The Villager 2018 June by Villager Community News

June 2018

Knowledge and expertise to guide you through changing market conditions. Paul Cleary B.B.A.

BROKER

Recipe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

705-327-6002

Fireworks caution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Visit

paulcleary.com

New fire hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Community events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Angels saved Jennilyn and her children Long and painful recovery for local woman By Ellen Cohen Many in this community know about the horrific car crash on Highway 11 near Soules Rd. that took place on April 11, 2018. A driver was traveling southbound in the northbound lane and hit a van. Inside the van was Jennilyn Reed and two of her five children. Before first responders were on the scene, an off-duty doctor, nurse and paramedic, who happened to be traveling on the highway that night, cared for and comforted Jennilyn and the children. When first-responders arrived it was determined the jaws-of-life were needed to extract Jennilyn safely from her crushed vehicle. Jennilyn remembers it taking a long time and that when she was extracted the pain was unimaginable. She was then air-lifted to a Toronto trauma centre. The children, one with a broken bone, and the other with scrapes and bruises, were taken to the Orillia hospital, treated and released. “It’s so hard to explain how I felt when it was happening,” said Jennilyn. “It was like slow motion, but not. Everything was clear

and I could talk to people and hear them. But the look of terror on my son’s face, that was the worst. It still gives me nightmares. I am a woman of faith and I just kept asking God to look after my children. Take me - but don’t harm them.” Jennilyn believes that there was a full circle of angels around her car that night. The wonderful three off-duty professionals who stopped at the side of the road to help her; the first responders who came on the scene and freed her from the car; the excellent doctors and nurses at St. Michael’s Hospital and Soldiers’; and ‘the other angels, God’s angels, who were there to watch over my children’.

She added, “I also have to be so thankful to my car for the safety of my children. My Toyota Sienna is a van equipped with many features, including safety curtains. They worked so well. I’ve actually called Toyota to thank them.” In mid-May, Jennilyn was transferred from St. Michael’s to Soldiers’ Memorial. She may be an in-patient for months to come. She will undergo physiotherapy for her multitude of broken bones including hip, pelvis, femur, shin, ankle and more. And she will make occasional trips to St. Michael’s for follow-up on the numerous life-saving

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Continued on page 6

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Fabulous Canada Day event in Washago

WASHAGO CANADA DAY EVENTS

By Sandra Galloway Crawford, Past-President Here we go again! The Washago & District Lions Club have made our plans and we will be ready for you and your family on Canada Day. Count on us to feed and entertain you from morning till night! Of course, it wouldn’t be Canada Day in Washago without our famous Lions Pancake Breakfast. We’ll serve at the Lions Hall from 8:00 a.m. – 12 noon. The menu will include delicious pancakes, bacon, sausage, coffee, tea and juice. Bring the family and enjoy your morning. And while you’re there, keep an eye open for one of our volunteers who will be selling tickets for the Fifty/Fifty draw. Also, throughout the village you’ll see and hear singing buskers telling you to head down to the park for the afternoon and the evening. That’s right. To accommodate the crowds we’ve been getting the past few years, we are moving our afternoon and evening activities down to Washago Centennial Park, about a 2 minute drive down Quetton Street. There will be lots of free parking. The park activities begin at 1:00 p.m. on the shore of beautiful Lake Couchiching where there is a children’s playground, a beautiful beach, washroom facilities, and plenty of room to stretch out in the sun or shade, maybe have a family picnic and enjoy all the festivities. Although there are some picnic tables, we encourage you to bring your own chairs. Ask one of our volunteers about our free draw for a brand new kid’s bicycle. The draw takes place in the afternoon. Our Canada Day TEN BANDS FOR TEN HOURS is as famous as our pancake breakfast. The bands will play fantastic music you can sing and dance to!! This year this part of our celebrations takes place in Washago Centennial Park under the large open shelter. We’ll have a cash bar with a great selection of beer, coolers and soft drinks – and a great variety of hot food. For more information, call Sandra at 705-689-9646.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Wednesday, June 20th

PANCAKE BREAKFAST 8 am till noon, Lions Hall

ART SHOW

by Washago Art Club 9 am-3 pm, Community Centre

KIDS’ BICYCLE DECORATING CONTEST 12:45 pm, community centre

CANADA DAY PARADE, 2 pm, Muskoka Street followed by cake at the WCC

Washago Centennial Park starting at 1:30 p.m.

10 BANDS IN 10 HOURS 1:30 – ZAIN CAMPBEL

2:00 - THE STRAIGHT GOODS 3:00 – CHARLETTE AND THE DIRTY COWBOYS 4:00 – WENDY WHELAN & THE RUBBER BAND 5:00 – GRIDDLE PICKERS 6:00 – NO PROBLEM 7:00 – JOHN LEBARR 8:00 – BET SMITH & THE CURRIE BROS. 9:00 – SHOOT THE MOON

Dougie’s Jam in the Park

10:00 – TERRY SAVAGE & THE WONKY HONKEES

From 7:00-11:00 p.m. at Washago Centennial Park.

Everyone is invited to attend all Canada Day Festivities.

All ages welcome!

Carpets • Customized Area Rugs • Cork • Bamboo

From the Publisher:

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

A privilege. A right. An obligation. On Thursday, June 7th, if you are 18 years of age or older, a Canadian citizen and a resident of Ontario, you are eligible to vote. And, if you haven’t decided what candidate will get your cherished single ‘X’ on the ballot, you still have time to do some research. The candidates are: • Valerie Powell, Green Party, email Valeriepowell@gpo.ca; • Gerry Marshall, Liberal Party, gerrymarshallcampaign@gmail.com; • Elizabeth Van Houtte, the NDP, elizabeth.vanhoutte@ontariondp.ca; • Jill Dunlop, Progressive Conservative Party, facebook.com/jilldunlop12 All candidates have constituency offices in Orillia and Midland and they all have websites. Although it may be difficult to reach the candidate directly so close to the election, volunteers are happy to answer questions from voters.

