Locally Owned and Operated | February 2024 | Complimentary Issue | No. 212
NOW OPEN The NEW Wasaga Stars Arena & Wasaga Beach Public Library See Info & Hours on Page 11
The Town of Wasaga Beach Incorporated 1974
Photo by Tristen Oliver Stableforth @Tos_images Instagram
Jason Arnott, who scored the winning goal in the 2000 Stanley Cup finals for the New Jersey Devils & made significant contributions on the ice during his 18-year NHL career, returned to his home town of Wasaga Beach mid-February to join in the NHL Alumni Game at the new Wasaga Stars Arena. Jason was joined for this special game by family & friends, including former NHL all-stars Shayne Corson, Scott Thornton, Bryan Muir, Mike Krushelnyski & Mark Fraser. Between periods, young Wasaga Stars players of the Wasaga Beach Minor Hockey Association took to the new ice surface, as the crowd cheered them on.
This exciting, sold out event was just the start of the week long “Breaking the Ice” series of activities, marking the opening of the new facility & the 50th Anniversary of the Village of Wasaga Beach becoming a town in 1974. The week ended with Burton Cummings & Blue Rodeo performing over the Family Day Weekend. See more on pages 7 & 20 of this issue. Joe Bickerstaff
Brown Baggers in the Beach Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous Date: Tuesdays at 7pm & Thursdays at 12pm Location: United Church, 380 Zoo Park Road For more information contact 416-829-8259 or email Francine0464@rogers.com. Visit website at https://brownbaggerssecularaa.com Wasaga Beach Parkinson's Support Group Date: 1st Thursday of each month 12:30 – 2:00 pm Location: The New Wasaga Beach Public Library, 544 River Rd., W. All Parkinson's patients & caregivers welcome. For more information contact Phil Bender 905-703-6248 or bender.philip@gmail.com The Georgian Bay Photography Club Dates: meets every 2nd Thursday of the month via Zoom Location: Zoom meeting – register by Zoom link GBPC promotes the appreciation & enjoyment of photography, providing an opportunity for photographers to meet & exchange ideas, exhibit their work & advance their skills. For more info please email: communications@gbpc.ca The (Men's) PROBUS Club of Wasaga Beach Date: 2nd Thursday of each month 9:30 am – noon Location: Wasaga Beach RecPlex, 1724 Mosley Street Social club for retired or semi-retired men of all walks of life meet for coffee, meetings & guest speakers. Nonfundraising. Non-political. Nonsectarian. Sponsor quests welcome. Contact Rick at 705-351-2096. Beachcombers PROBUS of Wasaga Beach Date: Every 1st Tuesday of the month 10:00 am Location: Wasaga Beach Recplex, 1724 Mosley Street Regular meetings for retired and semiretired people who value & appreciate opportunities to meet others, enjoy hearing Guest Speakers & attending interest groups, visit places & organizations. For information please email: newsletter@beachcombersprobus .com Georgian Bay Coin & Stamp Club Date: 3rd Thursday of each month 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Prime Time Club, (RecPlex), 1724 Mosley St. Please come & join us. For more info: www.geobaycoinstampclub.com
Friends of the Wasaga Beach Public Library Date: The 2nd Wednesday of every month Location: The New Wasaga Beach Public Library, Remax Room 7, 544 River Rd., W. Please come and join us. For more information on becoming a Friend, email us at fotlwasagabeach@gmail.com, follow us on Facebook at Wasaga Beach Friends of the Library or call the Library at 705 429-5481 PROBUS at the Beach (Wasaga Beach) Date: Every 4th Thursday of the month 10 am Location: Wasaga Beach RecPlex, 1724 Mosley Street Meetings are for retired & semi-retired women who are looking for fellowship, friendship and fun. We invite Guest Speakers and have additional interest groups. Organized trips to various places or interest & organizations. More info email: probusatthebeach@gmail.com Prime Time Singers of Wasaga Beach Date: Every Monday – 10:00 am – Noon Location: Prime Time Club at the RecPlex, 1724 Mosley Street. “If you can sing in the shower, you are good!” Come and join the fun. Wasaga Artists Date: Every Tuesday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – September thru June Location: Wasaga Beach RecPlex, Oakview Room – 1724 Mosley St. Enjoy the weekly meetings to paint, draw, socialize, learn & have fun. Marlwood Dart League Date: Thursdays 7-9 pm, Jan to April. Location: Lions Den. The Rec Plex, 1724 Mosley St. Fun Night of Darts. Play as a spare or join a team. $5.00 per night To register or for more info email: marlwooddarts@gmail.com or call Ellen: 416-909-6229 Cribbage Date: Tuesdays – 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm Location: RecPlex - Prime Time Club, 1724 Mosley Street All Cribbage players welcome. Please join us for a fun afternoon. New players, if you wish to learn how to play we, can make arrangements to teach you. Weigh to Go (promoting a healthy lifestyle) Date: Every Friday morning 9:15-10:00 am Location: Wasaga Beach Community Presbyterian Church (meeting room) 208 Mosley St. Please come and join us. For more info, phone Sue: 705-606-0577 Follow the many great events organized by The Town of Wasaga Beach! See pages 17 & 19 of this issue of your local beach BOOSTER.
