Vol.23 No.02

2022 Christmas Bird Count

Mild temperatures, partly-sunny skies, not-too-deep snow, and open water on Saturday, December 17 made for an enjoyable day outdoors, for participants in the 2002 Christmas Bird Count in Frontenac County.

As one surveyor summarized, “the dove-grey, then blue, then dark junco-grey made for lovely vistas!”

The field crew of only 29 field surveyors was the lowest in years but 17 feederwatchers was among hte highest participation for the stationary count.

“Many thanks to everyone who counted birds! Together we tallied 2,603 individuals from 45 species.

“We also wish a swift recovery to the dedicated participants of past years who unfortunately fell ill (darn COVID!), broke their ankle, or were facing other physical pain that didn’t permit them to engage in this year’s survey. You were missed!” said Carolyn Bonta, Bird Count organiser.

“In 2023 we hope to offer the educational and social events that once made the Frontenac CBC unique in our rural area. Encourage family, friends, and neighbours

to participate as field surveyors or feederwatchers.”

Initiated in 1900, Christmas Bird Counts are the longest-running Citizen Science project in North America.

Similar to 2021, most surveyors perceived a general absence of birds.

One field surveyor even wrote “Not many birds out today. For a while we thought we would have to hand in a complete checklist of 1 American Crow!”

The per-capita number of birds was, at 56.6 birds counted per participant, lower than the running average but diversity was not. Four new species were added to the Frontenac CBC list, two each from Teams 1 & 13. This brings the species list for the Frontenac CBC up to a 85 species!

With many lakes still open, waterfowl numbers and diversity were high.

“Although siskins were absent and redpolls were scarce, Evening Grosbeaks were reported by several surveyors and Pine Grosbeak made an appearance. Starling numbers were up, while junco and goldfinch numbers were down. Redbellied Woodpecker, which was absent in

the first year of the Frontenac CBC (2015) has steadily increased in numbers and this year was double the count of the past two years,” said Bonta

Notably absent this year were Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, and Goldencrowned Kinglet. Also on the “miss” side of the hit-and-miss scale were Snow

Buntings, Cedar Waxwing, and Northern Shrike.

For more information about the Christmas Bird County, go to www.birdscanada. org/volunteer/cbc/. ■

Co-Op Proposal Leads To Marathon Meeting In North Frontenac

By Craig Bakay

A proposal to create a family-based cottage cooperative on Palmerston Lake at Ompah (Lafolia Lane) led to a two-hour-plus public meeting before North Frontenac Council’s regular meeting Jan. 13 in Plevna.

Speaking for the proponents, planner Tracy Zander said the property in question (owned by Craig and Amber Hall) is 34-35 acres with about 1,200 metres of lake frontage.

There is currently one cottage there and the plan would feature the addition of seven additional cottages plus outbuildings over several years.

The plan would require rezoning to site-specific Rural Cooperative Exception zone from Limited Service Waterfront.

“Cooperative is existing policy,” Zander said. “It’s nothing new.

“It’s a single entity piece of property

with no severances or subdivision (and) no lake or environmental impacts are expected.”

She said eight cabins on 35 acres with this frontage is “very low density” and there could be 10-12 lots if it were a subdivision.

The Halls own Equator Coffee Roasters in Almonte and said they want a place they can enjoy with their four kids, friends and family.

“It’s not a commercial development,” Craig said. “Just a place where we can be with our family.

“It may take several years.”

“We may not do all seven cabins,” Amber said. “We’ve been there three years.

“And we’ll be avoiding the wetlands area.”

Liz Jackson, representing the Palmerston Lake Association, said they hadn’t had a chance to study the proposal thor-

oughly yet.

“We’re neither pro nor con at this time,” said. “We’re wondering about the carrying capacity of our lake and comments from the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority.

Palmerston Lake is a lake trout sensitive lake that is not yet at capacity for development.

However, other residents of Lafolia Lane have made up their minds. They don’t want it.

David and Peter Roberts own property on which they harvest some wood.

“We have deeded access on Lafolia Lane which we pay year-round maintenance for,” said David. “We will not be consenting to them using it.

“The tip of Gravel Point supports trout spawing beds and there is no winter trout fishing allowed on the lake.

“We’re also concerned about shoreline

erosion.”

Planning consultant Kevin Duguay, who was retained by the Roberts, said: “I am of the opinion the proposal is inconsistent with policy statements and directives.

“There is no permission for access through existing right-of-way (and) this is a significant development on an environmentally sensitive property.”

Cottage owner Doug Humphries said he was concerned about septic, habitat, and possibly noise.

“This could be nothing more than skirting around severances and one of the biggest air bnb’s aournd.”

County planner Jenny Kapusta said that while there are several commercial uses permitted with this zoning, they could be limited if the zoning change is granted.

Vaccination Rate Decreases As Covid Cases Rise In KFL&A

by Jeff

Green

A fter a December drop-off, all of the indicators on the Kingston Frontenac Lennox and Addington Public Health (KFL&APH) COVID dashboard are pointing to increases in COVID activity in the region.

While testing of the general public for COVID ended over a year ago, the number of vulnerable individuals who are eligible for testing stood at 354 on January 17th, of which 155 had been confirmed positive for COVID over the previous 7 days.

And one of the key indicators, the per-

centage of positive tests among those tested was 16%, higher than the percentage in late December, which had finally dropped to under 10% for the first time in months.

There were 17 people in hospital with COVID last week, 3 of whom were in an intensive care unit. The death toll in KFL&A region was up to 106, after reaching the 100 mark in early December.

That rate is still just over half the rate for the City of Ottawa, which recently hit 1,000 COVID deaths for a population that is about 5 times that of KFL&A.

There is better news when looking

at COVID levels in wastewater at two Kingston sites, and one in Amherstview. The levels last week had dropped after a bump over the previous two weeks, hopefully pointing to a late January drop in illness, hospitalisation and death from COVID infections.

Even with repeated efforts by public officials to convince the population to continue seeking vaccination whenever eligible, the vaccination rate in the region continues to drop.

According to the dashboard, while 93.3% of residents in the region over 5 years old have had at least one dose of

vaccine since the vaccination program started becoming available 2 years ago, only 32.5% of those over 5 have taken a booster dose within the last 6 months.

The Province of Ontario recommends that people take a booster dose every six months.

But since the province also recommends waiting six months after testing positive for COVID, using a widely available rapid home testing kit, the 32.5% may not be a true gauge of public interest in vaccination, as many people have contracted COVID since last summer. ■

Volunteers gathered in Sydenham on December 17 for the annual Chrismas Bird Count.

Bill 23: We Should Be Concerned About Collateral Damage

By Jeff Green

Land use planning is bureaucratic, tedious, complicated, and boring.

It is also a big deal for anyone who wants to build something, or wants to prevent or change the plan of someone else who wants to build something.

Everyone, with the possible exception of former South Frontenac Councillor Ross Sutherland, seems to be satisfied with how the planning system has been working in rural Ontario.

For a generation, municipal officials and politicians have been saying that they want to be able to provide clear direction to developers who arrive at their doorstep with plans to create new housing, or new enterprise, on rural properties or properties within designated hamlets.

The dream is that there is a single list of provisions that need to be met, that the requirements to meet those provisions are straightforward, and once those provisions are satisfied the development can proceed.

For the kinds of developments that typically come to local councils, such as plans of subdivision or land use condominium, the process will not necessarily be quick or easy, but it will be definable and there will be no surprises.

This goal has been elusive, and the Province, in its zeal to create housing, has been pushing for a faster process. Some see this as a cover for its intention to support development of all the forms of development, regardless of the community or environmental impact . Speed is only one element to a good process. Clar-

oPP report

SSgt Marty McConnell, Frontenac Detachment Commander of the OPP, told Council they’re working on a new strategic plan for 2023. He said violent crimes and theft are down but 911 calls are up (“possibly weather related”) as are ATV fatalities.

“I’ve worked hard to increase our traffic stops but covid reduced that,” he said. “We’re seeing an increase in motor vehicle collisions with more people returning

ity is another, and ensuring that development is done in an environmentally sustainable manner and that the legitimate interests of neighbouring property owners, and the community at large, are not hindered is another element.

Over the past year, and particularly with Bill 23, the province has gutted measures to protect environmental or community interests.

Instead of fixing the problems, they have eliminated all controls and thrown all municipal planning and zoning processes into disarray.

There is a proposal in front of North Frontenac Council for a zoning bylaw amendment to permit a family to build 7 cabins on a 35 acre property on Palmerston Lake. It came before a meeting last week (see the North Frontenac Council report for details).

I know little about the project, just what I read in the report, certainly not enough to have formed an opinion about whether it should be approved or not.

But as an example of the potential unintended consequences of Bill 23, it is a useful case to look at.

This is not a development proposal in the classic sense, and Bill 23 is not necessarily relevant since all that is being requested is a zoning bylaw amendment and not a plan of subdivision.

But it is a case where one party wants to create something unusual, and the neighbours are not happy about it. I see no evidence of bad faith on either side. The family wants to make the best use of their property for their own purposes, without ruining the lake or the landscape, and the neighbours, who have been good stewards of

to work.”

He showed Council the new body cameras officers started wearing in late summer.

He said they will be out on the lakes this summer and reminded everyone about the importance of life jackets.

“We stopped one boat and the only one wearing a life jacket was the dog,” he said. “There wasn’t another life jacket in the boat.”

He said they visit various lakes on a complaint-driven basis or if an officer is familiar with a lake and its issues.

He said that they do look for tracks in the snow into

the land for many decades, are still concerned.

The council, and the county planner working on the project, are charged with ensuring that the neighbours' concerns are addressed, and if possible that the family will be able to do what they want to do, or less than they really want to do, but more than they are allowed to do under the current zoning.

Because the property is on a lake, a trout sensitive lake no less, and because once the environment is impacted by a property development it is very hard to repair the damage, it is a classic case where the information, expertise and perspective of the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority would help create a good outcome for everyone.

This could mean the proposal is accepted in some form, or that it is rejected entirely.

Bill 23 is not intended to deal with this sort of proposal, but its provisions say that Conservation Authorities cannot provide comments to municipalities regarding 'natural heritage issues'. If the Conservation Authority cannot provide their expertise to this matter, North Frontenac Council will be making a decision based on instinct, pressure from one side or another, or for some other reason entirely, but not because they are fully informed about the implications of a yes or a no answer.

It is a bit unclear if the Conservation Authority can intervene in this case, as Bill 23 is so new and has not been tested in court, but the case illustrates its potential implications.

In communities whose greatest asset is our lakes, streams and forests, this is not acceptable. ■

properties while on patrol.

rural Frontenac Community Services

Rural Frontenac Community Services Youth Program Coordinator Sarah McCullough was at Council asking for the Township’s annual contribution. This year’s ask is $6,000. The matter was deferred to budget deliberations.

library internet

Council approved an internet wifi hub for the Ompah Community Hall/Library.

