Vol. 3 No. 9
YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER - LANARK, NORTH LEEDS & GRENVILLE
SEPTEMBER 2016
Local woman rebuilding life after near-death attack Regional - Sally Smith sally@pdgmedia.ca
“He was gonna kill me and I was gonna be with my son. That’s what he kept saying. Everyone heard him…” Caroline Taylor cried, unable to catch her breath. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Recounting the night of April 1, 2016 was gut-wrenching. It tore her apart. And it was a horrible day — one that’s changed her for the rest of her life. The man she’d been living with for nine months and known for a year turned on her. He smashed her face with his fists, drove her head into cement steps, bruised her, doused her with gas, and lit a match. Taylor, with failing strength, managed to get away, but her beloved service dog, Toby, was burned to death. The attack, according to Taylor, was well planned; he’d cleaned out his bank account that day and his intent was to kill her. After several months of rehabilitation and physical healing, Taylor is trying to move on. She’ll never forget the day — forgetting is hard to do — but she’s looking forward to a brighter future, one with hope and maybe, another partner. One in which she can have a peaceful night’s sleep. But next time, 55-yearold Taylor will be less trusting, more wary, and
Let's Talk about mental health
she’ll watch for signs now that she knows what some of them are. The horror of the day is inextricably wound up with her message; giving tips to other women (and men) immediately brings back memories. But she wants to say something, and in the saying she hopes to start healing. •Watch out for men with “verbal diarrhea” when they drink. •Watch out for men who want you by their side constantly and intimately. Men who want obsessive control. •Watch out for irrational jealousy. •Watch out for unexplainable depression. •Does he hit you and then apologize profusely? This shouldn’t happen. •Has he raped you? This, too, should never happen. Find out what you can about the man before moving ahead with a relationship and believe it. And she has some strong advice for women (and men) embarking on a relationship: •Have a safety word. Tell it to a family member or a best friend; if you say it, they’ll know you’re in trouble. •Keep your cell phone with you at all times. •Get your own insurance. Today, Taylor lives with chronic pain and PTSD but is seeking help for both and is trying to get her life back on track.
Caroline Taylor and her new service dog Charlie.
After the attack, the trailer where she lived was emptied and she was left with nothing, but she still has expenses. She has a new service dog named Charlie, a seven-monthold Bichon Frise Poodle mix who’s white and fluffy and full of energy. She has to feed him and herself, she needs winter clothing, and most of all, Taylor needs a place to live. She’s hoping she and her youngest son (her middle son was killed in
Photo Credit: Sally Smith.
an ATV accident) will be able to find a house soon. A trust fund has been set up at the Toronto Dominion Canada Trust in Smiths Falls to help Taylor get back on her feet. Those wanting to help can make donations using transit # 36762 and account # 6316865. Taylor’s story is visceral and, unfortunately, not new. If her story is too familiar to you, or someone you know, reach out for help. Here’s
a list of local services. Victim Services Lanark County http://victimserviceslanark.ca/home.php 613-284-8380 Toll-Free: 1-866-5750067 Lanark County Interval House http://lcih.org/ 24-Hour Crisis Line: 1-800-267-7946 or (613) 257-5960 or TTY: (613) 257-1952 Adult Protective Ser-
lifestyle
culture
community
Join us for a four-part educational series on the topic of mental health
Bridges will be the topic at this year's Heritage Symposium
The Mississippi Clean-up Project was established in 2005 with one goal: to clean up our waterways
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vices (613) 267-4200 x2201 aps@county.lanark.on.ca OR ss@county.lanark. on.ca Lanark County Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Program 613-283-2330 ext. 1258 Distress Centres of Lanark, Leeds and Grenville (distress line) 1-800-465-4442 (5 p.m. to midnight daily) The Assault Response & Care Centre 1-800-567-7415
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SEPTEMBER 2016
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Heddy Sorour Kathy Botham Sally Smith Sam Cooley Dianne Pinder-Moss
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EditoR April Scott-Clarke editorial@pdgmedia.ca
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Thank you to all our fans and followers across Lanark and Northern Leeds-Grenville Counties who make Hometown News and our Community Discover pages part of their day. From breaking news to community events to interesting stories about fascinating people and businesses across the county, we strive to keep you informed. If you have a story idea or know of some interesting folks that you think we should know about then we would love to hear from you! We are always interested in involving our readers, if you have an interesting idea for a column or would like to contribute to the content of Hometown News, drop us a line at editorial@pdgmedia.ca Just in case you haven’t checked us out online, here is where you can find us: @ DiscoverKemptville, @DiscoverSmithsFalls, @DiscoverWestport/RideauLakes, @HometownNewsLanark, @DiscoverCarltonPlace, @DiscoverMerrickville, @ DiscoverPerth, @DiscoverAlmonte/MississipiMills. Or course, you can also read all our stories on our website at www.discoversmithsfalls.ca. Be sure to be on the look out for our brand new website launching soon, here you will be able to get all your community news and stories from the communties we serve.
Smiths Falls council considers consolidating procedures for efficiency Smiths Falls Howaida Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca Does every by-law have to be read four times at televised council meetings? That’s the question that’s being asked in Smiths Falls right now. “I’ve been talking about this for several years now, because I think we’re wasting so much time repeating bylaws and motions,” said Dawn Quinn, Smiths Falls councillor. Procedural reviews are not uncommon, especial-
ly in light of changes to the Municipal Act, according to Kerry Costello, Smiths Falls clerk. The last time Smiths Falls made any procedural changes was in 2008, and there have been some major amendments to the act in the intervening years explained Costello. Repetition of bylaws is an old tradition steeped in history but according to Quinn it’s time for change. “Nobody needs to hear a bylaw read four times,” said Quinn, “we could use that time to have a discussion and then the
mayor can ask for the approval of the bylaw and the same applies to motions that are read twice,” said Quinn. One of the ways to cut back on repetitions would be to move to a consent agenda. “A consent agenda is one item that encompasses all the things the council would normally approve with little comment, such as minutes of previous meetings, monthly fire reports, etc., items that it is clear that full council is receptive to, so that instead of five different motions coming forward,
there would only be one motion,” explained Costello. While changes are certainly possible once they’re made and ratified they have to be followed. “Proper procedures are important when enacting or amending bylaws,” states the Municipal Councillor’s Guide 2014. “While councils have been known to pass some bylaws on the day they were first presented, a longer time may be needed for practical or legal reasons.” So any procedural changes that staff present to coun-
cil will have to take into account the legal ramifications of those changes as they apply to the business of the municipality. These are all things that Costello is researching now. Quinn is also asking staff to look into the need for weekly meetings. Right now Smiths Falls council meet every week, alternating between Committee of the Whole and Council meetings. “We need to look at having Committee of the Whole and Council meetings on the
same night whenever possible,” said Quinn. As she points out, most councillors sit on numerous other boards and cutting down the number of meetings at town hall would allow councillors to devote more time to their community, and free up staff who are often called to attend these meetings. “We need to lead by example, and if our council meetings are efficiently run, then other boards that we sit on would follow suit,” concluded Quinn.
MVCA doubling wetland targets, increasing monitoring for area
MVCA Wetlands Screening Map Misssissippi Mills.
REGIONAL - SAM COOLEY
editorial@pdgmedia.ca Swamps, ponds, marshes, bogs and other relatively stagnant bodies of water in the Mississippi Valley are expected to be regulated twice as much by conservation officials by early 2017. In an effort to advance its stewardship role in the environment, the Missis-
sippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) is expected to double its regulatory targets for wetlands from four per cent to eight per cent in the next six months, effectively doubling the amount of protected wetlands in the local area. “We’re 10 years behind,” said MVCA planning manager Matt Craig. “Environ-
Photo Credit: Submitted
ment Canada recommends 10 per cent. This is a mandate we haven’t followed.” Speaking at an Aug. 23 committee meeting in Mississippi Mills, Craig told councillors about the importance of wetlands in the local area and their environmental and economic influence. He also cited a 2010 Duck’s Unlimited study which suggests
65 per cent of “the original” wetlands have been lost. “It’s a scary issue,” said councillor Alex Gillis. The MVCA currently oversees 3,700 kilometres of shoreline and also protects 180 square kilometres of “provincially significant” wetlands—the latter of which is expected to expand to 360 kilometres and be comprised of previously unevaluated wetlands throughout the area. Most of the new re-zoned wetlands will be within Crown land, but a handful of landowners will be affected by the changes, which are expected to take place in early 2017, according to councillor Duncan Abbott. “Landowners have some valid concerns,” said Craig, who added that MVCA is trying to take a “stewardship approach” to increased regulation in the area it controls, which runs from the outskirts of Ottawa all the way to Bon Echo. He said increased site visits by conservation officials will allow for good commu-
nication of the risks associated with human alteration of wetlands—which can potentially be illegal, at least without the proper permits. In the theoretical world, all wetlands are technically regulated by the conservation authority but presently only provincially significant wetlands have been actively protected by the MVCA. This may change in the near future, though. The province has designated certain wetlands, such as the Appleton Wetlands, as being environmentally significant as ecosystems worthy of protection. Unevaluated wetlands are still protected and generally it is considered illegal to construct buildings, for example, on land that is less than 30 metres away from a wetland. Provincially significant wetlands are even more restricted, in that people are generally not allowed to build within 120 metres. “The onus is on the landowner to get the permission from us,” Craig said.
Site visits by officials or engineers may also yield opportunities for landowners to “compensate” for or mitigate any harm to the wetlands. Craig reaffirmed that site visits are free but, as one councillor noted, permits still cost money. In rare instances it may be required for a homeowner to pay for an environmental report if their land is too close to a wetland. Crown land, public infrastructure, previously-used agricultural land and areas that have completed environmental assessments or draft planning approval are all exempt from the MVCA’s wetland policy. Craig indicated there are possibly dire consequences— environmentally and economically—if wetlands aren’t protected. “Especially with the summer we’ve been having (it’s clear) keeping water on the landscape is an important mechanism for flood attenuation and drought. The link to climate change is quite deep.”
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community Smiths Falls catching the eye of tourism and leisure companies Smiths Falls Howaida Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca Two investment leads have already been secured, even before Smiths Falls council has ratified the economic/ tourism development plan. Both leads tie in with tourism and if they materialize, could lead to new job growth in town. “Le Boat are farther along, they are a direct lead that have expressed interest in Smiths Falls and in making the town the headquarters of their operation,” said Cyril Cooper, director of economic development, Smiths Falls. Le Boat is part of the TUI Group, which is a multinational travel and tourism company . “If they located in Smiths Falls they would generate 10 direct jobs in the first year and ramp up over time,” said Cooper. While Le Boat is a strong investment lead at this time, there are still issues to iron out to make their move more attractive. The second lead is also a recreational boating company, but cannot be named at this time. “It’s exciting because both these leads would create more traffic on the Rideau Canal and they’re focused on international
tourism, primarily German and European tourists who are their main customers,” said Cooper. Both companies specialize in high-end boat rentals and that would be their starting point, but according to Cooper there is a potential for manufacturing depending on the strength of the market. “Both of these investment leads came about from working directly with the Ontario East Economic Development Council and the Ministry of Tourism’s investment department,” said Cooper. As these leads continue to develop, Cooper says he’s working closely with neighbouring municipalities. “We’re in close contact with Leeds and Grenville, because it’s a collaborative effort, but Smiths Falls is the lead because of its location and attractiveness as a community,” said Cooper. As Europe continues to struggle with the threat of terrorism, Canada is standing out as a safe haven and that’s encouraging these tourism companies to diversify to Canadian towns with water access. In the meantime, Cooper is continuing to pursuing more diversity in the economic development arena and in early September will make a
presentation to Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs site selectors. “The presentation is being held in Brockville and Cyril will be focusing on showcasing the agrifood opportunities and services already in our region,” said Ingrid Bron, Smiths Falls economic development coordinator, who is busy preparing detailed community profile literature for distribution at the presentation. Later this month, Cooper and Bron will be conducting a tour for the Ministry of Economic Development and Growth of the town’s investment assets, including Tweed and the Gallipeau Centre. “It’s a familiarization tour to a group that represent seven to eight trades, focusing on large company growth,” said Bron. As they pursue and consolidate investment leads, Cooper says his department is working hard to make sure the town is ready and has the mindset to facilitate any potential interest with ease. “We want to ensure that the town is nubile enough so that as the opportunities come, they get what they need in terms of permits and information in a timely fashion,” concluded Cooper.