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Photo by Beach BOOSTER Media Group On February 7th, we met & congratulated the winners of the recent beach BOOSTER contest in front of our new arena & library. Both couples are residents of The Beach & won the great seats, 4 rows back from the stage, for the Feb. 17th Burton Cummings Concert at the Wasaga Stars Arena. We thank Mayor Brian Smith for joining the fun as the tickets & cool beach BOOSTER shirts were presented. Both winning couples, obvious music & concert fans, related great stories about events they have attended. We hope this Wasaga Beach event will be a 'forever memory' for them! The contest generated hundreds of correct entries, as readers found the 'hidden guitars' on pages 2, 8 & 22 of the January issue (#211) of beach BOOSTER. We thank all who entered and the Town of Wasaga Beach for helping make this contest so much fun for our readers. Joe Bickerstaff
Left to right: Joe Belanger (Councillor), Mina Fayez-Bahgat (County of Simcoe), Allen Morrison (SMCDSB), Faye Ego (Councillor), Shawn Cooper (Trustee, SMCDSB), Andrew McNeill (CAO), Mayor Brian Smith, Ontario Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, Tanya Snell (Deputy Mayor), Ellen Timms (Councillor), Sasha-Rose Dileo (Councillor), Richard White (Councillor), Gerry Marshal (Deputy CAO), Robert Schickendanz (Farsight Homes). The Town of Wasaga Beach joined more than 1,600 participants from across the province at the 2024 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference in January. The conference was held in-person, in downtown Toronto, from January 21 to 23, 2024. Key presenters for the ROMA 2024 conference included Ontario Premier Doug Ford, opposition leaders, and provincial and federal ministers. The conference theme, Closer to Home, speaks directly to ROMA's advocacy work over the past year, which focuses on solutions to accessing equitable primary healthcare services in rural Ontario, an issue that indeed hits close to home for residents of the Wasaga Beach. A lack of access to primary healthcare services is what prompted the town, in 2023, to re-open its own municipally-funded medical and after-hours clinic, and strengthen its municipal physician recruitment program. Mayor Brian Smith and members of Council kicked off the week's conference by meeting with Ontario Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce. They also attended sessions and meetings related to attraction and retention of municipal employees, local economic development, and attainable housing.
Key priorities that Mayor Smith and Council continued to advocate for at ROMA and beyond, include: · HIGH SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY HUB: Raising awareness and support for Capital Priority List submissions to the Ontario Ministry of Education by local school boards, including the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board's submission to build an innovative high school and community hub in Wasaga Beach in 2024. · ATTAINABLE HOUSING: Freeing up un-used or under-utilized provincially owned lands in Wasaga Beach that could be used to build attainable housing, in partnership with the County of Simcoe and in support of provincial “Build More Homes Faster” priorities. · PIVOTAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS: Redeveloping the Town's beachfront and strengthening local tourism.
"Everything we do is for our full-time residents. Wasaga Beach continues to be one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Ontario and we have worked very hard with our partners to ensure that a high school for Wasaga Beach is #2 on the Capital Priorities List of the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board,” said Mayor Brian Smith. “This is an innovative proposal that our local catholic school board has submitted to the Ontario Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Town of Wasaga Beach and County of Simcoe. If approved by the Province, it will build on the Town's new, $60million twin-pad arena and library to create an innovative, much–needed high school and community hub.” “We brought our partners with us to the ROMA conference to meet with ministry staff and Minister Lecce, to raise awareness of the incredible potential of this proposed high school and community hub,” Mayor Smith added. “Our meeting went very well and all partners are feeling optimistic.”
Quick Facts: · In 2023, the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board submitted to the Ontario Ministry of Education a request to build a high school in the Town of Wasaga Beach. The Board declared it their #2 capital priority for 2024. The high school plan proposes to build on, expand and become a part of the Town's new $60-million, twin-pad arena and library, essentially creating a state-of-the- art learning environment and community hub. · In less than one year, Town staff have successfully delivered or made significant progress on almost 80 per cent of this term of Council's priorities. · Adopted by Council in early 2023, Council's priorities are supported by 84 action items to build a resilient, more inclusive and complete community. Actions include opening Beach Drive, re- opening a medical centre and after-hours clinic, engaging in public consultation on the beachfront redevelopment, and ensuring that a high school for Wasaga Beach is included on not just one – but two – capital priorities lists, working with the local catholic and public school boards.
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We are starting the year off with our annual trek to The Motorama Show, March 8, 9, 10 in Toronto. This is the Wasaga Beach Cruisers 20th year at the show! To celebrate this milestone, we have a new Wasaga Beach Cruisers/Cruisers' Corner display this year. I think it's something the club can be proud of, showing the world who we are and what we do for local charities.
The Motorama Show is our foremost venue to promote the Wasaga Beach Cruisers, the Fun Run (June 21 & June 22) and our Monday Night Show schedule. The Fun Run flyer is complete this year with all our supporting sponsors and 5000 flyers are to be distributed at Motorama. Thanks to you all for your support.
I woke up this morning to our annual January thaw, raining like it's April. Alas, it does give me false hope for spring can't be to far away. (about 35 days by the time you read this article). It's the middle of February and things in the Wasaga Beach Cruisers are heating up for this, our 20th Anniversary year. The Club will be holding it's first General Meeting of 2024 at the new Stars Arena in the Re/Max Room February 22, 7:00 pm. Lots to see, our new display booth for the club and our Celebration 20th Anniversary apparel plus guest speaker and many things to discuss for this season. A great new venue for our meetings.
Waiting for March to come in like a lion and go out like a woke gardener driving a used Tesla.
