summer newsletter 2013-july - soyers lake · soyer’s lake ratepayer’s association inc. summer...

Adam EveHHThe Newsletter of the

Soyers Lake Ratepayers Association Inc.

www.soyerslake.ca

VOLUME 25 NUMBER 2 SUMMER, 2013

Soyers Lake Ratepayers Association Mission Statement: To promote and protect the recreational, cultural and environmental interests of the Soyers Lake Property Owners.

INSIDE

SLRA Inc.P.O. Box 26,

Haliburton, ON K0M 1S0

Minden Flood Relief. . . . Cover & 2

President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . 3

Reflections on Soyers Lake. . . . . 5

Haliburton Highlands Outdoor Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Lake Trout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Calling All Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Water Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Septic Systems Info. . . . . . . . . . . 8

Nature Activities . . . . . . . . . 9 & 10

Soyers Lake Events. . . . . . . . . . 11

President: Case Bassie. . . 705-286-1045

Past President: Burt Tait . . 705-457-2636

Vice-President: Kim Stamp705-457-1081

Secretary: Karen McCreight

Treasurer: Gary Moffatt . . 705-455-2956

Directors: Dave Gordon, Larry Grigg, Derrell Stamp, Burt Tait, Lynda Campbell, Mike Moffatt, Lynda Moffatt, Paul Zalan

Editor: Darlene Donovan

Communications Chair: Kim Stamp

Website: Steve McMurray

Design & Printing: Autumn Marketing

NEWSLETTER

Executive & Directors

Lake Associations Can Help! You Can Help!

he Soyers Lake Association was asked by the CHA to include the following appeal to provide relief funding to those families who have Tsuffered greatly due to the recent floods.

The CHA has been asked by the Minden Disaster Relief Committee to get the word out to all our member associations.

As many of you know our community suffered a devastating flood this April. It will take years for the community to fully rebuild. It will also take a lot of money. The most recent estimates are the damages to private homes will cost approximately $4 million. The way that the Ontario government's disaster relief program works means that the community will have to raise one third of the amount in order for the damages to be covered. Raising over $1.3 million is an enormous task for a community of this size.

This aerial view photograph of downtown Minden was taken in late April 2013 Minden Hospital looking north. Residential damage is estimated at $4 million. Damages to businesses were not included. Photo by Carol Moffatt, Warden, Haliburton County

Continued on page 2

Soyer’s Lake Ratepayer’s Association Inc. Summer 2013

Flood Victims Relief Fund

Lake Boating Laws

The human damage of this flood is hard to describe unless you have seen it first hand. Here are some pictures of this tragedy:

• The young mother of two that I spoke to who had to abandon her house on short notice and was out for over four weeks – it will take a long time for me to forget the look in her eyes.

• The 92 year old lady who has been put out of her home and will have no insurance coverage.

• The hard working fellow in Minden whose home is basically destroyed – the home was his family's life savings.

Many of the folks with the greatest damage are people of moderate to low income – some have lost all they have worked for over their lives. While some folk's insurance companies are covering some of their losses, most insurance policies do not cover damage from an externally caused flood, as in this case.

What has been done: many Lake Associations have stepped up to help. Soyers Lake was one of the first with a $1000 donation. Other associations have turned their AGM's into fundraisers – silent auctions, pass the hat, 50/50 draws etc. Maple, Beech and Cameron Assoc. raised just

Continued from page 1 over $3,000 at their May AGM. They would love it if you could beat them. Other associations are turning their annual regattas, dinners, golf tournaments etc. into fund-raisers. I would encourage each association to raise as much money as they can. You can collect cheques and cash from individuals and then submit the full amount to the fundraising committee. Any donation (cash or cheque) is eligible for a tax receipt – be sure to name the association, list all the amounts, full names and addresses of folks who wish a receipt.

Make the cheques payable to the:Township of Minden Hills Flood Relief Fund.Mail to:Township of Minden Hills,

P.O. Box 359, 7 Milne Street, Minden, Ontario,

K0M 2K0You can also arrange to make an in-person presentation

to the committee.For more info contact - Jeanne Anthon- Chair, Minden

Disaster Relief Committee - [email protected]

Summer 2013 Soyer’s Lake Ratepayer’s Association Inc.

Note From The PresidentCase Bassie

Here we are in the middle of summer again. It may have been a long time coming but it's here so let's enjoy it. At times this spring it seemed that the cold weather would never let up. The ice didn't leave the lake until the end of the third week in April. And then it rained! Lake levels were highest on record. Not once, but twice!

