Friends of Lake Panorama Begins Fundraising for Playground, Sports Courts

Plans for two new recreational amenities were unveiled at a volunteer recognition dinner Oct. 15 at the LPN. To make the new projects possible, Friends of Lake Panorama is conducting a fundraising drive.

The Friends of Lake Panorama is a public charity organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes, and is completely separate from the Lake Panorama Association and Lake Panorama National. All contributions to the nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity are tax deductible.

One project will establish a new “destination” playground at Sunset Beach. The other will renovate the two tennis courts at Lake Panorama National, and add a basketball court.

To develop plans for the playground, the Friends board met with Sunset Beach neighbors in August to gather input on what recreational amenities might work best there. Following that meeting, desired playground components were listed and proposals requested from two companies.

After reviewing both proposals, the Friends board voted to work with Boland Recreation of Marshalltown and chose one of the three playground designs proposed. A second meeting was held with Sunset Beach neighbors to share the playground details, gather additional input and answer questions. Those attending the meeting expressed enthusiasm both for the chosen playground layout and Boland Recreation.

The playground is geared to ages 5 through 12, and has a play area capacity of 165. The area covered by play equipment will be 60 feet by 53 feet, with a larger protective surface area of 72 feet by 66 feet.

The main play structure includes multiple slides, bridges and climbing opportunities. Several smaller play structures surround the main area, including a modern twist on the old-fashioned merry-go-round and teeter-totter.

For the LPN sports court, the Friends board reviewed and priced options for either renovating or replacing the current tennis courts. After that review, the board voted to accept a proposal from Sport Construction Midwest to renovate the current tennis courts and add an adjacent basketball court.

The first step involves repairing cracks and leveling the overall surface of the existing courts. A crack repair product that has been proven 300 percent more successful than traditional methods will be used.

Next, a PowerGame two-tiered surface will be placed over the existing court, and marked for both tennis and pickle ball. The modular flooring features a locking system, so no glues or anchors are needed.

The five-eighths inch high, self-draining surface stays clean by allowing water, dirt and debris to drain through. The cushioned design also provides shock absorption to help reduce joint stress and fatigue. The product carries a 15-year warranty.

New concrete will be poured for the basketball court, which will be 50 feet wide by nearly 79 feet in length. There will be a basketball hoop system at each end of the court, and fencing will be added to at least two sides. The current proposal includes topping the basketball court with matching modular flooring used on the tennis courts.

Each of the two projects is estimated to cost between $100,000 and $120,000, so a goal of raising at least $200,000 has been set by the Friends board. Details of the two projects, plus information on how to donate, will be mailed to all LPA members this fall.

But fundraising already is underway, and donations to these two priority projects encouraged. Donations also can be made to six separate funds, in addition to the two special projects.

There is a general fund, plus funds for Boulder Beach, Shady Beach, Sunset Beach, Panorama West, and Lake Panorama National. Money donated to any of these funds will be used at the discretion of the Friends board, or for smaller, targeted projects approved by the Friends board.

To donate, make checks payable to Friends of Lake Panorama, and include details on how the money is to be used. Donations can be designated to more than one project or fund. Mail to Friends of Lake Panorama, PO Box 488, Panora, IA 50216.

Donations also can be accepted electronically on the Friends of Lake Panorama website at www.friendsoflakepanorama.org. The website includes drawings and details about the two current projects, plus other information about the charity.

A brokerage account is being established so donations of stock can be accepted. Donating stock that has appreciated in value can provide tax advantages in two ways — full deduction of a charitable contribution and no requirement to pay capital gains tax on the appreciated value.

Long term, it is hoped those who have a love for Lake Panorama will consider Friends of Lake Panorama during estate planning.

Major donors will be recognized on the Friends website, plus ads in the Lake Panorama Times, an annual printed report and community-wide publicity. Where significant projects warrant, such as the Sunset Beach playground and the LPN sports courts, a sign recognizing key donors will be erected near the completed project.

Kent Stephenson is the president of the Friends board. Tricia Steffen is vice president, and Jim Spradling is secretary-treasurer. Other board members are Kirk Fischer, Bob McCleeary, Jan Reinicke and Jodi Sutton. Susan Thompson is assisting the group.

Anyone with questions or suggestions regarding the Friends of Lake Panorama can contact Susan Thompson at 641-755-4382 or staff@friendsoflakepanorama.org.

