2020 has dealt yet another blow to Apsley. This time in the form of a fire at Sayers Food. Details reported here. This must be devastating to the family and community. We will watch for any news on how we can be of assistance and forward it along.
Photo credit: Sayers Foods in Apsley was engulfed in flames in the early morning of December 5, 2020. (Photo: Sayers Foods / Facebook)
Gypsy Moth Update
Gypsy Moth UpdateWe have received this update on the extent of Gypsy Moth infestation. For full details, visit ontario.ca/page/gypsy-moth You can see the impact in cottage country.
Dear 2020, Don’t let the door hit you on the way out! Sincerely, Everyone
On behalf of Watersheds Canada and KLSA (Kawartha Lake Stewards Assocation)
KLSA has received a grant from Watersheds Canada to undertake the Natural Edge Program https://watersheds.ca/our-work/the-natural-edge/at 10 waterfront properties. KLSA has also partnered with Kawartha Conservation to further enhance and re-naturalize lakes within the Kawartha region.
The objective of the program is to revegetate and re-naturalize the Kawartha Lakes shoreline.
We are seeking your help in identifying potential sites.
The project consists of the following components:
Identify potential sites. These sites can be private or public lands and should typically be close to the water’s edge.
Conduct a site visit to provide advice on how to improve the shoreline. A planting plan will be developed cooperatively with the landowner and will identify which native species are best suited for the area. The development of the planting plan will be undertaken by a Watersheds Canada representative or someone trained by Watersheds Canada to undertake the survey.
Once the site visit is completed, the property owner will receive a Shoreline Re-naturalization Starter Kit. The Kit includes the site specific planting plan, plants and materials, and resource materials (ex. Habitat Creation Guide and Wildflower Garden Guide).
Under the project, the property owner will receive coconut mats (45), mulch, bare root plants (35), potted plants (10) and wildflowers (5). The landowners, with the assistance of KLSA members, will undertake the planting of the vegetation.
Cost: the cost of the project to the owner is $250 (typically, the plants alone are worth more than this cost).
Timing: The events of 2020 means that the project has been extended until the Fall of 2021. However, KLSA would like to undertake some of the site assessments in mid to late September subject to provincial and regional health authorities COVID 19 guidance.
A copy of the Watersheds Canada brochure can be found and downloaded here.
The Board of the North Kawartha Food Bank wishes to thank you all for your recent generous donation of food. The whole community has been so quick to respond to the needs of our clients during the pandemic and we are very grateful.
As a result of the generosity of the community we are able to cancel all our fundraising this year which makes it safer for our volunteers who have worked hard to keep the food bank open as usual. We have enough money to take us through the winter which is wonderful. We will miss the fun of our annual Loonie Night but hopefully we will see everyone again in the fall of 2021.
We hope that you have all had a restful summer on the lake and wish you all the best for the uncertainties of opening up in the Fall.
With our thanks and best wishes, Daphne Ingram Chair, North Kawartha Food Bank. (link to letter)
Gypsy Moth Caterpillar Spraying Next Steps Preparing for Spring 2021
In our previous communication, we shared information about spraying Gypsy Moth caterpillars. This is conducted in the spring with a second spray a few weeks later.
We have set up a survey, reachable by clicking this link, to determine what you, the cottagers, are considering to battle this invasive species. Please complete the survey by September 30th (but it will remain open after that if you forget or are delayed.) The information from this survey will be shared with Paul Zimmer. We are extending this survey to surrounding lakes, so please identify your lake and property when responding to the survey.
We are hoping that by consolidating our intent and providing it to zimmerair.com, Paul Zimmer’s spraying company, we can provide a big picture view of how much spraying will take place.This is NOT a commitment that you will spray, but rather will aid Paul in reaching out to you for further consultation. Your final decision is between you and Paul.
As a reminder, these are the sample documents required when you commit. The contract that explains the process and the neighbour waiver.
How safe is spraying? Read about btk by clicking here and here or by searching btk in your favourite search engine.
Fireworks are prohibited in the Kawartha Signature Site Park, which includes the lake. Sparks can cause devastating forest fires. It is your responsibility to be aware of and adhere to Fire Ban publications.
eMail distribution list
Please ask your cottage neighbours if they are receiving emails.
If they are not, please forward them this email and remind them they can subscribe by clicking here or going to the subscribe link at the footer of the looncalllake.ca web site.
Cottage Association Fee
Gentle reminder if you have not done so already, please e-transfer $20 to Janicemanias@hotmail.com for Loon Call Lake Cottage Association fee.
Thanks from Community Care Apsley Food Bank
Community Care – The delivery was made on Wednesday, August 5th
We thought Covid-19 had turned the long weekend in August into just an ordinary cottage weekend. But thanks to some creative thinking, August 1st ended up being a spectacular day.
The day dawned beautiful and sunny, and at 10:30 the Pandemic Paddle began. Canoists, kayakers, paddle boarders, people and pets took to the waters. Others stayed on their docks to welecome visitors. Everyone was smiling, chatting and visiting from a distance.
