The Villager 2019 June by Villager Community News

June 2019

Knowledge and expertise to guide you through changing market conditions.

Paul Cleary B.B.A. BROKER 705-327-6002

The Lions Canada Day. . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Visit

Washago outdoor art . . . . . . . . . . . 10

paulcleary.com

Community centre changes. . . . . 13 Medical cannabis challenges . . . . 20

Some thoughts leading up to Canada Day celebrations Throughout the pages of this issue of The Villager, you’ll find a number of ways to celebrate Canada Day. And if you search the internet over the next couple of weeks, you’ll find even more. Also, keep your eye on The Villager’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/TheVillagerCommunityNews. We’ll post events as more event details become available. The advent of celebrations marking independence or the formation of countries is interesting. In Canada, July 1st is the official day of recognition of the formation of our country in 1867, the signing of the British North America Act giving us independence from the United Kingdom. Less than a year later, the governor general signed a proclamation requesting that all Her Majesty’s subjects across Canada celebrate the achievement annually, and in 1879 the day became a statutory holiday known as Dominion Day, changing to Canada Day in 1982. Celebrating independence is not exclusive to Canada. The United States also celebrates independence from the United Kingdom; Algeria celebrates their independence from France; Columbia their independence

peoples were keepers of this land. They hunted, fished and farmed and, most notably, they respected the earth and were mindful of taking only what was needed, allowing for ample annual rebirth of all earthly gifts. Their careful stewardship of the land meant that when nonaboriginals, newcomers from Europe, landed in this country they found nothing but clear,

from Spain; the Congo from Belgium…the list goes on. Over thousands of years, countries have been colonized, conquered, divided up, and even disappeared. For those of us of a certain age, the map of the world barely resembles the one most of us learned from in school – remember that map the teacher rolled out from above the blackboard? Before Canada was formed, and for 5,000+ years here in Severn Township, First Nations

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clean air; pristine rivers and lakes abundant with fish and turtles; forests filled with magnificent trees, plants and a sufficient number of animals to feed everyone’s families for yet more thousands of years, perhaps forever. The first European settlers must have been very grateful for the bounty they found 400 years ago. Unfortunately, in just a spec of time, a tiny dot on the line of history, some of that land is no longer quite as beautiful. Not all

waterways are so pristine. Many species of fish and fowl and birds, trees and plants struggle to survive. What has this to do with celebrating Canada? Everything. We must celebrate what we have so that we understand what we could lose. Celebrate all those who care and are helping to save us from ourselves. Celebrate the brilliant and inventive young people who show us new energy options; celebrate the senior who installs solar power; celebrate the thoughtful neighbour who voluntarily cleans up the plastic from our beautiful shorelines; celebrate the conservancies, especially those that manage careful stewardship over 13,000 acres of our local lands. And as you prepare for the 152nd birthday of Canada, be mindful of the Aboriginal struggle. How sad they must be that this land is in peril. We could celebrate them and thank them for looking after the land and water for so long. And then we could all become determined to do everything humanly possible to make things better. If we do this, we will one day celebrate with unencumbered joy.

We invite Orillia’s active and retired unsung heroes for a

Canada Day Open House Monday, July 1st, 11 am – 2 pm

RSVP today!

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10-year-old dancers to represent our country overseas Severn residents Ella Ferry and Kaitlyn Burden are very excited. They have been dancing since they were 3 and 4 years old, respectively. Both girls are now in Grade 5 and still dancing. Remarkably, they have both been accepted to be a part of the largest and most prestigious dance team in all of Canada. This coming November 26, they will get on a plane and head to Riesa, Germany to compete in the International Dance Organization (IDO) World Tap Championships in Riesa Germany. This event is huge and prestigious. The IDO has over 250,000 member dancers from 6 continents. The competition is considered the “Olympics of Dance”, with only one gold, silver, and bronze medal awarded for each division. The top three medalists will stand proudly on the podium as flags representing their country are raised and the winning National Anthem is played, an emotional finale to reward their hard work. Just earning a spot in the IDO competition means that Kaitlyn and Ella have not only worked hard for more than half of their

young lives, they must be very talented. But neither is onedimensional. Both have many other interests and natural gifts. Ella spends time tumbling, is an avid boater, tuber, swimmer and tumbler, and she likes to read. Kaitlyn is a figure skater, a baseball player, a golfer and she also enjoys reading. In their ‘spare time’, both say they are very happy when spending time with their friends. The National Director of Team Canada Dance, Bonnie Dyer, comments, “Canada has been quite successful in all dance disciplines at the World Championships and this is mainly due to the high standards of training that our local studios offer”. We are fortunate in this area to have high-quality dance studios nearby. Ella dances at the Mariposa Dance Company under the tutelage of Corinna Ouelette and Sara Balkwill. Kaitlyn dances at Tapps Performing Arts. Her teachers are Madi Bruner and Victoria Wilson. Bonnie continues, “It is also great to see the ‘best of the best’ in Canada, dancers from various

Severn Township residents, Kaitlyn Burden (left) and Ella Ferry, both 10-years old, have been chosen to represent Canada in a most prestigious dance competition to be held in Germany in the fall. studios, towns and provinces coming together onto one team with one goal – to represent Canada!” While many people are relaxing this summer, Ella and Kaitlyn will be working hard, continuing to hone their dancing skills, preparing for their trip to Germany and hoping for one of the precious medals. Despite support from other countries around the globe for their dancers, unfortunately, here in Canada, there is no government assistance for Team Canada Dance. Each member must raise their own funds to attend the competition.

