The Villager 2014 March

March 2014

New plan rejects linking lakeshore roads in Westshore

By Kim Goggins A controversial transportation plan to link roads for vehicular traffic along the waterfront in Westshore has been replaced with a report that does not support the idea.

The Township of Severn Transportation Master Plan Draft Report was released in January 2014, and proposes trails for foot and bicycle traffic, instead. Although it covers the entire township, it supersedes the Westshore Transportation Plan that was completed in 2009 and passed by the Council of the day. “(The plan for) uninterrupted road along the shoreline has been replaced by strictly cycling and pedestrian connections,” confirms Andrew Fyfe, Director of Planning and Development for the township.

Outrage by some residents and a distaste for several aspects of the plan by current members of Council prompted the formation of a steering committee with Mayor Mike Burkett, Coun. Ron Stevens and Coun. Rob Ferguson, as well as some members of staff working with consultants to look at changes that could be made to the Westshore Transportation Master Plan.

About two dozen Trumpeter swans are wintering near Washago Centennial Park. Read Ron Reid’s article about them on page 10.

According to Stevens, there were multiple problems with this plan.

“It was not a good idea because the roads are just not suited for that type of traffic load,” he said. “The intent was it was to be an emergency road exit situation should Highway 11 get blocked up for any reason.

So all that traffic would go from Highway 11, down through there, all in a residential area where the roads are barely regulation size.”

The Westshore Transportation Master Plan proposed that a road from Lakeside Drive to Grayshott Drive and Menoke Beach Road to Thomson Crescent be completed in the Continued page 20

Business profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Trumpeter swans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Business Achievement Awards . . 12 News in Review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Ramona Winterfest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Recipe of the month . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

3

Oakridge Drive a connection to our history

By Doug Cooper As the years pass, I find that I reflect more often on the things that I have experienced and the people that I have met. Such was the case recently as I turned onto Oakridge Drive from County Road 169. It occurred to me that I have been travelling this road for the last 67 years and I have experienced many changes. I have always seen roads, such as Oakridge, as more than just a route to get from one place to another. It can also be a conduit to the past and a connection to those who have travelled the road before us.

For those who are unfamiliar with Oakridge Drive, it is a road of many dead ends that services many of the homes and cottages on Rama Island. It lies about one kilometre southeast of Washago, off 169, across from Little Falls.

It is estimated that Michael Adolphus Aikman and his wife Elizabeth, the first known residents on Oakridge Drive, came to Washago in approximately 1873.

Frankie MacArthur, in her book, Green and Sparkling – The Story of Washago mentions that the Aikmans were one of the families who arrived as a result of the railroad reaching Washago.

Both Adolphus and Elizabeth were members of prominent families from the Niagara area.

The Aikmans were United Empire Loyalists and Elizabeth’s family were among the first residents of Hamilton. They had secured a parcel of land on Rama Island, just less than one kilometre from what today is the

Doug Cooper looks at an early survey of Oakridge Drive, dated June 8, 1923. Block A was the Aikman home and the rest was a laneway at the time. junction of Oakridge Drive and 169.

Of course, County Road 169 did not exist in those days and the only road to the east from Washago was a winding trail referred to as the Black River Road. We can only surmise that Oakridge Drive was a trail that ran along rock ridges parallel to the river.

This would have been used extensively for logging in the area.

A house of considerable quality, by the standards of the day, was built on a raised rock ridge just past the place where today the road turns ninety degrees to the left near Coopers Road. MacArthur referred to the home in her book. “The house had a number of treasures in fine furniture and portraits.”For the next 50 years what would become Oakridge Drive was a laneway that ended at the Aikman residence.

Life would have been pretty difficult as the land was rocky and certainly less than

ideal for supporting a reasonably large family. Adolphus passed away in 1903 and Elizabeth lived until 1916. They had six children.

Little is known about their son John, although he was a butcher in Washago for a time. Their daughter, Gertrude, married James Hartley of Rama Township. Mary and Robert never married and lived in the home until their deaths in 1921 and 1926.

Catharine married James Brady of Severn Bridge and there are still many of their descendants living in the area today. Emily married John McFarland of Niagara on the Lake and moved away for a number of years.

The house sat empty for a while during the 1930s. Emily returned and lived in the home until it was destroyed by fire in the early 1950s. Although Emily was a somewhat solitary individual, one could solicit a wave Continued page 17

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Kim Goggins Publisher, Editor-in-Chief thevillager@xplornet.com 705-689-5398 Ellen Cohen Publisher, General Manager thevillagerpress@rogers.com 705-717-0322 Register for the most current Severn news – delivered regularly

www.severnnewsonline.com The Villager, a Severn Township community news magazine, is an independently owned and operated publication delivered to households and businesses by the first of each month. Our delivery area is north from the Orillia/Severn Township border to Severn Bridge and includes parts of Ramara Township.

The Villager is also available in select retail shops and restaurants along the Highway 11 corridor from the north end of Orillia to Severn Bridge, including Washago.

Editorial and advertising material is protected by copyright. Reproduction of any article, photograph or graphic is forbidden without the express permission of the publishers. 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.

Advertising, editorial and community event submissions are due on the 10th of the month for the following month’s publication.

Advertising inquiries: Contact Ellen Cohen at thevillagerpress@rogers.com or 705-717-0322.

A word in edgewise As we told you in our February issue, Chippewas of Rama First Nation is mourning the loss of a great man and community member. John Snake passed away on Jan. 14, 2014 at the age of 52 and is missed greatly by those who knew him.

