Machin Messenger

Serving Minnitaki, Eagle River, Vermilion Bay

And surrounding area

Volume 19 issue 9 September 7, 2017

Mayor’s Message

August was a busy month and September is looking to be even more so. Lots of things to cover so let’s get right to it. Ron Kujansuu and I visited the Association of Ontario Municipalities (AMO) in Ottawa this past August, as we have done for the past two years. The conference gets municipal leaders, government staff (both provincial and municipal) and members of the private sector together to discuss, debate issues and learn about new poli-cies that affect us. While the speakers and the program are normally excellent, the real value that I derive from conferences such as this are the informal discussions you can have with other municipal leaders about which problems and solutions they might have had that could help us navigate the often choppy waters of Mu-nicipal governance. The AMO conference also provides us a chance to meet with ministers and high level government employees so we can express our concerns, ask for assistance and get some advice regarding grant applications and access-ing provincial programs that would be a benefit to the Municipality. This year we met with Provincial Assistant, Mr. Renaldi from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, to express our concerns about how small Municipalities such as ours are at a disadvantage when applying for grants because of the high upfront cost involved on our end. Putting it bluntly, we can’t afford to put $50,000- $100,000 into engendering and planning costs for projects, and then cross our fingers and “hope” the provincial government will say yes to their portion. With our limited budget, that is simply not possible. Nor is it possible to put the project on the shelf for a year or two. When we apply, we need the funding now. I think we got our point across on that. Mr. Renaldi did suggest a few things that we could take advantage of, however, like the opportunity to stack funding – which basically means we can take grant money and sit on it for a year or two until we have enough to do one of our needed infrastructure projects, such as fixing our bridges. We will take advantage of that if we can within the coming year. We also met with Minister McGarry of the MNRF to discuss our concerns with some of the mixed messages that come from the MNRF Policies and staff. For example, we have a hard time deciphering what is allowed or not when it comes to such things as septic fields on waterfront properties. We discussed how the vagueness of the regulations makes it hard for us and even the MNRF staff to come up with a solid and consistent answer to the questions we have. It’s hard to plan if you are getting “maybe yes and maybe no and it depends” answers to your questions. I should add that the local MNRF staff have been good to work with and we appreciate their effort. I think they do the best they can with what they have to work with. The provincial leaders from the Liberals, Conservatives and NDP parties all have an opportunity to address the crowd at AMO and tell us what they will do for Municipalities if elected or re-elected. Not much to report here as we will have to see the results of the provincial election, but at least we get a sense of what to expect when one of these parties is running the provincial government in the coming years. While it’s hard to draw a straight line between our meetings and workshops at AMO and increased funding, one thing is for sure. Many of the people at AMO, from ministers to government staff to the AMO leadership itself, often forget that we in the Northwest or specifically Machin even exists. We need to constantly remind them that we are here, we are important and we have a right to our share of the provincial funding and considera-tion. On the federal front, MP Bob Nault came to visit Council in late August. The point of his visit was to discuss the Municipality’s plans for the future, and possible outcomes from the development of the road systems with the Ring of Fire mining area, as well as the year round roads to northern communities. He also was interested in hearing our issues getting infrastructure projects funded as well as using us as an example of how small, rural communities with lots of potential are struggling to develop under the current funding models. Mr. Nault also

Continued on page 2

Machin Messenger—Page 2

MESSENGER DEADLINE

Submissions for the Machin Messenger must now be in by the LAST WEDNESDAY of the month, by noon. Since the Messenger is published on the first Thursday of the month, the deadline will change if the 1st is on Thursday. We will put reminders in the month before. The deadline for the October Messenger will be Wednesday September 27th. Drop submissions off at the Municipal Office or email to pilmar@sympatico.ca, subject line “Machin Messenger”. Ads will need to be pre-paid prior to insertion in the Messenger. Please note that there are price changes for ads. Call

the Municipal Office for details.

MESSENGER ADS

If you wish to advertise in the Machin Messenger,

please call the Municipal Offices at 227-2633 to find out

the charge for your ad. Ads will

WINTER HOURS—WASTE DISPOSAL SITES Effective Oct. 3. 2017

TUESDAY THURSDAY SATURDAY

VERMILION BAY 2 p.m.— 6 p.m. Closed 9 a.m.—1 p.m.

