Serving Lake Erie’s North Shore Friday April 3, 2015
Posing before the plunge
INSIDE A Chili reception at the Legion in Port Stanley Visitors were asked to taste each selection and judge which they preferred for flavour and which group had the best presentation. STORY PAGE 2
Canadian tall ship Liana's Ransom crew rescued by U.S. Coast Guard The ship has been a frequent visitor to Port Stanley for Tall Ship weekends. STORY PAGE 3
Above: One of the sixteen teams that entered the Polar Bear Dip organized by the Port Stanley Volunteer Firefighters Association.
Andrew Hibbert
Port Burwell Report As share of blame rests on those who opposed the project and refused to visit or promote it one person at a time. STORY PAGE 3
The beaver is a beloved national symbol Village residents are dealing with spring flooding made worse by a newly built beaver dam just south of the hamlet. STORY PAGE 4
Bayham News It was a relief to learn last week that the United Nations Development Programme will be funding a local initiative STORY PAGE 4
LOOK AHEAD Community Events
The March 28th event was organized by the Port Stanley Volunteer Firefighters Association and was a fundraiser for Childcan, a charity that helps children with cancer and their families. This was the first in what is expected to become an annual Polar Bear Dip. The day was very successful raising an estimated $14,700 for Childcan and was well organized with Port Stanley Volunteer Firefighters Association rescue workers on hand to ensure the safety of all participants. One of the organizers, Firefighter Darryl Gratton, was on hand to oversee the event but was also planning to make the plunge. The swimmers each raised money to participate in the
Right: Another one of the entrants braving the icy water aided by a Volunteer Firefighter.
swim with an estimated 74 people actually entering the water. Because the lake was still iced over the Firefighters had to cut a hole in the ice big enough to accommodate teams of up to nine people as well as the rescue workers who spent the who time standing in the water clad in survival suits. Most of the swimmers ran up to the edge of the pool that had been cut in the ice and would step in with the assistance of the rescue workers. Many would then duck under the frigid water to complete their swim but a few actually cannon balled into the lake or paddled around before they
climbed out. Fortunately Childcan had coffee and hot chocolate on hand for the swimmers. I spoke to Renee Simmons a Childcan family support worker who said “Childcan is a registered, community based charity located in London. We support children who are being treated for cancer and their families with our Parking Support Program, our Family Meal Voucher Program and other out of pocket expenses”. Renee said she was very pleased with the success of the event. The afternoon was summed up by one of the Dippers William Doon of St. Thomas who said “It was cold but five minutes of discomfort to me was worth it to help those kids who suffer all the time. Childcan, it’s a good cause”.
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Classifieds & Service Directory Page 7 Business Roladex
The day was bright and sunny but the wind chill made the -2 degree day feel like -12. For the estimated 150 spectators who were bundled up on Port Stanley’s Little Beach it wasn’t too bad but for the more than 70 people in bathing suits who had signed up to do the Polar Bear Dip it was quite chilly even before they entered the water.
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The Wind Turbine Battle Heats Up! Ric Walford and Jamie Littlejohn,
nounced “doubt”) for short.
Spokespersons On behalf of DDOWT
DDOWT members began by researching the positives and negatives of IWT as experienced by other regions, provinces, and countries. The results we found reinforced our assumptions that we needed to actively oppose this industrialization of our rural community. Some of the concerns are: the huge cost to Ontario ratepayers for these projects; the health issues that many people experience who are forced to live close to IWT; the loss in residential property valuation when IWT are built near-by; the damage that is caused to the natural environment, wildlife, and farmland; the division such projects create in small rural communities.
On behalf of DDOWT, we are writing this note to raise awareness in the community that the battle against Industrial Wind Turbine projects coming to Dutton/Dunwich (D/D) and other local communities, is just beginning. In early 2013 a number of community members became aware that a Chicago-based company named Invenergy, had been quietly optioning farmland in Dutton/Dunwich, with a goal of building Industrial Wind Turbines (IWT) in our community. As more information came to light, many more community members came forward with concerns. This group of citizens formed an opponent group, which they called Dutton/Dunwich Opponents of Wind Turbines, or DDOWT (pro-
After holding a public information session about the pros and cons of InContinued On Page 4
Page 2 • The Lake Erie Beacon • Friday April 3, 2015 Andrew Hibbert Friday March 20th saw another night of festivities at the Port Stanley Legion where this year the Port Stanley Lioness Club hosted the 21st Annual Great Chili Cook Off. This year 15 participating chefs/groups created a tremendous variety of chili flavours ranging from sweet to extra spicy. It’s truly amazing that you can take the common bean and create so many different aromas and tastes. Visitors were asked to taste each selection and judge which they preferred for flavour and which group had the best presentation. As well a panel of three judges made their own choices. The Judges were Central Elgin Mayor David Marr, Hyland Pharmacist Anna Cook, and Realtor Richard Haddow. The Peoples Choice for First Place was awarded to Extendicare and Chef Earl Wilson with second place going to Port Stanley Foodland and third place, Kettle Creek Inn. The Judges Choices were first place Extendicare, second
A Chili reception at the Legion in Port Stanley
Top: A great crowd at the Chili Cook Off estimated at over 160. Above: The Chili Cook Off Judges, Realtor Richard Haddow left, Hyland Pharmacist Anna Cook and Central Elgin Mayor David Marr. Left: Winners of both the People’s Choice and the Judge’s Choice awards Port Stanley Extendicare. Right: Best Table Presentation winner the Port Stanley Legion and below some of the Chefs. place Tapas Bar and Grill with third place going to Kettle Creek Inn.
