We had a good turnout today, with bins full of food collected and a nice catch up with cottage neighbours.
But… if the grey sky and raindrops, or anyting else, kept you off the water, we will be out on our docks with food bins waiting, on what promises to be a beautiful day tomorrow.
Check your email for a link to the order form (if you can’t find it, email info@looncalllake.ca to request the link). All details are in the order form. HST is included in the prices.
Order requests end on July 14th to allow time to order so you receive your order before the end of summer.
The AGM agenda was packed, and we took the entire two hours! You can find the content and minutes by clicking on the links below.
A Few Highlights
Welcome
To the President Elect, Ian G, the new Lake Steward Mark P, and our newest Member at Large, Danielle C. You all have big shoes to fill, but judging from your enthusiasm and qualifications, you are well on your way.
Thanks to Our Executive
Margi C for her services at President and her enthusiasm in bringing so many cottagers together. There will be a transition period after which Margi will become the Past President.
Jim H for the knowledge and dedication to the position of Lake Steward. Lake Health needs this kind of attention more now than ever.
To our executive presenters for the care and hard work that goes into preparing for and making the AGM possible.
North Kawartha Township News – Turtle Crossing Alert
6/6/2024 9:39:46 AM
Please be aware of turtles crossing roads through North Kawartha, especially during warmer months. Your safety and the safety of other drivers is top priority. If you see a turtle on the road, please do not stop your car in the middle of the road or walk into direct traffic.
When handling smaller turtles, gently pick them up behind their front legs and move them in the direction they were heading. Snapping turtles can be aggressive, so use something long and sturdy to guide them to their destination.
If you cannot stop to help a crossing turtle, please try to avoid hitting the turtles by slowing down and steering around them, where possible. Cautious driving can help protect the turtles!
If you find an injured turtle, contact the Ontario Turtle Conversation Centre at 705-741-5000. They operate a turtle hospital that treats and released injured turtles.
Welcome back to the cottage. Spring made an early appearance this year, with warnings about bears leaving their dens earlier than usual. But now spring is rapidly disappearing making way for summer. Yeah!
Governance
AGM
The AGM will be held on Saturday June 8th from 10am until noon at NKCC. See you all there!
Agenda:
Welcome
Treasurer Report
Presidential Nomination
Lake Steward Nomination
Water Quality Report
Fire Committtee Report
Boating and PFD Awareness
Events in 2024
Paddle Palooza/Food Drive
Regatta / Corn Roast
Shoreline Management
Invasive Species Awareness
Kawartha Highlands Park Report
North Kawartha Mayoral Insights
The Executive
The Looncall Lake Cottagers Association was formed in the mid 1900’s to represent the interests of property owners and to help protect the lake for current and future generations of cottagers. Every year new development and environmental threats put additional stresses on this valuable resource. We need your support and as a member you can help ensure the vitality of this beautiful lake.
How do we make a difference?
We monitor water quality in the lake by taking samples and by performing underwater vegetation studies
We organize and support social events and presentations for members and residents of the lake
We play an active role in local politics and voice your developmental and environmental concerns
We participate in the larger provincial network of lake associations
We purchase equipment to enhance safety on Looncall Lake as funding allows
Two positions, the President and the Lake Steward, are open for nominations this year. The votes will take place at the AGM. The sitting President will become the Past President following the vote.
Role of the President
The President is the “leader” of the Executive Committee. The role of the President is to:
Serve as chairperson in meetings of the Executive and in all meetings of the membership
Seek consensus in making decisions of the Executive
Avoid the interference of personal agendas
Lead the Executive in the selection of contractors and professionals that will serve the needs of the Association
Seek the input and communication of the member
Exercise fiduciary duty (duty of care) in the management of the Association’s business
Promote a sense of community by supporting open communication through whatever means available, encouraging member participation and making him/herself available to the membership.
