News

News Bulletin #3 – Sayers Foods Fire

Announcements ·

Further update from North Kawartha Public Notice 

Township of North Kawartha

The Economic Development Co-operative of North Kawartha (EDCNK) met virtually with the Sayers family, the Mayor, Township CAO and various community leaders on Sunday Dec 6, 2020 to begin formulating a community response and action plan to deal with the loss of Sayers Foods, Apsley and North Kawartha’s only grocery store. The immediate outpouring of support from so many has been overwhelming and humbling.

A task force has been created to mobilize volunteers and donations and is gathering information on next steps. Stay tuned for updates.

For residents with immediate food insecurity: please call the North Kawartha Food Bank at: (705) 656-1748 and for any assistance with shopping and/or transportation please call Community Care at (705) 656-4589.

For further inquiries, please contact North Kawartha’s Economic Development Officer, Chris Challenger at; (705)-656-5152.

On behalf of the Sayers, Apsley and North Kawartha we want to thank everyone for all the offers of assistance and appreciate your patience and understanding as we get organized to respond to this challenge.

Reminder:

Mayor Carolyn Amyotte’s facebook is @mayoramyotte, should you wish to follow her for this and other news in North Kawartha and cottage country.

The North Kawartha facebook page can be found here.

Repeat Info: Message from the North Kawartha Foodbank

Thank you for reaching out to us. At the present time, monetary donations enable us to purchase the staples that we need to assist the additional and ongoing families in need of food supplies. The full effects of the devastating fire will be revealed as we move forward. We will be meeting today via Zoom to discuss this further with the Sayers family, local politicians and concerned citizens. Donations may be made via e-transfer directly into our bank account. Please use the “message” section to enter your address so that we may recognize the donation with a tax receipt.

Thank you again for your offer of support in this community tragedy. Together we will get through this.

Regards,
Diane Rothnie, Treasurer
705-313-0550

The email address to use for fund transfers is: northkawarthafoodbank@gmail.com

News Bulletin #2 – Sayers Foods Fire

Announcements ·

As promised, please find attached an update and information on how to help

Township of North Kawartha

Message from the Mayor from her facebook page:

Thanks tokawarthaNOW.com for sharing my update. We will be working withSayers Foods, local agencies, community groups, MPPDave Smith, MP Maryam Monsef to coordinate a multi-faceted response for both immediate and on-going needs. The offers of support are overwhelming and very much appreciated. Coordinating this support into effective action will be crucial. I will keep you posted. Thank you

Mayor Carolyn Amyotte’s facebook detail is @mayoramyotte, should you wish to follow her for this and other news in North Kawartha cottage country.

How an we help?

At this time the North Kawartha Foodbank has indicated that funds would be the most helpful means of supporting the community. Please consider donating individually at this time.

Message from the North Kawartha Foodbank

Thank you for reaching out to us. At the present time, monetary donations enable us to purchase the staples that we need to assist the additional and ongoing families in need of food supplies. The full effects of the devastating fire will be revealed as we move forward. We will be meeting today via Zoom to discuss this further with the Sayers family, local politicians and concerned citizens. Donations may be made via e-transfer directly into our bank account. Please use the “message” section to enter your address so that we may recognize the donation with a tax receipt.

Thank you again for your offer of support in this community tragedy. Together we will get through this.

Regards,
Diane Rothnie, Treasurer
705-313-0550

The email address to use for fund transfers is: northkawarthafoodbank@gmail.com

North Kawartha Now – additional news article

https://kawarthanow.com/2020/12/05/with-sayers-foods-destroyed-by-fire-access-to-food-is-immediate-challenge-for-apsley-residents/

News Bulletin – Dec. 2020

Announcements ·

Fire at Sayers Foods

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

Loon Call Lake – Fall Newsletter – 2020

Newsletters ·

October 21, 2020

The leaves are almost gone after a splendid display of colour and there are not many cottages with lights on anymore.  We hope you enjoyed your cottage in the summer of 2020 – we are privileged to have cottages to visit in the time of a pandemic.  Here are a few updates from your LCLCA executive:

Gypsy Moth/Caterpillar Spraying

The most recent sign up list of cottagers wishing to be sprayed in the spring has been sent to Paul Zimmer/Zimmer Air and can be found and downloaded from here . There are about 45 lots have indicated they would like to spray. If you provided your email you will be contacted by Zimmer Air. If you did not provide your email (Question 4 in the survey) you will need to contact Paul Zimmer or reply with your   email or phone number  in order for us to update our list so you will be contacted.

These are the details about spraying in 2021:

  • Spraying happens at approximately the end of May depending on Mother Nature and weather.
  • Individuals who have signed up will be contacted via phone or email or both. Zimmer Air requires email addresses as they need some kind of method of communication.
  • Zimmer Air generally emails the contracts and waivers to cottagers who have indicated interest. Zimmer Air requires a signed contract and waiver from each cottage owner by the end of 2020. This gives them time to map out the properties, inform them of actual size of property and decide the actual cost according to size of property. Zimmer Air will inform cottagers after they have mapped all properties.  
  • Once Zimmer Air has the accurate size of properties, they will inform individuals of their cost and payment can be sent to them at that time. Either postdated cheque or credit card information are acceptable. Payment will not be processed until after the first application in May

FOCA Fall Update

Please find the Special FOCA Members’ Elert October 2020 here.  You will see that all cottagers are encouraged to sign up for the free monthly newsletter which includes cottage country updates, environmental and policy developments etc.

