Fall President’s Report-2018
It may be my imagination but the older I get, the fast the summer goes. The board recently met for our fall directors meeting and we have a lot of work ahead of us. The recent election in North Kawartha resulted in both a new mayor and deputy mayor so will have to follow their progress closely.
During the “off” season, we will be tackling the following but as I have reiterated numerous times, we need your help.
1. Voicing our concerns through various channel with respect to the current proposal for the development of Pilgrims Rest;
2. Recruiting new directors for the following portfolios: Youth Programs; Events; Environment; directors at large;
3. Revamping the website; and
4. Promoting the use of the pavilion.
1. Although we understand not all USLA members are opposed to development on the lake, based on the reports provided on the proposed development at Pilgrims Rest, the board is taking the position that the development as currently proposed is not sustainable for the lake. Although the environmental council and the lake alliance is shouldering the majority of the work thus far, we are prepared to move forward with our submissions and are need of a director who can help with this endeavour and liaise with the council and the lake alliance.
2. We currently have 9 directors on the board and have room for 12. Each of our terms on the board is outlined below. In addition to an environmental director, we need additional directors to take over youth programs, events and help to increase our membership. Our goal is to increase the involvement of younger families on the lake and ensure our programs continue to serve the USLA community.
3. We have a unique asset in our beautiful Sunset Pavilion. Many days it sits empty. If you have any interest in holding a class, program, event, seminar etc., please let us know.
We are at a critical point in the life of the USLA. The current groups of directors and the time on the board is as follow:
2005-Elizabeth Hyde and Shelagh Landsmann
2009 – Brittany Owens
2011 - John Pitblado
2012 - Jim Rickard
2013 - Cathy Miller
2014 – Eddie Beqaj
2016 – Julian Pope
2017 – Glenn Hunter
We are committed as a board to moving our agenda forward so that we can continue to provide:
• Art and Craft Show
• Swimming programs
• Youth movie night
• Adult movie presentations
• Theme nights
• Yoga
• Fireworks
• Regatta
• Dances
• Fitness classes
• Rocks and shoals’ markers
• Information about issues lakers need to be aware of
……. But we need your help. If you have any interest, big or small, please email me directly at elizabeth@gmail.com . We are happy to provide role descriptions and time commitments.
Elizabeth Hyde
President USLA
It was many years ago when the Upper Stony (yes, Stony) Lake Association started. Always called the bulletin, their first newsletter was Volume 1, 1955 and “published once in a while in the interests of Cottagers and Lodge Owners on Upper Stony Lake.” The first newsletter was three pages.
With four officers and five directors, it was noted that “It comprises: The Landing, The North Shore, Northey’s Bay, The Islands, Mouth of the Cree, South Bay, Burnham Lodge, Irwin Inn, Birchmuir Lodge, Whetung’s Pavilion, Knox’s, Boschink Narrows, The Duck Pond and Jack’s Creek.”
Their bulletin was considered a new venture by the Association to keep members posted on things of interest about the lake. Although printed 62 years ago, the issues they considered serious then included “algae in the water”, “ fire protection”, “burglary”, and “road maintenance”. Many of those same issues remain strong in the minds of members today.
Membership to the association, at that time $1 for each family member over 18 years, was earmarked to be spent on the Regatta and upkeep of the pavilion and the maintenance of the Landing.
Over the years the association has flourished and grown – grown not only in membership and issues, but also grown in the name, with an “e” being added to Stony. The first sign of the “e” was in the Regatta Notice of 1960. It appeared once again in 1965, but it was in 1972 that it became a constant.
Throughout the years there have been changes in the association, ranging from activities put on, to different events in the Regatta – there are no longer boat races with a maximum 6HP motor powering your boat!
In the early 1900s a trip to the cottage from as close as 14 miles away was a day-long event. Today even flying from Europe, you will get to the cottage just as quickly. Membership invoices are now emailed and payments sent by Internet transfers. Websites and Facebook bring news to people within mere minutes. There have been many bulletins produced over the years, although now on a somewhat more consistent basis. The membership has fluctuated and prices have increased. People now live at their “cottages” 12 months of the year; some even fly in for the weekend.
There is, however, one constant that has been evident throughout these many years. That is the dedication of members and volunteers to the lake. The environment has always been a concern, as has the water quality. Today’s cottagers, residents, members and volunteers are dedicated to helping preserve forever what brought people to our lake in the first place. The beautiful views; the comradery of friends and neighbours; the life-long bonds created; the sight of rolling waves and the sounds of nature are just part of what makes Stoney Lake so special.
Shelagh Landsmann / June 2017