Published by Publisher/Editor andrew@lebeacon.ca Kettle Creek Publishing Ltd. Andrew Hibbert Advertising 204 A Carlow Road Linda Hibbert linda@lebeacon.ca Port Stanley, ON N5L 1C5 Diane Sura East Elgin diane@lebeacon.ca Telephone: 519.782.4563 David Crober West Elgin Letters to the Editor andrew@lebeacon.ca The Lake Erie Beacon is a community newspaper published every second Friday by Kettle Creek Publishing Ltd. Over 6000 copies are delivered by Canada Post to homes, apartments and businesses along the north shore of Lake Erie. The Beacon is also available through Variety Stores, Restaurants, Inns and B&B’s in Dutton, West Lorne, Rodney, St. Thomas, Copenhagen and Port Stanley bringing our distribution to 6800. The Lake Erie Beacon shall not be liable for changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of advertisements or other similar material that has been included in this publication. We reserve the right to edit all submissions including letters to the editor which must be signed and include your name, address and phone number, be in good taste and follow the laws of libel and slander. Anonymous letters will not be published. Articles written by freelance writers do not necessarily reflect the views of The Lake Erie Beacon.
The Advertising Deadline is: Friday Noon Prior to Publication. Member: Member: Member: Member: Member:
Distribution Audited by CCNA Ontario Community Newspaper Association Canadian Community Newspaper Association St. Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce Dutton/Dunwich Chamber of Commerce Elgin Tourism Services
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Best table Presentation was awarded to the Port Stanley Legion, second place to Pepper Tree Spice Co. and in third place Barnacles Bar and Grill. There were an estimated 160 adults, and children in attendance and it was a great night. The Lioness of Port Stanley want to thank all the competitors who entered their chili, the businesses who donated gifts, the Legion and the residents of our great community who attended the evening. A special thanks to the judges. The Lioness ladies did a great job of preparing a chili supper for all those who attended. Thanks also to the Lions Club who provided support services for the evening. The evening was wrapped up with draw/prize winners for both adults and children who attended and everyone went away happy. Proceeds from the Lioness Chili Cook Off go to many local worthy causes.
The Lake Erie Beacon • Friday April 3, 2015 • Page 3
Canadian tall ship Liana's Ransom crew rescued by U.S. Coast Guard
PORT BURWELL REPORT Allan Spicer
Yes, Let’s Pull Together As an ardent supporter of the Ojibwa project from Day One, I feel let down. The project as it stands today is a dismal failure. It need not have been. Getting it here was not half the fun. The project could have been managed far more adeptly. One shinning light was the quality of the visitation experience by a group of marvelous tour guides. Visitors saw the sub tour as a step back in our history, an hour of unique entertainment. The Elgin Military Museum operated under a veil of secrecy, keeping the Municipality, the loan guarantor, those who opposed the project and those who supported the concept in the dark. Fund raising was an abject failure. Good advice to better manage the attraction was an exercise in futility. As share of blame rests on those who opposed the project and refused to visit or promote it one person at a time. Volunteers and supporters did just that. Yes, we need new management. We need to end the Mason Dixon divide at County Road 45. Bayham must rally as a community and make the Ojibwa rise like a phoenix to become a real asset, not just a black cloud over our future.
