Page 12, Terrace Bay-Schreiber News, Wednesday, June 4, 1986 Canada is a great country . . . just give it a chance By Anne Todesco How many Canadians have seen their country? They travel to foreign lands but many cannot tell a per- son about their homeland. We have our scenery, and life styles of immigrants of other lands who have settl- ed here to practice their way of life. There is the food and menus, their style of clothing, ethnic man- nerisms, hospitality, and artwork. They helped to populate this country. Stop and count the many different decendents in your com- munity from the early im- migrants. Just name their former nationalities. Take the small com- munity of Rossport for ex- ample. There are Britons, Scots, Irish, Finns, Nor- wegians, Ukranians, Pol- ish, French, German, Danish, and Italians. There is so much to see in Canada, from vegetat- ion, rocks, animals, hills, and vallleys, the boundary seas to inland lakes and streams, waterfalls and rapids, birds and fish, waterfowl and domestic animals--great - buildings, both modern and_ old- fashioned, beautiful cities and quaint little villages and towns. It is all here in Canada. Let's begin with our village of Rossport. It has lost none of its charm. The scenery is fantastic. It con- tinues to surprise us along with our parks situated along Lake Superior's shores or inland lake and stream areas. We have been fortunate in not hav- ing experienced or suffered any of the dreadful weather included tragedies such as floods, mudslides, tor- .nados, or avalanches of other locations and coun- tries that we see pictured on the TV. We did fear that some of the streams and lakes would overflow be- cause of our heavy snow- fall last winter, but we were spared, although the Funding okayed Keith Penner, MP for Cochrane-Superior,recent- ly announced a grant to the Chimo Club of Schreiber, in the amount of 56,560. The contribution, made available through the New Horizons Program of the Department of Health and Welfare, will enable the senior citizen's clubroom to continue its recreational program. The new Horizons Pro- gram was developed in 1972 to encourage retired citizens to become more in- volved in community ac- tivities. As a result of this program a large number of roups of senior citizens ughout Canada are in a variety of ac- Pepited to their par- rivers and creeks are run- ning full with the lake higher than usual. Most buildings are far enough away and high enough to escape the ravages that can be had from flooding. The ecology of the full streams racing down to Lake Superior deals with the relations between plant life and the environment. In summer, some streams are almost dry with a few inches of-water gurgling over the stones on the river bed but the high spring flow nourishes the vegeta- tion. It mostly berry bushes and low brush. The berry bushes supply us with raspberries, blueberries, wild cherries and cran- berries. Who doesn't enjoy go- ing to sleep listening to the frogs singing in a puddle or quiet backwater of some lake-or stream? We have plenty of that in Rossport. Once the gardens are planted, everyone enjoys watching hundreds of small toads hopping about. They are the best insecticide ever, as they like to gobble up insects of all kinds. Well, the weather is try- ing to warm up but a win- dy spell occurs almost everyday which prevents us burning the grass. Spring brings our feathered friends back from the south. One wonders how they have the energy to sing on these chilly morn- ings. Ducks are here by the hundreds. They are of many species as well as some geese, herons and of course the partridges are moving about. Soon their , families will be about like animated powder puffs skirting along the shore- line, fences and brush.with the mama bird standing guard. It is quite hilarious to watch them bundling and swimming about. The spring flowers will soon be blooming and the flowering cherry trees, sumac and mountain ash present their beautiful and spectacular blossoms am- ong the other trees. So many Canadians light off for distant -foreign countries. Some to escape the winter weather, others to explore. That can be understandable for a time, but what about seeing the wonders of this great coun- try of ours? We have beautiful woods and trails, lakes and streams. Arctic scenery, vegetation, an- imals and wildlife of all kinds that are quite fasc- inating to behold and ap- preciate. They beckon to people who enjoy camping, fishing, hunting by camera, discovering the fossilized bones of prehistoric anim- als, leaves, wood, in the west. ;, There are guided tours across our country