Photo Credit: Arthur Lee
Land Acknowledgement
We respectfully acknowledge that the Township of Algonquin Highlands is located on Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory, and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which are Curve Lake, Rama, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Beausoleil and Georgina Island First Nations.
We acknowledge an historical shared presence of Indigenous nations throughout the area, and recognize its original, Indigenous inhabitants as the stewards of its lands and waters since time immemorial.
Officers and Directors
Officers 2024/2025
President – Vicki Woods
Vice-President - Vacant
Secretary – Leslie Haller
Treasurer – Dan Jakubowicz
Past-President – Tom Steele
Directors 2024/2025
Mikaela Charlebois
Andrew Fleming
Tracy Gualberto
Leslie Haller
Dan Jakubowicz
Arthur Lee
Julia Lewis
Wyatt Lowry
Andrew Murdison
Amanda Robertson
Tom Steele
Joanne Turner
Carole Wallace
Jeff Woods
Vicki Woods
Past Presidents
1946 C.H. Harrison
1947 Harold Pomeroy
1948 R.H.B. Cook
1949 N. MacCallum
1950 A. McAdam
1951 W. Blake
1952 Harold Johns
1953 Peter McDonald
1954 H. Bean
1955 T. Talbot
1957 R. Godbold
1958 V. Blake
1959 H. Harrison
1960 William Dies Sr.
1961 Geoff Robinson
1965 Bud Cherry
1967 Trevor Pawson Sr.
1977 Don Smith
1978 D. Cruthers
1979 Bill Cherry
1982 Andy Murdison Jr.
1984 Jim Smyth
1985 William Dies Jr.
1987 Mike Gump
1991 Doug Fleming
1993 Jim Murray
1998 Pat Lowery
1999 Al Aubrey
2004 Mike Smith
2008 Sue Yallop
2019 Vicki Woods / Tom Steele
2023 Tom Steele
2024 Vicki Woods
Lake Association History
In 1943, a small group of cottagers decided to form a lake association. The first President was a gentleman by the name of Roy Seaman. All was very proper with a Vice President, Secretary, Lake Steward, and Treasurer, and every two years, or thereabouts, there would be a change of players. There have been some 32 presidents since 1944 with the first female president to take office in 1998.
Annual meetings throughout the 40s and 50s took place during the winter months in several church basements in and around the Metro Toronto area. Scrumptious turkey dinners were prepared and served by the ladies. These events were always opened with prayer and a salute to the monarchy. Once business matters were dealt with, including the planning of events for the coming cottage season, sing songs, games, and sometimes entertainment from talented members or friends and family members would be provided.
The reasons for organizing a lake association in 1944 were no different than the reasons why it still flourishes today. In addition to fisheries, preservation of lands and forests, environment, and land boundaries to name a few, new and perhaps more serious issues have been added to the agenda, such as taxation, security/safety, zebra mussels, waste disposal, water extraction for commercial purposes, and septic pollution. It did not take very long for those first executive committees to establish relationships with local municipal representatives and service providers as it became necessary. The Association has been incorporated twice over the years, and the current name is 'Boshkung Lake Property Owners' Association'.
Cottage country as it was known at the turn of the last century and at the time of the first lake association is in danger of great change. Many summer residents are retiring to the cottage and becoming permanent residents, bringing with them their city ideas, and changing our landscape and structure of nature. A camaraderie and synergy among waterfront property owners has emerged with an enthusiasm and unrelenting commitment to ensure the threats facing our environment are dealt with efficiently and expediently.
As we enter a new millennium, we have much on which to reflect and for which to be thankful. Our forefathers had a vision to which a statement was never recorded. We take the liberty now, of expressing on behalf of those first pioneers, words that would constitute an expression of their vision:
We give thanks for the gifts that Nature has created for our use. We commit ourselves to always honour, respect, protect, and preserve these treasures for ourselves and future generations.