The cottage season has come to an end (for most of us). Closing is always a bit melancholy, saying goodbye to friends and the land, but what a glorious summer it was, especially with the last hurrah in tember as temperatures soared again and we were able to get out for bug free walks. We’ll close the season with some housekeeping both at the cottage and for the cottagers’ association.

Governance

Cottagers’ Association Fees in 2024

Decision: An increase of the Loon Call Lake Cottagers’ Association fees by $20, taking us from $20 to $40 will be in effect in 2024.

After much deliberation and in consideration that fees have not been increased since at least 1986, while other costs have gone up significantly in that time; and that $20 is less than the price of gas to reach the lake for many cottagers, the LCLCA Executive have unanimously put forward this increase.

We do look for grants where possible (e.g. the Planting Palooza in 2021), and will continue to do so.

What do you get for your money and what have we added recently:

FOCA Membership – providing us with a broader view of lake health and cottage issue awareness, the fees have increased in recent years
NORKLA Membership – access to lake health data, North Kawartha view of cottaging (Invasive Species, Septic data, etc.)
+ Meeting in NKCC for a fee (more feasible than peoples‘ cottages (distant past) and Legion Hall (hot, hot, hot))
+ The Regatta games costs have been absorbed by the organizer (Scott Phillips). While we are thankful to Scott for his generosity, funding the regatta is a more sustainable model.
+ Funding is required for services and materials used to communicate to all cottagers (e.g. Web site, posters). Often the cost is absorbed by the person doing the work
+ Funding is required for equipment to benefit all cottagers and our (e.g. Fire Pumps, other proposed projects under consideration)

Your LCLCA Executive

AGM 2024

The AGM turnout in June was better than we expected and we heard lots of positive reviews of the earlier date. And, with earlier warning, we understand that even more people will be able to attend.The AGM will be held on the 2^nd Saturday in June for AGMs going forward.

Mark your calendar for the 2024 AGM on Saturday, June 8^th, 2024.

LCLCA Executive and Volunteer Opportunities

There have been no changes in the executive this year.

We do have interest from some Loon Callers who will be added to the executive next year. As well, preparation is underway in advance of a turnover in presidents in 2025.

Volunteers are warmly welcomed. Please reach out to learn the many ways you can help.

For your reference, follow this link to the current team: Loon Call Lake Governance.

Fire Pump Committee

by Henry Decock, Chair

Thank you to everyone who voted in the electronic poll. 78% of the respondents approved the expenditure for a fire pump.

The committee of six cottagers has drafted a set of guidelines and procedures for the maintenance and training on the equipment, including responses to the questions you sent in, along with a set of cottage fire prevention practices, all of which will be made available to the Loon Call Lake community through the website and email communication.

Over the winter, the fire pump committee will purchase the fire pump and related equipment in time for summer 2024.

Look for further information in the spring newsletter and at the annual AGM.

Community

Drive Safely

Please remember that many Loon Callers, pets, and friends of all ages and agility, are walking on the roads this time of year, enjoying the colours and the fall air. Cars share the roads with people. Please, Slow Down, Sound Your Horn on tricky turns and hills to signal that you are approaching. Keep everyone safe.

Event Wrap Up

– Paddle Palooza and Food Drive / Regatta and Corn Roast

Following the Paddle Palooza (so thankfully renamed from the Pandemic Paddle), we donated two very large, very full, bins of food to the Kawartha Food Bank. They were so happy to receive these donations and send their appreciation to all Loon Callers.

The Regatta and Corn Roast attendance was record breaking this year. It is so great to see these crowds again. Thanks again to Scott for many years of Regatta fun, and to Erin who has volunteered to run them in the future.

Do you have photos from the Regatta and Corn Roast? Send them along so we can share them.

The Raffle proceeds of $755 were also donated to the Food Bank. This put a smile on their faces.

It came a surprise to me that not all cottagers’ associations make donations to the community. Thank you, Loon Callers. You are a very special group of people.

Obituaries

As you have seen in the notices, we have started a new tradition. So many Loon Callers make a special mention of their time at the cottage and on Loon Call Lake. It seemed fitting to pay them a special tribute on their passing. Loved ones or cottage friends are most welcome to recognize them. Just send us a note at info@looncalllake.ca and we’ll work with you.

See the Loon Callers Remember page for tributes.

Loon Call Lake Wear

The response to the Loon Call Lake Wear was tremendous, with requests for more. Please see the email of October 11^th with instructions for how to order your apparel, or Click here to go to the Order Form.

(Note: The logo location on the Tshirt has been correct to centre front)

Order by November 14^th. Pickup in Whitby.

Cottager List

We have removed last names and email contact for executives and directors from the web site to reduce the spam and scam. The cottager list now includes this information for your reference. Hardcopy lists will be available at the AGM and a link will be sent to newsletter subscribers after the AGM updates or upon request.

Lost and Found?

