The Villager 2020 February by Villager Community News

February 2020

Limited Spots Available

Join the revolution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Cheering special Olympians. . . . . . 9 Lions support new hospice. . . . . . 16

See page 7 for details

Community Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Where have all the birds gone?

Nuthatch

By Ron Reid Many of you have been noting that your bird feeders seem a bit lonely this winter, with fewer visitors than in past years. Well, you’re not wrong. There are several factors at play here, some very broad in scale, and some closer to home. First, and most worrisome, is a continentwide ongoing reduction in bird populations. A study by Cornell University published last year concluded that North America currently has 3 BILLION fewer birds than in 1970. Many of the population declines are happening to common species such as Meadowlarks and Juncos, with most of our local birds included in this discouraging list. The only groups that are increasing their populations are hawks and eagles, which are recovering due to tighter controls on toxic chemicals, and waterfowl, which are responding to the restoration of wetland breeding habitats. No single cause stands our as the culprit for the staggering loss of numbers for most birds. Habitat destruction is an important part, especially for grassland birds which are being squeezed out by more intensive agriculture. Since most birds migrate south for the winter, habitat loss in the tropics also affects our birds. Another huge issue

is the decline in insect life which provides essential food for young birds, a change that is likely linked to climate change. Predation by cats is a problem for many species, especially as more people living in the countryside means more cats. At this time of year, it is important to remember that only a few bird species actually stay with us during the cold months, plus a few more like Snow Buntings

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that migrate south into this area. These are birds that can survive on seeds and frozen berries. When weather conditions create a heavy crop of wild foods, as happened in 2019, fewer birds may visit your feeders simply because they don’t need to. At the same time, a heavy cone crop on the spruces and pines of northern Ontario means that very few finches come south Continued on page 6

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Township Tidbits

Alice Stamper, (nee Majury) Born in 1933. Died January 15, 2000 Order of Orillia recipient, 2018 Beloved wife of the late Ronald Stamper. A celebration of Alice’s life took place at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Price’s Corners on January 24, 2020. The communities of Severn Township and Orillia will always remember Alice for her volunteer work and involvement with many organizations including Severn’s ODAS Park and the Rollerskating Place, Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, Girl Guides of Canada and the Scottish Festival.

Dog licenses All dogs in Severn Township must be licensed by March 31st each year. The cost is $30 for the first dog ($20 if spayed or neutered); the 2nd dog license is $30; the third is $50. If you are a seasonal resident and have purchased a license for your primary residence, you are not required to purchase a license in Severn. Licenses are available at your local OSPCA and at the township office.

Township of Severn Notice © Can Stock Photo / adogslifephoto

New septic inspection program Septic systems on properties that front a major lake or river will be inspected in a new program beginning in the spring of 2020. This program will help the township ensure all waterfront property systems are safe and effective and not in danger of contaminating surface and groundwater. All septic system owners should be very careful not to flush certain products i.e. cotton swabs or cotton pads, wipes, fatty, milk or greasy products, cigarettes, etc. There is a full list on the township website. Property Assessments Every 4 years the Municipal Property Association (MPAC) sends out a Property Assessment Notice to all Ontario property owners. They are mailed from May to September. Your assessment will reflect the updated value of your property as of January 1, 2019. That assessment is used to calculate your 2021 – 2024 property taxes. If you want to learn more, visit mpac.ca and log onto About My Property. On that site you can learn how your property was assessed; compare to similar properties in your area; or file a request for reconsideration.

New short-term rental accommodations now prohibited in Severn On October 23, Council approved Interim Control By-law 2019-67 prohibiting new short-term rental accommodations for one year within agricultural, rural, residential, and miscellaneous zones in Severn. This temporary freeze allows the municipality to do more research and consultation to determine the best practice for regulating short-term rental accommodations in our community.

Want to learn more? Learn more and stay informed at townshipofsevern.com.

