Dramatic Ice-Water Rescue in MANITOWANING BAY

Is anyone coming to get me? I'm getting cooooold.
The two boats caught in the ice
The Ice Water Rescue Team getting ready
Here they go

Those left on shore are responsible for the ropes attached
to each rescuer

The ice is so broken up they have to crawl on their bellies
this photo shows them resting.

They arrive at the boat and attach a rope to the boat

then get inside with the boater The people on shore are now pulling the rope to

bring the boat and men back to shore

The rescue was completed just as it was beginning to get dark

One afternoon last week at about 4 o'clock the local Fire Dept was notified - their assistance was required as a man was trapped in the ice in Manitowaning Bay with his boat. I can read your mind - I had the same question, "It is January so why would anyone be out in a boat on Manitowaning Bay this time of year?"

Well it seems this man was having trouble with his water line - because the water levels have been so low it has caused many of the private water lines to freeze; the mild weather and high winds also caused the ice to break up bringing more havoc. While he was working on the line the wind caught his 14 foot aluminum boat and took it out from shore, he borrowed a neighbours boat and went after it. Fortunately the neighbour stayed on shore and watched. Soon the drifting ice encircled the two boats causing the man to be trapped, the 9 hp motor was not able to move him. The neighbour put in the call for help, attending the scene were the local Fire Dept, the OPP and the Little Current Fire Dept. who have the training and proper gear for Ice Water Rescue.

The IWR Team did a fine job, the man and one boat was rescued and brought back to shore just as it was getting dark.

Welcome 2008!

"HAPPY NEW YEAR !"

- from our
Progressive Dinner Group.

This was our 19th year together and we celebrated it by having a 4 course Hillbilly Dinner and Brunch.

The evening started at 06:30 with appetizers - riblets, smoked salmon and stuffed mushrooms. The group then moved to the second house for the 2nd course which was Hillbilly Gumbo. Following this awesome dish we left town and drove to the 3rd couple's cottage where we had a delicious Hillbilly Stew (incredible), Baked Beans, Hashbrown Casserole, Biscuits and Corn Bread.

Stuffed to the ears we then moved to our camp for the 4th course, dessert. Our expert dessert cook baked for us a Hillbilly Pie and a Hillbilly Cake - to die for!

Everyone stayed the night, we were packed in like sardines; so close you could see the other's dreams. Bathroom parade started at about 5:00 a.m. - no togetherness here - everyone went separately. The inside door and storm door each have their own special shriek as they opened and closed. The quieter one tried to be, the louder and longer the shriek! Imagine this - for every person going to the bathroom each door squeaked twice - once out and once in, that is 4 times per person - now multiply that by 9. We all got settled by 06:00 for a couple more hours sleep before getting up for the day.

Hillbilly Brunch was served at 10:30, for this we had Sausage Gravy and Biscuits; Hash Brown Brunch Casserole; Chicken, Cheese and Grits Casserole; Mater Pie; Orange Juice and Coffee.

Lets say no one went home hungry.

Some stayed back for a hot tub before going home - Another great New Year's Party!






This is the outhouse at the first cottage, yes that is about 5 inches of snow on the seat. No one volunteered to be the first to warm up the seat. All bribes tried and failed!


Once Again-

" HAPPY NEW YEAR"

'T Was Another Wonderful Christmas

Our Christmas Party with the Grandchildren was a success, it consisted of games,lots of food, a craft (they all love to do crafts when they come to my house) This year we made Great Grandma's Christmas gift. The day ended with a sleepover.- all in all we had lots of fun.

This is the craft, we made fragrance sachet covers for Great Grandma's Christmas gift, the secret - they are quick, easy to make. The older kids helped the younger ones - it was great fun making them and she loved all 6.

The supplies and instructions are as follows:

Supplies needed:

• one face cloth for each cover
• one packaged fragrance sachet for each cover
• glue gun and glue sticks
• small items for decoration (flowers, insects, animals, etc.)

Instructions:

fold a face cloth in half as shown

the orange stripes and dot indicate areas to be glued; place glue along bottom and approximately 1/2 way up the open side; place a dot of glue on the top right corner of the face cloth then bring that corner over to the left side about half way down. The glued areas should be pressed with your fingers to ensure the glue has penetrated the material allowing it to stick. The children must be made aware of the glue's temperature, if it is hot an adult should do this part to prevent them from getting burned.

Place the sachet in the cover and fold the top half down toward the bottom, now attach your cover decorations - see how easy! I added a card on each with the photo of the Great Grandchild who made the cover and on the other side is written "Made By The Hands Of An Angel"

Dessert for dinner was "Cookie Pizza" the kids had great fun making this - if you haven't tasted one you don't know what you are missing. Nancy came up with this idea and it was a winner.