Seniors Housing Council approved having Mayor Gerry Lichty, Coun. Roy Heutl and Stephanie Regent work on a business case proposal to take to County Council outlining how Rural Frontenac Community Services and Land O’Lakes Community Services could create a program for seniors using the $337,500 the County originally allocated towards a seniors housing project in North Frontenac. Council also approved $10,000 for each agency to create a pilot project.

“I think this is important,” said Dep. Mayor John Ingles. “It tells the County we’re going to do what we want — now give us the money.” ■

Diana

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Bill 23 – A Sledge Hammer To The Guardrails, Pender

By Jeff Green

Frontenac County Chief Administrative Officer Kelly Pender prepared a relatively short report, for members of the new Frontenac County Council’s January meeting, about how Bill 23 –the more houses more quickly act –could change the way the county, and their own municipal councils, deal with development proposals of all kinds.

Pender said that one of the reasons he did not go into a lot of detail in his report, even though the issues are extensive, is that he does not know what the real impact of the changes will be.

“I think it is going to take a lot of decisions from the Ontario Land Tribunal before we know what the process will look like going forward,” he said in a phone interview early this week. “I just wanted to let members of council know what Bill 23 says. “Councils don’t really have the right to say no under the bill.”

One example of the lack of clarity in the bill relates to “natural heritage issues”. Until Bill 23 came into effect, municipalities relied on Conservation Authorities to comment on the impact a proposed development would have on the lakes, streams and wetlands using a watershed-based approach.

“Not only do Conservation Authorities have the expertise within their staff to evaluate the impacts, they have archived data about the watersheds and how they operate as natural systems” he said.

“Even though the Conservation Authorities are no longer permitted to make comments on these issues, the municipalities are still obligated to review for natural heritage issues because they need to make sure any development that they approve conforms with what

the Provincial Policy Statement says about preserving Natural Heritage.”

Another major change in Bill 23 are new limitations on who can appeal planning decisions to the Ontario Land Tribunal. Lake Associations, and neighbouring property owners can no longer appeal planning decisions.

Only municipalities, the applicant, the provincial minister, First Nations, utility and energy companies and railways can appeal decisions.

“The change to the way we have been operating are extensive. It’s kind of like the province is taking a sledgehammer to the guardrail.”

One potential consequence of Bill 23 could be an increase in the pressure on municipal council members than before, Pender also pointed out.

In South Frontenac, for example, the proposals for the Hartington Subdivision, the Johnson’s Plan of Condominium on Loughborough Lake, and more recently, the proposed expansion of Skycroft Campground on Lake Opinicon, have resulted in more boisterous and contentious public meetings than any other issue before council in recent memory.

Members of council end up in the middle of disputes between developers and opponents of the developments, but until now they are at least able to tell everyone involved that Council decisions on the matters can be appealed to a provincial tribunal that is independent.

Now, only the applicant can appeal if council turns down a proposal.

“The tendency will be for a council, let’s use the example of Lanark Highlands [since they are not in Frontenac County] to say no to a proposal to keep their constituents happy, and let the Land Tribunal overrule them. But how that will save time is unclear,” said Pender.

Under Bill 23, municipalities will no longer be required to even hold public meetings before approving a draft plan of subdivision, but Pender advises that Frontenac County, which is the approval authority for plans of subdivision for all Frontenac municipalities, should hold them anyway.

“Public meetings provide an official channel for nearby residents to provide their input and local knowledge and identify issues that may not be known by the applicant and/or reviewing staff,” he wrote in his report, adding that county and township official plans may need to be updated to identify when public meetings are required.

Another tool that municipalities make extensive use of when considering a development proposal is called ‘site plan control’ which is expressed through ‘site plan agreements’ between the municipality and developers. These agreements can stipulate where buildings can be located on a site, where septic fields can be located, what kind of vegetation needs to be maintained or established, and more.

Bill 23 does away with site plan agreements, as well, for most developments in Frontenac County.

“Any projects that propose 10 or fewer residential units are exempted from the site plan process, and architectural details and landscape design are also exempt” Pender said in this report.

Pender said that “municipalities may need to amend their zoning bylaws to ensure that specific land use issues can be addressed”.

In fact, with the planning process in a state of flux, Pender said that municipalities will rely more than ever on their Official Plans and Zoning Bylaws to steer development within their jurisdiction

He said that the work that has been done in recent years by the Frontenac townships, to update their Official Plans and Comprehensive Zoning Bylaws will stand them in good stead under the new planning scenario brought in by Bill 23.

Official Plans are policy documents that set out the goals of municipalities, in regard to land use issues and economic and residential development, and Comprehensive Zoning Bylaws are the documents that attach rules to those policies and apply them on every property within the municipality.

None of that changed under Bill 23.

Central Frontenac has a new Official Plan in place, and late last year adopted a new Comprehensive Zoning bylaw as well.

North Frontenac also has a new Official Plan in place, and is working on a Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw, with a view to having one in place by the end of 2023.

South Frontenac has done most of the work on its new Official Plan, and last summer decided to defer completion until the installation of a new council. The new South Frontenac Council is now engaged in the Official Plan process, and if all goes well the plan will be approved by the end of 2023, and work on a comprehensive zoning bylaw will follow. ■

SINCE 1970 SINCE 1970

Jeff Green Graphic Designer Scott Cox Digital & Print Sales Sarah Winney

Copy Editor Martina Field, Office Staff Caylie Runciman Webmaster Jesse Mills Reporters.............. .Wilma Kenny, Craig Bakay www.frontenacnews.ca With

The Frontenac News is published every Thursday

Deadlines: Classifieds: Friday at 5pm Display ads: Friday at 5pm

The Frontenac News welcomes articles and letters, but we cannot publish all the submissions we receive All submissions must be signed and include a phone number for verification. We reserve the right to edit submissions for brevity, clarity, and taste. Please limit letters to 300 words or less; articles to 500 words or less.

Frontenac County CAO, Kelly Pender

COMMUNITY REPORTERS (613)

Arden Wanda Harrison 335-3186

Battersea / Storrington Amanda Pantrey 353-6653

Cloyne / Northbrook Stepanie Regent

Denbigh Gail Fritsch 613-333-2224

Godfrey Kelli McRobert

Harrowsmith Gregg Hamelin 613-376-6665

Henderson Jean Brown 336-2516

Inverary Judy Borovskis 353-1768

Maberly-Bolingbroke Karen Prytula 325-1354

Mississippi Pearl Killingbeck 278-2127

Ompah Linda Rush 479-2570

Marily Seitz 479-2855

Parham-Tichborne ........Colleen Steele 375-6219

Christine Teal 375-6525

Perth Road Peter Bird 353-7303

Plevna Rhonda Watkins 613-264-5325

Sydenham Karen Brawley 376-9848

Verona Debbie Lingen

VE r O n A

debbie@lingens.com

"Winter Warm-up Breakfast" is this Saturday in Trinity Unit-

• ed Church in Verona, from 830am to 11am (January 21). The breakfast will feature Frittatas as well as scrambled eggs, hard boiled eggs, bacon, ham or sausage, home fries, toast, muffins, juice, tea or coffee. Admission is by donation. For take out orders, please call 343-422-4110 by 9am Saturday to reserve your breakfast pick-up or email vca@xplornet.ca by Friday by 11am.

mended to everyone who want to continue enjoying their active life style. Please note, this is a Zoom program.

If it is January 2023, it must be time for the Lions' all you

• can eat breakfasts! Held at the Oso Hall 8am to 11am, January 28, this community event is in support of the Special Olympics.

The Arden United Church restarts coffee hour on Thursday

• morning 10am in the Church social room. Bible study continues Wednesdays at 630. There will be a trustees’ meeting Wednesday, January 18, at 2pm and a board meeting January 24, at 1pm.

A big thank you is extended to Kelli McRobert who gath-

• ered many of the Community Columnists together for lunch and sharing. Because of various circumstances some could not attend but we’ll try again later in the year. As last weeks “page one” article stated, if you have any news, please get in touch with your local representative. Their contact information is at the top of the column.

B ATTE r SEA /S TO rr I n GTO n

amanda Pantrey

613-353-6653

amandapantrey@outlook.com

featured menu. For take out orders, call: 343-422-4110 by 9am Saturday morning or via email at vca@xplornet.ca by Friday 11am.

Volunteers are still needed to help with income tax at Ru-

• ral Frontenac Community Services. Call Joyce at 613-2793151 ext. 100 for more details.

Feb 25th there will be a Chinese Dinner and Quarter Auc-

• tion at OSO Hall in Sharbot Lake. 5-11pm. Tickets are $20.00 with proceeds going to support the Community Project Fund. Limited tickets will be available.

SFCSC is still accepting donations to the Food Bank located at 4295 Stagecoach Road from Monday to Friday 830-4pm. If you are in need of groceries, please call 613376-6477 to arrange for a food hamper available Tuesday to Friday.

February 19th there will be a kids fishing derby on

• Sydenham Lake, FREE to kids 18 and under. Hotdogs and chili to warm them up (11-1). Event runs from 9am - 5pm. Registration is required in advance. Email toomechanical@ gmail.com for details or to donate to this fundraising event.

From South Frontenac Township:

• Where did all the snow go?! The Snow Social will be going

Be sure to join in on the fun at the first ever Snow Social.

• This event will be a celebration of the winter season and will feature activities at The Point Park and throughout the village of Sydenham. Dress like a well prepared Canadian and plan to take part in all sorts of winter fun including snow tubing (weather conditions permitting). Admission is free, but plan to bring cash for the vendors. Visit www.southfrontenac. net/snowsocial for more information. Volunteers are wanted! Email recsupport@southfrontenac.net to get involved.

• ahead as scheduled, but with modified programming where needed. We will not have enough ice on the lake, but we are excited for lots of other land-based activities!

We're still looking for some volunteers to help out with the

• event. If you are interested and available, please email recsupport@southfrontenac.net to get involved!

Check out our website for the full event itinerary.

• Congratulations to those living in and around Sharbot

• Lake on the opening of their new outdoor rink!

Do you enjoy helping seniors? Have PSW experience?

Style Revival will be open Saturday, January 28 from

• 10am to 1pm. It will also be open, as usual, Wednesdays from 10am to 1pm. Style Revival, which is located in the Verona Free Methodist Church at 6804 Hwy 38, offers free gently used clothing and footwear for all ages.

Join Senior's Diner Lunch on Thursday, February 2nd for a • hearty beef stew lunch with dessert and beverages at the Verona Free Methodist Church . After lunch, Wilma Kenny will be sharing some rarely heard stories about South Frontenac and the people who settled here. 55+ $10 per meal. To register, please call 613-376-6477 ext 303 or email joanne. silver@sfcsc.ca.

Check out the live music line up at The Creek this week.

