Part-time mayor = full-time issues

Where is the mayor?
There are reports in the news that she is hard to reach. Well, no wonder! She is a summer resident, with a home in Toronto. How can a mayor not live in her constituency? This is just plain wrong. Perhaps, only perhaps, councillors could be tourists, and summer residents need representation at Council, but truly a mayor cannot understand living year-round in a place.




The hush of November, the lack of traffic, no line-ups, the peace and calm that descend upon a place usually overrun by tourists who may not appreciate the place.

The December, 2009 storm was amazing. The power of little snowflakes that just kept on coming.
I sent out a tweet or Facebook post (can't remember!) about road closures, which prevented one Muskoka blogger friend, Ed Boutilier, from visiting and turning back, but in an emergency, crews need to be informed and the powers-that-be need to be local.

Then there was the August, 2006 hurricane, December, 2008 power outage, August, 2009 hurricane in Gravenhurst.

MTM - no power, no phone, no Internet

Dec 29, 2008

Fortunately, we had invested in a generator, after the 2006 hurricane winds, and kept warm and dry, and with a few outlets could make coffee and toast.

Monday, Oct. 25th, Ontario Municipal Elections

Sep 14, 2010

Or during the Gravenhurst hurricane? The District is responsible for local work such as signage, water and sewer, garbage collection, local planning, economic development, community service, lake and forest health, through local by-laws ...

Article:

Louis Tam | May 25

Mayor Murphy ‘not always accessible’

MUSKOKA LAKES — Although the mayor of Muskoka Lakes has embraced new communications technologies, some members of the Muskoka Ratepayers Association (MRA) are hoping she won’t forget about more traditional ways of chatting with her constituents.

Snow Emergency declared in Muskoka

Dec 11, 2009

Both Bracebridge and Huntsville have declared snow emergencies. Their coverage has been terrific. I have been pleased with their information page, especially in the light of this emergency. Hubby figures we can call in the troops anytime ...

Recent snowfall in Muskoka

Dec 12, 2009

We were happy to see our snowplow contractor this morning. He lives in MacTier, with waist-deep snow, which is much more snow that we had! For all of my Muskoka Snow Emergency photos click on the Picasa album badge below. ...

Muskoka Snow Report

Dec 11, 2009

A snow emergency has been declared in Huntsville and Mayor Claude Doughty is telling residents of Huntsville to completely stay off the roads." Much has been cancelled. Which is the only smart thing to do! I venture out to clear the ...

For a change...snow squalls

With Lake Effect Snow Squalls in Muskoka, we were blessed with another 25 cm (10" - in both official languages!)  last weekend!

 The snow builds up and we just keep shoveling...good exercise!


I cannot complain, as there are many who manage this, nor can they climb up on the roof and clear the snow. I have wonderful photos of dad on the cottage roof clearing snow!

It is important to clear back *and* front doors, too. I heard sirens last night, who knows what happened. I'll keep you posted.

I find it ennervating when the snow is so deep it goes into my boots, though! I have hip waders, but they're pretty cold with no insulation! A walk along the road showed dark skies, and the dark pine branches painted in white.

It is very pretty, n'est ce pas?


The bird feeders are buried. I dug them out.

The nuthatches are throwing peanuts at me!

Squirrels are covered in snow, head to toe - (paw to tail)

The rocks continue to bleed tears. I adore these rock cuts! Weeping for spring.

To keep us warm indoors, I had to chop wood outdoors.


It builds strong muscles, even if it makes my
'tennis elbow' act up! (Actually injured playing squash...)
With grandchild #2 on the way I have to be prepared for lifting!

The guys delivering the wood told me that some of the wood was big, but surely someone with a wood stove would have an ax.

Yeah, and two middle-aged bad backs, too! Either I chop it, or I have to lug it!


Everyone is out shovelling. Last night and this morning, with more Lake Effect snow, we have another 5 cm (2") on the ground.

Even our neighbour, despite the fact that we have a professional contractor to throw the snow!

New Note To Self

Don't give up! Don't ever give up!

After shovelling the roof- it snowed again last night, with more on the way!


Take it easy out there, people.

The lake has a lovely layer of snow on top, with -10º  C. temperatures last night. But it won't last for long. The lake stays at 4º  all winter underneath the ice.

My cottage roof has another layer of snow.You can see the left side that I cleared yesterday, with another fresh layer of snow.
Good thing I'm young and strong [*wink, wink*]...I only have a little more to do of the deep stuff.
["Don't criticize the coffee, you may be old and weak some day!"]

In trying to find total snowfall, I came across this article from Apr. 2, 2008:
"At 546 centimetres, or just under 18 feet, this year’s snowfall is now the second highest on record for the area and the most since the winter of 1942-1943. With only 20 cm separating 2007-2008 from the all-time record, Phillips said this may end up being the snowiest winter ever recorded in Muskoka."