His good friend Sherry Lawson shared a memory about him with me recently and I thought I would share it with our readers as it gives such insight into the man he was. A phenomenal storyteller, as John was, Sherry goes by the credo, ‘our stories will heal us’.

Here is her story: I had another little cry as I drove into town today. About five weeks ago, I was driving into town with John for lunch and we saw the big falcon that hangs out on Rama Road. It was a clear and crisp winter day and John asked me to pull over.

He said. “Look at that bird. He is perched on that little branch so straight and tall, so proud. He looks around at his territory. He is sure of what his place is in Creation.”

He turned to look at me and said, “Not everyone is, you know, sure of their place in Creation, but he is.” He looked back out the window.

I said, “John, you’re kind of deep today- your sugar must be low.”

He laughed and said, “Yeah, maybe. I was just thinking about all our little kids at the school and daycare.”

“Let’s go,” and we drove on to town for lunch.

What a wonderful lesson he shared with me that day. And every time I see that damn bird, I start crying again. Especially on a beautiful day.

Thanks for sharing your memory, Sherry.

The Villager P.O. Box 340 Washago, ON L0K 2B0

Art direction and logo design: Cathy Cleary, www.cathycleary.tel

Letters to the editor are welcome and may be emailed to thevillager@xplornet.com.

Letters may be edited.

5

World renowned sports specialist calls Severn Township home

By Kim Goggins The cooler bite of the late August evening had little effect on those gathered around a massive stone pizza oven near the shore of the Lake Couchiching property. Handcrafted with stone and mortar, each piece was carefully placed by Dr. Larry Bell and that night was the official reveal to friends and neighbours.

As the evening’s shadows grew long, the conversations and laughter grew louder and children still played in the shallow water at the shoreline. Still later, others arrived by canoe as the sun set. Always patient and gracious, Bell coached each person on how to knead the special dough and roll it out before topping it and placing it on the wooden pizza peel. Then his hands would grip the long handle and expertly spin the pizzas in the 900-degree heat.

It’s these hands - the hands that built up his family’s house from a small cottage to a generous home, that built this pizza oven, that kneads the dough for each pizza these are the hands that have helped elite athletes succeed at Olympic Games and have aided the healing of ‘regular’ people with chronic pain. For 35 years, these hands have changed lives – and still do, every day.

When he’s not travelling the world lecturing, teaching and practicing, Bell can be found in a modest two-storey building on Colborne Street in Orillia, home of Bell Chiropractic and Soft Tissue Centre and

Dr. Larry Bell works on many Olympic athletes, including Dara Howell, who just won a Gold Medal in the women’s slopestyle ski competition in Sochi, Russia.

Back to Function.

What he and his team does is nothing short of miraculous, say his patients. In fact, Nigerian Olympic Silver Medalist Francis Obikwelu wrote an inspiring letter when he found out Bell was to be honoured by the Royal Chiropractic College of Sports Sciences (Canada) in December 2013. “… He is an angel sent by God to watch over me. He treated me not as his client but as his son. Were it not for this angel my wonderful career would have ended abruptly in 2000 when I sustained injury at the Sydney Summer Olympic Games. He guided me through to the surgery and made the recovery period as short as possible. His professional guidance took my career to bigger heights, which culminated in my winning the Silver Medal at the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games in the 100 Metres with a European record time of 9.86 seconds. It still stands unbeaten to date.”

His dedication to ‘mere mortals’ is equally impressive. When Bell, who is one of only

104 RCCSS Fellows throughout Canada, was recently honoured, Dr. Courtney Brown, a first year sports sciences resident, pointed out this very fact in her introduction of him. “…It is important to remember that despite his involvement and contributions on the national and international stage, and the fact that high level athletes fly or drive just to seek his care and knowledge, Dr. Bell is a man who is very much committed to giving back to his own local community. In providing service, support and care for both young and old, no matter what their level of activity or athletic involvement might be ...”

Guelph resident, David Chapman, says his own chiropractor suggested he drive the distance to see Bell. “He’s very intuitive. He just sees you and he knows what to do.”

Bell is the first one to say that he doesn’t require his patients to tell him where it hurts because he doesn’t ‘chase pain’. “… Our assessments will show us where your short suits are and pain is not a Continued page 21

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6

OMB hearing will be set for soil remediation plant

By Kim Goggins

An Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) prehearing conference is set for Wednesday, March 12, 2014 to set up the parties participating and dates for an OMB hearing.

The hearing was requested by NRK Holdings Inc., a company that requested that a zoning change and Official Plan Amendment be made for a property on Concession Road B-C, behind the Hawthorne Grill in Ramara Township.

The rezoning was to change the site from ‘Rural’ designation to the ‘Mineral Aggregate Extraction Area’ designation to allow the licencing and operation of a quarry on the site. At its council meeting on July 29, 2013, Ramara Council approved the rezoning but did not approve the second request to amend the Ramara Official Plan to allow a soil remediation facility on the site, which is why NRK Holdings has requested OMB involvement.

Initially, NRK made the two planning applications on Feb. 13, 2012, but was told that they were not complete. After they submitted further information to support the applications, the applications were deemed complete on Jan. 2, 2013.

However, the township determined that the two applications should be decided

separately and Council voted on the two applications separately, voting unanimously to not support changing the Official Plan for the operation of a soil remediation facility.

