This weather recap is sounding like a broken record, Tuesday was another gray, damp day. The rain gauge says we had .47 inch of rain throughout the day. At least there was no wind with the lake mirror calm much of the day. Wednesday is starting out with dense fog. I am hearing wild turkeys in the forest somewhere close by. This is mating season for them. The sunny days that had been in the forecast earlier in the week seem to have disappeared. Best we can do is partly sunny on Friday before rain returns on Saturday.
Got my granite into the cottage only to find that one small piece was cut an inch short. Glad it was just a small piece. The vendor was totally responsive and has the replacement ready for pickup. The rest is installed and looking a lot better than the 1930s dresser it replaced.
The Limerick Township fire department is holding a community preparedness day on May 4th from 11AM to 1PM at the community center on hwy 620. Along with information on the Fire Smart program, there will also be info (and kits available) for the WASP fixed sprinkler fire prevention system. Fixed sprinklers seem to be the latest trend in rural fire preparedness as there was a session on this subject at the FOCA AGM also. Buying pumps with hoses and traditional fire equipment is no longer the preferred private firefighting method.
The marina launch ramp is in good condition. Please be mindful of mud around the marina parking lot and try not to make a mess for the owners. (Remember when I used to complain about that in the spring?)
Summer fire regulations are now in effect. No day burning. The municipality will not be issuing any burn permits through the summer. Nighttime fires are to be kept under 2 meters by 2 meters in size. (That is 6 X 6 to me)
July 13th is the annual fund-raising dinner for the North Hastings Community Fish Hatchery. I have attended this event many times and it is always a lot of fun and supports "non-government" stocking of fish in our local lakes. (but not Limerick as our lake supports a healthy fish population without needing any help) Attendance is limited to around 280 people, and it always sells out. More information on their website: fishhatchery.ca
Information from FOCA on the Underutilized Housing Tax:
Underused Housing Tax (UHT) Updates
As part of the federal governments Fall Economic Statement released last week, most Canadian corporations, partnerships, and trusts have become “excluded owners” for UHT purposes, and no longer need to file the tax form annually; however, American owners of Canadian seasonal properties are still implicated in the filing requirements. Additionally, on October 31st, the UHT filing deadline for the 2022 calendar year was extended to April 30, 2024. (Note that filing for calendar 2023 will also be due on that date.)
There is a new general store, St. Ola Station, at the corner of St. Ola Rd. and Highway 62. The store is located in the former "Sams Place" restaurant building on the south-east corner. It is open seven days a week with groceries, baked goods, take out prepared foods, lottery tickets, and much more. They are not a restaurant. The owners recently got their LCBO approval and now have beer, wine, and spirits. They are still working on their MTO approval to sell gasoline, but as of now they do not have fuel. Nearest fuel is the gas station in Coe Hill.
The dump is operating on summer hours now through August 31. It is open Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and holiday Mondays from 11AM to 6PM. Remember, Council shortened the evening hours from 8PM to 6PM last year.
The Limerick chain of lakes is in fisheries zone 15. 2024 regulations start on page 102 of the MNRF regulations book. Bass season will open on June 22. Lake trout season opened on January 1 and will close September 30. Please remember that the Limerick chain of lakes has a "slot size" for lake trout that MUST be returned to the lake if caught. It is roughly 16 to 22 inches.
