Cormorant nests dwindle on Huron due to natural ebb

and vigilante culls MNR_survey shows nine colonies

'shot up' on Georgian Bay, N. Channel

by Jim Moodie

NORTH CHANNEL-Vigilante culling of cormorants at Lake Huron colonies reached a new peak last year, according to observations made by Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) personnel during their annual survey of nesting sites.

Findings obtained by the Expositor through a Freedom of Information request show that nine cormorant colonies between Parry Sound and Blind River, including several in the vicinity of Manitoulin, were raided last spring by unknown individuals who left a trail of smashed eggs, dead chicks and spent ammunition in their wake.

Jim Sloss, chair of the United Fish and Game Clubs of Manitoulin (UFGCM), said his organization had no role in this blitz. "We haven't organized it and haven't taken part in it," he said. "Nor have we asked people to go out and do it themselves."

He does, however, understand why it might have occurred. "People are very frustrated by the lack of action on cormorants," he said. "Studies have shown this is a serious problem, but nothing is done about it."

The UFGCM was poised to conduct its own citizen-led cull in the spring of 2005, gaining hundreds of signatures of volunteers who were prepared to take part in the act of civil disobedience, but backed off at the last minute.

"We withdrew our position on that, and that's the way it has been," said Mr. Sloss. "It's not something we propose as a proper method. It's definitely a last resort."

While the renegade culls have contributed to a decrease in active colonies and a general downswing in the cormorant population on Lake Huron, they could not have been the only, or even the most significant, factor in this trend.

Almost a third of the colonies (32 of 114) visited by the MNR in 2007 were found to be deserted, and it wasn't the case that cormorants were breeding in more concentrated numbers at the remaining sites, as 1,199 fewer nests were found across the North Channel and Georgian Bay study area. Nor were the birds establishing much in the way of new hatching grounds, as only one new colony, containing 59 nests, was documented.

A collapse of the alewife population, due to winter weather and salmonid predation, is cited as the main reason for the downturn in the number of cormorants, which peaked in 2000/'01 and has dwindled since.

The most conspicuous type of fish seen around nest sites last year by the MNR was round gobies (an invasive species) and crayfish, along with yellow perch, rock bass and burbot, but in general "the amount of fish seen at nests this season is much lower than in previous years," the report notes.

More surprising and disturbing to the MNR was the level of colony destruction that occurred last year, as such activity is both a violation of laws protecting the bird and a threat to public safety.

"The cormorant is a federally protected bird," said MNR spokesman Barry Radford. "And the time when they're hatching is also a time when people are coming to their cottages and are out in boats, so safety is of major concern with actions like this."

The MNR estimates that between the birds that were shot (or clubbed), and the eggs that would have hatched into birds had they not been crushed, about 3,000 cormorants were removed through the rogue action.

One colony, according to the MNR report, "had approximately 50 dead chicks which appeared to be shot with shotguns, with many eggs smashed in nests." Another was strewn with 250 carcasses of adults and hatchlings, while only 20 adults and one chick remained alive; among the nests, the MNR found empty shotgun shells and cartridge box for a .22-calibre rifle.

The most carnage occurred at an island where all 493 nests "contained dead young birds or smashed eggs," according to the MNR report. Three adults had been slain by a shotgun and the ministry observer estimated that 250 chicks "were shot or clubbed."

Frontier justice carried out the preceding year had left a lasting impact in at least one location. "This colony was shot up last year (2006) with dead young left in tree nests," notes the MNR observer. "All nests appear to be abandoned this year."

Other evidence of human disturbance found at colonies included a scarecrow that had been erected at one site, and yellow paint that had been splattered around the nests of another.

For Julie Woodyer of Cormorant Defenders International, such behaviour is "sadistic and cruel." Particularly offensive to her is the notion that someone might club a chick in its nest. "It's one thing to kill an animal," she said. "But to beat them and leave them to die in the nest is heartless."

The animal rights activist said that, apart from being a violation of the Wildlife Act, incidents of this nature could be considered a criminal code offence, as section 446 of the code can be brought to bear on anyone who would "willfully cause or allow unnecessary pain, suffering, or injury to an animal."

Ms. Woodyer said she is "not surprised" to learn that some people have taken the law into their own hands to deal with cormorants. "It has occurred on Lake Ontario previously, and I know people in the North are frustrated because they feel the MNR isn't doing anything and they're told by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters that it's a big, serious problem."

