I had planned to address the topic of setting off fireworks every summer weekend over Maple Lake even before I saw the “Letter(s) of the Week” in the Haliburton County Voice.
These letters, written by local cottage country property owners were not only food for thought but were enlightening in their enumerations of all the ways uncontrolled personal use of fireworks in cottage country is a very bad thing.
To digress for a moment, prior to this year I, Canadian born, and raised in Connecticut from ages 6-18 by Canadians with frequent returns to my entire extended family in Canada, found the Canadians that I encountered in Canada to be…not like Americans. For starters, they confirmed the oft-repeated stereotype by being refreshingly polite–if more the “arm’s length”- formal kind of politeness.
But does this type of “politeness” extend so far for some Canadians who hold a decisive opinion about a matter such as the fireworks but chose to pretend the issue does not exist? And is it at it’s base due to fear!?! Is there a fear among Ontarians that they will be perceived as impolite to speak up when they feel a large wrong needs righting?
I don’t know. I really hope not.
I always had a sort of idealized notion of what a Canadian is/was. But growing up, I was always steered in the direction of not talking about things that might make other people uncomfortable–even if said thing needed to be addressed–so for better or worse, here goes.
About five years ago a neighbour on Maple Lake, a year-rounder I believe, began setting off fireworks every single weekend of the summer. (This is not a precise accounting. I simply know that no matter when I went to the Lake, from the last weekend in May when we opened through Labour Day when we close, it was and has been the case.)
I hoped it was a passing phase as the fireworks startled me and scared the daylights out of my dog–and they destroyed the peacefulness that used to be indigenous to our little lake which is dotted with year-round personal residences and cottages.
The setting off of fireworks phase has not passed, however. I’ve realized belatedly that it is not just a band of folks on Maple Lake that have gone ga-ga over something that I’ve always thought very American. To embrace the crassness of setting off fireworks whenever and wherever you please, for there can be no other way to describe their intrusiveness when they go off unexpectedly near your home, is to ignore the specialness of setting them off one or two nights a YEAR.
So to everyone who still insists that setting fireworks off every weekend of the summer is special–as well as your “right,” as someone who has grown up with the American traditions involving fireworks let me tell you: You are acting like a bunch of Americans.
You are Canada. You will never be the United States nor do you want to be, trust me on this. Let’s just cite one reason: preserving your national identity as Canadians. Both countries have much to laud but they are separate, distinct entities unique unto themselves.
Let me reiterate the very real ramifications of Uncontrolled Use of Fireworks on Maple Lake and other lakes in cottage county:
1. Fireworks increase the potential of fires
2. Noise pollution and the consequences (e.g. loons leaving, tourists leaving)
3. Toxicity to the air, water, and surrounding grounds***
*Let me expound a bit about the toxicity of fireworks. They get shot off mostly over the lakes. Unlike how it may appear, they do not just explode. The reality is that the exploded debris falls into the water, along with the chemical residue. Yes, this is bad for the ecosystem and even if you don’t really care about the ecosystem and shame on you if you don’t–you are poisoning your own water.
Whatever you dump on the ground near a lake seeps into the water table eventually and then it gets into your water–your swimming water and in the case of our cottage, our tap & shower water. This dovetails into #4…
4. Interfering with wildlife habitats.
First-hand story. Last year I spent about a month living on Maple Lake. Despite the rainy and seasonally cold weather of the summer of 2009 on Maple Lake, I could hear and sometimes see a pair of loons that have taken up residence on the Lake each summer for as long as I can recall. Their haunting calls are unmistakable and for me, comforting that some things don’t change (though I wouldn’t know if the specific pairs of loons changed–I would guess they’d have had to)–you can count on them. Or so I thought.
I’m soon heading up to Maple Lake and I’m going to try to find a second loon on our lake because instead of the minimum 2 that I’ve seen every year for as long as I can remember–I’ve only heard the sound of a single, solitary loon in 2010.
Did my neighbour and his regular weekend fireworks frenzy drive away one of Maple Lake’s loons and if so, are we going to lose the single remaining loon, too?
I’m not at all an expert about loons. I just know they bring me stolen moments of serenity. Loons are beautiful creatures to behold as they duck under the water and resurface 100 or more feet away in their elaborate “game” of try-to-find-me.
What I can say with confidence are the facts as I’ve observed them.
