Manitoulin Trade Fair runs all weekend long

by Lindsay Kelly

LITTLE CURRENT-In two days, the ninth Manitoulin Trade Fair will return to Little Current, and with more than 161 exhibitors booked for the weekend-long event, the town will be brimming with the latest goods and services manufactured right here in the North.

The LaCloche Manitoulin Business Assistance Corporation (LAMBAC) has taken the reigns in organizing this year's event, and the response has been overwhelming, says LAMBAC general manager Mary Nelder.

Booths were snapped up early, so "for the last two weeks, we've been having to put people on a waiting list in case people, at the very last second, back out. We're full," she says.

Since its inception, the biannual trade fair has been an opportunity for businesses and service providers from LaCloche and Manitoulin to showcase their wares, and the event now lays claim to being "the largest trade fair of retail, trades and services under one roof in Northern Ontario."

This year's fair kicks off at the Little Current-Howland rec centre on Friday at 6 pm and goes until 10 pm. It resumes on Saturday at 10 am and runs until 9 pm, and on Sunday, the fair runs from 10 am to 4 pm.

Ms. Nelder says that, despite the cancellation of the fair last year, vendors have continued to show great support.

"We've had a fantastic response this year," she says. "When we had to cancel the fair last year, we gave people a choice of leaving their registration in or refunding their registration, or giving them a portion of their refund. We wondered whether people would come back, but it's been fantastic. Except for two, every single group that registered last year has come back, and many more besides."

More than 200 booths have been registered by 161 vendors, which will feature everything from handmade items to construction companies and everything in between. In addition, there will be two rest areas for fair attendees to rest and pause in between booth visits: one in the curling club area of the rec centre, and another in one of the dressing rooms in the arena side.

Jake's Home Centre will host a furniture showcase in the main hall upstairs; the Lion's Den will house the Manitoulin Toy Library; pony rides, Bouncing Maryland and more will be available for kids in the parking lot; and Mad Science, a science experiment-type feature from Science North, will set up an ongoing workshop on the lower level.

"There will be lots of things to keep the kids busy, and lots of things to interest mom and dad, too," Ms. Nelder says.

The Anchor Inn Bar and Grill will be running a grill all weekend through the curling club kitchen, and a host of entertainers will be on hand throughout the weekend.

Jonathan Poenn and his string quartet will entertain folks on Friday night. Saturday afternoon and evening will feature the rock stylings of Jamie Mohammed and the Rockerfellers, and Mark Seed will play on Sunday. A strolling minstrel, featuring Doug Hore and his violin, will meander through the fair on Friday and Sunday.

Tickets for the event are $3 for a single admission and $8 for a family. Visitors to the trade fair can also enter their names into a door prize for a weekend for two at Green Bay Lodge and a digital camera from MSD Computers.

MNR_plants adult pickerel in waters of Kagawong Lake

by Jim Moodie

LAKE KAGAWONG-Water trickled from bulging nets and bystanders snapped pictures as dozens of large walleye were transferred from a Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) tanker truck to the waters of Lake Kagawong last Friday.

The adult fish, weighing an average of eight pounds, had been collected earlier that morning from Lake Manitou, which boasts a robust population of the species, technically known as yellow pickerel. "There could be 40,000 or more walleye in Lake Manitou, so it's not going to change that fishery whatsoever," assured MNR biologist Wayne Selinger.

Eventually 200 adult walleye will be moved from Lake Manitou to Lake Kagawong as part of several stocking initiatives the MNR is undertaking this year. Friday's batch of about 50 represented the first transfer, with two more expected to occur on Monday and Friday of this week.

Mr. Selinger explained that the fish were collected with trap nets in an area of Lake Manitou near Wee Point resort that was already being netted for egg harvesting by Paul Methner of the Blue Jay Creek Fish Culture Station, which co-operated in the transfer project. And while he anticipated that some denizens of Lake Manitou might feel as if their stock of walleye is being unfairly raided, "the transfer was vetted through the Lake Manitou cottagers' assocation, which had no objections," he noted. "And I have no concerns biologically with Manitou being affected."

