www.kiaos.ca KIA of Owen Sound 519-371-4447 Highway 26 East, across from Walmart 1-800-930-5616 Newsstand Price 95¢ (plus 5% tax) ruceThe eninsula ress B P P Since 1988 2011 Number One January 11th, 2011 to February 8th, 2011 The Perfect Storm: Indian Head Cove Goes Viral — Again Three days of howling north winds in mid-December seemed like an inconvenience at the time, what with the highway being closed and all. But it was not entirely an ill wind. It allowed Bill Caulfeild-Browne to get a gorgeous picture of Big Tub (this page) as waves pounded along the north shore of the peninsula and the wind whipped the spray inland. And when the storm finally abated, a couple of BPDS Outers Alumni — Travis Kelly and Will Francis — decided it would be fun to snowshoe in to Indian Head Cove in the national park and see how it looked after the storm. They found a wonderland, where trees had been bent to the ground then buried under tons of ice and snow. They took a few pictures for Facebook and resolved to tell all their friends. They returned the following day with a larger group of Outers Alumni. Everybody took pictures and video for Facebook and resolved to let the world know about it. Two days after that the path was so well-travelled you no longer needed snowshoes. Since then, dozens, maybe hundreds of people have made the walk and all have been rewarded with a spectacular scene. The windstorm of December 12th and 13th taken by Bill Caulfeild-Browne from the south side of Big Tub Harbour. Many of them have posted it on Facebook. Much of the ice survived the early January thaw and at this writing (January CLIMATE COMMENT for December and the Year 2010 10) is still exciting to visit (see Sun Times cover photo Jan. 8). Park at Cyprus Lake boat launch (by the new yurts) and follow An extraordinary month and a very warm year! the well-trodden path to Indian Head Cove. By Bill Caulfeild-Browne First, it tied as the second warmest another wonderful New Year of sunshine But be careful. You will be visiting Despite the mean temperature for year since my records began in 1996. The and warm breezes. icy cliffs in a remote, wilderness location. December being completely normal, it was mean temperature for the year was 7.6C, More on Pages 2 & 3. actually an unusual month. For example, the same as 2006. (In 1998 the mean was the warmest day was not early in the 7.8C). The long-term mean for Tobermory month as one might expect but rather New is 6.0C. Year’s Eve when southerly winds brought Second, it was the driest year I the mercury up to 6.2C. (By New Year’s have recorded, with only 562 mms of Day it was even warmer, just shy of 8C.) precipitation against a 15-year norm of The coldest day was the 13th when 657 mms. This is because last winter the temperature dipped to -10.8C. With was exceptionally snow-free. Even the winds gusting to nearly 90 kms/hr, the record wet months of May and September wind chill plunged to -24C. couldn’t compensate for the dry winter. Indeed, winds were the big story of As I said in my September review the month. The northerly blast started of the summer, (the best summer I can around noon on December 12th and by remember) the record rain in May and 5 pm it was blowing over 50 kms/hr September came in a few heavy downpours average speed and stayed that way for 31 – at night! So statistics don’t always tell straight hours. It gusted at over 80 kms/ you the whole story – how the rain comes hr for several hours on end and the peak, down is as important as the amount at 89 kms/hr, was the second highest that falls as far as our assessment of the wind speed my station has recorded. (The pleasantness of the weather is concerned. highest was 93 kms/hr on October 5th There is emerging evidence that 1997 when wind chill was much less of global warming does seem to be affecting an issue.) us in Tobermory, not simply because of It may have gusted higher on the warmer years we’ve been getting in December 13th, but the spray blowing the last decade or so, but because we off the lake froze my anemometer solid for are just not seeing the very cold winter temperatures that characterized much of several hours! Photo: Will Francis the last century. Our coldest winter day Here on the Northern Bruce we were in 2010 was on January 24th when Jack relatively lucky. Although Highway 6 was “This place is AWESOME!!” Travis Kelly howls. He and Will Francis went in Frost