LOW Area News - November 2016 by wakemarketing

Volume 46

Number 5

November/December 2016

Winter Traditions at the Lake 16 Pg.

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In this Issue... 3 Editor’s Message 4 Letter to the Editor 5 President’s Message

Executive Director’s Message

Members - Need to Know Call for Nominations- 2017 LOWDPOA Board of Directors Exhibitors: Don’t Miss the 2017 Lake of the Woods Cottage Show Renew Your 2017 LOWDPOA Membership Today

Cover photo: April Stampe

ews & Notes N Community Rallies to Save Mount Evergreen More on the Kenora District Phone Book District of Kenora Unincorporated Areas Ratepayers Association Kenora Area Health Care Recruiter BSLPOA Supports Lake Community TransCanada Highway Twinning Update

Winter Traditions at the Lake Winter Lake Traditions by Alex Jackson Honey Scented Memories by Jasmine Wild The First Skate by Adam Ward Living in a Winter Wonderland by Fred Wright Mookwa in the Winter by Sandy Redman and Duncan McEwen Passing of the Torch by Jaye (Forlong) Johnson and David Sprange

On the Ice Tigers and Kids by Barry Corbett When Everything Goes South by John Waterer Ice is Never Risk Free by Elsie Neufeld

Environment Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation IJC Prepping Report on Climate Change in the Watershed

LOWDKids! Winter Footprints in the Snow Nature’s Candy 2016 Photo Contest

50 Cottage How-to 52 Permits Required for Building Docks and Single-Storey Boathouses in Ontario Food & Drink 54 Notes from Razberry Lane Classifieds 57 Advertisers’ Directory 58 The Back Porch 60 Arts & Culture Winter Escape: No Cold or Snow Involved

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President’s Message

Nancy Salmijarvi, LOWDPOA President

You may be looking at this edition of the Area News and thinking: this is odd, it’s November, did I miss the last issue and it’s just arriving now? Not so; welcome to the “early winter” edition of the Area News! After much discussion earlier this spring with our new publishing partner we decided an early winter/pre-holiday issue would keep members up-tospeed with local happenings for the winter season. If you haven’t spent time at the lake during the winter, I suggest you give it a try. There are very few places that are not accessible throughout the season. Ice roads, ski and snowmobile trails and even snowshoes can get most people to their summer homes. Of course, common sense must prevail and ice conditions, water currents and any other unforeseen obstacles should be checked before embarking on a winter adventure at the lake. Having lived at the lake for several years we’ve enjoyed ice fishing, snowmobiling, exploring new parts of the lake via ice road and cross-country skiing, to name just some of what winter has to offer in this beautiful area. There have been great strides made in improving the winter lake experience by offering several events over the winter season. You’ll find everything from local theatre productions, food festivals at local restaurants, a museum open house to the Santa Clause parade. December has Christmasthemed festivals, craft sales and the ever-popular winter Matiowski Farmers’ Market at the Discovery Centre. The Discovery Centre also hosts a market in February and March and you can look forward to the Winter Carnival—full of fun events for young and old.

around the district. Susan has earned an impeccable reputation for her hard work and loyalty to our association. Businesses associates, government agencies and most importantly our members have commented repeatedly on her dedication and belief in all the things our association stands for. On behalf of myself and the board of directors I can only say, “Thank you Susan; we’ll miss you and wish you well in the future. Enjoy safe travels and much success in any future endeavors.” That brings us to a new chapter and we will be welcoming a new Executive Director in the near future. The hiring committee has been hard at work recruiting, interviewing and hiring. We will be introducing Susan’s successor via our eNews blasts and social media messages, on our website, and of course in the next issue of the Area News. I’m sure many of you are already preparing for the upcoming holiday season, but with your plans for next summer never far from your thoughts. Keep LOWDPOA in mind by renewing your 2017 membership and please consider sharing your passion for lake life by giving friends or relatives a gift membership. It makes a great holiday present and it’s easy to do online, or by contacting diane@lowdpoa.com. I hope you enjoy this issue and consider enjoying some winter ‘cottage time’ this year. Best wishes for a happy, safe and healthy holiday season!

This winter we will be saying goodbye to our Executive Director, Susan McLeod. Susan plans to enjoy more travelling with her husband, pursuing her hobbies and simply enjoying lake life. Over the past eight years she has had very little time to enjoy it, since we’ve kept her busy managing your association and representing LOWDPOA at every imaginable event

Editor’s Message

Teika Newton, Area News Editor It’s our final issue for our first year at the helm of Area News—and what a year it’s been! I’ve so enjoyed getting to know our writers and contributors, you— the association members, and so much more about LOWDPOA. Each issue has brought new opportunities to explore different parts of the Lake of the Woods region and to tell the stories of the people, the history, and the activities that give this place such vibrant life. This issue celebrates winter at the lake. While some camps are shut up tightly until next spring, increasing numbers of people are recognizing winter as the fourth cottaging season. Typically a quiet season for repose, and reflection, winter at the lake is also spectacularly beautiful and provides so many new ways to get to know this place that we all love. My own family spends a lot of the winter on our cross-country skis, adventuring on trails deep into the forests around our house. Both my children learned to ski as toddlers, and now they are intrepid journeying companions, often joining Mike and me for a lengthy ski across wind-swept lakes, through silent forests, to far-off picnic spots on cliffs above slumbering lakes. Winter’s cold somehow seems far less daunting when we embrace all the activities that allow us to know our lakes and forests in new ways. I hope that each of you also indulge your curiosity for winter exploration at the lake – we have lots of ideas to help you along your way in the pages of this issue. On behalf of the Fifth Hammer team, I wish you all a safe, healthy, happy winter season. Rest up, enjoy the snowy outdoors if you’re in the neighbourhood, and we’ll see you next year at the lake!

The official publication of the Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association.

Published by

Fifth Hammer Marketing Group P.O. Box 2, Kenora, ON P9N 3X1 Phone: (807) 407-7252 Publisher: Mike Greaves, mike@areanewsmagazine.ca Editor: Teika Newton, editor@areanewsmagazine.ca Art Director: Mike Newton, design@areanewsmagazine.ca Design & Layout: Shayla Smith Advertising: Mike Greaves

©2016 LOWDPOA. 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 LOWDPOA or Fifth Hammer Marketing Group.

Distribution & Membership

Lake of the Woods Area News is published five times per year and is mailed to LOWDPOA members. To receive Area News visit lowdpoa.com and become a member today. Publication mail agreement #43107013. Printed in Canada.

WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU

Help us continue making this magazine great. Send us your comments, suggestions, pictures and story ideas. editor@areanewsmagazine.ca Upcoming Editorial Deadline: December 30, 2016

Letter to the Editor Dick Engebretson forwarded the following letter to my editor’s inbox and we agreed it is well worth sharing. Thanks for the promo, Dick. - Teika Newton, Editor

Family, What? Why in the world would Dick (Rick) be updating anybody on LOWDPOA? Well, listen up. I, for some reason, glanced at the 2015 Financial Summary recently put out by the LOWDPOA and this included a 2016 budget. Imagine my concern when I saw declining revenues over a 3-year span. Not a good trend. So, as a member of LOWDPOA since the glaciers, I decided to call Susan McLeod and ask her if there were any causes for concern. She answered on the first ring and we had a delightful conversation. Of course, she knows the Engebretson and Carr families. Turns out that what is happening at LOWDPOA is happening to countless businesses, symphony orchestras, non-profits, country clubs, the game of golf, and a thousand other examples across the land: older people/customers are quitting or scaling back—or dying—and they’re not being replaced with young people. This is what is happening at LOWDPOA. Sixty percent of the membership of LOWDPOA is 60 or over, and a big slug is 70 or older. The board is keenly aware of this, and is developing membership campaigns and other timely thrusts. But the key thing is this: young people who enjoy lake life in the area today need to join LOWDPOA as full-blooded members. All of my children have joined, and I would encourage you to get all my nieces and nephews as members too. As Susan and I discussed, this is not a Kenora/Minaki thing. Lake of the Woods covers bits of Minnesota and Manitoba as well as Ontario, and the issues we face with water quality, taxation, development, government and other things affect us all. So, I hope you can get your kids to join - perhaps some already have. The dues would be an infinitesimal blip in the incomes of my six successful nieces and nephews. — Rick

Executive Committee PRESIDENT

Nancy Salmijarvi, Welcome Channel Vice President

Hardy Bock, Black Sturgeon Treasurer

Christine Semenchuk, Storm Bay Past President

Robert Bulman, Tunnel Island

Board Members

Leslie Alexander, Malachi Lake Ted Bigelow, Echo Bay Wayne Bruce, Pistol Lake Dave Christie, Granite Lake Don Parfitt, Winnipeg River Laurie Pentney, Morson Becky Slater, Shoal Lake John Waterer, Clearwater Bay Bob Wilkes, Gunn Lake

Staff Executive Director

Susan McLeod (807) 548-4337 susan.mcleod@lowdpoa.com ASSISTANT Executive Director

Diane Schwartz-Williams (807) 468-8715 diane@lowdpoa.com

Contact

P.O. Box 1160 Kenora, ON P9N 3X7 Email info@lowdpoa.com

Facebook facebook.com/lowdpoa Toll-free 1-888-265-9784 Phone (807) 468-8715

L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

Members - Need to Know Executive Director’s Message Susan McLeod, Executive Director

Eight Years of Satisfaction Who says ‘You can’t get no satisfaction’? Old Mick didn’t have the pleasure of working for the Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association. Many of you know that I plan to retire from the role of Executive Director as of December 31 of this year so I wanted to take this final opportunity to speak to our members. First and foremost, I want to say thank you - to all our members, directors, staff and connections in the area who have made the past eight years some of the best ‘working’ years of my career. I used the quotation marks because although there were definitely times of hard work as we developed new programs or faced tough issues and challenges, the work was always balanced with the satisfaction of being a part of committed and passionate group with a common goal. Working with LOWDPOA also offered the opportunity to become a part of a much larger community, to get involved in related initiatives, and to develop partnerships with like-minded organizations that I believe will truly impact the future of the region from environmental, economic and social perspectives. I doubt I’ll be spending my retirement learning to knit, so I’m sure we’ll cross paths in the future as I look for other ways to contribute and stay engaged in the area. The Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association is truly an amazing organization and I’m proud to have been involved for eight of its over 50 year history. Keep up the good work! Best regards,

Call for Nominations 2017 LOWDPOA Board of Directors

LOWDPOA is now accepting nominations for the 2017 board of directors. We are especially interested in candidates with experience in business, organization management, government affairs, accounting or environmental science. We also seek to maintain a broad geographic representation of our membership base. The primary qualification is a strong interest in the Lake of the Woods district along with a willingness to represent both the association, and the wide ranging interests of our membership. The Nominating Committee shall present its recommendations to the board no later than thirty days prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting. Additional nominations for directors may be made by voting members, providing such nominees are voting members, are sponsored by at least ten voting members in writing, and contain the acceptance of the nomination in writing by the nominee. Such nominations must be submitted to the Executive Director of the Corporation at least twenty-one days (April 10, 2017) prior to the Annual General Meeting (May 1, 2017). No nominations for directors shall be accepted from the floor of any meeting of members. PREREQUISITES • Nominee must be a 2017 member in good standing of the Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association. • Nominee must accept the nomination • Name, e-mail address and telephone number of the nominee must be provided. • Nominee must provide a brief written outline detailing areas of expertise, property location and areas of specific interest. Please email your nomination to Robert Bulman, Past President and Chair of the Nominating Committee, bulman@lowdpoa.com, or by mail: LOWDPOA Attn: Nominating Committee PO Box 1160 Kenora, Ontario P9N 3X7 For more information contact Diane Schwartz-Williams, diane@lowdpoa.com or 807-468-8715.

L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

Members - Need to Know

Exhibitors: Don’t Miss the 2017 Lake of the Woods Cottage Show Monday, May 1, 2017 1 - 7 p.m. Victoria Inn, 1808 Wellington Avenue, Winnipeg Do you own a business providing services in the Lake of the Woods area, and want to reach the huge market of seasonal residents? If so, there is no better opportunity, providing better value than exhibiting at our annual Cottage Show. Early May is the perfect time to reach this market as they plan for summer projects and look forward to their first weekend visit to the lake. Don’t miss out on the chance to showcase your products & services to the more than 2,000 LOWDPOA members who attend this annual event.

DON’T DELAY: EXHIBIT SPACE FILLS UP QUICKLY! For Cottage Show exhibit information contact Diane Schwartz-Williams at 807-468-8715 or diane@lowdpoa.com. For Area News advertising opportunities contact Mike Greaves at 807-407-7252 or mike@areanewsmagazine.ca.

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L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

Members - Need to Know

LOWDPOA MEMBERSHIP JOIN US TODAY! ONLINE Visit lowdpoa.com/membership PHONE 1-888-265-9784 or (807) 468-8715 EMAIL diane@lowdpoa.com MAIL Fill out this card and mail with cheque to: LOWDPOA, Box 1160, Kenora, ON P9N 3X7

YOUR MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

Renew Your 2017 LOWDPOA Membership Today By now you should have received your 2017 LOWDPOA membership forms in the mail and we hope you’ll continue to support our efforts next year. Do it now to be sure not to miss a single issue of our popular Lake of the Woods Area News magazine! We’ve talked a lot over the past year about needing your support, but you should also know that we are working hard to develop benefits and programs to ensure we continue to offer value for your membership dollar.

Name: Mailing Address: City:

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Check pick-up location (Saturday, May 20 between 10 am - 12 pm):  Clearwater Bay (Firehall)  Minaki Marina

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PAYMENT INFORMATION Cheque (payable to LOWDPOA) VISA/Mastercard Number: _______ _______ _______ _______ Expiry date: ___ / ___ Signature: ___________________________________________

There is strength in numbers. Your membership is extremely important to our continued success!

JOIN OUR NEW ONLINE MEMBER COMMUNITY! LOWDPOA recently launched its new website as part of the plan to progress into the digital world. It has been developed to not only be accessible on your computers, but also fully functional on your phones and tablets—offering you the ability to stay informed and up-to-date where ever you are. For those members who have provided us with current email addresses, we will be contacting you to provide instructions, including your own personal access to your member profile, allowing you to renew your membership and take advantage of additional services exclusive to LOWDPOA members. If you would like to join our online community, but have NOT given us your email address, please contact Diane Schwartz-Williams at 807-468-8715 or diane@lowdpoa.com to get started. LOWDPOA will keep you informed as we continue to roll-out our online programs throughout the year.

