The Villager 2018 April by Villager Community News

April 2018

Tell Everyone About Your

Community Event! Schemes & scams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 WCC spring programs. . . . . . . . 12/13

rs.com thevillagerpress@roge May issue.

Wild hunters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Deadline is April 13th for

Community events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Washago is open for business Road and sidewalk access available during construction If you haven’t read The Villager in print or on Facebook in the past few months, you might not be aware that a major Muskoka Street construction project will begin on May 7th. A work crew, along with large pieces of construction equipment, will descend upon the village. Their job is to tear out and rebuild the street and the sidewalks, from County Rd. 169 to Albany Street. They will also complete some storm and sanitary work. By the time they are finished 6 weeks later, Washago will have had a major facelift. A project of this size and scope naturally raises concerns about the disruption it may present to both businesses and residents. To address those concerns, and to share details about the work that will be done, Donald Westcott, the township’s Ward 5 councillor, organized a community meeting that was held March 12th at the Washago Community Centre. Derek Burke, the director of public works, led the presentation. He explained the road is showing signs of significant deterioration; storm and sanitary, which hasn’t been worked on in about 30 years, needed work; and there are uneven portions of sidewalks, including entrances to storefronts, that need to be replaced to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

Mary Harth, owner of Canoe Fresh Foods on Muskoka Street in Washago, welcomes customers - now and during road construction that begins on May 7th. All village businesses will be accessible during the 6-week project. “It’s work that needs to be done and it’s impossible not to have some inconvenience during major construction. However, our contractor and my office will work with the local businesses to make sure cars and pedestrians have safe access to the village during this 6 week project,” Derek added. Construction work will also include the marking of a new legal right of way pedestrian crossing, decorative stone installed in part of the sidewalk, and two additional parking spots.

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The construction crew will work from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and, except for some 2-hour periods when concrete is poured for the construction of new sidewalks, granular material will be used to offer pedestrians safe passage to the front doors of all businesses. The timing of the project was a concern raised by several business owners who attended the meeting. Construction will be in full swing during the May long-weekend, Continued on page 3

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Washago is open for business Continued from page 1 the beginning of the high season in a community that relies heavily on cottagers and tourists. Derek acknowledged this concern but explained that the alternative would be to begin construction in the fall, a time of year when weather is so unpredictable. He said a project started in the fall, especially one of this size, could be heavily impacted and delayed because of cold or snow, ultimately causing more disruption than a spring start. Communication between the business owners, the township and the contractor will be key to business owners. Derek encouraged business owners to contact him about special requests, or any concern regarding access, delivery, power outages, or any other issues that could have an effect in the running of their business. Derek Burke can be reached by emailing dburke@townshipofsevern.com, or by calling 705-325-2315, ext. 244.

New fire hall in Severn Township? Possibility of a township hospice? For answers, watch for the next issue of

Peacocks have been admired by mankind for thousands of years and are often kept as pets. A pair, similar to this, live on a large piece of property just outside of Washago. © Can Stock Photo / muzzyco

Love birds By John LeBarr

When we arrived, we learned the owners of the peacock were heading to Florida for the winter so they had to find a new home for the peacock. We also learned their sons, who worked for CN Rail, had brought the peacock home six months ago. They had discovered the peacock stuck on the front grill of a train at the rail yard in Mactier. We drove home with the peacock and took her to the barn. She hopped out of the cage and jumped onto a perch – the same perch where our former female peacock, Penelope had always sat. David, the male was beside her in a flash. Our ‘new’ peacock was his mate that had vanished. How did this happen? Apparently Penelope, when spooked by me hanging laundry, flew across the highway to the nearby train tracks. She somehow became stuck in the grill of a train at Washago, a train that traveled to Mactier. From there she was taken to a new home, living there until we picked her up. Penelope and David are happy as clams. Lovebirds I should say.

Last spring we got two beautiful peacocks. A real pair of love birds. One sunny day, the peacocks were stepping around the yard, picking up seeds under the clothesline. I stepped onto the porch and started hanging up laundry, unintentionally spooking the birds. They flew off into the bush, a dangerous place where many a chicken, rabbit or squirrel has lost their life unexpectedly. We searched for the peacocks for a few hours and, sadly, only the male turned up. Six months passed. David, the male peacock seemed lethargic and sedentary. Every once in a while he would peck Merle, the turkey on the head, or knock a chicken off the roost. Not a happy guy. He needed a new mate so we checked Kijiji. Immediately we discovered an ad for ‘free female peacock”. We told the advertiser we’d be there in an hour and up the road we John LeBarr is a writer and an artist who lives went on a 96 km. journey to Mactier - with a in the Washago area. His artwork graces the cage and some birdseed in our car. Washago water tower, a community landmark.