The Smiths Falls economic development department is a hive of activity as Cyril Cooper and Ingrid Bron, juggle investment leads, presentations, databases and marketing material to advance the town’s interests. Photo Credit: Howaida Sorour-Roberts
Mississippi clean-up project removing tons of waste from waterway
Doug Snedden with just some of the solid waste taken out of the Mississippi River .
Carleton Place Sarah Cavanaugh editorial@pdgmedia.ca The Mississippi Cleanup Project (MCP) was established in 2005 with one goal: to clean up and restore our local waterways, streams and lake. Since its inception, founder and primary administrator Doug Snedden, has been wading into the Mississippi and wading out with
every manner of solid waste. From items like bottles and cans to tires and shopping carts to 200 gallon oil tanks. Without a government agency or professional organization tasked with removing trash from our river system, Snedden took it upon himself to fill an obvious void. His efforts, and those of project participants, work to remove dangerous waste and
Photo Credit: Linda Seccaspina
bring ecological balance back to the waterway. The project runs each year from May until September and updates are posted on the MCP blog (http:// mississippirivercarletonplace.blogspot.ca/). As primary administrator, he coordinates all project activities, volunteer schedules, waste disposal, boat and vehicle operations, safety procedures, coordinates with
outside services like the town and police department and maintains the MCP blog. In short, Snedden is a very busy man When asked what the most unusual item is that he’s ever removed, Snedden recounts a time he came across 10 industrial hole boring steel shafts, each shaft measuring an astounding 10 feet in length and weighing approximately 100 pounds. One commonly discarded item of particular menace is tires. In the short stretch of the Mississippi River in Carleton Place between the McNeely Ave and Highway 7 bridges, the MCP has found approximately 972 tires since 2005. However, the undocumented calculation for that same short area is twelve hundred tires. Discarded tires are a very serious environmental threat to our river system. Chemicals like, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) oils and hazardous waste like lead are released when they breakdown and toxic to aquatic life and to us.
In that same area of the river, 27,000 documented solid waste pieces weighing 117,400 pounds have been removed by the project. Snedden estimates that the undocumented total in the last 11 years has been in excess of 40,000 pieces and 140,000 pounds. Items as crazy to imagine as freezers and refrigerators have been removed. The blog also lists, by year, every item and the approximate gross weight removed from the river system. Sadly, the totals have been on the rise. The totals already available for the 2016 season are staggering. An unbelievable 31,700 pounds of solid waste have been removed from the area in four months including 11 50 gallon barrels, six bicycles, 22 lawn chairs, a 250 pound industrial drive shaft, a tv and a baby stroller. It all raises the question, who’s tossing drive shafts, oil tanks and freezers into the river? Some items listed can rationalized as the result of
wind storms (things like lawn chairs), angler mishaps (fishing rods and hooks) or beach loses (small toys) but the larger items are flat out purposeful dumping, which is shocking and disheartening. In this day and age of accessible recycling and disposal options, not to mention the wealth of knowledge on how dangerous dumping can be to the environment, there is absolutely no excuse for this disregard for our river system. There is an entire page on the Town of Carleton Place website (http://carletonplace.ca/ waste-collection-p2418. php) on waste collection and disposal. When in doubt about how to dispose of an unusual item please refer to it. Let’s help out our river man, our champion of the Mississippi, by lessening his load. If you’d like to learn more about the Mississippi Clean up Project or even volunteer please visit the blog or contact Doug Snedden at dougsnedden@hotmail.com.
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Flushable wipes clogging sewage systems cost ratepayers SMITHS FALLS Howaida Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca The mantra “toilets are not garbage cans” is sweeping across the country from sea to sea, and its authors are the wastewater treatment plant operators who are forced to unclog putrid sewage blockages caused by materials that should never be flushed down the loo. “The time of travel through the sewer system is three hours, so if it doesn’t break down in that length of time it’ll end up clogging the system,” said Ted Joynt, superintendent of utilities, Smiths Falls. Among the worst offenders when it comes to snarling up water treatment plant equipment are wipes – flushable or disposable. “They clog up the pumps, get tangled around air-lines and get caught on the bar screens,” said Sarah Cooke, water/wastewater compliance coordinator, who was one of the first people to bring attention to the issue in 2010. According to Barry Orr, City of London environmental and engineering services, and spokesperson for the Municipal Enforcement Sewer Use Group (MESUG) and international consultant. “The only things sewage systems are designed to handle are human waste and toilet paper, anything else
belongs in the garbage,” said Orr in an interview. Just because a product says it’s flushable doesn’t mean it should go down the toilet. “The term flushable on all these products is misleading,” said Cooke, “It just means that it will go down the toilet, but it can cause severe backups. Just because you’ve flushed it doesn’t mean it’s going to stay there.” Essentially all wipes are culprits, whether baby wipes, facial wipes, cleaning wipes and even paper towels and facial tissues. There are many other products that also cause headaches for water treatment operators. A perfect example is soluble cat litter, which doesn’t actually dissolve though it’s particles are small enough to flush down the toilet very nicely. In fact it just sinks to the bottom of pipes, eventually filling them up and causing sewage backups in the home. “A blockage inside the home that requires a plumber may cost about $300 to $400 but if the sewer pipe coming into the home gets blocked that can cost up to $10,000, and in nearly all municipalities in Canada, the homeowner is responsible for the infrastructure right up to the road,” said Barry Orr. Fats, oils and grease (FOGs) are also culprits in
Sarah Cooke, water/wastewater compliance coordinator at the Smiths Falls water/wastewater treatment plant holds a jar containing a ‘flushable’ wipe that has remained intact even though it’s been soaking in water since April 2015. Photo Credit: Howaida Sorour-Roberts
snarling sewage systems. “A pound of bacon produces three quarters of a cup of fat when cooked, if it gets disposed down a drain, it eventually congeals and you can imagine what happens when that sticky mess meets up with all the other items that get flushed into the system,” said Orr. Right now the Smiths Falls Waste Water Treatment Plant sends about four tonnes of garbage collected from clogged pumps, and bar screens to the landfill every month according to Joynt. Most of it is made up of disposable wipes, paper towels, dental floss, q-tips, condoms and the list goes on. The MESUG estimates that the cost of unclogging snarled waste water treatment equipment alone is at least $250 million a year in Canada, but on top of that there is the cost of blocked sewage pipes and the incalculable cost to the environment. In Smiths Falls alone, the sewage lift pump, which sits in a wet-well 60-feet deep, has to be lifted up by crane at least once a year to clear away garbage that has jammed it up, over and above regular maintenance. Smaller pumps have to be unclogged two or three times a year according to Joynt. “We’ve never tallied up the exact cost, but you’re looking at the cost of the crane, and more than an hour over and above regular maintenance to clear that stuff away with at least two men on the job,” said Joynt. This is not a new problem but it is a growing problem because more and more ‘flushable’ products are flooding the market and there is confusion regarding what can or can’t go down the toilet. “As I tell everyone, only flush the three Ps – pee, poo and toilet paper,” concluded Cooke.
Perth’s new fire chief well k now n to com mu nit y Perth Dianne pinder-moss
editorial@pdgmedia.ca Perth’s new fire chief is a familiar face on the Perth Fire Department. Following an in-camera session and the approval of a bylaw governing the appointment at a special meeting of Perth Town Council on Aug. 9, Mayor John Fenik announced that Trevor Choffe will succeed current chief Steve Fournier who is retiring at the end of September. One of 16 applicants for the position from across Canada and among five in-
terviewed, Choffe has been a volunteer with the fire department for nine years. He rotates as an officer on call and as a driver on call, as well as being part of the fire instructor team. Choffe is currently president of the Perth Fire Fighters’ Association, a position he has held for seven years. He also served as secretary for two years. “The hiring committee felt very strongly that this young man represents the future of the fire service in Perth,” said Fenik who along with Deputy Mayor John Gemmell were part of
the selection process. The mayor went on to say that he was excited to work with Choffe and welcomed him into his new role. Reached by email, Choffe stated that he was “extremely honoured to be chosen as the Town of Perth's next fire chief.” “It will be a challenge to fill the boots of Chief Fournier but it is one I am ready for,” he said. “We have an excellent group of firefighters, which will help me transition into this new role.” Choffe will officially start as fire chief on Sept. 12.
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Sett i n g c ap s a n d g o a l s for community donations SMITHS FALLS Howaida Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca
Every year it’s an emotional issue and one that doesn’t seem to get any easier for Smiths Falls council. Two years ago, an effort was made to define a community donations policy to help guide both council and applicants through the process of applying and succeeding. “The goal of that policy was to give clear direction to council and help staff coach and work with community groups,” said Chris Cummings, the Smiths Falls councillor who spearheaded the creation of the existing policy. This year that policy is being revamped and several factors are being considered, because, as Cummings points out, there have been some unique asks that were not covered by the policy. The whole community donations policy, as currently written, is geared towards encouraging community groups to organize events that attract visitors to town or to pursue new projects that will increase the organization’s reach or impact. “It might be better to have a scoring system that staff can implement before it comes to council, that would take some of the emotion out of the deliberations,” said John Maloney, Smiths Falls councillor. In the meantime staff will be working on a festival and event policy as recommended by the economic development plan, according to Malcolm Morris, Smiths Falls CAO. “Our challenge will be to identify special events that we can fully support and sanction, because at present we don’t have the resources to support all of them,” said Morris. Of particular concern are the very large community asks that have come up over the past few years. “The really big asks should be dealt with under a different fund than the oneday events. So anything over $5,000 should be a different type of ask,” suggested Maloney. While Cummings agrees that those large funding
John Maloney, Smiths Falls councillor is keen to see a more rigorous policy developed to provide better information to applicants and better accountability in the coming year. Photo Credit: Howaida Sorour-Roberts
requests that help to sustain various organizations should probably not be lumped in with community donations, he point out that under the present system they have to be, because those organizations are not town owned. The difficulty as both Cummings and Maloney point out, is that every councillors is involved in community projects and has their particular favourites that they want to support. While everyone agrees that the events and organizations are important to the community, there is some question as to what the town’s role should be in supporting the various offerings. “I think community donations should be used to enhance an event rather than sustain an event and we should look at capping the donations,” said Maloney. He also suggests that events that only pull in 200 to 300 people and haven’t grown over the past few years should no longer be supported by the town. Essentially he’s advocating greater accountability for both council and grant recipients. For example, Maloney suggests that grant recipients should come back to council with a report on how they spent their grant, how many people they attracted to their event, how much was spent on advertising and which advertising avenues were most successful. That kind of information would give council a better idea of what does or
doesn’t work, believes Maloney. He’s also suggesting that community organizations talk to each other and pool resources whenever possible to get a bigger bang for their buck. “For example Paddlefest and the Urban Jungle could have benefited from that kind of collaboration, and although we talked about it, we never got around to it,” said Maloney. Setting goals for the community donations policy though has to be the first order of business. “We created a policy which we have not been following to the letter, so let’s look at what we want to achieve, and ask ourselves do we have the right goals in our sights and if not, maybe we need to rethink those goals,” said Cummings. The trick, according to Morris, will be to strike a balance between town delivered events and building capacity within the community to launch events. With budget season fast approaching, staff are already starting to work on budget 2017. “We’ll be approaching council for budget guidelines and direction in late September, and we are revisiting the whole community donations policy either before or during budget deliberations,” said Morris. In the meantime it looks like the closing date for community donations applications will still be Nov. 30 this year, according to Morris.
