Computerfella is a 12 year resident of Restoule, having retired here in 1996. He is a computer enthusiast and enjoys offering a forum for news about Restoule and environs. Email: computerfella AT gmail.comQuestions, Feedback
Computerfella is a 12 year resident of Restoule, having retired here in 1996. He is a computer enthusiast and enjoys offering a forum for news about Restoule and environs. Email: computerfella AT gmail.com
Has anyone heard any news about the Sand Lake Road logging truck issue recently?
I can’t find any info on it.
You may get the most up-to-date information from:
[ Payne, Dave ] [ District Manager ] [ 705-475-5599 ]
Ministry of Natural Resources, North Bay.
Thankyou very much for the info.
We’ll check it out.
Hi,
Has anyone heard about a New Year’s party in Restoule this year? We have really enjoyed the last two at the RCC and the Crowsnest. We need to plan ahead and get a babysitter.
Would anyone know where I could buy wooden (alphabet) letters 6 to 9 inches high? I want to make an outdoor sign for my new nature center – Nature’s Corner – but am having a heck of a time finding wooden letters for the project. Thank you!
why not use some thinner pieces of white birch branches and cut them to the shape fo the letters…they would be more box eg. letter s but you are using natural wood…jsut hammer them on to you rwooden sign base…get some notty pine and stain it..clear and then using the birch it would look cool and outdoorsy!
When boating a couple of weeks ago with some friends, we saw a very large Bald Eagle on a point on Commanda Lake. It is the first time I have seen one of these beautiful birds in the Restoule area. Has anyone else spotted one locally?
Hi,
We saw a bald eagle Labour Day weekend flying across Commanda Lake near our cottage. We also saw him sitting in a tree on the island. Our cottage is directly across from the island.
Good Day, any body in theRestoule area have damage from the storm on this past Thursday evening, Tornado?
Mike, No we had no damage to the cottage or any out buildings. We were hit with hail as well but no tornado I think that was more south in Vaughan
Deb
As we were heading north that weekend our friends stopped in to get food at Gravenhurst and it was in ruin..trees uprooted…no power…lots of damage…we were not damaged by and wind just got a ton of rain by boat bailing and rivulets of mud everywhere
Hey guys,
This week i am on may way to Restoule Provincial Park. I have read alot about it and am very excited. My question is, Is there alot of wildlife sightings? I have been around many provincial parks up north, and have not spotted a bear, thats all i want. My wife thinks i am crazy but i think bears are awesome.
and are the bugs bad?
thanks.
We live 5 km from the park and have had two bears, a moose and many deer on the property this year. Bugs are not bad now, although there are some deer flies around.
Wow quick reply,, thanks.
I cannot wait, i am hoping that the weather gets passed and it turns sunny for tues, weds,thursday.
We all welcome Olivia Ann McVeety, proud parents are Jacob and Kim and big brother Cole. She is the most beautiful baby!!! I am her proud Grandma.
Hi, just a quick note to those with cottages or homes out on Limberlost Point Rd. (near the end);
Last weekend we had a black bear wandering through several properties early in the morning on both Saturday July 04th & Monday July 06th.
Judging by its paw prints I’m guessing it’s only a few years old. Looked pretty lean too.
We never keep discarded food items (recycling, garbage etc.) outdoors so hopefully it’s a temporary visit.
Sean M.
Sean..we were out boating on the lake and we did the tour of the south shore…I saw the black bear and yes it was from your description it fits mine of a young one..it was dusk on Friday night and he was behind the cottage on the point before it makes the last bay…he was there on the 10th so yes folks keep an eye he was there…I saw him…last thing we need is a nuisance bear….it was at the south west corner..maybe we need a note on the Porters Landing board to warn cottagers..just and idea…
Laurie, yep it’s a nuisance bear indeed. He tore the door open on our shed just over a week ago. It’s a solid wood-framed shed but that didn’t seem to bother him! (Not one of those garden sheds in case anyone is wondering)
I believe this bear falls into the category of nuisance…
ie.
- Has not shown much fear of us.
