PaBIA,
There are further updates for those concerned about the Pine Sawfly and procedures that could be done this spring to assist distaught trees.
There has been a wonderful matching grant by a Pointe au Baril Family for the West Parry Sound Health Centre Foundation!
And we receive an explanation for the whereabouts of the unsed donated funds to the now defunct PaBERT.
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Inside This Newsletter
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 Further Update on Introduced Pine Sawfly (IPS)………….Shelagh Grant |
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Amid very cool weather, rain and even a touch of snow, Jon and I opened our cottage last weekend and did a thorough check of our white pines. New growth was barely visible except for tiny buds, but our white pines appear to have survived with only a couple showing major loss of needles. Warmer weather and more rain is needed to assess the health of the new growth. Last weekend, It felt more like November than May with the buds on our maples and birches showing only a hint of green.
In spite of a major cleanup last fall, we were surprised to find a number of pupa cases attached to lower branches, fortunately within our reach) and delighted to see a pair of chickadees pecking away at the upper branches. Some of the pupa cases were already empty, but we removed and destroyed several dozen still unopened. For those opening their cottage this weekend, we urge you to take time do the same, remembering that one female sawfly can lay up to 60 eggs.
For those who were heavily infested last summer, the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve (GBBR) is suggesting we experiment with a technique used by Simcoe County to control another type of sawfly, one that produces the pine false webworm. As noted, this is purely experimental and up to individuals if they would like to participate. Based on the premise that most of the pupae will spend the winter on the ground, the objective is to attract the female sawfly to lay her eggs on the pine needles of a recently cut branch, which will eventually dry out and fail to provide adequate moisture for the eggs to hatch. See the instructions below:
If you discover larvae hatching on these branches, we can assume it didn’t work – but they will be low down and easily destroyed. Either way, please report the results of your experiment directly to David Bywater, by email or by phone at 705-774-0978.
Again, I urge extreme caution on the use of fertilizers as they are known to promote the growth of toxic blue-green algae which recently caused serious problems in Sturgeon Bay, the Station and Main Channel. Moreover, as the final GBBR report suggests, “the benefit of fertilizing is likely low since the real culprit is lack of soil.” Hence in times of drought, it is important to water stressed trees at least once a week, and ensure that the root area receives a good soaking.
Meanwhile, I hope everyone enjoys a sunny and problem-free holiday weekend!! There is nothing as heartwarming as returning to the Bay.
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| PaBERT Donating Funds to Support PaB Nursing Station |
To clarify, PaBERT is in the process of shutting down our charitable organization status and dissolving. In doing so, we are selling all assets. Once this is completed, all funds generated, along with all funds held in our account, will be donated to the new nursing station as the board felt this would best idea as it of service to both islander and local supporters.
Please know that ALL donations received in the past year or so are sitting in our account at present and we have details of every single donation made to date. These, along with all monies, will be donated to the new nursing station later this year in one lump sum.
If a donor that has made a decent donation, and wishes to have these funds refunded, and not go towards the new nursing station, they may contact PaBERT and a refund cheque will be sent immediately.
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| Significant $500,000 Matching Gift Announced for WPSHCF |
Front: Julia Foster, Jan Ruby Back: Mary Ruby, Victoria Ruby, Joanna Ruby-Armstrong
With this gift, The Family of Walling & Julia Ruby
honour their parents’ legacy of love for our cottaging world.
The Ruby sisters are supporting the West Parry Sound Health Centre with a $500,000 matching gift to honour their parents’ long connection with the area. They wish to ensure that critical health care is delivered locally when they and all their cottage neighbours need it.
At a party held in Toronto May 9, Brett and John LaGamba, owners of PROVO FoodBar hosted more than 80 cottaging families with deep roots either on The Bay or throughout the Lake Joe and Rosseau areas to celebrate the West Parry Sound Health Centre. Long-time Lake Rosseau cottagers, Brett and John generously welcomed guests for an evening culminating in the announcement of the $500,000 gift from the Family of Walling & Julia Ruby.
Two cottagers told compelling stories of their life saving experiences at the West Parry Sound Health Centre.
During the evening, a generous friend of the Foundation committed to a further $50,000 gift. Throughout the summer, ambassadors of the Northern Angel Council will continue to share the news of further gifts as they work toward raising the remaining $450,000 to match the Ruby $500,000.