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To that end, you can help them achieve their dream. Ella and Kaitlyn will spend time out in the community over the next several months raising funds. Please keep your eyes and ears open for events and opportunities to donate. You can follow them on their journey via Instagram @ tappingourwaytogermany. Kaitlyn and Ella: everyone in the township, indeed in our country, is proud of you. Enjoy your trip! For more information on Team Canada Dance, please visit www.teamcanadadance.ca

4 From the Publisher:

This is it!

Ellen Cohen Publisher

thevillagerpress@rogers.com

705-717-0322 The Villager, a Severn Township community news magazine, is an independently owned and operated publication delivered to households and businesses on or before the first day of every month. It is mailed through Canada Post north from the Severn Township/Orillia border to Severn Bridge and includes parts of Ramara Township. In addition to Canada Post delivery, The Villager is distributed each month through high traffic locations along the Highway 11 corridor and in many other select locations in Orillia. For a complete list of locations email thevillagerpress@rogers.com. Editorial and advertising material is protected by copyright. Reproduction of any article, photograph or graphic is forbidden without the express permission of the publisher. The sentiments of our columnists do not necessarily reflect those of The Villager. The Villager’s liability to advertisers for errors is limited to the portion of the advertisement in which an error occurs and only if the error is the fault of The Villager. Community event submissions and prearranged editorial contributions must be received by the 10th of each month for the following month’s publication. Advertising space must be booked by the 10th of each month in order to appear in the following month’s publication, with 5 business days thereafter to complete the advertising artwork and proof approval process.

The Villager P.O. Box 5 Washago, ON L0K 2B0 Art director: Cathy Cleary

It is the beginning of the most wonderful season in our community and the opportunity to get involved, get outdoors and get moving! There will be hundreds of yard sales and bazaars; fundraising walks and golf tournaments; parades and contests; pancake breakfasts and BBQs. And there are clubs – for seniors, for youth, book lovers, artists, photographers, hikers and walkers. And if there isn’t a club for whatever interests you, you can start one and people will show up! I know. I know. I write about our wonderful community all the time. But honestly, I can’t help myself. Have you ever lived anywhere better?

This is a photo of a cheeky Great Blue Heron on a dock on Lake Couchiching. We published this previously but it had to appear again. It’s a photo that makes people smile.

Help is on the horizon Our region has first-class health care, post-secondary education, a vibrant retail sector and hundreds of other employers in businesses big and small. Even with all of this, we are not immune. There is a percentage of our population that needs help - shelter, food, safety, compassion, hope. The region offers these things but more is needed. The good news is there are three organizations currently building, or planning to build, facilities that will increase the amount of help available for our most needy neighbours, friends and family. The Mariposa House Hospice – a brand new 5-bed facility will be built on a beautiful property on Brody Drive in Severn Township. Ground has been broken. The hospice is to be opened by the end of the year, bringing great comfort and dignity to those who are dying.

Green Haven Shelter for Women is building a multi-million dollar facility on Sundial Dr. near the Orillia/Severn boundary. A state-of-the-art building, it will offer more women and children safety. None of us wants to even imagine this facility is needed. However, every 6 days a woman in Canada dies at the hands of an intimate partner. The 3rd organization offering more help for those in need is The Lighthouse Soup Kitchen & Shelter. Currently offering a 14bed men’s emergency shelter, their planned expanded facility will include, among other community hub services, an expanded emergency shelter, supportive housing and affordable housing. The Villager will be following the progress of these new facilities. Watch for more information.

A reader asks A Villager reader asked if someone could tell him a bit about wild leeks. Of course, we asked Ron Reid and this is his answer: Wild leeks, a member of the onion family, are one of the first plants to poke their pungent green leaves out of the forest floor in spring because they can draw on an underground bulb. But you might easily miss their crown of delicate pale flowers in July, on a single stalk long after the leaves

have disappeared. Their tiny dark seeds take two years to germinate, and typically it is another five to seven years until the bulb is fat and mature. This slow growth makes leeks vulnerable to over-harvest; in Quebec, where they are a popular delicacy, they are now listed as threatened. Coincidently, this month’s recipe includes leeks. Have a look on page 22.

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

Celebrate Canada Day with the Lions

LIONS CLUB PANCAKE BREAKFAST

8:00 a.m. – noon, Lions Hall, Hamilton St.

