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OUR OPINION Tuesday, January 8,2008 The Nipigon-Red Rock Gazette is published each Tuesday by Lakeshore Community Publishing Ltd. 38 Front Street, Nipigon, Ont. P0T2J0 Phone 807-887-3583 Fax 807-887-3720 2nd., class mailing permit #0867 Subscription Rates: Seniors (65+) $27.00 Local $37.00. Outside 60km $51.00 USA $66.00 (please add 6% GST) Memberships and Associations The Canadian Community Newspaper Association, The Ontario Community Newspaper Association Columns Policy - Letters to Editor The columns and letters accepted by this newspaper for publication, appear at the discretion of the Publisher. Names, signatures and phone numbers must accompany each submission for verification purposes. It is assumed that each submission fairly represents the opinion of the writer. E-mail address nipigongazette@shaw.ca Advertising and General Manager Linda R. Harbinson Reporter Photogiapher/Circulation Pamela Behun Managing Editor Paulette Lalonde Forsyth Publisher Linda R, Harbinson ‘We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program ‘PAP Registration No. 9030” toward our mailing costs.” editorial... If one didn’t know better, you would think that we are in the season of spring. And I also know that once said, we will end up going from meltdown to freeze up. So, in the meantime, enjoy the mild weather, and although it is sloppy and gray, it certainly is refreshing. Have you managed to dodge the winter cold/flu thus far this winter? Yes, knock on wood if you have, and hope you are feeling better if you haven’t. Large gatherings, especially at Christmas time, are always an invitation for germs to invade our immune system. And most of us are so exhausted from the preparation of the festive season that we usually are like magnets to these viruses. However, these darn things are really hard to shake once they attach themselves to us. Some take weeks to get over and nothing seems to bring any relief. Constant coughing has got to be the worst, especially at night when you are trying to get some rest, which is the best prescription for the common cold. But sleep is hard to come by (for you and everyone else in the house!) when that pick in the throat refuses to clear despite your best efforts. And so you resort to anything that sounds like it might work. Like rubbing Vicks on the bottoms of your feet and putting socks on. Sounds weird, but it seems to work! I don’t know if it’s all in the mind, or if there is a scientific reason to why it works, but when you are blue in the face from a coughing jag, who really cares? Try it! Anglers Encouraged to be Safe on the Ice this Winter As another ice fishing season is about to get underway, Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield reminds winter anglers to stay safe on the ice and review the new fishing regulations. “The key to enjoying this popular winter activity is to play it safe,” said Cansfield. “If you are not sure about ice conditions, do not go out on the ice.” Anglers should advise others where they plan to fish and when they plan to return. Appropriate clothing and equipment are vital to both safety and comfort. Many anglers wear floater suits and carry a set of ice picks. Other important ice facts: - Ice does not freeze at a uniform thickness across most lakes and rivers. This can be particularly evident at the start of the winter season when near-shore ice is often much thicker and safer than ice further out. Anglers should check thickness regularly with a spud bar or auger as they move further out on the ice. - Ice that formed over flowing water, springs, pressure cracks, old ice holes or around the mouths of rivers and streams can be weaker than surrounding ice. - The strongest ice is clear blue in colour. White or opaque ice is much weaker. Ice with a honeycombed look, common during thaws or in the spring, should be avoided. - Travelling on frozen lakes or rivers with snowmobiles or vehicles can be particularly dangerous and added precautions must be taken. At least 20 centimetres (eight inches) of clear blue ice is required for snowmobiles and 30 centimetres (12 inches) or more is needed for most light vehicles. Double these amounts if the ice is white or opaque. - A layer of heavy snow on a frozen lake or river can insulate the ice below and slow down freezing. Anglers are also reminded to carefully check the new 2008-2009 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary. A number of changes come into effect on January 1st, 2008, including a new requirement to register ice-fishing huts in all of southern Ontario, except Lake Huron. The changes are part of the ministry’s new ecological framework for recreational fisheries management in Ontario. Through this approach, the ministry is managing fisheries on a zone basis rather than on a lake-by-lake basis. The 2008-2009 Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary is now available from License issuers, Service Ontario/Govemment Information Centres and on the ministry’s website at Ontario.ca/fishing Boards Review Advantages of Integrated Key Charities Northwestern Ontario’s two leading healthcare Foundations are exploring the benefits of integration. The Boards of Directors for the Northern Cancer Research Foundation (NCRF) and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation are conducting thorough investigations to determine the advantages of integrating the two organizations. Both Foundations work to help save lives and improve the quality of life for the residents of Northwestern Ontario. “We see the potential to provide donors with even more value for their contributions and increase the Foundations’ capacities to fund those projects that matter most to the people of our community,” says Ken Bittle, Chair of the Health Sciences Foundation Board of Directors. The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation and the Northern Cancer Research Foundation enable individuals to financially support areas of importance to them. “Each of our donors will always have the ability to designate their gifts to a specific area or project,” says Brian McKinnon, NCRF Board Chair. “Just in the past, funds raised for breast cancer will always support breast cancer and prostate cancer gifts will support prostate programs, and cardiac funds will always support cardiac care. Essentially, nothing will change for our donors.” “There are obvious advantages to the two successful Foundations operating together,” says Bittle. “We are examining the opportunities to increase staff specialization, maximize resources and Continued on Page 6 Can you spot 12 differences between these pictures? Solution: 1. Mountain peak is hidden. 2. Branch on tree is hidden. 3. Handle appears on coffee jug. 4. Arm on snowman is missing. 5. Neckline on sweater is colored in. 6. Door on cabin is colored in. 7. Log on pond has moved. 8. Puff of breath fog has moved. 9. Piece of ice by stool has moved. 10. Label on coffee jug is larger. 11. Cloud is behind mountain. 12. Pompom on hat is different.