Service Clubs & Organizations

Elk Lake Legion Branch #310

Our mission is to serve Veterans, serving military and RCMP and their families and to promote Remembrance.

Remembrance Day Ceremonies will be held at the Cenotaph downtown at 11:00am Monday, Novermber11th. All are welcome to gather at the Legion Branch#310 on Fourth Street after.

The Elk Lake Fun Federation is a not-for-profit run by some amazing volunteers. Check out there Facebook page to see what they have going on in our community.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558249679148&sk=mentions

The Elk Lake Youth Group is committed to providing our youth with social interaction and community involvement.

Join their Facebook page to stay in the loop or to get involved.

The Elk Lake Cross-Country Ski Club has been in existence for 42 years!  The Club was formed in 1981 and by 1985 our membership represented approximately 100 people. In a town with a population at that time of just over 600 people, this gives some idea of the value placed on the ski trails by the local community. 

Our goal is to encourage people of all ages, both residents of our community and visitors, to get outdoors and enjoy some healthy winter exercise on our lovely ski trails. In earlier years we held numerous activities including “loppets” (ski races), moonlit skis, and campfire/hot chocolate outings. Many visitors to Elk Lake have let us know how much they appreciate our beautiful trails and being invited to use them free of charge. 

The Ski Club provides free loan of skis/boots/poles. This allows people to try cross-country skiing before purchasing their own equipment. Many moms and children were skiing, while dads were out ice fishing or snowmobiling.  Now the club has a good selection of men’s ski boots and larger skis which allows those dads to borrow a set and occasionally go along for a family ski. Our original equipment was so well used by local school children and families that by 2010, most of the boots were worn out. Through the generosity of local groups and the Temiskaming Foundation, we were able to purchase new equipment and also have many children’s sizes. 

Two trails are groomed for classic skiing. 

• The Montreal River Trail begins at the SW side of the Eco-Center parking lot and follows the Montreal River approximately 2 km through old poplar forest and ends with a turn-around in a spruce grove.  This is a good beginners trail, with only one challenging hill that goes down to the new bridge.
• The Makobe River/Bear Creek Trail  entrance is 2.9 km out the Gowganda Road (Hwy 560) on the south side. Watch carefully for the sign!  This beautiful trail winds along rolling hills through upland pine forest to where Bear Creek joins the Makobe River. It is about 2 km to ski into the Makobe River from the hwy 560.  A shorter option is to take the left branch off the main trail which also goes to the river.  Parking for the Makobe Trail is at the cutover road entrance just west of the trail entrance.

Ski Club Memberships are $25/person or $50/year for a family. Our membership fees go entirely towards the cost of trail grooming.  A cookie jar is available at the Eco-Centre for anyone who wishes to donate towards the club.  Memberships may be paid to either Lynda Bartlett or Judy Hartford.

If you would like someone to show you the trails, more information, or to arrange to borrow skis, call Judy Hartford at 678-2177.

Welcome to Elk Lake!
We are proudly part of the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Sno Travellers (formerly the three separate clubs, Tri-Town Sno Travellers, Club Echo, and the Elk Lake Trail Blazers). We’ll likely shorten that down to the T&NO.  We truthfully boast some of the best trails in the province with a mix of straight flat trails, incredible sweeping curves, scenic lookouts, and probably some wildlife.  The support of great local businesses heightens the riding experience. 

The T&NO volunteer members work hard each year to bring you an incredible winter experience. We promote volunteering and a sense of community. A perfect fit in Elk Lake. 

Our new logo incorporates a rich sense of history of the area. The first train came to Elk Lake on February 4th, 1913 which was made possible by the beautiful train bridge just east of Elk Lake in Tudhope Township. We have incorporated the bridge, a steam train and of course a snowmobile to showcase the areas rich heritage.

As our logo reads: Come Ride With Us!

Contact

• www.ttst.ca
• wramsay@ramsaylaw

Lost Legend - The Story of Jack Munroe

A documentary years in the making about the life of Jack Munroe will be screened in Elk Lake, Haileybury and Cobalt later this month. to view the trailer click here.

The first viewing will be in Elk Lake on Friday, May 24 2024, 7:00pm at Legion Branch #310.

Jack Munroe (1877-1942),

In the documentary “Lost Legend: The Story of Jack Munroe” you will dive into the extraordinary life of Jack Munroe, a legend born in the rugged landscapes of Boularderie Island, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. From his humble beginnings in 1873, Munroe's journey unfolds like an epic saga across continents and through history.

In 1885, Munroe embarked on a new chapter, crossing borders to Butte, Montana, alongside his two older brothers. There, he carved his name into the annals of sports history, rising as a football star and seizing the title of amateur boxing champion along the American West Coast. His prowess in the ring echoed far and wide, besting renowned champions like J.J. Jeffries and Peter Maher as well as fighting soon-to-be champ Jack Johnson.

Yet, Munroe's story was far from confined to the realm of sports. His adventurous spirit led him back to Canada, where fate intertwined with destiny in the Northern Ontario wilderness. Discovering silver in 1906, Munroe laid the foundation for the community of Elk Lake, while also assuming the mantle of its inaugural mayor in 1909.

But fate had more in store for this intrepid soul. The Porcupine mining camp beckoned, setting the stage for Munroe's valiant acts amidst the inferno of 1911. As World War I engulfed the globe, Munroe, despite his age and wealth, answered the call to duty, enlisting in the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in August 1914.

Accompanied by his loyal companion, the Scotch Collie "Bobbie Burns," gifted to him by none other than the President of Mexico, Munroe marched into history becoming the first Canadian-born soldier to tread upon French soil on December 21. His bravery knew no bounds, until fate dealt a cruel blow on June 16, 1915, leaving Munroe wounded, his right arm incapacitated.

Yet, from adversity sprung resilience. Returning to Canada with Bobbie Burns by his side, Munroe penned "Mopping Up" with his left hand, crafting a timeless masterpiece that offered a poignant glimpse into the war through the eyes of his faithful companion.

Amidst the chaos of war, love found its place in Munroe's heart. Joined in matrimony with Colina Craine on September 5, 1923, Munroe's final chapter drew near. On February 12, 1942, he bid farewell to the mortal realm, leaving behind a legacy etched in courage, resilience, and unwavering loyalty.

Join us in uncovering the remarkable odyssey of Jack Munroe, a true Canadian hero whose indomitable spirit continues to inspire generations.