Our community is more than just a bunch of houses; it’s a neighborhood where we all come together, work together, respect each other, and feel proud of where we live. We want to focus on one idea: We Are All One Team.
We are already great! Let’s make our neighborhood better together. We love Involved homeowners: they are the key in making Hide-A-Way a great place to live. When we work together, talk openly, and support each other, we make our neighborhood stronger, safer, and more welcoming for everyone.
We are one team. Please know that our community rules help keep our neighborhood a great place for everyone. Talking to each other and sharing ideas in a helpful manner allows for growth and understanding. Please set aside time to go to meetings, join committees, or simply volunteer for events. A thriving neighborhood needs all of us working together to achieve common goals. When there are issues, lets talk about solutions together in the proper forum respectfully. Talking in a constructive way builds trust and helps everyone to move forward.
We are one team. We are all working towards the same goal: a neighborhood we are proud to call home. As a single team, we can tackle challenges together and build a community based on respect and unity. There is always room for growth and improvement. We have been able to implement many changes as a result of our property owners sharing ideas.
Upcoming, we will be planning opportunities for the community to engage with the Board of Directors in a less formal manner. I believe it is imperative for the community to know us and understand our role as board representatives.
Together we are stronger.
Together we succeed.
We are all one team.
Another year has gone by and Hide-A-Way Lake continues to make a number of positive changes and improvements. The following are some of the major improvements that were made this past fiscal year.
Many improvements took place with our water system, which is owned and operated by Hide-A-Way Lake Club, Inc.
The knuckle valves on the pressure tanks at Wells #2 and #3 that are set at 75 PSI were replaced in July. This capital purchase cost $1,812.88 from Fergurson Water Works.
Also in July, Mississippi Department of Health audited our water system finances and operations. Our system received a 100% score. Thank you to the HAWL Staff and Board of Directors for running and maintaining a good system.
In October, the Water Tower Inspection and washout was completed by Stephen’s Tank Service. The total cost of the inspection was $3,500.00. The inspection showed that interior painting is needed in the next four to six years and exterior painting is needed in the next seven to ten years. These jobs will be planned out.
Surveyor Jeremy Tynes was hired in October to survey lots #1339 and #1340 for the water system main lines and valves located on these lots for the water tower area. All information shows these lines and valves are in the easement areas of both properties. No purchase of land is needed. Surveyor cost was $700.00.
An emergency repair was done at Well #3 generator in November. A new water pump and heater were replaced for a capital cost of $3,808.07.
All fire hydrants were painted in January to indicate the amount of water flow they produce. They were also tested and their locations were marked on our roadways.
All main line water valves were serviced and marked in March.
Many of the common grounds areas (Lodge area, parks, playgrounds, etc.) also had many needed improvements and updates this year.
A new pool motor was ordered in August through Demco Motors for a total capital cost of $1,656.00. This is to replace our backup motor, which is now in use.
Replacement street sign poles were ordered from Brandon Industries in October. The total capital cost for ten sets was $2,696.00.
Our big project for fiscal year was the “Repaving Roads 2026” project. Bid requests were sent out on September 3, 2025, to Huey P. Stockstill, Barriere Construction, Lowe Bros., Warren Paving, and Gulf Pride Contractors. Bids were opened on September 30, 2025, and the project was awarded to Contractor Huey P. Stockstill, LLC. Two miles of paving was completed in November. The total capital improvement cost was $501,554.00.
Road striping bid requests were sent to Lane Line, LLC., Traffic Control Products, McCraney Striping, and Pavement Marking, LLC. Road striping bids were received on November 13, 2025. Contractor Lane Line, LLC completed this project in December. The total capital improvement cost was $21,723.00.
Dungan Engineering performed our bridge inspection in December. The inspection showed that all is in good condition. This inspection is scheduled to take place every two years.
In December, HAWL Maintenance Department cut trails on the east and west side of the back 120 acres. These wooded areas will be another beautiful place for you to walk and enjoy your community.
In January, Lot #0317 (1401 Hide-A-Way Lane) was purchased for the community to have access to our North Hill easement and for exit in case of an emergency. This will be ready by the end of this year.
A camera system was installed by the Maintenance Department in February at the stable/barn area for a total capital purchase cost of $700.84.
