CAMPING / OUTDOORS
WINTER 2010 - 2011
                    Black Witch Moth (female)
On Saturday afternoon I got a call from Mike, who lives on Concession Road C, Leamington, ON. He found this moth on his back veranda, and of course both he and you know what it is.
Before I got to his house, he was walking across his garage floor carrying a case of beer, when the bottom gave way. He slipped on the wet floor, and then fell onto the broken beer bottles. It was so bad an ambulance had to be called. He phoned me from the hospital just as I was leaving to photograph the moth. He was a bit upset that so much beer got wasted! But really, he said there was about a pint of blood all over the garage floor. He's ok now, but I guess he cut a main vein behind his knee and so his foot and ankle are now swelled up. Wayyyyy too much excitement for one afternoon! Alan FOLKLORE - Did you know....
In many cultures, one of these moths flying into the house is considered bad luck: e.g., in Mexico, when there is sickness in a house and this moth enters, it is believed the sick person will die, or that death only occurs if the moth flies in and visits all four corners of one's house . In some parts of Mexico, people joke that if one flies over someone's head, the person will lose his hair.In Hawaii, Black Witch mythology, though associated with death, has a happier note in that if a loved one has just died, the moth is an embodiment of the person's soul returning to say goodbye. In Bahamas, where they are locally known as Money Moths or Moneybats, the legend is that if they land on you, you will come into money, and similarly, in South Texas, if a Black Witch lands above your door and stays there for a while you will supposedly win the lottery.
Pupae of the Black Witch moth were placed in the mouths of victims by serial killer 'Buffalo Bill' in the novel The Silence of the Lambs. In the movie adaptation the moth was changed to a Death's-head Hawkmoth. |
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HEADLINE STORY
LIFE IN A SMALL TOWN
I grew up loving every moment of living in the country. I enjoyed walking to the small fish pond with my dog, running through open fields, neighborhood ball games and riding my bike with friends. As I got older I drove the old 4x4 Chevy truck on the back roads to get to a friend's houses and had summer jobs in the community.
Even though the town has grown and houses tend to be a little closer together you can still hear the daily call from the skies as the Canadian Geese take to flight and the sound from the lake as the waves crash upon the shore. Our town is a rich in history and Victorian architechure, known for it’s fishing and agricultural industries. It is nestled along the shore of Lake Erie and has declared itself as Canada’s most Southern town. A town committed to heritage with celebrations such as the Migration festival of which we observe the migration of waterfowl until next year. Where else but in my town? To this day at our local school a mother duck has her babies in the Jack Miner Public School court yard and once old enough they allow her to march through the hallway leading outside to take flight with her young for the first time. What better of a lesson for the upcoming generation to be a part of?
The friendly atmosphere is always on hand at some of the finest wineries including one of my favorites the Pelee Island Winery. If you feel adventurous you can jump aboard our ferry the Jiimann and head over to Pelee Island for a great day of bike riding and beautiful beaches. The natural areas are unsurpassed and the fishing is superb. When you visit the island you are only limited by your imagination. Be sure to visit during the fall Pheasant hunt.
I admire the size of our town and the people who live here, and I have no desire to move anywhere else. It seems to me that the town I so deeply love is growing though, I just hope that sometime you take the time to sit on the dock and remember why you live in your small town.
Danielle Russell © June 2010
I grew up loving every moment of living in the country. I enjoyed walking to the small fish pond with my dog, running through open fields, neighborhood ball games and riding my bike with friends. As I got older I drove the old 4x4 Chevy truck on the back roads to get to a friend's houses and had summer jobs in the community.
Even though the town has grown and houses tend to be a little closer together you can still hear the daily call from the skies as the Canadian Geese take to flight and the sound from the lake as the waves crash upon the shore. Our town is a rich in history and Victorian architechure, known for it’s fishing and agricultural industries. It is nestled along the shore of Lake Erie and has declared itself as Canada’s most Southern town. A town committed to heritage with celebrations such as the Migration festival of which we observe the migration of waterfowl until next year. Where else but in my town? To this day at our local school a mother duck has her babies in the Jack Miner Public School court yard and once old enough they allow her to march through the hallway leading outside to take flight with her young for the first time. What better of a lesson for the upcoming generation to be a part of?
The friendly atmosphere is always on hand at some of the finest wineries including one of my favorites the Pelee Island Winery. If you feel adventurous you can jump aboard our ferry the Jiimann and head over to Pelee Island for a great day of bike riding and beautiful beaches. The natural areas are unsurpassed and the fishing is superb. When you visit the island you are only limited by your imagination. Be sure to visit during the fall Pheasant hunt.
