Spring 2014

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.

     **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 - Keeping Our Lake Water Clean

…tips from Earthcare Sudbury

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

1. Educate yourself about lake ecology and your lake's health.
2. Start a buffer strip by leaving some vegetation uncut near the water's edge.
3. Use organic compost on your lawn, flower beds, and in your garden instead of fertilizers and pesticides.
4. Use phosphate free detergents and soaps.
5. Replace your turf lawn with hardy drought resistant grass mixtures.
6. Retain or plant native shoreline vegetation adjacent to the water to protect your shoreline and filter pollution.
7. Direct the run-off from rooftops, driveways and patios away from the lake.
8. Maintain your septic system – have it inspected every two years and pumped out regularly.
9. Learn to identify non-native invasive aquatic animals and plants; check your boat and motor for invaders.
10. Do not feed geese, ducks or other wildlife.
11. 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

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