But the problem is being overstated, in her view. "If cormorants can survive here, that means the lakes are starting to heal and there are lots and lots of feeder fish," she said. At the same time, cormorant numbers are on the ebb across the Great Lakes. "It's how it goes with nature," she reasoned. "It gradually gets to equilibrium, and we're pretty much there with cormorants now."

The situation doesn't seem so rosy to Mr. Sloss, who maintains that the birds have done irreparable harm to the sport fishery, and that MNR studies, including the latest one conducted on the Island's inland lakes, bear that out. "Having all this information, there is a strong need for an action plan," he said. "But I don't see that happening."

The MNR began its long-term study of cormorant impact on Georgian Bay and the North Channel waters in 1999, with several rounds of experimental egg-oiling conducted in the ensuing years to see if this method of control would yield appreciable results. The tactic was abandoned last year as it was deemed ineffective in a limited scope.

"One of the problems when you get into cormorant control is that when you remove some, other cormorants just move in," said Mr. Radford. "If it's done, it has to be done on a massive scale, and in a controlled fashion that takes public safety into account."

The Natural Resources minister has not yet been convinced that such a far-ranging program is warranted, although the matter is still under consideration, said Mr. Radford, and the Georgian Bay/North Channel study, though scaled back, is not entirely wrapped up. "We're just part of a more international research effort now," said the MNR spokesman.

As for the incidents of colony disruption, Mr. Radford said an investigation was launched but no individuals have yet been charged. He noted that it's difficult to catch anyone in the act, as the sites are generally remote and someone could "go in and do a heck of an amount of destruction within an hour, while watching the horizon for any boats that might be approaching."

Consequently, the ministry is hoping the public will come forward with tips regarding the incidents.

Tehkummah questions Hwy. 6 repair plan

by Alicia McCutcheon

TEHKUMMAH-The stretch of Highway 6 from South Baymouth to Manitowaning is known among Islanders and visitors alike for its beautiful scenery and picturesque pastures, but it's fast becoming known for something else-one bumpy ride.

"It's a disgrace," said South Baymouth resident Nancy Leeson. "What more can I say? It needs to be fixed."

Ms. Leeson, the proprietor of the Wigwam Gift Shoppe, said more than one person has spoken to her about the state of the road, which she calls "atrocious." With the amount of big-truck ferry traffic Highway 6 sees, she guesses it will only get worse this summer.

The constant freeze and thaw cycle that has been witnessed on Manitoulin this winter has been hard on the old highway and Tehkummah reeve, and Brown's Bussing proprietor and driver, Gary Brown knows all about it.

"It's really hard on the buses," he explained. "The bus is down to 50-60 kilometres per hour when it should be going the speed limit. On top of that you have to avoid all of the potholes. If the buses went any faster the kids would be flying all around."

At the last regular meeting of Tehkummah council, a resolution was passed to raise awareness to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and MPP Mike Brown over concerns about the state of Highway 6.

"We talk about Cardwell Street being rough but this is really bad," the reeve said. "There are some holes almost one-foot deep and near the Hilly Grove cemetery, one side of the road is eight centimetres higher than the other."

Tehkummah reeve and council have written letters to Mr. Brown and the MTO before and this year is no different. The letters have not gone unnoticed by the member, who acts as parliamentary assistant to the MTO minister.

"Gary Brown, and others, have made us quite aware of the road," the MPP said.

"The Ministry (of Transportation) is well aware and will be doing some remediation on the worst spots of the highway this construction season."

He noted that, right now, Highway 6 is getting all of the attention on the opposite side, closer to Espanola.

The Northern Ontario capital program for highway work currently has 23 kilometres of work, north from Highway 542, scheduled for 2010.

"It may be a road that needs to be accelerated in the program," the MPP said.

But as it stands now, travellers of Highway 6 will have to wait two years for a real fix.

While Bob White of White's Shell in Manitowaning agrees that the road is "absolutely terrible," the combination of Highway 6 and Cardwell Street has been bringing him a lot of business.

Mr. White explained that his garage has been seeing plenty of suspension-related problems such as shocks, struts and bushings as well as bushing and alignment issues.

"People are inadvertently hitting potholes," he said. "Brand new parts are failing within their warranty and its not because the parts are bad-I stand by the warranties-they're being subjected to ill treatment."

