Kukagami News

Ashigami logging update/ firewood

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 21:46:00 +0000

This is an update on the logging around Ashigami Lake.

There is fuel wood available to purchase from Goulard Lumber. They can delivery.

You can also make arrangements for self pickup on the days they are delivering.

The Report.

Fuelwood – Goulard Lumber has set aside some fuelwood for sale. A dump truck should soon be available to load and deliver the wood. The cost of the wood is recorded below plus the cost of the truck mileage. John's cell number is 705-498-0268 for details.

Please make arrangements with John ASAP

Poplar, maple/oak/yellow birch, and white birch are available.

Birch $32/cubic metre (around a tonne)
Poplar $30/cubic metre
Maple, Oak, Ash, Yellow Birch $33/cubic metre.

A dump truck typically holds 10 cubic metres, a 1/2 ton holds one cubic metre, and a
pickup + trailer holds 3 cubic metres. Mileage is above these prices for the fuel wood.

Cutting – the final cutting of trees is being done on Ashigami South right now. It should be completed in a week, and the processing phase of de limbing, cutting and hauling will follow. This will take us into November.

Processing - The processing is continuing in the road off of Kukagami between Ashigami East and South roads.

The truck haul is working in the forks at km 1 and 2 of Ashigami East. Inventory there is about 60 loads, so Ashigami East hauling should wrap up within a week to 10 days if production remains at the current level (some trucks have had large breakdowns – transmissions and rear ends, and that hits into production while the trucks are being repaired).

Slash piling - this will be done as winter nears, unless I receive a request from the committee to defer the piling to allow more fuelwood opportunities. We did that at the Sportsman's cut two years ago at the request of the residents, and it worked well.

Road work –as discussed with the committee and roads board we have completed all that we discussed with respect to road improvements. The brushing, road widening, water crossing, roughed-in bypass and road signage have been completed as agreed, and I hope you are satisfied with the work. We have provided timber and guard rails, road board to install. The grader is in the area now, and I spoke to the Fines Road person and Kevin was looking at what we can do to improve Ashigami South with the grader. I put a value on this work of $13,500, plus the cost of the culvert for Fines Road.

If there is anything that I have overlooked, please call me and I'll provide the information.

Thank you for your help – this summer stands out in my mind as an unqualified success in managing the forest in a busy residential and recreational area.

John

John McNutt, M.Sc.F., R.P.F.

Woodlands Manager,

Goulard Lumber (1971) Ltd.

Phone 705-753-2220

Cell 705-498-0268

Fax 705-753-4588

Herbicide Spray August 2016

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 15:36:00 +0000

Attached are two 11x17 maps for 2016 aerial spray blocks in the Kukagami area (blue hatching).

Areas sprayed from 2010-2015 are shown in light purple (only 2015 projects occurred in your area during that period).

Areas harvested during that period are also shown in light brown with year of harvest in bold brown.

The spray program will start north of Capreol on August 18. Of course very weather dependent, but I estimate that the crew will move to Kukagami area before August 21st.

With any weather luck, we will be in your area for only 3 or 4 days.

Please call if you have any questions.

Doug

705-560-6363

Summer Newsletter 2016

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 16:12:00 +0000

Kukagami Environment Watch Area News http://www.kewatch.blogspot.com/ Summer 2016

Blueberries!

It seems the rains came just in time to save the blueberry crop. While they are still scarce on islands and some of the regular lake spots, people are heading out to the clear-cuts and along the tracks to fill their baskets.

A PERFECT KUKAGAMI NIGHT

Full moon sends beams of shimmering light,

Through the darkness that is night,

They touch the water and disperse with haste,

But never fear, 'twill not go to waste,

For I never cease to be in awe,

Of the recurring beauty in the raw.

Star-like twinkles on a sheet of glass,

Only broken by an amorous, leaping bass,

The haunting call of a lonely loon,

Is always my very favorite tune,

Oh these perfect Kukagami nights,

Leave no need to soar to further heights! by Vicki Thurlow

Logging Report

The cutting around Ashigami Lake started several weeks ago. Through talks with the residents of Ashigami Lake, it was agreed to allow the cutting to continue through the summer. The expectation is to get the cutting over with all in one shot.

Herbicide spraying will occur late summer within the clear-cuts on Kukagami and Matagamasi Roads. Detailed maps will be available on the KEW website in early August.

Forest Fire Watch

Want to know more about what is happening with forest fires in Ontario? Click here. You will have to agree to the terms, then you can play around with the maps to see current and 'out' fires from this season. The fire on the camping island just outside Klondike Bay is Sudbury fire number 032 on June 19^th in the afternoon. It was caused by recreational users.

A recent tour of the site shows it is recovering nicely, and is still usable for camping. However, the wood remaining in the fire pit is huge! Did that cause the island to catch on fire?

Note: if you need a chainsaw to cut your wood, your campfire is too big.

Adopt a Campsite

KEW is working to keep the four main campsites on the lake clean. Each site is visited a couple of times from spring through autumn. If needed, garbage is removed, fire pits put in order and toiletry dealt with. Some sites have old Thunder Boxes…these are fresh air outhouses. They are due for replacement. Donations of time, materials or financial assistance are sought so the boxes can be placed on all the popular sites. Would you like to take on the care and maintenance of one of the campsites? Let KEW know! kewatch@gmail.com

Three of the campsites are in the north end: One on the west shore, just south of the creek from Doon Lake; one on Sturgeon Point, which is points north just as you head east, and one at the north end of the biggest island in the north end. The fourth campsite is just outside Klondike Bay, as described above.

Night Lights…Not all they are cracked up to be…Note from an unhappy camper:

Hello from your friend across the lake. Thought I had best take the time to compliment you on your artistic display of solar lights. I am certain that you are quite proud of your purchase. But I could better share in your enthusiasm had you got some with a shut off switch or motion detector.

Please, let's cut down on the light pollution and enjoy the nights...

Visiting other lakes?

Did you know? There is blue-green algae in Ramsey Lake, Lake Wanapitei, and Hannah Lake.
Did you know? Invasive spiny waterfleas are in Lakes Nepahwin and Penage.

If you take your boat to these or other lakes: - Check your swim gear and do not use it to swim in an-other lake until it has been washed thoroughly in hot water or dried in a clothes drier. - When you take your boat out of the water, drain your boat and motor, and wash your boat with hot water or at high pressure and be sure to remove any plant or animal material on it.

At the Shoreline from Earthcare Sudbury

Protect natural habitat where plants, fish and other animals live, grow and help keep our lakes clean and healthy.

· Leave or create shoreline buffer strips.

· Keep most of your shoreline natural.

· Use dock designs that don't obstruct water circulation or disturb the lake or stream bed (e.g. floating docks or docks constructed on stilts).

· Leave aquatic plants in the water.

· Avoid disrupting fish habitat during spawning and early rearing periods.

Nature Notes from OntarioNature.org

Dock spiders are most commonly found in and around water. They are the largest spiders in Ontario, with a leg span of up to six centimetres. Although insects are their usual prey, dock spiders are able to dive beneath the water to catch small fish. These spiders will also eat small invertebrates and are known to have captured and eaten small rodents such as mice. Luckily for sunbathing cottagers, dock spiders hide in cracks and crevices during the day and usually come out to hunt only at night.

In Passing…

Don Creswell was a long-time resident of Kukagami Lake. Even as his mobility declined over the past few years, he happily attended picnics and parties at the lodge. Always a smile on his face and happy to be a part of life at the lake. His favourite time was hunting season. The times spent with his hunting partners were precious including all the sing alongs. Don was a devoted hunter and never missed a year. He never complained even though his health was failing. He loved living at his home on the lake at Kukagami. He enjoyed life to the fullest.

The Grass is Greener… Vicki Thurlow

The arrival home from the sunny south each spring always brings a surprise or two. We spent 2 days unpacking suitcases, grocery bags, boxes, bags, dog "stuff" etc. and wondering where everything would go. Each year I swear to travel lighter, until eventually I'll be down to one suitcase but, somehow I never make it....not even close! There is always one more "must have" that has to come with me because I can't do without it. Add to that all the scrap booking supplies & tools & I'm close to needing a U-Haul! Mission accomplished, everything was put away & it was time to check out what had transpired outside during the winter. I happily snapped pics of the snow pile in the yard (I still truly miss the snow & change of season) until I gradually made it to the side & front yards. I was speechless!

Now before I go any further, you need to understand that hubby has an "in town" mentality when it comes to the yard. By that I mean he thinks it is perfectly sane to have a lush lawn........ in the middle of the freakin' forest!!!! He started this years ago in his efforts to clean up the yard & make it easier to take care of. Really????? He spent hundreds of $ to buy top soil, bottom soil, sod, seed, fertilizer, lime & whatever else is needed to have the equivalent of a one hole golf course in the middle of nowhere. The more I think about it the more I'm sure that this has cost us thousands of $. That said, you can imagine how tenacious, tender & loving he would be of his lawn considering how he has made it his life's work to save a buck whenever & however he can. I'm pretty sure the yard has been resodded at least once & seeded at least twice. Just this week he again removed a whole big plot of dead grass from the front. Not sure yet how much this will cost but I started to wonder if it will mean we'll be spending the winter at home this year. I marched out & laid down the law.......he is not to be buying any more sod to re-carpet the front! All I know is that several bags of black earth have disappeared & the denuded spot is sporting a black blanket of earth. I see a bag of seed in the not too distant future.

Back to my story. Biggest party of the season & I hadn't been invited! I'm sure The Voles had invited all their kith & kin, close relatives, The Moles, all their kith & kin & any other critter capable of tunneling. They threw a Tunneling Bash to put all predecessors to shame! A regular Olympic event, no doubt. Of course, they had to come up for air.....on many occasions..... judging by the holes in the lawn. Every so often I notice the dog yelps & when I look he is standing lop-sided as he steps into one of the holes. The critters must have partied for days to wreak such havoc & devastation!

Holey, moley......if I had a cannoli for every hole & tunnel they dug, I'd be richer than Donald Trump!

At this point, hubby is not too thrilled either. Now our daughter-in-law, who has without a doubt the best kept lawn in Azilda, does not allow anyone other than herself to cut her lawn. We are only allowed to praise it & deservedly so. Weeds be warned, you have no chance against her eagle eye. Once spied, you are toast, & you will be spied!

This week while religiously tending to her pride & joy........a vole had the audacity to poke its head out from under the deck & I'm pretty sure it winked at her as it put out the challenge....catch me if you can! Good luck with that. I still haven't figured out where ours have gone but I'm pretty sure they'll be back soon! Said daughter-in-law has seen our yard & is cringing in her boots!

Stories Requested!

A great many young people bought Kukagami lakeshore properties in the late 1950's. Now, far too many of these aging men and women are passing away. Their children and grandchildren now enjoy life at Kukagami, simply because we were lucky enough to have parents and grandparents who forged the way. KEW would like to encourage all generations to send stories, memories, events for future issues of this newsletter.

Submissions for the Summer issue need to arrive by early June to: kewatch@gmail.com .

Website and Newsletter

The KEW newsletter is published quarterly, and sent by email to any interested person. If you know anyone who would like to receive the KEW newsletter, send his or her e-mail address to kewatch@gmail.com.

** If you would like to be removed from the list, please reply to this address.**

Wolf Lake and Paradise Lagoon

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 20:10:00 +0000

In late June, a group of people called Rainbow Family chose the Wolf Lake area to hold their annual 'gathering'. (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_Family ) Given that somewhere between 300 and 1000 people were expected to attend between July 4^th and August 1^st, KEW was asked to assist in discouraging the event.

We wrote to the contact person in the group:

As part of the local community... concerns have been expressed to me about the suitability of the site for a gathering of this size.
I have been travelling in the area for more close to 40 years...and am well familiar with the efforts to protect the forest, the threats from logging and possible mining. Alas, due to the great amount of publicity Wolf Lake and Paradise Lagoon has received in recent years, the biggest threat to the forest and the wilderness has shifted from logging to overuse. It is being loved to death.
Paradise lagoon itself can handle perhaps 6 people at a time...where will you put hundreds? How will you protect the delicate soils and vegetation? How can you ensure that so many footprints will not lead to permanent damage to the site?
Please contact me as soon as possible…

We received this reply: "We decided not to gather at wolf lake due to your concerns"

Indeed. Concerns were also expressed by the Kukagami Campers Assoc., Friends of Temagami, Ontario Parks, MNR and the City of Sudbury.

Wolf Lake and Paradise Lagoon are popular places, not too far from home. Visitors are encouraged to walk softly.

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 19:04:00 +0000

Area News Spring 2016

Spring is… "the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine..." Frances Hodgson Burnett

How's the Lake?

When will the ice go out? On April 22, there was still a lot of ice on the lake. About 11 inches total, but only half of that is clear ice. Fairly cool temperatures over the next week are likely to keep the ice around a bit longer. Chances are good that the ice will be gone by the end of April.

How's the Road?

A common topic of conversation around the lake, the condition of the road is even more popular than the weather. Spring is here indeed, and the road surely shows it. Potholes galore! But no sucking mud…yet. The Roads Board section was graded last week. Hopefully the city will grade the rest of the road soon.

Spring Cleaning - - Tipping Fee Holiday

The Greater City of Sudbury Spring clean-up / tipping fee holiday is from May 2^nd to 7^th.

