Ah, life at the lake. It’s something we here in the Kawarthas take for granted. Next week I’ll be returning home to New Brunswick for a well deserved week of rest and relaxation. It will be great to catch up with friends in Fredericton that I haven’t seen since Christmas.

My parents live about an hour and a half outside the city, in a tiny community bumped up against the Canada/US border. Probably one of the best parts of this remote location is the close proximity to the lakes.

Growing up, swimming was always a real treat on those hot summer days. Usually the beach would be packed with kids (and adults) from both sides of the international border. The lake featured clean water, a sandy beach and the fishing wasn’t bad either. My parents eventually purchased some shoreline property of their own, so over the past few years, over-crowded beaches were never an issue

I’m hoping when I return the water will have warmed enough for a quick dip. Last year was so cold and wet days for swimming were few and far between.

Here in the Kawarthas we also enjoy our lakes. Peterborough Green-Up in conjunction with the Lakeland Alliance works hard to educate shoreline property owners in the importance of keeping our lakes clean and healthy for generations to come.

Up the road on the shores of Pigeon Lake, another organization has the same mission. Gamiing Nature Centre (pronounced Gah-min-j) works hard to provide similar education in addition to environmental workshops and a native plant nursery.

Gamiing operates on a 100-acre property consisting of picturesque forest, meadows and wetlands. The property was purchased in 1985 by current volunteer executive director Mieke Schipper and in 1995 Mieke placed the property in a land trust with the goal to create an environmental education site.

I first heard about Gamiing when I took over this position almost a year ago. I was sorting though an endless pile of newspaper clippings that a predecessor left behind and happened across an older column. The name threw me off initially, but after asking around I found a correct pronunciation.

My counterpart at Gamiing, Andrew Kadykalo, says that’s something he sees all the time.

“We get confusion surrounding the word Gamiing,” he said. “Gamiing is a word in Ojibwa [Pigeon Lake’s first settlers] meaning ‘at the shore.’”

The Pigeon Lake shore is going to be the centre of attention in a couple of weeks at Gamiing’s annual Summer Lakeshore Music Festival. The Festival, held on June 20^th, is a fabulous opportunity for young and old to come out and enjoy great local musical entertainment, activities for children and much more.

“Live folk and blues music will be playing throughout the whole day. We are very excited to showcase a special appearance by the L’ll Big Band!,” Kadykalo said.

Event organizers made sure this was an event that would appeal to a wide age range and designed activities to appeal to young and old.

“This event is great for the whole family. There will be face painting, pony rides and interactive games for children. Featured will be an organic food court serving wine and beer for when you get hungry and thirsty and exhibitor booths of local artisans will be on site as well,” he said.

The event serves as an important fundraiser for Gamiing, with all money raised going to support their education and environmental programs throughout the whole year.

Aside from raising money, the event is also a chance for people from throughout the Kawarthas to come and learn about what Gamiing does, and the important role the organization plays in our communities.

“We want to make the public aware of the work being done here and to encourage the broad community to utilize what Gamiing has to offer. The Kawarthas were established and settled on because of the beauty of our natural resources and we want to preserve that beauty and ensure the Kawarthas remain a favoured destination to visit and inhabit,” he said.

Gamiing is also looking for exhibitors to be at the Lakeshore Music Festival. For only $25 you will receive a 10 foot by 10 foot area to sell your products or service to those in attendance. Those representing not-for-profit organizations can receive one free space.

Those interested in attending the festival as an exhibitor can contact Mieke Schipper by phone at 705-799-6734 or email info@gamiing.org.

I encourage you to plan ahead and attend this excellent community event. Not only will you experience some great local music and entertainment, but also leave with a better understanding of our beautiful Kawarthas.

Gamiing is located at 1884 Pigeon Lake Road (County Road 17), 12 km south of Bobcaygeon. For more information give Andrew a call at (705) 799-7083 or email marketingandpromotion@gamiing.org