Activities

Beautification Boating Book Club Bridge Group Dine-In Group Exercise Group

Beautification

Tisha Hauser, Landscape Committee Chairperson, organizes weeding and cleanups. Contact her at 580-4874 to volunteer.

Boating

Boat Slip Availability

The Mallard Bay community boat dock has 18 numbered slips available for rent on a yearly basis. 17 of these slips have been rented for this year leaving one available. If you wish to rent the available slip, please contact Dockmaster Dolf Wais at 804-580-2456.

Construction of Additional Boat Slips - (entered - 20 Oct 08)

Despite the setback experienced in 2007 regarding expansion of the boat dock, MBPOA continues to pursue the matter with county, state and federal authorities. One of the elements we must demonstrate to make our case for space for more boats is the frequency of use of the launching ramp. In order to help document our case, all members are requested to log in on the sheet provided at the launch ramp, whenever you launch or recover a boat there.

Kayak Launcher Instructions - (revised - 20 Oct 08)

Mallard Bay has a device at the crabbing pier that should make entering and exiting kayaks much easier. The unit features two pontoons connected by rollers on the bottom and a cross-over bar at the top that stabilize the kayak allowing the person to stand up in the boat for balance before sitting down without receiving a nasty surprise dunking. When returning from paddling, the kayaker can pull up into a standing position using the crossover bar, enabling a graceful and dry exit. During warm weather, the product, called a Yak-a-Launcher, is tied to the floating pier that is part of the crab/kayak pier next to the Mallard Bay boat launch ramp.

Here are the manufacturer's instructions on the launcher's use:

To Launch Your Kayak:

Tie the Yak-A-Launcher to your dock and your bow line to the Launcher.
Step in using the handrail for support and using the pontoon nearest the dock as a step if needed.
When seated comfortably, simply roll yourself forward or backward into the water using the pontoon handles.

To Land Your Kayak:

Just point the nose of your craft between the pontoons of the Yak-A-Launcher and glide in on the roller bars.
If your momentum doesn't land you completely, use the "self tow line" or the pontoon handles to pull your kayak fully onto the Yak-A-Launcher.
Secure the bow line to the Launcher.
Grab the handrail, stand up and step back onto dry land using the pontoon as a step if needed.

For a brief tutorial video on the technique you should use with the launcher, go to http://www.getkayaktive.com/index.htm.

The Mallard Bay Book Club meets September through April (except December) to discuss books they have assigned to the membership. Meetings are held in the private home of a hostess. Check the calendar link here for the schedule. For more information, contact Carol Poundstone at 580-7802.

Bridge Group

A Bridge Group meets at the Club House on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 7:30pm. Another bridge group meets the 1st Thursday of each month at 1:00pm. Anyone interested in joining should contact Sylvia Baldwin at 580-6019.

Dine-In Group

"There are no bad cooks in Mallard Bay" is a frequently expressed opinion. One of the opportunities cooks have to strut their stuff is in the “Dine-In Group” formed to give neighbors a chance to meet and eat in different homes on a regular basis (as well as check out guest bathrooms for cleanliness and taste in wallpaper design). Hostesses sign up for a particular month, along with co-hostesses, and recipes are shared at a planning meeting to select a menu. The hostess/host prepares the entrée’. Side dishes and dessert are brought by the guests. The group meets in October for a cocktail party with all participants bringing an hors de oeuvre to share. Dine-In events are scheduled on weekends so that part-time residents may join. Even if you don't consider yourself a good cook, this group has plenty of friendly, expert assistance on which to draw.

Contact Leslie Hatch at 580-5121 or Julaine Cleland at 580-5563 for more information.

Exercise Group

An exercise group meets at the clubhouse Monday through Friday mornings at 8:00am during the winter months. When the pool opens in May the exercise class meets at 8:15am for water aerobics and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, meets for step exercise at 7:15am. All are welcome to come.

Nature Viewing

Yellow-Rumped Warblers Spotted - (entered - 4 Nov 08)

Fall migration is underway and the yellow-rumped warbler has been present on all six of our last morning walks. They love to eat wax myrtle berries and we find them in these bushes on the Canvasback loop. At first blush they appear to be just another LBB (little brown bird) but at close look they have a patch of yellow on their backs just above the tail feathers and yellow streaks where the wings fold on the breast. Affectionately called "butter butts" at the Kiptopeke State Park bird banding station, these warblers are half of the 8000 or so birds banded there each year. How nice to return from banding to find them in large numbers here in Mallard Bay. Cindi Bonnet

Mallard Bay's Forgotten Path - (entered - 10 Nov 08)

Well, maybe it's not exactly forgotten, but it's not used as much as other facilities. It's called the Spring Valley Trail and its beginning is next to the tennis courts at the intersection of Pintail Lane and Canvasback Lane. The trail leads downhill, eventually terminating at a canoe/kayak dock on Bush Mill Stream. The dock is equipped with a rack for boat storage and was recently repaired after a storm. Give the trail a try.

Social Events

Holiday Parties

The social committee organizes community get-togethers on weekends on or near several national holidays in the summer. Depending on the holiday honored, the committee will furnish hamburgers, hot dogs or soft drinks and ask participants to show off their culinary skills and bring something to share with the group. Enthusiastic eating is not the exception -- it's the rule.

Cocktails on the Rivah

When summer is over, a newly developed, very popular, social event kicks in. It's called "Cocktails on the Rivah" and is sort of a pre-meal cocktail hour without the main course. Bring your own spirits, or other beverage, as well as an appetizer to share and relax with good conversation and gorgeous views of the river or a cozy winter fire in the clubhouse fireplace. These events are held approximately monthly and are scheduled on Saturday evenings in order to better accommodate our part-time residents.

These functions are not funded by the Property Owners' Association, but are fully self-sustaining, and dependent on donations for food, beverages and decorations. Check the calendar for upcoming events.