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a ( ahaven for winter enthusiasts by Pauline M.Smiley . Many people think that Georgian Bay Islands National Park closes after the busy summer season. he But if last winter is any indication, Beausoleil and the surrounding Park islands are a hub-bub of activity. For the hearty snowmobiler, groomed trails wind through Beausoleil's highlands and lowlands. While snowmobiling along the Huron Trail watch for black-capped chickadees and white-breasted nuthatches. On sunny days these tiny creatures, per- ched in the protective evergreens, fluff out like feathery snowballs. This winter survival tactic, known only by winter birds, creates an insulating air space between them and the cold -- much the same effect as insulating your home! For winter enthusiasts, a three km cross- country ski trail winds through the Cedar grove skirting the base of one of Beausoleil's small hills. As the swoosh of your skis gently beat time with cracks and moans of snow- laden cedar branches, keep a watchful eye for the sights, sounds and tell-tale traces of winter wildlife. Take a minute to peer under the lowest branches of a Hemlock or Balsam Fir. Often you will see scattered animal droppings in- termingled with seed husks and bits of bark. Notice how much warmer it is under the conifers? Ruffed grouse and snowshoe hares often seek cover and protection within these 'natural igloos'. Throughout January, February and March the Visitor Centre located on Beausoleil Island at Cedar Spring is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After your cross-country ski or snowmobile excursion why not drop in at the Visitor Centre and warm up by the fire with a hot chocolate. While at the Visitor Centre take the opportunity to watch the feature slide show playing in the mini-theatre. - The sights and sounds of winter activity are seen and heard throughout Georgian Bay Islands National Park. Whether it is the soft swoosh of your skis or the scenic snowmobile trails that attract you, there is something for everyone -- come and experience winter with us! Sportfishing & Shondecti clears one hurdle Sainte-Marie among the Hurons has cleared a major hurdle in hosting the second annual "Shondecti" slated for Saturday, July 11 in Midland. In a recent resolution, Midland town council gave Sainte-Marie the green light to make use of King Street and the town dock for the special event providing approval is received from police, fire and public works depart- ments. Last' year's event attracted over 200 participants. in 93 canoes with 1,400 people attending the unique afternoon and evening programs which con- tributed to the originality of Shondecti. The event com- memorates the arrival of canoe flotillas at Sainte-Marie from Quebec over 300 years ago. Shondecti's historic atmosphere Page 14, Friday, February 6, 1981 recaptures the spirit felt by Jesuits, craftsmen and lay helpers at the arrival of the canoes to Ontario's' first European community. Staff Tireless research and planning by the Sainte- Marie staff, with the support of the "Friends of Sainte-Marie'"', were well rewarded with the event's auspicious start last summer. Plans are in the works for an even more ambitious Shondecti this season. "Shondecti is a Huron word meaning, 'they returned to such a place', and we feel one appropriate way to capture the spirit of the event is to invite all of Sainte-Marie's former staff to Shondecti for a reunion which should add a special wrinkle to the second annual event.'"' commented Bill Byrick, Manager of Sainte-Marie among the Hurons. Byrick and event coordinator, Kathy Voorzanger, © were elated over the response by the local community last summer and are confident this year's involvement by area residents will be even greater. "We are hopeful that many of the merchants along King Street might be persuaded to wear period clothing for this year's event just to add to the colour and at- survey -- planned for this year A survey on sport- fishing in Ontario will be carried out early in 1981 by Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources in conjunction with the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Ontario's Natural Resources' Minister James Auld announced. "The last survey was carried out in 1975, and up-to-date information is required to manage effectively for the demands that will be placed on Ontario's fisheries in the next decade,"' Mr. Auld said. Questionnaires will be mailed to two groups: 7,500 non-residents chosen from 1980 Ontario angling licence holders, and 50,000 randomly chosen Ontario residents. Not all of the Ontario residents receiving the questionnaire will be anglers. The par- ticipation in the survey by non-fishing residents is necessary to get a cross-section sampling for unbiased results. Non-fishermen will be required to answer only a small section of the questionnaire. "T would ask that those receiving questionnaires respond as fully as is asked of them. and that they return them as soon as possible,' Mr. Auld said. Results of the survey should be available to the public by mid-year and __--'will estimates of the number of anglers using specific geographic areas, their levels of activity, success rates and preferences. The 1975 survey in- dicated that more than 3.4 million anglers annually spend 63 million days in pursuit of fishing. That is an average of 18.5 days a year per angler. - include -- First Wyevale Scouts will be holding their newspaper drive in the hamlet on Saturday, Feb. 7. Anyone wanting to assist the boys raise funds for their trip to Banff for the Canadan Jamboree is asked to collect these papers. | for second summer extravaganza mosphere of the festivities," Byrick said. Preparations Shondecti has proven to be a major un- dertaking for Sainte- Marie among _ the Hurons and Voorzanger has already commenced preparations for the July 11th event. "There are early indications that we can expect an event greater number of canoes and participants this year with a number of people saying they plan to return and many more expressing an interest in participating for the first time," Voorzanger commented. With the continued cooperation and support from town council and Huronia_ residents, Shondecti appears to be right on target in fulfilling Sainte-Marie's objective of developing an event boasting -province-wide appeal. - Georgian Bay National Park