Carpets • Customized Area Rugs • Cork • Bamboo

The community of Sandcastle Estates, just south of Washago, eagerly await this common merganser duck pair to return this spring. Ellen Cohen Publisher

thevillagerpress@rogers.com 705-717-0322 The Villager, a Severn Township community news magazine, is an independently owned and operated publication delivered to households and businesses on or before the first day of every month. It is mailed through Canada Post north from the Severn Township/Orillia border to Severn Bridge and includes parts of Ramara Township. In addition to Canada Post delivery, The Villager is distributed each month through high traffic locations along the Highway 11 corridor and in many other select locations in Orillia. For a complete list of locations email thevillagerpress@rogers.com. Editorial and advertising material is protected by copyright. Reproduction of any article, photograph or graphic is forbidden without the express permission of the publisher. The sentiments of our columnists do not necessarily reflect those of The Villager. The Villager’s liability to advertisers for errors is limited to the portion of the advertisement in which an error occurs and only if the error is the fault of The Villager. Community event submissions and prearranged editorial contributions must be received by the 10th of each month for the following month’s publication. Advertising space must be booked by the 10th of each month in order to appear in the following month’s publication, with 5 business days thereafter to complete the advertising artwork and proof approval process.

The Villager P.O. Box 5 Washago, ON L0K 2B0

Art director: Cathy Cleary, 705-345-3878

From the Publisher:

Will you vote for the party - or the person? The lead up to the June 7th provincial election has been interesting, to say the least, but now we move forward. The future of Simcoe North and our province is in the hands of the voters and for the next 5 or 6 weeks, we will watch and listen to the candidates, educate and prepare ourselves to mark an ‘X’ on our cherished ballot. My sense is that our political system can make it difficult to make a confident voting choice. We have only one vote and that vote is for the local candidate, not the premier, at least not directly. The candidate who wins the most votes, wins the riding. The next premier is chosen by adding up all the ridings won by her/his party. The best scenario for voters would be if the candidate you believe is the most competent is also affiliated with the political party you choose to support. But what if that’s not the case? What if the candidate you think is the very best is a member of a party you feel you could never support? It’s a conundrum. Because provincial elections result in choosing an MPP who will go to Queen’s Park and represent our neighbourhood, I made a decision years ago to look beyond party affiliation. I vote for a candidate based on the following criteria: good character; the ability to put the needs of Simcoe North residents above political party; a good balance in policy as regards social and economic issues; an eagerness to listen and acknowledge my needs; good communication skills; and the ability to clearly lay out solutions and concrete plans. But what do voters do who identify a perfect candidate but simply cannot vote for that person because of the party he/she represents, a party with policies that are contrary to that voter’s needs or values. Might that mean that our system encourages partisanship and possibly leaves behind candidates who have superior skills? Are we sometimes electing an unqualified or unprepared candidate? I think some of these questions will continue to swirl around in my head, even as I vote. But in the meantime, my plan is to stay informed. I will listen to and watch the candidates carefully so that I can at the very least understand their priorities and specific plans. I will also try to be very careful not to fall for empty words also known as rhetoric a tactic often used in speechmaking to heighten partisanship, stir up anxiety, and even cover up a lack of skills and solutions. In other words, it’s a ruse. Examples of rhetoric are “I am the only candidate/we are the only party who can straighten out this mess.” Or “Nobody can represent you better than I can”. If I hear this, I will ask the candidate exactly what is the mess, and why are you the only party/candidate able to fix it? Or I will ask what makes you better and what are your plans to make your statement true? The best thing about all of these political questions and the conundrum they might cause, is that we all have our precious vote. Although it’s a massive responsibility, we have the privilege of forming the next government and shaping our future. Party or person? Who will do the best job? Let’s think about that.

Letters to the publisher are welcome and may be emailed to thevillagerpress@rogers.com. Letters may be edited.

Spring cleaning includes checking on fire safety As the season changes and the snow has mostly disappeared, our thoughts turn to our annual “spring cleaning” ritual. For most, this includes inside and outside the home. The following are some fire safety tips to help ensure your home is safe: • Check wiring or plugs for all major appliances, light fixtures or anything that is plugged in on a regular basis to ensure they are not frayed or damaged. • Unplug small appliances. Get into the habit of only plugging them in when using. • Test your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm. Check the date of expiry and perhaps add a spare alarm to your shopping list along with extra batteries for those evenings when they decide to activate due to a low battery. • Check your fire extinguisher to ensure it is still operable. Ensure the needle on the gauge is in the green. When purchasing a fire extinguisher, take a marker and write the date of purchase. Fire extinguisher expiry date will vary depending on size. They should be checked on a monthly basis. • If you find you are using extension cords as permanent wiring, replace

By Dianne Kyle, Fire Prevention Officer, Severn Township

them with a surge protected power bars.

• Clean out window wells and ensure the means of egress is safe and clear.

• Ensure matches and lighters are out of reach of children.

• Clean BBQ equipment and check to ensure there are no leaks in fuel supply hose.

• Ensure your lint trap in your dryer is clean, including the area past the screen and the vent that leads to the exterior. • Check windows to ensure they open easily. • Clean your garage of stored newspapers or other rubbish that can fuel a fire. • Reduce excessive combustibles in and around your home. Cleaning the yard and around the house: • Ensure your “green” number is clearly visible from the road or street. • Check exterior electrical outlets to ensure they are clear of debris.

Outside burning: • Remember Severn Township has an open air burning permit system. If burning yard waste, ensure you follow the criteria on the permit. • Please be considerate of your neighbors. Burning leaves causes smoke. Ensure your neighbor does not have laundry on a line, have their windows open, or do not have a medical condition where smoke may cause discomfort. Make sure to have a water hose or sufficient water supply at hand in order to extinguish the fire if necessary. For more information on fire safety please contact Severn Fire Prevention Division at 705-325-2315, ext. 248.

