newsflash

September 29, 2023

2023 PHOTO CONTEST

With one weekend to go before Thanksgiving, the colours in Lake of Bays are getting more spectacular by the day. As you are out and about snapping gorgeous pictures, don't forget to submit them, along with your summertime faves, to the 2023 LOBA Photo Contest.

Open to all Lake of Bays Association members and families. Photos must be previously unpublished and taken in the current year--limit of 5 per category. They must be in high-resolution, digital format and sent to [email protected], subject line Lake of Bays Association photo contest. Deadline December 30, 2023.

LIFE at the LAKE: people, pets and dwellings

NATURE: wild plants and animals

LANDSCAPE: land, water and sky



Photo from: Pollen Family

2022 Photo Contest submission

The Muskoka Watershed Report Card, produced every five years by the Muskoka Watershed Council, scientifically assesses Muskoka’s watershed health. It educates residents and decision-makers about water and land conditions, enabling sustainable practices to bolster the strength of our remarkable natural environment. This is essential for our way of life and economy.

Muskoka Watershed Report Cards have been released in 2004, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2023.

2023 Muskoka Watershed Report Card

Muskoka’s watersheds stand at a crucial turning point. While currently healthy, they are gradually degrading in several ways, and our existing management systems seem incapable of halting or reversing this negative trend. We need an integrated, watershed-scale management system capable of dealing with the multiple stresses our iconic environment now faces.

What is Watershed Health?

A watershed is a living and intricate ecosystem capable of maintaining its structure and functions unless faced with excessive stresses. Its health, or ecological integrity, signifies how effectively it preserves its typical structure and functions. Similar to how medical experts gauge human health, we measure watershed health by analyzing diverse indicators.

Muskoka’s Watersheds

This Report Card covers the entire Muskoka River Watershed (in blue), as well as a small portion of the South Georgian Bay Shoreline (in red) and parts of the Severn River-Lake Simcoe Watershed (in green) that intersect with the District of Muskoka. This vast 7,000 square-km area spans over 210 km from the Algonquin Highlands to Georgian Bay, including approximately 2,000 lakes amid extensive forests.

Map of the Quaternary Watersheds included in the 2023 Muskoka Watershed Report Card.

READ: Report Card Highlights, Background Report and Previous Reports>

What's Happening in the Township?

Community Improvement Plan

The Township is in the final phase of public engagement for the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) and is seeking feedback on draft initiatives and concepts for the vibrant communities of Dwight, Hillside, Baysville, and Dorset.

READ MORE: About the CIP>

PROVIDE INPUT: Take the Survey>

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Dwight Municipal Plaque Unveiling by Heritage Committee

The Township of Lake of Bays Heritage Committee is pleased to announce the unveiling of a municipal plaque in Dwight, Ontario, on Monday, October 2, 2023.

The plaque will commemorate the Settlement of Dwight, a historic community that dates back to the 1870s when free land grants attracted Edmund J. Gouldie and other pioneers to the area. The plaque will highlight the impact of early settlers and their descendants on the Township and the region, as well as the role of the hamlet’s namesake H.P. Dwight, a sportsman and telegraph company president who brought the first telegraph line to the village.

The unveiling ceremony will be held at Dwight Beach, on Lake of Bays, at 4:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be served following the unveiling at the Dwight Lakeview Seniors Centre, located at 1004 Dwight Bay Road. Parking is available at Gouldie Park, 1009 Dwight Bay Road.

READ MORE: About the Plaque Unveiling>

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Invitation to Councillor Nancy Tapley's 25-Year Service Award Celebration

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Township Acquires New Boat to Enhance Municipal Services

The Township of Lake of Bays recently took delivery of an aluminum Legend F19 PRO Tiller boat approved in the 2023 Budget. The boat’s role is to support services carried out by various Township departments, including the Fire Department, Planning, Building, and By-law Services.

READ MORE: About the Township Boat>

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PUBLIC NOTICE BOARD: Read the September 28, 2023 Edition



Truth and Reconciliation Events in the Region

The Lake of Bays Association expresses gratitude and appreciation to those on whose territory we work and live, and honours the Indigenous Peoples who have been living and working on this land for centuries and continue to do so to this day. Their connection to this land transcends colonial systems, beliefs, surrenders and treaties, and the Lake of Bays region continues to be home to many First Nations, Metis and Inuit people today. These lands are covered by the Williams Treaty of 1923 and the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850. We must seek to understand and respect these treaties and ensure our governments do too.

In Muskoka, we are on the traditional territory of the Anishnaabeg, which includes the Ojibwe, Odawa, Algonquin and Potawatomi Nations. The Huron-Wendat, the Haudenosaunee Nations and others have also walked on this territory over time. Their legacy and respectful stewardship for this land continues to shape the Lake of Bays region today.

We must remember that, as settlers, we continue to benefit from the colonization and forced sacrifices of Indigenous Peoples. We must examine our collective decision making to ensure Indigenous sovereignty so we can all move forward in a healthy way. 

LEARN MORE: About National Day for Truth and Reconciliation>

EVENTS IN BRACEBRIDGE & HUNTSVILLE>

The Township of Lake of Bays has raised a flag in honour and recognition of Truth and Reconciliation Week. It will fly at the Municipal office from September 25th to September 30th leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In addition, the grounds surrounding the Municipal office and the Dwight Branch Public Library feature a self guided Awareness Walk. This walk allows visitors to go through a path of informative displays that give an opportunity to pause, reflect, and learn about the meaning of reconciliation on both a national and individual scale. These displays will remain in place for the weekend of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a similar set of displays also available at the Baysville Branch Public Library.

Do you have family or friends who would like to keep up to date with LOBA NewsFlashes?

Direct them to the LOBA Homepage

and click the E-NEWS button on the right of the page

Reading, Interesting Links and Events

Items of Interest

• HUNTSVILLE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: Read about the Focus on Imaging Campaign and Watch the Video>

• FRIENDS OF THE MUSKOKA WATERSHED: Read their September 2023 Under the Surface Newsletter>

• HOUSING VACANCY RATE IN MUSKOKA FELL BELOW ONE PER CENT LAST YEAR: Read more at Doppler Online>

• COYOTE OR WOLF SIGHTINGS IN LAKE OF BAYS PROMPT CONCERNS: Read more at Doppler Online>

• FEDERATION OF ONTARIO COTTAGERS' ASSOCIATIONS: Catch up on their Elerts (September Elert to be added later today)>

• MUNICIPALITIES MAY NOW REQUIRE COTTAGERS TO HAVE LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR USES OFF THEIR PROPERTY: Read more at Cottage Life Online>

• BRIDGING BEAUTY AND CONSERVATION: WATERFRONT PROPERTY OWNERS' PERSEPCTIVES ON RIPARIAN ZONES: Sign up for a Watersheds Canada Webinar>

• ON NATURE: Read the Fall 2023 Issue>

photo by Carolyn Madonia

2022 Photo Contest submission