Fellow LJNA members and Lake Joseph Neighbours,
Whether you have packed up your place ‘til next summer or are hibernating at our precious lake, I hope this finds you healthy and staying safe.
We started working on this edition of the newsletter on a blustery Sunday at the cottage. Lights were on all around the lake. At that moment, even in the bitter wind, the twinkling lights were a signal of the connections and warmth of our community. I don’t remember ever seeing that many lights in the off season - even at Christmas. They were definitely also a reflection of the very different times we are in.
This sense of community hit home this week with the sad news of John Offutt’s passing. Cecil has written a beautiful note on his friend of many years and fellow LJNA volunteer. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go to John’s family.
Below, in addition to an extensive update on Board activities, we’ve included some tips for staying safe and info for winter activities. More to come in the new year. We hope you enjoy reading this E-News and welcome your comments and ideas. You can reach our new editor Karen McCullough or me at info@ljna.org.
Wishing you a warm and happy holiday season.
Nancy, President |
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It is with great sadness but also fondness that we reflect on the life of John Offutt and all that he meant to so many of us on Lake Joe North.
John was tragically killed doing what he loved, on his bicycle on November 20th. He is survived by his wife, Jane Ferguson and two sons Eric and Connor. |
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For the many of us who were privileged to know John, he was the ultimate in promoting a positive, optimistic, active and engaging cottage lifestyle on Lake Joe North.
John got us on bicycles, and offered rowing lessons on his beautiful rowing shells that many of us saw gliding by our docks in the early morning dawn.
He dedicated himself to water quality testing for the past 10 years, was a big part of the CNIB Joe’s Team triathlons and fundraising events, and was always a strong voice of support for many of our Lake Joe North initiatives, especially supporting the many Land Trust projects along with his wife Jane.
John will be sadly missed, but his wonderful spirit and inspiration for so many good things will always live on in our hearts.
Cecil Hayhoe
Founding President |
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Fireboat to Lake Joseph – Full Steam Ahead!
The LJNA Board has unanimously approved to move ahead with the purchase of the fireboat!
The original proposal from Seguin's Fire Chief was to convert a used workboat into a fireboat. Due to demand and availability issues during Covid, there are now no used boats. However we exceeded our original fundraising target, raising over $175,000. This put us in a position to order a new boat with more sophisticated safety equipment onboard, meaning the new fireboat will be even more effective. |
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Thank you to everyone across Lake Joseph North who donated to make the fireboat a reality! Thank you to the members of the fireboat committee and our many volunteers who championed the need for a fireboat! It was heartening to see such a strong sense of community and overwhelming support around this important initiative.
A public launch event and tours of the fireboat will take place as soon as it is in the water and public health guidelines allow. We look forward to celebrating with you next summer!
Diana Piquette
LJNA Board, Fireboat Project Lead |
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Fifteen New LJNA Member Families
I am very pleased to report that the LJNA welcomed 15 new member families in 2020, making the total membership 178 families. We are grateful to each family -- we couldn't do it without you!
A number of extra donations were made to LJNA this year beyond membership dues. We acknowledge the trust you are placing in our work on members' behalf. We will continue to work hard to safeguard our natural environment in this part of Muskoka, to seek responsible local government, and to keep our members connected. In response to key findings in the membership survey conducted this summer, the board will increase its priority on stewardship activities and municipal issues affecting our lakeshore.
Some donations received this year were earmarked for other affiliated lake groups, such as Muskoka Conservancy and Safe Quiet Lakes, and we were pleased to forward these donations to their appropriate destination.
I hope you and your families stay well over the next months.
Elizabeth Jennings
LJNA Board, Membership Director
Official Plan Review Update In the summer LJNA submitted a document to Seguin Township outlining our issues with the current plan. Very little other public input has been received since. The consultants in the process recently reported that they are 10 weeks behind schedule. As such, they expect to complete a Scoped Issues Report this month which will summarize the issues identified from the public, township staff and the provincial government. At this point it looks as though the steering committee will see this document before the holidays. At that time, we will report to LJNA members on the status of our concerns and any new issues that have arisen.
James Buchanan LJNA Board, Municipal Affairs
Note: James serves on the Steering Committee for Seguin Township’s Official Plan review, along with the mayor, several councillors and other community representatives.
LPAT Appeal Settlement Reached
The LJNA launched an appeal to the Local Planning Appeal Tribune (LPAT) on a zoning bylaw amendment (ZBA) that had been approved by Seguin Council. The property in question is severely undersized along the shore south of the CNIB between the highway and the lake. This ZBA allowed many exemptions from the Seguin Official Plan (OP) and Zoning By-laws. For instance, the entire building is set within the 20m shoreline setback. It is concerning that Seguin Council voted to allow this ZBA against the strong recommendation of its own professional staff and contrary to the OP.
