Kitchissippi Times April 2023

COMMUNITY NEWS

Michael Baine: He lost a battle with cancer but lived to help others

BY CHARLIE SENACK

AKitchissippi man who inspired his community when he raised over $66,000 for the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre has died after his own battle with the disease.

Michael Baine, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2020, passed away Feb. 24 “on his own terms.” He was 74.

Baine was “wrapped in the loving embrace of his beloved wife, Deirdre Gibbons, and his cherished daughters, Natalie, Tammy, Jodi and Ashley,” his obituary read.

The Kitchissippi Times caught up with Baine in May 2021 when he walked 21 kilometres in the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend. He began the walk outside of his Westboro home, trekked toward Lisgar Road near Rideau Hall, and then headed back to his front yard decorated with balloons and streamers.

The walk was held on May 16, 2021, exactly one year after first realizing something wasn’t right. He spotted blood in his urine; the cancer diagnosis came soon after. Multiple surgeries followed the next month as cancer spread through his lymph nodes and femur.

Treatment appeared to be working. But a few months later and four weeks shy of race weekend, it returned. This time it showed up in his pelvis.

But Baine carried on buoyed by a positive attitude and the support of his four children and 12 grandchildren. When race day came, friends from Hamilton cheered on the former high school teacher and students from a nearby school wrote letters and filmed videos of encouragement.

“It was one of the happier moments of my life,” Baine told Kitchissippi Times after the race.

Baine started his career as a teacher at St. Pius X High School in 1972, the same

place he attended for grades 9, 10 and 11. It’s also where he coached basketball for a number of years.

He became vice principal at Lester B. Pearson High School, then principal at St. Paul High School, and eventually a superintendent with the Ottawa Catholic School Board in 1991.

After retiring 16 years ago, Baine became an education consultant, dedicating much of his time to mental health, addictions and homelessness. He helped set up a program in schools to bring in drug counsellors from Rideauwood to educate and counsel youth.

When Baine went to the Ottawa

Hospital for treatment, he was still looking for ways to help others. He’d talk with other patients to cheer them up with his positive attitude.

“So many people – if not the majority of people I see – are much less healthy than I am,” Baine said in May 2021. “They experience things like they can’t do another round of chemotherapy because their diabetes is acting up, or doctors don’t think they are strong enough for another surgery because of heart conditions. I didn’t have any of these qualifiers and I was lucky. I was blessed.”

Baine also saw his cancer treatments as an opportunity to reconnect with old friends and meet some new ones along the way. Unsurprisingly, friends and family remember Baine for his dedication to the community.

His obituary outlined this dedication: “In his volunteer capacity, he served as chair of the board of directors of the Youth Services Bureau, a trustee with CHEO, chair of the provincial board of directors of the Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health, on the board of directors of Rideauwood, and on the board of directors of the Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre.

“This volunteerism, combined with his incredible fundraising success (The ride for the Ottawa Hospital, the CHEO ride, the Ottawa Hospital president’s breakfast) led to him being awarded the sovereign’s medal for volunteers in 2019.”

”This volunteerism, combined with his incredible fundraising success led to him being awarded the sovereign’s medal for volunteers in 2019.”

Westboro’s Michael Baine has passed away after a courageous battle with Stage 4 prostate cancer. The popular teacher and educator raised $66,000 for the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Foundation. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALICIA HALL PHOTOGRAPHY.

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HUMANS OF KITCHISSIPPI

Humans of Kitchissippi is a special street photography project designed to introduce readers to some of the people who live, work and play in Kitchissippi. Each instalment of HOK contains three elements: a photo, a name and a quote from the subject that reveals a little bit about who they are. Go to kitchissippi.com to view our ongoing collection of humans.

Meet Rachel Eugster

I was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in Baltimore and Virginia. I went back to school in Baltimore for my master’s degree, met my husband there, went with him to Boston when he did his postdoc and ultimately started working. Then he was invited to a job here in Ottawa and we were at a point in his career where it was either an adventure or it was where we would settle, and the latter is what happened. We’ve been here quite a while now.

I was really struck when I moved to Hintonburg at how vibrant the mix of people is. There were people all around me of every age, from babies up to people in their 90s. There’s a wonderful energy that happens when a lot of people with different outlooks and different backgrounds are living in the same place. Hintonburg still has some fun little shops, a lot of local colour. You never know when you turn a corner who you’re going to bump into, and what interesting thing they might be involved in.

I do a lot of cooking. I have a sourdough starter that my stepmother began in the 1960s that I still keep going. I knit and I spin. I have two cats.

I consider myself a jack of all trades and a master of many. I’m an actor, a singer, a director, a theater producer, a music director, a choral conductor, a voice teacher, a playwright and a music arranger. As a singer I work with a classical guitarist in town named Andrew Ma. We have a duo called Purring Dragons. I conduct a choir of developmentally delayed adults called the Tamir Nashama choir. I’m a writer and an editor and a mentor critic for other people’s manuscripts. I’m multi-published in magazines, newspapers and children’s books. I edit fiction, non-fiction novels, plays, poetry, medical journal articles.

I’ve written six children’s books. One of them, The Pocket Mommy, is definitely something I’m very proud of, and my play, Whose Aemilia? So that’s the professional tree.

The volunteer tree involves Democrats Abroad. One of the organizations I am a manuscript mentor and critique for is the Society of Children’s Book Writers

and Illustrators. I also am the convener and co-lay leader of a group of people who meet in each other’s living rooms for Jewish holidays and services. I moderate the Baybreeze List, which is 200 of my closest neighbours centred on Bayswater and Breezehill. I do a tiny bit of volunteering for the Ottawa Valley of Weavers’ and Spinners’ Guild. Connecting people and building community is definitely central to everything I do. I don’t necessarily know why I do it, but it might be part of what keeps me engaged.

I think there aren’t many people who are active in so many spheres as I am and I am proud of that. I think it’s a model others should consider. You can think of it as an inability to make up my mind or you can think of it as an example of lateral thinking and being interested in many, many things.

Story collected by Millie Farley

KITCHISSIPPI TIMES

Great River Media Inc PO Box 91585

Ottawa ON K1W 1K0

Kitchissippi, meaning “the Grand River,” is the former Algonquin name for the Ottawa River. The name now identifies the urban community to the west of downtown Ottawa.

EDITOR

Charlie Senack editor@kitchissippi.com twitter.com/kitchissippi twitter.com/charlie_senack

CONTRIBUTORS

Arielle Hughes, Dave Allston, Belle Huston, Zenith Wolfe, Mykyta Budnyk, Millie Farley, Ellen Bond, and Barbara Sibbald

PROOFREADER Roger Bird

ADVERTISING SALES

Eric Dupuis 613-696-9485 eric@kitchissippi.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Tanya Connolly-Holmes creative@greatriver.ca

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Celine Paquette celine@greatriver.ca

Deborah Ekuma deborah@obj.ca

FINANCE

Cheryl Schunk, 613-696-9490 cheryl@greatriver.ca

All other enquiries 613-696-9494 info@kitchissippi.com

Distribution

A minimum of 15,000 copies are distributed from the Ottawa River to Carling Avenue between the O-Train tracks and Sherbourne Road. Most residents in this area will receive the Kitchissippi Times directly to their door. If you did not receive your copy, or would like additional copies, please contact us. Bulk copies are delivered to multi-unit dwellings and retail locations. Copies are available at Dovercourt Recreation Centre and Hintonburg Community Centre.

info@kitchissippi.com

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FOUNDER PUBLISHER

Mark Sutcliffe Michael Curran

ANDREW ALEXANDER PHOTOGRAPHY

Spring is finally here!

Happy April, Kitchissippi!

Spring is finally here and the grass is beginning to show. It’s been a tough winter with cold temperatures and lots of snow.

Ottawa recorded over 300 cm of snow since Nov. 1, 2022, roughly 125 cm more than what we’d typically see for this time of year. While some more could fall through April, it’s still not even close to beating records.

The snowiest year on record for Ottawa was 1886/1887 when 463.8 cm of snow was recorded at the Central Experimental Farm. A little less than a century later during the winter of 1970-71, 444.6 cm was recorded at the Ottawa Airport. I guess we can count ourselves lucky this year!

The frequent snow we did receive was welcomed by Dave Adams and the team who manages the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail. They are winding down from one of their busiest seasons yet. The snow bears are melting and the tracks are fading, a sign that summer is soon here. It won’t be long before Westboro Beach has reopened after its revitalization project.

In this issue of Kitchissippi Times, we are looking ahead to spring and warmer weather. Mykyta Budnyk, a Ukrainian refugee to Canada himself, stopped by the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral on Byron Avenue to learn about their Pysanky making workshops for Easter. The traditional Ukrainian Easter Eggs are a symbol of fertility and the designs have a range of significant meanings. Our photographer Ellen Bond was able to beautifully capture the moment.

