Love the Van Life
We enjoyed your article on the joys of living in a camper van (“Van Glory,” Fall 2022). As the proud owners of a 1991 Westy (Volkswagen Westfalia) named Wandah, we agree with much of what was written. We too live a “van life” during the winter months, and spend the time from January to April on the road, living, eating and sleeping in Wandah. With little more than mere inches between us, we’ve learned to live large in a tiny space. Last winter we spent 85 days on the road, travelled 17,500 kilometres and visited 23 states (some of them twice). Nothing compares to life on the road—the joy of making new friends, the awesomeness of incredible vistas, the thrill of wild adventures and the making of fabulous memories. While we do have some things in common with larger RVs and camper vans, to us, good things do indeed come in small packages.
Susan and Tom Stiff,
Collingwood
Three Words: Never Get Lost
I enjoyed reading Dan Needles’ article “Crazy Roads: The meaning behind the madness of our highways and byways” (Fall 2022) and can appreciate the challenges of wayfinding in rural areas. I have often noticed that the road sign name and that shown by the vehicle navigation system are different. In 2013, four British chaps devised a brilliant solution for precision addressing by dividing the world into three-metre squares, each with a unique three-word address. What3words.com and its associated app is now in use across the world. Whether requesting emergency services or roadside assistance, the dispatcher will know your exact location. It can also assist delivery services when the what3words (w3w) address is shown on the shipping instructions. Keeping the w3w address by the phone could be a time-saver in an emergency. For dog owners, why not write it on the collar in case the pooch should go astray? For mobile, using it can easily navigate you to your chosen destination, even without cellular service if you have downloaded a regional map in advance. If you see a sheep wandering on the Blind Lines, check the ear tag for a w3w address. Happy travels.
Lindsay Lyall,
Collingwood
Never Miss an Issue
For many years I lived in Stayner and always picked up my On The Bay at Foodland or in Collingwood. Six years ago I moved to the Owen Sound area and have truly missed your great magazine. The other day I was in Owen Sound and saw your magazine going out of Zehrs. HAPPY DAY! I have missed you. Owen Sound is also “on the Bay” so I truly hope to start finding your GREAT magazine in more locations in Owen Sound.
Sandra Barbour,
Owen Sound
Hi Sandra. In addition to Zehrs, you can also pick up copies of On The Bay in Owen Sound at The European Bakery Cafe and The Roxy Theatre. We also offer home delivery. You can find all the distribution locations and subscription information at onthebaymagazine.com/get-your-copy.—Editor
Arena Closures Strike at the Heart of Hockey
In Grey County, three arenas have been shut down in the communities of Chatsworth, Williamsford and Desboro. And more may be at risk in communities such as Feversham, Markdale, Flesherton and Rocklyn. Hundreds of families and kids use these facilities locally for fun league hockey (the heart of hockey), sponsored free skates and family times, and adult league hockey. Grey Highlands’ official plan says they may find new arenas in 10 years and close the local ones in two years. In Chatsworth that same promise was made a number of years ago and no new plans are in sight. A future article should draw attention to the underfunding and mismanagement that has caused this to happen, and
how it affects our little towns and big dreams.
E. Watson,
Chatsworth
In Praise of Psychedelics and Local Culture
I am writing to express my appreciation for this magazine and its commitment to local culture. I just read the Winter 2023 issue and I am a big fan of the psychedelic piece, “High Times.” The illustrations by various artists blew me away
as well.
Wendy Tapadia,
Meaford
Push to Protect and Connect Greenspace
It’s conventional wisdom that people don’t care about anything beyond their own pocketbooks. Perhaps this was what the provincial government was banking on when it decided to go after the Greenbelt and the Niagara Escarpment—that people would just shrug it off. We now know that this was a miscalculation. The backlash has been severe, broad-based and prolonged. People have shown that they are not willing to shrug it off. What is truly inspiring is that some politicians are listening. The recent motion passed by the Town of The Blue Mountains council calling for increased collaboration across municipalities to improve regional conservation shows that some politicians reward a public hungry to keep our Escarpment green. Collaboration will help us stand up to the provincial government.
Conserving our green spaces and connecting them into broad natural corridors is what our communities need. And without opposition voiced by individual citizens, organizations like the Escarpment Corridor Alliance, and the visionary leadership of municipalities like The Blue Mountains, the future of our beloved escarpment would look dire. People care very much, and that deserves celebration. However, there is no better way to celebrate than with victories. So, I hope that people will keep pushing!
Bruce Harbinson,
Escarpment Corridor Alliance
A Huge Victory for County Road 91
Clearview Township has withdrawn their appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) and their application to the Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC). The OLT appeal attempted to overturn the NEC’s denial of Clearview’s application to expand the seasonal Sideroad 26/27 in order to close a portion of County Road 91 and sell it to Walker Aggregates. Local residents, businesses, environmental organizations and neighbouring municipalities have long been opposed to this plan due to the certainty of harm to sensitive forests and wetlands, the unnecessary spending of taxpayer money, and the effect on the regional transportation network. In December, Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment demanded that the environmental assessment for the road be “bumped up” to a more stringent and detailed process. After this fundamental change, it was clear that Clearview could no longer continue to drag out their OLT appeal. This plan to close an important road—to sell it to an aggregate company—was created 14 years ago. Environmental regulations and traffic patterns have significantly changed since. We look forward to Clearview confirming they have finally ended this strange plan, but their withdrawal of the application and appeal is a welcome first step.
Wendy Franks,
Clearview, Save91.ca
