#Hornepayne Ontario

[hidingmurklins]

My grandma told me her parents met in Moose Factory. Grandpa was doing odd jobs, and Granny was working at a hotel. They met when she was sat on a bench with her friends on a day when the flies were really bad. All of her friends were swatting them away, and Granny was the only one not swatting. Grandpa was intrigued by this lady who didnt waste her energy swatting flies. There are parts of the story lost to time, but they eventually were married and they moved around Northern Ontario a bit e.g. Larder Lake (where grandma was born), Kirkland Lake (where one of the other boys was born) and eventually Manitouwadge and then White River. My grandma's brothers grew up helping their dad with odd jobs like grating roads, plowing snow, building houses, manning the firehouse, and delivering papers to neighbouring communities like Hornepayne. Grandpa even helped level out the land on which the Pooh Park was built.

[garryspolicememories]

                  Policing Memories of

           Garry Crawford Circa 1962

                            Part XX

    Search for Two Hunters Lost in Pukaskwa

     Forest For 13 Days – Wawa Detachment.

                     The HUNTERS STORY

     If Memory serves me correctly it was on October the 9th., in the late 1970’s. Carl Norman, 36 and Ronald Frese, 28 of Akron Ohio were flown into a Fly-in camp on a small lake near Jostle Lake, about twenty air miles west of Wawa, Ontario. The two men were flown in by White River Air Service to do some moose hunting. I believe Moose Season was to open the following day. The two men were advised that their flying service would be making periodic fly-overs as their time progressed. If there was an emergency or they shot a moose that needed taken out, they were to run up a flag on a pole that was installed at the camp. The camp itself was a simple tent camp set up on a wooden platform on a rock outcrop overlooking the lake. The interior contained the bare necessities of a stove, small table stand  etc. and two rough wooden bunks. Washing and cooking utensils.

     When the aircraft left Norman and Frese put there sleeping gear and packsacks containing their clothing food and other supplies into the camp. They decided that they would do a reconnoiter of the lake and surrounding area to see if there was any moose sign. They were already dressed in hunting gear, so they took their rifles and worked there way down the north side of the lake. On reaching a point approximately ¾ of the way down the lake, they came upon a cow moose with her calf standing in the shallow water. They shot the cow and wounded the calf, it ran off. They cleaned out their kill and retrieved a small boat that was at the camp, dragged the moose down the lake to the campsite and hung the moose in a tree. The two men had gotten quite wet in the process, they stripped off their wet hunting gear and changed into dry spare clothing they had brought with them.  One was dressed in dress shoes a white T-shirt and a light jean jacket. The other was similarly dressed but just a shirt and no jacket.

     I guess they were pretty excited about their kill and decided to go back and see if they could find the wounded calf. Only one of them took a rifle. On returning to the scene of their kill it was getting near dark. They started working their way back from the lake and when they reached a point approximately 500 yards north of the lake they came upon the calf and made their second kill. On bleeding the calf it was quite dark. One of the men took off his cap red hunting cap and placed it on top of a stump near the calf.

     The two men then proceeded to return to their camp, which was in an easterly direction from the calf kill. They had no compass but did have a flashlight. Instead of heading east, they unknowingly headed southwest, they had completely lost their direction. They continued as far as they could that night and I believe the flashlight went dead. The following day they decided they had better conserve what they had and stay where they were for the time being. It is believed they stayed at this location for three days. They had the rifle, an axe, and the dead flashlight. They did not have any matches, food, compass, heavy clothing or proper footwear. They were getting quite hungry at this point. They took the battery out of the flashlight and used it as a water container. They found if they drank lots of water they felt some relief from the hunger. One of the two had marine survival training. They used the axe to gather evergreen boughs and made a type of igloo with a very small opening. The floor was also covered with fine boughs for bedding. At night the two men cuddled to help conserve their body heat. They were unable to make a fire. The third or fourth day one of the men shot a partridge, which they tried to eat raw. This was futile as they were unable to keep the raw meat in their stomach. The men advised that they were starting to feel quite weak, but found by laying in the sun on the flat rocks they felt rejuvenated.

     It was about the fifth day without seeing any help, Norman and Frese had established some direction and decided to start to walk towards the highway, which they knew was in an easterly direction. They continued working their way east for a couple of more days and were getting pretty weak at this point. They built another similar shelter to the first one on a high cliff overlooking a ravine. One night a moose interrupted their sleep. The two men had pealed some poles and laid then out in an opening to form an H for help. By the twelfth night of their ordeal the two men decided they would get up in the morning and start walking towards the highway and continue until they dropped.