I had the chance to check in with Ottawa Salus who is still recovering after a burst pipe in early February destroyed

their Westboro building. Damages are in the millions of dollars and renovations will take months, maybe longer. They are now asking the community for continued support to help them rebuild.

In arts and culture, Zenith Wolfe caught up with the founders of Kline, a small, Ottawa produced magazine which promotes local art. They recently held a show at Urban Art Collective in Wellington West.

Arielle Hughes had the chance to check in with the Ottawa Trans Library to see how they are expanding after one year in operation. The local centre has grown their collection to over 500 books and will soon also offer a music library. Arielle also checked in with the Nepean High School Drama department who is about to host their first show since the pandemic started.

In ‘Early Days’, Dave Allston tells us the history of women in hockey and its connection to Westboro. For our ‘Humans of Kitchissippi’ this month, Millie Farley got to learn more about Rachel Eugster, who is an actor, singer, director, and so much more.

Barbara Sibbald introduces us to Blaine Marchand, a Hintonburg poet and author who brings his connection of community to his work. And finally, I have the latest developments on Phase 2 LRT construction which has been delayed by up to 17 months for the Westboro expansion. I also spoke with Kitchissippi councillor Jeff Leiper about the city's proposed plan to remove protective scaffolding at Tunney’s Pasture Station as a cost cutting measure.

That’s all the news we can fit into print this month. Check out our website for the latest coverage: Kitchissippi.com. And if you have a story idea please send me an email: editor@kitchissippi.com.

411 DOVERCOURT AVE., OTTAWA ON

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Charlie Senack

COMMUNITY NEWS

A Hintonburg life in poetry

BY BARBARA SIBBALD

Seventy years of a rich and storied life in Hintonburg unfold through the eyes of a local poet, and his mother, who lived to be 103. Becoming History: A Life Told Through Poetry, is Hintonburg author Blaine Marchand’s 10th book. It tells the life of a seemingly ordinary woman with extraordinary gifts for storytelling and connecting with people.

Dorothy’s compelling oral vignettes combined with Blaine’s poetry create an accessible and touching narrative that seizes the mind and heart as we get to know Dorothy and her family. We see her, feel her concerns and know her joy – the story of a positive and charming woman’s wholly realized life.

For 70 years, Dorothy lived in a modest house on Cowley Avenue, witness to the area’s transformation from Ottawa West to Hintonburg as her own life morphed from bride to the chaos and highjinks of raising eight children. The book overflows with details, such as winning 100,000 Gold Bond stamps in a radio quiz. Years pass, Dorothy was widowed and later settled in the Grace Manor — a former hospital, the one where her children were born. Once she staggered along Wellington in the throes of labour to get to there.

The book opens with a prose-poetry combination as Dorothy recalls her early years interleaved within the layers of family and places. The second part features Blaine’s poetry as he harkens back to his earliest memories. This is from Equations: "I’m learning to add and subtract, but don’t like numbers. I prefer the thrill of sounds pooling into words the way rain glides into puddles, filling a page with sentences, stories." – p.56

The voices in the third section are shared, with Dorothy reminiscing about her childhood.

“Often when people get elderly, the past becomes very vivid,” said Blaine. “And because I visited her every day and was interested in her stories, she would talk to me.”

Dorothy had a “phenomenal” memory and was a born storyteller, often acting out the scenes. In addition to her firsthand accounts, Blaine had collected family documents, including the letter from his uncle introducing himself to his sister. These artifacts and stories combined to “trigger vivid memories and imagery,” Blaine said.

Dorothy’s positive outlook and charm, belied her rocky start in life. Her parents separated immediately after her birth, leaving Dorothy and her older brother at Ottawa’s Protestant Orphans’ Home. Their maternal aunt rescued them and found a home for Dorothy with an Irish family who doted on “their” youngest child.

After graduating from high school at the Rideau Street Convent, Dorothy worked for the Charles Ogilvy department store, eventually managing women’s sporting wear and going on buying trips. “She attracted attention and warmth,” says Blaine. “There was something about her that people were drawn to.” She loved the work, but quit when she married

Hintonburg author Blaine Marchand has just written his 10th book, Becoming History: A Life Told Through Poetry.

PHOTOS BY ARIELLE HUGHES

”Often when people get elderly, the past becomes very vivid.”

—Blaine Marchand

Edmour Marchand, eventually settling in Hintonburg in 1943. She died in 2016.

Hintonburg is still Blaine’s turf as he practices the art of poetry. Equations is his seventh collection in a string of books starting in 1980. A new book, Promenade, is nearing completion. His poems appear in 24 anthologies and he has published a children’s novel and the guide book Ottawa, A to Z. He won the Archibald Lampman Award for Poetry and was second in the 1990 League of Canadian Poets’ National Poetry Contest.

Blaine was co-founder of two literary journals as well as Ottawa Independent Writers and the Ottawa Valley Book Festival. Nationally, he was president of the League of Canadian Poets.

His writing is all the more remarkable given his 30-year career with what was formerly the Canadian International

Development Agency, which frequently took him abroad, latterly as a diplomat to Pakistan. After every foray he returned to his Warren Street home, where he has lived for over 40 years. He retired in 2011.

Becoming History has sold more than a thousand copies, which is remarkable for a Canadian book of poetry. Blaine credits a large family buying numerous copies, but it is more than that.

In endorsing the book, local historian Dave Allston (who, as a child, was Dorothy’s neighbour) wrote that it “is not just the story of one woman’s life; it is a memorial that evokes thoughts and feelings borne from our own experiences.”

Above all else, it is a poetic elegy, a celebration of a “long and lucky,” albeit not so easy, life and a testament to a son’s love for his mother.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Budget cutting could remove protective scaffolding at Tunney’s Pasture Station

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Construction scaffolding which has been keeping transit riders dry at Tunney’s Pasture station could be coming down as a cost-cutting measure.

The overhangs which were erected shortly after the station opened in 2019, were always expected to be temporary: Commuters complained of needing to brave the elements during the long walk from the station to bus shelters.

It’s come at a cost of $2 million for taxpayers, with another $700,000 bill expected for this year. The city is now looking for a way to save $47 million in its transit budget, and has proposed the takedown of the scaffolding.

“It’s going to come down to costs,” said Kitchissippi ward councillor Jeff Leiper. “If there is a cost effective way to temporarily protect riders who are going to platforms further away, I’d be more than happy to see that.”

Leiper said he doesn’t support a more permanent solution since the protective covering won’t be needed when Phase 2 LRT is launched.

“Much of the land where those overhangs are is borrowed from the federal government,” Leiper noted. “The station is not supposed to be as big as it is. In a few years the footprint will shrink very significantly and it will start to serve a more local catchment than it is currently.”

City staff have been asked to see if there is a cheaper way to keep commuters protected from the weather. The poles and plywood are to stay at least until the end of April.

The Kitchissippi Times asked transit riders at Tunney’s Pasture station what their views were over the city’s decision.

“I think they were great not just for keeping you out of the weather, but

providing an easy track to follow getting from A to B,” said Chris Blackman who wasn’t aware of their potential removal.

“I didn’t know they were planning to remove the scaffolding,” echoed K.C. McKenna who travels through Tunney’s five times a week. “Why are they doing that? I always thought they were a bit of an eyesore, but they were for a purpose as they can provide shelter during rain and snow and they act as a sound barrier from the buses.”

LRT Phase 2 construction delayed again

It will now be sometime in 2026 before phase 2 LRT is rolling through Kitchissippi.

A memo sent to the mayor and city councillors on March 13, said the western extension of the Confederation line is

expected to be completed by May 25, 2025, 17 months later than initially planned.

The eastern section has a nine-week delay with a proposed completion date of January 29, 2025.

The delays are caused by labour and supply chain shortages, cited city officials,

which are hobbling construction across Ottawa.

Kitchissippi ward councillor Leiper said the delays are expected and the news is no surprise. He said the idea is to ensure construction isn’t rushed like it was for Phase 1.

An extended timeline means those who live near the construction have to put up with disruption a while longer. Leiper said he believes the City and LRT contractors have done all they could to mitigate the impact.

Rock breaking, which is the loudest and most disruptive part of the construction, is “almost over,” he said. “I’ve disallowed that (rock breaking) work in the Kichi Sibi station area overnight after 10 p.m. After a couple months they will start laying the tracks and that will be less disruptive.”

The Trillium line, which runs next to Kitchissippi ward, also faces delays. A bestcase officials say is August or September 2023. That depends on completion of trackwork, signal testing; completion of systemwide commissioning; regulatory approvals; and crew training.