EAGLE RIVER 9 a.m.— 1 p.m. Closed 2 p.m.—6 p.m.

Municipal Notes gave us some tips for acquiring funding and left the office with a copy of our strategic plan. And this brings us to another one of the “13 ways to kill your community” by Doug Grif-fiths, which this month involves youth in-volvement. Youth, and by that I mean anyone under 30, are the ticket to prosperity for Machin. They are the ones that will do the work, raise families, volunteer and run our community as the rest of us age and look to retire. These are the people who hold the prosperity and responsibility for my daughter in their hands. These people might be born here, but they may also come from outside the community like Shannon and I did, settle down, create roots and become loyal residents. Ignore these youth, these further leaders, and not only will our community suffer, but so will our seniors, visitors, everyone. Youth can be overlooked, but at a commu-nity’s peril. Speaking of youth, construction of the Eagle River Post Park Playground starts a week from when I write this. This has been a joint venture between volunteers, the Lions Club and Machin, with the purpose of providing local and visiting children a place to simply have fun and get some outside exercise. In a larger sense, this project lets visitors, prospective residents and our-selves, know that Machin is going to be here for a while, we welcome families and we are investing in our future. I am proud of all the members that helped make this playground equipment a reality and I will thank them as my daughter and nieces play on it come next summer. Well, that’s about it. I’m back to work at the school for my day job this fall. Looking forward to getting back to work with the kids but will miss my time with the fam-ily. Family and friends are the most important things in our lives so please take time to reconnect with them this fall. It should be easy. You live in the best place on earth. Sincerely, Drew Myers Your Mayor

Reminder that dump hours will change back to winter hours on October 3, 2017.

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ELECTRICAL FIRES & TIPS TO PREVENT THEM

FACTS:

Electrical distribution equipment is the fourth leading cause of home fires.

In 71% of home electrical fires, the cause is electrical failure of the equipment.

The leading causes of heating equipment fires are:

circuit wiring (copper), cord/cable for appliances, distribution equipment (panel boards, fuses, circuits)

TIPS TO PREVENT AN ELECTRICAL FIRE:

Check cords for damage such as fraying or nicks. A damaged cord can expose wires and result in a potential shock or fire hazard.

Avoid running cords under rugs, which can damage the cord and cause a

fire. Extension cords should be used only as a temporary connection. If per-

manent wiring is required, have additional outlets installed by a licensed electrician. Extension cords should not be linked together – use an exten-sion cord that is long enough to do the job.

Air conditioners and other heavy appliances should be plugged directly in-

to an outlet. Avoid overloading a circuit with “octopus outlets”. If additional outlets or

circuits are required, have them installed by a licensed electrician. Arc fault circuit interrupters (ACFIs) shut of electricity when a dangerous

condition occurs. Have a licensed electrician install AFCIs in your home.

Machin Messenger—Page 4

Vermilion Bay Kinsmen & Kinettes Lions Lines

District 2 goes Back to Back

From August 17-19, 33 members from District 2 went to Halifax for National Convention. D2 and Zone 3 clubs were well represented this year. A few of the awards received were Maple Leaf Award of Distinction (outstanding contribution in the first 2 years of Kin) winners were, Teri Therrien and Marie Miles of Vermilion Bay Kinettes. Member Award of Excellence (Outstanding Contribu-tion) - Debbie Kruger of the Vermilion Bay Kinettes. Ken Pierce Club Membership Growth Award, Dryden Kinettes Boake Efficiency and Outstanding Boake Efficiency Dryden Kinettes Outstanding Kin Award finalist Scott McEwan Vermilion Bay Kinsmen (article on Scott's wood plaques on the website) The biggest awards of the weekend also went to Dis-trict 2 clubs. For the second year in a row Decew Phee District of the the year led by Governor John DeBeer, Dryden's Shauntelle Pihulak was part of the district team. Hal and Elspeth Rogers National Service Award was won by The Pas Kinsmen beating out The Thunder Bay Fort City Kinettes. Finally the Bill Skelly Award for outstanding project to raise money and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis also went to The Pas Kinsmen For their Goals for CF cam-paign. The last event to happen before convention closed Saturday night was when National President James' fiancee Colette walked into the hall in a wedding dress and they got married in front of members and family surprising everyone in attendance. Congratulations you two!! For more info on other winners and see what are clubs are doing, go to district2kin.ca

Thank you to all the participants of the Pon-

toon Boat ride this July.

