Serving Lake Erie’s North Shore Friday July 24, 2015
LEB Holiday Schedule The next edition of the Lake Erie Beacon will be published on August 14, 2015 to allow for a staff holiday.
Forecast for Harmful Algal Blooms in Lake Erie in 2015
INSIDE
Port Stanley
Letters
EASTERN BASIN
CANADA
I too am impressed with the new boat launch. I am glad to see that they are charging for its use and parking,
Long Point
Detroit
STORY PAGE 2
Windsor Rondeau
Port Stanley Fishermen’s Memorial Commercial fishing has always been a large part of the Port Stanley’s history.
Point Pelee
Maumee Bay
WESTERN BASIN
STORY PAGE 3
Port Bruce Report
Lake Erie CENTRAL BASIN
Toledo
Get your dancing shoes ready! The annual Community Dance is being held on Saturday, August 1st.
UNITED STATES Cleveland
STORY PAGE 3
Port Burwell Report Relations between the Port Burwell Park and local residents have been frosty, at best, over the last two years. STORY PAGE 4
NOAA and Ohio Sea Grant On July 9th Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory hosted a public webinar to explain the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) 2015 Seasonal Forecast of Harmful Algal Blooms for Lake Erie. The event featured expert commentary, a discussion of the history of this issue on Lake Erie, and the U.S. response to the problem. The US Co-Chairs of Annex 4 of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) explained recommendations to address excessive nutrient loading, and Lake Erie Scientists presented projects supported by the Ohio Board of Regents and The Ohio State University Field to Faucet Initiative.
Historical Plaque Unveiled In Sparta On Saturday, July 18, 2015 the Hiram Burley Smith house, called Ridgeview, was officially designated. STORY PAGE 4
Off The Wall Art Show Each of our 45 artists took great care to arrange an attractive and impressive display. STORY PAGE 5
LOOK AHEAD Community Events
Page 6
Classifieds & Service Directory Page 7 Business Roladex
Pages 4 & 8
LEB Circulation The Lake Erie Beacon is delivered free of charge to over 6000 homes, apartments and businesses along the north shore of Lake Erie. In addition copies are available at selected locations in Rodney, West Lorne, Dutton, St.Thomas and Port Stanley.
The effects of the cyanobacterial blooms include a higher cost for cities and local governments to treat their drinking water, as well as risk to swimmers in high concentration areas, and a nuisance to boaters when blooms NOAA and its research partners, using an ensemble modeling approach, form. These effects will vary in locapredict that the 2015 western Lake Erie tions and severity with winds, and will peak in September. harmful algal bloom season will be among the most severe in recent years The bloom will be expected to and could become the second most se- measure 8.7 on the severity index with vere behind the record-setting 2011 a range from 8.1 to potentially as high bloom. as 9.5. This is more severe than the last
This Satellite image is from September of 2011 when the algal bloom was quite severe. Most of the problem is contained in the Western Basin, the bright green area west of Rondeau. 2015 is expected to be less severe. Left: Beaches on the Canadian side of the Western Basin are generally algae free and clean. year’s 6.5, and may equal or exceed 2013, which had the second worse bloom in this century. The severity index runs from a high of 10, which corresponds to the 2011 bloom, the worst ever observed, to zero. A severity above 5.0 indicates blooms of particular concern. “While we are forecasting a severe bloom, much of the lake will be fine most of the time. The bloom will develop from west to east in the Lake Erie Western Basin, beginning this month. It is important to note that these effects will vary with winds, and will peak in September,” said Richard Stumpf, Continued On Page 7
United Way Fundraising Event Presents Unique Opportunity Melissa Schneider United Way Campaign and Communications Coordinator
Two formidable forces are joining together to create a new event at this year’s Iron Horse Festival in St. Thomas. Elgin-St. Thomas United Way, in partnership with the Iron Horse Festival, will be hosting a timed handcar race complete with prizes and friendly competition. Iron Horse Festival organizers approached Elgin-St. Thomas United Way after a successful trial of the race last year in Port Stanley during the 2014 campaign. Not sure what a handcar is? The dictionary defines it as a light railroad vehicle propelled by pushing cranks or levers, typically used by workers in-
Melissa Schneider and David Harding promote the United Way Hand Car Race fundraiser.
specting the track. Local long-time rail enthusiast David Harding is lending United Way his handcar for the event. Minimum pledge per team member for the event is $20 per person, or $100 per team. Each team should have 5 members – four people to pump and one person to push. All participants must be at least 18 years-old. The event will be held on Saturday, August 22 starting at 10am at the Elgin County Railway Museum grounds at 225 Wellington Street in St. Thomas. Rain date is Sunday, August 23, same start time. Continued On Page 7
Page 2 • The Lake Erie Beacon • Friday July 24, 2015
PORT STANLEY REPORT
LETTERS New Port Stanley boat launch I too am impressed with the new boat launch. I am glad to see that they are charging for its use and parking, as I am sure it will pay for itself. I do have one problem with the launch though. I have been boating for 45 years from trailer boats to big cruisers. Boats take a lot of work to maintain and when I would look for a launch site one of my criteria is paving. I have already seen puddles forming from boats and trailers being hauled in and out of the launch. This means that you are tracking mud, sand, and rocks into your boat. These forms of grit can scratch, soil, and wear out carpet, scratch fiberglass, and scratch paint. All of these events can be very expensive to repair. I am sure there would be greater use of this launch if it at least had a flat paved section where equipment, coolers, and people can be transferred without the destructive grit. John Clifford Port Stanley
Letter from the Editor It never fails to amaze and disgust me the inconsiderate attitude of some people.
