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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-08-20, Page 20Page 20—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1986 Mosquitoes need blood for eggs By Mike Singleton For the Federation of Ontario Naturalists It's a glorious summer evening: a vibrant sunset, a warm breeze stilling, soft lapping at the shore, loons dabbling, erump-erump of a bullfrog chorus. Settling down to soak it in, we're greeted by a high-pitched buzz. Swat! Buzz - Smack! Buzz - Ouch! Mosquitoes. Despised by almost every human ever to have lived, they're a remarkable group of insects - only the females bite. The males - which few of us even recognize - resemble gnats. They're flimsy little insects, with huge antennae, which feed exclusively on nectar and plant juices. The female needs a blood meal to produce eggs. She effectively takes a shortcut by "borrowing" a bit of protein pre -made by another animal ( its blood) and converting it into her eggs. For the task, she's beautifully adapted. Under a magnifier, her rigid mouthparts resemble an elaborate mechano set. Two outer troughs form a sturdy straw. Down the centre is threaded a jagged lance - like a cross between a feather and a keyhole saw. The mosquito literally saws her way in, in- jecting as she goes, a complex "saliva". Like rattlesnake venom, it acts as an an- ticoagulent and mild anesthetic. This prevents the blood trom cros.iu,g ao pumped up through the straw, and into special sacks in the mosquito's abdomen. The residue of this protein is what produces the swelling reaction. The short, specialized life cycle is what makes mosquitoes so successful. Within a week, the female effectively converts the blood's components into hundreds of eggs. These are then deposited into water bodies - anything from a thimbleful) to vast lakes. Hatchlings eat microscopic bits of almost anything - like algae, protozon and bacteria. Equipped with siphons, they float with their head bent downwards, breathing air from the atmosphere above, so they can survive even the most stagnant water. They mature in just 7-10 days and, as a result can live almost anywhere from arctic to antarctic. A remarkable array of different species have evolved, each adapted to a different setting and blood -host. Some are narrowly adapted - one Ontario type reproduces only in the water -filled leaves of pitcher plants. Ironically, these carnivorous leaves are • designed with trap hairs and enzymes - to catch and digest insects. But somehow, this mosquito thrives. Other species feed only on birds or on mammals, and a few will feed on either. It's unfortunate that so many ponds - im- portant to wildlife of all kinds - have been filled or drained in an effort to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds. A host of predators which consume mosquito larvae abound in healthy ponds, which produce remarkably few mosquitoes. But tiny, stag- nant areas - like plugged or flat eavestroughs, tin cans and old tires - have few predators and provide the ideal setting for reproduction. Ironically, mosquitoes in urban areas seem to peak in mid -summer - just when 'spring pools dry up and rural mosquitoes taper off. During spring, eavestroughs are flushed by rain every few days, carrying away eggs and larvae. But Ontario sum- mers produce fewer (often bigger) rains - frequently two weeks apart. A fresh crop of mosquitoes appear about seven to 10 days after a major rain. If drought develops, s, and eavestroughs dry up n winds down. In the tropics, mosquitoes pick up parasites and disease with their blood meal and a few of those diseases - like malaria - can be "injected" with the anticoagulant when the mosquito next feeds. But in upper North America, there is little problem - the one disease of concern is encephalitis and even it's confined largely to the Mississippi basin. Ironically, ours is a disease of birds. Only when the disease rockets 'in the bird population (like a flu outbreak) and when that outbreak coincides with large numbers of the right mosquito (one that feeds on both people and birds) can the disease spill over into humans. Try as we might, we'll never elirhinate mosquitoes without using poisons that will