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Military are setting up camp in Perth in October perth - Dianne Pinder-moss
Editorial@pdgmedia.ca Up to 500 members of the 2nd Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (2 RHCA) will be deployed to Perth for a few days in October as part of a military exercise. Exercise “Avenging Gunner,” as it is being called, will commence on Oct. 11 with the main body of the regiment moving from its base in Petawawa to Ottawa and then on to Perth the following day. Support personnel will be setting up at the Perth Fairgrounds in advance to meet the regiment when they arrive. From Oct. 12-14, the fairgrounds will serve as the base of operations with some members of 2 RCHA going to the Lombardy Fairgrounds and others to Carleton Place. Concurrently, small teams will disperse within Perth, according to the exercise overview. In a presentation at the Aug. 9 Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting of Perth Town Council, Major Chris Sykora stated that the Canadian Army regular unit is currently
undergoing various training to become part of the High Readiness Force, which will enable the Canadian government to deploy a unit anywhere in the world. “We want to make sure we train our soldiers properly before deploying them overseas,” he noted. Since 2000, 2 RHCA has been deployed five times to Afghanistan and has provided humanitarian relief in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Haiti following natural disasters. Along with leveraging other training and experience in domestic operations and warfighting, community engagement is an important part of the exercise. Before the start of the meeting, Captain Derrick Mann told Hometown News that previous training in Europe involved maneuvers in which members of 2 RCHA were deployed to small towns. “We’re getting back to that practice of getting out and doing deployments and meeting people,” he stated. “We call that community engagement.” With that in mind, Sykora indicated that 2
RCHA wants to hold a community engagement day on Oct. 14, in which members of the public could meet the soldiers and view equipment such as light armored vehicles and M777 Howitzer guns. This is still in the planning stages. While members of the regiment will have weapons during the exercise, he assured members of town council that no ammunition or pyrotechnics will be utilized during their deployment in the area. “That will be left to when we are back in Petawawa,” he stressed. The exercise will finish off with live fire in a Petawawa training area from Oct. 15-20. Sykora also stated that 2 RCHA will work to ensure that the military exercise has as little impact as possible on the daily routine of Perth residents. “We want to minimize the impact to the community,” he said. In addition to 2 RCHA having a connection to the area – Mann is from Carleton Place and he mentioned that operations officer Jeff Brownridge is from the Perth area – the
region met the requirements for an exercise like this.“Friendly, accommodating…the terrain is perfect,” Mann said. While a rental agreement has already been signed for the use of the Perth Fairgrounds, some other aspects of the exercise still need to be finalized. In his presentation, Sykora sought permission from the town to use the property adjacent to the landfill, snow dump property on Industrial Drive, Last Duel Park and Town Hall clock tower for dry artillery deployments. The park would be utilized for small team and mortar deployments while the clock tower would serve as an observation post for four to six soldiers. Some logistical support will also be required, including bulk water refill for the regiment’s water carriers; permission to landfill mostly food waste; and town staff support “to facilitate access and out-clearance.” Speaking on behalf of council, Mayor John Fenik extended a warm welcome to 2 RCHR to Perth and stated that the town would
Major Chris Sykora and Captain Derrick Mann of the 2 RCHA Photo Credit: Dianne Pinder-Moss
provide the regiment with whatever support it needed. With that in mind, a motion was unanimously approved by council directing staff to take action necessary to support the activities of 2 RCHR during the scheduled exercise. The resolution will come before council for final approval at its regular meeting on Aug. 30. Fenik and other members of council made mention of the last time there was a large military presence in the Perth area – the Ice Storm of 1998.
Stating of his pride in seeing the military come down his street to lend assistance, Councillor Jim Boldt said he was “really excited about seeing you guys come to do this exercise.” Deputy Mayor John Gemmell who chaired the COW meeting felt it was fitting that the exercise would be taking place on the town’s 200th anniversary, given that Perth was a military settlement. “I think it is absolutely wonderful you are doing this,” he commented.
Syrian refugees to reunite with siblings in Almonte REGIONAL - SAM COOLEY
editorial@pdgmedia.ca With the help of citizen and church groups, two Syrian refugee families who settled in Almonte may soon be re-united with the relatives they left behind— all within Mississippi Mills. Though they come from different parts of Syria and are of a different faith, the Jarous and Mustafa families both fled their homes and escaped a civil war to eventually re-settle in Almonte. Both families uf four, uprooted their lives and crossed the border into neighbouring countries, where they spent years living with no home before they were sponsored by local citi-
zen and church groups. These days, the Jarous and Mustafa families are living in Almonte where they’ve begun learning English and have jump-started the professions they had in their home countries. Radwan Mustafa has a driver’s licence and has begun work as an upholsterer and Khedr Jarous has established himself at the Almonte Farmer’s Market. According to James Moore, a lead organizer for the Holy Name of Mary sponsorship group responsible for helping the Jarous’ resettle, Jarous has recently opened a catering business, called Jessica’s Syrian food, named after his daughter. He’s been supplying the local popu-
lation with a form of Middle Eastern cuisine that has arguably never been produced nor consumed within Lanark County. “In fact, he’s the star attraction. [Jarous] is an expert in Syrian and Lebanese appetizers, in which there are thousands,” said James Moore, a lead organizer for the Holy Name of Mary sponsorship group responsible for helping the Jarous’ resettle. Before the Jarous’ packed their bags and escaped Syria, they were living in a suburb of Homs, Syria, a major city that was devastated during the war. The first few years of their children’s lives were spent fleeing war and living in neighbouring Lebanon as refugees.
“Their first days of school are in Canada and it’s going really well,” Moore said. Both families have been learning English since the beginning of the year. Two translators have also been available to help the families manoeuvre the more complex elements of living in a town that, for the part, doesn’t know Arabic. Unfortunately interviews with the families and interpreters could not be arranged in advance for this story. A full year ago, a total of four church and citizen groups in Mississippi Mills came together with the intention of each sponsoring a refugee family independently. Only two groups immediately succeeded, and they have
since used their connections to facilitate the re-settlement of the Jarous and Mustafa families’ siblings. In this way, local groups have turned major bureaucratic setbacks into a success story. Dozens of volunteers donated to charity, gathered furniture, rented or bought buildings only to find out nobody was going to show up. “We completed the paperwork and everything and found out (the refugees) changed their mind and decided not to come to Canada,” said Cathy Reside, a member of the Sponsorship and Resettlement committee of Mississippi Mills. “It was very disappointing...we were back to square one.”
All the groups have since combined forces and have moved on to sponsor the brothers and sisters of the Jarous’ and Mustafa’s. Khedr’s sister has similarly been displaced, and soon she may be living in Almonte as well. Likewise, Radwan and Amal Mustafa both have siblings who are married to each other, and local charity groups are sponsoring that family as well. “The Mustafa family is Muslim, (Jarous is) Catholic. Over in the Middle East, as you know, they don’t get along. Here in Almonte, they’re getting along just fine,” said Moore, who added that the families talk to each other during language courses, which are taught locally.
SEPTEMBER 2016
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community
Carleton Place resident survey results shows where attention needs to be paid in the town
Photo Credits: Sarah Cavanaugh
Carleton Place Sarah Cavanaugh editorial@pdgmedia.ca On Aug.15, an online survey was posted to the Discover Carleton Place Facebook group. The idea was to get a snapshot of Carleton Place today: who we are, what our families look like, where we shop, what we do for fun and what we hope to see in Carleton Place in the future. Touted as a family-oriented community of 10,000 residents with a variety of social and recreation activities we were interested in seeing how urban sprawl has affected the demographics of our community and why our residents enjoy living here. With 80 respondents who have lived in Carleton Place an average of 14 years ( four months was the shortest and 69 years was the longest residency indicated), only 14 indicated that the work in
Carleton Place. The majority of respondents described a two parent household with children under 13 (53.85%), the next largest group was retirees over 55 years (16.67%). It is clear, at least in this small sample, that Carleton Place is growing but maintaining its family-oriented identity. But are these families shopping here? Participating in community events? The survey revealed that the majority shop the big box stores (66.25%) but that do so within Carleton Place. Places like Walmart (17 respondents), Independent (14 respondents) and Freshco (15 respondents) received special mention. However 20 per cent indicated that they still shopped downtown and called attention to local favourites like The Granary (7 respondents), Apple Cheeks (5 respondents) and the Farmer’s Market (7 respondents). Despite many rumors to the
contrary, it would seem that shopping local, at least among those surveyed was still the norm. Only 5% indicated that they shopped mostly in Kanata/Ottawa or in other area communities (1.25%) like Almonte and Perth. Of these shoppers, 85% answered that they shop in Carleton Place four or more times every month. It would appear that our young families are shopping for the majority of their needs right here in town. Of particular interest was that less than half of respondents (42.5 per cent) indicated that they participated in local events or social activities. Those that do participate ranked the most popular items to be The Bridge Street Bazaar (10), Annual Parades (8), Lambsdown Festival (6) and Canada Day at Riverside Park (6). These annual festivals scored the highest in the survey while smaller
weekly outings like Movie Night, Cruise Nights, Hockey Games, trips to the legion or Comedy Night were noted but only mentioned once or twice. Scrolling through some of the feedback it would appear that there is a general lack of knowledge about the types of activities that are available in Carleton Place. The new community calendar available on the Downtown Carleton Place website (http://downtowncarletonplace.com/community-calendar/) will hopefully assist in spreading the word on all the great social activities available. When it comes to eating out it seems Carleton Place is the place to make your reservation. There are dozens of restaurants ranging from food trucks, pub food and pizza to Greek, Vietnamese and fine dining there is an abundance of choice and it seems as though the community is enjoying date night in town. Nearly half, 42.5 per cent eat out at Carleton Place restaurants weekly and 32.5 per cent eat out at least once a month. Not everything is good when repeated however and many respondents indicated that it would be an improvement to Carleton Place if there were fewer hair salons, barbers, pizza restaurants, thrift stores and tattoo parlours. A desire for new and unique businesses and variety downtown seemed to be the focus for many, stores like a gift shop, an arts and crafts
store, book store and boutique hotel. Ironically many of the suggestions were businesses already found in Carleton Place, or ones that had recently closed. Suggestions like a fenced in, off-lease dog park, a gluten-free café and downtown businesses open late once or twice a week are items already found in town. Perhaps, as one respondent indicated, additional advertising for local business may be the solution. The most common items on the wish list of responders for Carleton Place was a movie theatre, music events at Riverside Park, an indoor children’s playplace, Farmboy and more clothing options (for young women and men). Some interesting suggestions were paddleboat rentals, riverboat tours, an enclosed winter farmer’s market, a sports complex with indoor track, pool and squash courts and an OC Transpo stop. There were many great suggestions in respondent’s answers that, while admittedly, only represent a small portion of the whole community should be taken under advisement at town hall. Overwhelmingly 20 suggested a focus on downtown with things like guaranteed hours downtown amongst all businesses, cleaner sidewalks, more parking, visual appeal and nicer residential options in the core. Other notable suggestions were to clean up the beach, use the river more, promote Carleton Place to tourists, upgrade the parks and add a new splash
pad to the opposite side of the Mississippi. There was also some concerns over municipal affairs, calling for all town meetings to be recorded and transcribed and made available to the public. Also, a request for community groups, downtown Carleton Place, The Chamber of Commerce and Town Hall to collaborate and work together on bettering our community. When asked if they felt there were enough family events and activities in our area, 70.13 per cent responded positively. Despite less than half indicated that they participated in these events, respondents believe that there are enough of them. Perhaps with the lack of knowledge of other smaller events and social activities that don’t involve children, we can ascertain that some efforts need to be made in promoting these events. The survey summed up by asking respondents why they moved to Carleton Place. The majority (29.33 per cent) were born and raised in the area and closely at second and third were low housing costs (25.33 per cent) and the family friendly community it offered (24 per cent). So it seems we are exactly who we say we are. A family friendly community. As housing booms our needs as a town will change and whether it’s on a social media group or through an informal survey, a health check of what we have, what we need and where we are headed is never a bad idea.