As for Kagawong, the new arrivals aren't an entirely new species for the lake. "This isn't an introduction-they're here," said Mr. Selinger. "There is a population already that is reproducing, but it's at a low density, so we're just hoping we can give it a boost."

Mr. Selinger noted that "the MNR moved 800 adults here in the 1980s," and while those fish did proceed to spawn and proliferate to some extent, the population hasn't burgeoned in the way it has on Lake Manitou. Still, "the lake's proven it can support them because there is natural reproduction."

On hand to witness the first stocking of walleye in over 20 years were a number of Lake Kagawong residents and angling enthusiasts who helped tote the sagging nets to the end of the Perivale dock and release the fish into their new watery home.

Among those present was Jim Sloss, co-chair of the United Fish and Game Clubs of Manitoulin (UFGCM). "I think it's wonderful," he remarked of the stocking program. "They're making an attempt to revive the sport fishery, which is critical, because we've lost a lot of fish from cormorants and invasive species."

Brian Parker, a Billings Township councillor, said he hoped anglers would not view the stocking as a "put and take fishery," but rather "honour what they're putting in" by releasing any large pickerel that are caught in the next few years to allow the fishery to gain a foothold.

Mr. Sloss concurred, advising fishermen to practise catch and release as well report their catches to the MNR.

"This is a big lake, and once established there should be lots to go around," said Mr. Selinger. "But we can't stock it forever, so half of what will make this work is people respecting what we're trying to do here. If people are catching 10-pound walleye this summer, it would be nice to see them let them go."

The MNR plans to continue stocking the lake for five years. This will involve not only more transfers of adults but also the release of walleye fingerlings, in batches of about 50,000 per year, said the MNR biologist. "We're going to give it a try over the next five years," he indicated.

As the hefty pickerel released on Friday flicked their fins and slunk off into the depths of Kagawong, Mr. Selinger said it would be interesting to see how well they flourish in their first year. "We're hoping they'll spawn right away but obviously it's stressful for them to be moved. One of these big females probably has a million eggs, but whether they complete their cycle or not this year, we don't know."

If an egg-laden fish is stressed or doesn't find an appropriate spawning bed, the eggs are simply absorbed into its system, and spawning will await another year, the biologist noted.

Kagawong isn't the only lake being stocked this summer. Manitou, from whence Kagawong's new walleye originate, will be receiving 10,000 Nipigon-strain brook trout annually for five years, beginning with an initial release this summer.

The Nipigon-type brook trout is considered a trophy fish, and Mr. Selinger said they could grow in Lake Manitou to as large as nine pounds. "We're going to plant a couple of thousand to get started over the next couple of weeks," he said.

Old CP railway right-of-way from McKerrow to Little Current on auction block

by Jim Moodie

LACLOCHE-A coalition of groups eager to secure access to the old railbed between Little Current and Espanola for use as a multi-purpose trail fears its goal may be derailed by a deal with another party.

Brad Middleton of the Manitoulin Snowdusters said that word spread during a recent annual general meeting of the Northeastern district of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) that the railbed's owner, Huron Central Railway (HCR), is poised to sell the property to Alexander Centre Industries Limited (ACIL), which operates Fisher Harbour.

Norm Hein, operations director of the Sudbury Trail Plan, said he'd "heard ACIL is looking at the ore shipped from Voisey's Bay and is interested in purchasing (the railbed) from Huron Central," although he stressed that this information wasn't "official."

Reached at his Montreal office, Huron Central president Mario Brault was tight-lipped about a possible deal. "I would rather not comment on this rumour," he said. While freely conceding that "we've been looking at disposing of this property for several years," he said he "could not confirm" that ACIL was a prospective buyer.

Attempts were made to reach ACIL chairman Jamie Wallace, but calls had not been returned as of press time.

Last year, the Expositor was able to confirm that the compnay had an interest in acquiring Goat Island, the southern terminus of the rail line.

Dennis Lendrum, president of the Rainbow Country Snowmobile Association, said he's "believed for some time that Huron Central is interested in selling it, but I don't have any idea who's interested."