     It was during the thirteenth day the two men were lost that they heard a helicopter. They rushed out of their shelter and waved to the circling helicopter. I later interviewed the two men at the Lady Dunn Hospital in Wawa. One of the men had temporarily lost his voice and was unable to talk. The other advised me about their rescue. He stated: That pilot really knew what he was doing. He came down just like a big fly. He put one of his skids on the edge of the cliff and just hovered there. We quickly climbed on board. I found this latter statement somewhat amusing, as it was told with what I would call a very heavy Kentucky drawl.

     One of the men had lost 20 lbs. and the other 25 lbs. during their adventure. The two men were very appreciative of the members involved in their search and rescue, promising to raise money on their return to Ohio, which they would contribute to the Soo Search and Rescue and any other volunteer groups involved. Their tone changed somewhat when the Wawa Ministry of Natural Resources for taking the moose during the closed season charged them.

                                 The Search

     I believe it was on the 17th., of October White River Air Service decided to check on their hunter’s. The two men had been lost for seven days at this point. I would think their week’s hunt was ending and their aircraft had witnessed no flag signal. On checking the cabin they found a moose hanging in a tree and obvious signs that the men’s bunks had never been slept in. Their pilot returned to Wawa and it was reported to Wawa Detachment. It was obvious from the pilot’s report that something had happened to the two men. Either they had become lost or something more serious had happened. Because of the rugged wilderness involved and the isolation of this area a search was in order.  

     Myself as search coordinator and the Detachment Commander Sergeant Lorne Neve implemented a plan for logistics. We took into consideration the area concerned, equipment needed, tools, maps, flagging tape,  axes and shovels, transportation, supplies for accommodation, food, cooking,  and manpower.  By the late 70’s most Detachments had some personnel who were trained in Search and Rescue work. A request was made to White River and Hornepayne Detachment for volunteers and trained personnel. A similar request was made to the Wawa Ministry of Natural Resources for men and assistance with transportation and tents, sleeping and cooking equipment. A telephone call was placed to Mac Nicholson the director of the Sault Ste Marie Search and Rescue Centre for assistance with their manpower. I should mention that this group is a completely volunteer organization, which book time off work without pay and volunteer their services. A request was also made for the attendance of the OPP Helicopter. Finally a grocery list was compiled to feed out search team. Our Detachment Custodian at that time was Brian Ringrose. Brian Volunteered to be our search team’s Cook.

     Late on the afternoon of the 17th., White River Air Service flew Constables Tex Luoma, Don Lewko , Don Harrison and myself in to the location of the outpost cabin. We took along a small amount of food, sleeping bags and personal equipment. On our arrival we found the dead moose hanging behind the camp. It was obvious that the men had not been back to the camp since their arrival and they had made a change of clothing. A quick reconnoiter along the north side of the lake was made just prior to dark and we located where the cow moose had been taken and some tracks. I remember that there was some concern about who was going to get the two bunks. There was no worry though as we located some used lumber behind the camp and each bunk was extended to allow two members at each bunk. Lol.

     On the morning of the 18th. , the OPP Helicopter arrived from Toronto with two pilots aboard, Constables Norm Kerr and Dwayne Sedgwick. Additional members arrived from Sault Ste Marie Search and Rescue. Members of Wawa Ministry of Natural Resources, White River and Hornepayne Detachments. A line search was commenced from the location where the moose had been killed. A line search requires a fair amount of discipline.

     The leader on the outside of the line runs on a compass line marking his progress with marking tape as he moves along. The man on the other end of the line also marks our passage with marking tape and keeps a tally of the distance travelled. The remaining members form a line off of the leader. Each person must keep and equal distance from his neighbour, depending on the terrain, this distance is usually 6 to 10 feet. Additionally the line must be kept as straight as possible. If anything is observed eg. tracks broken branches, article of clothing or any of item that would indicated someone’s passage. Then the line would be halted and the leader or other appointed person would be responsible for checking the item out, recording its location and when satisfied start the line again.

      When a predetermined distance has been covered the line is reversed and ran parallel to the first line with the first man in the line following the marking tape and the person on the outside of the line again marking the outside line with marking tape and doing a tally. In this search, two members were dispatched to the north to the Hydro Line with instructions to run on a fixed bearing and mark their trail with flagging tape to checkout the Power Line right of way for any sign. The remaining members were used on the line search.

     The exception being Brian Ringrose and one other person who remained at the campsite to set up accommodation and a cooking area.