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By Marylynne White In March we celebrated the Irish. Thanks to the choir leader, Doreen Philip, for she always has a varied supply of Irish “green” items. Many of our seniors belong to the Harmony Sounds, so a trip to Leacock Lodge and Trillium Nursing Home was in order to present Irish songs with the choir and the ukulele musicians. McNamara’s Band was a favourite. The playing of many musical instruments such as Kazoos, tambourines, cymbals made for a lively entertaining afternoon. We enjoyed a pot luck lunch with a variety of many delicious and creative foods. After the lunch our interest speaker was Sheona Kloostra from “Happy At Home.” She spoke about the responsibilities when hiring a private caregiver vs a homecare agency. It is very important to outline one’s needs before you begin a search for a qualified candidate. A detailed job description will help the family and potential providers. It was an extremely interesting presentation. At our second meeting on March 21 we kept the Irish Green theme going! It was an afternoon of games and great fun. Some of the activities included making a flag representing something Irish, a panel willing to answer some really hilarious questions. The answers were priceless!! A car race, hit the target and other fun stuff! Prizes were awarded to all. Our club motto is”Forever Young,” and were are!!!

Lost dock

River residents – please keep your eyes peeled Linda Languille isn’t sure when an 8’ section of her floating dock got loose and, well, floated down the river “From my house it isn’t easy to see the pieces of floating dock where they are stacked on the ground over the winter, so I didn’t notice a section was missing until quite recently,” said Linda. She would be very grateful if residents who live on the river could keep their eyes open. If anyone has seen a dock section floating by, or if it shows up at the edge of their property, please let her know. Linda can be reached by calling 705-689-3974.

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Tick talk By J. Mizzi-Fry ‘Edward’ is a handsome sixyear old Rottweiler/Lab mix who had a tick on his neck three years ago. Luckily, because Linda and Steve Burdett of Floral Park check their pets regularly, it was removed without any side effects. However, without this proactive regular checkup, Edward may not have escaped this ever-growing health issue. This lucky dog shares a home with his fellow furry family members including Edward, a six-year old Rottweiler/Lab mix and two-year old, two-year old Bella, a Boxer- Bella, a Boxer-Bull Mastiff mix, practice good preventative Bull Mastiff mix, and two- health care with regular veterinary checkups. year old brother and sister felines, Sonic and Knuckles. They are kept Tracey Rogers, RVT and office manager happy and healthy by their human parents. of Lake Country Animal Hospital says Local veterinarian, Dr. Jill Gordon, of that although the risk of heartworm may Washago Veterinary Services says the clinic be somewhat low in this area, if your pet sees their fair share of Lyme-infected dogs, contracts heartworm, it is very difficult to about 20 last year. She explained ticks treat successfully and the cost of treatment become active at four degrees Celsius and is very high. our unpredictable winters have resulted in “Heartworm is a disease that is much an extended tick season. She recommends easier to prevent than to treat,” she said. prevention from March to November. June – November is when preventative Local ‘snow birds’, however, should be medication is given but Dr. Gordon and especially aware of the problems ticks Tracey Rogers advise all pet owners who present and the potential of Lyme disease. spend the winter in warmer climates to talk Pets living south for the winter need to take to their veterinarian about preventative additional protection and should always medication before traveling. Pet owners talk to their veterinarian before traveling. need to be aware that mosquitos, ticks and Regarding cats and Lyme disease, Dr. fleas live year-long in the south. Gordon said, “Interestingly, cats seem to be Please check with your own veterinarian less affected by Lyme disease. They haven’t for further details about Lyme disease and figured out exactly why, but perhaps it’s heartworm as other local-related seasonal their grooming habits or their superior issues such as: fleas, porcupine quills, blueimmune system.” green algae toxicity and snake bites, to Lyme disease can present in a number name a few. of ways including joint pain, lameness, Keeping your pets healthy is as easy as swelling, fever, and lethargy. It can also following the example of Edward’s human cause severe kidney damage. parents: be aware of your pet’s environment Another peril for dogs especially is and the dangers they might present; watch heartworm which is caused by a bite from for unusual symptoms such as fatigue and an infected mosquito. It is a disease for swelling; and manage their health care, which there is lower risk in this area, but including getting regular checkups. one that results in serious health issues for our pets. As with Lyme disease, seldom do cats present with this disease, perhaps Joan Mizzi-Fry is a former broadcast news producer because they spend less time outdoors. who now calls the Washago-area home.

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Physiotherapy, Massage Therapy & Chiropractic 3378 Muskoka Street, Washago JunctionRehabilitation.com • 705-796-3877 Our highly-trained, experienced and friendly physiotherapy, massage therapy, and chiropractic professionals will respect and accommodate your needs quickly and effectively. Call on us for injuries or accidents, arthritis, repetitive strain, post and pre-op issues, chronic pain, therapeutic or relaxation massage, and more. Also available: Cupping and Acupuncture

EXPANDED SERVICES

Thanks to the every-increasing demand for our services, Junction Rehabilitation has added two professionals to our team:

Massage Therapy: In addition to our current therapist, Tracey, Ashley Giles, RMT has joined our team. Drop by to welcome her to the neighbourhood.

