Kitchissippi Times June 2023

Churchill Alternative playground renewal. Page 14

UP THE CREEK

A Westboro father and son duo were left on shore without a vessel after a high speed car chase and crash injured Dad and destroyed their canoe. Pages 6-7

FROM PROTEINS TO VEGGIES, SHOP PRODUCE DEPOT FOR ALL YOUR summer picnic needs.

PHOTO BY CHARLIE SENACK

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 Korey Kealey

I grew up in Peterborough, Ontario, and moved to Ottawa to attend the University of Ottawa. I ended up staying because I love this city so much and got jobs working in the market and then in restaurants throughout university. It’s also where I met my husband.

I completed an undergraduate degree in general arts with psychology and French. Once I graduated from university, I attended Kemptville College and took a food nutrition management program for two years.

My mom was the ultimate foodie and made her own yogurt, raised chickens and kept gardens. I think that having been fed that way and surrounded by delicious food my whole life, I had it in me to do it.

After completing school, I started working in television, food styling and recipe development. During this time, I was diagnosed with several food allergies. I started revising recipes given to me to foods within my food groups. I was able to make them taste wonderful, which ended up evolving into a business that went national and sold to Loblaws across Canada. It's called Enerjive. I also wrote a cookbook called The Ultimate Cookbook for Hockey Families with my friend, Erin Phillips, who had asked me to help her. I covered all the food and she managed the nutrition side.

I eventually sold my food company. By then, both our boys were in university. I was becoming bored.

My husband has sold real estate for 30 years with his brother Brendan for Remax. Five years ago, I decided that I would join their team. We work everywhere, from Orleans to Stittsville, Cornwall and Nepean. We specialize in the Westboro area.

I host a website called Kitchen Konnected where one can find recipes, and blogs. I started a Facebook group 18 months ago to share news about events and businesses in the West End of Ottawa. There are over 1100 participants.

Among my hobbies are golfing, road biking and especially going to Powerhouse, where I love to work out. I belong to a few book clubs. Maple syrup chicken is something that I love to make.

This summer, I'm starting to play pickleball and am in a tournament for the Heart Institute on June 10. Eventually, I want to travel the world to ski, bike, and exercise in general. California is a particular draw. I want to bike in Napa. We'll probably travel more as we get older.

In Kitchissippi, I love the diversity of homes and walking around, observing the mature trees and people walking their dogs. We're close to Richmond Road, so we walk to get groceries to the gym. It is a real community. Everyone is friendly and supportive of each other. We're not going anywhere. This is home for us.

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

Braldey Turcotte, Millie Farley, Dave Allston, Zenith Wolfe and Christina Korotkov

PROOFREADERS

Susan Rothery and Susan Habib

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

The Kitchissippi Times is published by

FOUNDER PUBLISHER

Mark Sutcliffe Michael Curran

PHOTO PROVIDED BY KOREY KEALEY

Summer days are here again!

Happy June, Kitchissippi!

We have a jam-packed issue of KT this month. I had the chance to sit down with Max and Issac Finkelstein who contacted us about a month ago to cover their canoe trip from Montreal to Ottawa. It was supposed to be a full circle moment as the Westboro duo did it four years ago when Isaac started school at Concordia University. Plans unfortunately didn’t go as hoped this time. They were caught in a car chase and crash with just kilometers to go before reaching the water. The canoe was destroyed and their hopes of starting the journey were over.

I also visited Churchill Alternative School which is desperately trying to fundraise $50,000 in just weeks for a new Kinder-year play structure. Construction is going to start this summer but rising costs mean they don't have enough to build the full project.

In our Summer Fun Guide, Bradley Turcotte caught up with some Kitchissippi residents who are going to be performing at a number of Ottawa music festivals this summer. The season kicks off with Jazz Fest which will rock three locations downtown from June 23 to 30. Bluesfest starts a few weeks later and will run between July 6 to 16, before CityFolk closes out the summer at Lansdowne Sept. 13 to 17.

Millie Farley went for a tour of Kitchissippi to find out where some of the best summer dessert places are located. From ice cream to gelato, baked goods and bubble tea, there is no shortage of ways to satisfy your sweet tooth when the weather gets hot!

In ‘Early Days’, Dave Allston tells us about how Kitchissippi residents played a key role in construction of the Parliament Buildings.

In the arts and culture scene, Zenith Wolfe stopped by Orpheus Musical Theatre to witness their rehearsals of Something Rotten, which runs at Meridian Theatre from June 2 to 11. He also tells us the heartwarming story of two friends who reconciled their relationship over a surprise sculpture purchase.

The Parkdale Food Centre has recently had to make some tough choices after funding made available during the pandemic stopped. They are back to pre-pandemic operations despite the need being greater than ever. Their hours have been reduced, staff cutbacks have happened, and their community fridge has moved indoors.

Finally, it’s been one year since King Charles and Queen Camilla, then still a Prince and Duchess, visited McKellar Park as part of Queen Elizabeth ll’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Christina Korotkov spoke with members of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral who had a chance to meet the Royal couple.

That’s all the news that fits into print this issue. We are off for the next month but will be back in July for the August issue! Visit Kitchissippi.com for the latest news and headlines.

UPCOMING REGISTRATIONS

• Summer Recreation - May 29

• Summer Fitness - June 6

• Fall Swim Lessons - June 20

SUMMER CAMPS & SUMMER SWIM LESSONS

• Camps are almost here! Registration is ongoing.

• Summer Swim lessons - register now.

Once/ week on Saturdays or one-week options

FIT PASS

The best value and most fun! 30+/ week classes including group fit, spin, and aquafit classes, fitness centre and pool access. Starting at $45.50/ month.

UPCOMING PD DAYS

Individual, full-day camps: June 2, 5, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30.

AFTER SCHOOL

Register now for 2023-24 school year memberships

EVENTS

Wild, Wild Westboro Garage Sale Sat. June 3, 8am-12pm

Got stuff to sell? Register for a table with Dovercourt.

SPRING SESSIONAL CLASSES

It’s not late to join spring dance, sports, arts, music, pottery and more.

Charlie Senack

Father and son canoe bonding trip takes strange twist after police pursuit

BY CHARLIE SENACK

What was supposed to be a bonding canoe trip between father and son turned to chaos after a car chase altered one Westboro student's end of semester dream.

Isaac Finkelstein, 24, recently completed his undergraduate political science program at Concordia University. When he moved to Montreal four years ago to pursue his post secondary education, the local high performance athlete canoed the three-day journey from Westboro Beach with his father Max.

To make it a full circle moment they wanted to do it again. Water levels were going to be high given spring flooding, leading to fast currents which would make the journey tough yet exciting.

“It was going to be a nice closure to my time in Montreal,” said Issac. “Most of the time you would just be driving from Montreal to Ottawa on a boring highway. Paddling it four years ago, it was great to instead see it from the water. This time it

would have been a fun challenge going against the current. It was going to be cold and rainy so it would have been an endeavor.”

But plans didn’t go as hoped.

Isaac and Max set out to do the journey from Montreal to Ottawa on April 28. It was a day that started out busy but normal.

“We had a big logistical issue because I had all my stuff in my apartment which I was leaving for good,” Issac said. “We packed my whole apartment into the car with all the stuff for the canoe trip. In the morning we woke up early and set the canoe up on wheels so we could wheel the canoe through Montreal.”

The Lachine Canal in Montreal was not yet open to boat traffic, meaning the Finkelsteins would have to transport the canoe 16 kilometers before getting into the water. Max big-rigged the canoe to a bike, and Issac was going to run beside him. His Mother Constance was going to drive their Subaru with his apartment belongings back to Ottawa.

The sun was shining and the Finkelsteins were making good time as they peddled and ran with the canoe down a bike path which was parallel to the canal. Runners, rollerbladers, and cyclists were soaking in the sun, and parents with their children in strollers were enjoying the rare April heat. The paddlers were about two kilometers from their launch point when Isaac realized something was wrong.

“We saw a car chase. There was squealing (tires); they were going really fast, and there were about four police cars behind them,” he said.

Curious what was happening, Issac ran underneath a bridge to get a better view of what was unfolding. Max, bike and canoe in tow, followed.

“After a few seconds I saw the car facing me on the bike path and I had an immediate flight response. I spun around, told my dad to run, and then I scooted out onto the grass,” said Issac.

“The car smashed into the canoe and got tangled into the canoe,” he recounted. “As the car went forward my dad got his feet

trapped into the bike and was pulled along the bike path for quite a ways.”

Max predicts he was dragged about 25 meters away from the underpass. Issac was unsure if his father was about to die.

Max Finkelstein (left) and his son Issac (right) were set to canoe from Montreal to Westboro on April 23. But plans fell through when the Westboro duo were caught in a car chase and crash just before reaching the water. PROVIDED PHOTOS

Max and Issac Max Finkelstein have a close relationship. The pair are both professional canoers. Issac has won national championships eight times. PROVIDED PHOTO.

“I thought the driver was trying to kill me, but then realized they were trying to untangle the canoe from the vehicle,” Max said. “I heard the tires squeal and the engine revving, and I was dragged backwards again. I was aware of the sounds of spinning tires, the engine revving, and then silence.”

He luckily escaped without any serious injuries. Max said he was bruised and battered, and his legs were seriously scraped up. “I have good bones,” he said. Max and Issac were hopeful the canoe was in good enough shape to continue their journey. But it had to be held by Montreal Police as evidence along with the bike. Issac said the canoe was fully destroyed by the car's tires which punctured through the middle of it. The oak yoke was reduced to splinters scattered in the hull. The gunwales were bent,

broken and some pieces were gone. There was no sign of the canoe trailer either.

