The Lake Erie Beacon March 20, 2015

Serving Lake Erie’s North Shore Friday March 20, 2015

Invasive Phragmites

INSIDE Editorial Port Stanley, like many of our local lakeside communities, has a lovely harbour walk.

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If I had a million dollars Someone recently asked me how I would invest a million dollars to help conserve Lake Erie.

STORY PAGE 2

Shovels in the ground on Edith Cavell Blvd After seven years of preparation, public meetings, design proposals, STORY PAGE 3 zoning approvals..

Andrew Hibbert

Port Bruce Report Large chunks of ice are piled on Port Bruce pier following ice breaking operations.

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Dinner and dancing at The Forge & Anvil Museum A Pot Luck supper and an evening of dancing made for a delightful time.

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Port Stanley school to add more students The Thames Valley District School Board announced that student enrollment at the Port Stanley Public School will be expanded.

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LOOK AHEAD Community Events

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Classifieds & Service Directory Page 7 Business Roladex

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Your ad in the Lake Erie Beacon will reach 6800 Homes, Apartments, Farms & Businesses From Port Burwell to Port Stanley and Port Glasgow.

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Above: The Port Stanley Berm located on the east side of the harbour showing all the Phragmites having been cut down.

Many local people are asking why the tall reeds (Phragmites) on the Berm at Port Stanley have been cut down. A large machine was seen cutting the reeds on March 10th and virtually leveled everything on the site except for a few trees. There was some talk around the village that the cutting was mandated by the Provincial government so I asked Central Elgin’s Chief Administrative Officer Don Leitch if he could give me some background on the issue. Don answered with the following; “The Municipality is concerned about the impact that phragmites is having on wetlands, roadside ditches and other areas. The cutting on the Berm area was not ordered by the provincial government. The Municipality is simply cutting weeds and brush in anticipation of the site’s redevelopment as a park once the environmental risk management measures are implemented by the federal government at some time in the future.”

In our May 31st, 2013 edition we covered the story or the invasive species with an article called “The invasion of the Phragmites”. The article contained the following:

Left: The Phragmites before cutting.

Left Below: The machine used to cut the weeds. Photo: Sue Bassett Gold more metres tall, each seed head containing at least 2,000 seeds.

I also spoke to Port Stanley Councilor Dan McNeil who sent me the following information which has updated material from out 2013 article.

From www.invadingspecies.com Invasive Phragmites australis is an aggressive plant that spreads quickly and out-competes native species for water and nutrients. It releases toxins from its roots into the soil to hinder the growth of and kill surrounding plants.

While it prefers areas of standing water, its roots can grow to extreme lengths, allowing it to survive in relatively dry areas. Roots as long as 30 metres with new shoots every 30 centimetres have been observed.

It spreads manically and is very difficult to fully eradicate. Its rhizomes send out shoots in all directions below ground. Above ground it towers, five or

Invasive Phragmites (European Common Reed) Phragmites australis subsp. Australis, is an invasive plant causing damage to Ontario's biodiversity, wetlands and beaches. Invasive Phragmites is a perennial grass that has been damaging ecosystems in Ontario for decades. It is not clear how it was transported to North America from its native home in Eurasia.

Invasive Phragmites is an aggressive plant that spreads quickly and outcompetes native species for water and nutrients. It releases toxins from its roots into the soil to hinder the growth of and kill surrounding plants. While it prefers areas of standing water, its roots Continued On Page 5

Royal Bank pressing The Elgin Military Museum for payment Andrew Hibbert On August 2, 2012 the Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Bayham passed a By-law to authorize a letter of credit facility with the Royal Bank of Canada, to guarantee borrowing by the Elgin Military Museum to the maximum amount of six million dollars. The Elgin Military Museum borrowed money through a credit facility with the Royal Bank of Canada, against the six million dollar letter of credit. The Elgin Military Museum has failed to make payments on the loan and The Municipality of Bayham says it’s being asked to cover costs associated with Project Ojibwa, a campaign that brought the submarine to Port Burwell in 2012.

Bayham Council has approved a plan where the Municipality will debt

finance the six million dollars from The Toronto-Dominion Bank for a ten year term loan, twenty-five year amortization period, in the amount of six million dollars, at a rate of interest of 2.71% per annum*. This will require loan payments of $27,555.95 per month. For the remaining ten months in 2015 the Municipality will utilize reserves to pay the amount required ($275,559.50). In 2016, if the Municipality has not recouped funds from the Elgin Military Museum or obtained funding from upper levels of government, the Municipality will incorporate $330,671.40 into the tax levy.

Both Elgin Middlesex London MP Joe Preston and MPP Jeff Yurek, have been asked to help with a solution that won’t require the municipality to shoulder Continued On Page 4

Page 2 • The Lake Erie Beacon • Friday March 20, 2015

EDITORIAL

will stoop and scoop but there must be many who simply do not care.

