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Reviewing Local Artists by Mary Jane Gomes |
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by McKellar Resident Guy St. Julien Guy St. Julien came to McKellar via Dunchurch, from inner Toronto where early on, an educator eyed his drawing skills. As a child, he used art and fishing to isolate himself. Drawn to our area, he says it’s about the landscape and the animals. Along HWY 124 just west of Tait's Island Road on the south side heading towards Parry Sound: his gallery. It hosts a plethora of his art…everything from sketches and homemade frames, to glass etchings and canvases. Guy’s current focus is on large canvasses, five or six at a time: one is always there under-eye waiting to completed. He works in metal, rock, steel, antlers, glass and just about anything you can imagine… From HWY 124, you see a trailer-gallery in Guy’s Yard, jam-packed with his works, filled with his energy. You will be halted by a classic traffic light that is sure to be on when he is open. At first it was about the business, but now Guy says it’s about the art—he only wants a sale if a piece truly speaks to you! Guy often has sales listed right beside his classic traffic light; so, keep an eye out. At this time, he says family is his forte. Editor's Note: Guy has donated a painting to the McKellar 150th Raffle. Tickets are available for purchase at the Market in July. |
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Working For Seniors
by Scott Buckingham
June is Seniors Month in Ontario. The 2023 theme is “Working for Seniors.” It’s a time to recognize the hard work seniors have done all their lives to make Ontario into the great place it is today. The Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility works with community organizations to offer support and tools to help seniors “Stay Safe, Active and Connected,”and to live life to the fullest. ¹
Seniors’ Month is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the health and well-being issues facing the province’s seniors. If you have parents who are seniors, it’s important to be aware of these issues. ²
While there will be more news coming in the next few months there is a new Age Friendly Community Collaboration in the West Parry Sound District involving Health, Social Services, Education, various levels of government and yes MLCA. This collaborative was formed to enhance services already provided and proactively share knowledge, information and work together on what an Age Friendly Community means in the West Parry Sound District.
The group will be contributing to and working with 211Ontario.ca which connects people in Ontario to social services, programs and community support they need. The navigator uses location and keywords to search one or many topics.
So spend some time this month acknowledging the contributions of seniors in the community and if you are within a certain age group get to know a little more about services and Aging with Confidence that may be available to you.
Sources:
(1) June is Seniors Month - Ontario. https://files.ontario.ca/msaa-poster/msaa-seniors-month2021-factsheet-EN-05-28-2021.pdf.
(2) Seniors’ Month in Canada: Raising Awareness for Seniors - Senior Helpers. https://www.seniorhelpers.ca/blog/seniors-month-in-canada-raising-awareness-for-seniors.
(3) Celebrating seniors in Ontario | ontario.ca. https://www.ontario.ca/page/celebrating-seniors-ontario. |
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How many loons do we have in McKellar Township?
Please help MLCA count the loons this summer!
For the past 40 years, Birds Canada has engaged the assistance of volunteer citizen scientists and set up a Canada wide annual loon survey. The MLCA is setting out to put McKellar Township on the map of the Birds Canada survey. We are asking residents of McKellar Township to locate and report the presence of loons in their area. On the three long weekends, please email any sighting of a loon family by emailing your street address (if it was near your home) or the area of the lake on the MLCA website map "Area-Names-and-Locations". The three reports are to count the mating pairs, the adults and chicks, and the adults and fledglings. Please send your loon count to mlcawatertesting@gmail.com along with the date and location of your sighting!
People who live near Ontario’s northern lakes thrill at the haunting calls of loons. The loons of Ontario typically settle on larger lakes of about 24 hectares or more. As adults, they weigh between 2.5 to 6.5 kg (6 to 14 lb) and have a wingspan of 104 - 132 cm (41-52 inches). A mated pair will typically raise one or two chicks per season before migrating to protective ocean coves on the US east coast. Loons are found only in North America.
There are five species of loons which are diving birds in the family Gaviida, genus Gavia – the Pacific, Artic, Yellow-billed, Red-throated and the Common Loon, Gavia immer, which is featured on the Canadian $2 coin known as the loonie and is the official provincial bird of Ontario.
Loons are at the top of the food chain in a lake’s food web, eating small fish, crustaceans, small amphibians and aquatic insects. As such, they ingest the pollutants acquired from the environment from their smaller prey. Therefore, loons are an indicator species for broader lake health. Monitoring their numbers is one way to monitor issues such as acid rain, other pollution and the impact of nearby human habitation.
When you are out in the boat, please give the loons 30 m of space and do not approach them. Loons nest in a quiet back bay or marsh as they do not walk well on land. Please do not boat or jet ski in the marshy areas at the edge of the lake which is the home for loons and many other wildlife species. Your boat wake can drown nesting birds. |
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Wake Perception Survey Ava Caschera
The potential impact of boat wakes is of increasing concern, particularly in Ontario's cottage country.
I am an undergraduate student in the School of the Environment at the University of Windsor and am researching the public perception of boat wakes in inland lakes in Ontario. The survey aims to determine the public perception of boat wakes and their impact on lakes in Ontario.
I work under the direction of Dr. Chris Houser, a Professor in the School of the Environment at the University of Windsor.
I would appreciate it if the members or your association can participate in the study in the summer of 2023.
The results of the research will be made available as a report through the Windsor Coastal Group website in 2024. |
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Historical Panel Project Revealed |
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Big thanks go out to Sky Weir and Joy Allan for their incredible contribution to the 150th celebrations Get over to the Community Hall to see this wonderful historical display |
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River Made Farm
by Catherine Caetano-Macdonell
River Made Farmstead is named for the Manitouwabing River it sits beside.