If you need to confirm, update or add your information to the voters list, you can visit the website elections.on.ca or call 1-888-668-8683. In summary, if you need some help in making your decision, there is lots out there. You can contact candidates’ offices; you can go to a website; or you can make a telephone call. These are some of the options available. But please do not choose the option of not voting. Take advantage of your privilege - one that millions of people around the world don’t have. Take what is rightfully yours – the right to choose the candidate who best represents your hopes and dreams. Meet your obligations to your fellow citizens and your family. Take responsibility. Vote.

ELECTIONS ONTARIO VOTER INFORMATION SERVICE • Advance Voting dates & locations. • Voting day list of returning offices and candidate information • Registration & Voter Information Card details

Phone: 1-888-668-8683 Email: info@elections.on.ca Website: www.elections.on.ca

The latest in Severn business news OTD, formerly known as Orillia Trim & Door, located at 1084 Brody Drive in Severn is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. They have a full page advertisement on page 6 of this month’s issue describing the services and goods they offer and details about their anniversary promotion. To say ‘thank-you’ to the community, they are offering an opportunity to win one of fourteen $25 gift certificates and, drawing from all ballots, they’ll give away the grand prize of one gift certificate for $2,500. Drop in to fill in your ballot, have a look

around the store, and please spend a minute to congratulate owner, Ken Forbes and his staff for the remarkable achievement of serving his community for so well for so long. LAKESIDE ELEGANCE, owned by Crystal Hill, has been open for business several months and has been advertising her full service nail technician business to Villager readers for as long. Keep your eyes open for a profile about Crystal and her business in a future issue of our magazine.

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

ATV trespassers caught on camera By Mark Bisset Couchiching Conservancy stewardship manager, David Hawke was removing a fallen tree on a foot trail on the Thomas C. Agnew property near Washago when he heard the sound of something that wasn’t his chainsaw. He quickly spotted three men on two ATVs ripping up the nature reserve, land the community has worked so hard to protect. Since no motorized vehicles are allowed on Conservancy lands, they were trespassing. Since David spends so much time caring for the natural landscape, few things are more infuriating for him. Increasingly, as these machines become more popular and find their way into the hands of irresponsible operators, there is more to be angry about. Dave bolted after them, thrashing through the bush, skunk cabbage flying! One of the machines got bogged down in a low spot, giving him hope he could reach them on foot before they got away. The three men got busy trying to push and pull the machine out, doing more damage to the wet area as they struggled. Dave yelled at them to stop, and for the first time they realized they weren’t alone. They picked up the pace and soon had the machine free. What they didn’t know is that Dave always carries a camera with him. He got photos. The Conservancy staff and volunteers take these sorts of incursions very seriously because they are so damaging to nature reserves. If we can find these people, we will charge them with trespassing. Unfortunately, illegal and irresponsible

People trespassing on conservation lands with ATVs and other motorized vehicles are doing a huge disservice to the community. Above, these men were spotted on the Thomas C. Agnew Reserve recently. ATV operation is becoming one of the biggest threats to conservation in central Ontario, and the flood of these popular vehicles onto the market is only picking up pace. Like most equipment, ATVs are very useful, and when operated properly, they can be great fun. However, there are always a few careless people out there who have no respect for private property rights or the environment. They rip up wetlands and forests with reckless abandon and no thought to what they might be destroying. There are ATV associations made up of responsible owners who are doing their best to promote good riding habits, but it’s hard to reach out to people who specifically seek out remote areas. As a result, the public image of their sport is suffering. We’re losing habitat at an alarming rate. The woods of north Severn are being shredded. Those are Crown lands, but that doesn’t give the public the right to destroy them. In the case of Conservancy lands, people often make

the mistake of thinking they are “public” lands where anything goes. They’re not. We try hard to allow public access so that people can appreciate the joys of nature we are so blessed with here. But when people abuse that privilege and destroy the very thing we are trying to protect, it calls that thinking into question. Once the ATVs were gone, Dave found some more evidence of brutal behavior. A sign valued at about $400 had been torn down. Another sign had a big hole in it, likely from a broad-head arrow. Was it the work of the men on the ATVs? Impossible to say. Maybe it was another crew having fun at other peoples’ expense. The damage is done and now the Conservancy will have to spend money to fix it. Mark Bisset is the Executive Director of The Couchiching Conservancy, a non-profit, charitable land trust that protects important wild places in the Lake Couchiching region for future generations. For more information on the Conservancy, go to www.couchichingconserv.ca.

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6 Angels saved Jennilyn and her children Continued from page 1

From The Villager: Many readers have reached out to The Villager asking how they might help Jennilyn and her family with the extra expenses they will have during what is sure to be a long recovery. There are two ways to donate: • There is an active Go Fund Me page for those who choose to donate electronically: https://ca.gofundme.com/help-out-the-reeds • Or if you’d prefer, Jennilyn’s pastor, Peter Dennison will accept cash donations on behalf of the family. Drop by The Christian Fellowship Chapel, 1296 Cambrian Rd., Severn. The church will accept the money and pass it on to the family. No receipts are available from the Church because the money does not transfer into a fund but rather goes from a donation box to the family.

and serious abdominal and intestinal surgeries she had during her first days in the trauma unit. In a recent interview with The Villager, it was often hard to remember that the woman I was talking to had gone through such unbelievable pain and trauma. She is so focused, so determined to get well. And she is filled with so much love for her family, her friends, her faith community, and to strangers who reached out. She described the love shown to her and her family as overwhelming. Jennilyn said, “I am so humbled and my entire family – my husband, Adam, and our five children Kayla and Grace, twins, Cassidy, Brody, and Brooke - are so grateful for the incredible kindness shown to us from our community. In the world that we live in today, it’s sometimes easy to forget there is so much good. There really is so much… and, of course, I had my angels.”

