Volume 52 Number 4 Fall 2022
RBC Dominion Securities Inc. RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC Wealth Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. ©2019 RBC Dominion Securities Inc. All rights reserved. 19_90783_N4D_001 In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. – John Muir The Darcy Zaporzan Wealth Management Group of RBC Dominion Securities www.dzwmg.comTheDARCY Zaporzan WEALTH MANAGEMENT GROUP of RBC Dominion Securities
32
LOWDKids in the wild and the classroom 53
2012
Water levels: Extreme weather & water levels—the shape of things to come? 22
In the eye of the beholder—bird window collision prevention 46
That’s no lady (bug)! 41
Flowering rush update: The battle has begun 25
46 Living
Treading wisely: Resolutions for renewal 50
Notes from Razberry Lane: Alternatives and other thoughts 51
LOWWSF: Foundation drafts framework for a Canadian phosphorus management plan for Rainy River and Lake of the Woods 44
it
54 Mudilicious: The Magic of Mud by Jacob Rodenburg & Drew Monkman 56 Services Real Estate Listings 56 Classifieds 57 Home & Cottage Services 58 Advertisers’ Directory 59 60 No panic, no screams by Lori Nelson
1Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association LOWDSA
LOWDSA through the years: to by Leanne Fournier bass fishing: As good as gets by Jeff Gustafson
LakeSmart summer recap & new initiatives 8
In this issue
Summer photo contest 6
Town Island forest and shoreline now protected for the future 28
41 Environment
Environmental10stewardship in changing and challenging times 15
President's Message 3
Cover photo by Kim Pirie-Milko
3 LOWDSA
Executive Director's Note 4
Our Contributors 5
22 In the District
What does it mean to be a LOWDSA member?
What can I do to protect my local fresh water supply? 43
Member recipe: Wild Rice Soup 49
2021
38 Fall
213 Main Street South, Kenora, ON | 807-468-3747 | century21kenora.com 104-471 Lakeview Drive $325,000 87 Rocky Point Drive $700,000 668 Airport Road $315,000 16 Au Lac Retreats Crescent $339,000 69 Lily Pad Bay $1,550,000 1137 Ninth Street North $264,900 55 Darlington Trail $649,900 7 Red Pine Ridge Road $1,200,000 2-10 McKenzie Portage Road 36 Cambrian Drive $339,900$800,000 Lot 130 Second Street $229,900 926 Park Street $230,000 2-35 Poplar Bay $980,000 149 Riverbend Lane $684,900 INDEPENDANTLY OWNED AND OPERATED SOLD SOLDSOLDNARROWSSIOUXMIDDLELAKENEW LOTW NEW FEATURED FEATURED LOTW REDDITT UPGRADESMANYSOLD
Kelli has decided to step down as coordinator of the International Watershed Program. In her career with LOWWSF, Kelli has provided unparallelled professionalism on both a local and international level. Her work on the International Joint Water Commission led to recommendations to authorize and establish an international watershed board that would study nutrient enrichment, invasive species and ground water contamination. We will miss Kelli’s presence on LOWWSF and wish her every success.
FAREWELL TO PATRICK PAULO
President's Message
On a sad note, our friend and board member, Mark Fenny (aka Captain Mark) passed away on July 9 at Granite Lake. As a youngster, Mark fell in love with lake life at Camp Stephens. In 1972, Mark and his wife Gloria, built their dream cottage at Granite Lake. It was Mark’s “happy place” where everyone was welcome. For Mark, the lake was about friendship and being together. As a Director, Mark’s wisdom and professionalism were incredibly important assets to our association. He will be missed. On behalf of LOWDSA, our sincerest sympathies go out to Mark’s family and friends.
Garth Collier
3Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association LOWDSA
and a boat supply shortage prevented our LakeSmart team from doing dock visits on Lake of the Woods this year—but they adjusted as they always do, visiting smaller lakes and road access properties.
We fulfill our mission and values by continuing to provide up to date information based on best practices and to facilitate discussion amongst relevant groups. As a board of volunteers, we are active in government and environmental affairs. We strive to keep members current and informed.
As the summer fades into fall, we will continue to be your eyes and ears. Thanks for your support throughout the spring and summer. We look forward to connecting with you in our next edition of the Area News.
As many of you may have already heard, Patrick Paulo is stepping down from his role as Executive Director. During his time, and particularly having joined us during the COVID era, Patrick has made great contributions to the LOWDSA community. We especially appreciate his efforts in helping us navigate through this very challenging time. We would like to thank Patrick for his skillful contributions to LOWDSA and wish him well in his future endeavours.
IN MEMORIAM
CONGRATULATIONS TO KELLI SAUNDERS
GARTH COLLIER
To kick off the season, Patrick and I worked with Megan Dokuchie and Josh Nelson, from Waves: The City of Kenora Podcast, to discuss our initiatives on an episode titled, “All About LOWDSA.” Check it out at tinyurl.com/yywayjpb. It was lots of fun. Thanks Megan and UnprecedentedJosh!high water
Despite the challenges that Mother Nature has thrown at us, it has been a very busy and successful summer.
In the bigger picture, future issues that confront us will be challenging and controversial. All have three dimensions in common: environmental, political, and economic. The twinning of Highway 17, the proposed nuclear waste site in Ignace and the Forestry Management Plan are good examples of challenges that confront our membership.
Additionally, Cassidy Mazur, our Education and Outreach Manager, has been instrumental in developing and implementing school based and LOWDKids programs. We are fortunate to have Cassidy as part of our team. Her position is a role we are sharing with the International Institute for Sustainable Development- Experimental Lakes Area. We are proud of this partnership as well as the one we share with the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation (LOWWSF).
Congratulations to Environment Program Coordinator Brie McCardle, and our 2022 LakeSmart Stewardship Technicians Seanna Cyncora and Ethan Belrose for their excellent work in delivering quality programming throughout the area.
The role that LOWDSA plays is reflected in our mission and vision statements. Our vision is that “the Lake of the Woods region remains one of the most beautiful places on earth for present and future generations to enjoy.” Our mission is that “LOWDSA engages and educates for environmental sustainability in the Lake of the Woods region.”
Advertising: Deb Polakoff, deb@areanewsmagazine.ca
DISTRIBUTION & MEMBERSHIP
The warm weather of summertime and the activities create a buzz that is ever present when enjoying time at the lake. This year was rather unique, as high water levels really changed how we operated the LakeSmart program.
Publication mail agreement #43107013. Printed in Canada. © 2022 LOWDSA. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without prior written consent. Statements of fact or opinion are the responsibility of the author and may not represent the view of LOWDSA or Wake Marketing Inc.
Membership renewal season is here. You can expect your renewal form in the mail or see page 21. This year, we are bringing back the “refer a friend” campaign. When your friend signs up, you will both be entered in a draw to win a unique, limited quantity LOWDSA paddle.
PUBLISHED BY
Another summer has come to an end. If I had to describe how the summer went by in one single word, I would have to say—fast. Almost too fast. With every change of the season and each magical issue of Area News, there is so much to speak to, yet this Executive Director's note always seems to catch me by surprise.
Editor: Leanne Fournier, editor@areanewsmagazine.ca
PATRICK PAULO
LOWDSA Lake of the Woods Area News Fall 20224
To best capture the spirit of the summer and LOWDSA's 60th Anniversary, we've rolled out a photo contest. We asked you to show us your best summer photos this year, and you did not disappoint! If you haven't already looked through some of the images captured, I'd highly recommend you check out the photo contest results on page 6.
Patrick Paulo
Wake Marketing Inc., 140 Main St. S., Kenora, ON P9N 1S9
The Lake of the Woods area and LOWDSA’s activities take place in the territory of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3 and the traditional homelands of the Métis Nation of Ontario. The beautiful lakes, shorelines, and environment that we enjoy should be respected for their cultural significance and history.
Lake of the Woods Area News is published five times per year and is mailed to LOWDSA members. To receive Area News visit lowdsa.com and become a member today.
Publisher: Mike Greaves, mike@areanewsmagazine.ca
TOLL-FREE 1-888-265-9784 PHONE (807) 468-8715
Executive Director's Note
Be sure to read our summer highlights and reflections from the LakeSmart team in the following pages. I'd be remiss if I didn't give an extraordinary thanks to Brie McCardle, LOWDSA's Environment Program Coordinator, who planned a spectacular summer and delivered many of our programs.
Design & Layout: Mike Newton, Ashley Pereira
As the fall season is kicking into gear, your LOWDSA team and Board of Directors remain hard at work to continue enhancing our programs and services. Be on the lookout for special LOWDSA presentations at smaller lakes, online webinars regarding water quality and lake levels, in addition to our enhanced school programming. LOWDSA will not only be returning to K-12 classrooms but will inspire the next generation of property owners and stewards at universities and colleges. From LOWDKids to Young Stewards, we are intent on closing the year educating and engaging as many people as possible so that future generations can enjoy the same benefits we do.
Art Director: Shayla Smith, shayla@wakemarketing.ca
Lastly, after much consideration, I have made the decision to leave my role as Executive Director in the coming months. I depart with the utmost respect for the community of lake lovers who show such passion and commitment to environmental sustainability in the area. Special thanks to all who supported me in my role.
I bid you a fond farewell and hope you enjoy this fall issue of the Area News and the start of a wonderful autumn season.
The official publication of the Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association
HenryNatureLeanneSeannaCorbettCyncoraFournierJeffGustafsonPatrickPauloBrieMcCardleDrewMonkmanConservancyofCanadaLoriNelsonJeffPolakoff&AnitaRasmussenMarionRatuskiRosemaryRobertsonTheMuseJacobRodenburgToddSellers
Jackie Lowe, Gun Club Island
TREASURERS
P.O. Box 1160
PRESIDENT
V Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association
Adam Blake, Corkscrew Island CHAIR, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
M LOWDSAssoc
Christine Semenchuk, Bigstone Bay SECRETARY
CHAIR, MEMBERSHIP
Barry
EMAIL info@lowdsa.com
P LOWDSA
Cassidy Mazur (she/her) grew up spending her summers at her family cabin in Nestor Falls. She enjoys backcountry camping, paddling, waterskiing, fishing, and practically any outdoor activity. Her appreciation for the environment translated into a Bachelor of Environmental Studies at the University of Manitoba. Cassidy started with LOWDSA as the Environment Program Coordinator Intern in 2021 and has moved into a new role as LOWDSA’s Education and Outreach Manager—a position that is being offered in partnership with IISD-Experimental Lakes Area.
S LOWDSALOWDSA
Sumeep Bath
Our Contributors
MARKETING
Phil Burke and his wife Pat moved from a southern Ontario suburban area to Kenora more than 50 years ago and continue to enjoy the boreal delights it offers. Their sons departed decades ago for other places but Phil and Pat have no desire to leave. Phil’s interests in writing and nature prompted a weekly Kenora Miner and News column, Natural Acquaintances, now in its 28th year. He enjoys contributing to the Area News and to other publications as well.
Kenora, ON P9N 3X7
Trevor Templeton, Minaki
Don Engebretson is a Minnesota native and lifelong summer resident of Minaki. His articles on gardening, plants and agriculture have appeared in magazines and newspapers across the United States. Don is also a member of The Minaki Conservancy. While researching flowering rush, he corresponds with and reviews studies by flowering rush experts across the United States and Canada.
Alena Collier
Don Parfitt, Winnipeg River CO-CHAIRS, ENVIRONMENT Lucas King, Woodchuck Bay Chelsea Lobson, Kendall Inlet DIRECTORS AT LARGE Barb Manson, Winnipeg River Bob Stewart , Longbow Lake
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
COORDINATORCOMMUNICATIONS&
Garth Collier, Schnarr Lake
Carley Fyke, Welcome Channel
ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM COORDINATOR
N LOWDSAssoc
TOLL-FREE 1-888-265-9784
Jeff Rempel, Pine Portage Bay
Patrick patrick@lowdsa.com807-407-9182Paulo
Brie McCardle, (807) 468-8715 brie@lowdsa.com
5Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association LOWDSA
PHONE (807) 468-8715
Alena Collier, (807) 468-8715 alena@lowdsa.com
VICE PRESIDENT
Ethan Belrose
LAKE OF THE WOODS DISTRICT STEWARDSHIP ASSOCIATION
Send your photographs to communications@lowdsa.com and (optional) post them on Facebook or Instagram tagging @lowdsa with the hashtag #LOWDSAlakelife. You can be one of our lucky prize winners and have your picture shared in the Area News!
This year, we are encouraging our members to share their passion for lake life in a fun photo contest that shows the beauty and uniqueness of the region. A special thanks goes to everyone who has participated and helped make this contest a giant success.
So, if you, a family member, friend, neighbour, or anyone you know has a memorable summer or fall shot—we want to see it!
This compelling image was taken on a canoe trip to Town Island on Lake of the Woods. Our staff selected it as the Summer 2022 Photo Contest winner because of the strikingly beautiful landscape of trees, the breathtaking way the sun beams through, and the distinct composition that captures the feeling of summertime.
on our social media pages and lowdsa.com—so your photo may appear yet.
We'd like to hear from you! Help us continue making this magazine great—send us your comments, photos & story editor@areanewsmagazine.ca.ideas: “To me, this photo is a lovely reminder of how trees take in carbon dioxide and produce oxygen thereby doing their best to minimize impacts of greenhouse gases and human-caused climate change.” — Bryanna Sherbo PROPANE • FUELS • LUBRICANTS P ROPA NE ConstructionIndustrialCommercialResidential FUELS DyedGasolineClear&DieselAviation Dr yden 9 37 2149 468-6050Kenora Pickle 928-2261Lake Red 735-9920Lake Sioux737-2250Lookout 204-832-2446Winnipeg Thunder 807-473-4449Bay Bulk Fuel Delivery • Oils Lubes • Propane • Drummed Jets and Aviation Fuels ww w morganfuels ca info @ morganfuels ca 1 ( 80 0 ) 6 61 3635 LOWDSA Lake of the Woods Area News Fall 20226
SUMMER PHOTO CONTEST
There’s still time to join the fun. Submit your entries by October 7 for our Fall 2022 Photo Contest. Winners will be announced in November in the winter issue of the Area News
There were so many fantastic photos to choose from and selecting a winner is always a difficult task. We will post the runners-up
Congratulations to Bryanna Sherbo our Summer 2022 Photo Contest winner
Seanna
I hope to continue to work alongside LOWDSA to help make a difference in wildlife habitats and help make our community safer. As stewards and environmentalists, we want to work together to keep our ecosystems healthy.
LOWDSA Lake of the Woods Area News Fall 20228
This summer, we developed the Litter Free Lake Program, a community-building initiative to help clean up the Lake of the Woods region. It invites all lake lovers to improve our environment by encouraging lake users to dispose of the trash correctly and reduce the amount of waste produced. With this program, each community member will receive a LOWDSA Litter Free Lake bin to fill up. I'm proud that we are ending this summer with this initiative because I believe everyone can help prevent the adverse effects of water pollution, biodiversity destruction, physical hazards to wildlife and humans, transportation of disease, and more.
LakeSmart summer recap & new initiatives
Whether researching for a project, a webinar with my co-workers, or speaking with people this summer, my passions continue to lie in wildlife conservation, ecosystem improvements, and sustainability.
Our summer season has been quite the ride! The LakeSmart team has been busy with various projects promoting healthy shorelines, helping stop the spread of invasive species, and education outreach. It was fantastic to see how passionate everyone is about the issues surrounding the lake and the environment.
