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In this issue:

 

Upcoming South Shore Events

  • Join Us for SSJI’s Annual General Meeting on Wed., June 12, 2024 at 7:00 P.M.  Attend in person at Picton Library, 208 Main St., Picton, ON or virtually by ZOOM. Members only vote. See RSVP.

  • Join us for Saturday Storytime and Singalong - Pollinators in the Garden - on Sat., June 15, 2024 at 10:30 A.M.  Meet at the Picton Library, 208 Main St., Picton, ON. RSVP.

  • Save the Date for SSJI’s Wine, Jazz, and Art event on Sun., Aug. 18, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. Meet at Exultet Estates, 1112 Royal Rd., Milford, ON. RSVP.

  • June 22 South Shore Footpath Walks booking up! Don’t miss out – book yours now here. Unable to attend and want to support? Donate or become a member now at ssji.ca

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South Shore Footpath Project Launch Day

Geoff Craig

Don’t delay, book your walk at ssji.ca & join your neighbours on June 22!

Free. Fun. Family friendly. Everyone is invited to step into nature and be among the first to explore future walking trails with local volunteers on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Led by South Shore Joint Initiative, a group of more than 20 enthusiastic volunteers are excited to introduce you to the PEC South Shore Footpath Project Launch Day!

Inspired by the iconic Bruce Trail, a future South Shore Footpath will enable everyone to step into nature and explore the rare beauty of local public lands. A point-to-point walking trail from Point Petre to Point Traverse that will help to protect, conserve, and restore fragile lands as well as promote everyone’s well-being is the group’s ultimate goal.

On June 22, everyone is invited to take part in the South Shore Footpath Project Launch Day from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, rain or shine. Bring your family, friends and neighbours and meet up with volunteers at the Footpath Hub at Mariners Park Museum (2065 County Rd 13, Milford, ON).

Enjoy the PEC South Shore and book your free guided nature walk at ssji.ca ASAP:

  • 10:30 AM Old Tower Road and 11:00 AM Point Petre are Fully Booked as of June 8
  • 11:30 AM Point Traverse (only 3 spaces available as of June 10)
  • 2:30 PM Point Petre (21 spaces available as of June 10)
  • 3:00 PM Point Traverse (24 spaces available as of June 10)

 

  • Information booths – learn about the South Shore Footpath, local environmental initiatives and more!
  • Big Mike’s BBQ – a PEC smokehouse favourite since 2016
  • Kyra & Tully – a singer/songwriting duo - and Fearless Love aka Carol Love and Joe Martin
  • Free fun activities for kids - including face painting - of all ages

 

Pack your most comfy walking shoes, hats, lawn chairs, beverages, insect and tick repellent, sunscreen, and plan to make June 22 South Shore Footpath Project Launch Day a memory you won’t forget.

Together, let’s explore future Footpath routes, enjoy local food, entertainment, and activities, and discover our remarkable South Shore. We can’t wait to step into the South Shore Footpath with you and yours!

Visit ssji.ca to RSVP and learn more about the South Shore Footpath Project Launch Day now.

For information: Geoff Craig, South Shore Footpath Project Leader at [email protected]

South Shore Joint Initiative (SSJI) is a volunteer run, non-profit registered Canadian charity with a mission to educate and advocate for the protection, preservation and restoration of South Shore lands and waters in Prince Edward County, where together biodiversity and people thrive. See the incredible PEC South Shore on YouTube – and experience for yourself on June 22, 2024!

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SSJI AGM on Wednesday, June 12 at 7 pm

(registration is closing on June 11, 1 pm)

Cheryl Anderson

This year, the Annual General Meeting will be held in two formats: in-person and virtually via Zoom. Everyone is welcome to attend in person at Picton Library. We will also run the meeting simultaneously on Zoom. Right after the meeting, we will have a guest speaker who will present in person. Please follow the directions on our RSVP page to register asap for the meeting format of your choice. https://www.ssji.ca/agm-2024

Guest Speaker - Annette Sandberg

Annette Sandberg is a passionate Naturalist, Conservationist, and Historian who grew up on the Niagara Escarpment, in the Town of the Blue Mountains, Grey County, ON and now resides in Collingwood, ON.