It’s bad enough when the village is inundated with geese that also love the harbour walk but leave goose Port Stanley, like many of our local poop all over the place. Some of it lakeside communities, has a lovely walk may be stray cat scat but it would be that takes you around the harbour and pretty hard to tell the difference and along part of the lake. Local residents it would be almost impossible to poand visitors thoroughly enjoy this walk lice this problem but dogs are a difeven in the winter. The Municipality ferent matter. Their owners are has been thoughtful enough to keep supposed to be with them at all part of the walkway cleared using a times when they are out and they are sidewalk plow, which is much appreci- supposed to be on a leash at all times ated by local walkers. when they are away from private Unfortunately as the snow has been properties. Sometimes dogs get out and run as the dogcatcher well knows melting along the harbour it has revealed a messy problem. While walking but this issue is usually taken care of. the harbour a few days ago I was disI’m sure in the future every dog gusted to see piles of dog poop all along will be DNA identified at birth and the walkway. You could not walk twenty there will be Poop Police who will or thirty feet without seeing another have devices that can instantly read pile and believe me you want to see the DNA of a pile of Poop and the them because you don’t want to step in dog owners will be hunted down and them. In the good old days the joke was given a stiff fine. When this happens “slipping on a banana peel” but today all dog owners will buy “doggie diayou are more likely to slip on somepers” that their dogs will wear when thing far more obnoxious. they are outside to prevent this prob-

Enjoy Your Walks

And yes it’s not only the harbour walkway that has been defiled, but also all around the village and along every street. I am just appalled at the indifferent attitude of these dog owners who allow their animals to poop everywhere without cleaning up after them. I know some of you are very conscientious and

lem. I can only hope it happens soon!

So PLEASE dog owners be responsible and take your pet ownership seriously by taking care of this problem and let the rest of us enjoy our walks around the village.

LETTERS Concern about the Federal Government Bill C-51 Dear editor, The government’s secret police Bill C-51 is reckless and dangerous, and it will be ineffective. The bill is reckless because it turns CSIS into a ‘secret police’ force with little oversight or accountability.

The bill is dangerous because it opens the door for violations of our Charter Rights including censorship of free expression online.

The bill will lead to dragnet surveillance and information sharing on innocent Canadians that even Stephen Harper has admitted is ineffective. To make matters worse the government is trying to push this law through parliament in record time.

The fact is, Stephen Harper’s Secret Police Bill C-51 will harm our democracy by putting law-abiding Canadians under the government’s microscope. If the bill passes, our sensitive private information could be shared between no fewer than 17 government agencies and even handed to foreign

governments. This includes sensitive information that can reveal everything from your financial status, to your medical history, your sexual orientation, and even your religious and political beliefs.

Victims of these privacy breaches wouldn’t even be informed — that means the government could spy on anyone, at anytime, and we wouldn’t even know when we’ve been a victim.

Do we really want the government to create a shadowy and unaccountable secret police force that will trample on innocent citizens’ freedoms?

I'm hereby asking Joe Preston, MP for Elgin-Middlesex-London, to do the right thing as a parting gesture and vote "No" to Bill C-51.

I encourage Canadians to learn more about how we can work together to stop Secret Police Bill C-51 at: StopC51.ca Paul Whistlecraft St. Thomas

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.

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If I had a million dollars

Dan Kraus Weston Conservation Scientist, Senior Director of Conservation Program Development

Someone recently asked me how I would invest a million dollars to help conserve Lake Erie. My first thoughts were that I would use that money to protect wetlands and other habitats on the coast, or maybe to help farmers create wider buffer strips along creeks that flow into the lake. Now these are certainly all good and important actions, but perhaps don’t go deeply enough into the lake’s real issues.

When I really thought about it, the answer became clear: if I had a million dollars to spend on Lake Erie, I’d hire a public relations firm to remake our collective perceptions and rebrand the world’s 11th largest lake. As a kid growing up in the 1970s my impression of Lake Erie (and all of the Great Lakes) was that it was dirty and polluted. I remember my parents telling me not to touch the water at the beach. My parent’s reluctance to let me wade into the lake was probably the influence of both Johnny Carson and Dr. Seuss. The late night talk show host referred to Lake Erie as “the place fish go to die” in 1976, and The Lorax rhymed Lake Erie with “dreary, weary and smeary.” A

joke, and perhaps just an unfortunate coincidence that nothing more positive rhymes with Erie, but these two popular culture references have shaped our impressions of the lake.

Now in fairness, the descriptions by Johnny Carson and Dr. Seuss were not without reason. More than any other Great Lake, Lake Erie is located at the epicenter of the industrial, urban and agricultural heartland of North America. It’s the shallowest of all the lakes, and what goes on in its watersheds, rivers and coastal waters has a very immediate impact on water quality.

Although the relatively clean waters of Lake Huron feed Erie, from the postwar era to the 1970s these waters passed through a gauntlet of pollution, including “chemical valley” on the St. Clair River and outflows of raw sewage from Detroit and Windsor on the Detroit River. Major U.S. cities such as Cleveland and Toledo also dumped sewage and spilled urban runoff into the lake.

In the days before modern wastewater treatment, this sewage not only contained a lot of, well, sewage, but also a huge load of nutrients and phosphorus from soaps and detergents. These were dark days for the waters of Lake Erie.

Continued On Page 7

The Lake Erie Beacon • Friday March 20, 2015 • Page 3

PORT BRUCE REPORT Cathy Crane

Shovels in the ground on Edith Cavell Blvd Andrew Hibbert After seven years of preparation, public meetings, design proposals, zoning approvals and several rounds of Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearings the proposed condominium development along Edith Cavell near the corner of William Street is finally set to move forward. During the week of March 9th, 2015 heavy machinery was seen moving onto the condo site and shovels are in the ground.