It is a treat to be able to meet new people, chat, and help improve our ecosystems. It is inspiring to know as a community, we can do so much to help our ecosystem. My favourite event this year has been the Matiowski Farmers Market, where I met passionate lake lovers, locals, and travelers. I always look forward to hearing about extraordinary experiences from tourists. On a side note, our younger community members are always entertaining to work with as they ask the sweetest questions. Lastly, I enjoy teaching the community about what is in our lakes and how to protect them. I find that education is just as valuable as operating our pressurized boat wash station because spreading awareness is essential to improve our environment for years to come. That education is key to making a difference.
BY SEANNA CYNCORA AND ETHAN BELROSE, LAKESMART STEWARDSHIP TECHNICIANS
The two of us thought we’d each share a few words to recap our summer and introduce our final projects.
One of the most critical aspects of our job is to educate lake lovers on how to make environmentally friendly changes to their properties. Before the summer ends, a brand-new campaign that I am proud to introduce is our Blue Dock Program. The initiative will reward those who have made efforts to improve their environmental impact, such as maintaining a green property.
Right: Seanna Cyncora celebrating with a copy of the Area News.
Let Us Help You Create a FamilySolutionCottagethatKeepstheMemoriesAliveforYourFamily. Mona Brown mbrown@pkflawyers.com 204-745-2028 Stéphane Warnock swarnock@pkflawyers.com 9Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association LOWDSA
Our goal is to encourage green changes and improvements. We hope this campaign will allow property owners to get involved in improving their properties while supporting the lake's sustainability.
Our team will work alongside property owners to make environmentally friendly and green changes to their properties to support lake health. Assessing buffer zones, docks and boathouses, septic systems, erosion impacts, and wildlife habitat will be a new part of dock visits.
epc@lowdsa.com.
Let us know if you are interested in becoming a Blue Dock Program inductee, participating in the Litter Free Lake initiative, or other ways to "green up" your property to improve our ecosystems. Reach out to us at
Left: Ethan Belrose hard at work during Metal Waste Collection Day. This year, expandedLOWDSAtheprogram to include e-waste.
Ethan
As an aspiring researcher, I found this summer might be a preview of my future. One of my favourite events from the year was our trip to IISD Environmental Lakes Area. It was a unique experience, and we could see the game-changing research. Being part of an active solution to our lake's pollution and invasive species issues is fantastic. I truly enjoyed getting my hands dirty at our summer events. It's also super fun working with kids' camps. It's nice to see young community members with high energy and excitement to learn new things. A great feature of working with the LakeSmart team is educating our community about the lake and how small actions can make a big difference in preserving our beautiful region.
I’d like to thank everyone for such a great summer!
A specialty LOWDSA paddle was presented to the City of Kenora, in recognition of its continued support for LOWDSA’S initiatives on behalf of our members.
Although, we have not seen the lake this high for many years, our stewardship and love of the lake is unwavering. LOWDSA’s membership means many things to different people. One thing that unites us is a shared passion for life. Please look at these photos to see some of our favourite summer memories and what a LOWDSA membership means for some of our members.
BY ALENA COLLIER, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION COORDINATOR
I asked Neil and Tannys Jette, LOWDSA members for several years and lake lovers for 65, what membership means to them. They are also cottagers on Ottermere. It is where Tannys grew up
Enhanced environmental education and outreach initiatives with IISD-ELA
The love and passion for lake like that LOWDSA shares with its members has resulted in so many amazing initiatives that are helping to preserve the lake for generations to come.
This shared passion is what makes being a member of LOWDSA such a unique experience. Growing up, my parents always echoed the stories of my grandfather. His infamous line, was that if someone was going to have their wedding on a long weekend the only way he could be expected to come, is if they were getting married at the lake. Not surprisingly, this is exactly what my parents did—a backyard wedding at the lake with a BYOC (bring your own chair) rule. This would have been no small task at Ottermere, as there is no road access, two boat rides, plus a portage to get there. It was a train and boats type of adventure.
Growing up, I felt the world was much smaller and until more recently I did not realize how so many others have this same burning passion for lake life. How can you depict something that is so special and unique, but almost unexplainable? Whether it is your own property or you’re just visiting, it is an amazing thing to have an entire community that all have one thing in common— a shared passion for lake life.
What does it mean to be a LOWDSA member?
At the beginning of the season the team was lucky to have a full day tour at the IISD Experimental Lakes Area. We learned so much from our guide Pauline and left feeling very inspired. The work that they are doing there is immensely important and interesting.
Increased collaboration with the City of Kenora
and where the two of them have raised their own children. They spoke with great passion about the lake and how beautiful it is for them to see their grandkids running around with glee for the area. There is something very significant about six generations of a family sharing a love for lake life. My grandfather was the first baby on Ottermere around 1925, and I hope that my great grandchildren will still be echoing his words and stories.
LOWDSA Lake of the Woods Area News Fall 202210
Seedling Day 2022 was again, a big success and a great way to finally have some face-to-face time with our members. We loved meeting many of you who picked up your seedlings and hearing about the thousands of trees that have been planted in previous years.
Reduce our carbon footprint while expanding your own beautiful patch of forest
Staying connected to the area and your slice of heaven
This is where Neil & Tannys Jette’s spend the majority of their time, soaking up the sun amidst often-constant yard work. The yard is in full bloom with bright flowers all throughout and even a pond on the walk to the outhouse!
Bringing Science and Stewardship to kids and classrooms
Preserving the area for present and future generations
This summer, the LakeSmart team ran a BoatWash Station every Thursday and Friday. The Discovery Centre was a new location this summer and the team were able to connect with many travellers to the area and provide education about invasive species prevention.
11Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association LOWDSA
Ottermere is a beautiful little lake north of Kenora with a unique route to get there—roughly a 16 km boat ride up Pelican Pouch Lake, a portage and then a final boat ride to the cabin. These falls flow into Ottermere from Pelican Pouch and highlights why efforts to protect these pristine destinations are so important.
Cassidy Mazur, our Education and Outreach Manager, had a busy spring visiting classrooms and delivering school programs. Cassidy’s undeniable passion for the environment paired with her background in environmental science made for the perfect person for the job. She visited 31 classrooms and is already planning her fall classroom programs.
Educating lake users on invasive species with the Mobile BoatWash Station
Engaging and educating for environmental sustainability in the Lake of the Woods region
Did you see any of these faces this year at the Matiowski Farmers’ Market? The team had the LOWDSA booth at the market every Wednesday this summer. During those days, we were able to connect with residents and visitors to the area about environmental issues and topics as well as show off some of our invasive species specimens.
The whole team got together and did shoreline cleanups throughout the summer. We tipped off the season doing a cleanup with the students of Ecole SteMarguerite Bourgeoys. It was amazing to engage with the younger generations on environmental topics and see how passionate they were. The kids helped clean up three big bags of trash and even found a tire.
CreateImageyour furniture, window coverings, home décor, reupholstery, paints & moreCustom-Crafted Window Treatments for Any Window, Door, or Style Visit the showroom at 1060 Railway Street or online at imageonehome.com tel 807-468-3641 toll free 800-834-8770 sales@imageonehome.com Leave your reupholstery projects with us over the winter!
LOWDSA Lake of the Woods Area News Fall 202212
Old and worn out. New and beautiful.
Keeping our shorelines clean
Participating in Citizen Science programing
This new program sparked lots of interest from LOWDSA members, providing a direct way for members to get involved and be a part of a very important project to try and detect zebra mussels early.
Email: WeWebsite:info@lowdsa.comwww.lowdsa.comthankallapplicantsfor their interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
QUALIFICATIONS
THE PERSON:
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Come work with us!
the
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral
Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association PO Box 1160, Kenora ON P9N 3X7
KEY SKILLS:
To qualify for the internship, the candidate must be a University or college graduate who has graduated within the last three years from an accredited college or university. Candidates must be graduates of post-secondary degree or diploma programs. The position must be the first time employment in the candidate’s field of study. Candidates are only eligible to participate in the internship program one time. Candidates must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
The ideal candidate will be creative, resourceful and energetic with a dem onstrated passion for developing and implementing educational programs and presenta tions for a diverse audience.
Reporting to the Executive Director and working from Kenora Ontario on beautiful Lake of the Woods, the Environment Program Coordinator will take a lead role in the development, implementation, marketing and delivery of environmental programs, resources and outreach. The in tern will work with the Executive Director and LOWDSA Environment Committee to expand on existing programs, create and develop new programs, and to develop a solid resource base as an education al/communication tool available to LOWDSA members, area residents and visitors. This internship will provide direct career experience in environmental education, practical field skills, all aspects of program/event planning and manage ment, and public communications, presentations and consultation.
Phone: 807-468-8715
13
Lake of Woods District Stewardship
• Working knowledge/experience of various social media LinkedIn/TikTok)(Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/platforms
Association LOWDSA
Location: Kenora, Ontario Work Term: 1 year temporary full-time Apply By: 10-Oct-2022
Executive Director
1 YEAR PAID INTERNSHIP STARTING JANUARY 4, 2023
• Proficiency with the following software programs, but not limited to: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and internet
LOWDSA Environment Program Coordinator Intern
• Knowledge specific to membership and not-for-profit organizations would be an asset.
Length of work term and start date subject to confirmation of funding approval. Willing to accommodate remote/online work during the fall and winter months.
THE POSITION:
Submit cover letter & resume by 11:59 pm (CDT). Monday, October 10, 2022 to:
Our Environment Program Coordinator will have completed a post secondary degree or diploma program in environ mental science. Candidates with relevant degrees (other than environmental science) may also be considered. The successful candidate will have a broad base of knowledge as is required by the degree, but may specialize in a wide variety of areas such as (but not limited to) Ecosystem Management, Forestry, Fisheries, Wildlife, or Plant Biology, Conservation, Education (outdoor or science), or Eco-tourism.
BY BRIE MCCARDLE, ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM COORDINATOR
This year was once again like no other. Summer has always been my favourite time of year, though this one has had a few more ups and downs than most. It seemed we were faced with adversity in
15Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association LOWDSA
Environmental stewardship in changing and challenging times
The LakeSmart team, the forefront of environmental initiatives, has been busy engaging through the BoatWash Station, farmer's markets, and kids’ programming. They planted 3,500 trees and sold 1,200 on top of that, launched another round of citizen science zebra mussel monitoring devices and even organized the launch of two new initiatives which Ethan and Seanna introduced on page 8. In addition, they completed four shoreline cleanups collecting close to 100 lbs. of litter. A team highlight was joining Cassidy at IISD Experimental Lakes Area for a tour and to catch our own display benthics. We spent the day learning about whole ecosystem level research. It was fun and inspiring, like our team. The LakeSmart team of Seanna Cyncora and Ethan Belrose have done amazing things in their short term with us, and it wasn't always easy.
each direction we went. This year's challenges were a whirlwind of unforeseen circumstances, change, and rain.
The last few years have been irregular, as we all know—with many of us feeling a loss of connection and community. Still, there is a sense of peace that comes with knowing that even in the chaos of today's world, some things never change; for instance, trees lose their leaves every fall and grow them back again in the spring. Regardless of the challenges we’ve faced, the Association remains strong in its vision, mission and community of members who all strive for sustainable lake life.
Unfortunately, we did not have a LakeSmart boat on the water this year. With manufacturing shortages, our sponsor's hands were tied. It's been a wild year for weather in Northwestern Ontario. We had a number of forest fires last year, and winter was cold with a lot of snow. In spring, we saw record high flood levels in the watershed. The high water levels have caused extensive damage to docks, boathouses, and shorelines. (Keep an eye out for our upcoming webinar about this.)
It is important to remain positive and find growth in the things we did not anticipate. If there were a year not to have a boat, this would be it as there were not many dry docks to tie up to anyhow!
Bruce Bennett Broker of Record Jake Bennett Broker
This summer has been an adventure, one for the books. Coming from a Stewardship Technician position to the Environment Program Coordinator position, I wasn't sure what to expect. I learned that it is true—no job beats being in a boat engaging with lake Fortunately,lovers.
SIOUX NARROWS 807-226-1024 Always Available
I worked very closely with LakeSmart doing what we love while learning the behind-the-scenes and coordination tasks required to run our programs and initiatives. I have formed meaningful connections, made lifelong friends and explored my love for the outdoors all while doing good for the environment. The authentic LOWDSA experience.
Real estate services from the experienced and knowledgeable local Realtors®
day is always exciting
with us. Submit your story and you could win $1,250 in local gift cards. To enter and view full contest rules, visit Together125.ca Contest ends on October 31st 2022 at 11:59pm EST. 319 2nd Street South P: 807. 468.3333 TF: info@standardinsurance.ca1.866.418.3672 standardinsurance.ca
The LakeSmart team enjoyed the day netting benthic invertebrates at IISD-ELA.
We will continue to strive to understand the ecology of the natural places we enjoy and to develop strategies for their long-term health. We will also continue to engage and educate as many people as possible to grow a community of people who, like myself and my team, care so deeply for the beautiful place we call home—even if it's just for the weekend. an
LOWDSA Lake of the Woods Area News Fall 202216
The Standard Insurance Together 125 Contest
Seedling for the LakeSmart team.
Dealing with these challenges has fuelled us, guiding us to become more patient, flexible and resourceful. How crazy is it that last year we were dealing with hundreds of fires surrounding the Lake of the Woods area to an extremely wet spring and summer. The next couple of months will bring many new challenges but I look forward to continuing to build on everything that has already been accomplished this year.
This year, we're celebrating our 125th Anniversary, and a century and a quarter of dedication leaves behind more than a few stories. We're inviting our clients to share moments big and small where The Standard Insurance played a part. It could be a funny conversation with your broker, your experience insuring your dream home, or thoughts on your time dealing
Make it better ™ Community based since 1971 1666 Hwy 17 W | Keewatin, ON | P0X 1C0 | 807.547.3366
Open extraordinaryto
Shop online, pick-up in store or get it delivered. Visit us at mcmunnandyates.com!
Masonite has consistently built high-quality, durable doors for years. From modern to classic, and bold to neutral, there are endless possibilities when it comes to doors!
Help reduce our carbon footprint while expanding your beautiful patch of forest to continue lasting memories for future generations. join a community of passionate
LOWDSA Membership Access a wealth of information and
Participate in our unique stewardship programs such as the mobile boat wash station, litter free lake campaign, environmentalist initiative programs, metal waste collection, and zebra mussel monitoring programs to keep our area pristine.
Tools & Best Practices
Seedlings
Lake Life Resources
LakeSmart
Receive customized and personal solutions from our environmental students. Learn all about living & playing green at the lake, and get the information and resources you need to help you protect your legacy.
stewards THINKING OF SELLING YOUR WATERFRONT PROPERTY? CALL ME DIRECTLY FOR ASSISTANCE & QUALIFIED EXPERIENCE AT 807-466-2236 Louise AcreageLake $849,000 Wow! 97 ac of wilderness with 7500 ft of shoreline; small cabin & dock –road accessible. Gun Club Island, LOTW $639,000 Low profile with 239 ft of frontage facing south. Approx. 1662 sq ft cottage with 3 BR, 2 baths & fantastic sunroom. Private Island $749,000 1.95 ac island (Barrier Islands), 900 sq ft main, 3 BR, 4 pce bath, guest cabin, sand beach & newer septic field. Pipestone Point $284,900 Just under 3 ac with 213 ft of frontage & good water off the dock. Four year old 1 BR cabin is 320 sq ft with 12’ x 16’ deck. Locke Bay, Wpg River $695,000 Private 2.75 ac with 1,020 ft of sunset facing shoreline. Approx. 1500 sq ft, 3 BR, 2 bath main, 700 sq ft guest, dry boathouse & single garage. LOWDSA Lake of the Woods Area News Fall 202218
Stay connected to the district year round through the Area News magazine, issued five times per year, for articles featuring lake life and issues of interest.