appropriate agency, we’ll advise them or provide resources, and if they need help connecting with a more appropriate service we’ll assist,” said Jodoin. The organization has a very broad mandate, and is funded by the Ministry of the Attorney General. “So we have a set of standards given to us by the ministry, which amount to a contract that
we agree to provide these services,” said Jodoin. According to Jodion, the funding for the program is among the lowest for ministry programs. In rural areas, where the populations are low but the distances are huge, the organization has to fundraise to make ends meet. “Our fundraising can pay for things as basic as mileage for our staff and
volunteers, or resource kits or may even help pay for food or shelter for a victim when local shelters are full or inappropriate to the victim’s circumstances,” explained Jodoin. The agency can be reached at: 613-284-8380, toll-free at 1-866-575-0067. For more information, visit the website at www. victimserviceslanark.ca
Victim Services Lanark County are here to help
Smiths Falls Howaida Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca
They are probably one of the county’s best kept secrets, but they are definitely there when they’re needed. Victim Services Lanark County provides immediate, on scene, short-term support; crisis intervention, and follow up and referrals; receive calls for information and assistance from social service agencies, other victim services and emergency service providers. The agency is frequently called by police, firefighters or paramedics to the scene of a sudden death, homicide, suicide, assault, personal crisis or other such disaster. “There is the on scene support and the follow up component,” said Sonya Jodoin, executive director, Victim Services Lanark County. The on-scene support is focused on getting the victim through the first 24 hours following a crisis. Once that has been taken care of, the organization is equipped to follow up with the victims and determine their service needs. In general, Victim Services works with other organizations
and helps victims connect with the social services best suited to their needs and available in their area. “Sometimes we will just give a person the information for them to follow up on their own, but often we will make the calls for them or share their information and needs with the appropriate service, with their permission and consent of course,” said Jodoin. The relationships that Victim Services develop with their clients can be very short, just on scene, or they may last a week, two weeks or months depending on the circumstances and the individual needs. While the organization is run by paid staff, its services are largely delivered by a combination of volunteers and staff. “We’re in desperate need of volunteers, mainly people who can attend on scene at the request of police,” said Jodoin. Extensive training is provided to volunteers before they can take up any duties, and even then one or two staff members always accompany volunteers or function as the team leader through telephone contact. “Nobody goes anywhere without 40 hours
of training in addition to the two provincially mandated training sessions every year,” said Jodoin. While usually Victim Services are called by first responders to attend a scene, individuals in crisis can also call victim services for help. “If a person is concerned about another family member, they can call us and we’ll refer them to the
SEPTEMBER 2016
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community
Beckwith Township Small dog owners beware to encapsulate history regional Howaida Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca
A copy of Beckwith Then And Now, one of the legacy projects for Beckwith’s 200th anniversary this year, is likely to be one of the items placed in a time capsule. Photo Credit: Dianne Pinder-Moss
Regional Dianne Pinder-Moss Editorial@pdgmedia.ca What should be encapsulated in Beckwith Township’s time capsule? That’s the question that is being posed to the township’s residents as its Heritage Committee undertakes this initiative as part of Beckwith’s 200th anniversary celebrations this year. “We just thought, especially after doing the book and all the different things from the history of Beckwith, it would be important to preserve a little bit of today’s culture that will be tomorrow’s history,” says Reeve Richard Kidd who is part of the committee. Other committee members are councillor Tim Campbell and his wife Rosemary, councillor Faye Campbell, councillor Brian Dowdall, David Scott,
Nicola Mains, Leona Kidd, Jackie Kavanagh and Jennifer Irwin. According to Kidd, the idea for the initiative was inspired in part by a time capsule that was opened in 2002 at the former St. Paul’s United Church in Franktown when the church celebrated its 100th anniversary. The two quart glass sealer, which had been placed in a side wall of the church during its construction in 1902, contained stamps, communion and other coins, as well as framed newspaper clippings. Although the township’s time capsule is an initiative of the Heritage Committee, the intention is that it will be a community endeavour. Anyone with ideas on what should be in the capsule is invited to contact the committee through the township office at 613-257-1539 or email
Cassandra McGregor, township recreation director, at cmcgregor@twp.beckwith. on.ca. As well, committee members will be approaching staff and students at Beckwith Public School and Calvary Christian Academy for their input. The deadline for feedback is Oct. 1. The decision on what items get placed in the time capsule will be made by the committee sometime this fall. “We definitely will be putting in some information about the celebrations that have taken place this year,” Kidd said. “I’m sure a copy of the Beckwith Beaver (the township’s quarterly newsletter) will be put in.” As is likely a copy of the 224-page book, Beckwith Then And Now, which was one of the legacy projects for Beckwith’s 200th. In terms of where the special metal cylinder for the time capsule will be placed, Kidd said the location will be Beckwith Park, probably near the historical log barns. “We’re pretty sure it’s something that’s going to be around for a long time,” he said in explaining the site choice. The hope of the committee is that the time capsule will be sealed and re-opened every 25 years. “The committee decided to open it every 25 years so each generation would see it,” Kidd said.
Curly is a small mixedbreed dog who lives in Merrickville and recently had a rather disturbing experience. He had gone for a walk with one of his family members, in this case 16-year old Max Mulrooney-Coté. The two stopped in the village and Mulrooney-Coté tied Curly to the railing outside the post office while he nipped in to collect the mail. While Max was gone, a total stranger bent down and started to untie Curly from the railing – Curly didn’t really like the man, so he tucked his tail between his legs and did the only thing he could – whimpered for his person to rescue him. As Mulrooney-Coté came back out of the post office he interrupted the stranger, rushed down the stairs and grabbed Curly and his leash. “Hey, that’s my dog,” said Mulrooney-Coté “I’ll give you 50 bucks for him,” said the man. Mulrooney-Coté described the man as in his mid to late 50s about 5’9 with long hair, bags under his eyes, a cigarette in one hand, a ball cap and ratty clothes. “He didn’t look like he could possibly have $50, and he wasn’t angry when I stopped him, but he seemed to be in a rush” said Mulrooney-Coté. The man took off down Brock Street and Mulrooney-Coté headed back home with Curly safely
tucked under his arm. When Mulrooney-Coté got home he told his mother about the incident, and that prompted her to jump in the car to try and locate the gentleman in question. As luck would have it, Kelly Mulrooney lives across the bridge from the post office and the bridge had just opened to allow some boats through the locks. “I was stuck at the bridge and by the time I zoomed into downtown and drove up and down the streets I didn’t see anyone that matched Max’s description,” said Mulrooney. Although Mulrooney did not report the incident to the police, she did stop by her veterinarian’s office to tell them what had happened. She was told that there has been anecdotal evidence of small dogs being snatched from the streets to be disposed of in a variety of ways. The vet was not available for comment at the time of press. “I have been told that the smaller dogs go to dog fighting rings, but dogs that don’t have microchips can also be resold or put into breeding for designer dogs,” said Laura Lowson, Montague municipal law enforcement officer and animal control officer. Small dogs are the perfect target, and for fighting rings they’re used as bait to rile the fighting dogs up before a fight, according to Lowson. Sadly the small dogs get injured in the process but will continue to be used until they die of their injuries.
Max Mulrooney-Coté is very glad he managed to rescue his dog Curly just seconds before a total stranger tried to snatch him from in front of the post office in Merrickville. Photo Credit Submitted.
While the practice has been going on for several years, according to Lowson, it’s staying just below the radar of law enforcement because not too many dogs from any one area are snatched. For dog owners, the trauma of potentially losing a family member is something to think about. “That incident really did change our behaviour,” said Mulrooney. “We can’t leave Curly tied outside any of the stores anymore and I can’t leave him in the car on a hot day, so it really has changed how we do things.” Meanwhile Lowson has one message for pet owners, “Watch your children and watch your dogs.”
Smiths Falls economic development plan causing headaches SMITHS FALLS Howaida Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca Smiths Falls town council finally endorsed the economic and tourism development plan at the Sept. 6. council meeting after ensuring that the budget in Appensix B was removed from the plan. “I told Cyril [Cooper, director of economic development] he needs to take the budget out of the plan before I can approve it,” said Jay Brennan, Smiths Falls councillor. The budget attached to the Economic Development/Tourism Plan outlines how staff will be allocating funds that were approved in the 2016 budget for the department. However Brennan and Councillor Dawn Quinn believe that $260,000 is a lot of money to spend on the plan when the town has other priorities that are not being addressed. “I agree with Jay that it’s pretty rich, and I’m a believer that a lot can be done with very little,” said Quinn. Both councillors agree that the plan is solid, well thought out and very well presented, but Brennan would like to see more
council oversight on expenditures before they happen. “I totally support the staff and the plan, and not that I want to micro-manage, but Cyril needs to come to council with expenditures and we’ll approve each expenditure as needed,” said Brennan. Normally each department within the municipal office spends its approved budget and only comes to council with requests for funds over and above the approved allotment or if there is a major change in how money is being allocated. Although other council members acknowledge Brennan’s concerns, not everyone agrees. “We have a budget and we have confidence in our staff. They need to do their job and we need to give them the latitude to do that job. If they’re doing it effectively it will bear results, and that what the CAO’s role is — to monitor the effectiveness of staff initiatives,” said Chris Cummings, Smiths Falls councillor. According to Cooper, the itemized budget currently attached to the plan wasn’t really supposed to be there at all. “The only reason the budget was included was
because council requested an itemization, but it’s already been approved in the 2016 budget. Since it’s been approved I don’t need to go to council for every expenditure,” said Cooper. At issue are some line items that seem to be either repetitive or no longer relevant, or else don’t jive with funding that council approved prior to passing the budget. For example branding and visual identity are itemized at $20,000 each, but council had approved the town’s branding and visual identity and website to the company Cinnamon Toast for $90,000. “Branding and visual identity is $40,000 from the economic development budget, the rest is funded through the corporate services budget for the development of a new corporate website,” explained Cooper. Another line item that is causing concern for some is the $20,000 allocated to Leverage/Excelerator. The concern is that the Excelerator has changed hands and is no longer publicly funded. “No money has been spent on this item as of yet. Leverage means additional budget capacity
to act on economic development opportunities that may arise throughout the year and were not anticipated during budget time,” explained Cooper, adding that no money would go to the Excelerator until its role was understood. Other items like marketing collateral and trade shows, which together total $35,000, are also causing concerns. “Yes we need to in-
vest money in economic development and we have invested in staff and they’re working hard, but this is a very rich budget and taxpayers want these questions asked because there are critical priorities that I’m getting concerned we’re not addressing,’ said Brennan. According to Brennan, these priorities include Confederation Bridge, the town hall, and the
fire hall, all of which are in need of major repairs or critical improvements. “Economic development is not a sprint, it’s a marathon, and we haven’t been spending on economic development so we’re playing catch up now,” said Cummings. He added that it’s a difficult file because it won’t bear immediate fruit and it’s success will need to be measured differently.