Negotiations between the regional snowmobile association and Huron Central proceeded to a point last year where it seemed that a lease agreement-through which the OFSC would provide liability insurance in exchange for use of the route-was imminent. But the rail company backed away from signing the pact at the last minute.

"The only reason they went apart from us was that they thought they might have an offer," said Mr. Lendrum. "But I know we're still at the table with Huron Central, so if the deal they're doing right now falls through, they could still be interested in looking at us for use of the property."

The quest to gain access to the disused rail line has gained extra momentum in recent weeks through the formation of a regional trail council supported by various user groups, including hikers, snowmobilers, ATV enthusiasts and others.

The first priority of the fledgling LaCloche-Manitoulin Regional Trails Council, hatched at a meeting sponsored by the LaCloche Manitoulin Business Assistance Corporation (LAMBAC) two weeks ago, would be the railbed, indicated LAMBAC economic development officer John Foster, since it provides so much potential for various uses as well as links both geographical areas the council represents.

Mr. Lendrum, who represented snowmobiling interests at the economic partners' meeting put on by LAMBAC, believes that co-operation with hiking groups and others will be key in gaining use of the route. "It's a good test case for everyone to work on," he said, "especially if the government could kick in some funding to buy it."

Rather than see the land go to a private interest, Mr. Lendrum would like to see the province, which has funds available for trail development through a new Trillium Trails program, or the federal government, or both, contribute to acquiring the corridor. While the route runs roughly 40 kilometres in length, the land itself "is only about 60 acres, because it's narrow," Mr. Lendrum noted, so the price tag wouldn't be as exorbitant as one might think.

The snowmobile association president has contacted MP Brent St. Denis on the matter, who in turn corresponded with Huron Central to see what possibilities exist for recreational use of the railbed.

Writing in late March, Etienne Laberge of Huron Central indicated that the company "is still considering the application of Rainbow Country Snowmobile Association but cannot provide a timeline to the execution of a potential lease."

The company's reluctance to immediately grant access owes to competing interests and the concerns of some residents of the area, Mr. Laberge indicated. "In undertaking to convert the former railway right-of-way to trail use, HCR needs to take into account the interests of all stakeholders." And this, he argued, requires "a thorough process of consultation, the establishment of a list of items to address, and an action plan, in conjunction with all parties involved."

In his letter, Mr. Laberge further noted that "residents of Willisville, whose town is divided by the line, have brought up a number of legitimate safety issues that still have not been satisfactorily addressed," while the Whitefish River First Nation, whose territory encompasses a significant leg of the rail route, "have vehemently objected to the existence of the trail."

Mr. Lendrum isn't so sure about the latter characterization, noting that his club has had positive dealings with the First Nation regarding trail use. "About seven years ago we entered into a five-year land-use agreement with Whitefish River First Nation to use their property for snowmobile trails from Whitefish Falls to Birch Island and out onto McGregor Bay, and that was recognized as the first one ever in Ontario. It's an example of working together."

The First Nation is currently negotiating with the federal government for a reversion of the right-of-way through its land, since "it was expropriated in the first place for the purpose of railway use, and when something like that is discontinued or abandoned, we have the option of requesting the return of our land," lands manager Esther Osche explained earlier this year.

That process doesn't rule out the First Nation's co-operation on a multi-use trail project, however. A representative of Whitefish River First Nation expressed support of the concept at the recent LAMBAC meeting, for instance, and Ms. Osche, in her remarks earlier this year, also left the door open to an agreement for use of the route through the reserve. "Hopefully the land will be reverted, and later on at some point, if we have a request brought forward, we would look at an inquiry like that," Ms. Osche said.

Encountered last week, Ms. Osche said she had no knowledge of a deal being pursued between Huron Central and ACIL, or any other party. "We're just happily proceeding with our rail reversion," she said.