Phase 2 of the Confederation line will take the trains from Tunney’s Pasture Station to Baseline and Moodie in the west. In the east, the tracks will run from Blair Station to Trim Road in Orleans.

The soon to be reopened Trillium Line will run from Limebank Road and the airport in the south to Bayview station in Kitchissippi. It will serve as a connection point for both lines and accommodate Carleton University students.

With files by Arielle Hughes

Left: The construction scaffolding which has been at Tunney’s Pasture station since 2019 could be coming down to save costs. Insert: The Confederation lines Phase 2 expansion won’t be rolling through Westboro until at least mid 2026 after a 17 month delay. This page: The Gladstone LRT station could open later this year if Phase 2 of the Trillium Line is completed on time. Work is expected to be done by August or September 2023.

PHOTOS BY CHARLIE SENACK

COMMUNITY NEWS

Ottawa Trans Library reflects on successful first year

BY ARIELLE HUGHES

Ottawa’s Trans Library has been open for a little over 10 months and has experienced nothing but great growth and positive feedback from the community.

Since opening its doors at the end of May 2022, the library has grown its collection of books from 190 titles to about 500. Plans are afoot for a future music library thanks to a donation of about 500 albums by trans musicians.

Tara Sypniewski, the library’s founder and owner, said, events outside its regular hours are “really quite popular, and then we have had the occasional library event like a book signing and book launch that were really successful.

“As we started having these events we met this wonderful … event co-ordinator, and now they volunteer to co-ordinate a lot of them,” Sypniewski said. “It’s been a real boost to us because we didn’t really have very much experience in event

planning and they’ve just come along and given us plenty of ideas.”

The library is more than just a resource and event space, it’s a safe community space for people to connect, feel welcomed, and build trust and knowledge together.

“Anything that enhances the community, we will do it. We feel like just being open and doing what we do day to day is a celebration itself,” Sypniewski said.

The library is the first to provide exclusively trans resources to Ottawa. Sypniewski said she “thought that this was going to be a lot easier now, but it’s not necessarily so. People have come in here and told me that they were aware that the space was here, but it took them several months to come in. But once they came in here, they get really comfortable with it and it’s really great to be back.”

There is a lack of LGBT+ spaces in Ottawa that don’t require spending money, and the Trans Library is providing it to Queer people in the city. Library rentals and events are free for all age groups and identities. It has parent nights for parents of trans kids, some quite informal, and others led by a therapist in training.

Sypniewski said a photographer and an artist were interested in donating photos and art to enhance the library space.

The Trans Library is a queer safe space in Ottawa that was missing, and the community and knowledge that it fosters will grow beyond just their walls and spread through the people they’ve touched. It will continue to flourish here in Ottawa, said Sypniewski.

”The library is the first to provide exclusively trans resources to Ottawa. ”

Top: The Ottawa Trans Library has been open at 1104 Somerset St W for almost a year now.

FILE PHOTO MY MAUREEN MCEWAN. Bottom: Library founder Tara Sypniewski said their collection has grown to over 500 books. They plan to start a music library soon.

PHOTO COURTESY OF OTTAWA TRANS LIBRARY

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Preserving culture: Pysanka Workshops bring new life to Ottawa’s Ukrainians

BY MYKYTA BUDNYK

Canada is home to the largest Ukrainian diaspora in the world, one which strives to preserve its cultural and national identity. This happens through the efforts of Ukrainian and Canadian volunteers.

Workshops for Ukrainian Easter egg painting at the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Ottawa show how ordinary people are changing the community for the better – they have organized “Pysanka” (meaning egg-painting) workshops to support Ukrainian culture during the Russian invasion.

Easter egg-making workshops began in Ottawa March 18 by the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral Assumption of the Blessed Virgin with the support of its community. They were attended

by dozens of Ukrainian families with children recently arrived in Canada to escape the Russian military. Their goal is to help the newcomers preserve their culture in Canada.

Tamara Rudenko-Charalambij, the Pysanka workshop co-ordinator, was born in South America and has lived in Canada since 1955. Some of her relatives remain in Kyiv, under Russian shelling.

“It was a shock for us and we finally realised that the Russians want to destroy Ukrainian culture and history,” she said.

Pysanka-making is an ancient tradition, rooted in paganism, and the symbolism of Easter eggs gives a sense of spiritual enlightenment. The word comes from a verb meaning “to write,” because the designs are written onto the egg with beeswax, not painted on.

“Each pysanka depicts its unique story

and wish, Rudenko-Charalambij said. “Some people paint and pray, while others see it as art and an opportunity to share it with each other. They realize that they are in Canada … and here in Canada we do not forget the Ukrainian language. We honour it and want it to be preserved for our children and grandchildren.”

Volunteer Iryna Kapralova recently arrived in Canada but is already involved in helping her community, introduced by her niece. She is also a member of the Ukrainian Orthodox choir.

She teaches newly arrived Ukrainians how to make Easter eggs, a skill she herself learned from Ihor Nikolayevsky, a painter and master of folk art in her homeland. She said Easter Pysanka workshops will help newly arrived Ukrainians preserve their national culture and traditions.

“Instructors taught Ukrainians and Canadians to paint Easter eggs and understand the secret meaning of these symbols,” she said. Painting wheat for example is a sign of good health, rakes symbolize prosperity, and ribbons stand for everlasting life.

Kapralova said every time she paints an Easter egg she makes a wish. She said they always come true.

This kind of involvement is interwoven throughout the history of Ukrainian emigration to Canada, and Ukrainian women’s have been a prominent part of it. A current example is Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral Assumption of the Blessed Virgin on Byron Ave, has been offering Pysanky making workshops. The hand painted eggs are a symbol of the rebirth of nature in spring, and the rebirth of Christ at Easter.

ALL PHOTOS BY ELLEN BOND

EARLY DAYS

She shoots, she scores: The history of women’s hockey in Westboro

BY DAVE ALLSTON

The movie A League of Their Own brought to life the story of women’s baseball and helped fill a void during the Second World War, with so many men overseas. Less known is a similar story of how women’s hockey became immensely popular in many parts of Canada and the U.S. during the First World War. And it was in the small but growing village of Westboro where one of the top women’s teams emerged.

Though it lasted just two winters more than a century ago, Westboro (population

then barely 1,500) was home to a team that played championship-level hockey. They travelled by train throughout eastern Canada and the northern U.S., to exhibit and promote the game, and compete with the best players.

Women certainly played hockey in Ottawa prior to WWI, but games were infrequent and unorganized. Women had limited options in sport – it was often not considered proper or feminine for them to participate. Their early hockey games faced low expectations, but, a report from 1896 noted, “Both teams played grandly and surprised hundreds of the sterner sex

who went to the match expecting to see many ludicrous scenes and to have many good laughs.”

But instead, the fans became “wildly enthusiastic.”

Rumours in January 1916 hinted that a league would be formed, to include Montreal, Cornwall, Ottawa and Brockville. And a late entry was the village of Westboro.

Arthur McCarthy was a 32-year-old clerk at Ottawa City Hall, who lived on Victoria Avenue (now Roosevelt) in Westboro. He saw potential in “ladies’ hockey.” Skating and hockey had been popular in Westboro,

with many rinks for kids to hone their skills. Westboro men had enjoyed success in city leagues, and girls had been playing quite a bit as well.

It took a month for a team of 13 players to form, and they challenged the Ottawa City team, the Alert, a relatively new team too, managed by Ottawa Senator hockey player Hamby Shore. The Alerts had their sights set on the top teams located in Montreal and Cornwall. However, they agreed to face the Westboro team, who adopted the moniker “the Pets.”

The game on Feb. 21, 1916 had a firstclass setting in the Sens’ rink, Dey’s

Left: An article about a women's game in Ottawa. From the Ottawa Journal on February 24, 1916

Middle top: An advertisement encouraging women to play hockey from the Ottawa Citizen on January 4, 1919, Middle bottom: An Ottawa Citizen clipping from February 16, 1917 promoting how women’s hockey was strong. Two of the players were from the Westboro team.

A photo showing Art McCarthy in the Ottawa Citizen March 28, 1916.

Arena, on Gladstone Avenue. About 1,500 spectators saw the Alerts win 6-2, but the Westboro team played surprisingly well for their first-ever game.

The Pets were led by their star, Tena Turner, 17, daughter of John Turner, who operated John Turner & Sons, a grocery store on Richmond Road, just west of Churchill. Tena was the youngest of eight children in her family, playing centre for the Pets for their two seasons.