PORT STANLEY REPORT Andrew Hibbert

Heritage Port donation to the Festival Theatre Fund Raiser At their February 26th meeting members of Heritage Port, the Port Stanley Historical Society, voted to support the Festival Theatre’s 'Expand the Experience' capital campaign to raise funds for the Theatre expansion.

The donation was in the form of a $1000. cheque towards the Sponsor a Seat campaign. The expansion program will allow the Theatre to install 50 new seats as well as other major modifications to the Theatre building. For $1,000, anyone can sponsor one of

Heritage Port Chair John Morrow (Left) of Port Stanley presents the Heritage Port donation cheque to Theatre Manager Melissa Kempf and PSFT Vice President Brian Welsh.

Ground breaking on the Prespa Condominium site in Port Stanley.

Ice breaking operations

The development by Prespa Group of St. Thomas consists of 15 detached single-family homes on the north side of Edith Cavell Boulevard just west of the Why Not Park and across from Port Stanley’s Main Beach with each home having a lake view.

Large chunks of ice are piled on Port Bruce pier following ice breaking operations to clear the channel on March 11th & 12th. Several loads of thick ice chunks were also trucked to the parking lot across from the beach to keep the pier area clear in the event that further ice breaking or removal is required. According to the book “Spring Floods in Port Bruce”, author Ian Johnson identifies the dates of 21 notable floods since 1895. Of the dates listed, 6 floods occurred in the month of March, with the most recent March flood occurring March 15th, 1982. The residents

This is an important project for Port Stanley and we will keep our readers posted as the work progresses. these seats, and have their name or the name of a loved one on a plaque on the seat. Any other donations will also be gratefully accepted by the Theatre.

Rumours of Post Office closure on Saturdays In a recent letter to Central Elgin Council dated February 9, 2015 Canada Post announced that after discussions with their employee's association, the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association and after having given careful consideration to the needs of the community and to concerns raised by their employee's association, a decision has been made to continue with service on Saturday mornings in the Port Stanley post office. As such, Post Office hours of service to the public will continue to be as follows; Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.p. Saturday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Public Safety Concerns on Bridge Street In a recent letter to Central Elgin Council Richard Haddow, a Port Stanley resident and Festival Theatre Board Continued On Page 4

of Port Bruce are grateful to Catfish Creek Conservation Authority and the Township of Malahide for their efforts to reduce the risk of flooding.

Looking Back – Jamestown A letter written by Levi Young to the Aylmer Express in 1933 contains information about Jamestown. In his letters, Mr. Young describes early settlements were often developed where ‘water power’ could be built. About 3 miles upstream from Port Bruce, a dam was built across the stream and the settlement of Jamestown was established. At its height in the 1850’s, Jamestown consisted of a grist mill and a saw mill, as well as a general store, other shops and a school. However, according to Mr. Young’s letters, it was the distillery that made Jamestown famous. Apparently Jamestown whiskey was a popular beverage throughout Upper Canada and sold for 37.5 cents per gallon in 1853. At the same time records show that eggs were 10 cents a pound, sugar 12 cents a pound and butter 15 cents a pound. By the 1930’s when Mr. Young’s letters were published, there were no signs ‘that either village or mills or brewery ever flourished there’. Today most references to Jamestown are of the Jamestown bridge, a historic structure over Catfish Creek, located at the foot of a steep hill on Jamestown Line.

HealthTalk Polyp a Stool and We'll talk about Colorectal Cancer March has been designated National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and while colon cancer is not a comfortable topic for many, it is essential to raise awareness as it is the second leading cause of cancer death in Canada. Ontario has one of the highest rates of colorectal cancer in the world3,300 Ontarians died of colorectal cancer in 2009.

It is estimated that one in 14 men & one in 15 women will develop colorectal cancer, and one in 27 men and one in 31 women will die of it. But there is good news - it is also highly treatable if detected early through screening.

Colorectal cancer refers to cancer of the colon (large bowel) or rectum. There is no single cause of colon cancer. Nearly all colon cancers begin as noncancerous (benign) polyps, which slowly develop into cancer. If polyps are removed in their early stages colorectal cancer can be prevented.

You have a higher risk for colon cancer if you: Are older than 60; are African American of eastern European descent; eat a diet high in red or processed meats; have cancer elsewhere in the body; have colorectal polyps; have inflammatory bowel disease; have a family history of colon cancer; have a personal history of breast cancer. Cancer in the colon or rectum can take up to 10 years or more to develop to an advanced stage. That’s why it’s very important to make regular screening for colorectal cancer a part of your routine health checks. During the early stages a person may have few or no symptoms. As colorectal cancer progresses, the following symptoms may occur: A change in your bowel movements; Bloody stool; Stools that are narrower than usual; Stomach discomfort; Unexplained weight loss; Fatigue and/or Vomiting.

While these symptoms can be related to other con-

Steve Bond, BScPhm, RPh, CDE Pharmacist/Manager

ditions, it’s important that you speak with your doctor.

Some lifestyle changes may help to reduce our risk: Consider these healthy choices and take some relatively simple steps to improve your overall health.

• Small amounts of regular exercise • Quitting / Don’t start smoking • Taking vitamins such as calcium and folic acid may reduce your chances of developing colorectal cancer.

• Obesity is thought to increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer, particularly in women.

• Reducing alcohol intake can lessen your chance of getting colorectal cancer.

