 I am sending you this letter for consideration of a ‘Clean Up Project’ for Royal Lake. A couple of years ago a Township successfully provided dumpsters and loaders for Township residents. I have been contacted by Ms Pam Schallhorn, Community and Economic Development University of Illinois Ext. She has expressed an interest is working with our community. Her thoughts directed me towards considering a ‘Clean Up Project’, to start a renewed effort towards building our community.   This year perhaps we may have projects for all Townships. The projects would include the following participants and activities:   Respective Townships, providing equipment and setting a date  Royal Lake Improvement Committee, oversight and coordination of labor to include Community Service workers  Clinton County Probation and Parole, to work with Royal Lake Improvement Committee providing service workers to help resident with clean up  Royal Lake Booster Club Project coordination   Please let me know if you are interested in working out a plan to bring this project into existence. I am enclosing a self addressed stamped envelope for your response. You may also call me: Henry Rowell , or   I will keep you posted, and hopefully receive your response by April 30, 2015 at that time I’ll get back with all and set a date and time for our initial meeting. The meeting will be held at the Case Halstead Library upon confirmation. Looking forward to working with you, and I’ll follow up this letter with a phone call. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

 Royal Lakes Resort #2 - April 21, 2015   I have been meeting with Henry Rowell a resident and activist living in Royal Lakes Resort #2 located about seven miles southwest of Carlyle, Illinois in the county of Clinton since March We both realize that the area has many needs and the University of Illinois Extension is interested in finding ways to work to improve the neighborhood for the underserved residents that live there.   Henry has decided to try getting a clean-up project completed by the end of May and I have been meeting with him to help him keep things moving in a positive direction. Henry has sent letters to the three townships in which Royal Lakes is located; all residents; the Royal Lakes Improvement Committee and the Clinton County Correctional Agency (for labor being provided in part by community service workers). One township has responded and is willing to provide equipment etc. to do the clean- up. Henry will be following with others and if we do not get responses we will be attending the township meetings in early May to see if we can get others on board.   As I mentioned earlier, there are several issues to address in Royal Lakes Resort #2. Once Henry is finished with the clean-up project he is very interested in working with the University of Illinois Extension to host a series of public meetings regarding Royal Lakes Resort #2. The goal of the program will be to discuss concerns and possible ways to improve the neighborhood. Emphasis will be on safety and security, infrastructure improvements, pride of ownership, communication within the neighborhood and opportunities for education and jobs. Possible partners include the County, the City of Carlyle, neighborhood churches, Kaskaskia College and many others. 

 Here is a list of just some of the issues we have identified in the neighborhood at this time:  Need to improve roadwork and drainage  Complete sewage treatment facility planned previously. Due to insufficiently sized septic tanks and poor maintenance raw sewage may contaminate ground water and stall community development  Renovate and reopen community center  Virtually no access to public transportation  The area is a food desert – closest food source is Carlyle 6-7 miles away. Currently, just once per month, Matthew 25 an organization that is part of the Ministerial Alliance offers food to them that is part of an FDA surplus program, but no transportation exists to pick up residents  No job opportunities in the neighborhood so people must drive to Carlyle or Centralia if they have transportation  Education levels generally at GED level or below; average income of residents is estimated at $10,000 annually   None of these issues can be resolved quickly and it will take a concentrated effort of many people and organizations in order to achieve these things, but if we take it just one step at a time we can make real change. If you have any questions on how you can help in this effort please contact either me at or Henry Rowell at   Thank you.   Pamela S. Schallhorn  Educator, Community & Economic Development  Bond, Clinton, Marion, Jeffers on & Washington Counties Illinois

 Dear Fellow Knights;  I am pleased to announce that the Carlyle Council, #1382 agreed to allow service credits for work helping the Royal Lake, Clinton County Community. Initially, a clean –up project has been proposed, (see attached), along with Illinois State University Department of Community and Economic Developments’, projection.   Check with your Townships respectively, Carlyle, Santa Fe, and Wade. Thus far Santa Fe, Probation and Parole, and Royal Lake Booster Club are on board. Future developments include a think tank to dialogue needs. If you are interested in assisting and or know of someone helpful please let me know. Henry Rowell: , Friend us on facebook: ‘Royal Lake Booster Club.’ Send as well to get on mailing list. Also visit Thank you for your consideration.   Sincerely,   Henry Rowell, Warden  Carlyle Council #1382