"This road is over 30 years old," Mr. White continued. "This is poor planning on the government's part. It makes you wonder just where the money goes."

Reeve Brown, Ms. Leeson and Mr. White all agree-the patching of the highway set to happen this summer is a "band-aid solution."

"We're going to be bouncing all over the road for a while to come," Reeve Brown said.

Ethanol fuels are our new normal

We're putting a little grain in our gas tanks now

by Jim Moodie

MANITOULIN-Got that happy fuelling yet?

Ethanol-blended gas made its debut at Manitoulin pumps earlier this year, providing motorists with a fill-up option that proponents claim is both kinder to the environment and easier on engines.

In early January, stations supplied by Manitoulin Fuels underwent site conversions to allow for the dispensing of Shell's E10 blend, which is composed of 10 percent ethanol, while Esso outlets serviced by McDougall Fuels also began flowing a 5 percent ethanol blend through their nozzles. Petro-Can stations, supplied by New North, are not currently carrying the blend but will likely be joining the trend soon.

The move was precipitated by the province, which has mandated that all gasoline sold in Ontario must now contain an annual average of 5 percent ethanol-a form of liquid alcohol derived from corn, wheat and sometimes forest waste.

In a document titled "Feel better about filling up," the province contends that this shift "will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 800,000 tonnes-equivalent to taking 200,000 cars off the road."

Ethanol is not without its critics, who argue that the use of fuel and fertilizer in its production negates the fuel's environmental benefit, while also driving up the cost of crops and food. But the reigning view seems to be that the grain-derived gas is a legitimate alternative-one that not only requires less energy to produce than conventional petrol, but burns cleaner when used, thus cutting down on carbon emissions.

Not all grades of gas at local pumps contain ethanol. "For Shell, it's only in regular and mid-grade gasoline," pointed out Steve Shaw, manager of Manitoulin Fuels. "Shell doesn't make a premium grade with ethanol." Consequently, the V-Power grade you see at the Shell pumps is still ethanol-free.

It's similar with the McDougall-supplied Esso stations. Darren McDougall, president of the company, said "all of our gas at the Esso stations as well as the cardlock (in Little Current) has a 5 percent blend except the premium."

Fuel suppliers are confident that any car on today's roads (well, any car built after 1970, at any rate) will run just fine on the ethanol blend. "We've been using ethanol in company vehicles since it was introduced, and use it in our personal vehicles," Mr. Shaw noted. "There's no detrimental effect."

Drivers could even experience improvements in their engine's performance, since "the product has alcohol in it, and this acts as a cleaning agent," said Mr. Shaw. According to the federal Office of Energy Efficiency, "ethanol helps maintain cleaner engines and helps clean out the fuel-injection systems." And not only can ethanol withstand winter use, it actually functions as a form of gas-line antifreeze.

As for the price, it's no different than conventional gas. Suppliers did have to dig into their own pockets to accommodate the new fuel at their outlets, but aren't passing this cost on to the consumer.

The downside for drivers is that they will "most likely lose 3 percent of fuel economy," noted Mr. Shaw, and may have to change their fuel filter a bit more often, since ethanol is so good at flushing gunk out of engines.

More questions exist regarding the fuel's appropriateness for "a small engine running a high RPM, like a chainsaw," conceded Mr. Shaw. "But it's been recommended for many years that you should be using premium gas for that anyway, and Shell's premium gas doesn't have ethanol."

Mr. McDougall doesn't perceive an issue with an ethanol blend being used in two- or four-stroke engines, noting "people have been buying the gas for snowblowers and other equipment that runs off small engines, but we haven't had any negative impact at all."

Some snowmobile drivers have been leery of using the new fuel for their sleds, although "a lot have come through and put (ethanol-blended) regular in their snowmobiles this winter," noted Tracy Still, office administrator for McDougall's Little Current headquarters.

Mr. Shaw said that opinions vary among the dealers he's contacted. One Ski-Doo dealer warns people away from using the ethanol blend, he related, while an Arctic Cat dealer "said it was fine."

Most marine outboard motors should be compatible with the biofuel, said Mr. Shaw, pointing out that manufacturers like Bombardier and Mercury "warranty their engines for up to 10 percent ethanol." The problem for boaters, if there is one, would be with the tank. "If your boat has a built-in tank, there's no guarantee it would be compatible," he warned.

