PaBIA eBlast August 1, 2018

Volume 10 No.15

Dear PaBIA,

The weather is gorgeous – but we desperately need the rain! May it rain at night, and be sunny during the day!

This eBlast is packed full of so many events and information – we hope you will check them out – including:

the fires up north, the phone numbers to report infractions and the dos and don’ts during a Total Fire Ban which IS in effect!
the October Municipal Election to elect our next councilors
Sr Regatta
PaBIA’s AGM
Sailing Races
and a host of other events in the upcoming weeks

The Fire Danger is So High the MNR Asks for Your Assistance to Report any Campfires or Fireworks

Yesterday PaBIA’s patrollers and Cath Fairlie, the MP Supervisor, met with Gary Joice, the ToA Bylaw enforcement officer, to discuss how we could work together when we see campfires or fireworks.

He has just communicated to me that the MNR is so concerned about the fire risk that they now are doing night patrols in the PaB and Bayfield islands. He ask that if we, or any islander, observe ANY open burn fires or fireworks that they contact him immediately at 705-774-3630. He will then relay this through to MNR dispatch.

Call Immediately

705-774-3630

If You See a Campfire or Fireworks

They are particularly concerned with the upcoming long weekend which is often a time for fireworks. They also want us to know that the fines are very large and that there will be no leniency or warnings issued during this high risk period.

Parry Sound Henley Fire July 20, 2018

Parry Sound Henley Fire July 26, 2018

Parry Sound Henley Fire July 29, 2018

CBC News – Sunday July 29th

Forest fire update: Crews look to gain edge on Parry Sound 33 today

There were no new fires in the northeast reported by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry on Sunday, but crews continue to battle 39 active forest fires across northeastern Ontario.

Twelve of those fires are not yet under control, including Parry Sound 33, which has caused the evacuation of people from Key Harbour and Henvey Inlet First Nation.

In a release, the ministry said the fire remained at about 7,650 hectares in size, but that winds blowing from the southwest will keep crews busy along the portion closest to Highway 69.

The ministry said the fire was about seven kilometres from the highway overnight into Sunday.

~ TOTAL FIRE BAN REMAINS IN EFFECT! ~

We are NOW in a Restricted Fire Zone

If you need heat for cooking or warmth in a Restricted Fire Zone, you can only use under strict restrictions:

Gas or propane stove
Charcoal
Wood burning stove or furnace in your residence

The GBA put out at the end of last week an announcement in this regard. They reported that the Key River Area Association, is suffering from a massive fire in their area. An undetermined number of their camps/cottages have been lost and most of the area has now been evacuated. It has now been established that this fire was caused by workmen on the construction project for the Henvey Inlet Wind farm carrying out some blasting, which was not permitted, due to the total fire ban in place. Our thoughts are with the families.

Please read more about what you

can and cannot do in a restricted Fire Zone.

Township Elections – October 2018

In the PaBIA Connections Update circulated on June 20, 2018, we wrote, “There is a Township election for our next Councilors to serve on your behalf for the next 4 years. Over the past several years, many of our members have asked us, in one way or another, ‘Why don’t more people run for Council?'” In light of this, we brought your attention to a Candidate’s Information Session that was held in Parry Sound the following evening and directed those who could not attend to the website of the Township of the Archipelago where detailed information was available for possible candidates.

Now that the process for declaring is closed, the PaBIA Board has been advised that two of its current Directors, Earl Manners and Scott Sheard, will be running for Council for Ward 3 in the upcoming Municipal Election as will the incumbents, Ken Williams and Gary French. We are also now aware that there will be 3 candidates for Ward 1: Tom Lundy, Greg Andrews and Laurie Emery. With Peter Ketchum stepping down, the Reeve will be, by acclamation, Bert Liverance, a current councilor from San Souci.

Earl and Scott have notified the PaBIA Board that, as of Monday, July 30, both are taking a leave of absence from the Board to run their campaigns and to ensure there will be no conflicts or appearances of conflicts. While we will miss their thoughtful and conscientious participation on the Board, we respect their decision to take on this new endeavour.

