Norfolk Hub Magazine, June 2016

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JUNE 2016 Volume 4 Issue 6

CindyPichette.com

I

remember my first 1500 m race in grade 8. I was small, thin and loved sports of any kind. I would always give my best, but

about folks who are struggling. Other days, sadness in my life stirs that empty feeling, but with every step forward the anger or sadness slides away from my day and my run takes over. I leave the run happy, feeling secure in who I am. I am at ease with myself and if only for a fleeting moment nothing can bother me. I feel free and it is then that I feel complete.

there was not much to me. I had not had my growth spurt yet and well, kids like me didn’t make the school teams. That year though, I entered the long race in track and field. All I wanted was a ribbon, something, anything. What I ended up getting was the discovery of who I was!

That race changed everything. I ran free that day with nothing to lose and came fourth. When I crossed the finish line, I understood that this was something I was good at, something that just felt right to me. That race made me feel like I could do anything and I have never looked back!

40 YEARS LATER

Sometimes you just need to get away from life. My trail runs are that

get away for me, my time to not think, just run. To put one foot in front of the other and go until I am so tired that I feel my body has separated from my mind. It is at this point that the legs just continue on with no rhyme or reason. My mind might say take the next left, but the legs go where they want! My body won’t let me go home. There is something holding me there. What is it? I think again, I stumble.

Focus! What is it I am fighting? The sights are beautiful and the smells of spring are all around. I have my music in, enjoying the sweet sounds of rock. The music is another thing. Why do I need it? It seems I am trying to let the music distract me from something - but what?

My life for the past few years has been a series of endless runs, over hills, through dirt, mud, branches, trees, snow, rain, ice and heat. Sometimes you might feel the warmth of the sun beating down on you at the top of a hill, other times it is the morning rain washing the sweat away as the miles roll on. There are the night runs with nothing but a headlamp in the pure darkness as we run into the unknown, a little like life itself. Yet I still don’t know why I do it?

Sometimes when running, I might start out angry, whether because life has kicked me around or from thinking

50 mile

RUN DAVE SCOTT

My goal is to run, not race. When you race you get caught in the competitive grind, failing to embrace the joy and camaraderie that you share with your fellow runners! I have moved beyond the race itself. The challenge for me now seems to be survival, going to the limits, training and getting to that spot beyond where everything, body, mind and spirit, crosses over to a higher level. Make no mistake it is not comfortable. It consists of pain, anger and sorrow; it takes drive to keep me going. It is to finish what I started.

Balance is the key to running.

It took me a long time to figure that out.

I can now go out for a five-hour trail run and enjoy every moment of it. Oh, I will be spent at the end, but fulfilled. My pace will be relaxed and my form strong, well, until the last hour. I understand now that I am lucky. I have a gift, something I have nurtured and developed, and something very few can do!

So I enjoy it while I can, because life can take it away very easily.

I run for me, not because of me. It is my joy, my outlet, my hope and salvation all wrapped into one. In life we all need to find that point of clarity regarding who we are. I hope each and every one of you finds that moment and you cherish it!

There is one more aspect to my running which drives me; the folks with whom I share the trail.

First off my wife, we share a bond that grows stronger with every run. Then there is the rag tag group of individuals that I am privileged to run with. We call ourselves Team DIRT and we provide strength in numbers. We have common threads that tie us together. We have a

love for the outdoors and nature itself; there is the ability and desire to help one another, may

Norfolk Hub, The Magazine 23 Market Street, Unit #9, Box 1501 Port Dover ON N0A 1N0 Phone: (519) 429-2567 Publishers: Dave & Monica Scott editor@norfolkhub.ca www.norfolkhub.ca Any reproduction of this publication without permission is prohibited.

Opinions and comments within this publication are those of the writers and not necessarily that of Sports Norfolk or the Norfolk Hub.

it be through a tough trail run or one of life’s obstacles; and we all run for personal reasons!

This group is my energy, my sounding board, my hope and my laughter. They are my friends. Together we are a combined consciousness pushing forward in our pursuit of that complete, satisfying, ultimate run!

IN A MOMENT

I talked about the joy of running earlier, however shortly after I started this piece, I was verbally and physically assaulted at the end of a trail run. Just what every athlete needs after a run!

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I tell this part of the story for a few reasons. First off, as runners we need to be prepared for anything we may face out there on the trails. Run with a group, but if you do go alone carry a phone. Consider a self-defence course because you just never know who is out there!

