Hometown News Lanark, North Leeds & Grenville October 2016

For a Limited Time

Vol. 3

No. 10

YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER - LANARK, NORTH LEEDS & GRENVILLE

OCTOBER 2016

Meet the men behind Men’s Sheds in Lanark County

Above: Milton Boyle gives a tutorial about how to create a wooden pen at Men’s Shed Night at The Table Community Food Centre in Perth on Sept. 19. Boyle thanked Doug Mackie for travelling to Perth from Winnipeg by giving him a pen at the end of the night. Top Right: A ‘Welcome Men’s Shed’ chalkboard hangs in the dining room at The Table Community Food Centre in Perth on Sept. 19, 2016. Bottom Right: The Table hosted a public dinner for people to learn about Men’s Sheds in Lanark County. Photo Credits: Jane Hobson.

Perth - Jane hobson jane@pdgmedia.ca A safe space. A sanctuary. These words aren’t usually associated with a chill hang out zone for dudes – except for when it comes to Men’s Sheds. There are two Men’s Sheds in Lanark County. Hackberry Men’s Shed in Carleton Place and Perth Men’s Shed. Men’s Sheds are collaborative, communal spaces where men can go for alone-time, to learn to cook something new, to help

with a woodworking project or just to simply chat with a couple of buddies. Men’s Sheds started in Australia in 2007 and are multiplying across the globe — all the way to Lanark County. Doug Mackie, a Winnipeg native, first introduced Men’s Sheds to Canada about seven years ago. Mackie said he started Woodhaven Men’s Shed in Winnipeg to stay involved with his community and to create a sense of self worth. “Men’s Shed is a place that

lifestyle Always & Forever Wedding Show give away a complete wedding package at 2016 show in Smiths Falls. Page 11

encourages socializing, camaraderie and mental well-being,” Mackie, 76, said. Mackie’s children are huge inspirations to his involvement with Men’s Sheds. One of his sons has bipolar disorder. One of his daughters changed her career to suit her love of travelling, exploring and mountain climbing. A different daughter died of cancer three years ago. “She’s the one who told me I have to stay involved with sheds,” Mackie said. “If there’s something you want to do – I’m going to cry,”

Mackie interrupted himself. “If there’s something you want to do, just go for it,” Mackie said as tears pooled in his eyes and fell on the wrinkled ridges of his red cheeks. After hearing about the success of Woodhaven Men’s Shed in Manitoba, Lanark County Mental Health invited Mackie to speak about Men’s Sheds in Almonte in the fall of 2015. This presentation inspired the creation of the Perth Men’s Shed and Hackberry Men’s Shed in Carleton Place.

culture

community

Merrickville Jazz Festival getting better every year.

Student looks to make positive change in Smiths Falls with minimum income project.

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“Men tend not to seek help until a problem has reached a critical level,” said Vic Maltby. Maltby is the contact for Hackberry Men’s shed. He said he forced himself to start the shed after his daughters left home and he slipped into a period of isolation. According to a 2013 research report called Men’s Sheds in Australia: Effects on physical health and mental well-being, isolation and depression are common paths that lead men to join sheds. ~Continued on page 4~

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October 2016

Page Two

Letter from our Editor Column - April Scott-Clarke april@pd gmedia.ca October marks the second anniversary of the print edition of Hometown News, and how we came to be is nothing short of hard work and passion. When our publisher Patricia Krotki started the Discover Smiths Falls Facebook page back in April 2013, she never thought it would evolve into what it is today — a broad Discover brand that includes eight Facebook pages that aggregates news for communities across Lanark County, a website, and a monthly print publication. In October 2014 Smiths Falls residents first started to receive home delivery of Hometown News. It was an exciting time for our editor and team of writers. And it was a success. The feedback from the community was supportive and encouraging. After a great first year, and several reader requests, Hometown News decided to expand. Home delivery ceased and we started distributing the paper through several high-volume locations such as major grocery stores, coffee shops and other locations of interest within the community. We wanted our hard work to be seen so putting it where people gather made the most sense. Our coverage area expanded to include Perth and Merrickville in October 2015. The paper can also be found in those communities at various shops and retailers. In January 2016, the paper took another leap and

Fresh off the press - October 2014 Hometown news inaugural edition

added news and happenings of the Carleton Place, Almonte, Mississippi Mills and Westport communities to its pages. Eight months later, we are still going strong. We have a dedicated group of writers and salespeople, a designer and an editor (that’s me!) that work hard to bring you local news and personal stories from communities across Lanark County. Where will we go next? That’s for you to wait and see. We hope you are enjoy-

ing our paper, our website and Facebook pages. If there’s something you want to see in the print edition or online we encourage you to drop us an email at editorial@ pdgmedia.ca or email any one of our writers directly — you’ll find their email addresses at the top of each of their stories. We love hearing from the people in the communities we serve. We take your feedback and suggestions seriously. We want to continue to be your go-to source for news and information.

A Blast from the Past:

Annual Poultry Fair

From the Heritage House Museum Historic Image Collection

At the first Smiths Falls poultry fair some 10 tons of fowl were brought into the town by area farmers and became an annual turkey fair tradition. This photograph was taken by John Nichol of Smiths Falls circa 1888. Photo Credit: Heritage House Museum

Publisher

Reporters:

pdg media:

Patricia Krotki pmkrotki@pdgmedia.ca

Heddy Sorour Chris Must Sally Smith Kathy Botham Jane Hobson

advertising:

EditoR April Scott-Clarke editorial@pdgmedia.ca

48 Maple Avenue N, Smiths Falls, ON K7A 2A5 Phone: (613) 206-0708

advertising@pdgmedia.ca

Hometown News welcomes new reporter to the team The team at Hometown News is excited to introduce Jane Hobson. Jane is our newest freelance reporter and photographer, with a flair for storytelling and a appetite to learn as much as she can about anything and everything. Jane received a bachelor of journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa in the spring. While in university, she wrote extensively on federal, provincial and municipal politics. She also wrote a number of arts and culture stories and critiqued films and food. Jane is hugely interested in mental health and the stigma that surrounds it. Jane has researched and written on the topic and is hungry to help educate others. “I find the best way to educate myself and others about mental health is through journalism,” she says. “Talking to people, listening, asking questions, sharing stories and learning.” Jane is also interested in fashion. She says it’s more than just clothes and accessories. “It’s ideas, it’s

Hometown News reporter, Jane Hobson, will be covering news and events in the the communities of Perth, Carleton Place and Almonte/ Mississippi Mills.

an outward expression of ones interests and personality.” Raised in Carleton Place, Jane is excited to work with Hometown News because she gets to take an in-depth look into the politics, arts, culture and people that make Lanark County her home. “I knew I wanted to be a journalist since I was a little kid,” Jane says. “I used to interview my parents and write stories about whatever fake

characters they pretended to be.” Jane enjoys meeting new people and sharing the experiences of others. “I was always taught to listen well and to give a voice to the voiceless,” she says. Jane loves reporting of all kinds and will be Hometown News’ Carleton Place and Almonte council and committee correspondent. Got a story for her? E-mail her at jane@pdgmedia.ca.

October 2016

News

Carleton Place retailers might open on statutory holidays

CARLETON PLACE - JANE HOBSON ja n e @ pd g m e d ia . c a

An interested group of ‘co-housers’ exploring a possible site for a 12-unit development. Photo Credit: Sally Smith

Slow but steady progress for co-housing project in Perth Perth - Sally Smith sally@pd gmedia.ca The reasons for talking about co-housing sound idealistic, altruistic, even touchy-feely; so Louise McDiarmid and Susan Samila were cautious in their description of the project now developing in Perth. But even through their cautious, sometimes wary answers, it’s obvious they believe it will work. Co-housing is not a new concept - you can find it in Europe, Scandinavian countries, the United States, and throughout Canada. There are 21 established communities in British Columbia, two in Ottawa - urban to agriculture, seniors to mixed-generations, modest to elegant - and now Perth. The concept is of a deliberate community where members commit to a mutually supportive lifestyle; in real terms, neighbours live in modest-sized apart- ments, enjoy a healthy social life and share common spaces, amenities and activities. The community is generally planned, owned and managed by its members. Members don’t want to be looked after, they want to look after themselves; they want to be independent (as long as they can); they want to be socially engaged to the community, and they want their environmental footprint lessened. This is their wish list. Co-housing can make it a reality. In Perth, the idea was bandied about by friends until one said

“Let’s do it!” The first meeting was June 4, 2015 and the group meets every two weeks on Thursday nights at McMartin House, to hammer out opinions, nail down suggestions and saw through a lot of in-depth information many thought they wouldn’t be doing in their mid-60s and early 70s. But it’s coming together - slowly. The two women say there will be individual senior units (modest in size), attached or separate with common facilities for gathering for meals and/or events. Common facilities might include a laundry area, gardens, a workshop, maybe a studio; McDiarmid says the Perth co-housing initiative will be “small, with many multi-purpose rooms.” Samila cautions that they are still in the “informing” stage and so both are circumspect about stating definitively what will, or won’t, be included. What’s different about co-housing than, say, apartment living, or living in a co-op? In neither of these do you own equity. Co-housing units are “built, designed and managed by people who live there,” says McDiarmid. But it’s much more than that. Co-housing living, says Samila, is a “place where people have a sense of, or a longing for, community in their living situation.” As we grow older, community living is an answer to isolation, a practice of natural, mutual support; it bestows a sense of connectedness,

while at the same time strengthens a desire to remain independent. At the moment, the group is 20 strong; they are always looking for new members. There is a proposed name - Tay Commons Cohousing; there are committees (or circles) looking at different aspects - property, legal, design, publicity, outreach. The plan is to secure an acre of land to build 12 units (attached or apartment-style) depending on the site. The group has consulted lawyers, builders and developers. They are looking for land and have several properties in mind. Most critical, says Samila, is the land must be “within walking distance of downtown Perth.” And while building their own small community might seem exclusive to the rest of Perth, both McDiarmid and Samila say the future senior community wants to be connected in dynamic ways to the town and people of Perth. The hope of the co-housing initiative members is to have it up and running in three years, but they caution once again, and laugh a little self-deprecatingly that “we’ve never done this before - we’re learning as we go.” Why not get in on the ground floor? For information, contact Susan Samila at 264-1196, ssamila@storm.ca or Louise McDiarmid at 264-8590, louise_43@ sympatico.ca. Go to the website at http://www. perth-cohousing-intiative.com

Stalwart Brewing Co. submitted an application to the Town of Carleton Place in late August to permit the opening of retail businesses on statutory holidays under the Retail Business Holidays Act. This has created concern from some businesses about how this will affect them. Right now, most retail businesses in Carleton Place must be closed on statutory holidays, as per a town bylaw. The provincially regulated Retail Business Holiday Act allows the town to create a bylaw that permits retail businesses to be open on statutory holidays for the purpose of developing and maintaining tourism. If the bylaw requested by Stalwart is permitted, large box stores locally would most likely be forced to open by their head offices. “We want the option,” said Adam Newlands, one of the four founders at Stalwart Brewing Company. “The spirit of the legislation is to promote tourism and that’s what we would do by being open,” he said. Newlands says about 240 people visit the brewery on any given weekend. “I get that people want a day off, but Stalwart is a destination that people come to on their day off, so to be closed and not allowed to be open is a disadvantage to us,” Newlands said. “We want to be here for you — we are the atmosphere that makes for a great day off,”

Adam Newlands, right, serves a customer at Stalwart Brewing Co. on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016. Stalwart applied to the Town of Carleton Place asking for permission to open the brewery on statutory holidays. Photo Credit: Jane Hobson

he laughed. “People could come downtown, try a beer, have some lunch and check out the other shops.” The Carleton Place and District Chamber of Commerce said, “We understand that the impact of opening on a statutory holiday could be different for many of our businesses. We are currently in discussions with many of our member business owners to better understand this and as such are unable to take a firm position on the matter at this time.” The Carleton Place BIA says Carleton Place should consider permitting the bylaw because it will increase tourism and maintain competition with surrounding communities like Perth and Smiths Falls that permit local retailers to be open on statutory holidays. “The key is to have the option,” Cathie McOrmond said. McOrmond is the BIA project manager. “I don’t see any disadvantages,” she said.

It is undecided yet whether the bylaw would apply to the entire town or if it would designate part of the town as a tourism district, allowing only retailers within that district to open on statutory holidays. The Retail Business Holidays Act requires that the Town of Carleton Place hold a public meeting to receive comments from the applicant and public prior to the consideration of adding the bylaw. “We’re at the fact-gathering stage before council can make a decision,” says Duncan Rogers, the clerk for the Town of Carleton Place. “We need more input from the public before we move forward.” A public meeting will be held on Oct. 11 in the council chambers at Town Hall. To speak, the public is asked to register with Paul Knowles before the meeting. This can be done via e-mail at pknowles@carletonplace.ca or telephone at (613) 257-6207.

October 2016

news

Meet the men behind Men’s Volunteers needed for annual Sheds in Lanark County Salvation Army kettle drive Perth - Jane hobson jane@pdgmedia.ca

Regional Howaida Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca

~Contined from cover~ “The journey to the shed is often marked by experiences of significant life change — quite often involving retirement, health challenges, changing family circumstances such as the loss of a spouse or divorce or relocation to a new area. The shed environment facilitates coping during this change,” the report said. The community also benefits since Men’s Sheds work on projects for the community. The Hackberry Men’s Shed recently built two wooden benches that convert into picnic tables for Lanark Community Programs. “[Men’s Shed] is an initiative to get guys together because that’s when magic happens,” said Corey Mackenzie. Mackenzie is a professor of psychology at the University of Manitoba. His research interests include aging and mental health. “When men get together to work on a common project, they eventually open up and talk about concerns they have about their life circumstances,” Maltby agreed. Men’s Sheds also benefit the families of men involved. “When men are feeling lost, isolated or depressed, it can affect how they interact with their loved ones,” Maltby said. “If we can improve their health and self-worth it benefits all those around him in a positive way.” Despite the name, Men’s Sheds are usually hosted in community spaces, said Ramsey Hart, the executive director at The Table Community Food Centre. He’s the man

A row of pens made by Men’s Sheds from Lanark County on display at The Table Community Food Centre’s Men’s Shed Night in Perth on Sept. 19. Photo Credit: Jane Hobson

behind the Perth Men’s Shed and often hosts their monthly meeting at The Table. Perth Men’s Shed has been meeting for about a year now. “Doug’s passion is infectious and it seemed like a good thing for the [Perth] community,” Hart said, remembering the first time he heard Mackie speak in Almonte last fall leading him to start Perth Men’s Shed. “It’s a good way to meet people. It gives me a sense of purpose, belonging and fulfilment to make a contribution,” Hart said. Some of these contributions to the community include building part of the boardwalk on the Tay River Pathway, the construction of cold frames for The Table and making an outhouse for the Perth

Community Allotment Garden. Even with the success of community projects and information nights like the one hosted at The Table the end of last month, it can be tough to promote Men’s Sheds. “This is a steep mountain to climb,” Mackie told the Men’s Shed members. “I trust you guys to do the best you can. Climb hard. And let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you,” an emotional Mackie told the crowd at The Table in late September. “I may not see you again, but if I do, I’ve got a heck of a lot of good friends,” he said. Check out Lanark County Men’s Sheds on Facebook to get involved.

Every year when the bells ring out with the Salvation Army’s kettle campaign you know that Christmas is close. This year the kettle campaign will kick off on Nov.18 across the region. The Salvation Army office on Broadway Avenue in Smiths Falls is the headquarters for the Mississippi, Rideau Lakes corps. “We serve a very large area, that includes Carleton Place, Almont, Perth, Smiths Falls, Rideau Lakes and partway to Kingston. We also assist Charbot Lake with hampers and cooperate with other agencies for food hampers,” said Major Sharon Rowsell. The kettle campaign is essential to funding the many services that the Salvation Army provides to the working poor and the less fortunate. “It’s extremely important, it’s our main funding for our community family services department,” said Rowsell. Last year the kettle campaign’s goal was $185,000 for the entire region. “We met our target last year, but we had lowered it slightly and we’ve been holding our own but we haven’t been able to expand or add any new services for the past two or three years,” said Symond Rombough, administrative coordinator with SA. The Mississippi, Rideau Lakes corps is run by only five full-time staff, so the challenge every year throughout the region is finding enough volunteers to make the campaign a success. “The whole campaign is 25 days long, starting in mid-November until Christmas. In Smiths

Debbie Lafleur, volunteer coordinator Mississippi, Rideau Lakes region with Major Sharon Rowsell getting ready to launch the annual Kettle Campaign. Photo Credit: Howaida Soroir-Roberts

Falls that’s 685 two-hour shifts at five locations, in Perth it’s 500 shifts at four locations and at Carleton Place, which runs threehour shifts, it’s 375 with 125 in Almonte,” says Debbie Lafleur, volunteer coordinator and community and family service worker. Volunteers of all ages are needed throughout the region whether in Smiths Falls, Perth or Carleton Place. “Our volunteers range in age from 16 to 90 but our biggest difficulty is finding enough volunteers to fill all the shifts,” said Lafluer. Last year, Lafluer managed to cover most of the 685 shifts in Smiths Falls with about 100 volunteers give or take, many of them taking on multiple shifts at a time or several shifts over the course of the 25 days. “It’s fun to do and the shifts are short, a lot of people do it because they get to see friends and family that they haven’t seen

for a while, or we have couples that do shifts just to be doing something together, and like any volunteer activity it feels good,” said Lafluer. The funds from the kettle campaign are what fuel all the services the SA provides in the community. These include a food bank, advocacy for the working poor, helping families and individuals apply for Hydro One’s LEAP program, sending children to summer camp, and the 700 Christmas hampers filled with food and gifts for children. If you think you can spare two hours over the course of the Christmas season, please call 613283-3563 to volunteer in your community. There are five shifts in a day – starting at 10:00 a.m. and the last shift starting at 6:00 p.m. at a few locations. “Every hour and every shift that’s covered is a huge help,” said Lafluer.