• Wednesday, Jake Unger is rocking from 7pm – 9pm. Jordy Jackson will be on Thursday evening, 7pm – 9pm, too. Then Scott Owen brings us into the weekend from 6pm – 8pm.

Chris Murphy will be playing at the Battersea United

• Church on January 22nd starting at 7pm featuring Scottish songs to celebrate Robbie Burns Day. Admission is by free will offering with proceeds going to the Church.

• Want to help build a stronger community? Rural Frontenac Community Services is looking for reliable PSW workers for in home respite for seniors in the rural area. Flexible hours, reimbursement for travel, ongoing/professional development.

Check out our website www.rfcs.ca under employment op-

• portunities or email laurah@rfcs.ca.

H A rr OWS m ITH

The Verona Free Methodist Church is hosting an inside

• family movie night on Friday, February 3 at 630 pm. This is a PA Day. They will be showing The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. The canteen will be open until 7pm. There is no charge for admission but donations are always welcome.

•

Free Public Skating at Frontenac Arena! Wednesdays

• from 9am to 1030am and Sundays from noon to 130pm. It's free all winter long thanks to a Queen's Platinum Jubilee grant.

There

• Zoom program “Deep in the Bones”. Held 9am to 1030am, Wednesday and Friday, this wellness program is recom-

•

Storrington Lions Club is collecting food and items for a

• Community Food Drive from 1 to 5pm on Friday, Feb. 3 at the Lions Club Hall in Sunbury. Donations will support the food bank at Battersea United Church. In addition to food items, the club is asking for personal hygiene products for men and women. Thanks for your support!

What do you call a slightly slow skier? A slope-poke.

DEnBIGH & VEnnACHAr

Gail Fritsch 613-333-2224 tonygailfritsch@sympatico.ca

Hopefully you are enjoying the more seasonal cool weath-

• er we had this past weekend. It brings fond memories of winters past!

The Vennachar Free Methodist is holding their first ‘Open

• Mic’ of this year. It will be held on Friday, February 20th (this Friday) at 7pm at the church. All are welcome. Bring your musical instruments and friends and enjoy a night of good music and fellowship.

The Denbigh Wellness group meets every Tuesday morn-

• ing at 9am at the Denbigh Hall in the basement. We have weight loss exercises and a social gathering. Please feel free to join us any week.

The Denbigh Community Foodbank is open the 2nd and

• 4th Tuesday of every month from 1030 to 11am.

The community sends it’s condolences to the family of Herbie Keller who died recently.

• would like to share.

Please let me know if you have any news or events you

GODFrEy

Breakfast

Gregg Hamelin 613-376-6665 ghamelin3585@gmail.com

Wednesday, January 18, 2023 there is a painting work-

• shop with a still life theme from 1- 3pm at the Sydenham Legion Hall (4361 Amelia Street). Materials will be provided but bring an apron, paper towels and a sense of fun! There is a $5 donation for beginners to experienced (55+). Please register a few days before with Denzel at the South Frontenac Community Services 613-376-6477 ext 310.

Wednesday, January 18, 2023 there is a COVID-19 Vac-

• cine Clinic from 1230 to 530pm at The Grace Centre, 4295 Stage Coach Road, Sydenham. ID is not required for the vaccine.

Friday, February 3, 2023 there will be a Youth Dance at

• the Golden Links Hall in Harrowsmith 7 - 930pm for public school children. The cost is $6.00. For information please call 613-372-2410.

February 11, 2023 is the next monthly euchre night at the

• Harrowsmith S and A Club. Members $5 and Non-members $7. Email harrowsmithsanda@gmail.com for questions or to book a spot! Everyone is welcome.

Sunday, February 12, 2023 the Ole Tyme Fiddlers with • an Open Mike will be hosted at the Golden Links Hall in Harrowsmith 1 - 5pm, followed by dinner. The cost is $12.00 and please bring a dessert to share. For info call 613-3722410.

Sunday, February 19, 2023 there will be a TAKE OUT • turkey dinner at the Golden Links Hall in Harrowsmith. Advance tickets only with a cut off date of Wednesday, February 15. The cost is $20.00 and tickets are available at the gas station in Sydenham, Harrowsmith, Hartington and Asselstine Hardware in Verona. For info, call 613-372-2410

Debbie Lingen

Kelli Mcrobert kattgrrrl@gmail.com

is served by the Verona Community Associa-

tion every Saturday in January at the Trinity Church in Verona. Free will donations. 830-11am. Every week, a new

•

HEnDErSOn

Jean Brown

613-336-2516

We have a missing female golden boxer lab cross dog

• in Henderson village, named Cora, so hope that folks can watch out for her. Cora is deeply missed by her owner Fred: 613-929-0254.

A big shout out to our super duper road crews who continue to work faithfully to keep our roads open.

Even More at the ABC Hall! – Musicians Circle – Play, • sing, learn, and network with fellow musicians without an audience present. Thursdays at 7pm. Cost is $5 at the door which goes toward hall maintenance. More info can be found at the ABC Hall website https://abchall.ca/music-for-education-enjoyment/

The ABC Hall is located at 3166 Bolingbroke Road, Coun- • ty Road 36, Maberly, ON K0H 2B0. Email communications@ abchall.ca if you can’t find what you are looking for at the above links.

Training Event For Local Food Producers

•

Valentine's Day is coming up soon and we are so thank-

• ful to the Lions Club of Land O’Lakes who are hosting some yummy and romantic events on Sat. Feb. 18 at their Northbrook Lions Hall. For the romantic couple, or if you feel like sharing a nice dinner with a loved one, then go for the super elegant High Tea, live music, lovely tiny bites of savoury sandwiches, scones, mini cakes and a glass of bubbly; all served with delicate china and your pot of tea from 6pm-8pm on Sat, Feb. 18 at the Lions Hall in Northbook. Or do you prefer a louder type of fun, celebrating with the community and loved ones? Then consider their heart themed dance on the same day and location from 815- 1. This is so romantically exciting. Here are the costs: $15 per person for the dance alone (by reservation or walk in).

$70 per couple for the High Tea alone (by reservation

• only) $75 per couple for the High Tea & Dance (by reservation only) To reserve or for more info eventlionscluboflandolakes@gmail.com.

InVErAry

Enjoy some Scottish songs in celebration of

55 + Diners’ Lunch! On Thursday, February 2, join South-

• ern Frontenac Community Services for a hearty beef stew lunch with dessert and beverages at the Verona Free Methodist Church (6804 Road 38, Verona). After lunch, Wilma Kenny will share some rarely heard stories about South Frontenac and the people who settled here. This event is for people 55 and older. The cost is $10 per meal. To register, please call 613-376-6477 ext 303 or email joanne.silver@sfcsc.ca

Food Bank Drive February 3rd. Drop off at the Storrington

• Lions Hall between 1 and 5pm. Wish list includes hygiene products for men & women, cereal, crackers, bread, milk, cheese, eggs, butter, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and peanut free school snacks. Also welcomed are frozen & fresh vegetables, frozen meat, canned & fresh fruit. Whatever you can give is needed and appreciated! Eyeglasses & hearing aides can be dropped at the same time! Thank you.

PArHAm-TICHBOrnE

Colleen Steele

613-375-6219

Christine teal mrsteal2u@hotmail.com 613-375-6525

We are both sorry we had to miss the editor columnist lun-

• cheon at Muddy Waters. It sounded like a good time - sure loved our water bottles and chocolates. Thank you.

Sure looks like every community is becoming active once

• again with all the happenings. Be sure to check the Northern Listings, but be safe. If you are not feeling well, don't attend.

Sympathy to the family of Chris Wisteard, who passed away recently.

Thinking of you to Patsy Lowery and Lisa Teal.

• Please be careful around the water ways... They can be

• very dangerous.

Congratulations to Mr & Mrs Tyson Thompson on their re-

• cent wedding.

P E r TH rOAD

Peter Bird

613-353-7303 p.bird@xplornet.ca

PERTH ROAD UNITED CHURCH will continue with pulpit

• supply ministers and run its own services with the Worship Committee until a permanent minister has been hired.

EVENTS: Perth Rd. Sunday School Hall:

• Tuesday Lunches will resume on Jan. 10Th , 2023.

• Charge is $8 per person. Great value for home-made soup, sandwiches and desert.

LELAND HELPING HAND - Four Handed Euchre has re-

• sumed on Thursdays at 1pm, $5, includes light refreshments at Harris Park, 5612 Perth Road Crescent, Perth Road Village.

Perth Road VILLAGE Crafters continue to meet every Wednesday: 930am – 1130 am at Harris Park Hall, 5612 Perth Road Cres. If you’re a first timer, check us out for free. Please contact Cheryl Bird 613-353-7303.

PlEVnA

rhonda Watkins

The "A to Z of Getting Your Food Products to Market" is a full-day session hosted by the City of Kingston, the Township of South Frontenac and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). It will feature representatives from KFLA Public Health, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and local businesses, who will be on hand to provide all the tools and resources needed to get your food to market.

“If you’ve ever dreamed of getting into the food production business, there are many resources available to make that dream come true,” says Tracey Snow, Manager, Rural Economic & Community Development. “By bringing everyone together in one place, we can share this wealth of knowledge, support local businesses and encourage those who want to become local producers to do so.”

The training session is open to anyone, whether you’re looking to sell that secret family recipe people always ask for, you’re considering a side gig or full-time operation, or for farmers and artisans who are already producing food products.

The event will take participants through every step, from renting and using a commercial kitchen, to understanding regulations and food safety requirements, to getting products on the shelves.

Rotary Calendars displaying local photography and of-

613-264-5325 rhonda139@gmail.com

• fering 312 chances to win $15,000 in prizes are available at Inverary Pharmasave, Mrs Garrett's Bake Shop, Neil's Flowers, & Limestone Creamery. For info call Darlene at 613-353-1142. Help Rotary to help others!

• and a sense of purpose – become a Lion.

Join the Storrington Lions Club! Offering fun, friendship

Hall Rentals: Inverary Church Hall – contact Judy Borovs- • kis 353-1768 or cell: 613-545-5017. Battersea Church hall – contact Roberta Smith 353-2846.

