Jack's Lake Association

Boathouses and Gypsy Moths - see our latest postings: www.jackslakeassociation.ca/boathouses www.jackslakeassociation.ca/2020-gypsy-moth-follow-up

Greetings Jack's Lake Enthusiasts! The Summer 2021 issue of JLA's magazine, Smoke Signals, is currently underway. As is tradition, we are having a photo contest! The theme of this Summer's issue is "Reconnection" - so we want your photos that show your unique connection to our lake community. If you are interested in entering the contest and having your photos featured in the magazine please submit them before March 31st - either by posting them in the comments onto this thread, or by emailing them to [email protected] with the subject line: Summer 2021 Photo Contest. *While we welcome photographs from all JL visitors, in order to be eligible to win a prize from the JLA your family must be a current member.*

Jack's Lake is #1 on Ontario Nature's list! Consider the "What Can You Do?" section at the bottom: https://storymaps.arcgis.com//d7c44e27e6724a1a83444c1d1359

Fri Jan 15th is the last day to let us know if you would like to assist the Smoke Signals magazine team as either Editor, copy/design assistance, or ad sales. We're aiming to get started on the next issue! https://www.jackslakeassociation.ca/jla-is-recruiting-for-/

A Reminder that our Service Delivery Review Survey Closes January 8, 2021. The Township of North Kawartha is conducting a Service Delivery Review to improve th...e understanding of the services currently provided. Please complete the survey to have your say and you could win a $250.00 gift certificate for a local business. The survey closes January 8, 2021. Access the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NorthKawartha Please read our news item for more details. https://www.northkawartha.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx See more

Dear Lakers; Thank you for respecting the privacy of the Sayers family while they have come to terms with their new reality. I've been asked to share their stat...ement with you all. "We want to thank you for all the support we have received since the devastating fire that took our store. Sayers Foods is more than a business; it has been our family’s life for three generations. We are proud to be part of our wonderful community and so grateful to everyone who has reached out with a kind word and offers of help. We also appreciate the space we have been given to come to terms with the circumstances and focus on working with our insurance companies on our path forward. The Ontario Fire Marshal's Office was notified of the fire due to the cost that was lost and the impact it has on the community. Through discussion with the Fire Department, the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office decided they would not be attending as nothing suspicious was reported. Through investigation, the fire cause has been classified as "undetermined". As we look ahead, we want you to know that we are fully committed to rebuilding our store, supporting our employees, and continuing to be a part of our community. We don’t know all of the answers yet but will update you via our facebook page as soon as we know more. In the meantime, we ask that you refer to the Township’s helpful video updates and messages on their website and on Facebook. Until Sayers Foods is open again, there are several resources available to residents to access food. These include free transportation to Bancroft No Frills through Community Care, a free holiday curbside pickup program from the Peterborough Superstore, and food assistance from the North Kawartha Food Bank. We hope everyone stays safe and healthy this holiday season and look forward to a brighter year in 2021. "

Response updates after the fire at Sayers Foods in Apsley As you probably know, Sayers Foods was totally destroyed by fire in the early hours of Saturday morning, December 5th. The loss is huge for Apsley and the surrounding Community.... NK's SUPPORT PAGE IN RESPONSE TO SAYERS FIRE The Township of North Kawartha is updating their response page every few days. This response page contains: - news links and NK news releases on the latest developments, - how you can request foodbank, financial, and transportation services, - how you can donate to Community Care Peterborough specifically to assist with the above, - details on other partner organizations providing services, - information regarding several generous programs for conveniently purchasing groceries over the holidays and beyond. www.northkawartha.ca//support-in-response-to-sayers-fire.a NK MAYOR'S MESSAGES The Mayor of North Kawartha, Ms Carolyn Amyotte, also frequently provides personal video updates at: www.northkawartha.ca/en/our-council/mayors-message.aspx Please check the above two links frequently! Information is also posted on bulletin boards outside the Apsley Post Office and in front of the ATM. DONATION FROM JACK'S LAKE ASSOCIATION Jack's Lake Association has donated $500 to Community Care to assist with this situation.