Kukagami area residents are advised to deliver their solid non-hazardous waste to the Sudbury Site (Hwy 17 East, about 2 km past Mid-North Motors, across from the Chateau Guay Motel - Moonlight Avenue intersection). Click here to go to the city website with details.

Forestry Update:

The only logging currently scheduled will occur around Ashigami Lake this summer. You can see the planning maps here. Click on Sudbury Forest, then go to Annual Work Schedule, Maps, then Operations. Look for Operations 5305160 for Ashigami, and Operations 5305170 for Kukagami (there is no logging planned around Kukagami Lake, but the map is interesting.) Vermillion Forest Management staff are available to do field trips with us this spring or

summer. Contact KEWatch@gmail.com if you would like to participate.

There may be some aerial herbicide spraying … KEW will send info on this if it is planned.

Standing trees are important for wild life species, and for recovery of the land.

Please do not cut any standing trees in the logged areas.

Firewood may be gathered from the sites, but only wood that has already been cut at the side of the dirt roads. You will need to contact Bert Gauthier at 705-564-7853 at MNRF to purchase a permit. The permits are very inexpensive.

Spring Road Clean-up

Once the snow finally melts away, KEW will host the annual spring Road Clean up! Between now and May 8^th, you can sign up to clear the litter from a section of Kukagami and Fox Roads. To register for your section of the road, drop a line here at kewatch@gmail.com .

Bring a friend – it's a fine way to spend a spring day while at camp.

**Please note! The City wants us to sort the roadside trash into separate bags of recyclables and garbage. We have clear bags for the recyclables, and black bags for the garbage. Please let us know if you need these supplies!**

Please wear a bright orange vest while working, and keep yourself safe!

Sky Watch Mars is getting bright! Here's why…

Earth will pass between Mars and the sun about a month from now, on May 22. Mars is bright when it and Earth are on the same side of the sun. It's faint when it and Earth are on opposite sides of the sun. The best months for Mars viewing in 2016 are May and June. But the planet remains bright throughout the summer of 2016. Watch for it in the evening sky!

Bonus! This week, the moon is near the planet Saturn. Find them both near the moon in the predawn sky on April 25th.

Snowbird Report Vicki Thurlow

Living in two different locations didn't seem to faze me too much the first couple of years but as I age things change...and I don't just mean the usual bagging, sagging & nagging. Packing to head south for the winter, or head north for the summer, never seemed to be such a chore. I know I'm supposed to pack "light" as we travel both ways with relatives & so must be considerate of the other couple. The dog comes along as well but he is never a problem, just say "car ride, Winston" & the old boy jumps for joy, barks like crazy, then flops down on his blanket & promptly falls asleep. As long as he is with his Mom & Dad, he's happy....actually he's usually comatose in the comfort of the car.

I used to be too but I'm wondering if either age or lack of time has changed my view point. Little things that I laughed at before have suddenly become annoying. I feel slighted & rushed as I'm told to "pack light", "don't bring anything unnecessary" & "really? You will actually need/use this?" It takes me about 2 hours to pack up the suitcases to head in any direction so I figure I do well. This past winter our Xmas/45th anniversary/birthday/Mothers' & Fathers' Day gifts were all rolled into one, a cruise on the Oasis of the Seas. That of course meant packing formal wear, dress shoes, jewelry, evening bags etc. NO DEAR...THE DINING ROOM WILL NOT LET YOU WEAR SHORTS TO DINNER! I can't count the number of times I heard "I'll never get this all in the car". Once in the car, I felt crowded in my seat, no room to move, the dog insisted on sitting in my lap BOTH WAYS, north & south. Our beloved aunt & uncle brought all their usual baggage, coolers, boxes, briefcase, shoes etc. & assortment of junk food for the trips. Getting out of the car at rest stops was an adventure. By the time I managed to get the dog over into the seat vacated by auntie, drop his pillow & blanket on top of him, undo my seat belt, root around until I found his leash under shoes, purses, junk food bags, tablets, cameras etc. & then try to find the poop bag...the other three were heading back to the car, anxious to hit the road again. Hey, wait a minute; I'm not going to make it to the next rest stop unless I hit the ladies room NOW! It seemed no matter where we stopped, they were always waiting for me.

We are like gypsies this time of year. At the time of writing this, we have been in Whitby to drop off the aunt & uncle & are now currently in Ottawa visiting our oldest son. Gorgeous weather here & have not seen any snow since leaving Kukagami in November. That too is a change as on last year's trip home we saw patches of snow from Michigan all the way up to Sudbury. Temperatures have been great, lots of people in shorts. So why is it that our neighbors tell us it will be another week to 10 days before we can hope to get into our driveway? In a couple of days we'll leave here to "visit" with our other son as our gypsy ways continue, thanks to Mother Nature.

Time already seems to be speeding by & as we pack & unpack at two homes, twice a year it seems to go even faster. While not all change is welcomed, I certainly should not complain as I am fortunate enough to enjoy mine so much, no matter where I am.

Don't sweat the small stuff. Welcome each & every day that you have left & take joy in what each has to offer!

Stories Requested!

Submissions for the Summer issue need to arrive by early July: kewatch@gmail.com .

Website and Newsletter

** If you would like to be removed from the list, please reply to this address.**

Winter News!

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 18:11:00 +0000

Kukagami Environment Watch Area News

http://www.kewatch.blogspot.com Winter 2015/16

He who marvels at the beauty of the world in summer will find equal cause for wonder and admiration in winter.... In winter the stars seem to have rekindled their fires, the moon achieves a fuller triumph, and the heavens wear a look of a more exalted simplicity.

~John Burroughs, "The Snow-Walkers," 1866

Winter has arrived!

Really? Did you see people out there in canoes this last week of December? Well, why not? If we can't skate, might as well paddle. The snow came with a brisk east wind, which kept the waters open on most of the lake. When that wind died Tuesday night, a very thin sheet of ice covered many parts of the lake. Now we wait and watch.

Wild Wind

In the wee hours of December 24, our area was whipped with winds that brought down dozens of trees along the roads. The power was out all day, returning around 8:30 pm. Most of the falling trees were in open areas. If you are a seasonal resident and concerned about your camp, let us know and we can have a look for you. kewatch@gmail.com

Logging Update

In contrast to a year ago, there is not much happening in the way of logging in the Kukagami area this winter. There has been some talk about picking up the skidder tires that were abandoned on one of the clear-cut sites, as well as doing some work to deal with the slash left on site from the logging.

There are some interesting maps associated with the logging plans. Click here to find the map of Kukagami Lake. Go to "Maps" then "Operations" then to "Operations 5305170". Find maps labeled "Index C" to get a view of a larger area.

Loving Winter

If you want to love winter, try getting outside! We are fortunate to have lots of winter activities at our doorstep here at the lake. Please respect all users of the various trails! The ski trails in particular can be destroyed by skidoos, snowshoes, walkers and ATVs. Respect is the key.

Sudbury Trail Plan on Kukagami will be a few weeks away while we wait for enough ice and snow.

Cross-country ski trails begin by the big white pine at the north entrance to Sportsman's Lodge. Still waiting for more snow before grooming begins. When conditions are good, the track-setter will also put a ski trail along the shore of the lake in front of Sportsman's Lodge and north. Please don't drive on these trails during snow season!

Snowshoe trails The joy of snowshoeing is that you can go anywhere...trails are not required! However, there is a lovely walk that begins beside the tall tower, overlooking Klondike Bay. You can park at the end of the short road that goes east, just north of the dump. The trail to the lookout is about a kilometre each way.

Skating on the lake can be great. But not any time soon. Some folks make an effort to keep some ice free of snow. If you have a skating area that you would like to share with neighbours, let KEW know and we can pass on the info through the website.

Winter Walks Many people walk along the road each day. When the conditions are good, walking on the lake is another great way to enjoy the beauty of winter.

Tai Chi classes continue in January

Taoist tai chi classes have been ongoing since May 2013. Each Tuesday morning, people get together to learn and practice. The classes have been a great way for us to rebuild our strength, balance and flexibility. Beginners are welcome to join the new classes at any time. Drop a note to kukagami@gmail.com for more information. Have a look at www.taoist.org for detailed information about the tremendous health benefits of Taoist Tai Chi.

Tuesdays at 9:30 at Sportsman's Lodge.

These classes are also available in Sudbury most days of the week. Join at one location, and go to as many classes as you like...all around Ontario and the world!

Kukagami Pioneers – Remembering Stan Nowak by Greg Nowak

Stan came to Kukagami in 1957. He was the first camper on the bay.

I remember going to the lot as a kid and staying in a vapour barrier tent. We ate hot boiled canned chicken off a table made of boards nailed together between two birch trees. As a kid it was an adventure; for Stan it was a labour of love to build a cottage on the lake for his upcoming family.

Poupoure Lumber was logging in the area at the time. Stan and others on the lake made a deal with Poupoure to use the logging road. If they met a truck they had to pull over, even if it meant going into the ditch. The trucks didn't have the gears or the power they have now. If stopped on the upward run on a hill they didn't have the power to get going again. Stan and the other campers organized a local Roads Board for the unorganized township, (Stan being a director for many years). It acted like a municipal government to deal with province for funding for road construction and maintenances.

Until the road was extended, we would go to the south end of the lake and borrow a boat to get to the lot. At times while Stan was building the camp, we stayed at Loney's on the sand bar and walked into the lot. The land was cleared, and although it was level, there were still three-foot diameter logs left by loggers 50 years earlier that had to be moved. Lumber was difficult to get into the lake, so instead trees were felled, debarked, and used for the foundation and rafters of the camp.

Stan found a deal for used propane refrigerators. He cleaned them up and offered them to other campers at cost. Prior to this, the ice for the iceboxes was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Loney, who kept it buried under saw dust in the ice house to insulate it from the summer heat.

Being a qualified electrical engineer, Stan had credibility with Ontario Hydro. He gathered enough interested camper names to present to Ontario Hydro for them to put a power line to the lake and then to the camps, some by pole line and some submerged. This power line not only served the lake but mines along the way. Once the pole line came in, the telephone came next. Having electrical power allowed kitchen appliances, lighting, entertainment, power tools, and made possible water for kitchen and bathrooms.

Stan first came with his family to Kukagami over 60 years ago. During his time at the lake, he enjoyed growing garden vegetables, planting flowers every spring, trying to keep his roses over the harsh winter, blueberry picking, fishing, clearing trails, and visiting with his neighbours.

He passed away on August 3rd, 2015, at the age of 94, at his home with all his family around him. He had said "Family is the love of my life".

The older we get, the more important we know it is to be aware of and understand the past.

KEW welcomes stories of Kukagami Past and Present to share with neighbours.

Website and Newsletter

The KEW newsletter is published quarterly, and sent by email to any interested person.

Submit photos and news items to the email address below.

If you know anyone who would like to receive the KEW newsletter, send his or her e-mail address to kewatch@gmail.com. If you would like to be removed from the list, please reply to this address.

KEW Mid-Summer Note

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 00:57:00 +0000

Blue-green Algae Alert! It is already in Penage Lake...could it happen to Kukagami?

Blue-green algae blooms thrive in lakes with high phosphorus and nitrogen levels. Warm shallow bays are most susceptible, especially where there is high cottage density and lawns.

Waterfront property owners can reduce the probability of a toxic blue green algae bloom by:

• ensuring that septic tank/waste water systems are well maintained

• eliminating the use of fertilizers on lawns

• restoring natural shoreline vegetation to reduce soil erosion and to absorb nutrients from the lawn and septic field.

Blue Moon Gathering Reminder

July 31^st marks the only blue moon for 2015. Neighbours will gather at the Bald Rock, just north of the Lion's Head to see it happen. The sun sets a little before 9 pm, just as the moon rises in the east. Meet at 8:30 to share stories and snacks while we watch the blue moon rising.

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 12:34:00 +0000

KEW celebrates 10 years!

The Introduction to KEW from the 2005 initial newsletter…
_______________________________________________________

Kukagami Environment Watch

Dedicated to the well being of the lands and waters surrounding Kukagami Lake

We welcome participation of anyone interested in the Kukagami Lake area in all our activities. If you have an event you would like to have published in the newsletter, please send it to kewatch@gmail.com.

Kukagami Environment Watch Mandate:

KEW is dedicated to the well being of the lands and waters surrounding Kukagami Lake.
     -KEW will gather and verify information of interest from reliable sources
     -KEW will share facts with any interested parties
     -KEW will monitor lands, water and wild life
     -KEW will initiate and support projects that encourage the careful use of our environment.

Our area of concern includes the lands and waters on and around Kukagami Lake, including Portage, Donald, Doon and other small lakes nearby.

Kukagami Environment Watch Summer 2015 Newsletter

Blue Moon Gathering

July 31^st marks the only blue moon for 2015. Neighbours will gather at the Bald Rock, just north of the Lion’s Head to see it happen. The sun sets just before 9 pm, just as the moon rises in the east. Meet at 8:30 to share stories and snacks while we wait for the blue moon rising.

Lakewater: Our Most Important Asset

Greater Sudbury is the "City of Lakes" and many people living on waterfront properties are dedicated to protecting the water quality around their homes. Recently, several lakes in the Sudbury area have developed blue/green algae blooms affecting drinking water and closing beaches. Some of the causes of algae blooms are faulty septic systems, and increased levels of phosphorus and nitrogen. Many of the area cottages and camps are still owned by one of the original family members or one of their descendants. Because most of these “older family cottages” were intended for seasonal use and not designed for shower and laundry facilities, the existing septic/greywater handling systems on the properties may be outdated and ineffective.