Jennifer Fisher, who lives 600 metres away from the property is just one of many residents who will attend the OMB meetings to help ensure there is not a soil remediation facility on the site.

She is concerned about her water table drying up with another, much larger draw on it, as well as some hydrocarbons that are lighter than water sinking into the ground and contaminating the water.

“They’re not talking about where they are going to put the unclean water,” she says. “There also doesn’t appear to be a contingency for a hundred year plan. I don’t feel a hundred year plan would be accurate due to the climate changes. They’re also just talking storm water management, not flooding, and we’ve had flooding.”

According to a report by Mark Dorfman, Ramara’s planning consultant, NRK’s plan is to establish the facility on 11 acres (4.5 hectares) of the site. The project would consist of a bioremediation process for nonhazardous contaminated waste soils that includes the following components: a scale

house to weight incoming and outgoing vehicles that carry soils; a soil receiving and temporary stockpile area with a synthetic pad liner used for incoming soils; a screener to sort and separate soil, rock, sand and debris to prepare the soils; and a conveyer belt where the screened material is loaded into a stacker where it would be sprayed with an enzyme and a nutrient rich solution called a biostimulation compound to stimulate bacterial activity. An area with impermeable membranes would also allow active aeration of soils for natural remediation of material.

NRK also plans to install a 10 metre high earthen berm along the frontage on Concession B-C and along part of the easterly and westerly boundaries at the front of the processing area. A storm water retention pond located north of the soil processing area will be lined with an impervious membrane and will have the volume to hold a hundred year storm event.

If required, a filtration will be built to further clean any hydrocarbons leaving the pond.

Finally, a clean water detention pond will be next to the retention pond that receives water. There will be no off-site discharge of Continued page 17

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8

MPP Dunlop calls for action to keep Asian carp at bay

By Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop

More than the Great Lakes fishery is Special event: at stake if Asian carp were to become The Annual Lasagna Fundraising Dinner for the Wye Marsh Wildlife established in Ontario waters.

Ontario is a boater’s paradise with Centre will take place Friday March 7. There are sittings at 4:30, the Trent-Severn and Rideau Canal 5:30, and 6:30 p.m. Call 705-526-7809 for information. systems connecting many waterways in the central portion of the province. With the Asian carp still at bay and being kept out of the Great Lakes, most of the focus has been on the Chicago-area waterway which is the likely vector for the invasive fish to reach Lake Michigan. However, like zebra mussels, Asian carp could use the canals to access the Kawartha Lakes and Here are two of our photo contest winners: Rideau Lakes. In addition, the fish could become established in many Ontario rivers.

Another fear is that a truck bringing Asian carp into Ontario for food could be involved in an accident and the fish could escape into a waterway. Although Ontario regulations only allow dead Asian carp to be brought into the province for food, there have been numerous incidents of live fish being brought across the border.

Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett has been leading the charge to change the regulations and allow only eviscerated Asian carp across the border.

Photo: Harrison Morton Photo: Laika Bates “Despite bringing the topic up in the legislature numerous times last fall, I still haven’t received an answer from the Minister of Natural Resources as to when these regulations will change,” Barrett said.

“Although the chance of Asian carp arriving in this manner is slim, it’s not a chance we want to take.”

Tourism, of which a lot is based on sport angling, is a huge business in my riding of Simcoe North and I want to minimize risks wherever possible.

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9

User fee for library

By Kim Goggins

The thought of children not being able to take out library books ‘just sickens’ Township of Severn’s Deputy Mayor Judith Cox. She made the comment at the Township’s Corporate Services Committee meeting on Feb. 19, 2014, during a discussion about introducing a user-fee to help pay for the City of Orillia’s Public Library service.

Members of Council passed a motion to pay 50 percent of the $150 fee per family, with families having to pay their $75 at the Orillia Library and the Township reimbursing the Orillia Public Library All families should have free access to a public library in their area, Board for the balance of the user fees each month. The amount says Severn Deputy Mayor Judith Cox. would be prorated based on the timing of the user pay system for 2014, which should come into effect April 1, 2014.

Residents have never before been asked to pay a user-fee to use Orillia Public Library services.

“This is a bee in my bonnet. Part of the families in this township will have to pay (for library services) and others won’t,” said Cox, referring to the fact that residents who live close to Coldwater can use the Coldwater Memorial Branch of the Severn Township Public Library without paying a user fee and residents at the other end of the township may find it too far of a drive to use the ‘free’ service.

The net amount from the tax levy that goes to the Coldwater library is approximately $190,000 (which includes the amount paid to the Orillia Public Library) so taxpayers do pay for it but there isn’t a user-fee for families.

At a Dec. 19, 2013 meeting between the townships of Severn and Oro-Medonte and the City of Orillia, the Orillia CAO indicated that the user pay system is preferred by Orillia City Council. The user pay system could include increasing the previous library contract by 20 percent until the municipalities were paying what Orillia deems as their share of the library costs or through charging an annual user fee of $150 per family.

During budget deliberations, Severn Council passed only a 2.5 percent increase to the Orillia library for 2013 and 2014, which works out to $104,878 each year, which they say is all they can afford to pay.

Oro-Medonte Council has also chosen to pay 50 percent of the $150 user fee for its residents.

“I’m mad at Orillia Council. This is not right. There will be families that can’t afford to pay $75 or to drive to Coldwater,” said Cox. “It’s criminal.”

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10

The swans of winter

By Ron Reid

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In the depths of winter, Washago hosts a remarkable concentration of North America’s largest birds, and one of its most successful conservation comebacks.