I have great respect for the "Pillsbury Dough Boy" - We used his chocolate chip cookie dough, flattened it out on a round pizza pan then covered the dough with chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, smarties, jelly beans, M & M's and mini marshmallows which are added last. You can go crazy with imagination on this one . The kids all took part in adding the toppings - and sampling of course. Follow cooking temp and time as you would if your cooking the dough in cookies - do not overcook; the only thing that needs to be cooked is the dough. The marshmallows melt and brown nicely while helping to hold the toppings in place.

It was served cold but the next time I will try serving it warm with ice cream.

Christmas celebrations continued with Santa arriving at the Christmas Tree downtown on Christmas Eve. The children were excited to see him arrive on the Fire Truck accompanied by 5 Firefighters. He passed out bags of candy to all then he was quickly whisked away. The children were then treated to hot chocolate as they stood round the tree eating their candy and telling each other of their dreams for Christmas morning. Santa was taken back to the open field beside the Fire Hall where he untethered the reindeer and hurried on his way.

Allan and I spent Christmas Day and Boxing Day with family and friends - by the end we were as stuffed as the Christmas turkey!

" 'T Was A Wonderful Christmas!"

THE RETIREMENT HAS OFFICIALLY STARTED!

This is the Desk Top Photo at some of my the ambulance stations this week - The paramedics have all wished me the best in my retirement following 22 years of service, the last 9 of those years being their "Paramedic Manager". This photo was taken at a recent retirement party held for one of our Medics who retired after 28 years .

Today is a very special day for me:

• 2 days until a Staff Christmas Party
• 3 days until my 6 Grandchildren are here for our "Annual Christmas Party" - sounds like it is going to include a sleep over!
• 4 more work days before retirement, and I'm ready! I am looking forward to living the life of a "kept woman"after 33 years of full time work.

Sunday past 2 of the Grandchildren came by and decorated the Christmas Tree and several rooms in the house after church. Man, I have decorations in places I never had decorations before and lots of ornaments at the bottom of the tree. The kids were happy, they had lots of fun being in charge of decorating. Our visitors over the Christmas Season will be family and close firends who will share in our joy and celebration of the Christmas Season. Many will be envious of our status of "Grandparents" and look forward to the day when they can have their decorating done by "The Hands Of Angels"

Monday this week was the start of training my temporary replacement; John is a full time paramedic with our serive who has recently accepted the newly formed position of "Service Area Lead" for one of my 2 service areas. He later took the temporary position of "Acting Field Manager" until a permanent replacement is found which they hope to be in place by mid January. John is doing a great job - he is taking lots of notes and asking lots of questions. I am convinced he will adequately fill the position in the interim he also has great medics and administration staff to rely on for advise and support when needed.

This week is flying by quickly so 'till next time..Bye for now,

Anne

"BOO" The Hallowe'en Cat

This is what "Boo" looked like when we first met her on October 31st, Hallowe'en Night 2007

Two of my Grandchildren were out for trick or treat (accompanied by their parents), when they came across this beautiful stray kitten. A child had seen a man let 2 kittens out of his car earlier in the evening, one was soon picked up and taken away by another child, - this one found a residence close by and every time the door opened to another trick or treator she ran inside only to be put back out when that trick or treator left. Our Grandchildren felt sorry for this little creature and asked if they could take her home, their parents agreed that she would be a great addition to their already 2 cat family. Little did they all know how she would weave herself into their hearts.

When they got Boo home (what other name would you choose for a cat found and rescued on Hallowe'en Night?)they realized there was something wrong with her ears, an appointment was soon made with a veterinarian in a neighbouring community who told them her ears had been frozen. How could that be? The weather hasn't been more that -1, maybe -2! The Vet informed them that the kitten was so malnourished and dehydrated she could not keep her whole body warm during the colder temperatures. When the temperature dropped her existing blood and body fluids went to her body's core keeping vital organs alive - therefore not leaving enough in her outer body to keep her ears warm - thus causing them to freeze.

Six weeks have passed and BOO's frozen ear tips have finally fallen off. The process was very painful for her, she wanted to play with the kids and be a kitten - do the things a normal kitten does but her ears hurt too much. She would lay on her blanket in the garage away from everyone so no one or anything would accidently touch her sore ears.

This is a picture taken of "Boo" December 9th, she is so much happier now. She chases a ball around the house and plays as any normal kitten does. The kids love her - what Boo wants Boo gets.

This is a story of mixed emotions but one with a happy ending thus far, Boo has settled in and gets along well with the other 2 cats - Misty and Minew - one big happy family! The kids have learned about cruelty to animals and how important it is to love and properly care for them.

Christmas Comedy