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It’s a Celebration!

…so get ready to SHOP TILL YOU DROP! Drop in to our store and fill in a ballot. We’ll draw for two $25.00 OTD gift certificates every month between now and November 30th. On December 1st we’ll draw from all ballots for the

GRAND PRIZE OF $2,500.00

Visit our new TOOL SHOWROOM - huge selection of wood shop tools

GET UP TO

$500/WINDOW REBATE OTD has all the details.

Make OTD your first stop for:

TRIM & MOULDING • KITCHEN & BATHROOM CABINETS • DECORATIVE RAILING COMPOSITE DECKING • AWNINGS • OUTDOOR RAILING SYSTEMS WINDOWS & DOORS • GENERATORS & INVERTORS

…and visit our paint department for our top quality DULUX products.

Call 705.329.1084 or visit otdbuildingsupplies.com 1084 Brodie Drive, Severn (Behind Orillia Square Mall) Open Mon.-Fri. 8am – 5pm, Sat. 9am-4pm

Our club is all about fun! By Marylynne White

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Where has the time gone? Here we are now into June and will be participating in our last two meetings of this Senior Club year. We are happy to say we only had to cancel once this year due to the weather. All the other meetings were well-attended and included amazing fun and fellowship. In April, members were asked to write down their suggestions regarding future speakers and activities for the club. The Board of Director’s were very pleased with the positive responses and many of the ideas will be implemented in the future. In April and again in May, we had fun playing cards, trivia games and unique floor games. Our group of lively members were willing to try and keen to participate in new and creative fun. Laughter is the best medicine and we do have plenty of that! We also enjoyed a wonderful slide presentation on the history of the Harmony Sounds Chorus. Our ‘first of the month’ luncheons are always delicious. We are so lucky to have members provide these luncheons, always with very tasty food. And, finally in May, we wrapped up the month with the Club’s annual “Over 80’s” event. As usual, we carried on with the tradition of refreshments and great entertainment. Moving forward, the month of June will see the golfing groups rally once again. Of course, as with all golfers, they are very happy to see the green peek through again. Also in June, perhaps you have seen the flyers around the village announcing that on Sunday, June 10th the Harmony Sounds will be having a very special concert presentation at the Washago Community Centre. The group is made up of some of our members and others from the community. The theme is “Thank You for the Music.” The selections of songs are beautiful. The ukulele group will also be performing. Tickets are now available. If you wish to attend, please call 705-689-4719. Have a happy summer!

It’s almost over Thanks to Derek Burke, the director of public works for the Township of Severn, his staff, and the contracting company who did the work, Washago’s main street construction is almost finished. Business owners and their staff, and area residents who spend a lot of time in the village, will be happy to go home without taking a bit of gravel stuck to the soles of their shoes, and glad to get a car wash that lasts more than a day. Muskoka Street is soon to be beautiful, fresh and safe.

Plant, fertilize and protect By Karen Kahle Perennial gardens filled with a rainbow of colour and variety of height and texture are a sight to behold. But the physical work required to get – and keep – your gardens looking wonderful is not for the faint of heart, particularly if you have multiple beds. But, once you’ve cleaned up, set in some annuals for early colour and planted some vegetables, the rest of the summer won’t require nearly as much heavy work. To help you attain the ultimate in gardening success, here are a few early season gardening tips: When planting annuals or new perennials, be careful not to disturb the roots of established plants and keep in mind that some of your perennials will grow into very large plants as the summer moves on. They could shade or crowd out annuals. Careful planning is needed before you plant. Don’t let all your hard work go to waste. Your plants need nutrition in order to thrive and to be glorious. Learning what kind of

fertilizer you need and how often how to feed can be a challenge. A Google search will help but a visit to your local greenhouse/ garden centre may be more helpful. A couple of things to know about this: more fertilizer does not mean better; all fertilizers are not created equal; and follow the instructions on the packaging of whatever fertilizer you buy. Think about fertilizer the same way as taking medical prescriptions. Protecting your plants from heat, and too much or too little water, is very important. Watch carefully for pooling or too-quick run off of water. Mulching is an excellent solution for protecting plant roots as well as reducing the need for weeding. Lastly, the dreaded and destructive Japanese beetle will do its best to ruin your flower and vegetable gardens. It’s not too early to purchase the Safer’s Japanese Beetle Trap, one of the most effective weapons against the adult Japanese beetles.