Greywater – The Silent Invader Long gone are the days when grandpa used to scoop-up buckets of fresh camp water from the end of the dock so grandma could boil water in a stove top kettle to wash the dishes. The evolution of the piston water pump eliminated grandpa’s daily water-fetching trip to the lake however he had to retrofit grandma’s kitchen with a new sink and plumb an outside water outlet for her new wringer washing machine. With the advent of running water came the need to build a drainage pit (usually consisting of a couple of methodically punctured 45-gallon drums) directly adjacent to the cabin. Now-a-days, a high-capacity jet pump complete with reservoir sits where the old piston pump once was and is usually accompanied by a high efficiency hot water tank. More often than not, a warm shower has replaced the refreshing morning swim. We have gone from using 8 to 10 litres of water per day per person to 10 times that volume simply because it’s become so much more convenient. Have you asked yourself recently…where does all that soapy waste water go? Chances are that unless you have upgraded grandpa’s old drainage pit in recent years, much of this greywater may be finding its way to your shoreline and ultimately into the lake.

Excerpts from Greater Sudbury Watershed Alliance booklet. Download the document for solutions.

Danger on Donald Lake

Beware of the newly named “Red Ant Point” - formerly known as Ward King’s old cabin on Donald Lake. We were up that way earlier this week on a canoe trip and stopped to camp. While we were setting up we got a few bites here and there. It was starting to get annoying. By the time we were settled in the bug tent, it was unbearable. We were screeching, howling and slapping as the little red ants would sneak up on us and take a chunk out of our skin. “Ouch” was only one of the words that came out of our mouths.

We had no choice – we had to move. I have never seen anything like this, but in talking with other canoe trippers, I discovered this does happen at the odd campsite throughout the north.

So, to avoid chomping nasty little red biters, “STAY AWAY from RED ANT POINT”.

Logging Plans

     No logging is planned for the Kukagami area this Summer. The slash from last Fall / Winter's operations will be dealt with late this Summer / early Fall. Some roads will also be decommissioned at that time.
     There has been some tree planting done in the block South of the rail bed. All of the area that was site prepared last Summer has now been planted.
     There were also issues with the harvesting that was done along the road reserve in the Bassfin lake area last Fall. Residual basal area was a bit too low and MNRF asked for the area to be planted. A total of 13,000 Jack pine have been planted in that area.
     If any plans change we will let you know.
     We are looking to schedule a summer date for a field trip into the clearcut areas along Kukagami Road, sometime in the middle of August. Contact KEWatch@gmail.com if you are interested. Let us know which dates work best for you.

Citizens on Patrol

The Kukagami Unit of COPS are like the crows....we leave late Fall, return early Spring.

Some people may have noticed our return, driving a white cruiser with the COPS logo on the side panel and wondered who we are and what we are doing. We are part of the Greater Sudbury Police Citizens on Patrol program with our unit specifically patrolling the 5 lakes in our vicinity and surrounding areas while following a random schedule.

The program itself is a unique and innovative crime prevention program that involves trained volunteers who conduct mobile observations of their areas while on patrol. We drive a specifically marked vehicle and report suspicious or concerning behaviour to Sudbury Regional Police for follow-up via mobile radio. It is like a Neighbourhood Watch on wheels and it allows for an extra set of eyes and ears in our area.

Who Can Volunteer ? Our volunteer base consists of people from various ages and occupations, ranging from students to married couples to retirees. The Program is looking for community-minded individuals who are 18 years of age or older, will pass a police background check and who can commit to 12 hours per month to the program. If you are interested in the Program, please call the Volunteer Co-ordinator of the Greater Sudbury Police Services at 705-675-9171, ext 2335.

Geography Lessons

Here is a very cool website with geotours of Sudbury and other northern places, including our area. http://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/en/mines-and-minerals/geology/geoscience-topics/geotours-northern-ontario

Graffiti

“This past week we enjoyed several boat trips on Kukagami Lake. We were disappointed at two different locations where paint graffiti has recently been applied to rocks. Is there any way we as a group can express our dissatisfaction with this type of behavior?”

The paint will soon be removed from the bare rocks, with great effort from volunteers. Care must be taken to prevent the paint and paint remover from entering the lake.

As a community, we are fortunate to have the beauty of nature all around us. Learn about the rocks and their natural beauty. Respect the land that nurtures us.

Please continue to report environmental degradation to Kukagami Environment Watch. We will follow up on all correspondence.

Road Clean-up.

Thanks to the many neighbours who took extra time to pick up litter from our roadsides this spring. For many people this is not just a twice a year event. The busy parts of the road are tended to frequently.

Summer is a good time to clean up lakeshores too! If you are out and about in a boat, take a few minutes to gather in the junk that's washed up on shore.

A Quick Guide to Tree Cavities

The most prolific cavity-makers in the woods are pileated woodpeckers, since they are the only woodpecker in the region that excavates sizeable cavities for feeding. These large birds generally make large oblong or rectangular cavities, looking for carpenter ants or wood-boring beetles deep in the wood. They also excavate deep cavities for their nests which are re-used by many owls, ducks, and other animals. Pileated woodpeckers reached very low numbers a few decades ago as many of the remaining old forests were logged or cleared for other reasons. Lately their numbers have been rebounding somewhat, and they may be adapting to younger forests.

Although they don’t make cavities for feeding, hairy and downy woodpeckers, and sapsuckers excavate small, deep, perfectly round cavities for their nests. Active nests show very fresh wood. Older cavities may be taken over by a variety of other creatures, such as wrens, nuthatches, or flying squirrels.

Medium-sized cavities 5-10 cm in diameter are excavated by northern flickers, and three-toed, black-backed, or red-headed woodpeckers. These can be re-used by wood ducks, and a variety of owls, among others.

If your favourite tree has a woodpecker poking holes in it, the tree is already bug infested. These birds are simply the messenger!

Life at the Lake by Vicki Thurlow

Grab a beverage & a comfy seat.....this could take a while & has a surprise ending....

Returning home from our winter sojourn in sunny Florida started off very promising with that wonderful feeling of relief experienced when you successfully cross the border & are once again back on home soil. So pleased to arrive back at Kukagami & find our home had been well taken care of by super neighbors with no issues to contend with...at first glance anyway.

Don't mice have sweet little faces? & I mean literally! The first cupboard I opened was full of mouse poop! (They had escaped the dreaded sticky traps that hubby loves to set out but which I think should be banned as they are so cruel. I think the house was so cold that the sticky stuff gelled hard enough for mice to walk on without getting stuck.) Mice had chewed through a plastic container lid to get at some semi-sweet chocolate chips & you would think they would die of "Death by Chocolate" but no, they weren't finished yet. They found an unopened bag of Twistos on a shelf at the back of the cupboard & nestled under it was a handful of rice in a plastic bag. They cleverly opened up the Twistos & then filled the bag up with the rice. Nowhere was there any evidence that any of the chocolate had survived their onslaught & gone into storage.

I have now cleaned all kitchen cupboards as well as bedroom closets & the linen closet so it is obvious that chocolate Easter Bunnies now have some competition...chocolate mice!

Anyone who knows me well knows that I love mice & in fact collect Xmas mice but my "mice love" was certainly tested to the max as I emptied & scrubbed each drawer & cupboard & washed the contents.

I guess the theme here is the letter "M" as my next complaint is the dreaded MOSQUITOES! This year's plague is certainly out to surpass last year's infestation, & I'm just talking about the ones that make it into the house. Did I say "ones"? I meant thousands! And how do they get in? Boy can I answer that!

Our dog, Winston, constantly wants to go out. He spends hours on the front deck & hates to come in except to eat or drink. Hubby insists that Winston is the one bringing in the army of buzzing bug#*^s on his fur every time he comes in & out. Of course the worse the mosquitoes get, the more often Winston comes in for relief from the relentless bloodsuckers. I hotly dispute his role in this as I totally smother him in a towel as he comes charging through the door.

On the other hand...hubby is a whole different story. His daily routine is get up, put the coffee pot on & then head outside for a smoke. Once that's done, come back in to get the coffee & go back out. Half hour later it's back in for cup of java #2 & then right back out to work. A little while later it's back in for breakfast then back out until it's time for a potty break. Back out again until it's time to come in & check out the stock market. Out the door again & before you know it...lunch time. Back out after lunch, in for a drink of something cold & back out, in again to check the stock market & have a short nap before heading out again. Back in again for potty breaks, check BNN stock market ticker, & finally time to knock off the outside work for the day. Several smoke breaks later it's finally time for bed. You do the math!

I don't smother him in a towel every time he comes in but I sure do get my exercise running around the house zapping thousands mosquitoes all my waking hours. I'm sure I can now be officially classified as a mass murderer!

The floors are littered with dead carcasses & I go to bed with the sounds of buzzing & zapping in my head. Sleep is constantly interrupted with a well-placed but useless slap at the ones that get away. If they get so annoying that my sanity is threatened then the lights go on. The hunt is on to the death.

All's well that ends well, right? Well I'm now eating my words!

Winston also has a daily routine. He awakens, yawns, stretches & whines to get off the bed & head outside to relieve himself...about 6:00 a.m.! I'm a night owl, often up until 1:00 a.m. or later & so consequently I'm not at my best that early in the a.m. Following his morning ritual (I had been up late writing this story), I let him out, smothered him in a towel when he came back in & he ran back to the bedroom, anxious to get back to the business of sleeping. I was right behind him.

Hubby quietly gets up about an hour later, closes the bedroom door & is off to start his day. Seconds later I hear bellowing & the air turns blue with words suitable for a men's locker room. He's back in the bedroom with the question "Did you let Winston out this a.m. & if so when?"

I answered in the affirmative & said "About an hour ago." to which he replied (are you sitting down?) "Well the back was wide open when I got up & there are thousands of mosquitoes in the house!" Never moved so fast in all my life!!! We spent an hour & a half zapping & vacuuming up mosquitoes while madly slapping ourselves silly. I've done the math & now have to reluctantly claim dubious "bragging" rights as to the number of mosquitoes I let in the house. Hubby & Winston are off the hook!

Have a Super Summer!

If you know anyone who would like to receive the KEW newsletter, send his or her e-mail address to KEWatch@gmail.com. If you would like to be removed from the list, please reply to this address.

Kukagami Spring Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 01:08:00 +0000

Kukagami Environment Watch Area News http://www.kewatch.blogspot.com/ Spring 2015

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" ~Robin Williams

Lunar Eclipse Saturday Morning

Partial eclipse begins: 6:16 a.m. EDT, but the moon will set before the start of total eclipse here at Kukagami. "The total eclipse of the full moon on April 4, 2015 will last less than five minutes, making it the shortest total lunar eclipse of the 21st century. It's perfect for short attention spans! The total lunar eclipse will be visible from western North America, eastern Asia, the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. At North American time zones, that means the greatest eclipse happens before sunrise on April 4 – the morning of April 4, not the evening." from http://earthsky.org

How's the Road?

A common topic of conversation around the lake, the condition of the road is even more popular than the weather. Spring is here indeed, and the road is beginning to thaw. Then the temperature drops and it all freezes again. Just in time for another snowfall. Warm and sunny days work to melt it all away again. Sometimes gravel shows through, sometimes it is ice.

The annual spring mucky road has not yet arrived, but it could come suddenly any day now.

How's the Lake?

When will the ice go out? Not soon for sure. Lots of snow this winter and no mid-winter thaw made for slushy lake travel in March. At least 18 inches of solid ice near shore is going to take some time to melt away. Conditions are colder than this time last year. Expect to see the ice go out in early May.

Forestry Update:

Logging operations were carried out along Kukagami Road from just north of the gravel pit to just north of the dump. When you travel the road, you will see that some individual trees, and some patches of forest were not cut. These standing trees are important for wild life species, and for recovery of the land.

Please do not cut any standing trees in the logged areas.

Spring Road Clean-up

Once the snow finally melts away, KEW will host the annual spring Road Clean up! Between now and May 10^th, you can sign up to clear the litter from a section of Kukagami and Fox Roads. To register for your section of the road, drop a line here at kewatch@gmail.com .

Bring a friend – it's a fine way to spend a spring day while at camp.

Please wear a bright orange vest while working, and keep yourself safe!

Tai Chi classes Tuesdays at 9:30 at Sportsman's Lodge.

For nearly two years now, neighbours at the lake have been getting together to learn and practice tai chi at Sportsman's Lodge on Tuesday mornings. The classes have been a great way for us to rebuild our strength, balance and flexibility. Beginners are welcome to join the new classes this spring. Folks who have taken classes in the past are encouraged to join in once again. Drop a note to kukagami@gmail.com for more information. Go to www.taoist.org for detailed information about the tremendous health benefits of Taoist Tai Chi.

Classes are also available in Sudbury most days of the week. Join at one location, and go to as many classes as you like. ..all around Ontario and the world!

Snowbird Report

Wow, what a very different winter this has been, both in the Kukagami community & down here in Florida!

We have heard of & seen pictures via Skype of the extreme cold back home, frozen water lines etc. The grandkids wished they were down here for March Break as they've had enough of first the cold, then the slush, then back to the cold.

While Florida hasn't had anywhere near the same range of temperatures, it has been our coolest winter in many years according to the long-time locals & snowbirds. While we managed to harvest over two dozen Bell oranges from our backyard tree, they were not as sweet as last year & we worry that the tree may not be around to greet us next fall with any fruit. There are fewer blooms & the blight that started affecting citrus trees a couple of years ago is still very present all over the state.

