First Annual Fishing Derby A Roaring Success!

The sun was shining, the fish were biting and approximately 25 children showed up with fish caught from the lake.

Our goal was to promote a new social event on the lake this year while trying to remove some of the invasive species of fish from the lake.  The event totally surpassed our expectations and a great time was had by all.

In total, approximately 400 fish were caught by the participants and nearly as many hot dogs consumed as the the hungry kids returned from a busy morning of fishing.

Special thanks to Keith and Rita Martin (and their family) for supplying their barbeque and helping out all day to ensure that the kids had plenty of hot dogs, refreshments and watermelon.  Thanks also goes to Matt Kopansky for supplying tables and for making sure their was plenty of slices of watermelon for each of the participants, and to Tracy Thompson, Linda MacLennan’s daughter, who assisted with counting of the fish and keeping track of the winners.  Councillor Frank Hickey was kind enough to not only supply some pens and t-shirts from the Town, but he spent the afternoon with us as well.  Thank you Frank!  Susan Lucas was also a great help by taking pictures of the event throughout the afternoon.  Some of those are included below.  The rest are posted to our Facebook page here.

Finally, this event would not have been possible without the hours of planning that Executive members Valda Cormack and Linda MacLennan put in to ensure a successful event.  Our sincere gratitude is extended to Val and Linda for an outstanding job.  Knowing both of them, they are already planning for the second annual fishing derby next year!

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Please be advised that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Mink Lake Property Owners’ Association will be held on Saturday, September 1, 2012, at the Lake St. Peter Community Centre. All members of the Association and residents of the lake who would like to join the Association are encouraged to attend.

Please see the links below for more information on proposed changes to the Association’s Constitution, Minutes of the 2011 AGM and Meeting Agenda.

Mink_Lake_Property_Owners_Minutes_Annual_Meeting_September_2011

Mink Lake Property Owners’ AGM Agenda

Constitution for the Mink Lake Property Owners Association

Introducing the First Annual Mink Lake Children’s Fishing Derby

On Saturday, August 4, your board is pleased to announce that we will be hosting the first annual Mink Lake Children’s Fishing Derby.  Prizes will be awarded in several age categories for both the most fish caught and the largest.  Eligible fish include: Sun Fish, Perch and Rock Bass:

 

 

 

 

We ask that any lake trout or small mouth (green) bass caught are released back into the lake.  Our intent with this is to help remove some of the invasive species of fish from the lake.

Below is the schedule of events for the day:

8:00 am – 12:00 pm,  Fishing (from boat, dock or shore, it makes no difference)

12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, bring your fish to the boat launch and enjoy a barbeque and prizes

Cost:  Free to members, or $5 per child up to a maximum of $15 per household

New members who pay their annual dues of $10 at the time of registration can have their children participate free of charge.

To register, please contact Val at 613-338-1142 or Linda at 613-338-1176.

Bear Sighting on Dam Road

As many of our members are planning for their Victoria Day weekend at the cottage, it is good time to remind everyone that we share the lake with many different species of wildlife, including black bears.  This week, there was a sighting of a persistent and large black bear on Dam Road who was keenly interested in a bird feeder on one of our member’s property.

There are many different theories on what to do if you confront a bear.  If you are unsure there is plenty of literature on the subject on the Internet and in libraries.  But as a good neighbour on the lake, it is incumbent upon all of us to make sure that our properties are as “bear safe” as possible.  That includes ensuring that there is no garbage (especially food waste) left lying around on your property.  For those who have garbage collection, it means making sure that your waste is stored securely so that it does not entice hungry bears and other wildlife.  It means ensuring that bird feeders are placed in positions well out of reach.  It means that you should never ever intentionally leave food out for bears or other wildlife.  For those who take their dogs for a walk, it is always recommended that the dogs are on a leash to avoid unexpected encounters with bears.

We have co-existed with bears and other wildlife on the lake for decades.  To ensure the safety of everyone on the lake, it is important that we all do our part to “bear proof” our respective properties to reduce the risk of unintended encounters with bears.

