Island municipalities favour common 'invasive species' bylaw

With enforcement component

by Tom Sasvari

MINDEMOYA-The Manitoulin Municipal Association (MMA) is in support not only of promoting and educating the public on preventing the spread of invasive species on the Island and its waters, but also of establishing an Island-wide bylaw to provide an enforcement component.

"We are asking for support, not only for an education and promotion program concerning invasive species, but for municipalities to consider bylaws to help ensure that the reckless few don't ruin it for all," said Bob Florean, a Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) spokesperson and representative of the Manitoulin Area Stewardship Council (MASC). Mr. Florean spoke at an MMA meeting last week about the Manitoulin and Area Invasive Species Awareness Program.

Mr. Florean said the stewardship council includes 13 members from various organizations around Manitoulin, including MASC, MMA, Manitoulin Tourism Association (MTA), aquaculture, agriculture, fish and game, and lake cottage associations.

"We have undertaken a number of initiatives," said Mr. Florean. "One initiative the council feels is urgent is to work with the community to prevent the further spread of invasive species harmful to our ecosystems. In the past three years, zebra mussels (and quagga mussels) have taken over Lake Mindemoya, Bass Lake, and been found in Kagawong."

The spiny water flea is now established in Lake Huron and in many inland lakes on the Island and the North Shore, said Mr. Florean. They compete with juvenile fish for food, and their arrival coincides with a 30 percent decline of native zooplankton found in invaded lakes.

Rusty crayfish have been found in the North Channel and an unknown number of inland lakes, continued Mr. Florean. They can harm local fish populations by eating fish eggs and larvae, and have a voracious appetite for aquatic plants, impacting nursery and spawning habitat for fish.

As well, round gobies have recently been established in large numbers in Lake Huron and the North Channel, and Eurasion watermilfoil has been found in waters near Espanola, Mr. Florean told those at the meeting.

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) is a new fish virus in Lake Huron, continued Mr. Florean. It affects most game fish and many minnow species, kills fish, and can have a devastating impact on the local socio-economic situation.

"Recent studies have shown that in terms of costs dealing with invasive species, $160 million dollars per year is spent in the US to counteract the negative impacts of invasive species on their ecosystems and infrastructure," said Mr. Florean.

"We have some invasive species that are here and are established, and many others that are poised but can still be kept out," said Mr. Florean. The damage caused by invasive species "will hurt everyone's pocketbooks and the enjoyment of the Island."

There are over 185 new aquatic species in the Great Lakes basin alone, and many insects and plants are also invasive species in Ontario, meeting participants were told. Mr. Florean pointed to the emerald ash borer and garlic mustard as examples, noting that invasive species are spread through ships, recreational boats, vehicles, ATVs, float aircraft, and the movement of firewood, plants and soil.

The objectives of the invasive species awareness partnership include making the public understand the hazards of key invasive plants, invertebrates and fish. The characteristics for each invasive species present different challenges in preventing their spread.

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) is helping to deliver the program provincially under a memorandum of understanding on invasive species. "The key is to promote public awareness, and to track and monitor the spread of invasive species," said Mr. Florean. "A lot of these invasive species on the waterways come in off ships and through the seaways. And each zebra mussel will hatch 1,000 eggs, and they filter everything out of the food chain."

However, the problem with invasive species is not just related to the water. "Other invasive species will come on through vehicles and ATVs and float aircraft. It is as simple as someone bringing brush, which has ash borer, from southern Ontario here," said Mr. Florean. "This is how it starts."

"The local fishery is valued at $30 million and maybe even more," added Mr. Florean. "So Manitoulin and area is dependent on social economic and natural resources, such as our lakes and forests."

"This is an issue that we all had better be paying attention to," continued Mr. Florean. "We need to educate people on how to prevent the spread of invasive species. And, to do this, it is integral to pull in the entire community."

The stewardship council is working with the MTA and the OFAH on this issue, meeting participants were told. This past summer the group was able to hire an invasive species liaison, who provided education on the effects and causes of invasive species, and who "monitored about 30 different lakes in the Manitoulin area," Mr. Florean explained.

On December 19 the stewardship council voted in favour of putting up invasive species billboards at the two entrances to Manitoulin. "The OFAH is looking at having a continuous video played on the Chi-Cheemaun educating passengers on the serious effects of invasive species and how important it is not to bring them to the Island," noted Mr. Florean. He pointed out that the MTA provided a work centre for the invasive species liaison person, and the OFAH helps source funding, guidance, technical and logistical expertise.