David Sharpe, our Marketing Director, will also be taking a leave of absence as of July 30 in light of his offering to manage their campaign, but will return to his role as Director of Marketing upon completion of the vote in late October.

As promised, PaBIA’s Board intends to direct a series of questions to each declared candidate for both Ward 1 and 3 to give us all a better sense of where they stand on matters of concern to our community. Their responses will be shared with you. Our aim is to ensure that each voter has the opportunity to be informed on the candidates for whom they are voting.

We also encourage all those eligible to vote in the October 22, 2018 election. Information as to who is eligible and instructions on how to do so electronically will be provided in due course.

Keeping you objectively informed.

~ WEEK BEGINNING August 1 ~

(Wed to Wed)

PaBIA’s Flying Scot Race

FRIDAY, August 3 – 10:30 a.m.

Regan Ojibway Docks

Scot race week is going through to today and anyone, (this means you), who has an interest in sail racing is invited to come and get on a boat for a few quick races. Come for the morning, it may change your cottage life!

A correction of time and location for this Flying Scot Race…

Please meet at the Regan Ojibway Cottage docks at 10:30 on Friday, August 3.. The Race will begin at 11:00…with the course to be determined.

Questions, please contact Margie Wheler.

Senior Regatta – Saturday August 4 @ 11:30 a.m.

ToA Large Item Pick Up Day – Saturday August 4

Sunday, August 5

Join Us for

9:00 am

PaBIA Member

Pancake Breakfast

for the whole family

Ojibway Dining Room

Followed by

PaBIA’s

Annual General Meeting

Our 2018 Guest Speaker ~

Vince Pawis, Sr.

Vince Pawis Sr. (left in the pic) seen here receiving the Order Ontario, the highest award granted by the Province.

We are honoured to have Vince Pawis, Sr., (son of Irene Pawis) agree to speak at our AGM! Vince is the Executive Director of the White Buffalo Road Healing Lodge, and will share with us a bit of his work as he facilitates the rehabilitation of troubled youth.

His interests include the mental, physical and spiritual well-being of Aboriginal, Inuit, Metis and Canadians. He works to develop positive working relationships with all levels of government, educational institutes, First Nations, Tribal Councils, regional and national Indigenous organizations.

All members of PaBIA are then invited to join us for PaBIA’s Annual General Meeting to immediately follow breakfast.

PaBIA’s Agenda for the Annual General Meeting will include:

iiiiii9:00 a.m.PaBIA Pancake Breakfast

iiiiiiii9:30 AGM Meeting

Adopting AGM Minutes from August 2017
Approval of Financial Report
Election of PaBIA Directors
President’s Report
Portfolio (Director’s) Reports
Guest Speaker: Vince Pawis

While at the AGM, be sure to sign the

Thank you Card for Patty Riches,

Retiring Nurse for over 33 years at

Pointe au Baril Nursing Station.

At the meeting you will have time to sign the card that will be presented to her at her retirement party on August 11th. More on that below!

PaBIA Sailing: SUNDAY August 5^th @ 2:00 p.m.

We raced around Lighthouse Bay course this week. The course is squeezed into the area south of Double Island and west of the main channel. Oldfield Island gets caught in the middle if there is a westerly wind blowing. Then the fleet theads through the narrows to the south of Oldfield on the way to the leeward mark. The race becomes much more animated as 16 boats get put through this sausage maker together where wind gets stolen and race positions are upended.

Thanks to Margie and Rob Wheler for hosting a great Rendezvous at their place overlooking Brooker and the open Bay.

The race this coming long weekend is being held this Sunday at 2:00, the course is out on the Open, on Georgian Bay, over somewhat deeper shoals. Go out Empress Channel to rig and sail.

The Rendezvous will be held at Jane and Bob Mosley’s at A379-1.

~ WEEK BEGINNING August 8 ~

(Wed to Wed)

Ojibway Art Show

Friday, August 10-12

Friday – Everyone is invited!

xxxCocktails from 5-7 p.m.

