Frogs, Tile and Umbrellas

The good news is the frog swarm seen 5 June is past...the pool was just full of them but after several bouts of skimming them away (the last one by our pool technician) they are back down to a more tolerable population.  Happens every year.  On the subject of deteriorating pool tile, the issue has been addressed apparently.  The pool service tech says tile has been ordered.  Finally...umbrellas are few in number and furniture has taken a beating over the last few seasons.  Eventually all that will get replaced, but until that happens, please remember to go easy with what we have.  Umbrellas come apart and break table tops when winds are above 15 knots...so please take them down and tie them off when not in use.

Well, good news and bad news as we approach a new swimming season.  I am told there are liability concerns about flower planting at the pool, so the pots, for now at least, will be unplanted.  This is not a good thing to hear this late in the spring...

Spa Closure

The emergency shutoff was used Sunday to stop the bubbles...old story, I know.  Anyway, the hot tub is closed Monday so the sanitizer and filter can catch up.  As of this morning the water in the spa is green and not safe to use.

The closure is posted as a "swimming pool" closure, the sign is next to the spa and the closure is for the spa only.  The main pool is fine and is open for unrestricted swimming.

Umbrellas

We lost two umbrellas and one table to wind damage this past weekend.  This was not due to storm damage.  Rather, we had clear weather with sustained winds at 15 knots that did the deed.
So...please consider wind strength when utilizing our/your pool furnishings.  If the weather report on ye old smartphone says winds are at or above 15...might be time to batten down the hatches (umbrellas).

Alcohol in the Pool Area

Oh, the joys of being first at the pool each morning...
The State of Michigan makes quite clear in public health standards (to which Traditions is subject) that alcohol consumption is prohibited in public pool enclosures.  That is one reason Traditions bans alcohol at the pool.
Nevertheless, not everyone is onboard with this.  Frankly, those who drink at the pool aren't onboard with cleaning up after themselves either (those bottlecaps are a dead giveaway), but that is a lesser issue. 

Cigarette Butts in the Flower Pots

Now that really is not cool.  I have to believe many of us here at Traditions might agree with that statement.  A great deal of effort goes into making the pool nice for all of us and that work is not done by some paid staff...it is done by us.  Traditions co-owners voluntarily do the work because of the pride most of us take in our neighborhood.
That having been said, we all know there are no ashtrays or other receptacles for smoking materials in the pool area.  That is is because smoking is not allowed inside the fence.  See the previous post...

Smoking in the Pool Enclosure

Is prohibited.  For those very few of us who need this reminder...smoking and oxidizers do not mix and pool chemicals are oxidizers.  Not surprisingly, Traditions bans smoking in the pool area partly to minimize fire risk and partly because most of us want a smoke free environment.  So, do not smoke in the pool area...and please bear in mind that "going off in a corner" to smoke does not cut it.  Smoking is allowed outside the pool fence.  Please honor your neighbors by honoring that.

Lap Lane Etiquette

Not long ago a couple of our neighbors were at the pool swimming laps.  It was relatively early in the day before the crowds typically gather so the lap lanes were clear.  Then...suddenly they were not.
A family with children moved right in and just like that, the kids jumped into the only portion of the pool in use, disrupted the lane and so the workout was over. 

Children are understandably vague on the etiquette associated with situations like this but parents, guardians and sponsors certainly do understand these things. 

Many Traditions co-owners are older retirees who value the fitness opportunities associated with our pool.  Please respect their need for exercise and also...remember a thoughtless leap into the pool can seriously injure a "heads-down" lap swimmer.

Tables

One of the issues that comes up every summer season is the need to clean up table tops after use.  You know how it is.  A great time is had, everybody in the clan has a good time, but food gets spilled; so do drinks.  Pretty soon there is a sticky mess.  The good news is clean up happens eventually.  The not so good news is that clean up is all too often left to the newly arrived who need the table for their own gathering...
Please be considerate when getting ready to leave the pool; as everything is gathered for the trek back to the house, wipe down the table.  Don't leave it for your neighbor to clean.
Kudos to all those folks who already do clean up after themselves.  That gets noticed too.

Saturday Coffee at the Pool

For those interested...several of us get together Saturdays for coffee.  We usually congregate around 9am on the pool deck.  Any and all pool committee members, board members, and co-owners are welcome.  BYOCC (Bring your own coffee and a cup!).