FLW anglers perform rescue during fishing tournament Regional Howaida Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca They came and went with a barely a ripple but a very big splash. The Fishing League Worldwide (FLW), bass fishing tournament held at Rideau Ferry on Saturday, Sept. 16-18 with the final weighin at the Smiths Falls Walmart, barely made the news. But had the anglers not been there, an unfortunate accident could have turned tragic. “On day one – Friday – we had all the teams just weighed in, when

my wife came running, telling us there was a man drowning. One of my crew members ran down to the dock and jumped in,” said Cory Banford, FLW Canada organizer. A tournament angler and civilian plumber with DND, Steve O’Connor didn’t think twice about lending a hand. “The wharf is about three and a half feet from the water level and the water is about five feet deep, but an elderly gentleman had missed his footing getting off his pontoon boat and was strug-

gling in the water,” said O’Connor. O’Connor said he quickly handed his cell phone and car keys to a bystander and jumped into the water, where he was joined by another FLW angler, Trevor Kunopaski. Working together the two men set about rescuing the floundering heavy-set gentleman. “He was waterlogged, hurt and in shock. He had a pre-existing shoulder injury so I asked his pontoon boat crew to move the boat,” said O’Connor. “I got the gentleman calmed down and at that point

in time it was memory taking over and I did what I had been taught,” said O’Connor. Once the boat had been moved and maneuvered so that O’Connor and Kunopaski could reach the ladder and platform at the back of the pontoon, it was a question of getting the injured man back on the boat. “I climbed onto the boat and got everyone to move to the back to lower the platform towards the water,” said Kunopaski. Meanwhile, Banford had already called emergency services.

“It was good teamwork, and everyone kept calm. While Steve steadied the gentleman in the water, we managed to pull and push him up and onto his pontoon,” said Kunopaski. The paramedics arrived just as the half drowned gentleman made it onto the boat. Together with O’Connor and Kunopaski helping, the paramedics transferred him from the boat to land, where he was loaded into an ambulance and taken to hospital. “I tried to inquire about him that eve-

ning, but the hospital wouldn’t give me any information for privacy reasons,” said Banford. “I just hope he’s OK.” The rest of the tournament went off without a hitch. The FLW is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world. “There are three qualifying events held during the angling season, and only the best of the best compete at the final,” said Banford. The organization is strictly for bass fishing and this was its first full season of operation in Canada.

October 2016

news

Student looks to make positive change in Smiths Falls with minimum income project Smiths Falls Howaida Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca Faced with a social sciences high school project that asked students to make a positive change in the world we live in, 17-year old Josh Birley found himself embarking on what could be a very exciting project for change in Smiths Falls. “It was for the Grade 12 Challenge and Change course. Students often comment in that class that we look at a lot of depressing realities of the world we live in, in that course. So, I challenged them to make it better,” said Erin Fenlong, Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute social science teacher. A good student, and athlete, who took the project very seriously Birley says initially he was stumped for a suitable proposal. “I had no idea where to start, so I emailed the mayor to see if he had any thoughts,” said Birley. “And I had a meeting with him and he pointed out this program for a living wage.” In February 2016, the Ontario budget committed to launching a pilot project for a basic income, also called a minimum income, to lift people out of poverty.

For his part Mayor Shawn Pankow said he had been aware of the minimum income argument before the province mentioned it in the budget. “I thought it [minimum income project] would give [Josh] an opportunity to work on something meaningful in the community and could contribute to our lobbying efforts to the province,” said Pankow. Using the provincial government’s promise as a jumping off point, Birley set out to make the case for Smiths Falls as the ideal site for the Ontario pilot of a minimum income or basic wage for low-income families. “I started with the background research to establish what the issues are in Smiths Falls, in terms of household income, education, employment and shelter costs and I looked into the research that had been done in Manitoba, and applied it to Smiths Falls,” said Birley. About 40 years ago Dauphin, Manitoba, a pretty little town very much like Smiths Falls was the site of the first minimum income pilot. The social experiment run by the University of Manitoba and backed by the provincial NDP and the federal Liberal government of the day was

dubbed ‘mincome’, and was designed to alleviate poverty by topping up low wages or welfare cheques to a minimum living allowance or better. “The results were very positive, in terms of health outcomes and education, particularly amongst young men,” Evelyn Forget, economist, researcher and professor of community health sciences at the University of Manitoba, told Hometown News. According to Forget, Dauphin was chosen as the test site because of its size (under 10,000), because it was far enough from Winnipeg not to be a bedroom community and it was an independent town. The average income was representative of other small towns in the region. What Birely’s research revealed was that in many ways Smiths Falls has many of the same attributes today as Dauphin had in the 70s. “19.7 per cent of residents in Smiths Falls between the ages of 25 and 64 have no high school diploma, compared with a provincial average of 11 per cent,” wrote Birley in his report. He also found that the average income in Smiths Falls is significantly lower than the provincial average as are

the number of low-income households. Besides digging up statistics to back up his arguments, Birley also set about surveying people in town and at his school. His surveys highlighted the importance of basic dignity to successful outcomes. People in Manitoba who remember the project or benefited from it in the 70s often sited dignity as one of its many benefits in interviews, which can be found online. “We found that there were fewer incidents of hospitalization, mental health was improved — there was less depression and anxiety — and more youth completed high school,” said Forget. Those weren’t the only benefits, according to Birley’s research. The employment rate in Dauphin actually rose among most of the participants as a result of the program, with only two exceptions — young moms and youth. That was another positive outcome according to Forget who explained that the employment drop among youth was because they stayed in school rather than going out to look for work and young moms were able to stay home and look after their children.

Faced with a high school project that challenged him to make a positive social change, Josh Birley took a look at the Ontario promise to launch a minimum income pilot project and how it could benefit Smiths Falls.

With his research complete, Birley wrote a comprehensive report and presented his findings and his case for locating the Ontario pilot to Smiths Falls at the town council meeting on Sept. 26.

“We will follow up with a business case for consideration for the pilot in Ontario, because if done properly it could be of significant benefit to the community” said Pankow.

Senior Winter Games qualifier in Smiths Falls Oct. 18 Regional - Sally Smith sally@pd gmedia.ca

Bob, 84, shoots a disc to the other end of the room in a shuffleboard game at the Seniors Activity Building. Photo Credit: Sally Smith

The Rio Olympics are over. It’s time to look closer to home for a sports fix. Would-be participants in the Ontario Senior Winter Games, to be hosted in Cobourg in early 2017, are gearing up at the district levels for their chance to represent at the games geared toward those 55 and older. District 9 - Lanark, Leeds and Grenville (which includes Smiths Falls) will, hopefully, be well represented at the games to be held in Cobourg. Ont. from Feb. 2123, 2017. Time has been allotted at the Seniors Activity Building on Cornelia Street in Smiths Falls for the District Championships happening this month. On Oct. 18, spectators are welcome to watch and encourage players of Bid Euchre 4-Hand; on Oct. 20 bring a cheering section for carpet bowling. Winners of these games will go on to regional games and from there (if a winner) to Cobourg. “Since the mid-1980s, the OSGA 55-plus [Ontario Senior Games Association] has been committed to promoting active lifestyles for those 55 plus adults not involved in the more advanced or master levels of activities,” reports

Classical 93.6 FM in Toronto, and the Town of Cobourg. “Its program is designed to not only provide an avenue for this generation to be active but also to meet others who share a common recreational interest while keeping their minds sharp and bodies in shape.” This three-day, multisport event is one-of-a-kind for the province. There are 10 different sports: alpine skiing, badminton, curling, duplicate bridge, hockey, nordic skiing, skating, table

tennis, ten pin bowling and volleyball. It’s expected that approximately 1,000 people with participate. As a perk for participating in the 2017 Ontario 55+ Winter Games, organizers are looking for 1,000 handknit scarves to be handed out to coaches and participants at the beginning of the competitions. The Winter Games Committee has put a call out to all knitters, crocheters, and weavers to help. The scarves will measure 65 inches (in-

cluding fringe) by six to seven inches wide; colours are a combination of medium to dark green, plus medium to dark blue with white as the accent. The task is to be as creative as you wish. When the scarf is finished, wash, place in a ziplock bag with name and contact information (not attached to scarf), contact Katie Litt at 1-905-372-7371 ext. 8408, or mail to the Cobourg Community Centre, 750 D’Arcy Street, Cobourg ON K9A 0G1.

October 2016

community The love of a man and his turkey Music Trivia Night returns

to Carleton Place in October Carleton place - Submitted

Photo Cedit: Linda Seccaspina

Carleton Place LindA SECCASPINA editorial@pdgmedia.ca My late father-in-law was raised on a farm in northern Italy. Nono, as we called him, firmly held views that all farm animals were raised strictly for eating purposes. He held absolutely no sentimental value for anything that could be sliced, diced or roasted. Each year for either Thanksgiving or Christmas he raised fresh turkeys. My children and I had a hard time eating anything that we had given names to, and his tales of animals running away were wearing thin, as we knew what their fate had been. One day something came into his life that changed all that and her name was Prissy. Prissy was an enormous turkey to say the least, and literally frightened anyone that came into the yard. Each month the gas man would come to read the metres beaming his flashlight at her. What he thought he was doing in the daylight, with a flashlight, antagonizing her, I

will never know. All I know was he always left the yard screaming that she was going to meet her match on Thanksgiving while she chased him out. Prissy became a bit of a joke in the neighbourhood and everyone was devastated knowing she would become dinner. Thanksgiving came soon enough and Nono herded her into the basement to meet her maker. As she was ready to take her final breath she suddenly looked him straight in the eyes and made a love noise. It was not a small timid cluck, but a long loud struck mating call. After those love words escaped her beak she pecked him on the lips. Yes, she kissed him in her own poultry way. For the first time in Nono’s life he could not complete the task. He could not kill this bird and my mother-in- law was furious with him. Nono simply got into the car, drove to the grocery store and came home with a huge Butterball turkey. He told her in Italian that she was going to have to cook that frozen turkey

or eat bread. Eat bread? That made no sense, but sometimes Italians have an odd sort of communication with all those dialects. Nono was literally in love with that bird and that was all there was to it. From that day on she followed him everywhere as she too was absolutely love struck with him. She cooed to him – he cooed to her. All you had to do was look for her and Nono was just around the corner. One day our dog got too close to Nono and Prissy took him on. Feathers and fowl animal language filled the air but the dog ran off and Prissy went up to Nono slowly. She smiled seductively minus 50 or 60 feathers, as in her small mind she had run the competition off. Nono would always be hers. Prissy made it through Thanksgiving and then Christmas. As soon as the snow touched the ground Nono built her a large pen in the basement as there was no way that he was going to let her freeze. In January, there was a house fire and the whole place was devastated. The fire had started in the basement and Prissy had met her demise. When the fireman asked Nono what was in the basement; he told them his turkey had died. The fireman assumed he was talking about a frozen one in the blackened freezer. Through broken English and tears he told them all about his pet turkey. Needless to say after I saw their faces I knew that Prissy would always be the tale around Carleton Place that urban folk-legends grew out of. A few years ago Nono passed away and anytime a “turkey holiday” comes around I think of Prissy. There is no doubt in my mind that the both of them are hanging out in that turkey no-kill zone in the sky.

Come out solo or come with a team for the 3rd installment of Music Trivia Night with your hosts from Main Event Entertainment. Main Event Entertainment is a full time, professional Disc Jockey company with over 25 years of experience and they sure do know how to throw a party! Teams of 4-6 players compete in a fun interactive game of music mastery for fame and glory! Featuring music from 1980 to today you can test your skills with interactive video clues, sound bites and DJ bingo. Come up with a funky team name, design your poster, sing, dance, dawn your funkiest rock star gear and reach for the stars (or in this case a mirror ball, candy and some awesome gift certificates

from The Tap House Grill & Sports Bar!). For only $10 per person you can participate in all the fun. There will be half price wings, $4 bar rail, Great tunes and Music themed cocktails like the “Rockin' "Chuck Berry" Lemonade” or “Vanilla "Ice Ice Baby" Cola” for only $5 each! Come out and meet new people, play as a team building exercise with your

workmates, perfect for date night or girls/guys night out! October 19th from 7pm to 9pm - Come early for a bite and make your Wednesday evening a night to remember! To register your team, sign up as a solo or pair or get information on the event visit https:// w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / events/308366682864003/

column: Carleton Place Social Notes Carleton Place Sarah Cavanagh editorial@pdgmedia.ca October is a month of giving thanks – of gratitude, the harvest and for many pumpkin spice flavoured everything! It’s red and orange leaves, trick or treating and the final days of Cruise Nights in Carleton Place and the Farmer’s Market until spring. While the summer always seems to bring with it a flurry of activity I beg to wager that October in our fair town is the busiest month of all! The month kicks off with the fall Mom 2 Mom sale at the arena on Oct.1 and the New 2 You Consignment Sale the very next day. A perfect opportunity to pick up a new outfit for those family Thanksgiving parties (for both you and the kids!). Evenings through the week are packed with fun activities for every interest and help us all get out of the house and get social. There is seriously no reason to ever be bored in Carleton Place. Monday nights from 7-9 p.m. there is mixed four-handed euchre at the Carleton Place Royal Canadian Legion, Tuesdays the Legion hosts Cribbage from 1-4 p.m. and at 7 p.m. at the arena you can join the Civitan for Bingo or participate in drop-in Ladies darts at the Legion for $4 per person. Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. the library hosts storytime for children aged 2-5 years and

the same time on Thursday mornings is Babytime for the really small. The second Sunday each month (Oct. 9 this month) you can join the Lanark County Drum Circle at the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum. On Oct.18 at 6 p.m. the library kicks off National Novel Writing Month as new writers can join together and get help, support and guidance in finally writing that novel you’ve been thinking about. If something a little more active suits your fancy, you can join Total Rhythm Dance Studio on Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. for the Ballroom Latin Dance Social or head over to Carambeck at 7:30 p.m. for the Pound pop-up class. With Halloween approaching there are a tonne of events to get you in the spooky spirit! On Oct. 12 from 1:30-8 p.m. you can participate in the library’s Halloween costume exchange and find the perfect get up for you or the kids at no cost. Bring last year’s picks and trade them for a new get up. On Oct.25 from 6-7 p.m. your 6-11 year olds can head to the library for Halloween craft night and ramp up the décor at home. Total Rhythm Dance Studio is hosting a Halloween dance on Oct.28 from 8-10:30 p.m. and you can join Valley Granite & Tile and Ambush at the arena on Oct.29 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. for the “Love for Rachel Halloween Bash.”

Come out for food, drink and costumed fun all to support a local family whose daughter is battling cancer. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Downtown Carleton Place has a special Halloween event planned on Oct.29 from 1-5 p.m. which is slated to be the next great annual Carleton Place tradition! Also this month, The Re/Max affiliates charity run takes place on Oct. 15 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Beckwith Trail at Miller’s Crossing. This family-oriented 1km or 5km walk or run goes to support Lanark County Interval House. On Oct.19 you can test your musical chops with the third installment of Carleton Place Music Trivia night at the Tap House Grill & Sports Bar from 7-9 p.m. hosted by Main Event Entertainment. If the arts are of interest, the museum is hosting author John Moses on Oct. 12 from 7-9 p.m. to read from his father’s memoirs about his time at a residential school. Cost is $5 per person. Finally, you can take in a performance of Shakespeare’s classic – King Lear at the Carleton Place Town Hall Auditorium on Oct. 21, 22, 23, 28 or 29. Whether you’re a local or thinking about planning a day trip – Carleton Place is the place to kick off your autumn with fun, food, dancing, the arts and so much more!