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L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

10 News & Notes

Community Rallies to Save Mount Evergreen by Ursula Wehner

Mount Evergreen is a little skiing paradise that remains something of a secret to summer residents and even some locals. Tucked into the Canadian Shield on the east side of Kenora, the club has operated on a volunteer basis for 70 years. Formed in 1946 and incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in 1966, it remains one of the very few notfor-profit ski areas in the country. All net income from the operations of the ski hill goes back into facility maintenance and program operations.

In today’s world of busyness and the shift from family memberships to individual child and youth memberships, it became harder to recruit volunteers to ensure the club’s viability and a dependable product. In 2015 the board made the hard decision to lease the facility out and stepped down to be a governance board rather than a hands-on working board. The new operator brought tubing to the mountain, did needed repairs to the clubhouse and drew a great influx of new families. Unfortunately he decided not to renew the lease for 2016. This left the small governance board a short window to seek a new operator, which it was not successful in doing. So word went out to the local community that a new working board was needed or the hill would close as the majority of the current board members had been running the hill for 10-15 years. As a board member I was overwhelmed by the huge support to ensure our little bit of winter wonderland continues for the next generation to love and enjoy. Over 100 individuals turned out to the club’s AGM in late September. Over 18 individuals stepped forward to sit on the board and 10 more are able to contribute significant volunteer time.

In 2006 the club began a major five-year redevelopment with the implementation of snow making, the building of the Rotary Learn to Ski area, development of an awesome terrain park, a new rental shop, a new kitchen, a training facility for its partner club Kenora Nordic and Biathlon club (KNBC), a new mechanical shop and the purchase of a new groomer.

So Mount Evergreen will continue to be open for business this winter. Come and experience the club’s seven groomed downhill runs, the Rotary Learn to Ski area, KNBC’s skate and classic trails, or a fun day of tubing. Or, as many families do—do it all in the same day! Visit skikenora.com for information on hours of operation, upcoming events and rates.

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L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

News & Notes

More on the Kenora District Phone Book by Jack McKenzie

You will recall the article in the last issue of the Area News about obtaining a phone book from Bell Canada, now that they no longer produce the Kenora book we were all used to in past years.

I was informed that they did indeed publish a book listing the City of Kenora but that if I wanted a copy, it would cost $36. This fee is applicable, they said, because my postal code was not the City of Kenora, rather the post office in Keewatin.

Bell has contracted the printing of the phone book to a third-party company. Everyone is entitled to receive one new telephone book, annually, free of charge. You have to call them (1-800-268-5637) and request a copy. Several weeks after my request I received my new phone book.

I tried explaining that Keewatin had merged with the City of Kenora more than 15 years ago, and no longer existed, but she did not care. Her records showed that Keewatin was not part of Kenora and I could not have a book unless I paid for it.

The problem is that the book is the Red Lake, Sioux Lookout district phone book—which just happens to include the telephone exchanges around the City of Kenora, such as the McKenzie-Portage, Clearwater Bay, Minaki, Sioux Narrows and Jaffray Melick exchanges, but not most of the City of Kenora proper. After receiving my phone book I called again noting that I wanted a book that included the City of Kenora and in particular, the yellow pages listings of the various businesses I call from time to time.

Not being satisfied, and certainly not ready to part with $36, I called Bell Canada’s customer service line (310-BELL) and ended up with a very nice young lady. I explained my problem to her and after a few minutes of waiting on the line, she arranged with the third-party company that an issue be sent to me at no cost. In case any of our members experience the same road block as I did, hopefully this update helps. Perhaps if enough people make a fuss, they may get their act together.

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L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

12 News & Notes

District Of Kenora Unincorporated Areas Ratepayers Association A NON-PROFIT ONTARIO CORPORATION The District of Kenora Unincorporated Areas Ratepayers Association (DoKURA) held its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, September 22 in Pellatt, Ontario. Jack McKenzie presented his President’s Report highlighting the work done by the association over the past year and here are the key points: • The ongoing work by DoKURA to provide input to the Provincial Land Tax review reflecting concerns of unincorporated residents both seasonal and year round. • Continuing efforts to have the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation provide a voters list useable for vote-by-mail for District Service Board elections. • Attendance by unincorporated area elected representatives to the Services Board at various regional and provincial level meetings. • Continuing efforts to switch to email from letter mail to keep in touch with people throughout the DoKURA region. Directors reports were presented by Barry Baltessen on initiatives being under taken by the Kenora District Services Board focusing on homelessness and social housing; and by Bob Stewart on the need for vote-by-mail for Kenora District Services Board elections. The consensus at the meeting was that DoKURA, which has served as the election agent for the Kenora District Services Board for the public election of board members representing Territory With Out Municipal Organization (TWOMO) since 1998, should offer to conduct the KDSB 2018 election using vote-by-mail, provided the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation can provide a useable ward by ward voters list. The nominating committee’s report prepared by Mark Sobchuk and Gord Dingman was presented by Jack McKenzie. The committee noted it had been unable to find new people willing to serve as directors for DoKURA, however, in contacting people in-person, by telephone and via email, they noted: “People living in unincorporated areas remain interested in having a voice on government policies and decisions and are supportive of DoKURA.” For a list of 2017 directors and further information, contact dokuraorg@hotmail.com.

Kenora Area Health Care Recruiter The Kenora Area Health Care Working Group (KAHCWG) has hired CA2 Gillis Consulting, Anneke Gillis, as Health Care Recruiter to address the area’s shortage of health care professionals. The goal of the project is to retain existing physicians and health care professionals and attract professionals who will be the right fit for the community. The position includes three main areas of focus: 1. needs assessment and planning; 2. marketing and process management; and 3. outreach, relationship building and continued partnership development. Gillis is a seasonal resident with a passion for the area. She brings 14 years’ experience to the position with a background in health care research and analysis, facilitation, strategic planning, working with Indigenous communities, process development and collaborative relationship building. Gillis’s initial focus will be the completion of a human resources plan to identify the positions needed and work with the Recruitment Committee to develop a recruitment and retention plan based on gaps in the existing health care system that will meet current needs and also be a fit with the long-term vision and direction of improving how health care services in the region are delivered. Gillis’ office will be co-located with Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’Iyewigamig (WNHAC) in Kenora. The project started on October 17. The KAHCWG is a partnership that was formed in July 2015 to address issues affecting health care delivery. Initial focus has been on the issues of intra-provincial patient transfers with Manitoba and recruitment and retention of health care professionals. A longer term goal is the development of a collaborative, long-term health care vision of the area, including an All-Nations Hospital.

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L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

14 News & Notes

BSLPOA Supports Lake Community Rain defined this past summer. A rain cloud was always on the radar—about to arrive, arriving, or leaving with another developing right behind it. Beneath and between those rain clouds, summer life thrived on Black Sturgeon Lake.

Bruce Wiseman, Marcia Karp (Black Sturgeon Estates), Steve Garrett (Black Sturgeon South–Ritchie Road), Ken Shrier (Bruckenberger Road), Susan and Richard Cone (Williams Road), and Elsie Neufeld (James Road).

The Black Sturgeon Lake Property Owners Association (BSLPOA) Season Opener is now a traditional event on the lake that builds the community on lower Black Sturgeon Lake. It took place on May 22 and was one event where rain clouds did not hover close by. You did have to hang onto your hat, though, as the wind gusts reached 56 km/hr. Rob and Lynn Parent hosted the potluck barbecue. An enthusiastic crowd made up of members from many of the lake’s communities attended. BSLPOA is looking for someone to host the 2017 Season Opener. If you are interested, please contact the association at bslpoa@gmail.com.

In his outgoing statement at the AGM, Past-president Jim Quinn thanked volunteers for being involved in BSLPOA. He stressed how important volunteers are for the association to thrive. He encourages people to be involved and to sign up to fill the vacant vice-president and membership positions on the executive. It is the volunteers that keep the association effective.

The biggest storm of the summer arrived in the early hours of June 25, the day of the association’s annual general meeting. Despite the 40mm deluge that washed out roads and sank boats, 28 members attended the AGM at 9:30 a.m. at the Super 8 Minis Hall. The immediate worry of those attending was the condition of Thatcher Road after the previous night’s heavy rainfall. In 2015, BSLPOA contributed approximately $2,100 to the road’s maintenance, plus volunteer hours. Subsequent inspections showed that road did weather the heavy rainfall well. No work was needed during the summer. TThe 2016/17 executive are president–Tino Brambilla, pastpresident–Jim Quinn, vice-president (vacant); secretary– Phil Burns; treasurer–Donna Albak; membership– Elsie Neufeld, newsletter–Phil Burns (interim). The area representatives are: Tedd Evans (Worona Road); Hardy Bock,

Membership: Membership now stands around 110. Membership costs $20 and runs to the end of May. Water Quality Testing: The City of Kenora has contracted Ryan Haines to monitor the water quality of lower Black Sturgeon Lake, twice a year, for the next five years. He will be asked to speak at one of our meetings on the work he is doing. Water quality testing is being done at the insistence of BSLPOA. The association monitors the City of Kenora meetings to keep the members’ concerns and interests front and centre. Constitution: The association adopted a new constitution at the meeting. Tino Brambilla reported on the minor changes made to the draft constitution presented last fall. The constitution is posted on the association’s website. Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association: Susan McLeod, executive director of LOWDPOA, updated the group on events going on this summer and some trends they are noticing. For example, 60 per cent of their membership is now over the age of 60, and the membership

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News & Notes 15

has been steadily declining over the years. One of the challenges the association faces is engaging the next generation. MPAC: Tino Brambilla reported on MPAC’s interactive tool for property assessment analysis. The online tool can be used to track sales and values throughout the area. He told members that on their last tax assessments, there is a code at the top of the report which can be used to access the information on its website (mpac.ca). The growing population of sailors attended the Black Sturgeon Sailing Club lessons and joined the weekend races. The kayak group in the southern end of the lake dodged rain and braved waves to explore the islands and shores. Truthfully, there were lovely clear, warm days to enjoy and much of the rain was sprinkles. To become a member, send the membership fee of $20 to BSLPOA, c/o Elsie Neufeld, 9 Pinecone Dr., Kenora, ON, P9N 0E2. The latest information on BSLPOA is available at blacksturgeonlakepoa.com or on its Facebook page. If you have any questions, email bslpoa@gmail.com.

TransCanada Highway Twinning Update Many LOWDPOA members have been inquiring about updates on the status of the long-awaited twinning of the TransCanada Highway from Kenora to the Manitoba boundary. We delved into the question in late September to see if there is anything to report: in short, no. The four-lane expansion project is still listed on the docket of planned projects in the Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s (MTO) 2016-2020 Northern Highway Plan, with completion slated for 2020. Inquiries to MP Bob Nault’s office provided no further information than what is available in the MTO Plan.

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

Winter Traditions at the Lake Winter Lake Traditions by Alex Jackson

There is a photograph in my family of a small child bundled warm in a wooden sled. A medium-sized fluffy dog stands in front of the child. A vigorous and outdoorsy-looking man pulls the sled and smiles for the picture. They are in the snow, on a frozen lake, next to the shore. It looks like Lake of the Woods, just off the southwest corner of Coney Island. The child in the picture is my grandmother and the man is my great-grandfather, her dad. A generation later when her son - my father - was a boy, photographs show winter trips on the lake often involved manual labour like dock repair at the cottage. y family’s winter lake tradition is a pilgrimage M and I completed this progress almost every year of my childhood. My dad and I would layer up in our winter clothes - gloves inside mitts, cotton socks under wool socks inside of our Sorels or Kamiks, extra scarves, sweaters, ski-pants - and pile into his old Ford pick-up. We’d bring hot chocolate or coffee, and stop for doughnuts when Robin’s was still open in Norman. Often we’d stop by my gran’s place, making room for her in the truck cab. After that it was off to the MNR landing at the bottom of the hill at the end of First Avenue South, or turn right at the top of that hill and park on Seventh Street South. If we parked on Seventh Street, there was only one way to go: across the foot bridge and over to Coney Island. Sometimes snowshoers or cross-country skiers had broken a trail and we could follow the hydro lines until we came up behind our lake neighbours’ cottages. Other times we were the first to cross after a heavy snowfall. We would wade through powdery waist high drifts. I’d pretend to get stuck and once in a while we’d pause to listen to our breathing or the ravens croaking. The snow muted every other sound in the island’s interior. My clearest memory though is of light shining on the frost in the air like sparks off a bonfire. he other route to our cottage is from the ice road ploughed T wide down the lake from the boat launch. On the days we drove out, my dad would stop so we could roll down the windows and unbuckle our seatbelts (just in case). Then we’d park as close to the southwest corner of the island as we could and walk-in from there, or ski in along the shore. Inside our boathouse the ice was always smooth and free of snow. We’d skate in there out of the wind or lay down close to the ice and count the trapped bubbles. One year we went ice fishing on the reef out front. Snowmobilers roared past. The sun was so high and reflecting off the snow, and the wind was so calm I could sit out in my tee shirt. But you don’t know cold until you stand in the open on a frozen lake and the north wind begins to blow. It slices

through every layer of clothing and cuts right into your skin. When that happens it’s time for the bonfire. Every summer saw a collection of brush, branches, and old lumber piled at the rear of the cottage property, so an important part of the annual winter journey was a stop at the fire department for a burning permit. As I grew it became my responsibility to dig out the brush pile from under the snow and make sure it ignited. For me the fire signalled the height of winter - the last of summer turned to ashes to make room for a new turning and a new season in the grayest, coldest depths of the year. good burn pile can throw heat and sparks for almost A a full day, melting a wide radius in the deep snow, and thawing the frozen ground. But winter days are short and as the flames drop and turn to embers we kick snow over the glowing coals. The fire becomes smoke and steam, then sizzles out and the cold comes rushing back into the place where the warmth once danced. Then it’s back across the island, or down to the lake and over to the ice road before the dark can catch you. The days we didn’t drive or snowmobile out, but walked or skied, it was a smoky, tired, and wind-burned pair who climbed back into that old F-150. My dad would crank the heat on high. I would peel off my double layer of mitts and gloves, my boots and socks, and other socks, and hold my frozen digits over the vents. It’s been a few years since those days, and I’ll admit I’ve missed quite a few winters lately, but those trips are still part of our Lake of the Woods traditions. And now there is a whole new generation, the fifth, waiting their turn to join our family’s winter journey.

