Outdoor rink on Kearney Lake - sort of now covered in snow

It's a blistering, wintery day here at Maskwa this morning. I have to say that yesterday I enjoyed watching Sarah Kendall with her children, Robin and Stephanie and I think another friend tagged along, as they shoveled off a part of Kearney Lake for skating. I'm sure Ben wished he could have been there but alas he's enjoying the hot weather of Florida for his paddling training - and we wish him and all the paddlers the best. I meant to yell out to Sarah to pop in for some hot chocolate but found my head buried in grant applications. Sarah do bang on the door next time and I promise hot chocolate for you and the crew - I always keep some on hand in the canteen. I should also let Sarah know that the snow has almost reclaimed all her hard work. It is unbelievably windy up here but hopefully later in the week we'll get rain to wash away the fine powder of snow on the make-shift outdoor skating rink.

It was nice to see our new paddling coach, Jordan, he's actually not so new anymore as he's been with us since September, but this morning he was giving Brian Dugie a work out. Dan popped in to say hi which was nice - can you tell I don't get many visitors -lol.

If anyone would like to pop into the club for track suit sizing please email me at manager.maskwa@gmail.com. I plan to put our first order in by next Friday.

So on that note, I have to brave the elements once more and clear off my van. I soo can't wait for summer.

PS - One of Maskwa's own - Alex Scott, is competing on the NS Judo team for the Canada Games and tonight he's on the Rick Mercer show....I've been told he's actually going to beat up Rick - that I have to see! Way to go Alex! We are so very proud of you.

Icy Roads into Maskwa - Please Drive Slow

Hi everyone:
I wanted to warn everyone to please go slow when you are heading up to the club. The driveway and pathway into the club are sheets of ice. When I was there last night we actually had to help a coach get his car back onto the road. I called Kempton, our snow removal person who lives on Saskatoon Drive, and he's going to get a load of gravel to spread around today for the second parking lot and driveway into the club. I also noticed that with the high amount of snow in a short amount of time the garbage can by the trails got buried so if you plan to walk please don't litter.

I've set up the Maskwa track suits assorted by sizes inside Heritage Hall for those who want to try both the jackets and pants on. I plan to place an order by Friday,18. I'm really excited about these track suits and can't wait for my own. Since I'm working mostly from home this week - thanks to my water heater bursting and flooding my basement - please feel free to call my cell at 495-0212 if you would like to arrange a time to pop into the club to see the track suits and try them on. I will admit my best times are mornings but I can also do a few evenings.

I am also very happy to write that very soon we will come out with a formal announcement of the relationship Maskwa has forged with our Platinum sponsor.

Again if you need to reach me please email me at manager.maskwa@gmail.com. Have a great week.

PS - The pic I posted is what I'm dreaming off now because honestly if I didn't visualize this scene in my head I wouldn't venture outside.

Four Things to Highlight on Monday: Coyote spotted/Maskwa Auction/Donation/Track Suits

Hi everyone:
There are four things I would like to highlight on this sunny Monday morning - this is the calm before the big snow storm which my kids are already cheering on. I am not!

Coyote Spotted near Maskwa:
I wanted to let everyone know that on Sunday morning around 5:10am a coyote was spotted in a neighbours driveway on Saskatoon Drive. This is very close to Maskwa so please use caution. I know a number of people in the area like to walk their dogs off-leash on the Maskwa trails but I would ask you to please be aware that the Department of Natural Resources is in the process of setting traps to capture these coyotes. Coyote trap for those that don't know can capture loose dogs. The coyotes in the area (including one spotted in the vicinity around Hemlock Ravine by Grosvenor Elementary School) are coming out of the woods for quick food (think your household pet here and not kidding) and they are not afraid of humans. The coyotes moving into the urban area are not like the coyotes a couple decades ago - small and kind of cute looking. These new coyotes have mixed with wolves and they are big - in many cases bigger than a German Shepard - and they are not afraid of your dog or you. I will post a sign up by the trail area this morning to let walkers know of the coyote spotting but please spread the word.

Check here for more information on coyotes: http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/nuisance/coyotes-faq.asp

Wonderful Donation to the Club:
Also I would like to clarify a wonderful donation that Maskwa Aquatic Club received. Thanks to Cathy and Derek Day, owners of Silhouette Fitness on Parkland Drive, the club received over $30,000 worth of hydraulic weight equipment. This donation is very much appreciated by the athletes. This donation came about because one of our Maskwa members, Judi Wensel mentioned the need for weight equipment to Cathy Day and she was more than willing to donate the hydraulic weights to our club. I can't say enough how much the paddling athletes and the young hockey group who utilize our club on Sunday morning enjoy having the opportunity to use the equipment.

