MEMOIR

Call of the wild

By Douglas Parker

Occasionally, when I’m in an “all creatures great and small” frame of mind, I think about how nature often works to reclaim what it believes rightly belongs to it. An animal, for example, from its brutish point of view, might see civilization as a kind of colonial power, claiming, taming, overcoming, conquering what civilization regards as something that requires “civilizing.” Bulldozers and earthmovers do their business, while deer, skunks, raccoons, sometimes even bears are forced to live among us, whether they want to or not, and chances are, they really don’t want to.

I remember when the South Keys Mall was being built. One day, while driving past that construction site, I saw a huge turtle in the middle of the road. Obviously, it had been unceremoniously evicted from its house which, I assume, was somewhere in the construction area that was now being developed and civilized. And I’ve seen skunks waddling along Powell Avenue early in the morning. Perhaps you’ve nosed them. All that to say that animals, perforce, must live among us, probably because we’ve taken what they thought was theirs. And maybe they’re right.

That’s how I feel when I’m in an “all creatures great and small” mood. But I’m not always in the mood, as Glenn Miller puts it, especially when nature moves onto my turf. Take raccoons for example.

We’ve had them in our yard for a couple of years. Two years ago, we saw five of them at the same time – clearly a family. Another family of five showed up again last year, only once though. I always thought that raccoons were nocturnal creatures. Not this crew; they were in our yard at 9 a.m. on a bright, sunny day. I stood on the deck squinting to see if they were wearing RayBans. Nope. Someone told us that if you bark like a dog, you might scare them off. Knowing this, Hilary, who’s very particular about her beautiful garden and gets angry when it’s violated, opened one of the windows of our orangery (ha!) and began making dog noises. To increase the possibility that the raccoons might actually believe she was a dog, she jumped from one foot to the other while simulating the sound of a barking dog. I suppose that’s called being barking mad. Anyway, that scenario didn’t work. Frustrated, I turned on the garden hose, hoping the water might scare them off. Nothing. They stood there luxuriating in the shower as if they were at a spa.

And then there were the rats. We noticed one a couple of years ago. And then we noticed another one. A family, I wondered? Its wretched and miserable self was hanging around our bird feeder, picking up the seeds that sloppy birds let drop. I headed for Home Hardware – home of the handyman, which I definitely am not – and bought a rat trap. Wow, they’re big! I set it up without injuring myself and waited.

A word of advice. Don’t bait a rat trap with cheese. It’s too easy for rats to get to before the trap has a chance to SNAP. Rats are smart. Moreover, if you choose cheese, the word gets out, and soon you’ll have more rats around than you can manage. You don’t want that.

A better option is to bait the trap with peanut butter; because it’s sticky and rats find it hard to get it out of the trap. If they manage, they’re preoccupied with getting it off the roofs of their mouths. SNAP. Sadly, rat traps are dangerous for nosey animals other than rats. For example, we caught a chipmunk. Maybe two. What the military calls collateral damage. But we also caught a couple of rats. Success. One rat, we kind of caught – let me explain. What we actually caught was the rat’s leg. The rest of it got away, hopping all the way. I wondered how that could have happened. And then I looked at the peanut butter jar. Of course: Skippy.

Doug Parker lives in the Glebe in uneasy coexistence with the animal world.

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COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

What is new and the same at the ABBOTSFORD SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTRE (950 Bank St.) New: The Member Clubs are back in the house and if you are registered, you can come back! In addition, patrons of Abbotsford are once again encouraged to loiter and enjoy coffee, tea, muffins and granola bars available for purchase courtesy of the Members Council! Same: Members will be screened when entering and need to have their vaccination status handy. They will also be expected to wear mask throughout the building and in classes/clubs (the only exception is when singing, exercising and eating/drinking). Things are better, let’s work to keep everyone safe.

ABBOTSFORD SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTRE (950 Bank St.) is now accepting books, puzzles, jewelry, greeting cards, art, elegant treasures flea market items and women’s clothing in excellent condition to sell in house at Abbotsford and in the spring at the Great Glebe Garage Sale to help support the Centre’s much needed fundraising efforts! Thank you for your donations.

CALLING GLEBE ARTISTS! The GLEBE ART IN

OUR GARDENS AND STUDIO TOUR is back for this summer! It will take place on July 9 and 10! We are accepting applications from local artists who live, work or have studios in the Glebe and are looking for a variety of high-quality, original artwork from painters, potters, sculptors, photographers. Established and emerging artists are welcome to apply. A few spots are available for guest artists who can exhibit their work in the studio or garden of an artist or friend in the neighbourhood. The deadline for submission is April 30. For information and an application form, please contact glebearttour@ hotmail.ca or visit our website for images of past tours: www.glebearttour.ca

FRIENDS OF THE FARM 2022 VOLUNTEER ORIEN-

TATION, Sat., Apr. 9, 10 a.m., Bldg. 72 in the Arboretum at the Central Experimental Farm, east of the Prince of Wales roundabout. What better way to enjoy nature, fresh air, exercise and to contribute to the beauty of the Farm than to join one of the Friends’ gardening teams? If you’re interested in volunteering, come out and meet the garden team leaders and event coordinators at our Volunteer Recruitment Orientation. For information on garden team duties, days and times, go to friendsofthefarm.ca/volunteer. Registration is required for our Volunteer Orientation. Please complete this simple registration form (friendsofthefarm.ca/ event-forms/2022-volunteer-orientation-registration-page). More info: volunteer@friendsofthefarm. ca or 613-230-3276.