I admire the size of our town and the people who live here, and I have no desire to move anywhere else. It seems to me that the town I so deeply love is growing though, I just hope that sometime you take the time to sit on the dock and remember why you live in your small town.
Danielle Russell © June 2010
DEVASTATION FROM TORNADO JUNE 6, 2010
Officials in Leamington, ON., declared a state of emergency in the Lake Erie town early Sunday after a severe storm and an F2 tornado caused widespread damage. No injuries have been reported, but damage to property is extensive, as you can see in the photos. Many roads are impassable due to trees and debris. Some of the worst damage is reported along Seacliff Drive. Power outages are widespread and crews are working to restore power. Access into the areas damaged by the tornado are limited to local residents, public work crews an emergency vehicles and the municipality is asking people to respect the barricades. The municipal update said onlookers and drive-by traffic are hindering the cleanup. The municipality is advising residents to exercise extreme caution and be aware of downed power lines, broken glass, debris and the possibility of falling tree limbs. Residents have been advised to put tree debris at the edge of the road for crews to pick up although that may take some time. The municipality is also asking people not to mix tree limbs with construction debris. Service from Essex Power Lines is expected to be restored by noon Monday.
Cedar Beach through to Harrow area was also flooded and hit by the storm. Though none were killed or injured, trees in the area are toppled, twisted and snapped off. Gas lines have broken in some places.
Leamington's public works department called out most of its employees to deal with the wreckage. They are trying to clean the streets. If you come out here it's like a war zone. There is damage to the marina area, including Seacliff Park and docks that have shifted away from the pier. Falling trees and debris shattered the windows of vehicles and properties. It's quite shocking. By declaring a state of emergency this allows the town to receive funding from the province to help pay for its relief efforts. The F. T. Sherk Aquatic & Fitness Centre has been converted into a shelter for displaced families by the Red Cross.
Leamington is about 50 kilometres southeast of Windsor and just north of Point Pelee National Park.
U Tube video of the Aftermath: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V9FvS9CiNY
Cedar Beach through to Harrow area was also flooded and hit by the storm. Though none were killed or injured, trees in the area are toppled, twisted and snapped off. Gas lines have broken in some places.
Leamington's public works department called out most of its employees to deal with the wreckage. They are trying to clean the streets. If you come out here it's like a war zone. There is damage to the marina area, including Seacliff Park and docks that have shifted away from the pier. Falling trees and debris shattered the windows of vehicles and properties. It's quite shocking. By declaring a state of emergency this allows the town to receive funding from the province to help pay for its relief efforts. The F. T. Sherk Aquatic & Fitness Centre has been converted into a shelter for displaced families by the Red Cross.
Leamington is about 50 kilometres southeast of Windsor and just north of Point Pelee National Park.
U Tube video of the Aftermath: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V9FvS9CiNY
BEST FOODS FOR HIKING
Hiking the trails, taking a long canoe ride or just setting up camp can take a lot of energy out of you. To replenish that energy quickly, you’ll need to down some carbohydrates, proteins and fats. The good thing is that you can find all the energy you need in some really simple snacks. Check out these energy-packed, not to mention tasty, trail treats.
Granola How could we not have this on the list? Granola goes almost anywhere, is lightweight and is packed with tons of fat and carbs to keep you going. There seems to be no end to the list of flavors you can find now either. Energy Bar I think energy bars fall into the love it or hate it categories most of the time, but their convenience, shelf life and keep-you-moving ingredients are too hard to pass up. Try to buy them in bulk to keep the cost down and keep some stashed away in your car, house and backpack so you’ll always have one around when those sudden urges of hiking spring up. They’re not always the best tasting, but they’re good energy in a pinch. Dried Fruit This little tasty snack is chock-full of natural sugars and all around goodness. It’s also easy to carry and lasts longer than fresh fruit. Dry them yourself if you can, to make sure you don’t have too much extra junk in them that you don’t need anyways. Make sure to drink water because, well, they’re dried out. It’ll help the digestive process, and you should be drinking the water anyway. Trail Mix Because everyone has their favorite type of trial mix combinations, we thought we’d add the do-it-yourself mix to the list. Throw in some things from this list, except maybe the tuna, and add some nuts, which are high in protein, fat and carbohydrates. Nothing goes faster than a bag of homemade trail mix so make sure to make enough for everyone going with you! HAPPY TRAILS! STAYING SAFE WHILE CAMPING IN THE WILD
Enjoying wildlife is part of the camping experience, but keeping a safe distance and staying alert will help keep that experience safe for everyone. Check out some of these tips on staying safe while hiking and at the campsite.