The Village of Minden was declared a disaster area. An extremely heavy rainfall combined with a late snow and ice melt resulted in very high water levels all through the Gull River system resulting in massive flooding in the village of Minden. The water level in Soyers Lake rose 10 to 12 inches higher than in recent times. Fortunately, property damage on Soyers was limited to destruction of some crib docks due to the ice moving with the higher water levels. There were also a higher than usual number of docks and boats floating freely around the lake. Other lakes such as Horseshoe were not so lucky.

The Township of Minden Hills has established the Minden Hills Relief Fund to collect donations to help all those in need who had been displaced from their homes or suffered heavy losses caused by the flood. Insurance

policies typically do not cover this type of flooding. Our Association has made a $1000 donation to the fund. A process is in place to ensure that all the money raised is awarded to the citizens in need and not to the

township, even though the township has also suffered significant losses and additional costs not covered in its budget. Recovery f rom th i s d i s a s t rous flooding will take a long time. A committee was established to distribute the funds col lec ted . Our member, Larry Grigg, is on that committee. Donations are still being accepted and fund raising events are still being organized. Read about them in the local papers or hear about them

on Canoe FM. You can also learn more online at “Minden Flood Center” which is on Facebook.

You have recently received a request to fill out a survey. Some of you have already responded and thank you for that. For those who haven't, I encourage you to do so as soon as possible. This is something never done before by the Association and we would really like to know what is important to you, the membership. We intend to summarize the results later this year and will report in a future newsletter. Let us know what you think. When we are dealing with the Municipal, Provincial and Federal Governments on environmental, planning and social issues, it is important that they know that we represent you and that you support us.

In this newsletter we have covered some hot topics such as septic systems, lake water conditions and fish populations. As usual, there have been lots of things happening in Haliburton and your committee of Directors have been working hard on your behalf to stay on top of the issues. Please don't hesitate to show them your appreciation when you see them out and about.

Enjoy the summer. Case Bassie

SLRA President, Case Bassie gives donation to Reeve, Barb Reid for the Minden Relief Fund. Photo by Chad Ingram, Minden Times.

Aerial photograph of Minden flood looking south. Photo by Carol Moffatt, Warden, Haliburton County

Soyer’s Lake Ratepayer’s Association Inc. 2013Summer


Reflections on Soyers Lake

July 1949 - Written by Burt Tait

Mum and Dad were looking for a cottage site and I, age eight, was part of the expedition. Our first destination was an operating open-air sawmill just east of the Allsaw Bridge.

This was not our first visit to Soyers Lake. When I was about four or five, we had a holiday at Keewaydin, when it was a lodge run by Mr.and Mrs. Arnott, Senior. Our cabin is now part of someone's cottage. Home movies remind us of playing on the beach, still there, south of the cabins. My only independent recollection is sitting on the top of the bank opposite where the diving tower was moored, waiting for Mum and Dad to return by boat from Elstone's Lakeview Lodge. They had hiked up to Mountain Lake, now called Little Soyers, for fantastic bass fishing right from the shore. We later returned several times, the fishing remained great, except if you attracted a snapping turtle.

But back to my story; from around the sawmill a very basic rowboat appeared with the bottom full of water and with a tiny egg-beater of a motor. As we putted under the bridge and through the narrows, I was assigned bailing duty with a rusty juice can. The boat leaked as fast as I bailed.

I was amazed by the towering rock on our right as we came into the lake and headed north between a beautiful pine island and the mainland. The only visible structure was a small cottage tucked in the woods, where Camp Allsaw later developed. Onward, bailing constantly, we crossed the opening for the large bay on the east side and eventually grounded on the beach, which we enjoy to this day.

We could barely move inland without a struggle. The tangle of deadfall trees made it virtually impossible to cross the base of the point. But Mum and Dad were sold. That fall a crew cut and burned for a week and in the spring of 1950

our cottage frame was built by Cliff Puffer, who also had a general store at the narrows where he served very large ice cream cones for five cents. Dad and friends pitched in with construction and Dad slowly finished the interior over several summers. He never quite finished. For the next six summers Mum looked after us all without electricity and only a hand pump drawing water from the lake. A lot or our food was shipped by freight from Eaton's. Our outhouse was a two-seater.

The beautiful pines you see today on our point and around the beach were all planted on one or two weekends in 1950; I helped. Dad bought hundreds of seedlings (red and white pines and spruce) from the Department of Lands and Forests for one cent a piece.

Time has marched on. We have added amenities. There are now six cottages on the 94 acre lot my father originally purchased. Here is to their foresight: Dr. Herbert and Alice Tait.