Police drove the Finkelsteins to the train station so they could safely return to Westboro. It was a sad ending to what was supposed to be a fitting closure to a chapter.

“Not doing the trip was a huge loss. I’ll never get the chance to do it again,” said Max. “It’s not a really long canoe trip, but the logistics are complicated and we had it planned really well. It was a good challenge we could do together.”

According to Max, police apprehended the driver and are still looking for a person of interest who is at large. Max expects they will need to return to Montreal for the trial.

Both Max and Issac are professional canoeists. Max, who retraced the route of explorer Alexander Mackenzie and detailed it in his book, Canoeing a

Continent, said Isaac’s first ride in a canoe was at three days old. Isaac was paddling on his own by the age of three, and started navigating heavy rapids a few years later. Issac has won national championships eight times, and said he grew up on the water at the Rideau Canoe Club near Mooney’s Bay.

Issac is about to spend the summer working up North before coming back to Ottawa to start his masters in biology at Carleton University this September. The Nepean High School graduate will be studying animal behaviors using dragon flies as a subject.

“I’m extremely proud of him and his accomplishments so far,” said Max of his son. “He has a room full of medals. Being a high level athlete takes dedication. Then seeing him go on to do so well with his education, I’m a proud Dad.”

Issac was in the middle of training for Ottawa Race weekend. He ran alongside his father who was pushing the canoe by bike through Montreal. PROVIDED PHOTO.

Wellington West BIA parts ways with exec director Van Staalduinen

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Dennis Van Staalduinen has parted ways with the Wellington West Business Improvement Area (BIA) after serving as its executive director for more than five years.

In a statement posted on the BIA website, the BIA board said it wanted to recognize Van Staalduinen “for his service and his passion for this community over the past 18 years.”

Van Staalduinen played a prominent role in founding the Wellington West BIA in 2008. According to his LinkedIn page, the goal was to “represent, promote and improve the business conditions for more than 530 businesses and 100-plus property owners in Ottawa’s Hintonburg and

Wellington Village neighbourhoods …”

Board chair Brian Muzyka thanked Van Staalduinen for taking the BIA through “several challenging years of growth and change.”

The statement included a comment from Van Staalduinen: “It has been the pride and joy of my life to work so closely with the local merchants of Hintonburg and Wellington Village over my years with the BIA. And while I am very sad to be

parting ways at this time, I thank all my BIA colleagues and collaborators for the incredible opportunity to serve with you.”

Van Staalduinen asked his Twitter followers to reach out if they had any ideas on how he could use the “weirdly particular skills” that he picked up as executive director. Van Staalduinen did not provide Kitchissippi Times with comment.

Before joining the Wellington West BIA, Van Staalduinen served 20 years

as a communications, public relations and brand strategy professional. From December 2000 to October 2017, he was president and chief strategy officer at Brandvelope Consulting.

Van Staalduinen taught part-time in brand management at Algonquin College for six years and was director of marketing at Network RADIUS for a year before that.

The BIA has not said who the new executive director will be or when the spot will be filled.

“During this transition, the Wellington West BIA is still actively working to support all our members. We are currently in the process of defining how that looks, and feel that now would be too early in the process to make any further comments,” said Muzyka in a statement to Kitchissippi Times.

”Van Staalduinen played a prominent role in founding the Wellington West BIA in 2008.”

The Wellington West BIA has not said when a new executive director will be chosen.

Dennis Van Staalduinen has been a long-time Wellington West resident and was a founding member of the BIA.

PHOTOS BY CHARLIE SENACK

Tunney’s Pasture office building among those to face disposal

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Two federal office buildings near Tunney’s Pasture are among 10 in the National Capital Region up for disposal.

The move comes as the federal government looks to reduce its physical space and shift to a hybrid work model. The long-term real estate portfolio plan, which will see the buildings unloaded in the next couple of years, is looking to optimize remaining office space while reducing greenhouse emissions and lowering operating costs.

Tunney’s Pasture Revitalization

The changes come as Tunney’s Pasture is about to face its own major transformation in the coming years. A long-term revitalization plan by the Canadian government hopes to transform the 49-acre office site “into a vibrant, sustainable, mixed-use urban community.”

While plans are slow moving, artistic renderings propose an urban Main Street at the complex with shops, apartments and businesses. Lower density residential units are also part of the proposal, with a new district and heating cooling center on the northwest corner.

“As the plan evolves, our goal is to improve and transform our office portfolio so that we can provide federal employees with efficient, modern, accessible and green workplaces where they can continue to deliver services to Canadians,” Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) said.

The Brooke Claxton Building and Annex at Tunney’s Pasture, which has been designated as a heritage building, alongside the nearby Graham Spry Building, are among those on the “disposal list”.

PSPC office space services more than

260,000 federal public servants from 103 departments and agencies across Canada.

“The shift to a hybrid work environment permits a more effective utilization and sharing of space that was simply not possible before the pandemic when desks were assigned to public servants on a one-for-one basis,” PSPC said. “The Government of Canada’s shift to a hybrid work model will enable us to relocate these employees into modern accommodations.”

PSPC said the buildings could be revitalized into affordable housing units or could be used as community space.

These plans were released in 2014 when a 25-year master plan was unveiled. It called for 3,400 to 3,700 residential units to be built on the site, alongside up to 150,000 square metres of federal office space, which would house up to 25,000 employees.

Tunney’s Pasture was expropriated by the federal government in 1947. Settlements with former property owners tallied around $700,000. Initial excavation work began in 1950 with the first four buildings on the site completed in 1956.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the site housed around 13,000 employees. Because many now work from home — at least parttime — the implementation plans are being reassessed and analyzed.

The site currently houses at least 18 federal office buildings and the light rail transit station which opened in 2019.

The Graham Spry Building (left) and the Brooke Claxton Building and Annex (right) are among 10 federal office complexes in the National Capital Region up for disposal.

ALL PHOTOS BY CHARLIE SENACK.

”Transform it into a mixeduse urban community.”

Jane’s Walk

Inspired by late community activist Jane Jacobs, the Jane's Walk festival is an annual event taking place across the world, where community members lead free neighbourhood walks for their fellow neighbours, all in the spirit of sharing stories and information, while connecting with others.

On Sun. May 7, KT's Dave Allston led Ottawa's largest Jane's Walk at Tunney's Pasture. One hundred and fifty walkers attended on a beautiful spring morning to learn more about the history of the Tunney's site, from the Indigenous pathway origins of the first Richmond Road that went through the site, to the arrival of the trains, proposed industrial uses, the shantytown, the nuclear

reactor, animal testing facilities, and more –all of which were experienced on the exact spot where they took place.

Allston partnered for the Walk with Tara Ouchterlony from Neighbours for Tunney's to also discuss the proposed redevelopment of the site and what local residents are fighting to see in the future plans.

“It was a fun, informative afternoon of connecting, for sure,” said Allston.

On May 7, over 150 walkers joined KT’s Dave Allston for Jane’s Walk around the Tunney’s Pasture complex.

PHOTOS BY CHARLIE SENACK.

Parkdale Food Centre faces tough decisions during ‘explosion’ in food-related supports

BY CHARLIE SENACK

The Parkdale Food Centre is facing a difficult time ahead after needing to make some tough decisions amid cutbacks to service.

The “explosion of access” as they are calling it, paired with reduction in government support, has meant their

hours have been reduced, staff have been let go, and their pop-up markets have been canceled.

“People are looking for any extra support for food as they can,” said Meredith Kerr, director of development and communications at the Parkdale Food Centre. “We are seeing people who are working two, three jobs and can’t pay

for groceries. We are seeing lots of single seniors on fixed incomes coming in for meals.”

Demand rose during COVID-19 when more people suddenly fell on tough times. Kerr said for the first time in history social services were funded to an appropriate level, but now those increased supports have stopped. While the world might be

The Parkdale Food Centre has returned to their core projects after pandemic funding stopped, leading to cutbacks. ALL PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE PARKDALE FOOD CENTRE.

returning to pre-pandemic times, inflation and the rising cost of living is now creating the biggest impact.

The Parkdale Food Centre serves around 200 meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Before shifting to their current model, lunch was served to around 75 clients. While demand and costs have grown, the food-providing service prides itself on not cutting back on nutrition.

“Everything is so expensive. Vegetables and fruit are what’s really exploding in price and it’s what we need to lead a healthy life,” Kerr said. “In our meal programs we are certainly having a lot less protein, and we are relying on support from some of the farmers and partners in the food industry.”

A recent Statistics Canada report states that food prices have skyrocketed 11.4 per cent over the last year. Fresh vegetables went up by 14.7 per cent, with the price of lettuce climbing by 35.3 per cent. Fresh

or frozen chicken costs shoppers nine per cent more, according to the January 2023 statistics, and fresh or frozen beef saw a cost hike of 3.1 per cent.

The rise in food prices meant the Parkdale Food Centre also saw increased use in their community fridge, which was placed outside of their building located at 30 Rosemount Ave.

Starting as an initiative to break down some of the stigmas around food access, the decision was made to shut the fridge down and bring it inside. In Aug. 2022, a police report was filed after someone lit the fridge on fire.

“It was often empty. There were some food scarcity issues that were happening around the fridge,” Kerr said. “Now we can ensure it’s always clean, people can access good food in it, and we can monitor what’s going in and out.”

What hasn’t changed is its purpose. Anyone who needs to access food from the fridge can still do so without interacting with any of the staff or providing any personal information.