As a child, Annette wondered about the fossils and unique ecosystems that she had discovered and developed a deep relationship with on the land she called home. As an adult, her understanding and knowledge about the connection between humans and the natural world comes to life through her storytelling on the UNESCO World Biosphere Niagara Escarpment's formation and the ancient fossils that reveal its incredible history.

Annette is a Global Probus speaker and writer on Earth's Evolution, and the Indigenous and Early European Immigration history in Ontario. Annette is also the Hike Director for the Blue Mountain Bruce Trail Club - the oldest and longest footpath in Canada, a Certified Hike Leader with Hike Ontario, and the Director of Education and Indigenous Relations with the Escarpment Corridor Alliance - an Environmental conservation charity protecting the Niagara Escarpment of South Georgian Bay.

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Wildflower Stroll

John Lowry

The amazing biodiversity of Point Petre on the South Shore was vividly on display recently this past week as the spring wildflowers burst forth beautifully.


Twinflower (Photo: John Lowry)

Participants of the second annual SSJI spring wildflower walk were treated to a stunning variety of wildflowers as they strolled the deciduous forest located at Point Petre on Friday, May 3rd. A total of seventeen species were recorded either in full bloom or emerging. Of special note was the Carolinian species, Twinleaf (Jeffersonia diphylla), with many examples in bloom being sighted. The event was blessed with warm comfortable temperatures and sunshine, creating ideal conditions for the walk.

The explorers were also treated to numerous sightings of butterflies including the Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) and American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis).

In addition to the stunning visual display was an incredible concert of bird calls echoing through the forest. And a couple of lucky participants were treated to a sighting of the rare Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus).

Also making an appearance with the warmer temperatures were 3 Eastern garter snakes and a Northern Leopard frog.


Red Admiral (Photo: John Lowry)


American Lady (Photo: John Lowry)

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Naked Eye Astronomy - June to July 2024

Steve Burr

June

The Sun

The Summer Solstice occurs on Thursday 20th June. This is the longest day of the year and the shortest night. Astronomically, this marks the beginning of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Now on the bright side, the nights will become longer, and we can get out earlier in the evening to enjoy the wonders of the night sky.


The Moon

We started off the month with a New Moon on Thursday, 6th of June. This will be followed by a first Quarter Moon on the 14th of June. The Strawberry full Moon arrives on the 22nd of June close to the Summer Solstice. According to the Farmers Almanac, this moon is also known as the Windy Moon, Honey Moon, Mead Moon, Rose Moon, or Lotus Moon. The last quarter moon arrives on Friday, June 28th.


Strawberry Moon (Photo: Steve Burr)

The Planets

Venus is situated too close to the sun to be seen. Mars remains in the early morning sky moving from the constellation Pisces to Aries by the end of the month. Jupiter is now just becoming visible in the morning twilight just before sunrise as it distances itself from the sun. Saturn begins the month rising just after 1 am and by 11 pm by the end of the month.

July

The Moon

On Friday the 5th of July we have a New Moon. This allows us to view the central bulge of our Milky Way Galaxy as it rises in the South prior to midnight. Just look for the constellations Sagittarius and Scorpius. The central bulge is in between them. On Saturday the 13th of July we have the first quarter moon. This is followed by the Full Buck Moon on Sunday the 21st. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, this name is attributed to Buck antlers being easily spotted in July. Other names ascribed to this moon include the Salmon Moon, Time of Much Ripening, Blackberry moon and Squash are Ripe Moon. On Sunday the 28th of July, the last quarter moon arrives.


