Times Advocate, 1995-06-14, Page 26ica, Skevington explained.
"With only 6,000 acres of Oak
Savannah here at the Pinery, that is
very sad because the park is not
very big when you think about it
that way," said Skevington.
"Many of the species here are
very rare. In terms of butterflies and
insects. Many of them are found no-
where else in Canada, or even the
world. They are very important for
biodiversity."
For example, there is a particular
Spittle Bug that is found nowhere
else on earth but in the Pinery.
This rarity is one of the reasons
for the park's emphasis on educa-
tion as well as enjoyment. There are
12 different children's programs, for
ages six to 12. These programs are
all new for the first time in five
years, and the Natural Heritage staff
is very excited about them.
"It was generally the same for the
past four or five years, but this year
there are new people and new pro-
grams. It should be very different,"
said Skevington.
Another interesting educational
event coming up is the Butterfly
Weekend on July 2. People who are
interested in butterflies will come
out to watch, count and record dif-
ferent types. Even people at home
in the area who see a butterfly pass
by their window, are encouraged to
call the Pinery with their data.
"You don't have to he an expert,"
said Skevington. "Just interested in
participating. It's even a little easier
than bird watching."
The Pinery also has 1,000 camp-
sites, with 130 having electrical fa-
cilities. "That's the most in South
Western Ontario," said Skevington.
The park offers canoe routes,
with a fleet of over 6G canoes to
rent on site. The river is totally
spring fed, and the water is "spec-
tacular" for canoeing.
"The springs create an opening
that you can see right in. You can
see muskrat, beaver, deer, mink,
and great heron. The pools are so
clear that you can see a great big
pike catch and eat a smaller fish."
In 1993, the park attracted
355,000 people. Last year, at-
tendance was up by" TO per' cent
across the board, and it doesn't look
to be different for this year. Skev-
ington says that this increase is due
o the good weather in the past, the
igh American dollar.
"People are becoming more
aware of natural experiences."
Page 26 Times -Advocate, June 14, 1995
Pinery offers rare glimpse
into endangered environment
Ingrid Nielsen TA Staff present "Rum and Spirits" on
GRAND BEND - Snap. Wednesday nights. Characters act
What was that? out the history of the park and area,
Dozens of heads turn in fear as explaining the significance and im-
the darkness holds them captive, portance of natural heritage. The
and their nerves could idea has
be played like a fine- "There is a particular caught on with
Spittle bug that
tuned piano.
It was merely a twig
under a heavy foot,
but the many people
who come out for one
of the night walks at
the Pinery in Grand
Bend this year, will no
doubt have their cou-
rage tested and their
knowledge expanded, as they delve
into all that nature has to offer.
Walks are offered on Monday
nights starting at the end of June.
Attendance can grow to 150 people
in a group, yet Jeff Skevington, of
the Natural Heritage Education staff
insists, "It is incredibly quiet. You
can hear a pin drop."
The groups look for owls, flying
squirrels, and fireflies, all under the
watchful guidance of trained nat-
uralist. They might even howl for
coyotes.
Night walks are only one of the
many organized events offered reg-
ularly by the Pinery staff. They also
other parks,
and the eve -
is found
ning has be_
nowhere else come ver';
popular. Fre-
on earth but in the quently, the
Pinery." event draws
400 people,
and once
brought to-
gether 800 people.
If someone feels a little more in-
dependent, the park offers many
ways to enjoy the surroundings on
a self -guided tour. The park has ten
trails, and 'four have self -guide
pamphlets to help along the way.
One of the main attractions of the
park is not only the beauty. but the
precious nature it is trying to pro-
tect. Within the Pinery, 50 per cent
is Oak Savannah vegetation, which
is a transition zone between Prairie
and Forest. It involves 60 per cent
canopy cover over the scruffy ter-
rain. This is the most endangered
type of vegetation in North Amer
Taking a moment on Cedar Trall to enjoy the rare Oak
vannah vegetation.
Sa-
Lucky winners of Hay
Quilt show and bake sale
A very successful quilt
show and bake sale
was held at the Exeter
Villa Saturday after-
noon. Above, shown
with a wide variety of
baked goods are Nancy
Tweddle, Marg Miller
and Mary Holtzmann. In
the centre, Viola Sweit
zer and Lois Armstrong
examine some of the
large number of quilts
on display. At the bot-
tom, Marg Carroll
watches as Norma Hol-
land begins to show
her quilting skills as
she threads a needle.
Proceeds will be used
for resident activities.
Days draw announced on Wednesday
The next draw is set friendship and gifts were presented Gingerich for a week was her married July 15. daughter Donna and Jim Hoffman Best wishes for a speedy recov-
for June 21. to both of them. daughter Bonnie from Florida, and A bridal shower for Aimee Geli- of Dashwood on Sunday. ery to Clarence Gascho, Ted Geof-
Senior's dinner daughter Dawn from London. nas on June 9 at St. Peter's Parish Happy 60th birthday wishes go frey and Gert Durand who are pa -
Carmel Sweeney The Zurich Council are once A bridal shower was held for Hall, St. Joseph, was given by rela- out to Don O'Brien on June 7. He tients in hospital.