• Know your family history – If a first degree relative (parent, sibling or child) had colorectal cancer you are at increased risk.

• Beginning at age 50, make colorectal cancer screening a part of your routine health checks.

What if you don’t have a family physician and feel that you should be checked? A Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) kit can be provided by your pharmacist. The FOBT is a simple, self-administered test that can be done in the privacy of your own home. It can detect the presence of trace amounts of blood in your stool. It is recommended that everyone between the ages of 50 and 74 should be screened with a FOBT every two years if they are at average risk of colorectal cancer.

Take care of yourself and each other.

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Page 4 • The Lake Erie Beacon • Friday March 20, 2015

Royal Bank pressing The Elgin Military Museum for payment Continued From Page 1 the entire burden.

The Elgin Military Museum Responds

mencement of operations, which reduced the revenue generated in our opening seasons. Other circumstances, such as the record cold and snow of the last two winters, further limited our ability to operate the site and generate year round revenue, and some revenue, such as promised federal funding, did not materialize.

The Museum has been experiencing a very positive response to Melissa Raven, Director of Communications sent the following Press Release our newly developed programs for schools and other groups from The Elgin Military Museum has reacross the entire region, and the ceived notice from the Royal Bank of ability of the vessel to draw new Canada of their intention to enforce the tourism to the region was recogterms of the agreement between the nized both provincially and nationBank and the Museum in relation to the ally with tourism innovation awards. financing of Project Ojibwa, the Museum’s efforts to obtain, move and The Museum intends to continue mount the decommissioned submarine operations while our team works to HMCS Ojibwa to Port Burwell, Ontario. develop new proposals and strateTalks with the Bank are continuing to gies to bring the project to a sucexplore potential solutions. cessful conclusion for all parties.

There are a number of reasons for Don’t make the problem the situation to have developed as it worse! has — the original cost estimates reThis is a difficult and unforeseen ceived by the Museum for the Project that has everyone on edge. issue were vastly exceeded when the final into close the Museum and Threats voices arrived; other work was found to are only gong to add Submarine the be required that none of our experts The only solution is problems. the to had anticipated, generating more cost, for everyone to work together to and other circumstances beyond anyone’s ability to control (such as the im- keep this remarkable regional pact of Hurricane Sandy) also tourist attraction open and working contributed to substantially increase and hopefully for the Federal Govthe final cost. ernment to step up and assist all Delays, again beyond the Museum’s parties with this problem. The Subcontrol, in the movement and prepara- marine will not make money if it sits tion of the vessel pushed back the com- empty.

Port Stanley Report Continued From Page 3 member wrote about his concerns for the safety of pedestrians crossing Bridge Street in front of the Theatre.

Most parking used by Theatre patrons is on the opposite side of Bridge Street.

He suggested a "Courtesy Crossings" in front of the Theatre might be of assistance to those wishing to cross the road.

Central Elgin Director of Engineering Services Peter Dutchak, replied to Mr. Haddow with the following note.

The Municipality of Central Elgin has forwarded your correspondence regarding public safety concerns on Bridge Street in Port Stanley to the County of Elgin. Bridge Street is under the jurisdiction of the County of Elgin.

2015 Betty Want Scholarship application now available Melissa Schneider United Way Campaign and Communications Coordinator

We at Elgin-St. Thomas United Way are looking to give out 1 - $1,000 scholarship to a graduating high school student from Elgin County.

Applications for this year’s Betty Want scholarship are now available online, through Elgin-St. Thomas United Way’s website www.stthomasunitedway.ca, on the bottom of the right hand side of the page or by calling the office at 519-6313171.

There is one $1,000 scholarship available for an Elgin County high school student graduating this year.

The scholarship was created to recognize Betty Want’s many years of service with United Way.

Application deadline is April 20, 2015. Entries must be postmarked before this date.

Interested students will need to complete the application form, an essay up to 500 words in length detailing their community leadership involvement and the impact it’s had on the local community. They will also need a letter of support or confirmation from a community group or organization that strives for exceptional community involvement.

Applications can be dropped off in person at 10 Mondamin Street, Suite 103, St. Thomas, ON. N5P 2V1 or mailed to the same address.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The 2014 scholarship was awarded to Jordin Higgs of St. Thomas.

provide a protected pedestrian crossing for pedestrians of all abilities and adhere to the Accessibility Act. Uncontrolled Pedestrian Crossings ("Courtesy Crossings") are discouraged when a controlled crossing (traffic signals) is within 100m of a location. The installation of an uncontrolled crossing would necessitate the elimination of most of the on street parking along Bridge Street and include the creation of a curbed refuge island in the median. This curbed island would permanently eliminate left turning movements into and out of Colonel Bostwick Street. The creation of a pedestrian crossing is not contemplated at this time.

The newly constructed traffic signals have been programmed to the It is acknowledged that a curb drop shortest cycle time setting for the exists on Bridge Street in front of the winter months.

Most drivers who Elgin County Library. This curb drop have to stop at a red signal have a has existed for many years and is benemaximum 15 second wait before fit for patrons who park on the street in they are able to make a safe and prothe vicinity. The presence of a curb tected movement through the interdrop does not indicate a pedestrian section.