October 2016

community

Ensure children get across the roads safely Smiths Falls Howaida Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca

Crosswalks, or the lack of them, in Smiths Falls is an issue that’s been raised more than once at Smiths Falls council. “I think it’s a safety issue, and I’ve brought it to council several times, over the past five years,” said Lorraine Allen, Smiths Falls councillor. “From my perspective when it comes to saving lives, why can’t we put lines at crossings, I’ve even offered to paint them myself!” The reality is that the type of lines, the width and crosswalk signage is all heavily regulated by the Ministry of Transportation. “I did an audit of all the crossings in town against the Pedestrian Crossing Facility Manual issued by the province,” said Troy Dunlop, director of public works and utilities for Smiths Falls. As a result of the audit, school crossings have been repainted, or

added and proper signage has gone up to give motorists plenty of warning. “We increased the signage and looked at signage spacing, because signs have to be at a prescribed distance depending on the speed of the road, so we moved a bunch of signs, and we added the X for extra visibility so in that sense we now meet the maximum requirements” said Dunlop. The new school crossing now also feature two double lines and they’re wider than they used to be, they do not however feature zebra stripes. “We can’t use zebra stripes in an urban setting for a school crossings,” said Dunlop. Zebra stripes are not an Ontario feature of school crosswalks in the Ontario Traffic Manual. “The province’s mandate is to ensure that there is consistent messaging to motorists across the province,” explained Dunlop. Of particular concern to Allen, was a growing complaint from crossing guards who were observing motor-

opinion:

ists going around them as they were helping children get across the road. “If there is a crossing guard on the crosswalk the crossing has to be clear of motorists, cars are not allowed to go around the guards,” said Dunlop. As to a crosswalk at the library on Beckwith Street, that issue will be visited next year when the downtown revitalization comes to fruition. In the meantime there are five controlled (meaning there is a crossing guard) school crosswalks in town. They are located on Queen Street at Anderson, on Chambers Street at McGill, on Elmsley Street at Russell, on Brockville Street at Oak and on Brockville Street at Ross. “I understand the director of community services is also looking into supplying the crossing guard with paddles that light up, and the community service officer Dave Murphy will be monitoring the cross walks over the next weeks,” said Allen.

Am I the only one?

Smiths Falls is a desirable place to live

I love buzzing around town, running errands in and out of shops. What a relief that everything is right here and only four minutes away. I’m grateful to live in Smiths Falls and the town just keeps delivering more reason for me to be. Some people take it for granted. I met someone in the park that finds Smiths Falls to be a “dreary little town.” It’s funny how perspective goes. I see it as a bustling village with great potential. I didn’t come here with a chip on my shoulder, that’s not who I am. I can’t waste my time on negativity. I walk to the waterfront at least once a day and see many people enjoying the parks and river too. It’s a blessing to have all these well maintained parks, and the street cleaner makes my day. In the city you’re lucky if you see them by June and green space around your property

will be up to your knees before they cut it. Smiths Falls is a strategic location and we’re surrounded by wonderful little nearby towns to explore. We’re only an hour away from the airport, Kingston, Ottawa, major health facilities, universities and major shopping centres. Commuting in the city is much worse. You may not go to church or have time for it, but churches help communities. I was warmly welcomed inside by many people going through the tough challenges of everyday life, and doing it together together, not separate from each other. Schools are another important draw for people considering our community. We have fabulous teachers, coaches and dedicated staff rallying around that actually care about our youth. If you don’t think that’s an asset, go live in the city and you’ll find out. We have strong athletic programs and role models for our youth. Athletics are a big part of our story. I love the way the town supports the Smiths Falls Bears. I spend my winters in the rink. Watching my daughter play hockey is one of my favourite

things to do. I’ve met so many wonderful families in Smiths Falls doing the exact same thing. There isn’t another city or town in all of Canada that has a world class golfer and therefore we must have a world class golf club. Try that on for size. Doesn’t it feel good? I’m not a golfer but if I was, I would totally step into this and own it. Maybe the dreariness is in your attitude. There’s a quote by Charles Spurgeon that says, “It’s better to dig for a well then it is to die of thirst.” I say yes to the beautiful waterfront town of Smiths Falls, a community where active people thrive. A town that is helping us raise our kids. A town rising strong with many great services and helpful businesses. I love our doctor, our dentist, our physiotherapist and our pet groomer. I think we find what we look for. The way you choose to see the town creates the town you see. Signed, Am I the Only One ? Submitted by Carrie Wynne's Carrie Wynne’s column reflects her own opinions and not necessarily those of Hometown News.

Perth BIA hosts fundraiser to brighten up Gore Street Perth - Jane Hobson jane@pd gmedia.ca “We want to add 10,000 more lights to the trees in downtown Perth,” said Kari Clarke, co-ordinator for the Perth Business Improvement Area (BIA). She took the position two years ago. “We want Perth to be the ultimate place to be this winter!” she said happily. Last year, the Perth BIA started to light trees along Gore Street with mini red and white bulbs but could not afford to do each tree. “I had people asking me why the tree outside their business wasn’t lit,” Clarke said. “So the goal is to get 17 more trees lit this year,” she explained. This is not a cheap or small task. Some trees take 50 strings of lights. In order to make this a reality, the Perth BIA is hosting a dance called Light Up the Night on Oct. 8. Tickets are $20 and all the money goes towards the lights. “Our success comes from the fact that people want to help,” Clarke said. She said she’s enthusiastic that the event will be a sold-out hit. “People want to help beautify our downtown.” Light Up the Night is held at the Crystal Palace from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. The Riq Turner Band will be rocking out while

Red lights brightened up Gore St. during the 2015 holiday season. The Perth BIA wants to add more lights to the town’s main street in 2016. Photo Credit: Kari Clarke

the Perth Fire Association mans the cash bar. “There will door prizes and one grand prize,” Clarke said. “And if you come you have to try Maximillian’s hot pretzels and Chipmunk Chippery’s French fries,” she laughed. “We’ve got such great spirit in our town.” If you can’t attend the dance, you can still support the cause by making a donation to the BIA. Donations over $25 get a tax receipt. “We want to promote tourism and commerce in downtown Perth even in those slow winter months, and by beautifying the downtown we’ll attract more people to visit all the great, eclectic stores we have,” said Clarke. Clarke said the downtown is very connected and works well as a team in Perth. She

said the BIA has an open-door policy where she’ll drop what she’s doing to hear a new idea. “It’s all about the people and their ideas. And no one is afraid to speak up,” said Clarke. “That’s why we have such a great community spirit and such wonderful support from the town -- and that’s what creates our vibrant and successful downtown,” she said. Since taking on the position of BIA coordinator, Clarke has made it her goal to ensure each business owner has a strong voice. “I always tell them I can’t take a concern to council unless you tell what it is,” she said. “The people running the businesses – the people behind the counter – are the reason Perth is successful,” Clarke said. “They are truly warm, kind-hearted people.”

October 2016

community

Home Improvement 101

Autumn inspired decor a pleasure to the senses This is my favourite time of year. The days are growing shorter, there is a familiar crispness in the air and the colours of the autumn leaves are brilliant, blowing down the street preparing the way for Old Man Winter to make his grand return. As we snuggle in and anticipate the cooler days ahead, our homes become central in our lives and the gathering place for our family and our friends. Autumn evokes a feeling of nostalgia and an earnest desire to re-connect with family and friends amid the craziness of our busy lives. If you are like me, you want home dĂŠcor that will impress, destress, and welcome company. A home

that exudes comfort and warmth. Pay attention to the entrance because the entrance to our home after all, is where our guests cross over the threshold into our private lives. There is a tendency in design to limit our decor to the visual elements or what we can see, but well rounded design is a very sensual experience and it involves all of our senses. When our senses are stimulated, we create a mental association with our surroundings and that experience stays with us. As a young girl I can remember coming home to the smells of baking bread and soup...oh yes, soup. To this day I still love Dad's soup. Strangely enough, it makes me

feel safe. There are many things we can do to create an experiential setting: a rough hewn log table, a tattered braided rug or a sparkling chandelier that casts shadows that dance upon the wall. A collage of photos depicting loved ones adorning the walls of your entryway becomes the perfect canvas, telling a story of the family within. Baking cookies, burning candles, a basket of fragrant pinecones all provide subtle stimulation to our olfactory system. Soft playing music or the trickle of a fountain add a soothing sound which disarms our emotions and takes our spirit to a place of relaxation and comfort. Adding a basket

of soft comfy slippers in various sizes will enchant your guests making them want to come back again. Oh and don't forget the mirror, a must for every entryway! When our senses are awakened, we remember. One day when you are least expecting it, you may walk into someone's home greeted by the sweet aroma of pumpkin pie as it wafts past and you will quietly reminisce, thinking, I remember when... The harvest season is full of such delights to the senses and always reminds me just how much our surroundings affect our state of mind. Submitted by Patricia Krotki Dipl. Interior Design

October 2016

community

Community invited for supper every month

Lois Dewey pulled apart at least six heads of lettuce to fill the bowl to the brim for green salad. Photo Credit: Sally Smith

Smiths falls - Sally Smith sally@pd gmedia.ca Up by 6:30 a.m. At St. John the Evangelist Anglican church in Smiths Falls by 8 a.m. There were eight there. Prep work for the monthly community dinner was already underway and despite the early hour on Sept. 18, there was lots of laughter and chatter. Trish Warren organizes the schedule for the church dinners. She sends out emails asking who’s available, and month after month people respond willingly. The dinner is usually the third Sunday of the month (except July, August and December) at 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome, it’s not just for parishioners. Watch for the sandwich-board sign at the front of the church at 2 George Street South. A little tip: arrive earlier rather than later. For the September dinner, shepherd’s pie with gravy, green salad and rolls, followed by apple crisp and poppy seed cake for dessert was on the menu. There were even some pink-iced cupcakes for the kids. Kay Giff, one of the volunteers, loves to be there. She says it’s her nature to be helpful. “If I’m able, it’s my place to share with people who need help.” Volunteers Marie Wilde and Judy Snider drive from Perth to lend a hand. They attend the First Baptist Church in Perth but can’t do this sort of community outreach at their own church because there is no church basement, Wilde says “There is a

need here. Everyone enjoys a good home-cooked meal.” Snider agrees. Besides seeing the need, Wilde savours the camaraderie and light bantering that goes on. “These are good people.” The monthly dinners have been happening for at least a decade, if not longer, in one variation or another. “A variety of people attend; some members of the congregation, many from the community, some disadvantaged. There’s even a table of widows,” Warren says, adding she always gives hugs to them. Warren expects anywhere from 65 to 110 at each meal with the two biggest, of course, being Thanksgiving and Easter. If there is extra food, it goes to the lunch program at the high school. As a thank-you, many

high school students complete volunteer hours at the dinners. The Garden Market in Smiths Falls donates food, especially fruit. The local M&M Food Market has donated pies at Thanksgiving for many years, and Andress’s Your Independent Grocer provides turkeys at good prices. Lois Dewey, another of the lively group of volunteers says her philosophy is if everyone gives a little, it truly does make a difference. For the September dinner, Ron Watt and Terry Watkiss peeled 50 pounds of potatoes. “It’s important for the church to have real, practical roles in the community,” Watkiss said, as he set to his next task of buttering buns.

Despite her watering eyes (brought on by the onion smell), Kay Giff staunchly carried on chopping green peppers for Shepherd’s Pie. Photo Credit: Sally Smith

October 2016

lifestyle Garden Matters:Falling for fall ‘Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower.’ – Albert Camus Every gardener loves fall. As things begin to wind down, and the plants begin to say farewell, fall is an excellent time to reflect on the growing season. The record drought this past summer will be long be remembered in the minds of gardeners, farmers and all of us who work outside for a living. The stress on the plants, particularly the trees, may not be seen immediately as we may see the true extent of drought damage next year or even the year after that. Fall is the time to close your garden down and put everyone to bed for the winter. The more care you take in putting your garden to bed in the fall will result in a more successful spring. Here are a few suggestions for some simple fall garden maintenance. Water This fall, water is probably one of the most crucial things your garden needs. As the weather cools down and we get some rainy days, the lawn and plants begin to revive from the heat and drought. It is important to not be fooled into thinking that the ground is wet. Good long soakings to trees, shrubs and the lawn is essential in

Life on the farm: When life hands you pie pumpkins there is no law that says you have to make them into pie! In fact, you will find that there are a multitude of ways to use pumpkin to make the most delectable dishes - for any course of your meal (salad, soup, main dish or, naturally, dessert!). Why are we even discussing this? Well, here's the situation. A long walk through the field the other day confirmed our worst fears. (Ok, that's an exaggeration. Not really our worst fears. They are after all, only plants!) Without getting too technical, here's what happened; squash and pumpkin plants - members of the cucurbit family - produce male and female flowers. The males, which come first, provide the pollen. The females form next and wait patiently to be pollinated, so that they can produce the fruit. Under drought conditions,

the plants will either produce fewer female flowers (which translates to fewer fruit), or will abort the female flowers they have produced in favour of channeling what limited resources are available into the vine, leaves and roots of the plant itself. The obvious result then, is that there won’t be very many squash at Miller's Bay Farm this fall. We know, we're disappointed too, but that's the nature of farming. You win some, you lose some! So we press on and make the best of it, and be thankful for what we do have - pie pumpkins! Did you know that pumpkins are a perfectly acceptable substitute for any type of squash - especially butternut? And we know that butternut is one of your absolute favourites! Are you ready to give it a try, and be amazed? That's the spirit! If you've ever roasted any type of squash, then you already know how to roast

the fall unless we get some substantial rainfall. Evergreens especially are important to soak as they do not drop their foliage and are more susceptible to winter wind burn. Try to give evergreens a good watering once a week until late fall. Protection Winter can be damaging to plants in many ways. The weight of heavy snowfall can be too much for many plants to handle. Evergreens should be tied with twine to help prevent bending or breaking of branches. Another gardener’s nemesis in winter is the wind. Strong northwest winds are notorious for burning evergreens and desiccating broadleaf evergreens. Burlap wind breaks can help block the wind. Another great protection from winter damage particularly on broad leafs like rhododendron and boxwood is Wilt Pruf, an anti-desiccant that is sprayed on in the fall and puts a coating much like a light wax, protecting from the wind and sealing in the moisture. It wears off after the season. Wilt Pruf has been around since the 50s and still is used by gardeners today. Tree wraps are another essential fall item especially for fruit trees which rabbits and deer find tasty midway through the winter. If deer are notori-

ous for eating your evergreens then try Bobbex, an all-natural product that really works! Bobbex will deter deer from trees and shrubs and can be sprayed on spring bulbs like tulips before planting to keep squirrels at bay. Clean up The age old gardeners’ debate is whether or not to cut back the perennials in the fall. This is a personal choice and often dependent on how busy your life is at the moment, but keeping in mind that what you don’t clean up now you will have to do in the spring. So do what works for you but with one important exception: always cut back and remove all foliage of any perennials that were diseased or had powdery mildew. This rings true for any trees that had diseased foliage as well, always make sure to rake up and dispose of the leaves to ensure that nothing winter's over. There are many more fall garden tasks that can and need to be done but these are a few simple essentials to consider for your garden. For more advice on fall gardening drop into your local garden centre who are always eager to talk gardening and help. Submtted by Kelly Heath Retail Manager Gemmell’s Garden Centre

Pumpkins are for more than just pie

Photo Credit: Millers Bay Farm

a pumpkin. The method we prefer is simple. Cut the pumpkin in half and scoop out the seeds (save them for roasting too.) Brush the flesh lightly with oil, and place cut-side up in a shallow pan in a 400oF oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until flesh is tender. From

there, you can do just about anything with your prepared product. Cut it into cubes and toss them into a salad. Use them in a curry, soup, or stir-fry. Naturally, you can also purée roasted pumpkin in a food processor or blender for use in bread,

cookies, pies, and tarts. Space does not permit listing all of the amazing recipe ideas we've found here on the printed page, but feel free to visit www. millersbayfarm.com/ pumpkins or have a look at Miller's Bay Farm on Facebook where we will be

sharing our favourites for the month of October. Go ahead and get creative with your pie pumpkins! Make that ‘squash’ soup, casserole, or side dish. We’ll never tell! And if you have some leftover, go for the pumpkin pie too.

r e v o c s i D

the communities of Lanark & Northern Leeds Grenville

Smiths falls - Sally Smith sally@pd gmedia.ca If your future plans include a wedding, the smart thing to do is quickly register for the second annual Smiths Falls Always and Forever Wedding Show on Oct. 23, and then make sure you show up on that day at the Gallipeau Centre. Event organizers Jacqui Stanzel and Barb Willoughby have put together a one-of-akind prize: a free wedding! They’ve asked all their show vendors to contribute services (and nobody said no). The winning package will include the Gallipeau Centre ballroom as the venue, a $3,500 meal for up to 80 guests, a wedding cake for 80, the bride’s bouquet plus bouquets for four attendants and four boutonnieres for the guys. Also included are services from a makeup artist, a hairdresser (including eyelash extensions for the bride), a spa package, a DJ, an event planner for the day, men’s wear, and a $500 coupon to go towards a wedding dress.

for a chance to win your wedding!