The last two weeks have finally brought warmer weather with temperatures hitting in the 80's with a couple of 90's for good measure. Walking in the evening is heaven when we hit the pockets where the orange trees are in bloom. They smell so sweet & fragrant. We are so fortunate to be able to experience these wonderful gifts.

Kukagami & other area lake communities have experienced a very different winter as well, but sadly the consequences will mean a vastly changed dynamic. So many families have suffered the loss of a loved one. These men & women built camps & future homes in the bush, raised families & taught them to embrace the stunning beauty of their surroundings. Every get together has an "I remember when" story from days past when these pioneers first started trekking in on sometimes non-existent roads to clear the land, put in access roads, & build camps & saunas. Many lifelong friendships & family ties began on the shores of Kukagami & the other area lakes & now too many have been taken away. We mourn the losses & they will now become part of the "I remember when" legends told around future campfires. Like the buds of springtime leaves, their children & grandchildren will blossom & keep growing their love for our little bit of heaven. Those who have passed have taught them well. "Treasure the memories for the memories are the treasures". Vicki Thurlow

In Memory:

Vaino A. Koski passed away July 20, 2014. In 1956, he bought 300 feet on the sandy north shore of Klondike Bay and built the cottage in 1957. Vaino and Margaret enjoyed the camp well into their late 70's. Vaino leaves the property to his family as his legacy to his daughters Donna and Susan and their families.

Stories Requested!

Submissions for the Summer issue need to arrive by early June to: kewatch@gmail.com

Remembering Bill McDonald

"To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one's self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived - this is to have succeeded." Ralph Waldo Emerson

March 2015, Kukagami shores echo with the sounds of voices telling stories of moments spent with Bill; each tale ends with a smile, a giggle, a burst of laughter, followed by a quiet moment, as each neighbour accepts the loss of his presence. His success in living is a pattern we can all follow; recognize our happiness and share it with everyone we meet.

His accomplishments are visible wherever he spent time. His communities, his church, nature, neighbours' homes, ski trails. If Bill was near and recognized a need, he smiled and got the job done. The McDonald clan not only benefitted from his help, they quickly learned to step up and enjoy another project. His family reflects the joy of his presence in their lives.

Three neighbours share stories about time spent with everyone's friend, Bill.

Several decades ago, before the days of hydro, a young Henry needed to put a very heavy fireplace in his camp. He wondered if his floor could hold up such weight. As usual, hard won experience could be found on our shores. Bill came to give his advice; the strength of a laminated wood beam was required. Of course, Bill saw a job that needed doing. He built the beam and helped Henry install it. The building still stands, Bill's kindness and generosity still touches Henry's heart.

A few years ago, Louise invited Kukagami neighbours over for an evening of drinks, food and the usual friendly chatter about life on the lake, the horrors of our road, the unusual weather, and stories about how life at camp has disappeared since the good old days. Bottles of beer, glasses filled with favorite drinks on ice, and of course, tall glasses of white or red wine were passed around to the ever more cheerful group. Eventually, a glass dropped and red wine spread on Louise's pale carpet. The culprit, Bill, was a very upset offering endless apologies and advice on removing the stain. Of course, Bill did not let the accident spoil the party. Even after Rollande left, her happy hubby remained. Every hour or so, he checked on the condition of the stained carpet. The next day and every so often in the following weeks, Bill would check with Louise to be certain all was well.

During one of the many ice fishing adventures to Donald Lake, Bob joined Bill and Don at their ice hut. The day advanced as they sat peacefully jigging and waiting for the exciting pull on the line. The sun would go down quickly on this winter day. Bob asked, "Bill, did you think about what time you want to leave?" A smiling, content fisherman looked up and answered, "When the ice goes out."

He won't be forgotten. Monique Taylor

Website and Newsletter

The KEW newsletter is published quarterly, and sent by email to any interested person.

If you know anyone who would like to receive the KEW newsletter, send his or her e-mail address to kewatch@gmail.com.

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Kukagami Spring Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 01:04:00 +0000

Kukagami Spring Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 00:59:00 +0000

Winter Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 18:53:00 +0000

Logging Update

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 13:48:00 +0000

Recent communication from Vermilion Forest Management....

Goulard Lumber plans on starting to work on access roads (upgrading existing roads) West of Bassfin Lake and towards lake Wanapitei. This work may begin as early as next week with logging to follow. Most of the area is affected by timing restrictions (no cutting in summer within 1 km of the lakes) so the amount of work to be done before Thanksgiving in this area is limited. It is expected the block will be completed before Winter sets in.

For the previously logged section along Matagamasi Road, when Goulard operated there a few years ago, the 30m modified reserve along the road was left almost all intact even though some harvesting down to 12 square metres basal area is permitted. Goulard had tried at the time to do some modified logging but it proved to be too time consuming and not economically feasible with the equipment on hand. There has been renewed interest in harvesting these "strips" along the road. A contractor will be brought in with some specialized equipment to cut these modified areas down to 12 square metres as permitted. This work may begin as early as later this week.

Goulard will also be cutting along the road in the vicinity of the dump. The portage trail between McLaren Creek and Klondike Bay will have a no-cut buffer.

This area will also be completed by late Fall - early Winter.

These logging areas are part of the 5 year plan that ends March 31st, 2015. If you have concerns, contact KEWatch@gmail.com, or call VFM at 705-560-6363.

We will arrange an in the field visit with the company in the coming weeks. Please let KEW know if you would like to attend.

Kukagami Autumn News 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 19:49:00 +0000

Kukagami Environment Watch Area News http://www.kewatch.blogspot.com/ Autumn 2014

Full Moon Rising

As the full moon of September rises in the east, the sun sets in the west. Simi- larly, the full moon sets in the west just as the sun is rising in the east. It is way more fun to get together with neighbours out on the lake in the evening than early in the morning.

The weather is looking pretty good for the September Full Moon Rising. Bring your boat, your snacks and you binoculars to watch the sunset and moonrise. At 7:30 pm Monday evening, we will be meeting at the nearly naked island just north and west of Lion's Head.

The final full moon gathering for the season will be on October 7 at 6:30 pm.

Taoist Tai Chi classes continue on Tuesdays at 9:30 at Sportsman's Lodge. New students are welcome to join at any time. Taoist tai chi focuses on restoring and strengthening health. More on Tai Chi on page 3 (below). Check out this link: http://www.taoist.org/transform-body-and-mind/.

Road Clean-up October 4 to 12

Thanks to the many neighbours who take the time to pick up litter from our roadsides every spring and fall. For most people this is not just a twice a year event. The busy parts of the road are tended to frequently.

There's always room for more volunteers! Contact KEW if you would like to have a section of road to call your own.

Lodge Lady Second Edition
In 1990 Pat J. Loney published a book entitled Lodge Lady. It captured many of

her memories of being a tourist outfitter in Northern Ontario and gave family histories of the campers on the lake.

2015 marks 25 years since the book was published. Pat's granddaughter Ali Loney is spearheading the new edition and would like to update the family history section. There are many new faces around the lake creating their own special history on our paradise of the north.

You can help out by sending the following to loney.ali@gmail.com:
Updated history of your family time on the lake (no story is too long or too short)

 Photos of your family & special moments at camp (sunsets, fishing, picnics etc.)

Mushroom Walk September 21, 2 pm.

The fifth annual mushroom walk will be on Sunday the 21st, rain or shine. This is an hour long walk through the forest. You will learn what to look for and what to avoid. You must pre-register for this event. Send a note with your phone number or email address to kewatch@gmail.com to get the information regarding meeting time and place.

Check your Sauna!

When Kukagami was settled more than 50 years ago, many of the new property owners were Finnish. The first thing they built was the sauna! Neighbours were invited over and quickly discovered the great experience. It wasn't long before nearly every camp had its own sauna.

Unfortunately, many of these old saunas have become fire hazards. Many long years of high heat suck all the moisture out of the interior wood. Often, the walls around the stove become black. Wood near the stove becomes charred. Charred like charcoal. A fire waiting to happen.

Next time you go down to fire up your sauna, check to be sure the fire will heat the room and not burn down the building. Check all the wood surfaces around the stove, around the stovepipe, ceiling, walls, railings, everywhere! If you see anything that is dark, try to scratch it with your fingernail. If you get a soft brown or black powder under your nail, you better think twice before firing up the stove.

Get rid of any charred wood. Install proper shields. Enjoy a hot one this autumn! And a brisk dip in the lake.

Twig Furniture

This is a great time to try building twig furniture – no bugs and a good time to cut twigs!! The best place to find twigs are along sections of the road that have been brushed in the last few years – eg under power lines, brushed back areas.

Willow bends easily and is a grey-green colour found in clumps along the road. It is more difficult to find the thicker ones. Pin cherry has a beautiful deep red colour and makes great chairs as it is strong and wears well. Birch looks good but tends to rot sooner than other trees.
Construction hints

– cut pieces as you need them. Do not cut them all ahead of time.
– use drywall screws not nails. The wood dries out and the nails release over time.
– pre drill all the holes for the screws

Some websites: Canadian Living, Indestructibles
Pinterest also has many pictures to help with design ideas.

Good luck! Mary

Where on the Lake is that?

KEW is in the process of developing a map of our area with local name plac- es. Do you have place names that you would like to share with Kukagami neighbours? Send the information to kewatch@gmail.com, and send along a story if there is one.

Getting Older or Getting Better? You can choose! V. Mather
I spent the last week of August volunteering at a remote location here in the north. While getting to know my co-worker, she seemed surprised to learn that I am older than her. She plods through each day, with an inner acceptance that her aches and pains are just part of growing old.

Long ago I learned that what we think is what we are. If we think we are old and falling apart, we will be old and fall apart. When we choose to be well, we make bet- ter choices for ourselves. We make time to do what we need to do to stay healthy. We invest time and money in ourselves because if we don't, we will surely suffer the consequences.

A dozen Kukagami residents invested in themselves over the past year by learn- ing tai chi. Each Tuesday morning we gather at Sportsman's Lodge for an hour of instruction followed by a tea break, then more tai chi. During out tea break, we enjoy time catching up on the latest news around the lake.

Sometimes we talk about how tai chi has improved our lives. One person found she could run a short distance...after 15 years of not running at all. Another found she could skate for hours on the lake ice...after decades of just skating for 10 minutes at a time. Some have found that aches and pains have disappeared from shoulders, neck, hips and knees. All have found that the weekly tai chi classes have been far better than just sitting at home.

In Sudbury, new Taoist Tai Chi classes start this week. You can go to as many classes as you like for one fee...and classes are held around the world! Including here at Kukagami. It is not a lot of money, but it does take some time. After all, it took us a while to get into the aches we have, it is going to take some time to get out of them. Invest in yourself. Make the time to have better balance, better concentration, and a healthier future.

A few thoughts about tai Chi G. Kusneirczyk
I had attended Tai Chi classes in the past, both in Sudbury and Victoria BC., but

I stopped because of a temporary hip problem. I attended Guy's first beginners class at Kukagami and signed up immediately! I had forgotten how wonderful Tai Chi is and how good it felt to be back!

I have been back at it since and attend classes both at the Lodge and in town, as well as Victoria in the winter! I also went to the Tai Chi international awareness day in Toronto this year, where there were people from all over the world doing Tai Chi at Dundas Square.

Guy is a wonderful teacher and it's also so nice to see Kukagami neighbours at classes.

Travels to the East Coast by V. Thurlow
Today we are headed inland on our jaunt across the East Coast. The rocky terrain,

windswept shores & weird looking trees on this west coast of Newfoundland are hauntingly beautiful even in the rain. We've been blessed with gorgeous sunshine & warm weather but today the rain came. We saw mist rising like huge curtains across the majestic Western Brook opening in Gros Morne Provincial Park. The sea swells looked to be 8-10 feet & we could not see across to Labrador today. Thousands of lobster traps sit abandoned on the sides of the highway, in yards, down on the shores and in garages until the very short season opens up again in May.

Stacks of firewood line the highways, taking up any available space. There are jumbled piles of tree trunks, 8-10 feet in length, waiting to be blocked along with stacks of blocked wood lying everywhere along the roads, fighting for space with the

forlorn lobster traps. You'd be hard pressed to find a home owner who does not heat with wood. Apparently the men get a permit, then cut & haul in winter to the sides of the road. Come end of lobster season they come back to block it. Not unlike the pro- cess followed in our area for tree harvesting. They really work hard here to get their wood as they have to go inland so far to reach the wood then haul it out. Most of them work in groups of 2 or 3 with chain saws, axes and little else. The vast piles are not protected but they all respect each other enough so that no one touches a pile that does not belong to them.

The locals are harvesting their gardens now. We see garden patches along the sides of the highway, complete with scarecrows & there doesn't appear to be anyone living nearby at all. It seems the land is warmer closer to the road & away from the winds blowing off the sea. There was good topsoil dumped along the sides of the road when the highways were built & only rocky soil in most of the small towns we passed through. Again, everyone respects one another enough not to touch or pick from a garden patch that is not theirs. I still haven't figured out how they would ever find their own patch along the desolate road but they must have some landmark in sight.

The evergreens are very short, like scrub & most were 4-6 feet high. The ugly, twisted, skeleton-like needleless trunks are known as tuckamores says my Newfie friend Ginny.

