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Friday, May 12, 2006
Printed in The Manitoulin West Recorder
Article by Tom Sasvari
MANITOULIN - According to a new booklet
just released, Manitoulin Island has
been blessed with one of the earliest
and most complete fossil records found
on earth. And delving into this
topic was a work of passion for its
author, Bill Caesar.
"It's been fun," stated Bill
Caesar, on his new booklet-guide,
'Manitoulin Fossils - A Story of Our
Past Told in Stone,' recently released.
"The guide has been well received - we
have sold quite a few copies already,"
he said, noting, "this guide is for
everyone, from young people to adults -
anyone who is interested in the rich
history of fossils on Manitoulin."
Mr. Caesar said he became interested in
Manitoulin fossils, and in developing
this guide, after hearing a speech from
a local expert on this subject.
"John Strickland got me interested in
fossils with a speech he made at the
Centennial Museum in Sheguiandah two
years ago."
"The Island fossils are unique.
Some of our fossils are five times older
than dinosaurs," said Mr. Caesar.
"My book is a look at some of the
fossils we have and where to find
others."
"I didn't really know anything about
fossils until I heard John's
(Strickland) speech and did research for
the book. I had an incredible
amount of fun in doing the research for
this book." He has presented the
booklet to Grade 4 and Grade 9 students
in Ottawa, and noted, "the kids just
love it, and in turn it just opens up
their minds to a lot of other things.
Fossils, and research into them, are
becoming more and more popular, and this
popularity helps area like Manitoulin
because it generates interest for
visitors to the Island, that in turn
benefits the Island."
Filled with photographs to provide a
visual look at the fossils, 'Manitoulin
Fossils' tells the story of how fossils
came about, as well as looks at the
Manitoulin seascape, the reef builders,
gas-tropods, cephalopods, the spread of
the Silurian Sea, trilobites,
brachiopods, bryozoans and graptolites,
criniods, sea scorpions, as well as
fossil types specific to Manitoulin, and
where to find them.
'Manitoulin Fossils' is being sold as a
fundraiser for the Sheguiandah Museum,
along with the cooperation of the Gore
Bay Museum, and its curator Nicole
Weppler, said Mr. Caesar. "Nicole
is sponsoring a follow up book this
summer to this booklet, a 270-page
resource on geology which will be an
awesome text to follow up on this guide.
This guide is just intended to whet the
appetite of those interested in fossils
in a visual guide."
'Manitoulin Rocks,' outlining rocks,
fossils and landforms of
Manitoulin Island, is a new book by
three geology professors from the
University of Waterloo, Mario Coniglio,
Paul Karrow, and Peter Russell,' to be
released this summer.
"I know Nicole (Weppler) is working on a
huge display of fossils, and Mrs. Davies
has been collecting fossils for 80
years, which she is giving to Nicole to
display in the museum," continued Mr.
Caesar.
Mr. Caesar pointed out Keith McKeen of
SEC Graphics in Kagawong "did and
excellent job in printing this book.
He didn't know a lot about rocks and
fossils when he started, but after four
months of working on this book he has
now gained a lot of knowledge and has
put some rocks aside he collected from
the blasting and work that is taking
place on the main hill going into
Kagawong."
A total of 500 copies of 'Manitoulin
Fossils' were published, and are
available in several locations on the
Island, including the Guardian Pharmacy
in Gore Bay, Turners of Little Current
and the Rain Barrel in Little Current,
and from Ms. Weppler at the Gore Bay
Heritage Museum. "We are already
starting to think about having a second
printing done of the guide, they have
been selling so well," said Mr. Caesar.
Mr. Caesar pointed out that 'Manitoulin
Fossils' was published with grants
provided by LaCloche Manitoulin Business
Assistance Corporation and FedNor, as
well as with some funding provided by
the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and
the Islands (NEMI).
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