Docktalk Target Reached - 100 Cottages Visited

by Rachel O’Shea

This summer, Chandos Lake has been fortunate to be one of only five lakes in Ontario to receive a valuable gift.  Terry Rees, the Executive Director for FOCA, (The Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Association) has worked hard to receive grant monies from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Bancroft Stewardship Council to run a vital service.  This service came in the form of the shoreline environmental awareness program Docktalk.

I say this is a gift, because the health of Chandos Lake is important to every cottager, resident and community member who call it home.  Consequently, when the opportunity to join Docktalk was offered, over 100 landowners expressed interest in learning more about how to protect their valuable shoreline properties. Throughout this summer, Docktalk’s trained site visit guide, Doug Halls, journeyed to 100 cottages around the lake sharing information with landowners about sustainable living practices for waterfront properties.
The shoreline is one of the most sensitive regions of any lake.  What happens there affects the life cycles of up to 90% of the wildlife in and around the water.  Unfortunately, it is also an area that is most frequently impacted upon by human use and development.  Proper care of your shoreline will help preserve these vital habitats, prevent erosion and property loss, as well as ensure that undesirable contaminants do not reach the lake or pollute our drinking water.  It has been Docktalk’s goal to talk with landowners about such issues and address their questions and concerns about what they, themselves, can do to protect Chandos Lake.

One of the mandates of Docktalk is to reach out to the public beyond the 100 site visits.  Chandos Lake’s response was to open a Docktalk workshop booth at the Chandos Lake Regatta.  Hundreds of keen-eyed children gathered at this booth to examine samples of invasive species such as Zebra Mussels, the snake-like Sea Lamprey, and the aquatic plant, Eurasian Water Milfoil, that can clog motors making boating and swimming impossible. 
Adults benefited from the chance to see some native shoreline plants that are ideal for stopping erosion and got an opportunity to take home envelopes full of useful environmental information.

Soon, a similar booth will be erected at the Chandos Lake Corn & Weiner Roast and, later this year, we will be at the Lakeland V Conference, an environmental symposium discussing shoreline properties (Buckhorn Community Centre, Oct. 1st).  All North Kawartha residents are welcome.  Conference brochures are available in Apsley at the Municipal Office, Hunters General Store and Debi Fitzgerald Fine Arts.   Finally, I would like to extend a special thanks to everyone on Chandos Lake who volunteered their time to participate in, or help with, Docktalk this summer.  It is your community support that fuelled the success of this timely program.


The invasive species section of the Docktalk Regatta display (pictured above) attracted an inquisitive crowd.  Live samples of invasive species, collected by King Baker, Lake Steward, along with preserved specimens supplied by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters were of particular interest.   Photo by Doug Halls

A New Stage Is Set in Apsley Thanks to OTF Grant

Apsley - The Corporation of the Township of North Kawartha is pleased to announce that they have been successful in receiving a 16-month, $74,500 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.  The grant is being used to buy portable stages and seating risers that will increase the event capacity of local theatre groups and not-for-profit organizations, which will, in turn, help to enhance volunteer and employment opportunities in the community.

“I am proud to say that through the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the people of North Kawartha have a great opportunity to enhance their cultural diversity,” said Jeff Leal, MPP for Peterborough. “This grant is a major boost for the arts in our area.”

“On behalf of the citizens of North Kawartha, I would like to thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for providing this grant.” said Reeve Jim Whelan.  “The stages and seating risers will be a great asset for theatre companies as well as our local youth groups, not to mention the many other arts and cultural events that take place.  This grant will assist economic development in the area.” added Reeve Whelan.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Ministry of Culture, receives annually $100 million of government funding generated through Ontario’s charity casino initiative. 

For more information, please contact:
Gary Geraldi, Director of Parks and Recreation               
Township of North Kawartha
705-656-4922

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United Way BBQ was a Huge Success!!

by Alana Solman

On Friday, July 29, 2005 the Township of North Kawartha hosted a United Way Barbeque. It was a great success ! The Township would like to thank all their sponsors for their generous support. I would also like to thank Council and Staff members as well as the North Kawartha Youth Committee members and other community service volunteers who supported, sponsored and volunteered their time and effort to achieve a fun and successful community event. Thanks to all who participated by purchasing a tasty lunch! All the above contributed to significant net proceeds of $ 609.71 from this special event which will be donated by the Township to the Peterborough and District United Way 2005 Campaign.

Thanks again to everyone!!
     Alana Solman who made it                         Chef Deputy Reeve Warren
  happen, seen with Craig Watson                      Smith is lookin good!