- He’s grunted and snorted at us with each encounter/sighting
- He has returned several times a week since we’ve started coming up (End of May)
FYI:
MNR has no problem with homeowners/landowners using necessary force to eliminate the problem. We’ve contacted them and all they ask is to report when the bear has been destroyed.
I hope it does not come to that but the safety of our children at the cottage takes precedent!
I’ll ask at Gerry’s store if they are ok with us putting up a notice. Laurie, please feel free to post something at Porters’s.
many thanks Sean for your update on the Bear Situation.We are all of the same mind as yourself and would do whatever it takes to rid our area of a nuisance bear for the safety of all concerned.
I have posted a warning at Porters Landing but will also let folks know of this web site..not many folks must avail themselves…I love what Computerfella is doing and support all his ventures to keep folks connected.
Please let us know of any updates concerning this roaming nuisance and I agree that a warning posted at Gerr’ys is a fine idea…again rest assured we all support your concern and any measure needed to eradicate….
No-one has said where the bear is! Is it on Comanda or Restoule? We are on the north shore of Restoule near the west end of the lake across from Green and Dry Island.
We had the bears into our cottage 7 times in 1978. We certainly do not want a repeat of that!!! That Black bear almost destroyed our cottage!
Unfortunately we will be encountering problems in the future since there have been cancellations of the bear hunts. Just wait until someone is mauled!
In 1978 the dumps were burned and buried, where the bears eat daily. Since there was nowhere for them to get their food (and don’t fool yourself, they do not eat berries!!!! they’ve been feasting on the dumps for years) they broke into most cottages on the far west north shore of Restoule.
Now the dump in Restoule is only open Wednesday, saturday and sunday. And we are all recycling and coddeling our garbage, but it is almost impossible to deposit the garbage at the dump so most of us are taking it home.
Many times I have walked in to deposit my garbage, not anymore since on many occasions I have encountered bears!!
So folks whatever you do, do not walk in when the dump is closed!!!!!
Debra Valevicius
Debra the bear was wandering on the back of the cottage on the west end of the back bay. I know where you folks are we are down two cottages from you so I share your concern. That is why I posted this warning.
If you are in the back bay where the lone cottage is off of the south shore it was wandering on the point. It was on the west end. in the first bay not our bay on the north shore…still we need to be vigilant…Yes we do same as you…garbage is taken home and nothing at all left outside..even barbeque is burned off leaving nothing to chance.
Laurie, I think you’re mixing me up with the Edwards. We’re in the bay with the long 120ft floating dock. 2 away from the edwards.
Deb
Yes I must be mixing you up with them…we are right across from Green Island I think it is…okay you folks are in the bay…will wave when I kayak down your end..I am in the red kayak and love the scenery down your end..so nice an peaceful..let us hope that the bear taken down was the one roaming on the point that Sean and I both have seen…we are with you on the bear score…things can get ugly quickly and no one wants to have to warn friends and relatives and worry kids..so let’s hope it was the same bruin..
The bear in question was snooping around the end of Limberlost Point Road on Commanda Lake.
i just want to know when the bear in question is no longer a threat to families…property damage is just the start…Sean painted a picture quite clearly of a nuisanse bear.
Hi all…just wanted to let you know that I have it on good authority that a nuisance bear was put down in the Limberlost Road area last week. Don’t know how far they travel so I dont know if it would be the same one as the one on the south west end of Restoule, but lets hope so, and lets also hope that summer is finally here to stay
thanks for this info and we will continue to be bear wise and vigilant…
Coming up to Restoule Provincial Park in the 1st week of July, unfortunately they don’t have canoe rentals, just wondering if anyone knows of a place where I can rent one for the week.
Thanks,
Mill Bay Marine. You will pass it on your way to the park. It is located at the south end of Lake Restoule, 9 km before the park
Thank You
Just to let you know that Scott is no longer renting any water equipment….canoes and kayaks…
Well wonder how the lovely black flies are.We were up at the cottage on Sunday and awoke to snow falling…yikes..well at least the black flies were too cold to fly.
