Manitoulin signs on as partner in Georgian Bay circuit

New tourism initiative

by Alicia McCutcheon

TOBERMORY-The core partners of the Georgian Bay Destination Partnership (GBDP), among them the Manitoulin Tourism Association (MTA), met in Tobermory last week, signing a memorandum of understanding between them, marking the creation of the product development and marketing alliance.

The tourism partnership will encompass the entire 14-region Bruce Peninsula area, including Sudbury and Rainbow Country, completing the circuit.

"We've pooled all of our tourism groups at one table to promote Georgian Bay as the destination of choice," said MTA manager Jenny Sayyae. "By doing this, we have pooled our knowledge, resources and funding opportunities and the services we are able to offer a visitor."

For over a year, the group has been working to develop a series of touring routes throughout Georgian Bay, including ones special to motorcycles, which have been growing in popularity each year. Ms. Sayyae noted that she has seen more motorcycles on Manitoulin this summer than she can remember having seen before.

The Ministry of Tourism provided $45,000 to the GBDP for a marketing analysis, the compilation of data and to develop a long-term strategy.

Click on the group's website, www.visitgeorgianbay.com, and find a tour series for everything from beaches to lighthouses, scenic vistas and outdoor adventure. The website also includes a "top 10 things to see and do" list for each of the areas, as well as a list of the "best places to eat and drink."

Among Manitoulin's top 10 are powwows, Bridal Veil Falls, the Cup and Saucer and horseback riding. Ms. Sayyae explained that the Manitoulin portion of the website is in some "serious need of work," however.

Ms. Sayyae believes it's crucial to partner with groups like the GDBP as it can only help grow the area as a tourist destination.

"If one area is weak on accommodations but has plenty of attractions, they can send the tourists to the next region to stay but still benefit from their visiting of the attractions," she said, a kind of 'I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine' sort of deal.

"Having a bigger area to market from draws people from further away," she noted. "It's also easier to market."

Ms. Sayyae said she was impressed with the knowledge and experience from the people involved in the partnership.

"There is only water between us but this is the first time we've actually met to work together," she said.

The beauty of Georgian Bay is that tourists can come by either "rubber tire" or water, she said.

"We have so much in common-lighthouses, marine tourism, eco-tourism," Ms. Sayyae noted. "We have a spinoff effect on one another-we may as well be working together."

The group currently has funding applications out to various agencies for phase two of the project. The GBDP has already committed $20,000 from its members to start work on product enhancement community and industry engagement, evaluation and tracking and assessment of new routes, stated a recent press release.

"This is an excellent opportunity for Manitoulin," said Ms. Sayyae. "The MTA is very excited to be a part of it. We've worked alongside these people for years but now we are working together."

Scribe becalmed

A reporter's-eye view of a quiet day's sailing in the 2007 Mackinac-Manitoulin Yacht Race

by Sheila Bowes

NORTH CHANNEL-'Twas a calm crisp morning with the sun shining, the birds singing and 23 yachts about to embark on an epic journey across the untamed waters of Lake Huron.

As each colourful yacht circled the Gore Bay harbour, I-a guest upon the great vessel Stardust-watched in amazement as the racers prepared for battle upon the high seas.

"I will attack when I get across the line," said Jeff Van Alstine, captain and owner of Stardust, as he and the rest of his crew raised their sail in what looked like a promising wind.

His crew, which included Greg and Mary Lynn Wright and Richard and Louise Cherron, was eager and excited as the radio announced the 9:30 am start of the race. Working together in sync, the fab five raised their sail and began to cut through the crisp waters. With ropes flying and sails catching, it became clear to me that the race was not only about strategy, but also about the weather conditions.

After a good start, the wind in our sail began to sag and after about an hour into the race it became evident that this might not be a swift run to the finish line. I suddenly realized that what my editor had described as a four-hour journey could quite possibly last the better part of the day. And so we sat, and though I was a guest on board and forbidden (by race rules) to participate in the operation of the craft, I got a feeling for what it was like to be part of a crew.