The Economic Development Co-operative of North Kawartha (EDCNK) met virtually with the Sayers family, the Mayor, Township CAO and various community leaders on S...unday Dec 6, 2020 to begin formulating a community response and action plan to deal with the loss of Sayers Foods, Apsley and North Kawartha’s only grocery store. The immediate outpouring of support from so many has been overwhelming and humbling. A task force has been created to mobilize volunteers and donations through the North Kawartha Food Bank and Community Care. For immediate food insecurity: please call the North Kawartha Food Bank at: (705) 656-1748 and for any assistance with shopping and/or transportation please call Community Care at (705) 656-4589. Thank you again for your support and kindness.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/apsley-sayers-fire-relief

JLA is seeking volunteers for our renowned publication, Smoke Signals! Editor, content work, advertising. Please see details at: www.jackslakeassociation.ca/jla-is-recruiting-for-smoke-sig

Please urge Ontario to respect PSWs Given the immense benefits that Provincially Significant Wetlands (PSWs) provide flood mitigation, water filtration, carbon sequestration, recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat and more provincial policy rightly prohibits development on those that are evaluated and deemed to be provincially significant. Jack's Lake depends on PSW designations to protect the lake ... for fish, for wildlife, and for us.... Unfortunately, developers and some members of municipal councils have found a new way to circumvent wetland protections: MZOs. This tool, allows the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to ignore provincial policy, bypass municipal planning processes and directly zone land for pet projects. The Minister does not have to give notice or consult with the public prior to issuing an MZO and there is no opportunity for appeal. In our case, this could completely circumvent Jack's Lake protection by the current PSW status. Please join Ontario Nature in urging the Government of Ontario to respect and uphold protections for PSWs and to stop its misuse of MZOs. - More explanation and submission link is at https://ontarionature.good.do/psws/email - Use your Jack's Lake address, or just Apsley, ON to find our MPP, Dave Smith - Enter name and email address This takes about 1 minute. Thank you! JLA

A Jack's Laker has told us they had to assist a large buck by cutting him loose from a hammock. This buck was approx 250 pounds, and his getting stuck could have been fatal! Please avoid leaving wildlife-unfriendly hazards outside ... especially when you are away.

Please help re confirming need for decent Internet up here - last day! https://www.jackslakeassociation.ca/opportunity-re-new-ptb/

2020 Lake Stewards Newsletter is now available. Intro: https://www.jackslakeassociation.ca/2020-lake-stewards-new/ Direct link: https://foca.on.ca/2020-lake-stewards-newsletter/

Peterborough County is asking for input re your Internet needs on the Lake - now is our chance (today til Wednesday)! See details at: https://www.jackslakeassociation.ca/opportunity-re-new-ptb/

Dear Jack Lakers - JLA is totally sorry for offending with a specific comment in our recent eblast. No offence intended; we thought a little alliteration, rhyming and levity in an otherwise long dry email would be fun, but in the bigger picture, it wasn't. Any other issues or comments regarding JLA direction, please remember [email protected] is open for you, or you can PM us on Facebook. We would LOVE to hear from you, really!

Please help re confirming need for decent Internet up here - last day! https://www.jackslakeassociation.ca/opportunity-re-new-ptb/

The JLA Board has shared information about our upcoming AGM and Call for Nominations with JLA Members. If you are interested in participating in the virtual AGM and perhaps putting your or a fellow Member's name forward for a JLA position, please join the JLA as a new Member, or renew your Membership. You can you can go to the website, www.jackslakeassociation.ca to pay the $50.00 membership fee using Visa or Mastercard. Click on the button Become a Member on the home pag...e. \ Or you can contact our amazingly diligent Membership Director, Ruth Davenport at [email protected] for payment by cheque. Your membership must be registered with payment in full by October 4th, 5:00 pm EST if you wish to receive an invitation to the virtual AGM on October 8th. Once your membership is confirmed, we'll be happy to send you an invite to JLA's first ever 'virtual' AGM, in addition to Candidate Nomination information. See full details at: www.jackslakeassociation.ca/notice-of-2020-agm-call-for-nom

We are presently looking into possible formats for a virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) sometime this Fall. Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations (FOCA) has given us some guidance in this area. Please send JLA any questions you have that you would normally like addressed at the AGM. Forward questions to any Director you wish (contact info in Smoke Signals), or email to [email protected] We would like to answer as many of your questions as we can before the AGM. We will share the questions and answers with all of you in a few weeks.

JLA is pleased to announce that our Chief Buoys & Lights coordinators - Glen & Diane Painter - have placed a new flashing navigation light on the larger set of hidden/exposed rocks in Williams Bay.