Gain easy access to just about anything you want to know about lake life and to learn more about what you love.
Area News Magazine
A donation of $5 from each member would support an entire LakeSmart position and contribute to LOWDSA’s mobile boat wash station! Contributions to the EISP Fund can be made online any time at lowdsa.com/campaigns/eisp. m $250 m $100 m $50 m $25 m Other $_____________________________ TOTAL $ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Gift Membership To purchase multiple gift memberships, please attach each individual’s contact information to this contact form. m Full Membership, $60 m Virtual Membership, $52 Recipient’s Name: _______________________________ Recipient’s Email: _______________________________ Recipient’s Address: ______________________________ m Please send give card with message: TOTAL $ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ GRAND TOTAL $ RENEW ONLINE Use your smartphone camera app to scan this QR code and renew your LOWDSA membership online. You can also contribute to our EISP Fund, purchase pine seedlings, and order gift memberships while you’re there! Your continued support of LOWDSA's programs and initiatives does make a difference. 19Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association LOWDSA
EISP Fund
Renew by phone: 807-468-8715 or 1-888-265-9784 Renew by email: membership@lowdsa.com Membership Renewal Renew online, or use this form to renew by mail or email. Payment Options » Cheque payable to LOWDSA or call 1-888-265-9784 » Pay by credit card: m Visa m Mastercard m American Express Card Expiry#_____________________________________(mm/yy)CVC#_______ Member Name: LOGIN EMAIL: Alternate Email: City:Address: Prov/State: Country: Postal/ZIP: Home MobileCottagePhone:Phone:Phone: m YES, send my renewal notice by email Renew Your Membership You can choose between a Full Membership (magazine mailed) or a Virtual Membership (digital magazine). » Full Membership: m 1 YR ($60) | m 2 YR ($120) » Virtual Membership: m 1 YR ($52) | m 2 YR ($104) TOTAL $ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Seedling Day: May 20, 2023 10am - 1pm Help reduce our carbon footprint while expanding your own patch of forest. Please order your seedlings by May 5, 2023. m Clearwater Bay (Firehall) m Storm Bay Rd. (Firehall) # of bundles (of 15) __________ at $10 each TOTAL $
THE SUN IS SETTING ON YOUR LAKE.
TOMORROW NEEDS YOU TODAY.
Your donation to IISD Experimental Lakes Area helps create solutions. iisd.org/donate.
LET’S BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE.
Pollution is drowning out the lake time we need and love. But together, we can rise above it. By donating to IISD Experimental Lakes Area, the only place on Earth conducting long-term experiments on real lakes, you are helping to defend our fresh water from existing and emerging threats. Take your stand. Heal our horizon.
The impacts of high water were felt throughout the watershed with damage to docks, boathouses, and other shoreline infrastructure. Even the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) on Lake of the Woods were forced to adjust their operations. Spring buoy commissioning was delayed due to late ice cover followed by high water levels prompting the issuing of navigational warnings for both ice levels and high-water. The annual spring buoy commissioning was not completed until July 26, nearly four weeks later than usual. CCG crews are also required to recheck buoys to ensure their proper positioning after water levels return to
Extreme weather & water levels—the shape of things to come?BYJEFFPOLAKOFF,
Art Inspired by the
With the anticipated rapid drop in the lake and the move towards normal levels, the LWCB held a regulation consultation call with advisory groups on August 16, to establish an interim Regulation Strategy. Estimates provided in the consultation meeting anticipated the lake to return to a normal operating range of 321.87–323.47 m (1056.0 to 1061.25 ft) by late August or early September, dependent on weather.
LOWDSA REPRESENTATIVE, LAKE OF THE WOODS CONTROL BOARD
decline in water levels finally began in the last week of July. This represented the first reduction in water level for the season in spite of the fact that the Norman Dam had been fully opened since May 7. The reductions continued and quickened with Rainy Lake reaching a normal level in the first week of August.
WATER LEVELS
Thenormal.long-awaited
While the lake level remains above that range, the work of the LWCB is governed by Lake of the Woods Convention and Protocol requirements and in coordination with the International Lake of the Woods Control Board, which require the dams in Lake
While the Lake of the Woods water levels didn’t surpass the record set in 1950, that was not the case in the southern part of the watershed. Rainy Lake exceeded 1950 levels and the Namakan chain of lakes reached its highest level since 1916. As Lake of the Woods receives approximately 70 per cent of its water intake from those bodies of water, their outflow impact downstream is very significant. Because of this relationship, the LWCB works closely with the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board in taking a coordinated approach to regulation.
levels, was the above normal precipitation we received between July 1–30 with large portions of the basin receiving between 100 and 140 mm of rain and as much as 200 mm being recorded along the Winnipeg River. In July, the Kenora Airport recorded 153 mm of rainfall, well-above July’s average rainfall of 103 mm. On July 19 alone, 57 mm of rainfall was recorded when a massive storm hit the Kenora, Dryden and Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls areas causing significant damage.
Original Paintings Custom Artwork Art Prints melissajeanart.com LOWDSA Lake of the Woods Area News Fall 202222
Beginning with high levels of runoff due to rain on frozen ground in the early spring, followed by record setting precipitation in April and May and continuing with significant rainfall accompanied by high winds in July, the summer of 2022 proved to be challenging for residents throughout the Winnipeg River Drainage Basin including Lake of the Woods.
Inflow to those lakes was significantly higher than the outflow capacity, which resulted in prolonged high water in both that lake system as well as the Lake of the Woods where outflow capacity to the Winnipeg River, primarily at the Norman Dam, was also significantly less than the inflow. Lake of the Woods reached its crest at the end of June. However, complicating the high-water situation and further delaying a drop in lake and river
As noted in my previous article in the Area News, the levels of high water we experienced this year on Lake of the Woods hadn’t been seen for 72 years since the record setting summer of 1950. Our peak level on the lake this year of 324.11 m (1063.3 ft) was not far under the July 1950 record setting level of 324.31 m (1064.0 ft). These levels are compared to those as shown on your nautical maps of 322.8 M (1059.0 ft.).
By the middle of August the lake level had decreased from its crest of 324.11 m (1063.3 ft) to 323.75 m (1062.2 ft), which was below the 2014 high level peak of 323.78 m (1062.29 ft). Weekly drops in lake levels by the middle of August for both Lake of the Woods and the Winnipeg River were between 7–13 cm (3–5 inches), dependent on weather conditions.
Despite the challenging circumstances that 2022 presented, I hope you were able to enjoy your time on the watershed this past summer and are looking forward to what will surely be a busy fall.
Kenora to remain fully opened. The interim regulation strategy focused on maintaining the declining level of the lake to achieve normal levels. As the Lake returns to a normal operating range, the focus is on balancing outflow reductions of the Lake with the rate of river level drop to avoid damage to river and lake shoreline infrastructure as much as possible and target lower than normal water levels to better allow for shoreline infrastructure repairs prior to freeze up.
For those of us having to repair and replace docks, boathouses and other infrastructure, please have a look at “Before you Build” on the LWCB website at lwcb.ca/beforeyoubuild. This information is very useful when determining what height you may wish to build to mitigate future flood damage for your docking and other facilities.
This year has provided a good indication of how changing weather patterns resulting from climate change will be an increasingly important consideration as we make efforts to adapt. According to climatologists, it is predicted that our weather will be warmer, wetter, less predictable with more extreme weather events and an increased risk for flooding and drought, both of which we have seen in the watershed over the last two and a half years.
For up-to-date information on water levels and the work of the LWCB please visit lwcb.ca. an
In 2022, the Rainy Lake Mermaid is taking a swim!
The Rainy Lake Mermaid sits well above high water level in 2021.
WINNIPEG 625 Wall Street | 204.957.4940 inlandmade.com @inlandmade 23Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association LOWDSA
Flowering rush update: The battle has begun
Impact of 2022 high water levels
Lake of the Woods District
25
Instrumental to achieving government attention and aid in combating an invasive plant species is to get the plant listed under the Ontario Invasive Species Act (OISA). Prior to 2021, flowering rush was not deemed a significant threat. When The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry informed The Minaki Conservancy that laboratory analysis were required in order to add an invasive species to the OISA list, cuttings of flowering rush leaves from the Winnipeg River were sent to a USDA lab in Montana. Analysis showed that the rush in the Kenora District is Genome 1 (G1), common to northwestern Ontario but slightly different from the G4 variety in eastern Ontario. In late 2021, flowering rush was added to the OISA list. This means that at some point the province will begin a public awareness campaign and scientists will begin to monitor the plant’s spread.
Stewardship Association I N THE D ISTRICT
Work by The Minaki Conservancy
Following that article, several Kenora area cottagers identified flowering rush growing in Clearwater Bay. This is very bad news. The plant lacks the ability to skydive; if it is growing in Clearwater Bay, it is growing elsewhere in Lake of the Woods in and around Kenora.
Your favourite beach may be gone (not to mention your dock), but the 2022 flooding of Lake of the Woods and Winnipeg River is a small positive in terms of curtailing the spread of flowering rush. This summer, I have cruised numerous infested bays on Winnipeg River, and as of July 25, can report a sharp decline in the number of acres displaying above-water leaf growth. Plants established in the maximum water depth range of 3 metres/10 feet are now in depths of 4.5 metres/15 feet. These plants are mostly dormant, as the strength of the sun’s rays has been diffused. Plants established in shallower depths are taking longer to grow above the surface, where direct sunlight spurs hearty rhizome growth. I believe the overall spread of the plant by underwater rhizomes will be curtailed this summer. It’s a short-term victory, however. When water levels return to normal, flowering rush will be back to full strength.
Threat to Lake of the Woods
Quick recap: Flowering rush spreads rapidly in water depths from 10 millimetres to 9 metres (half an inch to 10 feet). Within several years, the dense growth of the plant’s narrow, green, sword-like leaves spreads to fill entire bays, shorelines, and shallow channels. Infestation by the plant became so severe in several Minnesota lakes that beaches became unusable and docks inaccessible, while fish populations and property values declined. For a full primer on flowering rush, its history, habitat and identification, ecological impact, and means of control, go to minakiconservancy.ca, click on “Environment & Heritage,” then scroll down to the Flowering rush section.
A few small pockets of flowering rush were first noted 17 years ago in the Winnipeg River near Minaki. At present, infestation of the Winnipeg River upstream and downstream from Minaki has become severe. I am well versed in the history and spread of the plant across North America. Unless action is taken at the local, provincial and national level, Winnipeg River and Lake of the Woods face grave ecological devastation in the decades to come. Continue reading to learn the important role you can play to help prevent this.
PHOTOS AND ARTICLE BY DON ENGEBRETSON
Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus) is an ecologically devastating invasive aquatic plant that has spread across central North America from coast to coast. There is much to report since my previous article on flowering rush, which appeared in the early spring 2021 Area News.
It's easy to identify flowering rush in bloom, late July through August.
Flowering rush makes an appearance in midsummer on the Winnipeg River.
First, learn to identify flowering rush by reading the information and viewing the photos on The Minaki Conservancy’s website. Then check your property shoreline to see if it is present. Check nearby bays, shorelines, and shallow channels, including those on Crown Land. As you travel by boat through Lake of the Woods, be “Rush Aware.” Stop to investigate any narrow, green, grass- or rush-like leaves you spot growing in water up to 9 metres deep.
A shallow channel of the Winnipeg River is clogged by flowering rush.
at eddmaps.org
Take action
at 1-800-563-7711.
Report flowering rush sightings by setting up an account or calling the Invasive species Hotline
I N THE D ISTRICT Lake of the Woods Area News Fall 202226
This is where you come in. Governments in Canadian provinces and U.S. states rely on the University of Georgia’s EDDMapS (Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System) website for invasive species sightings. Ontario Ministry officers aren’t zooming around in boats, scouring Ontario for flowering rush. It’s up to year-round residents, cottagers, anglers and hunters to report sightings.
If you find flowering rush, take several photos of the plant, especially if it’s in flower (late July and August). Go to eddmaps.org, create an account, and log in. Click “Report Sightings” and follow the click trail to the EDDMaps Ontario page (there is a link directly to this page on The Minaki Conservancy website). The form is easy to fill out and includes a map you can enlarge until it shows the area of your sighting. Experiment with the toolbar and you’ll learn how to drop a pin on the map or draw a series of red lines to outline a larger infestation (the latitude and longitude fields will fill in automatically). Downloading your photos is easy. If not computer savvy, report your sighting(s) via the Ontario Invasive Species Hotline: 1-800-563-7711.
We need to fill up the EDDMapS site with reports documenting the spread of flowering rush in Lake of the Woods and the Winnipeg River—this year, next year, and in the years to come. Please become a “Rush Hunter”. To combat flowering rush on a large scale in our beloved waterways, we need government officials and scientists monitoring the EDDMapS site to become as engaged as we all should be. an
What’s happening on your lake?
Our goal is to always feature the broad spectrum of cottage group and association activities occurring throughout the region—but we need to hear from you. Let us know what’s happening on your lake—be it a regatta, fishing derby, festival, association news, or anything that brings people together to build community and celebrate lake life. Send your write-up and high resolution photos to editor@areanewsmagazine.ca.
27Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association I N THE D ISTRICT
Town Island forest and shoreline now protected for the future
BY NATURE CONSERVANCY OF CANADA
Thanks to many supporters from the Lake of the Woods community and beyond, current and future generations will be able to continue connecting with nature and each other in this special place in the heart of Lake of the Woods. The ambitious fundraising target of $2.85 million was achieved thanks to the generosity of volunteers and supporters from around the lake, as well the support of the Asper Foundation, which made a very generous lead gift to the project in recognition of the importance of the island to the BB Camp community. The project was also funded in part by the provincial government, through the Ontario Greenlands Conservation Partnership, and the City of Kenora.
Town Island’s forests and shores harbour important species and offer opportunities for learning and discovery.
NCC is Canada’s unifying force for nature. NCC seeks solutions to the twin crises of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change through large-scale, permanent land conservation. As a trusted partner NCC works with people, communities, businesses and government to protect and care for the country’s most important natural areas. Since 1962, NCC has brought people together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares. Learn more at natureconservancy.ca. an
Town Island was identified as a priority for conservation because of its intact forest, undeveloped shoreline and large size. As with all of its properties, NCC will develop a property management plan for the site in consultation with key groups and community members. The goal of this plan is the conservation of the island’s unique biodiversity, while still allowing public access. Town Island is NCC’s third property in the Lake of the Woods area, and the group looks forward to working with landowners to conserve additional sites in the future.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), its partners and supporters are celebrating the conservation of its newest nature reserve in northwestern Ontario. After a successful community fundraising campaign, the private land conservation charity has purchased 82 hectares of forest and shoreline on Town Island from the City of Kenora. NCC will help care for the island in partnership with B'nai Brith Camp (BB Camp), NCC’s neighbours on the island.
I N THE D ISTRICT Lake of the Woods Area News Fall 202228
“Town Island is a perfect example of why nature conservation matters, and how teamwork makes it possible. The island’s forests and shores harbour important species and offer opportunities for learning about nature. When intact, these ecosystems also help keep our water clean and store carbon,” said NCC’s Ontario regional vice president, Mike Hendren. “Together with BB Camp and nature-minded supporters, we’re excited to help steward nature on the island, for the benefit of all,” Hendren continued.
NCC respectfully acknowledges that Town Island is within the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe and Métis Peoples. For millennia, they have worked to protect these landscapes and the life these areas sustain. We thank these original caretakers and acknowledge the ongoing work and presence of Indigenous Peoples here today.
Learn more about the Nature Conservancy of Canada at natureconservancy.ca
Charity #: 11924 6544 RR0001
Thank you.
