Ladies of the Lake - Increase Calendar Sales

Ladies of the Lake, with sponsors BrightStar Corporation, Naked Grape Wines and others working together to save Lake Simcoe, report selling 11,000 calendars by Nov. 15 – 1,000 more than the 2006 calendars sold at this time three years ago.

To date, the calendars have raised $400,000 for programs to help rescue Lake Simcoe.

“People are saying this is a great holiday gift because the photography is beautiful, the proceeds help their beloved lake and the price is perfect for showing they care without breaking the bank,” said Annabel Slaight, co-founder of the Ladies of the lake Calendar. “They are really taken by the artistic approach and information in the action cards.”

“It’s fascinating to me that the Holland Marsh farm scene seems to be people’s favourite photograph,” said Jim Panou the calendar’s award-winning photographer.

“I think it’s because it’s whimsical, yet focuses on two important issues — healthy food and the environment.”

Following the popularity, awareness building, mind shifting and fundraising success of the 2006 Ladies of the Lake “Naked Truth” Calendar, the new 2009 calendar is on sale through area retailers, community groups and online at www.lakeladies.ca

The calendar celebrates Lake Simcoe’s natural gifts and the goal of raising awareness. The funds raised with new calendar will be focused on helping youth become involved rehabilitating, protecting and enhancing the lake and the lands that flow into it.

The calendar, which costs $15, features stunning Lake Simcoe area scenes with women artistically posed amidst nature’s beauty.

At a time when people may feel disconnected from nature, the theme is inspired by the traditional thank you for nature’s gifts by the Lake’s first inhabitants thousands of years ago.

Each photograph reflects an interconnectedness with nature and an aboriginal message of hope and guidance for one of 12 interrelated facets of the natural world.

Each calendar also includes a wallet of 16 Lake Simcoe Action Cards with ideas and information about what we can all do to continue loving, stop harming and start helping the lake heal itself.