CORRECTION: Shelley Spence is Auditor General of Ontario not Attorney General. She took office January 8, 2024. Apologies for the error.

E-NEWS February 2024

Fellow LJNA members and Lake Joseph Neighbours,

Sending this mid-winter update to bring some thoughts of summer at the lake and some news from the Board to wherever this enews might find you.

Congratulations to our member and Treasurer Shelley Spence on becoming Auditor General for Ontario!  Unfortunately, for us, her new position requires that she step down from the Board. If you or someone you know might be interested in filling her shoes, please be in touch.  Another change at the board level is our long-time bookkeeper and tech maestro, Nick Pemberton has officially joined the Board. Thank you to Shelley for her leadership and to Nick for stepping up!

The board has met several times since the summer.  Top on our list is revised by-laws for the association, following up on the conversations and ideas at the AGM and recruiting to help bring these ideas to life.  More details below.

This mid-winter enews also brings news from our Township Councillor Terry Fellner.  In his article, Terry mentions that the Recreation Committee organized its first ever Christmas turkey dinner. This involved over 50 volunteers and served 375 meals! Wow!  A great start to a new community tradition in Seguin.

A highlight of winters in Seguin is the annual Sled Dog Mail Run. This year it’s scheduled for Saturday, February 24, 2024. Several sections are over lake ice.  Let’s hope for some snowy cold weather in the next week to help make this one the best years yet. The LJNA is proud to be a supporter of this 38-year community tradition.

Wishing you a wonderful Family Day weekend!

Warm regards,

Nancy Cohen, President

info@ljna.org

Update from LJNA Board

Revisions to Association Bylaws - Update

As mentioned at this summer’s AGM, we are in the process of updating our association by-laws in response to Ontario’s new Not-for profit Corporation Act (ONCA).  Our bylaw, drafted in 2001, has served us well.  Our goal is simple but effective bylaws, that provide for appropriate rights and protections for the members and effective processes for the Board.  The deadline for filing updated bylaws is Oct 2024.

Over the course of last spring and summer, the Board with the help of long-time member Jeanie Fraser worked through questions and options raised by the new Act.  This fall we hired a lawyer to help us finalize and file the paperwork. 

A Special Meeting of members is required for approval.  We are planning to hold the special meeting by Zoom in April.  Look for a meeting notice with more details in March.

FOCA Fall Seminar

This past fall three volunteers from LJNA attended the FOCA Fall Seminar.  The theme of the day was “Understanding the Changing State of our Lakes” and attendees heard important presentations from FOCA and guest speakers on a variety of current hot topics.  A summary of the meeting is available HERE including links to all of the presentations.  

FOCA’s AGM & Spring Seminar is on Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 9am to 3pm (AGM takes place at 10am) at the Bayview Golf & Country Club in Thornhill and by Zoom webinar.  Please be in touch if you would like to attend on behalf of LJNA.

Keeping Loons on Lake Joe

One of the memorable moments of this year’s AGM, was the discussion around the Keep/Toss/Create list.  And to no-one’s surprise loons were one of the first things mentioned for the Keep list.

The presentation from Kathy Jones of Birds Canada at the FOCA meeting inspired us to learn more about how we can “Keep” loons on the lake.  She has many suggestions from education through to participating as official volunteers for the Canadian Lakes Loon Survey and shared this link to a documentary.

At this point we would like to canvass the membership for interest and volunteers.  Please be in touch with either Nancy or Lynda McCarthy if you would like to be part of this initiative.

LJNA Wants You!

An immediate need is someone who can take over the Treasurer position.  Accounting background would be helpful. Some of the other opportunities include writing or editing the summer newsletter, helping to organize the AGM, keeping an eye on Council activities, benthic and water quality testing, ... We are also interested in organizing new activities such as nature walks, hikes, rides, cruises or paddles. We always welcome your ideas and participation!

Please talk to any board member or contact Nancy at info@ljna.org for more information

Seguin Township News

Seguin Update from Councillor Terry Fellner

Hard to believe Family Day weekend is upon us. Traditionally the weekend ice fishing opens on Lake Joe, this year the lack of ice will dampen the activities enjoyed on the frozen lake.