“The demand is incredible. By bringing it inside, I think we realized how many more people were accessing the fridge than what we knew about,” Kerr added.

During the first year and a half of the pandemic between 2020 and 2021, over 14,160 meals were distributed by the Parkdale Food Centre. Over 50 fresh-eats pop-up markets were held, an opportunity for those in need to pick up fresh produce. They were primarily held at recreation centers and at social housing units. While the need is still there, the funding is not.

Staffing levels at the Parkdale Food Centre have recently been reduced to prepandemic levels because of the financial cuts, which will also reduce the amount of

service they can provide. Priority is being given to the food center’s youth, kitchen, and grocery programs.

“My big hope is that some of our policy makers step up and start to shoulder some of this support,” Kerr said. “Our community is pretty special and when we come calling they always respond with so much kindness and support. You can come and volunteer your time with us or you can make a donation right on our website.”

Feel Good Vibes

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

Have you ever walked into a home and felt a positive energy as soon as you stepped inside? You hadn’t even seen the rest of the house yet. The house just gave off a good vibe the moment you stepped inside the front door.

There are many theories for this feel good moment. According to a number of ancient traditional beliefs, each home comes with its own energy type. For example, Vastu Shastra, the ancient Indian science of architecture says, the main entrance to a home is not only the entry point for the family, but also for energy. Considered as the “archway to victory and progress in life”. In feng shui, the front door is referred to as the “mouth of qi.” Qi is the universal life force energy, and so the front door is the main portal in which we can receive positive energy and opportunities.

I recently sold a home on a large, mature lot in a desireable neighbourhood but the seventy year old house was tired and in need of a major renovation or even demolition to build a new,

larger home. I had developers and contractors scoping out the property and then along comes a buyer who says, “I love this house! I love the energy it radiates, this was a home well loved and I am going to restore it!” The home had great curb appeal with it’s stone fascade but was it the position of the home on the lot, the location of the front door, the simple architectural details or an intangible presence translated through a positive energy. Whatever it was, the sellers for almost half a century are thrilled that their family home will take on a new caretaker who will continue to enjoy their home as much as they did.

”

In our meal programs we are certainly having a lot less protein, and we are relying on support from some of the farmers and partners in the food industry.”

– Meredith Kerr

Around 200 meals are served at the Parkdale Food Centre every Tuesday and Thursday. PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE PARKDALE FOOD CENTRE

Churchill Alternative looks to raise $50,000 in a pinch for new play structure

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Churchill Alternative School is looking to raise $50,000 in a pinch so they can build a new play structure for their kindergarten students this summer.

The school started raising money for the new playground equipment two years ago after their former structure was decommissioned due to safety concerns in 2020. The pandemic hindered fundraising efforts which are now hitting another setback because of rising costs.

The school community was able to raise $149,000 — in part thanks to many donations from the community at large. School events such as a danceathon last June were able to bring in $9,000, and Wedel Touch of Europe in Westboro held a successful pierogi fundraiser. A City of Ottawa grant also contributed to the

pot, alongside $25,000 from the Ottawa Carleton District School Board.

A year later the cost of the project has gone up by $50,000, leaving the school scrambling to find the funds. Construction can only take place during the summer, and approval needs to come within weeks.

“We were warned that we’d need more (money) because of inflation,” said Tami Grosset, who serves as the school’s parent council secretary.

“The quote of $198,000 was actually from the lowest bidder. It’s shocking, really. It feels like a goal post that keeps on moving.”

That price tag doesn’t even include extras the parent council was hoping to include in the new playground. If the money can’t be raised, the school will need to remove some of the features, or do the construction in stages, which could also increase the total costs.

“We have all been shocked (over) how hard it’s been to raise money during a pandemic and now through a cost of living crisis,” said Grosset. “We have members of our school community who are struggling to pay their grocery bills or are thinking of selling their house because they can’t

keep up with their mortgage payments. It’s really hard to be asking people to find money at such a difficult time in the world.”

Current plans for the new playground include a new play structure with an outdoor learning space which can be used as a classroom. Improved drainage is also part of the project. The yard currently floods after the spring melt or during heavy rainfalls.

Grosset is optimistic the school will find some generous donors or a benefactor who will help them get construction done in full.

“Kindergarteners like to spend a lot of time outside learning. It’s a huge part of the alternative program that we offer,” she said. “We need our outside space to be more interactive so they can play, get creative, and test their bodies.”

Churchill Alternative School has been fundraising for a new kinder-year play structure since 2020. Construction is set to begin this summer, but they are now $50,000 short due to rising costs. Insert: Amanda Case (left) and Tami Grosset (right) from the school’s parent council say if they don’t raise the funds in weeks, only a portion of the project can go ahead.

ALL PHOTOS BY CHARLIE SENACK.

Every month of the harvest season, Ottawa Markets will share what they learned from a farmer vending at the Parkdale Market. This month, the feature farmer is none other than Les Serres Robinson!

For over 60 years the Robinson family has been supplying ByWard and Parkdale public markets with fresh produce, plants, flowers and holiday trees! The Robinson family grows veggies in their Hawkesbury greenhouses as well as locating and bringing to market the best produce from Ontario and Québec, from Montréal to Niagara Falls! A family-run business for 4 generations, Les Serres Robinson is open daily from 8am – 5pm at the Parkdale Market.

What is in season at the market:

• Asparagus

• Beans (Green/Yellow)

• Bok Choy

• Broccoli

• Cauliflower

• Potatoes Radicchio

Sunrise Neuro-Acupuncture Integrative Clinic

Neuroacupuncture is a new form of acupuncture that targets mental and neurological conditions.

What we treat:

• ADHD

• Autism

• PTSD

• Chronic pain

• Migraines

• Dementia (early stage)

• Dizziness/Vertigo

• Multiple Sclerosis

• Head Injuries

• Stroke

• Parkinson’s Disease

• Slipped disc/sciatica

• Cucumber (Field)

• Daikon Radish

• Garlic Scapes

• Haskap Berries

• Kale

• Leafy greens (assorted)

• Lettuce

• Mushrooms

• Nappa Cabbage

• Onions

• Peas

• Peppers

• Radishes

• Raspberries

• Rhubarb

• Spinach

• Strawberries

• Sweet Potatoes

• Tomatoes (greenhouse)

• Poor balance

• Multiple sclerosis

• Peripheral neuropathy

• Cerebral palsy

Herbal Medicine

O T T A W A R E A L E S A R E W

Acne • Psoriasis • Eczema • Food Allergies • Lichen planus Rosacea • Ulcerative Colitis • Crohn’s disease

421 Richmond Rd, suite 202 • 613-8539099

kitchissippi.com

EARLY DAYS

on access to the job site on Barrack Hill.

But what is surprising is where they decided to reside. And not only Fuller and Jones, but three other key figures in the construction of Parliament buildings. They chose the wilds of mid-19th-century Kitchissippi.

Kitchissippi had only 20 families at the time, and Richmond Road was maintained as a toll road. It had recently been widened to 14 feet, and today it’s more than 60 feet wide, including sidewalks.

It was along Richmond Road that the earliest residents resided, including John “Buffalo” Heney, who had arrived in the area in 1837 and built a frame house and outbuildings but moved to central Ottawa to conduct business during the 1840s and 50s. While away, he rented his home to tenants who farmed the vast, fertile farmland in Nepean Township.

The Kitchissippi-Parliament Buildings connection

BY DAVE ALLSTON

Some of Kitchissippi’s most famous residents of all time also qualify as some of its unlikeliest. And it’s all thanks to a connection to one of the most important moments in Ottawa’s history. The story dates back to 1859, when Queen Victoria selected Ottawa as Canada’s capital, a surprising decision over larger cities. It was well situated and distant from the States, but war with Britain was still a possibility. Ottawa's isolation was one of its biggest selling points, as the American press reported that any invaders would be lost in the woods trying to find it.

The Legislative Assembly budgeted $300,000 for a "Parliament House" and $120,000 apiece for two departmental buildings. The Department of Public Works published a call for design submissions for the Centre Block, the Governor General's residence, and the West and East blocks. An award was offered for the best design within the budget.

A total of 298 drawings were submitted, and the winner was chosen from a pool of finalists by Governor General Sir Edmund Walker Head. The selected designs were announced on Aug. 29. The Toronto-based partnership of Thomas Fuller and Chilion

Jones, under the pseudonym of Semper Paratus (Always Ready), was awarded the top prize for Centre Block for their Gothic Revival proposal.

Meanwhile, Ottawa-based Thomas Stent and Augustus Laver, under the pseudonym of Stat nomen in umbra (the name stands in the shadow), won the competition for the West and East Blocks.

Ground was broken on Dec. 20, for the new Parliament Buildings, and the first stone, sourced locally in Nepean, was laid in the spring of 1860. Construction was completed in 1876.

Not surprisingly, Fuller and Jones initially relocated to Ottawa to have hands-

Back to Fuller and Jones: the pair were partners from 1858 to 1863 and were focused on the design of churches, with Fuller being the primary architect and Jones providing engineering and technical advice. The Centre Block contract was a career highlight, and the Parliament Buildings design was widely acclaimed.

The pair arrived in pre-Westboro and moved into vacant houses in late 1859. Fuller moved into John Heney’s home on Richmond Road, and Jones into the original William Hamilton stone house that would later be the long-term home of the Cowley family. Jones called his home “Govan Bank”.

A large portion of the original Heney home is believed to have been moved and now makes up half of the structure of the tin-roofed Aylen-Heney house still standing today on Richmond near Kirkwood.