HERITAGE OTTAWA LECTURE VIA ZOOM (heritageottawa.org/lecture-series),Wed., Mar. 16, 7-8 p.m.: Discovering the Hidden Treasures of Rural Ottawa: Fitzroy. Fitzroy is a land of fertile farms with the Ottawa River bordering its northwestern edge. Its pioneers built sturdy houses, some of which still survive. Others later built homes that reflected the architectural style of the times. Join local historian Barbara Bottriell for this fascinating exploration of Fitzroy’s landscape with a view to uncovering its treasures. To pre-register, go to https://bit. ly/3i6wNlH. Wed., Apr. 20,7-8 p.m.: The Concerns and Challenges of the Alexandra Bridge: PSPC’s Perspective. Join Heritage Ottawa for part two in our series of lectures on the Alexandra Bridge, this time presenting the Public Service and Procurement Canada’s perspective on the future of the bridge. The presentation will provide an overview of the concerns and risk-mitigation measures that have been implemented to ensure safe operation of the 120-year-old bridge as well as the factors that led to the decision to replace it. Find out first-hand how the government is justifying its decision to demolish this landmark bridge. To pre-register, go to: https://bit.ly/3sPXroX. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinars.

MASTER GARDENER LECTURES (friendsofthefarm. ca/fcef-annual-events/master-gardener-lectures/). Every year the Friends of the Farm (friendsofthefarm.ca) partner with the Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton to offer timely and informative presentations. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our lectures went online in 2021 and will continue virtually in 2022. Registration required to obtain the Zoom link. The 2022 Master Gardener Lectures include: Getting a Head Start on the Summer Growing Season, Tues, Mar. 28 – Gardening with Native Plants in Ontario, Tues, Apr. 19 – Biodiversity at the Crossroads, Tues May 3 – Paint with Blooms, Tues, May 17 – Another Gardening Year behind Us, Tues, Sept. 13. Pre-payment is required. Go to info@ friendsofthefarm.ca to register and obtain the link to the Zoom presentation.

Come and sing with us! MUSICA VIVA SINGERS (MVS) is a non-audition Ottawa community choir that sings an eclectic mix of contemporary and classical music. The choir meets in Centretown United Church on Bank St. at the corner of Argyle. Scott Richardson is director of this ensemble, with Tom Sear at the piano. Rehearsals are Monday evenings from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. The winter term will comprise 15 sessions, which started on Feb. 14. The second part of this session will run from April 4 until June 6. If you would like to join us or would like more information, please contact the membership secretary Marjorie Cooper at marjcooper@rogers.com. An introductory rate of $60 is being offered, prorated for this second part, for the remainder of this winter/spring session. *NOTE: due to COVID rules still in effect, all singers must be double vaccinated, masked and appropriately distanced.

OLD OTTAWA SOUTH GARDEN CLUB Tues., Apr.12, 7-9 p.m. (In-Person Meeting at The Firehall, 260 Sunnyside Ave.): Your Cottage Garden: Working with Nature for the Best Results with the Least Effort. Working with nature can save gardeners a great deal of time, money and frustration. By utilizing native plants and sourcing material for drought and critter resistance, Lana Doss, owner of The Fine Gardener, will show gardeners how they can harness the power of nature to work with their gardening efforts. Attracting pollinators, birds and butterflies is easier than many of us realize and it has huge payoffs for us and the environment. Meeting Fees: 2021-22 season: $25 for individuals; $40 for a family; drop-in: $7 per meeting. Info and registration: Old Ottawa South Community Centre (The Firehall, 260 Sunnyside Ave.), at www.oldottawasouth.ca or 613-247-4946.

OTTAWA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Tomatoes from Seed to Salsa: Free online webinar, Mar. 22, 7:30-9 p.m., ottawahort.org/event/tomatoes-fromseeds-to-salsa/. Master Gardener Judith Cox will take us through the growing process from starting seeds, dealing with diseases and pests and onto the harvest. What is the difference between heritage and hybrid tomatoes? Why do they get blossom-end rot? What manner of nightmare is a tomato hornworm?