Trumpeter swans have a wingspan of up to three metres, and these graceful birds can top 30 pounds. As their name suggests, they produce deep bugle-like calls, especially as the spring breeding season approaches.

Trumpeter swans were a common resident of Simcoe County before the arrival of Europeans. In fact, archaeological studies in this area show that the birds were a frequent part of the diet of the native peoples who lived in this area. But when white settlers arrived, the thick white feathers soon attracted market hunters, who sold patches of skin and swan down as powder puffs. By the 1800s, Trumpeter swans were extinct in Ontario.

In 1982, a far-sighted biologist, Harry Lumsden, decided to try to turn back the pages of history by re-introducing Trumpeter swans to their former range.

Fortunately, some of the species still survived in Alberta. A pair of these birds was brought to Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre, where a captive breeding program slowly built up enough young birds to be released.

Local landowners cooperated by hosting swans on ponds suitable for nesting.

At first, nearly all the Trumpeter swans sported yellow wing tags that marked them as captive-bred birds. But as the population grew, the number of wild, unmarked birds has also grown. By last year, the Ontario population reached over 1,000 birds, a major milestone in creating a wild population that can sustain itself.

The restoration program has not been without its challenges. Many swans died from lead poisoning, caused by eating lead pellets from shotgun shells as they foraged for plants and roots in marshlands.

As a result, lead in ammunition has been replaced by other less toxic metals, giving the swans a better chance to survive.

Unlike most smaller birds, it appears that Trumpeter swans have to be taught by their parents how to migrate. In Ontario, that traditional knowledge has been lost, and is only gradually being regained as the swans explore further afield. Some swans now migrate into the U.S., but many spend their winters in Ontario where open water is available.

Swans with grey feathers are under the age of two and still travel with their parents.

That’s where Washago comes in – the clear waters of the Green River seldom freeze entirely, and the fast-flowing waters coming out of Lake Couchiching stay open in even the coldest weather. From the bridge on Quetton Street, a few winter swans are almost always visible feeding in these shallow waters. Earlier this winter, at least 44 magnificent white swans could be seen there, apparently immune from the cold temperatures.

So as you enjoy the sight of Trumpeter swans winging their way over your neighbourhood, spare a thought for Harry Lumsden and the many volunteers whose dedication returned this great bird to the Ontario landscape.

A regular contributor to The Villager, Ron Reid is a natural heritage consultant and the cofounder 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.

Lions contribute to ‘A World of Service’

11

By Sandra Crawford, past president Congratulations go out to the Washago and District Lions Club from Wayne A. Madden, Immediate Past International President, from Lions Clubs International for meeting the membership retention and net growth criteria for the year ending June 30, 2013.

This is a significant accomplishment for Washago Lions members and we are extremely proud to have contributed to “A World of Service.”

Membership retention and growth not only benefits the association but it also directly impacts communities, both locally and globally, through increased numbers of volunteers working to make a difference and serve those that need help the most.

As a result, our Lions Club received a distinctive banner patch to be displayed on our club banner.

Approximately, 1,350,000 Lions appreciate Lions Clubs’ contributions to membership growth and their efforts to improve local and world communities.

Reproduction Farmhouse

Members of the Washago Lions Club receive a patch for membership retention for the year 2013 to put on their club’s banner. Seen here, from left to right, are Lion Sandra Crawford, Past President; Lion Linda Langille, Membership Chair; and Lion Garnet Langille, club President. Lion Sandra also received a crystal pin.

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12

The Villager in good company at chamber of commerce awards The Orillia District Chamber of Commerce recently handed out awards to businesses in the area that boasted some great achievements in 2013.

From car dealerships to bridal shops, food markets to media, 29 businesses took home the honour and The Villager was one of them.

The community news magazine based in Washago was one of four businesses that were awarded the Entrepreneurial Initiative Award. The monthly publication is owned by Ellen Cohen and Kim Goggins who are co-publishers.

“Businesses have a new voice and we are thrilled to be able to offer them an opportunity to grow and flourish through our magazine,” said Cohen. “Severn Township businesses are able to draw more customers directly from the local community, including the large and vibrant community of summer residents. Orillia-based businesses, especially those who offer services not available in the township, can draw Severn residents directly to their door.”

The pair started publishing The Villager in March 2013 in an effort to bring more news coverage as well as profiles about local people and businesses to residents in Severn Township, parts of Ramara and Severn Bridge.

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a hyper-local publication – filled with exclusive Severn Township news, content that cannot be found in any other publication,” adds Cohen. “We knew we also had an opportunity to assist local nonprofit organizations, including service organizations. By publishing their news and events or offering excellent rate considerations, we have given them a voice they would not otherwise have. It’s opened a door for them and given us the satisfaction of being an integral part of our community. We are so pleased and proud to be recognized for our efforts.”

This type of pride is a typical reaction from business people who have received an award, says Susan Lang, managing director of the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce.

“People are very excited,” she said. “It’s nice to be recognized by the business community.”

It’s not an easy task to choose the winners, she continued. Each year there are approximately double the nominees as there are winners.

“In some cases, there’s only one recipient but it’s not the committee’s goal to pick ‘the best’,” noted Lang.

One of the most difficult categories to choose a winner in is for Customer Service and this year Say Yes Bridal Gallery won the honour.

