PaBIA eBlast July 31, 2019

Volume 11 No.14

Dear PaBIA,

With almost 1.5 inches of rain measured at our island on Saturday and .5 inches on Monday evening, we are finally getting some much needed rain. However, it isn’t enough to lower the fire rating just yet. So please remain vigilant and refrain from any outdoor fires unless you are grilling!

And many thank yous for slowing all the way down in the station harbour area so one doesn’t rock the docks (and the people on them).

Please be aware that there are still broken-off pieces of land and broken-away docks that are floating in the waterways. Be Careful!

In this eBlast:

PaBIA’s Flying Scot Race – August 1
PaBIA’s Senior Regatta – Saturday Aug 3
PABIA’S Pancake Breakfast & AGM – Sunday Aug 4
Meet Potential New PaBIA Directors
PaBIA’s Sailing Race – Sunday August 4
Art Day on Friend Island – August 6
Ojibway’s Art Show – Aug 9-11
PaBIA Naturalist – August 11
PaBIA Phragmites Cut – August 11 & 18
The Climate Crisis – August 12
ToA First Call for CZBL Review
Habitat for Humanity Build – Many Hands Make Lighter Work!
My First Muskie!
WPSHC Rattlesnake Awareness
Common Loon
Lakes Michigan/Huron Water Levels July 25, 2019
Found – Docks A-512 and A-79
Yearbook Update
In Memoriam

Week Starting Wednesday, July 31st

Annual Flying Scot Regatta – Friday

The Annual Flying Scot Regatta will be held Friday August 2 starting at 11 am in Ojibway Bay. The pot luck Skippers’ Dinner will be held Thursday August 1 at 6 pm, hosted by Jan and Andrew Vanderwal at A520-33.

Senior Regatta 2019 – Saturday – 11 A.M. Start!

The determination has been made that only canoe (not kayak) paddles will be accepted in canoe races going forward. Note that this rule is being instituted and implemented at the upcoming Senior Regatta.

Week of August 4^th

PaBIA’s Pancake Breakfast & AGM Sunday August 4th

Come enjoy PaBIA’s Pancake Breakfast & and stay for PaBIA’s AGM! We will accept the 2018 AGM Minutes, hear briefly from President Tom Scoon and the Directors of the various portfolios and elect our Board members for next year. We also want to introduce you to those new folks being proposed for election! Their short bios are below: Helen Bryce, Tom Lundy, Mike Phippen and Dave Sharpe.

We look forward to hearing from our new Reeve, Bert Liverance, who will speak to the positive changes taking place in our area and the proactive initiatives!

Proposed New Directors:

Helen Bryce was educated at New York University (BS) and Columbia University Teachers College (MA). Over her career as an Art educator and later, as a classroom teacher, she taught junior, senior and high school students in a variety of schools in Toronto. Her work as a teacher, Project Teacher and then Vice-principal at Lord Dufferin Jr. Sr. P. S. in Regent Park, was a turning point in her understanding of equity, generational poverty, the challenges for new arrivals to Canada and growing up in the social isolation of housing projects. She continued as an administrator as Principal of Earl Grey Senior P. S. for nine years until retirement in 2012.

Since retirement she has enjoyed serving on several volunteer boards: Ojibway Club, Ojibway Historical Preservation Society, Kick Start Arts, and Georgian Bay Forever.

A fourth generation cottager at Pointe au Baril, Helen has grown up with the Bay in her sights and the granite under her bare feet, marvelling at sunsets, wildlife and the mystery of weather and water that makes Georgian Bay the unique and unforgettable experience that it is. There is no place on earth that she would rather be and is honoured to be able to apply her skills as an educator to the protection of Georgian Bay.

Tom Lundy came onto the Board as Member Safety Director last fall to fill the void left by Scott Sheard when he became a Ward 3 Councillor. Tom and his wife, Jan, feel truly blessed to live in Pointe au Baril year-round. Cottagers since 2000, they moved here permanently in 2013 when Tom retired after 42 years in the consumer packaged goods industry.

Tom’s background includes a wide range of volunteer service including being on the Board of Our Sturgeon Bay Pointe au Baril Ratepayer’s Association for 7 years, 4 of which he served as Vice President, plus serving with the Ontario Hockey Federation & Hockey Association.