Nature doesn’t have the words. But we do.
Our inspirational volunteers and donors made it possible to protect 82 hectares of incredible habitat on Town Island. Thanks to supporters from the Lake of the Woods community and beyond, current and future generations will be able to continue connecting with nature and each other in this special place in the heart of Lake of the Woods. Thank you for being part of this important project.
StaffMcFarlane/NCCMhairibyPhotoON;Kenora,Island,Town
Our value is in crafting a plan to help you reach your nancial goals.
Let Bieber Wealth Management guide your nancial future.
We hope you nd time this fall to enjoy these activities in our word search. A A G E M
N
CAMPFIREHIKINGREADING BOARDCRAFTINGGAMESCRISPAIR PHOTOGRAPHYCANOEINGHOTCOFFEE B I E B E R W E A L T H M
E N T Greg Bieber Investment Advisor Richardson Wealth Limited is a member of Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Richardson Wealth is a trademark of James Richardson & Sons Limited used under licence. 204-953-7827 Toll Free: 1-866-205-3549
2012 kicked off with a 50th Anniversary edition of the Area News and celebration of Lake of the Woods District Property Association’s (LOWDPOA) half-century as a premier waterfront owners’ association.
These accounts looked back over 50 years of commitment, challenges and successes, LOWDPOA’s important role in environmental programs, events, education and political action over the years, and some of its work on major issues such as navigational buoys, property development, tax advocacy, water quality and hydro rates.
The special edition of the Area News carried historical perspectives of the Association’s work from past presidents Don Cameron, Jack McKenzie, Todd Sellers and Robert Bulman, as well as executive director Susan McLeod.
LOWDSA through the years 2012 to 2021
Change was underway as President Barry Baltessen wrote for his message at the start of the year: “The Association has slowly transformed itself from a cottager’s association to an organization welcoming anyone with a passion and concern for the sustainability of lake life. We have moved from a confrontational position to one of involvement and collaboration with stakeholders in the entire watershed. LOWDPOA has grown in size and reputation by sticking to its principles and selling itself based on a proven track record of action while meeting community needs.”
Lake of the Woods Area News Fall 202232
Join us for a trip down memory “lake” as we feature different periods of LOWDSA’s 60-year history in each issue of the Area News.
BY LEANNE FOURNIER WITH BARRY BALTESSEN, ROBERT BULMAN, NANCY SALMIJARVI, HARDY BOCK & DIANE SCHWARTZ-WILLIAMS
LakeSmart was back in action after its introductory year with plans to further its reach on Lake of the Woods and smaller lakes.
All of this was driving the Association toward another significant change—its name. “This was quite an exercise,” said Nancy. “Older members felt we should remain as ‘property owners’, but this was presenting a challenge to recruit new younger members—people who might not own property but still wanted to enjoy the lake and all the region had to offer.”
33Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association
“I’m so happy we did that,” he said. “It was a great accomplishment. We were getting bogged down in politics, taxation and annexation issues.”
Barry, who served as president until 2012, reiterated the importance of the Association’s role in public awareness and education—which remains, to this day, a key goal of the LakeSmart program.
Still with that success, LOWDPOA—and the entire watershed— were dealt a crushing blow when the Government of Canada announced that it would be permanently closing the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) the following year.
First Nations along the route and the fact that a public information session to discuss the final route was still pending.
LOWDPOA voiced its outrage and, in the July 2012 Area News, included a letter for members to send to the Minister of Fisheries & Oceans. A full-page announcement in the magazine read: “For 50 years the Experimental Lakes Area has offered the world the results of ground-breaking research into acid rain, climate change, fish management and essentially all the ways humans impact our freshwater systems.” The Area News also included quotes from prominent aquatic scientists and members voicing their concerns.
She credits the Association for morphing into something “completely different” from its early days when the focus was almost entirely on issues related to taxation, to becoming a central resource for environmental protection of the watershed and education through the LakeSmart program.
Robert Bulman, who became president in 2013, recalled the effectiveness of LOWDPOA’s response on this issue. “When we learned of the possibility that this world-renowned organization would potentially have to shut its doors, we were able to inform and mobilize our members and they had a profound impact on the eventual outcome and continuation of the ELA mandate under the International Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD) Highwayumbrella.twinning was another issue over this decade, with a July 2012 Area News article stating: “Actual construction may begin this year on the long-awaited twinning of Highway 17 from the Manitoba border to Kenora, then again it may not.” The article included concerns by property owners and
The 50th anniversary year also saw the introduction of LOWDPOA gear, a member cookbook and a new logo. The first LOWDKids program was also introduced that year. Susan described the new program’s mandate “to extend the reach of LOWDPOA’s environmental education to children so that they would carry the sustainability torch to the next generation.”
Nancy Salmijarvi began her tenure as president in 2016, after having served as a director for many years. Her reasons for becoming involved with the Association were clear. “When you’re living here or on any lake, you need to look around and ask what we can do better. That’s why I wanted to get involved. The environmental component has always been important and continues to be.”
Robert, who stayed actively involved on the Communications Committee, supported this initiative. He said, “Making the Lake of the Woods Property Owners Association more inclusive of not just property owners but those with a passion and love for Lake of the Woods, was an issue close to my heart. This started with a new name for the Association—that shifted the focus from “property ownership” to “stewardship”—and a review and modification of the Association’s mission, vision and values. We involved the membership through the entire process and received overwhelming support for this change.”
Bringing more people together to educate, engage and get results was emerging as a growing focus for the Association. Hardy cites Turtle Portage Marine Railway as a great example.
Hardy was president in the very early days of COVID-19, which brought along a whole new spectrum of concerns.
“Having started by a group of cottage owners who had common concerns, the Association now included property owners and non-property owners who had a shared interest in preserving the area for future generations.”
“Several members wanted us to write to government about their position and decisions regarding the border closure. As a Board, we agreed our role was to continue getting as much information as we could to members, even when the information from one level of government to the other was often at odds with one another, and the COVID landscape and rules kept changing. We reached out to the various government agencies to get more information and some clarification on the decisions.” COVID was a real challenge, but he was impressed at how the Association pivoted, transitioning to an online AGM in 2020 and a larger online presence throughout the pandemic.
“It demonstrated what the Association was able to do when faced with a crisis and a unique challenge, thanks to a strong Board and staff.”
There was a portage between these two bays that had been used by Indigenous Peoples, explorers and fisherman that, over time, was developed into a marine railway system for larger watercraft.
“Because of the geography of the Aulneau Peninsula, it is a very long trip for boaters to travel from Sabaskong Bay to Whitefish Bay to reach Sioux Narrows,” he said.
“I believe we were a spark for that; providing communication between parties,” said Hardy. “In a small but significant way, LOWDSA created the opportunity to see what was possible when the community and MNRF worked together.”
passage of watercraft.” Through these efforts, the marine railway was reopened.
“This was in use for many years and maintained by the community and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF),” he said. Eventually, it fell into disrepair and in 2017 the MNRF let it be known they were considering removing it entirely. “The local community reached out to the Association and Diane SchwartzWilliams, who was the executive director at the time, for assistance in working out a solution.”
Hardy Bock, who succeeded Nancy in 2019, said the new name and brand—Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association—was part of the evolution of the organization.
The Association arranged to visit Morson to connect with members there. “Representatives of the MNRF came out with us as well,” added Diane. “It took some time, but the community—including Morson as well as Sioux Narrows and Nestor Falls—got together and went to work with the MNRF to rehabilitate Turtle Portage to allow for safe
Diane joined LOWDSA as Assistant Executive Director in April 2016, moving into the ED role later that year. She agrees with Hardy, adding that a common thread during her term was that everything LOWDSA did involved communication with members, keeping them informed and listening to their concerns.
Lake of the Woods Area News Fall 202234
tenure, LOWDSA moved to a new database that she said was “very advantageous” in helping the Association move forward. She was also on board as the Association transitioned to a new publisher for the Area News. “With the magazine being so very important, it’s been essential to stay on top of it and continuously work to make it
Inbetter.”addition
She made special note of LOWDSA’s role in the reestablishment of the Coast Guard Committee in 2020.
She adds that there were many more issues LOWDSA couldn’t take a position on because it only affected a very small part of the enormous watershed. “But what we could do—and did—was help facilitate conversations, link people to resources in the various Ministries and others who had the same concerns, help people reach out, and provide access to information we had through groups like the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Association (FOCA).”
“It was important that everyone involved felt they had a voice. And regardless of the issue, my conversations with members were both a highlight and key component of my role as
to Turtle Portage, standout issues during her time included the border restrictions around COVID and the ever-changing rules, but also many of the issues the Association had been addressing for some time: highway twinning, water levels, forestry, and invasive species.
DuringED.”her
In this way, the Association continues to engage and empower members to take actions—both large and small— that continue to benefit the watershed.
Robert adds this perspective. “As with any association, when things are going well, the membership is more difficult to engage, but when there are issues that need to be addressed, having an association like LOWDSA there to represent member points of view is critical. With just under 3,000 members, LOWDSA has clout and the ability to encourage change. It can’t make the water levels drop or zebra mussels disappear, but it is on top of these types of issues and can provide members with information and strategies to address these concerns.”
Flooding claims were another issue the Association helped bring forward. “We made connections with the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs, and they accepted our invitation to the LOWDSA Cottage Show to engage with members. We also had them speak at public meetings so that members were able to connect and talk to the people involved and get a better understanding of the process and how their voices could be heard.”
“It was more than just listening. It often went to the next step to facilitating connections and conversations with government and other parties as required.” This, she said, included always being there to listen and respond—with individuals and smaller cottager associations.
“It hadn’t been active for about 20 years when LOWDSA (then LOWDPOA) had taken a lead role in preventing the removal of buoys on Lake of the Woods. There is now a renewed commitment to ongoing communication. Immediate attention was given to issues identified at the first meeting—with prompt and positive resolution.”
35Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association
“Don’t ever think that your small changes don’t matter,” said Nancy. “When the LakeSmart people come and tell you not to cut your grass right to the water’s edge, or to look out for invasive species, that all makes a difference. The education component in all of this is so important and members receive that courtesy of LOWDSA.
For Hardy, the best part has been the ability to connect with other cottage associations and members to develop a community-based approach to issues. He is thrilled about the expanding partnership with IISD-ELA. “It’s a great fit as we are both concerned about stewardship. We can now reach out into a broader community.”
“It’s those connections that really bring LOWDSA and its ongoing work to the forefront,” summarizes Diane. “It’s a community forum where we can engage with each other on issues and share resources to preserve and maintain the Lake of the Woods area for future generations.” an
Barry believes that the telling of these stories through the Area News is important. “We need to keep sharing stories of people who are doing good things.”
1272 Dugald Road, Winnipeg • 832 Lakeview Drive, Kenora || 204 987 5640WSLSPORT.COM WSL VIRTUAL SHOWROOM - www.wslsport.com/inventory Lake of the Woods Area News Fall 202236
A N G E L A K U C H M A Broker of Record 807 468 0101 K A R E N R E D D E N Broker 807 407 4276 B E C K Y D O U C E T T E Broker 807 407 8607 A D A M B A C H Y N S K I REALTOR® 807 467 1797 0 and 1 Spruce Lake | $1,000 19 Miller Road | $999,000 Lot 7, 13 16 Pipestone | $950,000 EB241 Berry Lake | $750,000 PEP 2805 Pipestone Peninsula | $2,490,000 LOTW 72 Lakeside Crescent | $1,579,000 LOTW 334 Second St S Kenora, ON P9N 1G5 | info@remaxnorthwestrealty com | 807 468 4573 Black Sturgeon 10 Haney Road | $739,900 WPG River 53 Crystal St | $709,000 LOTW Pt 2 Poplar Bay | $479,000 LOTW 2799 Pipestone | $429,900 Midd 302A Middle Lake | $3 LOTW 1 Moore Bay | $329,000 LOTW LOTW 55 Kitt Road | $649,900 Alcock CLake ommerical Condo Development Opportunity 200 First St N | $699,900
BIGSTONE BAY
Bass will start to group up later in the summer on main lake structures like humps and points. As the fall progresses, these congregations get bigger. A lot of these fish are spread out over sections of shoreline earlier in the season, but many of them will end up together on these spots for the winter.
Right: Jeff Gustafson with a fall smallmouth from Lake of the Woods. Photo: Shelby Gustafson. Inset: Garrett Grosneck with a fall walleye caught while bass fishing.
The best humps are close to deep water.
CLEARWATER BAY
Here is what you need to know.
FALL BASS FISHING—
BY JEFF GUSTAFSON
Starting in September, you want to focus your efforts fishing on these main lake spots, typically outside of the bays where a lot of these fish spend the summer. When bass first show up on these spots, they will be found on top of the structure in shallower water, from 8 to 15 feet and then as we get later in the fall, fish will start to move deeper, with some of the best fishing happening in 25 to 30 feet of water.
Possibly the best numbers of bass on the lake and plenty of humps to fish.
Just remember you must fish barbless at all times in Clearwater Bay.
Lake of the Woods Area News Fall 202238
Good areas to catch bass in the fall on Lake of the Woods:
REGINA BAY
As good as it gets
Where to find smallmouths in fall
The electronics on my boat play a big role in helping me find the best spots quickly. We now have excellent mapping of Lake of the Woods available on our GPS units, drawing out every piece of structure in the lake very accurately. These maps give us a good idea of where to find the most fish— near the drop-offs or high spots.
Fall is a funny season around Lake of the Woods because we all know what is coming in the months ahead—short days, cold weather and snow. Thinking about that can be depressing but if you enjoy the outdoors, especially fishing, you have an opportunity to close out the season with some great days on the water. Pick a nice day and you’ll often have the lake to yourself with plenty of biting walleye, pike, musky, crappie and smallmouth bass. With bass, in particular, a combination of events happens in the fall that contribute to excellent fishing.
Once I get near these spots, I like to slowly idle over them with my boat and watch for fish on my sonar screen. Bass will typically be a foot or two off the bottom, slightly higher than walleye, so they will show up strong on the screen. I won’t fish a spot until I mark at least a few fish. Sometimes when you see a few and then drop a bait, there are a lot more fish than you suspected, and you’ve found a good spot. Putting the time in to actually look for fish before wetting a line will always pay off this time of year.
One of the most important things to understand in the fall is that smallmouth bass are focused on eating larger baitfish during this time of year than any other forage option. Bass are opportunistic feeders. So, if they see a crayfish crawling along the bottom or an invertebrate rising from the mud, they’ll surely gobble them up but for the most part, they are focused on eating cisco, smelt and perch that will help them to store energy to get through the winter.
fish, including pike and walleye that will typically shred up traditional plastics. I like to rig these baits on a 1/4 oz. jig for fishing under 20 feet of water and a 3/8 oz. jig for fishing deeper than 20 feet. In almost every situation in September and October, that bait will be tough to beat.
If you want to experiment, other minnow imitating lures like spoons, swimbaits, tube jigs, bucktail jigs and umbrella rigs will all also work. If bass fishing is new to you, you can ask the staff in the local fishing shops for advice on the best baits for bass in the fall.
Catch dinner as well
39Lake
Smallmouths and walleyes intermingle throughout the year but it’s more common to find these two species mixed together in the fall when they are both found on main lake humps and points. Sometimes walleye are slightly deeper, and sometimes they are totally mixed together with bass.