“They helped out brides whose dresses were destroyed in a fire at a Barrie bridal shop,” explained Lang. “Say Yes came to their rescue and fixed them up with dresses and they also give to (a charitable prom dress organization) so girls can have dresses for that.”

Thor Motors was a big winner, receiving two awards, one for their dealership expansion and another for their ‘green’ initiatives.

Georgian College and Lakehead University also received awards in the Strengthening Communities category.

The awards were handed out at the Annual Business Achievement Awards and Annual General Meeting held on Feb. 27 at Hawk Ridge Golf & Country Club.

“It’s a celebration of businesses that have done something,” said Lang. “It’s a great little event and it’s free and that’s thanks to the sponsors. Our chamber members sponsor the event so that it can be free.”

13

Summer maintenance projects could be in jeopardy

OPP Commissioner urges drivers

Severn Township came well under budget for snow removal and sanding/salting in 2013, thanks to far less snow last January to March. However, the extreme winter we’ve had since 2014 began could put some summer maintenance projects in jeopardy.

As Ontario continues to get battered by one of the worst winters in recent history, the OPP Commissioner and OPP Provincial Commander of Traffic Safety and Operational Support (TSOS) are taking a hard line with drivers.

Township sets aside money for local groups Non-profit groups in the area are once again getting a small boost from Severn Township Council.

Residential builds up in Severn

Of course it’s not a competition, but Severn Township’s Director of Planning, Andrew Fyfe, couldn’t help but grin when he told members of Severn Council that the township issued more permits for single family homes than the City of Orillia in 2013.

Traffic stop on Rama Road leads to charges A 58-year-old Bracebridge man is facing an impaired driving charge, after Orillia OPP stopped him for another driving offence on Rama Road at County Road 169 in Washago.

Is your emergency number visible?

New tool tells the whole story for students Lakehead University students now have a new tool to tell their whole university story called a Co-Curricular Record (CCR)

Severn Township man charged with impaired A 31-year-old Severn Township man was charged with impaired Driving after police were called to a single vehicle collision on Highway 11 North.

Members of Severn Fire & Emergency Services are noticing that many 9-1-1 emergency numbers are covered with snow, which can cause problems finding properties in an emergency.

New app helps police find children faster A new free App called Find Me ID, allows parents to quickly disseminate their child’s pertinent information in the event of an emergency to their local law enforcement agency or other emergency contacts.

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14

Smoke detectors save lives

By Dianne Kyle, Fire Prevention Officer, Severn Township

Smoke alarms have been around for a long time. In fact they were first invented in the late 1930s when a Swiss physicist tried to invent a sensor for poison gas. Although his device failed to detect gas, it did, however, detect smoke. Thirty or more years later, smoke alarms were invented utilizing a battery and were first made from strong fire resistant steel. Due to high expense to produce them the plastic shell was introduced and by 1980 large retailers began buying them for distribution.

The two main technologies available today are “Photoelectric” and “Ionization”. Both get the job done and both are allowed by the fire code. Here is how they work: Photoelectric: This smoke alarm uses a light source to detect smoke. The Infra-Red LED is a lens that shoots a beam over a large area. If smoke is present in the room, it enters the optical chamber, having smoke particles scatter and the sensor sets of the alarm.

These smoke alarms are less sensitive to false alarm fires, such as minor smoke from candles, cooking, steam, etc.

Photoelectric alarms react slower to rapidly growing fires than ionizations alarms, but still provide adequate warning for all types of fires.

Ionization: This smoke alarm is able to sense smoke particles that are too small for the naked eye. Through alpha radiation,

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the ionization smoke alarm passes through the air-filled space container, allowing flow of electrodes. If any smoke gets inside the chamber and absorbs the alpha particles, it lowers the level of ionization, hurting the flow of electrodes, thus setting off the alarm.

Ionization type alarms provide a better response to flaming fires but they are more sensitive and are responsible for false alarms.

In other words, photoelectric smoke alarms are quicker at detecting smaller smoldering fires, and ionization smoke alarms are quicker at alarming fast raging fires.

Knowing how these alarms work explains why regular maintenance is necessary, as well as proper placement. Testing monthly, lightly vacuuming the vents and replacing when they expire are all important. All smoke alarms have an expiry date on the side. Even if your alarm still works it is important to replace the unit by the expiry date.

If you have any questions about smoke alarms, please call the Fire Prevention Division at 705-325-9131, ext. 248.

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More people than ever ‘Took off to the Great White North’ and participated in the Annual Ramona Winterfest on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014.

“It’s been a great day,” said Eileen Cronk, one of the organizers, adding that 250 Winterfest buttons were created and many more than that were sold.

This year’s theme was ‘The Great White North’, in keeping with the SCTV characters of the 80s Bob and Doug McKenzie, and there were plenty of plaid jackets and toques to be found - especially on the popular Cross Country Poker Run that took place through five kilometres of groomed trail in the forest, with four pit stops to warm up by a bonfire, grab a snack and pick a card.

More people than ever participated - some walking their dogs, others pulling their kids on toboggans - to make this one of the most successful poker runs Ramona Winterfest has seen.

Inside the Ramona Hall, it was tough to find a seat once the euchre tournament started and people were enjoying the great food and refreshments that Ramona is known for. It was another successful event hosted by the Ramona Agriculture Society Board.