By Sandra Galloway Crawford, Past-President There’s something Washago and area residents can count on every July 1st. It’s the Canada Day celebration presented by the Lions Club of Washago, starting with their always fantastic pancake breakfast. Volunteers from the club will start serving breakfast at the Lions Hall in Washago at 8:00 a.m. and will continue until noon. The meal features pancakes with maple syrup, bacon, sausage, juice, coffee or tea. Bring your family and friends and enjoy your morning. While you’re at Lions Hall, keep your eyes open for Lions members who will be selling 50/50 tickets. Starting at noon at Washago Centennial Park, one of the most beautiful parks in the region, the Lions Club continues with

Canada Day festivities. We will present 10 bands over 10 hours. We will also feature a free draw for 2 children’s bicycles. Ask any Lions Club member about the tickets. The draw will be held at the park at 3:00 p.m. As usual on Canada Day, we will also be serving hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream and soft drinks. Our ‘adult beverage’ bar will be open all afternoon and evening. The park has a fabulous playground, baseball diamonds, an enclosed leash-free dog enclosure, a walking path, a beach, picnic tables and washrooms. There is ample free parking. We hope to see you there. Prepare to have fun on the shores of Lake Couchiching!

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We ask that parade participants be at the staging area in front of St. Francis of Assisi Church - 3315 Muskoka Street by 1:15pm Prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ﬂoats! Floats and walking participants must ﬁll out a registration form available at: Township of Severn www.townshipofsevern.com or Washago Community Centre

For more information, contact washagoparades@gmail.com

Just Like You Remember... © Can Stock Photo / tammykayphoto

Keep active and have fun in Severn By Pat Harwood, Manager of Recreation & Facilities Special Events Watch for news coming out for details on Canada Day 2019! Parades, park activities and more are being planned from one end of the township to the other. And mark your calendar for an inaugural event in Coldwater - the “ShineBrite Festival” at the arena on June 8th. Bands on stage from noon to midnight. Parks A proposed cycling pump track is in the approval stages for Washago Centennial Park. The last of the playground replacement program will be completed in Coldwater before July 1st. Shoreview Park is the latest park to be added to the township’s responsibilities. This is a passive park to enjoy. Uhthoff Trail The semi-annual spring inspection has been completed. Tender documents are being prepared for the bridge and culvert replacements. Applications to the County of Simcoe have been completed for surfacing and signage. Sports Fields Spring maintenance has been completed and another great season of ball has begun from T-Ball for kids to softball for adults in Coldwater and Washago. Docks and Launches Hedgemere Landing launch project is delayed. The township is looking at another location for water access for boaters along the Severn River. All docks and launches have been inspected and are ready for another great boating season. Activities and Rentals Check out the various activities at the Washago Community Centre, Coldwater Public Library, Lake St. George Hall and Matchedash Heritage Community Centre. Rental space is also available at these facilities for large or small gatherings. Recreation Programs Most of the instructors are taking the summer off but watch for summer sport programs for children at various township locations. Volunteers Needed Need volunteer hours for high school or just want to fill some of your spare time by helping your community? Contact Pat Harwood at the Township offices for details. If you have any recreation issues or concerns please call the township offices at 705-325-2315, ext.253. Or visit us at www. townshipofsevern.com..

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Too long. Never too late

MPP Dunlop’s remarks on mental health and addictions care in Simcoe North By Jill Dunlop, MPP Simcoe North Mental health challenges have touched each of our families. For too long, too many of us have witnessed our loved ones suffer while waiting to receive the basic services they require. For too long, Ontario’s mental health and addictions system has failed to adequately treat those in need. Despite the problems that plague Ontario’s mental health and addictions care, there is a rising movement of grassroots support for those in need. Support such as those offered by the funds raised

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by North Simcoe Rotaract Club March Mudness that went directly into youth mental services in our community. Or the recent World Maternal Mental Health Awareness Walk in Orillia that brought mothers together to raise awareness for this important cause. These events and organizations represent neighbours helping neighbours during their times of need. I am honoured to belong to a community that is not afraid to take action. And they are not alone in this fight. I am also proud to announce that the Ontario Government is making bold investments in our mental health services and infrastructure in Simcoe North. In early May, the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care announced $174 million to address critical gaps in Ontario’s mental health system. This announcement included $705,000 for the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care and $10,542 for Wendat Community Programs. These funds will go to supportive housing programs, peer supports, and addictions treatment. It is on all of us to build up those in need. Despite the complexities of this problem, organizations and individuals in our community are confidently stepping up to confront this challenge. I want ensure every single one of those groups that the Ontario Government will be with you every step of the way.

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Outdoor art display beautifies the village With files from The Washago Art Club Early this spring, the Washago Art Club hung artwork on telephone poles in the village of Washago. The theme was ‘spring’. The work was created on large pine panels and every painting elicited a smile and brought hope that the brutal winter was truly over. While those paintings were hanging, the art club members moved on to their next community project. “The Washago Art Club has been very busy this spring. Once we finished the colourful spring panels, we started work on pieces of live-edge pine panels,” said Heather Witko, Communicator for the Washago Art Club. “These large pieces have been painted in the theme of ‘Washago Early Years’. “ The live-edge pieces are quite heavy and it took some ingenuity to determine how to hang them safely and to make sure they stayed put. Artists and volunteers worked outside at the community centre creating the braces. The team worked for hours one day – in not terribly good weather – sawing and drilling and, eventually, the art was hung on poles along Muskoka Street, the ‘main drag’ of the tiny village. Heather said, “Our talented Washago Art Club artists have created these beautiful panels. You will see pieces that represent the old mill, the livery, the railway and the old station, and various other scenes of Washago’s early years.”