Just kidding, there are no used Tesla's. Stay Tuned, 2024 is going to be a blast! ‘Blue Thunder’
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) made a third quarter (October 1 - December 31) payment totalling $314,458 to the Town of Wasaga Beach for hosting the Playtime Casino. So far, during OLG's fiscal year (April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024), Wasaga Beach has received $940,448. Since the gaming site opened in November 2022, Wasaga Beach has received $1,379,192. These payments to host communities are based on a formula consistently applied across all gaming sites in Ontario using a graduated scale of gaming revenue at the hosted site. Since 1994, host communities have received more than $2 billion in non-tax gaming revenue.
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People desperate to get out of the harsh winter elements, have been sleeping in disconnected ice freezers in town.
Just one of the many, perhaps hundreds, of tent locations in the woods and vacant lots of Wasaga Beach In today's society, can there be people who's well being is “no longer in the mind of the general public”? Of course, the answer is YES. Although there is a world wide situation that exists, and it's very easy to pretend, 'not in our town', but it does indeed exist here. It goes far beyond the commonly used term “homelessness”. Like elsewhere, large cities & smaller communities, there are men, women and families living a very challenging life. There are many things that can contribute to one being in a state of food insecurity, lacking proper shelter, poverty and loneliness, and it seems it can happen to the most unlikely individuals. Perhaps it's easy for some to blame one's situation on a substance use disorder, such as drugs or alcohol, this is a disease that may have been brought on because of such an unfortunate situation. Two well known local individuals are working together, along with an ever growing number of good Wasaga Beach people who are eager to embrace the dilemma of so many in our community and volunteer to help. Tina Rudd and Mike Lewis are born and raised Wasaga Beach people, growing up as childhood friends at a time when it seemed like Wasaga Beach was a truly caring community. Mike tells of his family leaving the door unlocked at night, in case a struggling neighbour needed the warmth and shelter of a roof at night. Tina tells of her family always watching out for what they can do to help others in town, emphasizing, “that's just the way it was”. Both Tina and Mike know the situation here in town, and I'm sure the extent of need will be surprising to most. Although there are no official counts, there are probably thousands struggling, in many different situations, but all are in need. The many vacant lots and well forested areas in town, some very close to busy streets, parks and residential & commercial areas that we travel to or on each and every day, are “home” to hundreds. Men, women, some with young children and/or pets, are attempting to survive in tents or other makeshift shelter, with some in cars. Many local, aging cottage courts and motels provide
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I know Wasaga Beach is a great community. Community is defined as a feeling of fellowship with others, but in order to try to understand and help, there must be awareness as to the vastness of the situation here in town. Tina and Mike have set up a Facebook page and have been successful of organizing volunteers to help feed people and offer some warm, dry clothes in many cases. Tina tells us that bagged lunches are in need, and the volunteers have planned distribution days. Another hope, over and above the good work done by all at the local Ministerial Food Bank, is that more local churches get involved in providing a warm place to offer meals, perhaps on alternating days throughout the week. Although we have not had an extremely severe winter, it's this time of year that exaggerates the need of many to keep warm, in some cases, in order to stay alive. I urge all in Wasaga Beach to recognize that this is a local, Wasaga Beach situation, and as a community, we must all be aware and I hope, eager to help in some way. Please visit Mike & Tina's Facebook page to find out more and perhaps offer some assistance. Both Mike and Tina have offered to share their phone numbers, in order to take your call if you would like to be involved. Prepared meals, warm clothes are always needed, although currently storage for bulky clothing is an issue. A bank account has been opened and the pair hope to have a tax number soon, in order to offer tax receipts for cash donations. Facebook page: Village of Hope Wasaga. Tina's number is 705-795-4883 and Mike's is 705-444-4326 Joe Bickerstaff
The Park Place Residents Association ( PPRA) held a Fundraiser & Potluck Luncheon at the Park Place Community Centre for the Wasaga Beach Ministerial Food Bank in early February.
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shelter for some, although in many cases over crowded rooms built decades ago for weekend travellers, are “housing” large groups of adults and sometimes children.
The PPRA's President, Linda Charron and it's Vice President, Mary Hadley hosted the well attended event. The special guest was Christina Armstrong Manager of the Wasaga Beach Ministerial Food Bank. Christina spoke of the need growth and the need of this organization in Wasaga Beach.
Photo by Beach BOOSTER Media Group
Linda Charron, President of the Park Place Residents Assoc. (left) joins Christina & Brian Armstrong of the Food Bank for the presentation, along with Association Vice President Mary Hadley (right)
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The event was very successful, resulting in total cash and cheque donations of $3,200.00. The residents of Park Place would like to convey their pleasure in supporting their friends & neighbours in need.
Photo by Joy Reinders-Steele The Carpet Frogs, featuring proud Wasaga Beach resident Nick Sinopoli, opened for Burton Cummings & energized the crowd with a fantastic performance.
Photo by Bryan Davies Photography Burton Cummings kept the full house happy with his iconic talent as so many of his great songs had people dancing in the isles.
Photo by Bryan Davies Photography Another full house enjoyed a memory making performance by the Canadian legend Jim Cuddy and his band Blue Rodeo.
To help kick of a year of celebrations th marking the 50 Anniversary of the Village of Wasaga Beach becoming a town, the Grand Opening week of sports, activities & entertainment at the new Wasaga Stars Arena & Wasaga Beach Public Library was an amazing success. Capped off with concerts by Canadian icons Burton Cummings & Blue Rodeo, the week left people from all over town and beyond buzzing with excitement. Congratulations to town staff who made everything come together for a week of fun that everyone can be proud of. We look forward to more 'good stuff' coming. Joe Bickerstaff
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This cartoon was drawn by Joe's good friend, Alexander Toth. Alex's and Joe's families immigrated together to Hamilton from Hungary in 1924. Alex later moved to New York and honed his artistic skills and became one of the top comic book/cartoon illustrators in North America.
