While winter is still very much settled in at Lakes of the North, the Association calendar continues to move forward. January is when planning, preparation, and administrative work for the coming fiscal year takes place behind the scenes.
Association dues are a core part of that process. They support the day-to-day operations and long-term responsibilities that keep Lakes of the North organized, compliant, and functioning as intended for everyone who owns here.
Why Dues Matter to Our Community
Association dues do more than cover expenses. They support the structure that allows Lakes of the North to operate as a cohesive community. From ongoing administrative work to long-range planning, dues support the systems that ensure consistency and fairness across the membership.
Dues play a direct role in maintaining the stability and continuity of the community we all share.
2026 Dues Overview
The 2026 Association dues will be due on April 1, 2026, in line with the Association’s fiscal year, which runs from April 1 through March 31.
As part of a previously scheduled dues structure approved by the membership, dues will increase by 2 percent for 2026. This increase was approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the Association, reflecting a long-term planning decision made collectively by the membership.
The 2026 dues amounts are $387.60 for a primary lot and $218.28 for a secondary lot.
Billing and Staying Connected
Billing statements for 2026 dues are expected to be mailed in February. With many members splitting time between locations during the winter months, now is a good opportunity to ensure your contact information is current.
Updates can be made by calling the AMO office at 231-585-6000 or by logging into Member Central.
Timing and What to Expect
Accounts that are not paid by April 1 are considered delinquent. If a balance remains unpaid, late fees, interest, and collection activity may begin after 30 days, as outlined in the Association’s governing documents.
For members with outstanding balances from prior years, the Association continues to actively work toward resolution using established processes. These efforts help ensure fairness and consistency across the membership.
A Required Part of Ownership
Association dues are a required part of deeded ownership at Lakes of the North. When members meet this responsibility, it allows the Association to operate effectively and prevents the financial burden from shifting to others.
Whether Lakes of the North is your year-round home, a seasonal retreat, or a place you plan to enjoy in the future, dues help support the stability of the community as a whole.
Questions or Need Assistance
We understand that circumstances change. Members who anticipate difficulty paying their dues are encouraged to contact the AMO office early. Open communication allows staff to answer questions, explain available options, and help prevent additional fees or escalation.
Looking Ahead
This post is meant to offer a helpful reminder as the Association prepares for the coming fiscal year. Association dues are an important part of keeping Lakes of the North operating smoothly for everyone who owns here.
As April approaches, we encourage members to review their accounts, plan ahead, and reach out with any questions. Thank you for being part of Lakes of the North and for helping support the place we all enjoy.
Lakes of the North Arts: Building Community Through Creativity Lakes of the North is home to many passions, and one that continues to bring neighbors together in meaningful ways is the arts. For the past four years, Lakes of the North Arts (LONA) has played a vital role in enriching our community through music, creativity, and shared cultural experiences. Founded in 2021, LONA was created to celebrate all forms of art and to connect residents who create, perform, and appreciate artistic expression. Since then, the committee has organized a wide range of events including outdoor concerts, indoor art fairs, art sales, children’s crafts, and special community celebrations. One of LONA’s most popular offerings has been its Concerts on the Green behind Settings Restaurant. To date, the group has hosted 14 concerts featuring an impressive variety of performers, from Broadway singers to Petoskey High School’s Steel Drum Band. LONA has also partnered with other community groups, collaborating with the Golf Committee for the Annual Autumn Art Sale, participating in the Airport Committee’s Salute to Services ceremony, and joining in the fun of the Fourth of July parade. Beyond events, LONA has made lasting contributions to shared spaces throughout Lakes of the North. These include gifting a piano to the Clubhouse, refurbishing the Lake Harold entrance sign, and planning a new interactive music wall for children at the Lake Harold playground, scheduled for installation this spring. LONA began when chair Cheryl Ogonowski, a retired music teacher, moved to Lakes of the North from suburban Detroit with her husband, Gary. Looking for ways to connect beyond snowmobiling or golf, Cheryl discovered a strong interest in the arts within the community. That discovery led to the formation of the LONA committee and its first Arts Showcase in 2022, which was met with enthusiastic support. “The whole idea was to embrace the arts, all kinds, because we have people in the community who like to create art and those who simply enjoy what others create,” Cheryl shared. That spirit continues today, with upcoming 2026 Concerts on the Green planned to feature a brass band, an acoustic guitar trio, and a versatile vocalist. LONA is funded entirely through donations and community support. Residents can become benefactors by attending events or by bringing or mailing a donation to the Lakes of the North Office at 6273 Pineview Dr., Mancelona, MI 49659. Please be sure any mailed donations are clearly labeled as a donation to LONA. New members are always welcome, and those interested in getting involved can contact Cheryl Ogonowski at [email protected]. Through creativity, collaboration, and a shared love of the arts, LONA continues to strengthen community connections and enhance life at Lakes of the North.