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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

From the Publisher:

Join the revolution Today, I am a thoroughly grown up person. At my age, the time of cataracts and arthritis, I am happy to have my small but comfortable home. Life is uncomplicated. I’ve learned to live with less and all is good. But I haven’t been too happy when thinking about my past. I know without doubt I played a part in creating the mountains of non-biodegradable waste that dot the earth. I’ve drank thousands of plastic bottles of water in my lifetime, tossed out hundreds of disposable lighters and pens. And, shamefully, I can say I have bought and thrown out more clothing, appliances and gadgets than I can remember. I can look back to the 60’s and see how oblivious we were then about doing harm to the earth. Who ever heard of or used words such as bio-degradable, greenhouse gases, wildlife habitat, conservancy or sprawl? As children we were simply thrilled to jump into the back seat of my father’s second or third-hand bungalow-sized Oldsmobile 98. Off we’d go on a nice long drive to the beach. We’d have a picnic, go for a swim and, as the sun went down, my father would gas up the Olds again and that old car shuddered and sputtered and took us home. In the same decade, while walking home from school in rural North Bay, it never occurred to me the earth was in any danger. Regularly the township’s DDT sprayer (before it was finally banned) passed us on the road. We held our breath and moved to other side of the road, not because we were aware of any real danger but because DDT

was terribly stinky and we didn’t want to get wet from the sprayer. It is true the 60’s wasn’t the beginning of humankind’s bad behaviour, but it was a time of great innovation and, ultimately, became a time of great consumerism. It was the time disposable items became plentiful. It was the decade when innovation made plastic products cheaper and single use plastic bottles more plentiful. At the same time, televisions landed in every home. People bought more cars, clothing, furniture, appliances and gadgets. In fact, over the decades we all bought more of everything, over and over again, disposing of what was old or, most likely, simply out of fashion. It seems we’ve continued to do that right up to 2020 and the mountains of trash grow. If you are a child of the 50’s or 60’s, you are proud to have been part of an enormous social revolution and much innovation. You helped to change the world. You bravely marched for civil rights, for women’s rights and for peace. You were aware and ready to fight for what was right. Now, in 2020, you are called upon once again to change the world. Starting today, you can be a hero. Pledge to change your ways - and convince others to do the same. Buy less. Learn to loathe single-use plastic. March on climate days. Innovate. Get involved. Join hands. If we are successful, history will show this as the most important revolution of all time.

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

Bridge replacement: Washago at Couchiching Lock 42 Note to readers: the new Orillia rec centre will serve residents of Orillia and surrounding townships, including Severn. Although delays, primarily caused by a shortage of tradespeople, have been disappointing, it is not too early to learn a little more about what the centre will offer you and your family. There are many more details, including fees, at Orillia.ca/fun.

The new Orillia Recreation Centre at 255 West St. S. This state-of-the-art facility provides a blend of leisure, sport, fitness and recreational amenities for individuals and families, as well as competitive sport venues for groups and organizations. The facility amenities include: • 25 metre, eight-lane lap pool with viewing area • Therapeutic pool • Leisure pool with play features • Gymnasium with two FIBA sized basketball courts and a viewing area • Childcare room • Multi-purpose room • Fitness centre including studio fitness rooms • Walking/jogging track The facility sits on 36 acres, including 21 acres of naturalized park, six acres of wet land and seven acres of parking. The site includes a trail network connecting to the Lightfoot Trail System via a unique bridge over Ben’s Ditch. The eight-lane 25-metre competition pool has many features to keep kids and adults alike busy: a one-meter and three-metre diving board; a Tarzan rope; and a rock wall. The leisure pool has three warm up lanes that are 15 metres long, a lazy river, many

A Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site The fixed bridge at Lock 42 closed Friday, January 10, 2020 and is not expected to re-open until the spring. The Ontario Waterways Unit of Parks Canada has the following information for the public: The fixed bridge at Lock 42 is nearing the end of its lifespan and will be replaced in its entirety. The new bridge will have a lifespan of approximately 50 years, will ensure long-term sustainability and minimize annual maintenance requirements related to the bridge. This project includes a full replacement of the fixed bridge, re-facing of the bridge abutments, and road work on the bridge approaches. The bridge is being built off-site and will be assembled on-site. What you should know: Road closure signs are posted on major thoroughfares with detour routes to be posted on secondary and side roads. The infrastructure improvements at neighbouring Hamlet Bridge will partially share the same recommended detour route. Please be sure to follow signs accordingly to avoid confusion. For up-to-date news on infrastructure work along the Trent-Severn Waterway, visit www.parkscanada.gc.ca/ TSWinfrastructure or contact Jodi Banks, Public Relations and Communications Officer, Ontario Waterways Unit, Parks Canada. Jodi.Banks@canada.ca. 705-742-1984. spray features and bench seating with jets and bubblers. The therapy pool will be ideal for gentle Aquafit, rehab and relaxing. The 14,811 sq. ft. gymnasium can be divided into two with a hard wall, and divided into four with netting. The City of Orillia will continue to publish updates at Orillia.ca/fun.

