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Clinton News Record, 2015-08-26, Page 19Share the road with turtles and cyclists Turtle hatchlings released in Wingham in honour of Julie Sawchuk Valerie Gillies special little turtle was the sole Postmedia Network survivor of its mother that was Julie Sawchuk, a highschool teacher, mother and athlete res- cued the hatchlings of a snap- ping turtle injured on the road in the summer of 2014. One year later, on July 29 Julie was struck from behind while cycling and sustained injuries which left her paralyzed from the chest down. On August 19, the Huron Stewardship Council and Friends of Sawchuk came together to release hatchlings once more to spread the mes- sage "Share the Road with wild- life and cyclists; as well as to fundraise to help Sawchuk's family. The turtle that Sawchuk found in 2014 was so badly injured that it had to be eutha- nized. However, Sawchuk had contacted Huron Stewardship Council (HSC) who were able to remove a few dozen eggs, incubate them and release the hatchlings with Sawchuk's Biol- ogy lass. The hatchlings released this year were mainly from eggs res- cued from dead female turtles who were struckbyvehicles on the road while looking for a place to lay their eggs. Some eggs were also collected from nests that were too close to dan- ger, such as shoulders of road- ways and driveways. A very Londesborough news Brenda Radford Special to the News Record This week I'd like readers to consider the term "above board': Just a hint, it has nothing to do with floor boards. Expla- nation in next week's space. News this past week regard- ing the condition of Julie Saw- chukhas area folk saddened to learn she is, at present, para- lyzed below her armpit area as a result of being hit from behind while cycling/training. The Sawchuk family live east of Blyth on Blyth Road. Hence they are in Hullett Township and the children now attend Hullett Central. Fundraising has begun to assist the family and you can donate online at forjulie.com. Concern, cards and prayers will go a long way to keeping Julie optimistic about the future. CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 killed on the road. She was named Julie as she is like her namesake, Julie Sawchuk, in that she is a survivor. During her speech at the release, Saw- chuk's long-time friend Selena Hazlitt related that it was Saw- chuk's wish to extend the Share the Road initiative from turtles and cyclists to include all who share the road with the cars. Hazlitt explained that motorists should also be cautious and courteous to agricultural machinery, those who drive horse and buggies, wildlife and athletes and anyone else who use the roads. A press release from Huron Stewardship Council explains, "There are eight native turtle species in Ontario. Seven of those are at risk The Snapping Turtle is one of those species at risk It takes along time for most turtles to reach maturity. Mature turtles may live for many decades but turtles reproduce at a low rate." The release goes on to state, "A Snapping Turtle would need to lay about 1,400 eggs in her life- time, on average, for just one of her offspring to survive to adult- hood. Saving even one adult by safely helping it across the road, or taking an injured turtle, or a turtle carrying eggs, to a wildlife custodian, can help to conserve JAgran azialiriliwA111.11104,31g4:1PI:a Wednesday, August 26, 2015 • News Record 19 Valerie Gillies Photos Postmedia Network Share the Road bumper stickers are being sold to both help raise funds to help Julie Sawchuk's family with medical expenses and to raise awareness for drivers to share the road with wildlife, bikers and others. From left: Owen Verhoef, Riley Good and Robert Lamont hold the stickers that were available at the release in Wingham on August 19 and will also be available at several businesses in Huron County. that species:' Another portion of the release advises that road mor- tality is one of the biggest threats facing turtles as there are no land areas in southern Ontario that is more than 1.5 kilometres from a road. This proximity makes it more likely that turtles will cross roads while