…and, beginning March 20th Dr. Alana Welch will provide chiropractic services every Tuesday.

The best mac ‘n’ cheese event - April 10 On March 10th, to promote local breweries and give our communities a fun night out, we hosted our annual Kegs & Corks beer tasting event. With 4 oz. samples for just $1 apiece, guests had the opportunity to try craft ales, lagers, stouts and ciders without having to worry about getting stuck with a large amount of product that they may not like. This year’s event was a success with nearly 100 attendees and over 500 sample tickets sold. Big thanks to 4 Degrees Brewing, Sawdust City Brewery, Highlander Brewery and Heritage Estates Winery and Cidery for another great event. Several members of our club partnered with the Rotary Club of Orillia and hosted international students from the University of Toronto from February 23-25. Visiting students took part in uniquely Canadian activities like making s’mores and bannock over the fire, cross country skiing and snowshoeing, hockey, ice fishing, and much more. It was a wonderful opportunity organized by our Orillia friends. We hope that the students had as much fun as we did! Our club proudly sponsors a variety of community projects, the latest of which is Rama Central Public School’s grade 8 trip to Muskoka Woods. We made a $500 donation, but there’s still lots of fundraising to do. The school is hosting Mac ‘n’ Cheese dinner on April 10th at Ramona Hall to help cover the rest of the costs. Andy Dreschel, head chef at Bayview Wildwood will be in the kitchen with Rama Central’s grade 8 students making gourmet mac ‘n’ cheese, Caesar salad with homemade dressing, and desserts. Show your support by coming out and enjoying a delicious meal for just $12 per person. Tickets can be purchased from students or by contacting Rama Central Public School. We’ll see you there. The month of May will also be an exciting time for us – and can be for you too. Our annual Wild Game Dinner is on May 5th and our ‘Beer for a Year’ draw wrapping up on Victoria Day weekend. Tickets for both can be purchased from any Rotarian or by contacting info@washagorotary.ca

Based on patient demand, service hours may expand.

NEW LOCATION JUNE 1, 2018 LARGER SPACE • MORE COMFORTABLE • ACCESSIBLE In order to meet the needs of our growing business and to provide the ultimate in care for our clients, we are excited to announce that on June 1, 2018, Junction Rehabilitation will move to

7550 Rama Road,

only a few minutes from our current location. This new space will include handicap accessibility, ample onsite parking, a gym, and much more space to accommodate comfort and privacy.

Visit our website or call for a complete list of our services JunctionRehabilitation.com

Happy Easter & Happy Passover From everyone at

Be aware of fraud, schemes and scams By Simcoe North MP Bruce Stanton

Last month was Fraud Prevention Month. There were notifications and stories in print, online and on television to bring awareness and to advise everyone to be on the lookout for fraudulent schemes that could cost you your hard-earned money. In the last few weeks, my office has seen a number of schemes targeting Canadians, many of which appear to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Especially now, with tax time upon us, it’s important to be especially vigilant about suspicious messages claiming to come from the CRA. One of the schemes involves emails claiming to be from the CRA. The emails mimic the popular Interac Email Transfer, asking recipients to click on their banking institution and enter their online banking credentials to deposit their tax refund. Please note: the CRA will not send your tax refund by an Interac Email Transfer. If you receive a message like this, please do not click on any of the links. You may have also seen media reports about a new telephone scam that has been targeting Canadians, called the “one ring scam”. Victims will receive a phone call from an overseas phone number (often it’s from a country like Mauritania) that hangs up after one or two rings. No voicemail is left, and the scammers are hoping that you will phone the number back, at which point you will get a prerecorded message, or hear music. However, as soon as you call the number back, you will have fees and per-minute charges added to your phone bill, upwards of hundreds of dollars per minute. The longer you stay on the line, the higher the charges on your next phone bill. If you receive a call, letter or email that you believe is a scam, I encourage you to report this to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, which can be done online (http://www.antifraudcentre.ca) or by phone 1-888-495-8501 (Monday-Friday; 9:00 am - 4:45 pm). As always, if you receive an email and you are not certain if it is legitimate, please forward it to me at bruce.stanton@parl.gc.ca and we will verify it.

Water tower Although the artwork installation is complete, the Friends of the Washago Water Tower committee continues their work. “Our committee doesn’t consider the job finished yet. Our goal is to make sure the artwork, the tower and the land it sits on continue to be in good repair,” said Kathy Nicholson, chair of the committee. “The committee members are determined to make sure this site does not fall into ruin.” To that end, at the March 15th committee meeting a ‘to do’ list was created. Among other things, that list includes some priority tasks: investigate the possibility of solar lighting, making the tower a 24-hour attraction; speak to a local greenhouse/ gardener about how the land beneath the tower can be made attractive while preventing overgrowth; submit grant applications to help with ongoing maintenance and the establishment of a fund for perpetual care; and ask the The Friends of the Washago Water Tower township to include painting of the underCommittee are currently working towards structure of the tower as part of their long-term artwork and site care and maintenance agreement. maintenance.

