January 2012

Hi Clearlakers!

It is hard to believe as I sit down to write this, that this is the 30th newsletter I have put to pen. Rita and I arrived as newlyweds in March of 1982, leaving behind our careers in the legal profession and engineering, with 3 year-old Nicholas in tow, with nothing but suitcases and optimism. It is amazing how these milestones cause one to reflect. The balancing act of four masters: faith, wife, family & friends, and the resort have made for a wonderful adventure thus far. I wonder where all the time has gone until I look back on all the changes that 30 years brings. (Not personally, of course…I’m sure I haven’t changed and neither has Rita; she is still the good looking American cheerleader I married.) Nick is now 33 with a life and interests of his own. Brianne is 28, married and new home owner in Toronto and Jillian, at 26, is now living in Oakville and holding down two jobs.

I am amazed at what has taken place at the resort during that time -- all the kitchens, wall coverings, furniture, appliances, windows, boats and motors, roofs, docks, and landscaping have been changed or replaced at least once. As we continually alter and upgrade, what hasn’t changed is the wonderful opportunity to share experiences, life and friendship with all of you.

Last year the season started with rain and warmer temperatures than the previous year, much like our winter this year! Terry Wilkinson’s crew had three walleye over 5 ½ pounds that are still growing even bigger (in keeping with the new fishing regulations) and the Barretts showed that the walleye legacy George had left them was not forgotten. The great opening was then followed by the worst east wind in memory that didn’t let up until Victoria Weekend, when lots of jumbo perch, blue gill and a few crappie were caught. The walleye of the weekend was an eight pounder landed by the 2-4 Club’s Grant Parker. On Memorial Weekend, the fishing was still hot with Mike Griffi and Pat Driver’s Fort Erie group averaging four keepers a night each. As we moved into June, we would have to consider giving one guest the title “Angler of the Year.” Glenn Lowes ties his own worm harnesses and they proved not only effective with the fish, but he had a deer and a beaver come up to the boat while using them, intrigued by his creations. Sunfish picata and stuffed walleye for eleven anyone? One could only wish they were in Paul Ruez’s group who brought Doug up for the first time, who not only fishes well but is a professional chef.

Summer is that magical time of the year by the lake. The possibilities for enjoyment range from the active to the sublime, depending on your age and interests. Last summer I saw people’s sense of wonder as they watched the pink and purple sunrise from a lawn chair at the beach with their coffee in one hand and the paper in the other. I watched little ones on the playground equipment squealing down the slide only to reach the bottom, look up and exclaim, “Again!” Others were pleading, “Higher! Higher!” as they were pushed on the swings; some simply laid calmly on the merry-go-round watching the clouds go around in lazy circles. The adults had their play time too as I heard the yelp at the horse shoe pits of yet another ringer, the groan by the shuffleboard court at a “10 Off”, and the laughter at the ping pong, air hockey and foozeball tables. I recall the sweet smell after a summer rain and the mouthwatering aroma of culinary excellence wafting off the gas barbecue at each cottage. I remember the tastes of summer like a well-roasted marshmallow at our twice-weekly bonfire nights or cool ice cream from our store on a hot day. Some images that are hard to forget are the excited twinkle in the eyes of young ones glancing over their shoulder while being chased on game nights by our staff, Kris and Kaitlyn, or the camaraderie of sharing Angie’s popcorn during our weekly movie night.

Our free, twice-weekly water skiing continues to be a highlight of the summer offering tubing, knee boarding, and skiing. Tubing ranges in excitement from “powder puff” to “suicide”. This year we had a new speed “happy medium” coined by Brianna Wing, and lots of first-time tubers like Sheamus Reilly, Addison Andrews, Connor Borovskis, Luke Muye, Kaylyn & Ella Bee, two- year-old Ryan Powers, Margaret Contant, Sean Cisterna, Alba Abringas, Brad Clark, Peter Jenkan, Anita Reimer, Brody Millar, Kayleigh Van Mill, Damian & Romina Pimpinella who “was having the most fun ever” on her trip, Reuben Concessayo, Tyler Neamtu, Abbey Coutts, Sydney Raspberry, Jacob & Marie Palliser, Jonah Kay and Mia Fasolo who complained “my butt’s wet!” Knee boarding was a great first skiing experience for a lot of folks and encouraged by others like first timer Solomon Reilly who exclaimed, “It was soooo much fun!” Some other first-time knee boarders were Mekayla Gervais, three-year-old Olivia Waxman, Julia Macpherson, Madison Dewitt, Madison Larue, Mackenzie Papalia, Laurana Cline, Evan Hyde, Rachel Abela, Katelyn Freborn, Dana & Liam Quinn, Easton Oberholtzer, Victor Concessayo and Emmalee Blake. Skiing required more strength and skill and was mastered by one of our moms, Lindsay Reilly, who advised, “Just assume the birthing position.” Advice that was successfully followed by her sister Tiffany with a very proud papa Paul looking on. Other first-time skiers include Sam Fleck, Maddy Waxman, Julie Lebowitz, Julianna Kolencik, Cassandra Altobelli, Sarah Lyon, Jackie D. and Curtis Gellatly. Other skiing accomplishments of note were Brandon Delphia and Elizabeth Browning who skied double for the first time and Rob Hyde who was able to slalom with a deep water start. Even Kaitlyn Ferrerri, our own staff, slalomed for the first time.