Karen Kahle is the grower and proprietor of Fern Forest Garden Centre, www.fernforest.ca

Beautiful perennial gardens surround this warm, bright 4-bedroom, 2 bath ranch bungalow in Sandcastle Estates on the shores of Lake Couchiching. The sunroom is the heart of this home featuring Napoleon propane stove, skylight, 2 walkouts and a wall of windows offering a panoramic view. French doors lead to the living/dining room with vaulted beamed ceilings. The eat-in kitchen layout is ideal for the foodie and has a walkout to extensive decking with awning. All bedrooms are secluded and separated from the main living areas for privacy. Flooring in principle rooms is wide plank maple; bathroom flooring is bamboo; and bedrooms are carpeted for extra warmth and comfort. Ample storage. Two-car garage with inside entry. Hedged with cedars, the deep private lot has shallow sandy entry, 60’ dock, 90’ retaining wall and a black willow offering canopy for shade. All on the Trent Severn Waterway system. Offered for $799,900. MLS 126272

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Lake Country BBQ’d spring lamb By Chef Becky Lennerton, proprietor of Black River Food Company and a teacher in our region for Loblaw Companies Limited. INGREDIENTS: • 1 free range lamb leg • ¼ cup olive oil + 2 Tbsp. (to start) • ¼ cup grainy mustard • ¼ cup local maple syrup or honey • 4 minced garlic cloves • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh rosemary • Sea salt and cracked pepper to taste METHOD: Preheat grill to high heat. On a cutting board rinse the lamb leg and pat dry. Rub lamb leg with olive oil and salt and pepper - liberally. Place lamb on BBQ and sear all sides, rotating so as not to burn but just to get nice char marks. This will take approximately 2-3 minutes per side, depending on your grill. Remove from grill and let rest until room temperature. Meanwhile turn one side of the grill down to low and leave the other on high. Drop down the BBQ lid. To prepare the leg of lamb, mix together all remaining ingredients in a bowl to create a relatively thick paste. Make some cross hatch cuts on the lamb leg with a sharp Chef knife, just deep enough for the rub to be able to reach in and season – about ¼ inch deep. Massage the rub into all the crevices. Now the trick is to place the leg on the side of the BBQ that is turned down low. Close the BBQ lid. Rotate every 20 minutes until desired doneness. My choice is medium rare. Serve with a lovely spring salad and roasted new potatoes and your favourite dockside beverage.

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

Washago Community Centre www.washagocommunitycentre.com • 705-689-6424

Events and activities for June 2018, including Canada Day Parade! EUCHRE June 15 at 7:00 p.m. Come out and support the Centre and meet new friends and neighbours. Pre-register for $7 by calling 689-6424 or pay $8 at the door. Light refreshments and prizes.

CANADA DAY ART SHOW Our local Art Club is hosting an Art Show in the Centre from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on July 1st. Please come and support our very talented local artists and view some really fabulous work. All artists will have some of their work on sale.

All float participants should be at St. Francis of Assisi Church on Muskoka Street by 1:00 p.m. Please read the Lions column on page 5 of this issue of The Villager for details about other Canada Day events at the Lions Hall and at Washago Centennial Park.

CANADA DAY BICYCLE DECORATING This event is always a very important part of Canada Day. All children should be at the rink at the Community Centre by 12:45 for judging and prizes, and then we will all SUMMER DAY CAMP Registration forms are on our web site proceed to the church to participate in the www.washagocommunitycentre.com and parade. in the lobby of the Centre. Please contact CANADA DAY PARADE the office for additional information. The YES!!! There will be a parade - the street camp fills up quickly. Register now to avoid construction is to be completed in time! disappointment. The parade is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m.

NOTE: The communication to the public about Canada Day events in Washago and area is later than usual due to the uncertainty of the impact of the Muskoka Street construction and safety of the parade route. All advertised events will go forward as advertised above.

CIRCLE and PLAY GROUP Tuesday mornings 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. until June 19. All preschool children welcome. The program is administered by a volunteer with Life with a Baby.

PEACEFUL GREEN RIVER SETTING Full of light, this year ‘round home sits on close to an acre, with a view to the Historic Old Mill. A spacious interior with a Great room and a separate family room. The main floor boasts a walkout to a large deck overlooking the sparkling waters of the Green River. Except for the porcelain floors in the bathrooms, all flooring is the same hardwood throughout. The windows are top of the line with screens and black out blinds that recess into the frame when not needed. With two fireplaces, granite counters and a large kitchen, this home has quality finishes. Completing this property is the oversized double car garage with a full loft. Old Grist Mill Rd., $775,000. MLS#114984.

HALL RENTALS For all your special occasions, please check our website for rental rates, or call the Centre for more information.

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705-323-4211

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Extensive renovations have created an elegant country feel. Spacious rooms, hardwood flooring, lots of light welcomes you. The dream kitchen has built-in appliances, loads of counter space and more than ample cabinet space. Enjoy the river views through the new windows. Walkout from the living spaces to the deck and great views of the river. Also appointed with a fully finished porch with a gas fireplace. Large bedrooms, 3 baths, and a detached garage round out the picture. Put all of this in a beautifully treed and landscaped setting, and you have a wonderful spot to make your own memories. Listed at $848,000. MLS#124199.

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Health Hub reaches out to Severn Bridge residents Donna Kearney, the project coordinator for the Muskoka Community Health Hub is reaching out to residents of Severn Bridge and area to find a community champion and advisory committee members to lead a campaign toward the development of a permanent site for the Severn Bridge Community Health Hub. The Hub currently operates out of a recreational vehicle but, over the past 3 years, the practice has grown to over 250 residents from the Severn Bridge area. Because of the growing demand for the Hub’s services, a bricks and mortar site is becoming increasingly important. The Health Hub, with operating dollars from the Ministry of Health through tax dollars, has two mandates: • to connect rural residents, those without a primary care provider (doctor or nurse practitioner), to a nurse practitioner who will provide access to a full scope of primary care services; • to provide episodic health services such as infections, minor illnesses and injuries to seasonal residents and vacationers as capacity allows. The committee would be charged with raising community awareness, fundraising, sitting on planning committees, and for site support when needed. The first step towards achieving the goal is for community members to talk to Donna, get more information, and consider volunteering for this important community health resource, one that is vital to your family and neighbours. You can reach Donna by emailing dkearney@ccfht.ca, or you can call 705-706-0739.