"We need the support and help from municipalities," said Mr. Florean. "The public needs to be made more aware of the cause and serious effects that are caused by invasive species."

He said the stewardship council is suggesting municipalities could do this by including an invasive species fact sheet with their tax bills to local residents. As well, "municipalities could provide free use of sites where billboards and signs could be installed on invasive species awareness, as well as help install the signs, and distribute the information-it would help out greatly."

The Manitoulin area is socio-economically dependant on its many and varied natural resource values, Mr. Florean told meeting participants. These natural values are a major factor for attracting people to live and recreate here. Each new invasive species that establishes itself here can erode existing natural values and negatively impact the local economy.

"It is more effective and economical to prevent the establishment of invasive species then it is to eliminate them once established," said Mr. Florean.

The stewardship council is helping to facilitate and fund this awareness initiative, including the setup of invasive species awareness billboards on two main highway approaches to Manitoulin, and place invasive species signs at all area public boat launches.

"This initiative requires the help of the entire community in order for it to work effectively," continued Mr. Florean. "The public can help by becoming more aware of the issue, be more careful of their actions and advising those others that are not, and report any invasive species actions that have a potential to negatively impact the area."

"As municipalities, you could also consider wording a bylaw to help ensure that the reckless few don't ruin it for all of us, and partnering with us on this initiative," added Mr. Florean, noting that the stewardship council could provide examples of bylaws from other areas.

"It would probably be a good idea to have a bylaw all the municipalities can agree on, so we have the same legislation on the Island," said Central Manitoulin Reeve Richard Stephens.

Along with Manitoulin, "this is an initiative I'm hoping will expand toward the Sudbury area," said Mr. Florean.

Ken Noland, also a member of the stewardship council, said if the municipalities passed a bylaw, it would be short-listed and detail precisely what enforcement will take place if someone doesn't take the action necessary to prevent an invasive species being brought onto the Island. If found guilty, the offenders would be charged and could end up in court.

By having the municipalities pass these bylaws, it would allow the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the MNR to enforce these laws, meeting participants heard.

"So when the OPP and MNR are on their normal patrols in the summer, they could charge someone for being in contravention of the bylaws?" asked Ms. Fields.

This may be possible, said Mr. Florean. He pointed out, "A lot of the impacts of invasive species have already been felt, but we need to try and hold off more of these species being brought to the Island."

"We (MMA municipalities) certainly need to do something and take action on this issue," said Mr. Stephens.

People heard that the MNR would be willing to help put together a recommended bylaw concerning invasive species that could be used by all municipalities.

"We would like to have the signs and bylaws in place before the main tourism travel season begins this year," said Mr. Florean. "And it is imperative the stewardship council know we have that municipal support and will help install signs," he said, noting the MNR has 50 signs prepared for local boat launches.

Mr. Stephens indicated he was prepared to put forward a motion indicating the MMA municipalities' support for the signs and passing a bylaw on invasive species.

As well, "most of our municipal tax bills will be going out in the next month or so, and it would help if we could include a one-page letter of precaution and educating people on invasive species prevention," said Ms. Fields.

Mr. Florean pointed out the MNR could produce something everyone could agree on to send to their local residents.

The MMA passed a motion supporting the invasive species public education initiative and indicating it would be interested in creating an Island-wide bylaw.

Fielding and Wallace family donate $50,000 to Centennial Manor cause

Electric bed project now complete; sprucing up resident rooms the new focus

by Lindsay Kelly

SUDBURY-Newly painted walls, fresh curtains and, most importantly, updated beds will brighten the day for Manitoulin Centennial Manor residents, as part of a series of renovations being undertaken at the long-term care facility.

The renovations are being made possible thanks to a generous donation by the Fielding family of Sudbury, who recently presented Manor board chair Les Fields and volunteer and electric beds campaign chair Linda Bowerman with a cheque for $50,000 to go towards the Manor.

Lily Fielding recently gave $100,000 to the Manitoulin Health Centre, on behalf of her and her late husband Clifford to go towards the cardiac rehabilitation program, but she was seeking another way in which to help the people of Manitoulin with whom her family has had a long association.

Preferring to donate to causes from which she can see immediate results, she opted to give to the Manor after learning of the changes that were taking place there.