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Apple smoked bacon and fried chicken top Savoury Belgian waffles with jalapeno relish Ingredients:

Preparation:

Waffle mixture

Combine flour, baking powder, sugar and 1/2 tsp salt in large bowl. Whisk melted butter, buttermilk and whole eggs in separate bowl, then slowly combine into the flour bowl. Stir in bacon, corn and jalapeno. Pour 2 cups in separate bowl for chicken tenders. Reserve the rest of the batter for waffles.

• • • • • • • • • • •

6 slices cooked bacon, roughly diced ½ jalapeno seeded and finely diced ½ cup cooked whole corn 4 cups all-purpose flour 2 tbsp baking powder 1 tbsp sugar Kosher salt 3 eggs 1 egg white 3 cups buttermilk (a little more may be needed) ¼ cup melted butter

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Pat dry chicken tenders. Add all the seasonings to the chicken batter. Dust chicken with flour and dip in batter until covered. In skillet heat oil to 350 degrees.

Remove chicken and let excess drip off. Fry in Fried chicken skillet until brown in colour. Remove from skillet • ½ cup vegetable oil and place on baking sheet and finish cooking in Recipe provided by Chef Becky of Black River • 1 tsp smoked paprika oven until chicken is no longer pink. Drain excess Food Company • ½ tsp Cajun seasoning oil from skillet and cook • ½ tsp cayenne pepper 12 strips of bacon.

• 12 boneless skinless strips of chicken When cooked, remove (chicken tenders) and drain on paper • Sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste towel. Place batter in • 2 tbsp flour heated waffle iron and cook to its instructions.

Local maple syrup and whipped butter Keep warm in oven.

Jalapeno relish In skillet, saute relish • ½ jalapeno seeded pepper diced ingredients until tender.

• ½ red onion diced Place waffle on plate, • ½ cup pineapple tidbits layer chicken and bacon • 1/4 red pepper diced on top, garnish with • 2 tbsp vegetable oil relish and drizzle all of it in maple syrup.

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OMB hearing will be set for soil remediation plant Continued from page 6 clean water as it will evaporate or recharge into the ground.

Dorfman’s report also says that the soil brought into the site would be contaminated and not defined as hazardous.

However, a municipal zoning bylaw cannot regulate the types of raw materials that go into any industrial site, and Ramara resident John Hargrave fears that once the door is open to accept contaminated soils, in the future, it could also accept hazardous soils from the cleanup of places such as the Toronto Harbour or even the Pickering Nuclear Plant that is slated to start being decommissioned in 2020.

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“It will definitely affect our waterways,” he says, noting that a creek that runs behind the site flows into the Head River, which runs into the Black River and into the Severn. “Limestone rock is full of fractures. They say they’re going to put a rubber liner in it. They’re going to put big heavy equipment in and run it over that liner.

There is a possibility of it hitting something sharp in there without putting concrete or laying it on concrete … If it does get into the limestone … it will go into the water table.”

The pre-hearing will be held at the Township of Ramara Municipal Building in Brechin at 10 a.m. Any individual or organization intending to appear is required to advise the OMB by contacting Ryan Co, planner, at 416-326-8946 before March 12. If you do not attend the prehearing conference the OMB will proceed in your absence and you will not be entitled to further notice of the proceedings.

Oakridge Drive a connection to our history Continued from page 3 now and then when passing and as a child I can vividly recall the friendly greetings of her Collie when we would return to the area each season. Following the fire, Emily moved into an outbuilding which had housed livestock and continued to live on the property until her death in 1957.

Some members of the family lived to see the beginning of the evolution of Oakridge Drive. The lots from Black River Road to just past the Aikman property were surveyed in June of 1923 and summer cottages began to spring up.

It was at this time that the name “Oakridge Drive” seemed to come into use. Oakridge was extended past the Aikman home in 1946 to service further lots on the same side of Rama Island. In the early 1950s, the remaining waterfront was developed and Oakridge was pushed across the Island. The road divided, in order to follow the river, and over a few years was extended to the Oakridge Drive of today. In the 1980s, Rama Township, in an effort to facilitate emergency situations renamed two branches of Oakridge. These became “Coopers Road” and “Pineridge Road”.

Today, nature has pretty well reclaimed the property where the Aikman family lived and there is little evidence of the once prominent house. The dirt trail with grass between the wheel ruts is now a busy paved thoroughfare servicing year-round homes that exist around the circumference of Rama Island.

Descendents of the Aikman family continue to live and contribute to the community.

18

Elderly woman pressured to hire roof shovelers

By Kim Goggins When Mark Hatch drove by his elderly mother’s home in the Sparrow Lake Road area and saw two men on her roof, he knew something was up.

He quickly turned around and went back to her home to investigate.

“They were up shoveling a roof that had just been shoveled,” he said. “They told her that if it doesn’t get shoveled it was going to collapse because it’s an older home and can’t take the weight.”

According to Hatch, the roof had been shoveled by professionals three weeks prior and it sat amongst homes that had four and five feet of snow on them.

“They didn’t want that; that would be work. They just wanted to get a couple of quick bucks,” he said.

What makes him the angriest is the fact that after showing up at his mother’s home, the two men were told by her that the roof had just been shoveled and she had asked them to leave. They left, but then showed up again, telling her that her roof was going to collapse if it wasn’t shoveled. She finally relented and agreed to pay $100.

“They got her all scared that it was going to collapse,” said Hatch.

“They said they would help her out by doing it for only $100, but it didn’t need to be done.”

When contacted by Severn News, Const. Shannon Petryshyn of the Orillia OPP said she hadn’t heard any complaints about this happening in the area but the fact that it was didn’t surprise her.