Saturday

xxxBreakfast with the Artists

xxxArt Show 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Sunday

xxxArt Show 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

lkd(after 2 p.m. pickup of artwork)

How many of us are better off because Patty was there at the Nursing Station to care of us and/or our loved ones through the years…

FAREWELL TO PATTY

Come celebrate our Nightingale

Patty Riches

Retirement after almost 33 years

at The Pointe au Baril Nursing Station.

SATURDAY AUGUST 11TH

1:30 P.M. until 4:00 P.M.

at THE POINTE AU BARIL COMMUNITY CENTRE

Coffee, tea, canapés and fruit will be served.

LANDMARK SPEAKER SERIES

Migratory Bird Research

with Dr. Ryan Norris

(University of Guelph)

August 11th, 1-3 pm

at the Massie cottage (A-150-12)

Join us for an informal afternoon as we learn from one of Canada’s leading bird researchers about the latest efforts to track and understand bird migration. Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP to Janet Brough and to receive location details.

GBBR – State of the Bay

Sunday August 12

Movie Hut

10 a.m. – 12 noon

David Bywater is an Environmental Scientist with the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve. Based in Parry Sound, David leads on conservation programs including State of the Bay – an ecosystem health report for eastern Georgian Bay.

The State of the Bay reports on 11 ecosystem health indicators, such as water quality, fish communities, wetlands, landscape biodiversity, and climate change. Each of the indicators in provides a summary about one aspect of Georgian Bay. They were recommended, analyzed, and reviewed by experts. Together they provide a snapshot of the health of Georgian Bay and provide a baseline for tracking results in future years.

PHRAGMITES CUT – AUGUST 12 & 19

Sunday, August 12 @ 12:30 p.m.

The Marine Patrol partnering with Georgian Bay Forever is planning invasive phragmites cuts on August 12th and August 19th and need volunteers. It’s important for the PaB community to come together and work to solve this problem that threatens every corner of the bay. If you are interested, please email the Marine Patrol NOW.

PLEASE CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING!

Habitat for Humanity

First Pointe au Build

‘Shovel in the Ground’ Event Monday, August 13 – 11 a.m.

The Habitat Team has received adequate donations to start the house engineering process. Pictured laying out the house location on the lot at 126 North Shore is Bob Fisher, islander, Kieron Bayley, village resident and retired engineer and Rob Mertz, visitor and volunteer. It takes people from all walks of like to build a Habitat home.

Those companies and associations who donate to the project will be recognized on the large sign in the village seen here under construction by volunteers Coco Brennan, village resident, three generations of the Bob Suter islander family and Tony Lee from CCY General Store in the village (below)

Many who have been thinking about supporting the Habitat house build in Pointe au Baril are stepping up to help. We are asking for donations to buy safe new tools and materials. Just be sure to enter Pointe au Baril Project under ‘FUND‘

Just this week PaBIA made a generous donation. BNIA (Bayfield-Nares Islanders’ Association) “is pleased to stand with our PaBIA neighbors on this great project supporting the local communities”.

A Shovel in the Ground event is planed for Monday, August 13th at 11:00am at 126 North Shore Road, 1/2 mile past Desmasdons Drive. Come meet with staff members from the Habitat OGN office and some of the Pointe au Baril Build team.. Ask questions and see where the home will be built.

For questions about American tax receipt, please call Kim Woodcock, CEO at (705) 646-0106 ex 206.

Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North

117A-505 Muskoka Road, Bracebridge, ON, P1L 1T4

~ Looking Ahead WEEK BEGINNING August 22 ~

(Wed to Wed)

SOCIAL – U35 Tennis Tournament and Pig Roast –

Saturday, August 25^th

We’re excited to introduce the U35 Tennis Tournament and Pig Roast as a new event this year, offered to anyone aged 21 to 35. The tennis tournament will start at 2pm and go into the early evening, with dinner beginning at 5pm. The event costs $40 per person and is open to both Ojibway Club members and non-members so spread the word! Registration is currently open in the office.

If you have any questions feel free to contact Christie Barrett or Robbie Gunn.

