A Dignitary in our Midst!
This spring, David Nairn was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (civil division) "in recognition of his commitment towards raising public awareness on the issue of criminal justice".
David Nairn started fighting for victims' rights since his 17-year-old daughter Roxanne was stabbed to death in 1983 at a Nepean house party.
The Meritorious Service Meal (civil division) was created in 1991 to recognize a deed or activity performed in a highly professional manner or of a very high standard that brings benefit or honour to Canada.
In the past, David Nairn has also received the Ontario Medal for Citizenship for his work on victims' rights.
The municipality of Blue Sea has recently sent Mr. Nairn a letter of congratulations, on behalf of the residents of Blue Sea.
On behalf of the lake association we would like to add our own congratulations to David Nairn on the tremendous work he has been and will continue to do.
On an unrelated note, David Nairn is also responsible for the creation of a magnificent topographical map of our lake, prepared a few years ago. We owe him our continuing gratitude for that work effort as well.
Municipal News
Further developments on the creation of a provincial park in our area. Mr. St.Laurent returned to both municipal councils in mid-June to formally request $5,000.00 from each municipality, and presented an amended version of his original project, wherein he requested to be given management of all public lands within both municipalities. In Blue Sea, he was turned down unanimously, as he should be. Hopefully this will end Mr. St.Laurent's ambitions in this area. We shall certainly continue to maintain a close scrutiny of his activities and keep you informed.
The municipality has been working on cleaning up the picnic area on Latourelle lake, near the public access. They have been removing fallen trees (from those darned beavers!) and doing general cleanup. By the time you read this, hopefully the cleanup should be complete, and you should be able to put the area to good use. Perhaps we should consider using the site for next year's adult picnic. Your comments please.
Clean-up Day on Lac Latourelle
On July 12 we held our annual clean-up day on the lake. It was by all accounts a smashing success. More members participated than in the past two years, and the result was that we cleared the lake of more dangerous floating debris around the lake than in the past three years combined. This year we had two sites to take the driftwood to: the usual public access and, for the first time, in Tremblay Bay, at Jean Pierre Gravel's boat launch driveway.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Gravel for the use of his property for the clean-up. We would also like to thank all those members who participated in the day's efforts. It is indeed unfortunate that it seems to always be the same people who contribute their time and effort to making this a better, cleaner, safer lake for us and our children. If you have not yet put your effort into the cause, read on.
For anyone wishing free firewood, some birch, some poplar, some cedar, there is still much at both sites which needs to be cut and removed. If you have some free time, and you have a gas-powered chainsaw, you are invited to contribute your efforts to cutting up the wood which remains on site. Once it is cut up in reasonable lengths (6 foot) it can and will be hauled away to another location by trailer.
A Casualty on Clean-up Day
We are very sorry to have to inform members of a very unfortunate mishap on clean-up day, at the public access. While labouring with the rest of us at the public access, John Charbonneau (whose trailer home is located on chemin du Lac Long) suffered a serious heart attack. He was rushed to the hospital in Maniwaki, a doctor was rushed from Ottawa to his bedside, where he was diagnosed with having blood clotting near the heart. At the writing of this article, John's condition was serious but stable and he was to be moved to an Ottawa hospital for further observation.
All of us, Executive and members alike, join at wishing John a very speedy recovery.
Constitution Changes
The proposed changes to the constitution were voted on at the first general meeting of the year, and passed unanimously. The updates to the constitution will be placed on the lake association's web site(www.geocities.com/RainForest/2562) once they are complete.
General Meetings for 1997
Two general meetings remain for this season. They are booked at the Salle des Loisirs (same place as last year) for the following Saturday dates, at 10:30 a.m. sharp.
Association Elections
The general meeting on July 26th will include elections on the agenda. Every member should make an honest solid effort to attend to exercise your vote and support your Executive. Just as a reminder, elections only occur every two years, so be sure to contact the current Secretary-Treasurer (Rita Lingen) if you are interested in running.
So far there are still vacancies to be filled on the coming Executive, from those present executive members who are not running again for another term.
Still Looking for Volunteers
So far, we have not received enough volunteers to start our water quality testing program. I thought that it would be appropriate to get at least one volunteer from each end of the lake, and that each person would be assigned to test the water near their cottage. I still feel that this testing would be a great idea, so the program will go ahead, but testing will only be done in the surrounding area in front of each of the volunteer's cottages. If you are interested in monitoring the water in your area, please get involved. Contact Steve Slaby for details.
