David and the machine

David and the machine.
Photo by Sylvia Currie

After thirty winters up here at the lake shoveling every snowflake that has drooped on to our driveway, I finally broke down a month ago and bought a snow blower. Kath and I wrestled it out of her car and carried it, disassembled, into the garage where it waited in anticipation for its first job. I examined the owner's manual to study the directions on how to upt the thing together. It talked about taking the clevis pin from the chute support bracket, raising the skid shoes higher on the auger housing and something about a carriage bolt. I was terrified. I rationalized shoveling the snow from the driveway as the snow blower still patiently waited, disassembled, in the garage, by telling my curious neighbours that I "wanted to ensure a good base of snow covering over the gravel before using the blower." (The only thing that had many any sense in the manual was a warning in dark print about the danger of ricochets from gravel being propelled at extreme force by the whirring auger.) When the second snowfall came and I shoveled it off, two of my neighbours came over, one at a time (I think they had been talking) and asked if I would like a hand putting the machine together. Too embarrassed, and too proud, I thanked them and used the excuse of needing to have a better base of snow on the gravel before using the machine.

Fortunately, our friend, Ted, arrived for a visit a day or two after the third heavy snowfall which I had again removed by hand, still trying to get a good base of snow. Sitting in the kitchen, sipping tea, I asked him "What is a carriage bolt?" He told me that it is a bolt that has a round shaft except for a square part just under the head. He told me that they used to be used to put the parts of a carriage together. I said "Oh." He said "Why do you ask?" I said "My new snow blower has one or more carriage bolts." He said "Oh." And then he said "Would you like a hand putting it together?" I said "That's a coincidence...I was just about to head out to put it together when you arrived." It took him ten minutes. I helped by holding the manual open at the right page. It hasn't snowed since.

Story by David Wyse

2012 Polarthon

Time to form your teams and register for the 2012 Polarthon! This is an annual fun event suitable for teams of all ages and skill levels. All you need to do is skate, ski, and run... oh and crazy costumes are also encouraged.

View / download the brochure and entry form. Here's one in black and white if you don't want to waste printer ink. Register by mail, in person, or online and pay on the event day.

When: January 7, 2012 | 2pm

Where: Owen's Oval, Logan Lake Campground
What: Team -- 3 km skate, 2.5 km run, 4 km ski (any style), 2.5 km run

Visit the River City Racers blog for more information on the Polarthon and other skating events.

Vixen and Dozer need homes

The Thompson Rivers University Animal Health Technology (AHT) folks are looking for a home for the pets they have been working with this semester. Click on photo for a larger view.

Vixen and Dozer

It would be great if these 2 dogs could find a home together for Christmas as they absolutely LOVE each other. They have been together since they were pups.

Dozer is a friendly 1 yr old Rottweiler/Shepherd cross. He is a very large, strong dog that will need a confident owner that can provide him with lots of daily exercise and continued obedience training. Dozer enjoys playing with other dogs as long as they let him be in charge; he can be reactive towards some males and small dogs. A home with older kids would be best for Dozer due to his size and energy level.

Vixen is an extremely affectionate Rottweiler/Shepherd cross that is 1 yr old. She is great with people and other dogs and really enjoys playtime with her K-9 friends. Vixen is very strong and will need a confident owner that can provide her with a consistent routine. She is a smart dog that likes to learn new things!

Cats too!
We also have 3 cats still looking for homes as well.

More information and contact details are on the TRU-AHT website.

From Sonia Walczak

Letter to TNRD

LAC LE JEUNE CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION 

PO Box 5044

Lac Le Jeune, BC

V1S 1Y8

Mr. Dan Wallace
Thompson-Nicola Regional District 

300 - 465 Victoria Street 

Kamloops,  B. C. V2C 2A9

December 11, 2011

Dear Mr. Wallace:

We are writing to you on behalf of the Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association. We are concerned about the potential impact that the proposed Lake Ridge housing development could have on the water quality at the lake. We are not necessarily concerned about the development per se, but we are concerned that further development could negatively impact the quality of the lake water unless stringent safeguards are identified and employed. Our concerns are outlined below.

1. According to the 2004 Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) publication "Lakeshore Development Guidelines", Lac Le Jeune has been classified as "Development Lake sub-class" with the notation in the document that there should be "No further development." This classification is based on the two criteria used by the TNRD, namely "perimeter development" and "user unit ratio".

For a lake the size of Lac Le Jeune, the allowable perimeter development is 35%. Even without the proposed development, Lac Le Jeune exceeds this guideline. Data supplied to us by the TNRD indicates that the shoreline perimeter of Lac Le Jeune is 10,000 meters and the current perimeter development is 3935.3 meters, or 39.5%. This already exceeds the guidelines by 12.4%. According to Gregg Lindros, the consultant for the developer, there are now eleven lots of the proposed development within 60 meters of the high water. While technically it is argued that these lakeshore lots do not add to the perimeter development because there is 60 meters of Crown Land between the property lines and the lake, it is interesting that there are a number of properties with homes more than 60 meters from the lake that are included in the perimeter development. Certainly, these perimeter guidelines will be further eroded if one other TNRD guideline for development is adhered to. This guideline states "non-waterfront residential subdivisions SHALL PROVIDE water access and communal boat moorage". Obviously, if this occurs, the perimeter development would be in excess of 40%.

2. The second criteria used by the TNRD for classification purposes is user unit ratio. The recommended user unit ratio is .67 hectares of lake surface per user unit. According to data supplied to us by the TNRD, the current user unit ratio at Lac Le Jeune is .47 hectares of lake surface per user unit. Even without the proposed development the user unit ratio exceeds TNRD guidelines by 30%. Again, based on data provided by the TNRD, an additional 49 lots (or user units) would drop the ratio to .41, a figure that exceeds the guidelines by 39%.

