LWCA Quarterly

This summer we've seen lots of events happening on the lake, some business-like (AGM, Maker's Market, dock sale) and some completely for fun (teen meet-ups, docktails, Bass n Gals). These events have all been organized by Weslemkoon cottagers and LWCA directors, demonstrating a vibrant and energetic community at our lake. It's fantastic to see these types of events organized, since they provide opportunities to meet new people, and build community.

If you have 10 minutes, we'd like to hear from you! What has stood out to you about the summer of 2023? What can the LWCA do better? Click here to head to the survey.

Another successful event was our annual AGM. This year it was held at Four Loons Marina on August 13th. Many thanks to Andrew Colbeck for hosting, providing signage and having electrical all set for us. We appreciate you Andrew!

We were very fortunate that the AGM went off without a hitch; we had 75+ members in attendance, interesting discussions, excellent food, and no downpour. We recognize that many members were unable to attend. Minutes of the AGM can be found here.

In this photo Alison Myles is being welcomed to the Order of the Cockeyed Loons. Congratulations to Alison! There were three others who were invited to join the order, but they were not present at the meeting: Andrew Colbeck, Diane Morden, Mary Gunter. We'll get them flapping next year!

So far we have received 54 orders for a Lake Book. We need 250 orders to make a print run. Please ask friends and family if they'd like a copy. The cost is $150 per hardcover book.

If you'd like to order, complete this google form.

Coming up this fall is a zoom presentation on succession planning led by Peter Lillico, an Estate Planning Lawyer based out of Peterborough ON. The presentation is hosted by FOCA (Federation of Cottagers' Associations).

Succession planning is a process in which "an agreement is made that describes how a cottage will be shared, managed and passed on to future generations of family members." (Fraserlawfirm.com) If you have a family cottage where ownership is likely to change from one family member to another, you will find this session to be invaluable. This will be an introductory session on succession planning with an overview of legal, family and tax considerations.

IMPORTANT: We need each person to register officially, through FOCA. If you have not already done so, please click here to register. Make sure that you indicate our Association Affiliation (LWCA).

In August Lynne and Will Vegter rehabilitated a raven that Will found while out on their trail. She was near the water where she appeared to be starving to death, her feet tied up with tightly wound fishing line.

When Will brought her home, Lynne made space in their screened in room and hand fed her on the first day. By day 2 she was eating by herself and was shy of them. Lenore, as she was named, ate every day a smorgasbord of fresh sunfish, various beans and chickpeas, tuna and meat (lots of proteins). She drank and perched on Lynne's boot scraper, where she could clean her beak.

By day 3 they opened the door, put food out on the drive and she stayed all day and ate. Will brought her back in at night and she calmly rested. This continued until day 5 when she flew away. Now she visits them from time to time, and sits in one of the perches that Will made for her. Ravens are intelligent creatures and have a great memory.

Please try to retrieve fishing line as it is deadly for birds and water creatures. Be a responsible angler.

We have 20 teams who are currently participating in the Goosechase! Each team has been working on completing fun missions in the Weslemkoon Summer Challenge. As each mission is completed and answers / photos are submitted, the teams have been awarded points (e.g., 200 points for Take a Hike to Mink Lake, 600 points for Get Published in the Loon Call). As of the publication date of this newsletter, Mackie the Dog has 3500 points, a slim lead over Danch's Den with 3300 points.

There have been several spot prizes over the summer months: Mackie the Dog won reusable beeswax wraps, Team Carmar won some maple syrup. At the end of the Thanksgiving weekend, the grand prize will be awarded to the team with the most points.

If you are interested in joining the chase, it's not too late! All you have to do is download the app "Goosechase", click on "continue as a guest" and add the join code: V8WEEL. Then click on "let's go!". You'll be asked for a password, which is Loony. The final task is to add your player name. We suggest a cottage team name here, which everyone in your camp will use when they log in. Done!

In 2019, the McGrath family entered and won the pirate themed treasure hunt. They had entered two teams - one all boys and the other all girls. The boys’ team won (Josh and Robert, Cole, Ethan and Ben) but Jessica (Josh’s wife) ended up organizing this year’s fantastic hunt. The McGrath family (and friends) were incredibly organized and enthusiastic leaders.

The theme that the McGraths planned for this year’s hunt was Olympic decathlon. This was designed around “minute to Win it”. Essentially, the teams participated in ten events (see action shots below). There was also an Olympics themed trivia question at each event, the results of which became a tiebreaker for the win.

The team that won was Myles team, led by Alison and Perry Myles, and supported by Ian Mackenzie and Paul Norris. Congratulations! We're looking forward to seeing what you plan for us next year.

It's not too late to begin searching around your cabin and property for representations of letters that can be put together to spell WESLEMKOON.

For example, an "O" could be a woodpecker hole, a cookie you baked or your fire pit. A "W" could be some pick-up sticks that fell in an annoying shape.

Get your family to start searching and snapping a photo of each letter. Send in what you have! The family with the most letters sent in will win a prize. If we get some great photos, we might just reproduce the final "WESLEMKOON" photo art into something functional, like a tea towel or a poster. Who knows?

You have until the end of Thanksgiving weekend! Submit your photos on our Facebook page, or email to info@weslemkoon.com

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) reached out to the LWCA in August to let us know about an exciting project that has been happening in our neighbourhood.

Currently the NCC is working to protect and care for more than 10,000 hectares in Hastings county, south of Bancroft. The project is known as the "Hastings Wildlife Junction". (Click on the map to the right to enlarge. You'll see that this area is just south of Lake Weslemkoon)

The area provides habitat for a variety of species like eastern wolf, black bear, moose, and several species of rare birds and turtles. The property's features also provide essential ecosystem services that will play an important role in helping slow the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss.

The NCC has raised over 90% of the funds required for the Hastings Wildlife Junction project. Recently the Alan & Patricia Koval Foundation has come forward and offered to match new donations till Sept 30 (up to $250,000). If you would like to make a donation, visit Donate to Hastings Wildlife Junction.

If you transport your boat home or to a storage location at the end of the season, don't forget to "Clean, Drain & Dry" the hull of your boat as you leave. This prevents the spread of invasive species.

For more information, check out FOCA's page on this issue.

Email: Info@weslemkoon.com
Website: http://www.weslemkoon.com
Location: Weslemkoon Lake, Ontario, Canada
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1847905442182189/