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Fireworks safety By Dianne Kyle, Fire Prevention Officer, Severn Township Fireworks displays are a perennial summertime favourite, especially for children, but we should remember that consumer fireworks are powerful and can be dangerous. There are regulations for both the sale and purchase of these products so if you are a consumer, ensure you are purchasing approved fireworks. Seven Fire & Emergency Services does not recommend family fireworks for informal displays. However, if you feel you can safely arrange for fireworks, there are some important safety tips to be followed: • Appoint a responsible person to be in charge. Only adults who are aware of the hazards and essential safety precautions should handle and discharge fireworks. • Carefully read and follow the label directions on fireworks packaging. • Always keep a water hose or pail of water close by when discharging fireworks. • Discharge fireworks well away from combustible materials like buildings, trees and dry grass. • Keep onlookers a safe distance away, upwind from the area where fireworks are discharged. • Light only one firework at a time and only when they are on the ground. Never try to light a firework in your hand or re-light dud fireworks. For dud fireworks, it is best to wait 30 minutes and soak them in a bucket of water. Dispose of them in a metal container. • Discharge fireworks only if wind conditions do not create a safety hazard. • Keep sparklers away from children. Sparklers burn extremely hot and can ignite clothing, cause blindness and result in severe burns. As the sparkler wire remains hot for some minutes after burnout, it should be immediately soaked in water to avoid injury. Every year fire departments receive multiple complaints regarding fireworks in their community. It would help to inform your neighbors of your plans in order to avoid any unnecessary 911 emergency calls. Also, check with the local municipality for noise by-laws before you begin and remember to clean up any debris caused by your fireworks show. If you are a retailer, ensure you are following the rules for quantities and proper storage for safety as per the Natural Resources Canada regulations. If you are a Display Supervisor who has been hired to produce a fireworks show within Severn Township, please call the Fire Prevention Division at 705-325-2315, extension 248 for the proper approval form and arrange for a site inspection before the event.

Plan to attend Washago art show The Washago Art Club has hosted a few art shows in the village in the past and they’re at it again! On July 1st they will give the community another opportunity to see and buy their work. The new show will take place at the Washago Community Centre on Canada Day from 9:00 am. – 3:00 p.m. In preparation for this event, club members have worked hard to prepare a wide variety of fine art pieces including paintings in acrylic, watercolour and mixed media on various subjects from landscape, wildlife, flowers and abstract. Over the past several of years, the

Washago Art Club has been successful in finding other ways to show their work while giving back to the community. For example, for Canada’s 150th, the club hosted a t-shirt painting activity for children. Under the guidance of art club members, and with no charge to the kids for the t-shirt or materials, dozens of local children created their own masterpieces and wore them during the 150th celebrations. For two years, the community at large, those who live or cottage in the area, or visitors to our area, have been treated to the club’s outdoor art display lining Muskoka

Street: painted 6’ paddles in 2016; and maple leaf paintings in 2017. Once those art installations were dismantled, a follow-up fall auction was held for those pieces of art. All proceeds went directly into community projects. Show your support for this active club and celebrate Canada Day with them. Head to the community centre on Canada to view their work and take advantage of the opportunity to purchase a piece from one of these talented local artists.

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The odds were against the garden club having a successful plant sale this year: the township was in the middle of a major Muskoka St. road and sidewalk construction project; up to the date of the sale it had been a terrible spring and the club members weren’t at all sure they’d have enough plants to create a good sale; and, of course, it was cool and rainy on the day of the sale. Regardless of those challenges, it appears that local gardeners will buy their plants from this club no matter what the circumstances. Donald Westcott, member of the Washago Garden Club, is happy to report that they sold enough plants to surpass their financial target.

www.simcoenorthpc.ca Pictured at the McDonald’s Murphy Road location is Orillia is: (from left) Mark Riczu, Executive Director, OSMH Foundation, Pat Campbell, President & CEO, OSMH, Jennifer O’Neill, Owner/ Operator, McDonald’s restaurants in Orillia, Jason O’Neill, Owner/ Operator, McDonald’s restaurants in Orillia, and Roy Pearn, retired owner/operator, McDonald’s restaurants in Orillia

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McHappy Day in Orillia supports sick children at OSMH With files from Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital press release In early May, McDonald’s restaurants in Orillia raised funds for sick children and their families at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) through their McHappy Day event - McHappy Day, onedollar from every Big Mac®, Happy Meal® and Hot McCafé® beverage sold at Orillia McDonald’s restaurants supports the Hospital’s Outpatient Paediatric Project, as well as Ronald McDonald Houses across the country. This is the 25th McHappy Day. Since McHappy Day began in 1977, more than $66 million has been raised to help Canadian children.

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By their names we shall know them By Ron Reid

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Lots of our nesting birds take their names from some prominent feature on their plumage – think Red-winged Blackbird or Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Far fewer names are based on a bird’s call, although Mourning Dove or Warbling Vireo give you a pretty good sense of their distinctive songs. And Black-capped Chickadees nicely incorporate both their plumage and their voices in their name. But no other local species matches their name and their call so closely as the Eastern Whip-poor-will. This oft-repeated call is unmistakable, with its emphasis on the first

in all likelihood linked to the changing climate. Populations of the larger beetles and similar insects are especially affected, meaning less food for the entire suite of birds that depend on insect protein to fuel their nesting cycle – flycatchers, swallows, swifts, nighthawks, and of course Whip-poor-wills. Only the first long-term scientific studies are now being published to document this change, but you can see it yourself easily enough. Think about taking an evening drive in the countryside 30 years ago – your windshield would be splattered with remains of dozens or hundreds of insect hits. Today, your windshield barely needs cleaning when you return home.