3. The TNRD Lakeshore Development Guidelines states, "when reclassifications are proposed, the proponent will be responsible for preparation of a lake impact assessment." In compliance with this requirement, the developer contracted with Lakeshore Environmental Ltd. to complete an environmental assessment of the proposed subdivision. This assessment was completed in 2008 and we were provided with a copy.

We have a few concerns with this document. After the assessment was completed, the scope of the proposed subdivision changed in subsequent planning. The environmental assessment completed in 2008 looked at the impact of an additional 32 lots. Since the assessment was completed, the proposed subdivision has grown to 49 lots, an increase of 53%. The author of the document dismisses the TNRD criteria of perimeter development and user unit ratio, even though they were established as criteria only four years before the completion of his report and states instead, that "a speed limit on boats be strongly enforced as these parameters have the greatest impact on maintaining a quality lake environment."

Included in this environmental assessment is a table showing "the number of species and cell/ml of phytoplankton in three samples, Lac Le Jeune." The samples were taken in 1992, 1993 and 1996. ) Unfortunately, the 2008 assessment contained no information of this type newer than 12 years earlier.) Also, unfortunately, the author makes no comment about the significance of the information in Table 1. Hugh Burton, a Lac Le Jeune resident and retired biology professor, looked at the document. His assessment of this data is that the level of cyanophyta (blue-green algae) is the best indicator of changes in the pollution levels in a lake (organic forms of nitrates and phosphates). Cyanophyta rose from 53 cells/ml in 1992 to 475 cells/ml in 1996. In the span of four years, the levels of Cyanophyta increased an alarming 896%! Another form of algae, Chlorococcales, increased from 43.4 cells/ml in 1992 to 241.7 cells/ml in 1996. Another alarming increase of 557%. While these levels may not have represented unacceptable levels of contamination in 1996, they were indicative of a significant and rapid shift in the aquatic ecosystem over a very short time span. This increase in indicator phytoplankton appears to have continued, given that in the past few years, heavy blooms of algae have been observed by local fishermen, a phenomenon never seen before in this lake. This is a further indication of the need for a more intensive biological based investigation of the lake ecology prior to any increased lakeside development.

4. Another concern that we have is the sheer volume of water that would be taken from the lake or the water table if the proposed development proceeds. Even if the 49 proposed lots only use 100 gallons of water per day, they will draw 1,788,500 gallons of water from the available supply. If the Ridgemount water system is expanded into the proposed development, the potential draw at 250 gallons per day per household amounts to 4,471,250 additional gallons of water taken from the supply. Can the lake sustain this kind of draw...can the water table? Who is responsible for monitoring water usage in this area?

5. Interior Health testing of water samples taken from the Lookout Road domestic water supply system in October, 1993 and September, 1999, prior to the installation of a filtration system also gives rise to concern. Chloride levels rose from 14.8 mg/L to 31 mg/L, an increase of over 100%. Sodium content also rose significantly, from 9.7 mg/L to 13.9 mg/L, an increase of 43%. Our hypothesis is that the increase is the result of road salt applied during the winter. We are concerned that a new road system created to service the new development will exacerbate this problem.

6. A number of us have already observed a change in the ecology of the lake. Lily pads have begun to emerge in areas where they have never been seen before, and, more importantly, Chironomid hatches have drastically declined. Some of us recall the disaster that befell Stump Lake and we do not want to see that occur here.

7. Gregg Lindros has indicated to us that an engineering firm will be hired to do an impact assessment of the proposed development on the lake. We look forward to seeing this report. However, we suggest that in addition to evaluating sustainable water supply and other engineering issues, this firm employ a limnologist to look into the water quality issues we have introduced above.

Conclusion
Our concern and our responsibility is to ensure the sustainability of the water of Lac Le Jeune for ourselves and future generations. We have seen headlines in the local newspaper in the past year describing the projected death of Okanagan Lake within the next fifty years, we see the decline of Nicola Lake and we read about the fragility of the Great Lakes. Our concerns are real and to support development without full confidence that we aren't causing harm is to do Lac Le Jeune and its future generation of users and enjoyers a huge disservice.

Sincerely yours,
  Members of the Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association Working Committee

  Bob Brown, Hugh Burton, Jim Phillips, and
  David Wyse (PO Box 5006, Lac Le Jeune, BC V1S 1Y8 DKM_Wyse@telus.net )

c.c. 

Darren Bennett, Water Stewardship Officer, Ministry of the Environment 

Al Caverly, Regional Aquatic Ecologist, Ministry of the Environment 

Steve Miricle, Freshwater Fisheries, Ministry of the Environment
Duane Wells, Water Stewardship Officer, Ministry of the Environment 

Dean Watts, Senior Water Use Biologist, Dept of Fisheries and Ocean 

Ronaye H. Elliot, TNRD Representative, Electoral Area J

Rick Van Rijn, President, Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association 

Gregg Lindros, Lake Ridge Project

Remembering Benji

I had a job that was my own
No other dog could be my clone!
They're all too small and scared of mice
Their bark too feeble, and way too nice

If it weren't for me out on the loose
Lookout would be full of Moose!
Those giant Lynx would have ruled the road
It's all because of me, I'm told

Good thing I always tagged along
In Miro's truck where I belonged
Gathering wood to keep us warmer still
And to supervise, well who else will?

At night my igloo was just a place
In Hana's room to give her space
But had I not been there all night
She would have lain awake with fright


No other mutt had such attire
Nor traveled the world just to acquire
In the finest woolens I wagged my tail
My coat collection is not for sale!