The Pets next challenge was a homeand-home series against the vaunted Cornwall Victorias, with another 17-year old player, Albertine Lapensée, considered the greatest female hockey player in Canada (nicknamed the “Ty Cobb of the Cornwall team” and “Miracle Maid”). The Pets lost the opener in Cornwall 3-1 (Lapensée scored all three goals), but the loss was softened in what a significant performance against the dominant Cornwall team. Post-game buzz was huge, not only about Lapensée, but also the surprisingly skill of the Westboro Pets.

The next game was highly promoted, with the National Hockey Association appointing Horace Merrill, captain of the Ottawa Senators, to referee it. The largest ever crowd – 3,800 fans – to watch a women’s game, packed Dey’s Arena. Westboro was allowed to borrow two ringers, Muriel Lee and Edith Anderson from the Alerts.

However, a near riot ensued at the arena on game night. The Alerts and Cornwall teams were scheduled to play each other a few nights later, followed by games in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Boston and New York. The tour organizer was taking advantage of the ladies hockey craze to showcase the best Canadian female hockey players and make money. With no stake in the Westboro-Cornwall game, the promoter barred Lapensée, wanting her first appearance in Ottawa to be in his Alerts-Cornwall game instead.

Compounding matters, the Cornwall team arrived by train with only six players, just enough to play. Cornwall’s manager insisted Lapensée play against Westboro, but the tour promoters threatened to take out an injunction to stop her. The crowd at

the arena was kept waiting as all this was being sorted out, chanting and calling for the game to begin. In the end, Lapensée was allowed to play, and Cornwall won 5-2, on the back of a player the Ottawa Citizen called “the frail little maiden from the banks of the St. Lawrence.”

“Westboro wore blue jerseys with the word “Pets” inscribed across a white band,” in the newspaper’s report. “Cornwall wore white sweaters plus a blue V, while all the fair players were togged out in the customary ‘bloomers’ hockey stockings and speed boots. Miss Lapensée’s tube skates created a furore, and another dainty miss caused a mild sensation when she appeared in pink elastic knee supporters.”

The women’s game was a financial bonanza. The newspaper coverage was on par with what the men’s NHA games were receiving. The U.S. trip brought Lapensée international stardom, as her Cornwall team defeated the Alerts in all three games. Lapensée scored 13 of her team’s 18 goals.

All this with no formal league in existence. Games were scheduled ad hoc, based on invitations to play from various teams and towns.

The Pets would continue to play across eastern Ontario and western Quebec over the next two seasons. Their roster included largely single, unmarried girls (with just three exceptions), the main players being Tena Turner and her older sister Annie, Katie and Nellie Mears, Blanche Snider (who took a “continuous parade to and from the penalty bench”), Edith and Cora Storey, Dorothy Peaker, Gladys Montgomery, Annie Rusland, Violet Hayes, and Arthur McCarthy’s wife Myrtle – their starting goaltender in 1917, who doubled as chaperone on road trips.

Expectations were high going in to the 1917 season. A pre-season fundraising dance in Westboro’s Beatty’s Hall provided new jerseys and equipment, while McCarthy booked ice time from Dey’s Arena for practices.

After their opening game, the Montreal Star wrote “the Pets are perhaps the most accomplished set of skaters ever seen in Cornwall,” though Westboro lost 5-2

in front of a full house. Tena Turner was shook up by a second period collision. Turner returned for the third period with her neck bandaged, and “played a rattling game.”

A mid-February 1917 Pets-Alerts game had a lot at stake – the winner would get the very unofficial title of Canadian champions, and a journey to Pittsburgh to take on the Winter Garden Girls for the “World” championship. Interest was high, the stands were packed, bookies were taking bets. And Westboro lost 2-1. Their most notable win came in March of 1917, when they became the first team to beat Cornwall, who hadn’t lost in 14 previous games. Lapensée was not in Cornwall’s line-up that time.

An inter-city league was established, led in part by the promotional efforts of Ted Dey, who took over management of

the Alerts after Hamby Shore died from influenza.

However, Westboro was not in the new league. Following the 1917 season, McCarthy left Westboro, and the club disbanded. Turner joined the Alerts in 1919 and became captain. She later played for Renfrew after marrying a local man there.

By the early 1920s, some of the novelty of women’s hockey had worn off and the media had refocused on men’s hockey, but the game continued to grow. Regular leagues were established, and early teams like the Ottawa Alerts, Montreal Westerns and Cornwall Victorias had stronger competition. In 1933 the Dominion Woman’s Amateur Hockey Association was established, and a trophy donated by Lady Bessborough, wife of the governor general.

A women’s hockey saga which began right here in Westboro.

the best thing I can do to prevent falls as I age?

As we get older, our bodies don’t behave the same as they did when we were younger. There are certain activities we must work on consistently to maintain the same capabilities we had before. As we age, we lose leg strength more than we do arm strength. In older adults, reduced leg strength can be risky as it is a strong predictor of falls, more so than poor scores on balance tests. To reduce the risk of falling, we must maintain the strength in our legs. A test of leg strength is to stand up from a chair five times without using your hands. The quicker you can do this, the stronger your legs are. This is a great exercise to maintain the strength in your legs, and in turn, reduce your chances of falling.

Kaelen Bray, Director, Nursing and Allied Health, Carefor carefor.ca

What’s

Ottawa Salus facing millions in damages after frozen pipe destroys building

BY CHARLIE SENACK

It will be a long time before people looking for affordable housing can call Westboro’s Salus home again after a burst pipe caused millions in damages.

It was around 7:30 a.m. on Feb. 4, when a sprinkler pipe burst on the fourth floor of the building at Athlone and Scott Street. Water gushed to the floors below destroying everything in its path. The building’s elevator system stopped working, its electrical grid was damaged, and worry about mold taking over later. In all 42 tenants were displaced, their belongings destroyed.

Initial estimates said repairs could take six months but the magnitude of damage alongside supply and labor shortages is expected to make it longer.

“We had to do a complete gut. It’s down to the bare studs,” said Ottawa Salus executive director Mark MacAulay. “All flooring had to be lifted up, the fourth floor had half the walls taken down, all lower cabinets had to be removed, and then on the first and second floor we had to remove all our mechanical and heating systems in order to get at the ceiling for repairs. It’s surprising how much damage water can do.”

But first, management had to find

Above: the third floor received the most damage. Top right: Salus executive director Mark MacAulay said damage is in the millions of dollars. Opposite page: All of the building's cabinets, walls, floors, and mechanics had to be removed because of the water damage. PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SALUS.

Top: Ottawa Salus said 42 tenants were displaced after a sprinkler pipe burst in February.

PHOTO BY CHARLIE SENACK.

everyone a permanent home. Founded in 1977, Ottawa Salus provides mental health and housing services to clients for nearly 45 years. All tenants have limited incomes – most are on Ontario’s disability support program – and many struggle with substance use and mental health challenges.

Some stayed with family in the interim, others moved in with family friends.

MacAulay said all residents have a permanent home for now and will have the option to move back when repairs are done.

He said finding housing typically takes a year, but Salus’s staff met with each resident individually to go over their needs and completed the process in six weeks.

MacAulay credited the support of community neighbors who stepped up and answered their calls for help.

“We received one donation from someone out of the country who was visiting someone here in Ottawa who had a connection to Salus and they made a donation because of the impact,” MacAulay said. “We saw donors who had a connection to the family members, but the local community association also made a donation.”

Once demolition is completed in two weeks, final repair costs will be tallied. It’s expected to be in the millions. In addition to fixing flood damage, MacAulay said Salus must do upgrades because of changing building codes.

When the building was designed in 2006, for example, window air conditioners were common. Today they are seen as a liability.

With a hotter climate, “our tenants need air conditioning,” he said. “We have to figure out those costs, we don’t know what it will be, and it won’t be covered by insurance.”

Ottawa Salus plans an insulation upgrade. Insurance would pay for the fiberglass in place when the flood happened, but not for a new, more expensive kind that is more pest resistant.

Donations so far have gone to new furniture, clothing, and food for tenants.

Ottawa Centre MPP Joel Harden has written to Ontario's Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing asking for support. The Westboro Community Association also collected money for the effort.

“We have been blown away by the community support,” MacAulay said. “The residents appreciate it and we appreciate it.”

”

The residents appreciate it and we appreciate

”

– Mark MacAulay

New hands on the spigot at The Carleton Tavern

BY BELLE HUSTON

If you meet a regular patron of the Carleton Tavern, there’s a fun fact they’ll share with you.

Cheryl Parrott of the Hintonburg Community Association, recalls, “In the old days, the Tavern was for men but, eventually, there was the side that was labeled ‘Ladies and Escorts.’ So women could go in with a male escort.” That side of the business was smaller than where the men were drinking.

“So, you still have those two sides at the tavern, and for years it’s just been called the ‘small side’ and the ‘big side’ to identify them,” she said.

