Buckhorn: A lot of work goes into each snowmobile season in Buckhorn and area
Trails are opening up now that all this snow has fallen.
When the snowmobiles go whizzing by on the lake outside my door one knows that it has been cold and snowmobilers feel safe regarding the strength of the ice.
Talking with Jim and Pat Wade, two ardent snowmobilers living in Trent Lakes, you learn that there is a strong infrastructure behind this activity to ensure groomed trails and a safe ride.
Jim and Pat started snowmobiling in 2005. Each has their own machine. They started volunteering with the Buckhorn District Snowmobile Club (BDSC) in 2010. Pat has been on the Board of the club and Jim is currently chairperson of the BDSC and therefore a board member of the CEASR (Central East Area Snowmobile Region) Board of Directors.
In conversation with Jim he states that the trails are opening up. There was little snow until two weeks ago. There is much to do before you start up a machine and take off.
There are seven clubs in this area — Twin Mountain (Kawartha Lakes area), Buckhorn, Paudash Trail Blazers (north of Apsly), Stony Lake Snow Riders, Old Hastings Snowmobile Club, Mazinaw Snowmobile Club (Mazinaw County) and Havelock District Snowmobile Club. These clubs are part of Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) District 2.
The CEASR clubs are funded through permit sales. Before getting on any trails of any of these clubs a driver must have an Ontario trail permit which is sold through the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs and is available online. Seasonal permits are available for $275 for sleds of model year 2000 or newer. $185 buys a Classic permit for sleds model year 1999 or older. Multi day permits for $45 a day are available for a minimum of 2 consecutive days and valid only for days selected.
Maintaining trails is the responsibility of each club. Twin Mountains has 140 kilometres of trails. Buckhorn District has 165 kilometres. Paudash has over 300 kilometres. Trails are numbered. Those numbers identify which club they belong to. Some trails are on crown land and some private land. When a trail is designated as an OFSC prescribed trail only snowmobiles with permits are permitted on the trail.
There is a rating system for trails. If a trail is red on the OFSC interactive trail guide it is not available. You could be charged with trespassing if the trail is on private property. If a trail is yellow you are allowed to ride with limited availability and a permit. The last category is green. These trails are in good condition, however, they are all in an uncontrolled wilderness environment. Be aware.
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2022 NVCA Board of Directors welcomes two new members
Councillor Mariane McLeod of the Town of Collingwood, and Councillor Gail Little of the Township of Amaranth were acclaimed to lead the Board of Directors as Chair and Vice Chair.
BradfordToday Staff
about 20 hours ago
NEWS RELEASE
NOTTAWASAGA VALLEY CONSERVATION AUTHORITY
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UTOPIA – Councillor Mariane McLeod of the Town of Collingwood, and Councillor Gail Little of the Township of Amaranth were acclaimed to lead the 2022 Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) Board of Directors as Chair and Vice Chair.
“I’m honoured to have the confidence of my Board colleagues during this challenging time,” said Councillor McLeod. “I look forward to continuing my role as the NVCA Chair as conservation authorities across Ontario adapt to the changes to the Conservation Authorities Act (CA Act).”
As part of her role as NVCA Chair in 2021, McLeod advocated with the province for changes to the CA Act be brought in in a reasonable timeline, communicated on behalf of the NVCA Board about the regulations accompanying the CA Act changes, and ensured Board meetings were efficient and effective.
“I would like to thank my fellow board members for their support for a second year,” commented Councillor Little. “We live in an area with an abundant and clean water supply that is vital to our environment, our population, our food production and our economy. I feel very privileged to be a part of this organization that does some amazing work in a very special part of Ontario.”
Councillor McLeod continued to say “On behalf of our board, I would like to sincerely thank staff for all the work that they do, including mitigating climate change, protecting people and property from flooding and erosion, restoring our watershed, educating our youth, and providing much needed greenspace for visitors old and young.”
“It is so important that we continue to protect and enhance our natural resources as we prepare for a future with possible climate issues,” echoed Councillor Little. “Thank you to the employees of the NVCA who continue their work in this watershed as we face the challenges ahead.”