"I'm happy to do it," she said with a smile during a recent gathering at her Sudbury home.

She said she looked forward to seeing the changes at the Manor first-hand and hoped to get to Manitoulin soon.

Part of the donation went towards the purchase of electric beds, which completes a long-term campaign begun by volunteer Linda Bowerman, who has fundraised for more than two years to raise enough funds to replace all the old, manually operated beds in the Manor.

The project began when Ms. Bowerman and her family aimed to make the room more pleasant for a relative who lived at the Manor. For her birthday, instead of bringing gifts, Ms. Bowerman proposed family members collect money to go towards the purchase of an electric bed. When she saw the difference it made, she expanded the project and made it her mission to ensure that all residents got a new bed.

Ms. Bowerman said she is grateful to receive the donation, which will go a long way to making life more pleasant for the residents of the Manor. It is especially satisfying to see the electric beds campaign through to completion.

"It is exciting for me," she said. "Who would have thought? Two and a half years, even after all the turmoil, and we have 63 beds."

That the campaign is now complete is "fantastic," said Ms. Fields, who expressed her gratitude to the Fieldings for their generosity. Now that the beds have all been replaced, work will be done to spruce up other areas of the Manor.

"The remainder of the donation will be used for upgrades and renovations, mainly in the rooms and the dining room," she explained.

Originally built as an old age home-where any senior citizen looking to move out of their home could purchase a room-the Manor is now designed to serve as a long-term care facility, so renovations are periodically required to meet the needs of the residents.

One change will be the re-establishment of the downstairs dining area, which will be reserved for patients with greater care needs. "People in the early stages of dementia are often afraid of the elevators," Ms. Fields explained. "They had to go up there three times a day, and every time it was very difficult and very disturbing for the residents."

Instead, they will now be able to dine on the lower floor without having their routine interrupted, and residents living on the second floor will continue to use the second-floor dining area.

Ms. Fields noted that the room has been changed to provide a more open-concept design so that residents can use it as a common area where they can meet and converse or enjoy a card game. They will also have new tables and chairs to enjoy.

In addition, residents' rooms have all received a fresh coat of paint, and will be getting new curtains and new bedspreads. "We're reconfiguring the rooms to make them more up to date and welcoming for the residents," Ms. Fields said. "It's very exciting and it's certainly more home-like."

A new security system will also be installed, which is designed to ensure the safety of the residents, while allowing for their further independence. Residents who have a propensity to wander will wear wristbands that alert staff as to their whereabouts and trigger an alarm if they attempt to leave the facility. Residents who are not cognitively impaired will be able to move more easily throughout the home.

With these renovations and the assistance from Extendicare, Ms. Fields believes the Manor is on a good path right now, with things improving daily. Staff are pleased with the transformation, and welcome surprises, such as the Fielding donation, continue improve the residents' lives.

She hopes that others will continue to support the Manor and expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support they have already received from Manitoulin families.

"Many, many families were involved," she said. "This was really an Island-wide project, supported by the Island community."

Zhiibaahaasing tire cleanup bill rings in at $4.8 million

by Jim Moodie

MANITOULIN-The final reckoning is now in for last summer's massive tire removal operation at the Zhiibaahaasing First Nation, and while the numbers are jaw-dropping, they are within the range anticipated by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC).

The cleanup job, originally estimated to cost $4 million, ended up costing the federal department $4.8 million. And the scrap heap, initially ball-parked at one million tires, has ultimately been totted up to count nearly two million.

INAC spokesman Brock Worobel said the figure for the number of tires is a bit misleading, as it is based on a formula that converts the weight of shredded rubber into car-tire equivalencies. "There was a mix of car and truck tires at the site, and one truck tire equals three regular tires," he explained. "Once they were shredded, the estimate was two million regular tires."

This figure did not come as a huge surprise to the department, he added, as "we had always estimated there to be between one and two million tires there." As for the price tag, this was also something that INAC had allowed for in its budget for the removal job.

"We actually budgeted $5.5 million," said Mr. Worobel, "but because of the tendering process, we couldn't divulge how much we were putting aside. At $4.8 million, we came in under budget."