Council has been busy over the winter season, the 2024 draft budget was approved in December, final approval will be done after we receive all of the mandatory levies.  Of note we established a capital reserve fund for infrastructure, and increased the size of the roads maintenance crew. The new budget can be found on the township website.

Council has instructed staff to increase the setback for the new Site Alteration Bylaw to 60 meters from the earlier contemplated 20 meters.  This new bylaw will allow staff to have more insight into proposed new & redevelopment lakeside properties.  The expectation is to have this new bylaw in effect by the spring.

The Seguin Recreation Committee hosted the first annual free turkey dinner December 9.  Over 50 volunteer, Council members, mayor, staff and residents all pitched in and provided 375 turkey dinners to residents.  70 dinners were delivered.  The dinner was held in the Orville Community Hall and plans are already underway for this year.  The dinner was privately funded by donors.

Significant progress was made in 2023 to the reconstruction of the Seguin Trail.  We now have a bikeable (gravel) trail from 400 highway at the Tim Hortons to Orrville.  This year’s activities include capping of this section, reconstruction of the base east of Orrville and linking the Seguin with the Rose Point Trail.

The new pool is becoming a reality, with early works site package to begin in March of this year at the new Site on Joseph Street, adjacent to the high school.  Pool is anticipated to be open in 2026.

If there is anything I can do to help you please do not hesitate to give me a call 519 831 5526 or send me an email tfellner@hotmail.com.

Best regards,

Terry
Councillor Ward 4

For more Township news please click HERE for the Seguin Township December Newsletter.  You can subscribe to Seguin updates at: https://letsconnectseguin.ca/

In the Community

Seguin Sled Dog Mail Run -

Saturday, February 24

The 39^th Annual Seguin Sled Dog Mail Run is happening on Saturday, February 24, 2024, offering mushers and the community a day of family-friendly, wintery fun.

The event is open to all. Festivities will kick off at 8:00am with a pancake breakfast at Humphrey Community Centre. Opening ceremonies will start at 9:45am. There will be vendors, demos, activities and, of course, some very excited sled dog teams ready to run the 17 kilometres of trail through the forest and over frozen lakes.

Crowds gather at the start, end, and along the route to watch the run and cheer on the teams. The event wraps in the village of Rosseau with a lunch, bonfire, and winter activities.

Sledvelopes are available for purchase at: Seguin Public Libraries, Rosseau Post Office, Rosseau General Store, Humphrey Arena, Seguin Township Municipal Office.

Each sledvelope is $3.50 each or $5.00 with a $1.50 donation to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.

Visit seguin.ca for more information or follow Seguin Sled Dog Mail Run on Instagram and Facebook for updates and some great photos of the dog teams. 

Camp EKON – News

Recently, campers, parents and staff were shocked to receive news that the Jesuits of Canada have decided to permanently close Camp Ekon after a comprehensive audit and analysis of their resources.  The camp has operated in Stanley Bay on Lake Joe for 52 years and welcomes close to 600 campers each summer.  Cottagers will miss seeing the big war canoe go by their docks full of campers off for their overnight on Little Round (AKA Little Chief) Island.  The LJNA Board will be following this and will circulate any updates.

Leafs Alumni Game Tickets!

The Parry Sound Rotary Club is hosting a Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni Game at the Bobby Orr Community Centre on Saturday, March 30, 2024. Get ready for an unforgettable afternoon of hockey legends right in Parry Sound! Tickets and event details are available at the Rotary Club website. This event is in support of the West Parry Sound Recreation and Cultural Centre.

Updates from Partner Associations

FOCA Benefits for LJNA Members

Membership in LJNA entitles members to several very interesting benefits including discounts on AED’s and cottage insurance. More info HERE.

Click HERE for the latest Elert from FOCA. Or sign up to receive it directly to your inbox at foca.on.ca. 

MLA Updates

Family Seedling Day has launched for 2024.  It's that season once more: time to plan for spring and order your seedlings for pick-up May 18th. You can place your orders on their website.

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. 

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