Seeing lots of these on birch tree leaves these days? Here's what they are and how to get rid of them. https://bugwiz.com/get-rid-of-sawflies/

As a member of the Peterborough Field Naturalist and a lifer on Jack’s Lake, each year I participate in the Petroglyph Butterfly Count. This usually occurs the 3rd Saturday in July. I would like to share with you the final results of the count (www.jackslakeassociation.ca/21st-petroglyphs-butterfly-count) and a few pictures taken. I hope you find this interesting and opens your eyes to these beautiful creatures. Ruth Davenport

Melody McLean, a Bear Management Technician with the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry, Bancroft District has reached out with some good reminders for our area. www.ontario.ca/page/prevent-bear-encounters-bear-wise

Seeing lots of these on birch tree leaves these days? Here's what they are and how to get rid of them. https://bugwiz.com/get-rid-of-sawflies/

Help us get better Internet access for everybody on the lake! As schools, workplaces, stores, government services and community events move online, a whopping 59% of rural households across Canada still don’t have access to reliable high-speed Internet (50/10 mbps) and that certainly includes Jack’s Lake. During these COVID times, and surely beyond, we now have multiple breadwinners and multiple students all working from home at the same time. It’s time to speed things up!... https://www.jackslakeassociation.ca/help-us-get-better-int/

www.facebook.com/Apsley-Autumn-Studio-Tour-1481707265409094

Quarry Update - Here is an update with facts about the ongoing proposed quarry. As we reported in Smoke Signals, the prospector's Exploration Permit was due to expire this June. However, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) is now allowing extensions on existing Claim Permits for up to one year to compensate them for COVID related challenges. The prospector, William Brown, prior to the permit expiry date of June 28th, applied for an extension which is current...ly under consideration by the MNDM. This extension could give the prospector an extra year for exploration activities, if granted. Pending the MNDM's decision, Mr. Brown's claim is deemed "Active. He hasn't gone away. JLA continues to work with First Nations, Ontario Nature, and a number of other agencies, as communicated to our members in Smoke Signals and through e-blasts, to protect our lake from industry. We will continue to do our best to keep you apprised of any concrete information and progress. Your Jack's Lake Association. This same update appears at: www.jackslakeassociation.ca/quarry-update-20200702

Fish Die-Off on Jack's Lake PLEASE REPORT YOUR OBSERVATIONS !!! Over the past 12-15 days, there have been several reports of dead fish in various parts of Jack Lake.... This information has been reported to the local office of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and they have asked that we continue to report any observations specifically the following: - Date(s) that dead fish were observed. - Where on the lake were dead fish seen; was there more than one location on the lake? - What species were involved in the fish kill? - How many dead fish were seen at each/every site? - Have there been any signs of abnormalities or illness on the observed dead fish? - Was there any obvious cause for the fish kill observed? - Name(s) of observers Please copy/paste the bullets above and fill in to report your observations (and any photos you may have) to Steven Kerr at: [email protected] Thank you!

SMOKE SIGNALS - SUMMER 2020 (V2) Welcome to our first ever DIGITAL version of Smoke Signals - Summer 2020. Click here to read: https://drive.google.com//1anu3MdoZnMQOtjY2VhDk4HMfNUR1EVtk... The PDF at this link is 26MB - you might want to download it only once and save the file for ongoing reading. This issue is ALL digital; there will be no paper version this time. Enjoy! Since Summer 2020 is our first digital version, we have placed it freely available here. Since Smoke Signals is a membership magazine, we are evaluating making future Smoke Signals issues (digital and paper) available only to JLA members - so please become and stay a current member!

Petition for High-speed Internet As schools, workplaces, stores, government services and community events move online, a whopping 59% of rural households across Canada still don’t have access to reliable high-speed (50/10 Mbps) Internet and that certainly includes Jack’s Lake. The federal government has committed to connect everyone by 2030, but that will still leave thousands of households out of the 21st century economy for another decade.... We now have multiple breadwinners and multiple students all working from home at the same time. It’s time to speed things up! Open Media is coordinating a petition to the Government of Canada and they just announced they need to complete it tomorrow. Therefore please, RIGHT NOW, go to this link below, enter your name, email address, preferably your local Jack Lake phone number, and your Jack Lake postal code, K0L 1A0. https://action.openmedia.org/page/60361/petition Thank you!