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syllable: “WHIP-poor-will, WHIP-poor-will”. At a distance on a quiet June evening, that song is a nostalgic emblem of cottage country. Up close, after several hours of the same loud call, it can become more than a little tedious! If you ask most adults in our area, they are likely to say: “Yes, we used to hear them all the time when I was a kid, but I haven’t heard one for years.” In fact, the number of nesting Whip-poor-wills in Ontario has dropped so steeply that they are now classed as a threatened species. One reason for that decline is closely linked to this bird’s biology. Whip-poorwills nest just inside the edge of patches of woodland, but they must be close to open areas of rock or sand where they can capture insects on the wing. A century ago, this kind of habitat mix was common; now, many of the open areas have grown in. Their decline is also part of a broader and more disturbing trend. Insect populations across the northern hemisphere are crashing,

Our area is one of the remaining strongholds for Whip-poor-wills, especially among the rocky barrens of the southern Shield country. Whip-poor-wills only begin to call in the late evening, but they are especially vocal for the few nights before and after the full moon, when they may call all night. They are a difficult bird to see, because during the day they are so well hidden. But on a very quiet gravel road, you may be able to spot their coal-red “eyeshine” in your headlights if you crawl along slowly. The Couchiching Conservancy is gathering information this summer on Whip-poor-will locations, so they would be glad to hear from you if you hear one calling. At the same time, a group of researchers are staying in the cabin on the Conservancy’s Adams Reserve while they study Whip-poor-wills on the Torrance Barrens in Muskoka. Small steps, but learning more will help this species that says its own name.

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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Charlee’s Run organizers Mallory and David Holmes are joined by family in the hospital’s soon to be outpatient paediatric floor to present a cheque for $57,500 to Lisa Wanamaker, Development Officer, OSMH Foundation (left) and Mark Riczu, Executive Director, OSMH Foundation (right).

Charlee’s Run raises $57,500 Benefits sick children at OSMH With files from Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital press release The tally is in. An incredible $57,500 was raised at this year’s Charlee’s Run, benefitting sick children and their families at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH). The run, which took place at Couchiching Beach Park on April 28th, is named in memory of Charlee Clare Holmes, who passed away shortly after birth at OSMH. More than 500 runners and volunteers gathered to spread awareness on prenatal and infant loss, as well as raise funds for the Hospital’s Outpatient Paediatric Project. “We could not be more overwhelmed and at the same time humbled by this journey. At the centre of Charlee’s Run, we are parents who no longer feel alone, but instead lifted, supported and inspired,” said Mallory and David Holmes, Charlee’s parents and run organizers. “The money will directly support children who use the services of the Hospital’s Outpatient Paediatric Program.” The Hospital’s Outpatient Paediatric Program, which includes childhood cancer care, juvenile diabetes, eating disorder care, asthma, mental health and more, is currently located at three different sites. Plans are underway to move all of these services to the second floor of OSMH as part of the Hospital’s greater movement to “wrap care” around the patient. “We are so honoured to be part of Charlee’s legacy and share in this incredible story,” said Lisa Wanamaker, Development Officer, OSMH. “Dave and Mallory’s commitment to breaking the silence on prenatal and infant loss, as well as improving care for some of OSMH’s most vulnerable patients is inspiring. We truly cannot thank them enough.”

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Federal government update: accessible facilities fund & summer jobs By Simcoe North MP Bruce Stanton Some of you may have heard of the Enabling Accessibility Fund previously. It supports new construction, renovation, and retrofit projects of accessible facilities and venues in Canadian communities. Many groups in Simcoe North have applied for and received funding under this program to make their facilities or venue more accessible. These facilities and venues must offer or plan to provide programs and services that focus on a holistic approach in addressing the social and/or labour market integration needs of people with disabilities. The aim of the Fund is threefold: • increase accessibility in facilities and venues for people with disabilities; • increase access for people with disabilities to programs/services; • and increase opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in, and

contribute to, community life and/or the labour market. The Enabling Accessibility Fund – MidSized Projects was open for applications until May 24. Applicants will be notified about the result of their application in fall 2018, followed by an invitation to submit a full project proposal, with work anticipated to begin in early 2019. More information is available if you contact my office bruce.stanton@parl. gc.ca, or call 705-327-0513 (Orillia and area) or 705-527-7654 (Midland area). Or you can visit the Employment and Social Development Canada website https:// www.canada.ca/en/employment-socialdevelopment.html On the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program, as I have mentioned in previous articles, this year’s CSJ program has been rather controversial with the government requiring applicants to sign an attestation

that their organization’s core mandate respects Charter rights. As a result, the CSJ program saw 1,561 applications rejected this year, compared to 126 last year. The Minister responsible for the CSJ, Patty Hajdu (Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour) has belatedly accepted that changes will have to be made to the CSJ application process next year. However, we were surprised when the list of approved projects was released, to see that the CSJ program approved funding to support organizations that want to protest the Kinder Morgan pipeline (which the federal government says it supports). Yet religious groups that perform valuable community services, like running a soup kitchen or summer camp, were rejected because they could not check a box that their core mandate aligned with the government’s views.

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Walk Off The Earth is one of over 100 performances at this year’s Mariposa Folk Festival. They are an unconventional, multi-talented five-piece musical phenomenon. Main stage Friday, July 6.

Buffy Sainte-Marie has forged an international career as a musical innovator and social activist, championing Indigenous causes. She is a force to be reckoned with and an artist to be cherished. Main stage Sunday, July 8.