Karen Prytula

613-325-1354 karenprytula33@gmail.com

ABC Hall Events – GENTLE FLOW YOGA with Alana • Brankin. Gentle Yoga to rejuvenate the body and mind. Thursdays, January 12 to March 16, 930am to 1030am. Cost is $15 for each class that you drop-in on. ALSO, GENTLE PILATES with Deborah Nordstrom. Low-impact exercise to improve core stability, flexibility and balance. Wednesdays, January 11 to March 1, 9am to 10am. Cost is $15 for each class that you drop-in on. ALSO, Introduction to Meditation with Deborah Nordstrom. Quiet practice to lower stress and enhance mood. Wednesdays, January 11 to February 1, 1030 am to 1130 am. Cost is $15 for each class that you drop-in on. ALSO, CPHC Seniors Exercise with Margaret Miller. Aerobic and strength training for active seniors. Mondays, January 9 to May 29, 930am to 1030 am. There is NO COST for the Seniors Exercise class. The Seniors Exercise classes are FREE. ALSO, LINE DANCING with Rhonda Aisbitt. A fun workout. Motion is Lotion! Fridays, January 13 to March 17, 10am to 11am. Cost is $5 at the door which goes toward Hall maintenance. More info can be found on the ABC Hall website. https://abchall.ca/health-fitness/

More at the ABC Hall - MAHJONNG. It’s a game like Rum- • my played with tiles instead of cards, typically with four players. Thursdays at noon. Cost is $5 at the door, which goes toward Hall maintenance. More info can be found at the ABC Hall website https://abchall.ca/fun-games/

Glen and Linda Manion celebrated their Golden Wedding

• Anniversary this past Friday, January 13th! They enjoyed a beautiful weekend in Haliburton to celebrate their big day. Happy 50th Anniversary, guys!

George and Mary Barrett (Billy) are also celebrating this • month! Next week on Thursday, January 26th at 720pm they will be married 60 years! The Diamond Anniversary, WOW!

Rural Frontenac Community Services is looking for Volun- • teers with tax processing experience. Do you have a basic understanding of income tax and would like to help people? As a volunteer, you can choose to file and complete taxes in person, by phone, or through drop-off at Rural Frontenac Community Services. Training is provided by Canada Revenue Agency and for further information, you can contact Joyce at 613-279-3151 ext. 100.

Do you have plans on Saturday, January 28th? Did you • know that the name of Plevna came from beautiful Bulgaria? We are all invited to the Clar-Mill Hall in Plevna on Sat, Jan 28th from 1-2pm to taste complimentary food and wine and meet The Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria and The Consulate General of the Republic of Romania! How exciting!

South Frontenac has one commercial kitchen available to rent and Kingston has three. These state-of-the-art facilities are accessible to anyone looking to produce and sell food products.

“There is a market for local food in our region and many of our local food producers and business owners have expressed their willingness to support these ventures,” says Snow. “We want this event to help establish these connections and serve as a steppingstone to get people started.”

Those who are interested in registering for the A to Z of Getting Your Food Products to Market can contact Abryant Peller at abryant-peller@cityofkingston.ca or by phone at 343-363-0714. Space is limited ■

Sharbot Lake Chiropractic & Wellness

Dr. Gian Kaillon

Sharbot Lake 613.279.2100

www.sharbotlakechiropractic.ca

Spine, Muscle & Joint Pain

According to the Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA) 2017 report, almost 90% of Canadians have experienced muscle and/or joint pain in the last year, the most common being back pain and headache.

Pain affects the way people work, play and generally live. And a person’s spine, muscles, joints and related nervous system supports every movement they make. Unfortunately, the World Health Organization reports lower back pain as a leading cause of disability worldwide. And a study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that back pain was the most common diagnosis for which emergency and family physicians prescribed opioids.

Sleeping posture is the number one cause of muscle and joint pain, according to those surveyed in CCA’s report. Shovelling snow, picking up a child or sitting at a desk for hours at a time can also severely impact your spine, muscles, joints and nervous system. And with an aging population, the number of conditions is expected to increase significantly. By 2031, the number of Canadians suffering from these conditions will increase from 11 to 15 million.

Muscle and joint pain often stems from physical trauma, repetitive strain or overuse. It frequently impacts the head, neck, shoulders, back or pelvis. Most people will experience some form of muscle and joint pain in their lifetime. For example, you may strain muscles moving boxes or overdoing it at the gym. While not all of this discomfort is bad, it’s best to use proper techniques when you do strenuous or repetitive activities. This extra care helps you prevent disorders and pain. Research demonstrates that we can manage many conditions through patient education, exercise and manual therapies rather than through surgery or medication. And nine in ten Canadians who have used chiropractic care to help with their muscle and joint pain believe that it improved their quality of life.

Judy Borovskis borovskis@kingston.net

Chris Murphy in Concert! 7pm at Battersea United Church

on Sunday, January 22nd!

Robbie Burns

Day. Your toes will be tapping! Free will offering in support of the church.

mABE rly- B O l I n GB r O k E

People looking to start or expand a food production business to sell locally to restaurants, smaller food stores, or online are invited to a one-stop-shop training event on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.

South Frontenac Will Look At Proposal To Fund Doctor Recruitment

by Jeff Green

D

r.'s Jeanette Dietrich (Sydenham Clinic) and Sabra Gibbens (Verona Medical Centre) as well as Deborah Krause, Executive Director of the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team, made a presentation to South Frontenac Council, at their first meeting of the year on Tuesday Night (January 10).

The presentation (which was previewed in an article on page 1 of the Frontenac News last week) provided Council with a detailed view of the doctor shortage and a pending more acute shortage in Frontenac County.

It also made reference to a request for South Frontenac Township to fund a signing bonus, $100,000 over five years per doctor, to entice up to three family physicians to fill gaps in service in the township.

As Dr. Dietrich pointed out, Kingston has established just such a fund and it helped them recruit a number of family physicians in the last 18 months or so. Because Sharbot Lake is higher up on what the Ministry of Health defines as the “Rurality Index”, there is money for a signing bonus for a new physician in Sharbot Lake, provided by the province. North Frontenac and Addington Highlands top up the ministry money with contributions from each municipality, and have created a more robust incentive for the Lakeland Family Health Team in Northbrook.

“Verona and Sydenham are not eligible for provincial funding for a bonus, because of the way the Ministry draws the map,” said Dr. Dietrich.

“Without any kind of incentive program, the clinics in South Frontenac are not on a level playing field with the communities surrounding us” said Dr. Gibbens.

The most immediate need in the township is at the Verona Medical Centre, where Dr. Gibbens is caring for a roster of 2,600 patients (1,500 is considered a maximum per physician).

“When you have a clinic run by only one doctor, there is no support in case the one doctor gets ill, or has a family crisis,” said Doctor Dietrich. “Small rural clinics are clearly more vulnerable than larger ones with 10 or 15 doctors available to cover for each other.”

The Sydenham clinic has three physicians for a roster of 4,000 patients, but two of the three will be eligible for retirement within 5 years (one in 3 years and one in 5 years).

The presenters did not get into the details about how much money would be required from the township, but the need they outlined suggests that a fund of $300,000, built up over 8-10 years appears to be the requirement, just to maintain the service level that is currently in place.

The bonuses would likely be paid out at $20,000 per year for 5 years.

The physicians also said that the services of a part-time recruiter are also needed, and that will cost about $20,000 per year for the foreseeable future.

Members of council had a series of questions regarding the presentation.

Councillor Ron Sleeth asked “what can we do, as a municipality, as a start, to help with recruiting a physician?” The answer was to help create a fund in order to “create that level playing field in the region”.

Deborah Krause said that “we have all been doing this from the side of our desk, and hiring someone with the right kind of skills to do recruiting could possibly be something that should be looked at as a county-wide effort. And, as much as I've got a business background, this requires marketing expertise. Richard Allen, at the county, has already been a big help to us in terms of what he's providing. But I’m afraid we're missing something. We're missing the Caramilk secret, because that's not where our training is.”

Councillor Scott Trueman asked about the possibility of a Nurse Practitioner led clinic, and while all three services (Sydenham, Verona, and Sharbot Lake) have nurse practitioners working in their clinics, Dr. Dietrich said that the way the Ministry of Health funds Nurse Practitioner-led clinics is different from the way they fund doctor-led clinics, which would make it difficult to set one up in the township.

Trueman then asked, where the process to create a clinic in Inverary stood.

“It's been sort of in process for quite a while,” Trueman said.

“I'm not entirely sure. That was a couple of physicians in Kingston who were looking to expand and start a practice in Inverary. I haven't heard anything about it recently. Since that time, our physician services agreement with the Ministry of Health has changed and the guidelines around the number of clinics, and the geographic distance that a family health organisation can serve has changed. I don't know if they are still pursuing that, because I do not know if it fits the guidelines we have with the ministry. I have not heard anything from them, so I would not hang your hat on that clinic being created anytime soon.

As if to anticipate what Mayor Vandewal was going to say, Dr. Gibbens said “when I am talking to people about this, they say why are you coming to the township when healthcare is a provincial matter, and I agree, but the reality is that we have this situation where other municipalities are investing and in order for us to keep up we need to do the same. I recognise, we all recognise, this is not something municipalities are usually called upon to support, and yet we are stuck because there is a shortfall from the province and other municipalities are doing it.”

Mayor Vandewal said “I support rural doctors, don't get me wrong, but I'm getting a little bit concerned because we have other organisations coming to us, we have Southern Frontenac Community Services, and someone else came to me and said she is wanting to come to council for another service, and I am getting a bit worried that we aren't social services nor do we have any control over social services at all. Now, property taxation is going to be funding things that we shouldn't, historically, be funding.

"I would like to see something come back from our staff to say, okay, this is what we are going to do. So if you could reach out to Louise [CAO Louise Fragnito] who can bring a specific proposal, that we can focus on.”

A similar presentation is coming to Frontenac County this week, with a focus on the recruiter position.

Dr. Jeanette Deitrich, Dr. Sabbra Gibbens and Deborah Kraus, Executive Director of the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team

MERA Speaker Series - A Personal History of South Africa

by Jeff Green

Steve Kotze is an accountant based in Elphin, an avid soccer player, organiser, and a former Green Party candidate. He was born and raised South African, and his own family history is tied to the anti-apartheid movement.

He prepared, and last week presented, what he described as his “personal perspective” on events from the past and the present day in South Africa.”

He started by saying that “as much as I decry racial stereotyping, I am a White man, of European descent, born into privilege in a country where race defined everything about a person’s life.”

He said that Whites, representing 1012% of the population, were at the top, and Blacks, representing 85% of the population, were at the bottom. Whites had 100% of control over government, and only Whites were allowed to vote.

All aspects of life were controlled.

“Apartheid, meaning separateness, was the official policy of the national party when they came into power in South Africa in 1948 in an all-White election.”

As an aside, Kotze pointed out that the “architects of apartheid traveled to Canada to study Canada’s reservation system as a model for apartheid.”

Apartheid did not come from out of the blue. From the 1600s, Dutch colonisers enslaved the Indigenous population. Africa, as a whole, was carved up into nations at a conference in 1885, based not on communities of interest or historical connection, but based on the interests of the colonisers, and what Kotze described as “European greed”.

The mineral deposits in the Transvaal region of South Africa drew the attention of the English, who took over the country through force in the Boer War at the turn of the 20th Century. 26,000 Afrikaner women and children and 20,000 Africans died in Concentration campus during a brutal war. Not surprisingly, English rule was never accepted by the Africaner population who were long established in the country before the English arrived.

“Anti-English sentiment was one of the reasons for the victory of the National Party in 1948, and the institution of apartheid that followed,” he said.

