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Times-Advocate, 1986-08-13, Page 2Pogo 2 Times -Advocaats, August 13, 1986 • Battling high water levels „ ,;•rr+r TRYING ON — Part of the safety demonstrations put on by the Cana- dian Red Cross Safety Services team from London at the Exeter pool was the proper fitting of life jackets. Andy Palmer (right) models one style, and Chad Whiting is helped into another by Bill King. Authority conducts two official openings The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority held official opening ceremonies at two of its conservation areas on Saturday August 9. The events. helped the Conservation Authority to mark its fortieth year of conservation. At the Rock Glen Conservation Area near Arkona the day was shared with the Arkona Lions Club. The Lions club and the ABCA have col- laborated on the construction and development of a new building call- ed the Arkona Lions Musuem and In- formation Centre. To officially open this facility Master of Ceremonies Don Lithgow called upon Reverend Michael Lieu for a blessing, and respresentatives of the organizations involved to unveil a sign and commemorative plaque. The guest of honour for the occasion was Ted Baxter of Arkona. It is Bax- ter's large collection of Indian Ar- tifacts and fossils that is the focal point of the display at the new museum. The collection was former- ly located in the village of Arkona. Baxter participated in the official ceremonies and was honoured by the Lions club through the unveiling of his portrait, which hangs in the museum. The ABCA's section of the building was designed to accommodate use by individuals as well as school classes. ABCA officials were pleased that During the past several months the about 200 people viewed the day's Ausable Bayfield installed displays in ceremonies;_.. �..,., .r._:..,.. this Information Centre to describe the Conservation Authority's role and activities, and to interpret the natural features of Rock Glen. Many compliments on the area and the museum were justly spoken by guests to Andy and Doreen Buchan - the Conservation Area Superintendents; and to. Carla Bressette - the Resource Interpreter who worked on the displays. Saturday afternoon the ABCA dignitaries moved over to the Pork Franks Conservation Area. At Port Franks they were joined by represen- tatives of the Harbour Committee, the Township of Bosanquet and the Yacht club. These organizations have cooperated to make improvements to the Conservation Area that include: erosion control works, a gatehouse/washroom building, a con- trolled access system, and expanded docking and servicing. William Thirlwall was master of ceremonies for this event and Reverend William McCosh gave the invocation. Superintendents Cec Ward and Glen Drurie were popular fellows when they informed visitors of the free day -use that day, in honour of the occasion. Offer �dvke to property owners About 100 people attended a public meeting in Grar Bend Sunday night to hear and talk about the record high levels of the Great Lakes. The meeting was co-sponsored by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority and the Village of Grand Bend. ABCA chairman Gordon Johnson introduced the three speakers for the evening - Peter Crook of the Ministry of Natural Resources, London; Alec Scott of the ABCA; and Ralph Moulton, manager of the Great Lakes Water Level Communications Centre, Environment Canada, Burlington. Crook stated that the Ministry's role in lakeshore areas is: to provide technical advice to landowners, to provide sand bags to municipalities for emergency flooding situations, and to review proposed structural works for approval (or rejection) if they are on crown land (usually land below the high water mark). Crook mentioned armouring banks with rip rap, building groyne struc- tures and building off shore wave brakes as the main ways to limit ero- sion caused by high water. Crook urg- ed persons needing advice to contact their local Ministry of Natural Resources District office. Scott spoke on behalf of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and described that agency's Shoreline Property Assistance Program. This program protides loans for the repair or protection of privately owned shoreline lands and structures. The loans are repayable through proper- ty taxes. Scott invited those interested AUG.. 2 10 FPT 6 Ti TS 2 451 WELCOMED -- Grand Bend Deputy Reeve, Dennis Snider presents