Mariposa Folk Festival is back with a superb lineup The Mariposa Folk Festival presents over 100 performances on 12 stages. Unless you’ve attended in the past, it’s very hard to imagine how so many musicians can be programmed over a 3-day event – and how you could possibly have the opportunity to see just about all of them. You can manage to take in a lot if you pay careful attention to the online program and do a little preplanning. Or pick up your print version

when you arrive at the front gate, take your folding chair to a nice shady spot, and start your planning. In the meantime, visit the Mariposa Folk Festival website and read all about each of the performers, complete with photos, biography and links to performer websites and You Tube videos. In addition to the all day and evening music, highlights include the Artisan Village,

the Food Trail and the Mariposa Emporium. Especially for children is Folkplay offering free games, crafts and a stage with hours of music especially programmed for kids. The festival is held at Tudhope Park, Orillia on July 6, 7, and 8. Limited camping and parking is available on site. Visit mariposafolk.com for complete details and to purchase tickets.

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR – SEPTEMBER 16th | BK Gallery will be celebrating our 5th Anniversary with a very special event. Three local artists will each donate a piece of their work, value of $100-$1,000. Visit the gallery this summer and fill in a ballot. A draw will be held on September 16th. On this same day, the winner of the Patricia McDonald Award will be announced, an award recognizing Patricia’s contribution to local art.

Severn Bridge Psychic Fair, Craft & Bake Sale June 16, 2018 The Severn Bridge Community Centre is hosting a Psychic Fair, Craft, and Bake sale in their facility located at 1035 Southwood Road, Severn Bridge. The event takes place on Saturday, June 16th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Attendance is free. In addition to an excellent selection of delicious baking and a wide variety of crafts made by locals, the event will be host to many amazing psychic readers including Cyndi Tryon, Bonnie Thew, Nadine Zuest Wilcox and Mary Donnelly. Thirty-minute readings will be available for $50; 15 minutes for $25. To pre-book an appointment, please email alana@vianet.ca. The organizers of this event say that there is going to be a lot of fun packed into one little building. They invite you to join them and see what the future holds for you! A luncheon is available for purchase from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Proceeds will go back into the community in support of the community centre.

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Fire hall #2 reconstruction to begin Severn Township has four fire halls. The locations are Station 1 on South Sparrow Lake Road; Station 2 on Burnside Line; Firehall Lane in Coldwater for Station 3; and Station 4 is on North River Rd. Station #2, built in 1969, has been in particular need of reconstruction. Residents will be happy to hear that a tender has been awarded and a consultant has been hired to help with some of the many details which includes demolishing the current 2,400 sq. ft., 2-bay facility and building one that is approximately 6,400 sq. ft., built to allow for future expansion and to last 50 years. Severn Township Chief, Tim Cranney says that there are no immediate plans to increase the number of trucks but the new Station 2 will allow the fire department to move some equipment (from another fire hall) such as UTV/off road vehicles and a sport vehicle that is used for rehabilitation to the newly built fire hall.

“Moving the equipment to Station 2 has many benefits,” he said. “In particular it means that this equipment will be located in a central part of the township and more accessible to all four stations. The additional space will also give us the ability to enhance training, allow for more training props, and make the station more compliant for things such as station facilities.” The fire fighters are all volunteers and the current roster includes seventy-five men and women. Chief Cranney began his executive career when, as deputy chief, he took on the responsibility of chief when the late Chief Eric Dowell who took leave while battling ALS. In 2015, Cranney was appointed to the top job. The Chief has a long and storied family history with the Severn Township fire department. In fact, his father was one of the first volunteers when Station 2 was built in 1969 and now Tim is leading the effort

as the township builds a hall for the future. Cranney also had four uncles who became members of the department. He followed in those footsteps and joined the firefighting team of volunteers in 1986.

Yard Sales:

It’s that time of year! Send your yard sale details to The Villager and we’ll publish, based on space available. NO CHARGE! Get your information to us by the 14th of the month for the next month’s issue. thevillagerpress@rogers.com

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Severn is ready for you this summer Special Events From one end of the township to the other, there will be parades, park activities and much more on Canada Day. Watch for news on community-based websites, in this issue of The Villager, on community and service club bulletin boards and local newsletters for details. Parks Work is well underway in Washago Centennial Park and Ardtrea Park for improvements to be completed in 2018. Picnic lovers Marchmont Community Park will receive two new picnic tables. Uhthoff Trail The semi-annual spring inspection has been completed and work has been recommended. Trail markers have GPS coordinates so, that in case of an emergency, hikers and cyclists can be found more quickly. Sports fields Spring maintenance has been completed and another great season of ball has begun, from TBall to adult baseball in Coldwater and Washago. Docks and Launches Hedgemere Landing permits are in their final phases to enable improvements to the launch. All docks and launches have been inspected and are ready for another great boating season. Activities and Rentals Check out the various activities at the Washago Community Centre, Severn Township Public Library, Lake St. George Hall and

By Pat Harwood, Recreation Coordinator

Matchedash Heritage Community Centre. Rental space is also available at these facilities for large or small gatherings. Recreation Programs Most of the instructors are taking the summer off - but watch for summer sport programs for children at various locations in the Township. Day camps are available in Coldwater and in Washago. Volunteers Needed Need volunteer hours for high school or just want to fill some of your spare time by helping your community? Contact Pat Harwood at the Township offices for details. If you have any recreation questions or concerns, please call the Township offices at 705-325-2315, ext.253. Visit our website at townshipofsevern.com.