In pursuing the appeal, LJNA hired a planner and a lawyer to help prepare and advise on the case. Prior to full engagement in the LPAT process, the LJNA Board proposed an offer to settle with conditions that addressed the majority of our concerns. The settlement was accepted and includes strict limits on coverage and specifies conditions for the Site Plan Agreement with Seguin. Costs were well below our initial estimate and we received several donations to help. Thank you.
The LJNA Board feels strongly that the standards set in the Official Plan and the By-Laws protect our lake and should be applied consistently and fairly to all. We will continue to work constructively with Seguin Township towards this end.
LJNA Board |
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Muskoka Watershed - Flooding Report |
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The Muskoka Watershed Advisory group, appointed by the Minister for the Environment in 2019 following devastating flooding, has now released a report on issues and priorities for management of the Muskoka River Watershed. The four-page executive summary is well-worth reading, giving highlights of the findings and recommendations, underscoring that “flood mitigation is the most pressing current need.” |
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Otter Lake Vianet Tower Site Selection
Seguin Council has given the go ahead for Vianet’s new proposed site for an internet tower on Oastler Park Drive and Brooks Road. Vianet will proceed with the next steps of this project and update Council regularly.
Covid Impacts Cottaging
The Federation of Cottage Associations (FOCA) conducted a survey on seasonal home use this year due to Covid, and reports that summer cottage use went up 7% in 2020, while low season use is anticipated to be up 35%.
Real estate has been impacted by Covid, with Lakeland Association of Realtors reporting waterfront property price increases of over 25% in October 2020 over last year.
Covid has meant many people are choosing to winter at the cottage. Seguin Township has a list of tips regarding ploughing, heating, power outages and smoke alarms.
Guidelines for Responsible Dock Bubblers
If in early November we were lulled into thinking it was still September, last week catapulted us back into winter mode, and with it comes thinking about winter care of our precious docks and boathouses. Here is advice from Seguin Township on how and when to use a bubbler. |
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Summer 2020: Not So Safe Quiet Lakes The OPP’s Marine Policing Report for 2020 indicated a 12% increase in marine incidents in 2020 compared with 2019, with alcohol cited as a contributing factor for the increase. Covid-19 brought more people to Muskoka, and hence more boat traffic. |
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Store hours are Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday 10 am to 5 pm.
For more info and to make online orders for curb side pick up, visit their Facebook or Instagram pages.
See the Bearly Used Books feature in the winter issue of Cottage Life magazine.
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Bearly Used Books first opened its doors in downtown Parry Sound 28 years ago. The original owners, John and Bonnie Beaucage, named the buy and sell bookstore for the Ojibway Bear Clan, to which John belongs. Current owner Melissa Thomson bought the store 16 years ago and has grown its selection to an impressive 250,000 titles.
Perusing the ample shelves of Bearly Used Books is one of our family’s favourite pastimes. First it was a rainy day activity for the kids, then a regular go-to for a good dock read. Now, as the cottage season extends, we find ourselves looking for a book to cosy up by the fire with. Fiction, non-fiction, Canadian, food, local interest, childrens’ books -- there’s always a book, or several, to whet our literary appetites! We regularly trade books in too, earning credit for more books… you get the idea! Karen McCullough LJNA member |
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While on the topic of reading...
Seguin Libraries There are four public libraries in Seguin Township. The Christie, Foley, and Humphrey branches are located in their respective community centres, and the Rosseau branch is in the Rosseau Memorial Hall. Card holders can access e-books online, or reserve library materials through the Seguin Public Libraries website. You will be notified when your items are ready for curbside pick up at your requested branch. Pick up hours vary from branch to branch, however each branch has a drop box for returns anytime. |
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What’s Your Carbon Footprint?
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The Georgian Bay Biosphere Region (GBBR) is working with area Councils and communities to build collaborative energy management plans and practices. This partnership, known as the Integrated Community Energy and Climate Action Plans (ICECAP) has developed a carbon calculator to educate areas residents about their carbon footprint and to collect important data. Please take 15 minutes and do this important survey.
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The Lake Joseph North Association (LJNA) represents the interests of shoreline residents on the Seguin section of Lake Joseph, including Portage Lake.
Volunteers bring fresh ideas and perspectives to our work. Interested? Contact us at info@ljna.org. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you can unsubscribe at any time
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