Restore Our Water International (ROWI) applauds the International Joint Commission (IJC’s) Advice

Press Release: Monday, April 29, 2013
Restore Our Water International (ROWI) applauds the International Joint Commission (IJC’s) Advice to Governments to investigate installation of flow reduction structures in the St. Clair River to respond to the ongoing low water crisis across the middle and upper Great Lakes. 

http://bit.ly/17tTpRf Restore Our Water International

I like the 20 Inch idea

Fix water levels in Huron, Michigan: IJC

Fix water levels in Huron, Michigan: IJC

http://bit.ly/Z9HFhs Midland Free Press

The international agency tasked with monitoring the quantity and quality of water in the Great Lakes is recommending governments need to address record low water levels in lakes Michigan and Huron.

However, at least one group advocating for action questions whether the recommendations will adequately address the long-term issues facing the Great Lakes — especially Huron and Michigan.
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It is a start

OPP Door-to-Door Frauds

OPP Door-to-Door Frauds 
FROM/DE: SOUTHERN GEORGIAN BAY DETACHMENT DATE: April 26, 2013 DOOR-TO-DOOR FRAUDS

(GEORGIAN BAY TOWNSHIP, ON) – Too often, members of the public are being scammed by persons identifying themselves as representatives from Water Heater, Home Heating, Home Repair, Driveway Sealers or Phone Companies, and the list goes on.

They always arrive at your door sometime in the late afternoon, early evenings or on weekends to discuss their product. They offer reduced rates, special bonus offers and prizes using the pretence of examining past bills or present equipment to get your name on a contract or sometimes just to get into your home.
http://bit.ly/ZSQ0Gl Tiny Township

Group demanding governments address low levels in Great Lakes

Group demanding governments address low levels in Great Lakes 

The international agency tasked with controlling water levels on the Great Lakes is recommending that governments need to address record low water levels in lakes Michigan and Huron.

However, at least one group advocating for action questions whether the recommendations will adequately address the long-term issues facing the Great Lakes — especially Huron and Michigan.

http://bit.ly/ZU40P1 Barrie Examiner 

FOCA April 2013 Elert

FOCA April Elert

Flooding in Cottage Country
Many parts of Ontario cottage country experienced flooding this week, as winter run-off hit the waterways. Missed the news? Check out this summary prepared by FOCA on Earth Day earlier this week.

ELA Reprieve?
FOCA is cautiously enthusiastic to spread the news this week that the Province of Ontario and the Province of Manitoba have committed to keep the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) open, through a proposed collaboration with the federal government, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and other partners.

Changes to the Fisheries Act
The first set of regulations under a revised Fisheries Act have been released. See FOCA's comments, and a copy of the regulations posting from the Canada Gazette in the central "News" panel of FOCA's Hot Topics pages.

Association Support: "A.G.M. 101"
It's that time of year when thoughts turn to planning local Association meetings.
here for some handy tips from FOCA about setting the agenda, rules of order and finding speakers or sponsors for your local AGM.

Ready for your fifteen minutes of cottage fame?
Cottage Life is launching a National TV Channel this fall. FOCA has been approached by several production teams, looking for cottagers interested in sharing their stories on camera.

and much more, click on the link below

http://bit.ly/183riGW FOCA

Do not forget to sign up for the FOCA Elert on the FOCA home page

Damage from flood not covered by insurance

Damage from flood not covered by insurance

Those affected by the flooding in Haliburton County will not be receiving much relief from their insurance coverage.

Damage caused by overland flooding is not protected under home insurance policies anywhere in Canada, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

http://bit.ly/Zq9w0r Midland Free Press 

Did not know this, did you?

Eating invasive plants at the cottage

Eating invasive plants at the cottage

They wouldn’t be out of place on a “most wanted” list, these alien invaders that displace our native species and wreak havoc upon ecosystems. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources reports that invasive species are second only to habitat loss as a threat to the province’s biodiversity. But there’s a growing contingent of foodies and ecologists who suggest that these invasives could serve as good side dishes.

http://bit.ly/11J7PJA  Cottage Life

Please do not plant these to eat them, but if the are present on your property harvest as much a you can and enjoy the harvest. 

Ancient Egypt comes alive at Penetanguishene museum

Ancient Egypt comes alive at Penetanguishene museum
Did you miss seeing the Egypt: Gift of the Nile exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum?

Are you interested in having a hands-on experience with some of the artifacts?

