2026 May Long Weekend Issue
In this issue
Bell internet fibre offer is LIVE.
Stink week will be early June - Do you need a septic pump-out this year?
Time to pay your dues, summer events, annual meeting etc.
A special request of lake trout fishermen.
SAVE THE DATE
Annual General Meeting – Saturday, August 22nd 9:30 a.m Myrtle Island
Register for July 24 Stewardship Party! Spots are limited!
President’s Update
The summer cottage season has official begun and the weekend is offering the first hint of summer temperatures. Angler’s Inn is managing the early rush to get boats in and docking set. Bugs just starting to show after all the cold. And for those of us who have been waiting to see if those lakeside metal boxes will ever be anything more than decorative, Bell has just started marketing connectivity, and I have an appointment this weekend. Remember, this is a marketing offer and not mandatory.
We also have dates set for association events this summer, so please read on. You will also note we are accepting ads, as a way to generate some revenue and help keep dues down – and of course highlight local providers. This was a suggestion from membership and there will me more information on pricing and how to participate in due course.
Your Lake Association continues planning for the season and monitoring various files. Our 2025 Champion of the Bay, Andy Metelka continues his incredible job alerting stakeholders and even proposing alternative solutions on the Hydro Corridor proposal. Cheryl Ward is leading a review of what fire response services are available to us and ensuring value from the related property tax surcharge we pay. There is more detail on these initiatives in our April issue. Kai Deuitch has updated our emergency response processes and has the gear ready. Kevin McCarthy is working on membership strategies and June Kingston seeking opportunities for environmental education. There have been a number of regulatory changes that might require action for members including CO2 monitor requirements, boat licensing and it just keeps coming.
As always, we provide links to the GBA and FOCA newsletters, which have all kinds of useful information and more detail. A key benefit of our GBA membership is having access to their political clout and resources. If we have a concern on Blackstone, there has already probably been some work done on it by the GBA.
Gotta pay your dues!
An online 2026 dues payment and membership application can be found on our website. Electronic, contactless payment of annual dues very much appreciated. E-transfer $100.00 to blackstone.lake115@gmail.com. Your dues must be paid to have a legal vote at the AGM or other member meetings.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS AND SUBSCRIBERS OF BLACKSTONE LAKE COTTAGERS ASSOCIATION
Saturday, August 22 at 10:00 am (Blackstone time) at Myrtle Island
9:30 – 9:55 a.m. – Registration
10:00 – 11:45 a.m. – 2025 AGM
We welcome all expressions of volunteer interest and need to build out our board roster. If you would like to get more involved, please reach out. email to blackstonelakeca@gmail.com by August 1st.
Septic Tank Pump-Out 2026 – CONFIRMED FOR EARLY JUNE
We are grateful to Graham Hatherley of Muskoka Septic Services for working with BLCA and Angler’s Inn to coordinate this annual activity. We already have enough participants confirmed to proceed, so act now if you want to join the list. In addition to this being an essential task, Stink Week seeks to minimize the environmental impact and reduce cost by aggregating visits. If you wish to participate in the pump-out this year, please contact Erik Mathiesen at: emathiesen@rogers.comSOON.
In addition, the BLCA has agreed to participate in the Township voluntary septic monitoring program titled, “You Be the Judge”. This program builds on the Septic Health & Maintenance packages distributed to all ratepayers in 2021 and is in line with the TOA’s primary strategic plan goal of protecting the environment.
The You Be the Judge program involves self-assessing the status of septic tanks using a sludge sampler. Sludge samplers are easy-to-use tools for determining when a septic tank is in need of pumping and conversely, when pumping is not yet required. Measuring the sludge in a septic tank can result in cost savings for a property owner and an environmental benefit from pumping and hauling waste only when it is necessary.
We may have a lottery if we are swamped with volunteers offering to house the equipment…..
Our Champion of the Bay – honouring Andy Metelka
GBA will be recognizing the outstanding contributions of 16 stewards nominated for their work, representing Associations from Honey Harbour in the south to the Bay of Islands in the north. Andy Metelka is Blackstone’s nominee. The Champions Ceremony will be on Thursday, May 28th at 7pm on Zoom. Check the GBA website for access details.
Biosphere environmental stewardship event – Registration required, Limited seats
Attention Lake Trout Fishermen
Andy Metelka has been liaising with the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) on fisheries topic.
One of the subjects was the Lake Trout spawn. They have always been interested in the success of natural spawning, and they stock Blackstone with Lake Trout every 2 years. They tag these fish differently each time to track their progress, and the untagged fish are the ones that have reproduced.
To report a tagged lake trout in Ontario, submit your details using the Ontario Fish Tag Reporting online form. Researchers request that you provide the date, exact location of your catch, tag identification number, and whether you kept or released the fish.
Catch up on the latest from the Georgian Bay Association and the Federation of Ontario Cottagers
Your Board of Directors from all parts of the lake: Kathy Watts, Kai Deuitch, June Kingston, Rob Moos, Kevin McCarthy, Andy Metelka, Cheryl Ward, Erik Mathiesen
