E-NEWS DECEMBER 2021

Fellow LJNA members and Lake Joseph Neighbours,

It's starting to look like a winter wonderland on Lake Joe. There’s a dusting of snow on the docks and in the woods and more on the way. My neighbour and fellow board member Frances Carmichael has been getting visits from a curious deer and sends this photo of it peering into her study window – a reindeer  planning her deliveries?

Our editor, Karen McCullough, started assembling the stories for this newsletter pretty much right after she put the Thanksgiving edition to bed. In addition to updates on Board activities, we’ve included a report on the recent FOCA Seminar, some ideas for winter activities and a feature on a local success story – Crossroads restaurant. If you missed an issue, we’ve loaded them onto the website (for members only). If you have an idea for a story or an article to submit, you can reach Karen at Editor@ljna.org. We hope you enjoy the updates and welcome your comments and ideas. 

Our Lake Joe community spreads to all corners of the world over the winter months. Whether you are celebrating at our precious lake or hibernating somewhere sunny and warm, on behalf of all the volunteers, I wish you a healthy and joyous holiday season!

Warm regards,

Nancy Cohen, President

info@ljna.org

LJNA Update

Blasting and Excessive Site Alteration

The LJNA continues to advocate for effective enforcement and reasonable limits on site alteration to preserve water quality and the view from the canoe. We recently sent in this letter to our Seguin Council on this issue. We urge Council to move forward swiftly to address excessive site alterations through stronger bylaws, effective enforcement and appropriate penalties.

Membership Report

We have accomplished a lot together in our 25 years as an association. We appreciate the support and trust of our membership, now totalling 165 families for this year. A special thank you to the members who made a contribution in support of our reserve funds this year. These funds help us to engage professional advice and to act quickly should the need arise. If you have yet to make your membership payment for this year, it's not too late.  Click here to make your payment online.

Stay Informed

Safe Quiet Lakes Survey Report

One of the largest lake activity surveys in North America was conducted by Safe Quiet Lakes (SQL) this year. Close to 6,000 responded from Muskoka, Georgian Bay and other areas of Ontario, an increase of 86% over SQL's last survey in 2017. Obviously lake health and activity are a growing interest for people.

According to Diana Piquette, chair of SQL and LJNA board member, “The main concerns have been consistent over our three surveys: wakes, noise and speed. However, the trend data for the three large Muskoka lakes shows that these concerns are growing. Most prominently, there has been an increase in support for education about responsible boating, regulations, and enforcement.”

You can view the full survey report and a summary here, including eight recommendations. SQL is actively working on plans to lead this change, and invites your support to help them do this.

Highlights of FOCA Fall Webinar 

I attended the FOCA (Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations) Fall Webinar. Here are a few important highlights:

• The “out-migration” from Toronto to rural Ontario has ramped up due to Covid and work-from-home options, and is one of the causes of booming real estate prices (up 80%) in the Lakelands Region (i.e. cottage country), especially in our area.  

Urban to rural shift 

• Our lakes are recovering from years of acid rain -- a real plus for the environment. However calcium levels have fallen to worrisome levels, algal blooms and invasive species are on the rise again, and road salt in the lakes is a significant concern -- all environmental negatives. A simple thing we can do for the environment is to sprinkle ash from our fireplaces and wood stoves around our trees to help restore calcium to the land and the watershed. www.ashmuskoka.ca.

  
  

• The Clean, Drain, Dry practice prevents boaters from inadvertently transferring an invasive species from one body of water to another. Boaters are now required to ensure water is drained and any aquatic plants removed from their craft when removing it from the water and launching elsewhere.

• Sgt. Dave Moffatt, OPP Marine Coordinator, introduced a new (short) video about boat collisions as part of the OPP’s “Think before you Sink” series. A boat collision reenactment shows you don’t have to be travelling at high speeds to cause high impacts. It’s worth watching. 

• There’s a great new (also short) video Be #Wake Aware. It shows the effects of wakes -- particularly from wake surfing -- on shorelines, canoes/kayaks/SUPs, swimmers, and loons.

• Rural roads present all kinds of pervasive, complex and unique issues. Excellent questions were raised during the webinar, but the answers were vague because of the many variables in each situation. Consult your insurance broker or lawyer if any of the following apply to you:
  
• We access our property by a right-of-way across a privately-owned section of road. Could a new owner prevent us from continuing to use the road?
• Are there insurance consequences to not having the road plowed during the winter (e.g., in case of fire)? 
• How can we limit our liability exposure if we have gates, barriers, obstacles, or other imperfections on our private road?

