FROM THE PUBLISHER NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

ClubWest

(To view our November/December 2019 issue of ClubWEST online, click here.)

“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.”
– Benjamin Franklin

 

When we started this magazine more than five years ago, we knew it would not be a stretch to come up with full-length feature ideas – just the opposite, in fact.

There are so many people doing great things – young and old alike – as well as a wealth of interesting and unique historical perspectives as well happenings, an entire magazine could be filled just with those ditties.

This edition’s feature on Hand’s Fishery is one of those stories. It came about just by fluke when I overheard Grimsby Mayor Jeff Jordan talking about the days when fisheries along the south shore of Lake Ontario were going concerns.

While it made sense, I had not heard anyone speak with any level of knowledge about the fisheries, so I was intrigued. Once the surface was scratched, which means a phone call to Bill Lipsitt, it took me about 30 seconds to realize this was a neat story which needed to be told.

Many will know Bill from his years of operating Lakecourt Marine with his late wife Marilyn (nee Hand). We all met one Saturday morning down at Lakecourt along with Marilyn’s sisters Donna and Gwen, as well as sister-in-law Bev Hand. Stories?

The original state of the land, being a marshy bog until one industrious soul got it dredged to make more of a channel, the abilities of the fishermen to navigate the lake even at night LONG before GPS, etc etc.

With all the concerns about the environment and plastic straws, focusing on our freshwater lakes and bringing back the fish population would be a good place to shift our energy.

As well, in this edition, you can read all about our local members of the Knot A Breast dragon boat crew who will be heading off to the worlds.

Talk about a change of focus?

For these athletes to work their way through surviving breast cancer to take on the challenge of putting themselves through the gruelling regime of racing competitively is very impressive. Surviving breast cancer is a great accomplishment all on its own, so adding any kind of world class accomplishment to their portfolio is certainly a very nice feather to be tucked into their respective caps.

The edition is a microcosm of all things good here in Niagara West – true heroes in these brave women, a family which put its fingerprints all over Grimsby’s history, people enjoying themselves with fishing, and great local food ideas. Enjoy!

Publisher, ClubWest Magazine
Mike Williscraft

West Niagara’s Lifestyle Magazine