Andrew Hibbert
Firefighters Fish Fry The annual Fish Fry helps to raise funds for new or replacement equipment for the Port Stanley Fire fighters. The Fish Fry will take place on Saturday August 8th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Fire Station. The fish are local Perch fresh caught by our local fishermen and always great. The cost is $15.00 per person payable at the door. Your support is greatly appreciated.
This pile of garbage was left by a car that had just pulled out of the parking lot near Little Beach in Port Stanley. I was there taking pictures and when I turned around from shooting the photos I saw this small pile of litter, not fifteen feet away from the garbage can. You have to be really lazy not to walk fifteen feet to use the nearby garbage container. Andrew Hibbert
Kettle Creek Golf and County Club Owner Jean Glover (second from left), and Manager of Operations Andrew Quin present Elgin-St. Thomas United Way Vice President Doug Butler (left) and President Michelle Boyce with a cheque for $527.67 raised during a charity golf day held in Port Stanley at the course on May 23, 2015. Despite colder than normal May temperatures many golfers supported the event and had a great time. Photo by Melissa Schneider
Published by Kettle Creek Publishing Ltd. 204 A Carlow Road Port Stanley, ON N5L 1C5 Telephone: 519.782.4563
Publisher/Editor Andrew Hibbert andrew@lebeacon.ca Advertising Linda Hibbert linda@lebeacon.ca David Crober West Elgin beacon@lebeacon.ca Gloria Wilson East Elgin beacon@lebeacon.ca Letters to the Editor andrew@lebeacon.ca
The Lake Erie Beacon is a community newspaper published every second Friday by Kettle Creek Publishing Ltd. Over 6000 copies are delivered by Canada Post to homes, apartments and businesses along the Elgin County north shore of Lake Erie. The Beacon is also available through Variety Stores, Restaurants, Inns and B&B’s in Dutton, West Lorne, Rodney, St. Thomas, Copenhagen and Port Stanley bringing our distribution to 7000. The Lake Erie Beacon shall not be liable for changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of advertisements or other similar material that has been included in this publication. We reserve the right to edit all submissions including letters to the editor which must be signed and include your name, address and phone number, be in good taste and follow the laws of libel and slander. Anonymous letters will not be published. Articles written by freelance writers do not necessarily reflect the views of The Lake Erie Beacon.
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The Port Stanley Fire Station is located at 218 Joseph Street on the east side of the village square with nearby street parking or in the municipal lot behind the stores on the north side of Bridge Street.
Beaches Busy on Steamy Weekend Saturday and Sunday July 18 and
19 were exceptionally hot and humid, some say a record breaking heat wave. Although some of us were tempted to hide in the air conditioning there were plenty of people at the beaches cooling off in the lake. In Port Stanley both Main Beach and Little Beach were very busy and most of the parking areas were full. Port Stanley offers some of the most outstanding beaches around. ‘Main Beach‘ has again been awarded the prestigious ‘Blue Flag’ award and rightfully attracts tens of thousands of sun-seekers and beachgoers every summer. It has a wide sandy beach leading out to the lake and a sandy bottom that drops off gradually to deeper waters in the first hundred meters. The main beach is patrolled by Life Guards during the summer months and has a pavillion with seven picnic tables and BBQs, public change facilities and ample parking to accommodate thousands of daily visitors. Windsurfers and windsailors are often seen ‘doing their thing’ most seasons because of frequent, good on-shore winds. Continued On Page 7
A steamy weekend at Little Beach in Port Stanley. Photo taken on Sunday just before the rain poured down.
The Lake Erie Beacon • Friday July 24, 2015 • Page 3
The Port Stanley Fishermen’s Memorial Andrew Hibbert
Obvious Problems
Commercial fishing has always been a large part of the Port Stanley’s history and part of that history is commemorated in a small Fishermen’s Memorial in the village. The Memorial in Glover Park has been the topic of some discussion around the village. There are concerns that the Memorial building need(s) some upgrades.
In looking around the Memorial there are some problems that could be resolved. The curved Plexiglass window on the south side of the building is quite fogged and could be replaced. Other than the names of contributors to the memorial there is no background information or description regarding the monument. Some history of the fishing industry in the Port Stanley area would be of interest. The carved wooden mural, which is the primary display, is sometimes hard to see because of the glare on the windows covering the display. Possibly some interior spotlights over the mural would help even during the day. To avoid the glare I had to press my camera lens tight against the glass to get an image of the mural. The same is true of the panels showing names of contributor’s names, at certain times of the day they are hard to read because of the glare. Possibly non-glare glass would work better.