L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

Winter Traditions at the Lake Honey Scented Memories by Jasmine Wild

The sugary smells of cookies baking in the oven bring about nostalgic recollections of the holidays. For me when I think about the holidays, I can’t remember the toys, the books, the clothes or the gadgets I received over the years but what I do remember are the moments I shared with my Mother in the kitchen. The sense of smell is closely linked with memory; more than any of the other senses, recalling certain smells can conjure up specific memories from childhood. For the longest time I believed my Mother smelled like snow because she was always outside. Still to this day when I smell the first snowfall I think of her. I remember donning my little blue apron and my purple knitted ‘mouse’ slippers in the house that once belonged to my Great Granny. I would stand on one of our wooden kitchen chairs so that I could reach the counter to help my Mother make cherry flip cookies. I would make sure not to eat too many cherries so there were enough for the forty cherries that the recipe called for. The feeling of rolling the portioned cookie dough around the cherries in the palms of your hands was like playing with Playdough that wasn’t quite as adhesive. The cherry juice made it a challenge sometimes to close the edges into a perfect ball. I would watch through the small rectangular window on the oven door as the small round cookies turned golden and the honey scented vapors filled the house. We mixed icing sugar and the left over juice from the cherries to make perfectly pink icing to glaze the cookies. herry flips were and still are one of our favourite things C to bake, but we only make them and eat them during the holidays. We would eat them with a warm cup of Red Rose tea right after the icing was done setting (sometimes even before the icing was on them). Baking is always the best when it’s still warm.

Now we take them to my aunt’s house on Christmas Eve after we go to the cemetery where we light our own ice candles at my great grandparents headstones. We light three ice candles, one for each of my great grandparents and one for my grandpa George. With cold fingers I play quiet songs on my flute and then we toast with a ‘warming drink’ to those who are not with us but forever in our hearts. Christmas morning brings about the smells of left over ham, the crispy baked hues of hash brown casserole and the sweet scent of cinnamon buns and pineapple; and those cherry flips manage to sneak themselves into even the breakfast buffet of assorted aromas. Throughout the holidays, and after a big meal Sunday nights at Grandma’s house we share the cherry flips for dessert with my aunts, cousins, uncles and of course Grandma. My Mother and I eat cherry flips in our pajamas on Boxing Day at 1 o’clock in the afternoon watching The Sound of Music; along with other really ‘healthy’ snacks. We have them again for dessert for our ‘In-between Birthday day’ (my Mom and I have a single day between our birthdays during the holidays, so we have made a tradition of celebrating the day in between rather than two birthdays in a row). And we have the cookies again after Chinese food on New Year’s Eve. I don’t recall eating cherry flips much after the New Year, as I highly doubt there were many left by that point in the holidays. When I reflect on the holidays I envision all the beautiful lights in shop windows and on the Main Street Christmas tree, the homemade drum ornament made out of a spool of thread and tooth picks from preschool on the tree, the low tones of ‘Silent Night’ being played on a flute in the cold and the delicious smells of turkey and mashed –potatoes that accompany family get-togethers. And thinking about the fragrance of a freshly cut Christmas tree brings back an array of childhood stories. As time passes traditions come and go but the smells of childhood remain with us. Our memories become less about the things we had or the places we went and more about the people we were with and how they made us feel. Just a sniff of almond extract takes us back to that chair in our Mother’s kitchen, mixing butter and sugar with a wooden spoon, listening to her careful instructions under her warm smile and the subtle scent of snow.

L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

Winter Traditions at the Lake The First Skate by Adam Ward

We’d skate for hours every night when it happened. When a cold snap wasn’t accompanied by the obligatory snowfall and the lake was dead calm overnight, we would wake up to perfection the next morning. Was it safe? We only needed two inches; three for peace of mind. My dad would haul the ice pick down to the water’s edge. My siblings and I would examine the depth of the cracks. Skates were strapped to us every moment now. Effortless skating on the entire lake, the wind at our backs until it died with the light. Twilight brought the whale calls from the ice, haunting, bellowing as the very ice we were skating on moved and cracked under our feet, massive plates

cooling as the sun lifted off their dark surface. The fight began, each sheet expanding, pushing against each other, demanding more space. The moon rose and we could see faint outlines of the lake bottom beneath the ice. In the morning light I was floating over old abandoned crib docks, lily pads and weaving between bull rushes. There was no surface when looking straight down; it was alarming and thrilling. With a single push I flew over creek beds, and if I bent down I could see small fish swimming away from my fast moving shadows that played over the rocks below. The first snowfall is always bittersweet. It ushers in my favourite season but then, as now, it dampens my friction-free life.

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L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

Winter Traditions at the Lake Living in a Winter Wonderland by Fred Wright

More and more cottagers are discovering the unparalleled beauty of cottage country during the winter. I noticed many more neighbours came out to their cottages between Christmas and New Year last year. Often in the winter, we are the only people in our development for long periods of time, but we were blessed to host some of our family during the holiday season last year. Here, I share a few ideas for things to do at the cottage in the winter. Some of our neighbours take in the glory of the lake on snowmobiles, but we trek around on snowshoes. Vernon Nature Trails has groomed Nordic trails for skiing. Mount Evergreen Ski Club opens before Christmas and has added tubing to their offerings of snowboarding, alpine and Nordic skiing. Tunnel Island provided us with a glorious hiking opportunity last winter. The blue waters of the Winnipeg River, framed by pine forests and whiter than white snow, were awesome. The Norman Dam separates calm water from wild

turbulence. Along the rail line is the rock tunnel for which the island is named. We followed up the hike with a late lunch at the Boathouse Restaurant. We could have been just as satisfied with an afternoon repast at the Cornerstone, Dino’s, 901 Westside or Ristorante Pizzeria Italia. We also enjoyed a wonderful picnic at our fire pit that overlooks open water as well as the ice-covered lake. The menu included scallops, hotdogs and s’mores with appropriate refreshments. This was followed by a sauna beside the water and some special malt in the snow. It really doesn’t get any better than that. Some friends stopped by to use our place as a base for a hike out to their island cottage. They, too, took a picnic lunch with them and remarked that they should have considered winterising the cottage, because it was so beautiful out on the lake in the winter. We could have done some ice fishing, except that I am just too frightened on the ice until it gets to be about a metre thick. It is difficult to imagine anything better than tending some fishing holes out on the ice on a sunny afternoon. Winter really is a most beautiful time at the lake!

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20 Winter Traditions at the Lake

Mookwa in the Winter

by Sandy Redman and Duncan McEwen

Our dads have been coming to Lake of the Woods their whole lives. So have we. And now our kids have too. In 1970, our dads, brothers who had grown up at their parents’ cottage in Devils Gap, along with well-known Kenora artists the Blossers, all bought islands in Whitefish Bay. ‘The nicest islands in the nicest part of the nicest lake in the world,’ is a statement of fact according to my dad. Many weekends were spent hauling lumber and hammering nails for the initial cottages. The next step was to populate the islands with our brothers (three in Dunc’s case, one in mine) plus two Blosser boys and us. Dunc has been going to the island for 38 years. I’ve got him beat with 43. Not that anything at the lake was ever a competition… We spent every summer CB radioing plans back and forth from Mookwa to Hemlock to Mon Repos (French for restful) Islands. The last was Blosser’s island. I’m guessing they often rethought the appropriateness of that name when our morning CB plans had all eight of us kids taking their island by storm for the day – probably not as restful as they had imagined. Our moms were (and still are) a couple of tough ladies. No power, no hot water, no laundry, and (cringe) no iPads. Just a whole lot of powdered milk, cards, books, treasure hunts, blueberry picking, water sports and the occasional exasperated “GRANT and FRASER….” screech (two of the aforementioned brothers). We would listen to CJRL “Contact” to find out when to head into town to meet our dads. Then we’d scramble around finishing our “chore lists” before they came, and brace for the next weekend building project. Minus a few of these projects, it was a pretty magical way to grow up. While we have all spread in different directions, and added a number of new family members, the lake is still our

gathering place for family time, special celebrations and of course, the never-ending building projects. We didn’t go to the cottage often in the winter growing up, but heading out to the island over the ice with his grandchildren was on my dad, Jamie’s, “Bucket List”. He turned 75 last February, so we surprised him by organizing a winter trip to Mookwa. Duncan, a teacher and fishing guide, now lives in Kenora with his family. We called on him as well as Matt Ryberg and Bruce Fallis from Crawford Camp to help us get all the logistics set up. We were flying in from British Columbia, trying to keep it a secret from my dad, and generally illequipped to make this happen on our own. To say that they went above and beyond to make this a special, memoryfilled adventure for us is an understatement. Seeing as this trip didn’t show up on my mom’s “bucket list”, she happily passed. For my boys, Finn (9) and Kai (7), this was a dream trip. They could barely contain their excitement. We flew into Winnipeg and made our way to Kenora for a dinner and overnight with Hemlock and Mon Repos islanders. The next morning we stocked up on a few groceries in Kenora and headed down to Sioux Narrows. Matt and Bruce ploughed an ice road right to our dock. I feel like a fairly seasoned “lake girl” but even still, when not used to it, driving the car onto the lake feels a little strange. Where we live now, the lake doesn’t even freeze in the winter. I made Matt drive out first while we held our breath. We were in for such a treat when we arrived. The boy’s eyes were like saucers. They didn’t know what to do first. Matt and Bruce had made a huge ice rink right off the dock, flooded and ready to go. There was a pop up fishing hut set

L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

Winter Traditions at the Lake up right next to the rink. A snowmobile was parked next to our car. The fire had been on and the cottage was cozy. My dad, who prides himself on knocking jobs off the lake chore list barely knew what to do with himself, as all the big jobs had been done. Not one to sit idle, he went to work on fabricating a Styrofoam outhouse seat – highly appreciated! The weather was ‘middle of winter on Lake of the Woods mild’. Warm enough to enjoy being outside most of the day, but not so warm that you worried your rental car might be replaced by open water in the morning. It didn’t take much to settle in and start enjoying our three days at the cottage. Dunc had supplied us with skis and hockey sticks. Finn and Kai jumped around from one activity to the next until the headlamps came out. And then they still skated on the rink with my dad and I looking down on them from the cottage, delighting in their joy. Unquestionably the highlight was day two. I’ll turn it over to Dunc to tell the story of our memory filled day together…. You couldn’t have asked for a better day to do what we were setting out to do. Sunny, no wind, and the temp was perfect for a day of playing on the lake. We left Kenora, loaded with as much “stuff” as we could think of to enjoy the day with my uncle, cousin and our boys. My boys, Mason (14) and Oliver (10) are used to any adventure I throw their way, and were stoked. They remember their second cousins quite well, although they have only spent a few days together at the lake in the summer. They knew there would be a good compatibility factor for spending a day playing. We cruised down Highway 71, and with a truck loaded with winter play gear, we got on to the frozen lake without a hitch. Before we knew it, we had cruised over the beautiful and deep Whitefish Bay, and arrived at our destination. Although we do similar adventures from time to time, I could tell the boys were pumped for this gathering - so much that they both had their skates on and tied in the truck. When we arrived, they poured out and immediately joined Finn and Kai on the skating rink. The four of them played hockey for a couple of hours. While the boys played happily, and without a care in the world, my cousin Sandy, my Uncle Jamie and I caught up on the past six months and enjoyed the sights, sounds and natural beauty of the day. During one of the intermissions of the hockey game, we decided to drop a line from the comforts of the ice shack. Although the boys were patient and interested in fishing, after about 10 minutes, it was no match for the intensity and fun of their hockey game. We left two lines down in the shack, and kept right on enjoying everything the day had to offer. We took shifts checking the lines. Sandy and I both enjoy cross-country skiing. We thought it would be okay to leave the boys with “Pappy” or “GREAT Uncle Jamie” and go for a ski. We weren’t far from the cabin, when I realized I was having a hard time keeping up with my older cousin, both in ski pace, and being able to keep up the conversation without my lungs collapsing. Sandy must’ve sensed that I was struggling and we found a speed

we could both handle (and enjoy) and we cruised along the lake skate skiing for a couple of kilometers, before turning back and arriving back to the same picture perfect scene of our boys playing, and Jamie puttering away, enjoying every minute of it. Inevitably, our time at the island was coming to an end. The boys took the snow machine for a quick ride, with two on the machine, two in tow. Jamie, San and I enjoyed some final time together while we tidied up a few things. When the boys had their fix of the snow machine, they came in and did one final check of the fishing lines in the shack. Oh boy! I was loading up some gear in to the truck, when I heard the commotion in the shack. I knew right away that something was up. I entered the shack to see both rods bent over with Oli pulling on one, and Finn reefing on the other. Confused for a moment, pondering the chances of having a double header with lake trout, I soon realized it was one fish, wrapped around the other line. I didn’t know which line to focus on, so I guessed, and guessed right. I freed Oli’s line and announced to Finn that he had a “Fish on!” He fought the trout like a pro, just like his Pappy taught him, and brought a beautiful six-pound trout through the hole. Everyone was elated. Lots of pictures followed, with everyone posing with the prize. What a way to cap off the day. So much fun packed into one long weekend. The BC crew drove away the next day with Finn and Kai asking if there is such a thing as an annual “bucket list” trip? We cast a final glance over our shoulders to capture the winter image, knowing the next time we made our way back it would be in flip flops, racing to see who would be the first to jump off the boathouse roof and who could land the closest to the spot where the hockey net was a few months earlier. PS – Dunc’s version of me not being out of breath while we cross-country skied may have been a little inaccurate… but the McEwens have never been ones to let the truth interfere with a good story. - Sandy

Passing of the Torch

by Jaye (Forlong) Johnson and David Sprange

In 1947 Duncan and Gail Forlong received‚ as a wedding gift‚ a cottage on Coney Island that had been established in 1893 by Duncan’s grandfather‚ Alexander MacDonald‚ a successful Winnipeg businessman. Duncan’s mother and father, Grace Anne (MacDonald) Forlong and John A. Forlong, had inherited the property and made many additions through the 1930’s. The yachts Grace Anne and Grace Anne II arrived. Quarters were built for a cook, maids, captain and first mate to help run the camp and yacht. Duncan often recalled memories of time spent at “the lake” as a young boy being mentored in lake life skills and the proper care and use of tools by Captain Arthur Davies, captain of the Grace Anne by summer, and property caretakers and railway workers by winter. In the 1950’s it was Duncan and Gail’s opportunity, as third generation owners, to assume responsibility and enjoy and leave their mark on this fascinating piece of Coney Island history. The property had become dated and tired with the changing times and Duncan and Gail began a slow but sure and somewhat remarkable transformation that carefully preserved the memories and traditions of the past while providing the comforts and amenities of the future. During the 1950’s Duncan and Gail made the trip from their home in Florida with their three sons every June, as soon as school was out. The regular summer visitors included an eclectic group of extended family and friends—grandmothers, aunts and uncles, close friends and their families. There was always room for more in the grand old cottage with its many bedrooms and former staff quarters.