Moon and M35 Star Cluster (Photo: Robert Bates)

The Planets

Venus is now just re-emerging in the night sky and can be seen just after sunset low in the Western sky. Mars continues to rise higher in the night sky becoming visible in the early morning hours. Jupiter is also gaining elevation and rising earlier in the morning while appearing to gain on Mars throughout the month. Saturn now visible in the evening sky prior to midnight as it rings continue to close giving it a more of an edge on view.

Observing

With the warm temperatures, now is the time to observe the sun. RASC Belleville provides safe solar viewing opportunities at Presqu’ile Provincial Park on selected Saturdays in July and August. Please check our website at RASCBelleville.ca or our Facebook page RASC Belleville for dates and times.

The April 8th Solar Eclipse

Although the weather didn’t exactly cooperate here in the County, we did manage to glimpse the solar eclipse in between the passing clouds. It was certainly a celestial event to remember. We now only have to wait another 375 years for the next total solar eclipse to pass through our region in 2399! 


Solar Eclipse 2024 Compilation (Photo: Donald Town)


Diamond Ring Soalr Eclipse 2024 (Photo: Robert Mindenhall)


Totality Solar Eclipse 2024 (Photo: Robert Mindenhall)

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Searching for the Avro Arrow - The County Connection to a Canadian Legend

Jessica Chase

A brand-new exhibit recently opened at Mariners Park Museum. Searching for the Arrow: The County Connection to a Canadian Legend is the County Museums’ contribution to the regional Arrow Trail that launches on the weekend of June 29/30 in conjunction with the Quinte Air Show.

The Arrow Trail is a driving route that celebrates and explores this region’s connection to the Avro CF-105 Arrow, an all-weather, supersonic interceptor jet designed and manufactured in Canada in the 1950’s. Stops at Mariners Park Museum in Milford, Macaulay Heritage Park and Base31 in Picton, Point Petre, the National Air Force Museum in Trenton, and the Regimental Museum in Belleville, will highlight different parts of the Arrow’s local legacy. The stop at Mariners Park Museum focuses on the Raise the Arrow campaign, which, from 2017 to 2020, searched the bed of Lake Ontario for remains of nine Arrow free flight test models that were launched from Point Petre between 1954 and 1957.


1/18 scale model of Avro CF-105 Arrow free flight test model #8, constructed by Jeff Young (Photo: Jessica Chase)


Booster rocket component discovered in shallow water on a South Shore property. Possibly used to propel a Delta Test Vehicle. (Photo: Jessica Chase)

Raise the Arrow covered 100 square kilometres of the lake bed and identified thousands of areas (and items) of interest, finally locating the remnants of an Arrow free flight model in September 2020. However, it had been reduced to a sunken field of debris and it was determined that the other models likely met the same fate. The campaign did, however, bring up a Delta Test Vehicle (DTV). It was shot from Point Petre in 1954 and possibly inspired the launch and design of the Arrow models. This DTV was treated by the Canadian Conservation Institute before being donated to the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum, where it is now on display as part of their Cold War exhibit.

After highlighting the efforts of the Raise the Arrow campaign, the new exhibit at Mariners Park Museum also touches on the aftermath of the Avro Arrow project’s abrupt cancellation. On February 20, 1959, less than a year after the Avro CF-105 Arrow’s first successful flight, Prime Minister John Diefenbaker ordered the program to be scrapped. This sudden about-face immediately put over 14,000 people out of work and the ripple effects impacted tens of thousands more.


Coroplast plane the width and length of an Avro CF-105 Arrow free flight model. This was lowered to the bottom of the lake and used to calibrate the sonar system being used in Raise the Arrow’s search. (Photo: Jessica Chase)

There are numerous theories as to why the project was cancelled, but whatever the reason, many Canadian families, including a number in Prince Edward County, lost everything on what became known as Black Friday. This event led to the exodus of incredible scientific minds, including several the chief engineers on the Arrow project who were quickly snapped up by NASA and the British Aircraft Corporation for work on the Apollo and Concorde programs. Several oral histories relating to Black Friday’s impact have been collected, but museum staff are hopeful that as more people interact with the exhibit, they will be inspired to share their experiences.