The Manitoulin Fuels manager said that some of the underground tanks located at Shell stations on the Island were found to be unsuitable for storage of an ethanol blend, so adjustments had to be made before they were ethanol-ready. All tanks had to be cleaned of potential contaminants, while pumps also had to be equipped with special filters. And since water and ethanol shouldn't mix, steps have been taken by the dealer and supply network to "prevent water infiltration and identify potential problems," he communicated.

But despite the challenges that went into setting the stations up to handle the ethanol blend, Mr. Shaw said the introduction "has proceeded extremely well, with little or no impact on the motoring public."

Many people don't even know that they're filling up with ethanol-supplemented gas, Mr. McDougall noted, since "there hasn't been a big advertising campaign" and most pumps don't have any signage indicating that there's an ethanol component in the fuel.

But it's not a new phenomenon. "Ethanol has been around for years from independent suppliers," he said. "It's just that the major oil companies like Shell, Esso and Petro-Canada don't manufacture it, so there wasn't an incentive until the government legislated it."

He expects that diesel will be the next variety of fuel forced to go a bit green. "Biodiesel will be legislated at 2 percent by 2012," he said. "So by then we'll have a blend of renewable fuel in both diesel and gas."

Harvest your garden and come to the markets!

Farmers' markets seek homegrown produce

by Alicia McCutcheon

MANITOULIN-It is the hope of the Manitoulin Farmers' Market Association (MFMA) to see more fresh produce at the three Island markets-Little Current, Gore Bay and Mindemoya-this growing season and its members have come up with a unique approach to make getting those extra greens a reality.

The MFMA has been traveling to each of its market communities, encouraging local gardeners to come and learn about the organization and how they can make a bit of extra money selling all of their extra zucchinis and cucumbers-or whatever happens to have grown in excess that season-at the farmers' market.

"I say zucchini because it seems to be the rabbit of the vegetable world in terms of reproduction," laughed Ted Smith of Evansville's Gypsy Family Farms and MFMA executive.

Mr. Smith gave a talk on the gardener's co-op, as it is being called, at the Anchor Inn in Little Current last week, explaining that the number one reason people come to the markets are for the fresh fruits and vegetables.

The MFMA would like to see home gardeners with excess produce to sell set up at a table at their area market. To do this, the gardener would buy an MFMA membership but, unlike the rest of the market vendors, the table fee would be waived. The co-op gardeners could expect to take up about one third of a table with other hobby gardeners. If a person needs more space than that, they should be a regular vendor, Mr. Smith said.

"The grower is responsible for the produce," he continued. "People want a face to go with their food and to ask questions and get honest, responsible answers."

To join the co-op, there are some basic rules the green thumb must follow. For example, growers cannot earn more than $80 per market-to earn above this would mean the gardener should be a regular market vendor.

The growers are also encouraged to stay, unless they are sold out, until the market is closed so as not to disrupt the market, Mr. Smith added. The co-op vendors would not be allowed to undercut the large vendors, so the prices must be kept in the same neighbourhood (10 to 15 percent) and will be monitored by the market managers.

The table space is reserved for fresh fruits and vegetables-grown on Manitoulin-only.

Genevieve Eshkibok, who attended the Little Current meeting, is a grower hoping to establish a  market for Manitowaning and Wikwemikong and said she knows plenty of people in Wiky who would benefit from the program.

Mr. Smith stressed the importance of the co-op vendors coming to the market as much as possible and over the entire course of the season and, of course, letting the market manager know beforehand when they are coming so proper space can be arranged.

"Island growers go through a lot to put things on the table," he said, noting the constant flux in weather conditions, pests and vermin on Manitoulin.

Becoming a member of the MFMA allows gardeners and farmers to network and gain new knowledge into dealing with the aforementioned issues. "Ducks love potato bugs!" Mr. Smith pointed out, as one example of a chemical-free alternative to pest control.

 "We're facing a new barrage of new pests in the area and it will be a while until the natural checks and balances take place," he said. "Island growers also have to deal with deer, groundhogs, rabbits, skunks, raccoons and mice in plague proportions. The MFA can be a source of information for home gardeners to help with these things."

Island soil conditions also make for tricky growing thanks to alkaline, clay, sand and rock.

