For “Quiet Lake” lovers
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| NEWS LETTER SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 SIGN THE DECIBEL COALITION PETITION Hello Decibel Coalition Members, I hope everyone has enjoyed their summer. The official start of fall is fast approaching as is Transport Canada’s (TC) Canadian Marine Advisory Council (CMAC) meeting which is now scheduled for November 23 through to December 3. Daily schedules have not yet been published. You will recall from our last newsletter that TC has promised us a slot on the CMAC agenda. As we said, it is very important that TC hear a LOUD and CONSISTENT message from ACROSS the country that excessive boat motor noise is a problem on our waterways and that the regulations need to be enhanced to include decibel limits on boat motor noise with efficient and effective enforcement procedures. Decibel Coalition Petition – Press Release In early summer we launched a petition on Change.org (Decibel Coalition Petition) and to date there are over 270 who have signed. Now that the summer is over and the annoyance of excessively loud boats is fresh in our minds it is a good time to highlight the petition and encourage more people to sign. To that end, on September 15, 2021 we released a press release encouraging people to sign the Change.Org petition to bring Decibel Limits to boat motor noise in Canada. Here is the link: Decibel Coalition News Release 20210915 There are two ways that your association can help us promote the petition. First, many of you will be issuing fall newsletters and updating your websites. If you have not already done so, we encourage your association to tell your members about this petition and encourage them to sign it and share it with their neighbours and post on their social media. When signing the petition it is important to use the “reasons for signing the petition” to give the name of their lake/river and explain how they are affected by excessively loud boat motor noise. Second, call up or email your local news organizations and community websites and encourage them to talk about the press release and the need to sign the petition. Membership Update We now have a link to a map that shows the reach of the Decibel Coalition across Canada: Decibel Coalition Map . Our members represent over 90,000 households! Here is the latest member count having added 7 new members since the last newsletter. |
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| Thanks again for your continuing support. Communicate to your members about the Change.org petition and let your local press and websites know about it. With your help we WILL make our lakes quieter and more respectful for all! Best regards, |
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Louise Offshack passed away September 15, 2021
Members of the LWRA community would like to send their condolences to the Offshack family in the recent loss of their mother Louise. George Offshack, who owned the Limerick Lodge Marina for the past 14 years, and Ed Offshack, who has a cottage next to the Sakoski family cottage, have spent much of their lives on Limerick Lake along with brother Chris who now resides in Kingston.
Published by Citizens Voice on Sep. 17, 2021.
Louise Ann Offshack, 90, of Sugar Hollow, Tunkhannock, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, at her home after a long illness.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George Offshack.
Born in Wilkes-Barre on April 19, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Wilma Nancarrow Sakoski.
She was a 1949 graduate of Kingston High School and a member of the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.
Louise is survived by her sons, George Offshack and wife, Marilyn Warren, Belleville, Ontario, Canada; Edward Offshack and partner, Kyle Kieper, Cincinnati, Ohio; and Christopher Offshack and wife Emily, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; brother, Bishop Robert Clement and partner, David Epstein, West Hollywood, Calif.; grandchildren, Bethany and Jeffery, Knoxville, Tenn.; and Evan, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; great-grandchildren, Josh and Caleb, Knoxville, Tenn.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Charles Sakoski Jr.
The family wishes to thank her friend, Julianne Miller, for her tireless advocacy on our Mom’s behalf through these past eight years to make sure that she was well cared for and able to remain in her home until death, and her longtime live-in caregiver, Flo.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in Louise’s name to The Arbor Day Foundation, 211 N. 12th St., Lincoln, NE 68508.
Funeral services will be held privately at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements and care entrusted to Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home Inc., 73 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock.
Please visit sheldonkukuchkafuneralhome.com to share memories or extend condolences.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/citizensvoice/name/louise-offshack-obituary?pid=200151921
Hastings County Gypsy Moth Tracker
Hastings County is collecting information on the Gypsy Moth infestation experienced in 2021 to help make decisions about how to deal with whatever comes our way in the Summer of 2022.
To find details on this program you can visit this website and add your experience if you wish to.
Sunday, Sept. 5, 10 a.m. AGM
The following is the suggested agenda for our LWRA Summer AGM meeting. At this point on Saturday we plan to gather on the lawn at the Marina/Lodge. I would suggest that we consider putting up our tents Saturday afternoon (3:30pm?) for Sunday 10 a.m. meeting. If weather is too bad we can consider doing a Zoom meeting.