He pointed out that his mother, Helen, was a second-generation English immigrant to South Africa, whose parents were both born in Manchester, England, and his father Theo was a 7th generation Arfikaner..

The African National Congress was created in 1912 to advocate for the rights of blacks in the county, long before the official onset of apartheid.

In 1955, 3,000 delegates came together and created The Freedom Charter, which “laid out the basis of a future, egalitarian South Africa. By the end of that year, 156 people who were involved in the creation of the charter, were arrested and charged with treason. Nelson Mandela was one of them. After a 4-year trial, they were all acquitted.

The Pan African Congress, a more militant offshoot of the African National Congress, was founded by Robert Sobukwe. In 1960, a Pan African Congress protest in Sharpeville resulted in a brutal attack by po-

lice, resulting in the death of 69 people, and 180 injuries.

In 1961, the ANC and PAC decided to take acts of sabotage against the state.

At the time, Nelson Mandela said that 50years of non violent (acts of resistance) had brought the African people nothing but more repressive legislation, and fewer and fewer rights.”

Robert Sobukwe was arrested after the Sharpeville massacre, and Nelson Mandela was arrested a year later.

Kotze said that he was not aware of any of this when he was growing up, as not only was he young, but censorship laws ensured that Whites were not informed about what was going on outside of their own, protected communities.

In 1963, the Christian Institute of South Africa was formed. It declared apartheid to be a heresy. Kotze’s father, Theo, a Methodist Minister who had been wrestling with the same issue as the clergy who had formed the institute, learned about the declaration.

“And so, my family’s involvement with the anti-apartheid movement began.”

In 1966, Steve’s father was appointed to be Chaplin to Robben Island, where many of the political prisoners were held, and he met with “Mandela, Sobukwe and many of the other leaders who were serving their sentences there.”

Six months later he was removed from the position because “‘he did not know how to behave towards the prisoners’, meaning that he treated them as human beings”.

The experience had a radicalising effect on Theo Kotze. Two years later, he took on the role of Regional Director of the Christian Institute for the Cape and Namibia.

In the early 1970s, new leaders emerged, including Steve Biko, and organisations like the New Christian Institute started attracting unwanted attention, including from right wing vigilantes.

This attention included a Molotov cocktail being tossed at the window of Theo Kotze’s office, and an incident where shots were fired at the Kotze house.

Theo Kotze, being a devoted Christian and a man who was inspired by the Black anti-apartheid leadership, did not waver in the face of these threats and attacks.

The death of Steve Biko in 1977 at the age of 30, after being arrested for contravening a banning order, also had a profound effect on Theo Kotze, as they had met on several occasions and Kotze had a lot of admiration for Biko and saw him as a leader.

On the 19th of October, 1977, a day known in South Africa as Black Wednesday, many organisations including the Christian Institute, were subjected to banning orders. Among other restrictions, banned individuals were not allowed to meet with other banned individuals at all, or more than one other individual at any time. They could also not leave the district where they were assigned.

A year later, recognising that he could not remain in South Africa without taking action against apartheid and that that would likely lead to imprisonment or death, Steve, “being a person of privilege who had options” decided to leave for Europe.

3 months later, he learned that his father

had made his way to England. His mother was already there, ostensibly for a family visit.

Theo Kotze’s escape from South Africa culminated in crossing the border with Botswana in the trunk of a car that was being driven by an American diplomat.

Helen and Theo Kotze spent the next 15 years working to convince church leaders in Europe to end their investments in South Africa.

In 1985, Steve emigrated to Canada, and found support for the anti-apartheid movement was well established in Canada, extending all the way to the government.

“I found it ironic, to say the least, that while Canada was so strongly opposed to apartheid in the 1980s, the last residential school in Canada did not close until 1996.”

In 1994, Steve Kotze voted for the first time in his life, casting his ballot at the South African High Commission in Ottawa. That same week, he became a Canadian citizen.

The story of South Africa does not end there, however.

“I have learned that governments, despite their best intentions, are invariably instruments of the power elite, designed to protect monied interests. In South Africa ... it is

the monied investment that has corrupted the ANC.

“I have also learned that racism, and racist legislation and policies is not unique to South Africa. It is part of divide and conquer, but it is deeper than that and it is much more complex and insidious. I do know, though, that we are all part of one big human-family, that we all bleed the same colour, that we all feel joy, pain and sorrow, and that the pigment of a person’s skin says nothing of their character or their capability. I also know that diversity makes us stronger and more resilient, and makes life a lot more interesting.”

A lot of the optimism about the future of South Africa has dissipated over the years.

“There is a book called the ANC Billionaires. The title says it all,” Kotze said at the end of his presentation, but then he added that there are people in South Africa, and elsewhere, who continue to work for a more just future, and “that gives me hope.”

In the conversation with the Zoom audience after his talk, Kotze mentioned something he had heard.

“From the perspective of the 1990s in South Africa, what had happened to the country over the last 25 years is a disaster. But from the perspective of the 1980s in South Africa, it is a triumph.” ■

ReadeR Supported News

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We do not have a paywall on either of our two websites, Frontenacnews.ca (which we load with the stories from the paper and update throughout the week as well) and Frontenac-live.ca (where comprehensive event listings and a complete business directory are located).

We remain committed to providing information for free thanks to the revenue generated by our advertisers.

However, mailing and websites incur costs. Therefore we are asking for support from those of our readers who can afford it. Delivery of The Frontenac News each week costs $35 per year to each home, if a small portion of our readers are able to pay $30, $50 or $100, it would be a big help to us.

To become a patron contact

The Frontenac News, PO Box 229, 1095 Garrett St. Sharbot Lake ON K0H 2P0 613-279-3150 info@frontenacnews.ca www.frontenacnews.ca

Theo Kotze and Archbishop Desmond Tutu

South Frontenac Council - January 10

By Wilma Kenny

Mayor Vandewal opened the meeting by acknowledging that this would be Clerk Angela Maddock’s last meeting before her retirement; “Angela has been a very valuable person (to the Township); she has been with us since amalgamation.”

deputy Mayor

Councillor Ron Sleeth took declaration of office as Deputy Mayor for 2023.

Utilities Kingston Management Review Report for 2021

Council endorsed the Operational Plan for the Sydenham Drinking Water System: there have been no complaints, and the system has functioned smoothly.

Proposed Official Plan Amendments

Thank You ~ LeeAnna White

the white family would like to thank all the family, friends and neighbours that helped us look after Mother over the years.

we couldn’t have done it without you! A special thanks to the Staff at Pine Meadows for her excellent care these past 10 months. Leeanna was a tough nut to crack but we know she did enjoy her time there!

to everyone who was able to attend the service at Milestones and to Bill and Murray white for the delightful live music.

to Jack for presiding over the service and to Grandson scott who delivered a heartfelt and well spoken eulogy.

also big thanks to Linda, amy and Naomi for organizing a beautiful luncheon and to Melissa phllips for providing the delicious food. we can’t express enough the gratitude that we have for each and every one of you that have enriched Leeanna’s life as well as our own!

dan and the entire white family

Thank You ~ Young

we would like to thank everyone for the phone calls, cards, visits, messages and flowers that we received during the passing of our dear husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa charles young. we would also like to thank Milestone funeral Home for their professionalism and compassion. your assistance was greatly appreciated. also, thank you to the Ministers rev. david smith and rev. John robertson for the service and kind words. ron Lemke for the singing and eulogy and for reading the eulogy from our daughter debbie, to rimpy from Goodfellow’s flowers for the beautiful arrangements. to Jim Boles for the graveside assistance and also to the pallbearers. thank you to everyone who made a donation in charles’ memory. everyone’s kindness made a difficult time a little easier. doreen young and family

A public meeting was held to receive comments on proposed administrative amendments to the Official Plan in order to implement Provincial Bills 13 and 109.

Under Bill 13, municipalities can now delegate decisions dealing with minor amendments to zoning by-laws. These minor amendments would include temporary use by-laws and the removal of holding symbols. The municipality’s official plan must outline the types of by-laws that may be subject to delegated authority, and then they must pass a by-law specifically outlining who is assigned the authority and any conditions associated with it.

Bill 109 attempts to facilitate development by addressing planning processes and timelines. (Eg, it sets penalties -refund of part or all fees- on municipalities for slow decisions.) South Frontenac staff have been meeting with the County and the

other three Townships to develop a unified way of addressing the Provincial changes. One proposal is the recommendation that development applications will require a very thorough pre-application process: they will not be officially accepted until they are fully completed: applicants will be provided with a detailed list of all that is required, and staff will assist where necessary.

Deputy Mayor Sleeth asked about the planning department’s current timelines: the reply was that the majority of applications were straightforward, but it might be helpful if a bylaw could be passed at the same meeting as it was discussed. Mayor Vandewal asked whether an applicant could force the Township to accept an application for development: the answer was no, if the applicant had not provided all the required information.

There were no comments from the public: staff will bring a more detailed report providing a recommendation to Council for adoption of the amendments at a future meeting. Council appointments to township Boards

MeMoriaM

October 5, 1952 ~ December 22, 2022

Passed away peacefully with his family by his side at the Kingston Health Sciences Centre on Thursday, December 22, 2022 at the age of 70. Robert will be forever missed by his devoted wife Pam. Cherished father of Amanda Cutler (Amos) of Pontypool and Krystal Walker (Ian) of Vancouver. He will be sadly missed by his grandchildren Alton, Adelaide, Ainsleigh, Lily, Audrey and Cooper. Beloved son of Ina and the late Robert Newman. Brother of Chris Newman (Inta) of Northbrook, Debra Mieske of Harlowe and Sharon Rosenblath (Rodger) of Denbigh. Robert will be lovingly remembered by his nieces, nephews, friends and many other relatives. Robert will always be remembered as a devoted husband and father as he took great pride in his family and always put them first. He was always willing to help someone in need, that’s just who he was. Robert had a love for fishing and would enjoy taking his family in the summer out on kash and in the winter out in his fishing hut lovingly called “Pam and Bobby’s cottage”. He had a great sense of humour and made anyone around him laugh. There will be a celebration of life held for Robert on May 27th at the Newman residence. We will miss you Bobby. It’s been a slice. Cremation has been entrusted to Milestone Funeral Center.

Memorial donations made to the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation (UHKF) –Leukemia Research would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences, photos and memories can be shared at www.milestonefuneralcenter.com.

G RAY, G RAYDON - i remember with much love... my special husband and best friend - 17 years ago tHe Love of My Life left this world. april 28, 1962 - January 25, 2006 You left me beautiful memories, Your love is still my guide And though I cannot see you, You are always by my side A few more steps along life’s road, Perhaps a few more years, then by God’s grace We’ll meet again in a better place. Loving you always, dorothy (dot)

Edward J. Warren in loving memory of ed, who left us three years ago to a much better place, at peace.

