Big Cedar Lake – Latest News


2016 PaddleFest “Fill the Canoe”

Once again, Big Cedar Lake residents, cottagers, and friends paddled the waters of Big Cedar Lake, enjoyed each other’s company at the BBQ social, and donated generously to fill the canoe for the Lakefield and North Kawartha Food Banks.

We had 50 paddlers this year (on canoes, kayaks, paddleboats, and SUPs)
91 people attended the BBQ (with a hearty welcome to first time attenders!)
532.2 lbs. of food donated by generous Big Cedar residents, cottagers, and guests
479 items donated to the Food Banks of North Kawartha and Lakefield
60 dollars in monetary donations to the Food Banks
130 sausages and hotdogs barbecued by Rick!
Numerous wonderful salads, accompaniments, and desserts were brought by participants to round out the meal. And, there was a celebratory cake!
Many thanks to everyone for the generous donations to the Food Banks.
Thanks, Big Cedar Neighbours! You are the best!
Chris Liedtke and Rick Orlowski

P.S. A special note of thanks to Diane Trauzzi and Darcy Wefers for coordinating the wonderful draw prizes for the BBQ social!

See some pictures in the Gallery

Paddlefest 2016 – “Fill the Canoe” gratefully acknowledges and thanks our generous donors:

Dave Church & Family, Haultain Service
Ron Warburton, Woodview General Store
Kawartha Home Hardware, Lakefield
Lakefield IDA Pharmacy
Lakefield Foodland
Big Cedar Country Store
Guardian Apsley Pharmacy
Sayers Foodland, Apsley
Apsley Home Hardware
JoAnne Graham, Bowes & Cocks Realty Ltd.
Tyler Graham, Graham Carpentry
Debbie Homewood
Suzanne Schnob
Darcy and Tom Wefers
Chris and Bob Goulding
Edith Moore
Enid Mallory
Chris Liedtke
Diane Trauzzi

2016 President’s Letter re: Trent University Weevil Project Update

Read here.

2016 President’s Letter

Read here.

2016 AGM

2016 AGM report.
Nomination form for a Director position.

New Proposed In Water Structures Bylaw

Re: Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw to Regulate In-Water Buildings and Structures, such as docks and boathouses

While the BCLSA aims to keep its members informed about topics of interest, the association does not have a mandate to represent its members’ position on this specific topic. Any BCLSA representatives who attend this meeting do so as individual cottagers, and not as representatives of the BCLSA.

Mayor’s Message March 2016

If I suggest that this has been a busy winter for Council, I am sure that most of you who have been following our work, will agree.

There are several topics which I wish to reflect upon but the most important to many is that which has come to be known as the “dock/boathouse” issue. Many will recognize this topic as the “Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw to Regulate In-Water Buildings and Structures” evolving from Justice Perell’s Order of June 18, 2015.

My last Mayor’s Message, January 2016, spoke to the Public Meetings in August and September, along with several notices and reports posted on our website and sent to everyone who subscribed to the Township news feed. There was an open house held at the Woodview Community Centre on the afternoon of January 26, 2016 followed by a formal Public Meeting held in the evening of the same day at the North Kawartha Community Centre. Council also deliberated on the matter at its Council meetings of February 16 and March 1, 2016.

Once again, communication and the struggle to convey “accurate” information has been a significant challenge. The ability of Council, and previous Councils, to communicate effectively with both permanent and specifically, seasonal residents, during winter months has been difficult. This Council is committed to improving the ability to communicate in a timely fashion.

I will not repeat what I reported in the last Message, but I will highlight that all meetings to which I referred have been posted on the Township website and have been reported to those who subscribe. We will improve our processes as time and resources permit but I encourage all residents to subscribe. Simply go to the Township website; click on the subscribe box under “News”, and there you can request to be notified of: “Announcements”, “Council News”, “Media Releases”, “Public Notices” etc. or you may select to receive everything. This news and information will automatically be sent to your email address which you may open at any time, at your convenience, anywhere in the world.

Please subscribe and stay connected to North Kawartha.