Welcome – Michael Douglas-Hecker
Mining – Ed Offshack
Gypsy Moths – the future – all
Quiet Lakes – Jill Cooke
Township Updates: – Councillor Jan Mackillican
Financial Overview – Mary Argue
Membership – Mary Argue
Land-Escapes update – Michael Douglas-Hecker & Sasha Vojnov (if available)
LWRA stored items at lodge relocation -Michael Douglas-Hecker
Trident/Limerick estates -update: Jan Mackillican
Invasive species water testing – Michael Douglas-Hecker
Vote on new board members -Mary Argue to initiate and present
Thank you to Paul Clarke & Alex Topsitch for their contributions
Summer regatta – summary from Mary Argue, Alan Coxwell and Mel Hamilton-Porter
AGM – new membership drive and new board members – all
Meeting open to all for questions and answers.
Thank you to the Pack family for allowing us to use their property at the lodge
Best Regards,
Mike Douglas-Hecker
Tel: 647-290-1326
Email:
FOCA Update
FOCA Elert ~ July 2021Having trouble viewing this? Click to view as a Webpage FOCA is the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations, the voice of the waterfront for nearly 60 years.FOCA Serves Lake & Road AssociationsBe #WakeAware In response to ongoing member comments and concerns about the effects of boat wakes, FOCA is very pleased to announce the release of a new video and companion website: https://www.bewakeaware.com/ with information for all water users about the impacts of wakes, and educational resources to use and share. The Be #WakeAware campaign is a joint initiative of the Muskoka Lakes Association, Safe Quiet Lakes and FOCA. Please share the website information and the video link with your waterfront community. The video YouTube address can be copied and pasted:https://youtu.be/X3bYBPbP0qkFOCA 2021 Virtual Fall Seminar for AssociationsHOLD THE DATE! Saturday, November 6, 2021 by webinar (9:00am – 11:30am) Stay tuned to the Elert for details and the registration link, coming later this summer.   Association Members: Do your members know about ALL their FOCA benefits?All members of our Member Associations are entitled to access a series of discounts, special offers and other member benefits. Get the details (and login for information about the access codes), here: https://foca.on.ca/member-services/benefits/You’ll need your FOCA Member login for this and other member materials on the website. Don’t have, or can’t recall, the login? Email info@foca.on.ca, and we’ll reply during business hours.FOCA’s Gold level sponsorsSponsors support our work, please support them.FOCA Advocates for Responsive Government Border announcementThe Government of Canada has announced it will soon open the border to fully vaccinated travellers, starting with Americans in early August, followed by other foreign nationals tentatively in early September. Get details about this and other updates on the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on our communities, here:https://foca.on.ca/covid-19-update-from-foca/ Electricity PricingOn July 16, 2021 the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) issued a new Procedural Order granting Hydro One a 4-week extension to reply to outstanding questions about the implementation of the elimination of the Seasonal Rate Class, moving the timeline back by a month. Read the Order and get background information on FOCA’s webpage:https://foca.on.ca/electricity-pricing/ Fines Issued for Bylaw Infractions Local municipalities establish Official Plans and Bylaws to uphold community standards, environmental protection and safety. When faced with contraventions, enforcement becomes a commitment to uphold these standards, including dedicating the resources to see it through. FOCA notes a significant recent video statementand related media release from the Township of Muskoka Lakes, stating: “Following the issuance of Stop Work Orders, multiple property owners and their contractors have been charged under the Tree Preservation By-law and Site Alteration By-law.” We are inspired by this action and hope other municipalities follow suit on this, and other, bylaw infractions.FOCA Champions Affordable & Safe Rural LivingBoat Safety message from OPPFOCA and our members are saddened by recent tragic boating accidents on Ontario’s waterways. In the words of Provincial Marine Coordinator Sgt. Dave Moffatt, the 2021 season has been “terrible”. Please see an important video message from Sgt. Moffatt, posted to our webpage: https://foca.on.ca/safe-boating/   Cottage Succession FOCA and estate lawyer Peter Lillico have been teaching families about successful cottage succession planning for the past decade! Our traditional in-person events have shifted to digital for 2021. Thank you to our member associations who are the local hosts of these seminars. Upcoming events include: August 14, 2021: “Cottage Succession A to Z” webinar