I Don’t Need A Special Day I don’t need a special day to bring you to mind; The days I do not think of you are very hard to find; Each morning that I wake I know that you are gone; And no one know the heartache as I try to carry on; My heart still aches with sadness and secret tears still flow; What it meant to lose you, on one will ever know; My thoughts are always with you, your place no one can fill; In life I loved you dearly, in death I love you still.

Loved and remembered every day. till we meet again florence, family and Grandchildren

Arena: Norm Roberts and Ray Leonard

Committee of Adjustment ’23: Steve Pegrum, Randy Ruttan, Doug Morey, Norm Roberts

Police Services Board: Steve Pegrun

Cataraqui Regional Cons. Auth: Deputy Mayor Sleeth, Scott Trueman

Quinte Cons Auth: Norm Roberts

Rideau Valley Cons Auth: Charlene Godfrey

2023 Budget Schedule

Jan 18, 2023 Public Services Capital Presentation

Feb. 3, 2023 Full Budget Document Tabled

Feb. 16, 2023 Operating Budget Presentation Mar 7, 2023 (and Mar 21, 2023 if needed) Revisions based on Council direction, budget debate & approval.

2023 long-range Financial Plan

Presenter/Treasurer Shelley Stedall emphasized that this report does not commit Council to the items or figures included within the plan. It is strictly a forecast to help in planning ahead for anticipated future needs.

Overall South Frontenac is in good financial condition, with one of the lowest residential tax bills compared to neighbouring municipalities, with an overall excellent level of service;

Key challenges were identified as external factors such as changes to legislation, reduction in Fed/Prov grant funding, and increases to fuel and energy prices. Shifting service expectations and covid related pressures may or may not continue.

During the development of last year’s budget, five key themes had emerged as needing additional attention and/or resources:• Levels of Service Considerations • Customer Service/Satisfaction • By-law Enforcement • Organizational Capacity • Economic Development/Beautification.

Over the previous Council term, Council and staff identified many other policy and/ or service level priorities that were slow to be implemented or were left incomplete. Some of them were: • Shoreline Protection By-law • Improved by-law enforcement • Administrative Penalties • Council/Committee Structure Changes • Records Management Updates • Climate Change Strategy • Building and Zoning Enforcement • Subdivision Standards • Short Term Accommodation Strategy • Livestock in Urban Areas Policy • Site Plan Control By-law • Road Closing Policy • Sydenham Water Consultation • Customer Service Improvements • Procurement Policy Improvements • Fees & Charges Updates • Roads-Sign By-law Revision.

Stedall concluded that staff is again recommending that when drawing up the ’23 budget, Council focus on priorities rather than the tax rate, with the understanding that staff will keep in mind the historical target rate, ie maintaining an approximate 2% average ratepayer impact.

Following Council’s endorsement of these budget directions, CAO Fragnito asked whether there were any other themes Council wished to have included before the ’23 budget is developed. Mayor Vandewal replied that this was “too much to ask (of Council) right now.” Councillor Roberts agreed; “It’s best to go with what we have.”

Frontenac Municipal law Enforcement (FMla): Contract Extension

funeral Center northbrook 613-336-6873 www.milestonefuneralcenter.com

funeral Home L tD. parham 613-375-6254 www.goodfellowsfuneralhome.com

In her report to council concerning bylaw enforcement, CAO Fragnito noted: “It is anticipated that by September, 2023, the Township will be in a better position to understand their needs from a by-law enforcement standpoint as the new programs will be in place for a full year and associated metrics will be available. Township staff will also have had an opportunity to further assess the required response to address concerns related to short term rental accommodations. Staff will also continue to explore whether there are opportunities to consider joint service delivery with the Townships of Central and North Frontenac.”

Council agreed to extend the contract with FMLA to Dec 31/23, and directed staff to tender a new by-law enforcement contract

Robert Newman

Pickleball Community Will Have To Wait A Month For Potential Township Commitment

By Craig Bakay

The Central Frontenac Pickleball Committee was at Central Frontenac Council’s regular meeting Jan. 10 in Sharbot Lake looking for a commitment that they can use the court at the old Sharbot Lake Public School for at least five years. They’re still waiting.

Council deferred a decision until the Jan. 24 meeting to give staff time to consult with a lawyer as to what the Township can and cannot do legally.

“Can it be here? That’s the question we need answered,” said Rhonda KimberleyYoung, representing the committee along with Sandy Robertson and Coun. Nicki Gowdy.

Kimberley-Young said the group needs a time commitment in order to pursue mon-

T HE Cl

etary grants from Pickleball organizations but they’re not comfortable pursuing things without said commitment.

Part of the holdup has been a tentative recreational needs study the Township wants to conduct but no date has been set for said study as yet.

“We feel like we’re chasing a moving target,” Kimberley-Young said. “We turned a 35-year eyesore into a community hub and a real boon.”

The old school site has been slated for a new seniors housing project. Along the way, the size and layout of the project has evolved.

“When it was five or 10 units, the pickleball court could have stayed,” Kimberley-Young said. “Then it was a 45 unit building on the hill and the space could have stayed as a

recreational court.”

But then there was a proposal for a 35unit building along with a 15-unit building, in which case the pickleball court would have to be removed.

“After the first reports were made public, our thinking was we were past that hurdle,” Kimberley-Young said. “But now we’re subject to a study being done by an independent third party.

“We have four recreation committees and a slew of volunteers who know what their needs are and what they’d like to see in their communities.

“I’m not sure of the value of having an outsider come in and tell us what they think we think we want when the people who live in this community actually know what we need and want.”

“I don’t know why we’re tying it to a recreation needs study when it’s already established,” said Dep. Mayor Phillip Smith.

“I’m all for giving you the commitment but I’m just afraid we’ll have to break it,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

Council approved Mark Howes’ request to use a piece of Township property to place a memorial sign and bell to remember the Parham St. James Anglican Church which had stood in Parham for 133 years before it burned down 2 ½ years ago.

“I’d like to request a cement pad for posts,” he said. “We’ve had people come forward with donations (and) I would like to see it not forgotten.”

He said the memorial will be adjacent to the post office because the archdiocese owns the land where the church stood and they wouldn’t take responsibility for it.

Public Works Manager Tyson Myers said they do put snow there occasionally but “we’ll make it work.”

Youth Program

Rural Frontenac Community Services Youth Program manager Sarah McCullough was at Council making an annual program funding request.

She said that the ask has increased to $17,300 this year from $15,500 last year because of rising inflation costs.

She said that last year, 261 unique individuals received programming last year.

The matter was referred to budget deliberations.

County Planner requests Funds

AuTOmOTIVE

Kaladar aUto rECYCliNG. Car & truck parts. Used cars, $600 & up. We take tradeins. We buy farm equipment, tractors, loaders for parts. 11520 Hwy 41; 613-336-9899; 613885-8644

KiNNEY aUto WrECKiNG Station Road, Kaladar. 4x4 trucks & parts for sale. Scrap cars, stoves, fridges wanted. 613-336-9272.

FOr SAlE

Bord E r Colli E P UPP i ES. Available early Feb with first shots. M/F available. Info 416559-1072 therisefarm@gmail.com

CENtral BoilEr Classic OUTDOOR FURNACES can eliminate your high heating bill. Buy NOW and save up to $550! Call today 613539-9073. www.thefurnacebroker.com

CENtral BoilEr oUtdoor FUrNaCES offer the Classic, the Maxim and the New Edge. Your local Dealer, Wood Heat Solutions, Frankford, ON, 613-398-1611; Bancroft, ON 613-332-1613. www.chesher.ca

ENGaGEMENt riNG, 9 diamonds, 1.21 tot weight, appraised $3450, asking $1600. Sharbot Lake. Call Dennis 613-449-8997

In the end, Council passed a resolution removing the connection to the recreation needs study and asking staff to consult with a lawyer as to whether the Township can issue a commitment it may have to break. The matter will come back to Council Jan. 24.

Building report

Chief Building Official Andy Dillon reported that building permit fees in 2022 were down slightly to $225,746 from $244,800 in 2021 accounting for $15,642,895 in construction value ($17,691,551 in 2021).

St. James Memorial

SF Council Cont. from p8

reflective of the current needs of the Township of South Frontenac by the conclusion of 2023.

Committee Bylaw South Frontenac Council has 19 associated Committees (Advisory, Legislated

Frontenac County Manager of Planning and Economic Development Joe Gallivan was at Council asking for $25,000 as the Township’s contribution for a new community planning permit tool which he said will save staff about 200 hours per year.

He said each township is being asked for the same amount.

He said that this will have the added benefit of greater protection of waterbodies and shorelines when applied to waterfront properties. ■

and Community) and Boards: the purpose of this bylaw is to implement standardized processes and procedures for all of these within one bylaw. A public meeting will be advertised for January 31, to hear questions and seek Council approval of the bylaw, as presented.

appointment of Clerk and Municipal law Enforcement Officer

The

request For Proposal (rFP)

rFP 2023-01 Cleaning Services –North Frontenac Municipal Complex and Clar-Mill Fire Hall

Proposal documents and the prescribed Submission forms, which include the Minimum Requirements and Specifications, may be obtained from Biddingo.com or by email request to financialsupport@northfrontenac.ca

Contractor / Firm(s) must have current WSIB and appropriate liability insurance coverage as indicated by the Request for Proposal documents.

Please direct any specific inquiries to Brooke Hawley, Manager of Community Development at recreation@ northfrontenac.ca or (613) 479-2231 Extension 233.

Lowest or any Proposal submission may not necessarily be accepted.

The Township reserves the right to cancel the Request for Proposal at any time up to the notification of Award.

Submissions shall be submitted to the undersigned, on the prescribed form, as per the Submission instructions in the RFP document: “rFP 2023-01 Cleaning Services – North Frontenac Municipal Complex and Clar-Mill Fire Hall” on or before 2:00 PM (local time) Thursday, February 9, 2023

Corey Klatt, Dipl.M.A.

Chief Administrative Officer

Township of North Frontenac 6648 Road 506 Plevna, ON K0H 2M0

SHiPPiNG CoNtaiNErS: Seacans Storage Containers, 7ft 10ft 20ft 40ft 45ft Steel garden sheds call 613-354-8744 or online http://IngeniousStorage.com

SNoWMoBilE - Arctic Cat Z-570. Lightly used, 2607km. - Smart Ride suspension, cover, reverse, saddle bags, 2” towing package and wood sleigh. $3700 OBO. 613- 374-1892.

HunTInG

FirEarMS & HUNtEr EdUCatioN CoUrSES – Call 613-335-2786

SErVICES

adVaNCEd FootCarE – rN. “Let me take care of your feet” – in home foot-care. Diabetic care, fungus treatments, corns, callous, ingrown nails. Call 613-929-8956

HaNdYMaN SErViCE 40 years experience. Repairs, home construction/ renovation including window installation, tile, siding, plumbing etc. No job too small. Call Lloyd Hartwick 613 -539-2544.