Fuller acquired 31 acres of land from John Heney in 1866 and built a home of his own. An 1863 map suggests the house was located back where the Metropole building now stands, but further research suggests it was built alongside Richmond Road.

Here Fuller established a moderate farm, where, by the spring of 1867, he had four cattle, 14 sheep, one hog, two horses, and two dogs.

Left: Two original Fuller drawings of Parliament Hill’s Centre Block Above: A map from 1863 showing the old Nepean Township lots and concessions - everything discussed in this article fits in lots 32 and 33. The double lines indicate Scott Street and Carling Avenue of present day.

”A total of 298 drawings were submitted.”

sponsored by

How do I choose the right retirement home? Three key points to look for…

The process of transitioning to retirement living has its complexities. To make things a little simpler, here are some things to look for when considering different retirement home options.

Location: Transitioning into retirement living can be a challenging time, however choosing a home in an area that is familiar or close to family and friends can help to bring ease to the situation.

Costs and what they mean: When discussing costs and various packages, it is a smart idea to review what is included in the cost and more importantly what services may have additional fees. Compare the cost with your budget and monthly “living at home” expenses to make sure the home is a responsible choice financially.

Recreation and Socialization: When moving from your home into a new environment, it can be natural for a person to withdraw and isolate as they may not feel comfortable around new people. Choosing a home with various activities and recreation options that align with your/ your loved one’s hobbies and interests can help encourage socialization and limit isolation and loneliness.

Robin Meyers, Director, Community Support Services, Carefor

Exceptional retirement living, better price.

Fuller was also involved in local affairs and even designed All Saints Church in Westboro in 1865 in the same Gothic Revival style.

He became the lead architect on the entire Parliament project after cost overruns and other scandals plagued the early days of the building's construction. Centre Block officially opened on June 6, 1866, though Victoria Tower remained under construction until 1873 and the Library until 1877.

As construction was winding down, Fuller won the contract to design the New York State Capitol building in Albany, New York, in 1867, where he relocated for several years. He rented out his Westboro home to Carleton County Sheriff William F. Powell upon his departure.

Fuller returned to Ottawa after taking the blame for issues in the State Capitol's construction, leading to cost overruns. He was unable to find work in the private sector but was hired by the Canadian government as the Chief Dominion Architect, allowing him to plan and build federal structures.

Meanwhile, Chilion Jones did not last long in Kitchissippi or on the Parliament project. Records show that he had departed Ottawa by early 1861 and was, in fact, a tavern keeper in Brockville just two years later (though he did return to working on major design and engineering projects over the next 30 years).

Thomas Stent, the winning architect of the East and West Blocks, purchased nine acres of land and built a house near Wesley and Dawson. He moved to New York City, renting his Westboro house to tenants before selling it back to Heney. The house would stand into the 1920s and later become the clubhouse for the St. Hubert’s Gun Club. Another prominent figure in the Parliament's construction was George B. Pelham, the federal government’s Clerk of Works for public buildings. He moved into “Govan Bank”, where Jones had recently resided, and remained there from 1863–1867.

Additionally, John H. Pattison, Measurer of Works on the Parliament Buildings, also resided in the area during this period. He is listed in various records as a boarder at one of the houses in this vicinity, residing either with Pelham in Govan Bank or across the street with James Dyke in the newly constructed “The Elms” home just west of Island Park Drive.

The arrival of affluent citizens such as Hon. James Skead and Daniel Cowley led to the popularity of Richmond Road in Kitchissippi, leading to the development of country villa homes.

Kitchissippi's early days were marked by the building of the Parliament Buildings, and it’s interesting to think that some of the main people involved shared our neighbourhood.

Exceptional retirement living, better price.

Exceptional retirement living, better price.

Carefor Civic & Mackay are the Ottawa Valley’s most affordable retirement homes, giving you all inclusive living, comfort and care close to home.

Carefor Civic & Mackay are the Ottawa Valley’s most affordable retirement homes, giving you all inclusive living, comfort and care close to home.

Carefor Civic & Mackay are the Ottawa Valley’s most affordable retirement homes, giving you all inclusive living, comfort and care close to home.

carefor.ca/retirement

carefor.ca/retirement

Carefor Civic & Mackay are the Ottawa Valley’s most affordable retirement homes, giving you all inclusive living, comfort and care close to home.

AV, WHITEHAVEN, 5 BED + HOME OFFICE/3.5 BATH, OUTSTANDING SPACE ~3,360 SQFT + LWR LVL WALK-OUT

Left: A photo of "Govan Bank'', later renamed "The Manor House". It was taken sometime in the 1880’s. PHOTO BY DANIEL K. COWLEY.

Right: A photo of Thomas Fuller taken in Aug. 1874. CREDIT: LAC 3462508.

When the King visited McKellar Park

BY CHRISTINA KOROTKOV

It was one year ago when King Charles III and Queen Camilla came to town.

The Royal couple, then still a Prince and Dutchess, were touring Canada as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. During their one day trip to Ottawa, they stopped by the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral on Byron Avenue.

“They wanted to see what the impact was on Ukrainians in the diaspora because of this war,” said Halyna Beznaczuk, who was in charge of organizing the event that hosted the royal couple on May 18, 2022.

During their hour and a half at the church, the now King and Queen had the chance to meet over 100 local Ukrainians, many of whom were helping family members and friends back in their homeland after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February. They attended a service before going to the downstairs hall to learn more about Ukrainian culture.

The royals had requested to meet a Ukrainian family who recently had arrived in Canada. The exchange between

the royals and the family, observed by Beznaczuk, was a quiet, personal moment.

Beznaczuk could tell by their mannerisms – the royal couple was leaning into the family when they were talking and not letting go of their hands — that they wanted to learn. Reflecting back, Beznaczuk said meeting the royals is seared in her memory. The King was very soft-spoken and had a way of putting others at ease.

“I can still visualize it and hear his voice,” Beznaczuk said. “It’s an outstanding moment.”

The Royal couple's trip to McKellar Park was a tight-lipped secret for weeks leading up to their tour of Canada. When British media and a sea of security detail started to congregate outside of the church, it caught the interest of the community.

Over 100 community members gathered on the church lawn when news broke that the future King and Queen would be arriving, in addition to the hundreds of people who packed the congregation’s hall. People were waving Union Jack and Ukraine flags, a sign of

Charles and Camillia, then still a Prince and Duchess, visited McKellar Park as part of Queen Elizabeth ll’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in May 2022. Less than a year later, the pair would be crowned King and Queen.

solidarity and support against the war which was then just unfolding.

Cassian Soltykevych is the national secretary for the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. He expressed how appreciative the Ukraine community was for the royals requesting a visit with his community.

“It’s a time of war. It’s a very difficult time for our community,” he said. “It helped raise a lot of spirits in terms of getting people’s energy going. As every month passes, the volunteer burnout is real.”

Soltykevych was able to speak with King Charles for a few minutes about the work being done in Ottawa.

“He was interested in talking about experiences,” he said. “Just quite interested to see the uniqueness that happened in Ottawa with the work we’ve done for those people arriving because of the war and also to draw similarities to what he’s seen.”

Soltykevych said Ukrainians have a long history with Canada since first immigrating more than 130 years ago. Fighting alongside Canada in several wars, they are proud to call Canada home and know they have the safety and

”A lot of people didn’t know he was going to be crowned king this quickly, but it was a unique opportunity nonetheless.” – Cassian Soltykevych

FILE PHOTOS BY CHARLIE SENACK.

security to support countries fighting for their democracy here in Canada.

The visit for the Ukrainian community was very unique. Ukrainians are people proud of their culture, and sharing good food, song and dance is something they’re always excited to share.

“A lot of people didn’t know he was going to be crowned king this quickly, but it was a unique opportunity nonetheless,” said Soltykevych.

Father Taras Kinash has been the priest at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin since his arrival with his family shortly after the war in Ukraine began.

He said the royal visit showed Great Britain's support for the displaced Ukrainians in Ottawa and Canada.

“He asked how I was doing here in Canada,” said Kinash, who was shocked the King was speaking to him. “I thanked him very much and said ‘we enjoy Canada, we like it very much. We’re happy to host you here. It’s a big pleasure for our community to see you, to hear you, to pray together with you for Ukraine, for Great Britain, for the Queen and for Canada.’”

This visit showed Ukrainians the relationship they have with Great Britain.

“It means Ukraine has a good friend in Great Britain,” said Kinash.

The church community asked Jennie Dutchak to make a korovai to present to the royal couple by the organizing committee upon arrival.

“I’ve been doing the korovai for 40 years,” she said. “A korovai is a special bread to greet special dignitaries or on special occasions.”

Dutchak still remembers her brief interaction with King Charles.

“When he came to my table,” said Dutchak, who was hosting the table that had traditional breads, “I told him I was the person who made the korovai, and in passing I said to him that I wanted to say ‘thank you.’ His father, the late Prince Philip, requested a special hymn to be sung at his funeral.”

The hymn, Kontakion, is sung in honour as a soul journeys to Heaven.

Dutchak has been singing in a choir for 50 years, and Kontakion is a hymn her choir will sing at funerals.

“When I heard it sung by the choir, I was moved to tears,” she said in reference to Prince Philip’s funeral. “It was so beautifully sung. It was unprecedented. I said this to Prince Charles when he was at my table that music can be so far reaching. The prince looked at me, shook my hand, said thank you and moved on.”

It is expected King Charles and Queen Camilla will soon make another trip to Canada in hopes of strengthening the country's ties with the British Monarchy. A recent Angus Reid Institute poll said only 33 per cent of Canadians think the country should remain in a constitutional monarchy, whereas 45 per cent of respondents said they should sever ties.