I would have stayed with them forever
And listened when they said I'm clever
But after 15 years of total bliss
Just one more day of work I'd miss

Lookout Road may have some trouble
No dog can help, not even my double!
But I'm watching now and all is fine
The credit, after all, is mine.

~~~~~~~~~~~
Benji Struss was, without a doubt, the biggest small dog at Lac Le Jeune. He had a great spirit, never tired, and was always full of adventure. He put smiles on our faces for 15 years. We will all miss him. xxxooo

Photos by Hana Struss
Poem by Sylvia Currie

Pond Hockey

Photo by johncatral

This year's pond hockey tournament is January 13-15, 2012 at Logan Lake. The new website has all the details.

This is a different kind of hockey -- outdoors, no sideboards, no bodychecking, no goalies! It's a lot of fun to watch.

The current issue of Westworld Magazine has everything you need to know about pond hockey.

Vehicles broken into

Several vehicles parked along Ridgemont Road were broken into sometime between 4:00 and 7:00 am. Check your vehicles and property, and report any suspicious activity to the Logan Lake RCMP.

Fortunately, this is rare in our community and is less likely to happen again now that all of us are on the lookout!

Snow Removal Services

This request is from Arlene and James, newcomers to Lac Le Jeune living on Ridgemont Road. They are looking for snow removal services in the community. Anybody out there interested in earning extra income by plowing driveways? They can be reached at 250-372-2420 or 1-780-792-7479 (cell).  

Welcome to Lac Le Jeune (and winter!) Arlene and James! :-)

Mary Watson

Lac Le Jeune part-time resident Mary Watson passed away on Friday, November 11, 2011 at the age of 73. Many of us remember Mary from gatherings of the Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association. She served as secretary for many years, as well as an area representative for Lac Le Jeune Park Drive East. Mary's husband, John, still attends meetings and is very supportive of the association. Jacquie Brugger will send a card on behalf of LLJCA.

This is copied from the Kamloops Daily News Obituary where you may leave your condolences. The service is tomorrow.

Wife and Best Friend of John C.N. Watson, passed away suddenly at Kamloops on on Friday, November 11, 2011 at the age of 73 years.

In addition to her husband, Mary is survived by her son Andrew (Tammy), daughter Kathryn (Deryk) and grandchildren James, Josslyn, Ryan, Tyson and Ketyn, her brothers Kevin in England and Brenden in U.S.A., and was predeceased by her sister Teresa and parents. 

Mary was born in Hampshire, England in 1938 and was trained as a Nurse and Mid-Wife before immigrating to Canada in 1963 where she worked as a Head Nurse in the B.C. Children's Hospital. In 1965 she met and married John. 

Mary enjoyed Kamloops and spent many happy hours with her Family at Lac Le Jeune at the Cabin which she and John built with their own hands in 1970-1971. Mary also enjoyed going on an annual cruise holiday with John since 1974. 

Mary volunteered for a number of groups in Kamloops. She was a member of the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra Board for many years and President from 1990 to 1994. She was made a Honourary Life Member of the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra in 2002. In 1993, Mary received one of the City of Kamloops Centennial Medals for making a meaningful contribution to the City. 

A Service and Celebration of Mary's Life will be held at Kamloops United Church (421 St. Paul Street) on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kamloops New Life Mission on Mary's behalf.

Voting Day

Thanks from Maxwell!

Thank you to the kind person who put me in my mom's truck this morning on Lac Le Jeune Park Drive. I lost my mind while chasing that coyote and then I couldn't figure out where I was. There are way too many trails. That's my opinion. But I don't usually lose my mind like that! It was nice and warm in the truck, and everybody seemed so happy to find me there.

Thanks again!
Sir Maxwell S. Brown

UPDATE:
This came in from Carolyn Phillips via email seconds after I posted Maxwell's story. Thank you Corinne! You saved Maxwell's life.

This morning Corinne Schock was driving down Park Drive East (behind the park) and there was a truck parked on the side with no one in it. There was a dog at the truck and 3 coyotes were running the dog getting the dog to chase them up the hill and then one or all of them would turn on the dog chase it back to the truck and across the road. The coyotes continued this even when Corinne was there. The truck door was unlocked and when she opened the door the dog ran inside and Corinne quickly got into her car. I don’t know if this was an isolated case but there are a lot of coyote tracks in the area. These coyotes were not afraid of Corinne so people should be aware of that when walking dogs in that area.

Lost Cat

Do you recognize this cat? He (she?) was found perched on a railing at one of the cabins at the LLJ lodge, which is now closed up for the winter. He's safe, warm, and fed, but needs to find his real home as soon as possible. Please call one of these numbers with any information you have:

home 250-851-8460 

cell 250-851-1516 

UPDATE
I have found a wonderful home for the kitten. She was so sweet and we would have kept her ourselves but I have really bad allergies. We are sad to see her go but happy that she found such a great home.
Corinne Schock

Save your Natures Fare receipts

Keep your receipts from Natures Fare! Drop them off at the Overlander Ski Club Lodge and 3% of what you spend in the store will go toward the youth ski team. Easy!

Illegal Dumping

Last week a pile of construction trash was found in the Melba Creek area. It has been dumped there in the last 6-8 weeks. The trash looks like it is from a bathroom renovation. There are pieces of dark reddish coloured wood, some kind of greenish foam or tiles, drywall material, empty buckets of grout, pieces of light coloured ceramic tiles etc. The CO office ( RAPP) and TNRD were notified. That is the process we are supposed to follow if an illegal dumping site is found. TNRD’s clean up contractor will be cleaning it up this week. There is also a large piece of beige coloured carpet and underlay that was dumped in the same area this past spring. It will also be removed. Hopefully they will find some sort of identification and the dumper will be prosecuted. The illegal dumps in this area are usually found to be from someone in the Logan Lake- LLJ area. If you have had work done recently….or plan to, please ensure your construction waste is being disposed of properly by the people you hire.