The two doors on the front of the building, one for men and one for women and their escorts, are still there today, a puzzle for non-locals who come in for a bite to eat.

Carleton Tavern has come a long way since those “old days.” It has been a staple in

Kitchissippi for almost a century, beginning as the Carleton Hotel in 1935. It changed hands often over the years, but had been owned and operated by the Saikaley family since 1964. They owned the Carleton Steak House, next door, and merged the businesses in 2003.

That all changed in February when the family announced they were selling it to Steve Monuk and Phil Coates.

Their reasons were rooted in the pandemic. Simon Saikaley said COVID-19 lockdowns were really draining for their staff, making a hard job much harder.

“For those two years during the pandemic, it was really minimal sales, just takeout and Uber. And well, we were working ourselves. We got by. Thank God it’s starting to get back to normal.”

Other than the pandemic, he and his siblings who also worked at the Tavern are “getting up there in age.” Some wanted to retire or spend more time with their families.

Professor François Brouard from the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University said arts and culture was the “sector most affected by COVID.” Restaurants, comedy clubs, art galleries, were first to close and last to reopen, as a result of public health guidelines.

Even though Ontario has lifted most COVID-19 regulations, pandemic aftershocks on individual mental health, communities, and the economy have been immense.

Saikaley knows about those aftershocks. “Because of interest rates, inflation, the price of food, the cost of gas, people just aren’t going out like they used to … a lot of the restaurants in the area, they don’t open until four o’clock, simply because they can’t find the staff to be open all day.”

Parrott from the community association recalled the Foolish Chicken that had permanently closed, and the Hintonburg Public House had reduced their hours.

Brouard sees three reasons for closures and reduced hours. “people working at home,” hard to pay off loans taken out during the pandemic, and many Ottawa cultural centres, “like the National Art Gallery, are publicly owned, making it more difficult for private businesses to thrive.

Simon Saikaley said that, if not for rising costs and an inability to find employees, the Saikaleys might have continued at the Tavern. Instead, he has his memories of the Tavern where he worked alongside siblings and friends who pulled pranks on their regulars.

“If the customer fell asleep,” he recalled, “the waiters would put a candle underneath their chair in a beer bottle. So, after about five minutes, that seat started getting really hot, and they’d watch the customer starting to squirm! Another time, this poor guy, he fell asleep. He had to take a bus home, so he’d fall asleep and they’d write on his forehead – he had a

bald head – they’d write ‘I love you’ and put hearts on it. He’d get on the bus and get looks, and didn’t know why.”

Parrott’s favorite memories of the Tavern were from events there.

“The Carleton was always extremely generous to the community. Anything people wanted to do, they were always up for it … we’d put up posters in there and they’d say, how can we help? So, whether it was providing coffee or other stuff, ice, supplies for whatever was happening, they were always there and available to help. It became … our clubhouse. All good ideas were born sitting at the Carleton.”

According to Brouard, fundraisers, local events, unique stores and restaurants, “make it interesting to live in a community” and there is something irreplaceable about them: “Weddings will be transferred to other locations,” but artists playing at the Carleton might not

find another place if it were to close.

Parrott said she feels reassured the new owners understand the value of the community they are inheriting.

“I’m glad … it’s Phil and Steve, because I know that they understand and will keep as much of it as they can going the way that it was… they have told everyone that they want to continue it the way it was, so they’ll keep those fundraisers and things.”

Left: A sign of former times, the Carleton Tavern still has two doors on its front. One used to be for men, the other for women and their escorts. PHOTO BY CHARLIE SENACK Middle: The Carleton Tavern has new owners who say they promise to preserve its traditions. PHOTO COURTESY OF CARLETON TAVERN FACEBOOK

Right: the local community gathering spot has been serving great food for 88 years.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CARLETON TAVERN FACEBOOK

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Sunrise Acupuncture: A new neurological treatment option

Neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, autism, ADHD, and dementia are often difficult to treat or manage. Typical treatments can be highly generalized when patients need more individual and rehabilitative therapy.

That’s where Sunrise Acupuncture, located at 421 Richmond Rd, suite 202, intervenes with its innovative neuroacupuncture program. Also known as scalp acupuncture, the process involves inserting special needles into specific points on the scalp. This improves blood flow in the head, which stimulates the corresponding of the brain that regulate emotions and motor function.

It’s a very crucial and personally significant treatment to Denis Grounin, Sunrise Acupuncture’s founder. As a professional 16-year-old Judo player in Khazakstan, Grounin was devastated when chronic knee

pain prevented him from participating. He decided to give acupuncture a chance knowing that his grandmother had previously recovered from severe, debilitating back pain through similar treatment.

This decision got him quick results that would change the trajectory of his medical career. He studied acupuncture under his first teacher at 20, then travelled to Israel to work as a nurse where he learned to treat spinal cord injuries. He moved to Canada in 2008, staying in Manitoba for two years before settling in Ottawa where he founded the company.

Grounin mainly treats children who have ADHD or autism. Most young patients are able to pursue neuroacupuncture – the needles are safe and painless – but around 10 per cent of kids are not able to tolerate it. For these cases, Sunrise Acupuncture also provides massage treatment and various herbs.

Options for this kind of neurological treatment are not uncommon. But they’re not as well known to patients as they should be, which makes parents feel like they have few options; Grounin said he often treats children who make the two hour drive in from Montreal for their appointments.

The clinic has since had many successful cases and around 60-70 per cent of patients who come in start talking after 10 treatments.

“If a child is nonverbal before, after 10 treatments, they start to pronounce words like “Ma,” “Pa”, “dog”, “bird,” and so on. They may require further treatments to achieve better results,” Grounin said. “They become more focused, they have more attention.”

The clinic also treats skin conditions like acne and eczema, and inflammatory issues.

If you think you’ve tried everything, come down to Sunrise Acupuncture for an assessment. We’ll review your child’s previous treatments and attempt a one-session trial before committing to a 10-week program.

Denis Grounin R. AC, R. TCMP

ARTS AND CULTURE

Kline: No artistic medium left unturned

BY ZENITH WOLFE

Whether they’re painting, concocting drinks, or creating false advertisements for a detective film, Kline is always expanding its artistic horizons.

Kline is a zine – a small, locally produced magazine – that features art and photography made by creative Ottawa contributors. The fourth issue was published in February at an opening event hosted by Hintonburg’s Urban Art Collective.

Starting in 2018, Mitch Vallières became Kline’s creative director and graphic designer, publishing the first two volumes on his own. Though he distributed few copies, he said the zine allowed him to promote his acrylic and oil paintings sidestepping traditional galleries.

“I had so many other art forms that I was excited about at the time. I was just looking for a way to combine fine art with the weird things I was interested in –strange illustrations and design choices,” Vallières said.

While studying radio broadcasting at Algonquin College, he and three friends there would become regular Kline contributors: head editor Matt Francis, marketing director Adam Moore, and Westboro-based operations director Andrew Pomfret.

They were all part of a band at first, Vallières said. Kline only came later. They stuck with the zine format because it allowed them to explore many artistic ideas simultaneously.

The fourth volume, for example, was accompanied by Kline-branded trading cards, posters, postcards, fictional advertisements, and parodies of children’s toys. He said this variety coupled with their humorous approach prevents creative burnout.

“A lot of people get themselves into a situation where they go, ‘I’m an oil painter, that’s what I do.’ They may want

to try something else, but they’re going to feel like they’re boxed into whatever they’ve chosen as their medium,” Vallières said. “With Kline, it’s basically all indications of whatever we were excited about at the time.”

Pomfret said working with Urban Art Collective, which promotes local and alternative street art, allowed them to expand into a physical space and work with more artists. On Kline Show’s opening night, Jabberwocky bartender

Tristan Bradock played the role of Doctor Kline, a hair growth tonic salesman. He created special drinks from the 315 Somerset St Cocktail Companion.

Kline also included an installation based on the film noir aesthetic, including stylized VHS tapes and a desk filled with a detective’s belongings. Pomfret said the closer you look at their art, the more you make connections

Top: Kline released their fourth issue during an event at Urban Art Collective on Feb. 18.

PHOTO BY CHARLIE SENACK.

Above: Tristan Bradock prepared drinks for gallery visitors on the Kline Show's opening night. PHOTO BY ZENITH WOLFE.

From left to right: Matt Francis, Mitch Vallières, Andrew Pomfret, and Adam Moore. PHOTO BY ZENITH WOLFE.

Top left: Posters with original Kline artwork were available for purchase during the show.

PHOTO BY CHARLIE SENACK. Top right: Westboro’s Andrew Pomfret is Kline’s artistic director.

demand, Kline printed around three times more copies of volume four than any of their previous volumes.