which brings wonder to us of this vast country of ours-- beautiful cities, buildings, historic places, totem poles, native art and craft- work, our deer, moose, elk, and caribou walking about with great dignity. Canada has a holiday place to suit or please everyoné, from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic sea- board to the Arctic Circle to the southern border, that dates back to the 14th cen- tury. It is a real challenge to turn back the pages of history. It sparks thoughts of relativity or close dependence on occurrences into time and space of knowledge. There are many old graves and foundations to be found, especially along the northshore from the time of the voyaguers. Each flotilla of freighter canoes always had a doctor and priest aboard. Many of the French, Scotch and English men passed away from disease or injuries on these long trips and were buried along the north- shores of Lake Superior. There are abandoned churches in the hinterland with animals and birds liv- ing in them. Some of the Roman Catholic churches have birds nesting on the statues, left when a village has been vacated. Touring Canada is worth the effort to see what and how each province has sur- vived from the early set- tlements to the present day. Magnificent scenery along trails and highways makes one want to lower their voices as if in a church or monastery. The trails are so quiet and peaceful with an awe-inspiring picture round each bend. It can be the same whether in rain, snow or sunshine. No pic- ture can really describe the scenes, no matter which direction you are travelling or what the weather condi- tions are. Canada never ceases to amaze one. Rock, water, snow, flowers or forests, or birds or beasts can be put together in so many combinations for our en- joyment. No cameras or words can describe the scenery of this great coun- try of ours. Picnic tables are set at intervals beside lakes, rippling streams or lookout areas. Wildlife can be seen, but back to your car if bears ap- proach, as they do enjoy the food spread out. As one hikes, rides, or travels by water, they continue to see exciting locations--then one comes to the farming areas and pastoral scenes of sheep, cattle, and horses feeding in the pastures with an odd deer sharing the sweet grass with the cows. What a relaxing way to spend a holiday, whether in a tent, mobile home, camper, or motels. One could leave the highways and branch off over bush roads, lumber and min- ing roads, or trails. There is never a disappoint- ment. Old log fences, root fences, stone fences, zig- zag fences, brush divid- ers, or maybe even the modern wire enclosures are found. Every type of small animal or bird makes dens or nests in them. Holidaying time seems to fly by so fast. Do you know Canada? It is time to learn about it. 824-3213 Rossport, ROSSPORT INN '"Overlooking Rossport Harbour" Licenced dining in the charming atmosphere of a 100 year old Railroad Inn Comfortable overnight accomodations Ont. Gas barbecues are a convenient and economical way to enjoy outdoor cooking, but they must be used carefully and kept in =< good condition. Every summer, backyard chefs are injured and property is dam- aged in gas barbecue fires. Here are a few safety tips to ensure your barbecue parties don't go up in smoke. "Not too well done 1. There's only one way to connect a propane cylinder to a barbecue--the right way. Follow the manufacturer's instruc- tions closely and keep the fuel hose away from any metal parts which may become hot. 2. Check for leaks regularly: Brush a soap and water solution over hoses and connectors and open the cylinder valve. If there's a leak, bubbles will form in the soap film. fo 2 Keep your barbecue at least 10 feet from buildings, overhangs and combustible structures. 4. Don't try to light a barbecue with the lid closed. If it fails to light or goes out, turn the gas off and wait five minutes before relighting. x When finished, close all valves. 6. Never bring propane cylinders indoors. =~ A small leak can cause a major "LY you suspect your barbecue isn't working properly, have it checked by a qualified serviceman. Make sure you don't have to invite the fire department to your next barbecue. For a free copy of the brochure "Living Safely with Propane", contact the Consumer Information Centre at 555 Yonge St., Toronto, Ont. M7A 2H6---(416) 963-111 or toll free at 1-800-268-1142. Ontario residents with an 807 area code may call the 416 number collect. Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations @Ontario Minister, Hon. Monte Kwinter Premier, Hon. David Peterson explosion.