For the past 4 years he served as Township’s Councillor for Ward 1. During those years, he served on the Parry Sound EMS Advisory Committee (TOA Representative), saved the Ambulance Base from possibly being relocated to Britt which in turn resulted in PaB’s Nursing Station & Ambulance Base complex and served to guide the building of the new playground adjacent to the nursing station.

Mike Phippen first came to Pointe au Baril at 6 weeks of age and has never missed a summer in his 68 years: he’s played tennis, sailed, hunted, fished, canoed, kayaked, camped and even wintered in PaB.

Michael spent 40 years in the investment industry, retiring in 2016 as a Senior Vice President and Managing Director from the Bank of Montreal’s investment arm “Nesbitt Burns”. He acted as President of the Kitchener and District Investment Dealers Association.

Michael is well suited to the Environment Portfolio as his avocations include being a past President of the Ruffed Grouse Society of Canada, and more recently, Chair of Wildlife Habitat Canada. His work in Forest and wetlands habitat should serve our Board’s environment portfolio well.

This will be Michael’s second term on the PaBIA Board; during the early 90’s Michael acted as chair of the Junior Regatta.

Dave Sharpe is a founding partner of one of Canada’s most successful brand marketing agencies; 6 Degrees Integrated Communications. 6 Degrees’ longstanding client relationships with some of Canada’s top consumer products companies and national retailers, has earned this agency the enviable status of ‘trusted partner’ and valued advisor in the building of their client businesses.

Educated at Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario, Dave also spent several years working client-side before founding 6 Degrees in 1988. On a personal note, Dave and wife, Stacey, have been married 36 years, and together with their 3 grown boys, enjoy a shared love for the North Country, golf, tennis and skiing.

Charitable passions stretch across children at risk, environmental protection and women’s issues.

Sunday Sailing Race – 2 pm

This past Sunday morning we had two races on the Middle Reach course, with near perfect conditions. The July Series winners in Albacores were Rainer and Madeline Kaufmann, Eric and Andrew Vanderwal in the Flying Scots and John Tremayne in Lasers. Thanks to Cam Richardson and Debbie Crossman who hosted a wonderful Rendezvous on a perfect Sunday afternoon.

The next races are this Sunday August 4 at 2 pm on the PaBAR course, with the Rendezvous hosted by Diane Dempsey and Andrew Rogers at A96 on Champlain Monument Island. These races will be for the Wawonaissa Cup which was first award in 1952. The Cup alternates years between Flying Scots and Albacores, with the 2019 cup going to Albacores.

Art Day at Friend Island

August 6, 12-4 pm, Friend Island

Bring your art supplies and a picnic lunch, and join the Georgian Bay Land Trust for a plein air painting afternoon on this beautiful island. Pointe au Baril artist Patricia Peacock-Evans will lead a painting demonstration to kick things off. More information

Ojibway Art Show

Cocktail Party & Art Show –

Friday night, August 9, 5:00 – 7:00 pm

Art Show

Saturday and Sunday August 10th & 11th

10:00 am – 4:00 pm Pick up items after 2 pm

Ojibway Hotel Lounge and Dining Room

UpComing Events

Seeking Volunteers for Phragmites Cuts

August 11^th and August 18^th!

The Marine Patrol is ready to tackle the 6 phragmites patches around the Bay again this year and would love all the help they could get! The patches are considerably smaller than last year; but it is still an ongoing problem that, as the community, we need to face.

The phragmites cuts will take place on August 11^th and August 18^th(time TBD). If you, or anyone you know, would like to volunteer, contact us by email, phone (647-545-9283), or stop by our office during our office hours (8:30-9:30 a.m. or 4:00-5:00 p.m. – Thurs-Tuesday). Everyone is welcome to join in this important effort, and we hope to see lots of you out there!

If you have any questions about phragmites or the cuts taking place this year do not hesitate to call, email or stop by! Remember, it is important that the phragmites NOT be cut prior to these dates, as both the cutting and the disposal of the plant is very specific so as not to end up spreading the seeds that could later germinate!

NOTICE OF INITIAL

INFORMATION SESSIONS CONCERNING COMPREHENSIVE ZONING BY-LAW REVIEW

Please be advised that the Corporation of the Township of The Archipelago has initiated a Review of its Comprehensive Zoning By-law pursuant to Section 34 of the Planning Act. As a “kick-off” to this process, the Township will be holding three Public Information Sessions, one at the Municipal office and one in each of the north and south sections of the Township to inform the public on the process and in turn, give the public the opportunity to provide input on matters related to the Comprehensive Zoning By-law.

