Important Documents

As we approach the end of 2025, I wanted to identify some key highlights from 2025 and to announce some key updates to 2026. Many of the specifics were addressed in earlier social media posts and are stored on this website under key documents. On a higher level we were very pleased with the volunteers’ positive impact on our community and organization. Without all of them, PST doesn’t work.

Looking forward to 2026, you should see the continuation of the role and impact PST can have on all of us who live and recreate in our watershed. Watershed management will be greatly improved as we bring on new volunteer leadership (Dolly Garlo & Robert Keeley), water quality testing done by volunteer lake residents, trialing of weed harvesting rather than chemical treatment, understanding the cost & impact Loon Lake had with new muck control program and continuation of e coli tests. Communication and updates to the community on the plans for the Linden dam should be anticipated over the next several months.

2026 events are in the discussion phase as I write this update. Dates and specifics will be released over the next few months. Most of 2025 events will return with a few minor changes. We hope to announce new events in 2026 over the next few months. Ideas that include a PST golf tournament, a Thursday summer night ladies day cruise to get to know your riparian neighbors, a PST history cruise, expansion of the lady’s day lunches to include some weekend events and other ideas we hear from membership. There is much we can do but it is only possible if we have volunteers to staff them. There is a role for everyone. We will never ask more of you than you want to give.

Fireworks will return as part of our Ponetian weekend in August. Costs from our fireworks event provider (AMS Displays) to closely duplicate the number of shells used this year doubled in costs to hold a similar show in July 2026. Plus, their availability during the July 4th holiday was an issue. Due to these two factors and the availability of other fireworks shows during the holiday and many members gone on that weekend on travel, the decision was made to have the PST show in August during Ponetian weekend.

Historically, PST has communicated to our membership/riparian owners primarily through Facebook. Facebook posts will continue but greater emphasis will be placed on our website for critical content for all. Too many residents are not reached as they do not use and frequently look at Facebook. Important news often gets pushed down as more posts are initiated, especially in the summer. Many members/riparian owners still complain about not hearing about events, weed treatment and important news. We think we can reduce this communication challenge by motivating people to look at our website rather than depend exclusively on Facebook. We are lucky to have Stephanie Mitchell as our social media /merchandise coordinator, who tirelessly updates/enhances/extends our community reach to our membership/riparian owners. In addition to Stephanie’s expertise, we are grateful to Matt and Chelsea Mills of Behind Your Design, for agreeing to help manage our website as volunteers. Their work is truly appreciated.

Increasing paid membership in 2026 will be a key focus. In the past, PST achieved around 120 paid members yearly. In 2025 we enjoyed nearly 300 paid members with a 2026 goal over 400. Our watershed includes over 900 families consisting of 650+ plus homes on the water and around 250 off the water/slip renters. Comments about increasing the $25 annual family dues (same price over last 40 years) are often mentioned.

We hope to add more event videos in 2026 based on the successful launch of the just say hi Brad videos used prior to our 2025 fireworks show. Videos can address greater understanding of upcoming events and hopefully reach a larger audience than we have done in the past. Video placement would be both on our website and Facebook pages.

I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Jack Cramer and Jason Stebbins who decided not to run for re-election as trustees this fall. Jack and Jason both provided significant support and guidance to multiple issues that impact everyone. Jack taking on the obstruction removal lead and Jason establishing the shell of our new website are just two examples of their impact. They were both willing to help and volunteer on a myriad of tasks. All of us thank them for their time and effort. The good news is they both intend to stay involved.

Lauren Burchart and David Bloom are our new two PST trustees. Lauren is well known to many of you as our 2025 events coordinator and the creator/orchestrator of Superman, Summer Kickoff, Garage Sale, the Easter Event and the December Comedy Show/Ugly sweater contest/silent auction to name a few. David and Amy Bloom were volunteers on numerous occasions in 2025 with David deciding to run for trustee this fall as he retires from UM Hospital as a pediatric radiologist.

Technology to improve the effectiveness of our reach has been the responsibility of Matt Burchart. Matt is who I contact first with questions and in some cases, my crazy ideas. Matt was responsible for identifying and implementing our joinit software for online membership. Hopefully it will be the foundation for an online PST directory in the future.

The history of our watershed has been of interest to many of you. Gary Carlson knows more about our area than anyone I know. Gary agreed to be our PST historian and has provided a wealth of historical documents now available to review on our website. Very few lake associations have this content available.

In closing, we have an excellent leadership team in place inside PST. All of them work tirelessly on your behalf to make our community a better place. Tony Spezia, Steve Campana, Joann Allen, Brad Eastman, Marianne Tucker, Zack Day and just added Lauren Burchart and David Bloom are special people with special talents. Our request is for all of you to get involved in PST in 2026. Together, we can achieve great things together.

Mark