ZURICH - The next Hay Days again hosting a Senior's Dinner to Deb O'Rourke recently at Our tives of her fiance Darren Rau. son and wife Donna spent a few days Congratulations to Leisa and
'96 steering committee meeting be held at the Community Centre Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish Hall. of Dick and Barb. She is the daugh- camping up north. Happy birthday Torn McBride on the arrival of
will be held on June 14 at 7 p.m. at on June 28, beginning at 4 p.m. Deb is the fiance of Steve Consitt, ter of Mozart and Julie Gelinas Jr., to Mitch Bedard, son of Jane and their second baby, a boy, Colin
the Township Council Chambers. All seniors interested in attending Zurich, son of John and Helen. She Zurich. They plan to be married on Pat; and to Marcella Dietrich on Thomas. on June 5.
The two lucky $100 winners on this annual event are to phone ei- is the daughter of Richard and Lin- July 22. June 7. Happy anniversary to Brian Arnold and Coby Van de Boo-
the June 7 draw for Hay Days '96 ther the Municipal Office at 236- da O'Rourke. A buck and doe was Congratulations to Hubert and and Michelle DePaepe on June 8. men had relatives from Holland
were: Philis Deichert, RR 2, Zurich 4974 or Genie at 236-4358 before held for them on Friday, June 9 at Marge Schilbe who celebrated their The community welcomes Darcy visiting them for two weeks. They
and Harold Finkbeiner of RR 1 June 21. the Zurich Arena. 45th anniversary on June 10 at a and Sheri Martin to their new home enjoyed taking them around to vari-
Dashwood. The next draw will be The couple are planning to be family get-together at the home of on John St. ous places while here.
held June 21. Bus trip
Barbecue tickets are now on sale A bus trip is being planned to
for the supper and auction being Pennsylvania Dutch Country Tour
held July 12. They can be pur- from July 10-13. For more infor-
chased at the Village Collectables mation and registration phone
in Zurich, 236-4797 or William's Doug Erb, 236-4052 before June
Hairstyling in Hensall, 262-2102. 30. Chris Skalkos T -A staff Shriners.
Public school news Formal EXETER It was a coincidence "The Shriners stand for some
Recently at the Zurich Public Several high school students that benefited everybody. positive things and it feels good to
School the grade 7-8 classes went from Zurich and area attended the When the pilots and crew mem- be a part of that," said Young.
to Toronto for a ball game, a tour Formal on Friday night in Exeter. bers of the Snowbirds arrived re -
of the CN Tower and Black Creek The school gym was decorated for Gently to do an air show at Huron At least for eight members of the
Pioneer Village. the occasion with the theme "Sea- Park they took a little impromptu Snowbirds, golf is their number one
On June 1, the Junior Kindergart- scape "green -time" to play golf with the past -time during air show season
en and Kindergarten class travelled New executive Bluewater Shrine club. because according to Hill, "it's one
to London to see the "Wizard of The executive for St. Boniface The Shriners were at Ironwood of those sports where the risk of in -
Oz." On June 8, grade 4, 5 and 6 School will be: past president Ger- Golf Club holding their 11th annual jury is low...we don't have back up
enjoyed going to the Air Show Ed- ry Neilands; president Clasina de- golf tournament on Wednesday, the Pilots,"
ucation Day at Huron Pari. Bont; vice president Teresa Van same day club owner Gib Dow Jr. Lee Grove, Chairperson for the
Swimming lessons Raay; second vice ]aria Hartman, coincidently booked some mem- Shriner's Golf Tournament Com -
Children can take swimming les- treasurer Carol Prang and council- bers of the Snowbirds to play at his mittee said the Snowbirds were "a
sons in Vanastra this summer be- lors RoseMary Ducharme, Denise golf course. very welcome addition to the fel-
ginning July 12. A bus leaves from Meidinger and Martin Gelinas. lowshipof the day.'
the Zurich Arena every Wednesday Senior diners whenever
re into golf and fitness rsoe Y
whenever they have some spare The money raised from the golf
and Thursday morning for five Purple lilacs and white snowballs time on the ground they're always tournament will go to the Canadian
weeks. Registration will be held donated by Elizabeth Granger en- looking for something to do," said Unit. Shrine Hospital currently in
June 28 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the hanced each table for the Zurich Dow who is a pilot himself. It Montreal. Grove estimates over
Arena. Senior Diners dinner June 7 at the was a coincidence having the $8,000 will be raised in this year's
Retirees Commu!+i►., Centre. Shriners here on the same day," tournament. adding to the $70,000
A Retirement Tea was held at St. Faye Skinner welcomed every- said Dow explaining how he ac- the $biurets have raised over the
Boniface School Gym on Sunday, one and Susan Hemmingway was commodated the Snowbirds at the last ten yew to help crippled and
June 11 in honour of two teachers the 50/50 winner. last minute upon the request of the burned children.
Marg Suplat and Glenna Tripp. A poem 'Summer's Boy' was Huron Park Air Show organizer With over 115 people expected to
Co-workers, teachers and princi- read by Gertie Fleischauer. Tom Lawson. show up at Ironwood that day
pal of St. Boniface put on a singing Progressive euchre followed with pilot and team leader Steve Hill. Grove was most eager to play, with
skit and several best wishes were winners: high, Dolly Jeffrey; low, flying the number one plane. and the Snowbirds.
extended to both of them on their Elda Wagner; Lone hands, Sheldon pilot Jeff Young flying the number "We're going to find out if they're
retirement. Wein and Harry McAdams (tied). five plane were first to arrive and as good on the green as they are in
The gym was decorated for the Personals said they didn't mind taking some the air," said Grove.
occasion by the P.T.A. Messages of Recent visitors with Marie time off to play golf with the
Snowbirds golf with Shriners
Snowbird phots Jeff Young, left and teem leader Steve Hill
Were playing golf with the Shrinera at Ironwood Golf Club