Last spring the department awarded the contract for tire removal to Empire Recycling, which conducted shredding of the material on site. Vanroboys Trucking was engaged to cart the tires in their shredded form off the Island, via both the swing bridge and the Chi-Cheemaun ferry, and deliver the chopped-up rubber to a landfill site in southwestern Ontario, where it was applied as alternative daily cover. By August, nearly all of the tires had been removed from the stockpile site, with only a few lingering scraps to deal with.

Prior to the remediation effort being launched, the Zhiibaahaasing First Nation had considered reviving its recycling operation, which ground to a halt two years ago due to equipment breakdowns, but was denied funding to carry out a feasibility study. The First Nation has since decided to dissolve the Cockburn Island Tire Recycling company and sell off its trucks and equipment.

"We have told the ministry of Indian Affairs that our band council has passed a motion indicating we are no longer in the tire-recycling business," Deputy Chief Kevin Mossip told the Recorder last week.

The cost of the removal operation will be entirely borne by the federal government. "We're not going to try to recoup the cost," said Mr. Worobel, adding that it would hard to bill a company that no longer exists. "We were responding to concerns of the First Nation and the community."

One detail remains to close the book on Manitoulin's tire saga. "A certificate of completion should be issued this week or next week," said Mr. Worobel.

Walker with Wiky ties earns water commission seat

Josephine Mandamin will chair women's committee on Great Lakes health

by Lindsay Kelly

THUNDER BAY-Nearly three years after she circled Lake Huron in her bid to raise awareness about the plight of Great Lakes water quality, Josephine Mandamin is continuing in her campaign, earning a prestigious seat on the Anishinabek Women's Water Commission and planning a spring walk around Lake Michigan.

We last caught up with the Thunder Bay-based walker in 2005, as she, her sister and a friend finished the third installment of the Earth Water Walk. With two previous walks completed-Lake Superior in 2003 and Lake Michigan in 2004-the group's aim was to walk around Lake Huron, singing and praying for the state of the Great Lakes water supply, and urging conservation to those they met along the way.

Since then Ms. Mandamin, who originally hails from Wikwemikong, has been a busy woman.

"After Lake Huron we went to Lake Ontario the following year, and last year we did Lake Erie," she explained, adding, "that's all now."

Well, almost.

When the walkers set out in 2004, they only walked the upper part of Lake Michigan. This spring, during the last weekend in April, they plan to set out once again to finish the lower part, and this time Ms. Mandamin's niece and possibly her nephew will accompany her on the trek.

She says that people have been overwhelming supportive of the Earth Water Walk initiative, and is especially impressed at how it's transformed into a global plight.

"The response has been very mind-boggling," she said. "It's interesting how the information has gone almost world-wide."

Word about Ms. Mandamin's efforts reached Geneva in 2005, and she was asked to make a presentation about her walks to the United Nations. While a busy schedule and bad timing prevented her from making the trip, she has seen inspiration from her work blossom in other ways.

In British Columbia, a concerned group there has started their own walk, circling the lakes, and a group of women in eastern Ontario spend three or four days each spring walking around Lake Nipissing.

Perhaps the biggest achievement that has come from Ms. Mandamin's work happened right here at home. In November, the Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) formed the Anishinabek Women's Water Commission, appointing three women from across Ontario to study the rising concerns about water quality and advise the UOI on future action. Ms. Mandamin was asked to lead the commission, filling the position of chief commissioner.

"The UOI and the chiefs of Ontario were at a meeting in Sudbury, and at the time I happened to be there," she explained. "I spoke to the chief and council at the meeting about what we were doing and how the men were not being very supportive."

When she was finished presenting her case, everyone in attendance rose in a standing ovation to show their appreciation for what she has been doing. Grand Council Chief John Beaucage and the council passed a resolution recognizing that the First Nations of Ontario need to come together to raise awareness of the issue of water quality, and that the women should be at the forefront of this and other environmental issues, Ms. Mandamin explained.

"We will advise the First Nations on issues about water and also speak to different groups at meetings, like the Ministry of Environment and Environment Canada," she said. "We were asked to speak to them about cultural relevance, and to the ministers and, I imagine, the federal ministers, as well."

The women's water commission will meet four times a year, not including two water forums that are coming up over the next few months-one in February and a women's water workshop in the fall. Though the reigning theme is water, the topics for discussion could range from wasting water and water pollution to soil erosion and the decimation of forests-it's all of equal importance to the commission, said Ms. Mandamin.

The group has only been in existence for three months, but already Ms. Mandamin is pleased with the response to the women's efforts.