It did not stay on the ground but nasty to see it all the same.
Congrats again on the helipad…Hubby and I contributed and know something like this is so valuable to this community. Just wish cell phone coverage and internet reliablity were equally as important. Percy want to let you know Porters looks great but wondered who was taking charge of the covered overcommunication board… I would gladly re–cover it inside to make it more user friendly if someone wants me to….even a place where folks can leave communication for friends and family and contractors etc…well
Hello all, my family and I have been coming to Restoule all of our lives and love every minute we are there. My question is dealingwith the fishing regulations concerning where the fish sanctuary begins and ends. The rule book says “Restoule Lake and River – Patterson
Twp., that part in Lots 24 and 25,
Concs. III and IV.” Can some one tell me exactly where this is on the lake?
How bad have the Black Fly’s been?
Not biting yet but they are out but lots more to come.
we were opening the Victoria last weekend. The black flies are always bad on the south shore especially if there is no wind. However Friday was beautiful, Saturday and Sunday got chilly and windy, no black fly can survive that. Monday was spectacular, but we are north shore and there were’nt any black flies. Back to Porters and the Marina, swarms of them. We don’t care though. It is so beautiful you deal with whatever is thrown at you! Looking forward to a great summer. Rain or shine.
Ditto to you Debra…there were no words to describe the north shore….our little secret. Mark and I were also up this Fri – Monday. Loons were frolicking and we were soaking up the sun and doing the opening up chores with grins on our faces.
So nice to be back up to Restoule.
Saw one cottage on north shore as we did the tour that lost a chunk of roof to tree fall..all in all not a bad winter considering the locals say it was not kind with snow fall ice and such. Well let us hope the bugs stay at bay and hug the south shore.
Cannot believe the construction on HWY 11.
Why do you not provide a link to the Powassan and District Union Public Library site?
It seems strange that you are listed on the Library site, but do not choose to reciprocate.
Merely an oversight, Arnold. It was on my old site but got lost in the suffle. I’ll rectify it soon.
i for one am appalled @ the fact that no recognition of the passing of a founding father of restoule and a good friend of mine went un noticed _-i”m speeking of jerry vervaeke _-it would be nice to see something posted about him so yhe family of one of my best friends __larry could see it _that”s all i have to say for now ____
I’m sorry I haven’t thought to thank computerfella for this forum. It is nice that you have made a place for us to share thoughts and issues about our comunity. I stumbled on it when I was trying to find out more about my isp nemissis.
And ya, the logo is cool, I hope to see it on a t shirt or hat soon :0)
Thanks again. Phil.
Mona, the Restoule logo was designed by myself. The maple leaf represents Canada, the trillium being Ontario’s flower represents Ontario and the waves represent Lakes Restoule and Commanda.
I’m working on getting it ready for embroidery later this sprijng.
Hi Dave,
Don’t mean to change the subject about Netspectrum… but Nice Restoule logo… who designed it? It’s colourful enough… would look good on t-shirts and/or caps, or something.
My understanding was that we would/could only get some cell phone/blackberry connection if the Bell tower had been erected..North shore residents just squeaked in to the range but that project has been squashed leaving us back where we were before..completely cut off. It is so frustrating as we already had invested in analog phone system using microwave cable that worked perfect.
My understanding is that internet connection in the Restoule area is very unreliable as well. This whole thing cell phone/internet is about $. Restoule we are talking no coverage at all. the Firetower looks like a grand site for a tower! I wold really like to know how the logging trucks and people are going to communicate with one another! How will any emergency be communicated? I guess we just wait until one happens and then worry about it!
If you are able to get a broadband connection at your site, then you could use Skype for phone calls – outgoing at least. I suppose yoiu can receive calls as well as long as the computer is on.
As for Bell, I`m sure it is written somewhere that we as taxpayers have no rights at all. AARRRRGGGHHHH!
I would like to know about phone service as well.
Don’t we have a right to have some sort of service. They have call centres in India and we can’t get phone service on the North Shore of Lake Restoule.
Or would Internet ‘VOIP’ work from the cottage.