When Hiking: Make some noise. Obviously you aren’t going to be yelling the entire time you’re on the hike, but it’s a good idea to periodically yell, talk loudly, sing, clap, etc. Most wild animals are afraid of people and will run away when they hear you. Bears are more apt to attack when they are surprised, so never sneak up on them or other wild animals. Stick to larger groups of people and never venture out ahead or fall behind the group. Keep the smells away. This includes the smells on you and the areas you go in to. Smells from dead animals or carcass attract bears and other wild animals so steer clear of them. Spending time around their food source can be seen as threatening. Don’t wear strong-smelling deodorants or perfumes and don’t bring along potent food that could attract animals. Walk on the path. It sounds like a Sunday sermon, but you’ll be a whole lot safer if you’re not venturing into areas of the forest where hikers don’t usually go. Not only will the wild animals be more unfamiliar with seeing humans in certain areas but you’ll be less likely to be helped by someone else if you’re not on the trail. Don’t hike at night. Some wild animals, like bears and cougars, are most active in the morning, dusk, and at night so you can stumble upon them at any time, but at night you won’t be able to avoid them as easily. Walking during the day also helps you to avoid coming across an animal’s sleeping area. At the Site: Keep a distance. Dividing up your site into sleeping, eating and supply areas can help reduce your contact with wild animals. If you’re out in the deep woods, some people recommend setting up your tent 100 yards away from both your food supplies and the campfire eating area. Keep the smells away (again). Keeping food, deodorants, garbage and another other smells away from your tent will help prevent animals from being attracted to that area. Never keep food directly in your tent and stay away from berry patches or other areas that might be considered a food source. If you’re at a campsite, put your garbage in specially marked containers that are designed to keep wild animals at bay. Stay alert. Some wildlife, like snakes and scorpions, can hide in small areas. When you’re looking for firewood or picking up your gear, be aware that some wildlife may consider this their new home. If a bear or other wild animal comes into your campsite, they are acting as a predator, so stay close to others and move to a safe area away from the animal. Bear and other wildlife spray repellants can help keep them away, so determine what kind you may need before your trip. Be safe and happy camping! Early Spring Camping - Tips For Success
Many people think of camping as a summer adventure. While this may be the most comfortable way to enjoy a camping experience, early spring offers a view of natures’ beauty that can easily be missed. The following tips will help make your spring camping trip a success. 1: Choose the right camping tent: The camping tent industry has exploded in recent years, with hundreds of tent styles to choose from. While many camping tents offer the necessary shelter from the elements, only a few are suited for colder weather. Four season camping tents offer the most protection from the cold and are essential for camping in colder climates. 2: Select appropriate sleeping gear: Most sleeping bags are rated to a certain degree temperature. These ratings can be confusing if not understood correctly. Also a quality mattress pad will help keep the cold from reaching you through the ground. 3: Bring sufficient clothing: Nothing can spoil your camping trip worse, than having to sit in wet clothes out in the cold. So remember to bring along an extra jacket and a pair of long underwear. Long underwear are light-weight and can easily be put away if not needed. Finally, bring along a rain-suit, just in case you get caught in an unexpected spring shower. In conclusion, wherever you choose to go camping this spring, take along the right equipment and you’ll be sure to have and enjoyable experience to remember. |
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ROTTWEILER RESCUE!
When I think of a Rottweiler I see strength, loyalty, affection, a goofy 'smile', and a wagging rear-end. But, sadly, many people imagine something quite different. I've lost count of the number of times strangers (and sometimes even friends/family) have raised their eyebrows and said something along the lines of "Oooh, aren't you afraid they'll turn on you?" or "Those dogs! Really?" While a Rottie is definitely a big, powerful dog, and often portrayed as a guard dog or even as a 'fighter', that's not the REAL Rottweiler - not even close!
Cruz is the most wonderful dog in all the land. He is my friend, my companion, and if you have ever met him I just know you'll love him. Although I adore my dogs, this breed isn't for everyone, and owning and raising them has it's own special challenges.These big dogs have unique dietary, health, behavioral and training needs. If your irresistible little puppy is to grow up to be all that he can be, then you (as his parents) have to know exactly what he needs to be happy and healthy....... and that's where a-love-of-rottweilers comes in! I thank the fire dept. and the officers for saving my CRUZ and I assure you he is THE BEST DOG IN ALL THE LAND! Lynne Edison 2010 |