cause serious problems for the rest of the environment - upon which we ultimately depend. But, we can cope with mosquitoes. Most commercial repellents work - if applied often enough. They do it by making the mos- quito fly up rather than down the heat gra- dient which identifies the warmest spots of your body. (Where the blood is closest to the surface). In addition: - keep grass closely mown. Mosquitoes need moist air to prevent drying out, and take refuge in long grass.; be sure eavestroughs are properly sloped and clear; remove tires and cans that catch water.; avoid bananas when going outdoors (they apparently contain chemicals which, in perspiration or breath, attract mos- quitoes.) ; wear loose fitting clothing which hangs away from the skin. Nylon shells work especially well. Lawn bowlers host Banker's tournament CLINTON - The Clinton Lawn Bowling Club played host to the Banker's Tourna- ment on August 16. Six Clinton bowlers were winners in the tournament. Jean Gray and Cliff Ashton placed third for the day, Lois and Don Haines finished fifth, and Dave Colclough and his partner came in seventh. Mitchell Fair STEP DANCE COMPETITION Saturday, Aug. 30 OLD TYME CLASSES Saturday Afternoon Registration: 1:45 p.m. Classes: 8 & under 12 & under Open — DOWN EAST CLASSES & GROUP DANCING Saturday Evening Registration: 7:00 p.m. Classes: 8 & under 12 & under Open GROUPS OF 3 OR MORE 'Steps of their own choice' 10 & under open *HOUSE FIDDLER IN ATTENDANCE* For more Information contact: Jean Reaney 348=8445 During jitney bowling on August 12 Kay Lapp had the high for the ladies and Murray Rollinson was high for the men. Millie Hanley had the high for the ladies during jitney bowling on August 14, and Elliott Lapp had the high for the men. At the Mitchell tournament on August 12 MERNER'S CAR RALLY, BARBECUE & CASINO NIGHT SATURDAY, AUGUST 23 12 noon at swimming pool parking lot. Admission $5.00 HAPPY SWEET SIXTEENTH BIRTHDAY —USA' on August 19 rem OM; Dad: Torry. Joni & Julie & Jody Della Slavin, Kay Short and Grace Scrimoger placed first. Mitchell hosted another tournament on August 17, the Victoria and Grey Double Draw Tournament. Clinton bowlers Walter Newcombe and Della Slavinnwon the tot{rna- ment, while Doreen and Hary McCallum were among the winners. RECEPTION for - .Robed °Liana McFarlane SATURDAY, AUG. 30 GODERICH For more information call 524-8724 HAPPY 28th Rick Elliott (far right) is the new owner of Clinton Hardware. Helping him in the store are (left to right) his daughter-in-law Connie, his son Tim, and his wife Barb. (David Emslie photo) Native takes over hardware CLINTON - After leaving Clinton almost 30 years ago, Rick Elliott has returned with his family to take over Clinton Hardware. "I was born and raised here, and I went through school here," Mr. Elliott said. "I was here for about 21 years." On August 5, Mr. Elliott, his wife Barb, his son Tim and his daughter-in-law Connie took over the store from the previous owners, John and Sandra Balfour. Prior to moving back to Clinton, Mr. Elliott lived in Prescott where he was the material manager for the Hathaway Shirt Company. "Owning a hardware store is something I have always wanted to do," he gave as his reason for returning. "I had my first job here, from the time I was 12 to about 16 years old with the old Sutter and Purdue Hardware Store." He explained the store has changed since then from being the old nut and bolt type of hardware store into having more gift ware and specialty items than before. No major changes are planned for the USED MACHINE BLOWOUI August 22-24 Varna Location Only We need ream for all the new snowmobiles, so every used motorcycle, A.T.V., and piece of power equipment has to go. Everything is one -of -a -kind, and it's first come, first serv- ed. Here's a few examples of the wild prices we're offering: MOTORCYCLES 1979 Honda Automatic with guarantee $ 599 certified 1978 Honda 750 complete with wind- shield and Dynoguard $699 1978 Suzuki 1)S 10® $ 419 What a deal! 1979 Kawasaki KM -100 Unbelieveable price! $399 A.T.V. 1984 Honda 200X An outstanding Bargain! $999 POWER EQUIPMENT Push mowers (they even run) $995 Allis Chalmers 6 H.P. $019 Riding Mower MECHANICS SPECIALS 1980 Yamaha IT -125 