2026 Star Lake Handbook, 4th edition On-line by Section

Cover, Foreword, Table of Contents, Credits and Acknowledgements

The Star Lake Protective Association

A Short History of Star Lake

Let's Protect the Lake

Boating on Star Lake

Star Lake Map and Owners Directory

Let's Help to Keep the Peace

Fishing on Star Lake

Fish Spotter's Guide

Star Lake Loons

History of the Star Lake Handbook

The first Star Lake Handbook was created and printed in 1995.  John Sayles did most of the research and writing while Roy Djuvik created the map and lot data to identify who lived where.  Peter Kress aided in the printing and the Handbook was distributed to Star Lake Protective Association members and others who expressed an interest.  The cover letter that was distributed with the 1995 Handbook describes the original objectives of the Handbook: "to provide information about our lake; to promote understanding and tolerance for the varied uses and pleasures the lake provides each of us; and to encourage the protection and wise use of the lake."

An increasing number of requests for a revised Handbook finally led to the second edition in 2004, reprinted in 2005.  Roy, Peter and John spent countless hours originating and publishing the first Handbook and it is out of respect for their efforts that I have made my contributions.  Much of the original text remains while other sections were edited and updated in the second edition.  The map was improved and the lake owner directories were updated to reflect new owners.  Color photos and charts were added and the fish stocking program was brought up-to-date.  The fish spotter’s guide was completely revamped with color photos and descriptions of more fish found in Star Lake.  Existing sections were expanded and a new section seeking harmony within the lake community was added.  Desktop publishing software provided a semi-professional look while condensing more information into a smaller package. 

In 2009, we ran out of copies of the 2005 Handbook and reprinting became necessary.  Much of the information was outdated.  A new cover featuring Hiawatha Island, was designed.  Property owner data and the fish stocking program were updated.  Other minor edits and revisions were made to bring us to the 2009 edition.

By 2024, many felt that the Handbook was due for another refresh.  By 2025, a committee was formed and over the winter, Zoom meetings occurred.  It was decided that updating the 2009 edition, as opposed to starting from scratch, was in order to refresh the look and update the information in the articles.  By March, 2026, the refresh was complete and the 2026 4th edition of the Star Lake Handbook went to press.  Many thanks for the hard work of committee members Kate DaBoll-Lavoie, Rose Surman, Kary Lewis, Andrew Proctor and Bo Ritchings.  A special thanks goes out to SLPA member Bill Colucci and his office staff for printing the new edition.   

Many have spent countless hours on this project and it has been a labor of love devoted to the most wonderful lake in the world!  I hope you enjoy the 2026 Star Lake Handbook in its 4th, but hopefully not final edition.  —Bo Ritchings       

Fair and Legal Use: 

The SLPA is a non-profit organization and uses Handbook proceeds to help defray the costs of printing.  Excess revenue from the sale of the Handbook, if any, is deposited in the treasury to help finance lake projects, activities and this web site. 

The Star Lake Protective Association maintains all proprietary and intellectual rights to all editions of the Handbook and all its content including text, drawings, and photographs.  Credit is cited in the Handbook for copyrighted content included in the Handbook. 

Specifically, you may read the Handbook and share this link with others.  You may not sell this document and you may not print the file or reproduce the Handbook in any way for any reason.  

Please play fair.

The 2009 Star Lake Handbook-3rd Edition

The 2009 Star Lake Handbook is available in .PDF format on-line.  Click the picture or the link and the Handbook should start to download.  It may take a moment, depending on your connection speed.  Just close the Acrobat window or press the "back" button in your browser to return here. 

You must have a .pdf reader installed in order to view the Handbook.  If you don't have one, the download for Adobe Acrobat Reader is free and can be obtained by following the link to the Adobe download site at the bottom of this page.  Directions for installation are on the Adobe site.

The 2005 Star Lake Handbook-2nd Edition

The 2005 Star Lake Handbook is available in .PDF format on-line.  Click the picture or the link and the Handbook should start to download.  It may take a moment, depending on your connection speed.  Just close the Acrobat window or press the "back" button in your browser to return here. 

You must have a .pdf reader installed in order to view the Handbook.  If you don't have one, the download for Adobe Acrobat Reader is free and can be obtained by following the link to the Adobe download site at the bottom of this page.  Directions for installation are on the Adobe site.

The cover is a photo of an original painting of the stone cut bridge on Star Lake, by Mimi Keith, of Wanakena, NY.

The 1995 Star Lake Handbook

The original 1995 Star Lake Handbook is also available in Adobe .PDF format on line.  Click the picture or the link and the Handbook should start to download.  It may take a moment, depending on your connection speed.  Just close the Acrobat window or press the "back" button in your browser to return here.  The cover letter from Roy Djuvik and John Sayles describes the original objectives of the project and suggests some other areas to cover.

You must have a .pdf reader installed in order to view the Handbook.  If you don't have one, the download for Adobe Acrobat Reader is free and can be obtained by following the link to the Adobe download site at the bottom of this page.  Directions for installation are on the Adobe site.