Percy Lake Update – Summer 2015

As of October 2014, I took on the role of President of the Percy Lake Ratepayers’ Association (PLRA). While PLRA is a relatively small organization, this is a big responsibility and one that I very much enjoy. I trust that I can represent permanent residents and cottagers on Percy Lake with the same dedication as past presidents Graham Warren and Jack Russel and all others who have served in this function over the years.

While spring was a long time coming and ice on the lake lingered on well into late April, following a rather harsh and cold winter, fortunately there have been no major incidents similar to those of the previous winter. Some docks did break loose, which is unfortunately a typical problem, and when noticed impacted residents were contacted and informed.

On behalf of the PLRA Board, we welcome back returning residents, and if you are new to Percy Lake, we extend our warmest welcome to our beautiful lake. I wish you all an enjoyable and pleasant summer with friends and family.

Percy Lake holds a special meaning for us. It is a place for various activities – swimming, boating, fishing, biking, hiking, enjoying nature, as well as caring for and repairing our cottages, but most importantly, a place for peace and reflection, especially during the early morning and evening. We treasure what it has to offer, and care about protecting the health and environment of the lake and the natural habitat that abounds. In that respect, the PLRA and its executive seek to play an important role in communicating with members about various issues pertaining to Percy Lake and its environs, and also to serve as a recipient of residents’ concerns.

In addition, we are attentive to municipal issues related to roads, landfill, taxes, etc., and provincial matters of general and specific interest to us, including Hydro and other matters.

Our Association is a member of the Coalition of Haliburton Property Owners’ Association (CHA) http://www.cohpoa.org, the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA) http://foca.on.ca, and the Coalition for Equitable Water Flow (CEWF) http://cewf.typepad.com. These organizations provide valuable information on protecting healthy and sustainable waterfronts and several of our members have attended their meetings and workshops. This involvement gives us an opportunity to communicate with other associations and also ensures we are kept up-to-date on issues that affect us all.

A particular concern that continues to emerge relating to stressors on the lake, is the impact of septic systems. The PLRA will be looking into this matter and providing information and advice as to what actions could be taken to ensure that our septic systems are not impinging on groundwater and the lake. The CHA’s website provides excellent information on issues regarding septic systems and recommendations on actions that should be taken to ensure these systems are operating properly, including the embedded video “Poop Talk” that provides guidance on responsible septic use.

On another matter, this spring, starting in the end of May through mid-June, many of us noted intense streams of pollen in several areas of the lake and poor water clarity. Additionally, a very foul odour emanated from the water and for some of us the nasty odour prevailed in the water system in our cottages. Because the amount of pollen was excessive at this time this year and believed to be greater than in previous years, there was sufficient concern to warrant checking into this matter.

Consequently, Jack Russel contacted David D. Flowers, Management Biologist with the Ministry of Natural Resources, who informed him that we were most likely witnessing a breakdown of pollen and algae growth, which is typical when pollen appears in large quantities on the water. Accordingly, this is seasonal in nature and has been reported on a number of lakes in Haliburton County this year. We were assured that it is not of concern, which was a tremendous relief.

If you do notice any situation that is “irregular”, or anything of concern to you affecting the lake and its surroundings, please feel free to contact me or any other member of PLRA’s Board, so that we can further investigate the situation.

Focussing on the PLRA

Last year on August 16 we held our Fishing Tournament and Corn Roast, BBQ and silent auction on the beach at the Winder family cottage. This year, we are planning to have the Corn Roast and BBQ again at the same location on the afternoon of Saturday, August 15. From 8 am until noon that same day, our fun and exciting annual Fishing Tournament will take place. These events, rain or shine, have proven to be great fun and provide a wonderful opportunity for everyone to socialize and we look forward to them again.

The next PLRA Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 1, at Bernie’s Circle, just off Percy Lake Road. Guest speakers will include Dysart Township’s Reeve, Murray Fearrey, and Walt McKechnie, Councillor. The AGM is a time where questions can be raised for our elected officials and is a great opportunity to get to know your neighbours.

Please mark this date in your calendar – and bring a chair (or two)! Hopefully the weather will cooperate – and if not, we will find an alternate location and let you know.

Our current executive board

• Anna Tilman: President
• Errol Farr: Treasurer
• Susan Wenghofer: Secretary

Directors-at-Large:

• Graham Warren: Past President
• Karen Hatch: Newsletter
• Lou Kiriakou: Live Release Bass Tournament and Newsletter Printing
• Bob Wong: Website
• Brian Edey: Water flow issues
• Jim Richert: Full Season Fishing Contest and Lake Development
• Jack Russel: Past-past President

Our Lake Steward is Mick Tilman.