COMMUNITY PHOTOS Victoria Day celebrations

Over 4,000 people packed Fisher Park on May 21 for the community's annual Victoria Day celebrations.

It was the first time the event has been held in full since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted inperson functions.

“It was a huge success. Everybody has crawled out of their Covid bubbles and it was nice to see the park full of kids playing,” said Anita Maasland-McNeil, administrator for the Fisher Park Community Recreation Council.

The day began at 4:00 p.m. with activities such as bouncy castles and sports games on the field. Brad the Balloon Man was in attendance and entertainment was provided by the Hey Buster Band. The night capped off with a 20 minute firework show that started around 9:15 p.m.

DEMONSTRATIONS

1. FISHER PARK VICTORIA DAY CELEBRATIONS ENDED WITH 2. THE HEY BUSTER BAND PERFORMED FOR THE CROWD. PHOTO

3. BRAD THE BALLOON GUY WAS A BIG HIT. PHOTO BY ELLEN 4. IT WAS A RECORD-BREAKING ATTENDANCE FOR THE PRE-SHOW

5. MEMBERS OF OTTAWA FIRE SERVICES GAVE SAFETY

6. THERE WERE LONG LINES FOR ICE CREAM FROM THE MERRY

7. FUN ON THE SLIDES. PHOTO BY ELLEN BOND.

8. ADYNA POSES FOR A PHOTOGRAPH WITH FIREFIGHTER JD

9. KIDS ENJOYING GAMES ON THE SPORTS FIELD. PHOTO BY

7

Martín

featuring avec Julie Nesrallah mezzo soprano | mezzo-soprano

celebration of the sounds of Latin America

Une célébration de la musique de l’Amérique latine and Suite Cuba by Alondra Vega-Zaldivar, a new work commissioned for the OCS et Suite Cuba, une oeuvre d’Alondra Vega-Zaldivar commandée par la SCO

Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 3 pm le dimanche 11 juin 2023 à 15 h

CHURCH OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI ÉGLISE SAINT-FRANÇOIS D’ASSISE 20, AV. FAIRMONT AVE., OTTAWA

For tickets and program details | Pour des billets et les notes du programme www.ottawachoralsociety.com 613-725-2560

Gabrielle Gaudreault Artistic Director & Conductor | directrice artistique et chef d’orchestre

A

Palmeri’s de Martín Palmeri

WITH A 20 MINUTE FIREWORK SHOW. PHOTO BY CHARLIE SENACK

PHOTO BY ELLEN BOND. BOND.

PRE-SHOW FUN. PHOTO BY CHARLIE SENACK. DEMONSTRATIONS TO KIDS. PHOTO BY ELLEN BOND. MERRY DAIRY. PHOTO BY ELLEN BOND.

JD CYR. PHOTO BY ELLEN BOND. ELLEN BOND.

Summertime is always the best of what might be.

— Charles Bowden —

KITCHISSIPPI CONNECTIONS: Local talent takes to the stage at Ottawa music festivals

By Bradley Turcotte

Ottawa will be booming this summer as music festivals make a comeback.

Touted as the largest music festival in the country, Bluesfest runs July 6 to 16, with headliners like Weezer,

Shania Twain, and the Foo Fighters. Kitchissippi-born guitarist Jesse Greene, along with her bandmates, Kitchissippi resident Dave Schroeder and Jeff Asselin, rock the Barney Danson Theatre stage at Bluesfest, July 7 at 8:00 p.m.

Born to musical parents, Greene

first played piano before switching to guitar while attending Canterbury High School. Greene recalls playing in a Beatles cover band with the school principal as their drummer while wearing a mop on his head. “We were not popular,” Greene laughs.

With influences ranging from Joni

Mitchell and Bonnie Raitt to Frank Zappa and Led Zeppelin, Greene’s output is powerful and raw, pulling from blues, folk, and rock.

Jesse Greene Band’s Bluesfest set will be “an outpouring of emotion,” Greene previews, as her mother, Heather Walters, passed away earlier this year.

“It was heartbreaking. She has been my biggest supporter. She did all the graphic design for the band. She was an amazing singer and an amazing person. I am going to be doing some tributes to her,” Greene said.

Kitchissippi-born guitarist Jesse Greene will rock the Bluesfest stage on July 7 with her bandmates. PHOTO PROVIDED BY JESSE GREENE.

Insert: Westboro’s Petr Cancura is Ottawa Jazz Festival’s programming manager. PHOTO PROVIDED BY PETR CANCURA.

Sponsored by:

Affairs

The

Soloway JCC: Your Summer Oasis at the Corner of Carling and Broadview.

The Soloway JCC outdoor pool is the best place to spend a hot summer day as a family. Swim laps, glide down the slide, splash around or just grab a chair and enjoy the sunshine, seven days a week.

The SJCC Outdoor Pool opens in late June and is accessible to SJCC Members only. Now, with summer just around the corner, is the best time to get your membership started. The SJCC offers a variety of memberships to suit any family in both 12 months or three month options.

In addition to the great outdoor pool, the SJCC is home to an indoor saltwater pool, gymnasium with basketball nets and Pickleball. Our fitness centre is fully stocked with the latest and greatest cardio equipment and there are plenty of certified fitness trainers on hand for those looking for a personalized exercise program.

classes. The roster includes Powerpump, Zumba, Yoga, Bootcamp, Ballet Barre Fit, Aquafit and new classes are being added all the time. Advanced Aquatics classes, for those looking to become lifeguards, start in August.

Everyone is welcome!

Enjoy “Summer Theatre in the City” with all your Broadway favourites!

There is so much for your family to do at the SJCC this summer. Get your membership started now! Visit jccottawa.com

Affairs of of State State Louis Verneuil by

July

7

to July 30

Members who are motivated by the energy of a group love our Group Fitness

21 Nadolny Sachs Private (one block south of Carling off Broadview) (613)798-9818. JCCOttawa.com

Enjoy “Summer Theatre in the City” with all your Broadway favourites!

August 4 to August 27

August 4 to August 27

to July 30

A rediscovered post-WW2 comedic gem about the diplomatic deals and double crosses behind closed doors in Washington, featuring a memorable love quadrangle that threatens the appointment of a new Under-Secretary of State. Revisit an age when comedies were smart, sassy, insightful, and fun.

A rediscovered post-WW2 comedic gem about the diplomatic deals and double crosses behind closed doors in Washington, featuring a memorable love quadrangle that threatens the appointment of a new Under-Secretary of State. Revisit an age when comedies were smart, sassy, insightful, and fun.

A rollercoaster of a thriller –equal parts mischievous humour and gripping anticipation – that continually puts the dramatic pedal to the metal, with an increasingly desperate lifeand-death, cat-and-mouse battle of wits. The Times of London named it “The most fiendishly clever thriller ever written for the stage.”

Tickets: classictheatre.ca or call (613) 695-9330

Tickets: classictheatre.ca or call (613) 695-9330

A rollercoaster of a thriller – equal parts mischievous humour and gripping anticipation – that continually puts the dramatic pedal to the metal, with an increasingly desperate life-and-death, cat-and-mouse battle of wits. The Times of London named it “The most fiendishly clever thriller ever written for the stage.”

All Shows Wednesday to Sunday at 1:30 pm, plus Wed., Thurs. & Sat. at 7:30 pm

All Shows Wednesday to Sunday at 1:30 pm, plus Wed., Thurs. & Sat. at 7:30 pm Arts Court Theatre, 2 Daly Avenue, Ottawa

Save 10% when you order by phone and mention this ad!

Arts Court Theatre, 2 Daly Avenue, Ottawa

Save 10% when you order by phone and mention this ad!

Save 10% when you order by phone and mention this ad!

KITCHISSIPPI DESSERTS

Summertime cravings: Where to find sweet treats in Kitchissippi

By Millie Farley

Are you craving summer desserts now that it is getting hot in Ottawa? From ice cream to tarts, milkshakes to bubble tea and plenty more, here are 10 places to enjoy refreshing treats in Kitchissippi!

Stella Luna

Ice cream is always a summer hit. At Stella Luna, their pistachio flavour is what has the crowds coming. Look out for their strawberry and strawberry/ cream flavours this June, made with fresh Ontario fruit. On top of ice cream, Stella Luna sells six different types of sorbet.

Merry Dairy

Merry Dairy is the perfect place to go to after work, school or even postworkout with your friends. They are best known for their ice cream, but they also sell sorbets, ice cream cakes, ice cream sandwiches, freezies and floats. Their flavours change regularly, so you can try something new every time you visit!

Les Moulins La Fayette

If ice cream is not your thing, why don’t

you try some tarts and iced drinks for summertime? Les Moulins La Fayette has iced tea, iced matcha and iced lattés. You might enjoy one of those with an almond croissant, which is currently their most popular dessert. This is also a great bakery to visit for Father’s Day!

Thyme & Again

For June, their tarts are very summerinspired, with citrus flavours, berries and plenty of colour. This bakery also makes s’more tarts for those who can’t get enough of these classic campfire treats. Recently, their strawberry mousse tart has been particularly popular, followed by plain or milk chocolate shortbread, which is a fan favourite year round. A big portion of their desserts are gluten free, and their gluten-free tiramisu — which comes in both cakes and jars — is well worth a try.

Juice Dudez

Juice Dudez is the perfect place to go for refreshing drinks. As the name suggests, they sell a whole lot of juice, as well as smoothies, ice cream and even crêpes. Their most popular drink is Rainbow Dude – strawberry and

mango juice with a mix of fruit chunks. It’s colourful, fruity, and delicious!