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Where have all the birds gone? Continued from page 1

Chickadee © Can Stock Photo / ccotaphoto

to winter in our area. Species such as Redpolls, Siskins, and Grosbeaks are virtually absent this winter; even Goldfinches are scarce because of abundant natural food supplies elsewhere. At the local level, the kinds of food you provide makes a big difference in how many birds you attract. On several recent Christmas bird counts, we came across feeders filled with the yellowish mix of corn and millet that is the hallmark of cheap “grocery store” birdseed; few of these feeders attracted anything except perhaps a flock of House Sparrows. Feeders being used by a healthy mix of

Chickadees, Nuthatches and Woodpeckers featured a much more attractive mix of higherquality foods. So if you want more birds in your yard, spend a little more for birdseed mixes with lots of black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, and safflower seeds. Suet cakes are very popular with most winter birds. As individuals, it is tough to change the trends of declining bird populations, but we can all do our bit: support conservation organizations that protect wild habitats; provide quality foods for winter birds; and please, please keep those cats indoors.

A regular contributor to The Villager, Ron Reid is a natural heritage consultant and the co-founder and former executive director of The Couchiching Conservancy. He has written more than 30 magazine articles and co-authored three books. He lives in Washago with his wife, Janet Grand.

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Happy New Year! By Marylynne White, President The first Wednesday in January fell on New Year’s Day, so we did not meet. It was agreed that it should be a day of relaxation after a busy holiday season. So we had just one meeting in January. On January 15th, we enjoyed a Pot Luck Luncheon and a General Meeting. Our

pot lucks are always a guessing game. There are no assigned food items. Members just contribute their fare and there is always a variety of food and plenty of it. It always amazes me how well it all works out and it was great to get together again and share stories about our holiday fun!

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We also played a few trivia games and board member, club secretary and choir leader, Doreen Philip spoke to the club members, telling interesting stories about her life. Her presentation was made during one of our club’s newer activities called ‘A Member’s Story’. Doreen was interesting and entertaining! Later in the day, we celebrated the January birthdays with a beautiful, yummy birthday cake, coffee and tea. Just a reminder that we have bowling on Tuesdays at the Orillia Bowl on Memorial Ave. starting at 10 am. The Chorus returns on Monday, February 3rd, 1 p.m. at the Washago Community Centre and the Ukulele Band Nowring ters e Off Boos n i k S

One of the newer club activities is A Member’s Story. Participating in that activity at the January 15th club meeting was Doreen Philip who told club members some interesting, and funny, stories about her life. follows the Harmony Sounds Chorus at 3 p.m. The Harmony Sounds are preparing for a Concert on May 3rd. New members are always welcome. Please call 705-6894719 if you would like more information. M Treeso-G atm old ent s

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Local Special Olympic athletes compete for gold By Mehreen Sahid Four local star athletes are headed to this month’s Special Olympics Canada Winter Games 2020. The Special Olympics organization is delighted and excited to send off these four exceptional athletes to represent the Orillia community. They’ll be in Thunder Bay for the competition, far away from home and family, but everyone in Orillia and surrounding townships can join in to cheer them on during the event which runs from February 25 -29. Below is a description of these very talented competitors. Get to know them and become a part of their fan club. Here’s who will be flying to Thunder Bay to compete:

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Stephen Graham • He’s been with Special Olympics Orillia for 22 years and has a wall full of medals from competitions in Canada and around the world. Stephen has been to three Special Olympics Winter World Games as a speed skater, winning five gold, one silver, and one bronze medal. At the Nationals level, he has competed in four competitions and has won 11 gold, two silver, and one bronze medal. Stephen also curls and plays baseball.

Evan Pittam • Evan has been involved with Special Olympics Orillia for 15 years, playing soccer, baseball, basketball, floor hockey, golf, curling, and bowling. He is heading to Thunder Bay to compete in fivepin bowling with two other athletes. Evan has won two bronze medals for bowling in provincial games held in Guelph. He won two gold medals in Provincials, and a bronze in P.E.I. where he competed in Nationals.