In the summer of 2010 a couple of squatters lived in the Melba Creek area. There was quite a mess left. A group of us did remove some refuse but the bulk of it was cleaned up this summer by unknown persons. They did an amazing job… I think they even mowed the grass. I met one of the fellows involved and he was part of a group of dirt bikers, some of them from Merritt. Wish we could thank all of them.

Submitted by Bev Lorimer

Walter U. Homfray

Here is a snippet from the Kamloops Sentinel – Thursday, July 24, 1941 – page 2 (Actual copy of original newspaper pages 1 and 2)

Walter U. Homfray, old-timer of the Kamloops district, is celebrating his 75th birthday today. He came here April 2, 1885, from the West Ridings of Yorkshire and settled at Grand Prairie, now Westwold, where he developed 500 acres of ranch land. He built and operated the Adelphi hotel, the old building standing near the newer Pylewell hotel. He remained in that district for 28 years, when he moved to Kamloops. In the city he operated a real estate business until 1920. 

Mr. Homfray acquired in 1911 the Meadow Creek property, 35 miles southwest of the city, on which are situated Surrey, Sussex and Bobs lakes, and latterly he has lived there, developing a fishing and hunting resort. 

Submitted by Neil Burton

Job Posting

This could be the perfect job for someone living in Lac Le Jeune! Reposted from Overlander Ski Club website:

Overlander Ski Club is looking for one person to work part time at the ski trails. Evening and weekend shifts are likely. The duties may include some or all of the following depending on qualifications and experience: greeting the public, ticket sales, answering telephone or e-mail enquiries, updating the web page, providing sales and trail use reports, trail grooming using snowmobiles, trail maintenance using manual and power tools, renting ski equipment to the public, assisting volunteers working on the trails, responding to emergencies associated with trail operations, providing basic first aid treatment and performing other duties as required. Training will be provided. The job will begin when snow flies!

Please send resumes asap to the Overlander Ski Club at vyse@telus.net .
This Job Posting closes November 15th, 2011.

Ajax Mine All Candidates Forum

The Kamloops Area Preservation Association has invited council candidates and representatives from KGHM-Ajax to a forum on November 7, 2011 at 7 p.m. in TRU’s Ike Barber roundhouse.

Read more details in the Kamloops Daily News.

Plan to attend!

Invitation to connect from Ron McGivern

I was delighted to receive this note from Ron McGivern, candidate for TNRD Director, Area J. I thought the best way to get the word out about Ron's willingness to connect with members of the Lac Le Jeune community was to simply copy his message to the blog. With his permission, here it is:

I would like to introduce myself. My name is Ron McGivern, and my family and I live in Cherry Creek on a small acreage. We have an active rural lifestyle, complete with horses, chickens, dogs, cats, and who knows what else will show up. Two 4H steers are coming in a few weeks. We are both leaders in 4H; my wife Marie is President of the Kamloops and District 4H council, and I am an A leader with a local club. (We always welcome new members by the way, both horse and outdoor living-sheesh, had to get the plug in). I am the Academic Director, Faculty of Arts with Thompson Rivers University. 

I understand the challenges faced by rural and small community residents, and would like to be your voice within the TNRD. I note solid waste is an issue with your community, as with many others in the TNRD. In others it is water, sanitation (septic), small business and of course the latest issue thrown at us all- the Ajax Mine proposal. By the way, I am far from being convinced this proposal is of benefit to us in Area J. Conversations with folks on Goose Lake Road ( in the middle of it all) have informed me of the incredible impact this will have in Area J. 

If any of your neighbours would like to get to know me, I can certainly try to come by Lac Le Jeune for a chat before the election. We can schedule that! Otherwise, please have your neighbours contact me if they have any questions of myself and my candidacy. 

Regards, Ron

You might also enjoy reading Ron's blog: Tales From Hobby Farm Hell. Lots of good belly laughs!

Overlander Ski Club Update

Here's an update from Dwayne Geiger of the Overlander Ski Club.

The chill is in the air and the ski season is right around the corner. In preparation for what is shaping up to be another great season please note the following important reminders: 

• This Saturday: October 29th, 2011, Ski/Winter Swap Heritage House, Upper Lounge 100 Lorne St. Drop Off: 8:30 - 10:00 am. Doors Open: 10:15 am. Sales close at Noon. Volunteers always appreciated. Contact: Dana dmanhard@shaw.ca 

• Overlander Trail Clean Up and Maintenance Day November 5. Set aside a few "healthy" hours. For more information see website updates.

• Early Bird Rates in effect until November 13. No Price increases for 2011/2012 Please feel free pass this email on to all friends, family and colleagues in order to build Overlander Ski Club.

October at LLJ

Photo by Hana Struss

Walking Sticks and Canes

Terry has a new hobby making walking sticks and canes. You can buy one for $20 to $25 or have one custom made. Call Terry at 250 374 8432.

Lac Le Jeune Shoreline

Disturbing 

October 13 Rural alliances protest at TNRD

I am passing along this notice concerning the Rural alliances protest at TNRD re solid waste management /consultation Oct 13, 2011

Members of the Pritchard rural alliance are spear heading an action to remind the TNRD that the rural residents of the TNRD are still looking for responses from them regarding the issues around closure of transfer stations and other issues such as the imposition of the Chase ecodepot on Pritchard residents despite their objections. The main point is to sit in on the meeting of the TNRD of Oct 13 at 1:30 and there will be some information handouts and picketing just before the meeting. 

This is a good opportunity to have a show of numbers to indicate just how many rural communities have been negatively affected by the TNRD solid waste management plan as elections are only a few weeks away. Please inform residents in your community of this action and please come out to support if you can.

