Southview News 2002
We are hoping that 2002 is turning out to be a good year for all of our guests. We look forward to a safe, healthy, and prosperous year for each and every one of you, and we look forward to seeing you again at Southview this coming season.

The year that was It seems time just has a way of flowing by. Our season was a huge success, all thanks to our guests who return yearly to Rice Lake, as though it is their second home, and to those new friends we make each year. The weather was on our side this spring and summer, with great catches of fish, sun tans, and summer heat.

The fall started nicely, but left us all affected with the events of 9 / 11. Those who were at Southview during that time, and in the aftermath, were mainly our American friends. They showed us what resolve and pride are all about, and helped keep us strong at a time when we were all feeling vulnerable. Thank you.

Renovations Appreciated
Again, the work we did on the cottages paid off in a big way with much appreciation shown from our guests. The thoughtful comments on the renovations, furniture, air-conditioning, electrical and propane services, landscaping, water feature and golf putt and chip green is validation for us that we are going in the right direction.

What's Happening
We're at it again. We seem to enjoy tearing cottages apart each year just to keep ourselves busy, and the economy going. We are replacing the bathrooms on 8,10,17, 18, and 19, complete with new roof lines, gables, 5 foot showers and new vanities. The bathrooms in cottages 7 and 31 will be seeing some updates as well.

All of our cottages will be air-conditioned when we open this season, with electrical heating / air-conditioning units, to insure you of a vacation filled with comfortable days and sleepful nights. With the installation of these units, we have removed some of the propane fireplaces, which provides more floor area in your cottage.

Our comfort station in the RV Park has seen a interior and exterior face lift with bright walls, stalls, ceiling, showers and floor. New shingles, facia and eavestrough finished the makeover.

Already paved and landscaped, but still waiting for the installation of nets, is our new sport court surface. This court is 40 x 80 feet of asphalt, which we hope will be used for basketball, roller-blading, road hockey, mini tennis, skateboarding, tricycling and even for chalk art. It has been located in the field by the chip and putt green. We are sure this will make lots of kids and parents very happy, and ensure everyone of an even better vacation at Rice Lake this summer. Make sure you pack your roller-blades, boards, trikes, rackets, hockey sticks and accessories!!

We are adding to our boat and motor fleet again this year, with 2 more 16 foot deluxe boats with 15hp electric start motor, 2 pedestal seats, live well, running lights, 2 anchors and seating for 3. These boats are being hailed by our guests as the best tiller fishing boat they have ever rented. As well we are updating the pontoon boat that started this comfortable trend, with all brand-new upholstery.

Did you know?

• We have great fall Salmon fishing just 20 minutes away at Port Hope.

• We had our biggest Muskie ever caught at Southview this past summer. It was caught by Chalmer Smith of Canton Ohio, while he was fishing alone. Two fishermen came to his rescue with a net, and helped him land this monster fish, which had a length of 51 inches, girth of 21 inches and weighed in at 32 pounds.

• We now have all of our cottages air-conditioned for total comfort day and night.

• Both nesting pairs of Osprey were once again back at our property this year and successfully weaned 3 young from each nest. Make sure you stroll past these huge nests and keep a look out for little heads. Those of you in late August and September will have a chance to see them daily and maybe see them learning to spread their wings. Please stay on the trails to keep a comfortable distance from the nests - the adults become very stressed if you get too close.

• We always sod for instant results on our lawns.

• We had 9 cottages re-roofed this past couple of months.

• We open this year on April 27 to host fishermen interested in the Rice Lake Crappie Tourby (Tournament/Derby) April 27 through May 10 2002. Prizes include boats and motors, fishing accessories etc....

• Our families live and work here all winter.

• The lake is completely frozen over now. However, this year was the latest it ever froze over on our records in the past 30 years; it froze over in our bay area on Christmas night, and totally 3 days later. We usually see ice 15 to 30 inches thick, but so far it has crested at about 12 inches.

Resorts Ontario Big Fish Contest
Congratulations to Ryan Green who won the Large Mouth Bass category for Resorts Ontario Big Fish Competition. Rice Lake took 7 of the 11 categories in this contest, this year, which is very good considering we can not enter the Pike categories since we have no Pike in Rice Lake.

Fishing Season Opening Dates
Panfish - April 27,2002
Walleye - May 11, 2002
Muskie - June 1, 2002
Bass - June 29, 2002
Salmon - Sept. 1 - 30, 2002
(Salmon fishing is 20 minutes away in Port Hope)

Looking for a Spring or Fall getaway
Give us a call for Spring or Fall. We open this year April 27 to accommodate those who would like to try there hand at fast and furious Crappie fishing. You can even enter the Rice Lake Crappie Festival for great prizes from April 27 till May 10 2002. The weather tends to be good at these times of the year, and the fall colours can be spectacular.