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Dennis Chamberlain • Dennis is on this year’s bowling team. He has been with Special Olympics Orillia for 21 years. In addition to bowling, he plays baseball, curling, golf, basketball and floor hockey. He’s got a laser sharp aim and will seek to destroy five pins anytime he sees them standing in a row. Over the last two decades as an Olympic athlete, the Orillia resident has won 15 gold, 12 silver, and eight bronze medals.

Lynda Larkin • Lynda completes the fivepin bowling star team. She joined Special Olympics Orillia about 15 years ago, playing baseball, bowling, and swimming. Born in Haileybury and raised in Barrie, Lynda now lives in Orillia and dedicates herself to excelling at fivepin bowling. She says she’s won so many medals for bowling, she’s lost track, but after counting, she says she has seven gold, nine silver and five bronze medals.

Good luck, athletes! We hope you will prosper and go higher than ever!

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We are ready to roll! We are into a new decade and have so much going on in Severn Township. Washago Centennial Park is scheduled for two new features: a half-pipe will be installed and, for budding artists, a graffiti panel will be added to the skate park area. The panel will eventually be displayed on the part of the building that will house the new accessible washroom addition. The design phase will begin for the improved launch facilities at Doug Smith Drive and Canal Road. Construction is planned for 2021. At another dock facility, this one in Port Severn, dock improvements will take place and completed in time for the 2020 boating season. One of the biggest projects in 2020 is the development of a new Recreation Master Plan. This new Master Plan will investigate all aspects of Severn Township recreation and will be the recreation guide for the Township of Severn for the next 10 years. Both Timberline Park and Marchmont Community Park will have ball diamond improvements. The Uhthoff Trail is scheduled to have more re-surfacing completed between Wilson’s Point Road and Division Road. A trail groomer will be purchased to ensure the screenings are level and the width of the trail is to its maximum. One last bridge needs replacing and that will happen this year. Residents of Washago and surrounding area will be pleased to know that the Washago Community Centre outdoor rink will have many improvements including new boards, lighting and netting ready in time for the 2020-2021 skating season. Other site improvements scheduled include trees, sidewalk, new picnic tables and outdoor lighting. Last but not least on our list of projects is The Coldwater & District Community Centre. New dressing room doors and frames will be installed and the original 1967 exterior doors will be replaced. Spring recreation programs are being developed along with a March Break Program at the Washago Community Centre. Registration will begin March 1st. The deadline to register is one week before the commencement of any program. Register early to avoid disappointment. To book any of our facilities view them online at www. townshipofsevern.com. Then call 705-325-2315 to make your reservation.

Ramona Winterfest Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020 A great way to spend Family Day Weekend!

Ramona Crazy Hat Cross Country Poker Run Walk, Ski or Snowshoe on our ard-packed trail through the forest. Warm up at four checkpoints & have a chance to draw the winning hand. Depart from the hall anytime from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Be back by 4:00 p.m. And enter for cash prizes!

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A reminder to community event organizers The deadline to submit community event information is the 12th of the month for the following month’s issue. Please make sure to include the location, date, time, cost (if any), and contact information for the reader.

Please send by email to thevillagerpress@rogers.com.

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A healthy community is a strong community By Jill Dunlop, MPP Simcoe North A healthy community is a community that works together to make healthy living options accessible for everyone. For me, working at the community level is always rewarding as I get to see first-hand how the opportunity of living a healthy lifestyle can bring the greatest benefits to many people. A healthy community helps to reduce gaps caused by differences in income, education, race and ethnicity, location and other factors that can affect health. These communities work together to protect citizens from health risks and to provide easy access to medical care, healthy food and are designed for quality living at home, work, and school. Often, this also means it is safe and easy to walk, bike, and play in parks and community spaces. We are

so fortunate to offer most, if not all of these benefits, across Simcoe North living in a region rich with community resources and access to information. The health of a community is an important part of how we live. It is a privilege to represent Simcoe North, an area constantly responding to the needs of the residents. The Couchiching Ontario Health Team formally announced last month, is the first of 24 in Ontario and will provide integrated care, fundamentally changing how patients, families, and caregivers experience the health care system. The Ontario Seniors Dental Program, a government-funded program designed to support low-income seniors, rolled out in November, allows individuals who qualify access to necessary

routine dental care to support healthy living. In addition, Simcoe North is home to an extensive list of organizations that continue to deliver comprehensive programs and services for individuals, families and groups of all ages with the goal of supporting and achieving healthy lifestyles. While local government policies can play an important role in promoting the health of communities, local government cannot create healthier communities alone. It takes the combined effort of everyone and given the many complexities, understanding the influence on our health requires a community-based, multilevel, interdisciplinary approach as we work together for a healthy Simcoe North.