     It was early on in the search when the force helicopter spotted something red in the thick bush. The item was just slightly ahead of the search line. This turned out to be one of the lost hunter’s hunting cap placed on top of a stump. The dead calf moose was located a short distance away. Tracks were located on the west side of our search area later that day which caused us to lean our search towards the southwest.

I believe it was on the third day the search line located a man made shelter and parts of a flashlight and the remains of a partridge cleaning, approximately two miles to the south west of the fly-in camp. The search was continued with indications the two individuals had moved south then east.

      The fourth day as I remember was pretty uneventful with the search team working south and east from the location of fly-in camp and south of the lake.

     I remember later in the afternoon of the fourth day the helicopter had to return to Wawa to pick up a reload of fuel. We were in the air ahead of the search team and I radioed into Wawa Detachment with instructions to the dispatcher to advise Sergeant Neve that I had a special request for additional groceries.

     The team was working under very difficult conditions. The work was very tiring and uncomfortable. At times they would be walking on the ice through the ponds and muskeg at others they would be climbing cliffs. At other times they would break through the ice and get wet. I wanted to keep their spirits up and as I had done on other searches I tried to get them a little treat. One of the requests for groceries was kind of coded as much of the district could hear my radio broadcast. So my simple instructions were to request Sergeant Neve to pick up two dozen brown eggs from the In an Out Store. When we completed the area we were searching we returned for the much needed fuel and groceries. When we landed, Sergeant Neve met us with the groceries and when I looked there were two dozen white eggs. I explained to Lorne what my request had been and he was somewhat discussed, as the dispatcher had failed to give my description. (Two dozen brown eggs from the In and Out Store.) He had simply written down 2 doz. Eggs. The matter was quickly solved as Constable Jeff Lamb was off duty, had seen the helicopter landing and had dropped into the airport to see how we were doing. He made a quick trip with his Harley and retrieved the case of beer for us. I will never forget the looks of the scene when I returned to the fly-in camp. Brian Ringrose had built himself a circular stone fireplace. He had cut up a bunch of white birch and burnt it down to a huge pile of red charcoal coals. He had barbecued pork chops to a golden perfection. Everyone was gathered around sitting on the rock waiting for supper. There was enough beer to go a round. Everyone was smiling and tired but satisfied.

     The following day Norm and Dwayne were searching and area south and east from our campsite when the observed the lost hunters on top of a cliff. There was no open landing spot, so they elected to do a hovering pick-up. This is somewhat difficult, but I am sure it would be somewhat easier when there were two pilots to fly talk and observe. These two men in my opinion were the two best helicopter pilots I had flown with. I remember Dwayne telling me afterwards that he was somewhat concerned as the two men had been lost for thirteen days under very difficult conditions. No food, no heat and improperly clothed. Many men in these circumstances might be effected mentally. Well;  here they are hovering with just one skid touching the edge of the cliff. The one man climbed aboard okay but the other man rushed over still carrying his axe, they tried to get him to throw it away, but he wouldn’t. The two men did abandon their rifle, which had been of little use to them, but they kept the axe, which had probably saved their lives’. The two men were flown back to Wawa were they were admitted to the Lady Dunn Hospital. The one man who had lost his voice was okay after a couple of days. They had some injuries to their feet but other than that were fine after a couple of days. As I have said before they were charged and convicted for hunting out of season. Following my interview at the hospital I never heard from them again.

                               Photo Attached

     I have attached a picture that was taken on the night before our last day. Time has passed and like anyone else my memory has faded. I have forgotten the names of many in the picture. I leave that for others to identify. As I remember beginning on the front left. With red cap u/k, Constable Doug Arthur, just showing a head is Constable Don Harrison, The next fellow headed up the Soo S.& R. last name was McDonald, Corporal Ernie Bondarenko,u/k. Standing with green took Corporal Garry Crawford Search Co-coordinator, u/k with red jacket, Second row sitting no hat u/k, Constable Don Lewko, Uk. Standing back row on left, Ron Botham of MNR, next 4 u/k. Standing with blue shirt and cup in hand Constable Tex Luoma. The remainder I do not remember their names. As you can see some of us look rougher than others after our ordeal. Most of these members volunteered for this job, they showed the true spirit of the north. Thanks to you all.

     Volunteers were plentiful in the north. I was always amazed, if one had a breakdown on the Highway the first car that came along was sure to stop and offer assistance. I feel sorry for OPP Officers who never have the opportunity to serve in the north. They are missing a great deal.