Minden had 140 cm = 1.4 metres (55") in two days this December. Records are made to be broken!

Thanks for the Shout Out, Ed! People were fabulous! We still have people without hydro, mostly where the dump was worst (Minden = 140+ cm). The lone line of snow went dead east. See it in the radar!

It's fine if you have your driveway plowed, but the sidewalks are another issue.

The main roads are good, the side roads OK. But there are many cottages that do not have winter snow removal. The contractors are a week behind with 'regular' contracts, as I tried to refer someone to my guy!.

For a moment, just a brief moment the sun shone between the clouds. You can see the snow squalls in the dark clouds on the right. Thar' she blows!
In the towns, the big deal is parking, and the driving lanes aren't as wide as they should be until the snow is removed.

Snow Recovery slow but steady

Most people have taken the weekend to dig out. The roads are now cleared, with temperatures hovering around the freezing point. A lot of people have been helping one another.

One just has to take one's time, and pace oneself carefully. Trust me, I know!

Schools were closed for three days. Businesses in Bracebridge shut for the day on Friday. Both power outages, and people unable to get into town to work, were the issue!

There were stories of snowplows in the ditch. The roads were impassable. More snow (15 cm; 6") snow squalls and high winds are on their way, too!

Muskoka Online says that Minden (flagged on the map, right) had 140 cm of snowfall. Highway 11 was closed in places south of Gravenhurst, with Bracebridge being hard hit, too. There were 3000 people without hydro Saturday afternoon. No fun at all. Currently, 1200 do not have power in Bracebridge, 262 in Minden, and 192 homes in Baysville & Dorsett are without power. "The road block was just west of Minden near Bracebridge...5 hours sitting on the highway waiting for traffic be routed around." said one Facebook friend.

Port Carling!

 CBC Ottawa reports today:

60-vehicle pileup, truck collision shut Ottawa highway (CBC)

Highway 416 is now closed in both directions in Ottawa's south end, due to pileups involving more than 60 vehicles during the foggy and icy morning rush, as well as a mid-morning collision involving a loaded tractor-trailer.

 OPP say to ensure you have your car winter ready: all fluids topped up.  Carrying a safety kit is a good idea, with water, snacks, a flashlight, a shovel, blankets, hats & mitts, and a candle to keep you warm.

Ontario man found dead under snowbank (Globe & Mail)

One man died in Bracebridge. Such a shame. Greg Shepherd (60 years old).  He leaves behind 6 children and his wife, who was on vacation at the time.

Body found in Cottage country snow bank(CTV)

Friday morning as he was attempting to clear away heavy snow from his vehicle. His body was found on Saturday afternoon buried under a 1.5-metre high snowdrift, which was at the foot of his driveway.

 On a lighter note, I had to climb up and knock the snow off of the satellite dish. It was Football Sunday yesterday, you see, and while we lost power a couple of times, it came back in time for the games. Sady really depends upon afternoon football.

In other local news:
Skateboard reality show filmed in Muskoka
 West 49 Ambition Skatecamp. All of the area’s three major towns have public skateparks. I don't think there will be much skateboarding this month. The reality show was filmed in an 80,000-square-foot facility at  Muskoka Woods summer camp on Lake Rosseau.You can't see the parks right now. Better watch them on TV!

Snowplows and skidoos -My World

More fodder for my keen traffic/automotive/vehicle friends!

I can't believe the snow!  Here is a car; buried in snow in Port Carling, above is a truck at the grocery store. We went for errands, and should have stayed home! Once we made it up the hill, with crevasses and horrible road conditions, we tried to go back the way we came. 

Port Carling, Ontario, is a winding road, with several steep hills. 

Look at the traffic line-up on the bridge!

Of course, I had to go see what was up! 

We ended up in a traffic jam. No one knew what the problem was, since all we could see were cars stopped ahead of us. The odd car would come through, but none in the other direction.

 I grabbed my camera (forgot the videocam!) and took off - not only have I been dubbed Muskoka Muse, now I am the kamikaze journalist and traffic woman!
Bulletin: Current snowfall= 75 cm, with freezing rain a possibility. Presently it is snowing, again!

But back to my story!

A truck could not climb up the hill, after just about making it to the top and stopped all traffic.

I left Brian in the car, and walked up the hill. See my YouTube video, or check it out below!I ran back to the car for my videocam, that's how long all this took!

Then, they decided the local guys would clear the hill and sand it. All these men have been working long hours clearing everyone's snow.

Someone called the police, but they didn't arrive.
Once the men sanded, the cars pulled up and around the truck, further stalling traffic. Then the truck driver stopped the truck at the top of the hill. He parked and got out, while I was directing traffic around his truck, and he walks up to the next hill to see if he could make. I was furious. No concern for the traffic behind him...