The Green Haven Women’s Shelter celebrated the Grand Opening of its new facility in Orillia on December 13th. Shown above are Liz Westcott, left, Executive Director of the Shelter, with Jill Dunlop. Jill offered congratulations to Liz, the board of directors, and the all-female architectural and building team. The new shelter, a state-of-theart secure building, will be able to serve more than twice as many women and children as the old facility.

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Her room was clean – the chimney wasn’t By Dianne Kyle, Fire Prevention Officer, Severn Township Chimney fires occur often and can cause significant damage to properties. Chimney liners or structural problems can allow high temperatures, sparks and embers to escape to combustible areas in walls, roofs or attics. A common cause of chimney fires is creosote inside the chimney catching fire and burning inside the chimney. Creosote builds up through regular use and, depending on how often you burn, can be substantial enough to catch fire. Chimneys must be maintained and cleaned annually and/or as needed to reduce the occurrence of chimney fires. So how do you know if you have a chimney fire? Many describe it as the sound of a freight train barreling toward your house at high speeds. If this raging noise is coming from your chimney walls, it means you have a powerful chimney fire. But keep in mind, not all chimney fires are that easy to detect. A slower burning chimney fire is just as dangerous and burns at high temperatures with no identifying signals which is why regular maintenance is necessary. What do you do when you see there is a chimney fire? • Call 911 • Get everyone out of the home. • If safe to do so, cut off the air supply leading to the chimney by closing the damper on the chimney. • If you can, spray water on the roof around the chimney to prevent the roof from catching fire. Once the fire department arrives, they will monitor the temperature of the walls around the chimney and inspect attic space and areas near the chimney. You will be told not to use your chimney until a WETT certification is obtained and a copy of this certification should be sent to the Fire Prevention Division for your file. A clean chimney will not burst into flame. Proper care and regular cleanings are necessary to ensure the safety of your family and your home. Remember to test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly, ensure you have an up-to-date home escape plan.

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Washago Lions support two important local initiatives Happy New Year from the Washago and District Lions club. We are back to our good work and on Monday, January 13th, 2020 we held our first meeting of the year. In addition to a very delicious pot luck meal, we had a special

guest speaker. Lynn Thomas, Campaign Manager and Development Coordinator for the Lighthouse, Building Hope initiative gave us a comprehensive update on this project which, we found out, will be expanding services, reaching

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The Washago & District Lions Club presented a $20,000 cheque to Mariposa House Hospice. Accepting the donation are Dr. Erika Catford (middle), co-chair of the Board of Directors for the hospice; and Board Member Sylvia Smith (left). Presenting the cheque was Lion Jim Rice. out to many more of the most vulnerable residents of Orillia and the surrounding townships. Lynn told us that some of the donors helping to make this project a reality include Tim Hortons, Westmount United Church, Chippewas of Rama First Nation, and the International Union of Painters & Allied Trades. We are proud to add the Washago & District Lions Club to this list. We are also proud to support the Mariposa House Hospice. As shown in the photo above, the Washago Lions donated $20,000

to this worthy organization. Located on Brodie Drive in Severn Township, this muchneeded residential hospice broke ground late in 2019 and construction is well under way, scheduled to open in the summer of 2020. As our club moves into the new decade, we are completing a review of our much-anticipated annuals events. We’ll keep the community informed through this column in The Villager. As always, we thank everyone in our community for their support.

Lions Hall Kathy’s Country Jam • 2nd Wed. of the month, 7:00 p.m. Jam Nights Dougie’s Jam • 3rd Wed. of the month, 7:00 p.m.

