E-NEWS JULY 2026

Fellow LJNA members and Lake Joseph Neighbours,

Happy Canada Day!

We are thrilled to announce our first ever Photo Contest.  Entries will be featured at our AGM in August and in upcoming communications. Prizes for Youth and Adult categories.  More details below. We look forward to seeing what makes North Lake Joe special to you!

Also in this Enews: a couple of municipal planning items of immediate interest, how to register to vote, updates from Seguin and a list of local community events.

Our 2026 edition of the LJNA Summer Newsletter is coming to your dock this weekend.  A BIG thank you! to our editor Carole Wildgoose for her many ideas and her careful shepherding of all the details and to the dockdrop team lead by Blair Sinclair.

I look forward to seeing you at our AGM on Saturday August 1st-9 am or at one of our other events this summer.  As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Warm regards,

Nancy Cohen, Chair

info@ljna.org

Photo Contest - Capture Summer at Lake Joe!

Do you have a knack for capturing the perfect shot? Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just love snapping photos with your phone, we want to see our beautiful Lake Joe through your lens!

Entries will be featured at our AGM in August and in upcoming communications.  Submissions are open until Monday July 27th.  

Two entry categories:  ** Age 14 & under  **  Adult  **

Submit your photos:

  1. DM our Instagram account: @lakejoenorthassociation  
  2. email your entries to editor@LJNA.org 
Winners will be announced at our AGM on Aug 1st. 

    Prizes include: 

    • 4 tickets for a Wenonah II sightseeing cruise
    • 4 admission tickets for the Muskoka Discovery Centre 
    Courtesy of Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre.

      Update from the LJNA Board

      Membership Renewal.

      Be part of the community that cares for North Lake Joe & Portage Lake.

      Act now to renew your membership. Membership is by family – you can add up to 4 emails addresses to ensure that your family stays informed. 

      Welcoming New Neighbours – Staying Connected

      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.

      We are happy to report that our Instagram account is now up to 153 followers and has been particularly successful at reuniting items found on shore with their owners.  Follow us at @LakeJoeNorthAssociation.

      Summer Activities Calendar - Mark your calendar now!

      • Annual Meeting –  Sat Aug 1st – Coffee from 8:30 meeting starts at 9 am
      • Benthic Sampling Day – Thurs Aug 6th –  Learn about the Bugs in the Mud
      • Cycling Meet Ups – email Nancy if you’re interested: info@ljna.org
      • Guided Forest Walks – dates TBC

      More details are on our website and will be sent out closer to the date.

      Do you have an idea for an event, or can you help with organizing?  

      In particular, we are looking for help with the AGM: food, set-up and clean-up.  Please be in touch at info@ljna.org.

      Water Testing Results

      A summary of results from last summer’s testing is posted on the MLA website.   Lake North Joe sites are all within typical values.  LJNA volunteers have begun testing for this summer.  

      We have confirmed that Seguin is testing Portage Lake and many other smaller lakes.  Results are reported on Seguin's website.

      For more information or to volunteer to help please get in touch with Alex at magditsch@comcor.com.

      Municipal Matters

      A few items to bring to your attention:

      The Rosseau Springs Development Application: Our sister association on Lake Rosseau, the LRNA, has asked us to support their opposition to a proposed development in the backlands off of Maplehurst Road. After reviewing the developer's reports and website and Seguin Planning Staff’s report, the LJNA board decided to submit a letter of opposition to this plan. The project is not aligned with provincial nor with Seguin policy and will set a precedent for other Rural zoned proposals in Seguin. 

      Here’s a link to local coverage: Seguin council split on 49-lot Rosseau cottage project 

      Please be in touch with any board member should you have questions or thoughts.

      Expansion Planned at Gordon Bay Marine: Maple Leaf Marinas has applied for a zoning bylaw amendment to permit 80 additional docking slips and a new parking area at Gordon Bay Marine.  The notice which includes a diagram can be viewed on Seguin’s website.  Maple Leaf will be submitting supporting documentation to the township and we have requested copies. We will invite Maple Leaf Marine to speak about their plans at our AGM.  The Board would like input from members to inform our response.

      LJNA Comments on Seguin’s Draft Official Plan: The LJNA reviewed and commented on the various drafts and many of our comments were reflected in the most recent draft presented at the statutory public meeting in April.  You can view the meeting here  and see all the reports here and our letter of support here.  Thank you to those that provided input. 