People are doing dumb things, or not doing them, I suppose. Don't you think he should have cleaned off his roof?!

We passed a truck that was shedding blocks of snow as he drove by us. Driving with a blizzard screaming out behind him, too.

After the 50 -100 cm dump of snow in Muskoka, some stores are becoming creative!
 Jenny Thomas sent out this e-mail to her customers!

With the recent record breaking snowfall here in Muskoka, Applause! Toy Store would like to make your Christmas shopping experience as easy as possible. Order online or phone in for suggestions from our knowledgeable staff. As always, we can have your gifts wrapped and waiting for you!

If you're completely snowed in, we can deliver your gifts by snowmobile. (within reason)
Bring this email into Applause! Toy Store and receive a FREE $10 Gift Card with a $50 purchase or a $20 Gift Card on a $100 purchase!
 
Offer expires Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Recent snowfall in Muskoka

Special Weather Statements - Environment Canada

Weather summary for all of Southern Ontario ... extending from Parry Sound and Mactier across The Muskokas and Minden to as ...

Snowfall reports received by Environment Canada for the period 
beginning Wednesday morning up to 1 AM this morning are found in the 
table below.

Location           snowfall amount

Muskoka                       67 cm squalls 

Bancroft                      15 cm (EST'd)
Bala                          75 cm (EST'd)
Bracebridge               60-100 cm (EST'd)  

Coe hill (S Bancroft)         43 cm

Huntsville                    50 cm (EST'd)
Haliburton                    66 cm
Minden                       121 cm (EST'd)
Parry Sound                   40 cm (EST'd) 
Washago                       45 cm (EST'd) 

Notice how Bancroft, to the east has only 15 cm, 

yet Coe Hill has 38 cm. 

For my US friends, 100 cm = 1 Metre = about 1 yard (39")! 

This swath of snowfall was 19km from north to south.

We were happy to see our snowplow contractor this morning. 

He lives in MacTier, with waist-deep snow, which is much more snow that we had!

For all of my Muskoka Snow Emergency photos click on the Picasa album badge below. 

Muskoka Snow Emergency

Snow, bread, power failure

This year's snow has been a shock. We have had 60 cm dumped on the roof in a week. According to Global Saskatoon (don't ask, I don't know why them!): they quoted Environment Canada as saying we are expecting 80cm by Saturday.

"...eight centimetres more than the Muskoka area's average snowfall for the entire month of December. 

More than 50 centimetres had fallen this month before the snow squall hit, and the previous single-day snowfall record for Huntsville - 54 centimetres on March 4, 1985 - was smashed."

This kind of snow results in inventiveness. Most are being told to stay off the roads, which we did. Muskoka bloggers are doing their thing!

I shovelled off the deck and the dock - foolish, perhaps, but good exercise in lieu of indoor exercise!
 Then, I shovelled around the lakeside benches. Just for fun! It is our favourite place to sit, snow or not!
I threw out some cracked corn for the mourning doves.

I worry about the critters. Some hibernate, others just sleep on cold snowy days like this. The raccoons, for example, will emerge, having gone to sleep with the December cold. No sign of them lately.

BLog buddy Nancy wrote a great post about the wild deer that visit her at Bondi Village on her 600 acres. With their long legs they sink, but their fur is typically suited to this climate, or they would not survive.

Getting the Drift

posted by Nancy Tapley at Bondi Resort BLOG

They on the other pointed hoof must sleep outside in all weather. This snowfall has left them high-stepping and bounding...

I spotted the Golden Eye Mergansers in the lake. Cold lake, it is.

The cats are happy to be indoors.



A neighbour went down to our next door neighbour's property, to snowblow around the house with his machine, travelling down her unplowed 250' driveway to get there. You can see how close the driveway is to our house!

There is a lot of energy required in living the rural life!

Brian made bread in his bread machine. It was rising. Then - yup, power went off. The power came back on about 2 minutes later but the damage was done. You can't reboot the sucker!


What does one do? I had peeked at the 'remaining time' , and knew it had 48 min. to go at that point. I figured it was in the rising phase, with the baking a further 30 minutes. I turned on the oven, sat the bread in a greased bread pan. I let it rise for about a half hour. Checked my handy Betty Crocker's Breads book (1977). It said 30- 35 minutes at 400' F. and I am grateful for Golden Press; Racine, Wisconsin. :-)

Now, you must learn from your mistakes...I didn't let it rise long enough. I should have let it go 45 minutes, at least. And it would make a good curling stone. But it is soft and tasty inside! Back to shovelling!

I'm having issues with my videocamera...so here is last year's Dec. 14th video.

Last year the lake was frozen over. It is not this year.