making their journey to find a nest to lay their eggs. There are other factors includ- ing habitat destruction and poaching which leads to a global decline of turtle populations. The turtle release event held at Wmgham River Flats Ecologi- cal Park on August 19 saw between 80 to 100 people attend to show their support by making donations for the Saw- chukfamily in order to release a hatchling. There were 138 tur- tles released back into the wild. The event raised $800 for the Sawchuk family. The Share the Road initiative continues with HSC giving out bookmarks and postcards with information about turtles and the campaign. To learn more about Share the Road visit www.sharetheroad.ca. To donate to Sawchuk's recovery process and to read her blog posts visit www.forjulie.com. ANNOUNCEMENT IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII ROYAL L EPAG E EmEffism IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII ILLartla nd Rea Ity is pleased to Welcome SUZY HAYTER to our Bayfield office. Suzy Hayter, Sales Representative Cell 519-520-4676 Office 519-565-5100 Fax 519-565-4144 Email suzyhayter@royallepage.ca Website www.suzyhayter.ca Suzy Hayter has resided in the Varna area for the past 18 years with her husband Mike and their four children. Suzy has always had a passion for Real Estate and has recently become a Licensed Realtor. She looks forward to establishing new relationships within the community while providing professionalism and dedication to her clients. Don't hesitate to contact Suzy at her new location. 6B Main St. N., Bayfield, ON www.rlpheartland.ca Owen Verhoef was chosen to release a special hatchling named Julie in honour of Julie Sawchuk who had previously saved turtle eggs from a snapper killed on the road, then was injured on the road, herself, in a bike accident on July 29. Julie the turtle was released in Wingham on August 19. The bumber stickers for the Share the Road initiative will continue to be available at sev- eral businesses in Huron County and beyond. You can find them in several communi- ties, as listed. Share the Road Bumper Sticker outlets In Goderich: 360 Board & Bikes, Finchers, Goderich Chiro- practic, Kate Ha71itt N.D Office, Menestung Cross Fit. In Blyth: Blyth Festival, Stiches With A Twist InWingham:VintageWin- ery, Maitland Family Dental. In Clinton: Made in Huron. In addi- tion to these outlets, Feast for Good will have stickers at the Bayfield Farmers Market on Fri- days and Goderich Farmers Mar- ket on Saturday. HRS reports that stickers are also going to Mitchell, Peterbor- ough and Collingwood at the request of business owners who want to spread the word to Share The Road. OFFICE 519-482-3400 1 Albert Street, Clinton www.rlpheartland.ca immam ROYAL LEFACM ikn �1 MEM NIMINIMII WrilTa faIwu.nd _l4' IIP Helping you is what we do.TM To view all our listings go to: www.rlpheartland.ca OPEN HOUSE filitirilllll�il' SAT., AUG. 29TH 10.11:30AM 19 Margaret St., Morris Turnberry $279,900 Call Sherry MLS#283384 NEW LISTING 30 Huron Rd., Mitchell $209,500 Call Sherry or Rick MLS#588875 90 Raglan St., Clinton $119,000 Call Rick or Fred MLS#746723 132 Victoria St., Clinton $74,900 Call Rick or Fred MLS#877562 '- • i ..Lot • r-lev r" .d Y n VAVI f r 165 ACRES , 38146 Mill Rd., Varna S1,220,000 Call Rick MLS#842539 LOT 4 Maxobel Rd., Bluewater • $143,900 Call Rick or Fred MLS#530530 HOUSE & SHOP 15 Orange St. & 65 Huron St., Clinton $249,900 Call Fred or Rick MLS#175272 BUNGALOW 302 Victoria St., Londesboro $159,900 Call Fred or Rick MLS#678910 CORNER LOT -1 65 Albert St., Dungannon $147,000 Call Sherry MLS#625583 '- • i ..Lot • r-lev r" .d Y n VAVI f r i — LOT 4 Maxobel Rd., Bluewater • $143,900 Call Rick or Fred MLS#530530 143 Townsend St., Clinton $89,900 Call Rick or Fred MLS#444933 5-343 Victoria St., Central Huron $37,900 Call Sherry or Rick MLS#459211 655 Queen St. N, Blyth $140,000 MLS#647661 MIXED BUSH 78252 Parr Line, Central Huron • $119,000 Call Rick or Fred MLS#615096 Fred Lobb** Rick Lobb*** Richard Lobb Sr.* Sherry McLaughlin* Cell: 519-955-0012 Cell: 519-525-1174 Cell: 519-955-0163 Cell: 519-301-2879 Broker of Record*** Broker/Owner** Sales Representative *