The second reason is to make sure you talk to someone if this ever happens to you. After the incident I felt I had talked to the right people, but I have to tell you it became a struggle to run at that location. Training for a 50-mile (80 km) race, I needed to use the trails and spend time running alone. I found that I had trouble getting relaxed and finding my pace. I caught myself checking over my shoulder, hesitating to even go for my run and upon finishing I felt more stress than when I started out.

Suddenly everything the trail run had given me was taken away. One fleeting moment destroyed years of personal growth and now the trails were a dark place to run away from, feeling unsure of what was waiting at the end.

If it wasn’t for the group, I more than likely would have stopped running, but leading the group on the trails is what I do and I felt I couldn’t let them down.

It was five weeks out before the 50-mile race and every week more doubt crept in. Suddenly the runs were work.

My head-space was messed up and I would wake up at night wondering why these events occurred. Should I even run anymore? What was the purpose? The joy was gone. Who was I doing this for? The biggest issue was that if it

was that easy for someone to come at me, how could I make sure the other runners were safe.

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At times my run would turn into an all-out sprint, running from the fear! Not exactly the slow easy pace required for 50 miles. I was pissed off that someone had taken it from me.

I knew the group needed to keep running to show unity and strength and not be intimidated. It wasn’t easy, but it had to be done for the group and for myself!

I decided the events that had occurred were not the fault of the trails, but that of an individual who needs help. I needed to regain my focus on the task at hand. The miles had been put in for the last year, hours upon hours of training, but the drive was gone. I needed to feel the thrill of the run again, to let go of the anger and challenge myself! It was then

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that I remembered that kid in grade 8 just wanting a ribbon but gaining so much more. I needed to be that kid again!

I came to the conclusion that these 50 miles would either be my last run for a long time or they would be the fresh start to trails. Either way, I would know where I was going after this run.

RACE DAY!

The alarm sounded at 4:30 a.m. I rolled over in the back of the vehicle where I managed to get a decent night’s sleep and realized that all the training would be put to the test in 90 minutes. I crawled out of the car and chuckled as headlamps danced across the parking lot with folks just like me preparing for a long run!

I was a little nervous but not about my preparation, it was more about the heat. It was already warm at 5 a.m. and I knew I had to go slow to survive this run. Going 50 miles up and down hills a lot bigger than we have here in Norfolk and with temperatures climbing close to 35˚C, I had to be smart, determined and careful.

So I decided this had to be fun, there was no other way than to enjoy the moment or should I say the hours!

Finally, 6 a.m. arrived. I could feel the sun as we stood on the road at the start line. People of all ages and background were ready to take on the challenge. Some would make it, others would not.

That is just the way these races go!

At the last minute a guy said to me, “Hey man, can I throw my shirt under your car?” (I parked 25 feet from the start line.)

I said, “Sure, it’s not locked. Throw it in the back.”

He did and we ran off. I didn’t know the guy and I left my wallet in plain sight. He was doing a relay and would be done way before me, but you know I had no concerns. Weird eh, it is a different type of person that signs up for these runs!

I decided to start dead last, no rush, nice and easy. Shoes in double knots, check; music on, check; bottles filled, check; attitude, check.

All right, get your butt moving! I smile and wave!

LAP 1 & 2 - The first 25 miles (40 km) are all about fun!

You have to be crazy-positive to do an Ultra. It has to feel fun or you’re in trouble. Trust me, too many times I have gone into races thinking about finishing high in the standings and forgetting about the joy I get out of running. Not today, in this 50 miler, I am going to chat with every person I see!

I met a young lady who is training to do a 100-mile trail run in New Zealand. She laughed as she told me that instead of telling her partner she wanted to do the run, she asked if he wanted to go mountain biking in New Zealand. He said yes, so everyone is happy.

Next up was a 60 something gentleman who is going to run 120 miles in the Arctic next March - freaking awesome! Then there was the mom doing her first 50 miler, who worked in her training with four kids - outstanding!

They are all great folks. Trail runners and ultra-runners are a different breed. We cheer each other on; we all want each other to finish and to make it. Every lap, folks tell each other to, “Keep going. You’ve got this. Looking good.” It is amazing. There is this common bond even though you have never met any of these people. You know their hope and fear, you feel their pain and you know that we are all in it together. There is a passion and drive, something outside the normal realm of society! Plus, they all love to have a beer at the end! I mean who doesn’t! After you run 50

miles, trust me you don’t want another water!