And that’s just a partial list. The draw is will be done around 3 p.m. and the winning brideto-be will be notified shortly after. You don’t have to be onsite at the time of the draw to win, but you must have attended the show — registering isn’t enough to get your name in the draw. So far, 90 have registered as guests, and 33 vendors have signed on to distribute and show their wares; even though there are still a couple of weeks to go, don’t hesitate too long - it’s free to register. A fashion show is planned with models walking between the two ballrooms at the Gallipeau Centre, and a videographer will circulate throughout the day, catching moments and emotions. Stanzel’s wide grin when she talks about the show belies the long hours she and her partner have already put into organizing it — but she doesn’t regret a minute. “It’s good to have a big event in Smiths Falls. We want

ever Wedding Show www.eventbrite.ca/e/ to show others what laughs. She and Willoughby takes Smiths Falls people can place Sun- always-forever-weddo,” she says. She ad- have “been in plan- day, Oct. 23 from 11 d i n g - s h o w - b r i d e s mits the organizing is ning mode” since the a.m. to 3 p.m. at the ple as e-reg ister-forstressful, but loves ev- last show and her pre- Gallipeau Centre, t h e - s h o w - r e g i s t r a ery minute of “bringing diction is this will be a 361 Queens Street, tion-is-free-ticketsall parts of a wedding bigger and better show. Smiths Falls. To reg- 26982546523?aff=eThe Always and For- ister, go to https:// ac2 to one event.” Some show-goers will take what they’ve seen at the show, go home and create their own day; others will go all-out and make use of the vendors and ideas presented. Stanzel, herself, eloped…as did her daughter! That’s a bit of irony considering the path her life has taken — organizing wedding shows! She was married in North Gower with just an attendant for her, and one for her husband. “Then we went to Show organizers - TOP LEFT: Jacqui Stanzel TO the Chateau P MIDDLE: Barb Willo Julie Foley of Local Ottaw ughby. a Valley Events was also Laurier and a great help this year to sho TOP RIGHT: Credits: Submitted BOTT w organizers.Photo OM: 2015 Always & Forev called ev- Photo er Wedding Show - Bridal Credits: Jason Code Fashion Show. eryone,” she

Events around the region

Almonte & Mississippi Mills 1

October • Wednesdays

Almonte Duplicate Bridge Club Almonte Legion 613-256-2142 613-256-4747

October • Wednesdays

Open Celtic Jam Naismith Pub, Almonte 613-256-6336

October • Thursdays

Jimmy Tri-Tone Band at The Barley Mow The Barley Mow, Almonte dave@barleymow.com 613-256-5669 barleymow.com

October 6 to December 10

“A Life Inspired”: The creative journey of William C.G. Hodge Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, Almonte 613.256.3754 www.mvtm.ca

October 6

MMPL Travelogue: Bali & Coral Reef Almonte Public Library 613-624-5306 missmillslibrary.com/travelogue-series/

October 8 to 10

Crown and Pumpkin Studio Tour Almonte, Clayton 613.256.3647 www.crownandpumpkin.com

October 8

Fire Hall Open House Almonte Fire Station

October 8

Meet the Artist: Penny Rugs Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, Almonte info@mvtm.ca mvtm.ca 613-256-3754

October 12

Dine Out Day Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County Visit www.facebook.com/ bigbrothersbigsisterslanark to view participating restuarants

October 15

AiC: Piano Chameleons w/ Oliver Jones Almonte Old Town Hall Almonteinconcert.com

October 16

Meet the Artists: Marney McDiarmid/Jacob Rolfe General Fine Craft, Art & Design, Almonte Generalfinecraft.com 613-461-3463

October 16

Grand Opening/Meet the Artist Sivarulrasa Studio & Gallery, Almonte info@sivarulrasa.com 613-293-2492 Sivarulrasa.com

October 16

Book Launch: Kathy Sadler Mill Street Books, Almonte millstreetbooks.com 613-256-9090

October 17

Almonte Quilters' Guild Almonte Civitan Hall mfshurben@gmail.com www.almontequiltersguild.com 613-257-8444

October 17

Almonte & Area Artists' Assoc Almonte Public Library 613-256-5863

October 23

Trad Song Session The Barley Mow, Almonte dave@barleymow.com 613-256-5669 barleymow.com

October 24

Almonte Horticultural Soc Cornerstone Community Church cornerstone@cornerstone-almonte.ca 613-256-4995 www.gardenontario.org/site. php/almonte

October 27

Valley Voices Halloween Mini-Concert Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, Almonte info@mvtm.ca mvtm.ca 613-256-3754

October 28

Almonte Lectures: Social Work Almonte United Church almontelectures.net

October 29

Zombie Walk for Hunger Almonte Community Centre hgadbois@sympatico.ca www.facebook.com/almontezombiewalk

October 29

Fall Tea & Bazaar Almonte Civitan Hall 613-257–8660

October 29

Potluck & Talent Show Union Hall, Mississippi Mills camponi@storm.ca 613-256-2277

October 29

Almonte in Praise! Holy Name of Mary Church, Almonte pierre.lamoine@sympatico.ca 613-565-3993

October 30

Howl'oween Dog Costume Parade Gemmill Park 613-256-3495 2

October 6

Meet the Artists: Without Exception Mill of Kintail Conservation Area 613-256-3610 www.facebook.com/exceptionalart 3

October 8

Crown & Pumpkin Studio Tour Almonte to Clayton 613-256-3647 Crownandpumpkin.com 4

October 12

NLHS Speaker Series: Bruce Toshack North Lanark Regional Museum, Appleton appletonmuseum@hotmail.com 613-257-8503 www.lanarkcountymuseums.ca

Carleton Place 5

October • Mondays

Mixed Euchre Royal Canadian Legion Branch 192

October • Tuesdays

Cribbage Royal Canadian Legion Branch 192

October • Tuesdays

Find Your Creative Self Carleton Place Public Library 613-257-2702

October • Tuesdays

Ladies Drop-in Darts Royal Canadian Legion Branch 192

October • Tuesdays

Civitan Bingo Carleton Place Arena civitan001@gmail.com

October • Wednesdays

Storytime Carleton Place Public Library 613-257-2702

October • Wednesdays

Open Jam Night The Waterfront Gastropub www.thewaterfrontgastropub.ca

October • Thursdays

Babytime Carleton Place Public Library 613-257-2702

October • Thursdays

Karaoke Night The Waterfront Gastropub www.thewaterfrontgastropub.ca

October 16

Country Harvest Music Show Arena Upper Hall, Carleton Place 613.253.5046 bwhite@carletonplace.ca

October 24

Blood Donor Clinic Carleton Place Arena

October 27

October • Fridays

St. James Cemetery Walk Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum, Carleton Place 613.253.7013 www.cpbheritagemuseum.com

October • Fridays

Halloween Dance Tania and Rick’s Dance Studio, Carleton Place 613.799.8737 www.trds.ca

October • Fridays

Swirlicious and Friends Annual Shopping Event Carambeck Community Centre, Carleton Place

October • Fridays

Une Heure de Conte en Francais Victim Services Lanark County Drop In Carambeck Community Centre www.victimserviceslanark.ca

October 28

Ballroom and Latin Dance Social Total Rhythm Dance Studio www.trds.ca

October 29

DJ Whisper The Waterfront Gastropub www.thewaterfrontgastropub.ca

October • Saturdays

Acoustic Saturdays The Waterfront Gastropub www.thewaterfrontgastropub.ca

October • Saturdays

Queens Live Music Queen's Hotel downtowncarletonplace@ gmail.com

October • Saturdays and Sundays

Music at the Moose Thirsty Moose Pub and Eatery www.facebook.com/TheThirsty-Moose-Pub-Eatery-45746231945/

October 6

Queens Jazz Night Queen's Hotel 613-257-7639

October 7

Pound Pop Up! yogawithro.acuityscheduling. com/schedule.php?appointmentType=1804870

October 8 and 15 Farmers’ Market Carleton Place

October 10

Carleton Place Canadians vs Cumberland Grads www.cpcanadians.com

October 12

Talk by John Moses Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum Cpbheritagemuseum.com 613-253-7013

October 12 and 13

Dine Out Day Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County Visit www.facebook.com/bigbrothersbigsisterslanark

October 15 and 16

Lifesaving Society First Aid and CPR-C (2 day course) Carleton Place Pool 613-257-1005 EXT.21

October 15

Charity Run/Walk for Interval House Beckwith Trail www.remaxaffiliatescharityrun.com

October 15

Harvest Time Beef Dinner Zion Memorial United Church 613-257-2133 613-257-8547

October 16

Country Harvest Music Show Upper Hall - Carleton Place Arena 613-253-5046

October 16

Full Moon Walk Carleton Place Community Labyrinth, Carleton Place 613.257.1014

October 28

Beckwith Community Halloween Party Beckwith Park cmcgregor@twp.beckwith.on.ca 613-257-1539

Perth 7

October • all month

Perth Remembered: Looking Back Over 200 Years Perth Museum, Perth 613.267.1947 www.perthtourism.ca

October 7

The Peter Brown Quartet The Studio Theatre 613-267-6817

October 8 to 10

Perth Autumn Studio Tour Brooke Valley, Perth 613.267.5237 www.perthstudiotour.com

October 8

Light Up the Night Dance Downtown Perth 613-264-1190

October 12

Dine Out Day Visit www.facebook.com/ bigbrothersbigsisterslanark to view participating restuarants

October 13 to 16, 20 to 23

BarnDoor Theatre: Death & Taxes Full Circle Theatre, Perth www.barndoorproductions.ca

October 16

The Band Played On Bandshell behind Town Hall www.perthband.ca

October 20

Perth & District Historical Society: Town of Perth Evening Perth Royal Canadian Legion 613-264-0094 www.perthhs.org

October 22

St. Johns High School yard sale Crystal Palace 613-267-4724

October 23

A Charity Concert in View of the Great and Increasing suffering among the poor of Perth First Baptist Church 613-267-8073

October 25

Steve Poltz The Studio Theatre www.ticketsplease.ca

October 28

Ghost Walk Perth Museum, Perth 613.267.1947

October 29

The Rideau Lakes Orchestra: A Dark and Stormy Night The Studio Theatre www.ticketsplease.ca

October 29

Lynn Myles Full Circle Theatre or Shadowfax 613-267-6817

October 12

October 30

Project Trauma Support - Peer Support Group The Gallipeau Centre 613-206-1345 (text or call)

October 30

Out of Sight… Out of Murder Station Theatre 613-283-0300 www.smithsfallstheatre.com

Matt EPP: The Listening Room Series The Perth Tea Room 613-267-7902

October 14 - 16, 20 - 23

Anita MacDonald and Ben Miller MERA Schoolhouse 613-485-6434

October 14

October 31

Halloween Party Crystal Palace, Perth 613.267.2491 | www.perthcivitan.org 8

October 8 - 10

Autumn Studio Tour Tay Valley Township, Glen Tay 613-267-5237 9

October 29

Old Time Talent Night Lanark & District Civitan Club, Lanark Village www.lanarkcivitan.com

Smiths Falls 10

October • Mondays

Choices Smiths Falls and District Centre for Youth Smiths Falls Public Library

October • Mondays

Smiths Falls Duplicate Bridge Club Smiths Falls Legion 613-283-2690 office95@cogeco.ca

October • Saturdays

Harvest Time at the Heritage House 613.283.6311 heritagehouse@smithsfalls.ca www.facebook.com/HeritageHouseMuseum

October 6, 13, 20

Teen Night 6: Board Game Night 13: Kahoot Trivia 20: Movie Screening of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

October 7

Kaleidoscope of Victorian Coloured Glass Exhibition Heritage House Museum 613.283.6311 heritagehouse@smithsfalls.ca www.smithsfalls.ca/heritagehouse

October 8 & 9

Turkey and Train Rides this Thanksgiving at the Railway Museum Railway Museum of Eastern 613-283-5696 info@rmeo.org www.rmeo.org

October 8 & 15

DBA Farmers Market www.facebook.com/smithsfallsdowntownbusinessassociation

October 8

Campbell Woods in Concert Station Theatre 613-283-0300 www.smithsfallstheatre.com

October 11,18 & 25

Sole Sisters Charity Run & Walk for Cancer Research raceroster.com/ events/2016/9388/4th-annualsole-sisters-charity-event-forcancer-research https://www.facebook.com/ SoleSistersCharity/?rc=p

October 15

2nd Annual Charity Yard Sale The Alzheimer Society Lanark Leeds Grenville 613-284-2202

October 15

Local Foods Harvest Dinner Gallipeau Centre Ball Room 613-283-9966 dhicks11@cogeco.ca www.realaction.ca

October 15

3rd Annual Zombie Walk Kinsmen Park, Smiths Falls

October 15

40 Plus Singles Dinner and Dance Smiths Falls Civitan Club Betty: 613-285-5557 Alice/Wanda: 613-205-1234 40plussinglesdanceclub@ gmail.com Facebook- 40plussinglesdanceclub

October 15

3rd Annual Skate Exchange Modern Thymes

October 16 - 22

Restaurant Week Downtown Smiths Falls Every time you dine in a participating restaurant downtown, you will be entered into a draw to win prizes!

October 20

Lushes with Brushes Paint Night 613-283-6311 heritagehouse@smithsfalls.ca

October 22

Superheros for our Supergirl Everyly Yolkoeskie Smiths Falls Memorial Centre

October 23

Always and Forever Wedding Show Win Your Wedding The Gallipeau Centre Jacque Stanzel: 613.656.3591 Barb Willoughby: 613.9780447

October 25

Club 60 games and entertainment Smiths Falls Legion Branch 95

October 27

The Origin and Foundations of the Chiropractic Profession Heritage House Museum 613-283-6311 heritagehouse@smithsfalls.ca

October 22

Trivia Night Lombardy Agricultural Hall 613.913.2099

Positive Discipline CROW 613-283-0095 1-800-267-9252 www.crowoeyc.com

Westport & Rideau Lakes

Ladies Colouring Club Smiths Falls Public Library

October 6

October 11 October 12

Dine Out Day Big Brothers Big Sisters Visit www.facebook.com/ bigbrothersbigsisterslanark to view participating restuarants

Jazz Night w/Spencer Evans Trio The Cove Country Inn, Westport info@coveinn.com 1-888-COVEINN 613-273-3636 coveinn.com

24 29 20

Pakenham Mountain

Flower Station

Pakenham

Antrim

Clyde Forks

417

511 29

Lavant Station

Tatlock

Lavant

Blakeney

Clayton

Brightside

509

Mill of Kintail

Panmure

Poland

Almonte

OTTAWA

Hopetown

Snow Road Station

Watsons Corners

Purdon 8

Elphin

Lanark

Scotch Corners

Innisville

Carleton Place

Ashton

12 45

Balderson

Maberly

DeWitts Corners

Bolingbroke

Perth

Glen Tay

BEVERIDGE

36 21

Newboro 14

NEWBORO

KINGSTON

Crosby

October 7

October 15

October 8 to 10

October 21

Turpin's Trail The Cove Country Inn, Westport info@coveinn.com 1-888-COVEINN 613-273-3636 Coveinn.com

October 12

Shawn McCullough The Cove Country Inn, Westport info@coveinn.com 1-888-COVEINN 613-273-3636 Coveinn.com Logan Brown The Cove Country Inn, Westport info@coveinn.com 1-888-COVEINN 613-273-3636 Coveinn.com

BOTR: Laura Rain & The Caesars The Cove Country Inn, Westport info@coveinn.com 1-888-COVEINN 613-273-3636 Coveinn.com

October 22 and 29

Head Over Heels The Cove Country Inn, Westport info@coveinn.com 1-888-COVEINN 613-273-3636 Coveinn.com

October 25

Westport Writers Group Westport Library 613-273-7781 Shawn McCullough The Cove Country Inn, Westport info@coveinn.com 1-888-COVEINN 613-273-3636 Coveinn.com

