Review-Mirror

With no rain over the last 10 days and less than 30 per cent of normal for the last 30 days, the Rideau River watershed is on the verge of minor drought conditions. Precipitation mea- sured at Environment Canada climate stations in and around the water- shed show that about 80 per cent of normal for the time of year has fallen in the last 90 days. This means that minor drought status has been reached. Municipal watering restrictions could be imposed to limit the volume of water extracted from ground- water and surface water sources. It is recommended that those living in resi- dences served by private systems also reduce their water taking. Some rain is forecast for the end of the week and through the weekend but the amount presently estimated is unlikely to be sufficient to do more than slow the decline of water levels throughout the watershed. Streamflows in unreg- ulated watercourses are about half of normal for the time of year and lake levels are declining. The Rideau Canal sys- tem is at full navigation level but, if drought con- ditions deepen, boaters on all lakes will need to keep an eye open for shoals and rocks as levels continue to drop. RVCA will monitor conditions and will issue further statements as warranted. The Review-Mirror May 26, 2016 – 16 By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror Last weekend Rideau Lakes Town crier David Boyd come back from the Provincial Town Crier Championship in Perth without winning any hard- ware but having a wonder- ful time. "Our criers were at their very best. They put on a spectacular show," said Boyd who enjoyed the convenience of a local competition The championships were also close to home for Kingston Town Crier Chris Wyman. He took home the prize after the winning crier, Andrew Welch from the Towns of Erin and Cale- don wasn't qualified to take home the prize because he is not a mem- ber of the Town Criers Guild. Bill McKee, Township of Uxbridge and Scugog and City of Oshawa came third in the competition. Boyd has had success in other competitions he has attended which among others include Chester, England; Bermuda; and Anacortes, Washington. "I've placed quite high in England, nicely in Bermuda. I learn every time I go away in a com- petition," he said. This year marks year 12 for Boyd's role as town crier who somewhat jok- ingly has given him more occasions to wear, what more than a decade ago was, a brand-new kilt. Boyd's found that town criers are quite friendly but a lot of them are quite introverted. "When they go into character they become this outspoken individual," said Boyd. Part of competing as a crier is to sell your own community, a task he's found lots of material for in Rideau Lakes. "I make a point to men- tion the wildlife. I might make the bears bigger and the coyotes into wolves. The fish in the lakes and rivers get really big. When you compare our township to many of the urban cen- ters it's a pretty spectacu- lar place to describe," he said. Boyd is available for community events as well as for hire. More informa- tion about his services is on the township website under the recreation tab. Township of Rideau Lakes Town Crier David Boyd (l) and David McKee, Brantford's Town Crier since 1991, along with their colleagues enjoy the Ontario championships held last weekend in Perth. Rideau Lakes' Town Crier learns from every competition Westport Village Pharmacy 3 Church St., Westport, ON 613-273-2922 westportvillagepharmacy@gmail.com DROP OFF YOUR OLD MEDICATIONS Bring in your expired or no longer needed prescription or over-the-counter medications for environmentally friendly disposal. Plus, we have tips and advice on how to make the most of your medicine cabinet. HE CAN'T SAY NO HE CAN'T SAY NO TO DRUGS KEEP OUR SCHOOLS DRUG FREE DRUG FREE DROP YOUR OLD MEDICATION OFF AT The 2nd annual Centre for Creative Learning Poetry Weekend takes place June 3, 4 and 5 at the Grist Mill in Westport. The weekend features a reading and reception on Friday evening with poet Steven Heighton as well as workshops in the morning and afternoon on Saturday as well as on Sunday morning. The event finish- es on Sunday afternoon with a poetry reading. Catherine Graham will be teaching about the short poem on Saturday morn- ing followed in the after- noon by a tour of the nature of the poetic process by Ian Burgham. On Sunday morning Jeanette Lynes presents a workshop on using histor- ical material in your poems. More information can be found at www.centre- forcreativelearning.com. Poetry writing weekend in Westport Canal at full navigation level despite minor drought

• Cover