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1) Become an SDLCA Member and start receiving our Salerno Lake Sentinel newsletter. Published in the spring and fall. 2) Like our Salerno Devil's Lake Cottagers' Association Facebook page to receive up-to-date news on topics that impact us as cottagers. 3) Connect with our community page, Salerno Lake / Devil's Lake Cottagers Facebook page. 4) Attend our Annual General Meeting and Events |
President's Message
It was late January when I got the message from our hard working Communications Director, Michele Diano, that our Spring Sentinel would be going out early this year. Caught as I was, putting yet another log on the fire to ward off the -38 degree Celsius overnight temperatures, I reflected on the deepening snow outside. Our furry friend, Wiarton Willy’s appearance was still a few more winter storms away. Then February 2nd came—low and behold Wiarton Willy did not see his shadow and predicted an early spring and not six more weeks of winter.
I searched out the Old Farmer’s Almanac for advice and its original forecast was for a cooler than normal spring, with above normal precipitation in the north and below precipitation in the south. Rain and snowfall expected in April with scattered thunderstorms in May. The only problem was that the Almanac’s Southern Ontario had Thunder Bay and Sudbury at the north end and Toronto at its south end. Which, with low precipitation in Haliburton last year, left me puzzled. Where does that leave us this year?
All I am sure of is that Haliburton’s spring comes four weeks after Toronto starts to think winter is over.
I trust you are all looking forward to having a great summer and taking part in the many activities the Lake Association has planned for you.
In the meantime, be sure to throw a few more logs on the fire.
Your President
Bill Holding
I searched out the Old Farmer’s Almanac for advice and its original forecast was for a cooler than normal spring, with above normal precipitation in the north and below precipitation in the south. Rain and snowfall expected in April with scattered thunderstorms in May. The only problem was that the Almanac’s Southern Ontario had Thunder Bay and Sudbury at the north end and Toronto at its south end. Which, with low precipitation in Haliburton last year, left me puzzled. Where does that leave us this year?
All I am sure of is that Haliburton’s spring comes four weeks after Toronto starts to think winter is over.
I trust you are all looking forward to having a great summer and taking part in the many activities the Lake Association has planned for you.
In the meantime, be sure to throw a few more logs on the fire.
Your President
Bill Holding
This year, we were blessed again with fine weather for our signature events. The Concert on the
Lake featuring Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar Band was well received on July 5th. The concert
has been held for an amazing 16 years now, not even stopping for Covid. Our newly introduced Photo Contest over the last few years has gained in popularity, with 54 entries over 43 in 2024. The
Youth and Adult Lake Races continue to draw a strong field of entrants and are always a great way
to enjoy the day on the lake. The BBQ, Awards Ceremony and Children’s Games are a great way to
meet your fellow cottagers and for the children to have fun and receive their ribbons and paddles.
Sadly, this was John Leonard’s last year painting the paddles—the end of an era. Another artist
has come forward and will be working with John on taking over these important duties. These
events will continue to be promoted as they bring the Lake community together in enjoyable
activities. If you have an idea of an activity we could possibly add to our roster, whether it is a
‘walk around the lake’ or ‘craft shop’ or something else, let us know what you think is worthwhile
doing. By the way, we are always looking for those who would help volunteer their time to help
run such events.
Last but not least, we had a flurry of activity this fall, creating our new website, which will roll
out in January 2026. Many thanks to Jacqueline Proud for her contributions in spearheading this
process.
Over the years at the lake, you get to meet many fellow cottagers who come from all walks of
life with differing interests and personalities. Some cottages stay within families over many
generations, and others turnover without being passed down. This impermanence illustrates the
temporary nature of our striving through life.
“However long we own and use the cottage, it is really just a period of your
life you are borrowing the use of it. The lasting nature of this use is the
relationships and memories created through your interactions with others
and exploring the world just outside your cottage door. “
Recently, my family and I had a visit with an old family friend who is about to turn 96 in December
and will be heading down to Florida soon and is only hanging around until he goes for his driver’s
license renewal. He said he needed his license, as somebody has to get to the LCBO and get
groceries. His wife just recently passed away, just shy of her own 96th birthday, and it was on
that anniversary that we visited. We prepared homemade lasagna to take with us, as Bruce had
requested Italian. We were told to arrive at five for cocktail hour and had to be out by 8 pm as
his beloved Blue Jays were playing their 7th and deciding game against the Seattle Mariners.