Annie and Sandy with official Grand Bend pin in welcome to Southwestern Ontario. For Annie tickets, call Huron Country Playhouse at (519) 238-84 51 . Annie is welcomed by resort officials The Deputy Reeve of Grand Bend was on hand to welcome Annie and Sandy to Grand Bend on Saturday, at the municipal hall. Annie was presented with the Grand Bend of- ficial pin by Deputy Jteeve, Dennis Snider. Fifteen year-old Theresa Stewart. who is playing the lead role of "An- nie" for the second time in her acting career, will be making her Huron Country Playhouse debut perfor- mance in the Playhouse's last music, production of the sea$on, An- nie. Th young actress's other credits include les in productions of Alice in Wonde land, The Sound of Music and The izard of Oz. A very talented young lady, Theresa has had eleven years of dance training. six years of voice lessons and is a senior member of Canadian Showcase. Ms. Stewart looks forward to a pro- fessional career in the theatre. She returns to high school in the fall where dramatic arts is part of her curriculum. "1 would love to play 'Anne' in Anne of tureen Gables, and who knows what that could lead to. 1 just know that this is what i want to do with my life," says Theresa. "Sandy" the stray dog who plays 1'. Annie's new-found pal in the play (with book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Chanin), is fast becoming a well-known canine star. Sandy is played by Sarnia's Milsom family pet, Wiggins. Wiggins, has not only been photographed and interviewed several times, but has also appeared on television. On loan to us from her regular job at Sarnia's St. Joseph's Hospital, Wiggins commutes daily to the chronic and rehabilitative unit (headed by nurse, Geralen Milson, her owner), where it is involved in the pet therapy program there. Grand Bend Deputy Reeve, Dennis Snider is "very pleased to welcome two such talented stars as Annie and Sandy to the village of Grand Bend. 1 hope that their stay with us is as en- joyable for them as it is for us as Huron ('ountry Playhouse patrons and Grand Bend and area residents." Annie, renown hroadway hit musical based on Harold Gray's Depression era comic strip, will play ' to audiences at the Huron ('ountry Playhouse/Main Stage August 12 to September 6. Plenty of tickets are still available. For information'call (519) 238,8451. Recipients announced The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario recently announced reci- pients of grants for the 1987 fiscal year. A total of $9,667,612 has been allocated. The breakdown is as follows: publications -$66,000; fellowships -$114,934; research associateships $885,125; scholarships $1,839,671; annual grants $3,961,617. The Foundation is pleased with the quality of research being undertaken in the Province to further the fight against the debilitating effects of heart disease and stroke. Every medical school and major hospital in Ontario receives support for research and 237 research teams throughout the province are funded by the Foundation. Many of the projects concentrate on 'hardening of the arteries' (Atherosclerosis) and high blood pressure. Researchers feel finding a cure or prevention for these tWo diseases will virtually eliminate heart attacks and stroke. The grim reality+ is that heart disease and stroke kill as many Canadians as all other diseases combined - claiming 47 percent of all deaths. A complete list of grantees, their projects and money received is available at the local office of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, RR 4 Goderich. in more information on loan assistance to contact their local municipal office. Moulton gave a verbal and slide/tape presentation that describ- ed the natural and man-made factors that determine the water levels in the Great Lakes. There are long term, short term and seasonal fluctuations in lake levels. The present situation is that of the long term levels being at record highs. Precipitation and evaporation are the main contributing factors. Precipitation on the Great Lakes Amissommi Drainage Basin since 1940 has been 6% higher than from 1900-1940 and since the 1960's the weather has been slightly cooler on average resulting in less evaporation. Lake Huron's level is currently 581.4 ft. and this is the highest this century (21 ft. above average). In July this year the Great Lakes Drainage area received 4 inches of rainfall that whereas the normal amount is 3 inches. Moulton predicts