The carved wooden mural, which is the primary display, is sometimes hard to see because of the glare on the windows covering the display. Glover Park is located beside the King George VI Lift Bridge on the south side of Bridge Street. The Memorial is a small museum and monument to the lives and times of Port Stanley fishermen and has been a part of the park since June 18, 1989 when it was dedicated. Large plaques inside the memorial show more than 175 names of contributors to the memorial. Each morning when the bridge operator comes on duty he open the doors to the building and closes them at night. Glover Park is a mini-park that was renovated several years ago with benches and picnic tables right beside the bridge and Kettle Creek. It’s a wonderful spot to sit, relax and watch the ebb and flow of maritime traffic slip by. It certainly could be considered a tourist attraction and is also occasionally used to provide a venue for small bands and entertainers.
Other than the decorative mural there are no other display items related to the fishing industry. The large floor area in front of the mural would be a great place for a large model of a classic fishing tug with some description. Do we have any model builders out there? There are many parts of a fishing tug that could be explained. Does everyone know what an Otter Board is? One of the more famous local tugs like the Verda Belle or the Lula-May which is depicted in a mural on the front of the Golem Fisheries building at 184 Main Street, would be interesting to have as part of the display. The mural at 184 is an interesting piece of history that celebrates the men and the fishing vessels of the early 1900’s that were an integral part of the Port Stanley commercial fishing industry. One other issue I noticed. When the building doors are open the name sign on the outside of the building is partially hidden by the open door unless (you are) at the extreme east end of the park. The name sign could be moved from the left side of the building to the middle panel so that it is more visible. At the last two Port Stanley Village Association (PSVA) meetings, June and July, the Fishermen’s Memorial in Glover Park has been discussed. The PSVA is asking local artists or landscape architects or others if they might have ideas on how to improve the look and feel and interest of the Fishermen’s Memorial. Or if you have any other ideas you can contact the PSVA Board Chair Linda Easton at easton.linda@gmail.com or call 519-782-3387.
PORT BRUCE REPORT Cathy Crane
Community Dance
Photo from the 2014 Port Bruce Fish Fry.
the beach.
Other items discussed included: • A recap of the Perch Derby, which saw 180 registrations. Thank you to Wayne and Sandra Weger, John Blankenship and Linda Newman for organizing the event;
Get your dancing shoes ready! • a request to the Malahide CommuThe annual Community Dance is nity Policing Committee to bring the being held on Saturday, August 1st, portable speed sign to Port Bruce 8:00 p.m. until midnight at the Port this summer; Bruce pavilion. The whole family can join in on the fun. There is no • whether to pursue an application to cost to attend, although to defray have Port Bruce declared a safety expenses you can make a donation if zone with increased fines for speedyou wish. Hope to see you there. ing;
Ratepayers Board Meeting
• an update on various grants that the township is seeking for funding to be used for upgrades to the pavilion;
The monthly meeting of the board of the Port Bruce Ratepayers Association was held on July 7th, 2015 at the pavilion. The meeting commenced with Gary Scrivens from the Sandcastle Restaurant providing information on a possible fund raising event being planned for the end of August. Money raised would go towards the community’s portion of the purchase of the mobility mats for wheelchair access to
• investigating the possibility of the Ratepayers purchasing 1 or 2 picnic tables for the pavilion that would accommodate wheelchairs; and, • upcoming events including Yard Sale Day scheduled for July 25th and the annual Fish Fry planned for September 13th. Tickets for the Fish Fry will be available soon. The next meeting is scheduled for August 4th, at 7 p.m. at the pavilion.
HealthTalk Breath-Holding Spells From time to time people offer suggestions for health related articles and I always welcome them. A young mother contacted me recently and asked if I would write about Breath Holding Spells (BHS). Her son is affected by this condition and she wanted to raise awareness and educate people about this medical condition. A breath-holding spell is an episode in which the child stops breathing and loses consciousness for a short period immediately after a frightening or emotionally upsetting event or a painful experience. Breath-holding spells occur in 5% of otherwise healthy children. They usually begin in the first year of life and peak at age 2. They disappear by age 4 in 50% of children and by age 8 in about 83% of children. A small percentage of these children may continue to have spells into adulthood. BHS occurs in two forms: Cyanotic and Pallid. The cyanotic form of breath-holding, which is most common, is initiated subconsciously by young children often as a component of a temper tantrum or in response to a scolding or other upsetting event. It should be noted that this is not intentional, but rather an involuntary response from the child. Typically, the child cries out, breathes out, and then stops breathing. Shortly afterward,
Steve Bond, BScPhm, RPh, CDE Pharmacist/Manager
the skin begins to turn blue, and the child becomes unconscious. A brief seizure may occur. After a few seconds, breathing resumes and normal skin color and consciousness return. Despite the frightening nature of the episode, children do not have any dangerous or long-term effects. Parents must try to avoid reinforcing the initiating behavior. Distracting children and avoiding situations that lead to tantrums are the best ways of preventing and treating these spells. The pallid form typically follows a painful experience, such as falling and banging the head or being suddenly startled. The brain sends out a signal that severely slows the heart rate, causing loss of consciousness. Except in cases of anemia where iron may be recommended, there is no treatment for BHS. In fact, most children will simply outgrow it. As a society, it is important for us to recognize this condition and demonstrate understanding and empathy-for it is not in the control of the child affected or the parent who has watch helplessly.
