Thanks to our BLHA events committee chaired by Phil Gilbert, along with the many volunteers that made the May 17 Caribbean "Castaway" event a great evening for all the members and their guests. For our May meeting, I asked longtime Berkeley Lake resident Mr. Pete Rolader to attend as our special guest of honor. In reviewing the history of the community and our Homeowners Association, he is one individual that definitely stands out. However, before I go into this further, I would like to provide you some of the interesting points about our young and growing community.

In 1948, Frank Coggins created Berkeley Lake by the development of Berkeley Realty and Investment Company (BR&IC)

• acreage was noted to have been purchased along the river for $6 an acre
• the Community consisted of 700 acres
• Lake Berkeley was constructed in 1950
• property owners of Berkeley Lake, all 25, met and formed the Lake Berkeley Civic Association (LBCA) in 1953 to promote the interest of Berkeley Lake and its property owners; telephones, electricity and an all-year road around the lake; improve lake ecosystem by reducing weeds and managing fish population
• Lake Berkeley Civic Association (LBCA), a volunteer membership was formed and dues assessed of $6 per year
• activities for the year included; BBQ, Regattas, Fishing Contests and Holiday Parties

Now we jump 20 years... March 28, 1973 Berkeley Lake Homeowners Association (BLHA) was incorporated

• the first President was Pete Rolader 1973-74 (97 Members)
• BLHA Dues were $25
• Berkeley Lake Dam was deeded over to the City of Berkeley Lake in 1974
• in 1979 BLHA passed a resolution to assess each member $50 to "finalize acquisition of Lake Berkeley"

• Pete Rolader chairs meeting to discuss removal of silt in the south end of the lake in 1982
• the Dam Bond Referendum was issued to repair dam - $170,000
• the beach area was created with the soil relocated for top of dam
• dam repairs completed
• the transfer and acquisition of Lake bottom to BLHA completed in 1983
• Berkeley Lake Elementary School opened its doors with 784 students in Grades K-5
• In 1984 BLHA mailed a letter to residents and property owners, "too many people have discovered Berkeley Lake and want to fish, swim, picnic, walk... etc."

Now we are in the present...and in 2008, Pete Rolader continues to be a resource that all BLHA Boards look to for council. As I read the history of our community, I attempted to highlight some of Pete's contributions. I would like others to realize the impact this man has had and continues to have within our community.

Addressing the crowd, I said, "Pete, we value your input and guidance, as you mentor us to be 'stewards of the Lake.' To acknowledge your contributions over these 30+ years, we have dedicated the point of the picnic grounds to be known now and forever after as 'Pete's Point,' to inspire others to lead this community, as you have done for so many years." In closing, for those of you who were not present to hear Pete's acceptance, here are some of his words of wisdom:

"I am flabbergasted! I have been thinking about what to say to you in response to this honor that you have bestowed upon me. Lawyers are usually kissed or cursed, depending on the situation, but now you have gone a step further and have embraced me within your arms as you have done at Berkeley Lake for over 30 years. I am deeply honored and deeply touched.

"Perhaps I can best explain my feelings like this: Some 30+ years ago I was living down in Buckhead on a part of a 50-acre tract of land my grandfather bought there in the 1860's for $800. My next-door neighbor took in a stranger who wandered over from the State of Alabama to apply for a job as head coach of the football team at the University of Georgia.

"He plowed up my front yard while he taught my children to play football. After an extended period of time, he landed the job and became head football coach. He remained there for years, became athletic director and retired a few years ago.

"Coach Vince Dooley became a legend and recently he was honored by the University of Georgia, the State of Georgia, the football team and everybody in bulldog country with the dedication of a parcel of land in the athletic complex at Athens.

"As I read about and heard about this, I began to think and realize what an honor a land dedication is and what a memorial it is to have such a thing done. When Steve Seitz informed me of "Pete's Point" this was the first thing that came to my mind. I could not believe that the citizens of Berkeley Lake were so honoring me.

"Move over Vince Dooley, you are not the only catfish in the sea. Pete Rolader has a fishing hole named for him on the beautiful shores of Berkeley Lake."