Turtles nesting on the Lower Oxtongue. Please proceed with caution. Photo by Stephen Varga.
What's Happening
Butterfly Count - July 7 at Marsh's Falls
Volunteers needed at Marsh's Falls
Dr Cathy Charles Bird Count - results
Thank you to our donors
More Memories of Lake of Bays - new book
Annual General Meeting - Aug 19
Butterfly Count - July 7 at Marsh's Falls
Join local naturalists Rick and Kelly Stronks for our annual butterfly count at Marsh's Falls. The focus is on observation and learning about species as you stroll around the property. Bring binoculars, an insect net if available, clear jars (baby food size is great), a camera and insect repellent. Start time is 9:00AM and it will end around noon.
Register early!
We are in Phase 1 of the province’s three-step plan to safely and gradually lift public health measures. Outdoor organized public events for up to10 peopleare now
permissible. So register early!
1) To greet unexpected visitors Here’s an opportunity for you to enjoy the lovely Marsh’s Falls property, while educating unexpected visitors about the site and the role of the Foundation.
The need: To protect the site of which the Foundation is the steward, we ask all visitors to register with us in advance. Most people – especially our members - do this. But other visitors may not know about the Foundation, or the need to register. They may not know much about the site, or understand that preservation of habitat for wild and endangered species is important.
The solution: We are forming a team of volunteer Foundation Greeters, each of whom spends some scheduled hours onsite at the property. Their role is to welcome visitors who come by land or by water, ask them to register if they haven’t, share information about the site and the Foundation, gift them a copy of the Paddle Guide to the lower Oxtongue, and share your favourite things about the property.
The joys of being a Greeter: You get to spend (mostly) quiet time communing with the lovely natural environment of Marsh’s Falls. Relax in a lawn chair on the Education Centre deck and waterfront or wander around the shore until you see a visitor coming. When visitors turn up, you get to meet some Lake of Bays neighbours and fill them in on what Marsh’s Falls is all about. There are washrooms, potable water, a fridge, microwave and tea
kettle in the Education Centre.
How to become a Greeter: To become a Greeter, you commit to any number of scheduled 3 hour time slots, mostly but not only weekends and weather permitting. We will provide you a short orientation, a tour of the Education Centre and where to find the sign-in book and printed handout materials. To sign up or find out more email us at volunteer@lakeofbaysheritage.ca.
2) To apply sealant to the Education Centre decks
The gorgeous new(ish) decks (pictured above) at our Marsh’s Falls Education Centre need protection, namely their annual coat of sealant. The work includes a large (50x6 ft) and a small (10x12 ft) deck, as well as 2 sets of stairs and railings. It’s a 3-6 hour job depending on how it’s applied. We are looking for a single volunteer or a 2-3 person team.
While working onsite you are welcome to use the Education Centre. It has washrooms, potable water, a refrigerator, microwave and tea kettle for your use.
The Foundation will provide the stain (Cabot Australian deck sealant). Hopefully you can bring the tools: brushes and/or applicators, cleaning rags and something to pry open the sealant tin.
To sign up email us at volunteer@lakeofbaysheritage.ca. Choose a sunny or cloudy day without rain in the forecast. We will reply with what you need to know and answer your questions.
Dr Cathy Charles Count - results
We had perfect weather this year for our annual Dr. Cathy Charles Bird Count on the May 15/16 weekend. Although the spring started with very warm temperatures in early April, late April and early May were unusually cool with winds from the north. This delayed the normal migration but by mid-May, just in time for our count, the birds were starting to show up in the Lake of Bays area.
The generosity of our many donors helps to make the Foundation's work in protecting the heritage of our community possible. Thank you to all our recent donors and welcome to new Life Members Ross and Sarah Kerr.
The Anglican Church Regatta, which was staged for 90 years in the Port Cunnington, Haystack Bay and Ten Mile Bay area of Lake of Bays has run its course. This collection of memories and photos pays tribute to this annual summer event and all who took part.
In addition, enjoy a detailed look at early cottage life on Turner's Island from the time of purchase from Tom Salmon (when it was still Point Elizabeth) until it was sold in 1961. Imagine spending an entire summer in paradise, with none of the modern amenities. Again, many photos provide a detailed look at what it was like. Written by Helen and Doug Cunnington.
Available from:
Joanne Cunnington, 705-635-1466
Lake of Bays Garden Centre, Dwight, 705-635-1696
Clark's on Main, Dorset. 705-635-1696
Lake of Bays Marine Museum & Navigation Society, Dorset, 844-424-4946
We are missing our in-person AGMs so much! The last one was 2019 and featured the Montgomery Point community (pictured above). We hope to be back to this format in 2022.
So it's Zoom again this year on Thursday August 19th at 4:00PM. To keep the meeting short we'll focus on the business aspects only. Stay tuned for more info. The Wahwin community history is postponed again and will be featured at our 2022 meeting.
Our website has some fascinating community histories that we have compiled over the years. Check them out here.
Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation, P.O. Box 81, Baysville, ON P0B 1A0, Canada
