Though the Labour Day weekend is considered by many as the last weekend of sumner, I assure it is not.  It may be the end of school vacations, but the forecast for this weekend will be top notch.  Don’t let the odd tree starting to change colour discourage you.

Your SLCA and some of your very generous snd talented neighbours have a very exciting weekend planned for you.  

Saturday afternoon starting at 2 pm, we have the return of the Have-a-Dock Jamboree, one of Steenburg Lake’s longest running events.  Anchor off the Kotie’s dock (727 the North Road) and be prepare to be entertained by some truly talented performers.

Sunday afternoon/evening will be the much anticipated return of the end-of-season pig roast BBQ for SLCA members and their registered guests.  There has been a huge response so it should be a great event!

Steenburg Lake merchandise will be on sale again after the dinner in case you are still looking for something.

 Please note, updated AED fridge magnets will be available at the Pig Roast.  Due to a printing error, we ask that you bring any magnets you may have received earlier during canvassing, to exchange for the latest, updated ones.  Those distributed at this year’s AGM are the most current ones.  If you’re not sure, bring it along anyways and we can verify you have the right one. 

As important as it is to have the most accurate and up to date information in the event of an emergency when seconds count, we also want to avoid having the old information out there, and we want to make sure these old magnets get repurposed properly, so please bring them with you to swap out.

Finally, if you haven’t yet paid your annual SLCA membership fee of just $30, please take care of that right away so we can continue to bring great events and critical programming to the lake we love!

Have a great long weekend and I look forward to seeing as many of you as I can.  Stay safe always!

The North Hastings Fund Development Committee would like to convey our sincere thanks for the $325.00 donation from the Artisan’s show that’s was held on July 29th at Karl and Janet Sobatka’s home on Steenburg Lake North road.

This event was organized by Lynn Rusaw and there were 20 vendors. Hamburgers, hotdogs and French fries were sold to the visitors and $325.00 was raised for the CT scanner.

It was a fun way to meet new people and catch up with old and new neighbours. Thank you to all who participated in this worthwhile event!

This equipment will save lives!

Phyllis Till, North Hastings Fund Development Back The CAT, Cottage Associations Coordinator

URGENT!!!

We have been advised today by the Fire Chief of Limerick Township that a total fire ban will be in effect in all of Limerick, Tudor & Cashel and Wollaston Townships effective as of 7:00 am tomorrow morning, June 2, 2023.  The ban will be in effect until further notice.  You are urged to respect the intent of the fire ban immediately, and not chance to sneak one more fire tonight before the ban officially goes into effect.

The total ban means that any outdoor burning of any kind is absolutely prohibited at any time of day or for any reason.  No camp fires, no burning of refuge and no fireworks.  You may barbeque with an enclosed propane BBQ providing you do so with extreme caution.  Keep any BBQ’ing closely supervised.

The very dry conditions in the area of all three townships, coupled with the significant accumulation of dry kindling and brush from last year’s wind storm, along with the forecast for no significant precipitation in the coming days, means that these precautions must be taken to protect the area from wildfires.  Thunder and lightning in the forecast may trigger natural fires to break out so we don’t need to add to the risk by disregarding these orders.  Failure to follow a properly ordered fire ban can carry very significant monetary fines.

Those who rent out properties to tenants, must ensure that their visitors are aware of and respect this and any fire ban.  Remember that as the property owner, you are always responsible for your tenants’ actions and behaviour.

At this moment, wildfires are raging in both Alberta and Nova Scotia, and other parts of Ontario and Quebec are already under total fire bans.  Let’s not risk losing our remaining trees or much more.

Please help to get the word out to your friends and neighbours.

Today would normally mark the unofficial start of summer and the time when many of us would  return in ernest to the lake and open up our seasonal cottages for the year.  But today is actually the one year anniversary of the powerful derecho wind storm that passed through and caused so much damage in our waterside community.

Looking out my window this morning, I’m reminded of all the damage as we still have plenty of clean up to do and there are now wide open spaces where before we enjoyed some beautiful mature trees.

I’ve heard repeatedly that there is nothing to worry about – that nature will mend itself and that new trees will gradually fill in the open spaces.  That may be true, but it will take a very long time to get there and it will only happen if we take care and precautions against another disaster like wild fires or unconstrained development.

 So instead of morning the loss of the trees we had, let’s take this opportunity to recommit to the protection of what we still have and will help to regrow for the next generations.

Have a safe and wonderful summer at the lake and hope to see you at our many great events this year!

Those of us interested in keeping the cottage in the family and avoiding excessive taxes when transfering ownership to the next generation or other family might want to take advantage of this opportunity. 

 Baptiste Lake Association along with other neighbouring associations in North Hastings, have arranged a free special information and presentation session coordinated through FOCA.  This event will be held Saturday morning, June 3rd in Maynooth, just a few minutes north of Bancroft. SLCA members are invited to register and attend.  Space is limited, so book early to avoid disappointment.

More information and a link to register are available at:

https://steenburglake.info/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cottage-Succession-Interlake-Group-Poster.pdf

Please let me know if you plan to attend.

Pat