The opening for the Lions Centennial Legacy

Project is Sept 3. Hopefully we will have a

record turnout for the event. The poster is in

the Messenger. Thank you to all who partici-

pated in the project and supported the

Friends of the Post/Lions in this event.

The Vermilion Bay Lions are collecting eye

glasses and hearing aids, boxes in the Co-op,

Post office, Municipal Office, Seniors Center

and Lions Hall.

The Vermilion Bay Lions Club has their own

website www.vermilionbaylions.org. Please

visit the site as there are links to all the Lions

Charities as well as Lions Clubs International.

www.lionsclubs.org

Hall rentals contact Al Koroniak 220-1107

Use of medical equipment- hospital beds, stair climber, walkers, wheel chairs for infor-mation contact Gary Hutchison 227-2449

ASL-American Sign Language Course

Looking for people interested in getting an ASL course going near V. Bay.

Offering ASL 101 and ASL 102 Each course is over 2 weekends, Friday night,

Saturday 9-4 and Sunday 9-4 Cost will depend on amount of students

but approximately $150-200 Prospective dates are:

ASL 101 September 22-24 & September 29-October 1 ASL 102 October 20-22 & October 27-29 or November 3-5

Call Lydia at 227-5245 or email lydialecot@gmail.com

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POWER SKATING with Craig Priestlay of Superior Stride

Where: Woodland Arena, Vermilion Bay

When: October 14th. 15th 2017

Cost: Cost is $150.00 per person payable by Septem-ber 29th 2017

Who: All ages and skill levels welcome

How: To register come visit the Woodland Arena in Ver-milion Bay in person or email woodlandare-

na@hotmail.com with your name, age and skill level.

Questions: Call or text 807-220-1699 or email woodlandarena@hotmail.com

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Eagle Lake Skating Club Registration Night

At Lois’ House Wednesday

September 27, 2017 6:00pm – 7:00 pm

CanSkate and StarSkate programs available. Funding options available for

those eligible. Skating days will be

determined depending on registrants. If you have any questions,

Please call Lois at 227-2531

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Wanted: Caregivers– Short Term, Emergency and Long Term Homes

Anishinaabe Abinoojii Family Services is looking for caregivers for Dryden and the surrounding communities.

We are looking for caring, committed foster parents who are willing to provide a secure, stable, nurturing environment for children and youth ages 0 – 17. What do children look for in a foster

home?

• Support • Unconditional love

• Guidance • Praise

• Structure • Someone to be there for them

If you and your family have these qualities please open your hearts to a child in need. Help nur-ture the life of a child and remember children are our future

Please contact our Dryden Team @ 807-223-4953 to learn more about becoming a foster parent. Training, allowances for their expenses and a tax free per diem are provided. Can you be the one to

make a difference in the life of a child?

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Cancer Screening is for Healthy People

By Sara Chow, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

It’s all too often that the residents of Northwestern Ontario fall into the lowest or poorest health categories, including increased smoking rates, alcohol use, and decreased physical activity, vegetable and fruit consumption. When we see statistics like these, it comes as no surprise that the rates of chronic diseases, like cancer, are also higher in our region. But, that’s not the way our story has to be! We can make healthy changes, and also make sure that we are getting screened for diseases like cancer.

Cancer screening is important for you to complete because it can detect cancer in its early stages, when it is less likely to have spread and is easier to treat. Many people feel that they do not need to get screened for cancer because they feel healthy. However, this is a myth! Cancer screening is for healthy individuals, who have no symptoms. In fact, the key to cancer screening is to do it regularly and before you have symptoms, this helps to find any changes when they are in their early stages.

