PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

 

Greetings from the Moon River!

 

This winter was long and cold which was great for any of you OFSC trail pass holders although as we now know, not so great for our water levels.

 

Last year we saw Sandy Currie step down as President of MRPOA and I (Drew Cowern) step into the role.  We also welcomed Dawson Currie and Caren McTavish to our Board of Directors for 2019 and look forward to their fresh ideas.

 

As always we are looking for volunteers so if you or anyone you know would like more information about what is involved with keeping MRPOA running, please contact any of the current Directors.

  

Pushing into 2019 your Directors are all hard at work getting then new season’s events line- up ready.

 

Kicking off summer, the Canada Day Jazz Cruise will be serenading the River on the Sunday of the Canada Day long weekend. Please see our website for more information.  

 

MRPOA directors have been assessing the recent flood issues on the Moon River and we intend to remain in close contact with the Township of Muskoka Lakes (TML) Mayor and Councillors to ensure that we are well represented as the Water Management plan is revised.

 

I personally was affected by the floods as much as anyone on the Moon River, however, with help from friends, family, neighbours and the volunteer fire department working with TML, we were able to save our newly built home.  It really reinforced what a strong community we have!

 

 

It’s times like these that being a member of MRPOA is so important - the more members we have the more power we will have when approaching the Township and District for assistance or changes needed to protect property on the Moon River. I assure you that I will be pushing hard over the next year for better management of the Moon River water levels in the future. 

 

I look forward to seeing everyone come back to the Moon over the next few weeks, as our summer events get closer, once docks are in and boats are floating please feel free to stop by my dock and say hi anytime!  

 

See you on the Moon!! 
 

Drew Cowern

 

IMPORTANT DATES & ACTIVITIES

 

June 8 - Members’ Spring Meeting – Legion

June 30 - Canada Day Jazz Cruise

Aug 4 - Family Fun Day/Regatta – Jaspen Park 

Aug 10- Golf Tournament-Muskoka Woodlands 

Aug 24 - Annual General Meeting – Legion

 

Looking forward to a Sun and Fun-filled Summer on the Moon!

 

MEMBERS’ SPRING MEETING – Sat June 8th

 

Join us on Sat. June 8 at 9:15am for Coffee and Muffins prior to the Spring Members’ Meeting to be held at the Bala Legion.  It’s a great way to re-acquaint yourself with your neighbours and catch up on the issues, including Flood information, and other current events on the Moon River and Bala area. Registration starts at 9:00am and the meeting will begin at 10:00am sharp.

 

 

MEMBERSHIP

 

Our 2019 Early Bird Renewal Campaign is well under way. For those who have not yet taken advantage of this offer, it is not too late!  Simply complete in full, the enclosed Early Bird Renewal Application and return it, along with your cheque for $40. The deadline is May 31st.

 

Muskoka is facing a number of very important issues which will affect the environment and water quality of the region for generations to come. For this reason your membership support is more important than ever. Our voice is only as strong as our membership.

 

Membership fees support our objectives:

 

- To represent our members and be an advocate for waterfront property owners.

 

- To keep our members informed regarding issues of interest.

 

- To promote and undertake activities necessary to preserve the environmental health of the Moon River, such as water testing.

 

- To organize social activities such as the Canada Day Jazz Cruise, Regatta Family Fun Day, and Golf Tournament.

 

The Board would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members who have donated to our Canada Day Jazz Cruise. Your donations make it possible for us to continue with this very popular event.

 

This year we plan to continue accepting donations for the West Muskoka Food Bank at our meetings and social events.

 

 

 

 

Last year was a great success and we hope to make this year even better.

 

This year please plan to attend our Spring and Annual General (AGM) meetings. Join us for Coffee & Goodies at the Meet and Greet prior to our meetings. They are a great opportunity for new members to meet their neighbours and returning members to catch up.

 

WATER QUALITY TESTING

 

The quality of water is critically important to both our enjoyment, and the plant and animal life it supports. With that in mind, we are happy to report that our water quality results indicate that the Moon River water quality remains consistently good.

 

Last year, E.coli levels at all sites were well below unacceptable levels. Our water clarity test results were the best they have   been. Phosphorus levels were the lowest recorded to date. Phosphorus is a naturally occurring element and one of the 3 nutrients required by all forms of life. So having some Phosphorus is important to our lake ecosystems, however, having too much is not a good thing.

 

We can maintain lower levels of Phosphorus by not using  chemical nor natural fertilizers (manure) fertilizers, maintaining  septic systems and have  tanks pumped out every 3 to 5 years.

 

 

 

 

 

Make sure that your property has as little hard surface as possible, and maintain vegetation like trees, flowers and shrubs, especially near the shoreline. This will prevent storm-water from entering the river, prevent erosion, and deter the geese from visiting. 

