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Remember the fun you had at last year’s banquet? Don’t wait any longer to get your tickets for our 2015 event, which will be held on Saturday, November 14, at the Fitzroy Harbour Community Association Hall.
You suggested we start the fun earlier so we have! Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. and dinner (Fitzroy Beef Farmers roast beef and homemade side dishes with pie, rolls, etc., and vegetarian lasagna for non-meat eaters.) is at 6:00 pm.
Our featured speaker will be Dr. Jeff Bowman of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, speaking on A Murder of Weasels. Ontario has a variety of interesting species from the weasel family and Jeff will discuss natural history and recent research findings about many of these. The cast of characters will include fisher, marten, wolverine, mink, river otter, striped skunk, and badger.
And what would the Club banquet be without our ever-popular banquet quiz, silent auction and door prizes! Items that would make good auction or door prizes are appreciated. Will Dave Forsyth be donating any rocks? Contact Judy Seligy at 613-832-4287 or by email at tickets@mfnc.ca.
Find more on the banquet here. And don’t forget—all net proceeds from the banquet go toward the expansion of the Macnamara Trail.
(Did you spot the rock and rolls connection to the bulletin title? Getting you warmed up for the quiz!) |
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FIRMING UP OUR MACNAMARA TRAIL EXPANSION
 As we shared at our October meeting, the Macnamara Trail Extension project is moving forward to everyone’s satisfaction. Nylene Canada has provided formal approval for the project on their land and Arnprior contractor M. Sullivan & Son has come on board as the engineering project manager.
Our next step is to select a solution (or solutions) for bridging the wetlands, followed by the development of a detailed plan and cost estimates so we can submit grant applications for funding.
We will be looking at Phases 1 and 2, but may implement one phase at a time for cost and risk assessment reasons. Member support is needed in the areas of community outreach and project branding, so please contact Janet Mason if you’d like to help.
SHARE IN THE WONDER OF THE YOUNG MACS
From knee-high naturalists to budding youth to young-at-heart Macs, all are welcome to join the Young Macnamaras, our Club’s childrens’ program, as we explore what the natural world has to offer.
You might find us investigating insects at a local field, or plant and animal life on the Macnamara Trail, counting birds at a nearby park, salamander seeking during an early spring melt, or joining a Club excursion to see mudpuppies in the dead of winter.
 The next Young Macs’ outing is this Saturday, Oct. 17, 10:30 a.m. to noon, when we will explore Waterbirds and Migration at Fitzroy Provincial Park. Join us as we watch the geese and ducks prepare to fly to their winter feeding grounds. We'll discuss their amazing journeys along with the dynamics of feathers and flight.
Register with Telsing Lopez- Andrews at youngmacs@mfnc.ca. Get more details/directions here. Young Mac outings are free for Club members and others bringing children.
FIELD TRIPS
- Sunday, October 18, 2015: 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. Geology of Morris Island. Leader: Dave Forsyth Meet: Morris Island Conservation Area, 156 Morris Island Drive
- Saturday, November 7, 2015: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m Annual Trail Maintenance. Leader: Steve Duffield. Meet: the parking lot of the Macnamara Trail
Get detailed, up-to-date field trip information on mfnc.ca . Before heading out on any field trip, be sure to check the website for last minute changes. Register for each trip at events@mfnc.ca
UPCOMING MEETINGS
OUT AND ABOUT
- Boreal Birds and the Ottawa Valley. Conservation biologists Michael Runtz and Dr. Jeff Wells share their insights into the importance of the Ottawa Valley for North America’s boreal songbirds. Nov. 5. Tabaret Hall, U of O. Doors open: 6:30 PM; Lecture: 7 p.m. Tickets: $15 Seating is limited.
For more information on this and other community news, see the Community News listings on mfnc.ca .
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
 Can you spare an hour or two on Nov. 28 between 11 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to help sell our notecards at the Arnprior Craft Fair, being held at the Nick Smith Centre? We also need a volunteer to do the more technical part of set up before Club meetings, i.e. the projector, laptop, etc.
Contact: karenkruegermacnamara@gmail.com
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RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIPS NOW, PLEASE
The good news—about half of you have renewed your memberships to date! It follows, then, that there are still many that need to renew. Note that Macnamara Club memberships run from September 1 through August 31 and must be renewed annually.
You can register and pay membership fees online via our website at mfnc.ca. It’s easy and efficient. You can also renew at the next meeting or by mail—send your cheque (made out to Macnamara Field Naturalists’ Club) to Macnamara Field Naturalists’ Club, P.O. Box 391, Arnprior ON K7S 3L9.
We depend on your membership fees in order to continue offering great monthly meetings with expert speakers, year-round field trips and special projects and activities.
At $25 for individuals and $30 for families, Macnamara Field Naturalist Club memberships are still the best deal in town!
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