Strawberry Blonde Bakery

Their summer menu has started!

Strawberry Blonde Bakery focuses on creating food for people with certain dietary restrictions. Everything they sell is vegan and they also have many nutfree, gluten-free and kosher options. Currently, everyone is loving their cinnamon rolls. But if you are looking for something more fit for hot weather, give their frozen hot chocolate a try! They sell a number of other cold drinks, such as iced lattés, Italian sodas, steeped iced tea and cold brew coffee.

Webel - Touch of Europe

They are ready to provide muchneeded gelato and vegan dark chocolate ice cream! Wedel - Touch of Europe’s most popular flavour is mango. They are also a grocery store, selling lots of European food and pastries as well. Their cheesecake is a customer favourite.

Trú 初茶 - Bubble Tea Refined

Did you just go shopping at the Canadian Superstore and feel the need to have some bubble tea?

Trú 初茶 is right across the street with some fresh bubble tea for you! Their most popular drinks are golden mango green tea and lychee dragon fruit miracle.

Little Jo Berry’s

Little Jo Berry’s sells dairy-free ice creams and milkshakes with classic flavours like chocolate, vanilla, mint and more. Their soft serve is quite the hit and they even offer watermelon wedges to add to your vanilla soft serve. Their most popular dessert is their homemade poptarts. The shop is completely dairy-free and also sells some gluten-free and soy-free food as well.

La Diperie

Last on our list is a soft serve ice cream place in Westboro. They have a large range of toppings and dips. A customer favourite is soft serve vanilla dipped in caramel and rolled in skor bits. They have sorbets and vegan ice cream which come in multiple flavours; lemon-lime, strawberry and raspberry to name a few.

Enjoy your cold desserts this June, Kitchissippi!

Summer is almost here at Dovercourt

Once again, Dovercourt is gearing up for a busy summer. In just a few short weeks, kids of all ages will fill the park at Dovercourt Recreation Centre with the laughter and joy of summer camp. Since last September, we have been working hard to plan safe, memorable, and unforgettable camp experiences for children and youth from across the region. We continue to work with more than 20 different partner organizations and individuals who are experts in their various fields, including Ian Dudley of OrangeSTEM Education, Ottawa City Rafting, Ottawa River Canoe Club, Ottawa Ospreys Rugby, Elevate Ultimate, Little Rays Reptiles, and so many more. Our team of caring camp leaders is also gearing up, with many young leaders new to the team and almost

all leaders from last summer coming back. They’ve missed the campers all year and are ready to fill their days with fun, laughter, and learning.

For kids and families not enrolled in summer camps, the park at Dovercourt is still the place to be this summer. The play structure is engaging and accessible, featuring an infinity climber, a fitness area, challenging monkey bars, a tire swing, and a separate play area for younger children. When it gets too hot on the playground, enjoy some splash time in the outdoor wading pool to cool down and grab a snack from the café upstairs. If you’re looking for swim lesson options for your children, take advantage of summer classes to fit your family’s holiday schedule, with group lessons and private lessons available for swimmers of all levels. We offer convenient once/week lessons

on Saturdays and daily lessons (Monday-Friday) for one week at a time. The John Rapp indoor pool offers a welcoming environment for classes and recreational swims. Families love the warm water, the ramp for easy access, the water slide, and the shallow baby pool. For those who prefer to stay dry, we’re excited to offer a variety of activities for kids and adults, including pottery classes, art, drama, dance classes, and Saturday morning soccer.

Make some time for health and fitness this summer with the Dovercourt Fit Pass, which offers a wide variety of drop-in classes, including spinning, aquafitness and use of the fitness centre (gym). There are also many registered specialty classes to choose from over the summer, including yoga, aquafitness, strength, barre and more. Registration for summer fitness classes begins on June 6.

Wading pools at our three locations (Dovercourt, McKellar Park and Woodroffe) offer a cool retreat from the hot sun, with at least one open daily. The season begins in July; check the schedule for hours and days. Summer is the most fantastic time of the year and goes by far too quickly, so let’s make the most of it!

www.dovercourt.org

3 Common Mistakes

When It Comes To Our Bladders

As we get older it is common (not normal) for both women and men to notice our bladders seem to lack the control we used to have. Here are a few common mistakes when dealing with this lack of control:

1. The “Just-In-Case” Pee Repeatedly going to the washroom just-in-case trains your brain to signal your bladder when it isn’t full.

2. Limiting Your Fluids So You Don’t Have To Pee

When you limit fluids, your urine becomes more concentrated and acidic. That acid irritates the lining of your bladder, which causes the bladder to spasm, and send a signal to your brain that you need to go.

3. Ignoring Your Pelvic Floor Muscles

Waking up at night to pee, bladder leaks, overpowering urgency,

high frequency of bathroom visit - All of these issues have significant impacts on our quality of life, and you absolutely don’t have to live with them. Keeping these muscles strong has never been more important.

If you want to sleep through the night, enjoy intimacy again, end bladder leaks, and be back in control of your bladder, a complimentary consultation at UROSPOT is time well spent. In just 30 minutes they provide all kinds of education and let you try the technology...because feeling is believing. You deserve to live life with confidence. UROSPOT is here to help.

www.urospot.com

613-786-7865

INSIDE

Zero VOC* Manor Hall® Interior Paint & Primer in One is made to deliver outstanding hide and a smooth finish with triple abilities: durability, wash-ability and scrub-ability. *Colourants

READS

Local author Brenda Chapman releases her 24th book When Last Seen

BY CHARLIE SENACK

Westboro author Brenda Chapman has just published her 24th novel and isn’t planning to stop writing any time soon.

The local crime author released her latest book, When Last Seen, during an event at Irene’s Pub on Bank Street April 30. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe presented Chapman with a plaque to celebrate the milestone.

It’s the second book Chapman has written as part of her Hunter and Tate Mystery series.

“It feels like an accomplishment. Initially I wanted to see if I could just publish one book. I published my first book, a middle grade mystery called Running Scared, in 2004,” she said. “I found a little publisher in Toronto and they accepted four in the series. After that, I had always been interested in writing adult crime fiction so I moved into that category.”

When Last Seen is set in Ottawa like many of Chapman’s books.

As the city grips with a July heat wave, the Homicide and Major Crimes Unit is called to help track down missing threeyear-old Charlie McGowan. It’s the second missing persons case in nine months after a Carleton University student never made it back to her residence following a party. While the two disappearances don’t seem related at first, true crime podcaster Ella Tate and Detective Liam Hunter dig deeper into both files, where they find new clues.

The book also has a Kitchissippi setting after a body is found on the Ottawa River (now known as the Sir John A. MacDonald) Parkway.

While locations are often based on real places and neighborhoods, exact addresses are often made up. Names and details of the cases are also fiction.

“I like to set my books in Canada because that’s where I’m from,” said Chapman. “We are often told in this business that to make it we have to set our books in the United States. I think that’s crazy. We have just as interesting places and beautiful stories here in Canada. I know Ottawa and I know this region. Readers like to read about places they know.”

Chapman started writing poetry from her bedroom in high school but never shared it with anyone. She took creative writing classes at Lakehead University in Orillia where she graduated with a degree in English.

After moving to Ottawa in 1979, Chapman worked as a special education teacher for 15 years. When her two daughters were born, she decided to spend the second half of her career writing.

“I started working in the government (in 1997) as a writer and editor and got into

communications,” said Chapman. “At the same time I also began with creative writing at home. I started with some short stories, got my first publisher at Canadian Living, and then I went into writing novels and stayed with that.”

In late 2021, Chapman discovered that two of her novels were among the top 10 audio books borrowed from the United Kingdom library system. Cold Mourning, part of her Stonechild and Rouleau Mystery series, was in second place behind J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Butterfly Kills, part of the same series, ranked eighth.

“For a time I felt like one of those best selling authors,” she said. “It felt kind of cool.”

Chapman admits that when she sets out to write a book series, she isn’t sure how far it will take her. While character names,

features, and significant details are jotted down in advance, the plot is written as she goes.

“I normally know the crime, who did it, (and) the motivation. The journey is in the writing of it,” she said.

The Westboro author has started the third book in her Hunter and Tate Mystery series and says she’d like to write at least five. It usually takes Chapman about a year to write a full novel, with much of the time spent on editing.

As she releases more books, Chapman is becoming more known in Ottawa and abroad. True crime novels are becoming increasingly popular and American readers are also starting to discover Chapman.

“It’s a lot of faith in what’s to come,” she said. “The base is quite large and growing.”

Above: Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe recognized Chapman’s accomplishments by presenting her with a plaque during her book launch on April 30.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY BRENDA CHAPMAN. Left: Westboro author Brenda Chapman has just released her 24th book, When Last Seen. It’s the second in her Hunter and Tate Mystery series.

PHOTO BY CHARLIE SENACK.

Nepean’s Jewish Student Union

BY NINA BECK

Nepean High School is home to a diverse number of clubs, each one allowing for students to access enriching opportunities, events, and likeminded communities.

One such club is the Jewish Student Union (JSU), a student-run club started to create a space to celebrate Jewish culture within the school.

In earlier years, the club was led by community member Rabbi Rotenberg, who would regularly run programs for students in the school. Since the pandemic, Nepean’s students have taken a more prominent role in running the club, with the role of club heads being currently occupied by Grade 12 students Deena Friedman and Shaina Teitlebaum. Deena and Shaina have taken charge by leading the club in active lessons and discussions about Judaism, Jewish holidays and more.