The gallerists were supportive, he said, especially given that it was their first show. Vallières added that the community has reacted well – to meet

Vallières said they will be attending zine fairs and night markets this summer, but they don’t yet have plans for their next zine volume or show.

“Whatever it is,” he said, “it’s not going to be anything like this.”

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“That’s kind of what pulls you in to keep visiting the different pieces,” Pomfret said.

PHOTO BY ZENITH WOLFE. Above: The Kline installation was based on the film noir aesthetic. It included a desk filled with a detective’s belongings.

PHOTO BY CHARLIE SENACK.

ARTS AND CULTURE

“I like how it tells a story about sincere characters without taking yourself too seriously,” Felman added

The show has been in production since November 2022, and every aspect of the show from sets to costumes and lighting is done by the students.

“I love that we do all of our production and costumes and sets and props in house. And so I want everyone to keep a look out for what we’re wearing, what we’re using, the rooms that we’re in, because they do take a lot of work” said Maria Delaney, who plays Audrey, the shows main female lead.

This show is aimed at an audience which enjoys a big spectacle with catchy music, a lot of humour and with Motown or soul energy.

The cast has a sense of community and encouragement, with everyone agreeing that the best part of being part of the show is the friends and connections they’ve made.

Little Shop of Horrors coming to Nepean High School

BY ARIELLE HUGHES

Nepean High School’s theatre course is closing in on its opening night for Little Shop of Horrors, a musical written by Charles B Griffith.

Featuring students from the program alongside an 11-foot-tall plant built for

the show, the actors say this production is going to stand out.

Little Shop of Horrors is a comedy about a flower shop assistant named Seymour, played by Saul Felman, who discovers an unusual plant, played by Samuel Lafortune, that only feeds on human blood. The plant attracts a great deal of

business for the struggling store, but its thirst for blood only increases as time goes on.

“I think that the humour of the show is going to be really great and the audience is going to laugh a lot,” said Maddy Seatter, who’s playing Chiffon, one of the shows three main narrators.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to spend time with people who are like-minded, people like you who all like theatre and performing” said Grady McVey, who plays Mr. Mushnik.

For a lot of these students it’s their last performance before graduation. With the loss of high school years to COVID lockdowns, they are itching to get on stage and perform again.

“This has been the big Holy Grail,” said Delaney. “You know, after COVID, we can do a musical and we’re able to sneak on in. A lot of us are graduating high school this year so this was really our last chance to be able to have a big production like this.”

The opening night is April 26, with performances following on the 27, 28 and 29. Tickets are available on the Nepean High School website and at the door for $20. Children under 12 are free.

”I think it’s a great opportunity to spend time with people who are like-minded, people like you who all like theatre and performing.”

– Grady McVey

Nepean High School is getting ready to perform Little Shop of Horrors. It’s the first theatrical performance for students since the COVID-19 pandemic paused live shows. PHOTO BY ARIELLE HUGHES.

Ending one chapter and starting another

BY IYA MENDOZA

When the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, it began a countdown for Grade 12 students.

The start of a new year promises new experiences, adventures and beginnings. It is a time of unpredictability yet excitement, of reflection yet anticipation, of suspense yet thrill.

For high school seniors, these words would be an understatement to describe the rush of emotions this time of year provokes. The new year does not only mark the start of something new, but also the imminent end of something that has arguably been the core of our lives.

I have been a student at Notre Dame High School since 2017; I have been studying here for what will soon be more than a third of my life. It is safe to say this school has become a significant part of my identity. My teachers have sparked my aspirations and taught me how to live a life of learning. The friendships I have formed

are ones I will never take for granted.

The graduation countdown is not just a rush to the end; it entails taking in every last little piece of high school before it is over, and celebrating every second here.

This time of year is often tense and busy. Seemingly endless to-do lists, deadlines and packed schedules are focal points in our day-to-day lives. While these realities often cloud our ability to think about anything else, one thought lingers in each of our minds: high school is almost over.

This means the last exam, the last presentation, the last test review at 5 a.m. and the last essay submission at midnight. It also means the last light-hearted conversation at the lunch table. The last hallway detour to catch up with your favourite teacher. The last time being in the same room as the people you have practically grown up with.

It is a universal truth that many things are temporary, and life is both fast-paced and precious. It is time we take in every moment of it.

”The graduation countdown is not just a rush to the end; it entails taking in every last little piece of high school before it is over, and celebrating every second here.

By Anita Murray, All Things Home

Renovators will never know exactly what they’re going to find behind your walls until they open them up. If they’re experienced, they’ll have a good idea of typical things they might find, like knob and tube wiring in an old Ottawa home, but they can still hit obstacles with the unexpected.

A good example is celebrity contractor Bryan Baeumler. He’s had several shows on HGTV and one of his biggest, called Island of Bryan, showed how a project can go spectacularly off the rails. In his case, he knew what he was getting into and chose to dive in anyway, but still.

For close to two years, Bryan and his wife, Sarah, worked to restore an abandoned boutique hotel resort in the Bahamas, an adventure chronicled on the show.

Their initial plan was to take six months renovating enough of the property so that they could open in October 2018. A year later they still hadn’t opened, although they did begin accepting reservations toward the end of 2019.

“We knew what we were getting ourselves into,” he says. “It was chaos trying to plan and manage a project as you’re into it.”

Their journey is an example of how problem after problem delayed progress, chewed up their budget and forced a rethink of many of their plans.

So, if someone as well known and experienced as Bryan Baeumler can have a project go off the rails, does that mean you’re doomed to the same fate?

Not at all. It just means you have to be prepared.

“There are always surprises, but part of doing a good project is knowing they will happen and how you react when they happen,” says Norm Lecuyer, owner of ARTium Design Build & Just Basements.

The nature of renovations is such that you can pretty much guarantee something will go wrong.

Bryan and Sarah Baeumler, Island of Bryan, on HGTV.

Photo courtesy HGTV Canada

So, what does it mean to have a reno go off the rails?

It can mean several things, but typically involves going over budget and/or blowing your timeline. And those two issues usually crop up thanks to hidden obstacles and scope creep, which is when the defined parameters of the job increase or balloon because, after the project has begun, you think of other things you want to add, such as deciding to replace all the flooring on

7 key steps

your main floor when you were initially planning to just renovate your kitchen. In a free downloadable pdf on All Things Home, we interview Baeumler and several top Ottawa renovators to explain those seven keys and get their advice on how to keep your reno from going off the rails. If there’s a renovation in your future, get the guide at https://allthingshome.ca/ renoguide.pdf and set yourself up for a successful project.

Keeping your reno from going off the rails comes down to seven key things, and the responsibility is on both you as the homeowner and whoever you hire to do your project. Those seven keys are:

1. Plan, plan, plan… and plan some more

2. Make sure to hire professionals

3. Have a realistic budget, then budget well

4. Get everything in writing

5. Be flexible so you can handle obstacles that will come up

6. Make sure your team has a good communication plan

7. And then stick to your renovation plan

AnitaMurrayistheco-founderofAll ThingsHomeInc.andownerofThreeC Communications.Theveteranjournalisthas coveredtheOttawahousingindustrysince2011.

Patti Brown Broker Susan Chell Broker Sarah Toll Broker

The Junk Drawer

By Dean Caillier, Sales Representative with Engel & Völkers Ottawa Central, Brokerage

Most of us have that infamous junk drawer somewhere in our home, where random items are tossed and forgotten. Old cell phones, leftover screws and random sunglasses are just a few examples of things that find their way into the temporary living quarters of a drawer.

Working with a client recently to help prepare their family home for sale, I retained the services of a home stager who came through the home and prepared a “things to do list” with the objective to present the home in the best possible light for potential buyers. The family had lived in the home for 50 years so there was naturally a collection of things that needed to be purged prior to staging. For this purpose, we also brought in a home organizer to sort through the contents of the home in preparation for the eventual move. Items not needed for daily living and home staging were either packed for the move, sold, donated or recycled to minimize disposing to the landfill.

During the organizing process, a kitchen junk drawer was removed to sort through. It included typical things like elastics, sticky notes and pens but

it also contained an ornate letter opener inscribed with a company award, a key chain for an old sports car, coins from an exotic vacation, 70’s style sunglasses, photos, etc., things representing a 50 year snap shot of the families life. It was a walk down memory lane for the family - one they took many times in the process as they sorted through drawers, closets and bookshelves but one that allowed them the time to decide what to keep and what to let go. Once organizing and purging were complete, the home stager brought in furnishings and accessories to compliment the home in preparation for listing the home for sale.

Selling a home can be overwhelming, but by having the right team in place, it helps reduce the stress. If you’re considering selling your home and would like more information on where to start, contact me to arrange a no-obligation visit. Happy Spring!