Mr. Smith urges gardeners to get creative when they're choosing what to grow this season.

"Don't stick with the tried and true," he said. "Anyone can go to the grocery store and buy a regular cucumber or a cardboard tomato. Our carrots come like a box of Crayola crayons-white, yellow, purple, and orange. Our tomatoes tipped the scale at four pounds last year!"

Ms. Eshkibok noted that the public, so accustomed to store-bought produce of all kinds in any season, has lost the knowledge of what grows when.

"We need to educate the public," she said, suggesting a chart displaying the growing season of various plants should be displayed at the markets, as well as distributed to Manitoulin growers.

Mr. Smith explained that in order to make sales at the markets, there are certain things a vendor can do. The simplest thing is interaction.

"You need to be up with the customers, not sitting behind the table or reading a book," he said. "Get a hook. Rick Bobbit brings live chickens to his table and I have peacock feathers to give to children."

"The farmer's market is a show-almost a circus," Mr. Smith continued. "Wear bright colours and silly hats-whatever it takes. You've got to have faith in what you're selling."

Statistics were shared for the 2007 market year. Nine thousand people visited the Gore Bay market last year, 8,000 people went to Mindemoya and 3,000 stopped in at Little Current, the MFMA's newest market, which was relocated from downtown to the rec centre last year.

In Little Current, every $7.89 spent at market meant another $23.94 spent in the community, the MFMA calculates. Over half a million dollars of economic activity was generated on Manitoulin as a direct result of the three farmers' markets on Manitoulin, the group says.

"We have the land and all the possibilities, we just need to utilize it-people just need to get on the ball," Ms. Eskibok said. "There's so much potential for Island growers, as far as your imagination goes."

For more information on the gardeners co-op program, contact Vincente Belenson in Gore Bay at 282-8509, Sophie Pheasant in Little Current at 368-3579, or Maja Mielonen at 377-4471.

EDITORIAL

Volunteers needed to keep Islanders viable

The sun has almost set on another season of Manitoulin Islanders NOJHL Junior 'A' hockey action. The playoffs will all be over and the league winner decided in little more than a week's time.

But for the tiny executive of the Manitoulin Islanders, the work will continue through the spring and summer months as they work on ongoing fundraising strategies.

For the players fortunate enough to find a berth with the Islanders, it's all expenses paid. That includes billets (should they come from other communities), equipment, sticks, travel to away games and ice rental for both practices and game days. Except that they aren't being paid, the players that entertain us at the Friday night home games receive basically the same perks as Major Juniors (OHL players) or even NHL players.

That's why fundraising is a year-round activity.

A recent conversation with one of the Manitoulin Islanders community board members (the half-dozen people presently doing the bulk of this work) ended with the observation that a greater cross-section of community fans who want to keep this level of hockey as a part of the Island's entertainment tapestry must be prepared to help the Islanders executive in sharing the burden of fundraising in the myriad of ways (summer golf tournaments, dinner theatres, Hardy Peltier's country music events, summer and fall barbeques, Islanders merchandise sales) that are necessary to pay the bills and keep the Islanders' franchise alive on Manitoulin Island.

That shouldn't be a difficult call. In addition to the Islanders' executive and the cadre of diligent volunteers who already help out, a look around the Northeastern Manitoulin Recreation Centre at any home game takes in any number of fans who are already experienced volunteers from virtually all of Manitoulin's communities.

The talent is already there, in nascent form. It simply needs to coalesce into an organization and then break down into committees that can take on particular tasks.

It sounds simple when you say (or write) it, but as we all know the reality is not nearly that simple.

Willing volunteers often start out as having been dragged kicking and screaming to an organizational meeting.

When such a meeting is called by the Manitoulin Islanders front office (and we are fairly certain it will be) and if you are already a fan and think you can help, even in a small way, please come out (kicking, screaming or otherwise) and see what tasks need doing.

Next season's team will be coach (and ex-NHL star) Reggie Leach's to choose. It will be a whole new program with lots of excitement.

And being part of the program should be, at the very least, a lot of fun.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Mindemoya creamery adds to allure of local landscape

Saving a part of heritage structure preferable to complete loss

To the Expositor:

While the planned extension to Mindemoya Foodland is a welcome venture, the same cannot be said of the creamery's planned demise.