Web News Report
The Liana Ransom in Port Stanley Harbour during HarbourFest
GLOUCESTER, Mass. -- The captain of a Nova Scotia tall ship that was cripnorth, so it didn't make much sense to pled off Massachusetts says a series of frustrating equipment failures eventu- turn back," he said. ally forced the crew to leap to the safety As the ship continued, its starboard of a rescue boat. engine began to malfunction and reThe ship has been a frequent visitor quired increased amounts of oil, raising concern the vessel couldn't motor to Port Stanley for Tall Ship weekends. the remaining distance, said Tilley. Two motorized lifeboats operated The captain said he decided to atby the U.S. Coast Guard safely evacutempt to sail, but strong winds tore the ated the nine crew members of the Liana Ransom early Monday morning. foresail and the foresail and the mainsail became tangled in the mast. The 26-metre, steel-hulled ship was He said the generator also failed, under tow and was expected to be arhe was concerned about losing and rive in Portsmouth Harbor, New with the U.S. coast guard, contact Hampshire, by midnight Tuesday, said been monitoring the vessel had which coast guard spokesman Ross Ruddell. since it was notified at 12:35 a.m. Ryan Tilley, the 24-year-old captain The two coast guard lifeboats had of the Nova Scotia vessel, said the resto tow the vessel when it attempted cue unfolded after several mechanical kilometres east of 93 about was breakdowns. Gloucester, but rough seas forced them "In all my times in sailing I'd never to cut the tow line, Ruddell said. seen that many things go wrong that The coast guard crew faced winds of quickly. I thought it was quite improbable but I guess we're living proof it can about 55 kilometres an hour and waves swelling to three metres as they tried to happen," he said in a telephone interget all nine crew members off the ship view from Gloucester after the rescue. and onto the two lifeboats, the The Ransom left the southwest spokesman added. coast of Nova Scotia at supper time on Each of the nine members jumped Friday bound for the Caribbean and by the deck of the tall ship onto the from early Saturday its port engine had vessels. motorized failed. Ruddell said one man suffered a Tilley said when the engine failed, injury when he leapt onto one of head the ship had already travelled about boats. He was flown by helirescue the half the distance to Cape Cod, and he copter to Massachusetts General Hosdecided to continue on. pital, while the remaining eight crew "It was about the same distance either way, and the winds were from the Continued On Page 7
HealthTalk Epilepsy- Paint the Town Purple What do Barney the dinosaur, the musician Prince and Epilepsy have in common? They have all chosen purple as their definitive colour. In 2008, a nine year old girl from Nova Scotia, Cassidy Megan wanted to raise awareness about epilepsy. She chose the colour because in some cultures the lavender flower is often associated with solitude, which is representative of the feelings of isolation many people affected by epilepsy and seizure disorders often feel. She wanted to raise awareness and for people with epilepsy to know they are not alone. Since that day, March 26th is the day that people are encouraged to wear purple to show their support.
Steve Bond, BScPhm, RPh, CDE Pharmacist/Manager
discharge is restricted to a given (localized) area in the brain, the seizure is termed partial. If the entire brain is involved, the seizure is generalized. This classification was determined by The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Commission. The newest recommendations from ILAE divide seizures into generalized and focal.
A number of medications are currently used in the treatment of epilepsy. Understanding the type of seizure is important as different medications are used for different types of seizures. People who have more than one type of seizure may have to take more than one kind of drug. However, like any other treatment for disorder, docEpilepsy is a condition of the brain that is tors try to control the symptoms with one drug if characterized by recurrent seizures and affects 1 possible. As the number of medications inin 100 Canadians. A seizure is a brief, abnorcreases so does the risk of side effects and intermal, excessive surge of electrical activity in the actions. Whichever medications are used, it is brain that produces a sometimes noticeable important to take them regularly and when change in behaviour. A seizure may appear as a asked, and have a blood test done for the levels. brief stare, an unusual movement of the body, a So on March 26th, break out your purple (or change in awareness, or a convulsion. A seizure dress like Barney) and show people affected by may last a few seconds or a few minutes. epilepsy that they are not alone. Seizures are generally described in two major Take care of yourself and each other. groups of seizures, primary generalized seizures For more information, check out our blog: and partial seizures. If the excessive electrical yurekpharmacy.wordpress.com 519 Talbot Street, St. Thomas 631-3330 PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION AVAILABLE CONVENIENT HOURS: Monday to Friday 9 am - 9 pm, Saturday 9 am - 6pm, Sunday 10 am - 4 pm
Page 4 • The Lake Erie Beacon • Friday April 3, 2015
The beaver is a beloved national symbol. Except in Wallacetown Allan Kirk Village residents are dealing with spring flooding made worse by a newly built beaver dam just south of the hamlet located in Dutton-Dunwich. The dam is blocking a culvert that carries the areas catchbasin water to a local creek.
The Wind Turbine Battle Heats Up!
as follows: One of 21 recently approved on-shore wind companies, Invenergy has been given the goahead to submit an IWT proposal. New guidelines for submitting a Continued From Page 1 proposal are being finalized by the dustrial Wind Turbines, our IESO (Independent Electricity SysDutton/Dunwich Municipal Council tem Operator), and are expected to decided to survey all of the constituents be ready March 3rd, 2015, for energy of our Municipality, giving them an op- companies to act upon. Proposal portunity to state their opinion about submissions will be accepted from IWT. The survey was conducted in Jan- June 1 – Sept 1, 2015. Decisions will uary last year, and responses were rebe made quickly, and turned by over 50% of the voting-age proponents/projects selected for population of D/D. This is far more reapproval will be notified Nov-Dec sponse than most jurisdictions get in 2015. Provincial or Federal elections. This is The proposals will be evaluated an important issue for our community on economic and technical criteria and they spoke loud and clear! 84% of with at least some weight being those that responded DID NOT favour given to the degree of support from IWT’s for D/D. the local community and the As a result of this strong survey relandowners who have given options sult, as well as other information gath- to their land for this potential projering that D/D Council undertook, ect. If you have signed an agreement Council voted unanimously on March or option for your land, or are ap12, 2014, to declare Dutton/Dunwich proached to do so, please reach out be allowed by the Ontario Government to the DDOWT group for additional to remain an Industrial Wind Turbineinformation. Expressing your Free Zone. Since that time Council has opposition to this project is the been lobbying the Provincial Governonly option to avoid the undement to decline any IWT projects that sirable consequences for the enmay be submitted for our community. tire community. Please see the It is gratifying to have a Council that contact information below to voice has responded so clearly, to the vast your opinion on this important matmajority of its citizens. ter. But the battle is nowhere near over! Because of the Green Energy Act as created by the Ontario Liberal Party, any decision-making regarding placement of IWT has been removed from local governments. Unfortunately, the decision made by our elected Council has not influenced Invenergy to re-consider their decision to build an IWT project in Dutton/Dunwich. A wind turbine cooperative has been established, made up of local farmers who stand to gain financially from building this project, at the expense of the majority who do not want the project. Erie Breezes Energy Cooperative represents about 100 families in the community, which is approximately 10% of the families in Dutton/Dunwich. The purported 17,000 acres of farmland that have been optioned represent about 20% of the acreage of D/D. The process of applying for a contract to build these turbines is evolving
By the end of this year we will find out in Dutton/Dunwich, whether we are going to have to live with Industrial Wind Turbines spinning in our community for the next 20+ years, and live with the irreversible damage to our environment from these massive industrial structures. If you are opposed to these developments, now is the time to contact: • your MPP, Jeff Yurek, at 519-6310666 or jeff.yurekco@pc.ola.org • Energy Minister, Bob Chiarelli at 416-327-6758 or bchiarelli.mpp@liberal.ola.org • Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne at 416-325-1941 or kwynne.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org For more information contact DDOWT - info@ddowt.ca or 519488-1640.