Haliburton Highlands Outdoor AssociationOver the past 21 years the Haliburton Highlands

Outdoors Association has been an active community based organization, promoting the outdoor sports of hunting, fishing and other outdoor interests. We work hard at improving wildlife and fish habitats in cooperation with the Ministry of Natural Resources and private landowners. We provide educational programs to our members and the public on game and fish management, safety, ethics and conservation of our natural resources.

The HHOA has developed a number of programs, the largest of which is our Fish Hatchery and Resource Centre located on 6712 Gelert Road in Haliburton. The Resource Centre is available for rental as an 80 person meeting room and its

educational displays are enjoyed by the many tour groups who visit us throughout the year.

Our hatchery operation produces an average of 40,000 fish each year for release into local waters. We also provide a soccer field, archery range, deer feed program, bass tournament club, and a variety of training courses and other programs for the community.

We employ one full time office administrator and a summer student to take care of the day to day tasks and to help coordinate fifty active volunteers.

Anyone in te res t ed in becoming a volunteer or a supporting member, please call

705-457-9664 or email [email protected].

HHOA volunteers stocking lake trout.Photo from HHOA files


P.O. Box 1277Haliburton, ONK0M 1S0

Halcom

Russ Hemphill

Phone: 705-457-3062Toll Free: 1-888-679-7162Fax: 705-457-9744E-mail: [email protected]: www.halcom.ca

Wireless or HardwiredBurglary/Smoke/FireFreeze Protection/CameraSurveillance

Call for free estimates

Security Systems

Are Lake Trout A Species at Risk?Lake Trout are found in just 1% of the lakes in Ontario.

Soyers Lake is one of the Lake Trout Lakes.At the 2011 Lakeland Conference in the Bancroft area, the representatives from the Haliburton and Bancroft lakes expressed concern with the declining numbers of lake trout in their lakes.

Lake Trout are often compared to the canary in the coal mine, whose survival and that of the miners depends on safe, noxious-gas-free air. As with the canary, the extra sensitive lake trout will not survive in water with low oxygen levels or polluted water.

Only a small percentage of Ontario lakes support lake trout because they are quite vulnerable to competition and predation from invasive fish species as well as deteriorating water quality. In general, lake trout thrive in simple fish communities and in lakes with deep, oxygen rich waters.

Lake Simcoe's lake trout population crashed 20 plus years ago because of added phosphorous and excess nutrients reaching the lake from things such as faulty septic systems, fertilizer runoff from lawns, loss of the filtering effect of former wetlands and increasing inappropriate development.

Should we be concerned in Haliburton? The Ministry of Natural Resoures (MNR) and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) certainly are, as evidenced by the fact that they have identified 32 lakes in the Haliburton area with declining oxygen levels and designated them at Capacity. Soyers Lake is not one of those lakes at this time. When a lake is determined to be at "Capacity" in a biological sense, it means that any development which has the potential to add additional phosphorous or other nutrients, directly or indirectly into the lake, will not be permitted within 300 metres of the lake.

In the Haliburton Area, for example, the holder of a Sport Fishing Licence can harvest a maximum of two lake trout per day. If you have a Conservation Licence you can only harvest one lake trout. - Good fishing!

Calling All Writers

Photography

Have you ever wanted to write an article to be published? In this newsletter we are featuring an article called “Reflections on Soyers Lake.” It tells the story of one family's life on the lake. We would like to include articles like this as a regular feature. Please, don't be shy! We welcome stories of all kinds that reflect the unique experiences of life on Soyers Lake. Submit all articles to the editor at [email protected] .

Submit your best pictures of the Soyers Lake environment attn. newsletter editor and we will post them on our website and print the best ones in our newsletters. Submit to dar lenedonovan@sympat ico .ca or info@soyerslake


The quality of our lake water is greatly impacted by how well we manage our septic systems. Here are some tips to keep our septic systems functioning smoothly and, hence, to help maintain the pristine nature of the “lake we love”.Septic Tips

A septic system functions on the principle of digestion of organic materials by bacteria. In the septic tank enzymes break the bonds of compounds, resulting in a simple feed that bacteria then metabolize, converting waste into mostly water, carbon dioxide, mineral ash and more bacteria. Clean, clear effluent then flows out of the tank and into the tile bed (leaching field) where the effluent percolates into the soil. The more efficient the system operates the less pollution goes into the environment. The more bacteriological activity in the septic tank the better the effluent.