Deb
Thank you so much for your technical insight and coherent explanation.
While I am waiting for wireless internet service….Can someone explain to me how home based internet users establish a website? I am knowledgeable about company based websites ( i.e. using their own servers) and designing/writing webpages, but how does someone using a home dial up internet provider get a web page set up on the internet? Do you really need good upload/download speeds to manage a small home based business webpage? I have dial up 18.3 – 26.0 kbps Ontera as my home service provider at the moment. Would I go through my service prodvider for a webpage or elsewhere? tnxs for the Restoule Scribbler site, computerfella
It’s awesome!
Diane, check to see if Ontera provides you with free web space. Sympatico and Vianet give users 5 megabytes of space free. It is to be used for you personal web site. The only difference between these sites and a commercial site is you can’t run scripts or programs from you web personal space. Things using the Perl language are only supported on hosted (paid for) sites. You can still run a site that is hosted with dial up but if you are not doing anything special you don’t need a hosted site.
You could also use Blogger or WordPress if Ontera doesn’t give you free space. The Scribbler sits on the wordpress.com site at the address. http://computerfella.wordpress.com. It is free. You can sign up for a free site as well. The only advantage of high speed is uploading or downloading big files such as pictures. Just faster but still possible on dial up. The Restoule site was started years ago using dial up.
I was wondering if you had any recent updates on Bell’s plans to install a cell tower in Restoule?
Thanks for the kind words Phil. Other than the newspaper articles to which I referred on the main page, I don’t do any active news gathering. If someone has an item, I will consider it for posting, but I don’t have the time to go out and get the news.
Over the last year since my family and I became “permanent” residents of Restoule I have been following your site. Congratulations. The recent events concerning the lumber industry and Restoule have captured my interest. Perhaps I am not looking in the right place but I could not find anything other than the Nippissing site on your web pages. Is your web site of Restoule providing coverage? Regards
Phil Cook
I was having trouble getting online to certain sites during the day. I finally called my service provider and they told me the trouble was in my wireless router. They sent me simple instructions(for me they have to be simple) and it fixed everything fine. I can now get online when I want, with no wait.
Diane : Good comments, but some clarifications are needed…
Netspectrum: “”Their main deal is the installation of antennas, towers, receivers, etc… they will, I understand,be servicing Restoule Park with high speed service in the very near future. It appears that they offered Restoulians internet service initially because no other internet provider was ready to offer it to our area.”"
And there still isn’t…
“”Netspectrum, I learned, is the company that installs the tower and home equipment for internet providers like Ontera”"
One thing that needs to be made clear is Netspectrum is not going away and all others like Ontera are just re-selling their service. That is why they (Netspectrum) OWNS the tower, the system and your home equipment. You will never see an Ontera tech come to your home to do the wireless broadband install.
Ontera will make a couple of bucks off of each subscriber they sign up and since they don’t offer any broadband wireless themselves in the area, it is just another revenue stream. The same goes for Vianet; all services with the exception of dial-up are simple reselling for the likes of Bell (DSL), Rogers/Cogeco (Cable Modems), and Netspectrum (wireless).
So when you switch to Ontera you will still be using the Netspectrum system, which I might add like Vianet; Ontera will have no direct control over the main wireless system and that’s why Vianet is “trying” to resolve the bandwidth issue and not simply resolving it!
And this is also why Ontera is “trying” to get Netspectrum to move their gear onto someone else’s tower (Bell).
What is the purpose of erecting towers everywhere and spending millions of the taxpayers dollars in the first place? Surely, there are cheaper technologies like SPOT offered by Rogers Cable to make people feel safe… Safety is not the same thing as convenience…
“”Some Restoulians have been a wee bit upset with the lack of weekend and evening tech service offered by Net Spectrum (their internet service provider). I hear (from a reliable source) that the level of service will not change because Netspectrum really isn’t into providing internet service .”"
Netspectrum is a “division” of Spectrum 2000 Group, a wireless radio company based in Sudbury Ont., their focus is selling and servicing mostly Motorola two-way radios for communications.
http://www.spectrum2000.com
They are NOT experts at IP networking, security, or application servers. Netspectrum resells wireless broadband internet access as does Vianet, and others on behalf of the Spectrum2000 Group.
