Welcome to Spring on Paint Lake.
We want to start with a request for payment of annual dues for 2021. We were not proactive last year with collecting and only 40% of our members paid their 2020 dues. We all understand the challenges of last year(COVID-19) and must continue to take the necessary precautions to stay healthy and safe. We still, however, have annual commitments. We have General Liability coverage, Water Testing, FOCA membership, Safe Quiet Lakes membership, beautification for our covered bridge/trail and donations that we try to include each year to the Dorset Health Hub, Dorset Volunteer Fire Department, Huntsville Hospital and Muskoka South Hospital. We have attached our financial statement for your review. Your Association dues ($40.00) can be e-transferred to Karen Brigden at treasurer@paintlake.com or by cheque payable to Paintlake Ratepayers’ Association and mailed to PO Box 519, Dorset, Ontario P0A 1E0. We have also attached our Member Information Form to complete online and return by email to Cathy McConnell at secretary@paintlake.com.
Heather Deveaux with The Cats of Paint Lake has provided us with an update (attached) on her services as it relates to feral cats in our area. Heather and Kyal Smith have also volunteered to help Ardith Symmes with beautification needs around our Paint Lake Community signs and our Tramway Creek Historic Plaque area. Thank you, Heather and Kyal. With Spring in the air, Rob Rhodes of At The Cottage Inc on Paint Lake Road wants to provide you with his website (www.atthecottageinc.com) for any services you may be looking for help with outside and around your Home/Cottage.
The Marina in Dorset and Robinson’s General Store have been purchased by Mike & Katie Hinbest, who live on Peninsula Lake. The effective date of the change will be May 1/21. We understand that the General Store will remain basically the same and continue with the present staff. One addition will be Affogato Cafe+Gelato. Affogato has a store on Main Street in Huntsville now, with Dorset to be their 2nd location.
We have been working with the Township on tree removal of dead elms in our covered bridge area and I am pleased to say that the trees have been removed. The plywood on the floor of the covered bridge will be removed this Spring and replaced with new plywood this Fall. The snowmobiles using the trail in the winter months chews up the plywood and the Township is responsible for making sure the trail is safe for all to enjoy. Please advise all members of your household who use the trail/bridge with ATVs that it is imperative to travel very slowly in the bridge area to avoid accidents with walkers, baby carriages and cyclists using the trail/bridge, as well. Bob Brigden is working on replacing the original signs on the 2 small libraries, as well as the Historical plaque at the Bellwood Acres Road side. We have requested that the Township replace the park bench, which they asked us to remove last year, with a proper/safe one.
I will end with a sad & final thought on the sudden passing (March 27, 2021) of Paul Lanctot, our Area Director for our Norton’s Lane/Carnathan Bay areas. In addition he was an Association Board Member and an active volunteer on our lake for 10+ years. He was always there to lend a hand whenever asked. Anyone who spent time with Paul knows what a quality person he was and will truly be missed.
Tom