1976 Yamaha XS 500 $99 $199 SNOWMOBILE TRADES WELCOME This Event At Varna Only 262-3318 store. "We won't change the layout .Tnhti had it very well laid out," Mr. Elliott said.;. One change he anticipates will be the: moving of toyland downstairs for Christmas. The current method of handling, service work, whereby the work is taken in, then sent out will also change, as Tim Elliott will be doing some of the service work. Another added plus lies in the fact that Connie Elliott has her degree in agronomy. "She has actually run garden centres, so any horticultural type questions she' can answer," Mr. Elliott said. The Elliotts are happy to have returned toll Clinton. "I have enjoyed it, the town has changed to a certain degree, but a lot of peo- ple are still here that I knew before,'! Mr. Elliott said. "My wife's people are in'Hen- sall and Exeter, so we're both returning home." According to Mr. Elliott, all kinds of peo- ple have been dropping by to make them feel welcome. "Friends of mine and friends of my parents who knew me when I was a lit- tle gaffer running around town." Accident causes *3,800 damage GODERICH TWP - An accident on August 13 in Goderich Township caused $3,800 damage to two automobiles. • The accident occurred when Mark Baker,' 25, of London was traveling west on Sideroad 35 and Richard -Hamilton, 24, of Clinton was traveling south on -Junction 9 and 10. . The two cars collided in the intersection, causing $800 damage to Mr. Baker's 1980 Chevrolet and $3,000 damage to Mr. Hamilton's 1985 Buick. No injuries were suffered. Charges are pending. Monster Bingo winners number t 30 as over $1,000 is won CLINTON - During the Early Bird games of Monster Bingo herd on August 18, Vivian Knights of Clinton won $92.50 and Helen Wallace of Londesboro won $104.50. Candace Elliott of Clinton and Gladys Haley of Exeter were the winners in the first game of regular play. In game two Debbie DeWolfe of Vanastra and Marg Bezzo of Clinton were the winners. The winners in the third game were John Storzuk of Wingham and Lorraine Arts of Vanastra, while in the fourth game they were Debbie Wright and Ethel Taylor, both of Clinton. Prior to the playing of the fifth game Share the Wealth worth $127 was played, and Marg Bezzo of Clinton was the winner. Iva Reid and Joanne Bell, both of Hensall were the winners in game five, and in the sixth game they were Audrey O'Rourke of Seaforth and Valerie Miller of Clinton. The winner in the seventh game was Bar- bara Chapman of Goderich. The five winners in game eight were Ena aar% a Dae for Nancy Deitz and Jerry (Stnitty).Smith SATURDAY AUGUST 23,1986 for Information x011262-5035 i Shipp of Clinton, Lia Cadman of G,oderidh, Barb Vandame of Clinton, Vi Peterson Clinton and Barbara Pigg of Goderich. Share the Wealth was again played before game nine, and the winner of $127 was Ei Jenkin of Goderich. Barbara Pigg of Goderich, Anita Faber of Goderieh, Elaine Josling of Clinton, Don Switzer of Clinton, J. Dunn of Goderich ands Chris Littlechild of Goderich were all win ners in the ninth game. In game--10-Dora-Taylor of Seaforth- the eaforththe winner, in game 11 it was Elizabeth' Riehl of Clinton and in twelfth game it was. Katherine Merrylees. • ' The final game of Share the Wealth was' played before game 13, and the winner of. $124 was Bill Austin of Seaforth. - Barbara Pigg of Goderich won ganie 13, Joan Burley of Clinton took game 14 and' Barbara Chapman of Goderich won the fif-•- teenth and final game. The Bonanza Bingo winner of $50 was Dorothy Boyce of Bayfield, and Jean Patter- son of Clinton won the $1,000 jackpot. ; MITCHELL FAIR August 29, 30 & 31 September 1 . STAG & DOE , for CHERYL SUTHERLAND & GERRY McLAUGHLAN .Seiturd iy, Allrgust13 - 482-9605 or 527-1814 ..RECEPTION for Sharon Westberg and Dale Whitfield Saturday, August 23/46 9 p.m. Blyth I Hay Township Recreation Committee. MYSTERY BINGO Thurs., Aug. 21 Zurich Community Centre Jackpot $1000. must ,go Bonanza game 54 calls "Move to. Ice Surface" • 4 flash games * 1 early bird • 10 regular • 1 mystery prize Meer 82000 In cash plans Doors upon at 6:30 - Starts at 7:45 • Next bingo September 4 ALL PROCEEDS FOR "NEW" BALI. DIAMOND Bring your,dabbers No ono under 16 allowed to play. •