Spring 2025 Newsletter
Hello from Roy,
I hope everyone had a fabulous winter and you are now enjoying the spring season. As I write this newsletter the trilliums are starting to come out which also means the blackflies are back. For me personally it has been a busy start to spring. Maple syrup season is my reminder that winter is coming to an end. I always enjoy this activity as it gets me outside all day, and there is nothing better than watching sap boil (lol). Also, trout season opened last weekend and this is a special time for me, as I get to spend the weekend with my son enjoying the outdoors. We enjoyed a few great days of fishing.
It seems my schedule will become even busier this year as I was elected Chair of the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority in April. I look forward to this opportunity.
Our executive members met in April and started plans for our BLA summer season. The AGM has been scheduled for July 13 at 10am. We will be hosting the AGM at our usual spot, Clar-Mill Community Hall in Plevna. Also, we have scheduled our Social BBQ for August 23rd (more details below). Last year's event was a great success, so come out and socialize with your neighbours.
Hope everyone has a great spring.
See you soon.
Newsletter at a glance
● Membership
● AGM
● Tree Planting
● BLA Social
● Photo Contest
● Environmental Task Force
● Your board members
Membership
The Buckshot Lake Association can only be successful if we are able to have a healthy membership. Last year our membership total reached 85. We had a strong enrollment drive with members of the board knocking on doors and asking for your support. We ask all members to renew today. Please talk to friends and neighbours on the lake, who are not registered; tell them about all the good things the BLA does for our community.
It would be great if we can continue to grow our membership. We have set a goal for this year - 90 memebers. For those who have not yet renewed, you can simply go to the BLA website and follow the membership intructions. Thank you for your support.
AGM
This year our Annual General Meeting will be held July 13th at 10am at Clar-Mill Community Hall in Plevna. Our guest speakers have not been confirmed at this time, but we will be presenting our usual reports and give you an opportunity to ask board members and local municipal councilors any questions you may have. If you have any topics that you would like included in the agenda, please let us know.
Tree Planting
This year we have partnered with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority in a Lake Tree Planting day. For those of you who are participating you should have received information from the MVCA. Please see the information flyer below for details.
BLA Social
Last year's social event was a huge success. We had a great turnout and the weather cooperated. We have scheduled the event this year for August 23rd from 12pm to 3pm. Once again the BLA will host the BBQ free of charge. We have added a fun event for kids who want to participate in a cardboard boat race.
The social event will also be used as a membership drive. So if you have neighbours that are not members, please invite them to attend. Visiting guests of members are also welcome.
We would like to thank Mike and Mary Ann Ward for allowing us to use their property for the event once again. I look forward to good food and conversation. More information will be sent out closer to the date. We will be asking for RSVPs later in the year, so we can plan appropriately.
Photo Contest
Photo Contest
We are happy to announce that the Photo Contest will continue this year. This has been very popular with our members. It is always so nice to see all of the great photos each year. It's amazing that we have so many talented photographers on our lake.
Photos eligible for the contest can be taken from September 9, 2024 to September 7, 2025.
We would like to thank Russ Brown for coordinating the photo contest.
See more details below.
Environmental Task Force
As mentioned at last year's AGM, North Frontenac has created an Environmental Task Force. This was a result of the Strategic Plan which the Township created with help from all stakeholders.
Currently, the taskforce is working on many initiatives. One of the first that was brought to council was the idea of mandatory septic inspections. The task force proposed that a good starting point would be that all properties that are sold would require a septic inspection. North Frontenac Council has approved the motion for staff to investigate creating this by-law. The Township and the Task Force continue to support voluntary inspections which are offered by North Frontenac.
The next initiative that is being looked at is battery storage in the Township of North Frontenac. This will be a large project which must be located near a hydro corridor. Given this, it is currently unlikely that such a project will be within visual or audible range of our Buckshot Lake community. The batteries will store electricity at night and then distribute it during peak times during the day. There are many benefits for the electricity grid, the township and our community that will require further investigation. The Township will need to declare that they are a willing host. As the project moves forward there will be opportunity for public consultation. The Task Force is currently working on a fact sheet that will be posted on the North Frontenac Township website.
On another note, the North Frontenac Task Force is also meeting with Addington Highlands, provincial and federal government representatives to discuss the invasive Eurasian Milfoil concerns.
Your BLA Executive Members:
● Roy Huetl President
● Russ Brown Past President
● Paul Asselin Treasurer
● Leslie Hoyt Secretary
● Vikram Joshi Web Admin
● Mary Ann Ward Membership Director