Season’s Greetings and Happy New Year Six Mile Lake Cottagers

We are nearing the end of another trip around the sun and hope for a happy new year in 2026. Indeed, there are many things in our plans already and we are looking forward to sharing them with you in the coming months.

Come join us as a volunteer

We also would like to remind you that we are still looking for volunteers to help with some roles we need to fill:

• Director. We still have one spot open on our board for a director at large. It is so much fun planning events and getting involved with the affairs of the lake. You don’t have to be experienced, just willing to dig in.
• Communications Officer. We’re looking for someone to coordinate our communications activities. We’re also looking for anyone who likes writing and would like to help curate our ECHOES and e-blast newsletters, not to mention finding content for our social media page. We’d love to hear from you.
• Promotional Products Coordinator. We’re looking for someone to help with sourcing new promotional items. This also includes keeping inventory and selling items at our events.
• New Cottager Outreach. Our new cottager visiting committee is going strong and we could always use more helpers to find and visit new cottagers to welcome them to the lake.

As the saying goes, ‘many hands make light work’ and we encourage you to join us. It’s very rewarding bringing about the things that make our community awesome!

The Six Mile Lake Directory

Next year, 2026, is a directory year. Now is a good time to make sure your information in our directory is accurate. Take a moment and look at your 2024 directory and if you have any changes please let Sarah know at membership@sixmilelake.net.

Citation for Bravery

It is coming up to three years since Michael Burgess of Scarborough died on Six Mile lake when his and a friend’s snowmobiles went through the ice in an area of the lake just east of Mathias Point and O’Leary’s Island. Earlier this December, the OPP recognised the bravery of Ryan Hoegler, Dennis Carder and Scott Rogers in saving one of the snowmobilers on that day. During a typical season, trails get marked across the lake, but this usually isn’t done before the end of January when the ice is considered thick enough. Even the trails that go over swamps can be risky. Tony Schmidt says, “Crews are busy getting the snowmobile trails brushed, cleared and packed! Hopefully we will have some trails open by Christmas if Mother Nature keeps up with cold temps before lots of snow falls to help freeze up the swamps for safe passage.”

Remember, the lake is known for areas where the ice is never safe due to currents. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of exercising extreme caution when venturing out onto the ice. Remember, “no ice is safe ice.”

Winter Parking Rules in the Township

Winter parking rules are now in effect across Georgian Bay Township. There is no parking on township roads during snow-clearing months. Vehicles left on the road may receive a ticket under our by-laws. Help plow crews keep our roads safe and clear this winter. This year, the township issued a special notice regarding parking on Bayview Road so that it doesn’t interfere with snow removal. See the enclosed diagram.

For other information, see the Georgian Bay Times newsletter https://www.gbtownship.ca/en/living-here/resources/GB-Times/December-2025—January-2026.pdf

Happy Holidays

The board wishes you a happy and safe holiday season and reminds you to keep roofs clear of excess snow and make sure smoke detectors are operational.