Spring Cottage Life Show

For those who are able to attend, Cottage Life Magazine is hosting their annual Spring Cottage Life Show at the International Centre (close to Pearson Airport) this weekend.  There is no shortage of ideas for improving, renovating, designing or decorating your cottage, not to mention the hundreds of cottage toys like boats, docks, ATV’s etc., that you can browse.  It is a bit of annual pilgrimage for my wife and I and this year with an addition planned to our cottage we have already staked out some key booths that we will be visiting.

The annual show is also a great opportunity to touch base with the Federation of Cottage Associations of Ontario (FOCA) who exhibit each year at the show.  FOCA’s booth is always staffed with very knowledgeable folks who understand the issues of cottage owners and often can point us in the right direction with respect to lobbying various levels of government which is often a very laborious and difficult task.

While the Mink Lake Property Owners association is not currently a member of FOCA, the board has discussed the possibility and is looking at the feasibility of doing so.

Enjoy the Cottage Life Show and I hope to see some of you there.

Fall 2011 Newsletter

2011 Fall President’s Message

It has proven to be a very busy few months since the association met at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in September.  Your Board of Directors has undertaken a number of key initiatives and planning for 2012 is well underway.

 In late September, our President, Rob Jamieson, sold his cottage on the lake and as a result resigned from the Board of Directors.  I would like to thank Rob for his contribution and wish him and his family well in the future.  As the current Vice President, I have been tasked with heading up the Association until a new President is elected at our AGM in September 2012.

 In October, we launched the association’s first website.  It can be found at www.minklake.wordpress.com.  The website is fairly basic but we have included quite a few resources including links to purchase snowmobile and ATV passes, a downloadable form for registering and paying membership dues and a waste management schedule from the Municipality.  Our main goal with the website is to increase effective communication with the membership, so please visit the website regularly for updates on important issues effecting our lake.  You can also find us on Facebook by searching for “Mink Lake Property Owners” or “Mink Lake Neighbourhood”. 

 I would also encourage all residents and family who have not yet taken the Boatsmart exam, now mandatory for everyone driving a boat, to do so by clicking the Boatsmart Referral logo located at the bottom of our website’s homepage.  The association will receive a $12 referral fee for everyone who takes the exam after clicking on that link.

 A number of residents have raised concerns with the Board regarding the proposed replacement of the old Bailey bridge on Dam Road.  We sent a communication to members regarding this in October.  There has been no change in status from the Municipality at the time of writing this.  There is no date set for replacement and we have reassurance from both Councillor Frank Hickey and Chief Operating Officer Craig Davidson that there will be a contingency plan in place to ensure that residents will have access to and from their property during the construction phase.  As new information becomes available we will update residents accordingly.

 For 2012, the Board has set a number of key strategic priorities.  We are currently planning to host our first kids’ fishing derby, likely on the August long weekend, with prizes and a barbeque to follow.  If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact a member of the Board.  We have committed to producing four annual newsletters to ensure that residents are hearing from us on a regular basis.  The bulletin board on Mink Lake Road is in dire need of repair and updating.  It will be upgraded in the Spring.  We are looking into signage to remind boaters of speed limits in the narrows.  We will be having discussions with the Ministry of Natural Resources regarding the Dam and the stocking of fish in the lake.  We will be undertaking a review of our by-laws to ensure that the Board is structured properly for current and future needs.

 At the heart of our Association is the membership.  Reviewing our current membership, it is apparent that only approximately 30 percent of our residents are members of the association.  Our only source of revenue today comes from membership fees so we are greatly limited in what we can do without getting much more support from residents on the lake.  We will be doing a major membership drive in the Spring to help facilitate this.  In the meantime, if you are currently a member, please encourage your neighbours to join as well.  There are details of how to join the Association on our website.

 On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Holiday Season.

Warm Regards,

 Mike McGuire

President

New to the Lake

 If you are moving from the lake, new to the lake or have a new addition (child or grandchild), then send a message to Mike McGuire and he will post it on the blog page.  If you are aware of someone who has passed away, contact the family and with their permission, let Mike know.  Our goal is to keep our community informed.