Family Day fun in the snow Ramona Winterfest Saturday, February 15th If you and your family haven’t been to Ramona Winterfest in past years, make it part of your Family Day weekend plans this year. Every year the organizers change it up a little. This year should be fun – the theme is ‘Crazy Hats’. So go through your hat and mitten bin and find something you or your kids might not wear anywhere else. The uglier, the funnier the better. One of the highlights of the event is a cross country poker run. You don’t need

special skills to participate in this event. The beautiful trail is hard-packed through the forest and you can walk, cross-country ski or snowshoe, your choice. Along the trail you’ll find four checkpoints. Not only will you enjoy the warmth of an outdoor fire and some hot chocolate, this is where you have a chance to draw a winning poker hand. While you move through the trail you just might have the opportunity to see some wildlife - so bring your camera. Please note that departure time from the hall is anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. This is where you will register for the poker run. But, in order to qualify for prizes, you are required to be back at the starting point by 4:00 p.m. At the hall, you’ll find out if you have a winning poker hand and if you’re lucky, win some cash prizes. In addition to the poker run, there are several other activities taking place. A euchre tournament takes place in the hall starting at 1:30 p.m. Come by yourself

or with a playing partner. You don’t have to be an expert. Teams will be put together by the organizers. The Children’s Craft Corner is available to all children at no extra charge. Silent Auction: bring some extra cash and compete for some terrific items. Throughout the day, the volunteers will be selling delicious hot food. The event is licensed by the LLBO. Ramona Winterfest takes place at the Ramona Fairgrounds, only a few minutes outside of Washago. Take Simcoe County Rd. 169 south from Washago; turn left onto Fairgrounds Rd. and travel approximately 4 kilometers. Watch for signs. Parking is on your right and the hall on the left.

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The Ron Reid Nature Reserve holds 4km of the Black River. This natural area helps absorb flood waters in the region. Photo submitted by Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association.

Public and political will to save the earth By Courtney Baker, Couchiching Conservancy I was sitting around the lunch table at the office, laughing and joking about building resilience in children. Enjoying a laugh with coworkers and friends can really lift your spirits, especially funny stories about kids. That same day, I went home and, after reading a few heavy articles about the fires in Australia, I cried. We’ve all seen the tragic toll of many disasters around the world, other large fires or earthquakes. Even tsunamis. But these fires have really shaken me. I don’t know if it’s the sheer scale of the area affected, the seemingly unmoved Australian Prime Minister who perhaps thought he could exist outside of the crisis, or the massive coverage and reporting on the toll on the animal population that is different. Whatever it is, I am feeling it down deep.

Laughing with my colleagues one minute and weeping the next coalesced in me and got me thinking about the resilience The Couchiching Conservancy’s work provides for our region. These thoughts gave me hope for the future. Frankly, it made me feel a lot better, like a warm hug. I am comforted by the fact that resilience is built into organizations such as Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ontario Parks and, of course, The Couchiching Conservancy. Those organizations and others will ensure that our community will continue to thrive. They help to preserve what we have today and by doing such things as tree planting and creating pollinator gardens, they also help to preserve the future. The forests, wetlands and grasslands that are owned and managed by The Couchiching Conservancy help us all.

Nature reserves provide us with better flood control and shelter from extreme heat. We see higher agricultural yields thanks to the maintenance of the pollinator habitat and the diversity, and the networks of wildlife corridors act as important carbon sinks. All of this is necessary and welcome green infrastructure in our fragile world. With these luscious, green cushions in place, our region can prevent short term events such as tornadoes, from becoming long term disasters. This is true resilience. The science is clear. The planet is warming at an accelerated rate which is affecting global weather patterns and, therefore, affecting life on earth as we know it. However, the science is also clear. By reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, focusing on conservation and building on the growing public and political will to change, we can come out of the environmental crisis further ahead as a society. We have an opportunity to gain wisdom and enter a new phase of humanity - one where all species have a safe home. Welcome to 2020. The year we begin to turn things around. Courtney Baker is the Administrative Assistant at The Couchiching Conservancy, a non-profit land trust dedicated to protecting nature for future generations. To learn more about conservation efforts in our area, visit www. couchichingconserv.ca.

JILL DUNLOP

MPP, Simcoe North ORILLIA OFFICE: 14 Coldwater Road W. Orillia, ON, L3V 3L1

BRUCE STANTON, M.P. SIMCOE NORTH

575 West St. S., Unit 12 Orillia, ON L3V 7N6 Tel: 705-327-0513 • Fax: 705-327-8310 bruce.stanton@parl.gc.ca www.BruceStantonMP.ca

MIDLAND OFFICE: 295 King Street, Suite 6 TD Canada Trust Bank Plaza Midland, ON, L4R 3M5 jill.dunlopco@pc.ola.org