Also at this meeting, the committee heard that a local woman and her son have pledged to design and produce an interpretive sign that will be displayed at the tower site. Kathy Nicholson told The Villager that the sign will be on a pillar and include both text and pictures similar to signs that are displayed at tourist attractions. The core group of Friends of the Washago Water Tower includes: Kathy Nicholson, chair; Doris Middleton, vice-chair; Cheryl Lawder, treasurer; John LeBarr, installation artist; Jan Turner; Klevas Grinius; Glenys Hepinstall; Joan Berndt; Louise Jardine; Jim Hanwell; Mike Turner; Peter Keith; and Donald Westcott. If you see them in the neighbourhood, tell them thanks for all their hard work. • 7 0 5-71 7-03 2 2 •

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Drop in to see our new

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Recreation happily moving outdoors

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LANDSCAPING

By Pat Harwood, Recreation Coordinator It’s official. Winter is over! The ice is out at the Coldwater & District Community Centre and we now welcome Coldwater Ball Hockey for Youth and the returning South Simcoe Rebel Rollers. We also welcome the Midland Women’s Ball Hockey League, new for 2018. And with the coming of warmer weather, many of our recreation programs are slowly moving outside. We’ll have some of the favourite activities returning this year which will include pre-school and youth age groups Little Kickers and T Ball. These programs will be offered in Coldwater, Marchmont – and we will announce new locations soon! For adults and seniors we have a wealth of exercise programs to choose from including Hatha Yoga, Soulful Vinyasa Style Yoga, Keep Fit for Bones, Fitness

Fusion, Yoga, Easy Tai Chi and more. In preparation for what we hope will be a long and warm spring and summer, picnic tables, park benches and bike racks have been ordered to be placed in our parks. The township will begin a large trail project in 2018. This includes the installation of new trail gates to replace cement blocks and guard rails. Lastly, the township is pleased to announce that through a partnership with the County of Simcoe and Trans Canada Trail, fencing and park amenities in the Couchiching Avenue parkland will be installed. Need space for your buck and doe, birthday party, anniversary party, family reunion? Severn Township has facilities and parks to make this a reality.

To look at our complete list of facilities and review our recreation programs, visit www.townshipofsevern.com. Then call 705-325-2315 to make it happen.

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Don’t miss Community Events on page 22. For more events in the township and in the greater Simcoe region: ontarioslakecountry.com

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Spring 2018 Programs 705-689-6424 • www.washagocommunitycentre.com

Wednesday, April 11, 5:00-7:00pm and Thursday April 12, 5:00-7:00pm • Registration forms are available for download from the WCC website. • Minimum numbers are required to run all programs. A decision to cancel will be made on completion of the last registration date. A full refund will be provided if a program is cancelled. Line Dancing has been cancelled due to low attendance. • Membership to the Washago Community Centre is an annual fee of $15.00 per adult.

MONDAYS Yoga

Start Date: April 23 for 8 weeks • Time: 4:15 - 5:15pm (Gentle) and 5:30 - 6:30pm Yoga incorporates breathing and meditation techniques as well as physical postures. It is an excellent way to bring awareness to your body while focusing on strength, flexibility and balance. You are welcome to participate at your own pace. Cost: $68.00 members • $78 non members • $10 discount for payment by April 12 Instructor: Anita McDonald

BLT Stretch & Tone

Start Date: April 23 for 8 weeks • Time: 6:45 – 7:45pm Tone and muscle conditioning workout utilizing hand weights & stretch bands to great music. Work out at your own pace. Please bring your hand weights. Cost: $56.00 members • $66.00 non-members • $10 discount for payment by April 12 Instructor: Suzanne Ball

TUESDAYS Gymnastics

Start Date: April 24 for 8 weeks • Time: Tiny Tumblers (ages 3 to 6) 4:45 - 5:45pm • Gym Giants (ages 7+) 5:45 - 6:45pm Participate in gymnastic fundamentals in a fun environment. Learn movement patterns and develop skills and focus on fitness. Classes encourage fun, fitness and learning. Cost: $60.00 • $10 discount for payment by April 12 Instructor: Judi Page

Body Fitness Balance Ball

Start Date: April 24 for 8 weeks • Time: 7:00 - 8:00pm Looking for a great overall body muscle toning workout? Join us for a powerful low impact workout which improves core stability, posture and muscle balance. Also great for flexibility and your cardiovascular system! Bring a balance ball and hand weights. Cost: $56.00 members • $66.00 non-members • $10 discount for payment by April 12 Instructor: Suzanne Ball

Ball Hockey

Start Date: April 24 for 8 weeks • Time: 6:00 - 7:00pm Enjoy an hour of fun and healthy exercise – no contact or slap shots allowed. Please bring helmet, face guard and a stick. Cost: $40.00 • $10 discount for payment by April 12 Instructor: John Beck

T Ball and Softball

Start Date: May 22 for 8 weeks • Time: T Ball 5:30 - 6:30 • Softball 6:30-7:30pm T Ball for ages 4 to 7 and Softball for ages 8+. Please bring your ball glove and personal helmet. Cost: $30.00 T Ball Instructor: Sarah Maharaj • Softball Instructor: Trish Parkin

13 WEDNESDAYS Computer - Learn to use your Apple iPAD

Start Date: April 25 for 6 weeks • Time: 9 - 10am A 6 week session in iPAD basics, adjusting settings, connecting to wireless, learn to take photos, browse the internet and using SKYPE and FACETIME. A great opportunity for group discussion and to get all your questions answered. Cost: $30.00 members • $40 non members Instructor: Kevin Lehman