Today we headed east towards our next destination, St. John's. We are now start- ing to see much larger trees, reminding us of home. Some maples here are starting to change color but they can't compete with the one in our yard at Kukagami! Our tree had red leaves falling to the ground by the long weekend in August. I'm still shaking my head.

Website and Newsletter

The KEW newsletter is published quarterly, and sent by email to any interested per- son. The Website is updated randomly through the year – so check for new infor- mation and photos! Submit photos and news items to our email – listed below.

If you know anyone who would like to receive the KEW newsletter, send his or her e-mail address to kewatch@gmail.com. If you would like to be removed from the list, please reply to this address.

Kukagami Summer News

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 21:42:00 +0000

Kukagami Environment Watch Area News

kewatch.blogspot.com Summer 2014

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the blue sky, is by no means waste of time

~John Lubbock, "Recreation," The Use of Life, 1894

Full Moon Rising Long summer days just beg an opportunity to get out in the boat...whether it be a canoe, kayak, outboard, or pontoon boat. Everyone is welcome to gather on the evening before the moon is full. The moon rises in the east just as the sun sets in the west. On Kukagami, come to the mid-point of the big lake.

A great opportunity to meet new people!

Dates and times to meet for this summer are:

July 11 at 8 pm. August 9 at 7:30 pm.

Road Clean-up. Thanks to the many neighbours who took extra time to pick up litter from our roadsides this spring. For many people this is not just a twice a year event. The busy parts of the road are tended to frequently.

Summer is a good time to clean up lakeshores too! If you are out and about in a boat, take a few minutes to gather in the junk that's washed up on shore.

Roads Board Update: Crushing began on June 17th at the MTO pit on Kukagami Lake Road. The gravel will be put down within the next 2 weeks followed by the laying down of calcium. The new contractor for the next 2 years is Gaudette Contracting from Warren.

Logging Update: Goulard Lumber resumed work mid-June in the same area as last year, east of Kukagami Road at the old tracks, South and South-East of Crerar. Currently, only harvesting and road building crews are in. Hauling will start anytime now. The plan is for them to spend the Summer in that area.
Goulard has pine allocations in the Wolf Lake area, but there are no current plans to head up there in the next few months. If plans change we will send an update.

Future Wood will be resuming their commercial thinning of red pine plantations along Kukagami lake road. They are expected to resume activities this week, finishing the block they started around the near the start of the road. They will be in the area for the better part of the Summer.
For Silvaculture, there is an aerial spraying block planned for North of Doon Lake and West of Kettyle Lake. This normally occurs in early September.

Goulard's recent cut in the Bassfin lake area, West side of McLaren was planted with Jack Pine this Spring. A total of 210,000 trees were planted in this block.

Taoist Tai Chi classes will begin a new session in September. Watch for notices of date and time. There is a class from 9:30 to 11:30 on Tuesdays at the Lodge, starting on July 8th.

For Sale: A paddle boat, asking $100.00 (worth $500.00) barely used; along with Step 2 kid's slide for $25.00 (worth $100). If interested call Micheline at 853-0368.

Ageing Exercises by Vicki Thurlow

As we age, doctors, gerontologists & fitness gurus all seem to agree that seniors need to remain active & keep their weight down. Like many in my age group, I'm carrying around a few extra pounds. Except for a couple of temporary, extra pounds gained while on a cruise or during the holiday season, my weight hasn't changed for the last ten years or so. Those couple of pounds come & go at will like a beloved family member. During the winter months we head south & keep active with walking the dog, walking with friends, swimming at the pool or beach, & dancing at the clubhouse. We need to do these activities as we seem to eat out more often, have many parties which always seem to involve food, & entertain much more during these months.

Well, judging by the activity I have been involved in over the last three weeks, I should have lost at least a few of the extra pounds I carry around with the familiarity of a long-time friend. That theory is not working!

Anyone who knows me well can tell you that the only thing that freaks me out more than spiders are blackflies & mosquitoes.

We've had few blackflies but mosquitoes have been a whole new experience! I'm known as "Flash" this time of year as just about the only glimpse of me is a quick flash as I race like a mad fool from back door to the car, or vice versa, in an attempt to drive to town to get away from the invasion of these @#*%&*)^ bugs.

But, it is while I'm in the house that I truly get my exercise........& I have exercised to exhaustion these last two weeks or so, with no end in sight. We are currently housing two dogs who bark to go outside, whether they need to or not, many times during the day. Not long after they go out, they bark or scratch to come back in. My guess would be that the mosquitoes are biting them too, as they come prancing in the door bringing hundreds of the buzzing, blood thirsty suckers on their coats. It would be just my luck to not let the dogs out on demand & find myself the recipient of a smelly deposit on the floor, so I continue with the revolving door routine.

Add to that a hubby who smokes but, as that is not allowed in the house, he must also go out.........numerous times a day. Of course, he also heads in & out during the day to putter around, fix something etc. & then come back in for a drink, a meal, a bathroom break. Each time this happens hundreds more of the mini buzz-saws fly in like they own the place.

We've also discovered that it is a myth that they are attracted to dark colors as there are always thousands on the white garage doors. Indoors, they love white ceilings, doors, cupboards, lamp shades & best of all.........skin! MY skin in particular!

What does this have to do with exercise you ask? Well, ALL my waking hours are spent tracking & killing these vampires. Believe me it is a full time job. I have never done so much bending, twisting, and swinging my arms, in my life. And dance moves such as you have never seen, (& likely wouldn't want to), well, I have those in spades. The palms of my hands are like raw meat from angry mosquito squishing, I'm on the second set of batteries for "The Executioner" & every exposed inch of me has been bitten at least once.

In my spare time, I can be observed doing hand & finger exercises.....as I scratch like a dog with a flea infestation. I have made moves I never knew existed & are guaranteed "one of a kind". I am close to becoming double jointed as I twist to swat at the #$*^% dive bombers. I frantically run to get "The Executioner" as I spot another victim ripe for the killing, only to discover that she has decided to play hide & seek. In the evening I do sit-ups......I get into bed after thoroughly scouting out the bedroom for any AWOL critters, turn out the light & BINGO! The *&^%$ little s^%&s are buzzing the runway so I do a sit-up, flick on the light & the dance begins......again!

All of the above mentioned activities are repeated, in sets, continually, for 18 to 24 hours /day. I should be skinny as the proverbial rake, right? Hah! Someone needs to come up with some new weight loss exercises. In the meantime, does anyone know a good exterminator? How about a dance teacher? Maybe Kijiji has a buyer for thousands of mosquito carcasses? SHHH, I hear a buzzer, I'm off on the hunt again!

KEW neighbours send a special Thank You to Vicki for luring the mosquitoes to her part of the lake. Especially this year, the worst bug season ever.

Nature Notes: This issue: Snappers! Starting this summer, a full page peek at nature will be attached to the newsletter. Let KEW know if this fits well into your email box, and if you have suggestions for content.

Website and Newsletter: The KEW newsletter is published quarterly, and sent by email to any interested person. Submit photos and news items to our email – listed below.

If you know anyone who would like to receive the KEW newsletter, send his or her e-mail address to kewatch@gmail.com. If you would like to be removed from the list, please reply to this address.

This air photo is centered on "The Gut".

The low area provides a shortcut to the North End in summer and winter.

On the right is the long "Outlet Arm".

The top left corner show some of the islands in the North End.

Nature Notes

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 21:32:00 +0000

How to process a 45-pound snapping turtle in 10 (not so) easy steps.

by Megan Anevich, from Ontario Nature blog June 5, 2014

Step 1. Scoop the turtle into your net.

Step 2. Lift the turtle into your canoe. Word of warning – this is easier said than done. Be prepared to need the strength of two people, and bend at the knees so you don't put your back out.

Step 3. Paddle back to shore as fast as possible. The turtle will be angry that you have interrupted its leisurely swim and will therefore be snapping at you. You may need to use your paddle to fend off its attacks.

Step 4. Pull the canoe out of water and tip it to get the turtle out. There is no point trying to lift that sucker again – your back will protest if you do.

Step 5. Awkwardly dance around the turtle, aiming to land at its back end. It will keep trying to turn and face you. Make sure that doesn't happen.

Step 6. Grab the turtle at the base of its shell and flip it on its back so that you can measure its plastron.

Step 7. Flip the turtle on the side to measure its dome height. It really hates this one so move quickly. Flip it back over and measure the carapace length and width – all the while keeping-up your awkward dance.

Step 8. Time to weigh the turtle. Don't have a bag big enough to put the turtle in? Buckle it up in a life jacket and hook the scale onto the straps. You'll need both arms to lift all 45 pounds.

Step 9. Notch a unique identifier into its shell. Good luck with this struggle. Try for a notch on one or two of its back scutes. Be prepared for scratches. (Note: Only do this if you have a permit.)

Step 10. Take a picture of the turtle for your research files – and to remember the fabulous time you spent together.

Now you can release the turtle, take a breather, and book a chiropractor appointment. You'll need one.

Megan Anevich, who joined Ontario Nature in spring 2012, helps coordinate management of the organization's 24 nature reserves. She spends a lot of time at these properties looking for turtles and snakes, attempting to identify plants, and falling into wetlands.

Register with the Herpetofaunal Atlas program to receive e-mail newsletters, event notifications, and other important updates about the Herpetofaunal Atlas project as it develops. Visit their website to see how you can participate.

http://www.ontarionature.org/herpetofaunal_atlas.html

Did you know?

· The Snapping Turtle spends so much time underwater that algae grow on its shell. This helps them blend in with their surroundings.

· Snapping Turtles are believed to live well over 100 years!

· The sex of hatchlings varies depending on the incubation temperature . Eggs that are kept at a temperature of 23-28°C hatch male turtles. Eggs incubated at other temperatures hatch into females.

from Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Spring 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 21:01:00 +0000

Kukagami Environment Watch Area News

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month. ~Henry Van Dyke

Snow, snow, SNOW! More here at the lake than you have anywhere else! It’s really quite beautiful. Much like the winters we had so long ago....

Ice falls on Donald Lake cliffs Spring 2014

Total Eclipse of the Moon April 15^th at 3:45 a.m.

You will have to get up pretty early in the morning to see this one! Or stay up way late? Hope for a clear sky. Here are the times:

     Partial umbral eclipse begins: 1:58 a.m. EDT on April 15
     Total eclipse begins: 3:07 a.m. EDT
     Greatest eclipse: 3:46 a.m. EDT
     Total eclipse ends: 4:25 a.m. EDT
     Partial eclipse ends: 5:33 a.m. EDT

How’s the Road?

A common topic of conversation around the lake, the condition of the road is even more popular than the weather. Spring is here indeed, and the road is rough. And that is putting is nicely. As the snow melts, huge puddles are held in place by huge snowbanks. As the frost comes out of the roadbed, bumps and holes get bigger. On warmer days, expect mud…sometimes very deep, sucking mud. Think of the worst potholes in Sudbury, multiply that by 30 kilometers, and that’s life on Kukagami Road. Enjoy!

How’s the Lake?

When will the ice go out? Not soon for sure. The snow on top is melting quickly and will likely be gone by the weekend. Under that is a lot of slush. Under that is a lot of frozen slush. Under that is perhaps a foot of clear blue ice.

The water level of the lake was exceptionally low in the fall. It is even lower now. Already, the shallow rocks are poking through the snow on the lake. By the time all this past winter’s snow is melted the water will hopefully rise to normal spring levels. Meanwhile, if you have a rock crib holding up your dock, it is probably going to come apart. Expect to see a lot of docks floating around the lake in early May!

Logging Update

Goulard Lumber plans on returning to the area they were working in last Fall to resume operations as soon as they can this Spring (which will not be any time soon!) They are working South of the rail bed and East of Kukagami lake road. The wood will be coming out through Kukagami Road to the highway, same as last Fall.

As well, there is a Forest Management Plan (FMP) Open House scheduled for the afternoon and evening of April 26 and the morning of April 27 at the Holiday Inn on Regent St. This is to view any changes that are proposed at the mid-point of the 2010-2020 FMP.

Maps!

You can download maps from the Forest Management Planning Website. Click on the map in the Sudbury area, scroll down to click on Annual Work Schedule 2014-2015. Then click on Maps, then Operations, then Operations 530517o for the Kukagami Map. Look around the site for lots of maps, with lots of information!

Airplanes on the Lake!

The last weekend in March was a busy one with four airplanes dropping in for a visit with friends. We hope to have a link to a film of this event for this to share soon.

Spring Road Clean-up

Once the snow finally melts away, KEW will host the annual spring Road Clean up! Between now and May 11^th, you can sign up to clear the litter from a section of Kukagami and Fox Roads. To register for your section of the road, drop a line here at kewatch@gmail.com .

Bring a friend – it’s a fine way to spend a spring day while at camp.

You also need to sign a waiver. Please wear a bright orange vest while working, and keep yourself safe!

Water Watcher - Keeping Our Lake Water Clean

…tips from Earthcare Sudbury

Here are some quick tips on how you can live in harmony with your lake:

Educate yourself about lake ecology and your lake's health.
Start a buffer strip by leaving some vegetation uncut near the water's edge.
Use organic compost on your lawn, flower beds, and in your garden instead of fertilizers and pesticides.
Use phosphate free detergents and soaps.
Replace your turf lawn with hardy drought resistant grass mixtures.
Retain or plant native shoreline vegetation adjacent to the water to protect your shoreline and filter pollution.
Direct the run-off from rooftops, driveways and patios away from the lake.
Maintain your septic system – have it inspected every two years and pumped out regularly.
Learn to identify non-native invasive aquatic animals and plants; check your boat and motor for invaders.
Do not feed geese, ducks or other wildlife.
Pick up after your pet; keep your shoreline free of pet waste.