October 26

Matty McKechnie & Ben Mullin The Cove Country Inn, Westport info@coveinn.com 1-888-COVEINN 613-273-3636 Coveinn.com

Regional 13

October 8

Classical Guitar Fall River Restaurant, Maberly info@fallriverrestaurant.ca www.fallriverrestaurant.ca/ restaurant 613-268-2197

Kilmarnock

BROCKVILLE

Wolford Chapel

MERRICKVILLE

Burritts Rapids 23 CLOWES

Merrickville

KILMARNOCK

NewBliss

Easton Corners

Carleys Corner

To See Your Events Here Next Month send details to events@pdgmedia.ca please include event location for more information call 613.206-0708 or email us at events@pdgmedia.ca The events listed here are submitted to Hometown News, Events are subject to change or may be cancelled afterdate of publication. Hometown News is not responsable for such changes

October 13 to 16

Merrickville's Jazz Festival Mill Street, Merrickville pennyhopeross@gmail.com 613-290-0028 www.merrickvillesjazzfest.com

October 29

Book Sale Merrickville Day Nursery School 15

October • Sundays

Open Mic w/Kelly Sloan Ashton Pub, Ashton 613-257-4423

BURRITTS RAPIDS

Jasper

Rideau Canal Lock Station

NewBoyne

Forfar

Country Pickin' Mayhem Band The Cove Country Inn, Westport info@coveinn.com 1-888-COVEINN 613-273-3636 Coveinn.com

October 26

Portland

2 NICHOLSONS

EDMUNDS

Provincial Parks & Conservation Areas

County Roads

OLD SLYS

Towns & Villages NARROWS

Nolans Corners

SMITH’S FALLS

Murphy’s Point Provincial Park

Fall Colours Studio Tour Westport Area Westportstudiotour.com

Smiths Falls

Westport

Rob Lutes The Cove Country Inn, Westport info@coveinn.com 1-888-COVEINN 613-273-3636 coveinn.com

Port Elmsley

Numogate

POONAMALIE

Foley Mountain

Rideau Ferry

Gillies Corners

Richardson

Prospect

Franktown

Wemyss

Brooke

October 8

Blacks Corners

511

13 TORONTO

Fallbrook

Silver Lake Provincial Park

Appleton

15 19

Boyds

Ferguson’s Falls

October 13

Herron Mills

Clydesville

McDonalds Corners

Middleville

ANDRESS’ INDEPENDENT GROCER 25 Ferrara Drive, Smiths Falls, ON. K7A 5K6

MITCHELL’S INDEPENDENT GROCER 455 McNeely Avenue, Carleton Place, ON. K7C 4S6

BARNABE’S INDEPENDENT GROCER 80 Duﬀerin Street, Perth, ON. K7H 3A7

PATRICE’S INDEPENDENT GROCER 401 Ottawa Street, Almonte, ON. K0A 1A0

Find your Hometown News Newspaper at these select locations.

October 2016

A l w ay s & For e ve r

w e ddi ng show

Sunday October 23rd 2016 at the Gallipeau Centre Smiths Falls

Booking

Weddings

& Parties for 2017-18

Bob Taunton DJ/MC

613-330-8743

bob@octaveentertainment.ca www.octaveentertainment.ca

October 2016

Food & Drink lifestyle

Perth Pie Co. opens new bakery Elvis, ice cream and motorcycles Regional Howaida Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca

Perth - Jane Hobson ja n e @ pd g m e d ia . c a Sweet. Decadent. Fresh. These are just a few words that come to mind as the scents of Perth Pie Co. floats into my nostrils. A faint smell of coffee lingers in the air as music plays from a massive 1930s radio in the corner. A huge collage of recipes torn from recipe books hangs on the walls from floor to ceiling. “People take the first bite and they melt. They say ‘It’s just like my grandmother used to make it’,” said Kassy Boulay, owner of Perth Pie Co. Perth Pie Co. was founded in 2006. Boulay and her husband, Josh Reil, bought it in 2013. The company used to be strictly wholesale and retail until July of this year when they decided to open the bakery. Before the bakery, the store was used for walkins and order pick-ups only at different location in Perth. Customer did not have the option to chill out and relax at the shop. Now open at 73 Foster Street, customers can stop by the bakery to sip a coffee and taste the delicious pies, cookies, butter tarts and other pastries on offer. Pie lovers can sit on a dainty 1930s couch from the old Perth courier building as they drown in the deliciousness of the treats. “We use a traditional, old-fashioned, lard-based crust,” said Boulay, 29. “People love the crust, my husband included – that’s how we hook them!” Boulay laughed, being careful not to spill tea from the big red mug she was clasping.

Kassy Boulay (right) poses for a photo behind the counter with employee Rebekah Smith at Perth Pie Co. on Friday Sept. 23, 2016. Boulay opened the bakery a few months ago with much success.

People certainly are hooked. Perth Pie Co. cooks about 100 pies per day. “We’re getting a lot of return customers from the locals, which is great,” Boulay said. The pumpkin pie is the must try of the season. “A lot of pumpkin pies from the grocery store are dense, thick and dry,” said Rebekah Smith, a baker at Perth Pie Co. “But ours is like a soft, airy, warm, delightful fall hug inside your mouth,” she said. Perth Pie Co. bakes a variety of pies. Raspberry peach, wild blueberry and apple cranberry crumble are popular right now. They also offer banana and coconut cream pies. Everything is made from scratch. “Pastry, fruit, flower and sugar. That’s it,” Boulay said. Nothing is artificial and everything is made in small batches to keep it fresh and to recipe, she said. Boulay said she gets her ingredients as locally as she can. “I even drive around to pick them up myself in my 2003 Honda Civic,” she laughed.

The coffee comes from Fluid Solar Roasted Coffee in Clayton, eggs are from Campbell egg farm near Balderson, and maple syrup comes from Temples and from Wheelers. With four kinds of meat pie, the most popular being curry chicken with almonds, apples and rice, everyone finds something they love. “We do it because we love that people love what we bake,” said Boulay. “It warms our hearts to see that look on their face when they take their first bite.” \ Boulay says she and her husband are exhausted but having fun. “Our uniform shirts say ‘Pilates? I thought you said pie and lattes’,” she laughed. “I never thought my life would look like this at 29 years old,” Boulay said, remembering when her mom and grandma used to make her do dishes while they baked. Perth Pie Co. products are also at the Garden Market in Smiths Falls and at the Cheddar Stop in Carleton Place.

Elvis would probably have approved! They only play Elvis music and cultivate a motorcycle theme at the Sidecar Cafe, the latest addition to eateries in Merrickville. Owned and operating by Joan Spencer and Paul Tonon, it’s a delightful retirement project that’s keeping the two motorcycle enthusiasts busy. “I retired from teaching in 2001 and I’ve done all the travelling I wanted and was hanging around the house with nothing to do, this café gives me contact with the outside world, and I love baking and cooking for people,” said Spencer, a former Merrickville-Wolford councillor. The Café serves soups, sandwiches and baked goods and includes an old-fashioned ice cream bar. “We offer traditional icecream floats, banana splits and sundaes in vintage glassware,” said Tonon. A retired police officer and the organizer of the annual motorcycle show in Merrickville, Tonon says the café combines all his favourite things.

“I love Elvis, ice cream and motorcycles and now I have all three in one building,” he said. The cafe’s decor is contemporary “metropolitan” as Spencer describes it. It features an open galley kitchen, a life-size statue of Elvis, a beautifully carved wooden motorcycle, a cozy living room style seating area as well as tables of four scattered around the space. The front porch boasts a wooden bar and vintage ice cream parlour stools complete with red vinyl seats affording customers a perfect view of Blockhouse Park in Merrickville. Each element of the decor was carefully sourced and chosen, most of the renovation completed by Tonon and Spencer. The colour scheme is black and white, the bar stools were brought from Kitchener, Elvis came from an auction and the vintage ice cream dishes took a while to find. It’s clearly a labour of love, and not just decor wise. “All our food here is made fresh, so if you want a sandwich I will make it as you wait. I make all the baked goods, and I bake croissants everyday and serve all my sandwiches on them. There are other choices of bread of course, but croissants are my

signature feature,” said Spencer. All day breakfasts have also just been launched. “Each day we have a breakfast special, whether waffles, crepes, french toast or pancakes,” said Spencer. The space can also be rented, offers a take-out and delivery service, and puts on shows on special occasions. “We’ve delivered menus to all the merchants in town, the seniors and apartment buildings, so people can call ahead and either pick up their order or we’ll deliver,” said Spencer. The well-appointed space is also a great new venue in town for parties and events. “We welcome anyone who wishes to rent the space for evening events,” said Spencer, who says customers can bring their own food for events or she can cater. The couple are also hosting three back-to-back Elvis shows with an Elvis impersonator during the Christmas in Merrickville celebrations. The Sidecar café is located at 206 Main Street West, kitty corner from Blockhouse Park and the phone number is 613-4077225.

The interior of the Sidecar café already has customers just minutes after opening. In the background, Joan Spencer, proprietor, prepares the orders in the open concept kitchen. Photo Credit: Howaida Sorour-Roberts

NOAL Pantry and Local Food Eatery serves up local flavours smiths falls - Sally Smith sally@pdgmedia.ca Laurie Anne Brennan has a large, noisy family. They come to eat at her newly opened, freshly painted NOAL Pantry and Local Food Eatery often. Her mom’s favourite is the eggs Benedict, and her 12-yearold niece Haley’s favourite is the gluten-free brownie. Brennan’s mom laughs and says she taught her daughter everything she knows but amends quickly that Brennan taught her a few things, too. The food at NOAL is good — not only does her family say so; others in the small eatery agree. It’s good because everything is fresh, tasty and filling; it’s also good because Brennan puts her money where her heart is. NOAL stands for natural, organic, artisan and local. “Everything is as local as I can make it,” she says, ‘local’

within a two to three hour drive. And when she can’t get local (like avocados), she purchases from smaller companies, like Quattrocchi in Smiths Falls. Some of her regular suppliers include: Highland Organics garlic (Lombardy), Valley Cutters beef (Smiths Falls), and Rideau Pine Farms veggies (North Gower). Her Bennys and breakfast sandwiches are made with Rosecamp Farms eggs (Perth). NOAL is brand new. It opened Sept. 2 and Brennan says she is still recovering from the frantic rush to get it going. It’s located at 5 Main Street East in Smiths Falls with lots of parking and easy access. The eatery seats about 40 and is bright and clean, with grey walls and white trim. Menus and specials are posted on large boards, making them easy to see and easy to update. Lawrence Brennan, the eatery owner’s dad, eats

lunch there regularly. Ask him his favourite - “All the soups…every bowl,” he grins. Take, for instance, rustic beet with yogurt and a tea biscuit. The biscuit is large and buttery, the soup filled with beets, potatoes and celery, and topped with organic yogurt and green onion. Lisa Brennan-Trudel, Brennan’s sister, loves the chicken salad, while Sue Alder, a good friend, says the spinach salad is “great.” If customers need special attention, Brennan’s kitchen is nut-free, has a dedicated space for gluten-free dishes and offers vegan and vegetarian options. And, for heaven’s sake, try the lemon square! Brennan is self-taught, but has worked in the food industry her whole life. She first worked at Tim Horton’s, started waitressing as a teenager, went to Seneca College for fashion and then jumped right back into food. Her next goal is to become a Red

Seal Chef; the certification recognizes skills, experience, creativity and professionalism. That creativity Brennan puts into her signature sandwich: roast pork loin dressed with caramelized onion, aged cheddar, mustard and Spicy Red Bombay Pepper Jelly. She says, in all seriousness, there are no substitutes with this sandwich — you take it like it is (meaning there’s nothing better!) Sandwiches and desserts are served on colourful old plates and saucers, filtered water is offered in Mason jars and there is unique artwork on the walls. Brennan says she caters events but “people have to want what I offer.” The prices, too, are on theme with being fair. Only $2.95 for tea biscuit or $6.50 for a breakfast sandwich, consisting of eggs on a brioche with lettuce, tomatoes and green onion aioli. The most you’ll pay is $16 for

Lawrence Brennan, Sr. lunches with the ladies at his daughter’s newly opened pantry and eatery. The ladies are Haley Trudel, 12, Lisa BrennanTrudel, Robin Black, Sue Alder, Anne Lemay and Lyla Brennan.. Photo Credit: Sally Smith

the Back 40 Bonnechere and coming down the price list a little, is the Smoked Coho Salmon for $14.95. April Miner, an experienced, and local, waitress started at the eathery in mid-September. Miner, too, has been in the food business for many years and is a famil-

iar face around Smiths Falls. NOAL Pantry and Local Food Eatery 5 Main Street East, Smiths Falls. 613-706-2188 Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday - Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cash only

October 2016

lifestyle

Mental Health

P T SD s u f fe re r s e e k s he lp ju s t i n t i me APRIL SCOTT-CLARKE april@pd gmedia.ca Three years ago, Andy found himself in the emergency room of his local hospital in the middle of the night, on the edge of disaster. “I was bawling my eyes out. I thought I was going to commit suicide that night,” he says. After a long conversation with a doctor, Andy was referred to Lanark County Mental Health. “I had to take time off work immediately after,” he says. “I couldn’t conduct my normal life.” Andy suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) a result of a childhood trauma. That night was a turning point for him. “I had to do something to alleviate the symptoms. I couldn’t ignore it anymore,” he says. “I really want to get past all this stuff. I want to be there for my kids

when they grow up. I want to grow old.” For most of Andy’s adult life he’s suffered from nightmares, flashbacks, depression, anxiety and panic attacks. “I always just discounted those feelings and never paid attention to it until I was running up against walls and not able to function,” he says. Since that night in the emergency room, Andy has received help through counselling and goes to a peer support group that meets every two weeks. The group is made up of just men, and all of them have had the same struggles. The group was formed after several of them reached the end of a 12-week group therapy session and felt like they needed more. “I learned to trust this group. When you look around, everyone is nodding their heads,

everyone is able to relate,” he explains. “We decided as a group to keep it going. It’s something that is a continual check in for us.” Sometimes there are only three or four other men at the meetings, sometimes there are over 10. The number of people that show up doesn’t matter to him, it’s what happens during those sessions that are meaningful. It’s the camaraderie and the knowing that when people are nodding their heads and agreeing, it’s because they can empathize. Being around others that truly understand is helpful, Andy says, even if sometimes meetings are hard to get motivated for. “I have a tendency — and many have echoed this sentiment — to not want to bother anyone or bring them down. Sometimes you are your own worst enemy. Getting out of

the house and going to these meetings is the most difficult hump to get over.” Andy says with counselling and taking the time off from work that he needed, he’s been able to resolve some of his issues. He admits that there are triggers for him, emotionally charged confrontation is one — and being a high school teacher, that’s one trigger that is almost unavoidable. But, he says he has learned coping strategies that get him through. “I have to wear a mask most days,” Andy says. “I have to conduct myself in my job. I can’t just stop and feel. I have to just keep going. If I get anxious during the day, I have developed coping strategies to pack it down. But I know that it means sleepless nights and maybe a bad weekend.” What Andy says he’s

learned through all of this is that there are others out there suffering with the same symptoms that need to seek help. “I’ve had some good conversations with guys about life and getting through, conversations I don’t think I would have had before I broke down,” he says. “A lot of men ignore. If you are having these kind of feelings, you don’t have to be the stereotypical guy and suck it up. There is help out there.” For anyone who has PTSD-like symptoms, the first stop should be your family doctor.

From there, you’ll be directed to resources. For Andy, it was Lanark County Mental health. He says though, there are certainly more people that need help than the available resources can provide. But, it’s worth the wait if you have to. “The process has been long but I am getting help,” he says. “It’s been quite a good dose of reality for me. These are things I should have been addressing in my whole adult life, and I would recommend it to anyone who feels that same.”