"It's going very well," she said. "We are busy. We've received invitations from the provincial government, Environment Canada and the Ministry of Natural Resources to speak about the role we have as women with water and some of the things we see as a need to do to protect the water and how we can do that in terms of the spiritual aspect."

The commission may have the ear of the government, but an equally important aspect of their mandate is to encourage more sensible use of water amongst all Ontarians, and science, she says, is proving that humans need to do their part to conserve.

"It's rewarding in terms of the science and the Native understanding coming together," she said. "The science is on our side in terms of climate change and the environment. We believe we can make changes in the world if people start thinking about how they waste water in their own household and how they can cut back."

For Ms. Mandamin, one way to do that is by fasting-with no food or water-for four days four times a year. The exercise is in keeping with her cultural beliefs, but she believes it is one way in which everyone can make a contribution, while learning to recognize water as a finite resource.

"If a million people all did that once or twice a year, imagine how that person would feel after having done that," she mused. "They'd be contributing by not using water, and learn to appreciate water. After I fast, I really appreciate the first little bit of water given to me. It's precious."

Eventually, if water resources do dwindle to the point that new resources must be found, Ms. Mandamin believes that the greater population will turn to the First Nations, which are often considered the most pristine areas, because they have largely been untouched and First Nations people are seen as protectors of the environment. But she believes the responsibility for conservation lies beyond the reserves.

"It's not only our responsibility as First Nations people, but the responsibility of other, non-Native nations to walk with us and help us, including scientists, politicians and taxpayers," she said.

It's a message she will continue to spread as she practises for her upcoming walk. April may still be three months away, but already the enthusiastic trekker has laced up her shoes and set out to start training for her spring expedition.

When asked whether she was looking forward to this final installment of her journey, she didn't hesitate.

"I am," she laughed. "I love walking."

EDITORIAL

Tehkummah first responders model of community service

There are so many volunteer organizations on Manitoulin that it would, literally, make one's head spin to try to list them all, or even most of them.

The fact is their work does smooth the path for the rest of us.

There is an old saying-guaranteed not to mean much to young and healthy people-that holds that "if you don't have your health, you don't have anything."

We have physicians' clinics, nurse practitioners, emergency wards, public health nurses, visiting home-care and in-patient hospital services, among others, that see us through the health issues that beset us as we live our lives in the ordinary way around our homes and in our communities.

But there is one volunteer organization that, in its community, is on the very front lines of emergency health care and is in every respect a throwback to the not-so-distant days of volunteer ambulance services.

Tehkummah boasts Manitoulin's last First Response Team. At one point there were three: Tehkummah, Manitowaning and Mindemoya. The latter two morphed into full-time ambulance services many years ago but the Tehkummah volunteers continue to respond to about 35 calls a year, stabilizing victims and providing first aid and CPR until an ambulance arrives. (Like the other emergency service, they are dispatched by the 911 folks.)

This writer had the privilege of spending this past weekend as the guest of the Tehkummah first responders as they gave up two days to upgrade their skills through a combination of lectures and practice scenarios.

The good-natured banter among the veterans of the First Response organization in Tehkummah in no way masks how seriously the group takes both its volunteer work in the community and its commitment to learning new and better ways to manage victims of accidents and other health crises experienced by the people of Tehkummah and area, together with those who visit the area seasonally or only pass through it.

One common theme in the back-and-forth conversation is the isolation first responders feel when they've dealt with a traumatic incident, often involving people they know. All information about what they do, of course, goes no further than the group of trained volunteers, and as the team leader noted, "we lose more volunteers then we gain" because of this stress.

But in the weekend session, there was one brand-new candidate for training, as well as another who was returning after a breathing spell.

It's an impressive group with an equally impressive commitment to life saving and emergency care, the organization's mandate.

Many of the Tehkummah First Response Team are also members of the community's volunteer fire department so, between the two organizations, there is a lot of training-and on-the-scene activity-that goes on.

It's certain that, some weeks, many of the volunteers would not see normal adrenaline levels, as they go about their normal work and family lives.

The Tehkummah First Response Team is unique but precisely because of this it serves as a beacon-like inspiration for us all to do as much for our communities as we possibly can.

