The Neebish Island News

Here's the latest from the Soo Evening News regarding the Neebish Islander - Neebish ferry repair awaits state approval

With any luck there'll be some news this week so the ferry can be dry-docked and repaired before Memorial Day weekend.

Labels: ferry

Recently, what appears to be a wild cougar was shot by police in a Chicago suburb. See:
ChiTrib - Cops kill cougar on North Side

NatGeo - Cougar Shot in Chicago; Was 1,000 Miles From Home?

Bloomberg - Cougar Rattles Chicago, Where 2,000 Coyotes Prowl

Just another reminder that eventually we'll probably see cougars in the Neebish Island area. And of all the large animals I might run into; wolf, bear, moose, the idea of being face-to-face with a cougar is actually terrifying. Kind of like seeing God - you like knowing he's out there but you're not quite sure what's to happen if you do see him.

Labels: cougar

Below is a story from The Seattle Times about the Border Patrol detaining people arriving on the mainland from islands in the United States but "only" 20 miles from Canada. What's to keep the Border Patrol from doing this as we leave the Neebish Island ferry?

Border Patrol "spot checks" on ferries provoke outrage in San Juan Islands

Labels: ferry

You've probably heard in the news about drugs showing up in tap water. This story - EPA urges Great Lakes residents not to flush old meds - is a follow-up. And it reminded me to share a little ditty that I've taped on the walls of the cottage at Neebish Island so guests understand that a septic system is not a trash can.

What you flush down
Goes into the ground
Makes its way around
Back to the well it's bound
So please, make decisions that are sound

The website InspectApedia is quite a septic system resource. Here is their just one of their guides - Septic Tank Maintenance: What Can or Cannot Be Flushed into a Septic Tank - Septic Tank Maintenance and Cleaning Advice

And Montana State University has this resource - Septic Tank and Drainfield Operation and Maintenance

- The area over the drainfield should be left undisturbed, with only a mowed grass cover. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage your drain lines.
- Keep automobiles and heavy equipment off the drainfield.
- Do not plan any building additions, pools, driveways, or other construction work near the septic tank, drainfield or the replacement drainfield area.
- Do not put too much water into the se
- Do not flush non-biodegradable materials such as plastics, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins and applicators—they rapidly fill up the tank and will clog the system.
- Restrict the use of your kitchen garbage disposal—it increases the amount of solids in the tank, making them slower to decompose.
- Do not pour grease or cooking oils down the sink drain because they solidify and clog the soil absorption field.
- Don’t allow paints, motor oil, pesticides, fertilizers or disinfectants to get into your septic system. They can pass directly through the septic system and contaminate groundwater. These chemicals can also kill the microorganisms which decompose wastes and can damage the soil in the drainfield.
- Do not use caustic drain openers for a clogged drain. Instead use boiling water or a drain snake to free up clogs. Clean your toilet, sinks, shower and tubs with a mild detergent or baking soda rather than the stronger and potentially system-damaging commercial bathroom cleansers.

Labels: cottage, pollution, water

(forgot to post this earlier this month)
SooToday.com - Neebish Island man airlifted to Michigan Soo hospital

The Coast Guard received a call at approximately 11:10 a.m. reporting that a 78-year-old male was experiencing heart troubles and needed to be transported to better medical facilities on the mainland.

Station Sault Ste. Marie deployed an 18-foot Airboat to pick up the man from Neebish Island.

Labels: emergencies, ferry

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - So much snow, but little help for lakes

Labels: water levels

Soo Evening News - Neebish situation occupies EUPTA

Labels: ferry

Don't count on a regular scheduled for the Neebish Islander any time soon.

The Soo Evening News has a couple of stories about it:
Hull leak sidelines Neebish Island ferry

Airboat service connects Neebish

As does TV 9&10 (with video) - Neebish Island Ferry Out of Service

Labels: ferry

The CS Monitor reports maple sugarers are having a great year - Economic sweet spot: making maple syrup

Mr. Marsh says sugarmakers won't meet demand for the product, which has skyrocketed domestically and internationally, especially in Asia and Russia. "We're growing the market. Now we just need to grow production," he says.

Partly because of maple syrup's low-fat content and partly because of organic food's popularity, sugarmakers have been able to find new outlets beyond the familiar gallon jugs and plastic squeeze bottles found on store shelves. Dufresne sells syrup to several granola companies, a brewery, and breadmakers, all organizations that weren't interested in his crop five years ago.

Want your own sugar bush on Neebish Island? MSU Extension has a guide (from 1982): Homemade Maple Syrup

Labels: food, trees

Hopefully this last winter blast marks the end of the snow. To commemorate it, here are State Conservation Officer Mike Borkovich's "top 10" list of excuses for trespassing as reported at LeelanauNews.com:

10. “Everyone else goes through here.”

9. “I had to go to the bathroom really bad, and was taking a shortcut.”

8. “How am I suppose to get to Northport?” (Reply: “I’m not sure, sir, but now you’re in Empire.”)

7. “I was just following the tracks.”

6. “I couldn’t help myself. It was fresh powder and there were no tracks.”

5. “The sign only said no hunting or trespassing, so I thought it was OK to snowmobile.”

4. “I’ve always driven across this property. I’m not going to stop now.”

3. “Why are you picking on me?”

2. “I didn’t know anybody owned this property.”

1. “It ain’t hurt’n nuth’n.”

LeelanauNews.com also has an interesting 2007 profile of this fine Officer - He's behind every tree