“Some may be legitimate and some aren’t, but how do you know?

So the best thing to do is don’t let them in your home but take

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Roofs with snow on them like this home should probably be shoveled to avoid problems. their name and number. If you think that it’s a service you might need, ask them how much they are charging and ask them for a reference. Then tell them you’ll call them back,” she suggested. “I would say don’t hire anyone on the spot. You’re taking a chance if you do that.”

Anyone who is legitimate will have no problem giving a reference and phone number, she pointed out.

“Sometimes there are people that just want to provide a service and they might be reliable and trustworthy. But if you don’t know them, don’t make a quick decision. It can wait a couple of days.”

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Fire program helps the deaf

19

By Lioness Estelle Ness Well they tell me we are half-way through winter.

Who are they kidding? We still have nine feet of snow on our boulevard. Oh well, the Lioness aren’t letting it bother them. We are busy lining up our schedule for the spring and summer.

Please take note of our Court Whist days.

We have added an extra one, at some of the players’ request. The dates are Wednesday, April 9 at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 14 at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday, June 11 at 10:30 a.m. Also watch for us on Saturday, April 26, as our Governor Lion Chris Lewis has deemed this date as a day to give a hand up and not a hand out.

Have you had the opportunity to hear about a new project that Dianne Kyle, our Township of Severn, Fire Prevention Officer, is promoting? It is called Sightline to Safety.

The program focuses on families and the elderly to ensure adequate and appropriate

The Washago Lioness Court Whist days are hugely successful. education about preventing, detecting and escaping a fire in the home. When a deaf or hard of hearing resident signs up with the program the program will then sign them up with emergency services dispatch.

Once registered, if a 9-1-1 call is made from that home dispatch will be aware of their

hearing loss and communication needs and in turn will advise the emergency response team. There are various aids to help these folks in the event of fire. For example, strobe lights, lower pitched smoke alarms and bed shakers. Well done, Dianne. Many people will benefit from this program.

20

New plan rejects linking lakeshore roads in Westshore Continued from page 1 short term and a road between Amigo Drive and Bayou Road as well as Wood Avenue and Amigo Drive be completed within 10 years. The main reason was to increase connectivity for pedestrians, cyclists and emergency vehicles, but many don’t agree.

“We’re not in favour of opening that, at all,” said Burkett. “You’re going to have transport trucks going through Westshore, that’s our concern. Where will they put them? It would be disastrous. The last thing you’d want are tractor trailers going through a (community) like Westshore with kids running everywhere. But that’s what the transportation plan had laid out.”

According to the current Transportation Master Plan, traffic volume projections show that the road connections between Menoke Beach Road and Thomson Crescent, and Wood Avenue to Amigo Drive are not warranted by traffic volumes or capacity. Although the primary intent of the connections was to increase connectivity for emergency vehicles, the report says that improvements to the 911 dispatch system and changes in the coverage areas for the

township’s fire service have reduced the need for connections between separated street networks for emergency services.

“The concern was always you get (an emergency) call and you go down to the end of the road and then the place you have to go is across the creek and then you have to double all the way back around the highway,” said Fyfe. “That’s less of a problem than it used to be. As time goes on, we’ll be creating other connections back from the water so we’re not running through existing established neighbourhoods.”

According to Fyfe, a connection for vehicles between Soules Road and Menoke Beach Road will instead be created through land slated for new development. However, this is not included in the current transportation plan because traffic volume projections show it’s not warranted within the next 20 years.

There are still many suggestions in the Westshore Transportation Plan that will be implemented. These include the construction of sidewalks, bike lanes and trail access between dead-end roads.

“We’ve already started building these things into our capital program through our budgeting system and through development charges,” said Fyfe.

“Implementation has already started.”

The purpose of Transportation Master Plans are to assess short, medium and long-term transportation needs for a 20-year period.

They are required every five years by the provincial government. It cost the township $40,000 to hire Ainley Group Consulting Engineers and Planners to create the current report.

At this time, 1,029 single-family, semidetached, townhomes and apartments are still slated to be built in the Westshore area.

It’s this tremendous growth that warranted a transportation plan just for this area in 2009.

“I think as we go along with this, we’re going to have to allow for the new developments that are going to take place there and it will all fit together in a nice orderly way so it’s good for everybody,” said Stevens. “We need a community centre in there, for example, and (the report) calls for that, as for where that will be, we’re not sure at this time. All these things have to come together, there’s no doubt.”

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MYSTERY TOUR: What a way to beat the winter blahs! Book one of our famous Mystery Tours. March 19. Call us to solve the mystery!

CHICAGO, The Musical: Enjoy this fabulous play at the Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto on March 27th. Includes lunch at Quinn’s Steakhouse.

RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM & CN TOWER: April 26th. The price of $119 (children 6-13 yrs. $104) includes transportation, admission and tours.

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21

World renowned sports specialist calls Severn Township home Continued from page 5 criteria,” he explains. “A lot of the time when I’m overseas, I don’t even speak the same language as the patients I’m treating and I don’t need to. I can get them to run and I can watch their gait. I can test strength and range and that’s all I need. I don’t need them to tell me where the pain is. I don’t really care where the pain is. I’m looking for function.”