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Page 4 • The Lake Erie Beacon • Friday July 24, 2015
PORT BURWELL REPORT
vent the East Beach from flooding.
when Chatham Street Access to the west beach was closed off circa 1989. The residents of Port Burwell were guaranteed access to the boardwalk and west pier.
Allan Spicer
Progress at the Boardwalk? Relations between the Port Burwell Park and local residents have been frosty, at best, over the last two years. The Park administration restricted access to the boardwalk leading to the rock pier and west beach. The rationale was security concerns. The hours of opening were 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Parking was restricted to four cars. A low point was reached last year, when our volunteer fire department received tickets during a training session. Fishers wish to access the pier for perch fishing long before 8 a.m. On July 5, the gates were open by 7 am and the parking accommodated 8 cars. By 7 am there were 10 cars in the parking lot and four more by the former helipad, north of the parking lot. A Port Burwell resident has a copy of an agreement between the Village of Port Burwell and the Provincial Park
Alex Choo Boros has lived in Port Burwell for 15 years. Choo, our resident beachcomber, maintains his office the East Beach. Choo is a retired MNR employee. Over many years, he has developed a keen sense of a better way to manage the East Beach.
The new restrictions are progress, but not even close to unfettered access by Port residents and visitors. A $50,000 fine warns off boardwalk strollers who wish to access the west beach at the end of the boardwalk. The irony is, the sign sits on federal property. Once divestiture of the harbour goes to Bayham, the real estate in question becomes Municipal property.
The first step would be to bring in tons of sand, beyond the emergency measures now under way. Rather than remove sand, he would rig up a means to pick up debris as the beach is graded, leaving the sand intact.
To add insult to injury, the Provincial Park has left the West Beach to nature and Park maintenance has been severely curtailed. Park visitors vow to never return to what was once a jewel in the crown of the Ontario Park system. This year a once full Park has been as low as 50% occupancy on weekends. This area between the two piers was 100 What a blow to Port Burwell's attempt meters of beach two years ago. to revive its tourist economy! The water has been pushed back and sand replaced on about 80% of the beach before the Summer Fest. On July 18, there were eight cars high. Each recent rain sees the Municiparked by the boardwalk. Another six pal or East Beach flooded. The Municihad to park behind the old helipad. pality removes sand, in an effort to The boardwalk parking lot could acpresent a clean venue for beach lovers. commodate about 25 cars. However, in the words of one frustrated Port Burwell merchant, water runs downhill! Now, the Municipality is Lake Erie water levels are quite trucking mounds of sand back to pre-
Eight Is Not Enough!
East Beach Fiasco
Choo notes that the beach sand is constantly saturated from the mass of water draining to the beach from Memorial Park. The saturation makes the beach sand appear less clean than it is. Choo would install tile drainage from Memorial Park along the beach to fall into the Otter Creek or the inner harbour. One might ask, where is the Long Point Conservation Authority in helping to manage our Municipal Beach? Choo would be the first to admit that he is not an engineer. However, he has watched the beach with a keen eye and sees the sand build up and drainage as the solution to the security and enjoyment of Bayham's priceless asset. The next step is to restore the attractiveness of the Port Burwell Provincial Park, once the jewel of the Ontario Parks system.
Historical Plaque Unveiled In Sparta Shown in the photograph are John Martyn (left) Sally Martyn and representing Heritage Central Elgin is Dr. Robert Burns.
Sally Martyn On Saturday, July 18, 2015 the Hiram Burley Smith house, called Ridgeview, was officially designated. The house was recommended for designation by the municipal heritage committee and passed by Central Elgin. On Saturday the plaque was unveiled with many members of the municipal heritage committee, Mayor Dave Marr, Deputy Mayor Sally Martyn and Councillor Harold Winkworth in attendance as well as some members of the press.
building in good repair and unaltered for the last 43 years. The house took two years to build and is made of small handmade strawberry bricks produced in Sparta. The interior woodwork is entirely of White Pine from the farm and the exterior wood is Sweet Chestnut (this native species was destroyed by a blight in the 1920s). The exterior walls and the north south interior walls are all three layers of brick thick. The house is a typical full two story Georgian style with Regency details. It features a centre hall with rooms exactly opposite and of the same size. The second floor mirrors the lower floor but has four foot by eight-foot closets between the front and back rooms. There were originally 10 bedrooms in the house but now some are used as a library and workrooms. The kitchen was on the rear of the main house and also had an outdoor building that housed the brick bake oven, smoke house and tile drained privies. This building was also designated and I still use the bake oven for special occasions. It will bake 25 loaves of bread at a time.
My Great Grandfather, Hiram Burley Smith, built the house in 1865. Hiram was born in Prince Edward County in June of 1811 and moved first to Norwich at the age of 16 and then to Sparta in 1830, at 19 bringing with him £5 and a tailor’s goose (a 23 lb iron). He was a Quaker and boarded with James Mills. He married Sarah Mills, James’s daughter and set up shop on the Main Street as a tailor in a frame building. He built his brick store (also designated) in 1846 and had his home next door. He and Sarah had 3 sons before she died in 1848 and he married a second time to a Methodist in 1851, leaving the Quaker Meeting. He and Mary Ann Spurr Smith had 11 children. At the time of his death in 1874, he left each child 100 acres or a business. He built Ridgeview as his final home and only lived in it for 9 years before his death.