for the Chaffey’s Area Lakes Association and the Buck Lake Association September 14, 2021: “Camp Succession A to Z” webinar for our Thunder Bay area associations, hosted by the West Loon Lake Campers’ AssociationOctober (TBD): “Trusting the Cottage” webinar about trust techniques; this session will be open to ALL FOCA members. Live attendance at FOCA’s Cottage Succession webinars is free as part of your Association’s annual membership in FOCA! Contact your association for registration details for the August and September events listed above. For more information, or to purchase access to recordings of past seminars, visit: https://foca.on.ca/cottage-succession/  Forest Fire Danger Much of Northwestern Ontario is under a high forest fire danger rating, with some community evacuations also occurring. One example, ‘Kenora 51’ fire was reported as “not under control” at end of day Thursday, and mapped at over 170,000 hectares. Visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/forest-fires#section-2 for updated information about the current forest fire danger regionally, and fire restrictions across the province. Also, consider downloading a new app called FireFringe: https://www.firefringe.com/ Cottage Fire Safety ReminderThe Northern Bruce Peninsula Fire Chief has credited working smoke alarms for helping to save lives in a cottage fire in Tobermory earlier this month. The fire started just before 4 a.m. and the family was able to collect pets and safely exit the cottage before fire completely destroyed the building.The Fire Chief reminds short-term renters and cottage visitors to test smoke alarms and make a fire plan if staying at a cottage unknown to them. “When it is dark, or on fire and full of smoke, it adds a whole extra layer to trying to get out,” so make sure you practice two ways to exit the cottage, and check the smoke alarms to ensure they are working as soon as you arrive. The news and image comes from the Owen Sound Sun Times (Post Media).FOCA’s Silver level sponsorsSponsors support our work, please support them.Welcome!FOCA welcomes Gridiron Power as our newest Corporate Sponsor. Contact them for backup power generators you can rely on: “When it comes to protecting your home and family, you want peace of mind. You want a standby generator that will not fail you and those you love, when you need it most. 10kW, 12kW and 20kW units are currrently stock in Ontario.” Connect to be put in touch with your local dealer: https://gridironpower.ca or call 1-877-829-0013  FOCA Promotes Healthy Lands, Lakes & Rivers Lake Partner ProgramFOCA is pleased that the Lake Partner Program is in full operation for 2021, and our many volunteers are encouraged to continue your sampling for this season, following all Public Health advice and restrictions in your area. Volunteers are also reminded you can review FOCA’s sampling tips video: https://youtu.be/8NUFVK8eQ6QOur goal is to continue to engage our hundreds of volunteers and build our collective knowledge about the province’s fabulous aquatic resources. Many thanks to all the volunteers that keep this program going! Find out more, here: https://foca.on.ca/lake-partner-program/  event recap: Invasive Phragmites June 29, 2021 – Brooke Harrison from Georgian Bay Forever joined FOCA for a ‘lunch & learn’ webinar about invasive Phragmites: its characteristics, its spread and its controls. FOCA Members can access the event recording here: https://foca.on.ca/phragmites/. FOCA is proud to be part of the Green Shovels collaborative, supporting important strategic efforts to manage this invasive plant.reminder: Photo Contest As part of the IsampleON program of invasive species awareness, monitoring and education, FOCA and our partners at the Invasive Species Centre remind everyone to submit a picture to the IsampleON Photo Contest by August 31, 2021. The photo should show what you are protecting (i.e., your favourite waterbody!) or how you are protecting it from invasive species. Click the image at the side to open a PDF poster explaining the contest steps, or go directly to the submission portal on Survey Monkey. All entrants will be included in a draw to win a great lakeside prize pack.Partner Updates & Regional Noticesevent recap & ongoing webinar series:Ontario Biodiversity SummitOn July 15, 2021 FOCA’s Terry Rees participated in a panel discussion at the Ontario Biodiversity Summit on ‘Restoring Aquatic Biodiversity’. The recording will eventually be posted here (scroll down to “Restoring Aquatic Biodiversity” section). Find out more about how nature can help us address climate change and biodiversity loss. Attend one or more of the 2021 Ontario Biodiversity Summit virtual sessions, continuing through September. Get details & register for sessions here.  