You can often tell when you see walleye on your sonar screen because they will bunch together much tighter than the bass. If you catch a few bonus walleyes to have for dinner, who’s going to complain about that?!? of the Woods District Stewardship
Though smallmouth bass are not native to Lake of the Woods, they have been present in the fishery for around 100 years and are well established throughout the lake. Anglers from all over North America have fun on our beautiful lake and even compete in tournaments. Most bass are between one and three pounds, with fish over four pounds being considered trophies. The largest smallmouth I have seen come out of Lake of the Woods was around six pounds and it was caught in the Sioux Narrows area in the fall.
My top choice is a jerkshad style soft plastic lure that is four to six inches in length. The top choice of most anglers around the lake is a Z-Man Scented Jerk ShadZ, which is built with Elaztech plastic. These baits are very real looking, yet durable tocatchingwithstanda lot of
Get out there and enjoy some fishing before another long winter sets in! an
Over the winter months, bass go into a semi-hibernation mode, meaning they don’t eat a lot. If you drop a lure in their face under the ice, they will bite, but they don’t move around much in the winter and are quite dormant. This is one of the reasons that the fishing is so good in the fall. These fish go on a big-time feeding binge to bulk up and prepare for the long winter. Quite often, we see them cough up these big baitfish that they are gorging on, so when you choose your lures, you want to choose minnow imitating baits.
How to catch smallmouths in fall
Association
www.gregkirby.ca Kenora / L ake of the W oods KAKAGI LAKE - $399,000 KAKABI KITCHIWAN LAKE- $268,000 SNAKE BAY, LOW - $895,000 LONGBOW LAKE - $549,000 WINNIPEG RIVER - $449,000 BEAR ISLAND, SABASKONG BAY, LOW - $995,000 SHOAL LAKE, CLYTIE BAY - $799,000 WELCOME CHANNEL, LOW - $949,000 GREG KIRBY BROKER FIRST CHOICE REALTY LTD. EachBROKERAGEOfficeIndependentlyOwnedandOperated P807-466-8266 Esold@gregkirby.ca SABASKONG BAY, LOW - $159,000 SOLD SOLD
Maybe we should let Mother Nature do her job and stop being so “helpful”! an
41Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association ENVIRONMENT
Larvae resemble miniature alligators, black and spiky looking, with yellow or orange spots. They grow quickly, molting four times before attaching themselves to a leaf to pupate. Within one to two weeks, a new adult emerges to take up its gardening duties.
The Asian ladybug is easily distinguishable from C-7 or C-9. It’s slightly larger with a variety of colours including yellow, orange, red and sometimes black. Typically, it has 19 black spots which vary in appearance from welldefined to faint traces. A black M shaped marking behind the head is its most distinct trait.
Active from spring to fall, adults seek a warm place to hibernate when temperatures drop. Many species will collect in the thousands, hibernating in rotting logs, under rocks or leaves. If you are a baby boomer like me, you would be most familiar with the nine-spotted ladybug, sometimes called C-9. Whereas my millennial children grew up with the seven-spotted ladybug or C-7. Why the difference? In the mid 1900s, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture thought the native C-9 ladybug needed help with its job, introducing the European or C-7 ladybug. By the mid-1970s, C-7 migrated into Ontario and within 10 years, the native C-9 had vanished! It's now on Canada’s Endangered Species list. Although C-7 continues the tradition of protecting our gardens and crops, replacing the native species is never a desired outcome. Sometimes, it seems as if it’s human nature to push our luck and not leave well enough alone. From 1960 to 1990, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture introduced a variety of new ladybug species to
Ladybugs are universally loved and, in many cultures, are considered good luck. In North America, if a ladybug lands on you, it’s tradition to make a wish and gently blow it away. Our admiration for the ladybug is well deserved. These ‘little bugs’ are voracious eaters, helping rid farms, orchids and gardens of harmful pests—particularly aphids. One ladybug can eat up to 5,000 aphids in its lifetime!
C-7 or European adult ladybug has seven distinctive spots and no M marking behind the head.
Ladybug, ladybug fly away home, Your house is on fire and your children are gone, All except one and that’s little Ann, For she crept under the frying pan.
That’s no lady (bug)!BYBARRYCORBETT
combat agriculture pests. Unfortunately, one of these was the Asian ladybug and our luck finally ran out. The Asian ladybug quickly spread north, adapting so well to its new environment, it’s now the predominant species in Ontario, threatening the existence of the remaining native species.
The agriculture industry, particularly wineries, are not enamoured with this ladybug. The beetles can ruin wine. Probably, the most infamous episode occurred in 2001 in the Niagara region. An unusually large infestation of aphids in the soybean fields resulted in an explosion of Asian ladybugs. The soybean farmers were overjoyed when they controlled the outbreak, but once the aphids were gone, the ladybugs moved over to the vineyards just as the grapes were being harvested. Much of the wine was ruined by the foul fluid the ladybugs secreted.
The ladybug belongs to the beetle family with over 5,000 different species worldwide, 80 of which reside in Ontario. Most are oval, dome-shaped bodies with six short legs. Depending on the species, they have spots, stripes or no markings at all. The majority are colourful, warning predators ‘I taste bad’. When threatened, a ladybug releases foul-tasting fluid or plays dead. Their life span is about two to three years. Eggs are laid underneath leaves infested with aphids. Larvae hatch in a few days gorging themselves on the buffet left by ‘mom’. If adults are good eaters (23 aphids/day), the young are glutinous (230 aphids/day).
Resembling an alligator, the ladybug larva rests on a leaf.
The loss of wine and inconvenience to homeowners is irritating and serious, but the disappearance of species and loss of biodiversity is more troubling. When an introduced or non-native species eliminates a native species and dominates its niche or role it plays in nature, this can have drastic consequences. If the introduced population crashes and there are no native species available, what will control the pests?
Similar to other ladybugs, it’s proficient at controlling aphid populations but unfortunately, some bad habits make it a pest in its own rights. Unlike other ladybugs, it bites! The bite varies from a small prick to drawing blood. They don’t bite maliciously, but are looking for moisture on our skin. Regardless, when one lands on you, it’s a quick shake or flick—no more wishing.
The M marking is still noticeable behind the head of this Asian ladybug, which has a slightly different colour variation.
When threatened, it emits fluid that’s not only foul-tasting but stinks. This trait, plus its hibernating requirements, sealed its reputation as a nuisance. Asian ladybugs cannot survive an Ontario winter outside. Instead, they invade buildings, sometimes by the thousands keeping warm between the windows or in the walls. Besides being unsightly, if the beetles die, the smell will be more than noticeable.
How many of us have fond memories of this nursery rhyme, even if it has horrible connotations! There are many opinions about why and where this rhyme originated, but my favourite is from the Middle Ages. English farmers called the little beetles “ladybirds” and valued them because they protected their crops from aphids. To repay their service, farmers recited this rhyme warning the ladybirds before setting fire to the stubble fields.
•
• Benji
•
• Lou
•
• Kim
•
Let
• Greg
• Jari
• Todd Tanchak • Valerie Wowryk Allison Darroch OUR BRANCHADVISORSMANAGER Richardson Wealth Limited is a member of Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Richardson Wealth is a trademark of James Richardson & Sons, Limited used under license. BRANCH LOCATION One Lombard Place, Suite 1100, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0X3 • 1.866.205.3549
you chose
•
•
Preserve
Bruce
FamilyFamily
It’s why the cottage life. Bennett Bieber Caci Dave Chipman Ted Evans Joanne Lee Jason MacDonald McCartney Miles John Nelson Jeremy Ruban Trevor Stark Matt Stevens Stromberg
•
But how can you ensure you keep it in the family? your legacy with a holistic approach – one that considers emotional, tax and other financial issues – so your loved ones can enjoy the benefits for generations to come. us help protect and enhance what’s most important to you. enjoy your family time.
•
Now,
Here at IISD Experimental Lakes Area—the world’s freshwater laboratory—we get this question a lot.
Algal blooms
Zebra mussels
All lakes in proximity to the Lake Winnipeg watershed are now at risk of being invaded, so the most important action that individuals can take is to ensure that they thoroughly clean items (boats, boat trailers, buoys, etc.) removed from Lake Winnipeg before placing them in another water body. Second, boat hulls, motors, water intakes and other “in lake” infrastructure will likely require increased maintenance. Third, if you live or access areas of the lake where adult zebra mussels are present, you should be cautious and wear correct footwear in the water. The shells of the mussels can be quite sharp and can easily cut exposed skin.
Nanosilvers and (micro)plastics
Nanosilver is used in agricultural applications, from fungal sprays to seed coatings, and in the medical industry, from bandages and prosthetics to catheters—products where definitive human health benefits may outweigh potential environmental costs.
By reducing the quantity of new clothing (capped with nanosilver) that we purchase, researching sustainable and ethical brands, and recycling clothing, consumers can make a change that will benefit the fish in a lake improve social and environmental standards on a global scale.
Algal blooms are dense layers of tiny green plants that occur on the surface of lakes and other bodies of water when there is an overabundance of nutrients (primarily phosphorus) on which algae depend. You have likely seen them on your local lake— especially in the summer.
The green scum formed by dense algal blooms is unsightly, smells bad, and can make water toxic to humans and fish, causing illness and—in some cases—death. When algae die, they are decomposed by bacteria, which can remove oxygen from the water, occasionally killing fish.
BY SUMEEP BATH, EDITORIAL AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, IISD EXPERIMENTAL LAKES AREA
Algal blooms can also make water unfit for even recreational use. These tiny organisms can therefore have a significant impact on health, wildlife, and economies that depend on fishing and tourism.
IISD Experimental Lakes Area first discovered that phosphorus was the key culprit in algal blooms decades ago, and that research we conducted resulted in the rewriting of freshwater policy around the world—including the banning of phosphates in many household detergents.
What can I do to protect my local fresh water supply?
Zebra mussels are small (typically smaller than two cm) freshwater molluscs originating from the Ponto–Caspian region of Eastern Europe. You have likely seen them washed up on the beaches of Lake Winnipeg in the summer.
While it’s easy to feel helpless and lost in a world where so many factors have an impact on the environment and local freshwater supplies, there are some things you can do to help protect the beautiful area in which you live.
Let’s go through a few of the most pressing threats to freshwater health, discover what IISD Experimental Lakes Area is doing to help explore and mitigate the threat, and then see what you can do to make an impact.
IISD Experimental Lakes Area in northwestern Ontario is the world’s freshwater laboratory—the only place in the world where scientists can manipulate real lakes to understand what human activity does to fresh water. an
Some exciting new research into the impact of microplastics is underway at the world’s freshwater laboratory. Until the results come out, researchers recommend that consumers exercise caution when buying goods containing microplastics.
IISD Experimental Lakes Area research has discovered that nanosilver in freshwater environments can negatively affect fish populations.
And while we are still exploring the impact of microplastics on freshwater systems, it is still best to be cautious and reduce your use of plastics and household items that contain microplastics.
43Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association ENVIRONMENT
So, when you are next buying your dish soaps, detergents, lawn fertilizers and shampoos, be sure to look (and opt for) the labels that say “phosphorus (or phosphate) free.”
In our part of the world, they are considered an “invasive species”, meaning they are not native to the area and that their presence— or overabundance—can cause harm to the local environment.
Particles of silver between 1 and 100 nanometres in size are known as “nanosilver” and are widely applied to consumer products and used in medical and agricultural industries because nanosilver is inherently toxic to bacteria and microbes and thus a great antibacterial agent.
A similar Canadian plan is needed to address Canadian sources of phosphorous, with the goal of a binational effort to achieve nutrient reduction goals to limit harmful algal blooms on Lake of the Woods.
Foundation drafts framework for a Canadian phosphorus management plan for Rainy River and Lake of the Woods
The framework provides details with respect to all jurisdictions and areas of authority (including Indigenous Nations) that would be required to provide input to the plan. It proposes a recommended governance/planning team structure, consisting of steering and Indigenous engagement committees, and technical working groups for non-point and point sources of phosphorus. Proposed roles and expected plan outcomes are outlined for each committee and working group. Also included, is a list of potential partners to help with plan development, including governments, Indigenous Nations, industrial sectors (wastewater, agriculture, forestry, tourism) and community stakeholders.
Area 3: The south basin of Lake of the Woods (LoW-S)— the primary area to assess management outcomes, and secondary area to consider to develop and apply a PMP.
Area 2: The Lower Rainy River subbasin (LRR-SB)— the primary area to develop and apply a PMP.
Figure 1: Roadmap for the Phosphorus Management Plan.
Put a plan in place. Ensure there's enough science and management expertise. Coordinate actions bi-nationally. That’s our mission.
LAKE OF THE WOODS WATER SUSTAINABILITY FOUNDATION
BY TODD SELLERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
To kick start this process, with finan cial support from ECCC, LOWWSF has developed a discussion paper, “Framework for a Domestic Phosphorus Management Plan for Rainy River and Lake of the Woods” available at startingrequiredTheThislowwsf.com/pmp-framework.isnottheplanitself.Ratheritisaroadmaptoguidethedevelopmentofadomesticplan,tocomplementtheworkbeingundertakenbyMinnesota.frameworkidentifiestheplanelements(Figure1),withtheneedforCanadatosetwaterqualityobjectivesforLakeoftheWoodsandRainyRiver(preferablyassharedbinationalobjectiveswithMinnesota),
The framework divides the watershed into four geographic areas for consideration in the development of a PMP (Figure 1). These are defined by what we currently know about nutrient sources and pathways in the basin. They are outlined as follows:
Persistent algal blooms in Lake of the Woods underscores the need to develop a Phosphorus Management Plan (PMP) for the Rainy-Lake of the Woods basin. Phosphorus is the nutrient that controls the growth of algae in lakes. Extensive studies, completed by Minnesota and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) have converged on the need to reduce phosphorus entering Lake of the Woods by about 17 to 20 percent. We know enough now, and it is time to move forward to put a plan in place.
ENVIRONMENT Lake of the Woods Area News Fall 202244
Although it will be the responsibility of the planning team to identify phosphorus sources and the potential for reduction to meet in-lake goals, the LOWWSF framework provides a considerable inventory and assessment of the point and nonpoint sources of phosphorus within the watershed. This provides a basis of information for evaluating source-risks, opportunities and challenges for management, and feasibility of management. The management plan must start by identifying what can and cannot be managed effectively, assess relevance to outcomes, and prioritize key sources to focus on. The “homework” done in the framework should provide a baseline for rapid plan development.
Minnesota has developed a detailed PMP for the U.S. portion of Rainy River and Lake of the Woods. The Minnesota plan, “Final Lake of the Woods Excess Nutrients Total Maximum Daily Load” (pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-iw10-09e.pdf), sets allocations (targets) for each phosphorus source in Minnesota, articulates an implementation strategy, and outlines monitoring that would be required to assess progress.
Area 1: The Rainy Lake subbasin (RL-SB)— the upstream headwaters to Rainy River (minimum potential for phosphorus management).
to allocating load targets for each Canadian source, through to development of a core monitoring program to assess progress and needs for future adaptive management adjustments. To be effective, establishing a core monitoring program must begin early in the process even though its utility is illustrated later in the adaptive management aspects of the plan roadmap diagram.
2. Near the outlet of Rainy River to the southern basin of Lake of the Woods.
Area 4: The north basin of Lake of the Woods (LoW-N)— a secondary management outcome area, and secondary area to consider to develop and apply a PMP.
Observing boundary conditions, especially through long term monitoring, is necessary for assessing plan effectiveness. This will involve the establishment of a long-term, core monitoring program, which is discussed in the framework document.
3. A site (or amalgam of sites) representing conditions in the southern basin/Big Traverse Bay of Lake of the Woods.
Area 2 (the Lower Rainy River subbasin) is identified as the primary area to develop and apply a PMP, because just under half of the annual external phosphorus load to Lake of the Woods comes from Rainy River. This consists of a baseload from upstream Rainy Lake, and point source and tributary loads downstream along the length of Rainy River, which result in a doubling of flow-weighted mean concentration and a 62 percent increase in load along the 140 km length of the river.