In the fall, the weather was amazing and everyone enjoyed the fact that the fish were the only thing biting as mosquitoes disappear in August. Mother Nature works here magic as she paints a new picture every year as the ever-changing colors continue to take our breath away. Lots of time was spent at the picnic tables by candle light looking up at the stars. It was great to see the compassion of our guests to one another. When Tony Franceschini’s grandson Matt was upset down by the dock, Mark Vanyo was there to calm and comfort him till Grandpa arrived. George Taylor’s four-year-old grandson, travelling from Calgary for the boys weekend, was caught short just as the plane’s “Fasten Seatbelt” sign came on. “I gotta go.” he exclaimed. Dad said, “You just have to hold it!” The youngster grabbed the front of his lap. Shortly thereafter he said, “I can’t hold it anymore!” Then he grabbed Dad’s hand and put it in his crotch and said, “You hold it!”

The results of the year long fish contest are in for 2011. The Largest Bass was caught by James Mink of Burlington with a 5.6 pound small mouth, narrowly beating Kevin Charbonneau. Honourable mention goes to Blair Spedler, Connor Steele, Adam Lazenby and David Heil. The largest reported Muskie was caught by Art Kennedy of Florida with a 44.5 inch lunker. Honourable mention going to Robert Fries and John Rivera’s fishing group. (Except John who was blanked for the first time in 21 years!) The Largest Ladies fish was caught by Paige Winton of Burlington with a 3.8 pound bass. Honourable mention goes to Sebrina Venema, Katelyn Steele and Caroline Laughton whose muskie was just short of the 44-inch minimum. The largest Kid’s fish was a 2.6 pound bass caught by Parker Ridgewell of Hamilton. Honourable mention goes to Cara Wing, Evan Hyde, and Mackenzie Papalia. Although lunker walleye have to be returned to the lake, some of our guests shared pictures and stories of briefly held fish like Grant Parker’s 8 pounder as well as the nice fish by Rick Rogers, David Morris, and John Forget.

On a sad note, we lost dear friends last year. Tom Kennelly, Gerry Moore and Rod Garrett have all left a hole in our hearts. To help ease the pain, we focus on life and celebrate the addition of a baby boy to each of the Monteith, Richard, and Grafious families, a little girl to Jackie Royston, and twins to Allysa Naro. Wedding congratulations go out to Jeff & Faith Dixon, James & Crista Webb, Josh & Lauren Gledhill and Seth & Jenn Hiltunen. May life be good to all of you!

On the business side of things, as many of you know, we are in the process of expanding to include the property we acquired last year which lies between us and the conservation area behind us (formerly known as Forest Glen Cottages). Along with expanded dockage facilities, we are excited to offer you two new, two-bedroom cottages this summer! Faster travel around the lake will also be possible with the addition of all new 15 H.P. Mercury engines replacing our current fleet.

For all those who are not familiar with our establishment, all our cottages have full bathrooms and full kitchens with all the equipment. However, kitchen and bath linens and paper products are not provided. There is a double bed in each bedroom complete with bedding, an automatic propane furnace and a double sofa bed in the living room. Most cottages have a screened porch and each is equipped with a picnic table and full-size gas barbecue.

As a reminder, our deadline for confirming the bookings you held last year is MARCH 1 for ALL cottage bookings. PLEASE NOTIFY US NO LATER THAN MARCH 1 BY PHONE OR MAIL. IF YOUR LETTER ARRIVES AFTER THE DEADLINE, YOUR COTTAGE MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR YOU. In planning your summer reservations, be advised that our summer season starts the fourth Saturday in June, when Bass season opens, which is June 23rd this year. If your week was the third week of the summer last year, you would have arrived July 9, 2011, which corresponds with July 7, 2012.

We would like to thank you for your friendship, patronage and ongoing referrals. As Rita and I reflect on the past 30 years, we are thankful my Mom and Dad, Barb and Bill, took a chance 45 years ago moving from Toronto to the lake to try and make a living in the resort industry. Though there have been many ups and downs during that time, with your support we hope to be able to celebrate many more milestones with you.

Regards,

The Harrington Family

Brian, Rita, Nick, Jillian, Brianne & Chris