This relationship all began back when my father and Bruce met in grade school, attending high
school and university together and becoming best friends along the way. In 1948, my father,
Bruce and two university friends bought a remote property on Big Hawk Lake. In those days, a visit entailed a 5-1/2 hour drive along with an occasional tire change to Little Hawk Landing and then a
5km open boat trip across the two lakes. They cleared enough of the forested lot to build a small cabin, which they used for a number of years before my father bought them out, with Bruce buying another lot down the bay, which he named Bruce on the Rocks. An early memory of my having a sleepover at Bruce’s bunk house was of him carrying both his daughter and me together to the main cottage, each in one arm, while he had a lit cigar in his mouth. In later years, my father would disappear for a time in the afternoon, and we, being curious and adventurous kids, would find him on Bruce’s deck enjoying a cold beer. Years later, we would join Bruce ourselves for a cold one and go on many dock cruises in the summer and ski-doo trips in the winter together with many other lake friends.
Lake featuring Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar Band was well received on July 5th. The concert
has been held for an amazing 16 years now, not even stopping for Covid. Our newly introduced Photo Contest over the last few years has gained in popularity, with 54 entries over 43 in 2024. The
Youth and Adult Lake Races continue to draw a strong field of entrants and are always a great way
to enjoy the day on the lake. The BBQ, Awards Ceremony and Children’s Games are a great way to
meet your fellow cottagers and for the children to have fun and receive their ribbons and paddles.
Sadly, this was John Leonard’s last year painting the paddles—the end of an era. Another artist
has come forward and will be working with John on taking over these important duties. These
events will continue to be promoted as they bring the Lake community together in enjoyable
activities. If you have an idea of an activity we could possibly add to our roster, whether it is a
‘walk around the lake’ or ‘craft shop’ or something else, let us know what you think is worthwhile
doing. By the way, we are always looking for those who would help volunteer their time to help
run such events.
Last but not least, we had a flurry of activity this fall, creating our new website, which will roll
out in January 2026. Many thanks to Jacqueline Proud for her contributions in spearheading this
process.
Over the years at the lake, you get to meet many fellow cottagers who come from all walks of
life with differing interests and personalities. Some cottages stay within families over many
generations, and others turnover without being passed down. This impermanence illustrates the
temporary nature of our striving through life.
“However long we own and use the cottage, it is really just a period of your
life you are borrowing the use of it. The lasting nature of this use is the
relationships and memories created through your interactions with others
and exploring the world just outside your cottage door. “
Recently, my family and I had a visit with an old family friend who is about to turn 96 in December
and will be heading down to Florida soon and is only hanging around until he goes for his driver’s
license renewal. He said he needed his license, as somebody has to get to the LCBO and get
groceries. His wife just recently passed away, just shy of her own 96th birthday, and it was on
that anniversary that we visited. We prepared homemade lasagna to take with us, as Bruce had
requested Italian. We were told to arrive at five for cocktail hour and had to be out by 8 pm as
his beloved Blue Jays were playing their 7th and deciding game against the Seattle Mariners.
This relationship all began back when my father and Bruce met in grade school, attending high
school and university together and becoming best friends along the way. In 1948, my father,
Bruce and two university friends bought a remote property on Big Hawk Lake. In those days, a visit entailed a 5-1/2 hour drive along with an occasional tire change to Little Hawk Landing and then a
5km open boat trip across the two lakes. They cleared enough of the forested lot to build a small cabin, which they used for a number of years before my father bought them out, with Bruce buying another lot down the bay, which he named Bruce on the Rocks. An early memory of my having a sleepover at Bruce’s bunk house was of him carrying both his daughter and me together to the main cottage, each in one arm, while he had a lit cigar in his mouth. In later years, my father would disappear for a time in the afternoon, and we, being curious and adventurous kids, would find him on Bruce’s deck enjoying a cold beer. Years later, we would join Bruce ourselves for a cold one and go on many dock cruises in the summer and ski-doo trips in the winter together with many other lake friends.