Outside of JSU, the pair are both vocal advocates against antisemitism in the OCDSB. Deena has been particularly involved in speaking out against antisemitism within the school board, at events such as RISE UP Ottawa, making sure that community members and policy makers are hearing directly from students about what happens in their schools. Meanwhile, Shaina interns

with groups to ensure that schools are a safe space for Jewish students. Both students feel strongly about the importance of recognizing and calling out antisemitism. As Deena puts it, “Some people’s approach to antisemitism is to not talk about it because that will bring too much attention to it, and we really disagree with that.”

However, JSU’s contributions extend far beyond simply calling out antisemitism within the school community. Shaina describes the club as, “a space where we all have something in common, a common culture. It’s not about what happened to us in the past, but about love and community.”

While outside of the club the pair are vocal antisemitism activists, within JSU they work hard to make the club a space for fun and sharing of culture rather than discussing difficult subjects, such as with their Chanukah party held last year and their participation in Nepean’s celebration of diversity. They aim to share their culture and the many different aspects of Judaism with those interested.

All in all, Nepean’s JSU aims to spread education, love, and learning. Deena and Shaina want to welcome anyone in Nepean into their club — regardless of political beliefs, religion, or race — and look forward to continuing to share their culture with the school community.

”Both students feel strongly about the importance of recognizing and calling out antisemitism.”

Patti Brown Broker Susan Chell Broker Sarah Toll Broker

Summer in the Village

Summer in Westboro Village is one our favourites. You can often find the BIA staff out with an iced coffee in hand checking in on Winston Square, chatting with businesses and meeting our community neighbours. June also brings the installation of 104 hanging flower baskets and 72 banners with a new look celebrating the City Life Village Feel we love of Westboro Village. We will be observing how the mini cascade geraniums perform over summer. Climate change has impacted the hanging baskets and other planting in the past few years and we are excited to try something that we hope will thrive and bring a punch of colour to the street.

Our favourite part of summer is sitting on a patio, enjoying a frozen treat or grabbing a to go lunch to enjoy in Winston Square. Our team and board of management have shared some our favourite summer options and we hope you get a chance to get out and enjoy them this summer!

Be sure to mark your calendars for the return of Capital Pop-Up Cinema for three movie nights this summer. We can’t wait to welcome the community back for movies in the parking lot at Churchill Seniors Centre. Keep an eye on social media for the movie announcements!

We look forward to seeing you in the village this summer!

Westboro Village BIA Board of Management and staff love supporting our local restaurants and coffee shops, whether it is for a quick bite on the go, a midday lunch break or dinner at the end of the day.

SAVE THE DATES:

• July 14 - Singin' in the Rain

Judy Lincoln Executive Director Westboro Village BIA

Kate Laird, Love Your Body Trio Patio, our neighborhood favourite!

Molly van der Schee The Village Quire

Kandas Miller, Colonnade Bridgeport

Jacqui Okum, Strawberry Blonde Bakery

Jessica Oliver, MUST Boutique

• August 11 - Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

• September 8 - Celebrate back to school with School of Rock

Vintage Pop-Up 613 will have a mini market each movie night, and the Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG) Art Tent mobile art studio will be there in July & August. The tent provides a fun, friendly and bilingual space for adults and kids of all ages to explore their creativity.

Vintage shopping, an OAG creative experience, dinner, and a movie, sounds like the perfect summer evening. See you there!

Rick Eisert, Royal Lepage Team Realty

Judy Lincoln, Westboro Village BIA

Tara Beechey, Westboro Village BIA

Mushama Pierre, Westboro Village BIA

Trio Bistro & Lounge 307D Richmond Rd

Sconewitch sandwich for breakfast on the go! Sconewitch 393 Winston Ave

Churchills rooftop patio is my go to!

Churchills 356 Richmond Rd

Mango slush on a hot day from Juice Dudez Juice Dudez 91 Richmond Rd A

We love fish & chips on the Churchills patio!

The schnitzel sandwich is a hearty lunch.

Churchills 356 Richmond Rd

Wedel Touch of Europe 300 Richmond Rd

Sitting on the patio with an ice cold El camino Clocktower Brew Pub 418 Richmond Rd

Love the mist on a hot day while enjoying lunch or dinner!

As I am new to Westboro Village, I want to try a couple patios this summer, so here is my list. Pure Kitchen is a favourite of mine for vegan eats, and I would love to try Cadena Spanish Cafe for some delicious Spanish Paella and Zak's Diner for some vegan shakes.

Barley Mow rooftop patio 399 Richmond Rd

Pure Kitchen 357 Richmond Rd

Cadena Spanish Cafe 385 Richmond Rd

Zak's diner 334 Richmond Rd

These are what we are most looking forward to this summer!

MOVIE NIGHTS in Westboro Village are back for summer!

The Westboro Village BIA in partnership with Capital Pop-Up is excited to bring a collection of musical movies.

FIND YOUR FAVOURITE WESTBORO VILLAGE PATIO

Orpheus pokes fun at musical theatre with Something Rotten

BY ZENITH WOLFE

Stage performers are used to being heckled by crowds. This summer, however, a local theatre company is heckling itself with its final production for the season.

From June 2-11, Orpheus Musical Theatre will perform Something Rotten at Meridian Theatre in Centrepointe. The non-profit based in Wellington Village has been producing musical performances in Ottawa since 1906 with the goal of developing local talent.

Orpheus was planning to put on the award-winning show before the 2020 season was cancelled by the pandemic, according to production manager Jim Robertson. He said they’re currently trying to draw audiences back to the

theatre and put on productions with bigger casts, so the production team decided to carry the idea forward into the 2023 season.

Based on a book by Karey Kirkpatrick, Something Rotten is set in a fictional world where two brothers consult a psychic in an attempt to write more successful plays than their rival, Shakespeare. Performers parody many famous plays as the psychic shows the brothers the future of musical theatre. Robertson said the show mostly pokes fun at musicals, so it doesn’t have any particular message.

“We’re not trying to change anybody’s mind about anything,” he said. “It’s strictly for fun.”

Stage director and Hintonburg resident Debbie Guilbeault said the

show is joyful: it has “a stellar cast, hummable tunes, and large production numbers.” It also references many musical theatre works, but not to the extent that it alienates audiences, she added.

“The play itself has many, many allusions to Shakespeare’s works, so people who know Shakespeare will chuckle along to those references,” she said. “Our Shakespeare character is the rockstar of the Renaissance, and he’s portrayed that way.”

In addition to being the stage director, Guilbeault is also the show’s choreographer. Robertson, who has performed with Orpheus many times since he joined in 1984, said they made this uncommon decision because every show has unique requirements. Some require larger orchestras. Others require actors with certain skills. Something Rotten features lots of dancing and stage coordination, so it was easiest to combine the roles into one. Guilbeault said the combination of choreography and stage management

This page: After being canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Orpheus Theatre is getting set to perform Something Rotten at Meridian Theatre from June 2-11. Rehearsals for the show are based out of the Orpheus Musical Theatre located at 17 Fairmont Ave. Opposite page: Paul Davis (right and inset) is the standby actor for Brother Jeremiah in Something Rotten. ALL PHOTOS BY ZENITH WOLFE

comes with a lot more responsibility, but it helps limit the amount of communication needed for production. She said it also gives her better creative control.

“I’ve done this a couple of times and I’ve really enjoyed having that opportunity to create fluid movement,” she said. “Unlike the stage director who has a script, and a musical director who has a score, the choreographer has a blank page. I like the creativity of deciding what movement I want on stage and how to best use our cast.”

One of the cast members, Wellington Village resident Paul Davis, is new to Orpheus: after watching many of their shows over the last five years, he joined the backstage production team for their March 2023 show Memphis. For Something Rotten, he’s the standby performer for brother Jeremiah.

Davis said no matter if someone is on stage or backstage, they always feel like they’re part of a team. This atmosphere is especially important given that it takes many volunteers to put on a show, he added.

“There are 38 people in the cast,

but there are well over 100 people contributing to the show. It’s a beehive in here,” he said.

Robertson said a supportive community develops for each Orpheus show over their nine weeks of rehearsals. He said many of the performers and crew, himself included, enjoy spending time at the rehearsal hall even when they have nothing to practice.

“It’s what I call a cooperative game. Rather than, say, playing hockey, where one team has to win and one team has to lose, we’re all on the same team. We’re all working towards a common goal, and that goal is learning how to entertain people,” Robertson said.

Davis echoed this sentiment: by participating in Something Rotten, he said he’s had the chance to connect more with Adrien Pyke, a performer who is also his wife’s son.

“(Musical theatre) is new to me but he’s very experienced so I’ve learned a lot from him. It’s kind of a whole new world that’s opened up,” Davis said. “Where else can you find a common interest to approach together?”

Reconciling relationship: Local artist’s sculpture helps reignite decades-old friendship

BY ZENITH WOLFE

Alocal gallery and the discarded remains of an old home helped a nurse and an Ottawa-based artist reignite their old friendship.

Maggie Wesley has a reputation as an artist in the capital: over the last 30 years, she’s sold art to Ottawa’s and Nepean’s permanent collections, and participated in exhibitions hosted by Atrium Gallery, Elmwood Art Fair, and the City of Ottawa. Though she only started pursuing art fulltime after she retired from patient care in 2015, she’s been creating for as long as she can remember.

“You don’t have a choice,” Wesley said. “You have to do it – it’s a part of your nature.”

Most recently, she contributed to the Prismatic exhibition hosted by Kanata Civic Art Gallery, an organization that pulls

together local talent for monthly shows in Ottawa. Four of Wesley’s sculptural works were on display at John Mlacak Centre from March 22 to April 30.