The 2 secrets to septic health and minimizing lake pollution are: Time and Bacteria Bacteria –1. Never let anything go down the drain that will kill the

bacteria in your system a.) Bleach – use a non-chlorine bleach instead b).Anti-

Bacterial Products – ban them from your house and cottage c.) Commercial Dishwasher Detergent that contains

bleach. One load of dishes using a commercial detergent can kill all the good bacteria in your system for up to 70

Water QualityLarry Grigg & Dave Gordon

hoursd.) Dishwasher Rinse Aids – use lemon juice insteade.) Cream Cleansers – most have bleachf.) Drain Cleaners – use Eco Ethic Septic Treatment

insteadg). Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaners – blue is not green

2. If soap, toilet paper or grease (bacon & eggs anyone) get down your drain – use Eco Ethic Septic Treatment once a month to provide your system with the correct bacteria and enzymes to digest these items

3. If your system is sometimes not used for weeks or even months at a time –when you arrive back the 1st thing you should do is flush 2 cups of Eco Ethic Septic Treatment down your drain to kick start your system

4. Never use a garburetorTime

Your system needs as much time as you can give it to digest the waste you put in before the next load of water arrives. Remember – one drop in = one drop out of your system. You give it the time by Minimizing Water Use and Spreading It Out Over Time – some tips below

a.) Try not to do any more than 1 load of laundry per day. b.) Keep showers short and use a low flow shower head.c.) Use every opportunity to use less water when doing

regular activities.d.) Get a licensed septic pumper to pump out both sides

Rob Davis is one of the most sought after speakers in Ontario. To get Rob to speak at your lake association meeting there is currently a 3 year wait.

Now you won't have to wait! Rob's very popular presentation is now available as a video.

Rob is one of Ontario's leading experts on Septic Systems – which are the # 1 polluter of our lakes. Rob makes “Poop Talk” entertaining!Quotes from People Who Have Heard Rob Speak:

“I could see this presentation every single year and still learn more and be entertained – great”

“Rob's presentation “Blew My Mind” – I had no idea about most of this stuff “

Septic Systems: A Must See VideoEntertaining and Information

“Everyone should see this video” “Watching Rob speak is Simply Captivating”

In a joint venture with the Haliburton Highlands Stewardship Council, the Coalition of Haliburton Property Owners Associations worked with Highland Media Arts to make this video available to anyone who wants to see it. It is the 1st in The Lake Protector Video Series

You can view it at www.cohpoa.org, click the video tab.

Article provided by

Please remember to support our advertisers. Their support enables us to

recover the cost of bringing you this informative and educational newsletter

while keeping our membership costs very low.


TOP TEN FAMILYNATURE ACTIVITIES TO DO AT THE COTTAGE

When my family comes to the cottage we all love the view of the lake, building sand castles, jumping off the rock, and sitting by the camp fire. We especially like to look for wildlife like deer, loons, flying squirrels, and the occasional (or completely elusive) moose. Of course, if you really use your senses, there is an explosion of nature activity all around the cottage. Here are our top ten family nature-based activities:

1. Rainbow Chips: On the drive up stop at the hardware store. Pick up a handful of paint sample colour cards. Include all the colours of the rainbow and as many shades of green as possible. When the moment strikes, find matches in colour to each paint chip out in nature. This is a great fall activity, but also doable in the summer and spring. For an extended rainy day activity, use the paint chips and the objects to create a collage.

2. Camouflage: My favourite! Choose one person to be 'it'. This person can be a fox, or a great Horned Owl, or any local predator. Everybody else is prey (deer or mouse). The predator stands in one spot and closes his/her eyes. The prey are given 20 seconds (counted slowly and out loud) to hide. At twenty the predator calls “Camouflage” and opens his eyes. Staying in one spot and turning around in circles, the predator tries to see as many people as possible. The prey that is the best at surviving is the one who remains uncaught and who is closest to the owl!

3. Snapshot: It's all a matter of perspective! This is a slow activity that involves taking turns. One person puts on a blindfold and is safely led to a photo-shot. When their back is tapped, the person is allowed to open their eyes for five seconds and look straight ahead. They are then led back to the place where they started from. The blindfolded person now gets to guess where they took the 'picture' from. This is often harder than you might think, but certainly gives you an appreciation of all the unique things found in your cottage backyard.

4. My own Tree: This is an advanced version of

snapshot where the blindfolded person (or the explorer) can only use their other senses to get an 'image' of what natural object they are being shown by their guide. They are lead back to the starting point and must use their sensory memory to find the object. (don't rule out giving it a taste)

5. Nature Scavenger Hunt: This is a simple activity that can be done dozens of times by changing the list to be found and doing it in different seasons. It is best done as a whole family. A sample list is: a spider's web, a frog, a bird's nest, three types of insects, a fungus, four different types of trees, and a chipmunk.