Up until last year that wouldn't have been a problem — workers would remove the dam and install a metal guard to stop the beavers from rebuilding. But a recent change in legislation now means that the beavers and their dam is staying put — at least for the time being. The problem is that no one can determine if the colony has produced offspring without dismantling the dam. And it is now illegal to move or bother the beavers while they are rearing their young. Baby
beavers, called 'Kits', are vulnerable to any disturbance during the first months of their lives and won’t be movable until at least June.
Locals are not impressed. "Beavers are cute and all, but my basement is wet", says home owner Dave Ivanski. “My sump pump can’t keep up because the rain that falls on to the road allowance heads straight for my basement." The situation is made more complicated by overlapping government involvement. In 1925, the Provincial Government established "Kings Highways" throughout the province. Highway number 3 ran though Wallacetown. In 1998, the province gave municipalities control of the highway again but many of the improvements that were built under the road stayed with the province. In other words, the water that falls on the road is the municipality’s problem. But the beavers are on provincial property, and beavers on Provincial Crown land can’t be
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touched until the babies leave. Mr. Ivanski has been in touch with local officials but to no avail. "I don’t care what level of government is in charge, but my dogs do nothing but bark at the drain in front of the house all day. Those beavers must be putting on quite a party down there. ” The beavers themselves seem to be enjoying their location. Somewhere behind the dam, and inside the culvert is the actual beaver lodge. Mr. Lignum Dentium is from Friends of Rodents Canada and is a beaver behaviour expert. "A colony this large would probably have a very big lodge. Beavers like to be able to come and go though various entrances so the lodge is likely where the sewer pipes connect." That would put the lodge somewhere under the North West corner of where Currie Road meets Talbot Line. "Some of the people I have been talking with say that when there is no traffic they can hear gnawing coming from the drain at the corner, so that's probably where it is." But one local resident has the answer. John Mairleitner says his basement at the Tall Tales Café hasn't been dry for a month. He’s ready to take matters into his own hands. "The flooding is one thing, but the beavers are getting aggressive. They stand out by the gas pumps and they scare the customers. Last night I caught one gnawing on the gas hose – they’re a safety risk.” Mr. Mairleitner says that if someone doesn’t do something soon, there may be some new items on the menu. "I hear that beavers taste a lot like chicken... and the wife could use a new coat.”
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The Lake Erie Beacon • Friday April 3, 2015 • Page 5
Lake Erie Committee Announces Walleye and Yellow Perch Harvest Levels for 2015 Great Lakes Fishery Commission
fish, Ontario 1.771 million fish, and Michigan 0.240 million fish. Because the majority of harvest comes from the western portion of Lake Erie, jurisdictions in the eastern end of the lake are outside the TAC area. Harvest limits in the eastern basin are established separately by Ontario, Pennsylvania, and New York and remain consistent with lakewide conditions and objectives.