During the summer of 1955 a huge fire destroyed what remained of the boathouse structure that had been built over the years to house the Grace Annes and other boats that had been a part of the cottage’s past. The fire crept up the hill toward the cottage as friends and family began to move furniture and belongings into the backyard. Fortunately, a sprinkle of rain and favorable winds saved the evening. The 1960’s brought on more restoration and upgrades. New projects highlighted each summer: taller and taller flagpoles, an authentic Austrian steam bath complete with forty-foot slide to the water, and many more projects. Duncan preached the importance of “making work fun” and there always seemed to be a line-up of willing helpers and apprentices. Gail often questioned the need for more but always ended up supporting the projects and topping them off with her special touch. As Duncan ended each season he was already planning next year’s projects. In the late 1970’s and 80’s Duncan and Gail began to welcome their grandchildren, the fifth generation, to the lake. Duncan and Gail’s circle of friends reached out among the many islands around the lake and the summer was filled with dinner parties and social events often involving the Royal Lake of the Woods Yacht Club where Duncan served as Harbormaster and general handyman for many years, ultimately serving an obligatory term as Commodore. Duncan was a fixture at the Yacht Club’s annual fundraiser “Yachtion”. He was known to solicit items that he thought he might need/want from local businesses, and then aggressively bid against himself and his friends. The club was always the winner. Each summer, Duncan and Gail with a group of lake friends, took part in the annual “Boat Trip”, which was an overnight cruise stopping in on the various lodges and

landmarks at the farthest reaches of the lake. Participants had to qualify in some way to become members of this trip. The adventures often produced interesting outcomes and stories that endure. It was around this time that Duncan and Gail started an annual practice of hiring a “boat boy” to help with the ongoing projects around camp. It quickly became a sought after job for young boys on the lake. Duncan made a point to spend time teaching these boys various building techniques but also the equally important trait of returning tools to their home, how to properly coil a rope on the big boat and that no matter how many twigs you’ve picked up there are always more. The cottage underwent continuous upgrades with several major additions. For the most part, this work was undertaken and skillfully completed through the efforts of Duncan and Gail and their ever-expanding family. An additional bedroom suite was added to the second floor space, complete with a large Jacuzzi tub capable of accommodating all the grandchildren. The property was now restored to showplace status, well beyond its former glory. Due to the good fortune of having capable boys who were able to take over running the family business in Tampa, Florida, Duncan and Gail embarked on an early retirement and extended their season from late April to late October

where they could focus on their true passion of a life on the lake. The early spring arrival meant that ice breaking over to the closest available shoreline on Coney Island became an annual tradition. If there was still ice in the boathouse slip, the chain saw was used so that the ‘big boat’ could be launched. With that boat in service, Duncan and Gail along with a few adventurers would set out to see just how far one could go with ice still all around. The explorers once made their way to the south end of Keewatin Channel and then proceeded to break ice all the way north between Rogers and Galt Island, finally reaching open water in Devil’s Gap and heading back to Coney. Breaking ice was now officially a spring tradition. On another occasion, while pushing a small boat across the ice, Duncan broke through and was clinging to the side of the small boat up to his shoulders in water. Gail, watching from the dock, called for help. Duncan overruled, instructing Gail to “hurry and get the camera.” Duncan loved his pictures and his many projects and adventures are well documented. These were the days of the “ultralight.” Duncan and his sons introduced this amazing light aircraft to Lake of the Woods. As this tiny flying machine with the distinctive whine took off from Coney Island on calm summer evenings, none of the regulatory officials seemed to know quite what to do about it. Thankfully, no one spoiled the fun and another

part of the legend unfolded. The ultralight became the source of much conversation and many fine stories. While it was not one of Gail’s favorite activities, many lake friends and enjoyed the amazing aerial photographs that Duncan presented to them.

Duncan had become ensconced in another important tradition. What had begun years ago as a daily trip to Fife’s Hardware for the necessary project supplies now evolved into ‘coffee’ in Kenora at 10:00 a.m. with a group of Kenora businessmen, officials and other regulars. While the details of what was discussed were seldom revealed, it is generally known that “much” was accomplished.

Having extended the season late into the fall, Duncan and Gail often hosted a potluck Thanksgiving dinner for friends and neighbors still ‘at the lake’. On several occasions the dinner guests were greeted by a friendly snowman or two. Duncan entertained in the games room—the children enjoyed playing the slot machine while Duncan taught everyone the finer points of beating the odds at the craps table. By then, the cottage had been outfitted with “multi watts” of electric heat and an all-season water system.

And now Duncan and Gail, the third generation, have become another ‘legend of the lake’. Gail spent her last summer on Coney Island in 2013 and Duncan said goodbye to what he once referred to as his “Camelot” in the fall of 2015. It is left to generations four, five and six to continue the legend through preserving the traditions of the past and creating new traditions for the future. AN

Duncan and Gail were gracious hosts and were always eager to share their summer home with anyone who might enjoy its warmth and unique character. Gail often remarked that this was their ‘real’ home. They hosted many dinner parties and opened the doors to fundraisers for the Lake of the Woods Museum and the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation while family weddings provided lasting memories to new generations. The years advanced, and while the pace of construction and renovation slowed a little, there was always an ongoing project. The great grandchildren were arriving every summer in increasing numbers. History and tradition was coming full circle—generation number six was establishing itself at the lake.

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L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

On The Ice 33

Tigers & Kids

by Barry Corbett

Tigers and kids are the perfect match and now is the best time of the year for them to meet.

Of course I don’t mean the striped feline type, but instead our local striped variety, Perca flavesens, more commonly called the yellow perch. If you want to introduce your child to ice fishing and gain a greater appreciation of fish, there is no better species than the yellow perch. They are abundant, tenacious and provide more than enough action to keep even the most active child enthralled.

L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

34 On The Ice

When my daughters were children, I wanted them to experience the fun of ice fishing. However, I made the classic mistake of assuming they would share my obsession for staring down ice holes for hours at a time. That’s right, I took them lake trout fishing. When lake trout are biting, there’s nothing more exciting and challenging then trying to finesse a large lake trout through a small hole. But there’s the rub… when they are biting. Interspersed between moments of adrenaline packed action can be long periods of ‘watching paint dry’. Kids are pretty perceptive and my daughters would often ask me ‘what are you looking at?’ and ‘when do the trout come?’

There are only so many hotdogs and s’mores you can feed a child until even the most loyal will wander away and inevitably the battle cry of rebellion begins: “When can we go home?” When we had grandchildren, I was determined not to repeat the same mistake and decided to introduce them to a more kid-friendly species, the yellow perch. Perch tend to travel in schools, so once you land one, the odds are you are in for a lot more action. Ounce for ounce, perch are determined little scrappers, but despite their tenacity they are small enough that even a toddler can land one. Once a school moves onto your fishing spot, kids won’t be staring at frozen rods but instead will be running back and forth checking twitching rods or preventing rods being pulled down holes. But don’t be fooled, perch aren’t just for kids, on light tackle, these little dynamos will provide an adult with plenty of action and challenges. Perch are nibblers and notorious bait thieves; it takes a little patience and finesse to set the hook. And did I mention they are delicious to eat? Yellow perch are members of the Percidae family and a close relative to the walleye. Their scientific name Perca is derived from early Greek for “perch”, while flavesens means “yellow coloured” or “becoming gold” in Latin. In my opinion, they are one of our most colourful freshwater fish. Their compressed body has a shimmering yellow to golden hue, with five to nine olive green vertical bars (hence the nickname tiger fish) and their pectoral, pelvis and anal fins can be brilliant orange, particularly during the spring. They are relatively short lived and can attain ages of nine to 11 years and lengths of 15 to 30 cm. (six to 12 inches) and weights up to 0.35 kg (0.75 lb). The largest one caught in Ontario was 1.1 kg (2.4 lb) and the world record was 2.8 kg (4 lb 3.5 oz). Die-hard perch anglers refer to the big guys as jumbos, but most often these “guys” are usually gals.

L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

On The Ice 35

Perch spawn mid-April to early May when water temperatures are 9 to 12°C. The female produces a unique egg strand with accordion like folds that are covered in pores. Acting like bellows, these pores allow freshwater to be pumped in and wastes expelled out with wave action or water movement. The strands can reach up to 2.1 m (7 ft) long and contain 210,000 eggs, but most strands are smaller and house upwards of 28,000 eggs. The females prefer to deposit their egg masses over vegetation or submerged brush, but will also lay them on gravel, sand or rubble bottoms. The ability to spawn virtually anywhere and the unique egg mass results in high reproductive success, egg survival and an abundant population. For every walleye roaming the bottom, there are hundreds if not thousands of yellow perch eking out a living feeding on aquatic invertebrates (e.g. mayfly nymphs, dragonfly nymphs, midge larvae, crayfish) and small fish, while at the same time avoiding being dinner for an assortment of larger predators including their big cousins the walleye and northern pike. Very adaptable and tolerant of a wide variety of environments, they tend to be most abundant in the open water of lakes with moderate vegetation, clear water and bottoms of muck to sand and gravel. Perch follow an interesting daily ritual. They are gregarious fish and during the day congregate into schools of 50 to 200 individuals. Schools are generally made up of individuals of a similar size and age with the little ones heading for the shallower water, while larger perch seek out deeper areas. As night approaches, the group moves inshore and after dark, when they no longer can see each other, they wave their goodbyes and disperse, moving to the bottom and remain motionless. At dawn, once again the schoolmates come together and move back to their preferred habitats. Generally, perch follow a seasonal migratory pattern bringing them inshore to spawn in the spring, out to deeper water (usually above the thermocline) as summer temperatures rise and into even deeper water during the winter.

Now that you know a bit about their biology, here’s what you need to do to organise a fun family winter fishing excursion. Virtually all our lakes in the area have perch populations, but if you are looking for somewhere close, you can’t do better than Lake of the Woods. And you really don’t have to go too far, there’s great perch fishing close to the Kenora entrance to the ice road. Take a test drive down the ice road and you will see numerous ice huts between the landing and Treaty Island. One of our favourite spots is the area south of Coney Island that is nicknamed the Perch Flats. If you’re not up for a driving adventure on the ice road, then give Rabbit Lake or Round Lake a try.

Perch can be found in similar areas as walleyes, so look for humps and adjacent flat areas. You can find these on the lake maps or a good first indicator is the presence of an ice hut. I usually start drilling holes in 8 to 10 metres of water and if we have no bites, I’ll put a few holes in deeper and shallower water.

Another reason I like perch for kids is they are active all day unlike their finicky cousin walleye which tends to feed mostly at dawn and dusk. This means you have time to give the kids lunch or their nap and still have the warmest part of the day to fish. Maybe it’s just coincidence, but I’ve had my best perch fishing on bright days when the sun is at its highest. If the day is warm and the kids are keen, try staying until the sun sets. You might catch a few walleyes as they intercept perch before retreating to their night roosts. The first and most important rule of fishing with children is to keep everyone warm. From a comfort perspective, the Cadillac of fishing accessories is the heated ice shack. But these are usually built and used by die-hard weekend warriors who spend countless hours on the ice. A nice compromise is the pop-up

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L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

36 On The Ice

ice tent. It takes only a couple of minutes to put up and if the fish aren’t there, they are easy to move to another spot. It’s amazing how warm these tents are, if you can block the wind even on cold days. Add a small heater or camp stove or even candles and you will see snow suits being quickly shed. Better yet, if it’s your first time, pick a warm March or April day with no wind. Set up your holes adjacent to Crown land and show the kids how to start and cook over a fire. Definitely a useful life lesson. For fishing gear, you will need an ice auger, ice scoop, needle nose pliers to remove hooks, and some collapsible chairs or buckets to sit on. Believe it or not those colourful “Dora the Explorer and Buzz Lightyear” rods that grandparents insist on buying at Christmas will work just fine. Since everyone (even children) can fish with two rods in the winter, bring along some extra ice rods, the lighter the line and tackle the better. If you can, try 4 lb. test on a couple of rods and use small jigs (1/4 oz or less) or spoons tipped with a small minnow. One of my favourite perch baits is a 1/32 oz tube jig with a couple of split shots squeezed on about 30 cm above the jig. The split shot helps to sink the jig to the bottom and if the perch are aggressive you won’t need a minnow. If you are a first timer and not keen on investing too much into equipment, then just attach light fishing line to a stick or two and you can have just as much fun. Word of advice: when I fish with children, I usually pinch the barbs off my hooks. It makes it a lot easier and less painful to remove hooks from mittens, snowsuits and the occasional finger. To keep the minnow on, just add a piece of elastic to the tip of the hook. Once your holes are drilled, drop the lines to the bottom and reel up a couple of times and have your little partner jiggle the lure by raising the rod slowly up and down. Perch feed mostly near the bottom, so this should put the bait in their strike zone. However, if the perch haven’t moved in yet or aren’t biting, most kids are good for about 10 minutes to 10 seconds. If you see the rod drop out of their hands or they give you that glazed faraway look, it’s not the beginning of hypothermia, but the onset of boredom. Now is the time to break out the “other” fishing equipment. We usually bring along a soccer ball or hockey

sticks and a tennis ball. Well-placed ice rods make suitable goal posts. Or why not have a game of snow golf. All you have to do is drill shallow holes (not to the water) and use your hockey sticks as putters.However, keep your eye on the rods. If the tips start twitching, the perch have arrived and call a time out. Perch are the gray jays of the fish world and will steal your minnow in a blink of an eye. Be prepared to hear a chorus of “hey, he took my minnow!” When the novelty of losing minnows wears off and you want to ensure some fish for supper, try adding a stinger hook. It’s a small hook on a short line that will attach easily to your jig, allowing the minnow to be double hooked, increasing the odds of setting the hook. Unlike pike and walleye with their extremely sharp canines (conical, pointed teeth) that can cause a nasty wound to the unwary, perch have bands of brush like teeth on their jaws and roof of their mouth making them easy and safe to remove from a hook. However, like all members of the Percidae family, they have sharp spines on their first dorsal, pelvic and anal fins and a single spine at the end of their cheek plate. For safe handling have your child gently cradle the perch with the belly resting on his or her hands or if they hold it from the top have them slowly pass their hand over the head and this will compress the spiny fins. Better yet, keep mitts on and you shouldn’t have any problems. If perch are minnow thieves, watch overhead for perch thieves. It seems bald eagles have figured out our ice fishing habits. On more than one occasion, I have left perch on the ice at one hole while checking my other rod, only to have a bald eagle swoop in and steal my catch. It makes for a great show but a disappointing supper. Perch sometimes get a bad rap. Anglers may discard their catch, not because perch are smaller than walleye, but because of the occasional tiny yellow cysts in their flesh. This is the intermediate stage of a parasite whose final host is a fish eating bird like the great blue heron. It is absolutely harmless to humans and easy to remove with the tip of your knife. Many anglers don’t realize that all fish may carry parasites that may or may not infect humans. This includes our most popular eating fish, the walleye, and I have yet to see someone leave a walleye on the ice. Properly cooking or freezing any fish will make your catch safe to eat. Once home with your catch, perch can be cleaned and prepared in the same way as walleye. Although you lose a little meat, I cut out those pesky Y bones and this convinces even the pickiest fish eater to give them a try. White flaky yellow perch fillets are an absolute delicacy and fish tacos are one of the best ways to serve perch… kids love them.