Lap 2 drew to a close and I was feeling damn good! I kept all my intakes up, water, Vega, salt, food, ice on the neck and occasionally water over the head. The cheers from the folks who had come to support our local runners revitalized me after every lap. It kept me going and smiling. Life was good at 33˚C or so I thought.

LAP 3 & 4 - Thank you Coach Charlie for helping me get through the dark times.

Lap 3 started great. I ate and picked up my pace. I felt relaxed and confident. What could go wrong? Well at about mile 28 I started down a small, steep hill. The problem was my left knee for some reason caved in and my foot rolled hard on a root. Not good.

Oh, did I mention the course had a ton of lovely roots just waiting to take you down? Well, I didn’t go down, but knowing my body, I knew this pain could haunt me. A few miles later I had talked myself into believing it was just a foot cramp and that it would go away. The heat was now at its high point for the day. I ran as hard as I could, knowing the sooner I got the third lap done, the sooner my pacer, my wife Monica, would join me for the final 12.5 miles (20 km). I pushed on. My hands had now started to swell from the heat and I knew if they were, there was a good chance my feet were too. Okay, carry ice for your hands, cool your body, stay positive… you’ve got this, keep the doubt out. I carried on, my left foot feeling like a knife going through it every time I landed. Finally, 37.5 miles (60 km) done, one small 12.5 mile (20 km) lap to go. I’ve got this!

Monica joined me and off we went. I waited until we were close to a mile in before I kind of, sort of, told her about my foot. We soldiered on, Monica chatting to me to distract me from my pain. By now I broke the last lap into three sections and focused on one section at a time. If I looked at it as half a marathon left, I became disappointed, but if I broke it down to three little 7 km runs, mentally it was easier to take. Trust me at 40 miles you are looking for any small victories you can find. I convinced myself it was getting cooler out - sure it was! Next I took to describing pretty much every upcoming hill on the trail to Monica. I bet that made her feel good.

She just kept smiling, talking positive! We finished the first seven, on to the next. I no longer looked around at the beautiful scenery, I looked down at the ground, placing my left foot ever so carefully. Going up a hill was easier than going down. I was concerned about going down the hills because if I fell, I was not getting up. The 7 km seemed like it took forever. Finally, I was at the last aid station. As I iced the body and filled the water bottles it struck me, I could go straight and be done in three minutes.

So it would only be 46 miles. Doubt crept back in and my mind was saying stop. A couple of running buddies reminded me that I had only one trail left. My body took over and headed up the last trail. Monica reminded me that this was only a couple of trails back home. I snapped back, “Our trails are nothing like this.”

Again she just smiled at me. Forty-seven miles in I felt like giving up. I felt like my body was over-heating, my foot throbbed, and I felt beat! I said as much to Monica who again used logic and said, “Well the only way out is this trail, so I guess we just keep moving.” Like a 5-year-old, I put my head down and sulked on.

About this time a runner went by and said, “Looking good.” I said to my wife, “He is not talking about me.” I still had a sense of humour at 48 miles!

Finally, I was at the last hill. I was that close to accomplishing my goal, which had started over 12 hours earlier. I found that

last bit of energy. Now it was pride that helped me finish strong, you know for the cameras, ha-ha-ha. As I climbed

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that big ass hill, for a fleeting moment I was that kid in grade 8 all over again. I felt that joy that running brings me. I was beat but not broken, my passion for running was stronger than ever. My friends that had cheered me on both at the race and online helped me achieve this awesome goal.

I once again ran free and I knew who I was!

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DAVE SCOTT

I

stopped by the Port Dover Lions Silver Lake Park Pavilion last week and chatted with Corina Bachmann of Bachmann Law, The Personal Injury Group. Corina

and her staff were busy handing out free bike helmets to kids and adults. This is the third year for the program Helmets for Kids and Adults and they have handed out over 2000 helmets.

Why? You may ask. Well the Ontario Ministry of Health reports that between 2006-2010, 93.75% of cyclists under the age

of 18 were killed in cycling accidents.

It was great to see such a huge turnout! Corina told me that her staff also go around to the schools and hand out helmets. They work in conjunction with the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, which started the program in 2002.

Congratulations to Corina, all her sponsors and her staff for doing such a wonderful job. Those helmets they hand out just may save a life!

ongratulations C100 MILE MEN to the

STEVE TOMAJKO (left) & CHARLIE UPSHALL

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Deterring

MOSQUITOES

S

o you are sitting outside enjoying the fruits of your labours, the sun is low in the sky, the shadows are lengthening and then you hear it, the whine of the mosquito.

