Annual General Meeting 2025 – Highlights

It was a great gathering on August 16 at the Baysville Seniors Centre for the Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation’s Annual General Meeting. President Margaret Casey presented the President’s Report, and Jeff Richmond reviewed the Foundation’s financial position as of April 30, 2025. (Audited statements.) Robert Little presided over the election of directors.

New Directors

We are delighted to welcome three new Directors to the Board:

• Joan Decarie – A retired teacher and long-time Foundation member, Joan has generously shared her time and talents with us, most recently helping to create our new StoryWalk for young children. Her experience and enthusiasm bring invaluable knowledge and creativity to our programs, events, and education initiatives.
• Laura Gilmour – An herbalist, forager, and owner of Wild Muskoka Botanicals near Dwight, Laura teaches with several wilderness skills schools and brings deep ecological knowledge and hands-on experience to our work.
• Ally MacLellan – A long-time member of the Foundation and Director of Integrated Intelligence & Technology at Proof Strategies Inc., Ally brings strong marketing and communications skills to the Board. She’s also an accomplished athlete, representing Canada at the World Triathlon this year.

Our continuing Directors are: Margaret Casey, Robert Little, Tracey Macey, Mark McLean, Judith Mills, Jeff Richmond, John Saunders, Paul Shoniker, Rick Stronks, and Jennifer Wiser.

Guest Speaker: Rick Stronks

Local naturalist and Foundation Director Rick Stronks, formerly Chief Naturalist at Algonquin Park, presented “Wildlife Discoveries at Marsh’s Falls.” Using infrared trail cameras, Rick has captured remarkable footage of animals living at the Marsh’s Falls Nature Reserve. His presentation shared highlights from hours of video, revealing a thriving ecosystem in action.

🎥 Watch Rick’s wildlife video on YouTube ›

Featured Community: Whiskey Bay

This year’s featured community was Whiskey Bay, highlighted in a video tracing its story from early settlement through logging, prohibition, and the moonshine trade to the rise of cottage life. Many families remain deeply connected to the area, with generations still enjoying their original cottages.

The Guest of Honour was Aileen Blair, a summer resident of Whiskey Bay for 70 years—celebrating her 100th year!

We extend our sincere thanks to Elaine M. Hutton for her extensive research, and to Susan Truscott and Wendy Wadham Gibson for their thoughtful compilation and editing of the Whiskey Bay booklet. Special thanks to former Foundation Director Gloria Woodside, whose early efforts helped bring this project to life.

🎥 Watch the Whiskey Bay video and read the booklet ›

Heritage Awards

Foundation Heritage Awards were presented to:

• Charley’s Place – Truscott Family Cottage
• Sam Hart – Whiskey Point
• Whiskey Bay Community circa 1950 (to be erected on a post recognizing the entire community)