A Message from Your LCLCA  President

It was a hot, dry, sunny summer.  A delightful summer (though perhaps less so if you’re a tree, thirsting for water).  And from the point of view of your cottage association, I’m going to declare it a massive success.

We had a great, well attended Regatta and Corn Roast, held under sparkling blue skies and a starry, starry night.  The raffle, which was full of wonderful prizes (many made by hand and with love) generated our biggest ever donation to the North Kawartha Food Bank.

The Paddle Palooza was graced with spectacular weather and a big turnout.  Cottage neighbours swapping greetings and gossip over their gunwales – you have to love cottage life.

Now, the heat is gone, and so are the leaves.  Our feathered friends have headed south for warmer climes.  Many of us have done the same (although not that far south), where we’re re-acquainting ourselves with the rhythms of urban life.

Thanksgiving is behind us.  The festive season will soon be upon us.  There’s lots going on.  And out there on the horizon is the promise of another long, languid summer at the lake.

Have a good winter.  I look forward to seeing you all at our AGM on June 13, 2026 at the North Kawartha Community Centre. 

LCLCA President,
Ian Godfrey

Governance

AGM 2026 – Saturday, June 13^th  10 am

Mark your calendar  see you there!

Cottage Association Fees

There’s still time to pay your 2025 fees if you have not done so already. When e-transferring your annual $40 lake fee, please add your full name and lot # in the message.  to: jacquiecane@gmail.com. 

Life at the Lake

Fire Pump

Our first fire pump demo at the Loon Call Lake Landing happened on Saturday, August 30th. At least 20 cottagers were in attendance and this hands-on demo was a great success. 

Cottagers were able to:

• Lift the pump and learn about its parts,
• Engage and get water from the lake, 
• And practice managing the hose line. 

We hope to have another demonstration in the spring, when the pump comes out of hibernation. Thank you to our volunteers on the Fire Committee who helped make this happen. 

Safety Reminder – Traps

The local trapper, Rory Cummings, has reminded us that traps are being put out at this time of year. For the safety of you and your pets, watch for the traps when walking in the woods and keep your pets on a leash.

Event Recap – 2025

“Fly the Flag” Paddle and Planting Palooza

The flags came out in spectacular numbers for this year’s Paddle Palooza, accented by ‘O Canada’ from the Yielding boat. It was a wonderful and gorgeous day. The cottagers’ association sponsored a plant give away as well handing out plants to promote a healthy shoreline. The foodbank gratefully received multiple bins of food generously donated by the paddlers!

Regatta and Corn Roast, and Raffle Donations 

Loon Callers know now to have fun. The games were once again a hit with all ages represented. It is delightful to see so many youngsters on the lake.  The burgers, hotdogs  and corn were quite yummy this year. We have committed to supporting the community by buying locally for the event. The raffle raised a record (we believe) $1435 which was donated to the Food Bank.

Thanks to all of the volunteers who make this event possible and run so smoothly.

One for the Books

Is it just me, or did we all notice remarkable events this year? 

The ice storm, to start the year, with many cleanups going well into the summer and beyond; the water levels; the number of lost and found items this year; and the beautifully long fall, followed by the earliest significant snow fall on November 9^th.  The newsletters are a celebration of the cottaging year, but also a historical record for the next generation to look back on. To that end, here are a few

Water Levels

Water levels were at a historically low level in the North Kawartha and Bancroft regions this year,  with many cottagers in these areas declaring that ‘this is the lowest level ever,  or at least the lowest I have ever seen’. It is one for history books, if not the record books. The Hartogs measure the water level from the bottom of their stationary dock (which aligns with the top of the concrete dam), to the water, to be 12 “.  So, if in the future we are looking for a reference point,  to settle any bets,  we just have to remember to check out the newsletter from 2025! On the positive side, the measurement on November 20^th was at 9” already, so recovery is underway.

Lost and Found

What a busy year reconnecting people with things, between docks, boats, canoes, kayaks, plates, chairs and dogs (how many times did Snoop escape? We lost count!).

A reminder that whenever possible, label items with your lot number and municipal address.

Also, per the North Kawartha by-law,  licenses are required for dogs and they are to be kept on leash. Even if you have a license for your home town, it would be advisable to license in North Kawartha as well. Also, if you include a tag with your contact information it  will help your pet get back to you as quickly as possible.

Fall at the Lake

Mergansers gathering for the flight south. Once their passports and tickets were all checked and everything was in order, they were ready for takeoff. See you again next year.

 (for the video, click here: https://youtu.be/jt1mhEOM7mA)

Mergansers
(photo credit Ross Murray)

Even the frogs and  toads are getting ready for the fall  (photo credit Ross Murray)

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. 

• North Kawartha: northkawartha.ca/Subscribe
• FOCA: lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/RJxeH2B/FOCAelertSignup
• Loon Call Lake: looncalllake.ca/subscribe/

Please also encourage your adult children to subscribe, and to attend the AGM
They are the future of the lake!

A Message from Your LCLCA  President

Spring has sprung.  Gentle rains are falling.  Temperatures are warming.  The ice is off the lake.  And the air is full of the sounds of CHAINSAWS!