Many folks object to covering themselves in DEET based formulations to deter mosquitoes and would like to take a more natural approach. Plantings based on the chemical components of herbs can be a delightfully fragrant option. Many of these plants provide food to bees and butterflies with their nectar.

Used in candles and torches CITRONELLA (Cybopogon nardus or C. winterianus) has a strong lemon-like smell from the chemical compound citronellol which masks the human scents that attract mosquitoes. It is a tall (5-6 feet) clumping grass which does not survive the frost so is suited to being grown in a large pot. It is a skin irritant to some so while the scent should be released by brushing the leaves, it may be better done with a broom rather than your hand.

LEMON BALM (Melissa officinalis) gets its lemony smell from the compound called citronellal (which is different from the one above). It is a small growing perennial herb that grows in sun or partial shade.

Bees and butterflies love it. Keep in mind that it is invasive and will seed down but seedlings can be easily rooted out if unwanted. The leaves can be rubbed on the skin as a personal mosquito repellent but take care to test a small spot on the skin to see if is okay for you and your children.

MARIGOLDS (Tagetes patula or T. erecta) are a drought tolerant flower familiar to most everyone and while they have a scent that one either loves or hates, they are a great deterrent for mosquitoes and other garden pests. The active compound is pyrethrum and is used by organic gardeners who swear by them in as companion plants for tomatoes and other vegetables. There are varieties that grow tall for the back of the garden and those that are short and ideal for pots that can be moved around seating areas. The petals are edible. Look for the variety Lemon Gem (T. tenufolia) which has lovely delicate leaves.

BEEBALM (Monarda spp.) is a wonderful plant that attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds with its nectar. This perennial comes in bright colours and releases its fragrance when the leaves are crushed.

PEPPERMINT (Mentha x piperita) leaves can be rubbed on exposed areas of the skin, avoiding the eyes and nose to deter mosquitoes from biting. It can also relieve the itch. Also in the mint

~ By FIONA JAMES

family, CATNIP (Nepeta cataria) and CATMINT (Nepeta faasenii) will deter mosquitoes in close proximity so planting along paths will allow footsteps to crush the leaves and release the oil, nepetalactone.

FLOSSFLOWER (Ageratum hybrid) are an annual not widely known but that produce coumarin, a sweet smelling chemical that is similar to one used in commercial insect repellents. It should not be used on the skin.

As LAVENDER (Lavendula angustifolia) is an herb that is prized for its calming properties perhaps it would make us worry less about being bitten! Some people believe that lavender inhibits the ability of mosquitoes to smell, so, like citronella, it prevents them from finding humans.

BASIL (Ocimum basilicum), particularly cinnamon and lemon, produce an essential oil that has insect-repelling properties and is toxic to mosquitoes. Leaves do not need to be crushed for these properties to be released but the scent is also pleasant to humans.

SCENTED GERANIUMS (Pelargonium crispum) smell like citronella and have wonderful foliage.

LEMON SCENTED THYME (Thymus citriodorus), like the mints and catnip are best placed near a seating area or path where the leaves can be crushed underfoot to release the oils. Bees and butterflies love the nectar.

In addition to deterring mosquitoes, it is essential that we remove their breeding sites. As mosquitoes can lay eggs in an amount of water less than a tablespoon, any standing water including downspout runoff areas should be eliminated. This means plant saucers, old pots, toys, and birdbaths all have to be tipped out after a rain or irrigation. Ponds with still water are also potential breeding grounds.

If all else fails and you find yourself with bites, ice cubes can cool the itch long enough for you to forget that it is there and remember that mosquitoes are food for the birds and animals that we love in our gardens.

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I

have respect for anyone who starts his or her own business. There is absolutely nothing easy

about it. You need determination, passion, courage, a vision and of course, money!

When Tony Vanderpost (photo) invited me out to visit Radical Lines, his new adventure park, I had no clue what to except. Boy was I astounded!

Tony grew up on Radical Road with his parents’ home next to his. He has roamed the woods behind his place most of his life. His kids have grown up there as well. Tony reflects and remembers building the kids a tree house beside the ravine. It was back then that he first thought about little decks with a zip line. Hmm...

After a few family vacations zip lining, he thought he might just build one down the road as part of an adventure park!

In 2012 Tony began the process and here four years later after a lot of blood, sweat and tears (and that was just the paper work!) it is open!