If you’re looking for something new to do on a sunny winter’s day, turn off the cartoons & have the kids catch a tiger! AN

L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

On The Ice 37

When Everything Goes South: Learn From Your (and my) Mistakes by John Waterer

Rescue crews responded Boxing Day after a snowmobiler fell through the ice near Clearwater Bay.

The local news caption and photo tell the story: the Search and Rescue and Emergency Services crew hard at work in -28°C temps on Boxing Day. Why? A few bad decisions, some bad luck, and some really good luck. Boxing Day 2015 arrived and we headed to the cabin for Christmas break, some ice fishing and a bit of R&R. My son and brother were really keen on getting out to try some early season fishing. We’d been to the cabin several times over the last few weeks and knew the ice was slow to form this winter, but when we drove by Clearwater Bay we could see that it looked pretty solid. This usually means that the ice in our bay, south of Mud Portage and around Ptarmigan Bay, should be pretty good. We had actually made a few calls to some local fisherman who reported “decent” ice. So we unpacked our stuff and I went to move our snowmobiles onto the ice in front of our cabin to get ready for a quick evening walleye trip. Dressed in “outdoor work” clothes, I drove one sled onto the ice and figured I should take a quick trip around the corner to check for slush, while my son and brother got their stuff together.

Heading across Ptarmigan, everything looked fine. It was really cold, but I figured we’d only be out for an hour or so, so all should be fine. I got to our spot, maybe 1.5 miles from our cabin and turned around to make the return trip. The second I slowed to turn, my snowmobile disappeared from underneath me. No slow drop through the ice, no warning, just gone, and I found myself swimming. Now, I like to think I’m a pretty seasoned outdoorsman and a reasonably capable person but even so, my first thought was, “You could die here, idiot!” Fortunately, I had actually given this scenario some thought, as there are lots of stories, good and bad, about people going through ice on sleds. Getting out is much harder than you would think when you’re fully clothed and the ice is breaking away as you try to push onto the surface. Of course I have a set of ice picks for this exact scenario… sitting back at the cabin. This is where a little bit of knowledge kicked in. I’ve keenly watched Dr. Gord Giesbrecht (a.k.a Professor Popsicle) demonstrate how to survive exactly such a scenario.* Step One: Don’t panic, and wait for your breathing to recover. Panic could kill you pretty quickly here as you exhaust yourself struggling to get out. Too late! I didn’t have the composure to wait and tried immediately to pull myself onto the ice. As it broke away * Marianne & Rod Nuttall covered cold water recovery tips drawn from Dr. Giesbrecht’s research in the article “Cold Water Survival” in the March/April 2016 issue of Area News.

L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

38 On The Ice

repeatedly, I really got panicked. But I did remember learning that a good technique to get out of the water is to get horizontal and essentially try to swim onto the ice surface. Once you’re up, you then roll away from the hole.

It worked. I made it onto the ice and got away from the hole.

As I got closer to shore I kept breaking through, so I skirted the nearest shore looking for some better ice. Unfortunately, when I did get to shore it was a steep rock face, and I immediately broke through again. Finding myself up to my neck, looking at a rock face a foot in front of me, was not a good situation. Fortunately, I managed to grab onto the rock and pull myself up and onto shore. Once up I had a really tough hike across this island, trying to make it to the only cabin.

Now what? Minus 28 degrees and soaked. My first thought was to try to contact our cabin to warn the others not to come. I pulled out my cell phone that has a waterproof case, and tried calling but water was pouring off it and I guess even the case was too wet to work. Now my biggest worry was that my brother and son would be coming for me and I had no way of stopping them and they would be in the same situation. My plan A was to try to walk back to the cabin on my track, hoping to make it there before they left. Ten steps and, bang, I was through the ice again. At least I knew how to get out, but it is exhausting and I was incredibly cold. So plan A was done, and instead I decided to try to head for the nearest island about 100 meters away.

Unfortunately, a rock cliff stood between the cabin and me so I had to go back onto the ice and immediately fell through again. Getting out, again, and onto shore left me pretty tired, but I managed to scramble up a steep slope in deep snow and I finally made it to the cabin. It was a beautiful cabin and the last thing I wanted to do was break into someone’s place. I checked the doors hoping for open access, but had no luck. As I walked around the cabin looking for the least damaging way of getting in, I got lucky and found a patio door that was left open. What a huge relief. Once inside I pulled out my phone and tried it again. I immediately sent a text, and once I saw that it had sent, I tried calling. My rather anxious wife answered and I did my best to explain the situation. Extremely relieved, she then had to contact my son and brother who had already gone on foot looking for me after they had put their snowmobile through the ice 40 meters off the dock. The bottom line was that I was truly stuck. Much to my chagrin, it was time to call for help. I could describe exactly where I was and we could even come up with GPS coordinates thanks to some great phone apps. (Navionics is a must for anyone on the lake).

As I waited for rescue, I thought of the story of a young couple that had made it to a cabin under similar circumstances, but sadly one perished from hypothermia despite being in a cabin. I’ve often thought that if you could get the power on you could turn on the oven and, with luck, survive. I couldn’t get the power on; Stephen R. Lundin, B.A., LL.B SLundin@HSLlaw.ca time for plan C.

W. Randall F. Seller, B.A., LL.B RSeller@HSLlaw.ca

Cheryl C. M. Siran, B.A. (ADV), LL.B CSiran@HSLlaw.ca

Beth Allison White, B.H.Ec., LL.B

Reid E. Thompson, B.A., LL.B

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Kimberly P. Riediger, B.B.A., LL.B

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This was a very seasonal cabin, and in fact I’m not sure I’ve ever seen someone there. There was a small wood stove, but no wood, kindling or starter of any kind, so I made my way back outside to try to find some wood. I managed to collect some wood and get a small fire going. After a couple of really cold hours I saw the lights of the Search and Rescue team. Those guys were awesome and we were

L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

On The Ice 39

quickly onto the rescue boat and back to Rush Bay launch, where an ambulance was waiting. The ambulance crew was extremely professional and gave me a quick checkup to make sure everything was OK. I managed to convince them that I was fine and a really nice O.P.P. officer gave me a ride back to our cabin. I was trying to say thanks to all who helped but I’m sure I missed some and forgot to say sorry to everyone back home for putting them through such an ordeal, but I was just so happy to be warm and dry.

So, what did we learn from this? Always check local ice conditions. A waterproof cell phone case is a great option. It likely saved my phone half a dozen times, not to mention my life. Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back. Ice picks are a great idea, if you have them at your fingertips. I recently bought another pair and the instructions indicated that they were to be worn around your neck under your jacket, but I guarantee the person who wrote that hasn’t tried treading water in full gear and using two hands to unzip a jacket to get to your picks. They have to be immediately accessible. Carry some way to start a fire. Many lighters don’t work when they’re wet. I own a floating snowmobile suit but wasn’t wearing it. I’m not sure it would make getting out of the water much easier. Mine is really bulky and rather heavy. I don’t plan to test it either. Don’t let enthusiasm or excitement about “getting out there” cause you to make stupid mistakes.

I think it’s a great idea to leave wood and kindling handy whenever you leave your cabin, as it may save your life or someone else’s. If you need motivation to stay in shape, consider that I likely wouldn’t be writing this story if I hadn’t been fit. Always check local ice conditions. Yes, I know I already wrote that, but it’s worth mentioning twice. Lastly, Lake of the Woods Search and Rescue is a volunteer organization. They are great and deserve our support. Just hope you never need them. And yes, I made a donation. AN

Editor’s Note: The City of Kenora’s website gives the following info about Lake of the Woods Search and Rescue: The Lake of the Woods Search & Rescue (LOWSAR) is a team of dedicated volunteers who provide Search and Rescue Services to the region. These services include but are not limited to ice/water rescue, ground search and rescue, ELT detection, aircraft searching and rope rescue. LOWSAR is activated by Central Ambulance Communication Centre in Kenora via a pager system. LOWSAR works closely with the Ontario Provincial Police, Northwest EMS, City of Kenora Fire and Emergency Services and other allied emergency services. Upon request, LOWSAR provides training and presentations for various organizations on ice and water rescue, wilderness survival, GPS and more. Contact Information E-Mail: lowsar@live.com Larry Cottam 807-548-1785 Terry McLeod 807-548-5223

Be a part of Kenora tradition and help us strengthen the lifeline to your hospital this holiday season by dedicating $10 bulbs in memory or in honour of the special people in your life. Watch for your Tree of Life form in the mail, at area businesses or at ﬁnancial institutions around Kenora - or get yours online at lwdhf.com. We can all make a diﬀerence, one bulb at a time! 21 Sylvan St W | (807) 468-9861 x2469 | lwdhf@lwdh.on.ca | lwdhf.com

40 On The Ice

Ice is Never Risk-Free By Elsie Neufeld

Snow machines are tuned-up, cross-country skis are waxed, the skates are sharpened and ice shacks spruced up. When that layer of ice forms over our lakes and rivers, we will bound out to play and work on this transformed landscape, but we are facing new dangers when we go onto the ice. Ice is inherently unsafe. Raise your hand if you have ever experienced or heard of the following: returning to your truck after an afternoon of fishing, you sense your truck now sits in a slight depression in the ice; snowshoeing across a stretch of ice, you feel that sinking feeling and slush forms in your footsteps; the snowmobile trail that was smooth and perfect yesterday now has a foot-high ice ridge running across it. Some of these misadventures end in tragedy. Be aware and prepare. Ice continually changes with the fluid forces above, below and within it. Prepare and understand the nature of ice so you can play on it safely.

on the lake many years, a member of the local snowmobile club or a person at the sports shop. Use the groomed snowmobile trails and expertly constructed ice roads. Don’t travel on ice at night or when it’s snowing, if you can avoid it. Prepare for the worst. Go with a buddy. Let someone know where you are going and when you will return. Carry a cell phone and/or a GPS. Dress appropriately. When you are testing ice or snowmobiling, wear a PFD or floatation suit. Have a plan for rescue. Carry a weighted line or an ice pick to help you get out if you do fall in. If you fall through the ice and manage to get out, hypothermia is your next danger. Carry a dry change of clothes and an emergency blanket to help ward it off. (You did tell your wife where you were going, right? She knows where to send police when you’re late getting home, right?)

Sgt. Kelly Warren with the Kenora O.P.P. attributes trouble to a failure to plan. He says, “most people get into trouble when they don’t know where they are going or don’t tell someone where they are going.”

Test the ice. Don’t walk on ice unless you know it is thick enough to support the activity you have planned. If you are going out on a virgin trail or conditions have changed, use a drill, auger or spud bar to determine the thickness. Drill several holes in the area you plan to travel. The minimum thickness is the determining measurement. The Ontario Snowmobile Safety Committee recommends the following:

Prepare with knowledge. If you are new to an area or venturing out on ice new to you, consult with a local authority about the nature of the ice on that body of water. This authority might be your neighbour who has ice fished

10 cm (4”) ice fishing, walking, cross-country skiing 12 cm (5”) one snowmobile or ATV 20–30 cm (8–12”) one car or small pick-up 30–38 cm (12–15”) one medium truck

STAY OFF!

5 cm (2”) OR LESS

10 cm (4”)

ICE FISHING, WALKING, CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

12 cm (5”)

ONE SNOWMOBILE OR ATV

20–30 cm (8–12”) ONE CAR OR SMALL PICK-UP

30–38 cm (12–15”) ONE MEDIUM TRUCK

L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

On The Ice 41

Study the colour of the ice. The colour of ice provides an indication of its strength. Clear blue is the strongest. White ice results from wet snow freezing on the ice. White ice has only half the strength of blue ice. Grey or black ice is unsafe as it contains water. Ice thickness and strength are influenced by many factors: the depth and size of the water body; the currents and other flowing water; changing water levels; exposed logs, rock and docks, effects of vehicles driving on ice, and air temperature. It is not possible to assume that the ice you walked across yesterday is the same today. Examine all the factors that affect ice quality. To determine ice quality, look at all the influencing factors. As well as thickness, consider: • Size and depth of water: large bodies of water take longer to freeze than smaller ones. The deepest part of a lake will freeze last. • Air temperature: approaching spring, the warmer temperatures will weaken the ice. • Depth and weight of the snow coverage: deep snow acts as an insulator and the ice will weaken. Heavy snow pushes ice sheets down allowing water to rise up

along cracks, flooding the ice surface. A new layer of snow will hide this flooding. Ice that has no snow, such as an ice road, will have extra thick ice. Do not assume surrounding snow-covered ice is the same thickness. • Cracks: cracks in the ice reduce the capacity of the surrounding ice. • Flowing water: in areas where the lake currents are the most pronounced and where rivers and streams flow in and out of the lake the ice will be thinner and weaker. • Water level: fluctuating water levels will open cracks in the ice and affect its strength. Just remember, ice is never risk free. O.P.P. Sgt. Warren offers presentations on ice safety to schools, businesses and service groups. If you want more information, contact him at the Kenora O.P.P. detachment. There are many good resources on the Internet to help you work and play safely on ice: www.lifesavingsociety.com/who’s-drowning/ice-safety.aspx www.ibc.ca/nb/disaster/ice/ice-safety-tips www.labour.gc.ca/eng/health_safety/prevention/alerts/ice

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L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

42 Environment

Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation Fall Algae Bloom

The view from space tells a dramatic story. The picture at right is not of a little green puddle. It is a satellite image of Lake of the Woods on October 2, showing massive blooms of blue-green algae covering much of the lake’s surface area of 4,000 square kilometres, from Rainy River in the south to the lake’s outlet at Kenora, Ontario. The view up close on the water was equally dramatic and ugly this fall on Lake of the Woods and the downstream waters of the Winnipeg River as well, with fluorescent blue green scums coating the shoreline. Development of a sustainability plan for Lake of the Woods is the major goal of our foundation. This massive outbreak underscores the continued need for the plan and for a coordinated response by Canada and the United States. Minnesota has invested heavily in research and is now developing a plan to reduce phosphorus entering the lake – key to reducing the algae bloom problem. Canada is now coming to the table, with $5.5 million dollars for Environment Canada to participate in the significant efforts and investments being made by Minnesota to develop phosphorus concentration objectives and reduction targets to combat harmful algae blooms—a key pillar of the sustainability plan. Our governments have committed to binational actions to manage phosphorus concentrations and loadings in the Great Lakes, under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA). We are encouraged that our governments recognize the need to take similar action on Lake of the Woods. This will be a major step forward and will deliver a key element of a sustainability plan for Lake of the Woods. Lake of the Woods deserves no less.