The house features Roman arched windows and central door with transom and sidelights. The windows are double hung in a 6 over 6 style. In the Southwest bedroom the windowContinued On Page 6
My husband John and I have worked diligently to keep the 150-year-old
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GENERAL REPAIRS TO ALL MAKES AND MODELS. USED CARS Tires, Batteries & Transmission Repairs
R OLAD EX A new history of Port Stanley, The first 100 years. This Full colour book by authors Bob Burns and Craig Cole available now at The Lake Erie Beacon, The Village Square Coffee Shop & The PSTR Gift Shop. $25. Book size 8.5” X 11” A Heritage Port publication
The Lake Erie Beacon • Friday July 24, 2015 • Page 5
"Off The Wall...and Off The Vine" Art Show
The Team that Made it Happen! Penny Crichton & APSA President, Marcia Pensa with OTW core team Sharron Russell & Kim Yuhasz. The Quai du Vin Estate Winery is a gem! Rob & Lisa Quai & family hosted our outdoor "Off The Wall...and Off The Vine" Art Show this past Sunday, July 19th. Visitors roamed the outdoors with their 'garden-party' hats and glasses of refreshing Quai du Vin wine. Each of our 45 artists took great care to arrange an attractive and impressive display. Visitors expressed keen interest by engaging artists in conversation about their artwork. The artwork had a great diversity of styles and genres ~ from hand-made jewellery, clay, pen & ink
drawing, woodwork, sculpture, handpainted silks, pottery, photography, glasswork, textiles, mixed media, and all manner of paintings. The plein air painters in the vineyard attracted a crowd, and our accordionist, Ralph ("Raphael") deLuca, charmed everyone inside the large tent and out among the display tent artists. David Marr, Mayor of Central Elgin spoke to the crowd about the importance of showcasing our wonderful area artists. St. Anne's of Byron catered scrumptious food, and award winning fruit pies. To spice up the event, Jim Crichton produced an all day playlist music of Gypsy Jazz ~ TV & movie sound bits ~ roaring 20's and Parisian Cafe-style tunes to delight the crowd and keep things fun! Even Mother Na-
ture made an appearance, trying her hardest to dampen our day with her wind and thunderstorm bullying, but she was no match for the heartiness of our Artists and Volunteers, so she moved on, and left us with a sunny day. Thank you Quai du Vin, Artists, APSA participants, Sponsors, Volunteers, Advertising supporters, Port Stanley residents, well wishers and everyone that jump-started our vision in creating the 1st Annual "Off The Wall" Art Show. Donations made to
Thank you Quai du Vin, Artists, APSA participants, Sponsors and Volunteers. Photo by Ray Murdoch the Port Stanley Food Bank are much appreciated. Stay tuned to our website at offthewallartshow.com for photos of the event coming soon. One of our OTW Artists said, "I am involved in many outdoor shows each summer season, and this one has attracted more crowds than any of them.” Awesome!
Page 6 • The Lake Erie Beacon • Friday July 24, 2015
North Shore Community Events F E S T I V A L S
E V E N T S
Hubbub at the Sub Hub Pub is bubbling back! Join us for improvisation workshops every Thursday 8-9:30pm at the Lighthouse Restaurant. Members free, non-members $2. Have fun, gain confidence, new skills, and friends. www.periscopeplayhouse.ca or marionrogers@prodigy.net.mx
PORT STANLEY 2015
Port Stanley Community Policing Requires volunteers. To help protect your village, call 519-782-3934 or Carroll at 519-782-7616, email pscp@rogers.com Port Stanley Library 782-4241 304 Bridge St. Mon, Tues, Thurs, 10 - 8:30 Fri 1 - 5, Sat 9 - 1. Children’s Programs TD Summer Reading Club Summer Reading. Events will be held this summer on Tuesday mornings: July 28, Aug 4 & 11, 10:15-11am Sign up to get a Plinko card! A great Summer Program for kids ages 3-12. Read books and do challenges for a chance to win prizes! Thursday, July 23, 11am: Mad Science Special Event** (space is limited, register early, ages 5-12) Tuesday, July 28, 10:15am: Cupcake Wars (build your own cupcake! all ages) Tuesday,August 4, 11am: Summer days, drifting away! (all ages) Tuesday, August 11, 10:15am: SRC Wrap Up party! So you think you can dance Port Stanley? Dance by yourself or as a team! (space is limited, register early, all ages) Registration is required for all events: 5197824241 Adult Programs Travel with books this summer. Check out 1, 2, or 3 of these books in July & August and receive a custom book bag! Ask staff to reserve your copy! Join us for an optional Book Club on Tuesday, August 25 at 6:00pm Port Stanley Fire Fighters Fish