Program (above) for wrestling match featuring Sloppy Joe Vogl at Wasaga Beach's Starlight Gardens, shown in this 1960s photo (right)
Joe Vogl on his burro promoting his restaurant
In 1924 József Aládar Vogl, his wife Éva, and their four boys, Márton (Louis, age 12), József (Joe, age 10), Vilhelm (Bill, age 7) and István (Steve, age 5) immigrated from Hungary to Canada to start a new life. After a brief spell in the prairies, the family relocated to Hamilton, Ontario. Soon thereafter, J A. established a painting and decorating business, J.A. Vogl & Sons, while Eva tailored and made clothes, and the boys enrolled in school. At school, the boys were often subjected to taunts and ridicule because of their Hungarian heritage and heavy accents. One day, having had enough of the abuse, they turned and fought their schoolyard foes (no doubt led by “tough-guy” Joe), eventually becoming friends with their former adversaries. During his youth, Joe was afflicted by polio. Fortunately, only one leg was adversely affected by the disease. He maintained decent function; however, his leg muscles remained underdeveloped. To recover from the effects of polio, and to ensure that he would never again be bullied, Joe started weight training to build his strength. In the 1930s he started wrestling in local Hungarian and YMCA Leagues. He quickly gained significant notoriety in the professional wrestling circuit, capturing multiple championship titles fighting under the moniker Count Drakulla: Hungarian Champion, and in 1935 he narrowly missed qualifying for the Berlin Olympics. In the mid-1940s, it seems Joe discovered Wasaga Beach and established himself as an well known member of the community. His wrestling continued while he was active in The Beach, and he became known as Sloppy Joe Vogl; a name he would hold onto for the rest of his life. www.beach B O O S T E R .com
Wasaga Beach's Historic Main Street (1940s) showing Sloppy Joe's Restaurant In order to support his wrestling career, Joe became a restaurateur (he inherited a love of cooking from his mother) and a wrestling promoter. Sloppy Joe's Restaurant & Soda Bar was a busy spot midway to the beach on Wasaga Beach's Historic Main Street. The restaurant was styled as a Mexican-CanadianHungarian cantina of sorts, its specialty being José's Chili. On occasion, Joe could be seen wearing a sombrero and serape, and sitting atop a live burro (donkey) to attract customers to his Main Street location. Popular wrestling matches were held on Thursday nights at Wasaga Beach's Starlight Garden's outdoor dance floor. People would come from near and far to see Sloppy Joe wrestle the likes of Martin Hutzler (The Jewish Flash), Sam Samonian, Frenchy Leveque, Frankie Szabo, and the Green Mask. Fans would even gather on nearby rooftops to watch. Contemporary newspaper articles often covered the matches with colourful blow-by-blow descriptions of the action! Sloppy Joe's wrestling career came to an end in the 1950s when he moved his young family to the Toronto area. Over the years, Joe opened restaurants in Hamilton, Burlington, Toronto, Orangeville, Winnipeg, and Calgary (variably: Sloppy Joe's, Joe Bácsi's Hungarian Chili Bowl, and the Hungarian Village Restaurant). He even made and sold canned Jose's Chili in grocery stores. Joe maintained strong ties with the wrestling circuit. He was a promoter, coach, and opened the Hercules training gym. Joe remained active in both wrestling and the restaurant business until he passed away on January 5, 1994, in his 80th year. Written by: Bill Vogl - Edited by: Grant Vogl See Page 22 for more photos as part of Mike Miller’s ‘Time Capsule’ feature.
Steve and Donna Langman, with Bo, are eager to welcome customers to the new heated storage facility
Langman's Storage Centre isn't a really new business as they have been registered as a local business when they began storing vehicles in 2015. What is new, is the re-purposing of their 20,000 square foot building to create 124 heated indoor storage units in varying sizes. The Langman family aren't new to the area either. Steve and Donna Langman have lived in Wasaga since 1992. It was then they began Wasaga Beach Paintball Adventure, re-branded to Wasaga Adventure Park in 2018, located just off the main “gateway” to Wasaga Beach, the former Hwy 92. The expansive 20,000 square foot building on site had been used as a sports arena, hosting their Adventure Park customers as they played indoor laser tag, dart tag, and archery tag. It was an amazing space for these activities, but really didn't earn its keep. It was the pandemic that enlightened the Langmans to their vulnerability as a tourist attraction and gave them reason to rethink their business model. “After 30 years in the tourism business it was shocking to discover that a world event such as a pandemic, could bring us to the brink of bankruptcy in such a short time” Donna Langman told us. The family's love of operating a tourist attraction where people come to have fun, made them want to continue the Adventure Park, so they looked at what they had and how they could diversify their property to generate an income that was more stable. They also looked to see what Wasaga Beach and the surrounding area needed. With explosive development in the area, mostly of townhomes, it wasn't hard to see that heated storage was a need for the residents who were new to the area, or those locals that were downsizing. The closest heated storage to Wasaga Beach is Barrie, Orillia, and Collingwood and few have vacancies. Donna said; “We are so happy to be able to offer this service to our town. People have different reasons for needing storage, but every customer is hoping for a safe, secure place for their treasured belongings.” The Langmans are still working on getting all of their services in place, but the units are ready for people's valued assets to move in. The space is clean, well-lit, well ventilated, and pest controlled. A unique service they plan to offer is the inexpensive rental of their enclosed trailer. They will drop their trailer off at your location for three days. Once loaded, it will be picked up, to be relocated at the entrance to the main storage facility, ready to be unloaded. Wheeled carts are ready and available to make the move easy once you arrive. Unit sizes range from 5x10 to all the way up to 15x20 and they are all on ground level. We respect the long time local tourist attraction the Langman family have successfully operated for decades, and now can appreciate them utilizing an amazing heated space, to serve existing & new residents in Wasaga Beach with storage needs. You can contact the Langman's Storage team by calling 705-333-2768, or sending them an email at info@langmansstorage.com. More info & images available at www.langmansstorage.com, They look forward to getting to know you and helping you with your long or short term storage needs. www.beach B O O S T E R .com
