Regatta Dock Fundraising Effort

We will start our fundraising initiative for replacing one of our regatta docks. The quote last year was over $11,000 and we are hoping the price will come down this spring as lumber prices go down closer to normal. One idea is that we run a campaign on GoFundMe starting in January.  We will also be including an extra donation section on our membership form, much like we do with the fireworks donation. So far, we have already received a commitment from one of our members for $2.500. Thank you.

Actions from the AGM

We were encouraged by the turnout for our AGM on October 27^th.  A total of 134 participated. In an effort towards continuous improvement we will be looking at all the comments made at that event to see what areas of our current practices can be improved. We will also publish minutes of the AGM on our website as soon as they are available.

The SMLRA Christmas Food Drive

Julia Manning reports that the SMLRA will be running their Christmas drive again this year. They have been helping to support approximately 200 families in the Midland area through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and the food bank which operates out of St. Margaret’s Catholic Church.  They will accept any clothes for children of all ages, especially warm clothing for the winter.  Food (pasta, tinned goods, etc.) and personal items for the moms are always very welcome.  Money is also a good option. Joann Borley who works at the church has a deal with Walmart to buy new coats and clothes for all the children at basically wholesale. Joann gets food cards from the grocery stores for the families. She also asks each child to list 1 gift they would really like (within reason, no iPads!) and she buys that for the individual child.

People can also drop off food donations at the church. There is a food bank entrance at the side of the building. You can also make a cheque donation to the church at that time but please put Joann Borley’s name on it re: Christmas drive.

If anyone would like to send cheques, they can also be made payable to the SMLRA (marked Christmas drive) and sent to Julia’s address….56 Links Trail, Port Severn, ON L0K1S0.  St Vincent’s sends Julia tax receipts in the spring which she mails to contributors. She delivers donations each week to the church.  The cut-off for collections and donations is December 15^th.

The SMLCA Landowners’ Survey Initiative

The SMLCA hosted a brainstorming session on Zoom on November 1^st to discuss ways the 2019 landowners’ survey results could be made actionable as amendments to the Township of Georgian Bay Official Plan (OP) and Zoning By-Law 2014 (By-Law). In addition to Victoria Lemieux, the planning consultant retained by the SMLCA, there were five Six Mile Lake landowners present who volunteered, were well informed on the issues of the lake, and represented a variety of opinions. All participants were asked to review the Six Mile Lake Community Plan and the 2019 landowners’ survey results in order to make a short presentation of ideas for changing the OP and By-Law.

A synopsis of this session can be found on sixmilelake.net/pub/misc/SMLCA_GFA_Brainstorming_Synopsis_FINAL.pdf This will form the basis of a town hall meeting we are planning to have early in the new year after which we will be prepared to present the township with the planning consultant’s recommendations.

High Speed Internet Committee

As a result of one of our motions at the AGM, we have struck a committee to look into how we can improve high speed internet service on our lake. During our first board meeting we welcomed two volunteers, Gord Vandevalk and Erik Luksep, who along with Doug Osborne, Rick Jocsak and Craig Cameron will be working on the committee. If anyone has information they would like to contribute to this effort please send an email to: Info@sixmilelake.net.

The Six Mile Lake Summer Social

We had our second planning meeting for this event which is scheduled for June 25^th. We have secured the Baxter Ward Community Centre and there will be room for about 40 vendors. Besides local artists, we welcome companies that have products of interest to the Six Mile Lake community. Of course, sponsors are also welcome.  In addition to vendors’ tables, food and drink, we will have a stage for musical entertainment. If you know of any musical group or soloist on the lake who would be interested in performing at the event, please let us know. All suggestions and inquiries should be directed to info@sixmilelake.net.

Merry Christmas and a joyful holiday season to everyone from the SMLCA board!