Environment Related Issues
Excerpts taken from a document "Clean Water - Life Depends on It!" from the Environment Canada Internet site.
What can I do to improve water quality?
In the face of this planet's overwhelming environmental problems, each individual effort to protect water quality is vital.
Together, individual actions can and do make a difference to water quality and the environment as a whole. You can start by taking the following actions:
Avoid hazardous household products
Most proprietary household chemicals are safe to use and are environmentally friendly, when used according to the directions on the package. However, some have a harmful cumulative effect on the environment when they are over-used or incorrectly disposed of.
Adopt alternative pest control methods such as:
Executive Meetings for 1997
These are the tentative dates for meetings of your Executive for 1997. They start at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise indicated. The host home or cottage for each meeting is also indicated. The last executive meeting posting will be for both executives, the one prior to elections and the one after the elections, to insure continuity. If you wish to have a certain topic discussed at a meeting, feel free to contact any member of the Executive.
Special Events
The following are the events currently booked for this season: The second annual Children's picnic will be held on Saturday, August 9, 1997. Contest rules and awards apply, same as last year. There will be games. Our baker will hopefully be able to supply the horse and buggy for rides again. Jim asks members to donate prizes for the children; only a few people have donated so far, so please contact Jim directly at 727-0409. Lunch will start at 12:00 at Jim Baressi's place, and will consists of hot dogs/hamburgers/soft drinks.
The annual adult picnic will be on Saturday, Aug. 16, 1997. As usual, the picnic will be held at Steve Slaby's cottage (256 Chemin Lac Long). The picnic will start at 2:00 PM, and dinner will be provided (hot dogs, hamburgers, corn, and maybe a few other surprises!). Soft drinks will also be provided, and there will be coolers available if you want to bring any other refreshments.
Some other potential activities are swimming, volleyball, horseshoe competition, bochi tournament (sign up that day), and swimming as well as the usual festivities. If you are interested in bringing a side dish (salad, dip, etc.) please call Jim at 727-0409 or Steve at 225-6834.
What's Bugging you?
The following information is taken from an article written at the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
Mosquitos
The life cycle of a mosquito consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The eggs may be laid singly or in rafts, deposited in water, on the sides of containers where water will soon cover, or on damp soil where they can hatch when flooded by rainwater or high tides. Around the home suitable places for egg-laying are the sides of containers, such as old tin cans or old tires, or in tree holes to await flooding by rain. The eggs of some flood-water and salt-marsh mosquitoes may dry out for more than a year and still hatch when flooded. Regardless of the mosquito species, water is essential for breeding. Mosquito larvae are not adapted to life in moving waters. The larvae normally occur in quiet water. Contrary to popular opinion, mosquitoes do not breed in the heavy undergrowth of weeds, bushes, or shrubs. Although these places provide excellent refuge for adults, they do not provide a suitable habitat for mosquito larvae.
Management: Mosquito management can be divided into two areas of responsibility: individual and public. Individuals are responsible to find and eliminate breeding places on their premises. Receptacles such as old tires, junk automobiles, tin cans, rain barrels, and various plants hold enough water to create mosquito breeding. These can be reduced or eliminated by individuals. To keep mosquitoes from being a problem inside the house, screens should be kept tight fitting and in good repair. Chemical management of mosquitoes around the home may be accomplished with the use of repellents or space sprays. Repellents are substances that make a mosquito avoid biting people. Several repellents are effective against mosquitoes
Black Flies
The black fly life cycle begins with eggs deposited on logs, rocks, or solid surfaces in swiftly flowing streams. Larvae attach themselves to rocks or vegetation with a posterior sucker. The length of the larval period is quite variable depending on the species and the larval environment. The adults which emerge after pupation are strong fliers and may fly 7 to 10 miles from their breeding sites.
Management: See mosquito management recommendations.