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These were the words of Ontario's Minister of Education last spring as he announced his government's plan to spend $24 million on programs to address the increase in violence in our schools. Lecce went on to express his concern that students should feel safe in their schools. We know from open discussions at school board meetings in Midhurst that many students (one in ve elementary students and one in four secondary students) in Simcoe County do not feel safe at school. Some of them have witnessed physical assaults requiring medical attention, sexual assaults, robbery, human trafcking, and gang activity. Is it any wonder that some don't feel safe? Student discipline is a complex problem and each case has its own anatomy and solution. It is a topic that cannot be adequately dealt with in a short article. The following is an analysis of the dynamics of the most difcult and damaging types of cases faced by adults who work with children. The problem of violent children begins in the home. Most children enter school for the rst time as innocent little kids who respect their peers and their elders. Unfortunately, a small number show up with a repertoire of foul language and aggressive behaviour. As these students progress through the system, school personnel meet with their parents in an effort to establish a partnership of caring adults who will work together to extinguish the poor behaviour. Caring parents working with educators usually experience success in helping their children improve their conduct. The small number of parents who view school personnel as the enemy succeed only in reinforcing the bad behaviour of their children. In extreme cases, their children will run afoul of the law. These adults then usually seek out allies as they lash out in an effort to blame educators, coaches and/or police ofcers. In short, any adult who has come into contact with their disturbed child is to blame. This pattern is quite clear to those who work
in education or law enforcement over many years. The situation becomes much worse when the parent in crisis nds support from elected politicians. When that happens, the focus changes and the conduct of the adults involved in dealing with the problem child is now under great scrutiny. The offending parent has now succeeded in diverting the attention of the agencies involved from the violent behaviour of their child, to the actions of the responders trying to deal with the matter. The student's violent behaviour will not be addressed unless the incident ends up in court. The lack of wise action by decision makers leads to poor morale among workers and victims. The conduct of the offender continues to harm innocent people. Professionals who experience the kind of personal attacks that originate with the parents of violent children can become reluctant to address future incidents, especially when they have been thrown under the bus by elected ofcials. The pattern of behaviour just described leads to the breakdown of order in our society. This is roughly what happens in some of our school boards. It is this type of dynamic which is behind the movement to cancel police safety programs which have been so effective for decades. The result is poor morale among the groups of people whom we rely on to help our children become productive members of society. The consequences of this morale problem are serious and will have long lasting negative impact on our communities. Crimes go unpunished as some seek to destroy the careers and reputations of essential workers. Note: Your comments are appreciated. The column on the origins of the term “Beach Kids” elicited responses which confirmed my personal research and observations. Those were gratefully received. Every effort will be made to respond to your letters. (tochuckandrews@gmail.com)
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The Great Lakes in Peril: Climate Change's Grip on Rising Temperatures and Diminishing Ice Coverage Georgian Bay, Lake Huron and all the Great Lakes, a natural wonder, are facing a critical environmental challenge due to the changing climate. Over the past few decades, rising air and water temperatures have become a concerning trend, coupled with a noticeable decrease in ice coverage during winter. This shift in the delicate balance of the Great Lakes ecosystem is ringing alarm bells for environmentalists and scientists alike. As global temperatures continue to climb, the Great Lakes are experiencing warmer air and water temperatures. This phenomenon poses a threat to the diverse aquatic life that depends on specific temperature ranges for survival. Fish species that have adapted to colder waters are finding their habitats slowly diminishing, leading to disruptions in the food chain. Additionally, warmer water temperatures contribute to the growth of harmful algal blooms, which can produce toxins harmful to both aquatic life and human health.
Photos by Jason George Photography
Year one of the JGP PROWL is in the books and it was awesome! We've started our second year off with an early meeting on January 21, 2024. All the active members from last year are back plus we have added four new ones and still have space for more. We have 3 awesome events you can join us with: Beach Clean-Up - April 21 (10-11 am). Visiting a Taxidermy Location – July 7. Visiting the Natural History Museum and hike - Oct 27. The group of nine kids and three adults were eager to go on the owl prowl as most of them showed up early. We went over a few rules and expectations, and then we boarded the Free Spirit tour bus and the journey began. For a couple in the group, this was their highlight. Thank you Free Spirit! We were blessed with a lovely day although it was a bit cold, the sun was shining so it made us feel amazing.
Facts: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) research data shows that there has been an overall downward trend, with the annual maximum ice coverage decreasing by approximately 5 percent per decade for a 25 percent total decrease between 1973 and 2023. This graph shows the ice coverage historical data for Lake Huron: average ice coverage (red line), 2024 ice coverage as of today (black line) and all past years until 2023 (blue lines). One of the most visible consequences of climate change in the region is the decline in ice coverage on the Great Lakes. Historically, these lakes have been covered in ice during winter, from 15% to 99% with an average of 53% at its annual peak, providing a protective layer that helps regulate water temperatures and maintain the delicate balance of the ecosystem. However, with rising temperatures, the ice coverage is decreasing. The average ice coverage for the five lakes between January 1 – January 15, 2024 was 1.4 percent. This is the second lowest amount of ice coverage on record for that same time period since 1973. This not only impacts the habitat for certain species but also has broader implications for the region's weather patterns.