Searching for the Arrow Exhibit (Photo: Jessica Chase)

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Leisure - W.H. Davies (1)

No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows:
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

 

(1) - W.H. Davies. 1911. Leisure in “A Short Analysis of W. H. Davies ‘Leisure’” - Accessed Sun., June 09, 2024.

https://interestingliterature.com/2020/06/wh-davies-leisure-no-time-stand-stare-analysis/

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County did you know … Snakes

John F. Foster

1) I am the most common snake in PEC. I have 2 black stripes on my back separated by a yellow stripe. I live in a hibernaculum in winter. Who am I? __________________

2) I am gray or tan with reddish brown blotches outlined in black. I often vibrate my tail

when threatened. I live in meadows and forest edges. Who am I? __________________

3) I am a small snake. I am gray or black with 2 black stripes and a red belly. I like to live amongst rocks, logs, and forest edges. Who am I? __________________

4) I am overall grayish brown with faint splotches. I am curious when swimming. I live near to or in the water. Who am I? __________________

5) I am yellowish with black splotches and an orangish head. I constrict my prey by

wrapping around them. I live on rocks and savannas. Who am I? _________________

6) I am black with a checkered underbelly. I am very long. I live in meadows or wooded areas. Who am I? __________________

 

(See answers in The South Shoreliner – Vol.5 No.4 – August, 2024)

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Species at Risk Profile – Eastern Musk Turtle

Megan Miller

The Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) is a small freshwater turtle that can be found in aquatic habitats. It has a narrow, highly domed shell, that easily distinguishes this species from other Ontario turtles that have wide, flatter shells that are similar looking, like the Snapping Turtle. Another way to distinguish between the Eastern Musk Turtle and Snapping Turtle is that the Snapping Turtle has prominent ridges on it’s tail like a dinosaur, and the Musk Turtle does not. The Eastern Musk Turtle has a dull black-brown body except for two distinctive yellow stripes often found on the side of the head. This species is also commonly known as the “Stinkpot”, which got its nickname for releasing a musky, skunk-like odor when it senses danger.


Eastern Musk Turtle (Photo: Joe Crowley)

Eastern Musk Turtles are found in different aquatic habitats such as ponds, lakes, marshes, and rivers that are generally slow-moving and have abundant emergent vegetation with muddy bottoms that they burrow into for winter hibernation. They prefer to walk along the bottom of their water body and forage for crustaceans and insects. They lay their eggs close to water in shallow sites of soil, decaying vegetation or rotting wood. They will sometimes also lay their eggs on the open ground.


Eastern Musk Turtle Swimming (Photo: Nick Cairns)

The most significant threats to the Eastern Musk Turtle are habitat destruction, primarily through wetland drainage, pollution, and shoreline development. This turtle is also extremely vulnerable to drought and abnormally high-water levels can drown eggs. Heavy motorboat traffic and fishing increase mortality rates have also increased morality rates. The Eastern Musk Turtle is classified as a species of Special Concern in Ontario.

Fun Fact: Eastern Musk turtles enjoy sitting on low hanging tree branches over the water and sometimes the only way you know they're there is a quick plopping sound in the water, of them making a quick getaway!

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Photo Gallery


Moon moving off the Sun during the April 8, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse (Photo: Robert Mindenhall)

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Editor's Note

This is the 24th edition of The South Shoreliner. The editor would like to thank the following for contributing to this 24th edition of The South Shoreliner: Geoff Craig, Cheryl Anderson, John Lowry, Steve Burr, Jessica Chase, W.H. Davies, John F. Foster, and Megan Miller. Contributions make the newsletter readable and interesting. For the next and upcoming newsletters, contributions of articles, photos and events are always welcome.

-- John F. Foster, The South Shoreliner Editor

About South Shore Joint Initiative

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