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 8^th 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

Regatta and Corn Roast

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!
• 86% of fatalities were not wearing PFDs.

For an eye-opening message we encourage you to watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up-fResUwRI This is 35 minutes well spent for you and your family.

Septic Health

Care for your cottage by caring for your septic. What to do:

• Septic inspection
• Septic clean out
• Septic bed health
• Be careful with what you flush
• Reduce water usage

https://foca.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/septic_systems.pdf

Water Quality

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.

In conclusion, all is well on Loon Call Lake.

2022 data is now available and published on the web site at https://looncalllake.ca/the-lake.

Lake Health Seminar

Join us at NKCC following the LCLCA AGM for the Lake Health Seminar to learn more about Natural Shoreline Conservation and Invasive Species Reduction

Questions? Requests? Feedback?

email info@looncalllake.ca

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

Photo credit – Denise (Sue’s sister)

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

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Watch Out for the Wildlife (and the Not So Wild Life)!
Have a safe Winter!
See You in the Spring!
Loon Call Lake Cottagers’ Association

It has been an interesting cottage season already, with weather causing washouts requiring early roadwork.  That appears to be behind us now and we are looking forward to a wonderful summer.

Governance

AGM

The AGM will be earlier than usual this year, it will be held on Saturday June 10^th from 10am until noon at NKCC. See you all there!  

The full agenda will be published in early June. Topics will incude:

• Treasurer Report
• Water Quality
• Shoreline Management
• FOCA Summary
• Events in 2023
• Loon Call Lake Logowear
• and more

Executive

There have been no changes in the executive this year. However, there is room for members at large. Also, as some of the executive have held positions for many years, we anticipate openings in the coming year. We would love to see you on the executive. Let us know if you are interested. For your reference, follow this link to the current team: loon-call-lake-governance.

Community

Events

Paddle Palooza and Food Drive

We have had so much fun with the community paddle that we are keeping it, but with a new name. The Paddle Palooza and Food Drive will be held on July 1^st 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 5th, and welcome all volunteers.  We will have more information at the AGM, including details about Loon Call Lake Logowear.

Obituary

Sadly, one of “the originals” on the lake passed away this spring. Olive Carey passed away on March 13, 2023. She and her husband Sean were long time cottagers on Loon Call Lake. You can find Olive’s obituary by clicking here.

Cottage Association Fees

Fees remain at $20, and go to fundraisers for the North Kawartha community; FOCA membership; and hosting fees for the web site, to name a few.

It is never to early to send your 2023 fees to our treasurer. You can:

• direct deposit to jacquiecane@gmail.com. Please include your name and lot number in the comments on your payment
• pay your Area Director; or
• pay at the AGM.

Cottager List

Do you need your cottage neighbour’s contact information – email info@looncalllake.ca  to find out how to get it.

Lost and Found

Have you lost something? Found something? You can post on the Looncall Lake Cottagers Association facebook page. You can also email info@looncalllake.ca and we’ll post on the Loon Call Lake web site.

Have you found what you lost? Has the lost item found its owner? Let us know and we’ll take the notices down.

Grocery Store

Sayers construction is underway, with news articles indicating an opening date of August.  As information comes available, we will share it.

On the Water

Water Quality

2021 data is now available and published on the web site at looncalllake.ca/the-lake. We have been classified as a sensitive lake, so while the quality is not worsening we must remain vigilant.

Shoreline Management

One of the ways we can help our lake is to care for the shoreline.  Encourage shoreline plant growth to reduce runoff;  never rake leaves into the lake; and keep chemicals away.

Visit this link for actions that cottagers can take to assess and improve their shorelines: Shoreline Self-Assessment Booklet Tool for Shoreline Property Owners from Watersheds Canada.

FOCA: Topics of Interest Presented at the FOCA AGM

Elerts: We encourage you to visit foca.on.ca/elerts/ to see recent elerts and to subscribe to get informative, helpful cottage country  information.

Fish Lead Free: Do you still have lead in your tackle box. Please replace it with lead free tackle

Mandatory PFD: Private Members’ Bill is before the Ontario Legislature, which would require all children to wear life jackets while on the water (with some exceptions).

Lyme Disease and Ticks: The at risk region has been expanding. Check your pets and yourself after every walk.

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

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Watch out for the wildlife.
See you on the Lake!

 Loon Call Lake Cottagers Association