Role of the Lake Steward
The Lake Steward leads association in guardianship of the lake. The Lake Steward is responsible for:
Conducting the Lake Partner Program (LPP) water sampling in May
Conduct regular Secchi disc readings throughout the season (every 2-3weeks), and mail to Dorset (LPP) in November
Attend annual NORKLA Lake Stewards meetings hosted by Doug Wellman and report back to LCLCA
Report to LCLCA AGM on Water Quality based on LPP and Trent University test results
Maintain the water quality data (past and present) and update to show trends for web site
Familiarize yourself with Aquatic Invasive Species (plant and animal) and facilitate their identification
Familiarize yourself with cottager practices that will impact water quality (e.g. Shorelines, septic systems) and share best practices with the community
Cottage Association Fees
Fees are $40 this year.
What do you get for your money:
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.)
Community donations
Meeting in NKCC for a fee
Cover the Regatta games costs
Services and materials used to communicate to all cottagers
Equipment to benefit all cottagers
Cottager List
Do you need your cottage neighbour’s contact information? email info@looncalllake.ca to request a copy
Lost and Found?
Have you lost something? Found something? email info@looncalllake.ca and we’ll post on the Facebook page.
Community
Fire Pump Committee
The fire pump purchase is imminent. The fire committee is finalizing the guidelines and procedures for the maintenance and training on the fire equipment, including responses to the questions you sent in, along with a set of cottage fire prevention practices. In addition, a web page is being constructed to make this information easily accessible (a link will be sent once it is published).
Henry Decock, Fire Pump Committee Chair
Events
Paddle Palooza and Food Drive
The Paddle Palooza and Food Drive will be held on June 29th starting at 10:30am. Paddle the lake with your friends and family. Greet lake friends at their docks and support the community by bringing non-perishable food to the drop off points for donation to the Apsley food Bank.
Regatta and Corn Roast
We are looking forward to the Regatta and Corn Roast on August 3rd, and welcome all volunteers. We will have more information at the AGM.
On the Water
Loon Report
Loons were seen on almost every day in the summer of 2024. Sadly, we witnessed a loon death on the lake last year. The cause of the death is unknown. Please take care to watch out for loons in the water and do not fish with lead.
Thanks to Sue Murray for leading this program for Loon Call Lake and reporting to Birds Canada on our behalf.
Boating and PFD Stats – Stay Safe
More marine fatalities occur on small, non-motorized watercraft than you may expect. A marine fatality is considered any event caused by entering the water involuntarily – primarily falling overboard, and capsizing; far fewer were due to collisions.
Some stats:
The largest proportion (92%) of fatalities are male.
31% of fatalities involved alcohol but only 3% are impaired… it doesn’t take much alcohol to impact you on the water!
The Lake Partner Program results for 2022 have finally been released. They appear to be working a year behind schedule. All data- Secchi disk, total phosphorus, calcium and chloride ion – are within historical values. Although the Lake Partner Program data is behind schedule and redundant to the Trent University data, it is free and the Lake Partner Program covers many more lakes than Trent does. It is beneficial to be part of the larger set of data.
The water samples for May 2024 have been collected and mailed to Dorset, the home of the Lake Partner Program.
Trent University sampled our lake on August 10, 2023. The data for chlorophyll a, Secchi disk depth, calcium, total phosphorus, dissolved organic carbon and dissolved oxygen at lake bottom are all close to our historical average, except for one, which is too good, Secchi disk depth. Trent got a Secchi disk reading of 6 metres on Loon Call Lake. 5 metres would be believable in August, but 6 metres, not so much. Apparently, the entire region showed good water quality in 2023.
Are you interested in finding out more about Lake Health. Everyone is welcome to a Lake Health Seminar at NKCC on Saturday afternoon June 8th (the same date as our AGM). The topics: Shoreline Conservation and Preventing Aquatic Invasives.
Hi All, thought you would be interested in the topics covered in the FOCA AGM. If any of them interest you, let us know and we can get you more information.