PRESIDENT’S REPORT

The summer of 2010 is upon us and many of you are looking forward to spending time at Fox Lake during the summer months. Of course many of our permanent residents will be noticing more activity on and around the lake.  I trust that this summer will bring more favourable memories and relaxation.

Over the winter our Lake Plan for Fox Lake has been completed by Jack van der Meer.  The need for a Lake Plan has been discussed for several years by the FLA Board and in the fall of 2008, Jack was contracted to develop a Fox Lake Plan.  Jack has done an exceptional job in creating this very professional document.  Jack has spent many more hours in developing our lake plan document than stipulated in the original contract. The document covers all aspects of the Fox Lake environs: some history, shoreline mapping, vegetation identification, fish species, water quality data, lake uses, needs of lake residents and even some beautiful air photos taken by Jack courtesy of pilot Bob Ahrens. The air photos give a great overview of the lake and enhance the quality of our document.  Thanks Bob for volunteering your time and plane to do this task.

Jack’s recommendations for Action Plans make this a living document that the FLA Board intends to implement with input from the FLA community over the years to come.  The FLA Board knows that Fox Lake provides much enjoyment with its beauty and clean water. The Lake Plan will ensure that the quality and beauty of Fox Lake will continue for generations to come. Thanks Jack for doing such a superb job on this document and I encourage all to read the document that will be distributed to every landowner in early July.  Our website www.foxlakeassociation.orghas the entire Lake Plan that can be viewed as a pdf. file for your reference.

Although, money was raised for the Lake Plan via donations and some fund raising we have exhausted our funds. Our current bank balance has been reduced to $1568.24.  The Board felt that every landowner should have their own hard copy of the document and are asking individuals to make a voluntary contribution to assist with the printing costs. (Printing cost is about $15.00/copy.) 

As the summer season begins I need to remind our community that the FLA Board tries to address lake concerns for all members of the lake community.  However, the Board expects that lake property owners respect the needs of other lake users and take due diligence in informing guests and renters of lake expectations and courtesies.  Last year and already this year we have had issues with individuals inappropriately using Rock Island. Last summer, on more than one occasion, live trees were cut down, garbage and broken beer bottles were left.  This year there was a fire on Easter weekend (during a Ministry of Natural Resources fire ban) that destroyed a lot of undergrowth and almost got out of control. (The Fire Department was called and spent several hours at the island.)  Both incidents indicate that some individuals using the island were not taking necessary measures to ensure safety and cleanliness and were lacking care for public lands.  The Board will be putting a sign up on the island reminding users to bring their own wood, water bucket and remove all garbage.  However, it is the residents of the lake who need to take responsibility and ensure that the island and other properties around the lake are being used in a respectful manner.  Please inform guests and renters of this need.

The Board of FLA wants to maintain good relations with the camps and believes that the best way to address concerns and resolve issues is through the Association and not as individuals.  If there are issues involving either of the camps, the Board asks that any of the directors of the FLA be informed.  As well, the Board wants to ensure that development of land around the lake abides by site plan regulations and permitted zoning as set out by the Town of Huntsville, Department of Oceans and Fisheries, and Ministry of Natural Resources so that the quality of our lake can be maintained.

Finally, this is an election year for the directors of the Fox Lake Association. Directors are nominated and voted in for a two year term.  At the end of the term, directors may stand for a further two years or step down.  In the interest of consistency and efficiency it has been the practice to date to replace only some of the directors every two years.  This year there are two director vacancies.  Gwen St. John, who has served faithfully for four years as Director and Secretary, has resigned due to personal reasons.  I, Jim, have served as a Director and President for an enjoyable four years and will be stepping down at the AGM.  Pat Currie, Acting Secretary, and Karen Beamer, Social Convenor, have served as Directors for four years. Both are willing to stand for another term but both are willing to step aside for new interested candidates. Robin Yule (one year) and Tom Perkin (finishing first term) are willing to stand for the next term.  In the spring, we welcomed Don Shepley (388 East Fox Lake Rd.) as a new director to fill the outstanding vacancy. The Board has seven directors and encourages representation from around the lake. We need at least two new candidates to be appointed at the AGM. The time commitment is not great (much of our communication is via conference call) but it is important to have an active engaging Board to run the Fox Lake Association.  Please consider putting your name forth.  A proxy form (for those members in good standing as of April 30, 2010 who are unable to attend the meeting) is attached with your AGM info and is available on the website.    