Ski season coming soon!

It's time to register for the 2011-2012 season at Overlander Ski Club. If you register online and by November 13th you'll save a few bucks.

Washer and Dryer

Free! 

Frigidaire front load washer and dryer set. 11 years old. The dryer works fine and has only been used occasionally. The washer drum has come loose and needs to be repaired. 

Pick up one or the other or both before September 30th. 

Contact Sylvia Currie, 250-377-0063, sylvia@webbedfeat.com

CONSERVATION

I would like to comment on the Lac Le Jeune CONSERVATION Association meeting last week.

The constitution of the LLJCA reads:

“The purposes of the association are:

a) To help ensure the protection and conservation of our physical environment: the air, water, forest, and wildlife that surround us.

b) To care for and preserve the natural beauty of Lac Le Jeune and surrounding area for the enjoyment and recreation of all.”

Have we as a group lost sight of the purposes of the association? I am concerned that our focus now seems to be on the residents rather than the environment in which we live. The fact that the presentation on the Ajax mine proposal was not included in the LLJCA meeting, the lack of interest shown by a few LLJCA members, including executive members, and the comment made that it was not in the association’s best interest to be part of the Ajax Mine discussion are all examples of the apparent lack of concern for the place in which we live.

There are many conservation issues that could be addressed at our local level. An example might be to inform/educate people about the fragile environment we live in. At the trailhead at Stake Lake there is a well done information board about the uses, history, plants and wildlife in the Stake Lake Trail system. A board like that would be beneficial at the trailhead of the Gus Johnson, the road to Rossmore Lake and/or the bottom of the old “racetrack” trail system by the little lake.

Maybe we should be looking at some trail enhancement, such as little bridges over wet areas or highly used places. At Hudson Bay Mountain in Smithers, the Mountain Bike Association has done an amazing job with the trails. They applied for and received considerable grant money for their trail work. Maybe there is some grant money that could be available to our community (in consultation with the appropriate government agencies) to hire people to help us improve the trail system here.

Many small communities build and maintain bluebird boxes. You will notice these on the fences on the way to Logan Lake and a few around the ski hill area here.

Another example might be to use our association to put pressure on the Forestry Ministry to ensure the surrounding logged areas are replanted in a “timely” manner. Take a drive out to some of the areas that were reforested 8-10 years ago and you will be amazed at the growth that has happened. We cannot see that here in our logged areas.

What about an information handout to new residents, covering topics like fire restrictions, maintaining range fences, appropriate care of septics, refuse care to avoid attracting our 4 legged friends, etc? When we built our house we had to sign off on a list of topics like this before we were given a building permit. I do not think that happens anymore.

As development in our area continues and it becomes a busier place, we need to establish stewardship of this beautiful place we are privileged to live in.

Submitted by Bev Lorimer, September 23, 2011

Resident since 2000

A friend and user of this area since 1988.

Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association AGM and Ajax Mine Discussion

Map of the Proposed Ajax Mine Site (click photo to enlarge)

For Lac Le Jeune residents who were unable to attend the AGM of the Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association on Saturday, September 17, minutes will be sent out to all residents via email by the association's secretary.

The discussion of the proposed Ajax Mine project and it's impact on our community was removed from the LLJCA proposed agenda by members of the executive and instead was held after the AGM had officially adjourned. A speaker from the Kamloops Area Preservation Association (KAPA), John Schleiermacher, was present to give residents an overview of the project and to address concerns by KAPA that complete information was not being provided by the Ajax Mine proponents. A representative from the Ajax Mine had also been asked to speak at this meeting, but declined. Foremost on the KAPA agenda is to gather signatures via petition and to encourage letter writing to request a more comprehensive review than the one currently being used to make the final decisions on this project. KAPA is pushing for transparency regarding the future operation of the mine, something all Kamloops and Lac Le Jeune residents deserve. Much of the information and the facts and figures that Mr. Schleiermacher provided in the meeting can be found on the KAPA website, Stop the Ajax Mine. Petitions were available to sign at the meeting which will be presented to the Kamloops City Council. Signatures on a petition for the TNRD have also been sent to Ronaye Elliott, our representative with TNRD, who was present for both the AGM and the Ajax Mine discussion afterward.

• If you have further questions about the Ajax Mine project for John Schleiermacher, he can be reached by email at johnschlr@aol.com.

• If you would like to gather signatures requesting that the city of Kamloops request a more comprehensive review of the project, please print the petition and circulate it for signatures. Completed petitions may be returned to John Schleiermacher (email him for his mailing address: johnschlr@aol.com ) or return them to Jenny or Jeff Perry (250-372-8612). Petitions may also be signed at the Kamloops Farmers' Market downtown on Saturdays.

• If you, as an individual, would like to send a letter requesting a more comprehensive review of the proposed Ajax Mine project, please print and mail this letter to the Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of Environment in Ottawa. This is a sample letter and may be edited to reflect your personal concerns about the proposed mine.

• And if you would like to view or print a brochure with concise information about the proposed project, it is now available here from the Stop the Ajax Mine website.