Shelley Somers, with the help of her family, is the driving force behind the farm. In 2020, at the start of the pandemic, she decided to pursue her life long dream of owning a farm. While this is currently a lifestyle and passion project, she would love to make it more of a career in the future. |
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The farm is constantly selling out of farm fresh eggs, handcrafted goat milk soap, and cream which can be bought locally at the McKellar Market or online. The dairy goats that Shelley raises and cares for are the farm’s main source of income.
Shelley tries to do everything on the farmstead really naturally, for example free ranging her animals. The goats enjoy having a lovely enclosure with their barn plus they also get some free range time as well. In addition to caring for the adorable goats she constantly comes up with creative solutions to make the herd more comfortable. She cares for them by keeping the babies with the mothers as long as they can. Another sustainable approach is reusing or repurposing products to make things for the farm and sourcing hay locally from another McKellar farm.
The River Made farm is a part of the community. Running the farmstead, Shelley has been able to connect with like-minded neighbours, meet with other local farms, and integrate into the community. Editors Note: Rumour has it that Shelley may be teaming up with another small farm to bring a new product to the Market this summer. |
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Construction's Influence Upon Your Landscape
Building? Our consultations with members of the MLCA reveal many unexpected consequences from building upon the surrounding landscape. Digging a foundation or basement lowers the water table up to 12m away from the house. This could affect trees and shrubs accustomed to shallow water table. Putting up a wall will create shadows that weren't there before.
Moving soil around can affect the roots of nearby trees or shrubs. New construction needs sloping ground to direct water away from foundations. You can add or subtract 5cm of soil without danger; more than that you need to take remedial action.
Suggestion; if you blast or remove rock, keep it on site for creative rock gardens. If you move soil, keep it on site , make mounds for kids to play on or plant on. If you have to take trees down, have heavy equipment on site remove the stumps. Keep the stumps and make a stumpery....a ragged pile of roots that become a safe haven for insects, amphibians, small birds and wild flowers. Keep logs on site for benches and kids forts and play houses.
Finally, once bare ground is properly graded for drainage, spread clover to immediately germinate and stop soil erosion. It's easily overplanted by future perennials, shrubs and trees. Clover is also an excellent choice for septic fields. It grows quickly, it's water friendly, the roots are shallow, it's low- or no-mow, and deer and bees love it.
Your landscape consultants of MLCA. |
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Protecting Pollinators during Pesticide Spraying - Best Practices
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Insect pollinators are vital to agricultural production and the environment. Many people use pesticides to control insects in the summer. However, some pesticides are toxic to bees and other pollinators through direct contact, such as from over-spray or from pesticide drift. Residues of certain pesticides that remain on leaves, in pollen and nectar, or in water sources could also harm pollinators through ingestion and/or contact.
Know where beehives are located Communication and cooperation between pesticide applicators and beekeepers on the location of beehives, type of pesticide to be applied, timing and location of spraying, and the potential for drift, can help reduce pesticide exposure to bees. Minimize exposure Honeybees forage most actively during the daytime, on sunny days, and at temperatures above 13°C. Pollinators travel over a large area to collect pollen. It is therefore important to observe pollinator activity both at the application site and in the vicinity, and take the following steps to minimize pollinator exposure. Monitor wind conditions to minimize drift Environmental conditions can contribute to spray drift, which may be hazardous to pollinators. |
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Free shopping bags for the first 600 visitors. |
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Lots of Favourites are back - here are just a few:
Judy's Butter Tarts
Preorder by DM to not be disappointed.
The Hippie Heart
Pillitteri Wine with Samples
The following new vendors are coming this year: |
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All proceeds are going toward the restoration of the hall. |
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Whitestone and Area Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic Grand Opening |
A celebration of the Building Expansion completion was held in Dunchurch on May 21. Congratulations to all the people of McKellar who made significant contributions to the project. And a big shout out to the Clinic's community advisory and fundraising committee. |
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Karen Thompson and Kelvin Hill presented a cheque for $10360 to the project. These funds will be used to purchase a "lifting examination bed". A critical tool for patients with mobility issues. |
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And the big reveal of the day was the identity of the project's matching donor. The community’s fundraising of $91000 were matched by our very own MLCA member, Don Carmichael. Don also contributed a further $30000 to the project in order to fill the shortfall created when the 3 Townships involved contributed less than anticipated.
Health care and community are very important to Don. As well as being a former Volunteer Firefighter and a current board director for Belvedere, he is now a founding member of the West Parry Sound District Age Friendly Community Collaborative. |
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Indigenous Cultural Celebration |
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chi-miigwech to all the performers and artists
Wasauksing Kinomaugewgamik Junior Singers
Strings Across the Sky
Deina Bomberry
(Jingle Dancer)
Little Spirit Singers
NabewedeH & Lisa Ross
Historical Committee President Vivian Moore
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Do you find yourself “baffled” about why your toilet won’t flush? At Sound Septic Service, we encourage preventative maintenance but understand septic system emergencies of all kinds happen occasionally and often at the most inconvenient time.
Call us at 705-346-2428. We won’t leave you stranded up  creek without a paddle. Facebook |
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Some of the smaller and larger farms in the area provide fresh eggs and greens for your table.
Follow them on their social media feeds to see what is available. |
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Middle River Farm Store
Eggs, soaps, poultry, beef, pork and other local items.
now - 7 days a week
Facebook / Website |
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Forest and Field Hobby Farm
Eggs, greens and Maple Syrup
Facebook |
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Pudge's Honey and Syrup
Honey and Maple Syrup
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Beaver Creek Organic Farm
Vegetable Cornucopia
Big Red Shed is open. Saturdays and Sundays. See Facebook for times.
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Big Thank You to Our Advertisers see Directory at mlca.ca |
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