I welcome you to the lake for another summer that I hope brings you fun, relaxation and the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Huntsville area.  Please come to our Annual Meeting hosted this year by Bernie and Gabrielle Andersen, 698 East Fox Lake Road, on July 17 at 10:00 am.  Meet other residents and friends at our events throughout the summer: Ribfest, July 17; Regatta, July 31; Corn Roast, September 4; and a potential golf tournament in late August or September.

Enjoy a healthy, relaxing summer at Fox Lake.

Jim Watson
President, Fox Lake Association

 

FOX LAKE PLAN COMMITTEE UPDATE

As mentioned by your President, Jim Watson, in his message above, A Lake Plan for Fox Lake is now available for viewing on our website and copies for every landowner on Fox Lake have been printed. 
 
Distribution of the Lake Plan documents and other related materials will take place during the first half of July on a door-to-door basis with the assistance of the many volunteers who have stepped forward to help in this process.  Please welcome them when they call at your door J.   Volunteers will also be asking you to make a voluntary contribution of $15.00/copy to assist your Association with the costs of printing   A Lake Plan for Fox Lake.   They will also provide you with information on the Fox Lake Association and invite you to become a member if you have not already done so. 

If we were unable to reach you via email, you may just now be learning about the door-to-door project.  If you wish to help out and have not already offered to do so, it’s not too late.  Just contact Elaine Jackson at maplejay@sympatico.ca (705-789-2831) or Ellen Fox at ellenf@bell.net (705-787-0744) to volunteer. 

We have reached another major milestone in our journey towards creating and maintaining an even better place to cottage and live in Muskoka!  Now the real work of implementing the recommendations and action plan will begin.  We are counting on your support and volunteer help in this most important process of all over the coming years.

Once again, I would like to thank all those who have enabled us to achieve this goal:  Members of the Fox Lake Plan Committee – Members of the Fox Lake Association Board, past and present – Jack van der Meer – and all the other members of our great lake community who have contributed in so many ways over the past 8 years and continue to help on a daily basis to reach this point. 

Sincerely,
Elaine Jackson, Chair, Fox Lake Plan Committee

SUMMER EVENTS

• Annual General Meeting

Saturday, July 17, 2010 – 10:00 am
Location:  698 East Fox Lake Rd.
Home of Bernie and Gabrielle Andersen

Agenda and information package to follow  shortly and on website.  Watch for road signs.

• 3rd Annual Rib Fest

Saturday, July 17, 2010 – 4:30 pm
Location:  Sandy McLennan’s cottage
100 Rachel’s Lane (opposite Camp Romuva)
Bring your own lawn chairs, please.

Tickets $25 before July 6th - $30 after July 6th
Proceeds to assist with Lake Plan costs.

Get your tickets early for this popular event!

Draw for a gift basket $2/ticket, 3 for $5

For tickets contact:
Karen Beamer,             705-435-6961 (Home),             705-789-1330 (Cottage), bsporty@rogers.com
Elizabeth Shepley, 705-789-3969, deshep7@sympatico.ca
Pat Currie, 705-783-5451, patcurrie@cfl.rr.com

• Annual Regatta

Saturday, July 31, 2010 – 1:30 pm
Raindate Sunday, August 1 – 1:30 pm
Location:  Robin Yule’s Beach
               480 East Fox Lake Rd.

Watch for signs and a flyer with details to be distributed to lake residents closer to that date.

If you’d like to help out, please contact Robin Yule at 519-396-8184 (home), 519-386-3636 (cell) or email him at robinfoxpause@yahoo.ca.

• 1st Annual Fox Lake Golf Tournament

Please contact Karen Beamer at 379 West Fox Lake Rd. (cottage), 705-435-6961 (home) or email her at bsporty@rogers.com if you are interested in having Karen organize this event.

Possible dates:  late August or early September.

• Annual Corn Roast

Saturday, September 4, 2010 – 4:00 pm
Raindate Sunday, September 5 – 4:00 pm
Location:  Camp Romuva’s beach, West Bay

If you’d like to help out, please contact Jim McMahon at 416-487-8023 (home), 705-788-9720 (cottage) or email him at james.mcmahon@rbc.com. 

All events are also posted on our website.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Karen and Mat Wivell welcomed twin boys, Kai (Hawaiian for the sea) and Carter (a family name), into their family on May 17th.  Congratulations to all including grandparents, Elizabeth and Don Shepley!

The McMahon family lost a loving wife and mother, Carol, to cancer on February 6th.  She is sadly missed by family and the lake community.

