SANDFIELD—In providing information on the many things the Lake Manitou and Area Association (LMAA) has done in its history, outgoing president Mike Costigan took the time to award several individuals for their contributions to the association over the years.
“I am very proud of all the things that we have accomplished over the years,” stated outgoing LMAA president Mike Costigan at the group’s annual general meeting held July 8 at the Sandfield Schoolhouse.
“As my last order of business as president I personally feel it is very important to recognize some people that have made significant contributions to the organization over the years,” said Mr. Costigan. He made presentations of a framed logo of the LMAA to four of the six deserving recipients on behalf of the board and membership. Two of the recipients were not in attendance at the meeting.
photos by Tom Sasvari
“Don Payne has been with LMAA since 2007 being the treasurer until 2019,” said Mr. Costigan. He served previously with the Franks Road Cottage Association (FRCA) as a director and was instrumental in negotiating Frank’s Road upgrade with Central Manitoulin in the late 1990s. “While treasurer Don was instrumental in upgrading the LMAA constitution during the first incorporation of the LMAA in 2011,” said Mr. Costigan, he explained Mr. Payne also served as a director with FRCA from 1997-2007 and stayed on as the volunteer roads advisor until 2012. “Don also stayed on as director with the LMAA from 2022-2025 at my request as a resource to the reincorporation that we had to go through after it lapsed during COVID. He is now a retired director.”
Stan Salisbury, “began his tenure as a volunteer with the LMAA in 2011,” said Mr. Costigan. “He led the first revamping of LMAA website in 2012 and was really responsible for establishing and maintaining the associations web presence,” noting Mr. Salisbury remained website administrator until retiring last year. “This online presence was crucial in establishing a connection with our members outside of our AGM and info night meetings. It enabled us to keep everyone informed on what was happening around the lake and raise the profile of the association.”
David and Nancy Kains joined LMAA in 2010. “They began their tenure as volunteers with the LMAA in 2013 where they took over the water testing responsibilities and continue to do so today,” said Mr. Costigan. “This is one of the most time-consuming volunteer duties we have, six samples annually from May to October at two different locations and sending results to the Dorset testing centre. Dave and his volunteer assistants have never missed a reading.”
“Nancy frequently was Dave’s sampling assistant over the years and later joined the education committee in 2022 and will be taking over as chair of the committee going forward,” explained Mr. Costigan. The couple are never willing to accept money for gas used during the water sampling season and are always generous donators of their honey as door prizes to our public meetings, he said.
“The next award goes to Seija Deschenes (coordinator of Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association [MSIA]). Suffice to say Seija is Manitoulin Streams,” stated Mr. Costigan. She began as MSIA project coordinator in 2007 and made her first presentation to the LMMA members in August 2008 showing project progress on the Norton’s Creek rehabilitation project. “Norton’s Creek is a very important feed stream to Lake Manitou that fell victim to years of cattle damage over the years.”
Mr. Costigan said the stewardship relationship between MSIA and LMAA was forged during this project and led to many other cooperative projects like Manitou River and Blue Jay Creek restorations, and more recently working together on a phragmites removal project last year on Lake Manitou.
Ms. Deschenes, “has continued to make annual presentations at our information night since that initial one in 2008,” continued Mr. Costigan. “Seija was an instrumental resource to the LMAA Fishery Committee during our discussions with the MNR over the last year.” LMAA has always donated volunteer labour to MSIA projects regardless of where they are taking place, as well as financial donations over the years.
“The LMAA is so fortunate to be one of the many stewardship partners aligned with MSIA and Seija has been the foundation of those relationships,” said Mr. Costigan.
Mr. Costigan then got a little emotional in handing out the next award, to his mother, Pat Costigan. “She began her tenure with LMAA on the information committee alongside Mary Lochead. Her passion for education lent itself naturally to this committee, which evolved into what we now know as the education committee. And for years she and Mary organized the guest speakers and promoted the information night.”
“Pat played a key role in LMAA projects like Lake Manitou map project, Lake Manitou Historical Tidbits book which accompanies the map and most recently the LMAA historical slide show,” said Mr. Costigan. He explained his mother, “has always had a passion for history so it is not surprising that her latest initiative is acquiring the history of Lake Manitou Cottages.”
“When my father became an LMAA director in 1998, later the vice-president in 2001, the president from 2003-2018 she was by his side hosting director’s meetings and assisting with many of his responsibilities as an executive with the association; they were a team essentially just as they were in life.”
Ms. Costigan is also well known for her years of involvement with the Historical Society of Central Manitoulin, Friends of Mindemoya Old School, and the Big Lake Community. You are an inspiration to many, mother, most importantly your family,” said her son.
Earlier in the meeting Mr. Costigan welcomed everyone to the annual general meeting. “We’re so fortunate to have the property owners on the lake that we do. The LMAA was formed 32 years ago to protect the water on the lake,” said Mr. Costigan. “It’s all part of being stewards of the lake.”
Mr. Costigan acknowledged the new members of the association, and Annette Smith, a new director on LMAA, for the idea of holding a barbecue fundraiser prior to the annual meeting.
Don Payne, along with Brenda Edington, directors for 18 and three years respectively, have now retired from the board, having both provided valuable contributions.
Mr. Costigan noted, “Last fall I let the board know that I would not be seeking re-election as president. I have been a member of the board since 2005, in many different roles.” He noted coming out of COVID the organization went through some difficult situations, but thanks to the efforts of its board, and members, they got through. I want to thank the directors I have worked with. By working together, we have reestablished our partnerships, ensured our finances are in order, and while memberships are not at the pre-covid level yet, we are well on our way towards this.”
The LMAA has improved its website and improved communications, created a brochure, has a new LMAA clothing apparel online store, improved its relationship with the MNR on the Sandfield dam and lake levels, as well as a walleye fishery plan for the lake, and been involved in stewardship projects with MSIA and Manitoulin Phragmites,
Mr. Costigan said while he is leaving the president post of LMAA, he is not stepping down, as he will continue to be active as the former chair and will continue to chair the fishery committee. “I would like to thank all of you, our present and former members for all your hard work over the past 32 years as an organization.”
Sharon Cooper, newly elected president of LMAA said, “We have had a very productive board of directors for the past few years. We have revised bylaws, have a new events coordinator and have taken several other positive initiatives. A lot of positive action has been taken by the board in a short period time. I want to thank Mike (Costigan) for his leadership.”
“I am really proud to be the new president of LMAA,” added Ms. Cooper.
