Vocal Point: Newman Lake partiers have given us so much

Editor’s note: Doug and Lynda Benjamin live in Newman Lake on a private extension of Temple Road near West Newman Lake Drive.

People have been gathering for parties about a quarter-mile from their house on private but undeveloped property. They said the partying has been getting steadily worse over the past three years – a neighbor has counted as many as 20 cars leaving a party.

This is their open letter to the unknown partiers:

Dear party crew,

We are so sorry this is late in getting to you. We were not sure how to get this to you, plus you are apparently unable to read (or maybe it was too dark for you to see the signs – including those that read “no trespassing” and “private road”). We thought if we sent this to the paper someone you know might see it and read it to you.

First off, we want to thank you so much for all the cans and bottles you left around the fire pit over the past year. After my grandkids – ages 12, 10 and 6 – and I picked them up, we were able to collect enough money to go to the movies.

We also want to thank you for all the pallets you left for us. We were a little short on wood last winter, so they really came in handy for heating our home.

You’ve probably noticed that we had to make a few changes this year. Who would have thought when we moved out here more than 20 years ago that we would someday live in a gated community! We didn’t realize it would be so nice. It is a bother to open and close the gate, but it has definitely been worth it – well, except for the smashed gate. (Guess we should have used the money from the cans and bottles to help fix the gate, but we thought the kids had worked pretty hard over several of their Sunday visits and deserved a treat.)

By the way, someday you’ll have to tell us how you got out of the creek last winter – those were some pretty impressive wheel prints!

Having the gate up has reduced our stress level so much – we really appreciate that. No more worries about midnight fires left smoldering, or wondering who is going up and down the road at 2 in the morning. The Sheriff’s Office is probably very happy. They seemed to be getting a little tired of us inviting them to your party after you forgot to.

We just wanted you to know how much you have changed our lives.

Thanks again,

The Benjamins