The creamery is an attractive one-of-a-kind building. It's a unique corner of Mindemoya and a significant part of Manitoulin's history. Modern facilities can and do work well around older structures: doing so adds allure to the local landscape and tourists are attracted to heritage buildings. It makes community sense to incorporate our heritage buildings into our future planning-even keeping just a part of the creamery's fa�ade will surely be more appealing than losing it altogether.

Therese Trainor

Montreal and Spring Bay

All protocols met in providing release papers

to Little NHL players

Decision made according to new rules and regulations

To the Expositor:

On behalf of the Aundeck Omni Kaning Minor Hockey Association (AOKMHA), I would like to respond to the recent letter to the Expositor published on March 12 titled "Parent disappointed that kids did not make LNHL cut."

First of all, the letter writer blames politics for interfering with the decision-making and went on to state that the chief of her community submitted a letter to our chief to request releases for players. The letter writer fails to see that any politics involved was not initiated by the chief of AOK nor the AOKMHA, but the AOK chief was informed and consulted throughout the process and allowed the committee, managers and coaches of the AOKMHA to make their own decisions regarding releases. All proper and necessary protocols were met and acted upon by the AOKMHA as outlined within the rules and regulations of the Little NHL.

Secondly, the letter writer is upset that the issue of releases was based on territorial rights which were a major change in the rules (although not mentioned in a subsequent article entitled "Annual Little NHL tourney under way in Sault Ste. Marie" in the same Expositor issue). Having been one of the people who participated in the meeting regarding the overhaul of tournament rules, I welcomed many of the changes and applaud the Little NHL committee for the rule changes. The new amendments and changes may not be perfect, but they are a welcome change and positive direction for the Little NHL. Furthermore, all players were released and forms submitted to appropriate personnel and any questions about player releases by the AOKMHA were addressed by the Little NHL committee.

Thirdly, and most importantly, the letter writer did not contact any of the AOK managers, coaches or committee members directly to see if there was room for her kids on the team in question. Up until the final day of registration in Sault Ste. Marie, AOK was still looking for players in many of the five divisions in which they were participating in order to have a full roster. After discussions with the manager and coaches in the peewee division, I was informed that the players in question would have been welcomed to join the AOK team if they had been informed or aware of the availability of these players as we had other Sheguiandah players registered and playing on the team.

Lastly, being based a small community ourselves, the AOKMHA realizes that exclusion is not an option for us and seek to have input from other communities who are not forwarding a team or are unable to because of the lack of players to ice a team. Over the years, the AOK teams participating have relied on the neighboring communities to ensure a successful hockey program involved in the Little NHL.

We thank the letter writer for her concerns and are sorry that her family members were unable to participate in the Little NHL. This issue will be addressed at the AOKMHA annual general meeting next month to prevent future occurrences from happening to our and any other youth.

Peter (Benji) Nahwegahbo, president

Aundeck Omni Kaning Minor Hockey Association

Natalie Duck

Loco Beanz

Little Current

I'm your neighbour

Natalie Duck is a new face on Little Current's main drag, but not necessarily new to Manitoulin. Natalie can be found charming customers with her smile, pressing paninis, and making a good cup of joe behind the counter of Loco Beanz in Little Current.

For a good majority of her 25 years, Natalie, originally from Espanola, has been summering on Manitoulin with her family.

After returning for a visit this past summer with her fiancZ Jeff, she said she realized the Island is the place for her. A few short months later, Natalie and Jeff had packed their belongings, quit their jobs and left Ottawa for a new life in Sheguiandah. The couple recently bought the huge six-bedroom home along Highway 6 in Sheguiandah village, beside the fields where the beautiful Halflinger horses can be seen grazing.

Natalie said she and Jeff enjoy eating their breakfast while watching the horses in the field behind their home. The pair has been busy with renovations as they hope to turn the massive home into a bed and breakfast one day-their whole intention for moving back to Manitoulin.

Besides the non-stop renovations, when she has a day off, Natalie said she is dreaming for the summer months and cannot wait to go swimming and kayaking in nearby Sheg Bay.

"I can't wait for the snow to leave," she laughed.

Natalie explained that she "loves" working at Loco Beanz and for her boss Shannon Taylor. "She's a great boss," she added.

Frequenting Island business like Loco Beanz in Little Current provides lasting employment for people like Natalie Duck.