We are so lucky to watch your excitement as you take on your “FIRSTS.” You could say Jim, Alyssa & I get the same joy as parents watching a little one take their FIRST step when we see your eyes light up doing a FIRST! It could be your FIRST canoeing or kayaking experience to the hidden lake. FIRST day with less technology. Your FIRST hike and sip of water from the fresh water spring. FIRST swim alone to the raft. FIRST half lake or full lake swim on Lake Cecebe. FIRST over-night sleep out in the bunk cabin. Your FIRST hike to the rock caves. FIRST animal sighting, no matter how small. FIRST outdoor washroom experience & realization it’s not bad after all. FIRST fish after patiently practicing & persevering. FIRST marshmallow s’more (it won’t be the last)! FIRST smile & cheer from Lighthouse Landing crew when you make a FIRST! Watching you meet for the FIRST time a friend from a different city. The FIRST goodbye after a week of fun and memories and maybe those FIRST tears.

WINTER 2013 www.lighthouselanding.ca

BEACON FLASH

WOODSY WISDOM

Children need un-manicured areas to discover at their own pace. The camp offers this environment and it is astonishing what develops. A group of children become speckled frogs on a large fallen log, some act like squirrels and search out pinecones and nests, a beaver tree has been left behind by a busy beaver and conversation is buzzing, large long holes are found in trees and everyone imagines what creature could live there, children are climbing a cedar tree with low branches and talking about the book “The Giving Tree,” and the list goes on. Richard Louv states, “Time in nature is not leisure time; it is an essential investment in our children’s health and our own.”

JIM & ALYSSA SLEE WED AT LIGHTHOUSE LANDING “THEIR LOVE LIGHTS ALL!”

On Aug 20th, on the sandy beach that Jim & Alyssa played on as children, their wedding vows were announced in front of family and friends. Here is their pledge: “To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be our symphony.”

FAMILY UPDATE

John Paul II Secondary School visited LL last September and decided to do a Social Justice project. They planned to donate their artwork to be sold at the Magnetawan Park & Farmer’s Market on the August long weekend. Rick made the plaques for the boards and Paul (Art teacher) came from London to set up the display. It was tremendous and in total, by summer’s end, $800 was made on the artwork. This went to purchase a lovely Pelican pedal boat. Here is a super write up that appeared in the Almaguin local newspaper.

ART IN THE PARK

JEFF, PAMELA & PRESTON SLEE

head to Switzerland for three years. Jeff has accepted a great position with the Bank for International Settlements. We are happy for him but will miss him

and the family. Preston will celebrate his first birthday in

Switzerland. Switzerland here we come!

SEAN, NIKKI, MICHAEL & TESSA SLEE will be new home owners of their first

home in London. We could not be more pleased for them. Nikki is a

super decorator and Sean has stone masonry ideas for

the exterior.

WINTER 2013 www.lighthouselanding.ca

CECEBE WATERWAYS PHOTO CONTEST

How exciting to receive the news that again we have been winners in the Lake Cecebe annual photo contest. This year we had another of Rick Nemett’s, “Shake & Stretch” and one of mine, “Serenity’s Reflection.” It is a joy to look at the many special moments that are captured by friends of Lighthouse Landing.

HOW DOES LL KEEP GOING WHEN OTHER CAMPS ARE CLOSING?

The answer is always because of you! Thanks to all those who help with the opening & closing and give of their many talents. Thanks to our regular off season visitors & retreat participants in June. Thanks to John Paul II teachers and art students who come in September and hold the fundraising art show in August. Thanks to our many long standing families who come each year and tell their friends. We are building on our 100-100 founding members and have numerous other products and cash donations generously given to Lighthouse Landing. Jim, Alyssa & I are enthusiastic and continue to develop and pursue ideas to keep the screen doors open to everyone!

100-100 Update: Last fall Alyssa & Jim prepared a letter that went out to our families and friends. With your generous response, we were able to add a new Wind River Canoe, Pelican kayak and paddles; install two tree-friendly swings; and add snorkelling equipment to our waterfront area with more improvements within the camp.

WINNING CONTEST PHOTOS

WINTER 2013 www.lighthouselanding.ca

This year, we fell in love with our happy resident bullfrogs and Jim created a shirt, “Lighthouse Landing: My Summer Pad!” It was fun to learn more specific details like the male makes the deep croaking sound, hence the name “bull” frog.

YOUR MESSAGES

Emma M.’s (age 10) message for life is, “Be active & Stay active!”

“Lighthouse Landing is like coming home to me!”

“Lighthouse Landing is the only place in years where my children have had natural fun!”

“My family calls Lighthouse Landing, ‘their cottage!’ It’s like a reunion where we can pick up where we left off year to year.”

“I saw kids helping kids. I was initially wondering which kids were autistic, then I didn’t care and we just had lots of fun together. I saw a breathtaking double rainbow. I drank straight from a fresh water spring –yum. I saw gorgeous sunsets, amazing starry nights and a mirror flat lake during warm sunrises. I saw fellow campers enjoy-ing body surfing at a local waterfall. I slowed down…way down, and it felt really good.”

Shipping Address Here 5555 Street Address

City, US 55555

OUR MESSAGE

While at the camp, there are no distractions of the city. No tugs – no signs that tell us how to be, how to dress or what to drive. There is only nature and it ac-cepts us as we are at all times. We come home and shed the layers of tugs and pulls and become weightless and free! What comes are smiles, singing, sharing, story-telling, and just being! Till next time – Warm & happy days to you!

WINTER 2013 www.lighthouselanding.ca

“Live lightly. Care deeply” –Jocelyn Palm