One of dozens of pieces of outdoor art in Washago. Artist Cheryl Lauder: Thomas and Emma Cooper emigrated to Upper Canada settling in a cabin north of Black River. They named the area “Coopers Falls” in 1876. It is the home of Cooper’s Construction which is still operating. The art club thanks the many contributors to this project: John Kerr of Northside Johnny’s; Washago Home Hardware; Washago Timber Mart; Sarah Valiquette-Thompson, Severn Township Counsel for Ward 5; Cheryl and Lewis Lawder; Nick Witko, and the installers - Doug Cooper, Jim Kirby, Jan & Jim McKnight, Cheryl & Lewis Lawder, Jan Turner and Ann Johnson. Continued on page 23

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This thriving business in a prime Orillia location is a fantastic 19-hole mini golf course set amid beautifully landscaped gardens, complete with lighting for night-time play. The business also includes a popular ice cream bar plus a separate chip truck that offers a variety of delicious menu items. The owner’s residence consists of a 2 bedroom home plus a 3 bedroom in-law apartment on the lower level. The current zoning is C4i lending itself to a large variety of uses. Well-known and respected, this business has been in operation for over 25 years. It’s a wonderful opportunity for a family owned operation. Asking $889,000. MLS#176190.

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Home to a multitude of animals and plants, the Misty Grant Wetland is one of the wetlands in our region protected by the Couchiching Conservancy. Photo by David Hawke.

The essential role of wetlands By Courtney Baker The waters rise in spring. Hopefully this is always true. It’s important to the natural way of things. The way many animals and plants survive. Of course we know that things are changing. Flooding has become a larger problem and is no longer predictable in the places it once was. The negative affect of this is real for some local homeowners and species. Whether you are human or animal, our habitats are now threatened by rising water when and where they weren’t before. This is due to a number of factors, including climate breakdown, habitat destruction, and the increase of nonpermeable surfaces. The data about flood damage is so conclusive that there are places in this province where homeowners can no longer purchase flood insurance. The risk (for insurance companies) is simply too great. Habitat destruction resulting from flooding includes the loss of little streams, rills, low-lying areas that are seasonally wet, as well as larger creek, stream and river systems. But the king of all losses is wetland destruction, those serene places where you can imagine endless cattails, frogs calling, turtles basking and soakers waiting to happen. Wetlands are places teaming with life and are essential to our way of life. We need wetlands to protect our peaceful habitats and our homes. We are fortunate to live in a region peppered with wetlands surrounded by buffers from the worst of potential flooding. Places where flood waters and spring runoff can sit, slowly percolate into the ground

or run into local waterways and re-enter the water cycle. Sadly, we are losing those buffers. Wetlands are being developed. We are not only losing wetlands, we are losing the lands where rain can percolate down. Hard surfaces, like roofs, driveways and parking lots, result in more water needing to find a place to go. But if the land is already a saturated sponge, where does it go? Without treating wetlands like the fragile but essential buffers they are, we risk losing it all. In this part of the world we are fortunate the Couchiching Conservancy protects wetlands, wildlife refuges, such as The Thomas C. Agnew Reserve, The Fawcett Reserve, Grant Wetland, Wilson Point Wetland, Roehl Wetland, Prospect Marsh, East Coulson Swamp, McDarker Wetland, and McIssac Wetland. Protecting these areas not only protect the creatures that call these places home, but the land itself for future generations. We encourage you to do similar work as you steward your own land, big or small. That small creek in your back yard is essential. That ditch that only has water once a year is essential. Your gravel driveway is permeable, keep it. The part of your yard that floods is nature’s rain garden. Give the water somewhere to go, don’t fight it. Build in your own resilience and your home will thank you. Courtney Baker is the Administrative Assistant at The Couchiching Conservancy, a non-profit land trust dedicated to protecting nature for future generations. To learn more about conservation efforts in our area, visit www.couchichingconserv.ca or call 705-326-1620.

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Changes coming to Washago Community Centre The Township of Severn will take over management of the Washago Community Centre effective December 2019. The township owns the building and the land it sits on, including the skating rink and parking lot. Through a formal agreement with the township, the centre has been managed by a volunteer board of directors. The township has paid for all utilities, insurance and 50% of capital improvements. The board of directors paid for regular building and property maintenance, general repairs and 50% of capital improvements with revenue generated from programming and hall rentals. All in all, this reciprocal relationship has worked well but mayor and council say they recognize that the needs of the community are changing and, therefore, so must they. Councillor Sarah Valiquette-Thompson says demographic changes and recreation facility competition were among the main reasons for change.