YPSILANTI, MI – Fishery managers from Michigan, New York, Ohio, Ontario and Pennsylvania—the five jurisdictions that manage the Lake Erie fishery—agreed to a total allowable catch (TAC) of 4.114 million walleye and 10.528 million pounds of yellow perch for 2015. (Walleye are allocated by number of fish; yellow perch are allocated in pounds.). These TAC recom- Yellow Perch mendations represent a 3% increase in The Lake Erie Committee recomallowable catch for walleye and a 5% mended a 2015 binational TAC of decrease in yellow perch. 10.528 million pounds of yellow perch, The Lake Erie Committee’s TAC rec- a decrease from last year’s allocation of ommendations are consistent with the 11.081 million pounds. The generally stable yellow perch TACs are indicative status of Lake Erie’s fish populations, taking into the account the goal of sta- of the ongoing, stable status of yellow ble harvest. The Lake Erie Committee perch in Lake Erie. In east central basin of Lake Erie (“management unit 3”), it believes that both walleye and yellow noted that mixed signals between was perch populations are relatively stable, fisheries survey data and model perwith some indication of improved year formance occurred. Recognizing this, classes, relative to the average, of both and to help stabilize the species in 2014. The individual provinTAC and reduce imcial and state governments adhere pacts on stakeholders, to and imthe Lake plement Erie the TAC recComommendamittee tions decided consistent to go slightly above with their the maximum of the respective regulations and recommended allowable management objectives. harvest range. This was done to The Lake Erie Committee operates achieve no more than a 20% reduction by consensus and meets periodically to in the TAC; 20% is a “stability” benchanalyze and discuss detailed, lakewide mark currently recommended to the biological assessments that inform LEC by LEPMAG for walleye. The protheir TAC recommendations. The Lake posed TAC, after deliberations with Erie Committee also supports the Lake stakeholders through the LEPMAG Erie Percid Management Advisory process, reflects the committee’s interGroup, or LEPMAG, a structured est in maintaining stability in harvest process that engages commercial and while ensuring yellow perch sustainrecreational fishers. LEPMAG, which ability. has existed since 2010, reflects the The five jurisdictions on the lake committee’s interest in involving the share Lake Erie’s yellow perch based on fishing community in actions related to an area-based formula. Under the 2015 management of Lake Erie’s percid fishTAC recommendation, Ontario will reeries. ceive 5.052 million pounds, Ohio 4.505 Walleye million pounds, Michigan 0.145 million The Lake Erie Committee today rec- pounds, New York 0.162 million ommended a 2015 walleye TAC of 4.114 pounds, and Pennsylvania 0.664 million pounds. million fish, compared to the similar TAC of 4.027 million fish in 2014. The The Lake Erie Committee TAC recommendation for 2015 reflects The Lake Erie Committee comprises the goal of managing shared fish stocks fishery managers from Michigan, New sustainably while incorporating the York, Ohio, Ontario and Pennsylvania. needs of the people who harvest the The committee’s work is facilitated by fish. The 2011, 2010, 2007, and the the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, a 2003 year classes are the primary conCanadian and U.S. agency on the Great tributors to the stability of the walleye Lakes. Each year the committee recomfishery and allow for the similar TAC mends a total allowable catch for wallfrom last year. eye and yellow perch. Total allowable Scientists and field biologists from catch represents the number or weight all Lake Erie jurisdictions, meeting as of fish recommended to be caught by the Walleye Task Group, share data and sport and commercial fishers without reach consensus on biological condiputting the fisheries at risk. The inditions. The task group’s walleye abunvidual agencies implement the recomdance estimates, which incorporate mended total allowable catch. suggestions from LEPMAG, serve as the The Lake Erie Committee today anfoundation for the Lake Erie Committee’s discussions and TAC recommen- nounced the creation of an ad hoc committee to design management dations. A model, developed in strategies for data-poor fisheries, inconjunction with stakeholders and Michigan State University, also informs cluding lake whitefish and a number of the TAC. Each Lake Erie jurisdiction is other harvested species. This committee will consist of stakeholders, agency responsible for implementing their biologists, and academics. The strateportion of the TAC. gies will be used to support eco-labelThe Province of Ontario and the ing initiatives in commercial fisheries states of Ohio and Michigan share the and provide support for other fishery TAC based on a formula of walleye management needs. For more informahabitat within each jurisdiction in the tion, visit the Lake Erie Committee onwestern and central basins of the lake. line at www.glfc.org/lec. Under a 2015 TAC of 4.114 million fish, Ohio will be allocated 2.103 million
Bayham News Bruce Bolin It was a relief to learn last week that the United Nations Development Programme will be funding a local initiative to alleviate rural poverty
and boost local employment. In a two phase plan it will first be helping to fund two agricultural start-ups through the International Fund for Farm Trade. Both training and low interest rate Continued On Page 6
Page 6 • The Lake Erie Beacon • Friday April 3, 2015