Mr. Lendrum expressed confidence that "things can be worked out with the railbed, maybe not in its entirety, or immediately, because it will take years to do with bridges needing to be fixed and culverts and what have you. But we have experience in trail building, and if we can get all these parties together-walkers, hikers, ATVs, cyclists-it would be a real good template."

As for the rumour that ACIL may be poised to snap up the asset, possibly for future use as a conduit for Voisey's Bay ore, or another commodity, Mr. Lendrum sensed, or hoped, at any rate, that it was just that: a rumour. "I had an email from Huron Central just two days before that statement got made, and there was nothing to that effect."

In its correspondence with Mr. St. Denis, dated March 26, the rail company similarly made no mention of another suitor. The letter merely cites the obstacles to reaching an agreement for trail use, while noting that they are not insurmountable.

"Rest assured that Huron Central is dedicated to finding a use for the property that will harmonize with the expectations of all stakeholders," Mr. Laberge communicated  in his missive on behalf of the company. He further wrote that, while the concerns of Willisville residents and the priorities of the Whitefish River First Nation "present opposing interests that need to be reconciled if the trail is to serve its intent," these hurdles "are not impossible to overcome."

If there is another interest that is prepared to purchase the railbed, Mr. Lendrum said he hopes "the government steps forward to buy it before it's lost to us." The OFSC itself doesn't have deep enough pockets to purchase a property of this nature, but "it would be ideal for ATVs, walkers, snowmobiles, everybody, so maybe the province would get involved for tourism and fitness," he said.

Mr. Middleton, who has been recruited to explore the railbed possibilities on behalf of the Snowdusters, said that co-operation with other user groups is likely key to any successful bid for access to the route. "I think multi-use is the wave of the future, and in speaking with Brent St. Denis, he wants us to form a loose organization that represents all stakeholders."

The Snowdusters rep conceded that such a coalition is difficult to achieve, particularly given the recent tension that has occurred on the Island between rural property owners and hiking trail advocates regarding a proposed trail for Northeastern Manitoulin.

A consensus was reached, however, by the various parties present for the recent LAMBAC meeting, that a regional entity-representing snowmobilers and ATV riders as well as hikers, naturalists and cyclists-should be created in order to access provincial funds and promote the area as a whole.

Still, "within two days of that our phones were ringing," noted Mr. Middleton, "with landowners on eastern Manitoulin saying that if we get into bed with the trail people, they're not going to be so keen on providing use of their land for snowmobiling."

In his view, the regional trail initiative "is being misinterpreted" by such critics, who unduly fear that it will allow hikers to "trail in on our apron strings"-in other words, begin accessing routes on Manitoulin that are expressly set out for sledders.

That is not the intention of the trail council, however, and Mr. Middleton hopes calmer heads will prevail. "So many people have hard feelings, and the biggest job is to get all these parties to stop shouting at each other," he said.

At the same time, he conceded that "it's a hard sell, because we (the Snowdusters) have been existing on our own quite well. So the only reason to join (the trail council) would be for use of the railway bed."

For snowmobilers, the route is particularly enticing, as it would provide a safe, scenic land link between the North Shore and Manitoulin, eliminating the need to cross dodgy ice on the North Channel. The route could, in Mr. Middleton's view, become a major draw for snowmobilers from across the province, pumping welcome dollars into the local economy.

But to achieve that goal, groups that have become increasingly polarized on Manitoulin will have to join forces, noted Mr. Middleton, "because regardless of who owns it, whether it's Huron Central or ACIL or Ontario, they're not going to give it to just one group."

Manor board will consider all options for management

by Tom Sasvari

MANITOULIN-The Manitoulin Centennial Manor board has passed a resolution to look at all financing options regarding the operation of the facility.

After a Manor board meeting, board member Pentti Palonen explained, "The board passed a resolution for the finance committee to look at all possible financial options for the operations of the Manor."

"I didn't have the chance to put forward the proposal our council (Burpee-Mills Township) had passed," said Mr. Palonen. "It was the feeling of the board to have the finance committee look at all options, which is a very positive way of dealing with this, and hopefully provide some solutions."