What Netspectrums’ and the reseller’s (Vianet, Ontera, etc) users really need to be concerned about is the lack of security both on their wireless systems and on their application servers (email, etc).
I’d be curious to see what speeds the folks in Restoule are getting from Netspectrum/Vianet, I would encourage users to use the http://www.speedtest.net tool (which is excellent) to test the speed of their connection. Please post your results for all to peruse. I will be shocked if you are getting what you are paying for each month.
Oh ya Bell does offer wireless broadband services in many areas, they use WiMax instead of Wi-Fi. What Bell seems to be doing is going to all of these areas serviced by Netspectrum and once they have a subscriber base, Bell will come in and offer competing services…
DB
If you want to be Bell Canada, you have to do a better job than Bell Canada. If not, you are the same, if not worse…
Terrific that you are doing that Greg.We are also seasonal residents and sent our letter to support the petition. Scott was very pleased. Having followed behind a logging truck up in Kenora and having a stone flung at our windshield cracking it Ican tell you that is the least this could cause.
I applaud the residents for their dedication to stopping this. The helipad project is another terrific venture this beautiful town has succeded in working towards.
The only email address I have for Scott is:
millbay@efni.com
Could you please provide an email contact for Scott at Mill Bay. We are seasonal residents but would like to support the petition against the logging road, if there is still time to do so. Thank you.
There have been concrete trucks over the bridge before. As well the Ministry of Transportation has said it can handle fully loaded logging trucks.
You may want to contact the Minstry of Transportation directly.
447 Mckeown Avene Suite 301 North Bay, ON P1B 9E4 Phone: (705) 472-7900
Hello, I’m new to this website and have to say it’s great! well done. We own a property on Limberlost and have been coming up to the area for over 25yrs but for the life of me I cannot recall the weight limit for Hawthorne drive bridge over the creek. Can anyone remember what it is? We are planning on building this year and need a cement truck to deliver the concrete.
Thanks in advance! If not, can anyone point me in the right direction?
Oh yes they already built a tower behind Zees and we all know what happened there…and then the tower that only a few homes got any reception…guess it is all about the fact that this area services so few people..where we live inside of a week’s time they had constructed a huge hideous tower right by a residential area..well this was not acceptable to the residents and they had hoped to slide it through unnoticed..well it got hauled down pretty quick…so I know for a fact they can build them in no time..we saw one go up and down in Ancaster inside of a month! Complete with building and concrete pad!
Laurie, there is no problem putting up the tower. Bell is notifying nearby owners and then will proceed. Their timeline says 2008 to install the tower but we are hoping it will be built in time for the tourist season… but don’t hold your breath. Big companies take a long time to move.
Not sure if any of this will help us..we are on the north shore of Restoule and would love to have anything to connect us in case of emergency..our analog service was cut leaving us with nothing..how kind!
Our Blackberry cuts out 10 minutes west of Hwy#11..this is really ridiculous when you think of all the folks heading into the park and folks on the north shore..it is all really about safety..we do not have road access so that is an added glitch…what is the problem with putting up a tower!
In the short term, I don’t think Bell has plans for wireless internet access. To the best of my knowledge, they use DSL which uses phone lines. However, there have been rumours of Bell getting into wireless distribution. I’ll be talking to Mr. Woods soon and will post any news.
Do you know if when the bell tower gets installed will it give us sympatico high speed ? I emailed mr. woods
but no answer back. Keep up the good work the site is very interesting.
Michael, there are two groups:
Restoule Local Services Board and Patterson Twp. Road Board.
The Secretary for both is Jean Mohr, General Delivery, Restoule, Ontario P0H 2R0
(705) 729-2873
Could you please send me the adress and phone number for the municipal office responsible for the olive street area in restoule.
Thank You
mike
Melissa and Travis Hamilton have a new daughter Makenna born on April 04/2008 weighing 7lbs/8.5oz.