This was Stardust's fourth time in the Mackinac-Manitoulin yacht race, which began in 2004 and has been growing in popularity. Mr. Van Alstine, a native of Minnesota who now resides in Ann Arbour, Michigan, discovered his love for sailing a decade ago, during a trip to Manitoulin in 1996.

"My wife and I came on a trip here, and we fell in love with this place," he said. "We did a charter with John Smulders and we absolutely loved it. We were amazed by how friendly and welcoming the people were."

After that, Mr. Van Alstine, a retired pilot, decided to purchase a yacht, and since then he and his family (who also share his love for sailing) have spent a good chunk of their summers cruising the North Channel. In 1999, the Van Alstines purchased Stardust and the boat, which began its life in the Caribbean, has become a fixture of Northern Ontario.

Greg and Mary Lynn Wright of Little Current are also no strangers to sailing, owning their own boat called Moon Shadow. The two also crewed the Stardust when it took the title of the 2006 yacht race. 

Richard and Louise Cherron of Sudbury were avid powerboaters who recently developed an interest in sailing and participated in the Mackinac-Manitoulin race for the first time this year.

"Jeff asked us to come along and we were thrilled," said Ms Cherron.

Although the weather proved to be a bit of a disappointment, there were plenty of things to do to keep busy. Louise played Sudoku and Mary Lynn read a book, giving me a glimpse into the calm, relaxing life of sailing. Though much of the time was spent sitting motionless upon the glassy lake, as the hours passed so did the odd burst of wind, rocketing us forward and back into the race.

"I'm going to put on my lucky hat," said an optimistic Greg Wright as he thrust his Captain Jack Sparrow-like hat upon his head. And sure enough, as he did, the boat leapt forward like Sparrow's Black Pearl, and we were able to break free from the air pocket that had been holding us hostage for several hours.

"We're rocking now," said Mr. Cherron, as the boat began to heel to right side and Stardust began to rip. Though the gusts of wind were short, we began to gain some serious ground in open waters near the Benjamins, and while it didn't last it brought us one step closer to our destination.

The shocking news of the day was that the Hiawatha had somehow managed to reach the finish line hours before anyone else. I think in the hours passing there were several envious members of the crew that day.

At about 7 pm, after a long yet peaceful day upon the lake, we could finally see our destination. The yellow triangular marker that sat in the water was our final challenge-well, that and beating Killarney, a yacht that had remained close to us throughout the race.

In a bold and daring move, Captain Jeff got an idea. "Let's remain close to shore and see if we can pick up a wind from there," he said. And though I know almost nothing about sailing, I knew that in a race like this, you had to take a few chances and go for it.

So, taking no prisoners, Stardust went for broke, pinching close (so very close) to Picnic Island and praying for an offshore puff of wind. Though it was close up until the final few feet of the race, Killarney ended up sailing by us, the result of a gamble that clearly paid off for them.

We inched over the finish line at just after 8 pm-over 10 hours since he had pulled up anchor-and after a long day at sea I was impressed by the tenacity and dedication of the crew. Though Stardust fell somewhere in the middle of the ranks, it was indeed a grand experience that has left me yearning for more adventures on the becoming, if sometimes becalming, waters of the channel.

Manor's 'deficiencies'uncorrected

by Alicia McCutcheon

LITTLE CURRENT-After a two-day visit from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) on July 26 and 27, the Manitoulin Centennial Manor has not yet been found to be in compliance in regards and safety and security.

The Manor was found to be in non-compliance after a resident of the facility, Albert Beaven, left the building sometime on July 15 and was found dead the following morning on Goat Island.

David Jensen, head of media relations for the ministry, told the Expositor that the Manor had sent a corrective strategy to the MOHLTC by the date requested, July 24 but have not yet seen long-term measures put in place.