Meanwhile, Central Manitoulin Township has reaffirmed it will withhold further payment of its share of funding toward the Manitoulin Centennial Manor budget for 2007 if the province hasn't agreed to provide funding to fund the Manor deficit.

"I asked council if they were in favour of the motion passed by the Township of Burpee and Mills council, and they yes, but they didn't want to go with the same wording," Central Manitoulin Deputy Reeve Sarah Bowerman said after a council meeting last week.

In their motion, Central Manitoulin council did not lobby the Manor board to consider contracting out the entire operation of the Manor.

"Central Manitoulin council had said last year that we would only pay our share of the funding if the province came through as well, and we are holding to that again this year," said Ms. Bowerman.

The motion passed by Central Manitoulin council states in part, "Whereas it appears the Manitoulin Centennial Manor will continue to have a deficit in 2007 and the provincial government has not indicated that it will provide additional funding in 2007; and whereas in the Township of Central Manitoulin motion 033-07 council stated that it would pay its share of the Manitoulin Centennial Manor Budget for 2007, provided that the provincial government agreed to fund the deficit. Now, therefore, the Township of Central Manitoulin reaffirms that it will withhold further payment of its share of the 2007 Manitoulin Centennial Manor budget, and that copies of this motion be forwarded to the Honourable Mike Brown, MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin, and the Manitoulin Municipal Association requesting consideration of this motion."

Leslie Fields, chair of the Manor board, told the Recorder after the board meeting last week, "Our prime interest is the well being of the residents of the Manor."

Ms. Fields pointed out the Manor board does not presently have any scheduled meetings with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) concerning further funding. However, "we will be meeting with the new LHINS (Local Health Integrated Networks) in June, which have invited all the chairs of the long-term care facilities in this district to meet with them."

EDITORIAL

Shopping local provides employment for our neighbours

On Manitoulin Island, indeed anywhere in Northern Ontario, every job counts. Every job is important.

In our small towns and First Nations, having a job of some kind usually means the difference between being able to stay on Manitoulin...or not.

The other side of this observation is that oft-quoted statement: "our young people are our biggest export." In a nutshell, young people from Manitoulin usually leave because the job options are greater elsewhere. Either that, or they leave after high school to continue their education. Some come back to jobs that match their new-found skills and education, but the reality is that, right now, there aren't enough jobs back home to accommodate our post-secondary graduates.

That's why that sad statement about exporting our young people largely rings true.

But that also highlights the importance to our local economy of hanging on to the jobs we already have: the ones where we see people working every day in our retail, service and restaurant sectors.

The Manitoulin Trade Fair this weekend also highlights this fact, for a large number of the displays will feature Manitoulin businesses from the retail and service sectors.

Virtually all of these businesses have at least a few, in some cases many, employees.

The reality is that when we support Manitoulin businesses, we're also helping to create and to maintain jobs in the community.

This in turn means that these people whose jobs we help to support can afford to live on Manitoulin and contribute to the local economy, as they in turn support other local businesses, buy homes and pay taxes and take their part in the social fabric of the community.

Whenever it's possible to do so, "shopping locally" isn't only about the warm glow associated with doing the right thing.

It's far more fundamental than that.

Purchasing goods and services on Manitoulin means that we are contributing directly to the good health of the communities in which we live.

The more local shopping is done for retail goods, home services, or restaurant meals, means that more people in our communities will take home paycheques, buy homes, raise their families here and take on the volunteer responsibilities that really make our small communities work.

If enough of us choose to spend our money off-Island for the everyday goods and services we need (all other things like price and selection being equal), employers locally will have fewer staff; people without job options will be forced to leave; and there will be fewer people around to keep our communities and schools viable.

In small communities like ours-even Manitoulin taken as a whole-things can easily come out of balance.

As a gentle reminder of the importance of local trade and everyone's role in keeping as many jobs as possible in the community, The Expositor is beginning a small feature this week called 'I'm Your Neighbour.'

You will see the first one as part of this commentary. It features Elaine McGauley, a long-time employee of R.A. Ward and Son General Store in Tehkummah. She's a nice lady. She's your neighbour.