In Ontario, there are three organized cancer screening programs: breast, cervical and colon cancer screening. We call these programs ‘organized’ because they are part of a provincial system that helps to remind you of your can-cer screening appointments, shares your results with you and health care provider, and has quality-based initiatives that help to ensure the cancer screening you receive is high quality and safe.

The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) oversees most breast cancer screening in Ontario. Currently, guide-lines recommend that average risk women, who are between the ages of 50 and 74 years, complete a mammogram every 2 years. In Vermillion Bay, you can travel to Lake of the Woods District Hospital to get screened or wait for the Screen for Life Coach to visit you. You do not need a referral to book a breast cancer screening appointment. Call (807) 684-7777 or 1-800-461-7031 to book your mammogram appointment today.

The Ontario Cervical Screening Program (OCSP) is Ontario’s cervical cancer screening program. Currently, guide-lines recommend that women between the ages of 21 and 69 years of age, who have ever been sexually active, get screened with a Pap test every 3 years. A Pap test looks for abnormal cells on your cervix, not for human papillo-mavirus (HPV) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You can book a Pap test with your health care provider, at a sexual health clinic near you, or on the Screen for Life Coach by calling (807) 684-7777 or 1-800-461-7031.

ColonCancerCheck is the name of Ontario’s colon cancer screening program. The guidelines recommend that men and women who are at average risk (no first-degree family history (i.e. a parent, sibling or child) of colon cancer) get screened using a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) kit every 2 years. One bonus of this screening test is that it can be completed in the privacy of your home. You can get a kit from your health care provider, the Screen for Life Coach (both men and women can access the Coach for this), a pharmacy (call ahead to see if they have the FOBT kits in stock) or by calling Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-828-9213.

Cancer screening see’s what you can’t. If you are eligible for cancer screening, don’t put it off; get screened as soon as you can! To learn more about your risk for developing breast, cervical and colon cancer, visit www.mycancerIQ.ca. This is a free and confidential online risk assessment that will provide you with a personalized assessment of your risk for six different types of cancer. For more information about cancer screening, visit www.tbrhsc.net/cancerscreening. You can also call the clinic at 227-2675 if you have any other questions.

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September: flower -morning glory; gemstone – sapphire

DID YOU KNOW?

*More people are born in September than any other month *Besides the awareness month for Gynecologic cancer, Leukemia & Lymphoma, Thyroid, Ovarian cancer, and Prostate cancer, it is also baby safety, better breakfast, blueberry popsicle, chicken, classical music, honey, mushroom, papaya, piano, potato, rice, and self improvement month!

Sorry this thank you is late. I guess I had a senior moment, as I thought I had sent my Messenger for August- whoops it was still in the draft file! A big thank you to the Lion’s Club and the members of the Happy Go Lucky Seniors who gave the Pontoon boat rides and the BBQ following. The day was a touch chilly,

but everyone had a wonderful time, enjoying a morning on the Lake. Thank you to the “Captains” who described points of interest (one boat even had some special snacks!) We are all looking forward to a repeat performance next year. It is a great day, so hopefully all the boats will be full next year.

For Sale: Ricoh Aficio MP 201 SPF (black & white) photo copier

Speak to Anita or Marnie and make an offer.

Check the calendar as the fall/winter events will be starting up again.

To use the senior’s Center contact Anita @227-2882 or Marnie @ 227-5310.

Machin Messenger—Page 9

G & G SPORTS

Box 309 Vermilion Bay

Phone 227-2895

Repairs to most sports equipment

Zipper replacement or repair

Snaps & buckles

Recover ski-do seats and bike seats

Chairs—boat seats

Re-lacing baseball gloves

Skate repair/sharpening

In this area, batteries may be dropped

off at Timbermax in Dryden.

Do you need a ride to an appointment or just want to go into Dryden

for shopping and lunch? This is a reminder that the Machin Bus goes

to Dryden every Tuesday and Thursday. The Bus leaves the Machin

Office at 9:00 a.m. and returns around 2:30 p.m. The cost is $10.00

for the round trip. For more information call Charlene @ 529-4485.