I have a neighbour across the way who every weekend of the summer at about 9:30 p.m. sets off about 20 minutes-worth of fireworks. He (I presume it’s a “he”) scares my older dog out of her senses. She quivers & shakes both during the noise assault and long after. The noise kills the atmosphere of peacefulness that Maple Lake always exuded. I’ve now read that this is a problem for other lakes in cottage country and the fallout (no pun) is remarkably similar to our own.
Naturally, the question of what have I done to try to solve this problem ? is a relevant one. I’ve worried and complained about it as I’m doing here for the first time but have I addressed this with the people setting off the fireworks? The answer is no, I have not. I was hoping the novelty would wear off but of course, it hasn’t or I wouldn’t be speaking up now. Now I do want to try and have courteous conversation with them but I cannot figure out where exactly they live. It is somewhere in here:
Area of Fireworks Activity on Maple Lake
Please click to enlarge.
As you can see by the named roads this is a densely populated area of Maple Lake and it’s going to take some sleuthing to find out “who” is shooting off fireworks on their property out over out lake every. single. weekend. Not to mention to do the sleuthing I’m going to need to either go to the site of the fireworks by canoe or trespass on “private property.”
Even here in the U.S. of A. in the great state of Illinois (absolutely no sarcasm–I love where I live) there are much stricter limits on the type of fireworks that can be bought legally. For us, it’s sparklers and poppers essentially but then, we do a very American thing. On and around Independence Day a/k/a The Fourth of July, towns and cities alike put on displays for everyone to enjoy. They have a distinct beginning and end, are controlled for safety and someone cleans up afterward. Not perfect but way more in-line with something I used to think was a standard Canadian trait: civility and respect for one another and the environment.
I do believe that both countries share in the desire to put a halt to unnecessary pollution of our precious natural surroundings. Surely banning unregulated use of fireworks in cottage country, Haliburton County specifically, is unquestionably a positive step that we, as stewards of this planet, should not hesitate to take.
Am I going to continue to be the “misdirected” polite Canadian and ignore what is being done to Maple Lake in the name of a (very) few people’s need to entertain themselves with exploding gunpowder? Nope. Can’t do it anymore. I love the Lake too much. And I’m not walking away. I’m digging in. (On a personal note, it was harder to attempt to do so this year as my youngest son was preparing for college and I was needed back here in Chicagoland.)
I’m willing to meet halfway in my suggestion for a remedy as is so often the end result of circumstances like this. If I made the law, I would allow use of fireworks on specific holidays like the July 1st Canada Day, Victoria Day on May 24 and quite possibly both the civic holiday on the 1st Monday in August and on Labour Day. The rest of the time I’d allow small “personal” fireworks like sparklers & poppers that will neither drive away our wildlife or our human residents and vacationers alike who would prefer to enjoy their evening without the punctuations of those that wish to emulate bombs exploding.
I’d love to hear any sincere comments, ideas or suggestions from you about on fireworks in Ontario’s cottage country so use the comment box or please drop me a line at maplelakeontario@gmail.com.
Aug 6, 2010
Haliburton, Ontario, Canada
Photos: 26
Buttermilk Falls, Stanhope Township, Haliburton Highlands
Buttermilk Falls, Stanhope Township, Haliburton Highlands
This is our last day at Maple Lake. We drove the 700 miles home–3 people, 2 cars, 2 dogs, the next day after nearly 2 weeks for the guys, 9 days for me. Buttermilk Falls was the absolute-best thing we did. We squeezed in a few other fun things, too. For my part I worked way too much. Not next time! Weather was much better this year though there was NO beach because Maple Lake was VERY high this summer (so far). Will see for myself when next I haunt the place. Boo!I hope to go over Labour Day week to another nearby spot, the “Five Points.” It’s on the map in the Picasa album that you click on. You enter at area “d” which is not much farther from our cottage than Buttermilk Falls. The actual 5 Points, are at what appears to be the south end of Little Hawk Lake, which is not very far north of Maple Lake. Yay! Double click for all the Buttermilk Falls info in the photo album.
Weather Friday & Saturday Aug. 13 - 14 Haliburton Highlands
It will be cloudy overnight on Friday with a low of 18°C.
Tomorrow Saturday, will be mostly cloudy with sunny breaks and a high of 26°C.
Expect thundershowers and a low of 23°C by evening.
Saturday overnight continues with thundershowers and a low of 20°C
There could be 5-10 mm of rain from Saturday morning to Saturday overnight; higher amounts in thunderstorms.
Long Term Forecast through August 20
Sunday brings yet more thundershowers, a high of 24°C and a low overnight of 20 C°.