“Younger families moving to Ward 5. There is also more competition for recreation facilities. Ward 4, Westshore will have a community centre and Orillia’s new facility opens in the fall. Added to that is the fact that people are looking for faster, easier ways to communicate including electronic searches (for recreational programs) and online registration,” she said. The mayor added, “Revenues need to grow and we can do that if we use all township resources at our disposal, including our new communications staff, an electronic program registration system, and the expertise of our specialized recreational staff. It is time for the township to take responsibility and assume liability.” The mayor and councillor ValiquetteThompson agree that the contribution of staff and the volunteer board members has been invaluable. “It is amazing what this small group has been able to do over the years. The community is very grateful,” said Councillor

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The iconic bell at the corner of the Washago Community Centre property. The facility will see management changes at the end of this year. Valiquette-Thompson. Not all details regarding the change in management have been worked out yet. There may be more information at the centre’s Annual General Meeting on June 8th at 10 a.m.

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Help your garden grow By Karen Kahle, grower and proprietor of Fern Forest Garden Centre,

If you are an avid gardener, you’ve already enjoyed the beauty of some of the earliest flowers – crocus, snowdrops or hyacinth. You’ve likely already spent the past couple of weeks cleaning and preparing your perennial garden beds for summer and mixed in annuals or hung pots, filled planters. Now you can sit back and watch the perennial shoots grow as they reach for the sun and turn into real, live plants. It’s is a gardener’s dream. But sit back for only a while and don’t get too complacent. As the summer moves along, those eager-to-grow perennials and your newly-added lovely flowering annuals need a little help. They need food and they’ll be much happier and more beautiful if you fertilize them regularly.

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If it’s the first time you’ve used fertilizer, do a little research about what will work best for your garden conditions and the types of plants you have. Talk to your local specialist for advice. And do remember a couple of things: not all fertilizers are created equal; more fertilizer does not mean better. Garden experts will advise you to read and follow the instructions carefully. They’ll also have recommendations for products to be used on flower beds/planters, vegetable gardens, or trees and shrubs. A piece of advice from me – invest in good quality fertilizer and keep things as simple as possible. Buying too many different products for every different part of your garden will make things too complicated and hard to keep up with regularly. Thinking about fertilizer as you would think about a medical prescription should keep things easy for you. An example of this is an antibiotic. For a person, the full Rx is necessary to cure any ills. For your garden, a full season of regular fertilizing at the right strength and on schedule will keep everything happy and healthy. Happy gardening!

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Fire Safety on the job By Dianne Kyle, Fire Prevention Officer, Severn Township

If you are employed full-time or part- • Explosive Atmospheres – Follow all they are not blocked and the doors open time, fire safety should be part of your freely. There should not be multiple recommended and required precautions orientation and reviewed annually. Fire locking devices on exit doors. This delays to prevent ignition in potentially safety on the job is just as important as fire getting out in an emergency. Know your explosive atmospheres, such as those safety at home. Prevention, detection and escape routes and an alternate route in containing flammable liquid vapors or escape is everyone responsibility. case the first way out is blocked. fine particles. These precautions include The first step is prevention: non-sparking tools and proper static • Good Housekeeping – clutter provides Your responsibility as an employer is electricity control. fuel for fires and prevents access to exits • Fire Safety Plan – Some buildings require maintaining a safe environment for your and emergency equipment. Keep all a Fire Safety Plan and if so all employees employees. This means training them about work areas clutter free. should be aware of the plan and what fire safety and the fire protection equipment • Electrical – ensure there is nothing their role is in an emergency. Ensure contained in the building. They must know stored in front of electrical panels. your employer has an updated plan and what to do in the event of an emergency. Extension cords are for temporary use Your responsibility as an employee is to ask to review it with them. only. If you find you need extra outlets, Second Step is detection: maintain good housekeeping habits and talk to an electrician. For computers, use • Ensure your smoke alarms, carbon advise your manager or business owner of surge protected power strips and ensure monoxide alarms, alarm panel and other any fire safety concerns or fire protection they are CSA approved. fire detection equipment is checked equipment that may not be operating • Waste Disposal – if you use oil rags, often as per your fire safety plan or as properly. ensure they are placed in a metal For further information, please contact per the fire code. container and empty it on a regular Third Step is escape: the Fire Prevention Officer, Severn Fire & basis. Remove excess waste in the • Check your escape routes daily to ensure Emergency Services. building on a regular basis. • Safe Chemical Use & Storage – always check your Material Safety Data Sheet to assess flammability and other fire hazards of a substance before using. Ensure chemical materials are stored correctly with adequate ventilation. Use proper protective equipment for handling hazardous materials. Tell everyone about your event! • Smoking areas – ensure you smoke All you have to do is email us the details in the designated area only. If your and we’ll publish it for you – no charge. workplace does not have one, ask your DEADLINE: Send us your event details by the 12th of the month employer where smoking is allowed. and it will appear in the following month’s issue. Remember to properly extinguish and thevillagerpress@rogers.com discard cigarettes.

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Getting dumped on in the nest box By Ron Reid

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sneak into any occupied box that is nearby, and if the occupant is another species, so much the better. And egg dumping does not happen just in the artificial nest boxes; the rates of this trickery are even higher in nests within natural tree cavities.