[hummingzone]

More air quality alerts issued as smoke, over 140 forest fires plague northwestern Ontario | CBC News

More air quality alerts issued as smoke, over 140 forest fires plague northwestern Ontario | CBC News

Air quality statements to more northwestern Ontario communities have been issued by Environment Canada as they deal with smoke and poor visibility due to over 140 forest fires burning Monday in the region as well as in Manitoba. The statements affect the Geraldton, Manitouwadge, Hornepayne, Nipigon, Marathon, Pickle Lake, Red Lake, Ear Falls, Pikangikum, and Sioux Lookout areas. “Smoke plumes…

[sachkiawaaj]

More air quality alerts issued as smoke, over 140 forest fires plague northwestern Ontario

More air quality alerts issued as smoke, over 140 forest fires plague northwestern Ontario

Air quality statements to more northwestern Ontario communities have been issued by Environment Canada as they deal with smoke and poor visibility due to over 140 forest fires burning Monday in the region as well as in Manitoba. The statements affect the Geraldton, Manitouwadge, Hornepayne, Nipigon, Marathon, Pickle Lake, Red Lake, Ear Falls, Pikangikum, and Sioux Lookout areas. “Smoke plumes…

[thequirkymomma-blog]

My Little Pumpkin 🎃 (at Hornepayne, Ontario)

[w-stirling-wright-blog]

W. Stirling Wright Tips Guide to Northern Pike Fishing

W. Stirling Wright Top service provider. Imagine planning a fly-in fishing trip for walleyes and northern pike then discovering that not one, but two of this province's premiere fishing lodges are situated on that very lake. Furthermore, indulge in the fantasy that both of those full-services lodges have made a commitment to providing your fishing party with a memorable, relaxing, trouble-free angling vacation on a little-known, top-rated wilderness lake. Yeah, right. Can't be, you say. Verify this data at Nagagami Lake.

Big Nagagami Lake first drew my attention several years ago as we drove north of White River on highway #631 toward Nagagamisis Provincial Park. Considering its sheer size, relative isolation and proximity to Hornepayne's many air services I thought it might have some potential for fishing. But, it wasn't until March '90 at the Toronto Sportsmen's Show that two very reputable fishing lodges - Nagagami Lodge and Timberwolf Lodge - were associated with the lake. Thereupon, like an arrangement of dominoes, everything systematically fell into place and before the show ended, an August booking was mine. And, in order to get a broad view of Liddle's 2-lodge Nagagami Lake operation, the trip would see us split our time and fishing between the two camps. Dave Sauve, Ontario Fisherman field editor and a regular fishing sidekick, eagerly agreed to accompany me on this rather unique angling adventure.

NAGAGAMI LAKE

Nagagami Lake, located approximately 15 air miles northwest of Hornepayne, is a medium-sized, kidney-shaped lake measuring 8 miles in length and 2 to 4 miles in width. The lake shows three distinct areas - the eastern basin, a shallow (20 to 40 ft. ), smooth-bottomed area; the western basin, a deeper (10 to 90 ft. ), irregularly contoured area with islands, rocky shoreline, shoals; a long, narrow, deep (10 to 70 ft. ) northerly arm. Unlike many large, diverse lakes, Nagagami Lake has excellent angling in all three regions:particularly for walleyes and northern pike (although there is a healthy whitefish population and some perch in the lake).

W. Stirling Wright Specialized tips provider. The lake is most unusual in that, in the large eastern basin, a very narrow but productive weedline can be found far offshore where the lake bottom falls from 8 to 12 feet. Because it is well out in the lake and not continuous, finding it becomes on of the keys to the lake's great pike fishing. More on that later!The water is stained from the ever present tannins leaching into the lake from surrounding timber and soils. The lake warms up early for this part of the North and because of its size, can get very rough when the wind blows. There are few boating hazards in the main lake, except along the rugged north-arm shoreline and amongst the island clusters. Isolated hazards are marked by the lodge staff and have been carefully pinpointed on a very detailed, hydro-contour map of Nagagami Lake produced by the lodges for their guests. Key fishing areas are highlighted.

Also accessible (via short, easy portages) are two small lakes:Hiawatha and Pody. Both offer excellent walleye and pike fishing. At Pody Lake, a catch & release lake, monster northerns and bigger than average walleyes are caught regularly.

WALLEYES

With lots of water, diverse structural elements and several incoming & outflowing major rivers, Nagagami is a walleye factory. And, because several lodges and camps operate on the big lake, a river mouth sanctuary policy is in effect on the Foch and Obakamiga ("Buck") Rivers until mid-June. Walleyes are found throughout the lake:in current flows at river sites, along weedlines and in the larger weedbeds, off islands and pointes over gravel bottoms, and on mid-lake structures including several classic shoals, humps, sunken islands, drop-offs and bars.