delivered -16.7C. Almost always in to Indian Head Cove on snowshoes Dec. 16 after the 3-day gale. closed for a couple of days, we didn’t see the past we have had minimums in the nearly the amount of snow that London -20C to -30C range. and those stranded motorists around The Tobermory Press Hours - Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sarnia got. In fact our precipitation was Interestingly, though, we didn’t have The deadline for our next issue (#2-2011) is Feb 2nd, printing Feb 8th much less than normal – 33 mms against any very hot days this year. The warmest a norm for my station of 55 mms. was 28.9C on August 31st – we had no In This Issue: 30C days. And how was the year 2010 as a Christmas Bird Count Page 11 • BP Pedal Pushers Update Page 24 whole? Well, it too was quite unusual. Weather-wise, 2010 was a great year in Tobermory and I wish my readers Bruce Peninsula Environment Group Page 14 • Hockey Day Page 5 SERVING THE BRUCE McNair PENINSULA FOR YOUR... • Custom Homes • Renovations Construction • Roofing • Siding • Decks QUALITY CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION SOLUTIONS • Masonry & Concrete and more Jim McNair 519-793-4353 •email: [email protected] •R.R.#1 Lion’s Head, Ontario N0H 1W0 The Bruce Peninsula Press # 1 January 11th, 2011 to February 8th, 2011 page 2 Bantam Girls Continue Winning Streak Submitted by Darlene Myles 50 seconds remaining. Lacey netted the The Bantam Girls’ hockey team was on winner from Courtney Hepburn and Abby the road over the holidays, traveling first to Myles. Thanks to peewee players Paige Kincardine on Dec. 20th. Kincardine was Concordia, Katie Bridge and Allie Heathers winning by 2 at the end of the 1st period. who stepped in at the last minute to replace Brianna Jones put the Peninsula team on some missing bantam players. the scoreboard with only 2:40 left in the 2nd. The girls were on the road Terrilynn Martindale and Courtney Hepburn again on the 30th to face off against added the helpers on this goal. Lacey Moore Walkerton. Terrilynn opened the scoring tied things up in the 3rd with linemate midway through the 1st on a pass from Abby Myles earning the assist. With only Bridget Boyle and Courtney Hepburn. 2:09 remaining in the 3rd, Captain Kendra Walkerton replied 3 minutes later leaving Schultz scored the winner on an assist from the game tied at one a piece at the end of Lacey and Terrilynn. the 1st. The Peninsula team moved ahead in The team traveled to Thornbury the 2nd with goals from Lacey and Terrilynn. on Dec. 29th to face the Georgian Shores Assists were earned by Cassandra Shears, team. This too was a close game. The 1st Kendra Schultz, Courtney Hepburn and period remained scoreless with Georgian Bridget Boyle. Abby Myles scored the 4th Shores scoring early in the 2nd. Lacey tied and final goal in the 3rd from linemates the game up with 5:42 remaining in the Cassandra and Lacey. Special mention 2nd. Zoe Bond earned the assist. Courtney needs to go to Paige Concordia who made Hepburn took the team into the lead with many outstanding saves in net for the team!! a goal a minute later. Allie Heathers and The team now sits with a solid first Terrilynn assisted on this goal. Georgian place position in their WOAA division. Their Shores took the lead once again in the 3rd next home games in Lion’s Head is Sat. Jan. with our team scoring the winner with only 29th at 5:00 pm. Indian Head Cove A fusion of Above: Josh Behmann called it “Iceland” and thought it was absolutely and the BPDS Outers dance, martial wonderful. He and his dad — Outers teacher Birch Behmann — hiked in to & healing arts Indian Head Cove before Christmas. Below: If you look carefully, you can Alumni Network see the shapes of the bent-over trees under the ice. Photos: Birch Behmann. There is an informal network of Dance, Get Fit, Have Fun! young outdoors enthusiasts on the Bruce Winter Session Begins Photo at right: the spray at Indian Head Cove was blown about 15m straight Peninsula. Nearly all of them are graduates up and 50m inland. of the BPDS Outers Program. They let each Classes in Lion’s Head other know if there’s anything exciting to Mon. 7pm & Fri. 10am see or do. Classes in Tobermory They created quite a buzz about the Wednesday 11:30am ice at Indian Head Cove and nearly all of the “Alumni” got in to see it over Christmas Session Discount or Drop-in break as did dozens of other people.