Top: MODIS satellite image of Lake of the Woods, October 2, showing massive blue green algae bloom. Right: Shoreline, October 2.

L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

Environment 43

Environment Canada Starts Work on Lake of the Woods

Environment Canada scientists and technicians were on the lake this fall for an extended period, with an expanded monitoring program to support the additional science that it will be conducting as part of the $5.5 million science plan announced in August. Although still being developed, the Environment Canada draft science plan includes: • enhanced water quality monitoring on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River; • additional work on nutrients and algae and modeling of the lake to fill knowledge gaps required to set water quality objectives; and • development of satellite tools to track and monitor algae blooms and potential toxicity. It is too early to tell what the Environment Canada science plan will entail in detail and how it will engage and integrate with the efforts underway in Minnesota but it is really good news that the commitment to binational action has been made.

2017 Watershed Forum

The foundation will again be hosting the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum March 8-9, 2017 in International Falls, Minnesota. Now entering its 14th year, the forum has had a major impact as an incubator for science and international collaboration. This was particularly evident this past year with a record attendance of 160 and with many of the research initiatives begun over the past years “gelling” and now producing results that will assist in the future binational management of the water quality and ecology of the Lake of the Woods and Rainy River watershed. Although primarily a forum for researchers and resource managers, interested members of the public are always welcome. For a taste of what goes on at the forum, proceedings reports are available at the foundation’s website—these are must read reports for anyone interested in what researchers and resource managers are working on to protect our lake and watershed. www.lowwsf.com/proceedings-archive

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L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

44 Environment

Our Foundation—The Path Forward

Development of a sustainability plan for Lake of the Woods is the major goal of the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation. We expect the recently announced investment to allow Canada to participate with the United States to develop phosphorus concentration objectives and reduction targets to combat harmful algae blooms—a key pillar of the sustainability plan. Currently, ECCC has proposed a draft plan for science studies. Governments had the opportunity to commit to more. We think they still should. Our foundation will continue to work through the International Joint Commission’s Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board and with Global Affairs Canada, Environment Canada and U.S. agencies, to ensure that Environment Canada’s draft study plan integrates with and supports the significant scientific efforts already underway or completed by the State of Minnesota.

Our foundation will continue to work with the IJC, Environment and Climate Change Canada and other science agencies to address other areas of concern identified by the IJC in its 2015 Lake of the Woods Plan of Study, such as invasive species, other contamination and the need for coordinated monitoring binationally.

How You Can Help

Your help now will ensure that we maintain the momentum for our lake. Sign up at the foundation’s website to show your support and receive our email updates. Please consider making a donation to the foundation. Your gift will help make sure that Lake of the Woods is a priority with governments, research is completed and a sustainability plan is developed and implemented to restore and protect the water quality of Lake of the Woods. Canadian donors: lowwsf.com/donate US donors: lowwsf.com/donate-USA

This leads to a tangible outcome for our lake — a binational water quality agreement with objectives, reduction targets, timelines and accountability through regular reporting by the IJC on the achievements of governments towards the agreement, just like on the Great Lakes. The IJC can provide a mechanism for transparency and accountability, similar to its role on the Great Lakes. The IJC should have the role to analyze information provided by the governments, assess the effectiveness of programs in both countries and report on scientific progress towards meeting water quality objectives and targets when they are developed.

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L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

Environment 45

IJC Prepping Report on Climate Change in the Watershed The International Joint Commission’s (IJC) International Watersheds Initiative (IWI) has assembled a climate change working group comprised of representatives from each of the transboundary watersheds under IJC jurisdiction along the Canada-U.S. border. The working group is tasked with preparing a white paper that develops a framework for how IJC boards, including our own Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board, should consider climate change in their work. The white paper will be published in December 2016. Bill Werick and Casey Brown are the paper’s lead authors, with content and concepts contributed by representatives from each of the watersheds. Werick is a water resources planner, best known for his part in developing and practicing shared vision planning, a method of water management that combines the best planning and public involvement processes with the use of a collaboratively built system model to inform both. He was the U.S. lead planner for the IJC Lake Ontario and Upper Great Lakes Study, that looked at water level uncertainty in the Great Lakes (see: ijc.org/files/tinymce/uploaded/ IUGLS_Summary_Report.pdf ). Werick is currently the U.S. member of the Technical Working Group for the Rainy Lake Rule Curve Review. Brown is a professor at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a leading analyst at the United States Geological Survey-supported Northeast Climate Center. He is known for the development of decision-scaling, a framework for adapting water management to climate change by first determining the most important plausible outcomes from climate change rather than starting with climate model predictions. In the last few years he has worked with Rand Corporation and the Rockefeller Foundation on these issues, and he applied decision scaling during the IJC Upper Great Lakes Study.

Representatives to the Climate Change Working Group from our basin are Charlene Mason (Board member, Ely, MN), Teika Newton (Community Advisory Group member, Kenora, ON), Mike Hirst (Board member; Lake of the Woods Soil & Water Conservation District, Baudette, MN), and Susanne Hanson (Board member; Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Duluth, MN). From the Rainy-Lake of the Woods basin, we will be sharing examples of climate change impacts on both water quality and water quantity. For more than a decade, scientists working in our basin have documented climate impacts and presented their findings at the annual Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum each spring. The Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board’s Water Levels Committee and the work done through its Rule Curve Review have also added to our understanding of climate impacts on water levels. The IWI Climate Change white paper will summarize what we know about the effects of climate change in the basin, and set out a framework that assists the Board in responding effectively.

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L.O.W. AREA NEWS

November/December 2016

46 LOWDKids!

kids.lowdpoa.com

Winter Footprints in the Snow by Hayley Anderson

When the first fresh blanket of snow covers the ground, many animals are hibernating or have migrated for the winter. Those that remain may have grown thick coats or turned white to camouflage themselves. There’s one thing, though, that they can’t camouflage: their footprints! Visible in the snow, footprints give us a clue to which animals are still here, and what they might have been doing. Lynx are shy and solitary animals, and although they live in our forests we rarely see them. In the winter, you can tell where they’ve been by looking for their tracks. Look for prints just like a cat’s, but larger (approximately 3” by 3”) and quite round in shape. Their paws are covered in dense fur that helps them to stay on top of the snow, so their tracks are not usually very deep, and they are small animals so they have a shorter stride (stride is the distance between the sets of tracks). When the snow is very deep, the lynx will sink more and their furred heels give the track a distinct “ice cream cone” shape. Weasels scamper and bound through the snow looking for food. Their tracks weave and bob around trees and under branches. They also tunnel in and out of the snow, looking for mice and voles to eat. Their back feet usually land in the same tracks as their front feet as they run, so it might look like whatever was walking only had 2 feet. Their stride is usually about 12” between each set of tracks and you can usually see four toe prints in their track. Their tracks are oval shaped and about 1” long. Wolves are canines (members of the same family as dogs). All canines walk with one foot almost right in front of the other. A straight line of single footprints might be a dog, wolf or fox. However, wolves usually travel in packs so if you

see lots of them in one area, deep in the forest, it might be wolf prints. Wolf tracks in the snow are up to 5” in length, and 4” in width. They have four toes and a triangle-shaped heel pad, and unlike cats their claws don’t retract, so you might see claw marks too. Rabbits move by jumping, and they have long, narrow feet. Their toes are covered by thick fur, so their tracks usually look like rectangles in the snow. They have a similar pattern to squirrel tracks, but squirrels’ feet aren’t as furry so you can see their toe outlines. This track pattern looks like two feet side by side, and then another two feet side by side a little further ahead. If they are really moving fast, the two sets will be further apart, and if they are leisurely hopping around they will be closer together. Deer tracks might be the easiest to identify, because they have hooves. Hooves are made of the same substance that our fingernails are made of (called keratin). Their tracks look like an upside down heart, split down the middle, and in Kenora, they are very common so this might be the easiest one to find. Owls don’t often walk on snow, but they do leave prints. When an owl senses a mouse or a vole beneath the snow, they swoop down and can sometimes leave full body prints in the snow as they try to catch their prey. One thing to remember when you are out track-hunting: when the sun hits the snow on the trees, it begins to melt and drips on to the ground beneath the tree. This can make it look like there are prints in the snow all around the tree. Don’t be fooled by those tricky tree prints. AN

L.O.W. AREA NEWS

kids.lowdpoa.com

November/December 2016

LOWDKids! 47

Match the animal with its footprints A

3. Ermine

5. Owl

1. Snowshoe Hare

6. Lynx

4. Shrew 2. Red Squirrel

Winter Footprint Game for Humans First, you stamp out a big circle in the snow, then when the circle is done you walk straight through from one side to the other, and then around the edge of the circle to the other side and do the same thing. From above it would look like a pie with four slices.

The very middle of this is called “the hen house”. When you finish stamping your circle, you choose a player to be the fox (this was usually my dad). The fox stands in the hen house and calls for the geese (the other players) to get to the hen house without being bitten (tagged), then the geese try to outsmart the fox and run to the hen house without leaving the stamped out area. The first person to make it to the hen house without being bitten becomes the next fox.

Answers: 1-C, 2-B, 3-A, 4-F, 5-E, 6-D

Playing a game called “Fox and Goose” is one of my favourite winter childhood memories. My dad would stamp out a circle for us, and then my siblings and I would play. Give it a try at your camp!

L.O.W. AREA NEWS

November/December 2016

48 LOWDKids!

kids.lowdpoa.com

Nature’s Candy

by Teika Newton

Last winter, one of my dearest friends was in town over the Christmas break. She invited us to her camp at Storm Bay, and there she and her mom introduced us to the joys of making maple taffy. This natural candy treat is probably familiar to anyone who has attended the Festival du Voyageur in St. Boniface in the winter, but it’s surprisingly simple and scrumptious to make your own maple candy at home in your yard, provided you have clean snow. Be warned: this is a VERY STICKY activity, although the tastiness of it makes up for the messiness. Expect strings of syrupy candy to coat the hair and hats, and dripping, oozing, melting maple sugar to soak your mittens. Expect happy taste buds, too.

Ingredients & Supplies: • Pure maple syrup • Popsicle sticks or lollipop sticks • Candy thermometer

• Thick-bottomed pot • Clean snow

Instructions: Get a grown-up to help you cook the candy syrup. • Place pure maple syrup in a pot on the stove, and bring to a boil. We used about a cup of syrup to make enough candy for 10 people to each have at least one lollipop. • Using a candy thermometer, continue to boil until syrup reaches the soft ball stage (235˚F -240˚F). If you don’t have a candy thermometer, ‘soft ball’ happens when syrup dripped from the tip of a spoon over a cup of cold water forms soft, toffee-like little balls on contact with the water. • While a grown-up keeps an eye on the boiling syrup, kids can go outside and prepare the snow surface for pouring the taffy. Find a very clean patch of snow. You can either scoop some into a metal pan or cookie sheet, or just leave it in place, but in either case, pat it down well so it forms a good, solid surface that won’t melt very easily when you pour the hot syrup on it. • Remove the syrup from heat and carry it out to your prepared snow. Carefully pour syrup in a thin layer over the snow. We poured out a ribbon, about 1” x 4” for each candy pop. • Press a popsicle stick into the syrup at one end and carefully roll it up into a candy pop. Eat and enjoy!

Maple syrup is one of the most delicious treats from nature here in the Lake of the Woods area. Every year as the winter fades into spring, leafy trees begin to wake up from their winter slumber. As the sap begins to flow from the roots to the tree tops, people can insert small taps into the tree to siphon off a bit of that fluid. The very watery sap of maple or birch trees can be boiled down to produce sweet, sticky syrup. It takes 40 parts of sap to make one part of maple syrup. We will have more on the process of making maple syrup in the next issue of the Area News. AN

L.O.W. AREA NEWS

kids.lowdpoa.com

November/December 2016

LOWDKids! 49

2016 Photo Contest Send us your best pictures in the following categories: • Kids being active at the lake • Wildlife and nature • Family photo WIN great Lake of the Woods mementos and swag. Deadline: December 31, 2016 Email your entries to: editor@areanewsmagazine.com Please provide your name, address and phone number as well as an image title and where the image was taken. Limit: 5 submissions per person.

L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

50 Arts & Culture

Winter Escape: No Cold or Snow Involved by Elsie Neufeld

As un-Canadian as this sounds, some of us living in the Great White North would be perfectly fine if we never placed a footprint in freshly fallen snow, never felt crisp air in our lungs, or fully grasped the concept of wind chill. Sadly, we’ve tried avoidance. We know it doesn’t work. We turn as grey as the couch we sink into in front of the TV and as yellow as the chips that we stuff in our mouths. We gain weight, feel sluggish and sink into the winter blahs. By February, we have turned blue, and are moving into depression. It doesn’t have to be like that. We can keep our contact with the great cold outdoors to a minimum and still have a great winter. Sometimes all we need is a healthy distraction during those interminable winter months. Lake of the Woods area communities are full of winter activities that shelter you from the worst of the weather and keep your spirits up doing things you enjoy. You just might start to lament spring’s arrival.