Road Rash by the Road Runner...beep beep

Is the road getting you down?

Has your car colour gone from dark blue to a dusty taupe?

You cannot decide which side of the road has the least number of shallowest ruts?

Are you tired of the city roads or roads board sections not grading its section?

Do you think the swamp at the Matagamasi turn is going to flood?

When will half load come in?

Why there are 6 different plow companies gobbling up our tax money?

Do you like to walk along and break the “glass” ice puddles in the morning?

Why do different mud sections come up every spring?

Are all these questions getting you down?

Does April drive you crazy?

STOP - we have the solution !

Next year , let’s get away from the road – get away from the rage .

We will all go to Vegas and skip these ugly road days .

Imagine the Kukagami Kampers loose in Vegas - cavorting in the fountains, pigging out at the buffets, hiking the Grand Canyon, and beating all the dealers at their own game!

So – your advice for this spring ..

Don’t drive on the crappy roads.

Save your gas money ‘cause we are all going to Vegas next spring ..

where THE ROADS ARE PAVED !

Snowbird Report

I sit here contemplating what I'm missing back home as the grandkids complain they had to go to school today. They were apparently anticipating a snow day. The phone rings, or Skype calls come in along with emails, as everyone back home tells us they've had enough of the $%*@ white stuff! Secretly I'm hoping there will be some left when we get back after Easter so that I can have my fix for the year. I have been assured by one & all that my fix is guaranteed unless something drastic happens to the weather patterns.

Last winter we sat in the carport with a (long ago) former Kukagami-ite, who is our neighbor down here, while we heard tales of what it was like in winter long before we even knew that Kukagami existed. Cars & people stranded in deep snow drifts with crying kids, cold cabins sheltering families as parents got the old woodstoves fired up, lots of laughs, parties, good times & wonderful memories. I think I would have enjoyed all that.....in my youth!

Now, while I truly miss the snow, I'm also very fortunate to be able to while away the days of winter doing scrap booking projects, searching out estate & yard sales, dumpster diving, swimming outdoors at eleven p.m. under a full moon, walking the beaches & the malls, dancing with friends, carport parties & scrumptious dinners cooked by fellow mobile park neighbors & enjoyed by 250 friends at the Club House. We eagerly await the annual Splash Party, Golf Club bar-b-que & the Hawaiian Luau dinner & dance that mark the end of the season down here. We'll be across the border in less than month. It seems that we just got here, where did the time go? We say the same thing when we pack up & make the return trip down in the fall. Time is just too short! Enjoy each day no matter what it brings because you never what lies ahead. In the meantime, save me some of the $%*@ white stuff.

Vicki Thurlow

Website and Newsletter

The KEW newsletter is published quarterly, and sent by email to any interested person. The Website is updated randomly through the year – so check for new information and photos! Submit photos and news items to our email – listed below.

Beginner Tai Chi class starts March 4th

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 22:35:00 +0000

Join us at Sportsman's Lodge at 9:30 on Tuesdays, starting on March 4th to start the new session of beginning Taoist Tai Chi class.

Clippings from www.taoist.org

Taoist Tai Chi™Arts

Taoist Tai Chi™ arts are founded upon a rich tradition of Taoist training. They are intended to return both body and mind to their original nature. According to Taoist teachings body and mind cannot be separated. Each step in the training is intended to help the mind return to stillness, clarity and wisdom, and the body to a balanced, relaxed and healthy state.

Transform body & mind: the balanced approach

Can you benefit from the regular practice of the Taoist Tai Chi™ arts? Well, first answer this question. Do you have stress in your life? If you answered “yes”- and really, who didn’t? – we’d like to introduce you to a form of exercise and personal development that both promotes health and relieves stress. We call it “internal alchemy” or “internal transformation” of both body and mind.

The Taoist Tai Chi™ arts have their origin in the tradition of Taoist internal alchemy. Alchemy in Taoism is a process of changing and transforming the body to the original healthy state. This starts with the transformation of the physical body. When the physical body is healthy and strong and the mind is quiet, the transformation of internal energies can occur.

How slow and steady wins the race to better health

There are a few misconceptions that we’d like to clear up. First, that Tai Chi is too slow to do you any good. While we agree that this art is about gentle turning and stretching, our form of Tai Chi is also specifically designed to improve health. So the significant and impactful degree of turning and stretching in each of the movements contributes to better balance and posture, increased strength and flexibility, and calmness and peace of mind. The second myth is that Tai Chi is exclusively for the elderly. Pay a visit to one of our classes and you’ll see people of all ages benefiting from the healing movements of this ancient art form.

Getting better through the Taoist Tai Chi™ arts

We offer “health recovery programs”, which are specialized workshops and classes for people with chronic illnesses or those recovering from injuries. These arts have proven very effective as complementary therapy in aiding and speeding recovery. Movements can be adapted for people with reduced mobility.

And we’ve found most people can do the Tai Chi set regardless of handicaps or ailments. In fact, many conditions have shown to improve with the regular practice of this art, including high blood pressure, arthritis, back pain, low spirits, joint immobility, respiratory problems, digestive disorders, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, the long term consequences of trauma or stroke, aging and fibromyalgia.

Taoist Tai Chi winter 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 15:29:00 +0000

On Tuesday, January 7th the new session of tai chi classes will begin. Come to Sportsman's Lodge at 10 on Tuesdays in January to find out how Taoist Tai Chi can improve your health.

Beginner Taoist Tai Chi class starts on

TUESDAY, January 7th, 2014

   10:00 to 12:00 AM

at Sportsman's Lodge

Cost will be $120/person for seniors*.

For more information call 705-853-1571

                  email kukagami@gmail.com

or simply come to the lodge on any Tuesday in Janaury at 10 am.

www.taoist.org

* Registration at this location allows students to attend classes in Sudbury and all other Taoist Tai Chi centres across Canada and around the world! Classes run to the end of April.

Registered Charity #118934371RR0001

KEW Winter Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 01:03:00 +0000

Kukagami Environment Watch Area News Winter 2013/14
www.kewatch.blogspot.com

I love the scents of winter! For me, it's all about the feeling you get when you smell pumpkin spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, gingerbread and spruce. Taylor Swift

Winter has arrived!

Ready or not, winter arrived at our doorsteps early this year. The good news is that Kukagami Lake is well frozen over. After a couple of false starts (when most of the lake had a skim of ice, then reopened) it froze again over the next few days. The last open water disappeared overnight on December 12^th. After 4 days of extremely cold temperatures, the first snowmachine crossed the lake on December 16^th.

Trails, trails, trails!

We are fortunate to have lots of winter activities at our doorstep here are the lake. All of us who spend time here in winter love getting outside, one way or another. Please respect all users of the various trails! The ski trails in particular can be destroyed by skidoos, snowshoes, walkers and ATVs. Freshly groomed skidoo trails are also vulnerable to damage by ATVs.

Respect is the key. Let's all enjoy winter's pleasures.

Sudbury Trail Plan on Kukagami. The skidoo trail was checked on December 16th, and had at least 5 inches of ice everywhere. STP trails on local lakes will be staked soon. Except Lake Wanapitae, of course! It always takes much longer to get ice.

Cross-country ski trails ready for Christmas! Skiers can enjoy the easy 2.5 km trail, or the more challenging 4.5 km trail. Trails begin by the big white pine at the north entrance to Sportsman's Lodge.

When conditions are good, the track-setter will put a ski trail along the shore of the lake in front of Sportsman's Lodge and north. Please avoid driving on top of the tracks!

Snowshoe trails The joy of snowshoeing is that you can go anywhere...trails are not required! But if you don't want to trudge through a ton of snow, try out two nearby trails. A lovely short trail winds through the forest of ancient white pines across the road from Sportsman's Lodge. Please be careful not to step on the ski tracks. The loop goes into the forest at the junction of the ski trail.

Another trail begins beside the tall tower, overlooking Klondike Bay. You can park at the end of the short road that goes east, just north of the dump. The main trail to the lookout is about a kilometre each way. Other trails take off from there, so be sure to have a map if you wander off beyond the lookout.

Skating on the lake was great for a few days in the middle of December, and then came the snow! Some folks here and there make an effort to keep some ice free of snow. If you have a skating area that you would like to share with neighbours, let KEW know and we can pass on the info through the website.

Winter Walks Many winter folks walk along the road each day. When the conditions are good, walking on the lake is a great way to enjoy the beauty of winter.

Tai Chi classes continue in January

Taoist tai chi classes have been ongoing since May. Each Tuesday morning, six to 12 people get together to learn and practice. The classes have been a great way for us older folks to rebuild our strength, balance and flexibility. Young people are welcome too! But mostly our local population is made up of retired folks. Beginners are welcome to join the new classes in January. Drop a note to kukagami@gmail.com for more information. Have a look at www.taoist.org for detailed information about the tremendous health benefits of Taoist Tai Chi.

These classes are also available in Sudbury most days of the week. Join at one location, and go to as many classes as you like...all around Ontario and the world!

2014 Calendar!

October's picture in the Picture Our Lakes contest was taken at Kukagami Lake by Gerri Kusnierczyk. Calendars can be bought at Artists on Elgin in Sudbury.

Logging Update

Logging continues to the east of the old rail-bed. They expect to be finished by the end of December. A mid-term review of the 10 year plan is underway. Watch for notices of an open house expected in April.

Neighbours helping neighbours

Last summer a small, dedicated group of neighbors pitched in & did some much needed brushing along Fox Road. We now have much improved sight lines & some of the wood was recycled into beautiful twig chairs. In addition, many muscles that had lain dormant for some time got a great workout. The group worked well together both collectively & on their own. Many thanks for donating their time, equipment & effort to: Allan Mather, Doug & Jane Hallett, Dennis & Joel Savage, Tootey & Sue Duhamel, Kim Sloan, Vicki & Ivan Thurlow.

From Earthcare Sudbury:

What can you do for our environment this winter?

1. Shovel neighbourhood driveways. Keep active and prevent using gas for trucks or snowblowers.

2. Get outside and play. ("People protect what they love." - Jacques Cousteau) Love the outdoors through sledding, snowshoeing, skiing and skating. You can also make snowmen, snow forts and create snow sculptures. Send in photos of your best snow sculpture to Jennifer Babin-Fenske.

3. Feed the birds. We have many overwintering birds that could use a little extra help, especially after snowstorms.

4. Buy or make environmentally friendly decorations and gifts.

5. Volunteer at your community park/arena to help clear snow, sell hot chocolate and organize events.

Christmas Greetings from the Snowbirds

'Tis the season! Bah, humbug!

As I trim the community Club House tree with 1120 colored lights & red & white poinsettia flowers, sweat beads on my forehead & drips down my back. It is 80+F & feels like closer to 100F with the humidity! As I gaze out the window, I can see my fellow park residents splashing in the pool & soaking up the sun while lounging on deck chairs. Yesterday I decorated the front yard for Christmas. The lighted, animated deer family is grazing under the colorfully lit palm tree in the front yard. Oh how I miss the snow! Despite the cold, snow shovels & frosty mornings I still long for home at this time of year. Christmas is just plain weird without the white stuff.

Christmas Eve will mean the annual decorated bicycle/golf cart parade down to the Club House with cookies & hot chocolate to follow. Hot chocolate.......you've got to be kidding me! Christmas Day most of our neighbors will be down at the Club House enjoying the gorgeous tree I decorated while chowing down on a delicious turkey dinner but....not me!

The family unanimously decided that it isn't Christmas without Mom's turkey, dressing & fixings & Dad's gravy, so guess who gets to stay home & slave in the kitchen all day? We'll be 9 for dinner with another 8 dining across the road at my girlfriend's place. There will be much going back & forth to compare notes on dinner favorites. Afterwards we adjourn to the carport to enjoy dessert, coffee & each other's company.

Kids & grandkids arrive next week so, except for winter conditions like the beauty of snowflakes & icicles, it will be almost a normal Xmas.

As I swim in the pool under the stars (with occasional roar of a plane landing at nearby St Pete's airport), I imagine myself back home, outside on the deck, under a northern sky full of twinkling stars & falling snow, as I relax in the hot tub.

Holiday greetings to all! Have a safe, happy Christmas season.

If you know anyone who would like to receive the KEW newsletter, send his or her e-mail address to kewatch@gmail.com. If you would like to be removed from the list, please reply to this address.

Area news Autumn 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 23:34:00 +0000

Kukagami Environment Watch Area News

http://www.kewatch.blogspot.com/ Autumn 2013

“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.” ― Lauren DeStefano

Community Events

Neighbours are encouraged to share local events. These are a few that are coming up this autumn. If you have an event you would like to share with neighbours, send a note to KEWatch@gmail.com

Harvest Moon Gathering

People will be gathering at the mid-point of Kukagami Lake (near the Big Island, see map below) on the evening of Friday, September 20^th, if the sky is clear. Everyone is welcome!

Be there at 7:15 to watch the sun set in the west just as the full moon rises in the east. Boats will raft up as they arrive, and will drift along in the early autumn breeze. If you don’t see anyone when you get there, look downwind!