Some friendships endure while others wither away over time, and it seems to depend on how much of yourself you invest in and value it.
“We are all fellow travellers through this life and a recent conversation reminded me of a piece of ancient wisdom that we should appreciate and be grateful for our moments with
others, no matter how long they are on this journey together with us.”
Treasure your memories and relationships, and work hard on building new ones, as they may be one of the
greatest gifts in life. Another Thanksgiving weekend has come and gone, and a final annual swim in the lake over to the island and back on October 18th. The water was chilly again this year, but then why would we expect anything less.
Take Care.
Your President,
Bill Holding
“We are all fellow travellers through this life and a recent conversation reminded me of a piece of ancient wisdom that we should appreciate and be grateful for our moments with
others, no matter how long they are on this journey together with us.”
Treasure your memories and relationships, and work hard on building new ones, as they may be one of the
greatest gifts in life. Another Thanksgiving weekend has come and gone, and a final annual swim in the lake over to the island and back on October 18th. The water was chilly again this year, but then why would we expect anything less.
Take Care.
Your President,
Bill Holding
2026 Lake Events
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From the Loon Whisperer
I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable winter season. I’m sure the bulk of the snow and cold weather is behind us, at least we can hope. I have shifted gears and now preparing for our first Loons to arrive.
Last year our first Loon arrived on April 12, 2025. It turned out to be our female that has been on Salerno for four years. This female gave us "Loonlet ” on June 11, 2025. Loonlet developed and became a very healthy juvenile. Loonlet successfully migrated in the fall.
We can only hope we have another successful Loon season with a chick or chicks being born on Salerno for everyone to enjoy.
We plan to launch our “ Get The Lead Out “ program again.
This is a great program to help protect and preserve the Loon population. More lakes are adopting the program to help with this important cause. Dates will be published for Salerno so your lead tackle can be exchanged for lead-free tackle. We look forward for everyone’s support.
I want to thank everyone for their support of the Loon Watch and protecting the Loon population on Salerno. Loons on our lake is a positive sign we have a healthy lake.
Just waiting for ice out to get the season started.
Thanks again for your support.
I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable winter season. I’m sure the bulk of the snow and cold weather is behind us, at least we can hope. I have shifted gears and now preparing for our first Loons to arrive.
Last year our first Loon arrived on April 12, 2025. It turned out to be our female that has been on Salerno for four years. This female gave us "Loonlet ” on June 11, 2025. Loonlet developed and became a very healthy juvenile. Loonlet successfully migrated in the fall.
We can only hope we have another successful Loon season with a chick or chicks being born on Salerno for everyone to enjoy.
We plan to launch our “ Get The Lead Out “ program again.
This is a great program to help protect and preserve the Loon population. More lakes are adopting the program to help with this important cause. Dates will be published for Salerno so your lead tackle can be exchanged for lead-free tackle. We look forward for everyone’s support.
I want to thank everyone for their support of the Loon Watch and protecting the Loon population on Salerno. Loons on our lake is a positive sign we have a healthy lake.
Just waiting for ice out to get the season started.
Thanks again for your support.
Let's Get the Lead Out for more info visit Fishleadfree.ca
Fire Restrictions and BylawsSalerno Lake is in the County of Haliburton, and our lake falls in two municipalities: Minden Hills at the north end and Highlands East in the mid and south end. Click the link for your specific Township information
Restrictions - Highlands East and Minden Hills Bylaws - Highlands East and Minden Hills 
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A reminder about FireworksThe Highlands East Fireworks By-Law 2024-51 prohibits and regulates the sale and setting off of consumer fireworks in Highlands East, including but not limited to Roman candles, sparklers, fountains, multi-shot cakes, volcanoes, mines and snakes.
SALE AND USE OF FLYING LANTERNS BANNED. No one is allowed to sell or use a flying lantern within the Municipality of Highlands East. A $500 fine applies to those who do so. DATES AND TIMES WHEN FIREWORKS ARE ALLOWED. No one is allowed to set off consumer fireworks within the Municipality of Highlands East except for the following days and times:
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