Chapman isn’t the only patient who travels to be treated by Bell. Eighty-five percent of new clients drive or fly in from out of town or out of the country. Typically, these patients have been treated by other chiropractors and healthcare professionals but they have not found the success they do at Bell Chiropractic and Soft Tissue Centre and Back to Function where two other chiropractors – one who is also a sports specialist and one who is a resident in the Sports Science Program – a physiotherapist, three kinesiologists and three registered massage therapists join Bell in treating patients that range from elite athletes to the elderly.

“Every one of these people that come in to

see me have really interesting and unique issues. That’s why they never got better,” he explains. “The average rehab facility gets about a 75 percent success rate. We’re at 94 (to) 96 percent. There really isn’t anyone that comes into our office and fails if they stick it out because a lot of the stuff we do is evidence-based.”

A lot of the time when I’m overseas, I don’t even speak the same language as the patients I’m treating and I don’t need to.” ~ Dr. Larry Bell Back to Function and specifically, Bell, are the only service providers north of Toronto to be accredited to treat Olympic athletes and have it paid for by the National Sports Centre.

“We’re always looking at cutting edge treatment and you have to be that way

if you’re dealing with elite athletes. It’s just the other people that come into the office get that benefit as well,” he says. “A good example is platelet rich plasma (PRP injections). I’ve been sending people to Toronto for PRP injections for probably close to 10 years now (but) it’s just starting to be recognized.”

For the last 12 years, Bell has been a senior lecturer on five continents, as part of the International Sports Chiropractic Federation, and he continues to work with students in the prestigious Chiropractic Sports Specialist Post Graduate Program at his practice in Orillia. He is also one of only 400 chiropractors worldwide who is a Fellow of the International College of Chiropractors and has accredited participation in six Olympic Games, 14 World Championships and more than 50 international events.

Over the years, he and his wife Karen have kindly opened their Severn Township home to athletes from all over the world while they are being treated, and just as the Bell’s friends did that late August evening, they have always felt at home.

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March 10 – 14, 2014

March 22, 2014

March 10 – 15, 2014

April 9, 2014

March Break Fun for Kids at the Orillia Square Mall includes a week of entertaining activities Brokerage and shows like the Reptilia Reptile Show, Games through the Ages by Simcoe County Museum, Washago Jam Orillia Square Idol Singing Competition, Coby Washago Jam takes place every third Wednesday Elimelech Magic Show, Mabel Moon Face of the month from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Washago Painting & Glitter Tattoos, and Sixth Division Lions Club Hall.

Flyers’ Club – Orillia Aero Modellers Model Aircraft & Flight Simulator.

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Feb. 28 – March 2, 2014

The Orillia Winter Carnival takes place at Couchiching Beach Park in Orillia. Enjoy the ice maze, snow sculptures, midway, helicopter rides, zorb racing, dog sled rides chili cook-off, fireworks and the ever-popular Polar Bear Dip!

March Break Madness Camp includes crazy, wild activities for kids between the ages of 3 and 12. Rock wall climbing, mini-stick tournament, skating, games, sports, crafts and outdoor snow adventures, including Win it in a Minute March 1 – May 31, 2014 challenges, Mantracker scavenger hunts and Tap into Maple lets you experience all things Mad Science experiments. Organized by the City maple on the sweetest route in Ontario’s Lake of Orillia Parks, Recreation & Culture, 9 a.m. to Country & Springwater Township. Hands-on 4:30 p.m., Rotary Place. Registration is required. experiences, events and celebrations. Pick up a passport at a participating location for a March 20, 2014 chance to win an overnight stay and basket of Ramara Historical Society will hold its monthly maple products. Call 1-866-329-5959 for more meeting with the heritage theme: Salt and information.

Pepper Collection, with guests Brian and Penny Cotton of Green River Specialties. Brian will share March 4, 2014 his family’s history and mother’s collection.

St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Washago is having Bring your favourite salt and pepper shakers its Annual Pancake Supper beginning at 4:30 to share. The meeting takes place at the Udney p.m. Pancakes, bacon, sausage, local syrup and Community Centre and begins at 7 p.m. The dessert. For more information call 705-689-4719. public is welcome.

Free will offering.

Music at the Bakery features host band Sassafras along with Sue wood, a singer/songwriter and guitar player from Orillia; Mitchell Wilson, a blues singer/songwriter; and Laura Bee, a young singer/songwriter as well as guitar and celtic flute player. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. with music starting at 8 p.m. Door cover for performers is $12/person or $20/couple. Also fresh baked goods, tea and coffee for sale.

Washago Lioness Club hosts their popular Court Whist at the Washago Lions Hall, The fun starts at 10:30 a.m. with a break for lunch. Cost is $10 per person. Call Carol for more information at 705689-3333.

April 9, 2014

The Washago Community Centre Annual General Meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Centre.

April 17, 2014

Ramara Historical Society will hold its monthly meeting with the heritage theme: Antique Silver.

Guest Gay Guthrie will share her expertise. Bring your antique silver items to share. The meeting takes place at the Udney Community Centre and begins at 7 p.m. The public is welcome.

March 7, 2014

Lasagna Fundraising Dinner for the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre will take place at the Wye Marsh.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children.

All proceeds go to the Wye Marsh display hall upgrades. There are sittings at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 p.m. Call 705-526-7809 for information.

Delaney Parkin, 6, enjoys some hot chocolate with her dad, Jeremy at the Washago Community Centre’s Family Skate Party.

Maddy Sawyer, 10, had fun on the ice!

Evan Whiskin, 6, had a great time zipping Harrison Giles, just one and a half, wasn’t sure around the ice. what he thought about all of the excitement.

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