 

We have discontinued testing for zinc and mercury at the Bala Falls as the site has been completely excavated and there were no high levels of containments detected. 

 

The 2018 water quality report, as well as all previous year’s reports, can be found on the MRPOA website at:

http://www.mrpoa.org/water-testing.

 

We would like to thank our water testing volunteers Jessica Ylanko, Hannu Ylanko, Bill Purkis, Barry Fisher, Hayley Masson, Cathy Brown, Mike Malone, Bruno Polewski, Dave and Barbara MacIntosh and Cathy Malcolmson who were out on the water gathering samples. 

 

Volunteers from MRPOA will be on the water again this year, testing your water quality. If you would like to join our team or spend a morning on the river with us, please contact Dawson Currie at:

 416-802-8135 or dawsoncurrie1@gmail.com.

 

We encourage everyone on the River to follow The Moon River Code. Please remember to keep contaminants from entering the water and maintain a natural vegetation shoreline to help deter geese from “fowling” the river.

 

 

JAZZ CRUISE 2019

 

 

Again this year we will be having the Jazz Cruise on the Canada Day long weekend.  This year the Jazz Cruise date will be Sunday, June 30th.  The cruise will feature the Regal Jazz Band from Collingwood and Bala’s own Jack Hutton. The route will be the same as in the past and we will send an email to members outlining the timing prior to the cruise date.

 

FAMILY FUN DAY/REGATTA – Sunday, August 4th 2019

 

Our annual Family Fun Day/Regatta is a few months away, and the planning has already begun. Before we begin we would like to say A BIG Thank You once again to Jarry Hutchinson & Mike Malone for stepping up and donating their time on the day to keep us all fed, without them we would not be able to provide the fuel needed for the athletes to bring home the GOLD!

 

Please remember, if you won a trophy last year to bring it back to the park on the day of the Regatta or if that is not possible please email me to arrange a drop off.  

 

The Regatta NEEDS YOU! We really need more participants - so this year we are asking families to bring friends or leave a note for renters to let them know about this wonderful family event!! We will post the schedule for the day on our website at www.mrpoa.org so that everyone has lots of time to download/print and share the events for the day! There will also be copies available on the day of the event.

 

 

 

The Jaspen Park event will start at 11:00am as usual, with the Open Long Distance Swim from “Roselawn Lodge” on River Street. While everyone not in the water is getting registered, we’ll have the treasure hunt for the kids (10 & under) and the Open Canoe Race around White Birch Island. There will be events for all age groups, even all you adults!!  

Everyone loves the canoe races, the hurry- scurry fours and, of course, the in-and-out canoe race. Who will be the first to tip the canoe? The racing ends with the very funny Land - Ski Race. It is impossible to pick which team will cross the finish line first or be the first team to be on the ground in a human pile up. The awards presentation closes the day at around 4:00pm with great prizes donated by members and local businesses. Without their support we would not have such a historic and fun event! So please support our local businesses!  

 

Remember, even if you can’t participate, the entire MRPOA membership and friends are welcome to come down and share in the fun, enjoy some good food, good conversation and make some new friends. Feel free to contact me anytime via email: DrewCowern@yahoo.com or Mobile:   705-762-2242  

 
PS: Don’t forget to bring your canoe, life jackets, sun-screen and a few extra dollars for the Raffle and food stand. 

 

See you all there!! 

 

ANNUAL MRPOA FAMILY & FRIENDS GOLF TOURNAMENT – Sat Aug 10th

 

Don't miss out on a fun day of 9 holes of golf, great food and lots of prizes at the annual Moon River Golf Tournament.  It's a great way to connect with others on the Moon River as an individual or by entering a foursome. 

 

The scramble format ensures golfers at all levels enjoy the play with teams requiring one female in each group. Prizes for closest to the pin and longest drive recognize the talents of the more competitive players.

 

Date:  Saturday, August 10th
Place:  Muskoka Woodlands Golf Course
Registration:  Starting at 8:00am Fresh coffee and muffins will be available
Shot Gun Start:  Tee off at 9:00am sharp
Lunch:  Following play, lunch at nearby restaurant - Bass Lake Roadhouse 
Registration Fee:  Approx. $35/Golfer which is paid during registration at the golf course
Electric Carts:   Must be pre-booked by calling the golf course at 705-765-1577
 

RESERVE EARLY & SAVE THE DATE!

 

Register by email to:  

deboramedhurst@aol.com  
or by phone:  647-223-4645

 

Prize donations are greatly appreciated!

 

 

 

The Moon River Code

Please Follow It!

See www.mrpoa.org