The new 2008 newsletter has been mailed to all paid members early April and you should now have received it. If not contact any board member.

Otherwise here is the PDF if you didn't receive it

 

2008 Presidents Message, Winter 2008

The Board of Directors and I are all very excited about the upcoming summer and we wanted to update you on some major events and dates, as well as provide you with your 2008 membership form.

This winter, all members of the Kettles Association and the Church of the Kettles received a request for funding to make much needed replacements and repairs to the front and back docks.  Thank you to our many members who have contributed, Alan Hutton for spearheading this initiative and Adam Hutton for printing and mailing the letters.  Our only expenses were for paper and postage, keeping our cost below 3% of the money raised To date we have raised over $20,000.    If you have not had a chance to make a donation, please do. Our docks are an integral part of our enjoyment of the Kettles and very expensive to maintain. Any surplus will be added to our contingency funds.   All donations are tax deductible and should be made payable to the “Church of the Kettles” and mailed to Doug Jarrett,  RR#4 207. Windy Lane, Markdale ON, NOC 1HO.  A copy of the funding letter sent out by the Church and the Association can be found on our web site www.kettles.org

From time to time, we receive very generous donations from families that have experienced great enjoyment from the Kettles and very generously give back so that we can continue to make improvements to the programs and facilities for our children and future generations.  To this end, we would like to make a special acknowledgement to the family of Tom McNair.

Work on the docks will commence this spring and we will continue to make improvements to the back area and are very appreciative of the support and effort  from the Bensons.  In addition,  we have further complimented our sailing fleet with another purchase of a 420.  Troy Comish is back with another great  Kid’s program and has  hired both Jennifer Morson and Tim Nixon  again to head up our successful swimming and sailing  programs.  We are also very excited that Barb and Danielle Black will be offering Arts and Crafts again. 

The Kettles is not just for Kids.  It is also a great social environment for adults that kicks off on July 5 at 5 with a BBQ and silent auction.  Yes, Chef Chris Horan is also back by popular demand with his culinary BBQ delights.  We also have senior sailing with skipper and webmaster Doug Clark and his after parties.  There is also rumour of a Segwun boat cruise.  Stay tuned.

The regatta will again be held on the long weekend and is looking for some volunteers including a vice commodore and a head judge.  20/20 eyesight is not a prerequisite.

Membership does have it privileges and gets you front of the line access to all these events. Cost of admission is still $60 per family.  We have attached a membership form with our standard waiver, which we ask that you complete and send in right away to Cindy Cottrelle so that we can update our records and prepare for the summer. If you are aware of any new cottagers or cottagers who would like to be members, please refer them to the website where

they can print out a membership application and send it in.  We would like you to provide us with some feedback and included some questions on the form to help us better manage the programs and communicate with you.  Please include your email address so that we can give you notice of any upcoming events or changes to programs.

As a member, you receive our fantastic Handbook with invaluable information, great stories and the addresses, phone numbers and emails of your fellow members.  Editor Anne Taylor is always looking for interesting ideas or stories. Please contact her with a submission before the end of April to meet her printing deadline.

 I would like to thank Secretary Anne Murray, Treasurer Brain Jarrett, Archivist Min Elliott ,  Church Liaison Janet Nixon, our volunteers, staff, sponsors and members for making the Kettles a great and fun place to be.

If you are interested in volunteering, sponsoring, working at the Kettles, becoming a member,  or want to know more about us, please visit our website or contact me or any of the directors. We welcome your feedback and help.

Regards,

Steve Morson,
and the Kettles Board

Again this year, Kettles will  be providing to our membership an opportunity to order the new Kettles Burgee to commemorate 83 years in Muskoka. They will made available to see at the Kettle's BBQ, and Regatta this year. Only $20.00!! You will be able to purchase them at various locations (East Bay Marina, Mortimer's, and The Muskoka Store)