We drove around looking for animals on our two-hour adventure in Wasaga Beach. The goal of this trip was to find a snowy owl. We got excited as we spotted 20 turkeys in two groups. Unfortunately, this year, no one has seen a snowy owl in this area, so this was going to be tough. The day before on a scouting trip, I spotted an Eastern screech owl in a hole, but this day was not meant to be a day for owls. We did not get lucky seeing any of the 3 species that we were looking for. We saw a few hawks, and some crows and everybody on the trip had a great time and a lot of laughs. All understood that wildlife is meant to be wild. You're not guaranteed to see things just because you go out, but we learned about where and what to look for to increase chances. Once we were back at headquarters, the group received their JGP PROWL packages which included their membership card, a free kid entry to the Wye Marsh, an engraved coaster, and a USB with 50 of my favourite images. Plus, copies of beach BOOSTER newspapers with photos of the group. We ended our meetings with everybody's favourite part - Prizes that members can choose from, just for attending the meeting. JGP PROWL is looking forward to the Beach Clean-Up (April 21st) as it should be warmer than today's adventure (-8). The Beach Clean-Up will be running from 9 am – 12 pm on Beach Area 2 and everyone is welcome!! Bring a cup and grab a FREE hot chocolate, plus a free signed photo from Jason George and a photo with ' the Teddy Bear'! Subscribe to my YouTube channel @JASONGEORGEPHOTOGRAPHY and join the JGP PROWL on the next 'Owl Prowl', plus so many other exciting animal encounters. Until next time, stay safe, have fun, and enjoy the wildlife! Jason George www.beach B O O S T E R .com
The decline in ice coverage contributes to increased evaporation, altering precipitation patterns and potentially leading to more extreme weather events, and more lake effect snow on coastal communities such as Wasaga Beach. Additionally, reduced ice coverage exposes shorelines to erosion and flooding, impacting coastal communities and habitats such as Wasaga Beach and Georgian Bay. The interconnected nature of the Great Lakes ecosystem means that any disturbance has a ripple effect on the entire region's weather, climate and environment. Efforts to address these challenges involve a combination of policy changes, conservation initiatives, and a collective commitment to reduce carbon emissions. Recognizing the interconnectedness of the Great Lakes and their vulnerability to climate change is crucial for developing sustainable solutions. Only through concerted efforts can we hope to preserve the unique ecosystems and biodiversity of the Great Lakes for future generations.
“Local Action Produces Global Impact” Engage with Wasaga Beach Climate Action Team info@wasagabeachclimateaction.com
We are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to our vibrant community to come and explore the recently inaugurated Wasaga Beach Public Library, situated at 544 River Road West. This state-of-the-art facility has been designed with you in mind, offering an array of services and spaces to cater to diverse interests and needs. One of the highlights of our new library is the Makerspace, a haven for creative minds to unleash their imagination. In our Makerspace, you can engage in a variety of activities, including 3D printing, using our vinyl cutter for stickers and clothing transfers, digital design, and media production. We invite you to participate in our engaging programs that foster creative expression. Register now for a variety of workshops and activities by visiting our Makerspace page at https://wasagabeachpubliclibrary.ca/makerspace/. For those seeking a quiet and focused environment, our study rooms are available for reservation or drop-in use. Ideal for meetings, interviews, or personal study, these rooms come with a small fee to guarantee availability. Small rooms, accommodating up to four individuals, are priced at $5 per hour, while the larger conference room, seating up to 14, is available at $10 per hour. Explore our multiple lounge areas to unwind with a good book, catch up on the latest news with newspapers or magazines, or simply enjoy a cup of coffee while socializing with friends. If you have children involved in sports at one of the two arenas in the building, the library is the perfect place to pass the time. Young adults have their own dedicated space complete with a lounge area, video game consoles, public computers, and free Wi-Fi. It's a space designed for relaxation, entertainment, and learning. To accommodate your busy schedule, we are pleased to announce expanded hours in the new facility. The library is now open seven days a week, Monday to Friday from 10 am to 8 pm, and on weekends from 10 am to 4 pm. We're also thrilled to mark the return of our diverse program offerings, catering to all age groups. From educational sessions to entertaining events, there's something for everyone. Stay updated on the latest program news by visiting our website at https://wasagabeachpubliclibrary.ca/programs/. As we settle into our new space, we welcome your feedback and suggestions to help shape the library for you, the community. The Wasaga Beach Public Library is a community hub, and we are excited to embark on this journey together with you. Visit us today and discover that no matter what you're looking for, you can 'Find It Here.' Best of all, it's all FREE! Want to know more? Kyle Young Community Relations Assistant 705.429.5481 x2406 or communityrelations.wbpl@wasagabeach.com
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2 pounds beef from the hip cut into steaks (outside round works great) 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 2 tablespoons oil 2 cup sliced onion 1/2 cup diced green pepper (try jalapeno or Serrano for an extra kick) 1/2 cup diced celery 1 14 oz tin of diced tomatoes 3 garlic cloves chopped 1 cup beef stock 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
Trim off the excess fat and cut steaks into serving-size pieces. Combine flour, salt garlic powder and pepper. Coat steaks both sides and pound with a meat hammer to tenderize them. In a skillet over medium to high heat, sear the steak on both sides in hot oil. Lay the steaks flat in an oven proof dish.