Taoist Tai Chi classes began a new session on September 10^th. The beginner’s class meets from 10 to 12 on Tuesdays at the Lodge. New students are welcome to join at any time. Taoist tai chi focuses on restoring and strengthening health. Check out this link: http://www.taoist.org/transform-body-and-mind/.

Mushroom Walk September 22, 2 pm.

The fourth annual mushroom walk will be this coming Sunday, rain or shine. This is an hour long walk through the forest. You will learn what to look for and what to avoid. You must pre-register for this event. Send a note with your phone number or email address to kewatch@gmail.com to get the information regarding meeting time and place.

Due to the cold spell we had in August, the honey mushrooms were out a month earlier than they should have been. This is our best local edible, and they will not appear again until next year. This year’s walk will focus on the beauty and ecology of our local fungi.

Road Clean-up October 5 to 20

There’s always room for more volunteers! Contact KEW if you would like to have a section of road to call your own.

Logging Update

Red pine thinning continues near the start of the road.

Goulard lumber is currently working South of the rail-bed east of Kukagami Road. About 2 kms east from where they were working in Summer 2012. They will likely be working there until approximately November.

The area East of McLaren Creek is scheduled to be harvested later this Fall and early Winter.

Slash Pile Burning

Two years ago, much of the western side of McLaren creek was logged. The slash from the McLaren cut has been piled, and it will likely be burned late this fall. The logging company is hoping to see a lot of natural regeneration in the area over the next few years. If all goes well, they will only need to do a little ‘fill-in’ planting after that.

Brown Birch Leaves?

You have likely noticed that many of the birch leaves have gone straight from green to brown this year. Normally, birches turn bright yellow in September. This year they went brown in August. What caused this to happen?

Chris Blomme explained the problem in a letter to Northern Life earlier this month. You can read the full story here.

The Birch Borer is a tiny moth that lays its eggs on birch leaves. The miniscule caterpillars feed on the leaves. If you park your car under a birch tree, you will have noticed an icky, sticky residue. Fortunately, it washes off easily.

Also known as the birch skeletonizer, we saw a little of its work last summer. Hopefully, it has peaked this year so by next fall we will be able to enjoy the brilliant autumn yellow of the birches.

Where on the Lake is that?

KEW is in the process of developing a map of our area with local name places. Do you have place names that you would like to share with Kukagami neighbours? Send the information to kewatch@gmail.com, and send along a story if there is one.

The Joys of Autumn by V. Thurlow

I have a definite love/hate relationship with fall. On the one hand it is my second favorite time of year (Xmas tops my list) but is also, in some regards, the one time of year I dread the most.

Last September my younger sister, Susie, flew in from Calgary for her first fall visit in over 20 years. She commented on how much she missed the gorgeous show put on by the oaks, birch, aspen but most of all the stately maples. Our beloved Aunt Mimi, 82 years old, gamely followed us around snapping pictures as we drove up Matagamasi Road, Bushey Bay Road and all around the Kukagami area. We gamboled over rocks and fallen trees like a couple of giddy, chubby, graceful gazelles. Well maybe we were more gambling than gamboling, chubby & giddy for sure but graceful gazelles might be a stretch........a very big stretch........of anyone's imagination! We shrieked with laughter, shuffling through mounds of crisp leaves covering the forest floor. (Kind of reminded me of the bedroom floor back in the days when I had a very messy roommate in teachers college.......you could never quite see the actual floor for all the discarded clothes.)

I love the show fall puts on and truly enjoy walks in the cool, crisp fall air.

Unfortunately, this peaceful idyll does not last long. Two things mar the tranquility and I can't control either. One is the annual fall hunting season. The guns go off regularly with no warning and I cringe as I imagine some poor dumb partridge falling over in a bloody mess of squawking feathers; a cute, silent bunny twitching on the side of the road; or a majestic moose or deer felled by a triumphant, grinning hunter.

The second disturbance is even worse! As soon as the leaves start to fall, my husband is on a mission to blow every single leaf he can eyeball into a pile to be gathered & later dumped into a large clearing at the end of the drive-way.

The method used is a gas powered leaf blower and it has become the most hated piece of "man toy" that I have seen...or heard...to date. Hubby straps this contraption on early in the morning and, after gassing up, is set to go until nightfall.

He puts the Eveready Bunny to shame! Across the front and side lawns, down to the lakeside deck, all the way up the steps and across the front and side decks, over to the rock wall, flower beds and the patch of grass over the field bed before heading up to the driveway and down to the main road. Of course the boathouse roof and all eave troughs must be done as well. Put a white hazard suit on hubby and he can start his own chapter of Ghostbusters when he has that @#(*^& contraption strapped on his back! I will scream with delight if he ever runs out of gas to power my nemesis! It will be a much more elated scream than the ones you will likely hear, probably by the end of the week, when I predict the dreaded leaf blower will make its debut for this season!

Hey, give me a break; I'm hurrying along as fast as I can! Let me catch my breath.

Just a few moments ago the lake was shimmering in the bright sunlight with occasional puffs of wind ruffling the surface. What a glorious fall day! My friends & I were so happy to be wearing our new fall colors, hot reds, bright oranges, sunny yellows.

Soon I grew tired then felt my stomach do a somersault as I turned head over heels & floated & swirled my way to the cold, unrelentingly hard ground. That sure knocked the wind out of my sails!

As I lay there trying to catch my breath, I saw the family dog frantically pawing at the patio door in a frenzy of barks. The sky darkened as a cloud covered the sun...no wait; it was a flock of birds in a big flurry of flapping wings heading out of sight.

All of a sudden the peaceful, tranquil calm was shattered by a loud cacophony of ear splitting proportions. Some overzealous, leaf-hating human with an outlandish contraption strapped to his body, was blowing every leaf in sight into little piles. From the midst of my pile I watched as the number of piles continued to grow.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, the noise mercifully stopped leaving throbbing echoes in its wake.

Thankfully the piles were gathered together & unceremoniously dumped into a clearing off the driveway. I was happy to snuggle in amongst my friends in peace & quiet as the footsteps faded away.

Rumor has it that the process will repeat itself for many more days until the leaf-hater leaves for the winter. Winter can't come soon enough for me!

Website and Newsletter

Kukagami Summer Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 01:33:00 +0000

Kukagami Environment Watch Area News

kewatch.blogspot.com Summer 2013

Live every day to the fullest:

Talk and listen to people.

Love the earth and respect it.

Learn something new every day.

Find the positive in something negative.

Laugh more, sing more, and dance more.

Enjoy the small things in life, not the material things. In memory of Lillian Appleby

Community Events

Neighbours are encouraged to share local events. These are a few that are coming up this summer. If you have an event you would like to share with neighbours, send a note to KEWatch@gmail.com

Dates and times to meet for this summer are: June 22 at 8:30 pm, July 21 at 8 pm, August 20 at 7:45 pm.

Annual Canada Day Boat Parade, July 1^st Decorate your boat in celebration of Canada Day, and meet at the south end of Klondike Bay at 1 pm. The boats will make a tour around the mid-lake, so if you don't have a boat, be sure to wave as they go by your camp.

KCA annual Picnic August 3^rd

Taoist Tai Chi classes will begin a new session in September. Watch for notices of date and time. There is a beginner's class currently meeting from 10 to 12 on Tuesdays at the Lodge.

Kukagami Place Names Mapping Project.

KEW is developing a map with common place names and places to go! Send your suggestions to KEWatch@gmail.com

Historical Tidbit

One of Canada's first Olympic heroes, Edward Blake Archibald, started a wilderness summer camp for boys on the northwest shore of Lake Wanapitei about 1924. Camp Wanapitei was moved to Sandy Inlet on Lake Temagami in 1930 after Ontario Hydro constructed a dam at the outlet of Lake Wanapitei, raising the level of the lake and flooding much of the original camp. The camp was on Parkin Creek, about three kilometres east of the mouth of the Wahnapitae River. Camp Wanapitae still offers wilderness summer experiences for children as well as adults.

Road Clean-up

Summer is a good time to clean up lakeshores too! If you are out and about in a boat, take a few minutes to gather in the junk that's washed up on shore.

Logging Update

You may have noticed some logging activity at the start of the Kukagami Road. There red pine thinning operations are underway. Also this summer, Goulard Lumber will be cutting a few kilometers east of the road along the old raid bed.

Our Camps on the Shores of the Lake Spring to Summer 2013

The calendar says Spring has ended, but on the shores of Kukagami, the neighbours barely felt its passage. "How's the road?" garnered the expected Springtime litany, "If the potholes get any deeper, I'll lose my car." "Watch out for that washout." "They need to put in a new culvert." The neighbours finally knew summer was near when the complaints changed to, "There's so much dust on the road, I can't see the car in front of me."

In spite of the usual grumbling, the ride along Kukagami Rd in Spring can be a pleasant journey, as we watch the subtle changes in all the shades of green with a few splashes of white and yellow. Or, the drive can be a wildlife adventure. One of Kukagami's lovely ladies caught sight of a moose, a fox, a bear and a few rabbits, all during one trip. One of our local artists, another lovely lady, had a thrilling, but unpleasant sighting; a moose ran into her new car. The neighbours imagined the damage. They voiced very sympathetic concern, "Your car will be good as new." All the while thinking, "Glad it wasn't me!" Everyone drives a little more cautiously, aware that we are the intruders; the forest still belongs to the wildlife.

Safely home, human sightings in spring are as intriguing. From our decks, we watched the antics of intrepid campers. On opening day, we watched eager fishermen line up a boat and 2 canoes off their dock, across the ice as it was breaking. They lounged on the dock, in warm winter clothing, enjoying a few beers, keeping an eye on their fishing lines. They clambered back and forth from boat to canoe to check their lines. Fishing season on Kukagami was open.

May brought wind, snow, hail, rain and a few, a very few, sunny days. The hardiest of the Kukagami neighbours jumped into the lake, swam one or 2 strokes, grabbed a towel and raced to the warmth of a sauna or the comfort of the camp. Work with hammers, saws and drills began as three of our lovely ladies built twig chairs. Gardeners fought off the flies, gazed happily as their perennials quickly filled the empty gardens; colourful flowers would soon follow. Volunteers set to work cleaning the debris along the roadside; the neighbours at the end of Fox Rd brushed their section; the COPS' teams began patrolling the road. Friends help friends. Each Tuesday, one group, lovely ladies and helpful men, is discovering the value of a new physical activity. An awkward, enthusiastic group learns the intricacies of Taoist tai chi. A patient teacher convinces us that our individual hesitant, labored movements are as valid as his artistic fluidity.

Let summer begin. We are ready for the myriad of sounds, the endless variety of activities, the tantalizing smells of food, and as always, Kukagami is ready for the unexpected.

Story Teller waits for your stories. Ideas, exaggerations, poems, moments of life on our shores. moniquetaylor@xplornet.com

Neighbours gathered to mourn the loss of our favorite pioneer. Stories about Lily continue to be exchanged by all those who knew the joy of her presence in their lives.

Kukagami mourns the loss of an endearing pioneer. Lillian Appleby's presence on our shores was a constant reminder of our history and our fun loving tradition of neighbour helping neighbour. Her friend Colette Conlon-Cresswell shares the eulogy she gave.

Terry asked me to give the eulogy for my dear friend Lily. I was honoured. I couldn't refuse. The one I always counted on for help was gone. How could I do this without her?

Lily was an exceptional woman, very caring, understanding, capable, and extremely knowledgeable and always wanting to learn more. As a matter of fact, she decided to learn how to play bridge at the young age of 85. That's a challenge, even for someone who played Canasta.

Lily never had a bad word to say about anyone; if you said something negative, she would quickly find some positive comment. She felt everyone had some good in them.

Lily was my confidant. My friend knew how I felt, what I thought; she knew what I hoped for and what made me proud.

What was her secret to such youth and vitality? We all want to know. Did anyone ask her? Maybe a few details of her activities during 93 years filled with living could give us a hint.

Lillian had an interest in everything.

Gardening, fishing, hunting, berry picking, card playing. Reading, travelling, walking in the bush and watching curling for hours.

She loved everything to do with the outdoors. The only thing she didn't care about was house cleaning. She was always willing to go and do anything that others wanted, so as not to disappoint them.

She was driving her car until just about a week or so before going to the hospital. We went shopping. She came riding on the quad with me to go pick cranberries. She wanted me to go too, but I refused because I complained of a sore hip. She had a sore back, but that did not stop her.

This lovely woman did not have a selfish bone in her body. She would give you or share with you all that she had. Except her secret to where the best berries were. She finally shared that secret a couple of years ago and only to special friends. Ha! Ha!

She loved her family and had the patience of a Saint. Her faith in God was strong and she loved to attend mass at Kukagami Lake. She could practice her faith in her favorite surroundings beneath the trees, the view of the lake, and the feeling of grass under her feet.

I've heard many people say, "What's the secret?" Or, "I want to live just like Lillian Appleby. "

Well, her friend knows what some of her secrets were:

Live everyday to the fullest

Talk and listen to people.
Love the earth and respect it.
Learn something new every day.
Find the positive in something negative.
Laugh more, sing more, and dance more.
Enjoy the small things in life, not the material things.

Lily was determined to pass on her life view to her children, her grand-children, her great-grand-children whom she loved dearly. She always wanted them to appreciate the beauty that surrounded them and created many opportunities for them to do so. What an incredible legacy.

Lily turned 93 in Dec. 2012.

