Board of Directors
Elspeth Gaukrodger
(President)
While renting along the Narrows in 2002 we fell in love with Chandos and were intrigued by the annual Yearbook. The following summer during a rainy week on Chandos we explored cottages for sale and spontaneously bought one. It was a brilliant decision that has provided many summers of wonderful times with family and friends. Most recently, I convinced my siblings to buy the neighbouring cottage.
Overtime I’ve come to appreciate the contribution of the Chandos Lake Property Owners Association, including the Yellow Lake Markers, environmental initiatives and multiple social events.
I previously volunteered as the Craigleith Ski Club Treasurer and I worked in Corporate Development for Canadian and International companies. Since retiring, I am now spending more time at the lake and decided it was time to start contributing to the wellbeing of Chandos and the cottage community.
Lyn Turnbull
(VP at Large)
We purchased our cottage on Chandos Lake in late 2011. We have loved being on this wonderful lake ever since. Our good feelings about this lake and community were shared by my sister and brother who both bought cottages here a few years after we did!
I was on the CLPOA board as the Membership chair for 7 years and am looking forward to re-joining the board. Together with my husband, Duncan, we maintain the membership database. Our priority is to keep accurate records of all membership related data. In addition to the Membership role, I am also one of the administrators for the CLPOA Facebook page. We strive to keep the site useful and polite – not always an easy task!
I look forward to working with this enthusiastic, dedicated Board of Directors.
Debbie Kirton
(Secretary)
I have owned a cottage on Chandos Lake since 2003, however I have been cottaging on the lake all my life as my grandfather built a cottage here over 60 years ago. I first became a member of the C.L.P.O.A. Board in 2006 as a Director at Large, stepping down 9 years later. I rejoined in the fall of 2019 and assumed the role of Treasurer.
My priorities as Treasurer are to ensure the financial stability of our Association and to ensure transparency in all we do. Currently enjoying retirement, I believe my 30 years experience in middle management along with my organizational and communication skills help me work effectively towards achieving the goals of our Association.
I appreciate working with the C.L.P.O.A. Board Members who are all dedicated to the continued enjoyment and preservation of our beautiful lake, values I share. In addition I have come to appreciate the time and effort put in by the many dedicated volunteers who organize and run the programs and events available to all of us each year. Being a part of the Board, and this lake community, is very important to me.
I look forward to the challenges ahead and another year working on the Chandos Lake Property Owners Association Board of Directors.
Dave Hill
(Treasurer)
My wife and I bought our cottage in the spring of 2023, on the main lake. We have thoroughly enjoyed all four seasons and it has been a great opportunity for a place away from the city for our family and friends. We were attracted by the beauty of the lake and we look forward to contributing to preserving the lake.
I have been the acting Treasurer on the CLPOA board since June 2024 and I look forward to promoting the lake experience, in a financially prudent manner. I’m also the Treasurer of a Toronto based environmental charity. I’m currently enrolled in the CNAP (Canadian Non-Profit Accounting professional) program. For the past forty years I have been working at Thomson Reuters or Toronto Stock Exchange in the Sale, Business Management and Product Management area.
I look forward to meeting other cottage owners and hearing from them as to how we can improve our overall lake experience.
Dave Taillefer
(Past President)
I bought my cottage on Chandos Lake in 1999, and have spent just about every weekend from May through October in addition to vacation time, and many other “off season” weekends at the cottage. The cottage was the place that my girlfriend turned into my fiancé, and subsequently my wife. Our family grew, with now having two young kids whose favorite place in the world is same as ours, the cottage. Both kids have learned how to swim, hike, paddle, fish, and many other activities up at our little piece of heaven. Although truth be told, any activity that ended with a stop at one of the marina’s for ice cream was their favorite (and mine).
After years of enjoying the family activities that the CLPOA has to offer, I decided that it was my time to follow the lead of my father, who was also a long time CLPOA volunteer, and get involved. This had initially led me to being one of the “boys who handles the buoys”. For the past couple of years, I have participated, and now become in charge of getting the crew together to ensure that the 100+ Yellow Hazard Markers are properly positioned throughout Chandos Lake in the Spring, and the subsequent removal and storage of these buoys in the Fall.
In addition to my participation as a Director on the CLPOA, I have volunteered for multiple non-profit organizations and have sat on a couple different environmental, governmental, or youth advocacy focused boards and committees. I hope that my time on the CLPOA will work to advocate for the continued safety on the lake, as well as ensuring that the CLPOA and its members work harmoniously with each other, other agencies, as well as the different levels of government.
Other Directors
Debra Anthony
(Director, Chair of the Canoe Kayak Day Committee and Deputy Chair of the Environment Committee)
My family has been “cottaging” since 1985, first renting, and then purchasing our own cottage in 1998. We have since moved two more times and three years ago found the perfect spot on Chandos. Joining the lake association, wherever we are, has been important to us as we feel the need to support and be part of the community.
I first got involved with CLPOA through the environment committee, a natural extension of my other volunteer work in horticulture and environmental education.
As I have become more involved, I am taking on other tasks within the CLPOA.
It is my wish to advocate and care for the lake and environment in a way that preserves the health and beauty of what we already have while still allowing for the full participation in the cottage experience.
