12/17/07 Newsletter
LAKE LEVEL - We had a little over an inch of rain this past weekend
which resulted in the lake rising about 2.5". We are currently
about 3' 5" below normal. Without any rain this time of year, we
lose about 1.5 to 2.0" per week. The good news is that the
evaporation rate decreases and the creek inflow increases so the lake
doesn't fall as fast. A couple of 4-5" rains will quickly put us
back on track to normal level.
FREEZING WEATHER - Don't forget to disconnect those garden hoses that
you had out watering all summer. Night temperatures are headed for the
lower 20s this week. Also be sure the boats are winterized, the transoms
are lowered so they don't hold rain water, Sta-Bil is in the gas tanks
and the batteries are either disconnected or have a trickle charger on
them. A good thing about the lake is that the temperature extremes are
moderated somewhat by the body of water so our lows and highs are quite
as extreme as people who do not live on the lake. The bad news is that
open water does not slow down any winds so it can get cold quickly
around the boat docks.
POWER OUTAGES - Some of us encountered some light flickering this
past weekend with the high winds. The question is often asked why the
lake seems to get more flickers. The reason is that our power source
actually originates at the Duke Energy substation located north of
Roxboro behind The Pizza Hearth. (A popular mis-conception is that our
power comes straight from the power plant!) The line from the North sub
has approximately 125 miles of "exposure" with all the taps
going in all directions. A single tree anywhere along these 125 miles
can cause the blip or take out a section of line. Some of the roughest
terrain for the lines is around the lake. Duke Energy has done a
good job of trimming trees back and adding cut-outs or fuses to isolate
the lines in case of a problem. There are some preliminary plans to
possibly change the point of supply for the lake lines to a new
substation near the power plant which will greatly reduce the exposure.
If this becomes fact, I'll let you know. Most of the permanent residents
of the lake have a whole house generator for backup power. Remember that
there is a new outage map on line for outages on the Duke Energy
system at: http://www.progress-energy.com/shared/outages/car/index.html
You can drill down to Person County and individual roads on this site.
LAKE NEWSLETTER - If you didn't get a copy of the November newsletter
from the PC Lake Authority, there is a link on our homepage for the
edition or click here: http://www.hycolake.com/NewsLetters/irrigationviolation.PDF
CELL TOWER STATUS - We don't have any breaking news on the cell tower
for Hyco Lake. We are still pleading our case to Alltel and US Cellular.
We also have some interest by investors to locate a tower there if we
can get commitments on co-locating with cell companies so there is some
action going on. Continue to encourage your provider to expand to our
area. There is background information concerning telecommunications at
this link: http://www.hycolake.com/TeleInfo.htm
DSL EXPANSION - Work is just about completed to allow DSL in parts of
Hyco Lake soon. Owners within about 3 wire length miles of the
intersection of Hwy 57 N. and Wagstaff Road along with ones near the
intersection of McGhee's Mill Road and Shore Drive will be able to get
DSL soon. We will send out a email as soon as it is ready to go. It
should occur within weeks, not months!
WIRELESS BROADBAND INTERNET - Wireless high speed Internet
(Broadband) is currently available near Woodland School and the Ranger's
Station. We are currently looking at locating a tower down near Shore
Drive to serve the area near Oak Pointe. We will advise when it is to be
installed and operational soon.
NEW AREA BUSINESSES - Olive Hill Food Mart is now just that - a food
mart! If you haven't stopped in to see the completely renovated
business, please do so. Dale Duke says he plans to have the best deals
on gas, groceries and hard to find items in the area. See more info at
this link: http://www.hycolake.com/Restaurants.htm
Also, Mickey Gentry who owns Mickey's BBQ in downtown Semora is now the
operator of Hamlett's Pizza. Mickey says for the best pizza around, come
by or call ahead. His number is: (336)234-0008 He also invites you to
Mickey's BBQ for the best home cooking around (which Bonnie and I can
attest). See more info at: http://www.hycolake.com/Restaurants.htm
There is also a small, printable phone list for these and other
businesses at the bottom of the restaurant page you can print out and
hang by the telephone. We will add more local numbers to this list as we
get them so bookmark it. http://www.hycolake.com/Hyco%20Phone%20List%20Info.pdf
NEW BUSINESSES UPTOWN - Vesuvio's II is now open in uptown Roxboro
where Farmer's Supply used to be. They have a great facility and quick
service so stop in soon to see them. Open Monday thru Saturday. Ground
has been broken on the new KFC/Taco Bell restaurant located next to
Lowes Home Improvements. They hope to be operating in 120 days. If you
haven't been in the MacDonald's in Roxboro, you are in for a treat.
That's right, MacDonald's is completely renovated and looks fantastic
inside with flat screen TVs, fireplace and all new decorating. They have
added gourmet coffees and other items so go by soon and see the very
nice dining room. Thanks Roy and Meg Holler!
OTHER LINKS - We continue to add to our "Other Links" page
businesses that are local to Hyco Lake. Be sure to check out this page
when needing services: http://www.hycolake.com/otherlinks.htm
The Sport Shop is a recently added site. We have recently updated their
web site to show off their brand new facility so stop by to see them on
the Internet or in person: http://www.sportshopltd.com/
We also recently visited Yoder's Country Market near Milton, NC. If you
haven't been there, you are missing a treat. They have bulk spices,
cheeses, deli meats and things you just don't find in other stores. It
is worth your while just to visit them as you travel to a genuine Amish
style store. And you can't beat their prices. http://www.yodersmart.com/index.html
We always bring dried apples back to Mom's so they end up in fried apple
pies!
COMMUNITY NEED - The Christian Help Center is in dire need of canned
goods due to the holiday season. The Roxboro Rotary Club has a project
to match the money spent for these items up to $1000. So please drop off
these items Wed. night, December 19 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in front of
Vesuvios II on Abbitt Street in Uptown Roxboro. Trucks and Rotarians
will be there to handle your donations or canned items or money. Bring
your receipts for these purchases so we can turn them into the Rotary
Club and get matching funds which will also be used to purchase more
items. This is a great effort by local people helping local people who
need it this holiday season. Some people are just happy to get a hot
meal! The items specifically needed but not limited to these are:
Canned meats
Peanut Butter and Jelly
2# bags of sugar
2# bags of flour
Other canned items accepted.
Listen to radio Roxboro 96.7 FM during this time to hear reports from
their live remote. Drop off your items then head into Vesuvios II for a
great meal afterwards. Remember your donation will be doubled by the
Rotary Club so bring your receipt.
Hope you have a Merry Christmas and safe holidays.
More news when it breaks! Please pass this newsletter along to your
neighbors and if they wish to get our newsletter, they can sign up
online at: http://www.hycolake.com/contactus.htm
Randy King - randy@hycolake.com
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