Lake of the Woods – Lake Level SurveyThe Lake of the Woods Control Board is interested in feedback from property owners affected by low spring water levels between March and May on Lake of the Woods (LOW), Lac Seul, the Winnipeg River or English River. Participate in the survey by August 31, 2021.Details and the survey link are posted online here. Algal Bloom Studies in MuskokaThe District of Muskoka has retained consultants to conduct causation studies in five area lakes – Bass, Echo, Stewart, Leonard and Three Mile – to attempt to determine what has caused algae blooms or elevated phosphorus levels in recent years. This follows a pilot project in Peninsula Lake, conducted in 2019. Read more in the Huntsville Doppler Online.(file image: Ministry of Environment, 2011)  Cyanobacteria BloomsFor those interested in taking a ‘deep dive’ (figuratively-speaking only!) into harmful algal blooms, the latest Issue of the North American Lake Management Society‘s publication ‘LakeLine’ is devoted to the subject. Download a copy of LakeLine (PDF, 44 pages)Lakes Appreciation The North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) thanks everyone who has been celebrating “Lakes Appreciation Month” this July! FOCA is a proud member of NALMS.https://www.nalms.org/lakes-appreciation-month/  Great Lakes SurveyThe International Joint Commission Great Lakes Water Quality Board invites you to complete a survey about issues related to the Great Lakes and water quality including your opinions, values and beliefs about the Great Lakes, as well as your concerns and suggestions for the future. Participate in the survey by August 15, 2021:https://ijc.org/en/wqb/great-lakes-poll For our Municipal Partners…As reported recently by Water Canada, a new partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative will receive $500,000 in funding to allow municipal leaders to access NOAA training and workshops to help fortify coastal habitate, increase capacity and design restoration projects. Read the news on Water Canada’s website.FOCA’s Bronze level sponsorsSponsors support our work, please support them.FOCA is Building CapacityWelcome, Cheryl!FOCA welcomes Cheryl Abernethy who has assumed the role of Programs Coordinator for a number of FOCA’s 2021 environmental programs. Find our more about Cheryl, and all the FOCA team, here: https://foca.on.ca/about/team/  FOCA Fosters Community“New to cottaging” video resource from FOCAWe know lots of folks are having their FIRST cottage country experience this year, and may be thinking about buying or building a cottage. FOCA has created a video with key information about choosing an area, understanding the nature of your property, considerations for buying or building, and ways to get the most out of the experience including connecting with the local lake association! Click the image below to view: The video link is: https://youtu.be/degdS-i5hDkPlease post and share this information to help those in the early stages of their decision-making to start their waterfront experience sustainably and in harmony with their new community and the environment. This, and other important information for new cottagers is available on FOCA’s new webpage: https://foca.on.ca/cottage/ – share this!Final ThoughtsRead about your provincial association2020 was a unique and challenging year, but FOCA and our waterfront communities emerged stronger and more committed than ever before. Find out how we did this, and learn more about our strategic priorities and how we serve you, including feedback from your fellow members about FOCA’s important role:2020 FOCA Year in Review Please share this digital resource with everyone in your waterfront community!  Find out more about YOUR ROLE, today.info@foca.on.ca | 705-749-3622 | https://foca.on.caConnect with our channels: Did someone forward this message to you? Join 12,000 fellow subscribers:Click here to get free FOCA Elerts delivered to your inbox, monthlyFOCA believes everyone has the right to hear about issues that affect waterfront Ontario. Those who have an existing relationship with FOCA may receive email from us, based on principles of Express or Implied Consent in Canadian Anti Spam legislation. You can unsubscribe from Elerts at any time, using the ‘Safe Unsubscribe’ link below. |
| Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations | #201-159 King St., Peterborough, ON K9J 2R8 CanadaUnsubscribe alancoxwell@gmail.comConstant Contact Data NoticeSent by communications@foca.on.ca powered byTry email marketing for free today! |
Big waves make Bad Neighbours
From: Safe Quiet Lakes <outreach@safequiet.ca>
Date: July 29, 2021 at 3:19:53 PM EDT
To:mary.argue@rogers.com
Subject:Be #WakeAware Campaign
Reply-To:outreach@safequiet.ca