There may be from 5-10 mm precipitation accumulation.
Monday will be mainly sunny with a high of 24°C and an overnight low of 18°C. There is no rain in the forecast.
Tuesday will bring sunny periods and a high of 23°C. The overnight low will be 16°C. There is no rain in the forecast.
Wednesday, expect cloudy periods and a high of 21°C. The overnight low will be 14°C and there may be up to 1 mm precipitation.
Thursday look to be a day with isolated showers leaving the results rather up in the air.The temperature is forecast to be 21°C. and the overnight low 14°C. There may be 1-3 mm of rain.
Finally on Friday look for a clear, sunny day with a high of just 20°C. The overnight low should dip down to 13°C. There is no rain in the forecast.
Kincardine Channel Sunset, Penetangore River to Lake Huron
Hi again,
This will be the last time for some weeks that I put together the forecast from a 700 mile distance from Maple Lake. Next week I’ll be quite happy to forecast from the Haliburton Highlands.
Monday I’ll set out for a few weeks of cottage time. I don’t think I need to tell anyone that the hot and humid suburban summertime conditions are no picnic and the Lake will be a welcome change. So what will the weather be like?
Short Term Forecast Maple Lake and Haliburton Highlands
Overnight on Saturday expect some isolated showers and a low temperature of 63°F.
Waking up on Sunday look for isolated showers to continue and a temperature of 64°F. As the day goes on however you’ll see cloudy periods and can expect a high temperature of 75°F. There could be 0.1 inch of rain accumulation in this 24-hour period. Sunday afternoon expect cloudy periods and a high of 75°F. Sunday evening, sunny skies and 72°F.
Overnight Sunday expect the temperatures to drop to 55°F and it will be clear.
Haliburton Highlands long term Weather
Monday, expect sunny skies and a high of 77°F. The low overnight is forecast to again be 55°F.
Tuesday will be mainly sunny and 79°F with the third-in-a-row cool nighttime low of 55°F. Perfect sleeping weather.
There is no precipitation in the forecast for Monday or Tuesday.
Wednesday, expect variable cloudiness a high of 79°F–which will feel like 91°F– and an overnight low of 63°F.
There could be up to a quarter-inch of precipitation accumulation.
Thursday expect isolated showers and a high of 73°F. The low temperature overnight on Thursday is expected to be 61°F and there may be up to one-tenth of one inch rainfall.
Friday, July 30, expect cloudy periods and a high of 73°F. The overnight low will be 61°F. There is no rain in the forecast.
Saturday, July 31st is expected to be mainly sunny day with a high of 73°F, and overnight low of 59°F and again,
no precipitation in the forecast.
Have a great week! Bug report and webcam pics follow!
Bug Report July 24- July 29
Short Term Forecast Maple Lake and Haliburton Highlands
Haliburton Highlands long term Weather
Bug Report
Kawagama Lake, Dorset
Chapleau River sunset
Toronto Island, Lake Ontario sunset
Grand Bend Yacht Club (sunset)
Kincardine Harbour sunset
Kincardine Channel Penetangore River. to Lake. Huron
IMAGE FILE: Clockwise from top left: Pottery Lane Studio & Gallery (clay), Red Thread Design (fashion) , Opal Wing Creations (jewellery), Box Boy (wood), Cori Lee Marvin (watercolour)
WHEN: Friday July 23 noon – 7 pm
Saturday July 24 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday July 25 10 am – 4 pm
Admission. $2, children under 12 free
Wow. So this celebration has been going on my whole life. I remember it going back to young childhood and it seems it started at the perfect age for me–when I was four.
This year we traveled back to Maryland to see my folks then took this week “off” (euphemism for madly tried to catch up) so we can leave later this weekend for Maple Lake. So again I’m missing the Art & Craft show though I know that I’ll still be able to enjoy some of the featured attractions individually during the few weeks I’m at the Lake.
And remember: Admission is good for all three days, just be sure to have your hand stamped at the gates for readmission.
Webcam shot from Southern Ontario Today:
Chapleau River, Ontario - 7.22.10
WHERE: Head Lake Park, Haliburton Village
MORE info/directions www.railsendgallery.com
705-457-2330
July 23,24,25 Haliburton Art & Craft Festival – Make it part of your Haliburton Highlands Summer
More to see and do at the 2010 Festival
There’s more to see, do, and hear this year with Buskers throughout the park, afternoon Kids Art Attack, a Lakeside Lions Club BBQ and the Rails End beer tent (a family friendly spot), Artist demos, Brigitte’s Picks of the Show and the Library in A Box. Make a day of it, or make it a weekend. Admission is good for all three days, just be sure to have your hand stamped at the gates for readmission.
for a list of participating artists and daily events schedules.
