The local OPP website is always a place to find interesting news. Check out this entry from over the weekend… Lambton County Crime Alerts

YOUTHS STEAL BOAT THEN CALL POLICE TO BE RESCUED FROM LAKE HURON

(Plympton-Wyoming, ON) On the 7^th of June 2008 at around 6:00pm, it is alleged that 3 youths stole a 12 foot sail boat from the 4700 block of Lakeside St in the town of Plympton-Wyoming. This boat had been stored without the plug, and subsequently filled with water. The youths pulled the boat to shore a short distance from where it had originally been taken from and attempted to secure it. The boat broke free and was located by a neighbor the following day further down the lake.

It is alleged that on the same evening, one of the youths was caught in the act while trying to steal a boat paddle from a residence in the 4600 block Lakeside St. The youth returned the paddle after he was confronted by the owners.

The same three youths allegedly stole another boat at around 11:00pm the same evening. This time they chose a 12 foot aluminum boat without paddles in the 4600 block of Lakeside. The youths set out onto the water in the boat, and it eventually drifted away from the shore. Two of the youths abandoned the boat and swam back to shore leaving the third youth, who could not swim, drifting on the lake. Lambton OPP Marine Unit and Search and Rescue Units from Trenton, ON were dispatched to the area to assist with the rescue. A local resident in a canoe was able to reach the drifting boat and towed it back to shore. The youths – ages 15 and 17 years old from Norwich-Oxford County and 16 years old from Plympton-Wyoming have been diverted under authority of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. (LP08134437)

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We just finished another HOT, HOT weekend in Grand Bend. Thunderstorms moved in each late afternoon but they didn’t stick around too long. There was just enough warning for the boaters to rush back to the docks and find a place for a cold beer as we watched the storm roll in. There is a new spot in town for those that work up a thirst on the beach. It is called Paddington and it is located just north of Main Street on the east side of HWY 21 (across from the Beer Store). It’s theme is “an upscale pub”. They have an outdoor patio in the back. Check it out.

You can still ’swing a cat around’ in the village on the weekends but that will start to change as we move closer to summer holidays. This coming weekend is the big Burgerfest celebration. If you are only going to visit once during the season, I would recommend next weekend. It is the only licensed beach party of the season sponsored by our local Optimist Club. Come out and support a great organization.

I’ve been reading blog posts by visitors to the area, one that came in today mentioned a “secret secluded beach’ that they discovered. Reading the description I can tell they were talking about our South Beach. Check out my beach listings under attractions if you want to know the secret too…

From the Grand Bend Strip Community Newspaper

Never blog while operating heavy machinery

…as you may become dizzy by all of the no cost, easy to learn options available.

Blog is a term that describes a thing, a website. It also describes an action. To blog is to add (post) something to your website. It is a part of what has been dubbed the Web 2.0 revolution; the move to collaborative information sharing on the internet.

What is it in English? It is anything you want it to be. It is an opportunity to share your world view, your passionate hobby, news & events for a small business or simply to post your family photos. It can cost a little money to start or nothing at all. If you can compose an email, you can publish to the web in 15 minutes or less. There are millions of people doing it and hopefully after reading this column a few more folks will jump in and contribute to the Grand Bend area bloghood.

Special software structures your blog like an interactive diary. New posts show up at the top and older posts eventually become archived. Your blog can be open to the public, or a private website you share only with family and friends. If you choose, people who read your blog can leave comments. They can easily subscribe to your blog and see your new posts automatically. Not long ago, adding interactive features like this to a website required extensive computer programming knowledge. Blogging software now makes this and many other features quite simple.

If you consider yourself a newbie I recommend that you begin the journey by trying out Goggle’s free service, http://www.blogger.com. Follow the online instructions or take the quick tour for more information.

Once you have created your blog you can post new stuff by logging in from your computer, by sending an email to a special address or even post from your cell phone via text message.

It doesn’t take long to become a pro and you will discover there are countless services and software packages to satisfy your blogging needs. One of my favorite websites for learning is http://www.wikipedia.org. Here you can decipher any computer lingo you encounter along the way as you explore the ever expanding blogosphere.

Some of my local favorites include:
The self described “Beautiful Bodacious Succulent Diva” who authors the Red Hat Society blog for Grand Bend & Bayfield, http://sisterhoodofcelebration.wordpress.com/
Follow along as David Bannister shares his latest photography projects
http://web.mac.com/davidbannister
Stay informed with up to the minute news affecting our communities at http://www.grandbendstrip.com

Back in March it seemed that the annual beach fireworks on Canada Day were in jeopardy. The organizers of the event, The Grand Bend Chamber of Commerce, were having difficulty finding volunteers to head up an event committee. A press release issued today reports that our area radio station, 104.9 The Beach, has rescued the event and will be a primary sponsor for the next five years. Kudos to The Beach!

Not only will they be advertising the event, they are also holding a “Best seats in the house” contest. The winners will join the 104.9 The Beach crew atop the Main Street Beach observation deck to watch the display. Now all we need are calm winds and clear skies….