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Volume 17 No. 9
With the weather getting warmer, the greatest hope is that ripening berries in the bush will keep the bears further inland. Last week, there was a glitch in the eBlast if opened on a phone so if you didn’t get a chance to see the articles regarding the bears, it is linked here for you as a pdf document with all the information on it. If anything, print it and save it for future and hope you’ll never have to refer to it!
Last Sunday’s rainstorm recorded almost 4.5 cm (1.75 inches) of rain out near the Lighthouse! Whereas yesterday was a perfect GB Day in Pointe au Baril – blue skies and warm temperatures of 26C/78F. Come join the fun!
Table of Contents In this eBlast:
PaBIA
- Part 3 – Personal Protective Equipment
- PaBIA‘s 2nd Sailing Race of the Season: July 12
- Tentative Derelick Dock Day
- On the Water Boater Coaching – July 9
- Yearbook Update July 5, 2025
OF INTEREST
- OHPS Dock Restoration
- OHPS Annual Meeting Open to All
- Last Chance to Sign Up 8-14 yr old for an OC Sunday Art Experience
- GBB – New Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Updated Poster
- GBB – Slithering Through Summer
- GBA – Update
- GBA – YOUR INPUT IMPORTANT – 2025 Your Lakes, Your Views Survey
- Lake Michigan-Huron Water Levels – July 12 2025
PaBIA
Part 3 – Personal Protective Equipment
If you’re responding to a wildfire, it’s important to make sure that what you’re wearing is appropriate to the activity.
- Non-synthetic clothing – When synthetic clothing such as polyester or spandex is exposed to heat it can melt onto you, causing severe burns. While cotton or other natural fiber clothing might burn, it’s much easier to extinguish and the burns are less severe.
- Closed toed footwear – Sandals or open toed footwear is not appropriate for being in a wildfire environment. Close-toed footwear is a must and leather boots are preferred.
- Leather gloves
- Hearing protection – pumps are loud, having earplugs or earmuffs are recommended.
- Hard Hat – if available
- Whistle – is an effective means to summon help in the event of an injury or other emergency
Click here if you’d like to read all 6 parts of this series.
PaBIA On the Water Coaching – July 9th
Wednesday morning: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Randy Johnson will again offer On-the-Water Boat Maneuverability Coaching for those who want to learn or refresh their knowledge of operating or docking their boats.
His schedule will vary throughout the summer, and we will do our best to keep you posted! Sign up in the Ojibway Office and meet at the Ojibway back docks!!!
Should you need to contact him, you will find his cell number on page 293 of the 2025 Yearbook.
PaBIA’s Saturday Sailing Races are in Middle Reach Near Pym Rock!
Pointe au Baril Sailing is incorporating the next generation of sailors early on. For the past couple of years, Dom Auld, Sam Ireland, and a pack of parents have been running a sailing development program in small, more easily controlled dinghies called Zests, distinctive with their lime green sails. (“Development” is a code word for rigorous sailing, music, food, and ice cream prizes, not necessarily in that order.) This past Saturday, 7 Zest crews joined the regular weekend race, sailing a slightly shorter course. This was the Zests’ tune-up for the three week Junior Series that starts next week. It was a great success. And the crews in the bigger boats loved the company.
And speaking of next week – the Weekend Races will be in the Middle Reach, near Pym Rock. First gun at 2:00 pm. All are welcome.
Want to be added to the sailing email list or for further information, please email Jamie Isbester by either clicking on his name or text/phone him by finding the information on page 292 of the 2025 Yearbook.
Is There Interest in a Derelict Dock Clean Up Day?
In an effort to clean up our shorelines, PaBIA has previously hosted an abandoned dock day. Old, derelict docks were towed into the station, and the township arranged to disassemble and dispose of them.
If you have any abandoned docks that you wish to dispose of (this effort is entirely volunteer based) please email Emma Manners.
There is no date set at the moment, but if there is enough interest we will schedule a disposal date in mid-August.
Of Interest
Ojibway Historical Preservation Society
THE DOCK
our beloved, historic gathering place needs a rebuild
A favourite gathering spot for our Pointe au Baril community
is at the end of its lifespan.
The OHPS is running a “Bucks for Boards” campaign
so new steel underpinnings and a deck
can replace the dock between the fire pump hut and gift shop.
Please donate and receive a tax receipt!
Details here: https://ohps.ca/dock-renewal
Many thanks to those who have already donated!
Thanks to the incredible generosity of donors, approximately $600K has already been raised towards the $750K estimated cost of restoration. And that number keeps ticking up! Let’s raise the rest by the end of July, so our contractor can order materials and get working this fall.
With many thanks in advance!
Notice of OHPS Annual General and
Public Meeting
Please set aside Saturday August 16th at 10:00 am for the
Annual General Meeting of the Ojibway Historical Preservation Society,
in the movie hut.
Come and hear how and why
the magnificent history of the area is being preserved.