SEPTEMBER 2016
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community
Mississippi Mills takes on Annual snowsuit campaign door-to-door salespeople kicks off a month earlier mississippi mills - SAM COOLEY
editorial@pdgmedia.ca It might be based wishful thinking, but councillors in Mississippi Mills are gearing up to launch a resolution attempting to outlaw doorto-door sales of certain products and services. The resolution, which passed unanimously in late August, targets classic foot-in-the-door techniques employed by unscrupulous peddlers of hot water heaters and reverse osmosis filtration systems. Employees typically enter residents’ homes based on false pretences after muttering the names of utility companies that they don’t represent. Workers are often told the odds of closing a sale
are increased simply by the authenticity of merely being there, dressed up like some kind of technician and holding a measuring tape. Door to door sales companies have migrated from urban centres in Ottawa towards the valley. Reading from scripts inside of clipboards, they drive vans across the province, selling products veiled with authenticity and5 urgency. “There’s quite a range of these characters coming around,” said councillor Duncan Abbot. Sitting in the council chambers on Old Perth Road, a draft-resolution crafted by the city of Kenora was displayed to a round-table of councillors: “People across Ontario, and in particular vulnerable City of Ke-
nora senior citizen residents have been targeted by these door-to-door misrepresentations and misleading sales tactics.” Last year the Ontario Liberals implemented a nuanced ban on door-todoor sales to strengthen consumer protection; but even still, the salesmen keep coming. Mississippi Mills councillors voted after a few minutes of discussion to follow Kenora’s lead in urging the provincial government to outlaw the practice. Despite unanimity, discussion among councillors suggests it may be implausible to truly enact the ban as hoped. Disclosure: Sam Cooley worked for a single day in 2011 as a door-to-door salesman in Ottawa.
Will Perth council consider other uses for Last Duel Park?
Perth - sally Smith sally@pd gmedia.ca
A dark shadow is once again plaguing the green grounds of Last Duel Park in Perth. James Laverdure, 45, of Lanark County, was killed in the early morning hours of Aug. 7 in the campground, the same place where, back in 1833, friends Robert Lyon and John Wilson squared off over the honour of schoolteacher Elizabeth Hughes. The park stretches along the banks of the Tay River, accommodates 47 serviced campsites as well as unserviced tent sites, is available from May to October, and has picnic areas and public docks. But the tragic events of last month have brought the future of the park to the fore in Mayor John Fenik’s mind. The campground, he says, has been on his mind for some time, long before the homicide. This month he will ask Perth town council to take a “good, hard look” at the 27-acre campground with the premise that maybe the town shouldn’t be in the campground business. He said, even six months ago, “[Council] was talking about re-evaluating it, especially since it takes a lot of staff time.” He commented that a sleep cabin was built in the park in August and maybe the park could be repurposed, possibly equipped with oTENTiks like those used at Upper Beveridges Lock, while still keeping it “green, a park, a space for the people.” Some campers at the campground might agree, others might not. While
it’s a lovely place to camp — beautiful sunsets, short walk to the town of Perth, peaceful days — you never know who your neighbours will be. One longtime seasonal resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said “emotions were running crazy” in the park. She said the longtime park residents had previously questioned the management of the park. “This is a gem of a park and [the town is] not managing it properly — and now this happens!” She says those who use the campground most are seasonal campers, some have been camping at the park for 20 to 30 years. She adds, “They’re very loyal to each other.” A seasonal site from May to October costs about $1,800, but the day-use sites can be had on the spot with an online booking. Some people even come and tent without booking, “a squatter type of thing,” as she describes it. She says that the day after the murder, “all the tents were gone. [The town] actually cut the grass around the site completely changing the visual of it.” Shannon Baillon, director of community services in Perth, confirms it’s easy enough to get into the park. All you have to do is access the park’s registration system, book a spot, state how long you want to stay, and pay. Or, you can go to the campground and book your site on the spot. “It’s a pretty common practice. Most campgrounds operate this way. So do provincial parks,” she says. Information requested is just
Last Duel Park sign. Photo Credit: Sally Smith.
a name, phone number, email, and address. It’s hard to tell from this small snippet of information who will be sleeping in the next site. Campers are asked to abide by the rules and regulations of the campground but even so, sometimes things get out of hand. Baillon says, “It’s unusual to kick anyone out, or prevent anyone from booking,” but she adds, that in the past some people have been banned for occurrences. “Generally, lack of payment...or if they have not followed the rules and regulations of the park in a previous year,” she explains. And although this is the first homicide in more than 10 years in the town, Baillon says, as far as she knows, “it’s the first one in the park since the infamous one.” At the time of press, the murder was still being investigated by Lanark County OPP.
Smiths Falls Howaida Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca
It usually doesn’t start until October but this year Family and Children’s Services of Lanark, Leeds and Grenville (FCSLLG) is kicking off its snowsuit campaign a month earlier. “We’re Kicking-off the campaign on Sept. 9 in Smiths Falls, and Sept. 10 in Carleton Place,” said Ken Graham president of the Rotary Club in Smiths Falls. The Rotary Club is partnering with FCSLLG to provide some financial and operational assistance. “Rotary is always happy to be involved, as always we try to provide support for local youth, and there’s obviously a need in this area,” said Graham. Working tirelessly to ensure the success of the campaign, Graham has recruited the Smiths Falls Police Service to help with the campaign kick off and Carleton Place Rotary to assist with collection and distribution of snowsuits in Carleton Place and Almonte. “We got involved because we were asked by the Smiths Falls Rotary Club and we will distribute the boxes and monitor them for pick-up during the campaign,” said Mari-
on Reilly, member Rotary Club of Carleton Place and Mississippi Mills. Last year the campaign distributed 524 snowsuits to children in need in Lanark County, of those 224 were distributed in Smiths Falls. “We purchased about 300 snowsuits last year, and that’s about the average we purchase every year,” said Steve Orr, volunteer coordinator with FCSLLG. “Last year Gord Jones at the Giant Tiger in Perth provided all our adult size snowsuits at cost,” said Orr. The campaign is now in its 31st year, and hopes to reach every child that needs a snowsuit. All gently used snowsuits are welcome, as are cash donations, which can be made out to Family and Children’s Services of Lanark, Leeds and Grenville. “There is no ‘means’ test to get a snowsuit, they’re intended for children under 18, and there’s a need for all children and adult sizes, as some children are actually adult size,” said Graham. The campaign relies heavily on donors and supporters every year according to Orr. Last year Rideau Cleaners in Smiths Falls, cleaned more than 150 snowsuits free of charge; Joe Gallipeau do-
nated a generous amount of space at the Gallipeau Centre for the collection, storage and distribution of snowsuits; Joe Quattrocchi offered his trucks and time to move and deliver snowsuits all over the county. “We couldn’t do it without these donors and supporters, who never look for recognition and there are many more,” said Orr. Last year 250 volunteer hours were put into the drive. For Smiths Falls the snowsuit distribution dates will be Nov.5 to Nov. 12 at the Gallipeau Centre. This year, while the snowsuit campaign gains momentum Orr says FCSLLG will be highlighting the urgent need for foster parents. “It’s always critical to find homes for children who come into our care,” said Orr. Turnover is high with foster parents he explains, because they often adopt children that they foster and drop out of the program or retire, and finding new foster parents is challenging. Orr is encouraging donors to think about fostering a child that needs a home and to get in touch with Family Services with their interest at (613) 4982100.
SEPTEMBER 2016
9
lifestyle There’s no pressure at the Under Pressure Coffee House
Cara Davids serves a customer at new café Under Pressure Coffee House on Aug. 23, 2016. The café hosted its grand opening on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016. Photo Credit: Jane Hobson
Carleton Place Jane Hobson editorial@pdgmedia.ca Under Pressure Coffee House in Carleton Place hosted its grand opening on Saturday, Aug. 27 complete with a ribbon cutting and sampling of baked goods and handcrafted beverages. “I call it a coffee house because it should feel like you’re coming to my house,” said the owner Cara Davids. Davids grew up in Brighton, England where she spent about 18 years as a coffee and tea wholesaler. She moved to Carleton Place three years ago. The walls of the café display local paintings, photographs, poems and more. Natasha Patterson, a local author, read from her first published children’s book at the opening. “These artists
love what they do and I want to give them the chance to exhibit their art,” Davids said. Now freshly renovated, it’s easy to forget a tanning salon once claimed the space. Located at 37 Lansdowne Ave., the walls have a fresh coat of white and tiffany blue paint. Gleaming white subway tiles make for a clean backsplash. A large black chalkboard, which serves as the menu, hangs on the wall above the counter. The bar is stocked with mostly organic and natural goodies. “We’ve already got regulars that are coming in everyday,” Davids said. Davids says she hopes Under Pressure will be a spot for people to indulge in something sweet at a reasonable price. It’s a place to relax, view the art, read a book, get away from a rough household or mingle if you’re
a person who spends a lot of time alone. Under Pressure is a place where people can come and not feel any pressure at all, Davids explained. “Two ladies who didn’t know each other came in the other day and one asked ‘Do you mind if I sit with you?’ That just melted me heart,” Davids said. “I want to see people connecting here rather than sitting at home alone connecting on Facebook,” she said. Under Pressure serves fair-trade Bridgehead Coffee. The menu also features milkshakes, iced-teas, scones, sandwiches and more. Friday is date night and Wednesday is board game night. The café also allows customers to pre-order their lunch and pick it up on their lunch hour. “We want to do an afternoon tea with a tray of fancy treats,” Davids said. She said her friends tease her about her English roots, where hosting a gathering with friends would naturally be a fancy affair. “This place is an expression of me. I want it to be a little more fancy,” Davids said laughing. Davids said opening the café in Carleton Place was something she really wanted. “My motto is never let anything stand in the way of what you want,” She said smiling. “I guess that’s what I’ve done here.”