Tom McCullough, LJNA member

Ed. note: LJNA members. You have member access to FOCA.

Username: focamember; password: Foc@M3mb3$2014

Seguin Update from Councillor Terry Fellner

It's hard to believe that three years of this council's four year term has now passed. 2021 has been an exciting year for Seguin. Jason Inwood our CAO has been working diligently on improving service delivery in the planning, building and public works departments. Our new Chief Building Official, Curtis Livingstone and new Director of Planning, Taylor Elgie are also both committed to improving service to you all. We have adopted a new policy for the reconstruction of our roads system and continue to make further advances in improving seasonal roads and converting them to all-season where feasible.

I have been working with the Mayor and the new senior team to control site development activities on vacant lakeshore lots. I believe a new policy needs to be put into place over the next few months, prior to the 2022 construction season, as current bylaws do not sufficiently prevent irresponsible site development as we have seen recently.

Along with my regular committee work, I continue on as President of the Park-to-Park Trail Association. This year we restored the trail bed along the initial 16-kilometer section, and installed a new 120’ bridge across the Seguin River. This work was made possible by grants, donations and revenues from trail permits. Plans are underway to continue trail bed restoration, final grading and wearing surface in 2022.

You may already know that the region was successful in obtaining a grant from both the Federal and Provincial Government to allow for the construction of a new pool and wellness centre in Parry Sound. Seguin is one of six surrounding municipalities with ownership in this new facility. A municipal corporation has been formed to build and operate the facility; I have been appointed the Seguin representative. The challenge now is to finalize design, construction and operation costs. The goal is to break ground in 2022.

Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season.

In the Community

The Crossroads Story -- a Q & A with co-owner Julie Lalonde 

How did a gas station property in a little seasonal town capture your vision for a restaurant in 2008?

We loved the location and how cute Rosseau is. It looked picture-perfect to raise a family. We honestly took a leap of faith and really we hoped it would all work out!

What was your original vision for the restaurant (food, clientele, vibe, etc.) and how has Crossroads changed/evolved over time?
We wanted an establishment where everyone knows, when they walk in, that we care -- from the food to the decor, fresh flowers, and our hardworking staff. Richard and I always try to keep things interesting and change things up.

What is your secret for thriving, even in the winter season and during Covid?
We are doing what we love. We work alongside our team; we are hands on and that’s the way we want to keep it! We have an amazing small team that cares and works so hard to make our vision come through. I really can’t thank them enough! 
During Covid our children really helped us with the restaurant and kept us positive, helping us come up with creative ideas. We learned the most these last two years. I am personally not a big fan of social media; I would rather talk in person and I really live in the moment. But I’ve learned that social media can be good. We’ve never felt more proud of and grateful for this community. And we cannot thank our customers enough for getting takeout and buying gift cards!

How do you stay on top of new food trends?
This is the industry we love, and we find inspiration everywhere, when we travel, from local farmers and our customers, and even cooking at home with our family.

Describe Crossroads five years from now. 
We hope in five years that we are still thriving, keeping on top of everything, including the maintenance of the building! And at the same time enjoying our family and getting to travel more. We want to really focus on our family and keep a good balance, while enjoying our customers.

Crossroads this Holiday Season

Crossroads is doing a real old-fashioned Christmas. We've tried to create a “hallmark moment” with all the lights and decor. We are keeping our patio open with heaters and wood burning fireplaces -- great for having a cocktail outside before dining or even dining outdoors!

We also have great gift items in our holiday brochure. And our gift card promotion is on until December 23.

Public Skating at the Humphrey Arena   

If you’re like me you were pretty disappointed that the Humphrey Arena was closed to public skating ALL last winter. But this year is a different story! For a toonie per skater over the age of four, you can strap on the old blades and go for a spin.

Adult skate: Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

Parents & Tots: Thursdays 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Family Skate: Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Ice Rental: A great way to entertain the whole family this season is to rent an hour of ice time for $130. Submit your request to the Community Services Department here. 

As for any indoor public space, proof of vaccination and government issued ID is required for anyone entering the facility 12 years of age and older. Check the Seguin calendar for holiday hours.

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The E-News is published on a regular basis to keep Lake Joe residents and LJNA members 

informed of items of importance and interest to them. 

Editor: Karen McCullough, LJNA member

Volunteer s bring fresh ideas and perspectives to our work. Interested? Contact us at info@ljna.org.

The Lake Joseph North Association (LJNA) represents the interests of shoreline residents on the Seguin section of Lake Joseph, including Portage Lake.