that levels will therefore be slightly higher than previously forecast. However, Moulton said that the nor- mal seasonal peak water level occurs in July and that increased evapora- tion should start to reduce the water level. Nevertheless, the long term average water levels are likely to re- main at or near record levels for another year. The conclusion at Moulton's presen- tation was that man's ability to regulate the water levels of of the Great Lakes is minimal. Lake water levels are natural phenomena govern- ed by natural conditions and through understanding and acceptance man can learn to live with them. PLUNGING IN — Members of the Canadian Red Cross Safety Services team put on a safety demonstra- tion at the Kirkton-Woodham pool. In the canoe are "Trudy" (Bill King) and friend "Mel" (Karen Staines)". Resort harbour group seek aid relations With the advantage of on-the-job ex- perience brought to bear, councillor Dennis Snider brought to the attention of fellow members of the Harbour Committee that complaints are being made about the higher prices for gas for boaters that Grand Bend charges at the marina pumps. "The bad public relations are not worth it" he stated, referring to the Grand Bend charge of 48.3e/litre as opposed to the maximum golh; rate in other ports at 45e/litre: He recom- mended' a policy •change to: pricing that was a percentage over costs rather than over highway prices. The motion carried and brought further discussions on items that also would improve public relations and Grand Bend's image. These were in- creased docking charges, elimination of charges to boaters for showers, later hours of staffing the harbour Only three days left building and the availability of a package of information about the town to be put together by the Chamber of Commerce and given to boaters. Still on the subject of good public relations, Reeve Harold Green alerted the harbour staff to the use of his name as a reference and way to -avoid paying the ramp fee. "Don't let anybody try to convince you that I said they didn't have to pay because they were friends of mine." he cautioned. ----- Russ Lingard, on behalf of the Grand Bend Yacht Club presented an envelope .containing over $100 in- cluding some New Zealand dollars which harbour would then donate to the village Beach Cleaner Fund. The donations were a token of thanks from the visiting boaters who participated in the Grand Bend 100 sailing races MeIvIIIe Boys a must Director Michael Shamata has taken the highly sensitive play by Norm Foster, the special talents of four engaging performaers, the skillfully realistic set designed by Yvonne Sauriol and wrapped it all up in one of the most enjoyable evenings of entertainment you could get anywhere. Don't walk, run to the phone now and reserve a table at Playhouse II, Huron Country Playhouse and tickets to The Melville Boys, which ends in only three more days, on Saturday August 16. Refreshingly, The Melville Boys written by popular contemporary Canadian playwright Norm Foster isn't about rural Canadian farm characters so favoured by most other Canadian writers. The Melville Boys represent any two brothers, each with his own idiosyncracies, in any strata of society, but in this case, ones who follow in their father's footsteps and go to work in the same factory as their father. One of the brothersw, Lee, has been told he has only a year to live and the plot development evolves around each character and how this informa- tion is dealt with. Death is a subject we all must deal with at some time and author Foster has done it here with wit, wisdom, tenderness and laughter. yes! This is a comedy full of sarcastic wit, flippant asides and priceless comic moments. Most of the humour is the dialogue and the few awkward moments that are created when Lee's hrother in- vites the two girls he sees boating on the lake to come up to their cabin. The boys have come here to renew their childhood memories and do some fishing. With grocery hags full of snacks, potato chips and peanut but- ter, Owen quips that they've got everything -- food, fish, and women -- they could stay the whole week! Owen, played by'Miurray Oliver, is the younger hrother characterized as an, irresponsible, fun -loving flake. Director Shamata has given this dynamic bundle of energy, Oliver, just the right amount of leeway to bring his special brand of vigor to the role without overpowering the set. Finally, James Haworth as Lee has a