The Neebish Island News

Rescue 21

2010-03-16T09:50:00.003-04:00

The USCG will roll out a new radio triangulation technology between now and 2017.

The Vineyard Gazette has the story: Coast Guard Search and Rescue Sees Giant Leap of Technology

End Of The Season Is Nigh

2010-03-09T23:01:00.001-05:00

Via SooToday: U.S. Coast Guard to open West Neebish Channel in its entirety

Vessel Traffic Service St. Marys River will open the waters between Nine Mile Point and Moon Island, effective 0800 EST March 12, 2010.

These preparations are being conducted in support of the March 21 opening of the Sault Locks and the start of the 2010 commercial navigation season.

The Coast Guard will make every effort to minimize the impact to Neebish Island ferry operations.

However, Neebish Island residents should prepare for minor service interruptions as the ice descending into the Rock Cut will most certainly prevent the ferry from operating normally.

Georgian Bay Association Web Site

2010-03-08T23:48:00.002-05:00

I recently came across the web site for the Georgian Bay Association: georgianbay.ca.

Stop by the site and download the newsletter as it is apropos for Neebish residents too.

Soo Locks Will Open March 21st

2010-03-08T09:06:00.002-05:00

See: Soo Locks 2010 shipping season will open early this year

The locks are opening early after the Corps received several requests from the shipping community and their customers to open early due to “an improved business climate” and to replenish critically low iron ore and coal inventories

This appears to be great macroeconomic news and may foretell a busy shipping season.

Atlantic Salmon Fact

2010-02-08T09:52:00.002-05:00

From Eric Sharp at the FreeP:

Virtually all of the Atlantics caught in the Great Lakes today were spawned in the St. Marys.

See: Ask Free Press outdoors writer Eric Sharp

The Summer Water Level Forecast

2010-02-08T09:49:00.001-05:00

Via The Detroit News: Lack of snow could cause low lake levels

The Eastern U.P. Is Becoming A Well Known Destination For Birders

2010-02-05T09:59:00.002-05:00

Last year I posted about a trip some people took to Dunbar Forest and this year the Nutty Birder has some pictures from their trip.

See: Birding The Soo

Neebish Island Ferry Resumes Winter Hours

2010-01-27T21:40:00.001-05:00

The Soo Evening News reports:

The Neebish Island Ferry re-opened Tuesday after a closure of more than two weeks.
“The wind finally shifted,” said a spokesman for the operation. “We will run the limited winter schedule as long as we can.”

Web Site About Aamjiwnaang First Nation History

2010-01-27T09:56:00.002-05:00

Here's a blog I recently stumbled upon: The Plains of Aamjiwnaang

It presents the native history of the Upper Great Lakes in a story format.

Ice Cover

2010-01-25T14:10:00.003-05:00

Some recent links I've come across:

-Here's an article from BayViewCompass regarding ice on the Great Lakes: Great Lakes ice rhythms

-The NOAA Great Lakes Atlas has ice cover animations. (interesting to note that in 1979 western Lake Superior was 100% ice covered until mid-May)

-Here's a PDF of a research paper: Ice Conditions on the St. Marys River, Michigan, from February to breakup, 1967-1991.

Neebish Island Resort Is Doing Good Things

2010-01-25T13:58:00.002-05:00

Neebish Island Resort is hosting the Kids Fighting Cancer Nature Resort Wish Trip program.

If you see these kids on Neebish Island this summer be sure to make them feel welcome.

StopAsianCarp.com

2010-01-14T23:56:00.003-05:00

Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox has a new web site with all the news about keeping out Asian Carp.

See: StopAsianCarp.com

I know this is in the news a lot, and perhaps it sounds like hyperbole to some people, but this fish really would destroy the Great Lakes as we know them.

New Winter Navigation Light For Munuscong Bay

2010-01-14T23:47:00.002-05:00

Via The Soo Evening News: A guiding light on Conely’s Point

It seems that every year we hear about someone falling through the ice in Munuscong Bay so hopefully this new light which is being paid for by federal dollars will save some future lives.

Ice Issues

2010-01-14T23:41:00.001-05:00

9&10 News reports on the current concerns regarding the Neebish Island ice bridge: Ice Concerns at the Neebish Island Ferry

Reminder - Mackinac Bridge Tolls Go Up January 1, 2010

2009-12-31T14:35:00.002-05:00

The toll for cars will be $3.50.

Official site: Mackinac Bridge Fare Schedule

1973 Home Movie Of The Edmund Fitzgerald

2009-12-29T09:57:00.002-05:00

Here is a 40 second clip that has been posted to YouTube: Edmund Fitzgerald on the St. Marys River May 19, 1973

The "Bath Tub" Hypothesis Is Corked Up

2009-12-15T16:36:00.002-05:00

Via Freep: St. Clair River's water loss not alarming

Operation Taconite For The 2009-2010 Season Has Begun

2009-12-15T08:58:00.001-05:00

Via the SooEveningNews: U.S. Coast Guard begins breaking ice

The Lake Superior Shoreline Of 4500 Years Ago

2009-12-07T08:56:00.001-05:00

Via AbsoluteMichigan: Smart Archaeology in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Good News For The Sturgeon

2009-11-30T16:04:00.002-05:00

Via GL Echo: Old fish makes new Great Lakes comeback

This is of interest to Neebish Island folks as historically, the St. Marys River has had a self-sustaining population of sturgeon.

The Worse News You May Hear Today

2009-11-20T16:05:00.002-05:00

This is bad news for the Great Lakes. Very, very bad. Perhaps even cataclysmic.

See DetNews: Asian carp may have breached Great Lakes barrier

A Good Thing About Having Cougars Around

2009-11-18T14:42:00.003-05:00

They can improve the overall health of the deer herd which is good for hunters.

Via the NYT: When Mountain Lions Hunt, They Prey on the Weak

...by consuming infected carcasses, the animals may be keeping infectious agents out of the environment, reducing transmission to healthy deer.

"We've Seen A 5 Percent Increase Per Decade In Average Wind Speed Since 1985."

2009-11-16T14:21:00.002-05:00

Via Dave Dempsey. See EurekaAlert: Warmer means windier on world's biggest lake

A Wilderness Trek For Man And Dog Across The U.P.

2009-11-16T11:37:00.002-05:00

Via Mlive: Backpacking 517 miles across Upper Peninsula reveals much to 60-year-old hiker

But this was different. Gauld carried little food this time, just a handful of granola bars and a bit of jerky, just in case.

The 60-year-old retired heavy equipment operator planned to live off the land, much as the early hunter-gatherers had, tapping Mother Nature's garden and his own woods sense developed from a lifetime of living close to the land.

The route he took was the North Country Trail. And how lucky we are to have this in our geographical backyard and to be able to have preserved a sample of how things used-to-be. I look forward to hiking this trail myself some day.

Burn Wise

2009-11-12T15:04:00.002-05:00

Do you have a fireplace or wood stove in your Neebish Island cottage?

If so stop by the EPA's Burn Wise site for information on getting the most from your fire or to find the most efficient wood stoves.