Meet our Board and our new nominees.
Last Chance to Sign Up for Kids’ Hands-on Art Experience!
Let their creativity shine at our Kids’ Painting Morning — a fun, hands-on art experience guided by two fantastic professional artists! Come paint alongside artists Kara McIntosh and Bob Hambly and the artwork will be featured in our first-ever Kids’ Gallery during this year’s Ojibway Art Show!
- Sunday, July 13th from 9:00 am to Noon at the Arts & Crafts Hut
- Please call the Ojibway Office 705-366-5085 to reserve a spot, members and non members’ children are welcome!
- Perfect for kids aged 8–14 who love to paint, explore, and express themselves!
This event is FREE and open to all children 8-14 yrs.
in the Pointe au Baril community!
GBB’s Rattlesnake Updated Poster
Georgian Bay Biosphere has produced a new two-sided printable poster about the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake that is well worth the read. This picture of the 3 heads of snakes is a great example of some of the information found in the poster.
Did you know that the eastern massasauga rattlesnake will not seek you out or chase you? Read more to learn all you can!
Slithering Through Summer
As the summer sun warms the landscape, snakes become highly active, engaging in some of the most important stages of their life cycles. As they are ectotherms (cold-blooded), snakes rely on external temperatures to regulate their body heat. In July, the long, sunny days provide perfect conditions for basking, feeding, and reproducing.
Like all wildlife in the region, snakes are deserving of our respect and care. They play essential roles in the environment. Learn much more here from GBB.
Today – Science North “Make It Move” Exhibit to PaB
Today, Science North is bringing their exciting “Make it Move” exhibit to the Pointe au Baril Community Centre]. This free, drop-in event is open to children of Archipelago residents and runs from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The exhibit features hands-on activities like building race cars, launching catapults, and exploring the science behind how our bodies and machines move — all designed to inspire curiosity and learning through play. Check out their Poster here!
GBA Update – June 2025
- Don’t miss the boat! Share your thoughts on boating on the Bay
- Bill 5 has passed, but the fight isn’t over
- Swap your dock: better dock materials for a cleaner Georgian Bay
- New position paper offers guidance on regulating floating accommodations
- Lake Partner Program: renewed thanks to your work!
- Coming soon: have your say on the future of Georgian Bay!
- Don’t give invasives a free ride! Clean, Drain and Dry your vessels
- Recent incidents highlight the importance of wearing lifejackets while paddling
- Experience Indigenous culture: attend a PowWow this summer!
- Reel in some fun during Free Family Fishing Week June 28 – July 6
- Water levels report
2025 Your Lakes, Your Views Survey – It Matters
The GBA is encouraging each one of us to take part in the 2025 Your Lakes, Your Views Survey NOW (click here).
This survey is done every four years and focuses on
- how people use the bay and
- any concerns around boating (think noise, wakes, speeds, etc.).
Georgian Bay was included for the first time in 2021 so it is important that we continue to collect data to see how concerns have changed.
Since 2021, legislation has been moved forward on decibel levels and wakes as a direct result of these surveys.
Why is PaBIA Participation Important?
Your responses will have a direct impact on decision-making, informing key decisions that shape our community. The survey’s findings will:
- Shape GBA committee plans, organizational programs, and policy development with government and law enforcement. Results are shared with the boating industry and decision makers at all government levels.
- Provide valuable, Bay-specific data that will inform decisions benefiting our community.
- Contribute to a continued effort to drive legislative change. The 2021 survey resulted in regulatory changes on wakes and boat noise.
About the Survey:
The survey is confidential, conforms to PIPEDA legislation, and the results will be analyzed by a team from Earnscliffe. The results will be presented in September, and we’ll report back to you so you can share with your members.
Your voice matters and can shape the future of our Bay!
The survey closes on July 21, 2025.
Let’s work together to ensure Georgian Bay perspectives are represented and our voices are heard!
Yearbook Update
With each eBlast, we will provide you a list of names of those members who have provided updated contact information. The details of all the changes since the 2023 yearbook came out in early May are provided in THIS printable format for you to print out and insert into your own Yearbook! Changes as of June 23 are below.
For reporting Markers’ problems
contact Tom Cavers by cell (pg. 267 in yearbook) or email
For contacting Secretary-Treasurer and Asst. Sec. Treas.
Nancy Rogers and Elise Findlay: contact.pabia@gmail-com)
Bannerman, Wendy & Mark (new members)
Water Levels
Lakes Michigan/Huron Water Levels July 8, 2025.
To better read the charts, please click on the chart for the Daily or Six Month Forecast Water level chart and the corresponding websites
Please support PaBIA’s Yearbook Advertisers 2025
This site’s advertising feature was created to provide assistance for special local information & events for existing Yearbook advertisers only.
Emergency
• PaB Nursing Station
• Canadian Coast Guard
Search and Rescue
800-267-7270
• PaBIA Emergency info