During the AGM, members were again reminded about the Lac Le Jeune - Life in our Community Blog as a resource for information about our community. If you're reading this now, please take a moment to bookmark this site and join via the link on the right sidebar. You can also add it to Google Reader or any other subscription service you may use. The Lac Le Jeune Blog also has an option to follow by email.

Stop Ajax Mine project

Updates from the Stop Ajax Mine Facebook page.

Snow Plow for Sale

We have a 6'10" Snowbear Snow Plow for sale. All controls and skid plates included. Great condition. $750.00 obo. Call 250-372-5920 Lac le Jeune.

LLJCA Annual General Meeting

LAC LE JEUNE CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

Saturday, September 17, 2011 10:00 am – 11:30 am 

Lac Le Jeune Resort Meeting Room (downstairs) 

Agenda:

1. Approval of AGM Minutes of August 7, 2010 
2. President’s Report 
3. Treasurer’s Report 
4. Enhancement Plan Update 
5. TNRD Updates 
6. Ski Hill Rezoning Update 
7. Annual Pumpkin Hunt Halloween Party 
8. RCMP Report 
9. Lac Le Jeune Blog 
10. Stake Lake Observation Dome -

Kamloops
Observation
Society 
11. Other/Question Period 
12. Ajax Mine Project – This item will be held until October as the Ajax people will have a more comprehensive plan in place to present to the Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association at that time.*

*Note there is a request to invite a representative from the Kamloops Area Preservation Association (KAPA) to speak at this time.

Help with floating land mass

We are seasonal residents at 4015 Lac Le Jeune Rd, on the little lake. We are looking for some help and/or advice on a situation that happened to us last September. A huge piece of land dislodged from the far end of the little lake and floated down and stopped in front of our dock. This huge mass is still floating and we believe it can be moved to a way better spot on the lake. The problem we have is that we do not own a boat with enough power to move it and it may take two boats to do it. The land mass gives off an acrid smell and it makes it almost impossible to get out onto the water or even to swim off our dock.

If anyone out there is willing to help us move this land mass, or has some advice as to another way to move it somewhere where it will not bother anyone please let us know asap. We feel time is of the essence as the mass will eventually sink causing a permanent blockage of our waterfront area. We would really appreciate any help with this, it certainly has hurt our use of the lake in front of our property this summer.

Sincerely, Brent & Sue Pierce
604-313-7465 or 604-521-1291
brentandsusan@shaw.ca

Before 

After

Triathlon Schedule

Here's the schedule over the next 4 days for the 2011 Western Canada Summer Games Triathlon at Lac Le Jeune. Remember to schedule your driving to avoid traffic delays!


Saturday August 6
8:45 Entry to transition / Registration and sign-in
9:45 Sport Opening Ceremony
10:00 Pre-race meeting
10:30 Female Individual Sprint Triathlon
12:00 Male Individual Sprint Triathlon
1:15 lunch
1:45 Medal Ceremonies

Sunday, August 7
12:00 – 12:30 Course Test/practice - Swimming
12:30 – 1:30 Course Test/practice – Biking and Running
12:00 lunch
2:30 Debriefing for coaches and officials
3:30 Bus retuning to the Village

Monday, August 8
8:15 Entry to transition / Registration and sign-in
9:15 Pre-race meeting
9:45 Female Team Relay Triathlon
11:45 Male Team Relay Triathlon
1:30 lunch
1:45 Debriefing for coaches and officials
2:00 Medals Ceremonies

Tuesday, August 9
8:45 Entry to transition / Registration and sign-in
9:45 Pre-race meeting
10:15 Female Individual Sport Relay Triathlon
11:45 Male Individual Sport Relay Triathlon
1:00 lunch
1:30 Medals Ceremonies

TV for sale

32" JVC TV. Asking $50. It has a perfect picture and is in excellent condition. If you are interested call 250-374-8570.

Submitted by Hana Struss

Logan Lake Day

Sunday, July 31 is Logan Lake Day! All activities take place at Maggs Park and Recreation Centre.

Questions about the Ajax Mine Project

This letter asks many of the questions we, as residents of Lac Le Jeune, should all be asking about the proposed Ajax Mine Project. Please take the time to read it and educate yourself about the project and how it will affect the Kamloops area, including our own community.

http://www.kamloops.ca/ajax/pdfs/RequestForInformation.pdf

Western Canada Summer Games Triathlon

The 2011 Western Canada Summer Games are coming to Lac Le Jeune! The Triathlon will be hosted on the Lac Le Jeune Resort property.

There will be a temporary delays on Lac Le Jeune Park Drive East and Lac Le Juene Road for the Western Canada Summer Games.

Traffic delays will occur during these dates:
August 5 - no delays but please use caution as participants are practicing
August 6 – 10:40am – 11:20am and 12:10pm – 12 45pm
August 7 - no delays but please use caution as participants are practicing
August 8 - 9:50am – 11:20am and 11:50am – 1:10pm
August 9 – 10:20am – 10:40am and 11:20am – 11:40am

Traffic will be stopped to allow race participants to cycle in a racing peleton safely.

We ask that you plan your schedules as to not conflict with the closures. Please use caution when driving in the vicinity of this event and obey all traffic control devices and traffic control people.

The Western Canada Summers Games and the Ministry of Transportation appreciates your cooperation. For more information on the event please contact, the Western Canada Summer Games office at 250-372-1157.

The event is still in need of volunteers. If you are able to lend your time, please register as a volunteer with the Games office or sign up online and select Triathlon as your sport of choice.

This notice was submitted by Teresa Seibal, Sport Chair, Triathlon

Concerns about the Ajax Mine Peoject

The proposed Ajax Mine Project will impact a very large area of land that Lac Le Jeune residents regularly drive through as they go back and forth into Kamloops. Here's a clip which was recently featured on the Kamloops TV station, CFJC TV7:



Although there has been surprisingly little information released through the media about the proposed mine project and its impact on the Kamloops and Lac Le Jeune areas, CFJC TV7 is currently asking as its Question of the Week: "Do you support or oppose the proposed Ajax mine? " To voice your opinion, please visit the CFJC website, look for the Poll in the right hand sidebar and vote.

The Loon Family

Photographers kept a close watch on the Little Lake at Lac Le Jeune during the last week or so as the resident Loon Family welcomed two new babies. Photos by Jenny Perry.

