The Galwegians- October 2022
As of the deadline for this article, the Galway Hall’s Turkey Supper is a “GO”. It will be held on Saturday, November 5th, 2022. There will be two sittings- 4 pm and 5:30 pm. Take-out is also available. For reservations, phone the Galway Hall at 705 488-2831. Leave a message with your name, your choice of sitting times, and with the number of seats requested. Your message will be your confirmation. Your name and number of seats will be added to the master list for that sitting. Phone messages will not be returned. The Hall’s answering system will be in place from October 1st until October 31st. Seats may also be reserved via email: info@galwayhall.ca See also the poster in this edition of the Kinmount Gazette for further details.
Galwegians give a huge ‘shout-out’ and a big thank-you for everyone involved in putting the 150th edition of the Kinmount Fair together, especially after a two year hiatus due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Special kudos to the fur harvesters and the time they took to engage the interested visitors, especially the kids. Our grandchildren that attended were very attentive to the impromptu presentation given to them. Besides the pelt of a skunk and the incredible size of the cougar pelt, the kids learned why the ermine has a black tip on its tail. The trapper explained that hawks and owls focus on the black tip as the white ermine runs across the white snow. He noted that several times he had seen the wing and claw marks in the snow where the predators had missed their target- the ermine.
As fall quickly approaches, many cottagers on reservoir lakes are removing their boats and securing their docks. Here on Crystal Lake, it is also a time to check for the presence of zebra mussels. Anchors, chains and ropes, dock ladders and dock floats, and water lines may all be homes to this invasive and unwanted species. Reports coming in indicate that the zebra mussels come in all sizes now.
One cottager sent pictures of a broad-winged hawk that perched in a nearby tree, checking out the activities around their birdfeeder.
Have you ever wondered why wasps become as annoying as they are when the summer holidays near an end? Well, according to The Weather Network, the ‘worker’ wasps apparently go on hiatus. All spring and summer, these workers are feeding the larvae in the nests with chewed-up bugs and flies and aphids. In return, the workers receive a sugary secretion from the larvae. However, as the larvae hatch, these wasps have less to feed and to do. Yet, they crave the sugar taste that they are missing. So, these wasps come to our food and to our drinks in search of the sweetness that they are now lacking.
Speaking of annoying creatures, did you know that raccoons belong to the Procyonidae family? Previous to this classification, raccoons were grouped with dogs, cats, rats, and bears. The Procyonidae family is fairly unique because this family does not have many members. They only live in North, Central, and South America. These creatures do have three common traits. They all are omnivores, fairly solitary, and nocturnal. Believe it or not, raccoons only live about three years. Reasons for this shorter lifespan range include being hit by cars, poisons, traps, and germs.
Looking up in the night skies from October 6 – 10, the Draconids Meteor Shower, the result of dust grains from comet 21P Giacobini-Zinner, is best viewed in the early evening. Peak viewing is on October 7th. Mercury will be at its highest point above the horizon in the eastern sky, just before sunrise. The Full Moon occurs on October 9th. It is the Hunters Moon but is also known as the Travel Moon and Blood Moon. The Orionids Meteor Shower, produced by dust grains left behind by comet Halley, peaks on October 21 and October 22. Galwegians welcome Vivian Wong. She is the new physiotherapist at the Kinmount Medical Centre. Our best wishes go out to Vivian. There is a “meet and greet” reception at the medical centre on Sunday, October 2nd from 2 pm until 4 pm. Municipal Elections in Ontario will be held on Monday, October 24th, 2022. Locally, the Galway Hall will be the location for an ‘All-Candidates’ meeting. This meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 15th. It starts at 10 am. Be informed. Exercise your right to vote. The Kinmount Bursary application deadline is fast approaching. Applications for the winter term are due on Tuesday, November 15th, 2022. Go to www.galwayhall.ca and www.kinmount.ca for information and application forms. Also, check out the poster in this edition of the Kinmount Gazette.