October 2016

lifestyle

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P T SD : Si g n s , s y mp t om s a nd s up p or t When we think of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), we tend to think of soldiers returning from deployments where they were actively engaged in warfare, or first responders involved in one too many critical incidents. The truth is that PTSD results from a normal reaction to abnormal events, so any of us can be vulnerable. The events that typically lead to PTSD are those that challenge our view of the world as being a generally safe place. We may become traumatized by witnessing extreme suffering and death, and realize it could happen to us. Moral injury occurs when we feel we or someone with us did something we shouldn't have or didn't do something we should have, or we witnessed something that is just plain wrong and did not stop it. Often this occurs in professionals who are just following protocols and

carrying out orders. PTSD symptoms may begin soon after being involved in difficult incidents, or months or even years later. It can be the result of a single incident, or slowly develop from cumulative exposure to repeated traumas. PTSD may be formally diagnosed by a mental health care practitioner when a person has been subjected to actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violation. The symptoms of PTSD that give the diagnosis are as follows: 1) Hypervigilance and arousal, being always on guard, constantly feeling the threat of being once again in danger. This results in irritability, impulsivity, angry outbursts and insomnia.; 2) Re-experiencing and flashbacks, where images, smells and sounds or other memories of the traumatic events intrude into thought and mind, caus-

ing distressing emotions and sensations and giving rise to nightmares.; 3) Avoidance, where a person is reluctant to go places or to see people where their memories of the event could be triggered or they may have to think or talk about what happened.; and 4) The symptoms cause significant mental distress and impair the ability of the person to function at work, in social situations or other usual activities. We know that the sooner a diagnosis is made and treatment is started, the less an individual suffers and the better the chance of full recovery. One of the biggest barriers to receiving treatment is the reluctance to come forth admitting the need for help, because of stigma regarding mental illness. First responders suffering from PTSD almost always develop a sense of shame, feeling somehow weak and inadequate. They believe

that everyone else can plainly see their weakness. This stigma can be lessened by understanding that PTSD happens to normal healthy people who happened to be involved in abnormally traumatic experiences. In other words, it's not a problem within you, it's what happened to you. There is a move to dropping the 'D' in PTSD because it is a condition but not a disorder. The term "Operational Stress Injury" has been coined to replace PTSD in soldiers and first responders who develop the condition in the line of duty. So what is the treatment for PTSD? Medication is often necessary to help with sleep, especially immediately after the incident. Maintaining normal sleep patterns is crucial for healthy mental processing of traumatic events. Medication may also be necessary to treat anxiety or if prolonged symptoms

lead to depression. Therapy is usually necessary for help with processing beliefs, attitudes and thoughts surrounding the traumatic incidents. What to do if your suffering If you think you may be affected by PTSD, please reach out to your family doctor or local mental health agency. You may seek out the help of a psychologist or other counsellor. If you are deeply troubled by symptoms, especially if you are having suicidal thoughts, please get yourself to the nearest emergency department. Remember, all the doctors and nurses are sympathetic to the effects of trauma and will be compassionate and understanding. Our team at Project Trauma Support (PTS) believes that true recovery from PTSD happens in a group atmosphere. Our five half-day program for military and first responders allows

immersion into a cohort where everyone has had similar experiences and symptoms and there is true peer support. We use group exercises that explore and challenge paradigms, values and belief systems. In this way, emotional reactions to difficult elements in one's life story are reprocessed and gradually there is a return to understanding that ultimately the world is a benevolent place after all. Furthermore, together with our comrades we can follow a purpose filled life to ensure that it remains so, for ourselves and others. For more information about Project Trauma Support, please see our website, www.projecttraumasupport.com. Submitted by Manuela Joannou M.D. CCFP (EM) Medical Director Project Trauma Support.

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October 2016

lifestyle

Medical marijuana clinic thriving in Perth Perth - Sarah Cavanagh editorial@pdgmedia.ca When Medi-Green Cannabis Clinic first opened its doors in June 2015 there was a fair amount of apprehension in the community. Medical Marijuana was still a fledgling idea and the legalities involved in patients obtaining their (then) MMPR card were still in their infancy. In those early days people were not sure what to expect from the Perth, Ontario clinic. Medi-Green now has a busy office in Perth as well as a clinic in Kingston and one set to open soon in Burlington. Medi-Green is still providing Canada-wide medical cannabis education, support and access in a safe and accessible environment and making a difference in hundreds of patient’s lives. The procedure for becoming a patient is the same as it was on day one. Patients suffering from chronic pain or illness who are over the age of 25 meet with an experienced Cannabis coach in office, via email or over the phone. They complete an application and return it with a copy of their health card and payment of the Medi-Green private clinic annual fee. The cost is $149 plus HST (non-insurable service) and includes all services from the start of the application process to any after-care. Medi-Green facil-

itates meetings with doctors who specialize in medical marijuana, as well as meeting with a cannabis coach and/ or a nurse practitioner. They complete all paperwork required for a licensed producer and offer consultation, education and access to a cannabis friendly physician (they currently work with five doctors). There is a 50% refund of the clinic fee if a patient is not approved for an Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) card and there is no fee for cancer patients, veterans or front-line responders. At the moment, treatment is not available to patients under 25, or who those suffer from schizophrenia or heart palpitations. Clinic owner and operator, Trevor Hands says, “We can take the pressure of doctors who may be uncomfortable or unfamiliar with Cannabis as a treatment but are supportive of their patients exploring it as an option. These physicians can send us a ‘consult referral’ and Medi-Green can take it from there. Another option is that a patient’s family doctor or specialist can prescribe the treatment and then send their patient to us for complete education on proper use of cannabis. Everything is 100% confidential. At the moment, the clinic receives 20 to 50 consult refer-

rals a day from outside physicians.” At a patient’s first appointment (at a Medi-Green clinic or via Telehealth from home), they meet with one of the doctors who work with the clinic. If eligible, the patient is granted a Health Canada ACMPR card. The doctor will prescribe the amount (in number of grams) that they recommend per day. After placing an order from a licensed commercial producer, the medication is mailed directly to the patient’s house by courier. The bottle is labelled with all the prescription details. Each producer sets their own pricing, but patients can expect to spend anywhere from $3 to $35 per gram, depending on the strain. A patient may travel with their medication within Canada but are only allowed to carry a month’s worth of their prescription, up to but not exceeding 150 grams. The ACMPR program was created to ensure that there is a safe supply of medical cannabis for patients. The program includes strict manufacturing standards and third-party quality control testing for all Canadian licensed producers. The cannabis coach is on hand to provide education and support to assist new patients in choosing the correct medical marijuana strain, Health Canada licensed commercial

Meet the staff of Medi-Green, welcoming patients to the Perth, Kingston, Burlington clinics and nationwide via tele-medicine. Left to right: Rebecca, Christina, Tawn, Trevor, Ashleigh and Melissa. Photo Credit: Sarah Cavanagh

producer (LCPs) and method of treatment best suited for their condition. Dried Cannabis can be vaporized, baked into edibles or used to make infused butters and oils. Medi-Green does not recommend smoking dried cannabis. Not only is it unhealthy because of the inhaled carcinogens but the smoke also results in the loss of much of the medication. Instead, vaporization is recommended and refers to the heating of dried cannabis to a temperature that vaporizes but does not burn. This method eliminates most of the health risks associated with smoking and offers almost instant medicinal effect.

Cyclocross series is coming to Perth Oct.30 Perth - Jane Hobson ja n e @ pd g m e d ia . c a The Eastern Ontario Cyclocross Series will be at Conlon Farm Park in Perth on Oct. 30. Cyclocross is a form of bicycle racing that typically takes place in the fall and winter. The course consists of many laps of a short distance where the rider has to dismount and remount the bike depending on the terrain. “It’s a great family event for the whole community,” said Bob Woods. He helps organize the series. According to ontariocycling.org, the Eastern Ontario Cyclocross Series is run by the Ottawa Bicycle Club and has drawn an average of 180 riders per event. The series is held in a new town each

week. “The Ottawa Cyclocross Series is great because they do a really, really good job being inclusive,” said Darren Cope. Cope is a cyclist and outdoor enthusiast who used to live in Perth. He raced in the Eastern Ontario Cyclocross Series for about seven years. “It’s family friendly, where whole families come to race.” Cope said happily. While this sport is most popular in traditional road cycling countries like France and the Netherlands, cyclocross has had great success in Canada, said Woods. “Conlon Farm Park is a great place for this race,” Woods said. “There are hills, pavement, wooded trails, grass and other obstacles for the rider.”

Conlon Farm Park is located off Rogers Road in Perth at 127 Smith Drive. With six ball diamonds, three soccer fields, two basketball courts, a toboggan hill and more, the park often hosts minor and adult sports leagues. The many trails attract hikers and cross-country skiers from all over Lanark County. The Town of Perth started building the park in 1988 and is has flourished ever since, says the Tay Valley Township website. “You don’t have to be a professional to join the race,” Woods said. The goal of the series is to create good races with safe courses that allow a rider at any experience level to have fun, he explained. According to cyclocross.org, a circuit is typ-

ically three to five kilometres long and marked with flags and tape. Timers track each lap and a ringing bell signals when the rider is has started the last lap. The website encourages riders to ride at their own pace and maintain a consistent line. Spectators are encouraged to watch the riders race through the challenging terrain at Conlon Farm Park, free of charge. Riders pass spectating areas every 6-8 minutes. There are washrooms on site. After Conlon Farm Park, the Eastern Ontario Cyclocross Series heads to Kingston, North Gower, Almonte and Morrisburg. The awards event will be held at Almonte Civitan Hall on Dec. 4, 2016.

Other options include topical and edible oils. One of the largest patient groups currently seeking treatment at the clinic is Canadian Veterans and Front Line Responders. Medical marijuana has been very successful as a treatment for disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain as a result of injury. The treatment comes with far fewer side effects than many of the traditional pharmacy options and can be effective in improving sleep. What’s more, medical marijuana treatment and equipment can be covered through Veterans Affairs. The program can cover membership fees,

medical marijuana prescriptions and vaporizers. So what’s the science behind it? Much of it comes down to the endocannabinoid system (ECS) which is a system through which the brain and body communicate. ECS affects things like energy level, organ function and metabolism and response to illness. It is thought to affect a person’s mood, sleep health, and stress levels (anxiety), response to pain and more. For information about the clinic and its services, visit its website at www.medi-green.ca or contact the head office in Perth at 1-855-3250001.

October 2016

lifestyle

Sole Sisters run is bigger a nd bet ter t h is yea r

Photo Credit: Sally Smith

Smiths Falls - Sally Smith sally@pd gmedia.ca Where did it all start for the Sole Sisters? Catch the two run organizers together and you’ll find out they’ve actually known each other for 20 years. They first met at CHEO where Sheila Coutts became a mentor for a young, newly-minted nurse - France Murdoch. They remained vague acquaintances through the years and serendipitously re-connected via a work-related phone call in 2011. During the conversation they learned each was in training - Coutts to run a 10 km race and Murdoch to walk a half marathon. They decided to train together, and things clicked. That was in May 2012. Today, both are still in the health field, Murdoch as a nurse practitioner in Smiths Falls and Coutts working in doctors’ offices in Manotick and Smiths Falls, and teaching at St. Lawrence College in Brockville. She teaches in the nursing program helping student nurses with their placements; and, in all truth, “passing on things that no one tells you.” Running has been a huge part of Coutts’ life. She began in 1998 on a treadmill during a rehab stint for a broken ankle. (She now has a metal plate in her ankle.) Eventually she took to running outside “progressing slowly to every other hydro pole,” she says, laughing at her memories. “You know, people say they can’t get into running, it’s too hard, but I really liked it right from the start. I like it to this day. You find your pace and just do it.” And it’s stood her in good stead. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in

2012, and running kept her sane throughout the strenuous ordeal of three courses of chemotherapy and two of radiation. About a year before she received the life-changing news of cancer, Coutts had taught Murdoch to run, so the two kept training through that fearful time. “I didn’t know if I was running from something or to something but running gave me things to think about” other than cancer, Coutts recalls. And running also gave her an edge going into the treatment. As a registered nurse, she knew what patients went through, what cancer did to body and mind. She learned along the way that being in good physical shape helped tremendously in her fight to come out the other side as unscathed as possible. The first Sole Sisters run as we know it today was in 2013. This year’s event is on Oct. 16, starting at Lower Reach Park in Smiths Falls at 8 a.m. There are 2 km, 5 km and 10 km routes. There are more than 140 registered runners so far, and Murdoch makes a plea to register before the event, although they will “absolutely” take race-day registration. “We won’t turn anyone away. Please come and share your stories.” Each registered participant will receive custom Sole Sister shoelaces, and a medal; the first three runners to cross the finish line in each event will get free registration for next year’s run. As always, they need volunteers as route marshals, at water tables, for registration, as drivers, for First Aid, for cheering and to clean up afterwards. The event provides a perfect op-

portunity for high school students to earn some of your volunteer hours. Until this year, proceeds have all gone to cancer research. “If there’s no research, there’s no advancement,” Coutts says. The last round of her treatment included a research drug. This year a portion of the funds will go to a new chemotherapy unit at the Great War Memorial Hospital in Perth. That way, people can be treated for cancer locally. Coutts knows too well the time spent driving to and from hospitals for treatment — two of hers were at the Queensway, one at the General in Ottawa. When you already feel awful, spending hours on the road just adds to the feeling of sickness. “Your time can be better spent living life rather than fighting for it,” Coutts says. The hope is the unit will serve as many as 100 patients this year. The unit is a satellite chemotherapy clinic of the regional cancer program out of Kingston General Hospital. If you can give a couple of hours for a great cause and two genuine women, contact Vicki Christensen at wlsgirl2005@yahoo.ca. To register for the run, go to http://solesistersrun.weebly.com/. This year, dogs on leashes and children in strollers are welcome to walk; if children are registered, they too will receive a medal. Registration fees: $20 for 2 km, $40 for 5 km and $60 for 10 km. After the event, join racers at C’est Tout Bakery on Beckwith Street in downtown Smiths Falls for a hot or cold breakfast with a donation of choice going back to Sole Sisters’ fundraising pot.

B a r n D o or's 2 2 nd s e a s on of theatre magic set to open Perth - Submitted

"This is MAGIC!" were the words of an opening night patron at one of BarnDoor Productions (BDP)' 21st season shows. And isn't that what theatre is supposed to be — a magical evening? Perth's BDP has been expanding the envelope of that magic since 1995, whether it was with outdoor Shakespeare, original plays and musicals, or being integral in the creation of both of Perth's full-time performance venues. The magic that made up BDP's 21st season also helped give the community theatre a more than 20 per cent growth in audience numbers as more and more people were reminded of the high-energy, high-excitement theatre that happens, production after production, at the former car-wash on Craig Street. After a 21st season that included everything from Canadian premieres, brandnew adaptations, rarely seen treasures and a whole summer season of original shows celebrating the 200th anniversary of their community, BDP is ready to take the stage again with a 22nd season that continues to push the envelope. From the hottest play fresh off Broadway, to a special pairing of Christmas plays, to an all-new adaptation of one of the most

successful mystery-thrillers of all time, to a new play from a hot new playwright, to a summer of perfect holiday fare, BDP's 22nd season will keep the magic going. Opening on Oct. 14 and running until Oct. 23 is a long-awaited production that the company has been working two years to bring to the stage in Perth. Venus In Fur, by David Ives, opened off-Broadway in 2010, moved to Broadway in 2011, won Tony Awards that year and became the most produced play in North America in 2012. It is a reality-twisting 95 minutes of laughs, interspersed with shocks and a few seconds of pure terror -- in other words, terrific theatre. A playwright is auditioning to find the perfect actress for the lead role in his new play based on Leopold Von Sacher-Masoch's infamous 1870 novel, Venus In Fur. At the last second, a tardy, obviously unsuitable candidate rushes through the door — and proceeds to turn everything the playwright (and the audience) thought about the play (and maybe their lives) upside down. Playgoers are advised that Venus In Fur is very frank in both language and situation. It is probably the most sexually-charged show that has ever been staged in Perth. It is intense, funny, surpris-

ing, shocking and unlike any show you've seen in a long, long time. Where it goes in the end is a journey that is totally unpredictable from moment to moment, but which might just change your way of thinking. BarnDoor Productions' 22nd season continues after Venus In Fur with a double-header, The Christmas Tree and The Song of Mary, for December, a new adaptation of George M. Cohan's classic thriller 7 Keys To Baldpate in February, The Tin Woman, a new comedy/drama from a hot new American playwright in April, and a summer lineup ranging from fun farce to a new musical version of a 2,400 year old comedy! Venus In Fur runs Oct. 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 at 8:00 p.m., Oct. 16 and 23 at 2:00 p.m. at Full Circle Theatre, 26 Craig Street, Perth, near Last Duel Park. Tickets are $20 reserved; $22 at the door. Post-secondary students are just $10. Due to the nature of the play, it is not recommended for younger people. To reserve, simply call 613 267 1884. No credit cards are required; cash at the performance is requested. Information on BDP's 22nd season and all the events at Full Circle Theatre is at www. barndoorproductions.ca.