1 Willow Drive Falcon Lake, MB R0E 0N0 E: info@lumberone.ca W:TF:www.lumberone.ca1-866-325-2661P:204-349-2294Your Project Is Our Passion
Lake of the Woods District Stewardship
4. The outflow from Lake of the Woods to the Winnipeg River, at Kenora.
1. At the outlet of Rainy Lake to Rainy River, at Fort Frances, ON /International Falls, MN.
For monitoring and assessing progress, the framework proposed establishing boundary conditions (or measurement locations) that reflect that ecological conditions and provincial interim water quality objectives differ between river and lake environments. In addition, within Lake of the Woods, conditions differ substantially between south and north basins and there will be different desired outcome goals and metrics. For these reasons, the framework recommends that a plan should establish several boundary conditions, for example:
Figure 3: Proposed boundary condition locations (red dots) for assessing outcomes on Rainy River and Lake of the Woods.
Figure 2: Proposed Management Areas, including planning and outcome focus areas.
45
Next Steps
Please download a copy from the LOWWSF website—we welcome your comments. Email tsellers@lowwsf.com. an
We hope that putting a discussion document “out there” can be a catalyst for creating a shared vision and commitment for action domestically to join with Minnesota in a multinational effort to reduce phosphorus pollution. Over the coming months, we will be engaging governments and stakeholders in conversations around the Framework. Our goal is to achieve commitments of relevant partners to take the framework forward to develop and implement a long-term phosphorus management plan for the Rainy-Lake of the Wood basin.
Association ENVIRONMENT
BY PHIL BURKE
In March, and within a day of each other, I ‘rescued’ two semiconscious window strikes on our rear deck, both pine grosbeaks. That week, the outdoor temperature was in the minus 30’s, so I brought the birds inside and was pleased that they recovered within a few hours. (However, it is possible that later they succumbed to fatal internal injuries.) During the same month, we removed the carcasses of two other birds. Window collisions are often fatal because of the speed at which birds fly, and with their small bodies, complete with hollow bones, they pay a heavy price.
If there are so many fatal bird injuries, why don’t we see carcasses of the victims littering our yards? The answer, at least for our area of the continent, is in the number of predators and scavengers: raccoons, rodents, ravens, crows, hawks, foxes, household cats, and others. A wounded bird is particularly at risk because its frenetic struggles to fly advertises its vulnerability.
A small flock of grosbeaks, along with a few chickadees and a red breasted nuthatch, are gathered on a deck railing feeder when a pair of blue jays swoop onto a nearby tree. The feasting birds suddenly scatter in terror due to the jays’ hawk-like flight pattern. Two of the fleeing birds strike a nearby window; the nuthatch bumps into the glass, lightly altering its flight path and continues flying. The evening grosbeak hits the glass with a heavy thud and falls to the deck amidst a light shower of down.
Most of us have bumped into glass at some time and from those experiences we learned clues such as specific markers, window frames or muntin bars (dividers between panes of glass) that tell us where to expect glass to be. To humans, glass is recognized as a transparent barrier that allows us to see what’s on the other side. Birds don’t quite get the concept of ‘barrier’. Also, we appreciate the reflective quality of glass. Depending on light and angle, we can recognize reflected images almost as clearly as if viewing a dedicated mirror. Not so with birds. To them, the reflected image is an extension of their flying space. Hence the collisions.
An experience shared by a number of local residents during bird mating season is a male fighting its reflection in a window.
Over the years, we have witnessed a feisty male robin engaged in battle with its reflection in our sunroom window. The bird continues on and off for a few days until he gets distracted elsewhere or until his hormones settle down. Last spring, we witnessed similar behaviour from a white throated sparrow who was incensed that this stranger was usurping his territorial rights.
This semi-conscious female pine grosbeak recovered indoors after a window collision in March.
“Every year, approximately 25 million birds fatally collide into the windows of homes, offices, stores, cottages and buildings in Canada.”
A few years ago, Pat and I became concerned with the number of window strikes incurred at the adjacent corner windows in our dining room. Pat discovered some decorative snowflake decals in a variety of sizes that were meant for windows (but not necessarily as a cure for window strikes). We placed them on the inside of the glass and although we noticed an immediate decline in collisions, it is not the best answer.
LIVING Lake of the Woods Area News Fall 202246
—Fatal Light Awareness Program
In the eye of the beholder— bird window collision prevention
With proper installation or modifications, you and local birds can enjoy all your glass.
• Cornell University Lab of Ornithology: birds.cornell.edu/home
• Birds Canada: birdscanada.org
collisions and/or solutions welcomed. Please contact otter1@tbaytel.net. an
The following summarize some of the methods proven to mitigate the dangers of collision with glass used outdoors.
• American Bird Conservancy: abcbirds.org
a. Designs must be applied to the exterior of the glass with spaces between them not exceeding 10 cm (4”) if they are vertical and 5 cm (2”) if they are horizontal.
It is the reflective quality of the outside surface of the glass that is the culprit. While the closed curtain controls the see-through effect for adjacent corner windows, it does not affect the real problem. To control that, we need to break up the reflection so that our feathered friends see a barrier to their flight path. A good solution will stop most, if not all, window collisions including, those of the tiny hummingbird. And yes, over the years, we have removed at least two hummingbird carcasses from below our windows.
A Google search for ‘bird window collisions’ reveals a veritable wealth of solutions, and more importantly, creditable information and recommendations from noncommercial scientific sites.
The use of glass outdoors has increased over the past few decades and now it is not uncommon to see exterior glass stair railings, glass patio deck panels and partitions, glass walkways, and even glassed-in floating docks. The ads for these products make it very appealing and unfortunately, most do not mention bird concerns.
c. Dots with a minimum size of 6 mm (1/4”) applied to the entire surface in a 2x2” grid. (This is used in a Point Pelee National Park lookout deck.)
f. A mesh netting or screen can cushion the impact.
b. Patterns may be drawn with glass paint (or even a bar of soap— renewable after rain).
g. Etched glass should be considered for new or upgrade projects.
• Fatal Light Awareness Program: flap.org
• ReportsBirdsafe.caofwindow
d. Ribbons or cords attached vertically every 10 mm (4”) or horizontally every 5mm (2”).
e. Install feeders as close to the window as possible so birds leaving after a snack can’t accelerate to a dangerous speed.
These decals placed on the inside of the window were too far apart and on the wrong side of the glass to be totally effective.
I highly recommend the following internet sites:
• Canadian Wildlife Federation: cwf-fcf.org
47Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association LIVING
“SOLD” WE ARE ALL ENJOYING THE SUMMER HERE ARE SOMEMcConnell Lake $870,000 Deception Bay, Lake of the Woods $2,400,000 Lily Pad Bay, Lake of the Woods $1,550,000 Rush Bay, Lake of the Woods $1,500,000 Black Sturgeon Lake $700,000 Minaki Area Sold August, 2022Sold July, 2022 Sold August, 2022 Sold June, 2022Sold August, 2022 Sold August, $555,0002021 PROPERTIES OF 2022 HAROLD WARKENTIN “THE FLYING SALESMAN”® c: 807.464.1221 e: haroldwarkentin@c21.ca w: www.HAROLDWARKENTIN.ca BROKER CENTURY 21 NORTHERN CHOICE REALTY LTD. - 213 MAIN STREET SOUTH, KENORA ON INDEPENDANTLY OWNED AND OPERATED
MARION RATUSKI
Wild Rice SoupBY
1. Melt butter in saucepan and sauté onion until tender.
2. Blend in flour; gradually add broth.
3 tbsp chopped slivered almonds
1/2 cup flour
1 cup half and half
2 tbsp dry (optional)sherry
6 tbsp butter
1/2 cup finely grated carrots
4. Stir in rice, ham, carrots, almonds and salt; simmer about 5 minutes.
1 tbsp minced onion
3. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil; boil for 1 minute.
snipped parsley or chives
MEMBER RECIPE
6. Garnish with snipped parsley or chives.
2 cups cooked wild rice OR 1 can Canoe cooked wild rice
Marion Ratuski’s “elegant” wild rice soup recipe appeared in the August 1995 issue of the Area News. Enjoy!
3 cups chicken broth
1/2 tsp salt
5. Blend in half and half, and sherry. Heat to serving temperature.
49Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association LIVING
1/3 cup minced ham
SERVES 6
Wild Rice Soup
LIVING Lake of the Woods Area News Fall 202250
The key to having fewer possessions is to buy less. The simpler times we all crave and remember had fewer encumberments. Perhaps some of the changes we can make will start with our Christmas Lists. Renewables in any form would be welcome gifts. Sometimes they are a little costly but forgoing another gift makes it easier to swallow and not expensive over time.
Surely, this is an opportunity to think about making it less complicated and assisting the environment in recovering. Using our time during winter to seek the goals of simplicity, ease, fewer possessions, and more conservational care would be worthwhile.
Turn off lights. CHECK THE BOX Shut off whenUnplugcomputers.Useenergy-savinglightbulbs.chargersnotinuse.Usenaturallight, heat and cooling. Use power“smart”strips. Talk to your parents about digitalprogrammablethermostats.Talkto your parents about home improvements to save energy such as windows, doors, and roofs.(TV,devicesTurnhttp://go.usa.gov/DVuQoffentertainmentwhennotinusegamesystems,etc.). Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Talk to your parents about ENERGY STAR appliances.
There are some humorous moments as we help our neighbours with the last trip for the season. They grumble about how much is in the boat as we drive them to their vehicle. We can relate because we hauled things back and forth when we were summeronly residents. So how did it get to be so complex?
Resolutions for renewal
10 SIMPLE WAYS TO USE ENERGY WISELY
This winter, as we refresh our outlook on consuming, buying and wasting less, we can look forward to a less stressful summer. an
Just a little personal update about my quest to switch to a cordless leaf blower. Jim made the decision himself (honest, no pressure by me) to explore and purchase one. He loves it and so do I! Less noise and no more stinky fumes for us. One of the spin offs was a streamlining of tools and yard equipment. The kitchen also got a makeover. Doubles had to go even though frugal me winced at letting go of that extra kettle.
TREADING WISELY
Most people are choosing reusable goods everywhere they live. Here’s something that struck me as funny though. Recently, my daughter was complaining about having too many reusable bags. In our willingness to adopt that principal to reduce waste, we have forgotten that we must control excess reusables and of course, where to store them to make it simple. I think I need to turn down free bags to avoid bag overload.
BY ROSEMARY ROBERTSON
Shutting down camp makes us reflect on how we live there. The mounds of stuff we organize, throw out, or remove to other properties for winter seems overwhelming. We may think we have an easier time of it than our predecessors because of the conveniences now available, but life is not simple anymore. We have compounded the problem due to the acquisition of more “things” that need servicing, maintenance, and storage.
Sure, life at the lake was in some ways tougher before due to the time required to push the manual lawn mower or haul water from the lake. But at the same time, if some jobs didn’t get done, oh well. We have become driven to complete all jobs quickly so that play can follow. Previously, there was always time for a morning swim before breakfast or starting work.
about turning off lights and others that are negligent. If they have ownership of something, they are more likely to not only learn how to conserve energy but sometimes become the enforcers. It can be a lot of fun for them if adults are ready to engage. It might also help the energy-wasting adults as well, and there are definitely enough of those in our family. See the “Easy Energy Checklist” for some ideas.
Here are some questions to ask yourself about lingering cottage clutter. Do I use this at least once a month? Have I used it regularly this season? Did I wear this last summer? If the answer is no to any of these, you know what to do next. Get rid of it in an effective way. Instead of having every conceivable new gadget, tool, or appliance for the cottage we can consider purchasing or gifting a “do it all” item. Everyone’s will be different but mine is my food processor.
Plans to use energy wisely at the cottage might be practiced during winter. Kids can really get involved in this project. Amongst our nine grandkids there are a few who are very vigilant
Laura M. lwheatley@hsllaw.caB.HSc.,WheatleyJ.D.
But what are the actual alternatives? We could all go to electric vehicles (EV), but there is a long way to go before EV’s become truly affordable for everyone and their many battery and range issues are resolved. On the other hand, we could switch to much smaller vehicles and raise the fuel taxes even higher as Sweden and Norway have done, resulting in people driving a lot less. Lower fuel consumption would eventually result in cleaner air, a bonus for the health of the population and the planet. Remember when airplanes sat immobile on runways during the pandemic? The skies were a lot clearer for a while.
B. Soc. Sc., polinyk@hsllaw.caJ.D.
These days we’re increasingly challenged to come up with innovative ideas as spiralling gas and diesel prices affect our life-long love affair with cars. Most thinking people recognize that sooner or later we’ll have to alter our ways of getting around and some folks already have. Cyclists and walkers abound, though most of us cling to the familiar convenience of our beloved vehicles.
When we were young the roads were gravel which made our lives a rougher travel. Now we are older, and the roads are tarred makes one wonder why life’s still hard.
& HENRY RASMUSSEN
Over 40 years of experience in Lake of the Woods Real Estate Clear and practical advice1-833-447-5529hsllaw.caW. Randall F. Seller B.A., rseller@hsllaw.caLL.B Stephen R. Lundin B.A., slundin@hsllaw.caLL.B Cheryl C. M. Siran B.A. (ADV), csiran@hsllaw.caLL.B Beth Allison White B.H.Ec., bwhite@hsllaw.caLL.B Reid E. rthompson@hsllaw.caB.A.,ThompsonLL.B Kimberly P. Mejia B.B.A., kmejia@hsllaw.caLL.B HOOK SELLER LUNDIN LLP BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS
NOTES FROM RAZBERRY LANE
He gazed at his useless automobile with four good tires and no gasoline until a light bulb went off inside his head and he planned it all out that night in bed.
He switched the metal wheels on his wagon so dandy for his car’s four tires, all rubber and bouncy. From that day on farmers all over the nation eagerly latched onto his great innovation.
By the time the Depression had receded into history each and every farmyard across this great country sported some version of the “Bennett Buggy or Wagon” and all because of one man’s fertile imagination.
When we were five we owned a contraption pulled by horses—actually a hay wagon. A handy conveyance with wheels so hard you had to sit on a cushion just to cross the yard.
The Bennett Buggy was named after T.B. Bennett, Prime Minister of Canada (1930-1935), a man unfairly blamed for the multitude of shortages and hardships during the long lean years of the Dust Bowl to come. He also subsequently lent his name to other Depression icons like the “Bennett Blanket”, the “Bennett Barnyard” and “Bennett Coffee”, but most enduring of all, the “Bennett Wagon”.
Phaedra M. Olinyk
Then some smart fellow had an inspiration on how to survive the Great Depression when most people had less than a dime to spend and a five-dollar bill was rare as teeth in a hen.
But what if everyone tomorrow bought an electric vehicle? Would the supply even meet the demand, and could the present electrical generation capacity even come close to bearing the load? Many questions with few clear answers.
In actuality, our problems are not that new. In the days of the Great Depression, there was plenty of gasoline to go around. However, people found themselves owning vehicles they couldn’t afford to drive. The trouble was that the financial world collapsed amidst a cruel drought. Necessity being the mother of invention, some bright person, probably a farmer, saw value in that useless car parked in his driveway. The result was as follows. So, with tongue firmly placed in cheek and apologies to all the serious poets out there, we playfully present an alternative that involves turning the clock back a mere ninety years or so...
51Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association LIVING
Alternatives and other thoughtsBYANITA
ILDING
BU DRE A M S
One of my favourite parts of working with youth are the questions I get. Not only are they entertaining at times, for instance, “If you drained a lake and filled it with Pepsi, and it evaporated... would we get Pepsi rain?”, but questions show me how the students are connecting the information to their lives, and what makes them curious to learn more.
LOWDKids in the wild and theBYclassroomCASSIDYMAZUR,EDUCATION AND OUTREACH MANAGER
We know how engaging learning outdoors is, but when that isn’t possible, we can “take them out of the classroom” figuratively
A student examines an aquatic insect preserved in a vial as they learn to identify the different species.
Schools around Lake of the Woods can book programs that bring real-world science and stewardship to classrooms. For example, this past spring and summer, we worked with camps and schools to engage youth in activities like shoreline cleanups, stencilling storm drains, identifying aquatic invertebrates, modelling watershed pollution, and we continue to expand these opportunities. This fall and winter season students will get the latest IISD-ELA research and LOWDSA initiatives.
Here’s where I’m calling on you: the next time your answer to a young person is “I don’t know”, make the next words, “Let’s find out”. If you can’t find answers to your sustainable lake living questions on your own, email your question to info@lowdsa.com or epc@lowdsa.com. an
Now,environment.let’snotkid
53Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association LIVING
Inquiry-based learning from IISD Experimental Lakes Area and LOWDSA tosses the classic lecture-style out the window. Our approach, instead, uses hands-on activities and discussions related to freshwater stewardship in your classrooms. We support a student-led process that follows each individual’s unique interests and allows curiosity to drive learning. We believe that when students are in the driver's seat, they can truly engage in LOWDKids,learning.inallof
ourselves (no pun intended), youth aren’t the only ones that get curious and ask questions! At the risk of shattering the illusion held by the young people in your life that you know everything there is to know—set an example by diving into your curiosities and instilling that learning is a lifelong journey for everyone.
Just being immersed in the natural environment here might be enough to make them a part of the next generation of stewards. To support that journey, how can we foster their interest in the environment and inspire learning how to protect it?
its forms, has the goal of supporting the next generation of stewards for the Lake of the Woods area and beyond. While this is important, what we really want to encourage is building that connection and learning with the
Do you have a LOWD Kid? What is LOWDKids in the Wild? We asked ourselves these questions recently. LOWDSA’s youth programming is continuously evolving. We engage with youth at every opportunity; we host events, talk to youth at markets, deliver guest programming at camps and classrooms, and develop virtual activities and content for social media and our website. So, what makes a LOWD Kid? If you have a kid in your life that enjoys, lives, or plays in the Lake of the Woods district, I consider them a LOWD Kid (you might consider them a “loud” kid).
Students examine and identify aquatic insects and other invertebrates found during a shoreline sweep activity.
by helping link environmental issues, science, and diverse job opportunities to their own lives. This makes learning about more than grades. A reminder that the whole point of learning is to equip our youth with knowledge and skills that will help them shape their passions and guide them through life.
Playing in soil helps to stimulate our senses. Feeling the gritty, slippery and sticky textures of mud engages our sense of touch. The earthy and loamy smell of mud activates our sense of smell. Paying attention to various colours of clay, loam, and silt and being mindful of the invertebrates that live there enlivens our sense of sight. The slurping, squelching and squishing sounds of mud delights our ears.
It turns out that soil contains a bacteria called Mycobacterium vaccae, which serves to boost the serotonin levels in our brains. Serotonin is a chemical that helps us feel positive, relaxed and happy. At the same time, playing in mud strengthens our immune system by exposing our bodies to beneficial bacteria.
Ever wonder why kids delight in playing in the mud? More than one exasperated parent has hosed down their child, murmuring “why, why, why oh why?” There is a good reason why our children like mud and kids seem to know this instinctively. Mud makes us happier.
LIVING Lake of the Woods Area News Fall 202254
BY RODENBURGMONKMANDREW&JACOB
It starts with you. If children see you playing, laughing and having fun with mud, they too will begin to find mud, well—mudilicious! Here are some mud friendly suggestions to help your children delight in the joy of mud.
the Magic of MudMudilicious
Playing in mud isn’t just fun—it also strengthens the immune system. Photo: iStock.
Mud Soup
Mud Pie
55Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association LIVING
Give these activities a try! We hope you’ll have a mudilicious time connecting your children to the very ground that nurtures and sustains us all—Mother Earth!
Place some tree cookies (or slices of trees) on an old plywood sheet supported by some simple legs. These become the burners. Cut away part of the counter and insert an old sink. Place a bucket underneath to drain any water. Glue on smaller sections of tree cookies to simulate the dials of a stove. Use old pots, pans, baking trays, pie tins or whatever else is gathering dust in the basement and create whimsical outdoor kitchen. mud pie! Photo: Jacob Rodenburg.
Take an aluminum pie plate (or any other handy container) and fill this with mud. If you don’t have access to mud, take soil and mix this with some warm water, a bit at a time, until you have a pile of thick, gooey mud. Decorate the top with flowers, twigs, leaves, and stones. Experiment with patterns by incorporating spirals, swirls and sweeping line. You can also make imprints by pressing something with texture into the soft mud and carefully removing this. Try using shells, leaves or even your thumbprint. Leave to dry…
Mud Bricks
Take an old wading pool and fill this with a mixture of soil and water until you have a fine slurry. Watch the kids wallow and cavort! Have a hose handy and give them a good wash before allowing them back in the house. You can also use a wheelbarrow for a more controlled mud experience.
Feeling the gritty, slippery and sticky textures of mud engages our sense of touch.
Photo: iStock.
Photo: Jacob Rodenburg
To activate your child’s imagination, why not make a mud soup? Just to be clear, this isn’t for drinking – but you could leave it out for the woodland gnomes who we hear love a tasty earthen soup. Use a big pot and wooden spoons. Add some mud and mix water until you have the right consistency. Then throw in whatever special ingredients you might find nearby. Consider stirring in mulch, leaves, seeds, flowers, pebbles, evergreen snippets and twigs. Find some large sticks to help children mix everything together.
Mud Kitchen
Make your own
Mud Pit
Creative mud play— A mud kitchen!
Make a simple mud brick mold by hammering a form together out of 2 x 6’s. Make the form about 6 inches wide and one foot long. Mix water, soil, and grasses together until you have a solid dollop of mud that keeps its shape. Grasses act like a binding agent. Try experimenting with different ratios of mud, grass or any other natural binding agent. What recipe makes the best bricks? Press mud into the mold and gently ease this out. Make a series of bricks and allow these to dry completely in the sun. Usually, this takes at least two days in direct sunlight. Use your bricks to make a simple fire pit or a container for plants.
This 6.75 acre private island with approx. 1,750 of frontage offers maximum privacy. Incl. assignable rented marina parking spot and dock slip. 2 BDR main cottage built in 1980 plus sleeping cabin built in the 1940s.
Whitefish Bay, Lake of the Woods
$305,000
$575,000
Clearwater Bay, Corkscrew Island, Lake of the Woods
1,500 sq. ft. four bedroom cabin. Tenants-incommon ownership. 60 feet of shoreline and your own dock right in front of the cabin. Virtual tour on our website.
55 Kitt Road
$335,000
Cabin Country Realty 807-468-3541 / cabincountry.com
Island A Black Sturgeon
$224,900
Lot 14 Winnipeg River
Century 21 Northern Choice Realty Ltd.
$649,900
Offering 3BDR and 1BATH. Comes with a dock slip, front deck, and beautiful private fire pit area. Spacious parking area in the front with storage underneath the cottage. Open concept living area with a wood stove.
This off-grid, 5.87 acre island features a well-built cottage, deep water on all sides, and a peaceful setting! Long views to the south and west; north and east sides are relatively sheltered.
2 bedroom, 1 bath, 1,130 s/f year round cottage on 1.55 acres, offered turn-key. Exceptional privacy. Water access.
Greg Kirby, Re/Max First Choice Realty Ltd 807-466-8266 / gregkirby.ca
Independently Owned & Operated – Brokerage 807-468-3747 / century21kenora.com
$269,000
Northwoods Realty 807-226-1024 / northwoodsrealtyltd.com
Island G804 Ptarmigan Bay, LOTW
3 bedroom, 1 bath, 1,380 s/f 3-season cottage on 0.77 of an acre with 209 feet of south exposure frontage. Exceptional privacy. Water access.
$434,900
80 acre waterfront property close to downtown. Incredible natural landscape, rolling fields and beautiful vistas! Year round custom home with 5 bedrooms, 3 baths and a charming log cottage nestled away at the water’s edge on Alcock Lake.
Lot 27, Dogtooth Lake Road
Two rustic cabins at 560 sq. ft. a piece: a 3-bdrm and a 2-bdrm cabin. Two docking areas in great shape, option to hook up hydro as it is very close, and just a short distance boat ride from town!
Carmichael Real Estate Inc. 807-466-2236 / lakeofthewoods.net
$799,000
$487,000
Greg Kirby, Re/Max First Choice Realty Ltd 807-466-8266 / gregkirby.ca
Real Estate Listings
RE/MAX NorthWest Realty Brokerage 807-468-4573 / remaxnorthwestrealty.com
S ERVICES Lake of the Woods Area News Fall 202256
South facing vacant lot minutes from town. 2.85 ac., 782 ft of frontage with hydro nearby. New price!
Sioux Narrows
Cabin Country Realty 807-468-3541 / cabincountry.com
Century 21 Northern Choice Realty Ltd. Independently Owned & Operated – Brokerage 807-468-3747 / century21kenora.com
Island D89 Keewatin Channel
10x10 old log shed. 14" overhang. The bottom has some rot but if someone is in terested in dismantling and moving it to a new foundation it would be a very cool garden shed or playhouse for kids. We'd just love to see it repurposed as it is pretty cool. Dismantling/PU at Trinity Bay (boat access only). Email mridgen@aptn.ca.
Minaki Island Retreat. 4 BR, large wrap around screen porch, BBQ deck, upper deck off upstairs BR. Boathouse with spacious deck & swimming dock. S. half (1.12 acres) of island property, S, E, W ex posures. Wood burning stove/glass front,
baseboard heat, shower, hydro, phone, sat. TV, washer/dryer, composting toilet. 1975 sq. ft. 2 levels. Furnished, move in ready. 7 mins to Minaki marinas. Txt/call 651-200-2217, 651-274-7278.
Island rental Storm Bay Rd. near the rollers. 2 log homes, new mattresses, 1 king, 1 king, a double and a single. 2 kay aks & a boat can be included. $200-$375 per night. kaitlyn.mcgregor@gmail.com
ANTIQUE STRAND WOODBURNING COOKSTOVE. White, with some black trim. Includes bun warmer, wood box, oven, boiler, 6 elements. Very good con dition. $500. Must be able to take it away. Call or text 204-781-3504.
16 ft Albacore sailboat. Complete set of sails including main, jib, spinnaker and sail bag good shape. Custom built trailer included. Mast support for trailering. Asking $2500, call 204-489-6787 or e-mail brugin1@mymts.net.
SCUBA EQUIPMENT. Selling as total package only. Items in "Like new" condition. Includes wet suit with two sets of regulators, two air tanks, both re-certified May 2022, face masks, flip pers, diver's hoods, gloves, weight belts, etc., etc. $1,200 for everything. Phone 204-333-7182.
Snow Blower or Garden Tractor. Looking to buy a good condition, used, gas powered 30 inch or larger, with Snow-Thrower attachment and or Blade. Contact: peterzaj@mymts.net
LOW Storm Bay Rd 9. Large house with 9 bdrms, hot tub, multi level decks, granite kitchen, boathouse, sauna, WiFi, fireplace, washer & dryer, dishwasher. Kayak & boat are a possibility. $2500$7000 weekly. Discounts available in the fall. mail@markmcgregor.ch
Rustic log cabin. 2 bedrooms and 3 bed bunk house on boat house in Woodchuck Bay. Beds for 8-10 w/ 1 bathroom and outhouse. Road accessible off Rush Bay Road, large grass, low profile front lot with sand beach and floating dock. Weekly and monthly dates available. 3,500 per week Pls contact lotw.lodge.6@gmail.com.
Part-Time, General Labourer. For help around the cottage and land, possibly 3 days a week. Location: Northern Har bour area at the end of Storm Bay Road. Contact E-mail: peterzaj@mymts.net.
Brule Point lakefront 3 bdrm cabin, LOW. Fantastic fishing area, quiet bay, two docking facilities with plug, private beach, fully stocked including freezer, large deck. Cabin sleeps 5, single bathroom/shower. Boat access only. 2022 rate $1330/week. Contact donna@taketwoinc.com
LOVEMISCELLANEOUSDOGS?
FOR SALE: MISC.
Summer Student to do property main tenance at cottage property. On Storm Bay Road May-Aug 2022, position runs 16 weeks at 40h per week. The wages offered are $25 an hour. Email resume to kevin@mcfaddenbenefits.com
Lakefront Cottage, near Welcome Chan nel. South exposure, water access, 5 miles from Kenora by boat. Private dock, hydro, Starlink internet, TV & DVD player, full kitchen w/ dishwasher & 3 pc. bathroom, additional outdoor shower, washer & dryer, BBQ, screened porch, 2 bedrooms. Avail able Jun – Sep. Seasonal rental $15,000. Contact: lowcottage@hotmail.com.
Please try to keep your listing to 35 words or less.
Lakefront - Clearwater Bay. South exposure; road access; spacious docks for swimming, fishing & boating. Large great room, kitchen & dining areas with spectacular lake view. 3 bedrooms; mas ter with ensuite. Full second bathroom— shower & bath. Den with fireplace, satellite TV & pullout sofa. Dishwasher, microwave, washer & dryer. Large deck & BBQ. Minutes from the liquor store, gas & groceries. 1-2 week stays, June-Sept $4000/w. Contact dougpeever1955@ gmail.com for booking details.
Portage Road. Lakefront with a large dock and great swimming. 4 bdrm, full bath with washer & dryer, good size kitchen with dishwasher, wood-burning fireplace & satellite TV. Screened porch, large deck, and fire pit. Lots of parking. Recently renovated. Available January through December. Minimum 2-week stay. $3080/wk. Email inquiries to hklapman@mwgapparel.com
How to submit Classifieds
Private sale. 2 new road access lakefront lots on lake of the woods - Pine Portage Bay area, access via Storm Bay Road. Each lot has 200 feet of frontage, 2.6 acres and 2.42 acres, west exposure, heavily treed, very private gated-road access, hydro and telephone, unrestrict ed deeded access, legal title to each lot. Contact e-mail: peterzaj@mymts.net.
Golf Course Bay, Lake of the Woods. For sale by original owner, 3200 sq. ft. 2 story air conditioned home, 2.5 stall garage with heated workshop, on 2 lots with sand beach, dock, covered boat lift, municipal water & sewer, natural gas heat, paved driveway, many other features. Phone (807) 468-8770.
Exceptional location on Coney Island. Minutes from Kenora / Keewatin with western exposure. Newer, open concept cottage with 4 large bdrms and three bathrooms. Separate master suite with bathroom and private deck. Amenities include a full kitchen with all appli ances, dishwasher, microwave, washer/ dryer, large island, separate dining area, wood burning fireplace and satellite TV. Screened porch with large wrap around decks overlook the lake, outdoor shower and built-in gas barbecue. Waters edge has a large main dock with two floaters that provide deep water docking and great swimming. Minimum 2 week stay. Email inquiries to bill.ralph@shaw.ca
WANT TO HIRE
Pre-owned boat trailer. For 17 1/2' Lund aluminum boat with 50 hp tiller motor; prefer 13" tires although not mandatory. Bunk or rollers. Contact 204-782-2808 or email jim.coldwell@ mymts.net.