Listening to Tony talk about Radical Lines is like hearing a kid at Christmas overjoyed as they open their first present. Tony’s enthusiasm is contagious!

I went to the Radical Lines website, radicallines.com and thought it best to let them explain about the new adventure park.

“An aerial adventure course is an adventurous obstacle course set in the natural environment where the course is located. The obstacles are suspended between trees and participants stay securely clipped into a red safety cable throughout the course. The obstacles you will find in our park include zip lines, suspended bridges, nets, swinging logs, surfboards, and much more.”

Give the new park a call at (519) 429-2706 or email info@radicallines.com and give it a try!

IN THE

Long RUN

The

Ice GODDESSES

I

~ By CHARLIE UPSHALL

returned to New Jersey in mid-May to compete in my second multiday race, after last year’s 72 Hour with Corina. This year I signed up for

the 48 hour event at 3 Days at the Fair. My friend Steve would be making his debut at 24 hours, for which he had trained with dedication and tenacity.

In an endeavour of such long duration, especially as we age, it is very important to have a crew to support and facilitate your effort. Ideally you have individuals whom you know and trust will look after you. I had total confidence and no worries whatsoever. We had Sandy Miller, a battle-tested veteran of last year’s 72 hour race, whose personality wins over everyone she meets and Mac Curwain, whose competence, grace and style I had observed in many different prior situations.

Much is asked of a crew in such a gruelling challenge. If they are good, they are always on the job. The demands on their energy and ingenuity are in many ways as taxing as those felt by their runners. The task involves so much more than simply cheering and refilling water bottles.

We started with a planning dinner meeting. At that time, we went over our list of camping equipment, clothing, nutritional needs, medical aids, personal strengths and weaknesses, race strategies and goals. The aim was to make sure that there would be no surprises or missing items during the event. The mood was kept light beforehand because we always know there may be some challenging, dark moments during the long hours of the race itself. For us, keeping it light is easy because of our natures and friendships.

During the actual event, there are many basic requirements for a crew. They have to divide the responsibilities among themselves. In our case, both Sandy and Mac were on duty most of the time. They both took some time off separately to rest and sleep, although I doubt that they got much real sleep over the three days. I was competing the first two days, followed immediately by Steve running on the third day.

First, the crew must know the runners’ nutrition regimen. In my case, I wanted a drink every two miles (i.e. every second lap on the one mile loop), and alternated between gels, salt tablets, Christine’s home-made energy bars and regular food on a repeated rotation. Steve relied mainly on water, peanut butter sandwiches and salt tablets. The crew must know the location of all your running clothes, the order of shoe changes and preferred medical supplies for stomach upsets, cramps, chafing, etc. They need to be relentlessly positive and ensure that the runner can look forward to each encounter with the crew throughout the course of the race. The latter was ridiculously easy for them in my case. They also need to be psychologists in order to know the right things to say to keep their runners in a good state of mind or, more challengingly, get through bleak times when the racer is hurting or giving up mentally. They have to understand that a runner may become self-absorbed or a bit short-tempered because of the difficulty of the run. Luckily, that didn’t happen much with us, but I certainly have seen it.

All of the above tasks have to be completed quickly. The runner does not want to have to wait while someone searches for the requested food or the certain pair of shoes. Also, often the crew has to make suggestions or just do something that makes sense, such as put on suntan lotion or give extra protein. They need to remember to ask their runner what might be needed next time and be prepared for him to forget or change his mind by the end of the lap. In addition, it helps to track the runner’s position and sometimes his lap times.

Those are the main basics of being a competent crew member. Sandy and Mac did that all with efficiency and panache.

More so, it makes me proud to be able to say that at 3 Days at the Fair they did much more. We had the philosophy going in that our crew was there to help us try to reach our goals, but also to help other runners whenever possible. Mac and Sandy both embraced the idea and backed it up with their incredible energy and adaptability.

The first day was very hot, particularly during the afternoon under a full sun on the completely unshaded, mostly asphalt course. They spent many hours handing out ice, making it available to everyone and offering encouragement to all competitors. For that effort they earned many nicknames, including my favourite, ice goddesses, but also ice angels, ice princesses, ice maidens and more. It made me feel so good that others realized how great they were as a crew. In fact, many runners talked

to me on the course, usually as they were passing me, and sometimes I felt it was just because they realized that this old dude actually knew the ice goddesses. One runner, John, who was utilizing the ice station, was quiet and running alone. Sandy recognized him as one of only fourteen runners in history to have ever finished the iconic 100 mile Barkley Marathons. She finally managed to get a smile from him when she said, “Don’t I know you from the Barkley?” Later she attended to a

runner who was suffering from severe heat illness. For her awareness and caring she gained the sobriquet “Nurse Sandy” from him and an over-whelmed crew member after his recovery.