October 2016

culture Merrickville Jazz Fest Friends who dine together, promises to delight stay healthy and well together Regional Howaida Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca Already in its fifth year, the Merrickville Jazz Festival (MJF) has become a popular destination for both audiences and performers. The volunteer driven festival will open on Oct. 13 and run until Oct. 16, with an impressive line-up of performers. “I’m excited about the variety that we have this year. We had some larger groups applying so we have more of those this year,” said Peggy Holloway, festival co-founder. The styles will range from New Orleans to modern jazz with musicians from Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, and Ottawa-Gatineau. Performances are scattered throughout the village. “I think the churches as venues are our strong point, because when people go in they’re prepared to just listen and the acoustics are so good. In the restaurants and bars, it’s more of a party atmosphere and people talk, which is ok, but different,” said Holloway. There will be 14 groups performing at this year’s MJF. The highlights of this year’s festival include ERU-ERA, The Carlos Alberto Santana Band featuring Ottawa/Chilean Angel Araos on percussion, and Toronto guitarist Michael Occhipinti presenting his “Shine On: The Universe of John Lennon” jazz project. A special feature this year is a drum clinic with

Canadian drummer Mark Kelso. A skilled musician who plays drums and percussion, Kelso is also a singer, producer, composer, band-leader and the head of the percussion dept at Humber College, Toronto since 2005. “One of the things that I have been so impressed with is the musicians. To meet people who are so engaged, want to share so much and strive for such excellence and who are so nice – they’re inspiring,” said Holloway. The difficulty every year is in deciding which groups will get into the festival while maintaining a variety of styles. “The overwhelming challenge is that you can’t hire as many groups as you would like to,” chuckles Karen Oxorn, Ottawa jazz vocalist and volunteer member of the selection committee. “We’ve developed a voting system, and apply a lot of different parameters to come up with a well rounded program.” Most of this year’s lineup of musicians have released CDs or EPs in the last year, including vocalist Mira Choquette from Montreal, Carlos Alberto Santana, Mark Ferguson and Main Street Market Band from Ottawa, and the award-winning St. Roch Quartet from Quebec City. “There are definitely some newer angles in terms of what we’ll be hearing this year,” said Oxorn. All the musicians are paid at industry rates, and

their travel and accommodation expenses compensated thanks to the generous support of sponsoring merchants from Merrickville, Smiths Falls and area. Meanwhile the entire festival is organized and run by local volunteers. “I have fifty volunteers that man all the shows at the various venues around the village,” says Bronwen McKnight the volunteer co-ordinator. “It’s very much a community event.” In its inaugural year in 2011 MFJ attracted some 200-audience members. Last year the festival welcomed 1,200 jazz lovers. “It’s grown every year and we’re expecting to reach 1,500 audience members this year,” said Holloway. The festival’s grand opening is Thursday, Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Baldachin Inn Ballroom with the seven piece hyper funk collective ERU-ERA, featuring returning saxophonist Richard Page, trumpeter Ed Lister and bassist Marc Decho. Tickets come in a variety of forms from single shows to weekend and day-passes and are available at the Merrickville Book Emporium, Knock Knock Shop, online at www.merrickvillejazzfest. com or by phone at 343925-0229. Ticket prices range from $20 for a single show to $75 for a weekend pass, and it’s just $10 for the Drum Clinic on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the Merrickville Legion on Main Street.

Appearing at the Merrickville Jazz Fest on Saturday evening at the Merrickville United Church this all-star lineup collectively boasts over 20 JUNO Award nominations, and includes the unique voices of Elizabeth Shepherd, Yvette Tollar and Dominic Mancuso, paired with the instrumental talents of Mark Kelso (drums/ vocals), Roberto Occhipinti (bass), Kevin Turcotte (trumpet), and Michael Occhipinti (guitar/vocals). They will be performing Shine On: The Universe of John Lennon showcasing music by John Lennon and The Beatles uniquely arranged by eight-time JUNO nominee Michael Occhipinti (front centre). Photo Credit: Submitted

From left to right, Gail Porteous, Bonnie Dannenburg, Nancy Jaeger and Lorna McRae pose for a picture while out for dinner at House of Fong in Carleton Place on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. Nancy Jaeger organizes the group of friends to meet for dinner once a week. Photo Credit: Jane Hobson

Carleton Place - Jane Hobson ja n e @ p d g m e d i a . c a “We might be old but we’re still fun!” said Nancy Jaeger. Jaeger is 71-years-old. She is witty and vibrant with a social life to match. One of her regular outings is the weekly dinners she organizes for herself and a group of friends. Each Thursday night they dine at a local Carleton place restaurant and Jaeger said the gang ranges anywhere from 17 to 27 people, some who travel from Ottawa to kickback and relax locally. The restaurant is different each week. “I want to my friends from Ottawa to know how great Carleton Place is,” Jaeger said happily. After years of travelling the world with her husband Steve, Jaeger has returned to Carleton Place where she was born. “My roots are here,” Jaeger said. She lived in Australia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand and the United States but said nothing feels more like home than Carleton Place. “The old saying ‘Home is where the heart is’ is definitely true – most definitely when one is thousands of miles away from it,” she said. The small town’s reputation is what drew her back in. “[Restaurant owners] recognize you by name, ask about your family, and show their appreciation for your

business,” Jaeger said. “Out of town friends who join us each week notice that connection and say ‘In the big city restaurants, you are only a number’.” Family events, birthdays, anniversaries and health issues are often the topics of discussion when Jaeger and her friends meet for dinner. “This year it was the 32nd anniversary of my 39th birthday,” Jaeger joked. Retirement, relocation and bereavement are life transitions that commonly leave aging people feeling anxious, angry and depressed, according to a 2012 publication of Mind Matters: The Official Newsletter of Lanark County Mental Health. Jaeger agrees. She believes that maintaining a social life is very important as people age and reach retirement. Jaeger said she has always made friends easily. Just because I’m living back in my hometown doesn’t mean I can’t continue to do that, she explained. “Some of our spouses have passed away and these get-togethers are a reason to get prettied up, give us excitement for joining others to share our past week, give one another support, meet new people,” she said. Liz Taylor, community relations coordinator at Carleton Place Terrace by Symphony Senior Living, agrees that

staying social as you age is important to overall health. “When you are working, you have the social connections with the day-to-day workplace but when you retire that connection can be decreased or discontinued,” said Taylor. Taylor has no connection with Jaeger or her friends but is experienced in addressing the concerns of seniors and helping them transition smoothly into retirement. Taylor says it is sometimes difficult for people to maintain social lives as they age because of things like illness, the fear of falling and being too comfortable in their own space. “[Nancy] encourages us to get out and do something fun and meaningful,” said Peggy Thompson. Thompson also grew up in Carleton Place and joins the group for dinner each week. “I think she’s really amazing,” Thompson added. Jaeger said she enjoys knowing that “each one of us in our group honestly cares about one another and what they are going through. It’s something to live for and look forward to – much more than just a dinner,” Jaeger said. Jaeger and her husband now spend winters in Florida and summers in Carleton Place. Jaeger says she doesn’t have a favourite place to live. “I was lucky to make good friends in every country [I lived],” she said.

October 2016

culture

Perth Inside Out: by Terry O'Hearn

Jack Walker goes to war over the Haida - Part I Perth native Jack Walker won accolades on behalf this small town nearly 50 years ago, when he launched a replica of the tribal class destroyer HMCS Haida in time for Expo 67 in Montreal. The Perth Courier of Oct. 5, 1967 carried a front page story informing citizens: “Perth’s Haida continues to bring honour and distinction to Perth. The World War Two replica – built by Jack Walker – this week added yet another honour to its laurels when Mr. Walker was informed he would receive a plaque for having the most unique boat to visit Expo 67 during the month of August.” Although things got off to a fine start in the relationship between Skipper and Mayor, the affair would soon turn ugly when Walker began to fire salvoes aimed at the Perth town fathers, both from the editorial page of The Perth Courier and in person at the town council chambers. Walker’s fascination with building miniature copies

of His Majesty’s ships had all started after World War II, when the navy veteran built a smaller replica of the destroyer HMCS Sioux, when he was employed by The Courier as a reporter. He had also been employed there before serving in the war. The Sioux replica occupied a berth in the Tay Basin for many years, and was still floating when the Haida was created. The actual warship HMCS Haida was a 377 foot Tribal-class destroyer which served in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) from 1943 to 1963, participating in World War II and the Korean War. She was credited with sinking more enemy ships than any other RCN vessel, and is also the only survivor of her class out of 27 built for Commonwealth navies. The ship now conducts stationary patrol as a museum on the waterfront of Hamilton, Ontario, and has been designated a National Historic Site of Canada by Parks Canada.

At the time Walker and his wife Ferne cruised up the St. Lawrence River in the Haida replica to Montreal’s Expo 67, the original de-commissioned ship was anchored in Toronto Harbour at Ontario Place. In August, 2003, the old Haida would be moved to her current resting place in front of Hamilton's Naval Reserve Division, at the urging of Ontario MP Sheila Copps. In October, 1967, the Perth Courier reported that the Chamber of Commerce had granted Jack Walker funds to finish construction of the Haida. It seems the command structure of Perth’s miniature navy changed at that time, as the story went on to say there was concern by town officials about maintenance of the Sioux, which they felt was deteriorating in the Tay Basin. The Sioux was originally constructed in 1948, and had been in the basin for almost 20 years by then. Now the boat was for sale, and Walker admitted he was “out of the boat-build-

ing business for time being, and was getting back to my line of work.” Expo 67 came to a conclusion, and seemingly all the good will and camaraderie vanished at the same time between Walker and the gentlemen running the Town of Perth. A newspaper story of Feb. 22, 1968, carried a letter to the editor from Walker about the poor marine facilities for boaters in Perth: “Perth, with its so-called administrators, who couldn’t see past the end of their nose, is letting six miles of good cruising waterways from the Rideau, just go to waste along with a lot of tourist dollars. This year, as the Haida power may be sponsored by a marine motor manufacturer, there is a possibility that the ship will be cruising to many boating towns along Lake Ontario and to the Toronto Exhibition. No doubt we will be asked this year by many people about the dock facilities at Perth. Will we have to have to give them the same answer as

This undated photo gives a view looking at the bow of Jack Walker’s replica of the HMCS Haida, as it sat in the Tay Basin many years ago. Next month we will show a later photo of the replica, comparing it to the actual warship Haida. The attention to detail by Walker was remarkable. Photo Credit: Dave Bromley

we did before?” You may have already guessed the essence of Walker’s response to enquiries from the many people he would be meeting on his 1968 cruise. The saga continues next month, as Captain Jack Walker cruises the waterways of the Rideau

and St. Lawrence systems, and Perth’s newly-minted Admiralty attempts to maintain control of the rogue sailor from ashore. Terrance O'Hearn is the Public Relations Officer for the Royal Canadian Legion, District "G", of the Ontario Command.

Busy month at Station Theatre The ghost of Leslie Block Smiths Falls - Submitted There's lots going on this month at the Smiths Falls Station Theatre. Nothing attracts a good cast like a smart script and an intriguing plot. Audiences too! And Out of Sight...Out of Murder, written by Fred Carmichael, directed by Katharine Coleman, offers all the ingredients for a great night at the theatre. It’s highly imaginative premise offers wonderful character roles galore and Coleman has made the most of it, enticing back some actors we haven't seen for a while. As the first scene opens, Peter Knight (played by Jamie Benda) is grinding out a murder story in an old mansion where another author was murdered years before. A weird electrical storm effects a cosmic snafu and his characters come to life. Before long, Peter loses control of his characters and there is a murder; the intended victim being Peter himself. Other murders follow and the culprit is among characters who, having also worked for other authors, know a great deal about the subject. Can Peter find the killer before the killer gets his author? Is romance with the ingenue leading anywhere? Where is the fortune mentioned in the will? In the end, all is solved masterfully with romance, suspense and cosmic wit. Out of Sight...Out of Murder runs from Friday, Oct.14 to Sunday, Oct. 23. Evening performances are at 7.30 p.m.; matinees are

carleton place - Linda Seccaspina editorial@pdgmedia.ca

at 2 p.m. Tickets: Adults $20, Children/Students $10. Call 613-283-0300 for credit card purchases, or go to www.smithsfallstheatre.com to buy online. Cash only ticket sales are at Special Greetings, 8 Russell St. East in Smiths Falls and at the door onehalf hour before each performance. Campbell Woods—In Concert at 8 p.m. on Oct. 8. Campbell Woods, the former Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute student is returning to Smiths Falls with Tim Jackson on Thanksgiving Weekend playing songs from his latest album, Oxford Street. Now living in Halifax, Campbell sings soft songs about hard luck. His music is rooted in the tradition of Townes Van Zandt, whose style he so admires. Tickets are $20. Show is at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8. A cash bar (beer and wine) will be available before, at intermission and afterwards. Visit www.smithsfallstheatre.com for info on ticket sales. Movie Weekend: Captain Fantastic, Oct.28 - 29

The movie's title suggests a comic book flick, but the reality is far different. This is a serious movie, which the consensus view on Rotten Tomatoes is described as having thought-provoking themes—and an absorbing star turn by Viggo Mortensen—adding up to an above-average family drama with unexpected twists. The storyline finds Ben Cash (Mortensen), his wife Leslie and their six children living deep in the wilderness of Washington state. Isolated from society, Ben and Leslie devote their existence to raising their kids — educating them to think critically, training them to be physically fit and athletic, guiding them in the wild without technology and demonstrating the beauty of co-existing with nature. When Leslie dies suddenly, Ben takes his sheltered offspring into the outside world for the first time with fascinating results. Show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets on sale for cash only at the door are $10 for adults; $5 for students. Rating: PG.

In 1895 Jacob Leslie built what is known as the Leslie Block on Bridge Street in Carleton Place to house his furniture and undertaking business. The ground floor was strictly a showroom for furniture, but samples of coffins were on the second floor with a preparation room at the back. The deceased were embalmed and made ready for presentation in the building as the wake and funerals usually took place at home. Emma Myers had been a very young nurse on various Civil War battlefields, and after the war she immigrated to Canada with what was left of her family and started working at the Leslie Block. She had survived the hardships of war and had become addicted to morphine through the years, as it was given as a painkiller to the Civil War officers. Almost all addictions at the turn of the century were accidental. People became involved with drugs as they had no

idea what they were taking and ignorant of the impact associated with them. We know that embalming fluid is very popular among the dead; I am just having a hard time understanding why the living insist on smoking it– because that is what Emma was doing while she worked there. She had replaced the now unavailable morphine with embalming fluid as her drug of choice. Smoking a cigarette with a touch of embalming fluid is similar to an egg exploding in a microwave and can cause a person to become extremely high for up to three days, depending on the amount smoked. Emma did not last long working in the Leslie Block building, as exactly 30 days after she began work she fell into a coma on the second floor and died. For 10 years a used furniture shop in that same building was run by Joyce Murray and she sensed a lot of odd noises and motions. Murray often felt cold pockets of air on the second floor, and doors would slam shut for no reason. Many times some

Leslie Building. Photo Credit: Linda Seccaspina

would complain of feeling uneasy and seeing shadows out of the corner of their eyes. Many a person would get “locked” in the bathroom on the second level, so Murray decided to stop using it. Murray’s dogs, who spent their days at the store, absolutely refused to go up the stairs. The furniture dealer’s son-in-law set up a surveillance camera to monitor activity, and one day the camera showed a long-skirted figure quite prominently. When someone went up to check, there was no one there. The entire back (east) side of the building suddenly collapsed in 1953 and an overpowering smell of formaldehyde wafted through the town. Buildings all along Beckwith Street were evacuated, including the Bell Telephone exchange at the corner of Albert Street – the only time in their history they stopped work! It seems that the embalming fluid had been slowly leaking down the back wall through the years, eating away the mortar and stone, until the entire wall collapsed. Could it have been young Emma who was still a ‘wet-user’ even in death? Had someone siphoned off the embalming fluid and forgot to shut off the valve? After all, invincibility and forgetfulness are also common side effects of smoking the fluid-- could this ghost just be reliving her past? We should all remember the ghosts of the past speak to all who listen. Is Emma's ghost still trying to get someone in the Leslie Building to listen?