PULPIT SUPPLY 2017 VERMILION BAY UNITED CHURCH

WEDNESDAY 7:00 P.M.

September 6 Pastor 'Brian Eschbach September 13 Judy McEwan (Communion)

September 20 Julie Dzeoba LLWL

September 27 Pot Luck Supper/Hymn Sing Closing service

Machin Messenger—Page 10

Fall is on its way! Resist pumpkin spice season!

Join us Thursdays

at 5:00 p.m. in the Reading Room

(basement of the Municipal Office Building)

We’ll give you the support you need

to lose those extra pounds!

Building Permit Applications and general inquiries are available at the Machin Office. Any questions on building, please call our Building Inspector Charles Tarrant direct at 1-709-884-9302

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Machin Council: Monday September 11th and Mon-day September 25th, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers, Machin Municipal Office. Meeting minutes are now available online— www. visitmachin.com Public Works Meeting: Monday September 11th, 6:00 p.m., Council Chambers, Machin Municipal Office. Recreation Meeting—Tuesday September 5th, 6:30 p.m. at the Council Chambers. Lot Development Committee: Meeting TBA Lions Club—First and third Wednesdays of every month, 7:00 p.m., Lion’s Hall. Happy-Go-Lucky Seniors: Lunch meeting Monday September 11th at noon. Pine Tree Pathways: Tuesday September 12th, 4:00 p.m., at Fort Vermilion. TOPS—Weigh-in at 5:00 p.m.. every Thursday. Short meeting follows in the Reading Room, Municipal Build-ing. AA - Every Tuesday at 8pm. New meeting: Every Sunday at 7pm - Open meeting for anyone affect-ed by Alcoholism. All meetings held in the Reading Room at the Machin Municipal Offices. Sew’n’Sew Quilters— Quilting resumes in September. Kinettes—The first WEDNESDAY of each month, 7:00 p.m. in the Bayview meeting room. Community Gardens Committee— TBA Seniors Friendship Club of Eagle River—Second Wednesday of each Month. Community Policing Meeting—TBA Waldhof Wranglers—Next Meeting Monday Sept.18th 7p.m. Wrangler Arena Grounds, weather permitting. If not, will be held at Bayview Hotel Mtg Room. Check out our Face-book Page, Waldhof Wranglers. Contact: President Joanne Graham 807-220-3497 Secretary: Sam Bolduc 807-937-0094

Copies of the water systems monthly summary, annual reports and the financial plan

are available for viewing at the Municipal Office if any of the general public would like to

review them. Also available at the Municipal Office the public may access the Water Qual-

ity System Policy for the Vermilion Bay water treatment plant and distribution system

which forms part of the Operational Plan. Should anyone have any questions or concerns

please do not hesitate to contact the Manager of Environmental Services @227-2064.

Area Church Services

Our Lady of Fatima

Roman Catholic Church Hwy 17 Vermilion Bay

Mass: Fridays at 5:30 p.m.

United Church 97 Spruce Street

Vermilion Bay Wednesdays 7:00 p.m.

Eagle River (Ebenezer) Baptist Church

Services at First Baptist Church

58 King Street, Dryden, Ontario

Morning Worship Service at 10:30 a.m.

St. Mark Lutheran Church

Hwy 17 Vermilion Bay

Services: Sundays 11:30 a.m.

Evangelical Mission Church

55 Willow Street, Vermilion Bay

Services: Sundays 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School—10:00 a.m.

Upper Falls Baptist Church

Hwy 105 North

Worship: Sundays 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School/Bible Study:

10:00 a.m. (all ages)

SUMMER HOURS—WASTE DISPOSAL SITES Effective May 1, 2017

TUESDAY THURSDAY SATURDAY

VERMILION BAY 2 p.m.— 6 p.m. 9 a.m.—1 p.m. 9 a.m.—1 p.m.

EAGLE RIVER 9 a.m.— 1 p.m. 2 p.m.—6 p.m. 2 p.m.—6 p.m.

Holy Trinity

Church

Minnitaki

Services will be held at 2;30 p.m.

on the following

dates for the

summer of 2017

May 28 June 25 July 23

August 27 September 24