Silver Islet Campers Association 640 River St. Grandview Mall, PO Box 21066, Thunder Bay, On. P7A 8A7 |
S.I.C.A. Silver Islet Campers Association Newsletter
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President’s Message 2020 |
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, …”. With apologies to Dickens, our current situation could not be described any better. The harbor reconstruction was going great guns, on target to provide local and passing boaters access to and a safe refuge from Lake Superior this summer and for decades to come. Materials were purchased last fall for a new metal roof to be installed on the Pavilion this spring, new slider windows were to replace the old awnings. Life was good and getting better at Silver Islet. Then along came a rogue bundle of protein and everything changed. One thing many of us share now more than ever is a new perspective on what is really important, preserving the welfare of family, friends and community. This must be the guiding principle of how we engage with each other and our immediate future. At the time of writing, it is difficult to anticipate all of what the pandemic and its management protocols will mean for Silver Islet. The best course is to plan and prepare as if a normal summer is possible with some added considerations and precautions. It is safe to assume we will all have to adjust appropriately for prevailing conditions. Presently the assembly of groups typical of most of our events, including Sports Day and the AGM, is prohibited and until such guidance is officially lifted we cannot do things as usual. The Pavilion facilities and tennis court have been posted as closed until further notice. Your executive will make every effort within the bounds of safety and common sense to provide access to our swimming area and facilities this summer but be prepared for restrictions, however temporary or prolonged they need be. Consider the events calendar including the AGM optimistic and provisional, but look for posted updates on an event by event basis. Work on the harbour project has had to be curtailed for now. The harbor area is still considered an active construction site by the Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans and Tom Jones Construction and will remain so until the completion of the project. Work will resume just as soon as is legally and safely possible. Until then, the harbor is effectively out of commission and out of bounds. The launch is only partially finished, the area is fenced off, the gates padlocked and the silt net must remain in place across the mouth of the harbor. It will be obvious that a determined person could ignore all the postings and get around the barriers to take a closer look or climb out on the break wall. All we can do is ask our members not to do so and please discourage others you might see giving it a try, from an appropriately safe distance of course. With the strength and spirit characteristic of Silver Isleters, we will get through this and soon be able to once again enjoy the treasure that is our community. Membership This
year’s membership fees are $125 for a full membership with voting rights and $50
for an associate membership which can only be purchased if it is in addition to
a full membership. Despite the uncertainty of this season expenses like
insurance, fire protection and maintenance are ongoing so your continued
support through membership is greatly appreciated. Please remit to Silver Islet Campers Association 640 River St. P.O. Box 21066 Grandview Mall Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8A7 Your 2020 S.I.C.A. Executive Scott Cheadle – President Rick Siegfried – Vice President Ron Zabloski – Treasurer Liisa Hupka – At Large Andre St. Jacques – Secretary Marilyn Ailey – At Large Susan Beimers – Membership Scott Atkinson – At Large Lois Watson – At Large John O’Hagan – Property Manager Marcia Pedersen – Jr. Campers Liason Swimming Instructor Swim Ontario and Swim Canada have cancelled all summer programming and the Life Savings Society office is closed until further notice. With all the certification agencies out of action, the best we can hope for is a regulatory reprieve in time for some swimming instruction, likely conducted by Anna Hooks who taught last summer. Please watch for posted updates as the season progresses.
Fun With Flags Following up the popularity of the Silver Islet
flag introduced last summer, Bill Cook Book Redux Our last cookbook was printed in 2010, and
was hugely successful. A new |