Computer - Learn to use your ANDROID TABLET

Start Date: April 25 for 6 weeks • Time: 10:30 - 11:30am A 6 week session to learn the basics in turning on your Android tablet - adjusting settings, connecting to wireless and learning to take photos, browse the internet and using SKYPE. A great opportunity for group discussion and getting your questions answered. Cost: $30.00 members • $40 non members Instructor: Kevin Lehman

Karate

Start Date: April 25 for 8 weeks • Time: Defending Dragons (ages 4 to 12) 4:45 - 5:30pm Advanced (ages 4 to 12) 5:30 - 6:15pm Karate increases agility, flexibility and self-confidence. Defending Dragons (beginner class) introduces children to the basics of karate encouraging the development of motor skills and physical agility. Advanced class, for those who have completed the beginner karate class, is to learn the art of karate as it was intended as self defense. Cost: $47.50 each • $10 discount for payment by April 12 Instructor: Tawnya Gauthier-Romaniuk

Body Fitness Plus

Start Date: April 25 for 8 weeks • Time: 6:30 – 7:30pm This is an excellent cardio fat burning workout including muscle conditioning and strengthening. This workout is designed for all ages and you work at your own pace to great music. Included is a warm up, cool down, aerobic activity, muscle conditioning and mat exercises. Please bring your own hand weights. Cost: $56.00 members • $66 non-members • $10 discount for payment by April 12 Instructor: Suzanne Ball

THURSDAYS Acrylic Landscape Painting

Start Date: April 26 for 8 weeks • Time: 9:00 – 10:45am Acrylic Landscape Painting with local artist Doug Cooper. A great opportunity to learn to paint from a gifted artist. No previous experience is necessary as Doug will accommodate all artistic skill levels. Additional cost may/will be incurred to purchase paint/ supplies if required. Cost: $68.00 members • $78 non-members • $10 discount for payment by April 12 Instructor: Doug Cooper

Zumba

Start Date: April 26 for 8 weeks • Time: 7:30 – 8:30pm Zumba fitness is a very exciting dance party atmosphere full of Latin and international music – no previous dance experience required! Workout is taught with instruction on how to do the moves and the “watch and follow”. It’s fun and effective, using interval training combining fast and slow rhythms for an effective aerobic workout while at the same time, targeting your legs, abs, glutes and arms. Cost: $68.00 members • $78 non-members •$10 discount for payment by April 12 Instructor: Beth Bussoti-Schell

Childrens’ Mini Library

Circle & Play:

Bring your small children to the Centre and take advantage of the books, in the lobby, that are available for them. Take a book and/or leave a book.

This program is sponsored through Life with a Baby and open for preschool age children. The program is run on a volunteer basis and available 10:30 - 11:30am on March 19, April 16, May 14, June 18.

NEW PROGRAM IDEAS? - Please contact Rose at the WCC 705-689-6424

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Maple glazed grilled salmon and lemon butter asparagus packets By Chef Becky INGREDIENTS: • 18” x 18” thick tinfoil x 2 • 6 oz. skinless salmon fillet • 6 asparagus spears • juice of half lemon • ¼ cup local maple syrup

• 3 or 4 pads of butter • cracked black pepper and salt to taste • drizzle of canola oil

METHOD: Preheat BBQ to 325°F. Place the tinfoil layers on top of each other (make sure it is firm enough to hold a packet of food). If not, add another layer. Brush the tinfoil with the canola oil. Place trimmed asparagus side by side on the tinfoil (like a raft) and season with salt and pepper. Season salmon with salt and pepper and place on top of the asparagus raft. (Keep the asparagus and salmon at least 2” away from the edge on all sides of foil so that you can easily create the packet.) Drizzle with lemon juice. Arrange pads of butter (3 or 4) in and around the salmon. Now drizzle half of the maple syrup on the salmon. Seal the foil packet by folding the outer edges into the centre, then the top and bottom are folded in to create a packet. Place on BBQ top rack, or in oven. Cook for 8-10 minutes. Can also be cooked in the packet over a campfire. Remove from heat source, open packet and drizzle with rest of maple syrup, lemon juice, and serve. If camping, just open and eat directly from foil packet. Chef Becky Lennerton is the proprietor of Black River Food Company and a teacher in our region for Loblaw Companies Limited.

Consider volunteering at Soldiers’

Gemstone of April

Diamond

Are you aware that Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital in Orillia is looking for volunteers? It is a great way to give back. In February, 199 volunteers gave 2,843 hours. Some members of our Senior Citizens Club are part of that group of people, while others volunteer for other organizations. We try hard to give back to the community. Many of us have the time to do volunteer work and we also understand how important volunteerism to our community. When you see a volunteer, please say thank you, and consider helping Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital or other organizations who need your help. On another note, we want to take some time to thank our first responders. They go that step beyond.

Having come from Toronto and now living in Severn Bridge for 10 years, I noticed how much more we depend on first responders in this more rural area. I remember when our home filled with smoke and we placed a 911 call. Everyone was so nice. The fire chief even yelled at his men to take their boots off at the door. Thankfully, it was just a chimney fire. These are people who care. The Lioness will be holding their first Court Whist of the season on April 11th. We start at 10:00 a.m. sharp and invite you to come early for coffee. Our lunch is at noon and we usually finish by 2:30. It is a very simple game of cards and the camaraderie is great. We look forward to seeing you. Please watch for our advertisements.