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Quite a few years ago, I put up a “Wood Duck” nest box on a sturdy birch at the edge of the water, directly across from where I sit in my office. To our delight, sometimes a pair of actual wood ducks takes up residence, and we can admire the show-off plumage of the male as he occasionally patrols the shallow waters in front of the box. Equally often, it is another species that claims the nest box. But that doesn’t mean no wood ducks will hatch there, through a strange habit known as “egg dumping”. A surprising number of duck species nest in tree cavities – both common and hooded mergansers, goldeneye, and of course wood ducks. As large old trees became less common along waterways – removed for their logs or to make room for cottages – the woodies seemed to suffer the most and they became a rarity in many areas. Hunters and nature-lovers came to their rescue with widespread programs of erecting nest boxes, usually by taking advantage of winter ice to get to prime locations, and gradually the waterfowl responded with growing populations. Part of these programs was an annual cleanout of the nest boxes, and documenting what had nested in each nest. Those checks revealed that many of the nests had hosted more than one type of duck, often with a few stray eggs, but sometimes ending up with massive clutches of up to 60 eggs! Turns out that females were sneaking out and laying an egg in somebody else’s nest; not just once, but repeatedly. Wood ducks are particularly good at this “egg dumping” routine, and it probably even helped their come-back. Scattering your eggs around appears to be a good survival strategy – if a raccoon or weasel invades your nest box and destroys your brood, a few of your offspring in another nest might just make it. The host ducks don’t differentiate one egg from another, but if the number of dumped eggs climbs too high, they will abandon the whole mess and start again. We used to think that perhaps a high rate of egg dumping meant that there were not enough nest boxes to go around. But that’s not the case; in fact, a female is most likely to

Development has resulted in the reduction of readily available tree cavities, nesting areas for Wood Ducks. Nature-lovers solved the issue with nest boxes. Checking nest boxes turns up all kinds of other surprises as well. Frequently mice or squirrels will take advantage of a free home. Flickers are cavity-nesters who might find a duck box a bit roomy, but quite comfortable. Best of all, occasionally evidence of a screech owl will show up – you might have set out to help waterfowl, but owls need help too. So don’t be fooled by the demure plumage of a female wood duck – she may be just returning from dropping an egg or two in her neighbour’s nest. A regular contributor to The Villager, Ron Reid is a natural heritage consultant and the co-founder and former executive director of The Couchiching Conservancy. He has written more than 30 magazine articles and co-authored three books. He lives in Washago with his wife, Janet Grand.

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Parks Canada advises that geotechnical work will be performed at Couchiching Lock 42, on the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site until June 27, 2019. This work will provide important information for the design of a future concrete repair and replacement infrastructure project at the site. What to Expect Public Safety is a priority for Parks Canada. Every effort is made to minimize the visitor impact of these infrastructure projects, however at times access to certain areas must be limited or restricted to ensure the safety of visitors and staff. During this important work, here is what visitors can expect at Lock 42: Please obey signage and the instructions of lock staff. Until June 27th: • No overnight boat mooring at this site, and limited use of approach walls for boat navigation; • Construction noise during the work day and extending into the evening; • Large machinery at the lock station; and, • Some areas of the lock station will be fenced and closed to visitors. What IS Geotechnical Work? Geotechnical work provides important information about the composition and integrity of soils, bedrock and other materials, like concrete, which is used to plan the design of projects and structures. There are many ways of obtaining this information: test pits dug with an excavator, boreholes in earth or rock using a drill rig and auger, concrete core sampling with a smaller drill rig or portable system, or seismic sounding line. At Couchiching Lock 42, boreholes will be drilled and concrete core samples taken within the lock, along the lock walls, and along the upstream and downstream approach walls. The repair of infrastructure on the Trent-Severn Waterway is part of Parks Canada’s unprecedented $3 billion investment over five years to support infrastructure work to heritage, visitor, waterway, and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada. For the most current boater specific info, such as wait times and mooring availability, follow @TSWBoaterInfo on Twitter. For up-to-date news on infrastructure work along the Trent-Severn Waterway, please www.parkscanada.gc.ca/TSWinfrastructure.

Another great month for the Senior Citizens Club Your Local Commercial and Retail Print Store

By Marylynne White, President It’s so hard to believe that June is here and our Club activities finish for the summer at the end of June. When September rolls around again, activities will start once more. In May we enjoyed a yummy lunch of Shepherd’s Pie, salad, cheese buns and raspberry pie. As always, a big thank you to the members who organize and present these luncheons. We appreciate all the work you do to make it all come together – and so delicious. After lunch, Jerry Brown entertained the group with two hilarious videos. Some of our members were in the videos. They really should consider going to Hollywood to be discovered. They were that good! Following that, we had our scheduled monthly business meeting and then we participated in “Let’s Move”, our

Speaker’s/ Comedy Corner, and Share the Wealth Our second meeting of the month included a special membership meeting. Members discussed ideas for the future of our club, including a wish list. The Washago and Area Senior Citizens Club began in 1973. We’ve had a long run but times change and we want to keep moving in a forward direction. Many positive suggestions resulted. On May 29th, we had an Over80’s Event. The entertainer was Rick Groves. He delighted the group with songs from different decades and encouraged lots of audience participation. Delicious goodies were served including a cake celebrating fun and friendship. Hopefully everyone is now enjoying the emerging warmth and the sweet flowering buds of spring.