What's happening in your back yard?

These photos were taken the afternoon of June 14th in Elna and Ken Strand's yard. These fawns were born in the early morning or during the night. The doe will sometimes leave her fawns under Strand's deck while she goes off to eat. Occasionally one fawn will emerge and dance like nobody is watching, then run back to the safety of the deck.

Note: This letter to the editor of the Kamloops Daily News describes this experience of observing the doe with her young, and reminds us that the fawns we see in the wild and in our back yards are not abandoned.

AJAX MINE PROJECT

The map pictured above shows the scope of the proposed Ajax Mine Project and should be of great concern to all Lac Le Jeune residents because it will most certainly have an impact on the local environment, residents’ health, wildlife habitat, traffic on the Lac Le Jeune Road, air, noise and light pollution, property values, etc. A public presentation and opportunity for a question & answer session was held Thursday, June 16 at Kamloops Towne Lodge and many residents of the region turned out to hear the presentation and make their concerns known at that meeting.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEA Agency) and the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) are seeking comments from the public on the proposed Ajax Project and its potential effects to ensure that these issues are identified for consideration in the environmental assessment. A background document, containing information on the proposed Project, the requirements of the environmental assessment, and the proposed environmental components to be considered in the assessment, is available on the CEA Agency’s Web site at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca. A description of the proposed Project is available on the EAO’s web site at

www.eao.gov.bc.ca.

Lac Le Jeune residents still have an opportunity to voice their concerns. The public comment period will run from June 8, 2011 to July 11, 2011. The CEA Agency and EAO will accept public comments submitted by any of the following means:

By Online Form:

www.eao.gov.bc.ca/pcp/forms/Ajax.html

Comments made to date may be read here:

http://www.eao.gov.bc.ca/pcp/comments/Ajax_comments.html

By Email: Ajax@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

By Fax: 250-356-6448

By Mail:

Nicole Vinette, Project Assessment Manager

Environmental Assessment Office

PO Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt

Victoria BC V8W 9V1

or

Lyle Thompson, Project Manager

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

320 - 757 West Hastings Street

Vancouver BC V6C 1A1

Links to additional information on the Ajax Mine Project:

www.newsloops.net/ajax

www.amemining.com/s/Afton-Ajax.asp?ReportID=333034

To voice your opinions on this issue, Lac Le Jeune residents are encouraged to make comments on the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) website, by email or fax--any comments sent by mail will be delayed by the Canada Post strike.

Ashcroft Opera House

You are invited to a back porch shindig in Ashcroft to celebrate the future of the Opera House and to welcome the new owner, Mel. Local musicians will be putting on a live performance, and there will be food for folks from away.

The Ashcroft Opera House was built in 1889, and has had a long history of bringing people together to enjoy excellent music and food.

401 Brink Street, Ashcroft

Thank you to musician Lynne Kellman for passing along this information.

Have you seen this dog?

Yesterday Lulu, a small Cockapoo, escaped from her kennel on 3831 Water Street during the thunderstorm and is still missing. Lulu is gray and white, about the size of a Cocker Spaniel, is very friendly, and will approach anyone. She is wearing a tag with a Peachland phone number on it, but you can contact Cheyanne Bisshopp at (250) 639-0314 OR LLJ number (250) 372-1732 if you see this dog.

UPDATE! Lulu was found at Ridge Lake by some campers on June 11. That's a long journey for a small dog! The owners are so relieved. 

Ice off time lapse

Grab your popcorn! Thanks to Steve Roy we have the May 15 ice off captured on video.

Open Fire Ban

This notice is from the BC Wildfire Management website:

KAMLOOPS
Effective at noon May 15, 2011, open fires will be restricted within most of the Kamloops Fire Centre's jurisdiction to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public. The restriction will remain in effect until Oct. 15, 2011, or until further notice. Specifically this ban prohibits:

• Burning any waste, slash or other material

• Burning stubble or grass

• The use of fireworks or burning barrels of any size or description

These open fires and burning activities are prohibited in the all areas of the Kamloops Fire Centre except the Clearwater and Salmon Arm fire zones. All open burning will be prohibited across the Kamloops Fire Centre effective June 15, 2011.

What's the difference between a fire zone and a fire centre? A centre is dispatch and operational office that serves several geographical zones. The Kamloops Fire Centre office is located near the airport and encompasses Kamloops, Clearwater, Lillooet, Salmon Arm, Merritt, Vernon, and Penticton. See this map for fire zones.

Ice Off!

May 14 was the official ICE OFF day. Our poll results were close this year! From a total of 101 votes, 48 said ice off would be before May 15, and  53 said on or after May 15. And one voter said the ice would never go off! :-D

Water Supplies at Lac Le Jeune

Hello all. Looking to connect to the Lac Le Jeune water supply. Can anyone tell me who that is?

Demonstration at the TNRD

On May 11 residents of Loon Lake are planning a demonstration at the TNRD, 300 - 465 Victoria Street. Their full service transfer station is being reduced to household garbage and household recycling only. This is being done without consulting the local residents -- consultation which they were promised.

There will be a meeting of the Solid Waste Management Committee at 1:00pm. Loon Lake has been invited to make a presentation to the committee. I'm sure they will be asking for more consultation before decisions about waste management are implemented.

Loon Lake would like other rural areas to participate in the demonstration. IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE MEET AT THE TNRD MAY 11, AT 12:30pm

Submitted by Elna Strand

Hazardous Household Waste Round-Up

From the TNRD website. Click on image to enlarge.

Snowshoe Hares

Snowshoe Hare - photo by Hana Struss