6. Mini City's Nature Reporters: This is a combination of two activities. The first is to use shoelaces or straws (kebab sticks could work too) to define an area on the forest floor. Tell the kids in your family to imagine something the size of the nail on their pinky finger living in that space… Where do they sleep? What do they eat? Do they have any friends? Leave them alone to draw that space or write about all the different things the little creature can do in that space… Or hand out some toothpicks so that they can

create their own t h i n g s f o r t h e creature to use (bed, boat, dock, kitchen).

7 . N a t u r e Symphony: Get the whole family to quietly (no talking) g o o u t s i d e a n d spread out. Each person stays outside until they have heard three nature sounds.

When everybody is back take turns imitating the sound and try to figure out what made the sound.

8. This is a Stone: A fantastic game of creativity, imagination, and cooperation. Everybody will get a chance to lead. The leader goes into the cottage's backyard and finds a natural object. She/he comes back to the group and introduces the object by telling the group what it is. If they bring back a stone, they will say “This is a stone”. While taking turns and listening to one another the other participants will come up with other ideas. They'll say “Thank you for finding a stone, but I think this is a _____ (a meteorite, a piece of antler, a miniature turtle shell,

Continued on page 10


something else from nature). Once a few laughs are had, another leader can go find a different natural object.

9. Sky Drawings: Give everyone some paper and something to draw with. While lying on their back they'll draw a picture of the sky through the trees. The product of these pictures is amazing, especially in black and white… and provides a whole new reason to look up.

10. Green Hour: The simplest but most important activity idea. Make the "green hour" a new family tradition. Give your children a daily green hour (ten minutes for younger children and then lengthen the time as they get older), a time for unstructured play and interaction with the natural world. Imagine a map with your cottage in the center. Draw ever-widening circles around it, each representing a successively older child's realm of experience

There are lots of activities and ways to connect with nature – especially nature that you're familiar with and comfortable in. All of these activities, and more, can be found at : http://www.childrenandnature.org/

From the staff at the Kinark Outdoor Center and the 'No Child Left Inside Initiative' Check us out at www.koc.on.ca.

FAMILY NATURE ACTIVITIES

Continued from page 9

Sunset on Soyers - Photo by Darlene Donovan


www.soyerslake.ca for the newest and up-to-date information.

Support The Lake You Love

Check Out Our Website

Summer Happenings

Annual General Meeting: Saturday, July 6, 2013 at 10:00 amThe Fish Hatchery, County Road 1. Your attendance is requested, please plan to attend.

The 2013 Annual Bass Fishing Derby is again being held for the kids of our members. The Derby will begin on Opening Day of Bass Fishing Season and will end at the Corn Roast. Fish must be caught in Soyers Lake. We promote “Catch and Release” and in order to accomplish this you will bring to the Corn Roast pictures of your longest bass with a clearly visible tape measure lying along its length. The fish will be judged on length alone. Enjoy fishing!

Soyers Lake Bass Derby

Soyers Lake Golf Get Together - Saturday July 20 - 4 p.m.

Fun Sail – Saturday, August 3, 2013 @ 2:00pm

Soyers Lake Corn Roast: Saturday August 17, 2013 @ 5:00 p.m.

NINE and DINE is being held at the Blairhampton Golf Club. We have changed the format this year to more of a straight golf/social event and shortened the golf to nine holes so it is less of a time commitment. The cost of the golf is $29.00 plus HST per person, including the cart. Meal choices after golf will be off of the menu, unless we get a large turnout in which case we will go with a preset menu such as chicken on a bun with fries or salad. The cost using a preset menu is estimated at $10.00 per person. If you wish to participate in this fun event and socialize with some of your Soyers Lake neighbours, contact Derrell or Kim Stamp at 705-457-1081 to register.

This is not a highly competitive race but a sail in which fun is had by all. The assembly point will be the North end of the lake. The “No Wind” date is Sunday August 4 at 2:00 p.m.

It is a fun time for family and friends. Please mark your calendar and come out to meet your neighbours, directors and lake association members.

Remember to pay your SLRA membership dues of only $35.00 and support the Lake you Love! Your dues ensure that our voices are heard on important local and provincial government issues.

Send your cheque to Box 26, Haliburton, On K0M 1S0. Your Lake thanks you!!


P.O. Box 841Haliburton, ON K0M 1S0

Direct: 705-935-1085Office: 705-457-2128 ext. 24

[email protected]

“Y”Neighbour

our Soyers Lake

Kim StampBroker

“Reputation for Results”

Masters Hall of Fame

~Centurion Honour Society

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