CALA Announces Speakers for Aug. 22 Pancake Breakfast and AGM

Open Dam. Photo Provided.

Chaffey’s Area Lakes Association (CALA) are holding their Annual General Meeting this Saturday morning at the Chaffey’s Lock Community Hall from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A Pancake & Sausage Breakfast will be served prior to the meeting, with breakfast being served starting at 9 a.m. and the meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. Everyone welcome!

The focus of our speakers centers on the Rideau Canal. Dr. John Gray will talk about the history of the dams and timber slides in the area of Chaffey's Lock which were first constructed for the lumber industry, and how their use and ownership evolved over time. This includes a connection between the Tett and Chaffey families.

Our second speaker, Frank Phelan, will be focusing on the effects of changing lake water levels on wildlife in and around the lakes.

Both of these gentlemen are well-known in this area as very knowledgeable speakers regarding area history.

Dr. John Gray is a graduate of Queen's University, a retired family physician and medical executive, and a great-great-grandson of Benjamin Tett, who founded Bedford Mills in 1831. John now describes himself as an amateur historian, and he has been researching the history of Bedford Mills, and of the Tett and Chaffey families who ran the enterprises there over the course of more than 100 years.

Frank Phelan has a MSc in Biology from Queen's University and Frank has spent 40 years as Manager/Senior Instructor at the Queen's University Biological Station on Lake Opinicon. He is also a founding director of the Rideau Waterway Land Trust, a board member of the Chaffey's Lock and Area Heritage Society and he has a keen interest in the natural and cultural history of our area. Frank’s presentation will briefly address water level management on the Canal and effects on Lake Trout, Loons and Turtles.

A short business meeting will follow to elect new officers and to thank the Board Members who are retiring this year. We also always have an opportunity for open discussion at the end of this event.

CALA is a not-for-profit volunteer organization that serves the lake community in Rideau Lakes Township, stretching from Newboro Lake, down the Rideau Canal, to Whitefish Lake. CALA membership is inclusive – we welcome new members who are interested in keeping the health of lakes and shorelines pristine!

This Breakfast and Meeting is free for everyone. We also welcome new members and renewing members. Membership ($25 yearly for a family) and renewals will be available at this meeting. For further information about CALA, check out the Webpage below. You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram. www.remembercala.ca

Parks staff moving a log into place at Davis Lock many years ago. Photo credit: Ken Watson