Otter Lake Ratepayers' Association (OLRA)

OLRA

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2 more Loon Chicks hatched in center Otter Lake!

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This is a late hatching but usually not too late for the chicks to grow strong enough to migrate to an ocean before freeze up. That brings the total of Loon chicks hatched in 2021 on Otter Lake to 4 (3 still surviving) and 2 chicks on Little Otter Lake.

Cottagers can ensure a loon-friendly property by creating shelter for loon chicks, and letting native wetland plants grow along their shoreline. “It’s also really important to be careful while boating,” she says. Driving slowly, especially while approaching the shore, helps to prevent wakes from washing out loon nests and from separating small chicks from their parents. Cottage Life: Here’s What’s Causing the Decline In Loon Chicks in Ontario, July 7, 2020

Thanks for watching out for our Loons!

Otter Lake Canada Day Boat Parade – Winners and Acknowledgements

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What a fabulous day we had! Our first annual Otter Lake Canada Day Boat Parade was awesome with15 incredibly decorated boats participating. A fun and festive time was had by all; from the crews on the boat entries to those watching from both water and dock.


Thank you to Jeff and Deb Smith, owners of the Otter Lake Marina for generously donating 2 adult sweatshirts as prizes, as well providing a space  for our judging panel on the marina docks. 


A big shout out to Dianne and Dave Amy for handling the registration on their pontoon boat before the parade. Another big acknowledgement to our judges, Peter Koppisch, Gerry Doyle and Denise Exler. Our lead boat was captained by Brad Chittick, the end of the parade line was held by John Roberts, and John Exler was on point. 


The judges had a very tough time choosing the winners as there were so many incredible entries. It was so amazing to see the amount of effort and imagination that went into decorating your boats. But here are the winners:

Most Creative – Boat #7 – Mike Leblanc, Winner of an Adult Sweatshirt – courtesy of  Otter Lake Marina
Most Otter Lake Spirit – Boat #5 – Steve Houston, Winner of an Adult Sweatshirt – courtesy of Otter Lake Marina
Most Patriotic– Boat #8 – Morris Eddy, Winner of an Adult Sweatshirt from Otter Lake Marina – courtesy of OLRA
Best Overall – Boat #3 – Al Hanks, Winner of a $100 an Otter Lake gift certificate – courtesy of OLRA and Recipient of Otter Lake Boat Parade Trophy


Thank you to our photographers, James and Gerry. If you would like a picture of your boat in the parade, please let Denise know and include the entry number in your email to otterlakepix@gmail.com. Check out your Boat Parade Winners Photo Gallery on olra.ca and photos on our facebook page for OLRA Otter Lake.

Our beautiful historic trophy awarded to Best Overall was originally used as the trophy in the Otter Lake Boat Regatta in the 1990’s. How cool is that! Many thanks to Bev Milligan and Roland Weinman for donating.
We welcome any constructive feedback on how we can improve the parade for next year. 
Many thanks for being part of our wonderful day. We look forward to having a bigger event next year!


OLRA Boat Parade Committee

John Roberts, Brad Chittick, and Denise Exler

Canada Day Boat Parade (July 3rd) and Reflection

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As we hold this Canada Day Boat Parade, which was planned several months ago, the OLRA Board asks that we also reflect on the history of the residential schools in Canada and on the intergenerational trauma and grief that the Indigenous peoples in Canada have and are now suffering.  We acknowledge that as Canadians we must strive to learn and acknowledge this dark part of our history.  As we hold this boat parade and celebrate all the things that are great about living in Canada, let us also reflect on this part of our past and how we can strive for reconciliation with our Indigenous peoples.  

Note: An updated event email went out to OLRA members at 10:26 a.m. on June 30th. For questions/info please email Denise Exler at otterlakepix@gmail.com 

OLRA Canada Day Boat Parade

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What better way to celebrate Canada Day than to join OLRA’s first annual boat parade on Otter Lake.
Calling all boat captains….round up your crew and decorate your boat doing Canada Proud! It’s time to have fun!! 
Our goal is to bring our community together in a family fun event and there’s great prizes up for grabs for those who really go all out.
Our categories are: Most Patriotic, Most Creative and Most Otter Lake Spirit. Category Prizes are worth over $50! Big shout out to the Otter Lake Marina for donating two prizes!
The Best Overall Winner goes home with a cool Otter Lake trophy, bragging rights and $100 gift certificate for Otter Lake Marina!
We’ve attached the one hour parade route so that you can invite neighbours, friends and family to view the parade from shore, dock or boat.
Here’s the details:

  • Takes place Thursday, July 1st  2-4 pm, Raindate: July 3rd 2-4 pm
  • We will be assembling for registration, line-up and orientation near the Otter Lake Marina. Look for the boat with the OLRA Banner on it. 
  • Each boat, once registered, receives a number card to hold up as you cruise by the judges on the Otter Lake Marina docks.
  • To register we need the boat captain’s name, cell number and mailing address and your acknowledgement of any covid protocols at the time.
  • Winners will be announced at the parade end to the participants over megaphone and they will proceed to the judges (Otter Lake Marina) to pick up their prizes and have their pictures taken.

Rules, Rules, Rules:

  • Only parade registered OLRA members are eligible for prizes, all Otter Lake residents are welcome to join in.
  • Boats must stay in line at the travel speed of the lead boat, about 6 knots. 
  • Only motorized boats that can keep pace may participate.
  • Music must be played at a respectful level to all lake residents.
  • Decorate your boat with respect to the environment. Tissue paper floating in the lake is not a good thing.
  • Boat captains agree to adhere to all government laws and regulations pertaining to safe boating procedures.
  • You gotta have fun!

Questions? Or if you’d like us to know that you’ll be participating, please contact Denise Exler at otterlakepix@gmail.com for more info.


Looking forward to the parade:)
Denise Exler and your OLRA Board

OLRA-Boat-Parade-2021-routeDownload

OLRA AGM is on May 23rd, 2021 at 9:00 am via Zoom

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See you then to discuss and learn about issues important to our beautiful lake!

If you have not renewed your OLRA membership please do so here. (e-transfers are appreciated as they are quick!) For more info please email info@olra.ca

Otter Lake, Seguin, ON April 24, 2021