This wait time is considered cross walk exists at this location. reasonable. All red flashing mode Pedestrians who wish to cross Bridge ("four-way stop mode") is a discourStreet are encouraged to use the new aged practice that increases collision traffic signal system at Bridge Street rates and does not allow for proand Colbome Street approximately 80 tected pedestrian movements. metres to the east, These traffic Signals

Dinner and dancing at The Forge & Anvil Museum David Harding A Pot Luck supper and an evening of dancing made for a delightful time at The Forge & Anvil Museum on the evening of Saturday March 7, 2015.

Kim Teuscher, Curator of the Gay Lea Dairy Heritage Museum and retiree David Harding enjoyed the Irish and Scottish Reels, the Dance of the Gordon’s along with Square Dancing and the music by Shiela. David wanted to thank organizer Sally Martyn and her Museum committee for a wonderful evening.

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Photo: David Harding and Kim Teuscher enjoy the Irish and Scottish Reels at the Forge in Sparta. Photo by Simon Lee, London videographer This cob building was erected in 1827 as a blacksmith shop and carriage works. The construction is unusual in Canada with its black walnut beams and two foot thick clay and straw walls.

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The Lake Erie Beacon • Friday March 20, 2015 • Page 5

Invasive Phragmites Continued From Page 1 can grow to extreme lengths, allowing it to survive in relatively dry areas.

Impacts of Invasive Phragmites • crowds out native vegetation, thus resulting in decreased plant biodiversity; • generally provides poor habitat and food supplies for wildlife, including several Species at Risk;

colour with blue-green leaves and large, dense seedheads.

Native Phragmites: • grows in stands that are usually not as dense as the invasive plant; • well-established stands are frequently mixed with other plants; and • usually has more reddish-brown stems, yellow-green leaves and smaller, sparser seedheads.

What You Can Do To Reduce The Spread Of Phragmites

• Learn how to identify invasive Phragmites and how to avoid accidentally spreading it through its root fragments and seeds. This is especially important if you are planning to do work in an area which contains • increases fire hazards as stands are invasive Phragmites. composed of a high percentage of • Do not plant invasive Phragmites. dead stalks; and Native Phragmites have the same • can affect agriculture, cause road appearance and do not pose an ecosafety hazard and impact recrelogical risk. ational activities such as swimming, • Gardeners should use only native or boating and angling. non-invasive plants and are encourIdentifying Invasive Phragmites aged to ask garden centres for plants that are not invasive.

One factor making the identification of invasive Phragmites difficult is • Stay on designated trails. Leaving the existence of a closely related native trails or entering areas containing subspecies. Generally, native Phraginvasive Phragmites can encourage mites does not grow as tall as the invathe spread of this plant. When leavsive plant and does not out-compete ing an area containing invasive other native species. A number of charPhragmites, brush off clothing and acteristics of the plant can be useful in clean equipment onsite to avoid the distinguishing between the native varitransfer of seeds to new areas. Reety and invasive Phragmites. The folmove all visible portions of plants lowing information can help in and dispose them in the garbage. identifying invasive Phragmites.

• Do not compost invasive PhragInvasive Phragmites: mites. Both seeds and rhizomes • grows in stands that can be ex(horizontal plant stems growing untremely dense with as many as 200 derground) can survive and grow in stems per square metre; compost.

• can grow so densely that it crowds • If you find invasive phragmites out other species; please contact the Invading Species • can reach heights of up to 5 metres Hotline at 1-800-563-7711, or report (15 feet), and online.

• has stems that are tan or beige in www.invadingspecies.com/report • grows very quickly thereby causing lower water levels as water is transpired faster than it would be with native vegetation;

Port Stanley school to add more students Andrew Hibbert In a recent letter dated March 12, 2015 The Thames Valley District School Board announced that student enrollment at the Port Stanley Public School will be expanded with the addition of students from the French Immersion program at Pierre Elliott Trudeau French Immersion Public School in St. Thomas.

In a letter sent to Parents and Guardians at the French immersion school Don Macpherson Superintendent of Student Achievement stated the following.

“There continues to be a growing interest in French Immersion programming in Elgin County. With this ongoing increase in registration for French Immersion programs in the Thames Valley District School Board, the number of students exceeds the capacity at Pierre Elliott Trudeau French Immersion Public School.

Parents in the Pierre Elliott French Immersion Public School community have expressed concerns about the overcrowding and have asked the Thames Valley Dis-

Central Elgin Awards Tender for Port Stanley Boat Launch Andrew Hibbert If you like to do the Harbour Walk, even in winter, you may have notice that a temporary fence has been installed across the site of the new boat launch at the end of Carlow Road. The fence runs from the McAsphault fence to the edge of the harbour. This temporary closure of the south end of the harbour walk is to allow for the construction. The site has been cleared of most of the snow in preparation for the beginning of work on the boat launch.

Central Elgin announced the contract with the following: Construction of the public boat launch in Port Stanley is expected to be completed by the May long weekend. At a Special Meeting of Council held on the evening of Monday, March 2nd, Council awarded the tender for the construction of the public boat launch in Port Stanley to Huron District Contracting. The boat launch will be located at the end of Carlow Road, and will include a double launch with driveway access and parking area immediately adjacent to the launch itself.

Continued On Page 7 MOTHERS. YOURS MAY BE PART OF THE 72%.

72% of all Canadians with Alzheimer’s disease are women.

Take a moment Learn the 10 warning signs.

trict School Board to look at options for accommodating French Immersion students in more than one school. A parent meeting was held in January 2015 at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Fl Public School to seek input from the school community.