Plan for Major Fund Drive Being Finalized for Friends of Lake Panorama

Just three months after receiving word from the IRS that it had been granted non-profit status, the Friends of Lake Panorama board of directors is preparing to launch its first major fundraising campaign.

The Friends of Lake Panorama is a public charity organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes, and is completely separate from the Lake Panorama Association and Lake Panorama National. All contributions to the nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity are tax deductible.

The charity’s seven-member board of directors is focused on improving existing facilities at Lake Panorama’s two golf courses and three beaches, plus developing new recreational amenities as funds allow.

Plans and related costs for two major projects are being finalized, with fundraising to get underway in the next month. One project will be to renovate two tennis courts at Lake Panorama National, plus add a fenced basketball court with two baskets to the east of the tennis courts.

A second project will be to establish a new “destination” playground at Sunset Beach. The Friends board held a meeting with Sunset Beach neighbors August 18 to get input, and will hold another meeting in early October to review possible plans for the playground.

Estimates show each of these two projects will cost about $100,000. Once plans are finalized, public meetings to show drawings and additional details of the projects will be held. A post office box has been established and a bulk mail permit obtained. A brochure with details of the two projects, plus information on how to donate, will be mailed to all LPA members this fall.

Donations to these two priority projects will be encouraged. But for people who prefer to make a general donation, there will be six “funds” in addition to the two special projects.

There will be a general fund, plus funds for Boulder Beach, Shady Beach, Sunset Beach, Panorama West, and Lake Panorama National. Money donated to any of these funds will be used at the discretion of the Friends board, or for smaller, targeted projects that have been approved by the Friends board.

A website is being developed so donations can be accepted electronically. Major donors will be recognized on the website, plus ads in the Lake Panorama Times, an annual printed report and community-wide publicity. Where significant projects warrant, such as the Sunset Beach playground and the LPN sports courts, a sign recognizing key donors will be erected near the completed project.

Kent Stephenson is the president of the Friends of Lake Panorama board of directors. Tricia Steffen is vice president, and Jim Spradling is secretary-treasurer. Other board members are Kirk Fischer, Bob McCleeary, Jan Reinicke and Jodi Sutton. Susan Thompson is assisting the group.

Funds Being Raised for Scheiring Memorial Bench at Panorama West

A long-time friend of Lake Panorama passed away August 8, 2014. Joe Scheiring was well known as the organizer of the Fourth of July fireworks that originated at Shady Beach for 20 years.

He also was well known for his love of golf. “Joe loved golf,” says John Crawmer. “He never went on a vacation without taking his clubs. He won the men’s league at Panorama West several times.”

Crawmer says as he and other members of the men’s league were reminiscing about Joe, they decided it would be nice to honor his memory by placing a bench on the #7 tee box at Panorama West.

“We call this the money hole, since all players put a quarter on the stand and whoever is closest to the flag, takes the money,” Crawmer says. “We thought the perfect inscription on the bench would be – ‘In memory of Joe Scheiring, who loved the money hole, because he usually won it!’”

Crawmer and others researched bench options and have chosen one from Watts Vault and Monument Co. in Des Moines that will cost $2,500, including installation. While discussing how to raise the necessary funds, it was suggested Crawmer contact Friends of Lake Panorama.

This non-profit charity received IRS approval in July to accept tax-deductible donations, with funds used to preserve, maintain and improve existing facilities at Panorama West and Lake Panorama National golf courses, plus the three Lake Panorama beaches.

The main goal of the charity is to raise money for projects the LPA cannot finance. For instance, the charity’s board is developing plans for a major fundraising effort to finance a large playground at Sunset Beach and new sports courts at Lake Panorama National.

But being able to assist with smaller projects such as the Scheiring memorial bench is another reason the Friends of Lake Panorama charity was formed. Working through the charity, donations to the Scheiring memorial bench will be tax deductible to donors.

Any size donation will be accepted. If more than the needed $2,500 is raised, extra funds will go to the Wounded Warriors Project, which Joe designated before his death as a charity of choice.

Checks should be made out to Friends of Lake Panorama and mailed to Friends of Lake Panorama, PO Box 488, Panora, IA 50216. For information about the bench, contact Crawmer at 641-755-3043 or 641-757-1950. For information about Friends of Lake Panorama, contact Susan Thompson at 641-755-4382 or 515-240-6536.

Friends of Lake Panorama Board Researching Potential Projects

The Friends of Lake Panorama board of directors met July 21, 2014, with much of the discussion focused on potential projects for a fundraising campaign. Board members are considering several options, with its first campaign this fall raising money for targeted projects on both the west and east sides of Lake Panorama.