We know they're abundant because the tracks from their large hind feet are everywhere, but it's always a special treat to spot a snowshoe hare.

Ice Off?

Time for the ice off poll! What is your prediction? Select your response (top right) before May 15, 2011.

Steve Roy reports:

We augured the lake yesterday and there is still 24" of ice. Ice off is still a couple of weeks way. It was fairly soft and mushy for the first foot and a half though.

Free Dump Days

The April 12 issue of the The Valley Brew contains a notice of interest to Lac Le Jeune residents regarding waste management.

On Sunday, April 17 residents can dispose of up to $20 worth of materials for free at the Logan Lake dump. This is part of the TNRD Free Dump Days which aims to "reduce the amount of waste littering the environment and encourage community members to help conserve, protect, and enhance their local environment".

Here is the list of what residents may bring (from TNRD site)

Household waste
Demolition and construction waste
White goods
Water coolers, fridges and freezers (worth $15 each)

Looking forward to summer . . .

Recently, a friend who visited Lac Le Jeune in the summer of 2009 came across a poem in her journal that she was inspired to write while relaxing on our front porch. I think it captures the feel of summer at Lac Le Jeune.

Primary Things, Plus

yellow, red, blue, green
primary colors, plus
beside Lac Le Jeune
boats in bright colors
line up in a downward row

earlier we floated the boats
out on the water
I wore spiral earings
that caught in the web
of the life jacket
some in our party
were caught in the web
of the tall reeds
that line this end of the lake
one, learning to use
the long paddles
took on water as we
passed under the low bridge
that separates sections
permanent people named
big lac and little lac

now we relax on
the glass rimmed deck
of the good house
that watches over the little lac
blue, red, yellow, black shirts
primary colors, plus
all in a row
we read, paint, write
that good mix of
solitary pursuits, together

wgw

Wilma Gayle Waddell

Supporting BC Ranchers

When I saw this sign featuring our local ranchers at the Save On Foods meat department I just had to snap a photo. On the right is Ralph and Chris Michell with their two daughters.

In 2011 Jocko Creek Ranch was listed as a Century Ranch in the Cowboy Hall of Fame by the BC Cowboy Heritage Society. Here is the history as published on the BCCHS website:

Jocko Creek Ranch is a family operated cattle ranch located 12 km south of Kamloops along the Lac le Jeune road. The ranch has been in the Michell family since 1903 and is currently being run by Noel and Katy Michell and their family. Noel's grandfather, John Ralph (J.R.) Michell, moved to the Kamloops area to manage a machinery store. He bought the home quarters of the ranch where the ranch house is presently. JR Michell married and had five children. The ranch initially sold hay to the nearby Iron Mask Mine to feed the horses and mules used in the mine. In the early years the ranch raised horses and had a small herd of cows. The ranch's brand is a lazy J connected lazy M on the right hip and it was bought by JR Michell in 1904. This brand is still used to identify the ranch's cattle. As the market for horse teams started to decline, the decision was made to expand and raise sheep in addition to the small herd of cattle. JR Michell became involved with city politics and was Alderman and Mayor of Kamloops. During this time, his son, Herbert Michell, took over the ranch along with his wife Gladys Reynolds. The flock was expanded to approximately 1000 Rambouillet and Columbia ewes. Herbert's son Noel took the ranch over at a young age after Herbert's health failed. In 1966 the bulk of the sheep were sold and more cattle purchased. The ranch's cattle herd initially was comprised of 200 Hereford or Shorthorn cross cows. Black Angus bulls were introduced in 1985 and now the herd is predominantly Angus. Noel married Katy McCallan in 1964 and they have managed the ranch side by side for 46 years. The ranch has evolved over the last 107 years by being flexible and changing as the agriculture market and lifestyle changes require.

Big Fish – Fish Lake - Heywood Claxton – June 1931

Big Fish – Fish Lake - Heywood Claxton – June 1931

Catches Fine Fish at Fish Lake

According to T.D. Costley, proprietor of Rainbow Lodge, Fish Lake, Heywood Claxton, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Claxton of this city has the distinction of catching the largest fish ever landed from that lake on Sunday. It weighed nine and a half pounds and was caught on the fly and took 20 minutes to land. After showing it to Mr. Costley, the fish was sent down to Lisle Fraser, Vancouver, to be exhibited in their store window. It was a fine specimen of what can be caught in Kamloops lakes.

(Reprint – Kamloops Sentinel – 16 June 1931 – p. 01 – Tuesday)
(Newspaper read at Thompson Rivers University or Kamloops Museum & Archives)

submitted by Neil Burton

Phantom Phillips

Phantom had a sad beginning, but a very happy and long life at Lac Le Jeune. Carolyn and Jim Phillip's daughter, Brenda, rescued Phantom from the streets of Istanbul, Turkey. She saw something very special in the little 1-year old, and was determined to provide her a decent life. After Brenda tended to the pup's many medical problems, Phantom found herself on an airplane flying first class to her new home in Canada! Phantom's first challenge was overcoming fear, and of course she also had to learn a second language. :-) But after a gentle introduction to her new surroundings Phantom became a strong and confident dog -- a devoted and protective companion who will be missed by all who knew and loved her. On March 15, after 11 years taking care of us all on Lookout Road, she went to the stars.

Petty Thefts at Fish Lake Houses

Those with cottages at Fish Lake are very much annoyed to learn that petty thievery has been the rule there recently, their places having been broken into. Culprits were after fishing tackle, good rods and collections of flies being the chief things missed. The provincial police have the cases in hand and are making an investigation. Those complaining are S.C. Burton, Dr. R.W. Irving, J.H. Whitehouse and W.H. Squire.

(Reprint - Kamloops Sentinel - 04 October 1927 - p. 01 - Tuesday)
(Newspapers read at Thompson Rivers University of Kamloops Museum & Archives)

Submitted by Neil Burton

A barred owl drops by for a visit

photos by Jenny Perry, taken very quietly through a window