In response to suggestions from parents, a plan has been developed for the upcoming school year.

Effective 2015 September, students who are registered for Grade 6-8 French Immersion and Grade 7-8 Extended French at Pierre Elliott Trudeau French Immersion Public School will be re-designated to Port Stanley Public School.

Transportation for students who live outside of the walking distance for Port Stanley Public School will be provided.

This is a multi-year short-term solution, until a longer-term plan for French Immersion programming in Elgin County is developed.

Additional information about transportation and the transition plan for students moving from Pierre Elliott Trudeau French Immersion Public School to Port Stanley Public School will be communicated to parents in April and May. Continued On Page 7

The event is organized by the

Port Stanley Firefighters Association

Contact Darryl Gratton, Firefighters Association 519-932-0390 Renee Simmons, Childcan 519-685-3599 Evening Entertainment 8pm-12am

ROY LEBANC Masonic Hall 42073 Fruit Ridge Line, St. Thomas, ON N5P 3S9 (corner of Fruit Ridge and Sunset Drive) Licensed, finger foods will be provided $40.00 per person to pledge dipper or buy tickets for the evening http://2015portstanleypolarbeardip.kintera.org/childcan Ad Sponsored by The Lake Erie Beacon

Page 6 • The Lake Erie Beacon • Friday March 20, 2015

North Shore Community Events F E S T I V A L S

E V E N T S

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.

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.

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!

Exploring the Alphabet Mondays, March 26, 11-11:45am, letter sounds & names through songs, stories & lots of fun activities for ages 2 1/2 to 6 yrs with their caregiver Sign up now! Register through the library.

IttyBittyKnittyCommittee Thursday, March 26, 7-8 pm Come for an informal meeting learn from others & pick up new tricks and patterns All levels are welcome, please drop in!

Scrapbooking Monday, March 23, 10am-12pm Bring your photos for a creative scrapbooking session | $5 / person please preregister!

We've got game! PLAYSTATION 4 is here! Come and try: NHL 2015, Just Dance 2015, Lego Movie Videogame, & Minecraft NEW Wii GAMES. Recently added: Cars, Lego Harry Potter, Just Dance Kids 2, Lord of the Rings Quilting in the Library Come on in and try your hand at quilting for a good cause. Everyone is welcome to participate!

Thread and needles provided - please bring your own thimble.

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, 2015 at 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.

Port Stanley Village Association meets the third Thursday of the month 7- 8:30 pm. All welcome.

Port Stanley Optimists are taking orders for Spring bulb planters. They will be delivered to your door ready for Easter. $12 each, quantities limited. Please call Marian 226-658-0226 to reserve your Easter planter.

VON Foot Care Clinic March 26 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.

The Port Stanley Lioness will be serving PANCAKES and MAPLE SYRUP every Saturday and Sunday in March from 9am to 3pm at Palmers Maple Syrup 34308 Lakeline Road. All proceeds go back into the community.

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 March 26th, 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.

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.

Knox Fingal Presbyterian Church 10 a.m.; Friday, April 3 - Good Friday Service Hot cross buns and refreshments at 9:15 a.m. Contact 519-769-2803 for further details.

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 Print, photocopy & fax your resume for free! Sponsored by the Trillium Foundation which is an agency of the Government of Ontario

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.

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

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 United Church, Maundy Thursday Service, April 2 at 7 p.m. Good Friday Service, April 3 at 9:30 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service, April 7 at 7 a.m. at Quaker Meeting House, Quaker Line, Sparta, Easter Service 9:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome to join us.

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.

PORT BURWELL/VIENNA 2015

WEST LORNE 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.

The Lake Erie Beacon 204 A Carlow Road Port Stanley, Ontario N5L 1C5 Phone: (519) 782-4563

&

The Treble Makers Women’s Choir Women 14 and up who love to sing! Join us for a 3 month FREE trial!

Have you thought it'd be fun- but didn't want to make the commitment? Be a part of our group, learn to sing and read music. Sing with us at our next concert! You’re invited to join us for rehearsals on Wednesdays from 7-9 in the WESES music room, West Lorne. For details about this offer, please contact Jane: 519-768-1717.

The Arts & Cookery Bank March 25 – The Lost Arts— Back to Basics…Gluten Free 519-768-9986 – www.theartsandcookerybank.com The Arts & Cookery Bank March 27 – Guys’ Night Out Culinary Experience 519-768-9986 – www.theartsandcookerybank.com

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

519 782-4563 or

linda@lebeacon.ca

Lake Erie Beacon on facebook and www.issuu.com

If I had a million dollars Continued From Page 2 The nutrients pouring into the lake created massive blooms of algae, making the waters, in Dr. Seuss’ words, weary, dreary and smeary. Drinking water was tainted or even dangerous, and in some summers, the only open beaches to which you could take your family were shallow waters enclosed by a plastic barrier and sterilized with bleach.

And Johnny Carson was right: a lot of fish died, although I’m sure most of them didn’t come to the lake for this.

Some fish died better than others. Many succumbed to a lack of oxygen when all that algae started to decompose. Others died of tumors and deformities from toxic pollution. Lake Erie lost ten species, including the ancient paddlefish (now gone from all the Great Lakes) and the blue walleye — a sub-species that was endemic to Lake Erie that is now extinct.

