The Naked Truth launched in Orillia

The Naked Truth launched in Orillia



The Ladies of the Lake (LOL) launched The Naked Truth at their kick off in Orillia on Thursday.

"Who knew that innocent photography would turn into something so great," remarked LOL senior executive Jane Meredith. Referring to the 2006 calendar the LOL posed au natural for, their fundraising calendar raised about $250,000 for the benefit of Lake Simcoe.

Partnered with the Windfall Ecology Centre, the LOL are hosting four Naked Truth events to take place around the Lake Simcoe watershed. Each event will focus on different aspects of what is affecting Lake Simcoe. The LOL plan to look at the Lake from four different perspectives at each symposium;

July 15th (Innisfil) - participants will go above the water to look at the urban impact and the preservation of natural areas

July 15th (Barrie) - participants travel beside the water to look at the changing lake living and climate change

July 16th (Holland River) - participants will travel on the water to look at agricultural impacts

July 16th (Georgina) - participants will go under the water and explore water quality and phosphorus levels

The ladies will be present at each symposium, as well as members for the Windfall Ecology Centre. Music, art and guest speakers will also take part in the symposiums. The outcome of the four events will be part of the Serendipity Princess Grand Planning Event on August 19th, followed by a Lake Aid concert at Heritage Park in Barrie. Although the Ladies said they cannot reveal the names of the performers, they are promising some great Canadian talent. When the LOL made a presentation to Innisfil council in late April, the names of the Barenaked Ladies and Gordon Lightfoot were mentioned.

"We all need to remind ourselves why we are doing this," remarked Annabel Slaight, LOL senior executive. "It's the lake, it's the lake, it's the lake! The Lake is crying out for help and the Ladies have heard that cry."

Representatives from around the Lake Simcoe watershed, including Town of Georgina Mayor Rob Grossi, Orillia Mayor Ron Stevens, MPP Garfield Dunlop, Ramara Mayor Bill Duffy, and Gail Wood, CAO of the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority were present a the kickoff. The only Lake Simcoe watershed municipality who did not have representation included Bradford and Innisfil.