By Estelle Ness, President

Diamonds are the traditional and modern April birthstone. It is the most valued of precious gems and is the hardest known mineral, making it valued for scientific tools, such as industrial cutting and polishing. Most natural diamonds are from 1 to 3.5 billion years old. Northern Ontario is a source of natural diamonds. Diamonds can also be created in a lab, making them more affordable with identical brilliance and sparkle as natural diamonds. Wearing diamonds is said to make us happier in relationships, more successful at work, and helps us build strength from within. Diamonds are also said to give us mental clarity, balance and prosperity. Good reasons to wear diamonds. richardsjewelrydesigns.com.

A wild hunter along the shore with its habits of exploring every nook and cranny as it travels, often rising on its hind legs to watch for danger. In recent years, the American mink’s name has changed to One of the great blessings of the Washago Neovison vison to distinguish it more clearly area is the abundance of shoreline along from its European cousin. the twisted courses of the Green and Black Rivers, as well as local lakes. In the case of my home, we are lucky to look out onto a quiet marshy canal, with natural shoreline fronting a narrow island. Occasionally that view provides a glimpse into the lives of the wildlife that share the landscape with us. This morning, the treat was a sleek mink that poked along the shoreline and then crossed to take shelter under our dock, followed a moment later by a second identical animal. After a brief encounter, one of the mink hurried away southwards along the shore, while the other loped away northwards at a slower pace. This was likely a territorial squabble among males, and the winner was clear. Most of the time, mink travel alone and don’t form pair bonds like most birds and Often seen near local rivers and lakes, mink a few mammals. By April, females have are fierce predators. already mated with several males and are tucked away in an underground den lined For many decades, mink has been a with leaves and dry grass, or even fur and favourite of the fur industry, although these feathers. In this snug haven, they produce days most mink fur comes from farmed a litter of young, which are born nearly animals. Softness is its main attraction, naked and don’t open their eyes for 25 resulting from its dense pelt. As a point days. Young mink gain weight quickly and of comparison, a human head tops out at are weaned by about 6 weeks in age, and about 190 hairs per square centimeter, or able to capture their own food by an age of often much less. An average mink will have 8 weeks. over 20,000 hairs in the same area! Mink are meat-eaters with a diverse diet. Wild mink are easy to identify – a slim You seldom see mink far from water, for body about two feet in length, a pointy they often feed on crayfish, clams, frogs snout and tiny ears, chocolate-brown fur and fish. But they are fierce predators, and with a touch of white below the chin, and will also tackle prey larger than themselves, an everlasting nervous energy that means including muskrats, rabbits and ducks. Like they are seldom still. Whether or not you other members of the weasel family, they love the softness of a mink stole around can move quickly for short distances and your neck, I hope you admire the sleek form are efficient at dispatching their prey with a of this wild hunter when you encounter a bite to the neck. mink along the shore. The official name for mink until recently was Mustela vison, which like many scientific A regular contributor to The Villager, Ron names, tells us something about the animal Reid is a natural heritage consultant and the co-founder and former executive director of and its habits. As a mustelid, it has scent The Couchiching Conservancy. He has written glands that it can release when frightened, more than 30 magazine articles and co-authored producing a foul, skunk-like odor. And vison three books. He lives in Washago with his wife, translates as “a scout”, which certainly fits Janet Grand.

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Happy Easter from your local Lions By Sandra Galloway, Past-president Spring is the time of year for renewal and it’s when the Lions Club in Washago carries on with the serious work of supporting a number of causes. The photo (to the right) reminds us of one of those causes - the International Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. The project provides dog guides at no cost to people with disabilities. Originally the dog guides were trained to assist Canadians with visual impairments but the project has since grown to include hearing, service, seizure response, autism assistance and diabetic alert dog guides. You can help the Washago Lions support this important organization. Find more information and make an online donation on the website dogguides. com/lions.

We also look forward to spring as we begin working on the projects we have planned for 2018. The largest is the Canada Day celebration and we will follow tradition and will host our popular Pancake Breakfast event, followed by an afternoon and early evening of live bands, food and fun. On behalf of the Lions Club of Washago, I wish you a happy Easter. It is a time for family gatherings and so much fun for children everywhere who hunt for Easter eggs. Enjoy the beginning of spring.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! DOUGIE’S JAM

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DR. KATHY MARCHILDON & DR. SANDY DRURY Mon., Wed., Thur., Fri. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. • Tues. 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sat. 8 a.m. – Noon • Evening appointments available.