In my eyes and most people's eyes that number should be reversed to be 39 for all the capabilities she had. I feel very inadequate trying to tell you about this ageless woman whose sparkling bluest of blue eyes captured everyone's attention. If you knew her, you will know what I mean.

She will live forever as I see her in this room in the eyes of her children, her grand-children, her great grand-children her relatives and her many friends. She changed my life and I'm sure she changed the life of everyone she met for the better.

Every time, I said grace before our meal, Lily was never happy with just saying it, I had to sing it. So for you my friend here it goes.

Oh, the Lord is good to me and so I thank the Lord

For giving me the things I need

Like the sun and the rain and the Apple seed

The Lord is good to me

We love you Lily- Thank you for being you.

Website and Newsletter

ICE is Gone!

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Sat, 04 May 2013 02:33:00 +0000

KEW News May 2013 Update

ICE!

May 2^nd provided a warm, gentle breeze that swept away the ice on Klondike Bay. Throughout the next 2 days, warm weather and strong south winds finally released the rest of the lake from winter's grip. The ice was totally gone from the lake on May 4th. There should be some new photos on the website over the next few days.
The water level on the lake is higher than usual for spring. Because of this, many of the old logs and other wood that once washed up on shore are afloat once again. There will be a lot of flotsam on the lake for the next couple of weeks. If you are boating, be aware that some of the logs, old boards and even docks barely rise above the water and are difficult to see.

Tai Chi

A four week introduction to tai chi will start at 10 am on Tuesday, May 7^th at Sportsman's Lodge. Pre-registration is not required. Wear flat shoes (running shoes are fine) and loose clothing.

Practicing tai chi improves balance and can help you to maintain, and regain your mobility.

Road Clean-up

Reminder to volunteers to pick up litter along the local roads! Contact KEW to let us know what section you have completed. If there are large objects, we will contact the city to arrange a special pick-up. If this is your first time participating in the road clean-up, please contact KEW. kewatch@gmail.com

KEWatch Spring News 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:57:00 +0000

Kukagami Environment Watch Area News

kewatch.blogspot.ca Spring 2013

A snowdrift is a beautiful thing - if it doesn’t lie across the path you have to shovel or block the road that leads to your destination. Hal Borland

It is the first day of Spring!
And the snow just keeps coming. This is great news for traditionalists. Remember what winter used to be like? Lots of snow until the end of April? Might as well get out and enjoy it. The ski trails are still in good shape, but spring conditions allow skiing everywhere - so get out and explore! Don’t ski? No problem. Take the snow machine out for a cruise, or snowshoe through the bush, or just go for a hike on the lake one sunny day this weekend. The long days of spring are made for being outside.

Comet Watch
During March, comet PANSTARRS may be viewable if you have a totally unobstructed view of the western horizon for about 15 minutes after twilight. Any clear evening in the next few days, be sure to go out for a look. The comet will begin to fade away slowly over the next week, becoming difficult to view (even with binoculars or small telescopes) by month's end. The comet will appear as a bright point of light with its diffuse tail pointing nearly straight up from the horizon like an exclamation point.

Spring Road Clean-up
Once the snow finally melts away, KEW will host the annual spring Road Clean up! Between now and May 5th, you can sign up to clear the litter from a section of Kukagami and Fox Roads. To register for your section of the road, drop a line here at kewatch@gmail.com.
Bring a friend – it’s a fine way to spend a spring day while at camp.
**Please note! The City wants us to sort the roadside trash into separate bags of recyclables and garbage. We have clear bags for the recyclables, and black bags for the garbage. Please let us know if you need these supplies!**
You also need to sign a waiver. Please wear a bright orange vest while working…and keep yourself safe!

Water Watcher
www.watercooperation2013.org
2013 is the International Year of Water Cooperation, and this Friday is World Water Day. If you are in Sudbury, there will be a lunch hour hike at the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area. Meet at the Nature Chalet at 2309 South Bay Rd at 12:15 for this 3 km hike.

Keeping our Lake Water Clean…tips from Earthcare Sudbury:

At the Shoreline
Priority: Protect natural habitat where plants, fish and other animals live, grow and help keep our lakes clean and healthy.

Leave or create shoreline buffer strips.
Keep most of your shoreline natural.
Use dock designs that don't obstruct water circulation or disturb the lake or stream bed (eg. floating docks or docks constructed on stilts).
Leave aquatic plants in the water.
Avoid disrupting fish habitat during spawning and early rearing periods.

Our Stories

The KEW story teller begins another series of Kukagami tales about life on our shores. Expect references to our drives along our roads. Monique Taylor invites you to share in the fun of recreating special moments from your family's memories. If you don't want to write just give her some details (exaggerations welcomed). Your family can edit final copy, before printing.
Call or email Monique
705 853-4772
moniquetaylor@explornet.com

Our Camps on the Shores of Kukagami Lake

"When I bought my 'camp', I did not know what a bargain I had in the bluebirds, daffodils and thrushes; as little did I know what sublime mornings and sunsets I was buying." Adapted Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Road

Tales about wilderness surrounding Kukagami Lake suggest an interest about what trails lead to the shore. Any initial excursion to the North End guarantees discoveries about early 20th Century human activities .

Children return from their first adventures with wonder. "There's a really old mine, with parts of a rail, and you have to bend down to walk in, and it's really dark and when you shine your flashlight you can see lots of bats. So, how did miners get there?"

Teenagers - older, experienced adventurers - pipe up, "Did you find the broken-down logging camp? When we searched, we found some parts of a broken-down building. Grandpa said there once was a horse stable there. But nobody can see a trail through the forest. So how did the people get there?"

Around the fireplace, discoveries are shared. "We found what was left of a burned down place!"
"I jumped into the lake and saw a bunch of upright logs up against the shore, then I dove down and found a really ancient Pepsi bottle. Let's go look for more stuff."

Stories about early decades of 20th century, folk tales and maybe legends about hardy trappers, hunters, and prospectors are part of our Kukagami heritage.
By mid 20th Century, we know that three lodges brought eager hunters and fishermen to our shores and guided the men seeking the thrill of a wilderness adventure to areas where moose, bears and lake trout were plentiful. The building of hunt camps began. The next half century saw rough hewn camps being built around the bays. Each summer, the sounds of men hard at work and joyful children hard at play broke the wilderness silence. By 1970's, at least one hundred families had become summer residents and they filled their homes with relatives and friends.

Those early pioneers had hacked out a dusty, bumpy, winding, hilly, rough, narrow road to parts of our shores.
An earlier Kukagami story reminds us of the journeys. "Kukagami Lake irresistibly draws us to its forests, to its shores, to our friends and neighbours, even though travelling along the narrow winding 'road' was mostly an unpleasant adventure."
The unpleasant adventures repeated week after week, after week, always ended with a greeting. "How's the road?”
Visitors usually responded, "You call that cow trail, a road?"
"At least, we have a road to our driveway", responded some lucky campers.

In the late 70's campers further down the lake hired Leo McGillis to bulldoze a road from Rivais' driveway to Bellevilles. Leo created the infamous chainsaw hill where cars grinded their way up.
The neighbourly Kukagami greeting, "How's the road?" received bitter responses.
"Lost my muffler!" "Got a flat." "You call that a road?"

The last decades of the 20th Century brought rapid changes - hydro arrived by overhead lines and underwater cables, telephones replaced C.B.radios- with the changes came modernization. Camps were turned into cozy cottages, some well-loved camps were replaced by brand new houses built by experienced contractors using brand new materials.
During 1st decade of 21st century, more and more retirees chose to enjoy our wilderness year round. Perhaps, they chose to "live life to the fullest". Long time residents, the Robinsons, the Spyrkas and the lodge owners welcomed new year-round neighbours.

And now, no matter the season, Kukagami conversations begin with some version of the early "Where's the trail?" First words - in person, by phone or e-mail - "How's the road?"
The road has changed dramatically, but the question, and answers, echo the past.

Where is that?
KEW is creating a map with our local place names. Here’s the first place…as mentioned in the story above. Chainsaw Hill is now a lovely walking trail, located just past #450 on Fox Road.

In Memory:
On January 2nd our lakeside community lost one of its own, Sylvia (Cyr) Malette.
Sylvie was a loving wife, mother & grandmother looking forward to the birth of her first great grandchild. Proud of her children, she was pleased as punch with the antics of her very busy young grandsons, Kevin & Keith, (better known as "Kiki"). They could do no wrong in her eyes & sure kept Sylvia on her toes. Then after a long wait, finally a granddaughter...her beloved Magalie.
I remember card games with Remi & his Sylvie, sitting around the table, comfy in the warmth of the woodstove she was so proud to own. So many laughs & good times. The others at the table all spoke French, so sometimes an expression had to be translated into English for me & we'd laugh all over again as they attempted to have it make sense to me. We'd munch on snacks, while Sylvia would talk about the latest project she had lined up for Remi. She would deliver him to a job site to do some drywalling & inspect the work he had done to date.
There were numerous bus trips to the casino or to see a concert, and she met many new friends on these excursions.
She pitched in at the annual Campers' Picnic doing everything from running the kiddie fish pond to working at the bake table.
We hadn't had much contact the last few years, but the memories of good times linger.

No two snowflakes are ever the same, so they say, and no two people are ever exactly identical. Sylvia, there will never be another one quite like you.
Remi, Sue, Michael and families know that she will be missed by all those whose path she crossed.

"You can remember her and only that she has passed on or,

Do as she would want, smile, love each other and go on."

Website and Newsletter
The KEW newsletter is published quarterly, and sent by email to any interested person. The Website is updated randomly through the year – so check for new information and photos! Submit photos and news items to our email – listed below.

If you know anyone who would like to receive the KEW newsletter, send his or her e-mail address to kewatch@gmail.com. If you would like to be removed from the list, please reply to this address.

Kukagami Environment Watch Winter Newsletter 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Kukagami Environment Watch) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:52:00 +0000

Kukagami Environment Watch Area News Winter 2013
www.kewatch.blogspot.com

"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home." Edith Sitwell

Winter has arrived!

After a long and lovely autumn, winter has finally come to Kukagami. The last bit of water turned to ice on the chilly night of December 24^th. Time to get outside… snowshoeing, skiing, skidooing, ice fishing…enjoy!

Satellite Photo from January 2, 2013

Find this view of our world online at http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/subsets/?subset=USA4 . Wednesday this week was sunny and cold, resulting in this excellent photo. Lake Nipissing has been frozen over for weeks. Lake Wanapitae has just begun to gather ice. Kukagami has been iced over since December 24^th.

Photos

The KEW website has winter photos of freeze-up and snowy landscapes. It is a great place to post stories and photos. Send these to us at kewatch@gmail.com and we'll get them online!

Trails, trails, trails!

Respect is the key. Let's all enjoy winter's pleasures.

Sudbury Trail Plan on Kukagami. The skidoo trail was checked on December 30th, and had at least 5 inches of ice. STP trails on local lakes will be staked this weekend. Except Wanapitae, of course! It always takes much longer to get ice.

Cross-country ski trails are now ready! Skiers can enjoy the easy 2.5 km trail, or the more challenging 4.5 km trail. Trails begin by the big white pine at the north entrance to Sportsman's Lodge.

Snowshoe trails are packed. The joy of snowshoeing is that you can go anywhere...trails not required! But if you don't want to trudge through a ton of snow, try out two nearby trails. A lovely short trail winds through the forest of ancient white pines across the road from Sportsman's Lodge. Please be careful not to step on the ski tracks. The loop goes into the forest at the junction of the ski trail.

Skating on the lake was great for nearly a week at the end of December. Some folks here and there make an effort to keep some ice free of snow. If you have a skating area that you would like to share with neighbours, let KEW know and we can pass on the info through the website.

Winter Walks Many winter folks walk along the road each day. When the conditions are good, walking on the lake is a great way to enjoy the beauty of winter.

Logging Update

After a long autumn of logging to the west of the Wolf Lake Forest Reserve, operations are now complete. This note from the company: Hauling out of the Wolf Mountain area is now complete. There might be some machinery left to remove from the work area, but this will be it for operations in the Kukagami area for the winter.

2013 - The International Year of Water Cooperation

The "Water for Life" decade is an International Decade for Action declared by the United Nations to occur from 2005-2015. Within this decade, 2013 was declared the International Year of Water Cooperation.

In Sudbury, we are surrounded by water and we may not appreciate the valuable resource that is all around us. Let's join the global dialogue on water with the EarthCare Sudbury "Water 2013" campaign. Browse the Earthcare Sudbury newsletter to find ways to conserve water, protect our water sources, but also to enjoy our "City of Lakes".

Here is an Update on the Roads from our Matagamasi Neighbour:

The logging company did an excellent job in sanding the Matagamasi Lake Road this year.

We have had a few people hit the ditch this winter. On December the 23rd the Deputy Mayor of Matag took the ditch, no damage to the vehicle only to ones pride but the Jeep Liberty was able to pull him out. From a reliable source the Kukagami Princess ended up in the ditch on the 27th as well. Ever helpful neighbours quickly came to the rescue and lifted her small car out of the snow bank.

In other words Slow Down.

Here are a few items that one should keep in ones vehicle during the winter:
Mitts, Hats, Candle, Shovel, Tow rope, Blanket, Flares, Flashlight, Sand/Cat Litter, as well as Booster Cables.

_______________________________

If you know anyone who would like to receive the KEW newsletter, send his or her e-mail address to kewatch@gmail.com. If you would like to be removed from the list, please reply to this address.