Simcoe County paramedics set to ratify agreement

Simcoe County paramedics set to ratify agreement
http://bit.ly/Hm1gUH Midland Freepress
Hope they do ratify it.

BEAR WISE

BEAR WISE
Cottagers have a special connection with nature and the outdoors.  We also have a role to play in co-existing with wildlife.

FOCA is working in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources Bear Wise Program to help reduce preventable causes of human-bear conflict.

Many human-bear conflicts happen over garbage, food left out for birds or pets or dirty barbecues.  These can be prevented.  Our tips and information can help cottagers learn more about what attracts black bears and what cottagers can do to bear-proof their properties.

http://bit.ly/GTJjxY FOCA

Black bears prowling area March 2012

Black bears prowling area
http://bit.ly/GSAlO5 Midland Freepress

Just a reminder that it is spring and the bears are out and about.

Come to the Cottage Life Spring Show

Come to the Cottage Life Spring Show

...and fill in a ballot for a chance to win $5,000 in the Cottage Life and FOCA "Make Your Lake Great" contest!

Cottage Life Spring Show- FOCA is going, are you?

Friday, March 30 - Sunday April 1, 2012 (International Centre, Toronto)

Visit booth #2328 in Hall 3A and help us to celebrate 50 years of FOCA!

Also, FOCA has curated an exhibit for the Spring show, titled Postcards from the Edge of Cottage Country - a light-hearted look back at the heritage of cottage living, in photos, postcards and other cottage memorabilia. Thanks to our partners at the Canadian Canoe Museum and the Peterborough Museum and Archives for lending to this event, as well as artist Charles Pachter and private art collectors.

* Drop by the Exhibit (near the "Trading Post" area of the show) and submit a ballet for a chance to win $5,000 in the Cottage Life & FOCA "Make Your Lake Great" contest. (Prizing provided by BOATsmart! Canada.)

http://www.foca.on.ca/news_and_events/595

Spring Cottage Life Show

Get ready for cottage country
http://bit.ly/GNA0iB
Love the Cottage Life Show
The show is at the International Centre, 6900 Airport Rd., Mississauga on March 30, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; March 31, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and April 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is $17; $10, ages 13 to 17; free, 12 and younger; $24, weekend pass (discounts on-line and in Cottage Life magazine, April edition). Parking is free.

Penny's Blog: A cool website for cabin design and cottage photos
http://ow.ly/1iakDV Cottage Life
Great Web Sites

FOCA has been named a Constant Contact "All Star" for success in email marketing campaigns in 2011

Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations (FOCA)

Wow, this little Canadian not-for-profit membership organization just got recognized by a big American marketing firm:
FOCA has been named a Constant Contact "All Star" for success in email marketing campaigns in 2011. We're among the top 10% of more than 500,000 accounts using Constant Contact, based on criteria like consistently high open rates.

Thanks to all of you who are hooked on the FOCA Elert and have turned it into such a success.

Don't know what an Elert is? Not yet on the list? Visit the FOCA website www.foca.on.ca today and sign up (look for the red box) - the next edition is coming this week!

Alien plant invasion right in our ditches

AWARE prepares to battle alien plant invasion right in our ditches 

http://bit.ly/x4ETZq Midland Freepress

If you are going to be in the Simcoe County area on April 14th it would worth going to. 

10 of the problematic plants -Giant Hogweed, Garlic Mustard, Dog-strangling Vine, Common Reed (Phragmites), Japanese Knotweed, Glossy Buckthorn, Common Buckthorn, Periwinkle (Vinca), Bishop's Goutweed and Norway Maple

Great Lakes show massive ice loss, study says

Great Lakes show massive ice loss, study says
http://bit.ly/ylzMwj CBC
Not a good thing, the ice helps prevent evaporation of the water in the winter

Toronto Sportsmen's Show

Toronto Sportsmen's Show
March 14 - 18, 2012
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
http://bit.ly/zdiOaF
A sign that summer is coming