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Coming soon to your mailbox With files from Information Orillia The Community Wellbeingness Survey may show up in your mailbox. Don’t toss it away without reading it because, although it’s a previously unknown survey, filling it out will mean that you will be an integral part in measuring the quality of life, or wellbeing, in your community. Your input could play an important role in the results and in future community initiatives. This ‘Wellbeingness Survey’ will arrive at a random sample of 25% of occupied households. Information Orillia is a key player in this project. They are an organization that provides a free, confidential information and referral service to both the general public and organizations, including in Severn Township, and they have partnered with researchers from University of Waterloo to conduct this survey using the Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW) methodology. The CIW was chosen because it is a recognized and proven methodology that has effective measurements, says

Information Orillia. Partners (with Information Orillia) in this project are Townships of Severn, Ramara and Oro-Medonte; City of Orillia; County of Simcoe; Orillia Police Services Board; Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit; and the North Muskoka Local Health Integration Network. Once a survey reaches your household, one member, 16 years or older, is required to anonymously complete the questionnaire. And, keeping in mind that some of our more rural communities may not have access to reliable high-speed internet, the package will contain instructions on how to fill out the survey either online or on paper. Speaking of the internet, the mayor of Severn Township, Mike Burkett believes one of the most important

matters regarding residents’ wellbeing in Severn is connectivity. “As a rural municipality, it (high speed connectivity) is a service that we need to provide all of our residents,” he said. To find out what the survey can do for you and your community, visit informationorillia.org/Orillia-and-area-ciw or call their office 705-326-7743.

106 Mississaga Street East Orillia, Ontario L3V 1V7 705 325 1455 www.perfecttiming.ca

FERN FOREST GARDEN CENTER - ONLY MINUTES OFF HIGHWAY 11

4012 CAMBRIAN ROAD, WASHAGO - 705-689-8230

4012 Cambrian Rd., Washago/Severn Bridge • www.fernforest.ca • 705-689-8230

VISIT WWW.FERNFOREST.CA FOR MAP/DIRECTIONS

June 2 Estate, yard and plant sale – lots to choose from. All proceeds support the operation and programs at the museum. Coldwater Canadiana Heritage Museum. June 4 Salad Plate Lunch. Includes beverage and dessert. Prepared by the Women’s Institute. 12 noon. $8. Severn Bridge Community Hall, 1035 Southwood Rd., Severn Bridge. Fern at 705-687-4462. June 6, 13, 20, 27 New event this year! Tea Time Talks. 1:30 p.m. Explore the wonderful world of 19th and 20th Century ceramics. 2:00 p.m. Devon Tea will be served. $10 pp. Coldwater Canadiana Heritage Museum. June 9 A “Meatroll” fundraising event at the Coldwater Legion Branch 270. From 3:00-5:00 p.m. All are welcome.

YOUR GUIDE TO ADVENTURE Free guided activities at local Nature Reserves June Events:

10 - Birding the ‘Highway’ in Carden 10 - Paddle the Green River 13 – Forest Plants at East Coulson Swamp 24 – Nuts for Nature Kids Day in Carden

Learn more and register at www.couchichingconserv.ca 705.326.1620

June 16 Jammin’ at the Legion. Bring your musical instrument and jam with your friends, or come just to listen and have fun! 2:00-5:00 p.m. at Coldwater Legion Branch 270. June 21 Join the Ramara Historical Society with guest speaker Fire Chief Dave McCarthy. He will speak about the history of Ramara Fire Services. Udney Community Centre, 2347 Concession Rd. 10, Ramara at 7:00 p.m. June 23 Clubroom entertainment from 2:00-6:00 p.m. with Len Murphy. Coldwater Legion Branch 270. June 23/24 Cottage Country ComicCon at Rotary Place, Orillia from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. each day. Over 300 vendors spread out over both rinks. Comic books, statues, movie posters, collectibles, meet & greets, special guests, games zone and much more. Details at cottagecountrycomiccon.com. June 23/24 The Coldwater Canadiana Heritage Museum will host artisans involved in the Coldwater and Area Studio Tour and offering a BBQ lunch from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. June 24 – August 26 Sunday Evening Band Concerts at the Rotary Aqua Theatre from 6:30-8:30 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the concerts move to the Gordon Lightfoot Auditorium at the Orillia Opera House. June 30-July 8 Ontario Family Fishing Events is a province-wide opportunity for Canadian residents to fish Ontario waters without the mandatory fishing version outdoors card. Visit www.ontariofamilyfishing.com. July 1 Canada Day in Washago includes Lions Pancake Breakfast, 8:00 a.m. - noon at Lions Hall; Art Show at Washago Community Centre from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; Bicycle Decorating Contest at community centre, 12:45 a.m.; Canada Day Parade on Muskoka Street at 2:00 p.m.; refreshments, food and 10 bands over 10 hours at Washago Centennial Park starting at 1:30 p.m. Free bicycle draw for kids.

Roasts, Chops, Ground Beef, Chicken & More

Great variety of Vegetables and Fruit

Always AAA cuts

Fresh to create a great meal!

NEW! FREE RANGE CHICKEN from Mennonite Country Tasty and Delicious!

INTRODUCING AKI ORGANIC BLEND FRESH BAKING DAILY!

AKI COFFEE – RAINFOREST ALLIANCE CERTIFIED. MEDIUM DARK, SMOOTH, FULL-BODIED & RICH

WHEN YOU BREW THE Bread, rolls, pies, butter tarts, squares, muffins, meat pies and more! BEST COFFEE, WORD GETS AROUND.

A variety of Muskoka Roastery blends Freshly Pressed coffee still available. us on Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte, Shag Fog, Chai Tea Latte, Green Tea Latte Like for updates or Tea – all with fresh bakery item or lunch from our Deli and specials