PaiNtiNG - Drywall & Plaster Repair, Interior/ Exterior Painting. Call Eric at Men In White 613-200-1127. WSIB compliant, fully insured. PHotoCoPY SErViCES available at The Frontenac News, 1095 Garrett St., rear building, Sharbot Lake. Competitive prices! 8½” x 11” - Black & White 25¢ ea; Colour copies 60¢ ea. 613-279-3150.

PUMP rEPair: Licenced well technician on staff with 15 years experience. Call Mark, Verona Hardware, 6723 Main St., Verona. Ph. 613-374-2851

rENoVatioNS, Framing, Drywall, painting, laminate & vinyl flooring, brush and tree removal, and more. Contact Todd Gursby for estimates, 613-278-1300

TOWInG

B’S radiCal ridES Towing & Recovery. James Mills owner/operator. 613-335-5050; website: bsradicalrides.ca

WAnTED TO Buy

.410 GaUGE SHotGUN SHEllS, Older 12 gauge shotgun shells. Please call Mike at 613483-4887

TOW n SHIP OF A DDI n GTO n H IGH l A n DS

oFFiCE aSSiStaNt – Part tiME

The Corporation of the Township of Addington Highlands seeks one (1) qualified individual to fill the above captioned position.

Resumes plus a covering letter must be received at the Township office, Flinton, ON, on or before 16:00 on Friday February 3rd, 2023.

Details may be obtained by contacting the Township Office, during normal office hours.

Information gathered relative to this position is done so in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will only be used for candidate selection purposes.

All applicants are thanked for their interest in applying for this position but only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Corporation of the Township of Addington Highlands P. O. Box 89, 72 Edward Street, Flinton, ON K0H 1P0

(613) 336-2286 ph; (613) 336-2847; clerk@addingtonhighlands.ca

Staff has recommended that Louise Fragnito be appointed as Clerk effective December 22, 2022 due to the retirement of Angela Maddocks. Louise Fragnito will fulfill the duties of Clerk until the recruitment process associated with the position of Clerk is completed. Additionally, that James Thompson be appointed as a municipal law enforcement officer for the Township of South Frontenac. Frontenac Municipal Law Enforcement will remain responsible for the day-to-day by-law enforcement services in the municipality. Council agreed. ■

Saturday, January 28th, 2023 auction: 10:00 am | Viewing: 9:00am Lanark & District Civitan Hall, 2144 Pine Grove Rd, Lanark, ON K0G 1K0

Estate & Consignment auction! Good Furniture, Tools, Household Items, Antiques, Collectibles and Much More! See www.theauctionhunt.com for updates.

Jim Beere, auctioneer 613-326-1722

Call to Book Your auction today!

Township is seeking proposals from qualified Contractor / Firm(s), for the following request:

NortHErN HaPPENiNGS listings are free for community groups, and will be published for two weeks. Donations to offset the costs of publication would be appreciated. Other listings are paid or are taken from paid ads elsewhere in the paper. The News makes every effort to be accurate but events should be independently verified by readers.

Saturday January 21

SNoW road StatioN - SNoW road SNoWMoBilE ClUB BrEaKFaSt 8-11am. Snow Road Snowmobile Clubhouse. Everybody Welcome

VEroNa - WiNtEr WarM-UP BrEaKFaSt 8:30-11am. Trinity United Church. Admission by donation. For take-out orders please call 343-422-4110 by 9am Saturday to reserve your breakfast pick-up or email vca@xplornet.ca by Friday by 11am.

SYdENHaM - SoUtH FroNtENaC SNoW SoCial 10am-4pm. Sydenham Point. Free admission with live music, a vendor village, and many outdoor and indoor activities planned for all ages.

SHarBot laKE oN - BooK laUNCH aNd rEadiNG WitH MUSiC 2pm. Rock Hill B&B. New works From the Frontenacs Anne Archer - Illustrated by Martina Field and Serve the

Sorrowing World with Joy by Meg Freer and Chantel Lavoie. Published by Woodpecker Lane Press. Books are $15 each, Fundraiser for Sisters of Providence and North Frontenac Food Bank. Light refreshments - free event

Sunday January 22

BattErSEa - CHriS MUrPHY liVE 7pm. Battersea United Church. Celebrating Robbie Burns Day. Admission by free will offering.

Tuesday January 24

NortHBrooK diNErS 11am-1:30pm. Cost - $10 Menu - Cabbage Roll Casserole Please RSVP - Katie 613-336-8934 ext. 229 Free meal draw for next Diner’s in Northbrook Come play some cards before lunch

FliNtoN - FliNtoN diNErS 11:30am1:30pm. Flinton Recreation Centre. Cost - $10 Menu - Italian Sausage Penne Reservation, call Kaite 613-336-8934 ext. 229 Free meal draw for next Diners in Flinton. Come play some cards before lunch

Friday January 27

KiNGStoN - MENtal HEaltH traiNiNG For FarMErS & aGriCUltUral CoMMUNitY 6-9pm. Glenburnie United Church. Free training program surrounding mental health. Register jenniferclement_14@ hotmail.com

Explore Mortality With A Death Doula & Educator

We all eventually have a date with death. While death is a complex and often emotional topic, discussion, reflection, and community connections can help people manage anxieties and face the factsof human mortality.Join death doula and educator Siobhan Skehan for Getting Comfortable With Death, an open discussion not connected to specific religious beliefs. The conversation is part of a broader collective called the Date With Death Club.

Getting Comfortable With Death will happen on Feb. 8 from 5:30 -7:45 p.m. at the Central Branch.

Registration is required and can be completed at https://calendar.kfpl.ca/

event/7705835 or over the phone at 613549-8888.

Skehan, a former high school teacher, now offers death doula support and provides community-based death and dying education. She is passionate about spreading the message that “doing death differently” is possible.

“By coming to this event, people will be able to explore mortality in community, make connections and learn what death doulas do, “ said Jake Miller, Librarian, Adult Programming. “With resources provided for everyone who attends, we hope they come away with a better understanding of what death means to them and how they want to approach mortality.” ■

Vogel Cont from p12

Saturday January 28

SHarBot laKE - all YoU CaN Eat BrEaKFaSt 8-11am. Soldiers Memorial Hall (OSO Hall). Cost - $10 Presented by the Sharbot Lake and District Lions Club In support of Special Olympics

VEroNa - WiNtEr WarM-UP BrEaKFaSt 8:30-11am. Trinity United Church. Admission by donation. Take-out orders 343-422-4110 by 9am Saturday pick-up or email vca@xplornet. ca Friday by 11am.

VEroNa - StYlE rEViVal 10am-1pm. Verona Free Methodist Church. Free gently used clothing and footwear for all ages. PlEVNa - daY oF BUlGaria aNd roMaNia 1-2pm. Clar-Mill Hall. Join us to celebrate Canadian Diversity Free Bulgarian and Romanian Food and Wine

Thursday February 2

VEroNa - 55+ diNErS’ lUNCH 12pm. Verona Free Methodist Church. Join SFCS for beef stew with dessert and drinks. $10 / meal. Register 613-376-6477 x 303 or joanne. silver@sfcs.ca

Regular Happenings

BiNGo — NORTHBROOK 7pm Thursdays. Northbrook Lions Hall. Cards available at 6pm. Bingo starts at 7pm ◾ SHARBOT LAKE 5:30pm Fridays. Soldiers Memorial Hall (OSO Hall). Presented by Parham IOOF. First game at 6:45

BoliNGBroKE - MaHJoNG 1-4pm Thursdays. ABC Hall. All welcome, Chinese or American version. $5 per person. No partner or experience needed !

EUCHrE — BOLINGBROKE 1pm Tuesdays. ABC Hall. $5 Lots of fun! ◾ NORTHBROOK 6:30pm Tuesdays. Northbrook Lions Hall. Weekly, opens at 6:30, start playing at 7pm. ◾ SYDENHAM 1-3pm Thursdays. Grace Hall. Register with Denzel 613-376-6477 ext 310 PErtH road - FoUr HaNdEd EUCHrE 1pm Thursdays. Harris Park. $5, includes light refreshments

PErtH road - PErtH road VillaGE CraFtErS 9:30-11:30am Wednesdays. Harris Park. You don’t have to be crafty to join! Drop-in or call Peggy for info 613-353-2635.

PlEVNa - SoCial aNd CraFt tiME 10am Thursdays. Clar-Mill Hall. Bring your lunch, coffee and tea available. Info Carlie Rainville at 613-479-8023 or drop in. Hope to see you there!

SHarBot laKE - aa MEEtiNG 8pm Mondays. Soldiers Memorial Hall (OSO Hall).

SYdENHaM - CroKiNolE - Not JUSt For KidS! 2pm Thursdays. Sydenham Legion.

VEroNa - tHE tWiStEd KNittErS GroUP 10am-12pm Wednesdays. Trinity United Church. All knitters and crocheters welcome.

trough all four seasons.

have walked trough so far. No matter where, hiking in Newfoundland, the Maritimes, Quebec or now in Ontario, people have been welcoming and helpful all along. I can't say there is any difference of support in my journey in any of these provinces.”

What she has also seen, because she has now been walking for a year, is the way the seasons change and the impact on the landscape.

“It is absolutely beautiful to witness the slow but then also sudden changes in nature as I am walking the trail

I remember impatiently watching the arrival of Spring and then found myself mesmerized when I hiked trough the lush, vividly green forest in Gatineau park in Quebec.” And as far as the dangers on the trail are concerned, she had learned something that rural people all learn, it is not the bears and coyotes that you really need to worry about, it is the insects.

“The mosquitoes, black flies, and deer flies, they are way more of an annoyance than anything else."

As she heads towards Toronto, which will put her about 1/3 of the way on her 15,000 kilometre journey, Melanie is happy about what she has seen and experience in year one of what she now hopes will be a journey that ends before the winter of 2019/2020, but she feels some trepidation over the prospect of crossing the Prairies next winter.

“As I planned for this journey I was optimistic to cross the Prairies late summer and fall. Now that I am one year into my journey I realized I will be reaching them when winter begins. With the prairies known as being terribly cold and windy I do have serious concerns. I will do my best and accordingly prepare for it and try to walk trough it as I walked through the previous winter. However if the cold gets too dangerous I may have to stop for a while.”

But that is a long way off. As Melanie left Sharbot Lake two weeks ago, she had another set of stories and some new friends to remember, as well as a copy of Back of Sunset and a Central Frontenac pin in her pack, courtesy of Mayor Fran Smith.

As of Tuesday of this week, Melanie has hit the Big Smoke. Next stop, Wawa. ■

Memory Lane Flowers Relocates

By Wilma Kenny

Christine Kennedy is realizing a long-time goal by relocating Memory Lane Flowers to her home in Sydenham, just up the street from its long-time location across from the bank.in the old.