Grand opening of new women’s shelter The grand opening of the new Green Haven Women’s Shelter in mid-December introduced the public to a bright, spotless and truly awe-inspiring facility. It was especially exciting for anyone who has been inside the old shelter, or anyone who has worked in or had need of seeking safety in the old house. Notable is that this shelter location is known widely to the public whereas the old one was mostly known only to those with business there. “It’s time to come out of the dark ages,” On December 13, 2019, Liz Westcott (left), said Liz Westcott, the long-time executive the executive director of Green Haven Shelter director of the shelter. “We’ve been hiding for Women celebrated the grand opening of for far too long. The women who need the new shelter facility with the chair of the the shelter should not feel ashamed. It is shelter’s board of directors, Cheryl Harrison. violence against women that is shameful.” If you, or anyone you know needs the services of Greenhaven Women’s Shelter, call the crisis line 1-888-285-6958 or 705-327-7319. Donations, please call 705-327-7383, ext.226 or visit greenhavenshelter.com.

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Incoming president, Lucy Stewart, presents a scroll to Jean Eyre, the first president of the club.

Just carry on… The Carry On Club does just that - they carry on. It is not a charitable organization. There are no national organization responsibilities or fundraisers. The members simply meet once a month to enjoy a presentation by a guest speaker. And after the meeting, they enjoy a meal together at a local restaurant. The club does have an executive to help

keep things organized and interesting for all the members. Pat Angus is secretary; Jean Eyre is past-president; Ruth Meredith is treasurer; and Lucy Stewart is president. If you’re interested in meeting some new people, having some fun and fellowship, come carry on with this group. Contact Lucy Stewart at 705 259 3132.

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My name is Paul, a local resident, retired teacher, and someone who loves animals! I would love to care for your pet while you are at work, away for the weekend, or on vacation. $20 per visit (which includes walks and/ or spending time, topping up food and water, etc.)

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February 3 Pasta lunch, including beverage and desserts. 12 noon. $8. Severn Bridge Community Hall, 1035 Southwood Rd. 705-687-4462. February 6, 13, 20, 27 Mixed Dart Nights. 7:00 p.m. at the Severn Bridge Community Hall, 1035 Southwood Rd. $8. For more information call Blaine at 705-6892291. Event continues through March. February 8 The Coldwater Legion presents its monthly Meat Draw. Come join us

and have your chance to win your dinner for $1.00. From 3:00-5:00 p.m. 2 Michael Anne Dr., Coldwater. February 9 Passport to Nature: Snowshoeing and Nature Tracks. 10:00 a.m. – noon. Free event but registration is required. Level terrain and slow pace at the East Coulson Swamp while you explore with your guide. Bring your own snowshoes. Visit www.couchichingconserv.ca. February 14 Valentine’s Dinner & Concert at Heritage United Church, Washago,

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Sat, March 7th from 3 – 5pm at the Hawk Ridge Golf & Country Club, Orillia Details online at www.couchichingconserv.ca

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6:00 p.m. $20 for dinner and concert, or $10.00 for concert only. Phone 705-689-2461 for reservations. Concert presented by Allan Scott & friends. Tables for 4 or more available. February 17 Spend part of the Family Day weekend with the swans - and a swan expert - at the dock in Washago Centennial Park. All are welcome. Email sbest2561@bell.net for more information. February 20 Taming Orillia’s Red Light District – Orillia’s Sex Scandal. Guest speaker is David Town, author and presenter. 7:00 p.m. at the Udney Community Centre. Ramara Historical Society meeting and presentation followed by light refreshments. All are welcome. February 23 Lake Country Wedding Showcase. An afternoon of wedding planning and networking with the best wedding vendors in Lake Country including a Mori Lee trunk show,

horse carriage rides, free food tastings and music. Free admission. ODAS Park, 1:00-5:00 p.m. February 27-March 1 Ontario Winter Games. Competition in 27 sports throughout Orillia, Barrie, Oro-Medonte, Rama and Severn over the four days. 3,500 athletes, coaches, officials and dignitaries. Visit www.orillia2020.ca for details. February 29 Join us in the Clubroom for live entertainment with ¾ Country from 2:00-6:00 p.m. Coldwater Legion, 2 Michael Anne Dr. March 7 Lights, Camera, Action! The Coldwater & District Figure Skating Club proudly presents the end-ofseason Carnival themed ‘The Oscars’. Admission $5 adult, children 12 and under are free. Foodbank donations encouraged. 50/50 draw and raffle. Coldwater Arena, 2:00 p.m.

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