In March, column lights and fans were purchased for the exterior lower level of the Lodge that faces the lake. The total capital purchase from Amazon totaled $1,876.38. The Hide-A-Way Lake Maintenance Department completed installation. This is a great improvement to this highly used area.
William C. Smith Professional Engineering was hired to perform inspections on the deck at the Lodge in March. The report showed the deck is in overall good condition. No emergency repairs were needed. Recommendations were completed over the following months. The total cost of the engineering inspection was $2,646.00.
Both swimming pools’ Renovation Projects are being planned. LA Leak Detection, LLC performed a leak test on our pool in August. The total cost was $2,500.00. The overall project is slated to begin on October 12, 2026. Over 11 companies were invited to bid/make a proposal. Three bids were received: Baldo’s Pools for $421,516.49, Gulf Coast Pool Remodeling and Construction, LLC for $372,155.64, and Pleasure Pools for $549,275.00. The Board of Directors approved to move forward with Gulf Coast Pool Remodeling and Construction, LLC. A new potential deck with a cover at the pool is being proposed with a budget of $75,000.00. The deck size will be 75’ by 25’ and will be placed on the beach side of the pool. Final bid requests will be sent out this fall to plan this deck for completion with the pool renovation.
Many projects took place over the past year to preserve and maintain Hide-A-Way Lake’s largest amenity: our lake.
A fish analysis on bass and catfish was completed in September with Eurofins Analytical Laboratories for a total cost of $928.94. All tests showed no concerns with our fish.
The Owner DEQ Inspection of the dam and spillway was completed in September and was sent to the DEQ. The spillway was cleaned and all debris from both the main and valve channels was removed by Dillard & Sons for a total cost of $2,500.00. The major rainfall that occurred in June showed the importance of continuing the maintenance program on our dam and having regular inspections by MS DEQ. The rainfall caused some erosion on the spillway and 20 main roadway culverts had washouts. All issues are in works to be repaired by the HAWL Maintenance Department.
A pontoon boat frame was purchased from Blue Dot Marine for Lake Quality projects. The capital purchase of this boat frame totaled $1,500.00. The pontoon boat was redecked only and will be pulled by our regular security boat when in use.
On March 18, 2026, American Sportfish delivered herbicides for a total of $2,201.10. These herbicides were used by the HAWL Staff to spray the salvinia growing in the lake. On March 25, 2026, American Sportfish delivered approximately 6,000 threadfin shad for a total capital cost of $6,600. American Sportfish made another delivery on April 16, 2026, of approximately 1,000 pounds of adult copper nose bluegill for a capital cost of $15,600.
All “No Wake” buoys in the coves are placed at 100’ from shore. Two additional safety buoys were added in April in tight areas for owners to see the 100’ area from shore. Owners who live on the main lake will still have waves. Boats operating within the 100’ area from shore must be at No Wake speed.
Equipment purchases and upgrades were a large area of focus for the community as well over this past year.
In August, the propane company for common areas was changed to Blossman Gas. All tanks now have a transmitter of level for the company to maintain. As part of this agreement, Blossman Gas installed a new 1,000 gallon tank for the kitchen, which replaced the tank from 1980. The cost of this agreement is $153.00 annually for the tank.
In December, our copier lease with Xerox expired. We signed a new lease will Bell Office Machines for 60 months. This will be a savings of approximately $4,000.00 per year.
A replacement 3” trash pump was purchased for our water system from Consolidated Pipe and Supply in January. The total capital cost was $2,166.75.
All insurance policies were reviewed by multiple agents: Eagan Insurance (our current agent), Stewart Insurance, and TWFG Insurance. All policies were kept with Eagan Insurance. The opinion of both of the other agents who provided bids was that Eagan provided the best cost/coverage. The following were renewed and paid in June:
Property: $68,955.02 D&O: $12,733.00*
Auto: $10,591.00 Crime: $1,127.00
Tower: $13,942.50 Boat: $2,825.00
Workmen’s Compensation will remain at Luba for $6,532.00 yearly
*D&O was increased from $1 million in coverage to $3 million.
While the projects I have mentioned were all necessary, they are only a fraction of what goes on in HAWL. The community continues to grow and we, the Board of Directors, will continue to focus on the improvements necessary to keep HAWL the wonderful place that it is. Thank you so much for taking part in your community.