Feed your taste and social buds at Farm 2 Fork dinner and dance, Sept. 10 Carleton Place Dianne Pinder-moss
Editorial@pdgmedia.ca
The initial Farm to Fork dinner/dance event held on June 4 at the Market Square Pavilion was a great success. Photo Credit: Submitted
When Debbie McVie read an article about a farm to table dinner being staged outdoors in the downtown of Jonesborough, Tennessee, her interest was piqued. “(I) thought how wonderful it was and why couldn’t it work here,” says McVie. “As well, several small communities in the area already host events similar to this and it works at bringing people together.” When McVie mentioned the idea on social media, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive with several people offering their support and assistance. A meeting was organized and a committee struck, which attracted two members of the Carleton Place BIA. “Being a downtown event, I felt that the involvement and support of the BIA was one of the keys to its success,” McVie states. The initial Farm to Fork dinner/dance event was held on June 4 at the Market Square Pavilion in Carleton Place and was so well received that another is being held on Sept. 10. “Although the event was a
break-even endeavour, we felt it important to host another dinner/dance on Sept. 10 with the hopes of this becoming an annual event,” McVie said. While the venue has stayed the same, some other details have changed — including the name Farm 2 Fork, which is indicative of this being the second such event. Among other changes, seating numbers have been doubled with there being room for 120 diners this time round. The menu for the licensed event has been revised as well. Along with a pig roast being cooked on site by the Beckwith Butcher, salads and sides will be supplied by Carleton Place restaurants. In addition, there will be a dessert bar filled with mini cheesecakes, maple buttercream carrot cake, gluten free/dairy free/nut free black bean brownies and other goodies served up by Dolce Divas. Waterfall Catering will be providing whatever else is needed for the buffet-style meal. “They are really enthusiastic and very supportive,” says Mark Lovell, a director on the BIA board of management, who is part of the commit-
tee. In addition to Lovell and McVie, other members of the organizing committee are Jessica Smith, Nancy Code-Miller, Janet Eastman, Suzanne Cronkwright, Janet McIvor, Marion Taylor and Volundur “Wally” Thorbjornsson. “This really is a grassroots communityteamwithawidevariety of affiliations,” Lovell states. The dinner will commence at 6 p.m. with a social hour starting at 5 p.m. The social hour will provide an opportunity for those attending to see the pig roast and socialize. As well, there will be light snacks available for sampling. Following the dinner at 7:30 p.m., local band Starfire will be setting the tone for the night. “They are really upbeat and get people up dancing,” says Lovell. Tickets for the dinner and dance are $35 per person — $10 for dance only — and can be purchased at Nancy’s Impressions, 149 Bridge St.; Carleton Place and District Chamber of Commerce, 170 Bridge St.; and The Granary, 107 Bridge St. Further information on the Sept. 10 event can be found on the BIA website at http://downtowncarletonplace.com/farm-
2fork/ or by contacting Jessica Smith, Community Programmer for the Town of Carleton Place, at 613-257-1704 (email jsmith@carletonplace.ca). Since promoting the downtown is a big part of Farm 2 Fork, McVie hopes that the event can be eventually staged on a section of Bridge Street. Funds raised from the evening, which will include a silent auction, will go towards Lanark County Interval House.
SEPTEMBER 2016
10
lifestyle
Tastes
Food &Drink
of the
Region
by Amy Rensby eat, drink, write... Beat the winter blues with Bluegrass greens One of the joys of summer for local food lovers is all the fresh produce it brings! Berries of all sorts; asparagus; green beans, yellow beans and yes, even purple; carrots, tomatoes – especially those beautiful heirloom varieties that are packed with flavour; cucumbers; broccoli; cauliflower; sweet corn; and ahhhhhhh, fresh greens for salads! What’s so incredible about all of these is that they can be readily available to us throughout the year, courtesy of various canning, preserving and freezing methods. Wait a minute, what about those salad greens? You can’t freeze or can those for salads. How are you supposed to en-
joy fresh local greens in winter? Thanks to Bluegrass Farms in Jasper, Ontario (a certified organic vegetable farm) you can enjoy fresh tender greens virtually year-round. Say what?! A couple of years ago Brad and Leela, proprietors of Bluegrass Farm, turned the farming seasons on their head when they introduced major innovation to their farming practices. Planting starts in the fall when everyone else is just harvesting the last of their heartier greens like kale and chard. How have they done it? Well, take the idea of a radiant heating system (tubes of warm/ hot water) that you would normally see in a home kitchen or bathroom and install that
A hearty crop of spinach grown in the greenhouse at Bluegrass farm. Photo Credit – Bluegrass Farm’s FaceBook page. www.facebook.com/BluegrassFarm-691624450927741/ Photo Credit: Amy Rensby
under the soil in your greenhouse. Voila! You’ve created a nice warm environment where you can grow summer stuff in the winter. Ok, that is an overly simplistic explanation, but it gives you a general idea about how Brad and Leela have incorporated modern technology to drastically alter the growing possibilities, resulting in the ability to offer tender local produce to us during winter months. I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to use greens from Bluegrass Farms in our catering service since 2014 and without fail, people are mesmerized by the freshness of the greens at their January events. When they inevitably ask where they’re from, I tell them the story of Bluegrass Farms; the looks on their faces are always something to behold. So, where can YOU get these lovely greens and their other veggies throughout the winter? Well, they’ve got a wonderful Community Supported Agriculture program that you can sign up for that gets you a basket of goodies weekly from October – March. You can also find their greens at local grocery stores including The Garden Market, Foodsmiths and B&H Grocers, to name a few, as well as at select local restaurants and cafes. Submitted by Amy Rensby Owner of Magnolia Catering & C’est Tout Bakery
Hunger Stop food bank to host chef challenge fundraiser
Carleton Place Sarah Cavanaugh editorial@pdgmedia.ca Across Canada, one in 10 people do not have reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. Food Banks Canada has designated Sept. 19 to Sept. 23 has Hunger Awareness Week. Almost 700 people (from Mississippi Mills, Carleton Place and Beckwith) use the Lanark County food bank, The Hunger Stop, every month. Thirty-six per cent of those people are children and over 8 per cent are seniors. The Hunger Stop is having a Master Chef Cook Off during Hunger Awareness week to bring attention to the needs of those less fortunate and help fund efforts within the community. All funds go towards the purchase of perishables such as milk, eggs, yogurt, cheese and meat. The event will be held on Sept.19, Sept. 20 and Sept. 21 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the community kitchen, upstairs at Mitchell’s Independent Grocer (455 McNeely Ave., Carleton Place). Each night a different well-known
area chef will be performing. Each chef will “shop” at the Food Bank two hours before heading to the test kitchen. The chef will only be allowed to select the quantity and type of items that are allowed for a family of four. Each chef will receive one pound of meat for the entrée and some fresh produce (if available). The challenge is to create a three-course meal (and anything else they choose) in the time allotted, using the ingredients from the food bank. Come find out how to use basic, simple ingredients to create a tasty, amazing meal. Learn cheats, substitutions, and innovative ways to stretch your grocery dollar. Audience interaction is encouraged. On Sept. 19, Roger Weldon from Generations Inn in Beckwith will be taking the spotlight, with Rob Slack from Slackoni’s in Carleton Place on Sept. 20, and Wendy Barbaro from Mill Street Crepe Com-
pany in Almonte on Sept. 21. Admission by monetary donation. The Hunger Stop is also running an online silent auction. Please check out the list of auction items at http://bit. ly/2bbiY5a and place a bid. Winners can collect their items from the Hunger Stop at 5 Allan St in Carleton Place the week of Sept.26 during open hours. Smaller Items can be shipped for additional cost – larger items must be picked up. Payment can be made in person by cash or cheque (made out to Lanark County Food Bank), or via secure online payment using PayPal (account not required). Items will be available for viewing starting Sept. 5. The Hunger Stop greatly appreciates the support of Mitchell’s Independent Grocer for the use of their kitchen and their support.
to nearly an hour, depending on the vegetable. Things like green beans, peppers, tomatoes, or zucchini will be quicker. Heavier vegetables like potatoes, beets, carrots, squash, turnips, and onions will require a longer time. Use your imagination. There are very few vegetables that don’t taste incredible when they have been roasted. The added bonus:
the umpteen different ways to use leftover roasted vegetables. Soups, veggie lasagna, pizza toppings, even in a salad. Freezing them for later use is a great option as well. The only trouble around here is that the leftovers never seem to materialize. But then, I guess that’s not really a problem at all, is it?
Life on the farm: Oven roasted vegetables In many occupations, it’s considered a bad habit to take your work home with you. When you make your living growing food however, that is not the case. We all like to eat, don’t we? Another tendency that is generally frowned upon in social circles is talking incessantly about your work in your off hours. This also is something we seem to get away with on a regular basis. We love noth-
Photo Credit: Submitted
ing more than to compare notes with you about how we each have enjoyed preparing fresh, local produce for your respective families. Perhaps you have images in your mind of grandiose dinners in the farmhouse kitchen, with the big table sagging under the weight of numerous dishes. (I have these visions too...but that’s usually just about the point where the alarm clock rings and the images soon van-
ish!) Given our lifestyle at this time of year, the name of the game where meal preparation is concerned is “keep it simple.” Remember too, that around our table are three young fellows under 13 whose tastes are not quite yet what you would call adventurous. Lately, our most oft-used cooking method for vegetables is roasting them. It is ridiculously easy, incredi-
bly adaptable and provides a flavour like no other. Roasting is simply a method of cooking, and truly — you can use it for just about any vegetable. The only thing that changes is the cooking time, depending on what you’re roasting. There are three simple steps: Chop or slice your vegetables into uniformly sized pieces and toss them with a tablespoon or two of oil. Salt, pepper or other seasoning can be added at this stage as well. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet. I only use a stoneware pan for mine, and highly recommend it. (Careful to avoid overcrowding though. Not enough space and you’ll miss out on that toasted, almost charred result we’re going for.) Place in a pre-heated oven at 425 oF. It will take anywhere from 20 minutes
Submitted by Shannon Miller of Millers Bay Farm
r e v o c s i D
the communities of Lanark & Northern Leeds Grenville
Festival of Small Halls announces community events, line up additions
Regional - Submitted
At its core, the Ontario Festival of Small Halls is about celebrating community. The Festival of Small Halls is set to get hands clapping and toes tapping this month as it welcomes an inspiring combination of big names in music and local opening acts to treasured small halls across eastern Ontario from Sept. 14 to Oct. 2. The festival expanded to include 24 rural locales this year, paying tribute to cherished small town spaces with history and heart. National and international musicians including
Breabach, Basia Bulat, Jim Bryson, Elliott BROOD, Hat Fitz and Cara, Tomato Tomato, April Verch, Darlingside, Harrow Fair and more are ready to share small stages with opening acts which are local to each community. This month, the Festival of Small Halls is announcing community events surrounding several of the small halls shows. Along with seeing musicians like Breabach with Change of Step and Anna Ludlow at Stonefields in Beckwith; Harrow Fair with Terry Tufts at Union Hall in Mississippi Mills; Jim Bryson with Melwood
Cutlery at McDonald’s Corner Agricultural Hall; Hat Fitz and Cara with Brock Zeman in Perth; Sheesham and Lotus & ‘Son at the Ivy on William in Smiths Falls; Sherman Downey & Matthew Byrne with Adam Puddington at St. Andrew’s United in Pakenham or the Devin Cuddy Band with Keegan Carr at the ABC Hall in Bolingbroke, the Festival of Small Halls is so pleased to announce community events surrounding several of the small halls shows. The festival encourages local hall boards, volunteers and organizations to team up and expand on the concert in an effort to further build community. From markets and dinners to community walks and a fine art and craft exhibition, the host halls are throwing open their doors to make the 2016 performances of the Festival of Small Halls even more memorable. “Building community is such an important component for the Festival of Small Halls,” said Kelly Symes, manager of the Ontario Festival of Small Halls. “The festival takes place in cherished local halls that residents and visitors hold near to their hearts — it’s only fitting that the exciting festival performances are augmented with traditional community events to further showcase these special spaces.”