The Friends of Lake Panorama is a public charity organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes, and is completely separate from the Lake Panorama Association and Lake Panorama National.

A July 2 letter from the IRS stated Friends of Lake Panorama is exempt from federal income tax, and contributions to the public charity are deductible under federal law. The letter also stated the group is qualified to receive “tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts.”

The Friends of Lake Panorama board of directors includes Kirk Fischer, Bob McCleeary, Jan Reinicke, James Spradling, Tricia Steffen, Kent Stephenson and Jodi Sutton. Susan Thompson is assisting the group.

The board’s emphasis is on improving existing facilities, and developing new recreational amenities to benefit the Lake Panorama community.

At its July 21 meeting, the board formed two subcommittees. James Spradling agreed to chair the playground/sports court committee, with Jodi Sutton chairing the giving levels/recognition subcommittee.

The board approved taking over responsibility for the LPN teebox sponsorship program. It began in 2008 to raise money for the construction of Spikes, the restroom and snack facility located on the golf course. As initial contracts expire, sponsors can keep their signs in place at an annual cost of $500. Since Spikes was completed, money raised with this program has helped fund two on-course bathrooms, a keg cooler, new flagsticks, distance markers, ball washers and more.

For some businesses, and all individuals, routing funds through the nonprofit Friends of Lake Panorama would be advantageous. As in the past, money raised through the program will be committed to improvements at Lake Panorama National. Current teebox sponsors have received letters explaining the change and asked for ongoing commitments. Once the list of current supporters is final, remaining holes will be offered to new donors.

IRS Approves Tax Exempt Status for Friends of Lake Panorama

For many years, people have donated money to improve amenities at Lake Panorama or provided gifts in memory of loved ones. Yet those donations could not be deducted on the giver’s taxes.

A new group will change that. Articles of Incorporation for the Friends of Lake Panorama were filed with the Iowa Secretary of State’s office November 1, 2013, and an application for 501(c)(3) designation was submitted to the IRS January 17, 2014.

A July 2, 2014 letter from the IRS stated the Friends of Lake Panorama is exempt from federal income tax, and contributions to the public charity are deductible under federal law. The letter also stated the group is qualified to receive “tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts” under federal law.

The Friends of Lake Panorama is a corporation organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes, and is completely separate from the Lake Panorama Association.

A seven-member Friends of Lake Panorama board of directors has been formed. Board members are Kirk Fischer, Bob McCleeary, Jan Reinicke, James Spradling, Tricia Steffen, Kent Stephenson and Jodi Sutton. Susan Thompson is assisting the group.

At its first meeting last December, the board developed a list of current needs, as well as new projects that could be undertaken immediately or planned for the future. Emphasis was on improving existing facilities, and developing new amenities that will benefit the Lake Panorama community.

Now that the group’s non-profit status has been confirmed, discussions can continue on specific projects for targeted fundraising. Attention also will turn to fundraising efforts, recognition programs, and soliciting feedback from the Lake Panorama community on possible projects and fundraising plans.

Friends of Lake Panorama Formed

For many years, people have donated money to improve amenities at Lake Panorama or provided gifts in memory of loved ones. Yet those donations could not be deducted on the giver’s taxes.

The Lake Panorama Association is designated by the IRS as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization. Although it is a nonprofit, donations made to the LPA are not tax deductible as a charitable contribution. In addition, funds bequeathed through an individual’s estate to the LPA would be subject to a 15% inheritance tax.

A new group should change that. Articles of Incorporation for the Friends of Lake Panorama were filed with the Iowa Secretary of State’s office November 1, 2013. This is a corporation organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes, and is completely separate from the Lake Panorama Association.

A seven-member Friends of Lake Panorama board of directors has been formed. Board members are Kirk Fischer, Bob McCleeary, Jan Reinicke, James Spradling, Tricia Steffen, Kent Stephenson and Jodi Sutton. Susan Thompson is assisting the group.

At its first meeting, the board developed a list of current needs already known, as well as new projects that could be undertaken immediately or planned for the future. Emphasis during the discussions was both on improving existing facilities, and developing new amenities that will benefit the Lake Panorama community.

An application for 501(c)(3) designation was submitted to the IRS January 17, 2014. Once approved, contributions to the Friends of Lake Panorama would be tax-deductible and estate gifts exempt from inheritance tax.