Cathy and Derek unfortunately are moving from Nova Scotia but I wanted to let people know that they are selling their beautiful house at 5 Lanshaw Close (it's a 4-Bdrm/4-Bath, over 4,000 sq.foot, custom-built house, R2000, has a beautiful manicured lawn, attached garage and potential for in-law suite). For more information on the house please feel free to email Cathy at cathy.day1@gmail.com.

Again a huge thanks to the Day's for the wonderful donation to the club.

Maskwa Annual Auction a huge hit:
I love the Maskwa auction and have to say a huge thanks to all the parents who really put this all together. Trust me I know this is no small feat. It went very smoothly and there were a ton of silent auction items donated along with wonderful live auction items we could bid on. I walked away spending more than my budget (hubby please do not read this, but the hotel room will be worth it - think no kids for a couple of nights -lol). I wanted to say a special thanks to Jim Bardos, owner of Kokomo's in Bayers Lake, for providing the great location, wonderful food and service. According to the tally made last night the athletes raised about $4,500 from the auction to help fund their upcoming Florida training trip where many go from 3-6 weeks for intensive training. A special thanks also to the local councillors like Debbie Hum, Mary Wile,and Peter Lund who came out to support the auction and to present Maskwa with a $13,000 cheque for our new War Canoe. Thanks so much.

Maskwa Athletic Track Suits:
I have been working with MICCO promotions to secure our new Maskwa track suits and thanks to Paul Bertrand's hard work we were able to showcase the new track suits at the auction. Paul is popping by the club this morning so we will have a variety of sizes for athletes to try on, including some youth sizes. The price for a full track suits (includes pants and your name on the Maskwa jacket) is $95 tax included. Maskwa caps are also available for $13.75 (including tax). Attached is a pdf of the track suits and very soon the information will be posted to our main Maskwa webpage. If you are unsure of what size you would like to order please email me at manager.maskwa@gmail.com to arrange at time to come into the club for to try on the suits. I'm usually here Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday's from 9-12pm but always call ahead to make sure at 443-0178 ext: 221.

This SUNDAY - Maskwa Auction & Social

Annual Maskwa Auction & Social!


Mark Your Calendar!

The Annual Maskwa Auction & Social is being held Sunday, January 30 at Kokomo's Family Restaurant,120 Susie Lake Crescent in Bayer's Lake

Sunday, Jan 30, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission is $5, which gets you a "paddle," enabling you to bid on the auction items, and to be entered into the draws. Children get in FREE.

Come warm up the winter by getting together with your summer friends from Maskwa for a fabulous afternoon of food, fun & prizes!

Enter to win a FREE Maskwa Family Membership! And Much, Much More...

Plus, bid on a dazzling array of auction items! Stay on for supper!

Come support our paddlers heading to Florida for Spring Training and add some Maskwa summer warmth to our chilly winter!

Coyote Spotted in Area

Hi everyone:
Please see below note about a coyote spotted in the area – take care where walking in woods around Maskwa and the Heart Shaped Pond.

COYOTE SIGHTING

It has been reported to the school that early this morning there was a
coyote sighting by the heart shaped pond and on the path between the
pond and the school of Ecole Grosvenor-Wentworth Park School.
Please advise your children to use the sidewalks
and stay out of the woods when walking to and from school.

This message was forwarded from our local HRM councilor, Debbie Hum
Please see Dep't of Natural Resources link below for more information and to report any coyote sightings:

http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/nuisance/coyotes-faq.asp


The school has reported the coyote sighting to Dept of Natural Resources, Jenny Costello. They are investigating.

Kindest regards,

Debbie

Debbie Hum
Councillor - District 16
Rockingham Wentworth
cell: 476 7212

Public Meeting for Bedford West - close to Maskwa

I received this information from our local HRM Councillor, Debbie Hum, and thought holy cow! Talk about a lot of people closer to Maskwa - lol. Seriously, development concerns everyone. If you can attend this meeting I would love feedback.

A public information meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 12, 2011, (if
the meeting is cancelled due to inclement weather, the alternate date will be
Thursday, January 13, 2011, same time and location) beginning at 7:00 p.m. at
Basinview Drive Community School, 273 Basinview Drive, Bedford, NS, to
discuss the following application: Case No. 16666 - Application by Cresco Holdings Ltd., for the lands of Cresco Holdings Ltd., to enter in to a development agreement for an approximately 38.5 acre site in the proposed Sub-Area 9 of Bedford West, located between Highway 102 and Kearney Lake Road in Bedford and Halifax. The proposed development would enable commercial and residential uses and proposes 318
multiple unit residential units and approximately 107,000 square feet of
commercial space.

The purpose of the meeting is to receive feedback regarding the above-noted
application. The applicant will be present to discuss the proposal. Planning staff
will be present to discuss the process and the application with respect to the
provisions of the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law for Bedford
and Halifax.

The meeting is open to anyone who wishes to attend to seek information about the
proposal and/or express any comments which they may have.
Planning Services, Sackville Office, 869-4260.