Proud grandparents are Michael Duquette of Newmarket, Rita Deschambault of Penetang and Susie and Hal Hamilton of Restoule.
Thank you very much
I have the number for the Crow’s Nest – it is 729-1549.
Have a good day!
Sorry Chris, I don’t have their number. The ownership has changed hands a couple of times now and the listing I have is no longer valid. It does not show up at the Canada 411 look up on the web either. Their new name is Crowsnet Lodge. I pass there each day and I know they are open, but with limited hours until the tourist season starts up again. Maybe Bell 411 has the listing. If anyone reading these comments knows the new number list it here please.
Could you please send me the phone number for the Crowsnest, we would like to come and stay in Restoule this May long week-end and have lost are number for the motel and cannot find it anywhere.
Thank You Chris Cranston
so nice to be able to catch up on ya”ll when i can;t be there .
HAPPY B DAY! aunt marg
annyone that wishes to e mail me may do so
it would be fun to see who of you are online
by the way do ya have a chatroom set up there?
annyhoo catch yaz later
clobber999
Great info Diane. This is the first I’ve heard of a BELL tower on Lakeview Dr. What is the source of your information on the Bell cell tower. It will be apprecated if it does actually get installed.
As for the broadband Internet service, the 100 foot tower constructed last fall on Steve Grawbarger’s property was, as you say, installed by Netspectrum as part of a Blue Sky Economic Development project. There are three Internet Service Providers (ISP) using the tower – Vianet, Netspectrum and Ontera. The level of service (bandwidth / speed) is the same for all there.
I’ve been talking with Vianet complaining about the slow speed of the Lakeview tower. They are working with Netspectrum trying to get the speed issue resolved. Since wireless broadband is a shared service the same as broadband over CATV. What we need is more overall bandwidth for the whole system. Vianet says Netspectrum did not anticipate the ‘take up’ and need more bandwidth for us to share.
I sure hope it get better soon. Btw, I was told to contact the Vianet billing department as they are good at giving a rebate when service is poor. We’ll see.
Your suggestion of using the Scribbler to keep the area informed is good. The Scribbler has been serving this area for 10 years now.
Here are some tidbits that you may or may not know regarding internet service in the Restoule area….I have numerous email accounts with Ontera a northern internet provider . They have, for the past 7 years, served me very well here in Restoule and in Nipissing Twp..However, to serve my business better, I will be switiching to high speed broadband internet through Ontera in a few months (when the new 300 or 400 foot Bell tower goes up on Lakeview and becomes serviceable). Netspectrum, I learned, is the company that installs the tower and home equipment for internet providers like Ontera and they are “discussing” the possibility of transferring their current Lakeview tower receiver station over to the higher Bell tower once it is built. If they do then our reception here on Porter’s Landing will be almost guaranteed ( without buying additional equipment for broad band reception above the summer tree canopy).
Some Restoulians have been a wee bit upset with the lack of weekend and evening tech service offered by Net Spectrum (their internet service provider). I hear (from a reliable source) that the level of service will not change because Netspectrum really isn’t into providing internet service . Their main deal is the installation of antennas, towers, receivers, etc… they will, I understand,be servicing Restoule Park with high speed service in the very near future. It appears that they offered Restoulians internet service initially because no other internet provider was ready to offer it to our area. Ontera just recently came on board as a high speed itnernet provider to this area.
Supposingly, Bell received a rather quick government grant to put up that new lakeview tower to service cellphone reception.This is a most welcomed safety feature for remote campers, hunters, cottagers, and bush walkers like myself.I am sure it will be welcomed by our superb and highly dedicated fire department.
I am interested in being kept abreast of the new Lakeview tower developments. Perhaps, this website could serve as a tower installation progress site.
The Scribbler is a great idea.
I’m pleased you like the ‘Scribbler’ Carol. If you or anyone reading it has suggestions please do not hesitate to leave a comment. David.
Nice to see this, I was not aware it existed. I have forwarded to a couple of other people I know who may be interested in postings or just perusing. Sandra Redwood sent it to me.