The Bean Soup Theory – A Thought About Preference and Perspective
Imagine someone shares a recipe for bean soup. It is clearly labeled, meant for people who like bean soup, and it is posted with the intention of being helpful, inspiring, or simply enjoyable.
Most people will think, Yum, this is useful. Others might think, Beans aren’t really my thing, and scroll on.
But sometimes the response becomes:
“Can I make this without beans?” “What if I don’t like beans?” “This doesn’t work for me.”
It is not wrong to feel that way. Tastes differ, needs differ, preferences differ. But not everything we come across is designed with us specifically in mind. That is normal, healthy, and part of life.
The Heart of the Bean Soup Theory
Not every post, policy, or idea will apply to every person.
Some things are helpful to you. Some are helpful to someone else. Both can coexist peacefully.
Sometimes the most empowering response is simply recognizing:
“This one isn’t meant for me.”
And continuing forward without needing it to be changed or reshaped to fit our personal taste.
Where This Applies Beyond Soup
Every day, we move through a world full of information, choices, opinions, invitations, and opportunities. Some will resonate and others will not. Instead of assuming every situation should adjust to our preferences, we can practice a healthier mindset:
• Take what serves us • Let go of what does not • Respect that others may value something we do not
Life becomes less tangled when not everything has to be for us in order to be valuable. We can allow variety without feeling the need to rewrite it to match our own taste.
Sometimes the most peaceful thing we can do is notice something, acknowledge that it does not suit us, and keep moving. No critique needed. No conflict required. Just space.
How This Applies to Association Life
In an association, we all share the same community, but we do not always share the same needs, lifestyles, or interests. One announcement may excite one member and mean very little to another. A new policy may feel supportive to some and unnecessary to others. An event might be exactly what one person hoped for while someone else scrolls past without a second thought.
And that is okay.
Just like bean soup, some things in our community will be meant for you and some will be meant for someone else. The beauty of association living is that it brings together many people with different priorities under one shared place to call home. We do not all have to want the same things in order to live well together. We simply need to recognize that something can have value even when we are not the person benefiting from it.
When we allow space for ideas, activities, and decisions that do not directly serve us, but serve another family or another need, we create a community that feels more spacious, more gracious, and less tense.
We do not need to love every initiative to appreciate that someone will.
This isn’t about whether we follow rules or agree with every policy. It is simply about understanding that not everything is created for each of us individually, yet still has a place and purpose.
Awareness does not divide a community. It strengthens it.
Disclaimer: In this blog, the terms HOA and Owners Association/POA are used interchangeably. This content is for general information and communication only and is not a legal document, contract, or policy. The simplified language is intended for clarity and common understanding.
We’re excited to launch LOTN Living as a simple, positive space where we can share what’s happening around Lakes of the North. No formal sections or long reports, just short updates, good news, staff and volunteer appreciation, and the everyday moments that make life up north special.
Our goal is to highlight the positive side of community life here: neighbors helping neighbors, committee efforts, seasonal reminders, and the small things that make LOTN feel like home. Updates will be added regularly, so be sure to check back for new posts.
Have a Story or Idea to Share?
We love hearing what’s happening around Lakes of the North! If you have an idea or a story you think would be a good fit for LOTN Living, please email it to [email protected] for consideration.
LOTN Living is created and published by Lakes of the North. We welcome ideas and story suggestions from our members, though the blog is not an open submission platform for independently written articles or advertisements and is not intended for daily happenings or routine updates.