Horse Flies and Deer Flies
Horse flies and deer flies are closely related insects with similar life cycles. Both are strong fliers and only the female bites. They are daytime feeders and can easily cut the skin open for a blood meal. While feeding the flies inject an anticoagulant into the wound, causing the blood to flow freely. This wound is excellent site for secondary infection. Since these flies are intermittent feeders, they are important transmitters of animal diseases. Most species of horse and deer flies are aquatic or semi-aquatic in the immature stages. Some will also develop in moist earth, leaf mold or rotting logs. Generally the eggs are deposited in layers on vegetation, objects over water or moist areas favourable for larval development. The eggs hatch in 5 to 7 days and the larvae fall to the water surface or moist areas where they begin to feed on organic matter. Many species feed on insect larva, crustacea, snails, and earthworms. When the larvae are ready to pupate, they move into drier earth usually an inch or two below the soil surface. The pupal stage lasts 2 to 3 weeks, after which the adults emerge. The life cycle varies considerably within the species, requiring anywhere from 70 days to 2 years.
Management: There is no effective management of the immature stages of horse or deerflies. Individual protection from adults can be obtained by using a standard repellent on exposed skin and clothing before exposure.
Stray Dogs: A Problem out of Control!
We have a problem in our midst which is both annoying and easily avoidable. It has to do with dogs allowed to roam freely about the neighbourhood, without the owners having the least clue as to the pets' whereabouts.
The dogs may encounter skunks, raccoons, or porcupines and become embattled with them with unknown results for both critters. Or the dogs may chase any deer they sight, again with negative results to the wildlife.
Then again they may just become a total nuisance factor for other cottagers in the neighbourhood. They invade other cottagers' properties at all hours of the day or night, sometimes surprising and sometimes even frightening cottage inhabitants. They will often aggressively pursue other cottagers' pets, for play, for mating, or for battle. They leave their faeces anywhere on their neighbours' properties, on their balconies, in their flower beds, etc... Neighbour children will then often play in those same areas, with the obvious result.
If you are a dog owner, be aware that the municipality has a dog control by-law. If you are a good neighbour, you will not wait until your friends and neighbours take action against you and/or your pet before taking remedial action.
Teach your dog to remain within your property boundary lines. If it refuses to obey, then leash the animal until it decides to obey those lines. Most of us are responsible pet owners who already observe this basic etiquette.
Unfortunately, this article is directed at the few who do not or will not act in a responsible manner.
Remember this! An encounter with a dark coloured animal (dog) in the dead of night can be very frightening to someone. If that animal is on someone's private property, the owner has the undeniable right to defend himself and his family from all perceived dangers, including the use of minimum force. In this and other municipalities where enforcement is a problem, people are prone to look the other way when an animal is shot while in the wild.
Hopefully you will never have to hear a neighbour tell you `"at 3:00 in the morning last night I shot at and killed what looked like a bear cub but turned out to be a dark coloured dog at my balcony door. Was it yours?"
Gossip Corner
For those of you who shop in Blue Sea, and have read your latest newsletter, you probably already know that the general store beside the lake(F.X. Bertrand) is open again under new management. Unfortunately it is again up for sale, so who knows what will happen next !
Many of you will also have realized that the only restaurant in the village of Blue Sea closed prior to the weekend of St.Jean Baptiste and is also up for sale. The former restaurant operator claimed he was loosing money, but you could never find him open. It seems he only opened in the early morning to accommodate workers, and closed at 10:00 a.m. daily. No wonder he lost money. Gossip is rampant as to the re-opening under a new owner in the not to distant future, and we will keep you informed.
FAPEL is finally on the Internet ! For those interested, the address is www3.sympatico.ca/lacs.chalets.
Speaking of the Internet, Canada Post has a website which permits anyone to find all kinds of postal code information. Check it out.
Executive Committee for 1997
| Name | Title | Home Phone# | Cottage Phone # |
| Morris Richardson | President | ||
| Fran Barresi | Vice-President | ||
| Rita Lingen | Secretary/ Treasurer | ||
| Steven Slaby | Director | ||
| Vince Barresi | Director | ||
| Andre Lirette | Director | ||
| Cristian Juteau | Alternate Director | ||
| Doug Heath | Alternate Director |
The executive welcome calls from members, but we would ask they be before 9 PM.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our new sponsors for supporting our assocation, and we invite our members to avail themselves of their services and products whenever the opportunity arises.
Copyright © 1996 APELL
All Rights Reserved
Droits d'auteur et copie © 1996 APELL
