The fourteenth Boatwise course  for children between the ages of  7 and 14 under the direction of Staff Commander Harold Forbes of the Canadian Power Squadron was held at the Glen Alda Community Centre on June 28 and 29. The course, offered annually since 1989 now has 567 graduates and has become a vital part of summer programming on Chandos Lake and in North Kawartha Township. A special feature of this year’s course was the inclusion of  the knowledge necessary to write and qualify for  the new Canadian Coast Guard Competency Card.

The 2 day event was  sponsored by the Canadian Power Squadron and was supported by the Chandos Lake Property Owners Association and the Township of  North Kawartha. During the graduation ceremonies special tributes were given by both Jim O’Shea, president of the Chandos Lake  Property Owners Association and by Janice Griffith, Deputy Reeve of North Kawartha Township to the Course Director, Staff Commander Harold Forbes who initiated the program fourteen years ago and has served as volunteer director since that time. 

The program included a visit and presentation by Constable Paul MacNeil  and Student Intern Keivan Hiland  of the  Marine Division of the OPP along with their new marine boat. The boat, in use this year for the first time on local lakes throughout Peterborough County was donated to the OPP by three Townships ; including Havelock Belmont Methune , Galway Cavendish Harvey and the Township of North Kawartha. Students were shown the safety and enforcement equipment used by the OPP on their lake patrols and were given first hand information on the problems and opportunities for assistance to boaters experienced by officers on lake duty.

The extensive two day program included such important subjects as; New Boating Regulations, Navigation Lights ,Required Boating Equipment, Marine Distress Signals, Life Jackets, Hypothermia, Fire Equipment, Canadian Aids to Navigation, Weather, Fuelling, Trip Planning, Charts, Water Skiing and Personal Water Craft. At the completion of the course students received a Certificate of Attendance from the Canadian Power Squadron and wrote the competency test  to qualify for the new Competency Cards now required by law in Canada.

Shown in the picture are the students watching course director Staff Commander Harold Forbes demonstrating the use of a fire extinguisher.

On June 6th Albert Degryse retired as road supervisor after nearly 14 years of service for the Township. He set a very high standard for maintaining out roads.  Over the years he has received many accolades for the fine job he did while in charge. Albert also stated that he was well supported by the  council and his staff.

Craig Watson will replace Albert as the new road supervisor