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The Arts Hub is a department of the Kenora Association for Community Living (KACL). It offers programs that are inclusive and accessible for everyone. You can take part as a participant or, if you have an art or skill you want to share, as a facilitator. Find more information at kacl.ca. Lake of the Woods Arts Community (LOWAC) holds Fun Mondays where participants explore different creative forms. You can pass the winter creatively preparing your art piece for the Dip, Dip and Swing – Summer 2017 Art Exhibit. Submission deadline is March 1, 2017. Visit lowac.ca for more information. If you are in Sioux Narrows your creative spirit will fly at the Vilij Well (facebook.com/vilijwell). At the Vilij Well, people find inspiration and a chance to hone their craft, including at Cork and Canvas nights.

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Arts & Culture 51

Move the body

We know sitting is our winter enemy. We hear how sitting is the new smoking. We can mitigate much of that by simply standing up every 20 minutes, swinging our arms and marching on the spot. But really, let’s get out and seriously move. Next door to Inglenook Art Studio is DanceWorks Kenora (danceworkskenora.com). This dance studio has classes for all ages, including seniors. What a fun way to exercise. The Kenora Recreation Centre offers all the sheltered activity you will need, including regularly scheduled fitness classes to keep you moving through the winter. If you have a group of friends who want to exercise together, consider making your own fitness group (Small Group Fitness). If you want to be a lone wolf, but would like some guidance, enlist a personal trainer. There is also an ice-free indoor track, swimming pools, and a gym. Check out kenora.ca/living/beactive/kenora-recreation-centre.aspx. Kenora Borealis Multisport Club. If you’re interested in running, swimming, cycling (separately or as triathlon) you should check out this club. In the past, it was a club for triathletes, but has now expanded its mandate. It is now for all people interested in these sports from beginners to Iron

Man participants. For more info see its Facebook page or website kenoraborealis.com. Lake of the Woods Yoga Studio (formerly Nourish) has a class to suit all abilities, ages and interests. You can sign up online at lotwyoga.ca. Make the commitment. Keep the breath moving.

Volunteer

Meet people, contribute to the community, share and learn skills. These are a few of the benefits from volunteering. Check out kenora.ca/living/community/volunteering.aspx to explore volunteer opportunities. If you just keep active and socially engaged, your winter will fly by and you will stay toasty warm while you just keep active and socially engaged. Publisher’s Note: this past fall our publishing team collaborated with the Kenora Recreation Centre to create Kenora Leisure magazine. Kenora Leisure is your resource for cultural, recreational and wellness activities through this fall and winter. Pick up a copy of Kenora Leisure around Kenora, or visit: kenoraleisure.com

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L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

52 Cottage How-to

Many have asked about changes to provincial regulations relating to the construction of docks, boathouses, and other waterfront or shoreline projects. Since winter is the season many contractors are busy building such structures, here is pertinent information from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources website: ontario.ca/page/crown-land-work-permits#section-4.

Permits Required for Building Docks and Single-Storey Boathouses in Ontario Authorizations for docks and single-storey boathouses In Ontario, the use of Crown land and shore lands is regulated under the Public Lands Act (PLA). You are required to get a work permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) for certain activities on Crown land and shore lands before any work can take place. Shore lands refers to lands that are covered or seasonally inundated by the water of a lake, river, stream or pond (PLA Reg. 239/13). It is an offence to work on Crown land and/or shore lands without a work permit when one is needed. The Public Lands Act applies to lands managed by the MNRF, including: • the beds of most lakes and rivers; • other lands covered or seasonally inundated by the water of a lake, river, stream or pond.

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It does not apply to federal lands and water bodies (e.g., the Trent-Severn and Rideau Canal waterways).

When authorizations are required for docks and single-storey boathouses As a result of a 2015 decision by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, a person with plans to build or place a dock or single-storey boathouse floating above, resting on, physically attached to or otherwise covering more than 15 square metres of shore lands will now require a permit under the Public Lands Act. This includes the construction and placement on shore lands of new, seasonal or expansions to existing structures that are greater than 15 square metres. The rules respecting two-storey boathouses, boathouses with accommodations or structures used for commercial purposes have not changed.

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Cottage How-to 53

How to measure the area of shore lands occupied by docks or singlestorey boathouses The area of shore lands occupied by a dock or singlestorey boathouse can generally be calculated based on the perimeter of the entire structure on or above shore lands. To determine the measurement, consider the design of the structure from above, looking down. The measurement would include the area as calculated by the outside edge of the structure whether placed on or above shore lands.

Cost There is no fee to apply for or to receive an authorization to construct or place a dock or single-storey boathouse on or above shore lands and, an authorization can be issued to you for a term of up to five years.

Consulting municipalities or other agencies before filling out an MNRF application

and placement of a structure on shore lands. You should also check with other government agencies that may have an interest in your proposal (e.g. local Conservation Authorities, Federal Departments of Fisheries & Oceans and Transport Canada). As part of the MNRF application process, MNRF will require you to attest that your proposed structure complies with all municipal by-laws and/or official plan policies as well as the requirements of other government agencies where applicable.

Obtain an application form and contacts for more information If you need an authorization for your proposed work, you should request an application form by calling 1-800-667-1940 or email: mnr.nric.mnr@ontario.ca. If you are unsure how to proceed and need to speak to someone about a specific proposal, contact the MNRF Kenora District Office at (807) 468-2501.

You should consult your local municipality to determine if they have official plan policies or zoning by-laws in place that might affect, prohibit or control the construction

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L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

54 Food & Drink

Notes From

Razberry Lane by Henry & Anita Rasmussen

“A jug of wine, a loaf of bread, and thou…” Penned by Omar Khayyam (1100-1160), frequently quoted and as often misquoted, this line of poetry encapsulates some of the best things life has to offer: food, drink and romance. For the purpose of this column, however, we will concentrate on a loaf of bread and its important role throughout history. Humans have been grinding various grains and baking some form of bread for over 10,000 years in what is now Europe, and perhaps even longer in parts of Asia and ancient Egypt. The use of grains is believed to have been instrumental in the development of societies by providing variety to man’s diet, allowing him to evolve from hunter-gatherer to farmer, settler, then builder of towns and cities. Bread became and has remained a mainstay of the human diet in virtually every corner of the world. Universally known as “the staff of life’”, its importance is reflected in the language and literature of virtually every culture. The person who is the main support of the family is the “bread winner,” or the one who “puts bread on the table”. Roman politicians were criticized for plying a gullible populace with “bread and circuses”, while Slavic societies welcomed guests with “bread and salt”. The Bolsheviks promised “peace, land and bread” to Russia, and rich agricultural regions are called “bread baskets”. The Bible is replete with bread references: Manna, the “bread of heaven”; the miracle of the loaves and fishes; the wine and bread of the Eucharist, not to mention the plea for “our daily bread” in the Lord’s Prayer. Bread or “dough” even came to symbolize money and wealth.

The ingredients that make up bread are simple: grains, water and a leavening agent. The variety of grains is legion however. Types of wheat, like durum, spelt and emmer are perhaps the most common though flour is produced from rye, barley, corn, oats and bulgur as well. For centuries grains were ground into coarse flour resulting in heavy, dark bread, the staple diet of the poor. The more refined flour was set aside for the privileged. The Romans also reserved lighter bread exclusively for the upper echelons of society. Records show that the more refined their flour, the worse their dental health became. The lower classes and slaves had better teeth. It is interesting that this decline in dental health coincides somewhat closely with the decline and fall of their empire. The 21st century has seen a reversal of this trend, darker breads becoming popular among the privileged and better educated, while white bread seems favored by people less concerned with nutrition. Sliced bread was first introduced to the North American consumer in the 1920’s, and the food industry has been tripping over itself by inventing more and more so-called labor-savers like TV dinners and instant foods ever since. Today, supermarket shelves are packed with hundreds of convenience foods. TV ads vie with one another to make them appear attractive and indispensible. Sadly, many people have bought into this myth while an epidemic of obesity sweeps the nation. There is a noticeable trend of late toward more naturally produced foods as people hark back to the lessons learned from our parents and grandparents. The main one

L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

Food & Drink 55

is that real food doesn’t come in a box with a list of unpronounceable ingredients on the side. Young parents in particular show an increasing tendency to question the contents and source of what they feed their families. There is a renewed quest for healthier choices and better nutrition along with the realization that the one sure way of knowing what you are eating is to make it yourself. One happy outcome of this enlightenment has been the re-discovery of the art of baking bread. Not the huge mystery it is purported to be, bread making is not only easy and creative, but can be fun as well as satisfying. For those who prefer gluten-free bread, almonds, rice, sorghum, corn or beans can be used in place of wheat flour. Here, at “Razberry Lane”, we grind spelt, whole wheat, and flax from grains grown on a Manitoba Organic farm.* The result is a tasty and nutritious product every time. Different methods of bread making proliferate, resulting in bread of every size, color and shape imaginable. Crusty loaves, soft buns, baguettes, sourdough, artisan, multigrain, whole wheat, rye—the possibilities are endless. Even the much-maligned bread machine, often relegated to the basement after failing to live up to its press, can be put to good use by utilizing the “dough” setting. It will effortlessly do the kneading for you. Once the dough has risen, place it on a floured board and shape it into the loaf of your choice. See aside for the basic bread ingredients we use to make our bread in this way. Let it rise once more, 50 minutes or so, until doubled in size, then pre-heat your oven. Have the butter dish ready when your bread is ready, and be prepared for a culinary experience.

Our “Basic Bread” Recipe: 1¾ cups of lukewarm water, including one egg 1 tbsp vegetable oil (or butter) 1 tbsp sugar (white, brown or honey) 1 tsp salt 1 ½ tsp yeast 4 cups flour, which can include spelt/ whole wheat/flax/corn/oats/white, in any combination Oven: 385F Time: depends on size of your creation: Large loaf: 25-28 min

2 round loaves: 20 min

8 small baguettes: 17-20 min

HAPPY BAKING!

There is an excellent reason why realtors advise people to bake bread when potential buyers are coming over to view your house—the aroma of homemade bread is probably one of the most enticing odors ever devised by man and almost impossible to resist. And the taste is every bit as good as the smell. *DeRuyck Organic Farms Box 38, Swan Lake, MB R0G 2S0 (204) 836-2755 gderuyck@hbni.net R.W. SHEWCHUK, B.A.J. ORMISTON, B.M. RICHARDT, T.E. JOHNSON, K.M. RONNING, K.H. RALKO

email: info@kenoralaw.com

L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

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Classified ads are a free service for LOWDPOA members.

How to Submit Classifieds Email: susan.mcleod@lowdpoa.com Mail: LOWDPOA, Box 1160, Kenora, ON P9N 3X7 Next submission deadline: January 15, 2017 Please try to keep your listing to 35 words or less.

For Rent New Cottage for rent. Beautiful Lakefront Cottage at Rush Bay on LOTW. Excellent road access. 4 bedroom, 3 baths, upstairs playroom with bunkbeds for 6. Laundry room, internet, TV. Full kitchen with dishwasher, dining room, living room, large sunroom with full lake view. Furnished large deck with BBQ. Large dock - great for swimming. Small boat with 20 HP motor available for rent. Available June, early July, August. No smoking, no pets inside. $2500/wk. For details, call Alan 214-629-6006. Whitefish Bay. 4br/2bath home near Sioux Narrows. Road access. TV, VCR, DVD, microwave, freezer, screen porch, sand beach, floating swim dock and large boat dock. Private with beautiful sunset views. $1500/week (discount more than one week). Call Brad at 612-581-0824. See pics at www.muskiebaycamp.com Whitefish Bay. 2 Bdr/1 bath cottage near Sioux Narrows. Road access. TV, VCR, DVD, microwave, freezer, screen porch, sand beach, floating swim dock and large boat dock. Private with beautiful sunset views. $1000/week (discount more than one week). Call Brad at 612-581-0824. See pics at www.muskiebaycamp.com LOW Island Cottage 15 mins. from Kenora. SW exposure, 300’ frontage beach area, 62’docking, 2700 sq. ft., open concept, 5 bdrms, L.R., D.R. plus entertainment room and sunroom. D.W., W/D,T.V.,Phone, internet available, all amenities., $2500 wk. Min. 2 weeks, must have own boat, parking available. 807-548-4916/204-229-2219/204-284-4940 Coney Island. Large newer 4 bdrm cottage with large kitchen, eating area, fireplace and electric heat. Multi-level decks, great docking, swimming. 2 kayaks available. Exceptional location, in a quiet bay. Available May, June, August, September. Contact Bill at (204) 223-6374 Private Island Cottage. 3 bdrm 2 bathroom cottage on Hay Island, LOTW. Fantastic views from the large double tiered deck. Very clean and new. Summer kitchen and timber frame gazebo on large pipe dock. Great docking, boating, fishing and swimming. $1500 wk. Please email Cathy at cathshep1@gmail.com. Private, Family Fun Island. Southern exposure, 180’ lakefront with beach, 150’ docking. Kayaks, canoe, 12’ skiff, PWC for rent. 16’ waterslide and dive tower. Firepit, fireplace, hot tub in veranda with shuffleboard, darts, TV/VCR. All amenities. $1500/ week, mainland parking $10/day. Contact Sandy (928) 259-7559 Nov–Apr, (807) 548-1077 May – Oct. Private Cottage for rent in prime location Bulman Bay, LOTW - minutes from the Yacht Club. Near Keewatin, 10 minutes down McKenzie Portage Road. Lake front with 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 firepit. Lots of parking .Recently renovated. Available June, July, August & September. Minimum 2 week stay. $2800/week Email inquiries to hklapman@mwgapparel.com Island Rental - 4 miles west of Sioux Narrows. 2 bdrm cabin with loft, kitchen, chemical toilet & water heater. Sleeps 3-4 adults; 3 children. $1000/ week; $3000/4 weeks. Blueberries galore in July/ August. (812)637-3366 mel@getreals.com

13 acre island available for camping or houseboating. Sandy beach; middle of best walleye fishery. No facilities. Go to Google Earth and search ‘Craig Island Kenora Ontario’. $500/week. (812) 637-3366 mel@getreals.com Beautiful lakefront road access 4 bdrm 2 bath cottage for rent on Storm Bay Road. All docks & decks are new and the interior/exterior is completely remodeled. Includes satellite internet and laundry. Sunroom facing the lake. No pets no smoking. $3000/week. Discount on multiple weeks. Email: stormbayroadrental@gmail.com 2 Bdrm Waterfront Cottage on Winnipeg River. Fully furnished, full service. Large deck, boat dock, quiet, clean. No smoking. 10 minute drive from Kenora year round. Book early $180/day, $1000/ week. Contact (807)468-1171 / tomrof@kmts.ca. Clearwater Bay. A western exposure offers sunsets over Deception Bay from the deck of our family cottage. Road access to 3 bdrm cottage with full amenities including internet, plus fireplace. Dock and waterside patio with a ten foot sheltered boat slip is suitable for swimmers of all ages. Available June and July. For further info call (780)477-7958 or email gmccrea@telus.net

Want to Rent Want to rent 3 bdrm waterfront cottage, road access, run-about boat. June and July on Lake of the Woods or Minaki area. Contact: zedwiebe@mymts. net or (204)253-7143 Retired couple previous island camp owners with 30+ years LOW experience and own boat looking for lake/island cabin to rent anywhere within radius of approximately 14 miles of Kenora. 3-4 weeks starting July 4. Call James (604)880-2295. Retired couple looking to rent 2/3 bdrm cottage for one month this summer. Preferred location is Coney Island or surrounding area. Some flexiblity on times is possible. Docking for 19 ft boat required. We are former Kenora residents and lovers of the Lake of the Woods. Non smokers with a small quiet clean dog. We are a “renter’s dream” and will treat your property with respect. References are available. Contact Don or Kathleen by email (rudkokd@gmail.com) or cell (204) 803-0077. Thanks for your consideration.