Delta, McDonald’s Corners, Lyndhurst, Spencerville, Chaffey’s Lock, Beckwith, Winchester and Morton all have events in the works. Reservations are required for most of the community events, so be sure to plan ahead. Community dinners are planned in Chaffey’s Lock at The Opinicon; Beckwith at Stonefields Heritage Farm with a family barbecue preceding the show; Delta at the Old Town Hall with a buffet dinner before the concert; Lyndhurst at St. Luke’s Anglican Church Hall before the show at the Legion; Winchester at St. Paul Presbyterian Church with a turkey dinner before the show, and at the McDonald’s Corners Agricultural Hall with a scrumptious menu planned preceding its show! Furthermore, The Spencerville Mill is partnering with Zolas Restaurant for tapas before the show, while the matinee concert at the Morton Community Hall is accented by a community event at Wendy’s Country Market just down the road. Burritt’s Rapids is planning a whole day of fun to close out the Festival of Small Halls, including outdoor fun for the family, an
architectural walk with the Village Doyennes, a Ceilidh after the show, food vendors, door prizes and even a fine art and craft exhibition and sale surrounding the matinee performance on Oct. 2. When community comes together – you know the company is going to be just as good as the food and fun atmosphere! Aside from community events, we also have a few surprise additions to the musical line up. The Festival of Small Halls recently announced that The Abrams will be performing with Darlingside and Miss Emily at the Seeley’s Bay Community Hall on Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. As fourth-generation musicians, The Abrams
bring a brilliant vision to their music, which melds their musical roots with an attitude more in tune with the present. More inspiration is coming from recently-confirmed Change of Step who will be performing three shows with Breabach at the Maberly Community Hall, in Maxville at St. James Catholic Church and at Stonefields in Beckwith. This dynamic dance company performs original choreography that is rooted in Scottish tradition, yet shaped by modern influences. See more information about our community events and schedule at www. thefestivalofsmallhalls.com or follow on social media.
PHOTO CAPTIONS - BANNER IMAGE: McDonald's Corners Agricultural Hall will welcome Jim Bryson with Melwood Cutlery on Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. TOP RIGHT: Hat Fitz and Cara will grace the stage at the Delta Old Town Hall on Sept. 23; Westmeath Recreation Centre on Sept. 24 and at Ecotay Perth on Sept. 25. MIDDLE LEFT: The Maberly Community Hall will welcome Breabach with Change of Step and the Lanark Fiddlers Guild on Sept. 18 at 3 p.m. MIDDLE RIGHT: The Devin Cuddy Band is set to play at the Lyndhurst Legion with Amanda Jordan on Sept. 30 and at the ABC Hall in Bolingbroke with Keegan Carr on Oct.2. BOTTOM RIGHT: Elliott Brood will perform at the Spencerville Mill on Sept. 22; the Nick Smith Centre Hall in Arnprior on Sept. 23 and at the Joshua Bates Centre in Athens on Sept. 24. Photos Credit: Submitted
Events around the region
Almonte & Mississippi Mills 1
September • Saturdays
Almonte Farmers’ Market Almonte www.almontefarmersmarket.ca
September 8
North Lanark Seniors expo Almonte Community Center, Almonte info@themills.on.ca 613-256-1031 www.themills.on.ca
September 8 to 24
Victorian: A textile art exhibit Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, Almonte 613.256.3754 www.mvtm.ca
September 10
Cheerfully Made - Food and Drink Market 72 Mill Street, Almonte info@cheerfullymade.com 613-461-MADE (6233) www.cheerfullymade.com
September 10
Mississippi Mills River Run & Walk Almonte, ON 819-360-2529 dayna@aegleevents.com www.aegleevents.com/calendar/mississippi-mills-river-run
September 10
Mississippi Mills at a Glance Almonte Community Centre 613-256-1077 tmaclaren@mississippimills.ca
September 10 to 11
21st Annual Fibrefest Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, Almonte 613.256.3754 www.mvtm.ca
September 14
Mississippi Mills at a Glance Almonte Community Centre 613.256.1077 www.exploremississippimills.ca
September 29
The Festival of Small Halls: Harrow Fair with Terry Tufts! Union Hall, Mississippi Mills www.thefestivalofsmallhalls.com
613.791.3476.
Carleton Place 2
September • Mondays
Mixed Euchre Royal Canadian Legion Branch 192 downtowncarletonplace@ gmail.com
September • Thursdays
Karaoke Night The Waterfront Gastropub www.thewaterfrontgastropub.ca
September • Fridays
Ballroom and Latin Dance Social Total Rhythm Dance Studio www.trds.ca
September • Fridays
DJ Whisper The Waterfront Gastropub www.thewaterfrontgastropub.ca
September • Saturdays
Carleton Place Farmers’ Market Market Square, Carleton Place 613.257.1976 www.cpfm.ca
September • Saturdays
Acoustic Saturdays The Waterfront Gastropub www.thewaterfrontgastropub.ca
September • Saturdays
Queens Live Music Queen’s Hotel downtowncarletonplace@ gmail.com
September • Saturdays and Sundays
Music at the Moose Thirsty Moose Pub and Eatery https://www.facebook.com/ The-Thirsty-Moose-Pub-Eatery-45746231945/
September 8
Whiskey Jack Carleton Place Arena 613-640-2486
September 8 to 21
Carleton Place Car Cruise Nights Market Square, Carleton Place Wednesday evenings 613.222.3778
September 9
Light up the Labyrinth Heritage Museum 613-257-1014 http://carletonplacecommunitylabyrinth.blogspot.com
September 10
Legion Breakfast Royal Canadian Legion Branch 192
September 10
Carleton Place Dragon Boat Festival Riverside Park, Carleton Place www.fall400.com
September 10
September 30
Mini Putt Night
Perth 3
September • Saturdays
Perth Farmers’ Market Crystal Palace, Perth www.perthfarmersmarket.ca
September • all month
Perth Remembered: Looking Back Over 200 Years Perth Museum, Perth 613.267.1947 www.perthtourism.ca
September 8 to 11
J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls Classic Theatre Festival: Wednesdays through Sundays 54 Beckwith St. E., Perth 1.877.283.1283 www.classictheatre.ca
September 9 to 11
Perth Duplicate Bridge Club Sectional Tournament Perth Civitan Club 613.264.0945 www.perth.ca
Farm to Fork Market Square Pavilion Carleton Place www.downtowncarletonplace. com/farm2fork
September 9
Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament 613-257-1976
Meet and Greet - Amanda West The Book Nook http://www.downtownperthbia.ca/bia-news https://www.facebook.com/ downtownheritageperthbia/
September 12
September 14
Carleton Place Cruise Nights 613-222-3778 https://www.facebook.com/ CarletonPlaceCruiseNight
September 18
Labyrinth Walk Carleton Place Community Labyrinth, Carleton Place 613.257.1014 carletonplacecommunitylabyrinth.blogspot.com
September 19 - 21
Master Chef Cook Off 613-257-8546
September 19
Carleton Place Little Black Dress Event Upper Hall, Carleton Place Arena 613.257.8049
September 19
Light Up the Labyrinth Carleton Place Community Labyrinth, Carleton Place 613.257.1014 carletonplacecommunitylabyrinth.blogspot.com
September 21
Take Back the Night March Carleton Place Town Square, Carleton Place 613.257.3469 www.lcih.org/events
September 21
Paint with Janet Fundraiser St. James Anglican Church 613-257-3178
September 24
Spotlight Night Dinner Dance Tania and Rick’s Dance Studio, Carleton Place 613.799.8737 www.trds.ca
September 24
The Brett Pearson Run For Your Life Walk/Run Carleton Place Town Square, Carleton Place www.cpdrugstrategy.com
September 28
Scam Awareness and Defence Information Night Carambeck Community Centre 613-257-1704
Back to School Bike Checkups The Table Community Food Centre
September 10
September 10
Chopped Canada Chef Nick’s Feature Menu
September 11
Civitan Classic Cruisers: Mike Bowes Memorial Cruise-In Perth Civitan Club 613.267.7784
September 15
Perth & District Historical Society: Tay Valley through Two Centuries Perth Canadian Legion Hall, Perth www.perthhs.org
September 18
Terry Fox Run Conlon Farm, Perth www.terryfox.org
September 23
The Festival of Small Halls: Hat Fitz and Cara with Brock Zeman! EcoTay, Perth www.thefestivalofsmallhalls.com 613.791.3476.
September 24
Cyclosportif Perth – Cycle Tour Start at the Perth Lions Club, Perth www.cyclosportifperth.ca
September 24
Doors Open 613-267-1947
September 24
Campfire Under the Stars Perth Outfitters
September 8
September 29
September 9
September 29
SF Library Teen Night Iron Chef Competition www.facebook.com/SmithsFallsLibrary Welcome Home Henderson Sisters Centennial Park
September 10, 17 & 24
Harvest Time at Heritage House Heritage House www.facebook.com/HeritageHouseMuseum heritagehouse@smithsfalls.ca
September 10, 17 & 24
All Ways Moving Presents Family Fun Day The Gallipeau Centre
September 10
Montague Fire Department Annual Pit Barbeque Rosedale Centennial Hall
September 10
40 Plus Singles Dinner & Dance No dance July/Aug but will resume for Saturday, September 10, 2016, Civitan Club, #12468 Hwy 15, Smiths Falls, Dinner at 7 PM dance to follow. 613-285-5557/ 40plusinglesdanceclub@gmail.com
September 10
Ladies Colouring Club Smiths Falls Public Library 613-283-2911
September 15
GIRLS NIGHT OUT Downtown Smiths Falls www.downtownsmithsfalls.ca
September 15
SF Library Teen Night Smiths Falls Public Library www.facebook.com/SmithsFallsLibrary
September 15
Lushes With Brushes Paint Evening Heritage House Museum 613-283-6311 heritagehouse@smithsfalls.ca
4
September • Wednesdays
Project Trauma Support - Peer Support Group The Gallipeau Centre 613-206-1345
September • Thursdays Cruise In Nights WalMart Parking Lot, 613-264-8218
The Festival of Small Halls: Sheesham and Lotus & ‘Son! The Ivy on William, Smiths Falls www.thefestivalofsmallhalls. com 613.791.3476.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s Station Theatre www.smithsfallstheatre.com
September 17
Rise Above the Mud Gallipeau Centre 361 Queen St., Smiths Falls
September 17
Scotch Tasting at the Railway Museum Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario www.rmeo.ca
September 17
Funny Face Station Theatre www.smithsfallstheatre.com
September 18 & 25
Take on Tatting - A Tatting Workshop Heritage House Museum 613-283-6311 heritagehouse@smithsfalls.ca.
September 22
SF Library Teen Night Smiths Falls Public Library www.facebook.com/SmithsFallsLibrary
September 23
‘The Valleymen’ in Concert Trinity United Church 8th Annual Harvest Run Sport X and the Smiths Falls Firefighters sfharvestrun@hotmail.com
September 24
Barn Dance & BBQ Lombardy Agricultural Society Bar
September 25
The Accessory Sale The Smiths Falls Civitan 613-285-5557
September 30
Old Time Talent Night Lanark & District Civitan Club, Lanark Village www.lanarkcivitan.com 9
September 18
Annual Apple Pie Fest North Lanark Regional Museum, Appleton 613.257.8503 northlanarkregionalmuseum.com 10
Westport & Rideau Lakes 5
September 9
Urban Highlanders The Cove Country Inn www.coveinn.com 613-273-3636
September 18 The Festival of Small Halls: Breabach with Change of Step and the Lanark Fiddlers Guild! Maberly Community Hall www.thefestivalofsmallhalls.com 613.791.3476.
SEPTEMBER 24
September 10, 17 & 30
Landscaping Stories: Traditional Tales Rooted in the Earth Opposite 2501 Old Brooke Road, Maberly 613.268.2024 www.fieldworkproject.com
September 16
Not on the map
Head Over Heels The Cove Country Inn www.coveinn.com 613-273-3636 John Wilberforce The Cove Country Inn www.coveinn.com 613-273-3636
September 23 & 24
Blues on the Rideau Series with David Rotuno Band The Cove Country Inn www.coveinn.com 613-273-3636
September 25
Foley Mountain Appreciation Tea The Cove Country Inn www.coveinn.com 613-273-3636
Sept. 29 - Oct. 1
All Things Bright & Beautiful Westport Arts Council westportartscouncil.com
September 11
eRace Violence, Walk, Run Ride Event Middleville Museum Ferguson Falls 613.257.3469 www.lcih.org/events
September 14
The Festival of Small Halls: April Verch Band with String Tease Chaffey’s Lock Community Hall www.thefestivalofsmallhalls. com 613.791.3476.
