This is a place to ask questions and share with your Duck Lake neighbors. Please keep the discussion cordial.
Duck Lake
Property Owners Association | Highland, MI
This is a place to ask questions and share with your Duck Lake neighbors. Please keep the discussion cordial.
Duck Lake 
June 14, 2020 at 12:09 pm
The mermaid WAS damaged??
June 15, 2020 at 8:33 am
Yes, some minor damage probably while he (Art) was steeling “Ariel”.
June 14, 2020 at 12:08 pm
This Zoo is a hidden (not so hidden) treasure that our family has been enjoying for many years. We have been on Duck Lake since 1986. Throughout the years we have toured with Grandparents, cousins, and various family and friends to their joy. To see the Zoo expand in size is great! The new added characters with the original characters are the true beauty of the zoo display. So much so that, the growth has inspired my kids to want to contribute as well. We are currently working on a character to display. A nice family project, I might add.
Bruce and Barbara, your characters are adorable. Your hard work is appreciated – Please bring them back to the zoo! Pay no mind to “Art Vandelay” and his unkind words. There is so much more love out here!
God Bless Everyone!
Janice
June 12, 2020 at 9:29 pm
I feel bad that there is controversy. I
I love that you and your family wanted to contribute and I am sorry that some people have been unkind. Our grandkids love looking for the old characters and finding new. I wonder if one canal could be kept with the more traditional characters and the other one could have the newer ones? Just an idea.
June 12, 2020 at 8:40 am
Need help
I wish my wife & family could say we have the same enthusiasm today that we had just a couple of days ago when we offered to help with the enormous amount of work it takes to keep up the zoo characters. I met Steve (zoo keeper for many years) back in July of 2017, he helped me to install the 1st of our 4 characters “the Blue Sparkly Octopus”. We have now received several very nasty and hurtful comments on the Duck lake Community Discussion page from “Art Vandelay & Concerned zoo paytron” regarding our 4 characters that my family & friends have devoted many hours and money to share in the zoo. You can read these on the website if you choose.
Yes, our characters are different from many of the real life animals, however we thought that a mix of some 3 dimensional and colorful type characters would be fun for the children that they could relate to today like the Walt Disney character “Ariel The little Mermaid”, the Octopus, the Parrot and Flamingo. Over the years we had seen some change in the characters i.e. Sponge Bob, 3 blind Mice, Easter Bunny, Hillbilly and Cowboy on horse.
We have removed all our characters as of Thursday, however the 2 protesters have admitted to steeling “Ariel The Little Mermaid” and will not return her.
The others were removed in fear of them being damaged by this group of thugs. All 4 characters had my name and phone number painted on them, they could have just called immediately and we would have removed them rather them be damaged. Our children and Grandchildren will be greatly disappointed with the loss. Please call if anyone has any leads on who may have stolen “Ariel”, or where they throw her. Your information will be kept secret.
Bruce & Barbara & Family
(248-321-3162)
Residents since 1992
June 11, 2020 at 10:43 pm
Bruce, thanks for your enthusiasm concerning the zoo!
The dragon issue will be addressed. I have not been able to get back to the zoo in the past 5 weeks.
I did make it back there the other day.
I saw several issues that have to be addressed, such as grass trimming, resetting some critters, and finishing placing out the rest of the anxious creatures that are eager to once again entertain our zoo visitors!
Nearly half of the animals were made by my late father, Steve Jolokai, many going back 30 years or more. The young girl and boy were made when my son and daughter were the same ages as the art work. Memories! Fleeting memories! Parents, hug your children! Cherish the memories! Your children do!
I am sure most zoo visitors have come to observe and understand that since l have been the zoo keeper, l have moved many critters around, grouping some together, in a unique setting, to kind of tell a story. Hopefully a comical story!
i’d love to hear from the many zoo visitors of what are their favorites and any suggestions to help keep this zoo the gem it has become, so unique to Duck Lake, to be enjoyed by all.
I noticed a new frog at the end of the canal. I’d like to hear from the person who crafted that.
Thanks again to all who support the zoo. Hope we all enjoy!
Jeff Jolokai
ducklakeman@aol.com
June 12, 2020 at 7:24 am
Hello Jeff
I wish my wife & family could say we have the same enthusiasm today that we had just a couple of days ago when we offered to help with the enormous amount of work it takes to keep up the zoo characters. I met with your dad Steve and his brother (I think) back in July of 2017, they helped me to install the 1st of our 4 characters “the Blue Sparkly Octopus”. We have now received several very nasty and hurtful comments on the Duck lake Community Discussion page from “Art Vandelay & Concerned zoo paytron” regarding our 4 characters that my family & friends have devoted many hours and money to share in the zoo. You can read these on the website if you choose.
Yes, our characters are different from many of the real life animals, however we thought that a mix of some 3 dimensional and colorful type characters would be fun for the children that they could relate to today like the Walt Disney character “Ariel The little Mermaid”, the Octopus, the Parrot and Flamingo. Over the years we had seen some change in the characters i.e. Sponge Bob, 3 blind Mice, Easter Bunny, Hillbilly and Cowboy on horse.
We have removed all our characters as of Thursday, however the 2 protesters have admitted to steeling “Ariel The Little Mermaid” and will not return her.