The Haliburton Art & Craft Festival is presented by Rails End Gallery & Arts Centre.
Rails End Gallery & Arts Centre is a registered Canadian charity devoted to bringing art to life in Haliburton and a member of the Ontario Association of Art Galleries (OAAG), the Ontario Crafts Council (OCC) and Arts Council ~ Haliburton Highlands.
Info thanks to the County of Haliburton, Department of Economic Development, Tourism & Marketing.
Summer has certainly reached the Haliburton Highlands and on the whole, the weather for the next 2 weeks should be NORMAL. Isn’t that fantastic?!
I had high hopes after the less-than-great summers of 2008-09 and Mother Nature seems to have come through for us.
The remainder of this weekend calls for light rain and a high temperature of 68°F. Light rain continues overnight Sunday with low temperatures a mild 63°F. There could be 0.6 inches of rain in this 24-hour period.
Monday morning is more of the same with a prediction of cloudy with showers and the day starting at about 64°F. By Monday afternoon the weather shifts to cloudy with sunny breaks and a high temperature of 75°F.
Monday evening calls for variable cloudiness and a high of 75°F. Overnight Monday, expect cloudy periods which change to mostly clear as the temperature drops to 57°F.
Links to some fun activities this week in the Haliburton Highlands:
Haliburton Highlands Long Term Weather July 20 -25
Tuesday, you can expect variable clouds with a high of 75°F and an overnight low of 57°F. There is no rain in the forecast.
Wednesday also calls for variable cloudiness. The high will be 77°F–which will feel like 88°F– and the overnight low should be about 63°F. There is no rain in the forecast.
Thursday will be a sunny day with a high temperature of 79°F–which will feel like 91°F with an overnight low of 64°F. Again, there is no rain in the forecast.
Friday, July 23 bring clouds and showers, a high of 79°F, which will feel like 93°F and a muggy overnight low of 66°F. More than 10mm of rain is possible so it looks like some significant storms are rolling in.
Saturday, there will be a chance of thunderstorms, a high of 75°F and another muggy overnight low of 68°F. There may be 0.4 inches of the wet stuff.
Finally, on Sunday expect a sunny day, a pleasant high of 75°F and an overnight low of 66°F. There is no rain in the forecast.
Have a great week! Scroll down for more webcam shots of Southern Ontario and this week’s bug report.
Welcome t o your weekend! Have a peek at the lovely shot of Green Lake near West Guilford, which was snapped on July 3, 2010. The skies in the Haliburton Highlands are some of the most beautiful I’ve *seen in eastern north America and this shot exemplifies that gorgeously. (*Seen in person, not in webshots (lol).)
To the weather:
Saturday:
For the remainder of today–Saturday expect the sun to be prominent but the temperatures to be moderate at about 75°F. You’ll have a clear overnight with a low temperature of 57°F. Sunday morning you’ll arise to another sunny day at 68°F. As your Sunday progresses the temperature will climb to 82°F. The overnight low will be about 66°F and will remain clear.
There is no rain in the forecast for this 24-hour period.
Monday brings scattered showers in the afternoon with a high of 79°F and an overnight low of 64°F. The total precipitation should be about one-half inch.
July 12- 16, 2010 Weather Haliburton Highlands
Tuesday will be cloudy with showers. The high temperature will be about 75°F and the low overnight 64°F. Total precipitation should be about one-third of an inch.
Expect scattered showers in the afternoon on Wednesday July 14, with a high of 81°F and an overnight low of 64°F. There should be 0.1 inch precipitation accumulation.
Thursday will be mainly sunny with a high temp of 82 °F and an overnight low of 66°F. Like the day before, there should be 0.1 inch precipitation accumulation.
Friday will bring isolated showers and a high of 82°f. It will feel like 97°F though (with the day before almost at hot-feeling at a 95-degree humidex) so remember to rehydrate. The overnight low temp for Friday will be 66°F. There will be a trace of precipitation in total.
Saturday will be sunny with a beautiful high of 82°F and an overnight low of 66°F.there is no precipitation forecast for Saturday, July 17.
Have a great week! Enjoy the webcam shots form late Friday! (Click to enlarge) The BUG REPORT follows.
Happy Holiday Weekend to both Canada and the U.S.!