The ministry did note that immediate short-term action had been taken but inspectors will keep visiting the facility on a regular basis until the home is deemed to be in compliance.

According to Staff Sergeant Bruce McCullagh, the police investigation is close to finishing.

"As it stands now, we don't see any criminal charges being laid," he said, but noted that the final decision regarding criminal charges will not be made until the investigation is completed.

EDITORIAL

Clear announcement of mission's end required

Yellow ribbons notwithstanding, it's clear that the majority of Canadians are growing increasingly weary-and wary--of our troops' mission in Afghanistan.

The federal government is giving strong hints that the mission could end next year: the original bump-up deadline that was somehow extended to 2009 and even 2010 for a time.

But what is most compelling is the fact that the Quebec-based Royal 22nd Regiment (Vingt-Deux-in English the Van Doos) is now taking the lead role in the Canadians area of responsibility in dangerous southern Afghanistan.

Quebec is also the province whose citizens have been, since the outset of our military committment in that far-off land, the most uncomfortable with this assignment of our troops.

While it is devoutly to be wished and hoped that no more of our young men and women are killed, they are in a war and all that that implies. And if a substantial (say six, similar to the most recent carnage of Canadians) number of the Vingt-Deux should be mortally wounded, it is predictable that there will be a great deal of pressure from ordinary Quebec citizens to end the mission quickly and return the troops to Canada (and Quebec).

It is also interesting that the general in charge of the Canadian military mission, Brigadier General Guy Laroche, was quoted all weekend long on the CBC stating, in effect, that the best way to protect Canadian troops is to work with the Afghani military and police so that they are doing the mission (under Canadian supervision) and, by implication, taking the lion's share of the risks as well. Well yes, that will protect Canadians.

It would seem that we're in the process of pulling out our troops, although no-one is saying that officially.

But putting the Vingt-Deux at the pointy end of a mission that is mostly unpopular on their home turf, and then putting a general in charge who makes no bones about who should be taking risks (not Canadians) is a pretty good reading of the direction the government wants to go.

But they're not saying it, and they should.

The scene is being set, right enough, but the 66 (maybe 67) Canadians killed to date, largely by homemade roadside bombs and land mines, not to mention the brave souls who have returned home to begin again as people without arms and legs, are sacrifice enough.

The government should be as brave politically as those soldiers are in battle and announce that the mission will be over next spring, with all military personnel repatriated. It should stop beating around the bushes, dropping hints.

It should act right now.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Distant visitor and former cottager bids a reluctant goodbye

Our family fell in love with McGregor Bay in 1953

To the Expositor:

It seems ironic that a year ago I won the "Most Distant Visitor" subscription to your paper.  I guess I qualified as a "visitor" even though we have been paying taxes for 53 years.  Our family first visited, and fell in love with, McGregor Bay in 1953. In 1955 we built a cabin on the high island at the mouth of McGregor Bay, and dynamited a harbour in 1970. When I entered your contest I was saying "goodbye" to our island and to Little Current; I was in town to finalize the sale of our island I loved so much.

I now live in Hawaii, and as fond as I am of your area, it's just too far to travel.

Now I must say 'goodbye' to the Manitoulin Expositor as well. Thanks for the subscription: I enjoyed it immensely.

Jim Whitaker

Kailua, Hawaii

UN reform needed to address issues like global warming

Organizations only become more democratic if we demand it

To the Expositor:

In 1987 and 1989 I walked 4,000 kilometres across Canada from Clearwater to Toronto (I passed through Manitoulin Island in early June, 1989). The purpose of the walk was to promote a petition for United Nations reform, a project I called Gandhi Worldwalk. While an interesting experience for me, the walk and its petition did not achieve what I had hoped for. Recently I learned of another initiative that, while not so ambitious, appears to have a better chance of success.