Fry, August 8, 4-7 pm at the Port Stanley Fire Hall, Joseph Street. $15 per person, Thank you for your support. This is one fish fry you won’t want to miss. Come and meet some of our guys and see them in action. Christ Anglican Church Sunday Morning Service, 9:30 am with Eucharist. We invite all to join in worship with us. Coffee follows downstairs. St. John's Presbyterian Church Tom Jeffrey Pastor. Sunday Worship 10 am followed by Fellowship Hour. The Door is always open, why not join us? Sunday School starts at 10:20 am. Port Stanley United Church Service of Worship at 11 am followed by a time of fellowship. Come join us. We are now wheelchair friendly and barrier free. Heritage Port will meet July 23 , 1.30 pm at the Dowler Karn Museum, 43841 Talbot Line, St. Thomas, Post Card books Vol. 1 & Vol 2 now available, $90 each, only 1 set remaining. Port Stanley the First 100 Years, $25. Get yours at the Lake Erie Beacon, 204-A Carlow Road, side door, 1-5 pm. Proceeds to Heritage Port. 519 782-4563. Port Stanley Village Association meets the third Thursday of the month 7- 8:30 pm. All welcome. VON Foot Care Clinic July 30 at The Villa Apts, 289 Frances Street 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Call 519-782-4089 for appointment. Sponsored by Port Stanley Lioness Club. Al-Anon Meeting, Christ Anglican Church 7:30 pm every Friday. If there is an alcohol/drug problem of a family member or friend that is affecting you, the Alanon Family Groups may be able to help you. Port Stanley & Community 55+ Club Meets every Monday 1:30 -4 pm to play Euchre at the Port Stanley Arena. For info call 519-782-4801 (John Brenders) or 519-685-2101 (Marie Geerts). Port Stanley Legion Branch #410 Summer Hours: Mon. & Thurs., 12-7, Tues. & Fri., 12-10, Wed. 11-10. Sat. & Sun., 12-7, Port Stanley Legion Branch #410 Don’t forget the Legion offers the following: Seniors Bridge, Tues. night, Euchre: Wed. night Legion Darts Tuesday night 8 pm Men’s Darts Saturday Afternoon Meat Draws 3-5 pm Port Stanley Legion Bottle Returns Mon & Thurs- Closed, Tues, Wed., Fri, Sat 12-4 pm. Port Stanley Legion Ladies MahJongg, Fridays 1:30pm. We are looking for beginners as well. If you like to play MahJongg come on out! Port Stanley Legion Port Stanley Karaoke, Every 3rd Friday of the month, 7pm - 11pm. Come for the fun.
AYLMER 2015 Aylmer 50 + Seniors Welcome you to join them for Euchre or Bridge Every Monday 1 - 3:30 pm upstairs at Aylmer Legion Admission $2.
DUTTON 2015 The John Kenneth Galbraith Reference Library book sale, August 20th - Dutton Library Book Sale 12- 8, August 21st - Dutton Library Book Sale 10-5, August 22nd Dutton Library Book Sale 10-3:00.
FINGAL 2015 Knox Presbyterian Church Worship 10 am. Coffee, cookies, fellowship follows: Sunday school/nursery 10 am. For info (519) 769-2157. Come and worship with a warm and friendly group of people, we are barrier free.
IONA 2015 Iona Christian Fellowship Church...1075 Iona Rd is hosting a “Brush Arbour Church Service”, Sunday August 23, 2pm. Music, Special Speaker, fun, food, ‘Hill Billy Style’, all are invited. Special fundraising for Church Repairs.
SHEDDEN 2015 Shedden Library Hours: Tues. 2:30-8:30, Thurs. 2-5, Fri. 10 - 5, Sat. 2 - 5 764-2081. Children’s Programs TD Summer Reading Club Summer Reading from 110011:45am open to all ages. Events will be held this summer on Friday mornings: July 24 & 31, Aug 7 & 14 at 11:00 am Sign up to get a Plinko card! A great Summer Program for kids ages 3-12. Read books and do challenges for a chance to win prizes! Friday, July 31, 11am: Cupcake Wars (build your own cupcake! all ages) Friday, August 7, 11am: Summer days, drifting away! (all ages) Friday, August 14, 11am: SRC Wrap Up party! So you think you can dance Shedden? Dance by yourself or as a team! (space is limited, register early, all ages) Registration is required for all events: 5197642081 Adult Programs Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal. Circling the sun : a novel by Paula McLain. Speaking in bones : a novel by Kathy Reichs.
SPARTA 2015 Sparta Stitchers Every Tuesday 1- 4 pm, Sparta Community Hall. We quilt, tat, knit, embroider, smock, crotchet, etc. Everyone welcome. Cost is $5. session. Come learn a new skill. Sally Martyn (519-775-2292). Art Camp for Youth The annual art camp this year will feature mask making of a variety of types as well as mime and drama using the masks. The camp will run the week of August 10 to 14 at the Sparta Church Museum. Registration is $90.00 per student and classes will run from 9-12 each day with a performance the last day at 11am. To register call Sally Martyn at 519-775-2292.