I haven’t checked elsewhere but both Maple Lake, Ontario and where I am (23 miles northwest of Chicago) are having very nice holiday weekend weather compared to last year. That makes me hopeful that Maple Lake especially will have a good summer weather-wise which of course effects lots of other aspects of life, too.
On with what to expect in the next week from the weather and the bugs:
July 1 Holiday Weekend Weather
Chances are if you look outside or are outside right now you’d see a lovely sight–perfect holiday weather at Sunny and 75°F. It will be be clear overnight with a low of 61°F. Seems like summer is here. Yay!
Sunday morning will be sunny and 66 °F, rising to 82°F by Sunday afternoon with a sunny high of 82°F.
Sunday evening will be clear and 77°F and Sunday overnight will be mainly clear with a low of 68°F.
Long Term Forecast. Southern Ontario. July 5 thru July 10. 2010 - CLICK TO ENLARGE
July 1st Holiday Weather- Click to enlarge
Looks like Deer and Horse flies are going to be most pesky. Your mileage may vary.
Scroll below for More photos from the southern Ontario area today July 3. 2010– including cottage country!
It was an OK day for the G8 to come visiting, no? They had to work anyway.
Welcome to your weekend! Apologies again for my tardiness in getting the forecast posted, as last night I was helping my spouse celebrate his birthday weekend. (I’ve now declared a moratorium on June birthdays. Two max. My Dad and my spouse. Everyone else, we’ll wait ’till a later date. It’s one of those preserving one’s sanity measures).
OK then. If it’s Saturday when you read this I suppose you can take a look outdoors and see either cloudiness or cloudiness & showers and temperatures running in the very low 60′s°F. Until late Saturday night that is what you can expect. By overnight Saturday you’ll feel a drop in temperatures to 48°F. The total accumulation of precipitation should be no more than 0.3 inches.
Long Term Weather Forecast Haliburton Highlands June 27 - July 2
Sunday, expect a day with cloudy periods, a high projected to be 73°F and a low overnight of 48°F. There may be up to 0.4 inches of precipitation accumulation in total.
Monday calls for thundershowers, a high temp of 70°F and a low overnight of 59°F. Precipitation accumulation will be 0.1 inch.
By Tuesday there is a slight change in the weather with variable cloudiness in the forecast and a high temperature of 61°F. The low overnight will be a blanket-worthy 50°F. No rain is in the forecast.
Wednesday, expect more variable cloudiness, a daytime high of 63°F and and overnight low of a chilly 48°F. Break out the quilts! No rain is in the forecast, however.
Thursday is a day of celebration as the the forecast calls for a mainly sunny day! The high temperature will be a comfortable 68°F, the low overnight 48°F (don’t forget your quilt!), and there is no rain in the forecast.
Friday, expect variable cloudiness, a daytime high of 72°F and an overnight low of 54°F. Again, no rain is forecast. (See below for the Bug Forecast.)
Haliburton sunset June 25, 2010 (click to enlarge)
Reach Harbour Lakefield June 25 sunset - (click to enlarge)
Chapleau River - June 25 sunset (click to enlarge)
Bug Forecast
In short, both the black flies and mosquitoes are expected to be rated “high” Friday June 25 through Wednesday June 30. You can check the graph for more specifics about other flying critters.
Welcome to your weekend!
I’ll be back to walk you through the weather for the weekend but in short, I want to apologize for it because it comes from here in the States. We lost power today–tree limbs flying, high winds, pounding rain and your area too possibly shall see similar weather through most of Saturday. It’s full-on thundershowers NOT scattered so I’d cancel what you may have planned outdoors for Saturday morning through at least afternoon. The problem here at least is that there are a series of storm systems …so you get past the one and a short bit later…here in my house one of my dogs starts shivering and I know they are coming back before they hit.
Weekend Weather Jun 18- 19 2010
EDIT/:6.19.10 After a thorough examination other the weather forecasts in your area for the next 36 hours, I agree that Friday overnight the Haliburton Highlands will be mainly clear and about 17°C.
By Saturday morning thundershowers turn to full- blown thunderstorms which will last in parts of Ontario until Saturday evening when the skies are to clear. It will be mainly sunny with a comfortable temperature of 21°C on Saturday evening. Sounds nice.
It will be continue to be mainly sunny at daybreak on Sunday after a Saturday overnight low of 15°C. More below.
Long Term Weather - 6.20 - 6.25.10
Kincardine Harbour - Pentangore River - Lake Huron - June 18 2010