On a happier note, Carol and Jim McMahon’s daughter, Jenny, and her husband, Kevin Lambie, welcomed their first child, Sarah Suzanne, born on June 19th.  A first grandchild for Jim McMahon J

OUR CHANGING ENVIRONMENT

The Muskoka Watershed Council released its third Muskoka Watershed Report Card, rating the health of Muskoka’s watershed.  The Report Card is a science-based evaluation of the health of the water, land and wetlands in Muskoka and the municipalities that share its watershed.  You can view the report card, its detailed background report and reports for each of the 20 subwatersheds analyzed, online at www.muskokaheritage.org/watershed or pick up a copy at the Muskoka Heritage Foundation office in Bracebridge or the Huntsville Town Hall.

The Lake System Health Monitoring Program indicates that chloride levels in our lakes are rising.  Chloride is killing native plant species, making it easier for invasive species to dominate our lakes and changing the chemistry of our lakes and streams.  It’s affecting fish, birds and wildlife and poisoning our environment.  The main source of chloride in our watershed is its use as a deicer in winter and a dust suppressant in summer.  The issue is being addressed by municipalities through road management plans. 

Most Muskoka lakes have low phosphorous concentrations, are naturally acidic and nutrient poor.  Although there has been a decline in sulphate deposits due to decreased acid rain, the recovery of our lakes has been slower than anticipated due to the long-term depletion of calcium in watershed soils and lakes, partially caused by that acid rain.  Other stressors including timbering, forest regrowth and declines in calcium-rich dust. Calcium is critical for many forms of aquatic life in our lakes (e.g. clams) – and even some birds whose diet is affected. 

David White, our Lake Steward, monitors Fox Lake’s water quality through samples sent to the Lake Partner Program annually and will report on current readings and trends at our AGM.   
LOCAL EVENTS

Huntsville is braced for the G8 Summit on June 25 & 26.  Hopefully, life will return to normal once the G20 starts in Toronto!

Thanks to federal funding of new infrastructure, we now have lots of new architecture and streetscapes.  New Huntsville buildings include an expanded Centennial Centre (renamed the Summit Centre) that includes a second Olympic-sized icepad, improved pool facilities, a new Seniors Centre, a Daycare Centre, plus meeting
space and future restaurant facilities.   Nearby, overlooking the Muskoka River, the new University of Waterloo facility for Environmental Studies has been built.  The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) will also find a home there. Numerous other smaller projects were also built.  It remains to be seen how the maintenance of all of this will affect future taxes. 

Muskoka Books.ca, recently launched by Patrick Boyer, will host the most extensive collection of resources on Muskoka’s printed history.  Books will be sold in shops and online.

Fox Lake Association Board and Officers 2009-2010

 

NEW!!!

Fox Lake Hats and Tee-Shirts are now available J
See the attached list for current choices and how to order.
Deadline for ordering is July 17th.
Future orders are also possible if sufficient interest is shown.

 

            Fox Lake Hat and Shirt Orders

Tee -Shirt $20.00	Ladies S - 36”	Ladies M- 40”	Ladies L-44”	Ladies XL- 48”	Mens S – 36”	Mens M – 40”	Mens L – 44”	Mens XL – 48”	Mens XXL – 52”
White
Grey
Red
Lt Blue
Lime/ Kiwi

Tee-Shirt $20.00	Toddler S – 26”	Toddler M – 28”	Toddler L – 30”	Youth S – 32”	Youth M – 36”	Youth L – 38”	Youth XL – 40”
White
Grey
Red
Lt Blue
Lime	XXXXXXXX	XXXXXXXX	XXXXXXXX

Screen printed - LOGO size ( 9 x10”) on the front.
Short sleeved shirts are 100% Cotton Preshrunk jersey. Double needle topstitched neckline, double stitched sleeve and waist hems. Seamless collar with taped neck and shoulders. Women’s shirts are shorter sleeve and body length.

Peak Hat Adults >	White	Sky  Blue	Pink	Stone / Black trim	Red / White trim	Khaki / Black trim	Visors >	White / Black	Red / White	Khaki/ Black
# ordered $20.00

Peak Hat Youth >	White	Pink	Stone	Khaki	Silver	Red	Sky Blue	Gold
# ordered $20.00

Hat and Visors have LOGO stitched.  Fine brushed cotton.   
Hats – Some have sandwich trim along edge of peak in contrasting colour. Fabric strap with Velcro closure.  
Visors – Fabric velcro strap. Fabric with contrasting trim along peak and crown.

Name –   ______________________________   Phone -  _____________________

Address- ____________________________________________________________

 

Total Number of items ordered _____ x $20.00 = __________ Total due at time of    order.        
(Cash in person or Cheque made out to “Fox Lake Association”)
Mail to - Ellen Fox, 722 East Fox Lake Rd., Huntsville ON P1H 2J2

****Deadline for Orders – July 17th ****