 Be #WakeAwareVideo LaunchDear Friends of Safe Quiet Lakes, This summer, Safe Quiet Lakes, the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Association and the Muskoka Lakes Association jointly funded the Be #WakeAware video and education campaign in response to the rising challenge Ontario cottagers are reporting from the wakes of wakeboard and surf boats damaging shorelines, disturbing lake recreational activities like swimming and paddling and causing increased noise pollution. We hope the video encourages boat users to consider and mitigate the impact of their wakes at all times, particularly by avoiding the shore when towing and surfing. Don’t forget to share the lake and bewakeaware.com Please also share this video with your family, friends and neighbours, to remind all lake users that being respectful of others and watching your wake will make all of our lakes and waterways safer and quieter. If you would like to purchase a NO WAKE sign please email – outreach@safequiet.ca Have a wonderful and safe long weekend on the water.Be #WakeAware VideoBe #WakeAware – YouTubeAbout Safe Quiet Lakes Safe Quiet Lakes is a not-for-profit community group of boaters that promote safe, respectful boating. We believe that positive, grass root conversations and education are important drivers of change. We created the Boater’s Code to help get the conversation started. CLICK HERE TO DONATE TODAYOUR MISSION: Make the Muskoka lakes safer and quieter to ensure the sustainable enjoyment of a treasured shared resourceABOUT US YOUR ROLE INFORMATION & RESOURCES DONATE CONTACT USJoin the Conversation |
| Safe Quiet Lakes | P.O.Box 358 , Rosseau, ON P0C IJ0 CanadaUnsubscribe mary.argue@rogers.comUpdate Profile | Constant Contact Data NoticeSent by outreach@safequiet.ca powered byTry email marketing for free today! |
… the $2 Licence form
$2 to cross the Property
—– Forwarded Message —–From: Carlyle Apps <carlyle@landescapes.org>To: “info@landescapes.org” <info@landescapes.org>Sent: Friday, July 30, 2021, 03:23:00 p.m. EDTSubject: Land’escapes Property Access
Good afternoon!
My name is Carlyle and I am a part of the Land’escapes Team. You are receiving this email because you are a neighbouring property owner or community member who has reached out to us. We are so excited to get to know everyone.
You may have noticed that we have been taking some steps to limit our liability and prevent trespassing by putting up signage and gates at our property entrances. We have a number of ambitious goals for this property including restoration of previously forested areas and long-term conservation. Public access makes it difficult to reach these goals.
That being said, through conversations with yourselves and other community members, we understand that this property has been used for a variety of purposes over the years by the community. We want to try to continue those uses as best we can, so we have put together a simple agreement letter as a way to offer specific access to our neighbours and community members. I’ve attached a draft version of this agreement with this email. The agreement specifically mentions road access, but we could extend this to other activities such as occasional snow-shoeing, hiking, etc.
Please feel free to circulate this amongst your neighbours and networks to whom it may be relevant. If you are interested in continuing your previous access/uses please email me directly and we can get a personalized agreement drawn up.
Feel free to send along any question you may have. I look forward to hearing from you and enjoy the weekend!
Warmly,
Carlyle
 | Carlyle Apps (She/Her)Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Land’escapes(705) 313-1978 | carlyle@landescapes.orgwww.landescapes.org     |
Protecting our lakes
The new Lake Water Testing for 2021 is much more extensive than in past years.
There were two different tests recently conducted on six different areas of Limerick Lake. Limerick was one of 27 sites across Ontario selected for the testing.
Test 1 – Invasive species awareness and monitoring program
Test 2 – eDNA sampling protocol for Aquatic Invasive Species (2021). This test is specific for zebra mussels, quagga mussels, tiny water flea and water soldier.
This has been a collaborative effort with The Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA), its members, Ministry of Natural Rsources (MNR) and the Invasive Species Centre in Sault Saint Marie, Ontario.
There will be some new ‘awareness’ signage available and going up this year as well. Your LWRA hopes to get some new brochures and some additional early detection kits.
Samples will be tested at the Centre, plus one other lab in August and results published in September 2021.
Please remember to remind friends, neighbors visitors how critical it is to clean their boats before entering our waters. The Great Lakes have been invaded by over 185 exotic species. The marina continues to offer the wash service for boats entering Limerick Lake.