Twenty-five years ago, Chris began Memory Lane Tearoom and Floral in an old village blacksmith shop, a building that has housed a variety of different services over the years, including a pharmacy and a library. After the first ten years, the tea-room morphed into a thriving gift shop. Covid saw a steep decline in the gift trade, but the floral department, Chris’s first love, has flourished throughout. This past year alone, she provided the flowers for 25 weddings, and maintained deliveries and pickups for many other individuals and occasions.

On his recent retirement, Chris’s husband Gary suggested she join him by closing down her business. However, he seemed to enjoy helping with shop deliveries, and she just wasn’t ready to put away her floral clippers! Ever since Chris bought her house in Sydenham, she had dreamed of having a flower shop there, but the necessity of providing

personal care to family members at several times over the years had stood in the way. Now at last seemed the perfect time to bring the floral business home. Gary was in full agreement, so closing right after Christmas, Memory Lane Flowers has reopened at 4350 Mill Street, Sydenham. It’s a graceful, spacious house, once a storefront for a popular village shop catering to SHS students.

Christine Kennedy has a long history of community involvement in Sydenham. The annual Hallowe’en candyshare was her idea: for years, folks living near Sydenham had brought their children into the village for Hallowe’en trick or treating. As more and more people moved into the rural areas, this became a burden to the villagers who found themselves running out of treats, overwhelmed by 3-4 hundred small visitors before 8 o’clock. It was Chris who had the idea of welcoming donated boxes of treats from outside the village, which then were available to any villagers who wanted to pass candies out, no questions asked. Chris generously makes her shop the drop-off/collection point during the week before Hallowe’en.

Chris was also one of our amazing story-tellers for the

historical walking tour of Sydenham: she brought the history of the old blacksmith shop to life by dressing in character as the blacksmith’s wife. Meanwhile, Gary further delighted the visitors with his working model steam engine.

4350 Mill St: 613 376-6309 www.memorylaneflowers. ca. Drop by for a visit!

TOW n SHIP OF SO u TH F r O n TE n AC

lIVING HeRe

available for purchase. Buy yours before February 28, 2023 and pay just $15 per tag. After that date, the fee increases to $30. You can find the form and a list of local retailers selling dog tags until the end of February on our website under Living Here/Animal Control. Kennel Licenses cost $125 until February 28 increasing to $150 for the rest of the year and must be purchased at our office at 4432 George Street.

Cardboard Recycling Reminders

Please remember to cut, fold, and flatten cardboard into bundles of no more than 3’ X 2’ X 8” in size, a maximum of three bundles on blue recycling weeks. If you have excess cardboard, you can take it free of charge to the Portland or Loughborough landfill sites or drop it off at Kingston Area Recycling at 196 Lappans Lane. Download the South Frontenac Recycles app for handy tips and custom reminders sent directly to your phone!

Household Hazardous Waste Depot

The Household Hazardous Waste Depot located at 2491 Keeley Rd in Sydenham is open the second and fourth Thursdays during the winter months between 3-7 pm (January 26).

Winter Road Restrictions in Effect December 1

Just a reminder, there is no parking on Township roads and village streets from 12 midnight to 7 am until March 31, 2023.

Sand and salt mix available

Residents can pick up sand/salt mix any time of the day, 24/7 from any of these locations. We ask residents to be mindful and just take two 5-gallon buckets at a time.

• 2490 Keeley Rd, Sydenham

• 3910 Battersea Rd, Sunbury

• 5286 Hinchinbrooke Rd, Hartington

• 1389 Westport Rd, Godfrey

THINGS TO DO

Snow Social – January 21, 2023, 10 am – 4 pm – Sydenham Village

Join us for the first ever Snow Social! This event will be a celebration of the winter season and will feature activities at The Point Park and throughout the village of Sydenham. Dress like a well prepared Canadian and plan to take part in all sorts of winter fun including snow tubing and firepits. We will have a vendor’s market at The Grace Centre, live music at Lenny’s Deli, activities at the Library Community Room, and so much more! Volunteers are wanted! Call Amanda at 613-376-3027 ext. 4447 or email recsupport@southfrontenac.net to get involved! Please note that all on-ice activities have been modified or cancelled due to the ice conditions. Visit www.southfrontenac.net/snowsocial for the full event itinerary.

Apply for a 2023 Community Grant Applications for the Community Project Grant Program are now being accepted. Not for profit community organizations including charitable organizations and unincorporated groups who meet the project guidelines can apply until March 31, 2023. For more information see www.southfrontenac.net/grants/.

Food Producer Training Workshop

If you have plans to start or expand a food business in 2023, be sure to attend a one-day training session on Feb 10 called the “A to Z of Getting Your Food Products to Market”. Hosted by South Frontenac Township, the City of Kingston and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the day will feature information on renting a commercial kitchen in South Frontenac, food safety, and how to get your products on shelves. Cost is $10 and includes lunch. Space is limited so register early using the link on the news post on our website.

Roads Study

In 2022, the Township hired WSP/Golder, an engineering firm to do a comprehensive roads needs study. The total project cost of $49,774 was fully funded by a grant from the Ontario Municipal Modernization Fund. The findings were presented to Council in December 2022 and our now posted for public viewing.

The study assessed the state of the municipal-owned roads in the Township. Overall, the Township’s network average ratings for hard surfaced roads were “Good” due to our ongoing pavement preservation and maintenance programs, and “Fair” for gravel roads. You can find a summary of the key findings, an A-Z list of roads and their conditions and the full report at engagefrontenac.ca/roads-study. The study provides accurate data to help Council make informed decisions when deciding which roads to prioritize for road work in the short-term and long-term.

Public Meeting Notice

Take Notice that the Council of The Corporation of the Township of South Frontenac will host a public meeting on January 31, 2023, at 7:00 pm on proposed amendments to By-law 2017-76 which provides for the governing the proceedings of Council, the conduct of members and the calling of meetings. The amendments are related to the proposed implementation of the Committee By-law. Members of the public may review the agenda and register to participate in the meeting via Zoom at https://southfrontenac.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingSchedule.aspx. Residents may contact the Deputy Clerk, James Thompson at jthompson@southfrontenac.net or by phone at 613-376-3027, x2239 for more information. Any written comments should be submitted to the Deputy Clerk by noon on January 31, 2023.

am

New S & Publ I c N OTI ce S

8am-6pm

By Jeff Green

On the cover of the New Year’s Day edition of the Globe and Mail, there was photo and article on the front page about a women who had walked across Canada. The article was also featured on the Globe and Mail website.

Back in the summer 2018, a woman came through Sharbot Lake on her way across the country on the Great Trail, and the photo sparked a memory. Sure enough, it was the same person, Melanie Vogel. The Globe and Mail article even made reference to Sharbot Lake with a photo of the sign in the middle of the village wishing her well on her journey.

As indicated in the article in the Frontenac News, which is reprinted below, at the time she planned to finish her journey within another year, although she was not sure about crossing the prairies in the winter.

In the end, her trip ended up being a few years longer than that. Not only did she complete the East-West Trail, between the Atlantic and the Pacific, she added a pretty long extra leg, by walking north to the Arctic Ocean as well. And not being able to enter the Northwest Territories because she arrived at the border during the COVID lockdown when the border was closed to non-essential travelers added an extra wait.

She completed her extra epic journey this past November, over 4 years after stopping in Sharbot Lake.

When contacted last week, she said she is getting settled in the Yukon and currently working as an ambassador with the Great Trail a promotional campaign for winter hiking on the trail, a role she is uniquely qualified for, “having walked the trail through three Canadian winters. The campaign, which launched this week, is called since “BLAHS to AHHHS” She is also working on turning the extensive blogs that she wrote during her journey into a book. The Frontenac News article, entitled “Step by Step, Great Trail Walker is Learning and Sharing” from June 27, 2018, is reprinted below)

Sometimes random meetings turn into something special. That’s what happened to John Neven of Sharbot Lake. John is participating in the Great Cycle Challenge, an event that is sponsored by Sick Kids hospital to raise money to fight cancer in children. He has far exceeded his goal of 500km as he has done a lot of trail riding this month as part of the challenge.

Back on June 11 he rode the K&P trail down to Verona. At the new trailhead being built there he watched a large group of motorcycle riders pass by on Road 38. They were a part of a charity group called

Guardians of the Children and made quite a spectacle so he stopped to watch them pass by, and while he was there he noticed a younger woman watching as well.

She was a hiker carrying a large backpack. They struck up a conversation and she turned out to be Melanie Vogel, who is walking the Great Trail from Cape Spear, Newfoundland to Victoria in BC. That day she followed the trail to Sharbot Lake. After a few minutes John invited Melanie to stay for the night with him and his wife Marion.

She ended up spending a couple of nights in Sharbot Lake. The next day John brought her home again after a day of her walking and him cycling to Kaladar, and she stayed over another day waiting out the Thunderstorm. John and Marion invited me to come and interview Melanie on her last day in Sharbot Lake and we talked about her voyage and what she has learned since she started walking on June 2nd, 2017.

On most days she walks between 25 and 30 kilometres, and after a year of doing that, right through a Canadian winter one thing she has learned about is how important it is to take care of her needs. Starting her journey with a 60-pound pack it now has been lightened up to 48 pounds, and she has let go of her idea to complete her journey within a fixed timeframe of two years. “It really has become about the journey not the destination,” she said.

“I have learned a lot about this country, it's people and myself over the past months. As I am walking long distances each day I am listening to my body more carefully now. I am trying to keep my energy up by snacking quite a lot while walking and stop with the first signs of a growing blister to take care of it. I learned these lessons painfully. Once in a while I treat myself, be that with a day off the trail or by indulging in a good, healthy meal. I have also learned to say ‘yes' when a great opportunity opens like when people offer me a place for the night, or to an experience off the trail I would otherwise not have like seeing the icebergs in Twillingate, Newfoundland.

This way I not only meet interesting people but also see greater parts of the country I otherwise wouldn't see, so really it is not about how many kilometres I make in a day but the many experiences and stories I come across.”

Melanie is originally from Germany and is a permanent resident of Canada. She lived in Toronto before starting this journey, but she got the travel bug when travelling through Asia and Australia between 2011 and 2013.

Melanie often gets asked if she isn't

lonely spending so much time by herself.

“To be quite honest, Toronto with it's three million people has been a lonelier place to live than my current life on the trail. Here on the trail where most of the time I am actually alone I don’t feel lonely. People say Hello and stop for a chat or invite me home for lunch or for a night stay. The moment of being a stranger passes real fast and then people really open up. We share stories and you leave feeling like you’ve made good friends.”

That was certainly the case with John and Marion.

“I love people and I love socialising,” said John, “and after two days I feel so connected to Mel and to her journey, it’s like I have another daughter just from sharing time with her introducing her to people around here.” “The only problem,” added Marion, “is that now we are going to be worried about her as we follow her journey on Facebook.” While in her trip along the worlds longest recreational trail and meeting Canadians all along her way Melanie found what Canadians praise to be all about.

“The hospitality and kindness of the