Welcome back to the lake

By this time, most of us are busy opening the cottage. This is a process of assessing how much damage was done by the ravages of winter, discovering things that worked fine when we closed up but no longer work, and restocking the fridge and cupboards with all the supplies we moved out just months ago. But forget about all that, because soon the summer cottage season will begin. One positive thing to note: the new Whites Falls and Six Mile Lake dams performed as they should and emptied the spring melt water so effectively, that if anything, the water levels were lower than usual and are still a little low. In contrast, we see reports that lake flooding was severe in the Muskoka lakes causing considerable damage to boat houses and docks.

Georgian Bay Township Water Testing

This year the township has increased their budget for water testing to approximately $120,000. This is an incredible step up considering as little as four years ago they were spending $5,000. They have employed the services of Kim Schiefer from Bluewater Biosciences to oversee the water testing program. Our volunteer team met on May 16^th for training. If you would like to lend a hand to our volunteers reach out to us at info@sixmilelake.net. Here is a link outlining the program https://bluewaterbiosciences.com/township-of-georgian-bay-sampling-program/

May is Membership Renewal Month!

Our membership year runs from June 1 to May 31 and it’s time to renew for 2026/2027!

Online renewal notices will be sent by email starting May 15. Just follow the prompts in the email to renew online. We suggest that you opt for auto-renewal: it’s a great convenience for you and a boon for the association. You can opt for auto-renewal by contacting our Membership Chair. If you have already opted for autorenewal, you will have received an email notice on May 15 reminding you that payment will be automatically processed on June 1. If you have not received these emails, please check your spam/junk folder. If you still can’t find the notices, please contact Sarah McKinney (details below) and she will assist you. Note that starting June 15, we will be mailing out notices to those who prefer to renew by mail.  Payment by credit card can also be made by phone, again, contact Sarah and she will assist you.

For more information on the SMLCA, to learn how to become a member, or make donations to the regatta site or fireworks, please visit our membership portal: https://smlca.wildapricot.org.

If you prefer to have an invoice sent to you by mail contact Sarah by email at: membership@sixmilelake.net or by phone: 647-823-8458.

New Cottager Outreach Committee

At our board meeting in April, we had a presentation by New Cottager Outreach Committee chair Liz Rabinovich on how we can reach new cottagers to welcome them to the lake. We want them to feel welcome and become part of our community. This committee’s work is fundamental to our association because we estimate we are missing approximately 50 members due to cottage turnover. People sell their cottages and the new owners are not aware of our association. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that the township no longer provides contact information on their roll list, due to privacy of information concerns. If you know of someone who is new to Six Mile Lake please let Liz know at lizrabinovitch@gmail.com .

Navigation Program

We are pleased to announce that Braden Hopkirk will be assuming position of co-ordinator of the navigation program following his father Allan’s death. Braden has been active in the navigation program for many years and we appreciate his ongoing commitment.

Did you know that the association has a team of volunteers that go out in their boats early in the spring and late in the fall to place, remove and maintain those navigation buoys and flashing markers? This is probably our association’s most important, and least recognized, program because it helps to keep you safe from the many shoals while you are boating on the lake. Our $55 membership fee covers the cost of all buoys and markers; membership is worth it for this service alone!

If you notice any missing buoys or defective flashers, please contact Braden by phone or text at 416 565 0413.

Township Ratified GFA Zoning By-law

At the Planning Council meeting on May 5^th, the Zoning By-law Amendment, Application No Z26-01 was ratified by council. This is good news because it will finally satisfy most of the findings of the 2019 Cottagers’ Survey regarding gross floor area (GFA). To review the survey, go here. The purpose of the application was to re-establish the definition of GFA for dwellings in the Six Mile Lake Residential (SR6) Zone back to the definition in place prior to 2014. The effect of the application is to exclude certain areas (e.g., attached garages, unfinished basements, crawlspace cellars etc.) from GFA. We will be including an article providing background on why this subject is so important in our spring Echoes newsletter due out in June. It is expected that these changes will take effect later this month.

2026 Municipal Election

This is a reminder that 2026 is an election year, which will take place on October 26^th. Although it is still early, our councillor for Ward 3, Kristian Graziano, has indicated that he will be pleased to run again for his seat on Ward 3. Our association has enjoyed a good productive relationship with our ward councillor and we look forward to continuing to work closely with whomever is voted in. We also understand our councillor responsible for Muskoka District, Brian Bochek, has also thrown his hat in the ring to run for his seat. Of course, this is still subject to change, as nominations close on August 21^st. We will keep you informed as we get closer to the election.

Fire Permits

While the fire rating is currently low, we remind you there is a lot of dry vegetation such as dead leaves on the ground and, despite the recent moisture, this debris could easily catch fire. It’s important to do any burning responsibly, and legally.  Check the fire status before burning, and make you have a burn permit, which is required for any burning.

Get your burn permit online at the township website or at a library. It’s fast, easy and convenient. Go to Burn Permit Application – Township of Georgian Bay. Why is this important? Failure to abide by the open-air burning By-law 2019-18 could result in penalties. If fire personnel are required to respond, you may be charged the current hefty MTO fee for the apparatus required to attend.

Positions Available At The SMLCA

We are in constant need of help to make your cottage experience even more awesome. Here are some of the ways you can chip in:

• Accountant. Calling all accountants. We are looking for a licensed accountant to perform the review of our annual statements. This is a paid position. Please contact rick.jocsak@sixmilelake.net
• Editor of ECHOES Newsletter. Being the editor of the ECHOES is an editorial and project management task, not a writing task, but rather entails:
• Creating an editorial plan with firm deadlines for publication
• Finalizing with the board the content for each issue
• Soliciting articles and nudging writers to submit on time
• Editing and proofreading the articles
• Sending final Word documents to our graphic designer
• 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 produce our communications for this eblast and on our social media page.
• 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.
• Regatta Coordinator. Working with Ted Mackay, you will train to be ready to take over this position for 2027.
• Fireworks Coordinator. Working with Craig Cameron, you will train to be ready to take over this position for 2027.

As the saying goes, ‘many hands make light work’ and we encourage you to join us. It’s very rewarding bringing about the things and events that help make Six Mile Lake such a wonderful community.

Lynn Bradey Celebration of Life

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 30th from 2-5 PM at Baxter Community Center to honor Lynn’s life, her enduring love, and the legacy she leaves behind. In lieu of flowers donations to:

Andy’s House / Hospice (https://www.hospicemuskoka.com/giving) would be appreciated.

GB Township Newsletter

The most recent township newsletter is available by going here.

Canoe Found

A red canoe was found floating near the Thorpe cottage at 20 – Island 280, (S100 in the directory). It is sitting on their dock waiting for pick up by the owners.

See you on the lake!