Of particular interest, and time sensitivity, is a new FOCA Survey:   

FOCA is conducting a province-wide survey to determine whether the ongoing pandemic is shifting patterns of waterfront property usage. Have you spent more – or less – time at your waterfront property this year, due to travel restrictions or physical distancing protocols such as remote-office options? Do you plan to be at the waterfront more often in the off-season this year? Whether “yes” or “no”, we want to hear from you.

Click below to take the survey by October 30, 2020:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FOCAwaterfrontResidentSurvey2020

Fishing in Loon Call Lake

A concerned cottager brought to our attention a very dangerous practice. They witnessed several times adults and children, instructed by their parents, cutting a fishing line to release tiny bass and sunfish that swallowed the hook.  This is very alarming as loons regularly feed in the bays in our lake and the hooks will kill the bird if ingested.  The hook must be removed before releasing the fish.

At our AGM next year we will discuss environmentally friendly and sustainable fishing practices, and a presentation about the devastating effects of lead poisoning and hooks on loons. 

Please ensure that all visitors and cottagers are aware that all of us are responsible for the protection of our wonderful Loon Call Lake!

Winter 2020

All of us on the LCLCA Executive wish you a safe and enjoyable winter.  Many people enjoyed the 2020 summer Pandemic Paddle so much that they think we should have it every year. We probably will do so, and look forward to seeing you in the spring.

FOCA Elert – Special October 2020

FOCA ·

A few snippets have been included here, but please follow this link for the full report

Results from FOCA’s Member Survey:

Thank you to the ~600 survey respondents who contributed such valuable feedback in the 2020 FOCA Member Survey, as part of the work by FOCA’s Board of Directors to update FOCA’s Strategic Plan for the coming years.
The survey has provided us with key information about Ontario lake associations including dues charged, engagement trends and challenges faced this year, as well as the current “Top Issues” at the waterfront

New FOCA Survey: share the link!

FOCA is conducting a province-wide survey to determine whether the ongoing pandemic is shifting patterns of waterfront property usage. Have you spent more – or less – time at your waterfront property this year, due to travel restrictions or physical distancing protocols such as remote-office options? Do you plan to be at the waterfront more often in the off-season this year? Whether “yes” or “no”, we want to hear from you.

Click below to take the survey by October 30, 2020:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FOCAwaterfrontResidentSurvey2020

FOCA Elert – October 2020

FOCA ·

October is upon us and so here is a summary of the October Elert. For the full newsletter, go to: FOCA Elert – October 2020
Remember you can subscribe to the Elerts here

For October, here is the news:

  • A Thanksgiving greeting from the FOCA Executive Director
  • Long weekend safety
  • Cottage Closing tip
  • Border opening – research underway
  • Fall Seminar for Lake Associations (November 21st)
  • Electricity Pricing
  • Lake Partner Program
  • Survey: Off-season usage
  • Event recaps
  • FOCA Member Services
  • and much more

Natural Edge Program

Announcements ·

Kawartha Region

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:

  1. Identify potential sites. These sites can be private or public lands and should typically be close to the water’s edge. 
  2. 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.
  3. 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).
  4. 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.
  5. Cost:  the cost of the project to the owner is $250  (typically, the plants alone are worth more than this cost).
  6. 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.

If you are interested in participating, or if you know of any candidate sites, please contact KLSA at Kawarthalakessteward@yahoo.ca or wnapier100@gmail.com

Also feel free to distribute this information to your friends or neighbours who may be interested in participating in this project.

Thank you for your assistance.
William A. Napier
Chair,
Kawartha Lake Stewards Association
https://klsa.wordpress.com/

FOCA August 2020-Thanks-Moths-Loons

Announcements, FOCA ·

FOCA ELert for August 2020.

Please click here to read the full August Elert

We encourage you to read the newsletter and reference material. Recap of the topics covered:

  • FOCA Cottage Country Survey – Deadline August 24th
  • Advocacy, Policy and Program Updates –
    • Environmental Assessment redesign
    • Cormorant Hunt
    • Federal Aquaculture Act
  • Webinar recap: Gypsy Moth – sponsor Zimmer Air Services – access recording
  • Next Webinar: Targeting Tax – Cottage Succession Planning
  • Covid-19 and the cottage
  • Rural Cell and Internet Service
  • Invasive Species
  • Boating Safety
  • Watershed Protection

Lake Stewards Newsletter:

Please click here to find the Lake Stewards Newsletter

Community Care Apsley – Thanks 

Dear Loon Call Lake Cottagers Association

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 Spraying

Reminder to read the spraying details and complete the spraying survey

Loons in the Bay

6 Loons in the bay (taken from #36)

Loon videos for your viewing delight

Loons Entering the Bay
Loons Leaving the Bay