DEAN CAILLIER

ENGEL&VÖLKERS®

Telephone 613-299-6243

dean.caillier@evrealestate.com

L.A. Sicoli Masonry offers that much more extra

Luciano Sicoli respects, values and appreciates his customers. He takes the time to educate the customer about different materials, different options that are available to the customer and the process that will be used to complete the work. You meet the boss, the boss is the one that comes to discuss your issues and the boss will be the one that comes to do the work. We do not sub-contract out our work to anyone. Our reputation is too important. I have heard customers say that people have come, given them a price and just left them with their business card and many times have other people come to do the work.

Luciano’s teacher, Antonio Sicoli, his 82-year-old father, who still comes with him to different job sites, has provided him with a simple formula for longevity: be honest with your customers, make sure you provide them with an excellent job and make sure that your prices are fair and you will have many telephone calls, along with many satisfied customers.

My father always taught me that even

though you may be comfortable with the skills you have acquired, there is always more to learn and you can never stop this process if you choose to strive to be the best you can be.

Learning this craft is not only about acquiring skills, it is about investing passion into your work. This allows Luciano Sicoli to provide a little bit extra in a job. Others may not always do this part. An example of this is when bricks get installed on the front of a home, on a chimney or elsewhere, there may be mortar on the face of those bricks. We mix a special muriatic acid solution and wash the bricks upon completion of a job to clean them. You would not believe the number of customers that I visit that ask me what can be done to remove the mortar from their bricks. This issue is quite often on new home construction, where the bricks have not been cleaned after the bricklayer has intstalled them. Investing two more hours to clean the front face of bricks on a home, where customers are investing $400-

$500,000 should not even be something to have a discussion about. It should be a given.

We take pride in our work and when we drive by a job that has been completed by L. A. Sicoli Masonry and Restoration it provides a sense of gratification that can’t be described by words. Word of

mouth from our customers is always the best form of advertising and this is greatly appreciated.

L.A. Sicoli Masonry

Luciano Sicoli

l.a.sicoli_masonry@bell.net

613-859-4684

Luciano with his teacher, his father, Antonio Sicoli.

RENOVATION

Hiring the right renovator

By Patrick Langston, All Things Home

As homeowners, we know we need to do our due diligence when hiring a renovator, but the sudden closure of Orléansbased Highbridge Construction recently has many wondering exactly what due diligence entails.

The company closed its doors abruptly Feb. 3, walking away from incomplete renovation and home-building projects. Highbridge’s assets have been frozen, and the company is being investigated by Ottawa police, but that’s scant solace for clients who handed over money — in one case, a $230,000 deposit — they may never recover.

Ottawa abounds in excellent, ethical renovators, but homeowners need to know how to hire them.

Identifying potential contractors

Start by asking acquaintances if they’ve dealt with a good contractor and quiz your acquaintances about pros and cons of working with them.

Check RenoMark, a national program with many local members. RenoMark renovators have signed a strict code of conduct that includes a twoyear warranty. Membership doesn’t guarantee performance (Highbridge was a RenoMark member, although its registration has been revoked), but it is a significant layer of protection.

Search for award-winning renovators and award finalists. Companies that make it to these stages tend to be solid businesses with an eye to quality.

Once you’ve identified prospective experts, check the Better Business Bureau for ratings and the Ontario government’s Consumer Beware List for complaints or charges.

And if someone raps on your door

with a smile and a “special, time-limited price” on renos, bid them adieu pronto: reputable businesses don’t operate this way.

Interviewing contractors

As always, shop around. That means faceto-face sessions with a minimum of three contractors.

“Ask questions (and) be comfortable asking,” says Herb Lagois of Lagois Design-Build-Renovate. “A professional renovator will respect and appreciate all questions.” Among other questions, Lagois suggests inquiring about the renovator’s community involvement (“how caring they are”).

The Canadian Home Builders’ Association’s (CHBA) comprehensive homeowner information on renovations has helpful worksheets, including one on interviewing contractors.

Ask for references and check them thoroughly. Again, the CHBA has a worksheet. Talking to clients whose renos were done some time ago will help you determine how well a contractor’s work holds up, says Lindsay Nicol of Crossford Construction. If the reference is for a work in progress, “Drive by to ensure the project actually exists and if the site is neat.”

When checking references, ask what went well and what went badly and how the contractor dealt with problems, says Greg Simpson of Sunshine Build and Design.

“Every renovation isn’t 100 per cent smooth sailing; there’s always something that comes up. The good renovators will communicate and solve the issues (in a timely manner) and professionally.”

Finally, watch for red flags, says Lagois. A dirty or messy vehicle, taking phone calls during your appointment, talking over you or in circles: These and others are danger signs. “Listen to your instincts!” he says.

Contracts and deposits

A clear, detailed contract is essential in ensuring your project meets your expectations. It’s so important that Ontario requires any home renovation contract worth more than $50 to be in writing. Go through it with a fine-tooth comb and get all your questions answered before signing.

Contracts vary from one renovator to the next, but all must include a clear description of work, warranty terms and other details. Make sure there’s also proof of the renovator’s liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. Check the CHBA guide to contracts as well as Ontario’s contract requirements (ontario. ca/page/law-and-safety).

Before signing up with a renovator, Nathan Dunlop of Amsted Design-Build says to have a “job showing” with all the trades that will be taking on the job. “A job showing is where all the potential trade partners are brought in to assess the job before accepting the work.”

He says this helps ensure everything from a realistic budget to fresh eyes examining the site for potential challenges or concerns.

The contract must include payment terms, including the deposit and interim payments linked to either milestones or dates. The CHBA says deposits should not generally exceed 10 per cent of the

total project cost. However, some good renovators ask for a higher deposit.

The deposit covers a contractor’s “upfront costs,” says Nicol, including subtrade contracts and deposits to suppliers.

And don’t forget about the “holdback.” It protects homeowners from liens against a contractor by allowing the owner to hold back 10 per cent of the total project cost for up 45 days after project completion.

Does all this sound onerous? It is. But, says Dunlop, “You must spend the time doing your due diligence. There is no quick fix in residential construction. You are placing trust in a company to spend your money wisely to deliver on their promise.”

Finding the good guys and avoiding the bad ones

A good contractor takes the time to do everything meticulously and will show homeowners what they’re doing and why. Photo courtesy Amsted Design-Build

New Things Blooming in Westboro

Spring has sprung, or has it? While the feeling of spring is in the air with a warmer sun and longer days, we are approaching April with a lot of snow still around. If you take a peek into the windows of the businesses in Westboro Village, you will find other signs of spring, sprouted tulip bulbs for your tables, new spring fashions to be excited about and chocolate bunnies & confections ready to hop into your shopping bag.

Spring is a time of renewal and opportunity, and there are new businesses coming to Westboro Village. Most of these businesses are locally owned, and are bringing their passions for dance, wellness and more to the community. Don’t be shy to peek into those windows as well and wave hellos of welcome. A friendly smile goes a long way in building community.

Judy Lincoln Executive Director Westboro Village BIA

613-239-5792

Come and meet our talented group of creative professionals and enjoy your hair services in a salon that recycles beauty waste! We believe in taking a sustainable approach to beauty so we have partnered with brands that care about the planet as much as we do. Experience the nature of Ombël.

300 Richmond Road, Unit #104 Follow Us: @ombelsalon Book Now: www.ombelsalon.com

COUNCILLORS CORNER

Keep your storm drains clear

SUBMITTED BY JEFF LEIPER, KITCHISSIPPI WARD COUNCILLOR

Spring is finally here, Kitchissippi! It’s time to dust off those rubber boots and enjoy the longer days ahead. Keep reading for more news about what’s going on in the ward and the city.

Just a general reminder to keep an eye on the storm drains on your street as we begin to see more rainfall over the coming weeks. Keeping those drains clear can reduce pooling on the streets and sidewalks. Also, the return of spring means the return of

street sweeping! As with past years, some streets in the ward will see concentrated street sweeping with parking bans. I am always advocating for concentrated street sweeping to be expanded, but I can’t make any promises at this time.

As I type this registration for City of Ottawa and Dovercourt summer camps is in full swing! Be sure to check out all the options for day camps for kids of all ages and interests. For more information you can visit the City’s Courses and Camps webpage or Dovercourt’s website. Reminder that the City is using a new registration system for camps,

FEDERAL UPDATE

Supporting our community

SUBMITTED BY YASIR NAQVI, MP FOR OTTAWA CENTRE

This year, the holy month of Ramadan began on March 22.

Ramadan marks a sacred time of year for the Muslim community here in Ottawa Centre and around the world. This month-long journey of fasting and prayer encourages spiritual growth, reflection and

compassion for those less fortunate.