Want to Buy 10-12 ft John Boat & 12 ft Grumman Canoe. Call after June 1st (807) 543-2225.

Real Estate for Sale Lakefront cottage one-half hour from Kenora. Western exposure. 1.35 acres. 164’ lake frontage. Well maintained. Fully serviced. Septic system. Bedrock foundation. 3 bdrm loft style. 3 pc bath plus washer/dryer. Screened porch with hot tub. 16x16 guest cabin. Bunk house. 20x24 boat house. Large dock. Many extras. Private sale. $395,000. Call (204) 256 6809 or (807) 543 3112. Waterfront home on Lake of the Woods. Our custom built year-round home features 3 bdrm, 3 bath and over 2900 sq ft of living space on the shore of LOTW, west of Kenora. No detail was spared in constructing and finishing this home and it’s loaded with amenities! Great location, minutes off Hwy 17 in low tax, unorganized territory. Call Wes for more details (807) 543-1556, rae-wes@shaw.ca All-Season Cottage/Home, fully furnished, Deception/Clearwater Bay area, 1,600 sq. ft., 3 bdrm, 2 bath, on 1.59 acres, 235 ft. of shoreline, with boathouse and docks. More Information: pineportage@mymts.net. Move-in-ready. Private Sale.

Classifieds 57 Long Bay, Sioux Narrows, LOTW. 8 acres, 800’ of low profile shoreline including two natural sand beaches. Road access with western exposure. Original log lodge, six cottages, 2 double garages, fixed and floating docks. Asking $999,000. Call 1 (807) 407-5891.

Boats & Motors for Sale 1950’s Antique Wooden Boat. As is. Peterborough Handy-Boy. Last used in Kenora 2014 Wooden Boat parade. Complete with 1970’s vintage Johnson 20 H Motor and trailer. Asking $3900 OBO. Call Wes at 807-733-1067 or 204-807-8481. Classic Chestnut Canoe. Cedar strip, canvas covered. Professionally restored to its original beauty. Complete with paddles, original seats, along with custom made lower gravity seats with back rests. 807-548-1881. Avon 310 Lite ROVER Inflatable Dinghy, Manual Air Pump, Carry Bag, Oars, Bench, 9.9 Yamaha Outboard, Gas Tank. 1500 OBO Phone: 807-468-8331 OR 587-521-4447. Boat is in Kenora. Bombardier 4.8 Sailboat. Fiberglass. Two sets of sails. $1000 or best offer. Email: rcs928@gmail. com or call (807) 226-1276 after June 1. 18 ft. Raider Monaco. Fiberglass construction with deep V hull. Walk through seating. Inboard/ outboard mercury motor. Full cabin canvas covers with windows. Very low hours. Excellent condition. Trailer included. Phone John (204) 667-4367. 25hp Yamaha, 2013. 4 stroke outboard motor, short shaft. Call (309) 752-0205.

For Sale Snowmobile package. 2003 Polaris Indy 550 Trail Touring. 2-up, reverse, cover, low mileage. 2008 Polaris FST IQ LX 750 Turbo. Reverse, cover, low mileage. 2003 Triton 101” x 10’ Trailer. 2-place, tilt, salt shield, spare wheel. Musher sleigh, 2 New Helmets with heated visor. Asking $11,400 for complete package. Phone (807) 543-2804 2 - 2001 Seadoo GTX . One red the other blue. Good condition. Including double trailer. $8,500 Call 204 955 0203. 4” Submersible Pump Model - Simer 2873G-12 3/4HP Stainless steel body and motor shell. 3-Wire, 230V motor is energy efficient 1-1/4” Discharge pipe size Includes control box. New pump— never out of carton—carton still factory sealed Asking $350. Contact Jim Kubas (204) 889-9277 (Winnipeg) or (204) 807-9174 (LOW). Minn Kota 24 Volt System. Sonar in bottom skeg, foot control, excellent used condition. Best for 1620 ft boat. Call after June 1st (807) 543-2225. 5x10 ft Utility Trailer with tailgate. 2 ft sides. 3500 axel. Excellent tires, jack on the front with wheels. Call after June 1st (807)543-2225.

LOWDPOA members: Please note that all classified ads will be removed at year end 2016. To place a classified advertisement in the March 2017 Area News, please send it to Diane@lowpoa.ca by January 15, 2017.

L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

58 Advertisers’ Directory Architecture 14 Boreal Architecture Studio 201 Main Street South, Kenora 807-464-1151 borealstudio.ca

Building Materials

Storage 53 Docks & Lifts Ltd. 1940 Highway 17 East, Kenora 807-547-4444 docksandlifts.ca

Electrical

56 Penta Protective Coatings 39 Merit Crescent, West St. Paul 204-992-2603 penta.ca

56 Bob’s Electric 225 Main Street North, Kenora 807-468-5915 rbrignall@yahoo.ca

7 Star Building Materials 16 Speers Road, Winnipeg 204-233-8687 starbuilding.ca/winnipeg

52 Bowman Electric 1025 Railway Street, Kenora 807-468-8813 bowmanelectric.com

Community & Philanthroals City of Kenora INSIDE BACK 1 Main Street South, Kenora 807-467-2000 kenora.ca 39 Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation 21 Sylvan Street West, Kenora 807-468-9861 lwdhf.com

Contractors & Construction 2 Black Fox Construction Lot 19, Williams Road, Kenora 807-407-9983 blackfoxconstruction.com 9 DTL Carpentry 204-979-4055 dtlcarpentry.ca 56 Linwood Custom Homes Ted Finlay 204-261-5359 linwoodhomes.com 35 Oakwood Roofing 1350B Highway 17 East, Kenora 807-467-8824 oakwoodroofing.com 56 REMR Roofing 2053 Highway 17 East, Kenora 807-548-2811 remrroofing.com

Docking & Boat

Equipment Sales & Rentals 45 Loch Lomond Equipment Sales 1860 Loch Lomond Road Thunder Bay 807-472-7357 lochlomondequipmentsales.com

Financial Planning 25 The Darcy Zaporzan Wealth Management Group of RBC Dominion Securities Inc. 3100-201 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg 204-982-2635 dzwmg.com

Fireplaces 43 Flame & Comfort 318 Logan Avenue, Winnipeg 204-943-5263 flameandcomfort.com

Home & Cottage Maintenance

24 Notre Dame Sandblasting & Painting 74 Grea Street East, Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes 204-871-7463 ndsandblasting.com

Home Furnishings 44 Image One Designs 1060 Railway Street, Kenora 807-468-3641 imageonedesigns.com

Insurance 56 Garriock Insurance 390 York Avenue, Winnipeg 800-773-7157 garriock.ca 18 The Standard Insurance Brokers 319 Second Street South, Kenora 807-468-3333 thestandardonline.com

Legal 11, 51 Booth Dennehy LLP 387 Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg 204-957-1717 boothdennehy.com 38 Hook Seller Lundin LLP 203-301 First Avenue South, Kenora 807-468-9831 hsllawyers.com 19 Shane Pearce Law 100 Main Street South, Kenora 807-468-7892 55 Shewchuk, Ormiston, Richardt & Johnson LLP 214 Main Street South, Kenora 807-468-5559 kenoralaw.com

Marine

56 Denver’s Window Cleaning Services 30 Deerfield Trail, Steinbach BACK Woodlake Marine COVER 1956 Highway 17 West, Kenora 204-320-1935 denverswindowcleaning.com 807-468-2628 woodlakemarine.com 56 Lake of the Woods Septic Barge Box 351, Keewatin 807-464-3468 septicbarge.com

L.O.W. AREA NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

Advertisers’ Directory 59 Real Estate

10 Royal LePage Landry’s For Real Estate 231 First Street South, Kenora 807-468-9871 royallepagekenora.ca

INSIDE Cabin Country Realty FRONT 138 Main Street South, Kenora 807-468-3541 cabincountry.com 41 Century 21 Reynard Real Estate, Greg Kirby 807-547-5555 century21.ca/greg.kirby 13 Duncan Carmichael Real Estate 625 Lakeview Drive, Kenora 807-467-2323 lakeofthewoods.net 15 Northwoods Realty 5701A Highway 71, Sioux Narrows 807-226-1024 northwoodsrealtyltd.com

50 Shelley Torrie Home & Cottage Realty 721 Beach Road, Kenora 807-547-4020 kenora-realestate.com

Stuff to Eat 28 Boathouse Restaurant Broken Paddle Coffee Roastery & Kitchen Clarion Lakeside Waterside Restaurant Ho Joe Coffee & Eatery Plaza Restaurant

Stuff to Buy 26 McTaggarts Penner’s Jewellers Tangled Tree Framing & Gifts 27 HAF Art Gallery The Hardwear Company Bearheart Kids Boutique

R E S E R V E YO U R B O O T H S PA C E

2017 Lake of the Woods

COTTAGE SHOW Monday, May 1, 2017 · Victoria Inn, Winnipeg

Contact Diane Schwartz-Williams at (807) 468-8715 or email diane@lowdpoa.com

60 Phil Burke

The Back Porch The Councillor’s Dream “There’s no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you.” ~ will rogers Edith Carmichael rocked on her back porch tickling the ears of her cat Tiddly as she considered White Polar Bay. This town in which she was born, bred and employed was her heart and soul. She felt obliged to return this love and hence allowed her name to stand, successfully I might add, for town council. She belonged here much more than that outsider Mayor Horton Freeman who had the audacity to tell Agnes Dickenson, “I’m from White Polar Bay!” But he didn’t arrive here until the 1970’s and by anyone’s standards that means he’s a newcomer. The municipal elections were slated for fall and Councillor Carmichael positioned herself for the battle for the big prize—the office of mayor. “But you’re good at what you do,” intoned Willard Heap, of Heap’s Windows and Glass. “Keep it up.” That simply meant that she should continue as a town councillor and keep the mayor honest but she had done this for two electoral terms. What would make the people of White Polar Bay stand up and say, “Now, Edith Carmichael is just the type of person we need for a mayor. Look at what she has done for us?” Then, as if by divine guidance, the answer came to her. Annie Berger’s family took a weekend trip to the big city and had to pass through Kenora. They stopped at the little park on the Harbourfront and emailed some pictures of their children gawking in wonder at Husky the Muskie, the huge statue of the fish. When Edith received the photos, she staggered under the obvious implication: White Polar Bay needed a landmark like Husky, an icon with which every citizen of the town could identify. She spent a whole day formulating an attack strategy. She called Len Scriber, the editor of the White Polar Bay Sentinel and met him for coffee where she happened to drop the hint (unofficial of course) that White Polar Bay was considering the construction of a lakeside statue similar to the Dryden Moose, the Vermilion Bay Sasquatch, or Kenora’s Husky the Muskie. But which icon should they choose? Len advised making it a community-wide contest, inviting all White Polar Bay citizens and summer residents to take part. Edith allowed that was a clever idea and that only someone of keen intellect would make such a suggestion.

Len blushed with the praise. The next day the headlines of the newspaper shouted, “Town Creates Contest to Choose Town Mascot.” The citizenry was hungry for involvement and individuals and groups took up the challenge. The Association of Summer Residents, the Goodwill Club of WPB, the Kinfolk Club, various schools and churches, and a variety of community organizations jumped on board. After a four-week campaign the top five suggestions were selected as follows: a. b. c. d. e.

A Mallard Drake. A Northern Pike spouting water into the bay. A Forest Tent Caterpillar. A Snapping Turtle. An Elderly Couple holding hands.

Edith Carmichael was thrilled how she had galvanized the town and it followed that she was a shoo-in for mayor. And then things turned ugly. Old Guy Young observed that the Mallard Drake was simply a copy of the Wawa goose. Mary Boswick, the librarian, commented that the Northern Pike was too close to Kenora’s town landmark. A Forest Tent Caterpillar as the town icon was just idiotic stated Amy Labelle. The Snapping Turtle sent the wrong message altogether according to Lance Kendall. The Elderly Couple, observed Vern Caplin, while certainly capturing the town’s attitude towards its seniors, seemed to ignore the contribution of its youth. The cauldron bubbled and steamed until it blew its lid when the sponsoring individuals and groups realized that the whole idea smacked of insidious intimidation. Being a proud and independent town White Polar Bay did not need a statue like a goose, sasquatch or fish to make it important and anyone who thought otherwise was foolish and wasting their time. During the next town meeting Councillor Carmichael stated categorically that the idea for the contest was Len Scriber’s brainchild, not hers. “Good,” said the people, “because we’d hate to think that one of our elected officials was foolish enough to suggest such nonsense.” During the municipal elections that year, Edith Carmichael allowed her name to stand, successfully I might add, for a third term as town councillor. AN

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