She said she likes working in three dimensions because it draws people in –traditional galleries tend not to display as much sculptural art, so it stands out, she added. Wesley also incorporated reclaimed items and materials into the five works,

saying that she enjoys giving a “second life” to old objects.

“It’s very important to me to take items that people have discarded and recycle them into something that’s considered beautiful,” she said. “I love creating something from nothing.”

One of her works, “Time Travelled,” is made of charred wood, old metal beams, and half of a withered clock face. She said

these materials emphasize the theme of time.

“That piece of wood, I have carried around for about 15 years. Time passed through all of the wood – all of the worm holes and the life that had been involved in it – and once the thought of time got in my head, I got a clock face from my collection and cut it in half,” Wesley said.

This theme drew the attention of a particular gallery attendee: Wesley’s old friend Doreen De Witt.

Wesley and De Witt, who lives near Carlingwood, originally met in the mid1990s while working at The Royal Ottawa Hospital. They were both in the psychiatric emergency department, and they bonded almost immediately – Wesley said connecting with coworkers is crucial when dealing with intensely emotional patients.

“You have to cover each other’s backs,” she said. “You have to totally trust that

It’s very important to me to take items that people have discarded and recycle them into something that’s considered beautiful.”

– Maggie Wesley

Maggie Wesley has been creating art in Ottawa for over 30 years. She likes to use reclaimed items to give them new life.

person and rely on each other for safety.”

They moved to an acute care hospital together when The Royal closed its emergency department in 2000. Years later, however, Wesley transferred to an outpatient care day shift, and De Witt took a crisis hotline night shift. Their schedules never aligned, and although they kept in touch over email, they eventually drifted apart.

De Witt said she spent a few minutes looking at the work during a vernissage on April 1, reflecting on how much had changed in 20 years. She thought of the trip to Peru’s Inca Trail she had booked a few days prior, and the friends who told her it was about time she travelled. She remembered her chance encounter with Wesley at a mutual colleague’s retirement party in summer 2022, and the fun they had reconnecting.

Then she started crying.

“I’m not really a teary person so it was kind of embarrassing to be honest,” De Witt said with a laugh. “I can see pretty art and say, ‘My goodness, these people are talented.’ But I don’t usually have that visceral feeling.”

She bought the sculpture on the spot. It took her breath away, she said, and it was a sign of good things to come. Wesley said

this made her feel more connected to her friend, and she started crying before they embraced each other.

That was when De Witt gave the work a closer look; she recognized one of the materials. While renovating her home at the corner of Preston and Elm St. near Little Italy in 1992, De Witt replaced her lath and plaster walls with drywall, intending to throw out the wall’s old metal support beams. Wesley asked to keep the metal so she could repurpose it into her art. The homeowner agreed.

Thirty years later, De Witt bought the beams back, which Wesley said overwhelmed them visually, emotionally, and intellectually.

“Both of us could not believe it,” she said. “When you’re inundated with a stimulus it creates a sort of euphoria, and that’s what occurred.”

They traded their new email addresses to stay in touch before leaving the gallery. Wesley is not sure where their relationship is headed, but she said they were both optimistic about their renewed connection.

“We certainly haven’t set up a datewhen you get old, life moves at a different rate,” she said. “(But) we’re both amenable to continuing the relationship and seeing each other again.”

Opposite page: This sculpture was created with old metal beams that Wesley took from her friend's Little Italy home 30 years prior. Left: Doreen De Witt (left) purchased the sculpture unknowingly aware it was made from the remnants of her former home. She was in tears when the connection was made.

ALL PHOTOS BY ZENITH WOLFE.

Marking Pride Season in Ottawa

SUBMITTED BY JEFF LEIPER, KITCHISSIPPI WARD COUNCILLOR

Summer is here, Kitchissippi!

Aportion of Westboro Beach will reopen for this summer! There will be no lifeguard at the beach and the City won’t be doing any water testing, so swim at your own risk. That said, I’m thrilled that Kitchissippi has at least some of its beach back, and I’m looking forward to the completion of the NCC’s entire project in 2024.

Farmers market season is once again in full swing, and Kitchissippi residents have two amazing markets to choose from. The Westboro Farmers Market opened on May 20, and will be in the Byron Linear Park (at the corner of Byron and Golden) every Saturday from 9 AM to 3 PM this summer. Additionally, the Parkdale Market is open from 9 AM to 5 PM seven days a week. The weekly Parkdale Night Market kicks off on June

7 and runs Wednesdays from 5 PM to 9 PM, June to the end of August. Take the opportunity to shop small and support local this summer!

Back in May I was delighted to host the grand opening and commemorative naming of the Keith Brown Field House in Laroche Park, honouring Keith’s legacy in the neighbourhood. It was extremely special to have Keith there, along with his friends and family, Mayor Sutcliffe and former Mayor Watson. My sincere thanks to the staff who worked on this important project. Finally, June marks the beginning of Pride season. With anti-2SLGBTQIA+ sentiment and legislation on the rise globally, it’s more important than ever to protect our LGBTQ neighbours. While Capital Pride festivities won’t kick off until August, we’re blessed to have the Ottawa Trans Library right here in the ward. Be sure to support their events or send them a donation to continue their vital programming if you’re able!

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

JUNE 3: HIKE FOR HOSPICE CARE OTTAWA:

When: June 3, 2023 Time: 8:30 a.m. for registration Where: Carleton University, Field House, 1125 Colonel By Drive, P-Lot 5 Why: To raise money to support people and families challenged by life-limiting illnesses. To sign up or make a donation contact Hilary Evans at hilary.evans@ hospicecareottawa.ca or (343) 961-7037.

JUNE 3: SUMMER SALE OF FASHION, FUDGE AND FUN: Come to our summer sale "Fashion, Fudge and Fun" to update your all-season wardrobe, indulge your sweet tooth with baking, and entertain yourself with a wide selection of puzzles. Please call the church office 613-722-9250 for more information. Taking place from 9:00 a.m. until noon at Woodroffe United Church, 207 Woodroffe Avenue N Ottawa.

JUNE 3: THE WILD WESTBORO GARAGE SALE: Got extra stuff you want to sell? Bring it along (please no baked goods) to the Westboro Community Association’s annual garage sale at Dovercourt Recreation Centre, 411 Dovercourt Avenue. Rent an outdoor table from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for $15 + tax through Dovercourt’s registration system (www.dovercourt.org/ community/events-at-dovercourt/). We

have 25 spaces/ tables assigned on a first come, first served basis, located around the wading pool. Visit the Events page at westborocommunityassociation.ca for more information. There is no rain date.

JUNE 10: RICK KING BAND LIVE AT WESTBORO LEGION: Enjoy country music in the Upstairs Bar & Lounge, 391 Richmond Rd. from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. General admission: $5.00. Legion and Ladies Auxiliary members: $2.00.

JUNE 10: ANNUAL FUNDRAISER FOR YOUNG STRING PERFORMERS: Join us for an evening of music by the Young String Performers' Foundation featuring our region's talented and promising students 18 years old and under. Our goal is to create, provide, subsidize, nurture and support our students through scholarships to further their music endeavors. Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 30 Cleary Ave. Tickets range from $5 - $20 and can be purchased at the door (cash or cheque) or from Eventbrite via our websitewww.yspf.ca.

Kitchissippi Times is taking a break this summer and will be back for the August issue

JUNE 23: GRUMPY OLD MEN LIVE AT WESTBORO LEGION: Enjoy classic rock in the Upstairs Bar & Lounge, 391 Richmond Rd. from 7:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m. General admission: $5.00. Legion and Ladies Auxiliary members: $2.00.

JUNE 24: ART LENDING OF OTTAWA SUMMER SHOW: Need some colour in your life? Come view the original art of forty local artists. Art is available for sale or rent. www. artlendingofottawa.ca. Taking place Sat, June 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. R.A. Centre - 2451 Riverside Dr., Ottawa. Admission and parking free.

JUNE 28: JAZZ IN THE AFTERNOON AT WESTBORO LEGION: The Capital City Stompers perform in the Upstairs Bar & Lounge, 391 Richmond Rd., from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Admission is free. Donations to the branch are welcome.

JULY 1: CANADA DAY PARTY AT WESTBORO LEGION: The Downstairs Hall, 389 Richmond Rd., will be open from noon to 2:00 p.m. to serve hot dogs and fries and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. the Grumpy Old Men will

perform classic rock favourites. Although there is no charge for the food or music, donations to the branch are welcome.

THURSDAYS: HINTONBURG NIGHT MARKET: Stroll through the Hintonburg Night Market every Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to pick up local eats, treats and all things handmade. Sit back, relax, eat and be entertained by Local Musicians, Buskers and Entertainers. Located at the UAC Art Hub, 1088 Somerset Street W. (between Yakko Takko & Tinseltown).

JUNE 10 AND 17: SPREADING AWARENESS OF CDKL5 DEFICIENCY DISORDER: Ashley Tremblay welcomes you to join her family in spreading awareness of CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder, a rare genetic condition, in memory of her late nephew who passed away in 2016 at the age of 3 years old. A golf tournament will be held at the Madawaska Golf Course on June 10. A gathering at the Ottawa sign in the ByWard Market downtown will also be held on June 17 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Contact jakobrcdkl5@gmail.com for more information.

Got a Kitchissippi area virtual or COVID-19-safe event to share? We’d love to hear about it. Send your info to editor@kitchissippi.com

For the full list of events please go to kitchissippi.com.