The Snow Lake 70th Committee held their “wrap-up” meeting in the Snow Lake Town Office at 7:30 p.m. on the evening of July 31. The people in attendance were as follows: chairperson Penny Roberts, Canada Day chairperson Margaret Yoder, Peter Roberts, Cathy Stabback, Keith Scott, Leone Jackson, Mary Ann Otto, and Marc Jackson.
The committee began the meeting by discussing the success of the celebration. Committee members noted that they had heard numerous positive comments, mostly from former Snow Lake residents who returned for the festivities. It was noted that there were areas that would require extra attention if a 75th or 80th celebration were to take place, but these shortcomings could be easily ironed out with a committee sized and staffed properly to take on the event. The one glaring opportunity missed this time around was the use of nametags.
Chairperson Roberts gave an overview of the committee’s bank account. Through donations, fundraisers, and registration, the committee pulled together $56,979.15. Expenses for the event came in at $35,594.61. This left them with a total of $21,384.54 after all bills were cleared up.
Discussion moved quickly to how the money left over from the 70th should be spent in order to best embody a legacy for the event. There were a number of ideas put forward, from helping out the Beach Enhancement initiative to items needed in the Lawrie Marsh Hall. However, the committee kept coming back to their original thought on the matter: siding in Henry’s Hut (a gazebo like structure at Snow Lake’s Sunset Bay Beach).
Committee members felt there was a lack of understanding within the general public on what the committee originally proposed. Some local folks believe the plan was to turn the hut into a building with four walls, even though this is not the case. Instead, the committee’s idea is to have the bottom portion of the building closed in and install a counter ledge. The top portion on all four sides could be opened on nice days to allow users to serve and sell from it, or closed on one or two sides to keep the weather or wind out, while commerce took place on the other two sides. With the drop down portions of the top walls, the entire building could be locked up at day’s end and all cooking equipment could be stored inside until the next time it and the facility is needed. The plan is to do this only with Henry’s Hut and leave the roofed structure next to it wide open for tables, etc. The committee also elected to purchase two benches with engraved plaques for Snow Lake’s Lady Bug Garden and leave $1,300 in trust with the Town of Snow Lake for the next celebration’s start-up costs.
The committee already had a quote for the work on Henry’s Hut and it was slightly more than what will be left in their account. Member Scott volunteered to speak to the contractor to see if the cost could be brought down in order to match the available committee funds, either by in-kind labour from committee members, a different design, or cheaper materials. Once the building has been renovated and closed in, the keys for it will be handed over to the town.
The decision was then made to donate all the banners, left over t-shirts, and bags to the Snow Lake Mining Museum, if they are interested. Left over condiments from the supper were donated to the Herb Lake Landing 100th Committee.
In respect to the minutes, documents, and flash drives of the 70th Committee, they will be stored in the filing cabinet purchased by the 60th Committee (which was finally located in an upstairs room in the Hall). It was decided that the filing cabinet is too important to celebration planning for those doing the planning to spend a lot of time looking for it. The Snow Lake Mining Museum will be approached and asked if they are willing to take it.
The meeting ended with congratulations on a job well done and plans to meet informally over the ensuing months to ensure legacy projects move forward.