As suggested earlier, the spring walleye fishery focuses on post-spawn (male) fish, near river outflows. It is not unusual to see a pack of boats in a small area with all anglers catching limits of walleyes and releasing many fish. Springtime is minnow time and Nagagami is a "minnow lake" all season long. To protect the lake, minnows are carefully collected and sorted before being flown into the camps for fishing. Rigged on small snelled hooks, live-bait rigs or tiny jigs, minnows are fished at the mouths of rivers where deeper areas have been created by the current or along current breaks/eddies. Other productive springtime/early summer walleye locations include the island group out from Pody Creek, an area designated "The Flats" and the upper portion of the out-flowing Nagagami River (as far downstream as Moose Lake).

W. Stirling Wright Best service provider. Summer walleyes are widely scattered and predictable, low-light feeders. Three approaches are commonly used by Nagagami & Timberwolf Lodge guests:stillfishing minnows, backtrolling with live-bait rigs, and jigging. Standard, forward trolling with wobbling plugs or body baits is almost unheard of here.

W. Stirling Wright Skilled tips provider. For both experienced anglers and vacationing families with kids at Nagagami Lodge, stillfishing minnows was a popular and effective technique. Whether anglers positioned themselves out from a weedline or weedbed, along a dropoff that fell to 20 or 30 foot depths or atop the sunken islands and shoals, limits of great-eating walleyes in the 1 to 3 pound range were the rule-day after day. Best times included the early morning hours, but the twilight times were tops. Daytime fishing was given over to pike. Dave and I took a lot of kidding about our fishing off the dock at night with floats/bobbers. That's OK. Each night without fail (about 10:30) we'd slip down to the camp dock and catch 3 or 4 good walleye for breakfast. By 1:00 or so we'd caught our fish and were enjoying no-less-than-spectacular displays of shimmering Northern Lights. Those evenings may have been the most enjoyable I spent all summer; they certainly were unforgettable!Get a second opinion - ask Dave!

[christinamac1]

Town Council election becomes a debate on nuclear waste hosting

Town Council election becomes a debate on nuclear waste hosting

Hornepayne, Ont., municipal election to become debate on nuclear waste, Community one of three in

northwestern Ontario to consider hosting nuclear waste  Jeff Walters · CBC News  Oct 04, 2018 Voters in the small northwestern Ontario town of Hornepayne will have more to consider at the ballot box than tax rates and economic growth.

The township of 1,000 located between Highways 11 and 17 is in…

[bluepointcoin]

Multiple COVID-19 cases from Porcupine Health Unit includes first case of community transmission

The Porcupine Health Unit (PHU) in northeastern Ontario has released further details about multiple COVID-19 cases in its catchment area, including what it says is its first case of community transmission. 

Four positive cases were confirmed Friday evening, bringing the total for the Porcupine Health Unit to ten.

The health unit covers the City of Timmins, west to Hornepayne, east to Matheson…

[houstonroofing161]

Cox <b>Roofing</b> Systems Receives Five Star Reviews Of Its Flat <b>Roofing</b> Services In Brampton

Brampton, Ontario based Cox Roofing Systems has recently received a five star review from the Township of Hornepayne praising the company's ...

[garryspolicememories]

                  Policing Memories of

             Garry Crawford Circa 1962

                            Part XVI

     In the early spring of 1974 I was selected to attend a Search and Rescue Course with the Canadian Military. I must admit that I was probably the one in the back row with my hand straight up, yelling : Pick Me! Pick Me! I loved being in the Northern Bush. Whether it was on the trap line, hunting or another fishing expedition.

     If my memory is correct, by that time I had completed my diving training with Ed Zelionis and had convinced my wife that we just had to have our own aircraft. We bought a Cessna 150 which we leased back to the local flying school. Part of the lease was an agreement that I obtain my pilot’s license for the sum of $200.00. Everything worked out fine. I even put the aircraft in my wife’s name, but unfortunately she did not like flying. So we sold the plane and built a new house.

     The Search and Rescue Training took place in the Champlain Provincial Park north of Mattawa, Ontario. They set us up in small groups of  3 or 4. Each group had their own tent. The fire season was already high, so we had to do our own cooking on Coleman stoves. The first part of the course was classroom indoctrination. The part that stayed with me the rest of my life was the part where they emphasized, that in a survival or wilderness situation the first thing you do is to take stock of what you have at hand. What is available? Then make a plan of how you will use those items. I have never forgotten that as it applies in so many different situations. We were supposed to exist during the course on minimal  food etc. At the same time as our course was being run there was an advanced Course in the same park with cooks and plenty of provisions. Lets just say we ate well.