Resulting from the Perell decision, Council is charged with the duty of determining the best solution to this matter for the community. Council has accepted this duty. It is also committed to consulting with the community which it has done to the best of its ability. Council has received advice from our professional planners and lawyers. It has spent an inordinate amount of time doing what it sees as best for the community-at-large. Council believes that it is prudent to proceed with a draft bylaw expeditiously.

As many have reminded me, I ran on a platform of transparency. I also ran on a platform of responsibility. Clearly both of these principles have been utilized.

Information which you may have received from other sources did not mention that many other municipalities have addressed the very issues which we have been directed to address. Good planning is based upon a review of their success. The draft bylaw, if approved, could be reviewed after some 15 months to evaluate its success when seasonal residents are in the area. Appropriate changes could then be made to meet the specific needs of N.K. Note: that any dock which is in-place at the moment would be grandfathered; anyone wishing to install a dock that exceeds the limits in the by-law could apply for a variance.

If you attended one or both of the meetings in August or September 2015, you will recall that Council committed to dock builders that

Council would do everything possible to ensure that the sale and installation of docks would not be impacted for the summer of 2016.

Recently, we heard very clearly from many seasonal residents and dock builders that the approach being followed is not acceptable; consequently Council has deferred voting on the bylaw and will host another Public Meeting on May 28th, 2016 at 1000h at the NKCC.

The deferral of the draft Bylaw may impact the commitment that Council made to dock builders.

There are risks attached to this approach.

Council will monitor developments over the remaining months and will act accordingly when necessary.

Other topics which Council will review in the near future are the Haastown Holdings project in Winters Bay, an ATV bylaw, recruitment of new staff, the 2016 budget, the North Kawartha Health Centre.

Remember: If you wish to receive timely information from North Kawartha, please subscribe.

Read this news update on our website


Osprey rescue

Peterborough, ON, Canada / (CHEXTV)
August 10, 2015 05:33 pm. Osprey rescued on Big Cedar Lake.

It was quite the rescue operation this afternoon on Big Cedar Lake near Burleigh Falls. No, it wasn’t for a boater or swimmer in distress… It was for an osprey.
Mark Giunta reports on CHEXTV.

Paddlefest August 8th, 2015 – Another great success!

A fun non-motorized rally on the waters of Big Cedar Lake. Participants paddled their canoes, kayaks, or used paddleboats to complete a route and check in at designated checkpoints.

Once again, Big Cedar Lake cottagers and residents paddled the waters of Big Cedar Lake, enjoyed each other’s company at the BBQ social, and donated generously to fill the canoe for the Lakefield and North Kawartha Food Banks.

This year featured Bring it to the Table where donations were made by people that had made their own items. Donations were also made by cottagers of other items as-well-as lots of donations from local businesses.

We had 55 paddlers this year: (on kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards)
100 people attended the BBQ social

458.2 lbs. of food donated by generous Big Cedar Lake residents, cottagers, and guests
537 items donated to the Food Banks of North Kawartha and Lakefield
175 dollars in monetary donations to the Food Banks
27 business owners and 18 individuals generously donated draw prizes!
156 sausages and hotdogs barbecued by Rick!
Numerous wonderful salads, accompaniments, and desserts brought by participants to round out the meal

Many thanks to everyone for the generous donations to the Food Bank.

Thanks, Big Cedar Neighbours!
Chris Liedtke
Rick Orlowski
Dave Madden

See pictures of the 2015 Paddlefest

Paddlefest 2015 “Fill the Canoe” gratefully acknowledges and thanks our generous donors:

Dave Church & Family, Haultain Service
JoAnne Graham, Bowes & Cocks Realty Ltd.
Kawartha Home Hardware, Lakefield
The Market, Lakefield and Burleigh Falls
Tyler Graham, Graham Carpentry
Lakefield IDA Pharmacy
Woodview General Store
Haa-Choo, Apsley
Adventure Outfitters, Lakefield
Lockside Trading Company, Young’s Point
Flannigan’s Butcher Shop, Lakefield
Tucker’s Marine, Apsley
The Thirsty Loon, Lakefield
Griffin’s Greenhouses
The Movie People, Lakefield
M&M Meat Shop, Lakefield
The Lakefield Pantry
Horlings Garden Centre
Stuff, Lakefield
Lakefield Foodland
Lakefield Auto Parts
Lakefield Animal Welfare Society
Guardian Apsley Pharmacy
Sayers Foodland, Apsley
Apsley Home Hardware
Woodview Golf
Big Cedar General Store
Debbie Homewood
Cliff Homewood
Monica Lynch
Darcy Wefers
Suzanne Schnob and John Graham
Jack and Welma May
Peter Friberg
Janette DeBoer
Luke Hartman
Wendy Foxall
Brian Baker
Chris and Bob Goulding
Edith Moore
Ann Colmer
Enid Mallory

