2nd Annual Frontenac Frolic attracts a crowd to Bedford hall

Aug 09, 2012

Photo: A.J. Nastuk leads Ella from Toronto on pony Portia- the three were joined by six-week-old foal Baby Ruth. The petting zoo was courtesy of West Winds Farm of Westport

Members of the Bobs and Crow Lakes Foundation held their second annual Frontenac Frolic fundraiser at the Bedford hall on August 4. The foundation, which is a registered charity, raises monies to fund various projects to preserve and enhance the quality of both lakes for current and future generations. Bargain hunters who came out had a fine array of used flea market and brand new silent auction items to choose from. For animal lovers of all ages, it was the draw of the cute and cuddly farm animals from West Winds Ranch in Westport that made their day. Those tempted by games of chance enjoyed the always surprising cow flop bingo game. Christopher Stone, a member of the Friends of the Tay Watershed, oversaw the display and sale of the “Done Dory”, a beautiful hand-built boat. The close to 16 foot versatile rowboat/sailboat was built in Perth in 1997 by Frank Roy, who donated it to the Friends of the Tay, and the proceeds from its sale will go towards funding their various education and outreach programs.

Susan O'Brien Mactaggart, president of the Bobs and Crow Lakes Foundation, said that recent cutbacks by the federal and provincial governments of numerous Ministry of Natural Resources programs have had negative effects on lake groups and their environments, and that now lake associations must strive to raise by their own efforts all the funds they need to support their programs and projects. She said, “Right now we as a foundation find ourselves in the unique position of needing to become totally self sufficient to be able to continue with our programs,” she said. “Under the current economic tenure, it’s more important than ever that we do so.”

Programs and projects offered by the foundation often deal with: the protection, restoration and maintenance of the lakes' water quality; protecting area fish and wildlife populations; preventing forest fires and pollution; encouraging safe water practices; and offering public education on various issues affecting the health of the lakes. A few of the programs that the foundation is currently putting into place are the shoreline survey, fire pumps, boat safety cards and fish rehabilitation. For more information about the foundation and/or to become a member visit www.bobs-and-crow-lakes.org