ST. THOMAS 2015 Abundant Life Fellowship Join us at the Timken Community Centre - Doug Tarry room (2 Third Ave.) at 6 pm on Saturdays for a free meal followed by our celebration service. For more info call 519-633-9207 or go to www.abundantlifestthomas.ca The Old St. Thomas Church, 55 Walnut St. is open for the summer Tuesday to Saturday 9am - 5pm until the end of August for free tours. 519-633-2610. Free Pickleball Try it Sessions for Retirees/Seniors. July 28, Aug 11 & Aug 25, 9-12 noon or 1-4 pm. Pinafore Park Tennis courts, St Thomas. Register or drop-in. Questions- Call 519207-1466
TYRCONNELL 2015 Backus-Page House Museum, 29424 Lakeview Line, 519-762-3072. Backus-Page House Museum Monthly Clubs! 4th Tuesday, Family History Club 7pm THS Members free or $5/person. 2nd Wednesday, Textile Arts Club (bring your own project or hand quilt with us) 7pm THS Members free or $5/person
PORT BURWELL/VIENNA 2015 Port Burwell Trinity Anglican 11:30 am Port Burwell Lighthouse Gospel Church 10:45 am Port Burwell Legion Br. 524 Mixed Dart Tournament, Everyone Welcome. Sign up 10:am Start 11:00am. Teams & Doubles. $40:00 per team. Order of the Eastern Star Areme Chapter #15, OES meets the first Tuesday of every month, at 7:30 pm at the Vienna Community Centre, Vienna. Otter Valley Naturalists Monthly Meeting is the second Monday of the month, 7 pm to 9 pm. Please call 519-874-4028 for information. Museum Bayham meet the 2nd Wednesday of the month 7pm, Municipal Office in Straffordville. Call 519 874-4135. Port Burwell - Bayham Horticultural Society, Meets Every 3rd Monday, 7 pm at the Port Burwell School, Strachan Street. For more Info 519 874-4260. Port Burwell Historical Society meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7 pm at the Marine Museum. Call 519 874-4135. Oriental Masonic Lodge meets the 4th Tuesday of the month at the Vienna Masonic Hall, 7:30 pm. New Members Welcome! Call 519 874-4135. Photographers of the Otter Valley (POV) meet the last Monday of the month, 6:30 pm, Bayham Public Library in Straffordville. All are welcome. Call Bruce at 519 874-1822.
The Lake Erie Beacon 204 A Carlow Road Port Stanley, Ontario N5L 1C5 Phone: (519) 782-4563
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UNION 2015 Union United Church, 6008 Stonechurch Rd., Rev. David Mitchell leads worship with Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. We are welcoming friendly Family of Faith and are barrier free. For info 519-631-0304 and our website: www.unionunitedchurch.ca Stone Church Cruise Nite, hosted by Union United Church, 6008 Stone Church Road, Union. Monday, July 27th, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Beef on a bun, music, door prizes. Come out and enjoy an evening with other car enthusiasts.
VIENNA 2015 Bayham Historical Society meets the 2nd Thursday of the month, 7:30 pm at the Vienna Community Centre. All are welcome. Call Bruce at 519 874-1822.
WALLACETOWN 2015 Wallacetown Historic St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 29596 Lakeview Line, Wallacetown, open for tours on Tues. and Fri. 10 am to 4 pm. Located next door to Backus Page Museum.
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Historical Plaque Unveiled In Sparta Continued From Page 4 panes have names carved into them. It became a tradition when a child was to marry that they carved their name into one of the windowpanes with their diamond engagement ring. This began with Hiram Burley Smith junior. The hip roof features large moulded cornices in a three-foot wide overhang. The original shutters are on the windows but are only decorative now as there are wooden storm windows now to replace them. The ceilings inside are ten and a half feet high and the hall still has the original chandelier and plaster mouldings. There is a full basement beneath the house with field stonewalls in places over four feet thick. The house has remained in the family since it was built. My Grandfather Edgar A. Smith received it from his father’s estate in 1874 but was only a child and let his mother live in it till her death. He lived in it at times but also had a home in St. Thomas. In 1948, when Edgar died, my father, Edward A. Smith purchased it from his father’s estate and made many repairs to the structure. John and I purchased it from my parents in 1972 when they were married. Because it has been in the family for 150 years, we keep it even though it is much larger than we need.
Swarms Of Bugs Continued From Page 8 that was lined with booths - most of them selling food. Mackies, then situated farther west, fought the problem by shutting off all but the most needed lights, leaving on only a few that glowed orange. Fish flies didn’t seem to like orange. Dogs, the hot variety, were served in the near dark. Ditto other booths. Imagine scooping ice cream surrounded by bugs. Some simply shut down. Thankfully, the invasion, while massive, didn’t last long, although it could seem like an eternity before they gradually vanished. We’ll, not exactly vanished. Not to put too fine a point on it they just, ah, rotted away. The village sometimes actually sent out plows to scrape them off the streets. Ever smell piles of rotting fish flies? No? Consider yourself lucky. That hasn’t happened for years. At least not in those numbers. And the bugs in the latest visitation didn’t stay long. Thing is the fish flies are a sign of the health of the lake and the increase in lake bugs is a sign the ailing lake is getting healthier. Scientists have long worried about Erie’s health. Back in the day it was difficult to shed a tear because that fetid fishy flying fleet had, well, flown. Who would have thought their return could be seen as good news? Now about those smelt.