Ontario Nature visit July 19th 2015

Edith Moore arranged for volunteers from Ontario Nature to come to our lake and give a presentation on Sunday, July 19th. This was a great success and incredibly interesting. We found many amazing little creatures. A special thank you to Edith, Ed and Jon.

Ed Poropat and Jon Boxall provided information about the Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas (ORAA), the main citizen science project of Ontario Nature. They are two of the volunteer Atlas Area Coordinators for south central Ontario. They took us on a walk to find some of the species found in the area. Participants learned how to report sightings of turtles, snakes, and more.

President’s Letter, May 2015

Read it Here

New page: Water Stewardship Information

For information on water stewardship in the Kawarthas see Water Stewardship.

President’s Letter, February 2015

Read it Here


2014 PaddleFest August 9th

The 2014 PaddleFest was a great success. A special thank you to all volunteers and contributors.
Check out the Gallery for some photos.

PaddleFest 2014 “Fill the Canoe” gratefully acknowledges and thanks our generous donors:

Dave Church & Family, Haultain Service
JoAnne Graham, Bowes & Cocks Realty
Debbie Homewood
Woodview General Store
Tyler Graham, Graham Carpentry
Lakefield IDA Pharmacy
Kawartha Home Hardware, Lakefield
Haa-Choo, Apsley
Lakefield Auto Parts
Lakefield Foodland
Big Cedar Country Store
Apsley Home Hardware
Flannigan’s Butcher Shop
Guardian/Rexall Apsley Pharmacy
Lakefield Pantry
Sayers Foodland, Apsley
Kawartha Cottage Wear, Apsley
Lockside Trading Company, Young’s Point
Adventure Outfitters
Sunblockers, Lakefield
Cottage Life Magazine
M & M Meat Shop
The Chocolate Rabbit
The Island Grill, Burleigh Falls
The Market, Lakefield
The Stuff Store, Lakefield
Brittany ‘N’ Bros.
Jamie Jeffrey
Julia Madden
Jack May
Luke Hartmann
Heather Hoenselaar
Suzanne Schnob and John Graham
Enid Mallory

Paddlefest 2014 “Fill the Canoe” by the numbers!

• We had 74 paddlers this year: (on kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards)
• Over 110 people attended the BBQ social
• Over 500 lbs. of food donated by generous Big Cedar Lake residents, cottagers, and guests
• 392 items donated to the Food Banks of North Kawartha and Lakefield
• 115 dollars in monetary donations to the Food Banks
• We had 34 very generous donors for draw prizes!
• 68+ draw prizes [as well as smaller kids’ prizes offered at the end of the draws]
• 156 sausages and hotdogs barbecued by Rick!
• numerous wonderful salads, accompaniments, and desserts brought by participants to round out the meal [next year: bigger plates!]

Many thanks to everyone for the generous donations to the Food Bank.
Pat Quast of the North Kawartha Food Bank wrote in an email: “the people of Big Cedar are awesome!” and wanted me to extend a “HUGE THANK-YOU” to all of you!
The co-chairs of the Lakefield Food Bank, Sandy Peacock and Janelle Surge were also thankful, writing: “Your gifts provide hope!”

Thanks, Big Cedar Neighbours!
Chris Liedtke
Rick Orlowski
Dave Madden

January 2014 latest weevils report

See 2013 Milfoil Solution® Progress Report for the latest news on the weevils.


Read the article that was published in the Apsley Voice

View EnviroScience Report 2011

See also the latest on the Weevil Project

June 2011 Storm

In the 2011 summer storm a few trees were blown down and it looks like at least one cottage was damaged as-well-as one boathouse. The hydro was off from Wednesday to Saturday night too.