 Winter in North Hastings

 There are many things to do if you come to the lake this winter.  The Bancroft Curling Club www.bancroftcurlingclub.ca has bonspiels nearly every week.  Madawaska Mountain www.madawaskamountain.com has downhill skiing and cross-country is available at many locations.  Ice fishing (you will need a licence), snowmobiling, snow-shoeing and just sitting and watching the lake and snow are always enjoyable activities.  It sure beats looking at the slush and cars in the city. For the more adventurous you might try dog sledding or try riding a luge at Mineral Capital Luge Track    Call 613-332-4908.

 The Maynooth Library (www.hastingshighlandspubliclibrary.ca/) has activities on a regular basis.  Bancroft Hospice is offering quality movies from the Toronto International Film Festival on the second Tuesday of the month shown at the Bancroft Village  Playhouse. It is Called North of 7 Film Fest. They have a page on Facebook. Come out to the community pot luck at 6:00 pm on the third Wednesday of the month at the Lake St. Peter Community Centre.  Bring a dish to share and your own plate and cutlery.  Come to the lake this winter for a weekend or week.

 High Speed Internet

  Xplornet, offered at Leon’s Furniture, is offering high speed satellite internet.  A new satellite will be in place and offering G4 speeds.  The cost has come down substantially.  It will be available in the spring.  Those of us on dial-up are looking forward to higher speeds.  If anyone is aware of other options, let us know so we can share with folks on the lake.

 Snowmobiling  Poker Run

 The Maple Leaf Snow Skimmers Club is having a poker run on February 18th at the Lake St. Peter Community Centre from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.  Contact Diane Hammond 613-338-2905 for more information.  

 Up-dating our Records

Much of the information we have is out-dated.  If you have not already done so,  we are asking you to respond back so we can confirm your e-mail and that you still own property on the lake.  If you feel comfortable, I would like to update the home address and phone information.  We will communicate mostly through electronic communications but sometimes we may send out mailings. 

 Finally, if you paid your association fee for next year, we thank you.  If not the yearly fee is only $10 per family.  You can send it to Val Cormack, our treasurer,  at 2125A Mink Lake Road, Box 42, Lake St. Peter, K0l 2K0. 

 

 

Update on Proposed Bridge Replacement

As most of our residents are aware, the Municipality is planning to replace the old bridge on the lake.  At our annual meeting on Labour Day weekend, Mayor Emond, Councilor Hickey and Chief Operating Officer Craig Davidson updated us on the plans to replace the bridge.  At the meeting, they indicated that it would likely take place over the winter.

For those that live on the lake year round, especially residents that would be cut off from coming and going to their homes, the planned winter bridge replacement posed some serious problems with an indefinite time frame to complete the construction.  We have heard from a number of residents with health concerns who will require an alternate route during the construction phase.

Board member Linda MacLennan spoke with Councilor Hickey this week and he wanted to assure our residents that a contingency plan will be put in place so that residents will have access to and from their property during construction.  He also noted that it is very unlikely that the construction of the new bridge will take place this winter.  It is more likely that it will happen in the Spring or Fall of 2012.

Please be rest assured that your entire Board of Directors recognizes the gravity and urgency of this issue and that it is a top priority for us.  We will continue to lobby the Municipality to ensure that our residents will have some kind of road access during the construction phase of the new bridge.

As always, if you have any concerns regarding this issue or any other matter, please email us at minklake@hotmail.ca or reach out to one of our Board members directly.

Mike McGuire
Vice President(Acting President)

Happy Thanksgiving

On behalf of the Mink Lake Property Owners Association Board Members we would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. While some of us will be closing up our property for the season many others will be welcoming the peaceful serenity that living on the lake brings.

It is also at this time that unfortunately we have to say goodbye to our current President, Rob Jamieson. Last month Rob and his family sold their cottage on the lake and as such resigned from his position. We would like to take this time to thank Rob for all his work, dedication and contributions to Mink Lake over the years and while serving on the Board. We wish Rob and his family health, happiness and good fortune and look forward to seeing him around the lake in the coming years.