Behind the scenes, the ice goddesses did more for me and Steve than we ever could have expected. When I lost my will for a while in the middle of the night, Sandy tried to re-motivate me. Even though I knew and appreciated what she was trying to do, I told her that I had lost interest and didn’t care. She was wise enough to leave me alone until I got past it on my own. Mac could always make me smile and she worked hard reminding me to maintain my form. Sometimes she would just appear beside me, mimicking what I should be doing with my shoulders, arm swing and stride length.

When my race was over, Sandy drove me back to our hotel. I lay down on a bed while she cleaned up. Of course, I fell asleep. When I woke up, she had gone but, unbeknownst to me, she had operated on my blisters, cleaned up some blood and bandaged my feet, all without even waking me – Nurse Sandy indeed.

She returned at a pre-determined time to pick me up and drive back to the course. I had slept and cleaned up and was ready to support Steve. Sandy went off to try to sleep in her truck. By this time, there had been a lot of rain and our tent was in a bit of a sorry state. We were now into the third night of the race. I worked as Mac’s marginally-competent assistant while she looked after Steve mostly on her own throughout a cold and windy night. Now I got to see firsthand how diligently she worked and how our crew held themselves to such high standards. Mac readied food, re-filled bottles, organized clothing, checked and recorded lap times along with nutrition taken, ran many partial laps, talked with Steve and put up with me, all the time displaying her usual humour, thoughtfulness, unselfishness and

grit. It was a treat for me to be there and experience what a great crew means. At one stage, the leading woman in the 72 hour race asked Mac if she were a professional coach. She answered, “No, I’m just a nag.”

Mac remained effervescent on into the daylight. Right near the end, towards 9 a.m., there was a fun beer mile participated in by a few of the young runners. As one raced past them wearing only a Speedo on their last lap, Mac said to Steve, “Could you run a little faster?”

Steve had run steadily, following his plan during his entire race, completing 113 miles in 24 hours. He thereby met the qualifying standard for the Canadian National 24 Hour Team and earned the third place award. Hopefully, he will be representing us in Belfast in July 2017 at the next World 24 Hour Championships.

Packing up was another adventure itself. Because of the rain, it was hard to fold the tent and canopy properly and we had so much stuff anyway that the truck was full to overflowing. In fact, my chair and table were left behind to find new owners. For our short trip back to the hotel, before re-packing, Sandy was driving, Steve was somewhat collapsed In the front passenger seat and Mac and I were stuffed in opposite corners of the back seat, separated by mountains of clothing, food, sleeping bags and blankets. I wonder if she heard my muffled cry of “Mac, will I ever see you again?”

When I look back on this race and adventure, I already know the strongest memories will be of our incredible crew. They bought in from start to finish, worked tirelessly to help us, had fun doing it, and showed what a crew could be. Steve and I couldn’t have done it without them, and even if we had that capability, it wouldn’t have been anywhere near as special.

Thank you so much Ice Goddesses, Sandy and Mac.

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1231 Hwy 24 S. at Vittoria

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SENIOR SENSE

GeneraL Insurance Ltd

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Experience Gaircounts.

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tricountyins.ca 519-443-8645 35 Main Street, Waterford, ON N0E 1Y0

Brokers Ltd

~ By PAT GRANT

Volunteering COMMUNITY in our

H

elping without pay is volunteering. There are two ways

to do this - planned and unplanned or spontaneous. The planned involves activities such as tagging, packing gifts and doing crafts. A service club is one example of who does planned volunteering. The unplanned volunteering can be spontaneous; for example offering your aisle seat to someone using a crutch.

Now as seniors, volunteering is often a regular part of one's lifestyle, our involvement often depending on our abilities such as mobility and alertness. Planned volunteering is with such groups as those with the hospital. They have certain dress codes and uniforms; there are introducing shifts, discussions and meetings.

These groups play an important part in the functioning of the organization and their role is often seen as essential as that of the hired staff. Volunteers with such groups are enthusiastic about their role and will often say they get so much out of doing it and are always learning something.

Many organizations have less organized volunteers but whose contribution is really needed. Examples are knitters who make needed items that are on a list but who seldom get together or book collectors who donate to readers who seldom get out.