DATE, TIME AND LOCATION OF PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSIONS SESSION 1: Thursday, August 15th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Council Chamber of the Municipal Office, 9 James Street, Parry Sound SESSION 2: Friday, August 16th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Pointe au Baril Community Centre, 70 South Shore Road, Pointe au Baril SESSION 3: Saturday, August 17th from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the SSCA Schoolhouse, 21 B321 Island (Frying Pan Island), The Archipelago. Read on…

Ongoing Programmes

Many Hands Make For Light Work & Tons More Fun!!

Our joint Village / Islander Habitat build is going very well, thanks in a large part to the Ladies’ Groups and the Family Build Days.

Donations from contractors for roof trusses and new donations to complete other parts of the roof installation have enabled the team to concentrate on framing. Thanks to all those who have helped to make this community effort possible!

Next week there is a First Nation Build Day and Men’s Group scheduled. Can they keep up with the ladies?

On August 11th, a service at the Florence Universal Church in PaB is being dedicated to the Pab Habitat for Humanity PaB project. The village is still looking for a piano player for this service. If you enjoy playing the piano and would like to offer your gift of piano playing, please contact Rob Muir asap.

For Canadians, donate here. Be sure to select the Pointe au Baril fund, and include a message for us.

For Americans, use this link. All donations will go to the PaB Build.

Check out our Facebook page for updates and photos

Of Interest

Rattlesnake 7 Bites Thus Far in Summer 2019

With 7 Bites so far this Summer our Team at the Massasauga Rattlesnake Provincial Antivenom Depot Urge You to Understand How to Avoid a Bite and Know What to DO if Bitten. Read on…

How can I avoid a snakebite?

Do not pick up snakes or other wild animals. This is the most common cause of snakebites.
Do not harass, chase or threaten a snake, the second most common cause of snakebites. It is illegal due to the snake’s protected status.
Stay on the beaten path when walking in rattlesnake habitat and use a flashlight at night.
Always wear ankle-height, close-toed boots or shoes when hiking. The Massasauga has relatively small fangs that are not likely to penetrate leather-hiking boots or loose clothing.
Always watch where you put your hands and feet. Do not reach into areas where you cannot see.
If you hear a rattlesnake, stop moving and determine the snake’s location. Slowly step away and give the snake room to move away.
Protect your pets – keep dogs on a leash when walking though rattlesnake habitat.

What if I get bitten? Stay calm and reduce movement.

Don’t panic! Not all bites result in venom being injected. One quarter of all rattlesnake bites are ‘dry’ bites.
Clean the wound – wash with soap and water
Remove jewellery on the affected limb.
Call emergency services (911) and get to a hospital as quickly and safely as possible.
DO NOT apply ice or a tourniquet.
NOT cut or apply suction to the bite area.

My FIrst Muskie

by Matthew Barclay

I was up at around 7:30, there was nothing else to do but to continue my fishing obsession, as I would normally do on any other morning. I was staying over at a friend’s cottage for the night, a cottage near the open. I started fishing on the left side of the dock, where we catch most of our fish. Took about ten good casts with my usual gear I would use. And I wanted to try out my new lure I had gotten the day before. I changed sides of the dock, hoping to catch a fish or two before anybody woke up.

It’s about 8 in the morning right now and everybody’s still asleep. Now, at this point I’ve almost given up all hope that I catch anything. So I take one last cast.

As I release the line to make the cast, it kind of catches the wind and ends up going around 15 feet out, a horrible cast. So I reel the lure on top of the water to get it in faster. And as it’s about 7 feet from the dock I see this thing swim up to it and grab it, right from the top of the water. As it grabs it I’m thinking, Pike? No, too big. Pickerel? No, too skinny. So I try my best to keep the fish on, and I reel it in next to the dock. And I finally get a real good look at it. It was a muskellunge!

My body is instantly overwhelmed with adrenaline. I grab the net from my boat on the other side of the dock and sweep the fish onto the dock. Out of curiosity I open its mouth. Yep, it has teeth, lots of teeth. Then as I examine the way this beast has been hooked, I hooked it in the gills really badly.

I rush over to the sleeping cabins and wake everybody up. “I GOT A MUSKIE EVERYBODY, IM TELLING YOU, A MUSKIE!” My good friend, Miles, instantly jumps out of bed and sprints over to the dock. We get him unhooked with a pair of pliers, we take a few pics, and away he swims.