Letters to the Editor

Kudos go out to our emergency responders

It's reassuring to know local crews are well trained

To the Expositor:

I would like to commend our Island emergency responders for a job well done. On Wednesday, January 9, during a very high wind storm, a friend became caught in a thick pack of ice in a small aluminum boat on Manitowaning Bay. He was trying to retrieve another boat that had been blown off shore while he was repairing a damaged water line.

It became apparent that he could not be rescued by any conventional means and the OPP and local Manitowaning fire department were contacted.

Chief Allan Elliot requested the assistance of NEMI's fire department and their ice-rescue team.

Within 45 minutes the OPP, paramedics, and Manitowaning and NEMI fire departments were at the site.

All the emergency responders should be commended for a job well done, but my hat especially goes off to the two young NEMI firemen who crawled approximately 300 feet across the pack of ice to tie a rope onto the boat.

Though they were wearing dry suits and roped off to shore, this was still a very physically exhausting and extremely dangerous feat. Although my friend was not in any immediate danger, it is still reassuring to know that we have such highly trained professionals to respond to calls of this nature.

John McCabe

Manitowaning

Community lauded for supporting Northeast Town firefighters

Staying back from the scene is critical

To the Expositor:

The Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands fire department would like to thank all those that helped to keep them warm during a fire in Little Current on Sunday, January 20. Several neighbours including Jenna, Nathan and Graham Benton, Peggy Young, Tom McMurray, the local OPP, Bruce O'Hare and staff of the Anchor Inn, brought the firefighters hot beverages and snacks to help them through the early morning hours.

We would also like to thank Assignack firefighter Dunkin McDonald for his role in helping refill air bottles for the front-line firefighters. The thoughtfulness of these individuals was greatly appreciated! It is nice to have the support of the community when a crisis is occurring. It is emotional and difficult when fighting any fire, but when it involves a home it is even that much more difficult. 

The fire department realizes that when there is a fire, community members are concerned and come to see if they can help. The biggest help of all is to stay back from the scene so that the firefighters can do their job. The last thing any one wants is a spectator getting injured. 

Again thank you to the community for showing your support and help by providing shelter for both the homeowners and the firefighters.

Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands Fire Department

Joanne Parsons

Island Pub

Mindemoya

I'm your neighbour

"Be right with you," smiles Joanne Parsons. "Just have to deliver two milks."

While you might think of the Island Pub in Mindemoya as a place where beer is the beverage of choice, it's also a family restaurant, and on this evening there are as many people dining on wings (half price on Thursdays) and quaffing calcium-rich drinks as there are swilling lagers and ales.

Ms. Parsons, a slender and easygoing redhead who hails from Toronto, is happy to deliver any menu option to the table. If called upon, she'll probably listen to a few booze-fuelled blues, too. "I'm a bartender, server, whatever you want to call me," she says.

The Kagawong resident moved to Manitoulin in the mid-1990s, after a corporate career in the Big Smoke, and while she admits "it took a couple of years" to adjust to the Island pace of life, she's now hooked. Enough so that, three years ago, she bought a house and "put my roots down," she says. "People up here are nice and trusting, and there's a good school system."

Kids Jeff and Sam (that would be a female Sam) both graduated from Manitoulin Secondary, and have now gone on to study photography and fine art, respectively. "I'm not good at this empty nest thing," Ms. Parsons admits. "So I like to keep busy."

Working at the Island Pub keeps her on her toes, particularly in the summer, although it seems plenty busy on this mid-week winter evening, too. "We really appreciate the regulars in winter," remarks Ms. Parsons. "And we're trying to promote the restaurant aspect, because a lot of people don't realize that we have good food."

A different special is offered each night, and lately the "pub" has begun offering theme nights on Wednesdays, serving up various types of international fare. After a culinary tour of Europe through most of January, Asian cuisine is queued up for this week.

Ms. Parsons enjoys the variety of the work, as well as the camaraderie of her coworkers and the "integrity of the owners." That, and their sense of humour. "They also make me laugh," she says.

With her two kids having flown the coop, the customers and staff at the Island Pub have become something of a surrogate family, along with, of course, the three cats that her children have left in her lap.

When not working, Ms. Parsons enjoys reading, and has lately reprised an interest in photography-in large part because son Jeff, a talented shutterbug, inspired her to revisit the form. "I'm getting back into it," she says.

Her main pastime, though, "is work," she laughs. "I really like to keep busy."

Patronizing businesses like the Island Pub provides lasting employment for people like Joanne Parsons.