North Shore Community Events F E S T I V A L S
E V E N T S
Photographers of the Otter Valley (POV) meet the last Monday of the month, 6:30 pm, Bayham Public Library in Straffordville. All are welcome. Call Bruce at 519 874-1822. Hubbub at the Sub Hub Pub is bubbling back! Join us for improvisation workshops every Thursday 8-9:30pm at the Lighthouse Restaurant. Members free, non-members $2. Have fun, gain confidence, new skills, and friends. www.periscopeplayhouse.ca or marionrogers@prodigy.net.mx
PORT STANLEY 2015
Port Stanley Community Policing Requires volunteers. To help protect your village, call 519-782-3934 or Carroll at 519-782-7616, email pscp@rogers.com Port Stanley Library 782-4241 304 Bridge St. Mon, Tues, Thurs, 10 - 8:30 Fri 1 - 5, Sat 9 - 1. Easter Bunny is here! Saturday, April 4, Leaving at 10am The Easter Bunny will be visiting the Port Stanley library to escort children across the bridge for the Easter Egg hunt at the Port Stanley Legion! Children’s Programs Maker Mondays, 6-6:45pm Calling all makers - Explore the bounds of materials and technology . Please pre-register! Pajama-Rama Mondays, 6:30-7pm. Stories & songs for all ages. No registration required, please drop in! Pre-School Story Time Tuesdays, 10:15am-11am . Songs, stories & crafts for children aged 0-5 with their caregiver. Please pre-register! Games Night Thursdays, 6pm, Come and meet new friends & get your game on! All ages are welcome - please drop in! IttyBittyKnittyCommittee Thursday, April 9, 7-8 pm Come for an informal meeting learn from others & pick up new tricks and patterns All levels are welcome, please drop in! Card Making Monday, April 13, 10:am-12pm. Create some handmade cards with Adriana $5 / person please preregister Scrapbooking Monday, April 27, 10am-12pm Bring photos for a creative scrapbooking session $5/person preregister! Adult Book ClubTues. April 21, 7-8pm. Christ Anglican Church Sunday Morning Service, 9:30 am with Eucharist. We invite all to join in worship with us. Coffee follows downstairs. St. John's Presbyterian Church Tom Jeffrey Pastor. Sunday Worship 10 am followed by Fellowship Hour. The Door is always open, why not join us? Sunday School starts at 10:20 am. Port Stanley United Church Service of Worship at 11 am followed by a time of fellowship. Come join us. We are now wheelchair friendly and barrier free. Three Church "Cross Walk" Service, Good Friday, April 3, 10 a.m. Service to start at St. John's Presbyterian Church, then everyone will walk with the cross to the Anglican Church for part of the service, and then walk the cross back to the United Church for the conclusion of the service. A light breakfast and social time will be held at St. John's Presbyterian before the service at 9 a.m. Everyone welcome. Optimist Club of Port Stanley - Optimist Minor Ball needs more kids Ages 5-10 yrs old. Call Jim Howie 519782-3272. Port Stanley Village Association meets the third Thursday of the month 7- 8:30 pm. All welcome. The 2015 Port Stanley Spring Fever Shopping Event Will be held on Saturday, April 18th Doors open: 9am Tickets $35. at CONNECTIONS, 302 Bridge St. For info please email: portstanleywomenshopping@hotmail.ca VON Foot Care Clinic April 30 at The Villa Apts, 289 Frances Street 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Call 519-782-4089 for appointment. Sponsored by Port Stanley Lioness Club. Al-Anon Meeting, Christ Anglican Church 7:30 pm every Friday. If there is an alcohol/drug problem of a family member or friend that is affecting you, the Alanon Family Groups may be able to help you. Heritage Port will meet April 23rd, 2 pm at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre. Post Card books Vol. 1 & Vol 2 now available, $90 each, only 1 set remaining. Port Stanley the First 100 Years, $25. Get yours at the Lake Erie Beacon, 204-A Carlow Road, side door, 1-5 pm. Proceeds to Heritage Port. 519 782-4563. Port Stanley & Community 55+ Club Meets every Monday 1:30 -4 pm to play Euchre at the Port Stanley Arena. For info call 519-782-4801 (John Brenders) or 519-685-2101 (Marie Geerts). Port Stanley Legion Branch #410 Summer Hours: Mon. & Thurs., 12-7, Tues. & Fri., 12-10, Wed. 11-10. Sat. & Sun., 12-7, Port Stanley Legion Branch #410 Don’t forget the Legion offers the following: Seniors Bridge, Tues. night, Euchre: Wed. night Legion Darts Tuesday night 8 pm Men’s Darts Saturday Afternoon Meat Draws 3-5 pm Port Stanley Legion Bottle Returns Mon & Thurs- Closed, Tues, Wed., Fri, Sat 12-4 pm. Port Stanley Legion Ladies MahJongg, Fridays 1:30pm. We are looking for beginners as well. If you like to play MahJongg come on out! Port Stanley Legion Port Stanley Karaoke, Every 3rd Friday of the month, 7pm - 11pm. Come for the fun.
AYLMER 2015
Aylmer 50 + Seniors Welcome you to join them for Euchre or Bridge Every Monday 1 - 3:30 pm upstairs at Aylmer Legion Admission $2.
DEXTER 2015
Dexter United Church Dexter Line. Service of Worship at 9:15 am followed by a time of fellowship.
DUTTON 2015
Dutton & District LIONS famous, full breakfast: Sunday; April 12, 2015, 9 am- 1 pm, in LIONS DEN (behind Dutton Dunwich Community Centre) Adults $7. Dutton & District LIONS host; Annual “Ride & Stride”: Sunday; April 26, a fund raiser to fight cancer. Watch for “Posters” and LION Members with sponsor sheets. Everyone is WELCOME to participate..
FINGAL 2015
Knox Presbyterian Church Worship 10 am. Coffee, cookies, fellowship follows: Sunday school/nursery 10 am. For info (519) 769-2157. Come and worship with a warm and friendly group of people, we are barrier free.
