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.
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