October 2, 2024
Sadly, it’s official, summer is over. And fall, in all it’s glory (and as I write this by the lake, it is truly glorious) is fast slipping away. For those in the seasonal crowd (like me), it will soon be closing time.
It’s been quite a summer. While there was a lot of rain, there was also lot of sunshine. Splendid days for canoeing, hiking, boating, swimming, and hanging out with friends and family. And splendid days for LCLCA events like the Paddle Palooza, the Regatta, and the Corn Roast! It’s hard to beat cottage life at Loon Call Lake. We are a lucky, lucky group.
With our summer memories carefully stashed away, I wish you all the best for the end of the cottage season and a happy Thanksgiving. Have a warm and safe winter, and I’ll see you all next spring, back at the lake.
In the meantime, here’s a link to a tune to amp up the autumnal wistfulness in your life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpGeLJJ-2gA. As always, Van is my Man.
LCLCA President,
Ian Godfrey
Governance
Save the date – AGM 2025 – June 14th
The AGM will be held on Saturday June 14th, the second Saturday of June. This decision by the executive follows considerable discussion and review of Loon Caller feedback.
Cottage Association Fees
by LCLCA Treasure, Jacquie Cane
2024 fees are still being accepted if not yet been sent.
When e-transferring your annual $40 lake fee, please add your full name and lot # in the message. to: jacquiecane@gmail.com.
Community
Community Care
When closing your cottage in the fall, please consider donating non-perishables to the North Kawartha Food Bank. Drop off locations at the Food Bank and at NKCC.
Fire Pump Committee
by LCLCA Fire Pump Committee Chair, Henry Decock
The Fire Pump Committee finalized the acquisition of equipment and the development of procedures over the summer in preparation for launch in 2025. Look for an announcement in the Spring newsletter and a discussion of the process at the next AGM.
Loon Call Lake Events
Loon Call Lake held a rain delayed, but very successful Paddle Palooza and Food Drive in July, with two very large bins and two very heavy boxes of food delivered to and gratefully received by the North Kawartha Food Bank.
In August the Regatta and Corn Roast were well attended. We had great weather for the games and delicious food in the evening. The corn was especially spectacular. Many thanks to you for contributing to the yummy dessert table! Thanks to Erin Billinghurst for running the Regatta and the Corn Roast committee headed by Mike and Jacquie Cane, and their team of volunteers.
The raffle brought in $960 which was quickly delivered to and received, with thanks, by the North Kawartha Food Bank. Thanks to Local business – Grape and Wedge, Hunters, Tuckers, Shoreline Furniture, Home Hardware – and to Loon Callers for their prize contributions.
Let’s see of we can break the $1000 barrier in 2025!
Loon Call Lake Wear
Many Loon Callers will be warmer this year sporting their Loon Call Lake Wear. You can now order directly from Imprinted Apparel. Just call and ask them for the Loon Call Lake wear. No more waiting for a large order to be fulfilled.
BONUS…If you see an item we haven’t previously ordered, you can ask for the Loon Call Lake logo to be put on it!
imprintedapparelstore.com
705-749-1136
6–730 The Kingsway, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada K9J 6W6
Recommended Communications
We strongly recommend that you subscribe to a few information services that are useful and important to cottagers. It will help you to get to know the North Kawartha area, topics relevant to cottagers and to Loon Callers.
Also, please encourage your adult children to subscribe too, and to attend the AGM
They are the future of the lake!
North Kawartha: subscription.northkawartha.ca/Subscribe
FOCA: lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/RJxeH2B/FOCAelertSignup
Loon Call Lake: looncalllake.ca/subscribe/
On the Water
Lake Steward Report
by LCLCA Lake Steward, Marc Possmayer
With the autumn leaf-fall already well underway, please remember that leaves or other organic matter should not be intentionally deposited in the lake. Decaying leaves release phosphorus, which can contribute to harmful algal blooms. Additionally, extra organic matter in the lake, such as leaves, increases the biological oxygen demand on the lake, which already has a low dissolved oxygen level relative to other lakes in the area.
The water quality indicators for Loon Call, as measured by the Lake Steward, the Trent Aquatic Research Program, and the Lake Partnership Program (of FOCA) have not deviated significantly from their long-term values in the past year. Thanks for everyone’s efforts in keeping Loon Call healthy!
The Lake Steward attended the annual meeting of the North Kawartha Lakes Association (NORKLA) where guest presenter Kaleigh Mooney from the Trent Ecological Restoration program described the human factors which impact water quality and potentially lead to harmful algal blooms and the establishment of nuisance aquatic surface plants (aka weeds). Naturally vegetated shorelines create a buffer which prevents overland flow of rainwater which can flush excess organic matter and nutrients into the lake. Septic systems which are not performing properly can also be a source of nutrients and which can change the species composition of the lake. Invasive aquatic plants out-compete native plants for nutrients and light and proliferate at the water’s surface. These disturbances change the balance of organisms in the lake, for example by encouraging surface dwelling plants over phytoplankton throughout the water column, which has an impact on the entire food web of the lake. These surface-dwelling plants are also the type of vegetation that becomes a nuisance for swimmers and boaters.
Maintenance of septic systems and natural shorelines (or their restoration, where required), and being mindful not to facilitate introduction of aquatic invasive species (by Cleaning, Draining and Drying watercraft used elsewhere before bringing them to Loon Call, and reminding our guests do the same) are ways we can all ensure the lake remains healthy and nuisance-free in the future!
For more information on the link between nutrients (from cottages), water quality and harmful algal blooms, please see the North Kawartha pamphlet on Protecting and Restoring Healthy Shorelines.
For information on keeping invasive species out of the lake, please visit Prevent Lake Invasives in North Kawartha, at pliink.ca
Questions? Requests? Feedback?
email info@looncalllake.ca
Watch out for the wildlife! See you on the Lake!
Loon Call Lake Cottagers’ Association