Hello Cottagers
Summer will soon be in full swing. School will be out soon, the weather is getting warm, and it’s time to enjoy our little piece of heaven.
Here is a list of activities to help you get the most out of summer at the lake:
Membership Barbeque on Saturday June 28th from 11:00 am until 3 pm at Regatta Bay
SMLCA members are invited to our summer barbecue and get-together. Grab a burger or hotdog, meet neighbours and the SMLCA directors, pick up your 2024 lake directory, and buy any Six Mile Lake logoed gifts you’ve been hankering for. There will also be fire pump training: learn how to use the fire pumps on the lake before there’s an emergency!
Please R.S.V.P so that we know how much food to order. Visit our membership portal https://smlca.
SMLCA ice cream give-away, Saturday July 5th at 1:00 pm
Look for the pontoon boats with the SMLCA banners at these locations:
- At the flashing light narrows on the south end of Lumber’s Island, as you go toward SML Marina,
- Near Battleship Island in the southeast end of the lake (one will be near Cedar Nook Island) and,
- In East Crooked Bay, just east of Horne’s Island.
If you are having trouble finding them, text or call Harold at 647-520-8036. We’ll have about 600 cones and some Freezies for those who cannot eat ice cream. Don’t hesitate, because when they are gone, they are gone! (Check our Facebook page in case of last-minute changes due to weather.)
The SMLRA Fishing Derby is back for the 2025 season!
The derby will be open throughout the summer for all open-season fish species on Six Mile Lake. The derby promotes catch and release fishing and strengthening the sense of community Six Mile Lake prides itself on. We’ll publish details in our June e-blast as they become available. Cross-publicizing events is one of several ways the Cottagers Association and the Ratepayers Association are working to come closer together.
SML Pride Parade and Drag Show on Sunday July 19th at 1:00 pm
The SMLCA continues to support this annual event. The flotilla will start at the Six Mile Lake Provincial Park and wind its way throughout the lake. It is always wonderful to see many cottager families standing out on their docks, waving to show their support as the boats pass by.
75th annual SMLCA Regatta on Saturday August 2nd
This is an important investment in the treasured cottage memories of our children and a great chance to meet your lake neighbours. The regatta takes place at Regatta Bay, in the southeast end of the lake. It starts at 10 am and features (in order), races for Pre-Tadpoles, Tadpoles (7-8), Juniors (9-10), Youth (11-12), Juveniles (13-14), Intermediates (15-16), Seniors (17-30) and Over 30’s. Races include swimming, canoes, and the infamous Hurry Scurry race. Note that If anyone has an old canoe that they can loan us for the canoe races, please let us know at info@sixmilelake.net.
In addition to races, there are hot dogs and drinks, face tattoos, the vaunted snake and reptile exhibition, the ever-popular fishing pond, book/DVD sale, and a raffle for great prizes. Pull your boats up along the shore and walk to the regatta for a great day of fun! Come and renew your membership, donate to next year’s fireworks and meet the directors.
20th Annual Fireworks Display on August 2nd
Later that same day after the regatta, we will all gather in our boats around Fire Island in the south end of the lake at sunset to view our 20th Fireworks Show. Remember to stay at a safe distance and do not enter the no-boat zone (we will publish the restriction zone on our website.) As usual, we are looking for volunteers to help Pyro Mario move his equipment and fireworks to the Island on Friday, and help pack up and clean the site on Sunday morning. If you can pitch in, please contact us at volunteers@sixmilelake.net . Volunteers meet at 10 am at the Crooked Bay public dock, on Friday August 1st.
The fireworks are supported separately from the SMLCA budget; donations for the show can made at our membership portal: https://smlca.
9th annual Artists Tour on Saturday August 9th and Sunday August 10th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Come see the marvelous work of many Six Mile Lake artisans in locations throughout the lake. Follow the posts on Facebook for a location map or go to www.sixmilelake.art (please note that the website is not yet updated for the 2025 tour).
SMLCA Special Members Meeting on Saturday August 23rd.
The Ontario government as instituted a new code of governance by-laws that apply to not-for-profit corporations, such as the SMLCA. We have invested hundreds of hours and much money to bring our constitution into compliance with the ONCA code. We are holding a special meeting to inform our members of the changes and ratify our new constitution with a vote. Please plan to attend in person, as there will be no online option.
Virtual AGM on Wednesday October 29th.
This is an excellent opportunity for you to get involved, express your voice, and find out what’s been going on at our association during the past year. Perhaps you would really like to get involved and consider joining our board. There is nothing more rewarding than contributing to our lake community to continue to make our Six Mile Lake experience an awesome one. Check out the summer Echoes for more information.
As always, your annual Membership dues support these great events, as well as many others. The membership year starts on June 1, and May marks the start of our membership drive. Most of you should have received an email message prompting you to renew via Wild Apricot, our membership portal at https://smlca.wildapricot.org. As a bonus, your association has arranged for three free months of Cottage Life for our members (or a three-month extension for those of you who already subscribe to the magazine). Shortly, we will send you details for how to access this offer.
One of the features of Wild Apricot is that you can auto renew your membership. For those who decide to take advantage of this convenient option, we will enter your name in a raffle to win a cruise on Lake Muskoka with Muskoka Steamships!
If you still wish to have a paper invoice sent to you, contact Sarah McKinney at membership@sixmilelake.net. Remember, dues can be paid through our memberhsip portal here: https://smlca.
We’ll see you out on the lake!
2019 CWS Authorization.pdf