If you answered yes to either of those questions, you likely will enjoy the Egyptian Presentation at the Penetanguishene Centennial Museum and Archives starting Thursday, May 2.

http://bit.ly/14TxB3V Midland Free Press

Cool

Potential reprieve for the ELA

Big news day! FOCA reacts to the announcement of a potential reprieve for the ELA. Read the news release:

April 24, 2013 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Peterborough, ON - The Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations (FOCA) is cautiously enthusiastic today, upon news that the Province of Ontario and the Province of Manitoba have committed to keep the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) open through a proposed collaboration with the federal government, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and other partners. 

http://conta.cc/12JWsU7  FOCA

Dunlop asks Wynne to weigh in on water levels

Dunlop asks Wynne to weigh in on water levels

Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop has called on Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne to meet with business leaders and politicians concerned about the low water levels of Georgian Bay.

http://bit.ly/14QvFt3 Midland Free Press 

Septic reinspections this year in our part of Tiny Township

Look's like it is our year for Septic reinspections on the beach.

http://bit.ly/11z4U4B Tiny Township

One of our corporate sponsors, Georgian Bay Sanitation is in the inspection business.

Expert advice for painting old chairs

Expert advice for painting old chairs

http://bit.ly/17BMWBX Cottage Life

Some good tips for fixing up that great old chair at the cottage 

The Good Lovelies perform at the MCC Friday night

The Good Lovelies perform at the MCC Friday night

http://bit.ly/ZjwdCD The Midland Free Press

They are a great folk band, loved them at Lachine Folk Festival.
Wish I was going to be up at the cottage for this show.

Improvements unveiled for Highway 400 from north of Canal Road to Innisfil Beach Road

Improvements unveiled for Highway 400 from north of Canal Road to Innisfil Beach Road 

http://bit.ly/133QXOP The Barrie Examiner

Through the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund, the governments of Canada and Ontario are each setting aside up to $41.5 million to rehabilitate more than 26 kilometres of Highway 400 from north of Canal Road to Innisfil Beach Road.

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This should be a good thing once it is done. It will be not be fun during the road work. Friday night could be real bad... No time line is given, so I am guessing a year or two before it starts. This could take a few years to complete too.

5 spring cleaning tips for your cottage

5 spring cleaning tips for your cottage

http://bit.ly/111hmwB Cottage Life

Before the fun starts, it's clean up time. For some of the the bigger jobs, help your neighbours or may be they can help you. Maybe you received a pressure washer for Christmas, think about letting your neighbour borrow it, that way you both can finish up early and start the fun

Poll: Canada ranks second to last for amount of vacation time

Poll: Canada ranks second to last for amount of vacation time 

http://bit.ly/XA7v0j Cottage Life

Not a good ranking, they wonder why everyone is stressed out at work, this has to be a contributing factor.

How to spring clean a barbecue from Cottage Life

How to spring clean a barbecue

It greets you the same way it did last year and the one before that, a greasy and corroded indictment of your procrastinatory maintenance skills huddled on your deck. It is your gas barbecue, and you’ve been meaning to “tune it up” since your last batch of sooty lamb chops. Now’s the time, before the cocktails and fat fires of summer are in full swing.

http://bit.ly/Y7jcgA Cottage Life 

If you maintain your barbecue, it will last much longer. 

19th annual Library Garden Tour

The 19th annual Library Garden Tour will feature 15 unique garden properties in Tiny, Tay, Midland and Penetanguishene on Saturday, July 13, 2013 from 9am to 4pm.

Contact information: www.librarygardentour.ca

Documentary captures unique history of francophone people Huronie: histoires et légends

Documentary captures unique history of francophone people 

Stories of missionaries, aboriginals, thieves, a woman in love and more have all been captured on a new video documentary Huronie: histoires et légends.

The double DVD set of 28 stories filmed in the Lafontaine area captures the past and living history of the franco-Ontario people.

http://bit.ly/XsE42g Midland Free Press

The two-hour DVD set is in French with English subtitles and it’s on Youtube at www.youtube.com/user/huronie where one story a week will be posted.

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Looks interesting, history of the area from the French view point. Hope I can find the time to drop in to Clé d’la Baie, 63 Main St., Penetanguishene and buy up a copy 

This Calculator Shows How Much Your Old Busted Fridge Costs You

This Calculator Shows How Much Your Old Busted Fridge Costs You

http://bit.ly/16yhEgD LifeHacker 

The results may surprise you. Do you have an old fridge at the cottage? You may be wasting a lot of energy.

Update on the Municipal Efforts Addressing the Low Water Levels in Georgian Bay

Update on the Municipal Efforts Addressing the Low Water Levels in Georgian Bay 


WHEN: Saturday April 13, 2013  10:00 a.m. to 12:00p.m.
WHERE:  Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre - Brian Orser Hall
                   61 Maria Street, Penetanguishene

The impact of declining water levels on the Great Lakes has been studied by many groups over the past decade. These studies have assembled significant amounts of scientific fact, proposed a number of underlying causes and considered possible solutions.

For More Information click on the link

http://bit.ly/16vwXXw Town of Penetanguishene

Simcoe County waste changes begin

Simcoe County waste changes begin

http://bit.ly/10uh9QM  Barrie Examiner 

Just a reminder of the changes. Your waste needs to be out on the road by 7:00 AM