      Seguin Township News

      Municipal Election This October - Get on the list!

      This is a municipal election year.  Canadian citizens who own or rent property in Seguin are eligible to vote here, even if you also own property and vote elsewhere in Ontario. 

      Management of the list has moved from MPAC to ElectionsOntario and you may need to re-register.  You can check the list online and register at registertovoteon.ca.  More info on Seguin's website and in FOCA’s July Elert.

      Changes to Waste Management

      Two things have changed since last summer:  surveillance at waste transfer stations has increased including the installation of cameras.  And recycling in Seguin is now managed by Circular Materials. For more information, please visit Seguin’s website and check out the article in our Summer Newsletter.

      Dark Skies Bylaw Coming

      Seguin Township staff have drafted a dark sky by-law to regulate outdoor lighting, reduce light pollution and help preserve the dark sky environment.  A public consultation was held this spring.  Further information online here. 

      Of Interest and Partner Updates

      Hydro One is planning a new Sudbury Barrie Transmission Line Project

      They have shared a Notice of Commencement of Class Environmental Assessment (EA). The notice includes a map of the study area - an area stretching from Sudbury down to Barrie and covers all of Lake Joseph. They are inviting public comment at a series of open houses.  One is in Seguin on Thursday August 13, 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m at the Foley Community Centre. More information is on their website HydroOne.com/SBTL.  Please be in touch if you can help monitor this project on behalf of the LJNA.

      MLA - Help Us Represent You: Submit Your 2026 Flood Story

      The MLA is reaching out to ask you to find a few moments to help advocate for better flood mitigation.  Please fill out a brief flood damage survey and send in your flood damage pictures. Click here to participate.  

      FOCA Member Resources

      A reminder that all LJNA members are eligible for FOCA benefits  including reductions on insurance and access to special offers.

      FOCA reported recently that Ontario has launched a new Vector-Borne Disease Tool  that posts weekly and yearly running totals of cases. This webpage also includes general information on ticks.  You can also check FOCA's information page on lyme disease and ticks.

      In the Community

      Here’s some links to community events and activities:

      Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre

      It’s full steam ahead for the 2026 sailing season!

      This summer at the cottage, be sure to treat your family, friends or guests to a cruise aboard the grandest of vessels, the  of the RMS Segwun or Wenonah. 

      Book your tickets online: www.realmuskoka.com

        Festival of the Sound - July 22nd – August 8th, 2026: The Festival of the Sound is a world-renowned chamber and classical music festival in scenic Parry Sound. Founded in 1979 by pianist Anton Kuerti, The Festival has grown to cover three weeks and dozens of concerts, including weekends of jazz and folk music. https://festivalofthesound.ca/

        Whispering River Music has a number of events planned for the summer including Summer Sundays Words and Music at Rosseau Memorial Hall.  https://www.whisperingrivermusic.com/words-and-music

        Summer Events from the Huntsville Festival of the Arts: The festival features a full calendar of shows and community events in Huntsville. https://www.huntsvillefestival.ca/

        Rosseau Farmers Market: Fridays from 9:00 to 2:00 down at the waterfront park from the Last Friday in June until the Second Friday in September. https://www.rosseaumarket.com/

        Muskoka Lakes Museum in Port Carling announces launch of new exhibit: Mahogany in Motion: 55 years of the MLA Antique Boat Show. Fundraiser and official launch Saturday, July 18 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.  Tickets info, summer lecture series schedule and more at:  https://mlmuseum.com/

        Art in the Park – Parry Sound – Friday July 17th to Sunday July 19th: Sponsored by the Parry Sound Arts & Crafts since 1976, this event features over 80 participants from all over Ontario. https://psaca.ca/art-in-the-park/

        Parry Sound Airport's 22nd Annual Fly-In Drive-In - Saturday September 6th, 2025:  Plane & Helicopter rides, live music, kids zone, BBQ, vendors market and so much more!! https://www.parrysound.ca/news/posts/fly-in-drive-in-event/


        The Lake Joseph North Association (LJNA) represents the interests of shoreline residents on the Seguin section of Lake Joseph, including Portage Lake. 


        The E-News is published on a regular basis to keep residents and members informed.  

        Please send comments to editor@ljna.org. 

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