The others were removed in fear of them being damaged by this group of thugs. All 4 characters had my name and phone number painted on them, they could have just called immediately and we would have removed them rather them be damaged. Our children and Grandchildren will be greatly disappointed with the loss.
Many Thanks to you and your dad !
Bruce & Barbara & Family
We will still help if needed (248-321-3162)
Residents since 1992
June 12, 2020 at 8:32 pm
Can you identify who owns those islands? if it is not the Duck Lake association. Then why is it being regulated by the association?
June 14, 2020 at 12:06 pm
Hi folks,
The islands are neither owned nor regulated by the association. The extent of the association’s involvement in the zoo has been holding donations on deposit for distribution as the zoo committee sees fit.
Let’s keep it fun!
June 11, 2020 at 8:09 pm
The day is gone and I have not heard from either of you, I want the character now! Stand up and be a man and return my property that you have stolen; now. Quit hiding behind all of these false identities. Put it on your beach and I will pick it up tonight! You have my phone number and name.
Bruce
To: Art Vandelay & Concerned zoo paytron
I removed all my characters from the zoo , however my mermaid was not there. Have you stolen this or destroyed it? I want this back immediately. There is a phone number (248-321-3162) on the back of the post. I will come by and pick it up immediately today. What is your address?
June 11, 2020 at 10:40 am
To: Art Vandelay & Concerned zoo paytron
I removed all my characters from the zoo , however my mermaid was not there. Have you stolen this or destroyed it? I want this back immediately. There is a phone number (248-321-3162) on the back of the post. I will come by and pick it up immediately today. What is your address?
June 11, 2020 at 8:38 am
Art, agreed, The newer “art” animals are a distraction of what is already there. Kind of an assault on the visual senses.
Maybe these outlandishly glaring new animals can me placed in the last canal? Zoo visitors can enter at own risk.
There was a new mermaid put up last week, which could be considered inappropriate for young children. Really outlandish and in poor taste. There were star cut outs for the breasts and screws in the middle of the breasts, depicting nipples.
The mermaid has been taken down.
Who are the people in charge of the zoo? They need to set rules in place to prevent this kind of trash ruining what has been a family place for family fun and family memories for generations.
June 11, 2020 at 10:35 am
I removed all my characters from the zoo , however my mermaid was not there. Have you stolen this or destroyed it? I want this back immediately. There is a phone number (248-321-3162) on the back of the post. I will come by and pick it up immediately today. What is your address?
June 13, 2020 at 12:01 pm
To: Art Vandelay & Concerned zoo paytron
My grandkids will be here tomorrow and will want to see “Ariel”. Please return what you guys stole this week. Since you are too cowardly to meet and hand her over to me, place her in a neutral place and notify me (text me 248-321-3162) and I will go pick her up. I hate to think of how to explain what you have done; it will not make sense to them! No one individual Duck Lake resident has the right to remove anything that they do not personally like. You should have called me or Jeff the Zoo Keeper!
We do not hide behind and fake name
Bruce & Barbara
248-321-3162
June 13, 2020 at 9:06 pm
Just came in from the zoo. We did see a mermaid back there. Haven’t been back there for a while, but I did see it for the first time today..
June 9, 2020 at 12:52 am
Who on earth is putting up the new horrible Colorform type art pieces with sparkles in our lake zoo??? The Colorform Octopus…Its tacky, like a 3rd grade art school thing and takes away from our legendary nice old folk art pieces. Even the kids think they’re tacky, omg. Remove them please n put them in your front yard whoever put them there if you want people see them. Thank you
June 11, 2020 at 10:37 am
I removed all my characters from the zoo , however my mermaid was not there. Have you stolen this or destroyed it? I want this back immediately. There is a phone number (248-321-3162) on the back of the post. I will come by and pick it up immediately today. What is your address?
June 11, 2020 at 9:14 pm
I am not sure why people are getting all bent out of shape for stuff added to the zoo. I liked it. I saw nothing provocative about the mermaid. Why someone would read sexually into it is beyond me. Kids see far worse on their phones and don’t think you know everything they are looking at. There is enough garbage going on in this country now, people don’t bring it to Duck Lake. It’s my sanctuary. It’s our sanctuary.
June 14, 2020 at 10:20 am
Was in the zoo. The mermaid is back.
June 14, 2020 at 11:41 am
Thanks for the info, I just pulled her so that she doesn’t received any further damage.
June 14, 2020 at 11:57 am
That sucks. We thought it looked great. Are we going to let some bully dictate the lake now. Lake board needs to step in before things get out of hand. By the way, if you didn’t realize it, Art Vandelay is George from Seinfeld favorite alias.
June 13, 2020 at 12:00 pm
To: Art Vandelay & Concerned zoo paytron
My grandkids will be here tomorrow and will want to see “Ariel”. Please return what you guys stole this week. Since you are too cowardly to meet and hand her over to me, place her in a neutral place and notify me (text me 248-321-3162) and I will go pick her up. I hate to think of how to explain what you have done; it will not make sense to them! No one individual Duck Lake resident has the right to remove anything that they do not personally like. You should have called me or Jeff the Zoo Keeper!
We do not hide behind and fake name
Bruce & Barbara
248-321-3162
June 8, 2020 at 7:40 pm
I added several new characters to the Zoo this year. I noticed the Dragon appears to be damaged. Does anyone know what is wrong with it? I’m willing to attempt to make repairs, but have never been on the island, is it solid or swampy?