SHEDDEN 2015
Shedden Library Hours: Tues. 2:30-8:30, Thurs. 2-5, Fri. 10 - 5, Sat. 2 - 5 764-2081. Children’s Programs Preschool Story Time Fridays, 1111:45am. Songs, stories & crafts for children ages 0-5 with their caregiver - please pre-register! Games Day Saturdays, 2:30-4:30 pm Drop in and bring your family to play traditional card & board games as well as Wii! New Wii Games! Recently added to our collection: Disney Princess Enchanted Journey & Disney Pirates of the Caribbean Lego Adult Programs Card Making Tuesday, April 7, 6pm Create some handmade cards with Adriana $5/person, preregister!
SPARTA 2015
Sparta Stitchers Every Tuesday 1- 4 pm, Sparta Community Hall. We quilt, tat, knit, embroider, smock, crotchet, etc. Everyone welcome. Cost is $5. session. Come learn a new skill. Sally Martyn (519-775-2292). AA Group Meetings: Tuesdays at 8 pm in the lower hall at the Community Centre. Easter Bunny in Sparta Saturday April 3rd 12pm-3pm at the Tearoom. Free picture with the Easter Bunny. Free draws and events at local businesses. Donations to the caring cupboard greatly appreciated.
ST. THOMAS 2015
Abundant Life Fellowship Join us at the Timken Community Centre - Doug Tarry room (2 Third Ave.) at 6 pm on Saturdays for a free meal followed by our celebration service. For more info call 519-633-9207 or go to www.abundantlifestthomas.ca Central United Church, 135 Wellington St presents The Broadway Singers, Love is in the Air Concert, Apr 18 7:30 p.m. Adults $15 Children $7.50 519-631-3503, 519-614-3249 The Elgin County Museum Presents: The 5th Annual Vimy Lecture, 2 PM, Thursday, April 9, Elgin County Administration Building, 450 Sunset Drive, Lower Level. Elgin County Museum welcomes Rev. Canon Scott
TYRCONNELL 2015
Backus-Page House Museum, 29424 Lakeview Line, 519-762-3072. Backus-Page House Museum Monthly Clubs! New … 4th Tuesday, Family History Club 7pm THS Members free or $5/person. New … 2nd Wednesday, Textile Arts Club (bring your own project or hand quilt with us) 7pm THS Members free or $5/person
UNION 2015
Union United Church, 6008 Stonechurch Rd., Rev. David Mitchell leads worship with Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. We are welcoming friendly Family of Faith and are barrier free. For info 519-631-0304 and our website: www.unionunitedchurch.ca Union Community Centre, Spaghetti Dinner Fund Raiser May 1st from 5 - 7 p.m. Cost: $10 per adult; $5 for children 5 and up; children under 5 years are free - also family of 4 for $25. All proceeds go to the operation of the Community Centre. Call Vicki for tickets - 519-631-3840
PORT BURWELL/VIENNA 2015
St. Paul’s Port Burwell /Vienna Sunday Services St. Paul's P.B./Vienna United 11:00 am Port Burwell Trinity Anglican 11:30 am Port Burwell Lighthouse Gospel Church 10:45 am Port Burwell Legion Br. 524 Mixed Dart Tournament, Everyone Welcome. Sign up 10:am Start 11:00am. Teams & Doubles. $40:00 per team. Order of the Eastern Star Areme Chapter #15, OES meets the first Tuesday of every month, at 7:30 pm at the Vienna Community Centre, Vienna. Otter Valley Naturalists Monthly Meeting is the second Monday of the month, 7 pm to 9 pm. Please call 519-874-4028 for information. Museum Bayham meet the 2nd Wednesday of the month 7pm, Municipal Office in Strafforville. Call 519 874-4135. Port Burwell - Bayham Horticultural Society, Meets Every 3rd Monday, 7 pm at the Port Burwell School, Strachan Street. For more Info 519 874-4260. Port Burwell Historical Society meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7 pm at the Marine Museum. Call 519 874-4135. Oriental Masonic Lodge meets the 4th Tuesday of the month at the Vienna Masonic Hall, 7:30 pm. New Members Welcome! Call 519 874-4135.
The Lake Erie Beacon 204 A Carlow Road Port Stanley, Ontario N5L 1C5 Phone: (519) 782-4563
&
VIENNA 2015
Bayham Historical Society meets the 2nd Thursday of the month, 7:30 pm at the Vienna Community Centre. All are welcome. Call Bruce at 519 874-1822.
WEST LORNE 2015
The Arts & Cookery Bank April 8 – Fest-a-Month: Belgium Dining Experience 519-768-9986 – www.theartsandcookerybank.com The Arts & Cookery Bank April 10 – W.E.D.S.— Dinner/Theatre 519-768-9986 – www.theartsandcookerybank.com West Lorne Legion 142 John Street, Sat. April 25, 15pm. Open Mike Jamboree. Family Entertainment, great food. Come and sing, play, dance or just Listen. House Bank Wayne Pettit and Travelin. Contact Bill Graham 519 768-17998 or Jim Carmichael 519 768-2697.
