Hello everyone and welcome to a new season at the Resort. There are a lot of new families in our community this year. Together we can all enjoy the summer, Fawcett Lake style. It is almost time to put the boat in the water, start up the quad, and give the lawn that first mow. Everyone is looking forward to being outside in the sunshine, breathing the fresh air and listening to the quiet of life at the lake.
The biggest news this year is that we now have a new playground. Thank you to the Campers Club and everyone who helped to build it. Special thanks go to Adam (161) and Jeff (17) for planning and organizing the project. Numerous people chipped in with everything from fundraising and shopping to assembling the parts and spreading the sand. We have done a good thing and we should be proud to see the kids playing on it. I have even seen some of the more “senior” kids enjoying it too.
Every year people ask how our burn pile gets so big. The truth is that there is growing grass, leaves and branches each summer, and much of it needs to be disposed of. There is no reason to take natural yard waste off of the Resort, as dumping on crown land is illegal. However, everything needs to be put in the right place. Put simply, firepit ashes, wet leaves and grass clippings do not burn, just like rock, sand, and dirt. Please do not put any of this in the burn pile as this makes it more difficult to control the fire that January. All of these non-burnable items go in the appropriate pile on the north side of Fern Trail. If you are not sure where to put something, just ask us and we will be happy to help. When conditions are muddy always exit the burn pile and Storage Area through the grey gate and then drive around the back of the Resort to use the main entrance. This will clean your tires so you don’t track mud onto our roads.
Remember, composting of odorous fish guts or kitchen waste attracts bears and is not allowed on the Resort. There is no plastic or scrap metal pile either. Non-natural garbage should be taken to the Smith Waste Transfer Station. Using it is free and it is located about 100ft off of the highway south of town.
Believe it or not, we sometimes find hot ashes in the burn pile. This is foolish because it could quite easily ignite the big fire, which would be very dangerous during the summer months. Always be sure that you have let fireplace ashes cool first and then safely dispose of them away from the burn pile, in the right place
Everyone has a right to enjoy using their lakelot. People come to the Resort for the quiet and natural beauty that they can’t get at home. Many people have trees and other plants, or maybe even just a nice lawn that they are growing on their lots, just like the trees we have planted in Moose Park and along Resort Road. There is nothing more frustrating than seeing unexpected tracks across the fresh fallen snow, or across your flower bed. Even if someone is not at the Resort or if a lot “appears” to be vacant, it is disrespectful to enter another lot without permission, whatever your reason is. This is especially true if you are driving an ATV, which includes a snowmobile. The Resort Rules state, “All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), must … remain on the roads or trails at all times”. If you want to go joy riding there are a lot of places that won’t bother others, so use the defined trails to access the crown land or use the boat launch to get to the frozen lake. Even if you are just walking, get permission before crossing the lot line.
One of the biggest reasons people come to the lake, is that we are in the middle of “Quad Country”. ATVs and golf carts are welcome on the Resort, and people often take them to visit neighbors that are, amazingly, just 50ft away. It is illegal to operate a golf cart on crown land, but on the Resort both of these types of vehicles are treated the same way. They must abide by all the same rules including having appropriate insurance and lighting, and always being operated quietly and under the 10km/hr speed limit. Also, they can only be used for one way trips during quiet hours, no matter how quiet they are. All laws that apply to a full size vehicle also apply to these other vehicles, even when on the Resort. This means that drivers must be of an appropriate age and cannot be impaired. Imagine telling your boss that you lost your license driving a golf cart at the lake, or explaining to Government Child Services that your 10 year old child got rear ended while driving a quad. Don’t forget the penalty for not wearing a helmet (or seatbelts) is $300 … per person.
I am happy to announce that we have a new operator for the Resort Store this season. Marilyn(155) will be in the store, selling ice cream and candy, as well as whatever else you may need at the lake. Her operating hours will be posted in the front of the store, but if you have any questions she can be reached at ResortStore@fawcettlakeresort.com .
The Campers Club is looking for a new Treasurer. Thank you to Sherry(210) for all of her hard work both as Treasurer and for all the other roles she filled last season. If you are interested in helping the Campers Club in any way for either a short project or a longer term position, or even if you just have an idea for an event, please contact Events@fawcettlakeresort.com .
Please be aware of the emergency situation that we experienced at the lake last fall, when a member of our community was reported missing. Although the search did not have any results yet, it will be resumed as soon as the ice melts. Authorities are confident that efforts will conclude in the spring. If anything of interest is found, please ensure that nothing is disturbed and then immediately notify Tonya(70) at 780.803.2862 or contact an Emergency Volunteer.
All of us are growing tired of how the epidemic is affecting our lives. From what I understand, there is no legal requirement to wear a mask if you are outdoors and maintaining physical distancing from others. Life at the lake may be different than life at home, but it too is affected by the ever changing restrictions. There is a document on our website that talks about this concern. It has remained mostly relevant over the past year, but these guidelines will be updated sometime soon. Please make sure that everyone who will be using your lot is familiar with the COVID-19 Guidelines for using your lakelot at Fawcett Lake Resort. Remember, you are required to always keep a record of any guests you have at the Resort over the most recent two week period.
As with every year, there is an Annual Meeting scheduled for the Sunday of the May long weekend (which is May 23) at 1.00pm. This event will be postponed if required by COVID-19 restrictions. Decisions will be made at this meeting about life at the lake. Your attendance can make this meeting better and your vote can make a difference. Everyone is welcome to come help plan the events of this season.
See you at the Lake