So, back to the unplanned or spontaneous volunteering! The nicer weather will soon be here. Do take time and see to this volunteering; it can make you smile and also feel good about our community. One place to start is the street and the drivers that volunteer to slow down for pedestrians who walked in front of them. Another example is the kind folks who open doors for those using assistive devices. And, the list goes on and on. There are great volunteers in our community!!

Thompson Waters Funeral Home Ltd. Funeral Director: Gary Sywak Business Manager: Carla Sywak • Family owned and operated • Serving Port Dover & surrounding area for over 100 years ~ We’re here to help ~

www.thompsonwatersfuneralhome.ca 102 1st Ave., Port Dover • 519-583-1530

Erie Beach Hotel

NOW A QUIZ OF CANADIAN WRITERS. Match the first and last names.

1) Pierre a) Duncan 2) Philip b) Carman 3) Bliss c) Berton 4) Hugh d) Child 5) Sara e) MacLennan

Division of Cowan Insurance Group

ContaCt Gary Hepburn

519.583.0999

Phone: 905.528.0193 or Toll Free: 1.800.463.5386 benefits@wentworthfinancial.com

www.wentworthfinancial.com

605-105 Main Street East, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 1G6

How did you do? 1c; 2d; 3b; 4e; 5a

POISON Ivy

BROUGHT TO YOU BY DOVER APOTHECARY, A FAMILY HEALTH CARE PHARMACY (FHCP)

POISON IVY, POISON OAK and POISON SUMAC contain a sticky, long-lasting oil called URUSHIOL that causes an itchy, blistering rash after it makes contact with skin.

MICHAEL MARINI, B.Sc. Phm. Pharmacist

C

ontact dermatitis is another kind of allergy, one that appears as a skin rash after you have touched some sort of allergen. One of the most

common triggers of contact dermatitis in the great outdoors is poison ivy. The resin of the plant contains an oily substance called urushiol that's easily released and spread when the leaves are crushed, rubbed, or burned.

There's usually no reaction the first time you're exposed, but watch out! About 85% of people will eventually develop an allergic reaction to poison ivy after being exposed to it several times. Within 12 to 40 hours of exposure to this innocent-looking shrub,

Poison Ivy

Poison Sumac susceptible people will typically develop an itchy rash, starting as reddened skin, leading to bumps and blisters. After a few days, the blisters break and the oozing sores begin to crust over and heal.

get some urushiol on you? First, try to wash it off right away. Even a running stream will do, but soap and water is best to keep the oil – and the rash – from spreading. The rash will usually go away on its own in a few days, but it can be uncomfortable in the meantime. Wet cold compresses can soothe the rash, while calamine lotion, witch hazel, or Burow's solution helps dry it out. Bathing in water prepared with colloidal oatmeal can also be soothing. Oral antihistamines can be helpful in controlling itchiness. See a doctor if the rash is severe, is on the face or genitals, or covers more than 20% of the body. Prescription medications, such as antihistamines and corticosteroids, can help in such cases.

Your best defence is to avoid contact with poison ivy plants. Learn to recognize them by their slightly glossy green leaves growing in groups of three – but their shape can vary.

If you're in heavily wooded areas and it's impossible to avoid them, wear long sleeves, long pants, and gloves.

“A Different Kind of Drugstore” Remember, the oils can cling to your • Meds Check service available family pet's fur, so - call to book your Free consultation today! be careful when • Visit our website for more information and refill handling your pet your prescriptions online after spending time in wooded areas Michael Marini, B.Sc. Phm. Pharmacist – a bath may be 328 Main St., Port Dover necessary.

Dover Apothecary

Poison Oak

What if you're unlucky enough to

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“We’ll get you Moving” Great Lakes Great Lakes Physiotherapy Physiotherapy

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99 King St., 17 Talbot St. N., King St., Delhi, On 99 N4B 1X7 Simcoe, On N3Y 3W5 Delhi, N4B 1X7 • F:On 519-582-4294 P: 519-429-3678 • F: 519-429-3405 P: 519-582-2552

P: 519-582-2552 • F: 519-582-4294

519-410-7775

519-410-7775

17 Talbot St. N., 17 Talbot St. N., Simcoe, On N3Y 3W5 Simcoe, On N3Y 3W5 P: 519-429-3678 P: • F:519-429-3678 519-429-3405• F: 519-429-3405 99 King St., 99 King St., Delhi, On N4B 1X7Delhi, On N4B 1X7 P: 519-582-2552 P: • F:519-582-2552 519-582-4294• F: 519-582-4294

519.426.0208 29 Talbot St. North, Simcoe, ON N3Y 3W5

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UNIVERSALITY, ACCESSIBILITY & TEAM SPIRIT

ONE FREE CHEESEBURGER*

WITH ANY DRINK PURCHASE

*NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. VALID ONLY AT 77 QUEENSWAY EAST, SIMCOE. LIMIT ONE COUPON PER CUSTOMER PER VISIT. EXPIRES JULY 15, 2016.