    The search and rescue training itself was excellent and probably is still followed today with a few adaptions. I know for the searches I coordinated over the following years we usually used a line formation, which covered an area back and fourth marking the area with flagging tape as you covered the ground. One adaption I learned to do was take one or two people who were good with a compass and send them out to predetermined locations. This was especially good in cases of small children or the elderly. I would have these people mark their route with a different coloured flagging tape. The locations would be determined by the lay of the land, the light conditions and time of the day the person became lost. The topography quite often will funnel a lost person to travel in a certain direction. They are also inclined to follow the light source. I found that quite often we would be searching too small an area. The target would not be circling but would travel in a straight direction. At the same time the main search party would pick up any clues as they carefully searched the main area. Discipline on a search line is very important. The line must hold. When a clue is observed the line stops and the clue is examined whether it is a track, article of clothing or a broken branch. One or two persons are specifically assigned do the examination and documentation.

            A Search at Mile 22 CNR TRACK WEST OF

                              HORNEPAYE, ON

              One search I sadly remember occurred in the late fall during the latter part of the 1970’s. I was dispatched to Hornpayne Detachment area. Where a learned that a young native woman who worked in the roundhouse at the CNR Sheds at Hornepayne, had travelled up to her grandparents cabin to spend a few days with them. The cabin was located on the north side of the CNR Line 22 miles west of Hornpayne and south west of Nagagami Lake. The young woman had left in the afternoon to check rabbit snares north of the cabin. A heavy snowstorm had blown in and she had not returned. All trains passing that area had blown their whistles while passing that area and she had failed to appear.

     If my memory is correct, a couple of days had passed between her going missing and our responding due to the communication problem of getting word out. I proceeded to the scene via CN rail with a large search party comprised of OPP members and several native elders. We had something like 22 people on the line. They did an amazing job. Most OPP members would visualize an area of about ten to twenty feet ahead of them as they moved along in line. The native elders always seemed to be looking a hundred feet ahead. They often would notice a bent or broken branch long before we would get to it. It had snowed at least three times between the time the lady went missing and our search commenced, so there was no way of following her tracks. However we would locate areas where she had been. We would find shadow tracks in the settled snow where we could follow her for perhaps ten feet or so then lose the direction. At one point we even were able to dig her frozen foot print out. It was composed of packed and frozen snow. We also located a sweater which she had dropped and in another location her axe. The final area that we were able to positively identify was a thick growth of cedar. She had crowded into the grove, sat down on a clump of snow, then taken cedar branches and folded them over and twisted them into an egg shaped ball. The CNR trains had continued blowing their horns during our search. We found out early on that they would have been of no help to the woman. The sound ricocheted off the surrounding hills. It never seemed to be coming from the tracks, but would circle you as the train went on down the tracks. This of course would have the opposite effect to giving the lady a direction. If she tried to follow the tracks, she would have circled instead. That is what we found she had in fact done.

     The last day of our search we knew another heavy snowstorm was coming in and it would obliterate any sign. In the afternoon heavy wet snow started to fall. We decided to make a deep drive down towards the river that flows out of Nagagami Lake. I remember I was concerned after the noon break that if we stopped too long with the wet clothes and cooling weather that some of our people would get into hyperthermia. I knew from experience that they also would lose energy. So what I would do would be to call a smoke break, as soon as those smokers lit up I would call for them to move forward. We made our run north then the return sweep. When we reached the area we had already covered, we made a beeline for the CNR Tracks. It was getting pretty cold by this time. It was quite dark by the time we reached the tracks. I knew all of our people were out of the bush and we were walking down the tracks to wait at the cabin for the next eastbound train to picks us up. I remember two men were walking ahead of us. One of them was Errol Patterson. Now those who know Errol will remember he had a pretty dry sense of humour. It was cold the crew were tired and probably feeling a little down because of our lack of success. My Christian names are Garry David. All of a sudden I heard Errol exclaim in the cold darkness. Somebody should tell that G—D---- CRAWFORD that slavery went out in the 1800’s. I still have a little chuckle to this day. I’m sorry Errol but you all did an excellent job. We took turns warming up at that little cabin. We were picked up by an eastbound freight train and returned to Hornpayne that night. It was a disappointed crew. The heavy snow that followed on and off for the rest of that winter stopped any further search. Plans were made to return in the spring and attempt a recovery.