We welcome additional and new members to the executive board, and invite you to put your name forward to serve on the Board. Feel free to contact me if you are interested in joining the executive board and indicate the areas which are of interest to you. The AGM also represents a great opportunity to get involved with the Board.

PLRA Membership

Presently, there are over 70 residents (permanent and seasonal) on Percy Lake. Approximately 35 are up-to-date members of PLRA.

The fee for joining is a modest $30 per family. A major portion of our revenue goes to pay annual membership fees to organizations including FOCA, CHA and CEWF, that together keep us apprised of developments across Haliburton and Ontario, and lobby on our behalf.

If you have not yet joined PLRA, here are some key reasons why you should, including benefits available to members:

• Attend PLRA-sponsored events – such as the Annual General Meeting, the Corn Roast and Fishing Tournament and meet your neighbours and discuss matters of importance
• Receive the PLRA newsletter
• Be included in email distribution for updates throughout the year
• Through FOCA, receive discounts and complimentary access to FOCA events
• Discounted subscription rates for Cottage Life Magazine.

Membership is based on the calendar year. Payment can be made by cheque or cash to PLRA. Interac e-transfer is also available and can be sent to our treasurer, Errol Farr, at efarr@me.com. This is perhaps the most convenient way for many to pay the membership fee.

The membership form and Live Release Fishing Tournament Rules are attached to this update.

Have a great time this summer and I am looking forward to meeting and seeing you at our AGM and the Corn Roast and Barbeque. Of course, I also hope to see you also on the lake; swimming, fishing, canoeing, boating and kayaking.

Best regards,
Anna Tilman, President PLRA
annatilman@sympatico.ca

Postscript

Oh yes, on another matter, on June 26, we had an uninvited visitor – or rather visitors, at our cottage: a mother bear and two cubs were spotted by our neighbour, Lou Kiriakou and his family. The photo, taken by Lou’s daughter, Dayna, captures the mother bear.

Just a reminder, such neighbours do drop by unexpectedly.

Thanks to Dayna Kiriakou for the photo of the bear and to Mick Tilman for the two photos of his paintings.

Upcoming events

• August 1, 2015: Percy Lake Annual General Meeting, 10:00 AM, Bernie’s Circle
• August 15, 2015: Fishing Tournament 8 AM; Corn Roast and BBQ 4:00 PM, Winder’s Beach, 1547 Percy Lake Rd

Percy Lake 5th Annual Live Release Bass Fishing Tournament

Saturday, August 15, 2015 – Tournament Rules and Regulations

1. Sportsmanship – All participants are expected to practice courtesy, safety and agree to abide by all regulations of the Ministry of Natural Resources and by the rules of the Percy Lake Ratepayers Association Live Release Fishing Tournament.
2. The Tournament will take place on Saturday, August 15, 2015 from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon.
3. The Tournament is open to all members of the Percy Lake Ratepayers Association and their immediate families (spouses, children & grandchildren). We will also allow former Percy Lake cottagers on an exception basis.
4. Two (2) person teams – Only two (2) people are allowed per boat unless approved by the Tournament Committee prior to the Tournament. The safety and well being of any minor is the sole responsibility of the minor’s accompanying adult.
5. Scoring fish – A maximum of 5 fish per two person team will be entered. In the event of a tie, the team with the largest individual bass will be awarded the prize. The next largest fish will be used in the event of a tie of largest fish and so on until the tie is broken. A Grand Prize will be awarded in one category for two (2) Bass species combined (Smallmouth & Largemouth Bass). The Grand Prize will be awarded that evening at the PLRA BBQ for the category listed below:
   • Grand prize – Trophy for greatest length (in inches) for 5 Bass combined. All fish are to be measured from the tip of the nose to the top of the tail.
6. Only artificial lures can be used. No live bait is permitted whatsoever.
7. Only one rod at a time can be used. A cast must be fully retrieved before another rod is picked up.
8. Please practice catch and release as this is a live release tournament. All fish must be returned to the lake immediately after being photographed and measured. All dead fish are disqualified from the tournament.
9. Permissible waters – Only fishing in Percy Lake and the Gull River at the south end of the lake is allowed. All fishing must be done during the tournament times from a boat within the permissible waters.
10. Please don’t be late – All participants must arrive no later than 7:45 am from the tournament starting point which is the small island. End of tournament check in will begin at 11:45 am at the small island and will end at 12 noon sharp. Entrants must be present at the start and end of the tournament and officially report their team’s results with the tournament committee. Any team measuring in after the end of the tournament will be penalized 1/4 cm per minute they are late. Teams more than 10 minutes late will be disqualified.
11. Protests – All protests must be submitted in writing within 15 minutes of the close of the tournament. The decision of the Tournament Committee will be final.

The print edition also includes the 2015 PLRA membership registration form ($30.00) and a tournament sign-up form for participants’ signatures. These are in the PDF version of this newsletter.