Early each year I go to the lake for short visit and a reminder of what a proper winter is like. I admit that with temperatures of forty below, four hours of daylight, and four feet of snow, it only takes a couple of nights and I am ready to go home. This year we did not experience a real winter at all and the truth is … I missed the snow.
As the summer approaches us, I hope that we do not have to start missing the rain too. The lack of moisture on the ground has had us in a Fire Advisory situation since February. In mid-April this assessed risk was increased to a Fire Restriction. There is a Wildfire Hazard link on the Resort website (bottom right) that gives you more information about what this means. Put simply, we should all hope for some rain if we want to have campfires at the lake this summer.
Because of the light snowfall this year, there was no opportunity to light the burn pile over the winter. As a result, we already have a pretty big pile to begin the new season and we will not be able to deal with it until next winter. This season, please reduce the quantity of what you place in the burn pile by breaking items down into smaller pieces and burning them in your own firepit (making sure that a campfire is allowed first). Note that across the road from the burn pile there is a place for yard waste, where you can leave grass clippings, leaves and ashes (but not kitchen or fish cleaning waste). Anything that is allowed in the burn pile can also be burned in the campfire, but keep the flame “campfire size”. Larger items or items that are not burnable can be left at the Waste Transfer Station in Smith for no charge.
As was announced earlier, there was once again a significant amount of time and resources spent this past winter doing power system maintenance. Often the cause of a problem was related to inappropriate connections to the system or because part of the system had been struck by a vehicle. Although the actual damage was slight and would have been easily repairable, it was left unchecked and grew to become a bigger problem that caused this inconvenience for everyone. If you have or have witnessed an incident with a power system fixture, then please report it immediately to Resort Management so we can address the problem quickly. Transformers, Pedestals and Meter Towers can be dangerous and everyone should keep away from them whenever possible. This includes not driving or storing items too close to them. In an attempt to reduce the strain on the system, new rules are coming regarding the electrical system and your connections to it. For example, only one of the 30amp or the 50amp outlets should be used over the long term. If you are using both, please make arrangements to change this to a safer set up.
As everyone should realize, the power service ATCO provides to the Resort is unreliable. If you don’t blow out your water lines in the fall, then you are taking a big risk of getting freezing damage to your pipes while you are away from your lot over the winter. If power is important to you when you are at your lot, then you should have a generator to use when the power service is out. You should also know how to safely connect it to your RV or cabin, without trying to power the whole Resort. This means that you must disconnect your setup from the main electrical system before you connect your generator (even if you are connected to the 100amp service underground). If you are unable to disconnect then using a generator is unsafe for you, for your neighbors and for the crews trying to restore the power service. If you have a generator then please ask us for assistance so we can help make your setup ready for connecting to it. If you don’t have a generator yet, then look for a new quiet one and remember that it can only be used on your lot when there is a power outage.
Everyone should be aware of the Emergency Procedures that are available on the home page of the Resort website (bottom right). There are several Emergency Volunteers at the lake who are willing to take charge of any type of emergency and their lot is identified with the orange life buoy symbol. These individuals are listed in the Emergency Procedures. Anyone can volunteer for this position with no special skills or equipment required. If you are interested then please contact me. Take the time to review these procedures, to note where the closest Emergency Volunteer is to your lot, and to teach your children the meaning of this symbol. You may even want to introduce yourself and extend a thank you to one of our local heroes.
It is going to be a busy season again this year as the Campers Club has several events already planned. There is a schedule of events shown on the home page of the Resort website (bottom left). To start things off, there is a Mother’s Day Tea Extravaganza being held before the Annual Meeting. If you have an idea to help make this season special in any way or if you are just willing to get more involved in these events, please contact the Events Coordinator at events@fawcettlakeresort.com. I am not sure if everyone realizes how big of a role the Campers Club plays in making life at the lake what it is. From the annual quad parade and fireworks to the chili cook offs and barbeques, through the years the Council has really played a significant role in helping to build our community and in bringing people together. On behalf of all current and former Annual Campers and from the Albach family, thank you to all of the volunteers who have gone above and beyond the call or the lake.
Once again the Campers Club will be holding the Annual Meeting on the May long weekend, outside at the Store Community Building. Don’t forget to come early for some tea, bring a lawn chair and dress for the weather. The Annual Meeting will begin at 1.00pm on Sunday May 19 and everyone is welcome.
See you at the Lake