     The following spring in early May Norm Kerr and I returned to the area by helicopter. I remember we found a small field near the railway tracks and Norm practiced hovering at a few feet above the ground, while I got out out onto the landing skid carrying my chain saw. I weighted about 225 lbs. at the time, so it made some difference in the balance of the helicopter. When he got use to the feel of my movement and weight change, we flew into the area where I wished to commence our search from. The area was mostly muskeg with many black spruce trees about 30’ high. We found a spot where there was a large boulder probably dropped there by the glaciers. I remember he went into a hover over the boulder concentrating on a broken spruce tree for reference. I got out of the helicopter onto the skid then jumped the five feet or so to the top of the big boulder. I looked back at the helicopter and Norm was in total concentration. I reached up and slapped the skid twice and Norm took off. When he returned in a half hour or so I had dropped enough trees and made a cross pattern of poles that he could land on the muskeg. We made two landing pads in this manner, and then returned to Wawa.

     I had made arrangements with the CNR railway to set up a work train complete with cooking facilities and sleeping quarters on a siding near our starting point. We returned about a week later with a compliment of approximately 22 OPP members. Brian Ringrose was our cook. Most of the crew drove to Hornpayne and the CNR provided transportation to the siding where we were set up. Norm Kerr had arrived with the helicopter and ferried the men into our landing spots. If my memory serves me right, we continued the search for three more days; with no luck. On the fourth day we received word that we would have to stop the search as the helicopter was needed elsewhere. We received the word around noon on the fourth day. I contacted the crew by radio and advised them of the situation.  They were pretty disappointed and asked if they could continue their search for the remainder of the day. We filled a packsack with some nourishment, flew over to their location and lowered it to the team in the bush.

It was a pretty disappointed group that returned to our siding that night. This was the only bush search I coordinated in all my years on the OPP that was not successful. The only thing I could think of was that the young woman had stepped into a sinkhole and could not be seen.  There were plenty of these areas in the muskeg.    

                   Could I have Made a Difference

       As I said earlier in my stories we had many good members in Wawa Detachment. One of them was Walter Purdy. He hailed from the Maritimes, came to Wawa married a local girl and was one of the longest serving members at the Detachment. He had that cheerful maritime personality which people were quick to pick up on. It was common at that Detachment to have someone come in off the road and compliment an officer for a job well done.  I can remember more than once, a person coming in that wished to compliment Walter on his professionalism and manner after he had issued them a ticket for a traffic infraction. We didn’t get to many of those. I heard one incident where he had stopped a person for speeding, issued the ticket and as he returned to the violator’s car; a voice from inside the car said something to the effect: Stop Officer wait a minute! As Walter hesitated, a lady jumped out of the car ran around to the driver’s side and said: Okay now! She wanted a picture as Walter served the ticket, to commemorate their trip.

     One of the memories I had with Walter concerned our attending to a firearm discharge complaint at a home in Hawk Junction one night in the latter part of the 1970’s. We were both familiar with the subject of the complaint. He was a heavy drinker and was known for his dislike of any form of authority. The alleged perpetrator had been drinking was very belligerent and threatening. We seized all firearms in the house and he made death threats towards us for our action. During the altercation, his wife and children were present and witnessed the whole performance. I will mention one of those children in the following paragraph.

     In 1993 I had retired and was teaching in the Law and Security program at Cambrian College at Sudbury.

     On the night of October 7th.1993 Constable Joe MacDonald of the Sudbury Police force made a routine traffic stop on Gordon St., in Sudbury. Peter Pennett and Clinton Suzack occupied the car. Suzack was wanted for a parole violation. A gunfight ensued.  Constable MacDonald received a vicious beating that included a broken leg. This was finalized by his execution by gunfire. Constable MacDonald had emptied his revolver and succeeded in shooting Suzack twice in the chest and Pennett once in the hand. Suzack and Pennett were both convicted of 1st degree murder and sentence to 25 yrs. in prison. Hopefully they will never get parole.

     At the time of this incident police officers were still issued with .38 special calibre revolvers as they were in my time. This firearm was known to often be ineffective in stopping a violent offender. They only held six bullets and were slow to reload even with a speed reloader.

     Following this incident Nancy MacDonald Joe’s widow started lobbying for better firearms. I believe a lot of the credit for the more powerful and better all around weapons that are carried by police officers today, goes to her.

     Each day as I returned to teach at Cambrian College I passed the area where Constable MacDonald died I had to wonder, Could we have done something different all those years before that would have made a difference. The attached picture is that of Constable Joe MacDonald. May his memory go on.