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EUCHRE - Our first euchre was on March 9th. It was good fun and the attendance was good…and everyone asked for us to continue this event… so, on Friday evening, April 13th from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. come out and enjoy an evening of progressive euchre with your friends and neighbours. Cost $7/person. Register by calling 705-689-6424 and leave a message, or $8 at the door. The price includes prizes and light refreshments. Come out and support the community centre and help us continue the euchre events on an ongoing basis. CIRCLE AND PLAY GROUP - Monday, April 16th from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. All preschool children are welcome. The program is administered by a volunteer from Life With a Baby. SUMMER DAY CAMP - Come for a week or stay for the summer. The camp brochure will be ready in early April. The three camp counsellors will be returning for another summer of fun and games. Please call the Centre for more information if required. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - Thursday, May 3 at 7:45 p.m. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. If you are interested in becoming a Board Member or a member of a committee, please note the date and time. We look forward to having you. If you are unable to attend and have an interest in becoming an active member in making decisions for the WCCC, please contact Rose at 705-689-6424. GARAGE SALE - This popular event will return on May 19, 2018. You can book your table now by calling the office at 705-689-6424. All tables $10.

Holistic Hypnosis Certification Classes

An excellent opportunity to expand your current knowledge, move forward in your profession, or learn something new and valuable.

April 10 – July 24, 2018

at Green River Yoga Studio, Washago. Classes are held Tuesday evenings plus one Saturday per month. Pre-registration is necessary.

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Local theatre group launches new production Mariposa Arts Theatre, a local non-profit organization, has recently produced two very successful plays: Chicago last fall, and All My Sons earlier this year. This volunteer community theatre group is now ready to launch another production on stage at the Orillia Opera House, Rope’s End. It will run from April 5-15, Thursdays – Sundays. Rope’s End was written by playwright Douglas Bowie. It is a bittersweet story about unrequited love and second chances, with undertones of Cyrano de Bergerac thrown in. Toby, a middle-aged, downon-his-luck movie critic reflects on all the wrong turns his life has taken and ponders his very existence. Then he gets up the courage to reconnect with his first crush, Marissa, a girl he met

when they both mere teenagers at summer camp. But it’s been 31 years since they’ve seen one another. What if she doesn’t remember him? Or even worse, what if she does? MAT describes this play as at times hilarious and witty, while at other times heartbreaking as Rope’s End leads the audience through twists and turns and ends up in a surprising and memorable place. The roles of the main characters are played by Ian Munday and Marnie Hayes. Rope’s End marks the Orillia stage debut for Marnie, while some in the audience may recognize Ian from his previous appearances with MAT. The play is directed by Christine Killing who was at the helm for the Huronia Players

Rope’s End, written by Douglas Bowie, runs April 5-15 at the Orillia Opera House. production of the same play in Midland a few years ago. Sunday matinées begin at 2:00 p.m. on April 8 and 15. Thursday – Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. Groups of 10 or more get special rate of $20 per ticket. All tickets are available through the Orillia Opera House. Call 705-326-8011

or purchase tickets online at orilliaoperahouse.ca. As part of the Mariposa Arts Theatre fundraising efforts, they present an impressive list of films at the Galaxy Theatre in Orillia. Wednesday afternoon matinées, the cost is $10. A schedule and list of films is available at mariposaartstheatre.com/ FilmNights.

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March 31 Pancake breakfast with the Easter bunny. 10:00-11:00 a.m., Hewitts Farm Market & Bakery, 3331Townline Road, Coldwater. Limited seating. Pre-purchase tickets. 705-325-3000. Visit hewittsfarmmarkets.com. April 5-8 & 12-15 Rope’s End, a bitter-sweet comedy that’s surprising and memorable. Presented by the Mariposa Arts Theatre at the Orillia Opera House, 705-0326-8011 or orilliaoperahouse.ca. For more details about the production, go to mariposaartstheatre.com. April 6-22 Canadian Flavours - enjoy a 2-3 course prix fix lunch or dinner – a dining experience prepared using locally sourced food, including maple syrup. Local participating restaurants and menus at ontarioslakecountry.com. April 7 Annual Pancake Buffet Breakfast. Adults $8.00; Kids 10 & under $4.00. 8:30 a.m. – noon at the Udney Community Hall, 2347 Concession 10, Ramara. Sponsored by the Ramara Historical Society. Maple products for sale. April 7 Spring ShopAGanza, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Westmount Congregation Church at 23 Westmount Dr. S., Orillia. Loads of amazing vendors all in one location. Baked goods, handicrafts, household products, etc. Free admission. Free parking. Door prizes. 705-326-5568.

April 7/8 Simcoe District Maple Syrup Producers Association will host the 4th annual Maple Weekend. See how maple products are made! Visit sugar shacks, taste and purchase quality maple products. 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. each day. Find a sugar shack near you at mapleweekend.ca. April 9 Meat Loaf Lunch, including beverage and dessert. Prepared by the Severn Bridge Women’s Institute. 12 Noon. $8. Severn Bridge Community Hall, 1035 Southwood Rd. Severn Bridge. Fern at 705-687-4462. April 13-15 Spring Home & Cottage Show, Barnfield Point Recreation Centre.100’s of products and services for your home and cottage. For details visit orilliahomeshow.ca. April 20 Earth Day Festivities, 3:30-5:00 p.m. throughout the downtown Orillia core. Find out more at downtownorillia.ca. April 21 – May 12 Orillia Perch Festival, one of Canada’s largest registered fishing derbies. Great cash prizes, adult and children’s categories. Special OPP Kids’ Day on Saturday, May 5th. Headquarters at Tudhope Park – opening ceremonies at ODAS Park, 4500 Fairgrounds Rd. Information about the festival: visit Orillia.com. Telephone 705-326-4424 or 1-888326-4424.

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