~ Timeless Topics ~

Our Georgian Bay Association In Action

Georgian Bay Association issued a press release last week in response to the observation that the new Hydro line being constructed along Highway 69 here in our area posed a fire threat much like what is believed to be the cause of the “Parry Sound 33” fire further north. The GBA wrote to Minister Yurek and copied Premier Doug Ford requesting a halt to the present construction in our area. MNRF has advised that there is an ongoing investigation into the cause of the fire.

Ontario Government asked to Halt Hydro Line Construction to Avoid Further Forest Fires

“An Ontario Forest Fire allegedly caused by construction work at the Henvey Inlet First Nation wind farm project site has been sweeping through the Key River and French River communities along Georgian Bay and inland and is still not under control.

“Georgian Bay Association has asked the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, Jeff Yurek, and Premier Doug Ford to call a halt to construction work that might cause further fires on the extensive new Hydro line associated with this wind farm project.

“Extreme dry conditions require that everyone abides by the total fire ban in effect throughout this area and ceases any activity that could cause a fire. The “Parry Sound 33” fire continues to destroy homes and communities in the area. Action needs to be taken to avoid any further destruction.”

$50 of your PaBIA membership fees go to the support of GBA

State of the Bay:

Wetlands

The coastal wetlands of Georgian Bay are essential for numerous amphibians, birds and reptiles. They also help to control floods and filter pollutants from rainfall. Unfortunately, wetlands are at risk from shoreline modifications, invasive species and climate change.

Using satellite images, a study by Georgian Bay Forever found that between 1987 and 2013, there was a 7% increase in wetland cover in northern Georgian Bay and a 10.8% loss in southern Georgian Bay, with an overall net loss of 3.8%.

It is important to understand that it isn’t the overall loss that we should focus on, but the local environmental impact. Changes to water levels and wetlands affects the types of plants and animals that can survive.

Focusing on local impacts also means we can get involved in protecting and monitoring wetlands. The Marsh Monitoring Program encourages volunteers to record trends in marsh birds and amphibians around the Great Lakes.

The Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System is another reporting tool where you can submit invasive species sightings by uploading a photo. This information is then readily available for scientists and the public so invasive species are more easily managed.

Visit State of the Bay to find more ways to get involved in wetland conservation and monitoring!

The Thrill of Catching Your First Fish

A lifetime of fishing memories has begun! The photo shows Sam and Alex Short, ages 8 and 5, the children of Jennifer Metcalfe Short, and the boys’ grandfather Bob Metcalfe, on the occasion of the boys catching their first-ever bass! A beauty! Congratulations Sam and Alex, and many thanks for the photo Bob!

If you have a story and photos about fishing in P au B this summer, please let me know and I’ll feature it in PABIA eblasts.

Have you caught a walleye or muskellunge with a tag attached to it? The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and other partners started a tagging project in 2016 to learn about population size, fish health and fish movements. Here’s what to do if you do catch a fish with a plastic tag on it: Please call 519-371-0420 or email Jason Ritchie. The information they are looking for is:

Location of Capture: A GPS waypoint is best but otherwise as much detail about where the fish was captured so that we can pin point the location on a map
Tag number: This information is critical so please make every effort to get the number sequence correct
Tag Colour, description and location on the fish’s body: MNRF tags will be found below the back dorsal fin towards the front of the fish, however Lake Huron is co-managed by different agencies and the MNRF is not the only agency tagging fish. Other agency tags could be different colours and in different locations on the fish. We will ensure partner agencies get tag information from any tag reported to us. A digital photograph of the tag is helpful if possible. Please email to the address listed above.
Fork Length: tip of mouth with the jaw closed to where the two lobes of the tail join

Lost & Found

This was found in the Shawanaga Channel near Turning Island. It is now at the Bradshaw’s 501A1 if the owner wants to pick them up.

Yearbook Update

Each week, we will provide you a list of names for those who have provided updated information. However, the details of those changes is provided in a printable format for you to print out and insert into your own cottage copy!

Con & Tracey Torkopoulos