OTTAWA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY A Garden for the Birds: Free online webinar, Apr. 26, 7:30-9 p.m., ottawahort.org/event/a-garden-for-the-birds/. Wild birds are currently facing a multitude of threats across North America and many bird species are in decline. Master Gardener Julianne Labreche will review the most common threats and provide gardeners with some practical, positive ways to encourage birds to visit our gardens and make our gardens more bird friendly year round. A master gardener for over a decade, Labreche is a member of the Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton and is also certified as a master naturalist. Her nature and garden articles are published regularly in Lee Valley Tools. Currently, she is vice president of the Ottawa Horticultural Society.

OTTAWA SOCIETY OF BOTANICAL ARTISTS

ONLINE EXHIBITION Until March 20, the Ottawa Society of Botanical Artists (OSBA) is pleased to invite you to visit Botanica 2021, its online botanical art exhibition inspired by the flowering trees, shrubs and plants from the Arboretum, Fletcher Wildlife Garden and the Ornamental Gardens of the Experimental Farm. Please go to ottawasocietyofbotanicalartists.ca/gallery-botanica-2021 to see the exhibition.

PHOTO EXHIBITION Pamela Mackenzie, a local Glebe artist, and Jinny Slyfield are exhibiting their photographs at Studio B, 591 Bank St. They are members of a local amateur photo club where they draw confidence and inspiration. Aware of the importance of higher education, they will donate a portion of their sales to a local scholarship fund. You are invited to attend a Vernissage on Sun., Mar. 27, 1-4 p.m. You may also stop in at Studio B on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday from 12-4 p.m.

PROBUS Ottawa invites new members from The Glebe. Join your fellow retirees, near retirees and want-to-be retirees for interesting speakers and discussions, as well as relaxed socializing. Visit www.probusoav.ca for details about the club’s activities as well as contact and membership information. Due to COVID restrictions, current meetings are held via Zoom, but we hope to resume in-person a bit later this year.

PYSANKA WORKSHOPS ARE BACK! Learn to make unique and exquisite Ukrainian Easter eggs. Children’s workshops for 8-15 years olds March 16-18, Family workshops on March 20 & 27 and April 3 & 10. Adult workshops for 16+ year olds on March 19 & 26 and April 2 & 9. Space limited. Register online at Eventbrite (search for ‘pysanka’). All workshops will be held at the Ukrainian Orthodox Hall, 1000 Byron Ave. For more information, please contact pysanka.ottawa@gmail.com

TACTICS (Theatre Artists’ Co-operative: the Independent Collective Series), in association with GCTC, 1233 Wellington St., presents Heartlines by Sarah Waisvisz from March 22 to April 3 with tickets available online at www.gctc.ca/ tickets-heartlines. GCTC requires that all audience members show proof of vaccination status before entering the theatre. See our COVID-19 protocol at www.gctc.ca/covid-protocols

UKRAINIAN EASTER EGG MAKING KITS FOR SALE

$35. Make your own pysanky at home. Kit contains 3 kistky (writing styluses), 6 dyes, one block of beeswax and instructions. Individual pysanka-making supplies also available for sale. Order and arrange to pick up your order at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Hall, 1000 Byron Ave. For more information and to order, please contact pysanka. ottawa@gmail.com

VIRTUAL UKRAINIAN EASTER MARKET Sat., Apr. 16, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Ukrainian Orthodox Church Hall, 1000 Byron Ave. Take-home foods (perogies, cabbage rolls, borscht, baked items), honey, candles and more. Order by Apr. 8, and pick up your order on Sat., Apr. 16. For the latest information and to view the items for sale, please see: www. ukrainianorthodox.info/announcements.html or contact uoc.market@gmail.com

FOR SALE

FRIENDS OF THE FARM SPRING GREETING

CARDS showcasing the timeless beauty of the Ornamental Gardens and Arboretum, and celebrating the work of horticulturalists like Isabella Preston who, through the decades, created some of the stunning flowers you see there, are available in our Boutique (friendsofthefarm.ca/boutique/ ) in sets of 6. They can be shipped to you or picked up curbside at our offices. Available in sets only. Each set is $20 (regularly $24).

WHERE TO FIND THE Glebe Report

In addition to free home delivery and at newspaper boxes on Bank Street, you can find copies of the Glebe Report at: Abbas Grocery Bloomfield Flowers Café Morala Capital Home Hardware Chickpeas Clocktower Pub Ernesto’s Barber Shop Escape Clothing Feleena’s Mexican Café Fourth Avenue Wine Bar Glebe Apothecary Glebe Meat Market Goldart Jewellery Studio Hogan’s Food Store Ichiban Irene’s Pub Isabella Pizza Kettleman’s Kunstadt Sports Lansdowne Dental Last Train to Delhi LCBO Lansdowne Loblaws Marble Slab Creamery McKeen Metro Glebe Nicastro Octopus Books Olga’s RBC/Royal Bank Second Avenue Sweets Studio Sixty Six Subway Sunset Grill The Ten Spot TD Bank Lansdowne TD Pretoria The Works Von’s Bistro Whole Health Pharmacy Wild Oat

STUDIO — GALLERY 807 Bank St