part where he can show his real ac- ting strengths after two previous Playhouse appearances this season that did not do him justice. He brings to The part of Lee, the married, reliable foreman at the factory, the ability to laugh and cry at the same time and has the audience doing the same. The extreme contrasts in personali- ty that are the core of the plot and are so clearly and naturally portrayed by the men are carried over into the two female parts. Nancy Palk plays the married but husbandless Mary with' natural, believable reticence that turns to bolder resolve after her en- counter with Lee and his problems. Jackie Wray is suitable saucy, dipsy but honest, in her interpretation of Loretta. The Melville Boys by Norm Foster is a timeless comic piece of theatre written with skillful insight into the nature o! the human condition. The Huron Country Playhouse team of Director, Designers, Composer and Stage management have adapted the work to the cabaret Playhouse 11 set- ting without losing any of the impact a larger stage might provide. A top notch production in every way. APPEAR - Lee (James Haworth) and Mary (Nancy Palk), very unex- pectedly thrown together during a cottage weekend, make o con- certed effort to get acquainted in Norm Foster's comedy The Melville Boys at Playhouse 11 through to August 16 at Huron Country Playhouse (519) 238.8451. earlier this summer. The Yacht Club berths not in use at the time were also pressed into ser- vice to accommodate several large boats that were caught in violent storms and rough water on Lake Huron a week ago. Seeking im- mediate refuge the group pulled gratefully into Grand Bend Harbour and the staff scurried to aid in safe docking in an already overfilled har- bour. Russ Lingard commended the handling of the emergency by har- bour staff and Scott Hayter in particular. Dave Gill, harbourmaster, reported that there had been two boat fires on the river in the last two weeks. Har- bour was not involved in the regret- table gasoline fire that sent the members of Grand Bend's De Brum family to hospital. Unfortunately the incident was too far upriver for har- bour to assist. The other fire was aboard the Peter Becker craft. Becker was very grateful for the har- bour assistance with both staff and the use of two of the Habour fire ex- tinguishers that are always on hand and ready. Earlier in the year gill had re- quested more and larger ex- tinguishers, even though every craft must carry one. These incidents are an indication of the problems fire can be if prevention is allowed to slip. The recent drowning incident off Ip- perwash beach brought another call from RCC Trenton to the auxiliary Coast Guard in Grand Bend. Wayne Prance, ower of the Aux. CC vessel the "Farmer" and most of the volunteer group were attending the regular Wednesday evening barbecue at the Cruising Club when the call was relayed at 8:38 p.m. Departure, with six auxiliary aboard, was at 8:42. Meanwhile Bruce Helm of Grand Bend Beach Patrol also attending the -bArbecue telephoned ahead and two mo each Patrol, Geoff Fournie and Mike Verheuve met the boat with the emergency resuscitation equipment. Once on the scene, "Farmer" serv- ed as co-ordinator of the attempted search and rescue. Also at the scene were Sarnia Coastguard, the OPP vessel out of Forest conducting drag- ging operations, aux. CC boat "Eve" and even U.S. helicopter 1455 from Selfridge Air Force Base. The search continued without suc- cess until 11:50 p.m. in the heavy roll- ing water, when the Auxiliary return- ed to the Bend. The Harbour Committee agreed to approach council to have the recent aerial photograph of the harbour at Grand Bend, taken for the Great Lakes Cruising Assoc. publication, donated to the Lambton Heritage Museum photographic arclitves. Thank You Green Haven's Annual Golf Tour- nannanf would like to thunk the following donors: Thirsty Fox, Finnigan's, Rollie% Sports. General Homds. Green Hoven, Bluewater Hardware, McCann Redi Mix. Clark Mobile Distributors, Ken Roberts. Bayview Tavern. Tender Spot, Barefoot Pedlar, Oolong's Clothing, Sunders Tavern. the Sun A Surf Shop, Colonial Hotel, Moulin Rouge. Ray's Golf, The Legion. IGA Foodiand. Pinedale, Merry Rags, Dole's ,Esso. Labatt's. Angelo's Pizza, Pizzo Delight. Huron Motors, Northlander Trailer Soles, Value Mort, Zurich Coop, Gord Shepphard Wayne and Bruce MacNeill. Ring's and Things, Park Model Distributors, Bob Finlay. Visions and Reflections. ',