The NVCA's Board of Directors provides guidance and leadership to the organization. Members are appointed by the municipalities served by the Authority. For more information, please visit NVCA’s website for more information.
Madawaska Valley - Jan.29 2022
A timely guide to enjoying the depths of winter here in the Valley.
On the trails
Sledders: Recent snowfall means that the hard-working volunteers from the Opeongo Snowbirds, Peterson Pathfinders and other local snowmobile clubs are working to groom trails throughout the Madawaska Valley. To offer your help, learn more about the Clubs, and maybe even book a late-night ride-along with a groomer, contact your nearest club. See details at the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs Snow Country website: https://www.snowcountrysnowmobileregion.ca/clubs/
Opeongo Hills Nordic Ski Club: To maintain their quality groomed trails, the Board authorized the urgent purchase of new equipment. Although the cost was covered by a loan from a board member, this put the Club into a deficit position and an appeal for donations has been made to all supporters and users of the Opeongo Hills cross-country ski trail system. For more details including how to donate funds or to buy the old equipment (on offer for $10,000) please visit the Club’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OpeongoNordic
On the ice
Outdoor Rink Contest is back courtesy of the Barry’s Bay Recreation Committee: Residents of Madawaska Valley, Brudenell Lyndoch & Raglan, Killaloe Hagarty Richards, North Algona Wilberforce, South Algonquin, and Bonnechere Valley are once again eligible to win prizes for their creative construction of outdoor ice rinks. Send pictures or a video of your rink to bbrcmail@gmail.com by the deadline of Feb.13. Celebrity Judges will consider your rink in one of the following theme categories: NHL, Most Unusual, Most Ottawa Valley, Most “Over-the-Top.”
PJYC Ice Resurfacer gets a facelift: The Olympia ice resurfacer at the Paul J. Yakabuski Community Centre rink is sporting a new wrap by Nature of Design that includes logos of Barry’s Bay and Area Skating Club and Barry’s Bay and Area Minor Hockey Association, along with local business sponsors.
Madawaska Valley Township reminder: As per provincial government regulations, you will be required to show your enhanced vaccine certificate (the QR code) to enter MV community centres when they reopen on Monday Jan.31. Visit http://covid-19.ontario.ca/get-proof to get your code. You can save it to your phone, or print a paper copy. If you do not have a smartphone, the Madawaska Valley Public Library – Barry’s Bay will print your code for you at no cost. For $1, they will laminate it to wallet size.
In the stands: Sorry, winter sports fans. Both the Ontario Winter Games which was to be hosted by County of Renfrew as well as this year’s Heritage Cup Tournament have been postponed to safeguard all athletes and fans.
Wisdom Winter Workout: The second Wisdom Winter Workout takes place on Feb.5 where Seat of Wisdom College students, faculty and staff sign up to complete a Winter Workout challenge. Each is committing to walk, run, ski or skate 10 kilometres, alone or with a household partner. This is a fundraiser for SWC and participants are inviting sponsorship here: https://www.givecampus.com/rc8pef. SWC’s media release says all proceeds from this event will support the mental and spiritual health of SWC students, including a new fund to help with professional counselling for students.
Winter gardening for Green Thumbs
Madawaska Valley Gardening Club held a successful AGM by zoom on Jan.20, passed all the motions, and approved the new executive. The Club is still looking for a Secretary to take meeting Minutes, two Directors (1-yr positions), and a Photo Competition Convenor for the annual Flower & Vegetable Show (not required to be a Director). In addition to the annual Show plans for 2022 include more zoom meetings (March through May), an in-person speaker at the Strawberry Social in June (possibly held outdoors), and speakers for the fall meetings. $10 annual memberships are still available if you want to get in on the fun. Email mvgardeningclub30@gmail.com for details.
Art lovers can enjoy online gallery
Ottawa Valley Community Arts explains that you can see Pop Up Art right from the comfort of your own home at www.ov-caos.org/virtual-galleries/ The latest exhibition People and Place has just been added to the virtual galleries. You can see the exhibit in person Fifth Chute Coffee in Eganville until March 20.
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