     If you wish to read my previous submissions, they are all stored at the following URL: <garryspolicememories.tumblr.com>

[miamiroofing162]

Cox <b>Roofing</b> Systems Receives Five Star Reviews Of Its Flat <b>Roofing</b> Services In Brampton

Brampton, Ontario based Cox Roofing Systems has recently received a five star review from the Township of Hornepayne praising the company's ...

[phoenixroofing164]

Cox <b>Roofing</b> Systems Receives Five Star Reviews Of Its Flat <b>Roofing</b> Services In Brampton

Brampton, Ontario based Cox Roofing Systems has recently received a five star review from the Township of Hornepayne praising the company's ...

[thequirkymomma-blog]

#throwback to when I was 5 and fit into the My Size Barbie outfit perfectly lol #backintheday #throwbackthursday #tbthursday #tbt #90s #90skid (at Hornepayne, Ontario)

[coxroofingsystems]

Cox Roofing Systems Receives Five Star Reviews Of Its Flat Roofing Services In Brampton

Brampton, Ontario based Cox Roofing Systems has recently received a five star review from the Township of Hornepayne praising the company’s roofing services. The review, which can be found on Google Maps, talks about the great and long relationship Cox Roofing and the Township have enjoyed, stating that their relationship began, “In the early 90’s when our arena was insulated and reroofed.” The roofing, which was originally meant to last ten years, proceeded to survive over 20 years, and the Township of Hornepayne is pleased with how well it is holding up. The Township also recently decided to work with Cox Roofing on another roofing project.

“Trusting Cox Roofing for their quality work, and being impressed by their competitive pricing, we recently had a TTR white roof installed on the arena, and part of the curling club. We definitely expect to get 30 years out of it,” says the Township of Hornepayne in their review. “Other municipal buildings were also reroofed at the same time. The company confidently backs their work up with lengthy warranties, and are always there should you have any questions or concerns. The personal service provided by this family company is second to none, and I can honestly say we have maintained a friendly and cooperative arrangement for a very long time. We are lucky to have them serve Northern Ontario.” Read the Cox Roofing Systems Customer Review along with many others at the link provided.

Beginning in 1976 as Stan Cox Insulation Contractors, Cox Roofing has evolved into one of the top roofing providers in the nation. The company began as a small insulation company, and now provides its unique roofing system to customers all over Toronto and the Ontario regions. The company was, until 2014, family owned and operated. Even after Wayne Cox took sole ownership in 2014, the company remained, and still remains committed to providing well-trained, experienced and well-equipped personnel for every project.

“Cox Roofing Systems is committed to safety, quality and high environmental standards,” the company’s site says. “Employees go through mandatory training, and each individual on the team meets all safety and certification requirements. This commitment ensures that your staff, and ours, remain safe, and that you receive the best quality product – a product we stand behind with our 10, 20 and 30+ year warranties. Our goal has always been to produce the best, most energy efficient roof system available. From the beginning, because of our background as an insulation contractor, we have been concerned about the total payback of the roof. The longer the roof performs, and the more energy it saves each year, the less expensive it becomes.”

The Township of Hornepayne is not the only customer to leave a review praising Cox Roofing Systems. Many of the Ontario roofing company’s customers have left great reviews on multiple platforms thanking Cox Roofing for their high quality services.

“We were extremely pleased with the Cox Roofing System on our original industrial building,” says a five star review from a customer named George Korganowski. “The process of redoing our roof went very well. No problems and done in a timely fashion. The extra insulation has been a benefit for all of us in the building. We are now saving on both heating and cooling costs. The process of removing the extra weight from the building has also given us another opportunity, as a large solar panel installation will now be erected on our TTR® roof. This allows our company Gezak Properties more financial rewards from the electrical output of the solar panels. The roof has worked so well that we are now in the process of doing the next one.”

Brampton home and business owners in need of high quality, long lasting roofing are encouraged to get in contact with Cox Roofing today. The company offers a wide range of roofing related services in Brampton and beyond, and would like to offer their assistance where it is needed. Find out more about the company’s many services by looking up flat roofing Brampton.

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[quirkyblatherer]

The sky takes on shades of orange during sunrise and sunset, the colour that gives you hope that the sun will set only to rise again. _______________________________________________ #myontario #nature #ontario #canada #beautiful #exploreontario #explore #love #mybackyard #loveontario #lovecanada #northernontario #upnorth #discoverontario #outdoors #lovenature #sunset #sky #beautifulcolours (at Hornepayne, Ontario)

[wolflhards]

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