PROVO FoodBar served delicious appetizers and an exquisite selection of wines supplied by Lenny Panzer of B & W Wines, importers of fine wines and spirits, added to the spirit of the event.
The Northern Angel Council hopes to inspire donations from new or former donors who share the great desire to keep hospital care minutes from the door. Support for the Northern Angel Council has two levels of membership. Five year pledges with an annual gift of $1,000 (or more) over 5 years or $5,000 (or more) over 5 years. Membership has many benefits. To learn more, contact Lynne at 705-746-4540 x 3346.
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| Take Your Cottage Patrol Tags to the Cottage! |
Your 2016 Cottage Patrol tags have been mailed to you, tucked inside the front cover of the Yearbooks. Please remember to take the tags to the cottage and attach them at the end of the summer to the front of the buildings to be patrolled in the off-season. Extra tags may be purchased for $30 each by contacting
Nancy Rogers.
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Sincerely,
Your Directors
Pointe au Baril Islanders’ Association
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PaBIA Board Minutes – October 2012
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| Minutes of PaBIA Directors’ Meeting (Conference Call) April 20, 2016
Directors participating: Julia Sievwright, Tom Scoon, Faye White, Sandy Boeckh, Graham Smith, Dan Kuhn, Nancy Rogers
On the call: Ed Garner for emergency response remarks
Regrets: David Ballentine, Tonia Blenkarn, Hilde Clark, Earl Manners
Ed Garner joined the meeting to inform the Board about Global Rescue, a service for evacuating people in emergencies. This is a transportation service that would be in addition to any medical insurance coverage our members have. More information is needed before PaBIA would include a note in a ‘Connections’ edition e.g. would there be a possibility of a reduction in cost if several members signed up for the service. Ed will report back to the Board when he has more details.
PABERT has been disbanded and its boat and other equipment have either been sold or are for sale. It was suggested that we ask our Township Councillors to participate in a call or to attend the Spring Meeting to discuss any progress on providing medical emergency transportation. Once Dan Kuhn is in Pointe au Baril, he plans to get together with TOA Councillors and West Parry Sound Hospital personnel to continue discussions about the topic.
Official Plan Tom Scoon
PaBIA’s recommendations for the OP were presented by Ian MacLeodlast week. The TOA Planning Department is developing the first draft and it should be delivered within 8 weeks. PaBIA’s OP committee has ongoing contact with our Councillors. Gary French and Ken Williams have some concern that our recommendations might have impacts on some property owners. There are precedents for neighbourhood specific plans so our suggestions do not need to cover the whole Township.
AGM Speaker Faye White
Faye confirmed that Gordon Walker will be our guest speaker at the AGM. He is a Cognashene area cottager and is the Canadian Chair on the International Joint Commission. He will be asked to report on topics relevant to Georgian Bay including any progress made related to water level issues.
Succession Planning Committee Julia Sievwright
The committee (Earl Manners, Scott Sheard, Helen Bryce and Julia Sievwright (ex officio)) have continued to hold regular conference call meetings.
The two GBA representative positions will need to be filled by the AGM. The job description that Earl Manners received from GBA Executive Director Bob Duncanson was circulated to some potential candidates and the committee has contacted others.
The Environmental Portfolio Director’s position will need to be filled by the AGM. Dan Kuhn, PPAC Chair, will contact the members of his committee asking for suggestions for specific positions.
With Julia Sievwright as President, the Legal Issues Chair/Governance Portfolio Director position was vacated. Now that Earl Manners is the Governance Portfolio Director, the team has been looking to identify a lawyer to take on that position. The Committee asked Doug Barrett to fill that vacancy. Therefore the following motion was made and carried:
MOTION: to elect Douglas Barrett as a Director at Large, an interim position until the AGM, to become the Legal Issues Chair. Proposed and seconded by Julia Sievwright, Dan Kuhn.
Spring Directors’ Meeting Nancy Rogers
Invitations to the usual guests and all our committee chairs will be emailed before the end of April. Suggestions for the agenda should be sent to Julia. Closer to the meeting, a draft agenda will be circulated. Ojibway Club President Don Wright will be invited to join the Board before lunch to discuss PaBIA & Ojibway Club activities and mutual support.
Low Water Access Committee
Bill Watts is the Chair of this committee. Dan Kuhn suggested that Bill be added to the agenda of the next Board meeting. It was felt that the process of the permit approval for any future need for dredging be continued.
Meeting adjourned.
Nancy Rogers, Secretary for the Meeting
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