The Lake Erie Beacon • Friday July 24, 2015 • Page 7 bour walk for the last few weeks. This is a small electric train that can carry children and adults on a round trip to the Harbour Walk lookout and back to its starting point near the lift bridge. It looks like a fun ride this summer especially for youngsters.
Port Stanley Report Continued From Page 2 Little Beach, which is on the east side of the harbour, is well suited for families with small children. It has no lifeguards but has shallow water and is well-protected from heavy waves by the Berm. It too has ample parking, public toilets and will easily accommodate several hundred people for a day of fun, sun and picnics with the family.
Besides the famous Port Stanley Terminal Rail tourist train the village also has a unique little train that has been running along the village har-
Continued From Page 1 Ph.D., NOAA’s ecological forecasting applied research lead at NCCOS, who formally presented the forecast in a media event and science presentation at Ohio State University’s Stone Lab on Lake Erie today.
Erie Rest Beach is west of Main Beach and is accessed from George Street along River Road and Valley Street and has parking for about 20 vehicles. This is also a beautiful sand beach with waters dropping off gradually in the first 100 meters. This beach has no lifeguards and facilities are limited to a portable washroom. It’s best suited for those hoping to find a beach that’s less busy than Main Beach on a hot sunny day.
Well Trained
Forecast for Harmful Algal Blooms in Lake Erie in 2015
United Way Fundraiser Continued From Page 1 Money raised from the event will be part of the 2015 campaign that will be allocated to local agencies in 2016. Anyone interested in more information can contact Melissa Schneider, Campaign and Communications Coordinator for Elgin-St. Thomas United Way at 519-631-3171 or by emailing mschneider@stthomasunitedway.ca
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The 2015 seasonal forecast uses models that translate spring nutrient loading into predicted algal blooms in the western basin of Lake Erie. After a relatively dry April and May, the heavy rains in June produced record discharge and nutrient loadings from the Maumee River, which runs through Toledo, Ohio as well as northeastern Indiana, will result in a more severe bloom. “Last summer’s Toledo water crisis was a wake-up call to the serious nature of harmful algal blooms in America’s waters,” said Jeff Reutter, Ph.D., senior advisor to, and former director of, The Ohio State University’s Sea Grant program and Stone Laboratory. “This forecast once again focuses attention on this issue, and the urgent need to take action to ad-
Green and slimey the algal blooms are worst on the U.S. side of Lake Erie in the Western Basin. dress the problems caused by excessive amounts of nutrients from fertilizer, manure and sewage flowing into our lakes and streams.” Editors Note: Lake Erie is divided in three areas know as basins. The Western Basin, which is West of Point Pelee, the Central Basin, where we are located, and the Eastern Basin which is east of Long Point. The most severe Algal Blooms are located in the Western Basin and along the U.S. shoreline. In our area there has been very little problem with this green slime. See attached map of Lake Erie.
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Allergy season is here Daisy What with kitten season in full swing we would like to remind everyone that the Mommas came before the kittens and most are still looking for homes as well. Daisy has been with us since Feb. 5, 2015 and on March 6, gave birth to 3 kittens, all of which have found homes. Daisy, who is 1 1/2 years old is still waiting. She is a petite calico with one of the saddest faces you can imagine but is friendly and sweet. Black and white Charlie was surrendered with
Charlie her own mother when both became pregnant. Two year old Charlie also gave birth to 3 kittens who have all found homes. Even her mother has found a home. Charlie is one of the friendliest girls in the shelter who even flops over for tummy rubs as soon as you open the door on her cage. Kittens are cute but, can be a lot of work and grow up very quickly. Why not adopt one that is past that annoying stage and take home a Momma, instead. We would all be very grateful.
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Page 8 • The Lake Erie Beacon • Friday July 24, 2015
Swarms Of Bugs
Then this year you awake to discover the lakeside porch covered with smallish black bugs. But they looked different than species of the past. And there were fewer of them.
Now, I’m not talking about small swarms of black bugs like those that visited in recent weeks. Oh no. I’m talking about big - well, they tended to look big - butterfly-like bugs. With apologies to butterflies everywhere. If you are a Port Stanley native you’ll reAnd when I say took over …… they covered call times when the invasion was worse. everything, from hydro poles to cars to Much worse. Back in prehistoric times when houses to roads. Oh yes, the roads. ApI was a youngster we called them fish flies. proach a stop sign, apply the brakes and And when they decided to visit they were you’d fishtail (sorry), atop the squishy bodlike in-laws. They took over the place and reies of these squishy creatures. fused to leave. How thick were they? Well, they often Worse, they were rude enough to, well, forced beach businesses to close. And we’re die. In droves. And when they died, not to not talking about today’s beach with Mackput too fine a point on it, they smelled. ies and GTs. We’re talking about a beach Smelled like rotting fish. Continued On Page 6
Jim Taylor Sometimes living in Port Stanley can bug you. … literally. Particularly if you live near the lovely, and sometimes not so lovely, waters of Lake Erie. Yup, one night you’ll go to bed with warm spring breezes and clear starry skies and then wake up with your porch, your siding, your windows literally covered with bugs. Swarms of bugs. Mayflies, fish flies. Whatever. They’re everywhere. They can really bug you. But they’ve been scarce in recent years.
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