A few days ago Fergus Watt, executive director of the World Federalists of Canada, told me in a letter about a petition for UN reform launched by a coalition of non-governmental organizations. The petition calls for formation of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA)-at first to be made up of members of national parliaments or houses of representatives, later to be directly elected by the people of the world. Over 400 parliamentarians from 70 countries have signed the appeal.

Please support this initiative. We need a more effective UN if we are to address important issues such as nuclear proliferation and global warming. To be more effective the UN must be more democratic. No organization has ever become more democratic unless the people have demanded it. Put your name on the UNPA petition by going to www.unpacampaign.org on the Internet.

Keith McNeill

Clearwater, BC

Hockey prowess of Little Current's Lapoente twins recalled

Sudbury arena was packed for the women's Ontario final

To the Expositor:

Teresa Lapoente was born in Little Current on August 16, 1913 and passed away on July 1 of this year in Sault Ste. Marie. Teresa and her twin sister Jenny were extraordinary athletes.

In 1933 a girls' team from Little Current played hockey against a team from Ottawa in Sudbury for the Ontario Championships, which resulted in a victory led by the Lapoente twins. This victory made way for the team to move on to the Canadian Championship in Vancouver, but they were unable to obtain a sponsor because of the tough times in the hungry thirties.

At this time I was eight years old and I remember everyone talking about the game that took place in Sudbury. Due to the large crowd, another car was put on the CPR train to Sudbury. My mother would talk time after time about this event, and how the arena was jam-packed. At this event she heard a man who was sitting behind her with his wife lean over and say in a displeased voice, "I do not know why I let you persuade me in coming to watch a bunch of girls play hockey." Just as he finished his last word, one of the Lapoente twins picked up the puck from behind her own net, skated through the entire Ottawa team and scored. The man let out a loud cheer and threw his hat out on the ice.

The Lapoentes were a hockey family, having two girls along with their older brother Lou and younger brother Joe. The family moved to Sault Ste. Marie in the late-1930s. Joe played for the Soo Greyhounds, and after his hockey days he became an RCMP officer. Lou served in the navy in the Second World War.

The Lapoente roots came back to the Manitoulin in the 1940s. Jenny taught school at the Native school in Sheguiandah and later at West Bay. Jenny married Wilfred Heis and raised a family of five girls on their farm at Pike Lake. Wilfred passed away a few years ago; Jenny is still hanging in there at the age of 93.

My sister Tillie and the twins were very close friends, which brought our families together into friendship. My mother made many trips to Sault Ste. Marie, and I always looked forward to visiting the Lapoente family.

Clive Ballentine

Little Current

Adam Smith

RedBow Floor and Wall Fashions,

Little Current

I'm your neighbour

Adam Smith has worked at RedBow in Little Current for the last two-and-a-half years and says he does a "little bit of everything." The store does cover a multitude of home decor and perks-from paint, flooring, and blinds to hot tubs and woodstoves. "We're pretty diversified here," the sales-and-service man says.

Originally from Stokes Bay on the Bruce Peninsula, Mr. Smith now lives in Mindemoya with his wife and four boys who "keep him coming to work," he laughs. He says he thoroughly enjoys working at RedBow as the people he meets are just as diversified as the products he sells.

"I get to meet a little bit of everybody-from locals to just last week I met a cottager from Fairbanks, Alaska," he said. "It's amazing the variety of people on Manitoulin."

Plus, he says, it's good that he works where he does because he enjoys talking so much and he gets to do plenty of it at RedBow.

Having four children ranging in age from 10 months to five years does not allow for much quiet time but when he gets the chance, Mr. Smith enjoys to read, hunt and fish-the latter two were one of the reasons he decided to move to Manitoulin. The family also like to spend time at his parents-in-law's beach in Sandfield.

"I used to be an avid golfer and curler but that's on hold for now," he chuckles. "To be continued."

Shopping at local businesses like RedBow provides lasting employment for people like Adam Smith.