Swiss Steak is a meal that brings back fond memories of my childhood. My mother would often cook this on the coldest days of the year and the aroma would fill the house with an enticing and beckoning warmth. The name Swiss Steak comes from the practice of 'Swissing' (hammering) the meat in order to make it more tender.
In a bowl combine the beef stock diced tomatoes, onions, garlic , pepper and celery and pour over the steaks. Cover and bake at 325° for about 1 1/2 hours or until meat is tender. Add more liquid during the cooking if the pan becomes dry. Thicken the sauce if necessary with 1 tbsp of oil and 1 tbsp flour combined. Serve with mashed potatoes (my favourite) or pasta.
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Jack and Denise Young celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with a beautiful party that their daughter Leanne held for them at the RecPlex on Jaunary 20th (perhaps the stormiest snow night in town so far). Many people came out and celebrated with the happy couple, catching up on stories and dancing the night away with excellent music from DJ Dave. Jack and Denise met through a friend when Denise was 16 and Jack was 20. It was love at first sight. Denise and Jack have lived in Wasaga Beach for over 37 years now. They were the proud owners and operators of Cadillac Jacks in town for 4 years approximately (1992-1996), a spot many of us remember. They have 2 children, Leanne and John, 6 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter. We wish them many more years of love and laughter.
Special thanks to Leanne (daughter) for the beautiful party and buffet style food. It was amazing and the hall was decorated beautifully. The organizers also thank everyone who came out and celebrated with Jack & Denise, as well as all the local businesses that generously donated gift cards, baskets and gifts as door prizes, including the following: The Jewel Box Majors Pharmacy Subway (east end) Swiss Chalet Boston Pizza Sunset Grill Stud Lonigans McDonalds
Tim Hortons (McDonalds Plaza) Pizza Dees Grandma's Beach Treats Georgian Circle Family Restaurant Canadian Tire Real Canadian Superstore Home Hardware Wasaga Beach Brewing Company
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Wasaga Beach has always welcomed snowmobilers in town, and when it snows and trails are being used, local OPP Snowmobile patrol ofcers are active & very visible, keeping all on sleds as safe as possible. Ofcers check riders for signs of impairment and their sleds for required 2024 registration validation stickers & proof of insurance, along with 2024 OFSC trail passes. Ofcers also have an ear for modied exhaust systems and an eye for sleds trespassing on closed trails or farmers planted elds as these two issues are well known to raise the ire of landowners & neighbours to busy trail routes, often resulting in the loss use of that trail. In an effort to improve trail safety for all users, riders can expect to see OPP ofcers on the trail system day & night, as well as road patrol ofcers conducting Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) programs at trail heads. The OPP also works with area safety partners such as MADD Canada, Arrive Alive and area snowmobile clubs.
113 MAIN STREET WASAGA BEACH 705-352-2283
The sport of snowmobiling is a wonderful way for one to enjoy a winter outing but has many associated inherent risks, dangers and hazards caused by the changing terrain & environment, your machine, and others on their machines to name a few. To help reduce these risks, riders are reminded to always check the Interactive Trail Guide before heading on the trails and wear all of the required safety equipment including oater suits if travelling on frozen water surfaces. It's highly recommended to have a fully charged cell phone with you, let a family member know where your heading to and a return time, load a location app on your cell phone such as What3Words and/or the Interactive Trail Guide and remember that "No Ice Is Safe Ice".
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Although we have had a late start to winter, the winds and colder temperatures have brought the return of the beach mountains of partially frozen ice, known as “Shelf Ice”. Our frozen beachfront is always a beautiful sight to see, but residents and our valued visitors must be aware of the dangers. Although the “exploration” of the mountains of shoreline ice is tempting, we remind our residents and warn our visitors that it is NOT SAFE to venture from the beach onto the accumulated ice along the shore. Some blowing surface sand makes it difficult to determine the ice from the safety of the beach, so please stay well back. Even if the water is shallow, the ice and snow makes it difficult, if not impossible to pull yourself, pets or others to safety and hypothermia can set in within seconds once exposed to the frigid water moving below the ice. Please don't let dogs explore as they too can slip or break through the unstable and shifting ice! Please see more information at https://goo.gl/abzA8M Joe Bickerstaff www.beach B O O S T E R .com
Photo by Tom Gill
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Sports stories from the Georgian Bay
Ryan Davies
The NHL Alumni Game kicked off the Town's 50th anniversary 'Breaking The Ice Festival' at Wasaga Beach's new state-of-the-art twin pad Wasaga Stars Arena on River Road West. The week long festival not only marked the opening of the new arena and town's new library, but starts a year of celebrations as 2024 is the 50th anniversary of the village of Wasaga Beach becoming a town. The week ended with sold out concerts as Burton Cummings & Blue Rodeo performed over the Family Day weekend.
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Photos by Tristen Oliver Stableforth @Tos_images Instagram
Mayor Brian Smith, who opened proceedings for the 'Breaking The Ice Festival' at the start of the game, was thrilled to see so many local faces at the event. “It's great to see our hometown hero back on the ice at our NHL sized ice pads. It's been a great day and it's been a great way to start off the festivities.”