Kristen Davison
(Director of Communications)
I am fortunate enough to be a fourth generation cottager on Chandos, my great grandparents having built in the 1950s. Being a part of this community has been an integral part of my lived experience and woven into who I am. I worked for 10 summers on the lake, beginning when I was 14, at West Bay Narrows Marina which then became Shantilly’s Place. I was the General Manager of Shantilly’s Place for their first five seasons, completely ingraining myself in the community and getting to know many of the wonderful members. As my time as Shantilly’s came to an end I felt it important to stay connected to the lake and felt that was best done through joining the Association.
I am a teacher in the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and look forward to spending my summers on the lake as I have in all my years prior, but in a purely leisurely fashion. I am looking forward to reconnecting with the lake and exploring this side of the community, outside of the business sphere.
I have been involved in planning the Corn and Weiner Roast in the summer of 2022 and 2023 and am excited to use my connection to Chandos Lake in my role as Communications Director.
Elaine Dickson
(Director)
Elaine Dickson has been part of the Chandos Lake community for over 30 years. With a strong background in photography, she brings a keen eye for visual storytelling, along with more than two decades of experience in corporate media and communications.
Elaine enjoys her time spent at the lake with her husband Jim and their three daughters. Her appreciation for the natural beauty of Chandos, paired with her collaborative spirit and strategic mindset, make her a valued voice on the Board. She is dedicated to preserving the charm and vitality of the lake for future generations, while fostering a strong sense of community among its residents.
Outside of work, she’s a huge music fan, enjoys listening to the Jays game on the radio and always is always up for a cocktail at the dock.
Sean Godfrey
(Director)
The first time I came to the location of what was to become my cottage, I walked straight down the driveway and straight down to the lake without even glancing at the cottage itself!
I was hooked …mesmerised by the incredible view of the lake and the bay the cottage was part of.
By the time I had turned around from the beautiful lake view, I had already decided this was the place for me. Then I realised I had better actually look at the cottage too and thankfully wasn’t disappointed at all!
That was in the summer of 2010 and my young family enjoyed many wonderful summers and winters there!
Having made good friends with my neighbours I always felt that when I came to the cottage that I was coming home. It was so peaceful, so full of light and so calming for my soul.
This year, I am both delighted and honoured to become a Director and am looking forward to making many new friends and taking part in and enjoying the wonderful social events the CLPOA has planned for this year!
See you on the lake!
John Lovatsis
(Director)
Our family for many years had looked into purchasing a cottage and in 2019 we came upon a listing here on Chandos Lake. My sister had many times spoken about how much she enjoyed when visiting with the Bird’s at their cottage on Chandos Lake. So, on a very cold and snowy day in January of 2019 we made the trek north to view the property. Suffice to say my wife Ann Marie and our son William loved what we saw and subsequently purchased our cottage in March of 2019. Located in a very quiet and secluded bay we all knew immediately that this cottage and it’s very quiet and tucked away location would provide us with a lifetime of memories for our family and friends to share and enjoy.
In the fall of 2022, I was approached by the President of the CLPOA Alan Bird and asked to see if I would be willing to take over the role of Advertising lead for the CLPOA yearbook. This role has allowed me to meet so many of the great people, service providers, and businesses that continue to provide our community with the services that make Chandos and North Kawartha a special place to live, work and enjoy. As a result of my role leading the advertising for the CLPOA yearbook it was an easy decision to join the CLPOA board when asked and offer my insights and support to the continued well being and future to this great community we call Chandos Lake!!
When not at the lake, I have worked at a number of high profile organizations in senior sales leadership roles over the past 35 years. For the past 10 years, I have managed the Canadian division for FIRST BRANDS Group within the Canadian automotive marketplace, and most notably managing our business partnership with Canadian Tire. I have also been a minor hockey volunteer coach in the past enjoying the experience of bringing a love for our great game to kids from the ages of 5 to 13.
Mike Lucassen
(Director)
My wife Gloria and I purchased our land here back in 1999 when we were still living and working in Southern California. Originally from Canada, we did enjoy our time in the U.S. but really missed the 4 seasons and nature, so we made plans to move back. We explored areas in British Columbia and Atlantic Canada but picked a spot back in Apsley, just one lake north of where we used to live on Jack Lake….Chandos !
More specifically, It’s a little lake just off Chandos called Little Loon Lake (aka Donna), at the end of the peninsula in Chandos Lake.
We love the peace and quiet and enjoy being surrounded by nature. Our kids call us “tree-huggers”, and we certainly agree with that description.
My interest in joining the board is to promote improvements to our water resources (quality and fish stock), as well as community safety (people and property), ultimately in conjunction with township and other government agency initiatives and programs.
I am happily retired now after spending my working years managing QA and Operations for large multinational food and beverage companies. Over the years I have spent a tremendous amount of time traveling and away from home so now it’s great to be able to stay home and focus on our grandchildren and our 3 German Shepherd dogs.
It has been wonderful to be able to give our grandkids the chance to spend time up north with us and make some lifetime memories walking the trails in the forest, and fishing and swimming in the lake.
Julia Smith
(Director)
I’ve been loving the Lake since 2017, when my husband Craig and I first bought a place in the Narrows. As first time cottagers, we quickly learned to rely on a wide community of folks here to teach us everything from how to keep the septic pipes from freezing in the winter, where to source the best squirrel proof bird feeders (still looking), how to protect our shorelines etc. Recently retired from a career in banking IT, I am happy to volunteer to help enhance the Lake experience in almost any capacity and am also working shifts in Apsley at the Community Care organization.
