CRYSTAL LAKE COTTAGERS- MARCH NEWSLETTER April 1st 2011

Greetings!

Finally, I have a monthly update that is actually at the end of that month! We had one last heavy, wet snowfall in mid-March and than unusually cold nighttime temperatures during March Break and the following week. Spring officially arrived at 7:21 p.m. on March 20th- about the same time I saw my first robin (March 17th) and first red-wing blackbird (March 19th). Both birds are considered to be harbingers of Spring. I guess I should also mention that the Canada Geese are also back.

Our main roads are dry but use caution as there are many frost heaves, many potholes, and a significant accumulation of sand (from the sanding of the roads this past winter).

NOTICE TO ALL CRYSTAL LAKE COTTAGERS!

The combination of our Lake waters rising near record low temperatures for 7 days daytime temps hovering around 0 (lower with the wind chill) = the formation of 10 cm (4 inches) of new ice. This time period was from last Wednesday, March 23rd to Tuesday, March 29th. This new ice formed around anything that was in, at, or near the shore. The power of the movement of the lake ice was hard to believe. The noise of the ice was also profound. It boomed and growled and cracked. Suffice it to say that all cottagers should check their docks, gangplanks, piers, decks, and flotation systems. There is a chance that your structure may be compromised.

I had the opportunity to check many areas of our Lake over the past week. Note: I am a runner (or like to think I am) and conditions have been ideal for running on the Lake. The bonuses of lake running are that there is very little traffic and there are no hills! I would say that the damage to shore structures began Friday night and intensified on Saturday and Sunday. Here are some of my observations:

• Docks that were frozen into the ice appeared to move with the ice and apparently not affected. These docks were not connected to land in any way.
• Many structures that were on piers (cement, wood, or metal) have been compromised. I noticed piers knocked over, on angles, split, or twisted depending on the material that was used.
• Some structures that were frozen in the ice but still connected to the shore (gangplanks) had the gangplanks either jack-knife or buckle or the decking shift or twist

As of mid-March break, there was somewhere between 30cm (12 inches) and 40cm (16 inches). Until yesterday, there was not a lot of melting happening. There is to be a warm-up of temperatures this weekend. If you are unable to check your dock or deck, maybe contact a neighbour that can do that for you.

ICE SKATING PARTY UPDATE:
This is a ‘Shout-Out’ to Nevil and Diane Knupp and their friends for a very successful skating party on the Sunday of Family Day Weekend. 175 people attended this event and a great time was had by all. This is the second year for the skating party.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Saturday, April 9th @ 2 p.m. @ The Galway Hall ‘The Tarnished Angels Band’ Songs to Move the Spirit. Tickets available at the door for $ 10.00
• Wednesday, April 13th @ 6:45 p.m. @ The Galway Hall Easter Bingo
• Monday, April 18th @ 9:45 a.m. @ The Galway Hall Taoist Tai Chi ‘Open House’
• Saturday, April 30th @ The Galway Hall 17th Annual Dinner/ Auction Fundraiser See the poster for all the details on our CLCA website

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