Even to this day I can’t believe i caught that monster of a fish.

Ontario Birds – Common Loon

(Click on the picture to listen to one of its calls.)

The Loons are such graceful birds…and there appear to be many PaB babies this year! But the distress call that comes from the adult when their baby loon is taken by predators is gut-wrenching.

Conservation status

Has disappeared from some former nesting areas owing to human disturbance on lakes in summer; acid rain may also reduce food supplies in breeding range. Has been protected on some breeding grounds in the northeast by volunteer “Loon Rangers” who patrol the lakes and help to educate the public about conservation. Projected to lose much of its breeding range as a result of climate change.

Habitat

Wooded lakes, tundra ponds, coastal waters. In summer mainly on lakes in coniferous forest zone, also beyond treeline onto open tundra. Chooses large lakes with ample room for takeoff and with good supply of small fish. In winter mainly on ocean, usually fairly shallow waters close to shore; also on large lakes and reservoirs that remain ice-free.

A long-bodied, low-slung diver. Many people consider the loon a symbol of wilderness; its rich yodeling and moaning calls, heard by day or night, are characteristic sounds of early summer in the north woods. In winter, silent and more subtly marked, Common Loons inhabit coastal waters and large southern lakes. In such places they are solitary while feeding, but may gather in loose flocks at night.

Feeding Behavior

Forages by diving and swimming underwater, propelled mainly by feet. Before diving, may swim on surface with head forward and partly submerged to peer underwater. Small fish swallowed underwater, larger items brought to surface and eaten there.

Eggs

2, rarely just 1. Olive, spotted with brown or black. Incubation by both sexes (female may do more), 24-31 days. Young: Leave nest within 1 or 2 days after hatching, can dive and swim underwater at 2-3 days. Young are tended and fed by both parents; when small, sometimes ride on parents’ backs. Capable of flight at about 10-11 weeks after hatching. One brood per year.

Young

Leave nest within 1 or 2 days after hatching, can dive and swim underwater at 2-3 days. Young are tended and fed by both parents; when small, sometimes ride on parents’ backs. Capable of flight at about 10-11 weeks after hatching. One brood per year.

Diet

Mostly small fish. Includes fish up to about 10″ long such as minnows, suckers, perch, gizzard shad, rock cod, killifish, many others. Also crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic insects, leeches, frogs. Sometimes aquatic plants such as pondweeds and algae.

Nesting

Apparently first breeds at age of 2 years. Nesting territory claimed by “yodeling” song, also by flying in circles over territory with loud calls. In courtship displays, pairs dip bills in water repeatedly; rear up to vertical posture with wings partly spread; race side by side across surface of water. Nest: Built by both sexes. Site always very near water, on island or shore, partly hidden by surrounding vegetation. Nest, often re-used from year to year, is a mound of grasses, twigs, reeds.

Lakes Michigan/Huron Water Levels – July 25, 2019

To better read the charts, please click on the chart for a pdf for the Daily Water level (top) chart and the website for the Water Levels six month projection (bottom)

Found Docks

With the high water, docks are being dislodged from their bases and floating out into the Bay and eventually washing up onto someone else’s island – making it a headache for those that have to deal with it.

This first dock has been found washed ashore behind A 512 that has been sitting there since the late spring. If you recognize this dock, please retrieve it!

A second dock has been located on the back side of Rathlyn Island A – 79, which is actually GBLT land. If you recognize this dock, please come and retrieve it!!!

If you have lost a dock further west or north of these areas, please take a close look – as this may solve your mystery as to what happened to your dock!

Yearbook Updates

Each week, we will provide you a list of names for those who have provided updated information. The details of all the changes since the Yearbook’s came out in April is provided in a printable format for you to print out and insert into your own Yearbook copy!

Will Green

Will Sawyer

In Memoriam

Glenn Alderdice (January 2019) and Barbara Alderdice (July 2019), past PaBIA member, formerly of A510-13, cousin and aunt of Doug Alderdice, nephew and sister-in-law of Carol and the late Larry Alderdice.

Mary (Baillie) Rutherford, past PaBIA member, A150 – 36, wife of the late Jack Rutherford, mother of Michael, sister of John Baillie and Jane Baillie, cousin to many of the Aird descendants in Pointe au Baril, July 2019.