Yes, it’s been a rough passage out of winter and into spring this year, with winter insisting on one final wallop before it released us from its icy grasp.  So, be prepared for some cutting and hauling and piling and trimming as you confront the damage wrought by our April ice storm and get ready to welcome summer. And be prepared too, for some tricky cottage roads as you find your way to where the work is.  The combination of the spring melt, fallen trees, and the heavy equipment used by our heroic Hydro One crews has not been kind to our roads. 

But summer is coming, and to prepare you for that happy event, we invite you to attend the 2025 Loon Call Lake Annual General Meeting.  This is your chance to come out and greet your summer neighbours, catch up on the latest lakeside gossip, and hear from our fine roster of speakers, including:

• Tyler Speck, the new Superintendent of the Kawartha Highlands Signature Park, on what is happening in our park;
• Carolyn Amyotte, the Mayor of North Kawartha Township, on what is happening in our township;
• Rory Cummings, a licensed trapper, on his trapping practices in the vicinity of Loon Call Lake;
• Henry Decock, on our new fire pumps;
• Marc Possmayer, on the health of our lake;
• Jacquie Cane, on the health of our finances;
• and other members of your LCLCA executive on exciting events like our regatta, corn roast, and Canada Day paddle.

It will be a jam packed and exciting morning, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the North Kawartha Community Centre on McFadden Road in Apsley.  You won’t want to miss it.

LCLCA President,
Ian Godfrey

Governance

Life at the Lake

Shoreline Planting

Make your shoreline the envy of Looncall with some native plant species. Funded by the LCLCA, no cost to you.

LCLCA member-at-large Danielle Cane will be collecting orders from cottagers from now until June 15th, 2025 for perennials and/or shrubs, with distribution to take place at this year’s Paddle Palooza or at another arranged time as needed.

Whether you know what you are looking for, or you’re wondering where to start with adding some natural beauty to your shoreline while helping to keep our lake healthy, email Danielle at canedanielle@gmail.com  to start the conversation, answer  questions and to take orders.

Future Events and AGMS

What topics would you like to hear about? We will be doing a survey in 2025 so that our 2026 AGM and other events reflect interests of the community. You can send you ideas to info@looncalllake.ca at any time, or wait for the more structured survey later in 2025.

FOCA – Access More Information

To access the full FOCA content available to members, please use the link found in the newsletter sent to your inbox to create your own Username (many people use their email address for this) and Password (known only to you), as a “Sub Account” of our association. (One per fee paying cottage)

Bookmark https://foca.on.ca/account/  to login later.

Send a request to info@looncalllake.ca to get the link resent to you.

Loon Call Lake Wear

Order directly from Imprinted Apparel. Just call and ask for the Loon Call Lake wear. Please note, the logo is copyrighted, purchase for personal use, not resale.
 imprintedapparelstore.com  
705-749-1136
6–730 The Kingsway, Peterborough

Loon Baby Sightings

Calls to Action

Two issues currently before our provincial government may be of interest to our members. The LCLCA Executive is fully in favour of cottagers engaging with the political process to protect the natural environment we love at Loon Call and everywhere else.

Issue 1: Bill 5: Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025

Public comment period on the closes May 17th

The Ontario government has tabled a bill entitled ”Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025” (Bill 5). This act deregulates the current processes for protecting Ontario’s unique natural heritage, public health, and indigenous rights, replacing evidence-based rules with a discretionary regime. Under the guise of “protecting” Ontario, this government bill would repeal the Ontario Endangered Species Act, to be replaced by the significantly weaker Species Conservation Act. This bill would also enable the provincial cabinet to create “Special Economic Zones” in which any law restricting corporations could be waived, including environmental rules, safety standards and local bylaws.

To learn more about the provincial government’s delegating the responsibility for protecting Ontarians, our natural heritage, and indigenous rights to private, for-profit interests, and where you’ll find a convenient pre-composed letter requesting cancellation of Bill 5, please visit one of:

• https://ecojustice.ca/take-action/tell-doug-ford-ontarios-wildlife-isnt-for-sale/
• https://ontarionature.org/bill-5-a-moment-to-mobilize-for-nature-in-ontario-blog/

Issue 2: Funding of the Lake Partner Program

For decades the Ontario government has supported cottagers monitoring water quality in the lakes they love. In 1996 the Lake Partner Program (LPP) was established to continue this support in partnership with the Federation of Ontario Cottagers, and Loon Call joined the program in 1998.

The government of Ontario funding for the LPP expired at the end of March, threatening this year’s spring water sample analysis, and that of years to come.

If you would like to express your support for the continuation of funding for this important program, please download the template letter requesting continuation of LPP funding and send it to the Premier and your MPP: https://foca.on.ca/lake-partner-program/ (MPP for Apsley is Paul Smith)

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. 

• North Kawartha: northkawartha.ca/Subscribe
• FOCA: lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/RJxeH2B/FOCAelertSignup
• Loon Call Lake: looncalllake.ca/subscribe/

Please also encourage your adult children to subscribe, and to attend the AGM
They are the future of the lake!

Questions? Requests? Feedback?  email info@looncalllake.ca

Loon Call Lake Cottagers’ Association

Photo credit: James Boyd

Watch out for the wildlife! See you on the Lake!
Loon Call Lake Cottagers’ Association

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 14^th

The AGM will be held on Saturday June 14^th, 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 

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Questions? Requests? Feedback?
email info@looncalllake.ca

Watch out for the wildlife! See you on the Lake!
Loon Call Lake Cottagers’ Association