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Annual General Meeting Our annual meeting is scheduled for June 8 at 10:00 a.m. We encourage you to come and join in the activities of the Centre. T-Ball and Softball Many thanks to Dan Gavin, Sean Spong and John Annunziello for volunteering to coach T-ball and Junior Softball. Trish Parkin is again coaching Senior Softball and has been a volunteer for the past few years. Thanks! Summer Day Camp Will be at the Washago Community Centre from July 2 to August 23. Please check our website for updated day camp and registration information or call Rose at the Centre for more information. Day Camp is available for children ages 4 to 12 and provides programs related to the theme week, crafts, games, outdoor activities and FUN!! New Programs and Activities Your ideas for new programs and activities for the young families in our area are always welcome. I am here waiting for your calls!!

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Medical marijuana On this page, page 21 and page 23, you’ll read about Simcoe North MP Bruce Stanton’s proposal for changes to regulations for grow ops for cannabis for medical use. As well, The Villager reports on concerns that Mayor Mike Burkett and residents have about this issue, specifically about a large grow op in Severn Township.. Please note: the MP and the mayor are not referring to the legal growing of marijuana for personal use which is up to 4 plants per household. They are specifically discussing cases where excessive numbers of plants intrude on residents’ comfort or health.

Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) By Simcoe North MP Bruce Stanton As of August 24, 2016, the new ACMPR came into force to close the gaps in the unconstitutionality of the previous medicinal cannabis law. Under the revised system, if a person wants to use cannabis for medical purposes, the first step is to visit a health care practitioner. If the health care practitioner determines that cannabis is an appropriate option, the practitioner will give the person a medical

document which then allows the patient to apply for a permit from Health Canada to grow medical marijuana for their own personal use. Overall, the ACMPR is a good system for regulating legal medical cannabis for both commercial and personal use. However, problems with this system have arisen as a result of Health Canada not imposing any limit on the amount a practitioner can prescribe to

a patient. This can result in a person being legally allowed to grow an excessive number of plants at one location - typically a private residence, but also commercial spaces. There have been multiple situations within our riding of Simcoe North where individuals have been prescribed over and above the guidelines, allowing those individuals to grow upwards of 244 plants each. This has resulted in houses or

commercial spaces being used to grow around 1000 plants under four separate licences for personal use. Health Canada has indicated that they are aware of there being prescriptions in the amount of 50g per day or more. These amounts, while excessive, are technically legal under the ACMPR regime and thus not considered commercial enterprises. It is important to note that individuals who are registered

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with Health Canada to grow cannabis for personal medical purposes are expected to obey all federal, provincial and municipal laws and by-laws. Health Canada may only share personal information about individuals who are authorized to produce a limited amount of cannabis for their own medical purposes in accordance with applicable privacy legislation. As such, Health Canada may respond to requests from

municipal and other local authorities for information. Municipalities interested in receiving this information may contact Health Canada at omc-bcm@hc-sc.gc.ca or by phone, at 1-866-337-7705. The following are actions I propose in order to improve the weakness or gaps in the current regulations: • A cap to be required on the dosage a physician can prescribe to a patient. • Health Canada would deny certificates that are prescribed beyond that reasonable limit. • At the Provincial level, inquiries to be made of authorized health care practitioners writing prescriptions for extremely high amounts of cannabis. • Ensure that all individuals with a criminal record/ previous charges relating to drug offences face additional screening.

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Medical cannabis challenges for Severn Township “The smell is horrendous. Some residents can’t open their windows because of it. And now, the nice weather is starting. Are they supposed to stay inside?” This is what Mayor Mike Burkett says residents near Highway 11 at Big Chief Road are saying. The mayor has been there and is very sympathetic. The oppressive odour is coming from the area of the renovated building that used to be a motel. It’s not the smell you’d expect from marijuana smoke. It’s skunky and extremely unpleasant, likely the result of a very large number of cannabis plants being grown inside a two-storey building. At first, the mayor and township staff thought they could help the neighbours with this problem but they were quickly educated. Health

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Canada regulations are the only rules that count. If those growing the cannabis have been licenced, the township has no authority to investigate, to send in the fire department to look at fire safety or ventilation issues. In fact, as long as medical licenses are in order, the police also have no authority. “There is a big hole in the rules,” said the mayor. “A typical prescription for medical marijuana is 5 grams/person which would be about 20-25 plants. But 5 grams is not the limit. We understand that some doctors are prescribing up to 50 grams/person, up to four people/residence. This means that one residence could be licensed to grow 1,000 plants. From the smell that’s coming

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Fire grilled wild morels and leek crostini By Chef Becky Many of us have, or know someone who has, a secret morel or leek patch this time of year. What’s so exciting about this is that recipes abound so that you can enjoy these spring treasures easily. For this very quick and delicious recipe, you can use either locally purchased or fresh picked wild morels and leeks.