Private Cottage in Bulman Bay, LOTW. Minutes from the Yacht Club. Near Keewatin, 10 minutes down McKenzie
LAND FOR SALE
WANT TO BUY
Next submission deadline: October 7, 2022
Lakefront on Trout Lake. 20km north of Kenora. 2 or 3 bdrm cabin available for rent weekends or weekly May-June. Full kitchen & bathrm, TV/DVD, BBQ. Comes with canoe, kayaks & 12 ft. alum. boat. Deck off front of cabin; private deck at water’s edge; your own sand beach. Spring fed lake with crystal clear water. troutlake596@gmail.com
BOATS/MOTORS FOR SALE
FOR LakefrontRENTcottage,
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
Byte sail boat for sale. 12 ft long, fully equipped, very good condition. Like a mini Laser. Stored in Kenora area. $750. Call 204-781-6807.
1984 Tiara 31’ Lake Cruiser - Live aboard. Low-time Twin 350 Crusader engines, all new interior refresh with XM and loads of equipment. This ex-Great Lakes boat is ready to go. $40,000 USD. Contact at 204-292-3970.
Email membership@lowdsa.com or mail LOWDSA, Box 1160, Kenora, ON P9N 3X7
All classified ads are posted online at lowdsa.com. Note that they are posted within a couple days of submission and not subject to magazine deadlines.
Rustic 1000 square foot cabin on Zigzag Island (Clearwater Bay). 5-minute boat ride from Rockeries Marina. A boat rental could be available. Amazing fishing near by. Satellite TV, great cellular coverage, bbq, kayaks, fire pit, and much more. Prefer a couple or former cottage owners. Knowledge of a composting toilet is essential. 1300$ per week. 204-688-7347.
BOAT RAIL SYSTEM, Morson area. Approx. 100 ft. long with carriage for 17’ to 20’ boat (more or less) complete with winch system powered by a solar panel with charging system not including bat tery. Asking $4750. jaslaw1@shaw.ca.
Antique 1966 Mahogany CENTURY RESORTER. 17’7”. Original Chrysler V8 Marine Fury 210 inboard engine. Origin al upholstery, windshield, bench seat, cockpit cover. Professionally maintained and serviced. Stored indoors. Comes with trailer. Email rbkat5851@gmail.com or call 807-466-7456.
It's A Dog's Life needs foster and forever homes for their rescue dogs. Cottagers can help with short or long term fostering or adopting. Website: adogslife.cc or call 807-467-3647.
Z-Dock 15’x18’ floating dock. With integral small boat ramp $5000. 204292-3970.
Sioux Narrows. 2 BR main cottage includes 2 baths, large great room, full kitchen with dishwasher, dining room with French doors, wet bar, laundry, BBQ, internet/tv, private docking & swim dock. Also included is guest cottage with full bath. Located on Snake Bay, beautiful water views on 3 sides. Minutes from store, gas, groceries. $2500/week- 2 week minimum. Price negotiable for longer term or seasonal renter. Contact laurel.whitla@gmail.com or (204) 298-5527.
Looking to buy home, cottage or property on Winnipeg River. Thinking of selling? Our family is looking to build or buy a road access home, cabin or property in the $500-$900K range, within
20 min drive to Keewatin/Kenora. Email shayla.e.s@gmail.com.
Classified ads are a free service for LOWDSA members.
Lund Outfitter (2003 20ft ) with Mer cury 115hp EFI Optimax, dependable and great on fuel. New in 2016 Merc 9.9hp long shaft Pro Kicker EFI, power tilt, elec start; 2 Interstate deep cycle batteries; Humminbird 9" Helix fish locator; bluetooth stereo, ladder & travel cover. New in 2018 all new canvas. On Easyloader trailer. Asking $24,750 OBO. Contact Ted 204-294-4891 or Hawkersidly@gmail.com
Lakefront Cottage on Lake of the Woods. Storm Bay Rd, road access. Includes 3 bedrooms, full kitchen, bath and laundry. 2 acres, private bay, sandy beach, floating dock and good fishing! Available June, July, August. $2,500/ week. Text 204-951-5812.
Antique PETERBOROUGH CEDAR STRIP Canoe, complete with floor boards. Perfect 'as-is' as a wall hanger or suitable for an easy restoration. Needs canvas. Located in Clearwater Bay. Email: jmblake74@gmail.com for pictures. Asking $600.
57Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association S ERVICES
Classifieds
Cottage & Marine Insurance Specialists Over thirty years of experience 204.410.1010 | richard@mckenzie.insure | mckenzie.insure Richard McKenzie, CAIB Bob’s ElEctric ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING Owned/Operated by rick Brignall 807.468.5915 rBrignall@yahOO.ca A family business serving Lake of the Woods cottagers for over 30 years • new construction/renovations/cottages • lake Work ready 24/7 • acP contractor ESa/Ecra #7008852 • call anytime for a FrEE EStiMatE ADVERTISE WITH Deb deb@areanewsmagazine.caPolakoff204-795-6844 PHONE: 807-468-7878 1221 HWY 17 W., Keewatin Toll Free: 1-888-893-6488 info@keystonelock.ca COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL • INDUSTRIAL • COTTAGE Security Systems, ULC Monitoring, CCTV, Intrusion, Smoke, Hi/Lo Temp, Flood & Fire • CCTV • Card Access • Electronic Door Controls • • Lock Sales, Repairs, Rekeys • Deadbolts • Padlocks • • Safe Opening & Repairs • Restricted Key Systems • Keys by Code • Home & Cottage Services S ERVICES Lake of the Woods Area News Fall 202258
Advertisers’ Directory ARTS22 Melissa Jean Art Kenora melissajeanart.com BUILDING SUPPLIES 45 Lumber One Building Supplies 1 Willow Drive, Falcon Lake 204-349-2294 lumberone.ca 17 McMunn & Yates 1666 Highway 17 W, Keewatin 807-547-3366 mcmunnandyates.com 26 Star Building Materials 16 Speers Road, Winnipeg 204-233-8687 starbuilding.ca/winnipeg COMMUNITY & PHILANTHROPY 20-21 IISD Environmental Lakes Area 204-958-7700 iisd.org 14 Lake of the Woods District Hospital 21 Sylvan Street W, Kenora 807-468-9861 lwdh.on.ca 8 Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation 21 Sylvan Street W, Kenora 807-468-9861 lwdhf.com 29 Nature Conservancy of Canada 877-231-3552 natureconservancy.ca CONTRACTORS58AK & Company Highway 17 W, Keewatin 807-543-2493 58 Backwoods Const & Tree Service Keewatin 807-464-1797 7 Black Fox Construction 225 Main Street North, Kenora 807-468-5915 blackfoxconstruction.com 28 Conquest Manufacturing 3077 Road 6 NW, Altona 866-300-0222 conquestbuilt.com Inside Back Docks & Lifts 1940 Highway 17 East, Kenora 807-547-4444 docksandlifts.ca 52 DTL Carpentry Keewatin 204-979-4055 dtlcarpentry.ca 47 REMR Roofing 2053 Hwy 17 E, Kenora 807-548-2811 remrroofing.com ELECTRICAL58 Bob's Electric Kenora 807-468-5915 rbrignall@yahoo.ca 27 Bowman Electric Kenora 807-467-1022 bowmanelectric.com FINANCIAL SERVICES 30-31 Bieber Wealth Management 1 Lombard Place, Winnipeg 204-953-7827 richardsonwealth.com Inside Front RBC Darcy Zaporzan 3100-201 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg 204-982-2635 dzwmg.com 42 Richardson Wealth 1 Lombard Place, Winnipeg 204-943-5263 richardsonwealth.com HOME & COTTAGE FURNISHINGS 12 Image One Home & Cottage 1060 Railway Street, Kenora 807-468-3641 imageonehome.com 23 Faveris Wood Furniture 625 Wall Street, Winnipeg 204-957-4940 faveriswoodfurniture.com HOME & COTTAGE MAINTENANCE 58 Keystone Security 1221 Highway 17 W, Keewatin 807-468-7878 keystonelock.ca 48 LOW Septic Barge & Bell's Septic Kenora 807-464-3468 septicbarge.com 58 Mason Plumbing & Heating West Hawk Lake 204-349-2672 masonplumbing.ca 6 Morgan Fuels Kenora 800-661-3635 morganfuels.ca 58 United Tree Service Kenora 807-464-3602 INSURANCE58 Richard McKenzie Insurance 57-99 Scurfield Boulevard, Winnipeg 204-410-1010 mckenzie.insure 16 The Standard Insurance 319 Second Street South, Kenora 807-468-3333 thestandardonline.com LEGAL51 Hook Seller Lundin 203-301 First Avenue South, Kenora 807-468-9831 hsllaw.ca 9 PFK Lawyers 71 Main Street South, Carmen 204-745-2028 pkflawyers.com MARINE & RECREATION 49 Rond's Marine 1350 Dugald Road, Winnipeg 204-237-5800 rondsmarine.com 36 WSL Sport & Leisure 832 Lakeview Drive, Kenora 807-468-5975 wslsport.com REAL ESTATE Back Cover Cabin Country Realty 138 Main Street South, Kenora 807-468-3541 cabincountry.com 18 Carmichael Real Estate 625 Lakeview Drive, Kenora 807-467-2323 lakeofthewoods.net 2 Century 21 Northern Choice Realty Ltd 5-308 2nd Street South 807-468-3747 century21kenora.com 40 Greg Kirby RE/MAX Kenora 807-466-8266 gregkirby.ca 15 Northwoods Realty 5701A Highway 71, Sioux Narrows 807-226-1024 northwoodsrealtyltd.com 37 RE/MAX NorthWest Realty Ltd 334 Second Street S, Kenora 807-468-0101 remaxnorthwestrealty.com 59Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association S ERVICES
All photos by Shirley Popham. From the collection of the Lake of the Woods Museum, courtesy of Jim Ashdown, Jr.
Jim Ashdown, Sr., was a passenger on the train. He recalled, “We were four minutes late leaving Rennie and we had an eight-mile, dead-straight stretch, so the engineer got her going and at the end of the stretch there was an S turn…”
The engine, tender, and baggage car jumped the tracks and plowed along the parallel westbound tracks for about 200 yards before plummeting down a 35-foot embankment on the south side of the tracks. The following five cars veered off the tracks on the north side and plunged into a swampy ditch, with three cars toppling onto their sides and two remaining upright but pitched at an extreme angle.
S ERVICES Lake of the Woods Area News Fall 202260
Clean boxcars were dispatched to the wreckage site to transport the passengers to Kenora, 37 miles away. Their 1:15 am arrival at the Kenora station was met by concerned family and friends, and by land ambulances and station wagons that transported the injured to the Kenora General and St. Joseph’s Hospitals. Of the over 200 passengers, 35 were injured. Sadly, there were two fatalities—Jim Szabo, a young brakeman on the train, and passenger Isabel MacConnell.
It was not a usual start to a summer weekend in lake country, thankfully. As one passenger noted, “It was a miracle that there weren’t more killed or injured. It could have been a lot worse.” an
An unidentified passenger said, “It came so fast I didn’t know what happened. As soon as I saw we were going to roll, I hit the floor. There was no panic in the car.”
Jack Cook and his parents, who were bound for the family’s camp at Ingolf, were in the second coach behind the baggage car. “We were just sitting talking when we felt a bump. Then we seemed to heave and the next thing I knew, some woman plummeted over my head to the end of the coach. We were suddenly covered with water. The coach was on its side in the ditch.”
Title photo right: The coaches and dining car were pitched into the swampy ditch on the north side of the tracks. The passengers were extracted through broken windows.
No panic, no screams
BY LORI NELSON
Title photo left: The engine, tender and baggage cars jumped the tracks and landed on the south side of the tracks in a jumble of steel.
The evening started as many Friday evenings in lake country did back then. At the camps on Lake of the Woods, dinner dishes were being attended to and boats were being readied in preparation for family members arriving by train. In Winnipeg, the weekenders had boarded the Campers’ Special train throwing off the responsibilities and stresses of the work week in anticipation of two glorious days at the lake.
The evening of July 16, 1954, however, was not to proceed as usual. When the train didn’t arrive at Ingolf at the expected time, a jigger was dispatched to investigate. About eight miles along, the operator came upon the Campers’ Special, strewn along both sides of the track with passengers dazed and wandering about the wreckage seeking to help those who were injured.
The RCMP in Whitemouth were notified of the wreck by Rudolph Sorenson, whose farm was only a quarter of a mile from the scene. He was heading to the barn to milk his cows when he saw a cloud of steam rising from the tracks and, being familiar with the schedule of the Campers’ Special, surmised that something was Helpwrong.camefrom
Lorraine Foster, a 20-year-old passenger, remembers the sound: “Suddenly there was this unearthly squeal, and I could feel the car going over. We landed in a big ditch, right on our side. Water was
all directions. Residents in the vicinity brought coffee, the four doctors on board the train attended to the injured, CPR staff ensured that rail traffic east- and westbound was halted, and passengers helped where they could and then patiently waited. Jim Ashdown, Sr., wrote, “We made a fire on the track out of the ties that had been torn up and took the seats out of the dining car and sat around waiting to be rescued.” What was striking was the seeming calmness that prevailed throughout the ordeal.
Title photo centre: The full extent of the wreckage was visible the next day as crews were on the hand to begin the clean-up.
to our waists—in some parts higher. But there was no panic and no screams… I climbed through a broken window.”
SERVING NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO & MANITOBA SINCE 1986 Our business is your leisure! COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS COMPLETE MARINE SYSTEM FLOATING DOCK SYSTEM PILE & HELICAL PILE DRILLING FLOATLIFT WITH HOVERCOVER MARINE RAILWAY SYSTEMFLOATING PWC LIFT PIPE DOCKS SHOWROOM 1940 Hwy 17 W, Kenora, On P9N 807-547-44443X8 SERVING NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO & MANITOBA FOR OVER 30 YEARS 807 547 4444 | 1940 HWY 17 W, KENORA | info@docksandlifts.ca docksandlifts.ca • CUSTOM WORK • CERTIFIED WELDERS • PATENTED FLOATATION SYSTEM • FULL LINE OF MARINE PRODUCTS • IN HOUSE DIGITAL DRAWINGS • STRUCTURAL STEEL FABRICATION • PROJECT MANAGEMENT • CUSTOM POWDER COATED RAILINGS IN-HOUSE PIPE PILE & HELICAL PILE DRILLING
Welcome to our playground. Cabin Country realty ltd. Started in 1990 with the intention of helping families and couples find their perfect getaway property in some of the most spectacular scenery in Canada – Kenora and Lake of the Woods. Since then, we’ve assembled an expert team and helped just about every type of lakefront buyer and seller in the area. Let us help you find your next vacation home, forever home or investment property and this area will be your playground too.
GRAHAM CHAZE broker of record graham@cabincountry.com807.407.5253 CHRISTOPHER CLARK broker chris@cabincountry.com807.466.8819 DUSTIN SHORE broker dustin@cabincountry.com807.407.3211 DOUG ARMSTRONG salesperson doug@cabincountry.com204.955.5080 278A WILLIAMS ROAD | BLACK STURGEON LAKE | $1,275,000 SRL LK4388 | GRANITE LAKE | $895,000EB2101 | LAKE OF THE WOODS | $349,000
LISTINGS • MARKET EVALUATIONS • BUYER REPRESENTATION 138 MAIN ST S, KENORA, ONTARIO toll free info@cabincountry.com1.800.528.8848 cabincountry.com SOLD SOLD IN 3 DAYS SOLD IN 9 DAYS WelcometotheLake