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77 Queensway E, Simcoe 519.426.8084

THE

REELDEAL

BECKY and LARRY can be reached at INFO@FRIENDSONTHEFLY.com

~ with BECKY KNIFTON and LARRY MELLORS

T

For Most the FISHING SEASON is About to Begin

he fourth Saturday of the month of June is the opening of the bass season in this part of Ontario. For many boating anglers, this truly is the beginning of their fishing season.

If you are fortunate, or should I say unfortunate to boat and fish on Long Point Bay, there are many boats on the water this day.

Maybe not as bad in years past, when we used to say you could jump from one boat to the next. One of the reasons it does not appear to be as crowded as many boating anglers have found there are many areas within the bay to which they focus on. No

longer do anglers just concentrate on the old traditional “hotspots”.

There are now plenty of those hotspots if you know where to look.

Most people are focusing their attention on the smallmouth bass. An effective way to fish for these feisty fish is to simply drift.

Let the wind and wave action move you along. Put enough weight on your line approximately 24” above your hook and attach live bait to the hook. Minnows, leeches and large dew worms are three very effective offerings. Crayfish were a favourite bait to use but with the introduction of the invasive Rusty Crayfish it is very difficult to obtain crayfish from bait dealers. Ensure you read the provincial fishing regulations if you are going to use crayfish.

Another effective technique is to cast artificial baits while drifting or using your electric bow mount trolling motor. There is a huge selection of baits to use. We could fill a page just listing them. Rather we will outline the styles to use. Jigs tipped with soft plastics, various crankbaits diving to the appropriate water depth, Spinnerbaits, Inline spinners and top water baits. Let the fish tell you at what speed and action you need to use. The bass will let you know. Follow their direction.

A third method is to troll. Use crankbaits with a bill that will get you close to the bottom depth. Check the lure’s action just over the side of the boat at the speed you are trolling. You want to ensure the lure is running true before you let the lure out behind the boat. You may just be wasting your time otherwise as the lure could be laying on its side.

The Victoria Day long weekend has passed. This usually signals the beginning of “summer”. People now start to enjoy their summer/ vacation properties and boats much more. It is easy to fish and not realize you may be in a fish sanctuary Smallmouth and largemouth bass in Ontario waters usually will have begun their reproductive cycle. Some waters in Ontario have

fish sanctuaries established to protect spawning fish species. Please check your provincial fishing regulations to find out if your favourite body of water may be affected. Inner Long Point Bay on Lake Erie is an example. There is a sanctuary established to protect spawning bass. The lines of this sanctuary were not set arbitrarily. They were established by and have been frequently reviewed by netting and anglers to pinpoint the area of the “bay” where these “smallies” used to build their nests. For several years, I was allowed to angle for these fish under a scientific anglers permit.

The lines are clearly identified on maps located at the launch ramps around Long Point Bay and by signs on floats within the bay proper.

Don’t disregard these signs. Long Point Bay is an Ontario destination for smallmouth anglers. The reason being the bay supports a healthy population of both smallmouth and largemouth bass. One of the reasons is the sanctuary. Please note within a sanctuary fishing is not allowed for any fish species.

The most discouraging thing we see at this time of the year is the adults who fish the channels, not only within the sanctuary, but outside of it as well, with artificial worm and jig baits. They are targeting nothing but bass, largemouth bass specifically. It is illegal to target a species of fish that is out of season. The premise of “letting it go” does not hold up. There are reasons for specific seasons for fish.

They are generally set when that species is most vulnerable and it is their reproduction cycle. In most bodies of water, there are alternative species to angle for. Panfish, such as, rock bass, perch, crappie, pike and others are delicious during the spring as the water is cold and therefore the fish fillets are firm.

We hope everyone has a terrific bass opener!

serving Lake erie Boaters for over 60 years

519-426-0653

487 Q ueensway st w. s imcoe

www.proctormarine.com