2024 – FALL NEWSLETTER
| It’s mid-Fall already. Where does the time go? The days are getting shorter, its getting dark earlier and the leaves are falling. We were fortunate to have great weather this Summer which we hope you can look back on to help us through the next few months. There is lots of news in CICA so relax and enjoy this issue of our Newsletter. New Executive & Positions Per the previous CICA Constitution and recently adopted By-laws when an Executive resigns mid-term we are required to approach the member who ran against that individual to fill the position. We are pleased to announce that Andrew Lundy has accepted the position of Member at Large on the CICA Executive for the remaining term. Our 2024 Executive consists of: President – Sandra Marshall Vice-President – Grace Dekker Treasurer – Jim Maguire Membership & Communications – Maureen Harvey Members at Large – Michele Ferri, Shelly Herman, Andrew Lundy Beach Art contest |
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| Above: one of the many beach sculpture entries. Below: the winning photograph entry: Kid on Digger, submitted by Marie Gilroy. Our judge said “The human element adds so much to the story within the photograph. To me this little man sees his future and is practicing with such content. Our inaugural Beach Art Contest was held on Saturday, July 27th, and was a smash hit in terms of both quantity and quality – lots of entries and some amazing talent was on display. The contest was held on the beach near the main parking areas along both East and West Parkway Drive. Entries spanned three categories: sand sculpture, natural objects, and photography. We’re looking forward to repeating this success next year! Last Weekend of Summer The last weekend of summer ushered in two CICA events at the beginning of September: |
| Memorial Plaques Unveiling On the last weekend of the summer season, we held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the installation of the first memorial plaques on our planters. The ceremony took place at the corner of Ipperwash Road and West Parkway Drive, and included Mayor Doug Cook as well as special guests Fred and Bridget Newton, major contributors to the effort. For those interested, memorial plaque order forms can be found here or available online at Memorial Plaque – Order Form – CICA (centreipperwashcommunity.ca) There are 11 different images to choose from and up to three lines of text. The plaques are 2” by 8”. So far almost 20 plaques have been installed. |
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| Last Summer Sunset Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, we continued our tradition of celebrating the last sunset of summer. CICA members, neighbours and friends gathered at the Ipperwash Road beach ramp to watch the sun go down – capping a fine summer with a spectacular sunset that is an Ipperwash hallmark. |
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| Beach Use Community Meeting Over the past few months, we’ve heard from many members who expressed an interest in attending a facilitated meeting to help our community move forward with better understanding and common ground. Since the AGM in August we have identified several facilitators and received our first proposal. We will use the off-season to review this and other proposals, and to continue planning for an in-person group discussion. Our goal is to host a meeting in early June 2025 when many seasonal residents return to Ipperwash. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any concerns, thoughts and suggestions on this important issue. OPP Reports Over the past few months several incidents involving police have occurred in our community that are unsettling, not least because we get no information from the OPP. CICA requested copies of police reports involving the incidents, but our OPP liaison John Heene told us the only way to obtain reports is to file Access to Information requests. They can be costly, time consuming and awkward. CICA is connecting with the local Community Watch volunteers to explore ways to get the information we need. In the meantime, the OPP has said that anyone wanting to report an issue should immediately call the Lambton OPP at 911 if it is an emergency. For past occurrences or non-emergencies community members should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 to file a report. Garbage Bins Update We have sent a petition to the municipality concerning the garbage cans in Ipperwash. We’re looking for three more receptacles to cover the shoulder season, one each at Army Camp Road, Ipperwash Road and West Ipperwash Road. Although Lambton Shores has denied our plea for year-round garbage cans, a compromise has been reached that will see the receptacles removed from the end of November to the end of February. Flags for Indigenous day Each year September 30th marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. To commemorate the day, CICA sent a letter to Chief Kim Bressette of the Kettle Point and Stony Point First Nations and we also raised Indigenous flags. CICA also promoted local events, including a Lunch and Learn at the Forest Public Library that covered topics related to Truth and Reconciliation, and a viewing at the Sarnia Library theatre of Indian Horse, an adaptation of Richard Wagamese’s award winning novel. Wednesday Grab and Gab This year’s Grab and Gab was well-attended. A total of 34 volunteers participated, spending over 225 hours picking up litter. A huge thanks to all our volunteers, and to Grace and Jim Dekker for hosting the Gab portion of the cleanup at the Ipperwash Beach Club, where much chatter took place over coffee, tea and water. CICA Christmas Dinner Clear you calendars for December 4th! We have booked that Wednesday evening at the Ipperwash Beach Club for our annual yuletide bash. Cocktails and hors d’ouevres start at 6pm and dinner is served at 7pm. Dinner this year will include plated salad, oven-roasted turkey with homemade stuffing and gravy, mashed potatoes, two vegetables, cranberries, dessert and condiments. Tea or coffee is included and a full cash bar is available. The cost is $45 per person. Seating is limited to 70 people and tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis until November 30th. Those who aren’t CICA members may purchase tickets after November 23th if open seats remain. |
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| The dreaded Black Muck The end of another summer season also means the end of the black muck that occasionally lines the Ipperwash shoreline. Before it returns next year, we’ll try to answer the most common questions about the icky stuff: what is it, and where does it come from? According to the St.Clair Region Conservation Authority, a conclusive answer to its origins is as murky as the muck itself. The SCRCA points to some theories:It’s decaying woody material that gets trapped in the basin created by Kettle Point jutting into the lake. The landform acts like a giant catch-all, trapping debris that would otherwise be carried south towards Sarnia. It’s inland organic material that gets carried into the lake following heavy rain, clumping together at the shore. It’s bacteria that grow naturally on the plant waste normal for any lake.A sample taken by the Conservation Authority in 2011 analyzed the muck’s composition: |
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| The bottom line for visitors and residents: it’s harmless, at least from a health perspective, with no adverse reports on record. We can all agree it’s ugly and slimy but it isn’t dangerous, at least not now — it could become a concern if the algae level in the muck rises significantly, since that poses a bacterial risk. If you want to dive deeper into the muck, download the SCRCA’s report here: https://www.lakehuroncommunityaction.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Lambton-Shores-Watershed-Report-2011.pdf JOIN CICA TODAY If you’re not already a Member of CICA join now and have a voice in your community. Please follow this link to start enjoying the benefits of Membership!! https://centreipperwashcommunity.ca/membership |