I was pleased to partner with the Catholic Centre for Immigrants to run a Free Tax Clinic this year. With their help, we were able to help close to 100 individuals and families file their taxes. With this service, those who may be struggling to make ends meet can have peace of mind in having their taxes filed. I am also pleased to announce that through our federal

so your old barcode and PIN numbers won’t work. All the information you need to get set up with the new system is available on the City’s website.

The Rosemount Library is ramping up their programming offerings for library-lovers of all ages. There are weekly baby-times, family story hours, and fun drop-in groups for teens and tweens. For example, I noted there’s a new knitting group meeting at Rosemount on Wednesdays at 1:30 PM. The group is for adults of ages to work on their current knitting projects and share skills with other knitters. For more information on Rosemount’s programming, check out the

Ottawa Public Library’s website or call (613) 580-2940.

I am sad to report that the Parkdale Food Centre recently had to decommission the Road Runner, their outdoor community fridge on Rosemount. While this is obviously sad news, I respect the Parkdale Food Centre’s commitment to ensuring that people feel safe when accessing their services and putting the needs of the community first. The indoor community fridge at 30 Rosemount remains open and accessible from 9 AM to 3 PM, Monday to Thursday, for those who want to make donations or those who want to pick up some groceries.

government’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP Grant Program), four organizations in Ottawa Centre were able to access funding to run their own free tax clinic. This includes Centre 507, Somerset West Community Health Centre, OCAC (Ottawa Chinese Alliance Church), and Sprott Tax Students' Association (STSA).

Our federal government continues to offer funding streams that provide direct help to members of our community and to

our local organizations. As part of the 2SLGBTQI+ Federal Action Plan, the call for proposals for the Community Capacity Fund is now open. This fund aims to address the main priority of sustainable capacity funding for 2SLGBTQI+ organizations who work to end discrimination, violence, and barriers faced by the community. This is another step towards further promoting inclusion, advancing equity, and increasing safety in our community.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

APRIL 8: UKRAINIAN EASTER MARKET: Take home Easter breads, baked goods, perogies, cabbage rolls, borshch, kobassa. Locally made products, embroideries and handicrafts, Ukrainian Easter egg decorating supplies, White Elephant table. Ukrainian Orthodox Hall, 1000 Byron Ave. Limited Free parking. Email: uwacottawa@gmail.com

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Keep up with everything happening in Hintonburg & Wellington West WELLINGTONWEST.CA/SIGNUP

APRIL 28: FRIDAY NIGHT DANCE - WESTBORO LEGION: Catch Lorne Daley and the Ricochet Riders from 7:00-11:00 p.m. in the Upstairs Bar & Lounge, 391 Richmond Rd. General admission: $5.00. Legion and Ladies Auxiliary members: $2.00.

APRIL 29: PARKDALE UNITED CHURCH

Eventbrite. Hymn singing April 23 at 12.30 p.m. Christ Church Cathedral. More information at www.ontariowelshfestival.ca or email info2023@ontariowelshfestival.ca

APRIL 7: THIRTEEN STRINGS PRESENTS

“BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH” A GOOD FRIDAY TRADITION: Spring heralds optimism, hope and warmth, and so too, Thirteen Strings returns with its annual Good Friday concert “Between Heaven and Earth” on April 7, at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, its musical home for a number of Easter season performances. Ottawa’s only professional orchestra ensemble presents an evening sure to inspire and invite personal reflection during this thoughtful time of year. Tickets for “Between Heaven and Earth” range in price from $10 for students, $25 for general admission to $40 for the reserved section. Visit www.thirteenstrings.ca to buy tickets.

APRIL 8: MCKELLAR PARK EASTER EGG HUNT:

The McKellar Park Community Association is having a Spring Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8, at 10:30 a.m. at McKellar Park 539 Wavell Ave. It will go ahead rain, snow or even mud! Here’s how it works: Parents provide 10 peanut and nut free candy eggs per child participant

One parent arrives early (9:45 a.m.) and hides the eggs. At 10:30 a.m, the children gather near the play structure. They are told the rules, including that each child is only allowed ten eggs. At 10:30, kids hunt for their 10 eggs. The older kids are encouraged to help the younger ones find their 10 eggs. After the egg hunt, there will be coffee for the adults and both adults, and kids can nibble on goodies and catch up with their neighbors.

APRIL 14: FRIDAY NIGHT DANCE - WESTBORO LEGION: Snap, Crackle, Pop entertains from 7:00-11:00 p.m. in the Upstairs Bar & Lounge, 391 Richmond Rd. General admission: $5.00. Legion and Ladies. Auxiliary members: $2.00.

APRIL 15: JAZZ NIGHT - WESTBORO LEGION: Enjoy the smooth jazz of The Trio in the Upstairs Bar & Lounge, 391 Richmond Rd. from 7:00-10:00 p.m. General admission: $20. Students (with ID) at the door only: $10.

APRIL 22: SECOND ANNUAL ECO MARKET: Discover the art of sustainability at our second annual Eco market on Saturday, April 22, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The event will be hosted at Re4m Design and Fabrication Studio and neighbouring partners at 136 Billings Avenue. Join us on Earth Day for this special event featuring local ecovendors, makers, material collection drives and recycling initiatives on Saturday April 22, at 136 Billings Avenue.

RUMMAGE SALE: A great selection of clothing, shoes, books, toys, puzzles, household items, linen, electronics, sports equipment and more. 429 Parkdale Ave, Saturday, April 29, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Use Gladstone Parking lot entrance. 613-728-8656. Masks are optional but suggested to protect our volunteers. Bring your own cloth bags. www.parkdaleunitedchurch.ca.

APRIL 21-22: FIBRE FLING 2023 ART SHOW AND SALE: Come see original one-of-a-kind textile and mixed media art pieces hand made by local artists. Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 10:09 a.m. to 4:09 p.m., at the Kitchissippi United Church (630 Island Park Drive). $5 entrance fee. A portion of the show proceeds are donated to the Stephen Lewis Foundation and the Ottawa Food Bank.

APRIL 21-23: ONTARIO WELSH FESTIVAL: Featuring concert with young Welsh soloists John Ieuan Jones, Steffan Lloyd Owen and Eiry Price , April 22, Christ Church Cathedral 8:00 p.m. Doors open at 7:45 p.m.Tickets $40 cash at the door; or $35 in advance from

Got

APRIL 28-29: KITCHISSIPPI UNITED CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE IS BACK: A fine selection of jewelry, books, collectables, household items, toys, art and more makes this a popular event. The sale will run on Friday April 28th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:09 p.m and Saturday April 29th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:09 noon. The Church is located at 630 Island Park Drive (at the Queensway) For information call (613)722-7254 or www.kitchissippiuc.com

MONDAYS (STARTING APRIL 17): ALPHA FILM SERIES: Come and explore the big questions of life, meaning, and faith through the Alpha Film Series.When: Mondays, Starting April 17 from 7-9 p.m. Where: St Mary’s Parish, 100 Young St. Access via parking lot. For more details and to register Email: alpha@stmarysottawa.ca or Phone: 613-728-9811 x701

WEDNESDAYS: WEEKLY BINGO: Westboro Legion Downstairs Hall, 389 Richmond Rd. Door opens at 4:00 p.m., kitchen at 5:00 p.m. and games, including a $500 jackpot, begin at 6:30 p.m. For more information: 613-725-2778.

MARKET PLACE

To place a Classified or Marketplace ad, please call 613.266.5598

With flu season in full force, we urge our readers to take all precautions necessary and to take care of themselves.

Stay safe and healthy, Kitchissippi!

IT’S #WELLIWANDER TIME AGAIN NEIGHBOURS!

LOOKING FOR REASONS TO GET OUTSIDE AGAIN?

THE MERCHANTS OF HINTONBURG & WELLINGTON VILLAGE ARE HAPPY TO OFFER SOME IDEAS!

TAKE A #WELLIWANDER

Every spring, we encourage you to get out and explore the area as you shop, dine, and support local.

Our neighbours call it the “WelliWander” - a fun stroll down our streets to hit a mix of favourite spots - while always staying open to brand new discoveries in our growing, changing area!

Or wander to our Directory!

SHARE WHAT YOU FIND!

When you find something new, here are some tips to help spread the word when you post on social:

• Use the #WelliWander hashtag to win prizes through April!

• Tag the merchant and our BIA channels when you are talking about dining or shopping here!

• Follow and Like BIA social media channels – link below!

STAY TUNED FOR FUN & SURPRISES!

We have so much good stuff planned for our upcoming seasons.

ARTS Season: May + June

SUN Season: July + Aug

TASTE Season: Sept + Oct

GIVING Season: Nov + Dec

And the best way to stay in the know? Subscribe to our Weekly Wednesday e-newsletter!