Thanks to your generosity, a large bin is overflowing with food for the Community Care Apsley food bank to be delivered on Tuesday. (If you still want to donate, please come by Lot 36.)
To top the day off, about two dozen watercraft converged on Lot 7 to listen and sing along with Drew Phillips (on Instagram @drewphillipsmusic). Drew took requests and played to a very satisfied crowd. Highlights included Stacy’s Mom, in which Drew was joined by Scott Phillips; and the Tennessee Whiskey where we learned who will leave the comfort of their boat for a whiskey shot. Get your request list ready for 2021!
A few Loon Call Lake friends were chatting about how lucky we are to be cottaging on such a magnificent lake. We were expressing our disappointment in not being able to visit with our lake friends and neighbours at the annual regatta and corn roast this year. That’s when the Pandemic Paddle was born.
When: Saturday August 1st @ 10:30 onwards What: The idea is to depart from your dock at 10:30 a.m. in your non-motorized boat (canoe, kayak, paddle board, paddle boat….) and to paddle clockwise around the lake visiting and chatting with fellow loon call lakers. If you choose not to paddle, feel free to come down to your dock to say hello.
Hope to see you on the lake! Heather Thornton and Tom Parsons Lot 65
Take photos and send them to info@looncalllake.ca for publication on the web site
Food Bank
Drop non-Perishable food items at dock 36 (Hartog’s). We’ll drop them at the Apsley Community Care Tuesday next week
Piano Bar
Saturday August 1st, 5-7 pm, Drew Phillips will be providing musical entertainment on his dock (Lot 7).
Feel free to boat up, drop anchor and enjoy!! All cottagers welcome!
Loon Call Lake Cottagers Association received this grateful message from Community Care – Apsley
Good afternoon Ms. Manias,
I want to take this opportunity to thank the Loon Call Lake Cottagers Association for the generous donation of $500.00 to our Community Care – Apsley office. We truly appreciate the support.
I have attached a formal thank you letter for the members of the Association.
Thank you for supporting Community Care.
Sincerely,
Danielle
Danielle Belair
Executive Director
Community Care Peterborough
A few Loon Call Lake friends were chatting about how lucky we are to be cottaging on such a magnificent lake. We were expressing our disappointment in not being able to visit with our lake friends and neighbours at the annual regatta and corn roast this year. That’s when the Pandemic Paddle was born.
When: Saturday August 1st @ 10:30 onwards What: The idea is to depart from your dock at 10:30 a.m. in your non-motorized boat (canoe, kayak, paddle board, paddle boat….) and to paddle clockwise around the lake visiting and chatting with fellow loon call lakers. If you choose not to paddle, feel free to come down to your dock to say hello.
Hope to see you on the lake!
Take photos and send them to info@looncalllake.ca for publication on the web site
Tom Parsons and Heather Thornton smelled smoke on July 20th and engaged Murray Rochon and Sladjana to bring water to a fire burning beside the beaver pond near Fire Route 57. They called in the fire department, too, and with all of this help, the fire was successfully extinguished.
A number of people have collected hundreds of caterpillars and now our pheromone traps are collecting hundreds of moths, as we continue to kill caterpillars and pupae. The next step in protecting our trees, for those who decide they are interested, is to spray just as the eggs are hatching.
The company that is most experienced at spraying is Paul Zimmer at Zimmerair.com. Paul Zimmer’s company sprayed Etobicoke, London, Chandos Lake and many other recognizable places this summer. It is his company that sprayed our lake about 25 years ago. The park will not spray but we are allowed to spray on private property.
Click here to download the contract that explains the process. It needs to be completed for each property being sprayed. Each property owner would need to complete the form and in order to get a preferred price, and pay in early 2021 for spraying in spring 2021. Property owners need to get a waiver signed (click here to download) by neighbours who choose not to spray. In this case the helicopter will spray 10% less on the side of your property. It is best to get a series of properties in a row sprayed. In these days of google maps and GPS technology, the helicopters are able to be quite specific in the areas sprayed which is why they require specific information in advance.
The company monitors the egg masses, hatching etc., and sprays to get 90% of the hatch. It is followed by a second spray at the right time. The costs for spraying are in the contract. $357.00 for the first acre and $96.00 for additional acres. The product being sprayed is also used in organic farming.
Please visit the Zimmer Air website which contains valuable information to help you make a decision. Gypsy moth spraying The website has answers to all of your questions and aerial views of sprayed and unsprayed properties. We have 7 sequential property owners on our side of the lake around our cottage (lot 60) committed to spraying.
Many of us were here the last time the lake was sprayed and believe we saved hundreds of trees. The trees at risk with this invasion now include pine trees, which is frightening.
If you are interested, we will keep a record of properties to be sprayed and help with the required maps.
Please contact me if you have any questions, Margi