It was also a time when Lake Erie literally had burning issues. Slicks of petroleum pollution on one of the rivers that feeds into Lake Erie, the Cayuga, lit on fire several times. That burning river was one of the sparks for the environmental movement in the late 1960s.

Lake Erie showed that burning rivers, dead fish and stinking water are good motivators for environmental action.

The public demand to solve these issues was one of driving forces behind the first Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement in 1972 between Canada and the U.S. This agreement contained several commitments, but the main ones were that water shouldn’t stink, all the fish shouldn’t die and rivers shouldn’t burn.

The first Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement resulted in some really important actions that still benefit everyone that lives around Lake Erie. There were restrictions on phosphorus, upgrades to sewage plants and reductions in toxic chemicals dumped into the lake. A number of Areas of Concern were identified and governments committed to taking an ecosystem approach

to lake management. These were the golden days of bi-national cooperation around the Great Lakes. And the crazy thing is that it worked. There were significant improvements in drinking water quality, beaches were re-opened and both commercial and recreational fisheries thrived. Habitats and water quality at some of the toxic hotspots started to improve. Rivers didn’t burn anymore, and fish stopped growing tumors.

The problem is, many people didn’t know about these changes, or about the ecological rebirth of Lake Erie. Although we saw some amazing improvements in the 1980s, most people still thought of the dreary, weary and smeary Lake Erie of the 1960s and 1970s. Now, this was partly the fault of the good people that were cleaning up the lake. Governments just focused and funded mending the bad places, so people mostly heard news stories about the progress in pollution abatement, and the need for more clean-ups.

People started to hear about something else that was going badly for Lake Erie in the 1990s. We would be at a different place with the recovery of Lake Erie today if it wasn’t for one small oversight in our management of the Great Lakes.

As water quality improved through the control of nutrients and toxins, we forgot about a different kind of pollution that was entering the lake through the ballast water of ocean tankers that originated from foreign ports – biological pollution in the form of unwanted invasive species. Zebra mussels were the first of the newcomers in the 1980s. Native to the Caspian Sea, zebra mussels found Lake Erie to be a wonderful new home.

They also found that it was largely empty, with many of the native clams and clam-eating fish, such as the lake sturgeon and whitefish, now in very small numbers. Ideal habitat for a new invader, lots of food and no predators — it was the perfect formula for a population explosion. Zebra mussels drastically changed the lake ecosystem by filtering plankton and covering the lakebed and beaches with billions of shells.

Zebra mussels got Lake Erie a lot of attention, but as with burning rivers and

The Lake Erie Beacon • Friday March 20, 2015 • Page 7 stinking water, it wasn’t very positive.

Zebra mussels clogged intakes for drinking water, fouled the bottom of boats and made walking on a sand beach in bare feet a risky venture. Preventing invasive species may be one of the greatest missed opportunities for ecosystem recovery in North America.

While we focused on putting out the fires of pollution, we left the back door open to unwanted guests. Recently, Lake Erie has been experiencing flashbacks to the 1960s and 70s, with satellite images showing psychedelic green patterns caused by massive algal blooms. This old problem has a new cause: nutrients are now coming into the lake via streams, rivers and drains that flow through agricultural lands, and urban run-off from lawns, asphalt and concrete. This new nutrient pulse is probably caused by a combination of more intensive agricultural land use (which includes planting more corn and soy, and less pasture and hay), changes in how and when farmers apply fertilizer and more intense rainfall events due to climate change.

These heavy rains flush more soil and nutrients into the lake compared to a gentle rain. In the last few years, this has created dead zones in the lake caused by rotting algae absorbing all the oxygen in the water, and made parts of the lake look like pea soup. In 2014, Toledo and other communities in western Lake Erie declared a drinking water emergency, and over half a million people had to rely on bottled water.

Continued On Page 8

Port Stanley Boat Launch Continued From Page 5 Mayor Marr said, "The construction of the public boat has been a much anticipated project in Port Stanley. The boat launch will be popular with both residents of Central Elgin and tourists, and is an exciting addition to the Port Stanley waterfront”.

The tender for construction of the boat launch is in the amount of $229,379 exclusive of HST. In 2014 Council approved a budget of $200,000 for the proposed boat launch. The project will be funded from investment income from the Port Stanley Harbour fund. Subsequent to that budget approval, Central Elgin received $35,000 in funding from the Rural Economic Development fund for the engineering and design plan for the boat launch.

Port Stanley school Continued From Page 5 We appreciate the support of both school communities as we continue to strive to maximize the use of existing space to provide quality programming for all students.”

In response to this announcement Central Elgin Mayor David Marr said, “This is great news for the Port Stanley School. We are pleased that this great facility will continue to be utilized.“

North Shore Community Classified Serving over 7000 Homes, Apartments, Farms & Businesses HELP WANTED

JAMES (JIM) HOWIE

FLO LITT’S

Custodian Required at Port Stanley United Church.

If interested please call 519-782-4126

Birthday Celebrations James (Jim) Howie is celebrating his 75th birthday at home.

Please call or visit to wish him a Happy Birthday between 2-4pm March 21.

Please join us to Celebrate Flo Litt's 90th Birthday at: Christ Church Port Stanley March 28th 2015 from 1-3 pm.

Best Wishes only.

