Fellow LJNA members and Lake Joseph Neighbours,
Spring greetings! I’m writing on a splendidly sunny spring day, the water is sparkling with a slight breeze. And no bugs! Conversations with neighbours continue to focus on the heavy damage from the ice storm and the deep snow over the winter. I hope the damage at your place was not too severe and the clean-up is almost done. The Seguin Fire Department recommends all residents check their Hydro line infrastructure to ensure no damage occurred as a result of the ice storm. If any visible damage is found, contact Hydro One. LJNA summer plans are coming together: the AGM is planned for the Saturday morning of the August long weekend. Also on the calendar are monthly cycling meetups, a safety day, the benthic sampling day and forest walks. More detail included below. I hope you will join us at some of these activities over the summer. Do you have photos of wildlife (summer or winter) or cottage fun that you would like to share? We will feature them in the dock drop newsletter, in upcoming enews or on the website or Instagram. Send to editor@ljna.org. Many thanks to the members for your trust and commitment. Your ongoing support and engagement are so important to the work we do. I welcome your feedback, questions, and ideas. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch at info@ljna.org. Warm regards,
Nancy Cohen, Chair info@ljna.org |
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Update on Municipal Matters On Apr 22nd, Council hosted a public meeting on a request for zoning amendments in Stanley Bay. LJNA Director Lindy Forte presented to Council to express our concerns. Based on the information provided, we felt the number of exemptions and several individual requests were unreasonably large. HERE is a link to the LJNA submission. If you have any thoughts on this application, we would like to hear from you. As reported previously, last summer, the LJNA and many neighbours submitted letters and made presentations objecting to a zoning application in Hamer Bay. In September, this request was declined by Council and the owner is appealing this decision to the OLT. The LJNA has been accepted as a party to the hearing scheduled for early September. We are pleased to report that recently there have been discussions to find potential compromises. |
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Summer Activities Calendar - Mark your calendar now!
A focus of this Board is to introduce new opportunities to bring us together. We’d love to see you at one of our events. More details will be sent out closer to the date. |
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Cycling Meet Ups – Starting Saturday May 24th The LJNA hosted two cycling meet-ups last fall. Feedback from participants was super positive and many others have expressed interest. This summer we have penciled in 5 rides – about 1 per month. The first will be on Saturday May 24th – 9:30 am. Meet at GBM. Route options will be chosen based on the interests of the group. |
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Annual Meeting – August 2nd – 9 am
Our AGM is a great opportunity to learn more about our lake and to meet your neighbours. We welcome over 100 attendees, local council members, and leaders of local organizations. If there’s something you would like to see, or something we can improve, or you can help, please be in touch now so we can incorporate it into our planning for this year. |
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Benthic Sampling Day – August 7th
Our fourth annual benthic testing day, is scheduled for Thurs Aug 7th. This is a family friendly morning to learn more about lake health and participate in identifying “bugs in the mud”. Sampling results become part of the lake health data program of the Muskoka Watershed Council. Click HERE for an overview view of the program and reports. |
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Guided Forest Walks - dates TBC
Back again this summer, bring your family for a nature walk and family-oriented activities in a slice of natural Muskoka in North Lake Joe. We’ll take a leisurely pace through the woods, stopping to identify plants, learn about some natural edibles, look for tracks and animal signs, and play some forest games. |
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Summer 2025 – Volunteer Opportunities
Bring your skills, meet neighbours, and help build our Lake Joe community.
We’d love to have your energy and ideas at the table. - Join the dockdrop team and help distribute our newsletter to your neighbours
- Can you help coordinate or lead one of our activities?
- Are you a writer or editor? Help produce this news or update our website.
- We would also welcome new board members. An immediate need is someone with accounting background to take over the Treasurer position.
Please talk to any board member or contact Nancy at info@ljna.org for more information.
Welcoming New Neighbours – Staying Connected
There are many things that make our part of Lake Joe special. One of them is the connections and friendships among neighbours.
Do you have new neighbours? Or family members that share the cottage with you? Please share this newsletter with them and invite them to subscribe to this Enews at ljna/subscribe. Members can add up to 4 emails addresses to their account. Login HERE to update your account.
Last summer, we launched an Instagram account to share exciting initiatives, events and programming our volunteers are working on. Follow us at @LakeJoeNorthAssociation. |
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Seguin Township Requests Community Input on Waste Transfer Stations
Seguin Township is asking for community input on the municipality’s seven waste transfer stations. Staff is working to enhance service and efficiency at the stations and requires more in-depth data related to transfer station usage, problems and potential solutions to help create a more sustainable future. Click HERE for more information and to participate in the survey.
Seguin Community Events and Library Activities
Seguin Township offers several ways to get involved in the community while staying active and healthy! More information at these links:
Seguin Sport and Recreation Programs Seguin Community Events Calendar Seguin Library Website
You can subscribe for updates on any one of all of these, and more, on Seguin’s website:
https://subscribe.seguin.ca/subscribe |
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Of Interest and Partner Updates
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FOCA Benefits for LJNA Members
The LJNA is a member of the Federation of Ontario Cottagers. FOCA speaks up for waterfront property owners across Ontario on issues of mutual concern such as taxes, environmental issues and more. For more about their work, visit their website.
LJNA members are entitled to several very interesting benefits including CottageFirst group insurance program and other offers from their sponsors, members-only materials on the website. The discount on insurance can be substantial. Click HERE for more information. If you are a member of the LJNA and want to access these benefits, please be in touch for members only login instructions.
HERE is a link to FOCA's April newsletter. Including info and registration link for a seminar on May 7th : FireSmart at the Cottage.
Have you tested your drinking water recently?
A recent report from the Auditor General of Ontario, our LJNA member Shelley Spence, looked into non-municipal drinking water. One of the findings was that only a third of those who have their own wells/lake/river feeds have their water tested, where the recommended amount is three times a year.
In our district, it’s really easy to do. The health unit in Parry Sound offers free collection kits and testing, and is at:
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit Office
90 Bowes Street, Suite 201 (fridge located on first floor)
Parry Sound
Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Here’s a link to the health unit’s page:
https://www.myhealthunit.ca/en/public-health-services/private-drinking-water-testing.aspx#Sample-bottle-pick-up-and-drop-off-locations |
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Of Interest and Partner Updates
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Stepping up for health care in Parry Sound – May 1st through to June 1st
For nearly two decades, the Run, Walk, Pole event has been a beloved tradition, bringing our community together in the spirit of fitness, fun, and philanthropy.
Every day we move, we get healthier. Every pledge we gather, we can move closer to our goal of completing the $1.1 million dollar Surgical Suites project at the West Parry Sound Health Centre. More info HERE
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The Lake Joseph North Association (LJNA) represents the interests of shoreline residents on the Seguin section of Lake Joseph, including Portage Lake.
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