After this first week, look for the feature on Page 3. Each short interview will hopefully remind us that we are directly responsible for maintaining the jobs of ordinary people, like Mrs. McGauley, who work at the places where we shop and do business, and whose contributions to the life of our communities is enormous.

We need only to look at the huge growth in recent years of cities like Toronto to see how our country is trending.

Canada thrives, again now just as in the earliest days of settlement, on immigrants. And 'New Canadians' are gravitating almost exclusively to cities like Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.

This immigrant trend is a reverse parallel situation to what is happening in rural Canada where immigrants tend not to settle, where the birth rates tend not to replace the aging population and where, as previously stated, young people tend to move away because of enhanced job opportunities elsewhere.

While this may seem to portend doom and gloom for the future of rural and Northern regions, like our own, this is definitely not the case. A glance at the recently-published census statistics from 2006 clearly shows that Manitoulin's population is on the increase, just as it was six years ago in 2001 when the year 2000 census poll was reported.

In mid-March, this newspaper reported that Statistics Canada had given us some positive news to report: the population had surpassed 13,000 people and that represented an increase of 3.2 percent.

Not too bad.

So in spite of out-migration, no industry to attract New Canadian immigrants and an average birth rate, we're posting population gains.

People are certainly choosing to retire here, and that counts for a great deal of the population increase. These retirees at least offset to a significant degree the out-migration of young people and so these new Manitoulin citizens are themselves something of a new local industry to support businesses like Ward's Store and their staff members like Mrs. McGauley.

And, of course, we know that our small towns and owner-operated businesses are a large part of the attraction to the people coming here to live in retirement.

A few weeks ago, as part of another editorial commentary on this page, this newspaper detailed new businesses that have started up in several Island towns over the past two-three years.

Most of them began as owner-operated businesses and now, thanks to local support, most of them have staff, at least on a part-time basis.

That means that the economic partnership between merchants, consumers and the community at large is alive and well.

It means that, for the most part, we intuitively recognize the importance of helping to create wealth in our own communities.

It means that we are supporting our neighbours.

I'm your neighbour Elaine McGauley clerk at R.A. Ward and Son General Store, Tehkummah

It may be tiny, but the town of Tehkummah can boast a big attraction: Ward's General Store. For 80 years, the store has been a staple of the small community, and, for 24 of those years, so has its long-time employee, Elaine McGauley.

It's a long time to work in one place, but as Ms. McGauley tells it, it's easy for the shop to grow on you. "They asked me if I wanted to work here, so I said yes, and I just never left," she says of being hired more than two decades ago.

Ward's is known as "the store that has almost everything," and that's no misnomer. Need a screwdriver? You can pick one up in the hardware department. Run out of sugar? Just dash on over to Ward's for a new bag. Attending a formal event? Ward's has a clothing section where you can easily find a dress shirt appropriate for the occasion.

If you can't find what you're looking for, Ward's has that figured out, too: "if Ward's doesn't have it, you don't need it," Ms. McGauley laughs, repeating another oft-used phrase ascribed to the shop.

This eclectic assortment of retail goodies requires Ms. McGauley to provide an equally diverse set of skills to help proprietor Rex Ward run the shop. From stocking shelves to operating the cash register, Ms. McGauley says she does "a little of everything-we have a lot of different things here."

All this is done with dedication and a friendly smile, and yet she still finds time to be a contributing member of the community.

For 30 years, she has played organ for Fairview United Church in Tehkummah and also plays for St. Andrew's-by-the-Sea United Church in South Baymouth. She is also a member of the United Church Women. She is also an ardent supporter of local children's activities, especially hockey and figure skating-favourite pastimes of her grandchildren.

Ms. McGauley says it's hard to pinpoint any one memorable moment over the last 24 years, but her favourite part of working there is meeting all the people who come in. Repeat customers and first-timers, locals and summer visitors: they all are greeted with a smile and a bit of chit-chat from Ward's long-time employee.

Shopping at local stores like Ward's creates lasting employment for people like Elaine McGauley.