1988-1990 - Betty Kistler

1990-1992 - Frank Ferry

1992-1993 - Betty Kistler

1993-1994 - Jim Bates

1994-1996 - Ruth Berg

1996-2000 - Stu Hunt

2000-2002 - Jim Surpless

2002-2004 - John Annin

2004-2006 - Walt Bates

2006-2007 - Sara Beedie

2007-2008 - Kathy Gelb

2008-2009 - Joe Beers

2009-2010 - Tom Allman

2010- - Cherry Lommen

First BOLROA Picnic

The first owners picnic was held in August of 1977 at the home of Ginny Schroeder. At this picnic the BOLROA theme song, 

“BOLROA, I Call You My Own” was introduced by its composer, Chuck Bates.

All Past Minutes, Newsletters, Picnic Invitations, … you name it!

Click here for a chronological list of virtually all such data from BOLROA’s beginnings in 1975.