October 2016

business Carleton Place BIA members Franktown Church gets revival unhappy with transition plan with new furniture emporium

An old table, painted lime green, makes a bright corner in a modern house. Photo Credit: Sallt Smith

Regional - SALLY SMITH sally@pd gmedia.ca About 25 people attended the BIA board meeting on Sept 21, 2016. The meeting discussed the transition plan to integrate the new BIA position of support contact. Photo Credit: Jane Hobson

Carleton Place - Jane Hobson ja n e @ pd g m e d ia . c a The tension between Carleton Place Business Improvement Association (BIA) members and the board has heightened since the termination of the BIA project manager position in mid-August. Controversy ensued after the decision was initially made, as members questioned the legality of it, with many feeling the decision was based on personal feelings and not the betterment of the association. According to some members, there are two problems. First, Board Director Rob Probert was not present and did not give consent at the in-camera meeting where the decision to terminate the project manager position was made; second that Cathie McOrmond, the project manager whose position was being terminated, was called in from vacation for the meeting. Many members viewed that as disrespectful. “You’re going to lose us. You’re making decisions that are personal decisions. You’re supposed to include us,” said Brigitte Diogo at a BIA board meeting in September. Diogo owns the Green Counter Boutique in Carleton Place. The BIA is proposing a transition plan that many members are unhappy with. The transition plan incorporates a BIA support contact to replace the position of project manager. The position of support contact is responsible for managing the Downtown Carleton Place BIA phone number and e-mail address

and directing inquiries to the right contact — like social media or event planner. The support contact is also responsible for record keeping and other admin support duties assigned by the board. Members say this new 20hour per week position will not be enough to sustain the needs of their businesses, as the project manager typically worked full-time hours. Along with several members, some of the board is not satisfied with the transition plan either. “As a board member, I’m insulted by not being a part of that [decision],” Probert said. “I’m not happy about this at all. I’ll be voting ‘no’ on every aspect of this transition plan.” Board Director Mike Cimilyan said the board is looking for a “much more hands on approach.” If that’s the case, members are confused then why the support contact position is only a 20-hour per week job. “We need someone who knows us. We need someone who manages us. We need continuity. Someone who understands the visions of our BIA members,” Diogo said. The board proposes that contract event planners and promotion coordinators will be hired to run BIA events, tasks that were typically done by the project manager in the past. BIA members are concerned that hiring event planners will cost money and negatively affect their business. When members expressed their concerns to the board, Cimilyan said,

“the strategy moving forward is a good one.” “Everyone in this room should understand that everyone on the board cares very much about the success of our downtown,” Cimilyan said. “Our motivation is pure, we are deeply invested. We’re not just hiring people off the streets to run events.” Some members say they can’t trust the board to make decisions in the best interest of their business and the downtown because they do not feel the board is listening to their needs. “You’re afraid of negative comments. I cannot count on the BIA to promote my business because you won’t even let us speak. You don’t have my support,” said Diogo. Cimilyan argued that the board has not “silenced anyone.” “This is my first meeting and I’m in shock,” said Cara Davids. Davids recently moved to Carleton Place from England. She owns Under Pressure Coffee House. BIA Board Director Wally Thorbjornsson insists that the board is listening to its members. “We’re all trying to do our best,” Cimilyan said, adding he was happy to see so many members at the meeting. Newly approved Chair of the BIA Board Mark Lovell agreed. “We’re going to figure it out because the downtown is a community,” he said. Moving forward, the board will continue with the transition plan. The support contact position is now posted.

“We’re only two people,” she said with a grin “but our minds and bodies are going like an army of 10!” says Sue Gordon, 56, sitting in a comfy sling-back Falcon chair in the newly refurbished Franktown Church on Hwy. 15 leading out of Smiths Falls heading to Carleton Place. Holding a large old Mason jar on her lap, she explains how the contents of the jar were in rough shape; it served as a time capsule and over the 100 years it had been in the Franktown church cornerstone, it broke and water seeped in. But she has agreed, as the new owner of Franktown’s St. Paul’s United Church, along with her partner Johnny Watzlawik, to have the papers and pieces restored by a conservationist at Beckwith Museum. A decision to sell the church was made in December 2014. The two took possession in July 2015 after it was de-commissioned at the end of June that year. After “putzing around” all winter, the church re-opened as Revival, a home decor emporium on May 28, 2016. Buying a church, Gordon says, is “daunting.” The zoning had to be changed, the 16 families who supported the church had to be informed, small rooms needed to be designed and built to display the quickly arriving furniture, and all the anxiety and delight that goes along with a new venture needed to be talked through. It’s quite a story, and quite a vision the two have. Their dream is to be custodians of the lovely old building “until the next generation takes over.” Gordon sees that dream becoming a reality already. “We’re getting more and more young people in all the time.” Just a couple of weeks ago a young couple

bought a six-foot harvest table. Gordon’s theory is that mixing the new with vintage pieces makes a room “sing!” Along with that she says it’s important to keep the stories of bygone days alive through “re-purposing” old objects, furniture, and pieces. “Don’t let it stop here when grandma dies!” The old stone church is full of antiques, collectables and timeless furniture, tastefully displayed in vignettes throughout the main floor of the building. In one small pod visitors find a beautiful old headboard gleaming from the many hands that have rubbed it through the years; partner that with a draped quilt, an old afghan blanket, a softly-lit lamp, a classic book - and you can see it in your own bedroom. Gordon and Watzlawik, 53, look at each other and agree that there is not one piece of furniture in the store that they started with. Business is that good. Gordon, an interior designer at heart, is convinced

that “vignettes inspire people. “We just sold a designer teak desk to a published writer,” she says with some glee. “He said the lines and the look inspired him.” How do they find their goods? “We scour! We don’t use just one source. We go to houses, estate sales, power of attorney sales; we find people who are downsizing and say they want their furniture to go to a good home. “We take a look at the good, bad and ugly and sort through it. We go out on call. We literally scour the face of the earth leaving no stone unturned.” Theirs is not a consignment business. “We own all the inventory in the church. That's where we get to keep our prices really low,” and to pass that price along to customers. This way “everyone gets to take home a little piece of history; after all, every piece we have has some history!” Revival has been open four months and will stay open until December. It’ll close January, February and March to open again in April 2017. “Our plan is to install a spiral staircase down to the basement for a downstairs café.” There’s a full kitchen down there that was used to prepare community dinners. “Our business is ballooning before our eyes. We’re truly blessed,” Gordon says. Find Revival at 9603 Hwy. #15, Franktown. Call them at 613-914-4404. Look for them on Facebook at @ FranktownRevival. The store is open on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also, the owners are looking for a bell for the decommissioned church. If you know of one, please contact the, the original one, or otherwise.

Sue Gordon gently holds a 100-year-old cracked Mason jar used as the time capsule in the Franktown church. Photo Credit: Sallt Smith

October 2016

Helping add some shine to your golden years

Understand your financial planner’s role and capabilities smiths Falls - Shawn Pankow CFP, CLU

According to a recent poll completed for the Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC), 81 per cent of respondents who have completed a comprehensive financial plan with a certified financial planner feel they are on track with their financial affairs. In contrast, only 44 per cent of people who have not completed comprehensive planning feel they are on track. Sixty-five per cent of those who have completed planning feel they are prepared to manage through tough economic times, compared to only thirty-six per cent of people who have not done formal financial planning. Over twice as many people (60 percent vs 28 per cent) who have a comprehensive financial plan feel they are prepared for unexpected emergencies and half of the people completing planning with a financial planner are confident they will be able to retire when they want to, compared to just 22 per cent who have not done the necessary planning. There is strong evidence that people working with a financial planner are more confident about their financial future, feel better prepared to manage through tough economic times or financial emergencies and are more likely to be prepared for retirement. However, there is a broad lack of understanding, and a real lack of regulation over who can, or cannot call themselves a financial planner. According to the FPSC, anyone in Ontario can call themselves a financial planner without having any qualifications to back it up. This can lead to a case of buyer beware, as there is no legislated standard in place for financial planners or for those who offer financial planning services. Professional regulation is a provincial matter and the Ontario government is taking preliminary steps toward dealing with this important consumer protection issue. How-

ever, strict competency and ethics requirements, overseen by a professional standards-setting and certification body, do exist. The title of Certified Financial Planner (CFP) is restricted by law to those who have met and continue to meet clearly defined and enforced standards of competence, ethics and performance. CFP® professionals have had to demonstrate their financial planning competence through extensive education, a rigorous standardized national examination process, and comprehensive continuing education requirements outlined by the FPSC. FPSC certificants, including CFP professionals, must adhere to the eight-point FPSC® Code of Ethics that emphasizes accountability, to the public, clients and colleagues, and are as follows: 1.Put my clients’ interests first Top of the list is a written obligation to put clients’ interests first at all times—even if there are differences in compensation for selling one product over another. 2. Act with integrity Trust and confidentiality are cornerstones of integrity. A CFP professional must uphold the principle of integrity at all times, inspiring confidence and upholding a strong moral compass. 3. Be objective Objectivity means keeping emotions, personal bias and competing priorities out of the decision-making process. CFP professionals make recommendations based on sound knowledge, strong judgement and a full understanding of their clients’ goals and objectives. 4. Maintain competence It’s not enough to qualify for CFP certification just once in a lifetime. In addition to meeting demanding certification requirements, CFP professionals must keep their skills up-to-date and develop additional knowledge throughout their career. 5. Be fair and open Fairness is about im-

partiality and disclosure. CFP professionals must be honest and objective, providing advice and planning without regard to compensation, bias, employer or any other interests. They must also communicate at a level that’s understandable to clients. When you begin working with a CFP professional, he or she will clearly and transparently communicate to you the services to be provided, any potential conflicts of interest they’re aware of, how they’ll be compensated and what you can expect from the relationship. 6. Maintain confidentiality As electronic data storage becomes more pervasive, the protection of private information is critical. A CFP professional is bound to ensure the protection of all client data regardless of how it is stored or delivered. 7. Act diligently Diligence is about being mindful when guiding, informing, planning and delivering financial advice and services to clients. Circumstances can change quickly in your life and the world around you. A CFP professional has the knowledge and ability to respond effectively to those changes and help motivate you to take actions that will help you reach your financial goals. 8. Act professionally By following the FPSC Code of Ethics, CFP professionals hold themselves to a level of professionalism that inspires confidence, respect and trust. The world of financial planning, insurance and investing is confusing enough without trying to understand the competency requirements of those providing financial advice. By working with a certified professional, you are choosing to place your confidence in an advisor who has committed to a higher standard and a set code of ethics. Shawn Pankow is a Certified Financial Planner with Pankow Financial Solutions in Smiths Falls.

An innovative business program to revitalize downtown Smiths Falls

Smiths Falls Howiada Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca

It’s still just an idea, but it’s an intriguing one that two Smiths Falls councillors are hoping can be brought to fruition in town. Win This Space is an innovative contest designed to encourage new businesses to open in town with a lot of incentives and mentoring thrown in. The idea was first presented two years ago at the Smiths Falls Heritage Symposium when Jan Hawley, economic development officer for Huron East was a guest speaker at the event. “We had 11 empty spaces in one year in downtown Seaforth – population 2,200. As a result of the Win this Space contest, we had nine businesses open and there was only one winner,” said Hawley. Just for taking part in the competition, applicants receive three free business-coaching workshops. The workshop topics include how to start a business and create a business plan, how to develop a marketing plan and financials. “For the initial entries we just asked for a 150 word submission of the business idea,” said Hawley. Even though there is only one winner, many of the runners up end up opening their business once they real-

ize they really do have viable business ideas thanks to the workshops. “The municipality that [Hawley] works in gives the winner free rent for a space in the downtown for one year,” explains Lorraine Allen, Smiths Falls councillor. In the first year, Hawley said she was able to attract private and public funding but in the second year, because of the program’s success, the contest was just publicly funded. “It’s a win-win for everyone,” said Hawley. The municipality benefits from having fully occupied commercial and industrial spaces that pay taxes and rent and attract more businesses, and entrepreneurs benefit from the coaching and year long mentoring that they receive from the local Community Futures Development Corporation as part of the winner’s package. “I think it would be very feasible in Smiths Falls, and you never know until you try,” said Maloney. According to Hawley, there were 28 applicants for the contest in its first year, of those 28 applicants, 24 completed the courses and 12 completed their business plan. A panel of judges then narrowed it down to five contestants. “We then did a Dragon’s Den format to pick the final winner. So we had one win-

ner but two of the runners up opened their businesses anyway, plus we had two others that had dropped out of the course, who went on to open their businesses as well. So we had nine business that were directly or indirectly involved in the contest open businesses in the commercial core, and they’re all still open,” said Hawley. Just last month the Win this Space competition received the Community Economic Development Award of Excellence at the Community Futures Ontario conference. At this time Smiths Falls councillors John Maloney and Allen are keen to explore the idea in more detail and plan to bring Hawley back to give a talk and discuss in greater detail the methodology she used. “I’m really looking forward to coming to Smiths Falls,” said Hawley. “I’ve received an email from Lorraine, and tentatively said sometime in November but I’m hoping to get there earlier -- sometime in October,” said Hawley. Both Allen and Maloney are suggesting starting a similar program in the commercial area downtown, but think it could be expanded to all the empty commercial and industrial spaces in town. The town will release more information once the details are clear.

October 2016

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Ombudsman is committed to ensuring equitable treatment Regional Howaida Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca The change from 100 per cent public ownership of Hydro One late last year meant that the Ontario ombudsman's office no longer had any authority to investigate complaints against the giant utilities’ billing and customer service practices. Meanwhile the utility’s board recognizing that it needs to place more focus on customer service appointed an independent ombudsman to help the company’s 1.3 million customers resolve problems with Hydro One. Fiona Crean was appointed in November of 2015 and her office opened its doors in March of this 2016. Still familiarizing herself with the complexities of the company, Crean began travelling across the province shortly after setting up her office to explain her role to the public, and hear directly from customers. On Tuesday, Sept. 13, Hometown News reporter

Howida Sorour-Roberts had the opportunity to sit down with Crean at Coffee Culture in Smiths Falls for an informal talk about her role and the challenges she faces as she listens to customer complaints. Here’s what she had to say. Sorour-Roberts: How long have you been doing this kind of work? Crean: “I’ve been in conflict resolution in the broader sense for 30 plus years.” Immediately prior to taking on the role of Hydro One ombudsman, Crean was the ombudsman for Toronto city council. Her experience includes addressing systemic sexism and racism while serving as the assistant deputy minister in the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Crean also established York University’s Office of Ombudsman and was the executive director of the Ontario Ombudsman’s Office. The multilingual Crean also worked for a number of years at the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

Sorour-Roberts: How do you see your role with Hydro One? Crean: “My job is to make sure Hydro One is serving people fairly. To make sure that the process is fair and decisions are fair and people are being treated equitably — not equally but equitably meaning that individual circumstances or even collective circumstances are being taken into account.” Sorour-Roberts: You were appointed by the board of Ontario Hydro, so how independent is your office? Crean: “I report to the board but I am not part of management or operations because my job is to investigate these things. I have unfettered investigative access to all information within the company. While at the same time my office offers complete confidentiality to customers seeking help. The one thing I tell people is ‘don’t trust me, but give me the time to show you results’. Sorour-Roberts: What has been your greatest challenge in the job so far?

Crean: “The role of ombudsman is not well understood, so the challenge is to inform people and give them the wherewithal to understand so they know how and when to use my office and to help people understand that I am not a threat. Getting people to turn that corner is a big challenge.” Sorour-Roberts: Have you encountered any new surprises in this role? Crean: “No, there have been no surprises. I’ve been doing ombudsman work for 30 years, and I have insight into the problems people have with big companies. There is a need to fundamentally understand the relationship between the little guy and the big institution — it’s a balancing act — an empowering of the citizen.” Sorour-Roberts: Why have you chosen to conduct these consultations? Crean: “I consider it part of my responsibility, an ombudsman that doesn’t get out of their office is not doing their job.” Sorour-Roberts: Do you think you will be able to help

Hydro One improve its track record with its customers? Crean: “Yes, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe that. Hydro One has been a monopoly forever but most people don’t realize that it doesn’t do electricity generation anymore. Ontario Power Generation does the generating and sets electricity rates and Hydro One does the distribution. Only 38 per cent of the electricity bill goes to Hydro One the rest is flow through money, that goes to OPG or the government.” Sorour-Roberts: How do you explain to residents why Hydro One sells electricity to the U.S. or other provinces for a fraction of what it costs them? Crean: “The province doesn’t store electricity because some 80 years ago they made a decision not to build the infrastructure to store it. So today if there is electricity that is not used it gets sold at half price. The argument I’ve been given is that it’s better to get some money for it than no money. Is it equitable to sell and subsidize, no but that’s a question for the

politicians.” Sorour-Roberts: Who can call your office? Crean: “Anyone can call my office, whether a resident, a business or a supplier. Having said that my office is an office of last-resort, which simply means that when citizens and customers have problems with the company, they need to try to resolve the problem with the company first. And if they are still not satisfied or didn’t get the answer they needed they can come to the office of the ombudsman. Having said that, I will not turn away the 85-year old lady with dementia who is questioning her bill but hasn’t called Hydro One first, we will also make any exception when there is a delay on the part of the company responding to a customer. My office is an alternative to the courts, we are in the business of mediating conflict and providing the company with an opportunity to explain itself.” Crean’s office can be reached at hydrooneombudsman.com or by calling 1-844-608-8756.