Hello everyone
Thought I would write a quick note reflecting on events in 2022 so far with your FODL family and friends!
Boat traffic this past season seemed less than past summers. On my daily pontoon ride it seemed to me there were a few Friends of Deer Lake that never put their docks in or at the very least, didn’t put their watercraft in the water. What a shame!
Not sure if Covid 19 still causing apprehension or if high gasoline prices are keeping folks off the lake.
That wasn’t the case at our 3rd Annual FODL BBQ on Labour Day Saturday. We handed out 90 name tags which is a very impressive turnout. Not sure how we can thank and express our appreciation to Peter Benninger for the use of his facility. Weather cooperated this year-no hail to duck like year one!! Even the rain held off until around 4.00 p.m. at the end of the event.
Thanks to the many that donated time, money, or both to the FODL BBQ. Great prizes, a successful 50/50 draw and a wonderful donation from the OPP to assist our members in our ongoing community policing projects. Also, thanks to our member Jeff Bird we had a band to keep us entertained. Didn’t know you could sing Jeff!!
Much appreciation to Jack LeDrew and Cindy VanSickle for their help with our finances and membership coordination. FODL needs committed members to watch over our beautiful lake and surrounding area. Let’s not forget Jessica Cojulun that runs the website for us! Did I mention that Jessica lives in Leduc, Alberta?
The Phragmites presentation by Marilee Koenderink has provided us with some useful tools to detect and fight this clear and present danger to our lake environment. Marilee has a property on nearby Lake Bernard that has had issues with this aggressive and invasive plant species. She is now a “Phrag Fighter” and hopes all FODL members and guests will do the same.
The Blue Green Algae has become our latest nemesis with at least one confirmed bloom this year. I will reach out to our Almaguin Lakes and Watershed Association to see if we can have an expert present at our 4th Annual FODL BBQ next Labour Day Saturday 2023.
I have also received an email address for our local MPP to see if the Provincial government are willing and/or able to help us with the Pyke Road Boat ramp repair before that ramp is unusable. The old expression is you can’t fight City Hall well they haven’t met our FODL group then!!
Please if you haven’t paid your FODL 2022 membership dues as of yet get the money into Jack. Every dollar received goes back to the lake and its property owners or members. Fifty dollars ($50.00) a year is not a lot to most of us, but it means a lot to Deer Lake.
I would like to see more pictures posted on our front page on the FODL website, but I have noticed a lot of these pictures on our FACEBOOK page. We now have 267 members on this also and continue to grow.
Take care and talk soon
Dave McAllister Chief Loon