Have you lost something? Found something?

email info@looncalllake.ca and we’ll post on the Loon Call Lake front page LoonCallLake.ca and the Loon Call Lake Cottagers Association facebook page. If you have lost something, check out both of these sites.

On the Water

Fall Cleanup Hygiene

It was observed last year that leaves were being blown into the lake. We remind cottagers that leaves are living tissue and contain phosphate. Leaves can account for much of the excess nutrients in a lake. Thus, it is preferable to let your leaves rot/compost on land – rake them to where they will rot without being unsightly and unsafe.

Wondering: “Don’t leaves fall into the lake naturally, so isn’t this okay and natural?”
Answer: “Volume! A few leaves may not tip the balance, but large quantities will.”
See Lake Steward’s report for more info.

For other cottage closing tip see these helpful tips:

Checklist – Closing up the cottage for winter
Lake Friendly.ca – Practices and Actions

Lake Friendly Cleaning Products

Wondering how to clean without harming the lake or your septic system? Jacquie Cane shares her recipe with us.

Lake Steward’s Report

by Jim Hartog

NORKLA Lake Health Meeting Report 2023

Hartog attended the NORKLA Lake Health Meeting on August 26 at the Wilson Park Community Centre on Northey’s Bay Road. This is an annual event organized by Doug Wellman as a gathering for the local lake stewards to touch base and also to hear speakers on relevant topics.

The meeting was not as well-attended as Doug would like but the Mayor, Carolyn Amyotte, was present as was Ambrose Moran, a local environment activist who doubles as a real estate agent.

Although not on the published agenda, Diane Trauzzi, Big Cedar Lake, opened the meeting with news on the status of the application for a three-year, $750 000 grant from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to cover the purchase and maintenance of boat clean/drain/dry stations for local lakes. These are solar-powered, on trailer, vacuum systems that can be moved from lake to lake and will have “attendants” present to help the boaters. Cedar Lake has everything bad, zebra mussels, Eurasian milfoil, spiny water flea and starry stonewort, so it has a vested interest in boat cleaning stations. One of the points of discussion was if the stations should be on “clean” lakes for protection or on “dirty” lakes to stop the spread of invasive species. Diane has received a lot of support for her work and she hopes that the application will be successful.

At this point, local lake stewards in attendance gave a short update on their lake. Hartog reported that all is well on Loon Call Lake in terms of Secchi Disc readings, Trent U testing and the Lake Partner Program testing. Loon Call Lake has escaped the Cedar Lake problems with our unfavourable to some invasive species water chemistry and good luck. Chandos Lake has no invasive species even though the conditions good for them. Jack Lake reported that they may have a mercury problem. The new Wolf Lake steward was in attendance.

The first key-note speaker was Dr. Norman Yan who gave a dissertation on the causes of an algal bloom on Dickson Lake which is in Algonquin Park. This is a pristine lake that has no business having an algal bloom. Dr. Yan covered all the factors that likely contributed to the bloom. These include spiny water fleas, high water temperature, decreased calcium, increased chloride and development (fertilizer). Much of his presentation described the battle between the algae and the zooplankton that eat the algae. The best scenario is to have conditions bad for the algae and good for the zooplankton so that the zooplankton wins!

The second speaker was Paul McInnes, who is the chair of the Coalition of Haliburton Property Owners Association (CHA) which now has scores of lakes represented. His message was that the maintenance of a natural shoreline is paramount to lake health. At least 75% (more is better) natural shoreline is needed to protect a lake from deleterious runoff. Unfortunately, the average cottage lake can only claim about 50% natural shoreline. The other high priority is the good maintenance septic systems on the lake. He mentioned that laundry facilities and dish washing machines are not good for septic systems because to the powerful detergents involved. Reclaiming a distressed lake is much more difficult than protecting the lake from problems in the first place. Much was said about getting local political bodies and companies on board with protecting the environment by implementing environmentally friendly bylaws versus development at all costs.

The last presentation, also unscheduled, was from Mike Gibbs of ESSE Canada. This is a company based in Brantford but works province wide to provide invasive septic system inspections that include cameras in pipes and digging in the leaching bed.

More on Septic System Health

Septic system construction is regulated under the Ontario Building Code, but maintenance, including pumping and inspection, is a homeowner responsibility.

Take action to ensure your septic system is in good working order:

have a licensed technician inspect the system, pump out the tank, and install an effluent filter
remind visitors to avoid putting anything down the drain that might interfere with the system function (examples include: coffee grounds, food scraps, tampons, applicators, flushable wipes, condoms, anti-bacterials, solvents)
remind everyone to conserve water – large volumes can overload the system and cause failure!

There are varying opinions on the use of septic system additives: Some people use Septobac – a septic system treatment that is said to be environmentally friendly and helps to prevent septic backup by helping to breakdown waste. Research and decide for yourself.

Reference materials:

FOCA.ON.CA – Septic Systems

FOCA.ON.CA – Septic Systems – FOCA Fact Sheet 2019

First Supply – 5 keys to a healthy septic system