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Medical cannabis challenges for Severn Township Continued from page 21 from this one grow op, there could be that many in there.” The neighbours near this medical marijuana grow op are upset. The terrible smell is impeding their right to live comfortably. They also have concerns about public safety issues as regards fire and police protection. They are frustrated, as is mayor, council and township staff. Mayor Burkett says he does not like the feeling of having his hands tied when it comes to finding solutions to help Severn residents. He will continue to communicate with Health Canada and MP Stanton and he won’t rest until some action is taken. “It is so frustrating. If someone in Severn wants to put in a new dock or a 10’ x 10’ shed, they have to go through hoops to make sure they’ve done everything right. But someone can grow up to 1,000 cannabis plants, impede the comfort of other residents, and there’s nothing we can do. It’s not right.” Mayor Burkett encourages all Severn residents to write and call their MP as well as Health Canada. He said the federal government must be made to understand that changes to the regulations must be made.

Outdoor art display beautifies the village Continued from page 10

Of course, thanks to the participating Washago Art Club Artists. Mark your calendar! The Washago Early Years panels will be auctioned on September 7th at the Washago Community “Fishing at the Old Mill. In the mid-1880’s, Quetton St. Centre at 2:00 p.m. Be George built a sawmill. In 1882 a grist mill was added.” sure to pick your favorite Artist, Kathy Nicholson. and attend the auction. “Teachings. The 8 feathers are Wisdom, Truth, Humility, Love, Courage, Bravery, Sharing and Balance. Beads: red is love; blue is hope/future; black is trouble/detours; clear is your spirit. The eagle will take our messages to the creators.” Artist, Nancy Bishop.

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June 7 Warm Stitches Washago – stitch and chat, 10 a.m. – noon, Lions Hall. Help make scarves, mittens, lap blankets and more for hospice and shelters. Patterns, needles and yarn supplied. Coffee, tea and cookies. Info at warmstitcheswashago@ gmail.com June 8 ShineBrite Music Festival, noon – midnight at the Coldwater Community Centre, 11 Michael Anne Drive. 9 bands. Rock, pop, acoustic, 60’s and more. Food and beverages available. LLBO.

Buy tickets online at www. shinebritefestival.com. June 9 Mom2Mom Sale, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at ODAS Park, 4500 Fairgrounds Rd., Orillia. Free swag bag for the first 50 adults through the door! Want to be a vendor? Email amydevreker@hotmail.ca. June 14 Streets Alive! Orillia’s very own living art program kicks off for another great season of dazzling art pieces. This year’s theme is pedal power. 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Mississaga Street, Orillia.

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June 15 Community Garage Sale at Timberline Park in Westshore, fundraiser for Bayou Park Ratepayers’ Association community events. 8:00 a.m. – noon. Book a table at bayouparkassoiciation1@ gmail.com. $10 or $5 if you have your own table. Space is limited! June 15 SPRING FLING at Ramona Hall, featuring Maxx Duo. Music from 60’s, 70’s and beyond. Doors open at 8:00 p.m. $5.00 per person. For more information call Eileen at 705-689-6101. June 16 Jammin’ at the Coldwater Legion, 2:00-6:00 p.m. Hosted by Clarence Cole. Sing, play an instrument, or just want to watch and listen! June 16 Fathers’ Day Brunch at the Coldwater Legion. $12/ person. Email Carol Baird entwaysandmeansbranch270@ gmail.com for details. June 28 Experience the Sound of Soul, the singing HU, a sacred sound. Informal discussion.

Refreshments. 2:30 p.m. Washago Lions Hall, 4343 Hamilton St. Info call 705-826-0910. July 1 Traditional strawberry shortcake & sausage on a bun. Delicious homemade shortcake with fresh strawberries AND real whipped cream. Tea, coffee and lemonade supplied. Heritage United Church, Muskoka St., Washago. July 1 Washago Canada Day Parade, 2:00 p.m. on Muskoka Street. Treats served at Washago Community Centre after the parade. See page 6 of this issue of The Villager for more details. July 1 Washago Lions Club famous pancake breakfast plus music and activities in Washago Centennial Park in the afternoon/ evening. See page 5 in this issue of The Villager for more details. July 1 Canada Day celebrations at the Coldwater Legion. Music by Nutschell from 2:00-6:00 p.m.

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Hot Food To Go – Something New Every Day.

Hot pizza • Whole Rotisserie Chickens • Daily Hot Entrée • Soup • Chili • Sausage Rolls

CANOE BAKERY & CAFÉ Breads, rolls, pies, butter tarts, squares, muffins, bagels, meat pies and more! Relax and enjoy a sweet and a coffee in our café – or take away. All take-out cups are biodegradable. Fresh brewed Muskoka Roastery coffee. Espresso, Cappuccino, Lattes, Americano, Latte Tea. NEW: ICED COFFEE