HELP WANTED

Advertising Sales Reps • For St.Thomas area • Must have own car • Experience preferred but will consider qualifications.

Please reply to

519-782-4563 OR andrew@lebeacon.ca

Port Stanley Public School Activities March 2015 350 Carlow Rd., Port Stanley, Ontario, N5L 1B6 Phone: 519-782-3983 Principal: Ms. Sheila Pinder Secretary: Mrs. Debbie Sutherland March 25th-Hot Lunch Day (School) Chicken Quesadillas Meal Day March 27th Spirit Day (School) Wacky Hair Day Assembly (School) Recognition Assembly

Two arrested for Port Stanley break and enters Possession of a Weapon for Dangerous Purpose under the Criminal Code Friday morning March 13th, 2015, of Canada.

Elgin County Ontario Provincial PoMARTIN is being held in custody lice (OPP) officers were dispatched to pending a show causing hearing being two break and enters which had ocheld this date, March 15th, 2015. curred earlier that morning between Denarryl Edwin CRITCHFIELD, age 4:30 am and 5:15 am. The breaks ins occurred at the Highland-Drug Mart 53 of Port Stanley, on Colborne Street and Tapas Bar & Three counts (3) of Possession of Grill on Bridge Street in Port Stanley, Property Obtained by Crime under the Central Elgin.

Criminal Code of Canada.

An undisclosed amount of medFive counts (5) of Possession of a ication and currency was taken from Schedule 1 Substance – Other Drugs the Highland-Drug Mart while a vari- under the Controlled Drug and Subety of food items were taken from the stances Act. Tapas Bar & Grill.

Possession of Schedule 2 Substance – Cannabis resin – under 1 gram under The police investigation lead by the Elgin County OPP Crime Unit has the Controlled Drug and Substances resulted in the two Port Stanley men Act. CRITCHFIELD has been released on a Promise to Appear with a court being arrested without incident on March 14th, 2015. The following men date of April 20th, 2015. have been charged: Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is asked to conMichael James MARTIN, age 32 of the Ontario Provincial Police at 1tact Port Stanley, 888-310-1122 or 519-631-2920 or their Three counts (3) of Possession of nearest police authority.

Property Obtained by Crime under Should you wish to remain anonythe Criminal Code of Canada. mous, you may call Crime Stoppers at Two counts (2) of Break and Enter 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of a place – commit indictable offence under the Criminal Code of Canada. up to $2,000.

Elgin County O.P.P.

North Shore SERVICE DIRECTORY For Businesses Located Near You!

Paul F. Lépine LAW OFFICE Working Together To Serve Port Stanley

VEDOVA & CHAMBERLAIN Purchases & Sales of Property Mortgages Wills & Estates Powers of Attorney Family Law

Tel: 519.782.4562 or 226.658.4155 221 Colborne St., Port Stanley N5L 1C2

LOOKING FOR A “FOREVER HOME”!!!

Allergy season is here

Felix

Jaine

Scooter

Spay/Neuter is the name of the game !! Things can Felix is a handsome, almost 5 year old tabby and white quickly get out of hand and one man in London quickly boy who has a rather dominant personality. These cats found out. He started out with 3 unfixed cats which would be happiest as the only cat in an adult only, inquickly turned into 17 unfixed cats and the threat of door home. It is so easy to see how well meaning peoeviction if he didn't find a place for his felines. Animal ple can be quickly overwhelmed and find themselves in Aide stepped up and rescued 8 on Feb. 2, 2014 while over their heads. So, please have your pets spayed or Cats-R-Us, a London based rescue, took the remaining neutered. By doing so, you not only help your own pets cats. We currently only have two cats, Jaine and Felix, but, also, in the end, your entire community. from the group still waiting for a home and Cats-R-Us have one, a handsome, 3 1/2 year old, Animal Aide Association Ad sponsored by shy but, lovable, orange tabby named Scooter. Jaine is a beautiful, 7 year old, 333 Talbot St. St. Thomas diluted calico who loves to be brushed.

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Page 8 • The Lake Erie Beacon • Friday March 20, 2015

If I had a million dollars Continued From Page 2 These recent issues should not obscure evidence for hope. Despite generations of exploitation and inappropriate use, Lake Erie is still a place of extraordinary richness, diversity and beauty. It has large, rich coastal wetlands, miles of sandy beaches and dunes, and the islands in the western basin have more species and habitats that almost anywhere else in the Great Lakes region. It is also a

Dan Kraus Weston Conservation Scientist, Senior Director of Conservation Program Development

lake of extraordinary resurrection. Both the recreational and commercial fisheries have made a comeback, and even the lake sturgeon is recovering and is again spawning in the Detroit River.

Water quality is better than it has been in generations. This is why Lake Erie needs a public relations boost. For over two generations, the mainstream messaging about Lake Erie has been that it’s polluted, on the brink of death, and is the epicenter for the zebra mussel invasion. True, but it’s also a lake of surprises.

The recent Lake Erie Biodiversity Conservation Strategy highlights some

of the important features of the lake.

Perhaps most importantly it identifies that while we certainly need action in our cities and farms to restore the lake, there are species, habitats and places that we need to protect today.

The protection and restoration of Lake Erie is critically important for nature, and for the health of communities and people. It is a special place that will provide great returns on our stewardship investment. And although I don’t have a million dollars, this is the message we need to share.

T H E L AKE ER I E BEAC ON

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