The Lake Erie Beacon is pleased to support your local community events. We will make every effort to post promptly and accurately. If you would like to have your event posted on this page contact us at: See The
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Bayham News Continued From Page 5
loans will be key parts of the support. The second phase will consist of organizational skills training and funding support for improved transportation. The phase two goal is to bring regionally produced agricultural products to international markets. Not all of the details have yet been released, and we were advised as we went to press that some of the details of the plans are yet to be determined. One of the early agricultural projects will be a chinchilla farm. The word on the street is that an existing building in the Straffordville area will be converted to housing for raising approximately 10,000 arctic chinchillas annually. Arctic chinchillas are a species known for their exceptionally thick fur, dull teeth and felicitous demeanor. A second building nearby is being sought to house the office staff and classroom. A reliable source has indicated the municipal offices may be sold to the new venture as it will become surplus when the local government is outsourced. Any remaining government support staff would be housed in a second story addition to the treatment plant in Burwell. The second agricultural project of
the first phase would be a mushroom farm where premium onyx mushrooms would be cultivated. The turdle soup from the fur farm would be used as nutrients for the onyx mushrooms. There is no decision yet as to where the mushrooms will be grown, but there are not many existing venues suitable as they only grow where the sun doesn’t shine. The ideal structure would be about 300 feet long, four or five stories high, and have no windows. If anyone knows of such a structure, please use the link on our website to contact the Secretariat of Fur, Fungus and Trade. The second phase, the transportation phase, will commence about a year after phase one. Preliminary plans include a combination container shipping terminal and car ferry traversing between the Cayuga River of Ohio and the Big Otter Creek of Ontario. Planning sketches we have seen indicate the Big Otter would be straightened and dredged to the Straffordville Airport, which is where the deep water container terminal would be built. This plan will allow tourists coming via ferry to disembark and then conveniently transfer to either a domestic airline or to the recently announced light rail transit connecting with Tillsonburg. The terminal is expected be a boon to local businesses that are up the creek.
The Lake Erie Beacon • Friday April 3, 2015 • Page 7
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North Shore Community Classified Serving over 7000 Homes, Apartments, Farms & Businesses Port Stanley Public School Activities April 2015
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350 Carlow Rd., Port Stanley, Ontario, N5L 1B6 Phone: 519-782-3983 Principal: Ms. Sheila Pinder Secretary: Mrs. Debbie Sutherland April 3 Good Friday - April 6th Easter Monday April 9 Raising Happy Healthy Kids - Parkside C.I. 6:30 pm. April 14 School Council Meeting 6 pm April 22 Superintendent MacPherson to visit April 23 Arts Day
Canadian tall ship Liana's Ransom crew rescued by U.S. Coast Guard Continued From Page 3 members were brought back to Gloucester. He said the man has been released from hospital. The ship's website says the vessel is certified by Transport Canada to carry 70 passengers, offers day sails and weekly charters and is "crewed by a colourful pirate crew in period costumes." The schooner was built in 1998 in Houston and was sailed to Nova Scotia in late 2006, the website says. Tilley said he plans to continue the trip to the Caribbean after repairs are completed. In December, the ship had been dismasted off the coast of Cape Sable Island. The ship's Facebook page details the repair work after that misadventure. On March 27, the page says the ship left the Meteghan River in Nova Scotia, bound for St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies.
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LOOKING FOR A “FOREVER HOME”!!!
Allergy season is here Felix
Spice
Maizy
Felix is a handsome, almost 5 year old tabby and white boy who has a rather dominant personality. Felix would be happiest as the only cat in an adult only, indoor home. Spice and Maizy were both rescued from the St. Thomas pound June 14, 2014 and have, as of today, been at Animal Aide, patiently waiting for a new home for 290 days. Spice is almost 4 years old and is a gorgeously marked calico who was left at the pound for being "too demanding". Yes, she likes to be
"with" you, likes to be the centre of attention, likes to be on your lap but, what's wrong with that? She has one flaw, she is not really happy to have to share with another cat. Maizy who is almost 3 years old, was picked up as a stray. I guess no one wanted her, either. Maizy, a very pretty tabby and
white girl with a shortened tail, is also very friendly, affectionate and ready to help you while you are on the computer or wherever you happen to be. Both of these girls have been with us for far too long and we would be very happy to see them, happy in a new home. We would certainly miss them both, though.
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519 633-3788
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Page 8 • The Lake Erie Beacon • Friday April 3, 2015 David Harding with a handful of Beach Glass
Beach Glass
the Harding Smith Line south of Sparta from April 1st to Halloween. Clad in hip waders he wades the shoreline looking for this valuable find. Harding is convinced that “Beach Glass” which is plentiful on the Lake Erie shoreline will be the “new” form of “Barter and Trade”.
David Harding Every April 1st each year David Harding takes hundreds of bags of this precious find to his hand picked financial institution under “armed guard”, to be kept in their security vault in Southern Ontario.
A merchant would certainly enjoy a nice bracelet, necklace, or Beach Glass signet ring, in lieu of cash. It’s safe – secure – fun and marketable so “go out and enjoy”.
Harding a retired banker and former college teacher, of business, searches his beach front property on
T H E L AKE ER I E BEAC ON
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