In front of a full house, it was a welcome return for hometown hero and former Wasaga Stars player Jason Arnott who scored the winning goal in the 2000 Stanley Cup nals for the New Jersey Devils. Over his storied career, Arnott has made signicant contributions on the ice during his 18year NHL career, amassing an extraordinary 900 points in the NHL and becoming a World Champion with Canada in 1994. The game also showcased former NHL all-stars, including Shayne Corson, Scott Thornton, Bryan Muir, Mike Krushelnyski, and Mark Fraser. Wasaga Beach’s own Rebecca Rain sang a beautiful rendition of O Canada as the game began. Between periods, the ice was taken over by the young players of Wasaga Beach Minor Hockey Association’s Wsaga Stars, as the crowd cheered on the local kids skating on the brand new ice surface. The twin pad arena includes two skating rinks - one designed for large spectator sporting events (900 seats) and the other for community programming (200 seats). Other amenities in the $59-million facility include an indoor walking track, a modern library with proper program space and meeting rooms. The arena will also be the new home to an unnamed Greater Metro Hockey League (GMHL) Junior A hockey team next year. The town and the team's owner are currently accepting suggestions for a name for the new local team. Arnott shared with Georgian Sports News that he was delighted to come back to his roots at the arena's unveiling. “Growing up in Wasaga was the best part of my life. I'll never forget where I came from, and I'm just happy to be a part of the game.” “The new arena is awesome and it just doesn't have to be for hockey, either. I hear they're gonna have concerts. It opens up a whole new avenue for the whole community, brings revenue into Wasaga and it'd be a lot of fun for the kids who grew up here and actually get to play in it. They can maybe expand and have a few more older teams.”
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Mayor Smith added: “This has been four councils in the making. It's a packed house with the good folks of Wasaga Beach enjoying the game. This is a great thing for Wasaga Beach. It brings the community together and builds spirit.” “Our young sports teams are also thrilled to have a world-class facility. We have a lot of young hockey players and gure skaters who have been skating in the old arena for many years but when you walk into this facility you quickly realize that it is world class and I would argue that it is one of the nicest facilities in the province if not the country, and I'm sure they are all proud and happy to be here.” The town has many events planned over the coming months as this special th 50 Anniversary year continues. Keep up to date with the activities coming, both at the new Wasaga Stars Arena, the new Wasaga Beach Public Library & other venues, including the World's Longest Beach this spring and summer. Keep up to date by visiting: www.50yearsofsundshine.ca Ryan Davies
Isabelle & Gerard Dusastre (below) are Wasaga Beach residents who continue to be true ambassadors for our town. Both are volunteers and/or organizers for community organizations and spend countless hours representing these groups and our community. To th celebrate their recent 44 Anniversary, what better way than to enjoy the snow, and take the sleds out for a run on The World's Longest Freshwater Beach?
Although we all must admit, winters are not what they used to be, since the advent of the snowmobile, Wasaga Beach has always welcomed the activity. During the late 60s, the then Village of Wasaga Beach woke up to the fact that finally, by welcoming this new winter sport of snowmobiling, we could indeed become a year round tourist destination. With our proximity to Toronto, the miles and miles of available trails, the river that froze solidly every season, the beach, plus the many, many hotels, motels, cottage courts that once lined the river, the beachfront and Main Street, Wasaga Beach became known as the “Snowmobile Capital of Ontario”.
Seasonal businesses quickly became winterized in order to stay open all year and as soon as the snow arrived, the town was alive with visitors enjoying the many busy restaurants, dining rooms and lounges that often provided live entertainment. The Wasaga Beach Snowmobile Club, one of the oldest in the country, is still active and eager to make snowmobiling in The Beach fun, safe and rewarding. We need the cooperation of Mother Nature to open the trails and welcome the sledders back, but once the sledders are here enjoying our town, take the time to welcome them to The Beach... and remind them to come back and visit again & again. A ‘beach town’ indeed, but we can also embrace the SNOW! Joe Bickerstaff
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Mike Miller is a real "Beach Guy", growing up in Wasaga Beach with deep family roots in the area. Mike’s a collector & custodian of news stories, videos & photos of our long & rich history. Follow Mike’s “Memories of my Town - Wasaga Beach” page on Facebook.
Mike helped by supplying some of the images for the Page 8 story about the colourful character Joe Vogl, or ‘Sloppy Joe’, who was an active part of our Historic Main Street in the 40s. We continue with that “Sloppy Joe” & “Main Street” theme, with some more photos, featuring Sloppy Joe, Main Street and the popular restaurant.
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I don't have a beer gut. I have a protective covering for my rock-hard abs. I'm feeling pretty proud of myself. I bought a puzzle and the box said 3-5 years, but I finished it in 18 months.
I have nothing but troubles with my car. Every Sunday I take my family out for a push. When I was a kid my parents moved a lot, but I always found them. Before moving to The Beach, I lived in a really tough neighbourhood. I once bought a waterbed and found a guy at the bottom of it.
I have all the money I'll ever need - if I die by 4:00 pm this afternoon. The other day a guy on Mosley Street asked me, "Can I have $900 for a cup of coffee?" I told him, "Coffee's a couple of bucks!" The guy said, "Yeah, but I want to drink it in Brazil!" Most people are shocked when they find out how bad I am as an electrician.
Someone stole all my credit cards, but I won't be reporting it. The thief spends less than my wife did.
At every party, there are two kinds of people: those who want to go home and those who don't. The trouble is, they are usually married to each other.
Raise your hand if you have already spent your daylight savings.
I just got back from a pleasure trip. I took my mother-in-law to the airport.
You drop something when you were younger, you just pick it up. When you're older and you drop something, you stare at it for a bit, wondering if you actually need it anymore.
Four fonts walk into a bar. The bartender says, "Hey, get out. We don't want your type in here."
All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.
Why aren't dogs good dancers, you ask? Because they've got two left feet. A positive attitude may not solve all your problems. But it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
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