September 16 to 18
2016 Fishing League Worldwide Championship Big Rideau Lake www.shootoutseries.ca
September 17
September 16
September 24
Smiths Falls
SF Library Teen Night Smiths Falls Public Library www.facebook.com/SmithsFallsLibrary
September • Saturdays
165th Middleville Fair Middleville Fairgrounds, Middleville 613.256.0646 www.middlevillefair.ca
September 24
The Festival of Small Halls: April Verch with Nellie Holmes and Bob Webb! Morton Community Hall www.thefestivalofsmallhalls.com 613.791.3476
Regional 6
McDonald’s Corners Farmers’ Market McDonald’s Corners, Lanark Highlands www.lanarklocalflavour.ca/ node/121
September 18
McDonald’s Corners Fall Fair 194 Cameron Road, McDonald’s Corners mdcas.weebly.com/annual-fall-fair.html
September 18
September 30
The Festival of Small Halls: Jim Bryson with Melwood Cutlery! McDonald’s Corners Agricultural Hall www.thefestivalofsmallhalls.com 613.791.3476. 7
September 11
Lanark County Harvest Festival Beckwith Park 1.888.452.6275 www.lanarkcountytourism.ca
September 15
The Festival of Small Halls: Breabach with Change of Step and Anna Ludlow! Stonefields, Beckwith www.thefestivalofsmallhalls.com 613.791.3476 8
September 17
Tree Identification – Lanark Wild Food Club www.lanarkwfc.com
Discover Drummond Day: Tour Our Heritage Township Ferguson’s Falls Community Hall 613.200.1780 www.dnetownship.ca/content/200th-anniversary-celebrations-0
September 23
The Festival of Small Halls: Hat Fitz and Cara with Steve Curtis and Pat Johnson! Delta Old Town Hall www.thefestivalofsmallhalls.com 613.791.3476
September 25
The Festival of Small Halls: Tomato Tomato with Alex and Sean Price! Red Brick Schoolhouse, Elgin www.thefestivalofsmallhalls.com 613.791.3476
September 30
The Festival of Small Halls: Devin Cuddy Band with Amanda Jordan! Lyndhurst Legion Hall www.thefestivalofsmallhalls.com 613.791.3476
52
NORTH BAY
White Lake
2
23
17
Arnprior 20
22
22
24
29 20
Pakenham Mountain
Flower Station
20
Pakenham
Antrim
Clyde Forks
17
417
511 29
Lavant Station
Tatlock
Lavant
Mill of Kintail
9
16
Almonte
Poland
1
16
Hopetown
Snow Road Station
Watsons Corners 8
36
9
12
McDonalds Corners
8
Lanark
Boyds
10
12 45
17
Balderson
Maberly
10
7
36
3
DeWitts Corners
Bolingbroke
6
6
Perth
Glen Tay
10
BEVERIDGE
36 21
18
SMITH’S FALLS
Murphy’s Point Provincial Park
29
42
Newboro 14
NEWBORO
KINGSTON
Portland
Crosby
Forfar
17
BROCKVILLE
Kilmarnock
Wolford Chapel
MERRICKVILLE
43
Burritts Rapids
BURRITTS RAPIDS
23 CLOWES
Merrickville
KILMARNOCK
Jasper
Rideau Canal Lock Station
NewBoyne
2 NICHOLSONS
EDMUNDS
Provincial Parks & Conservation Areas
15
3
43
County Roads
38
NARROWS
S
23
OLD SLYS
Towns & Villages
10
4
4
15
Westport
Nolans Corners
POONAMALIE
14
Foley Mountain
Smiths Falls
6
E
Numogate
Port Elmsley
1 5
N
15
W
Rideau Ferry
10
Gillies Corners
10
Richardson
43
1
Prospect
Franktown
7
Wemyss
Brooke
12
Ashton
Blacks Corners
511
7
3
Carleton 7 Place
Scotch Corners
Fallbrook
Silver Lake Provincial Park
TORONTO
7
Innisville
15
36
Appleton
2
15
Ferguson’s Falls
12
19
9 11
6
Elphin
OTTAWA
29
Herron Mills
Clydesville
49
17
16
Middleville
8
Purdon
3
Blakeney
Clayton
Brightside
509
Panmure
16
NewBliss
5
Easton Corners
Carleys Corner
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR COMMUNITY’S EVENTS FOR NEXT MONTH LISTED BELOW? if so please feel free to send details of the events to
EVENTS@PDGMEDIA.CA for more information on about advertising please call 613.206.0708 or email at advertising@pdgmedia.ca
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BARNABE’S INDEPENDENT GROCER 80 Dufferin Street, Perth, ON. K7H 3A7
PATRICE’S INDEPENDENT GROCER 401 Ottawa Street, Almonte, ON. K0A 1A0
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SEPTEMBER 2016
14
Tasty fundraiser for scotch lovers at RMEO Smiths Falls Howaida Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca
Brian McQueenie, director at Ouidram and the storyteller for the evening, holds two bottles of single malt; one from Glenmorangie and one from the Ardbeck Distilleries. Both varieties will be featured at the upcoming RMEO scotch tasting on Sept. 17. Photo Credit: Howaida
It has a long history of its own, making it a perfect pairing for a museum fundraiser. Whisky anglicized from the Gaelic ‘uisge beatha’ (water of life, as all alcohol was once called) started out as a medicinal concoction that has, over the centuries, developed into a prized recreational alcoholic beverage enjoyed by millions around the world. On Sept. 17, the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario (REMO) is hosting a single malt scotch tasting evening in partnership with Ouidram, an Ottawa event planning company that specializes in whisky tastings. “We’ll be offering four different expressions of single malt whisky that will be sponsored from the Glenmorangie and Ardbeg distilleries. The particular expressions are still to be determined but we are hoping for one of the new releases from Ardbeg for the guests,” said Theresa (Terry) McGoldrich, director at Ouidram. “Since this is a fundraising event the whiskies are being sponsored by Charton-Hobbs, Inc. of Toronto.” The evening event is divided into two seatings,
one starting at 6:30 and one at 8:30. Aiming for an intimate atmosphere, each seating will only accommodate just under 50 guests. The main hall of the museum will be set up like a railway dining car, with carefully chosen food samples catered by Magnolia Catering in Smiths Falls, explained Anne Shropshire, museum curator. “Amy [Rensby, owner of Magnolia Catering in Smiths Falls] will be working with Terry to come up with food samples that compliment the different whiskies,” said Shropshire The evening promises to be entertaining, enlightening and educational, according to McGoldrick. “Brian McQueenie, who was born in Scotland will introduce each of the samples. He’ll talk about how to nose and taste the whisky, and then he’ll give a brief history of single malts, and he’ll have the four bottle in front of him and he’ll talk a bit about the different regions of origin,” said McGoldrick. While it sounds like a lot of talking, McGoldrick clarifies that McQuinie’s spiel is full of entertaining stories and humour delivered with a pleasant dose of the Scottish burr. “The food pairing also brings the experience to
whole a new level,” said McGoldrick, pointing out that most people don’t think of whisky and food pairings, but after experiencing a Ouidram evening they leave with a whole new appreciation for the art. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Ouidram has hosted countless whisky tasting for private, corporate and fundraising clients. “Whisky tastings are infinitely adaptable, and are often layered onto parties and even weddings,” said McGoldrick. Most clients find Ouidram through word of mouth, because their events are memorable enough to warrant that kind of buzz. The RMEO was no exception, and the idea simply grew for its novelty. “We’re always exploring new ways to bring people to the museum,” said Shropshire. “This was an opportunity for a different crowd to experience our museum in a different way.” Tickets for the event are $70 per person, $60 for members and $45 for designated drivers and can be purchased online at www. rmeo.org, by phone at 613283-5696 or in person at the museum at 90 William Street West, Smiths Falls.
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Garden Matters:
I fought the lawn and the lawn won This summer’s record drought has played havoc on our lawns and gardens. We now need to start thinking about our lawn recovery strategies. Burnt out and stressed lawns are going to need some serious topdressing and overseeding this fall. September is an excellent time to overseed your lawn. Cool nights paired with (fingers crossed) more moisture create the perfect conduit for quick germination. Cooler temperatures also helps prevent the seed from drying out. For the last number of years there has been a movement towards more eco friendly lawn seed mixtures. These mixes are should be 100 per cent Canadian-grown, fescue-based seed. Fescues are a workhorse of a lawn seed. They grow a deeper root system therefore making them far more drought tolerant than bluegrass. Fescues typically require less fertilizer and they can withstand some grub damage because of their extensive root system. They grow both in shade and in sun. White clover is another eco friendly lawn alternative gaining popularity as it is completely drought and grub resistant. It requires no fertilizer and can be cut down short in the heat of summer and still survive. When overseeding your lawn, the mistake many homeowners make is to cast out the seed over top of the existing lawn. Properly preparing your lawn is essential, this
includes raking up any dead grass and top dressing with a good weed-free topsoil or triple mix. This does not include the $1 bags of black earth from the box stores. Black earth has no nutrients and once it dries out resembles crumbly cement making it hard for seeds to germinate. If you make the proper investment in your lawn it will honestly save you time and money in the future. Lawn seed should be scattered on top of the fresh soil and kept well watered until it begins to germinate. Germination is usually five to 10 days for ryegrass, 10 to 14 days for fescue mixes and 25 days for bluegrass. This, of course, is directly related to moisture, temperature and proper preparation. If your lawn has been ravaged by grubs then remember that September is their next lifecycle. The eggs that were laid in your lawn from spring grubs will have already hatched, or will be hatching soon, and feeding on the roots of your lawn. Using nematodes — when properly applied — is a very effective method of controlling grubs. Usually two applications, one in fall and one in the spring, can break the cycle of grubs. Nematodes should always be from a Canadian strain and ‘live host’ raised to ensure that they are effective. Independent garden centres usually carry these types of nematodes. The optimal time to apply nematodes in Lanark County is the
second to third week of September. Lawn care is more challenging than ever for today’s homeowner. The extreme drought paired with ineffective weed killers and a surge in grub damage has left many gardeners completely frustrated. You can have a beautiful lawn, but being proactive is half the battle. Take the time to topdress your lawn every season with a good quality topsoil and seed. Thick lawns leave no space for weed seed to blow in and germinate. When watering, make sure it is always done with a sprinkler never a hose end sprayer, and for at least 20 minutes per area especially through times of drought. Lawn care specialists are available at most independent garden centres and can help you be successful with your lawn. Remember a beautiful lawn doesn’t happen by itself. Submtted by Kelly Heath Retail Manager Gemmell’s Garden Centre
Rideau Search and Rescue: a life saving group of volunteers
The RSAR mounted team is always looking for new members. Photo Credit: Sally Smith
Regional - Sally smith sally@pd gmedia.ca An elderly man in his 90s wandered away from his home near White Lake. A five-year-old was lost in a cornfield in Battersea. The man’s body was found five days later; the boy was found asleep at the base of a towering cornstalk. In both instances, Rideau Search and Rescue (RSAR) out of Smiths Falls was called to the search. Heather Murphy, training co-ordinator of RSAR, calls the first case a “successful search.” Even though the man was found dead, finding his body provided “closure for his family.” And the second one was, of course, successful, too. What does it take to become a volunteer with RSAR? She’s been on a search team since 1983 and has climbed through the layers of
learning and teaching to now, at the age of 59, being a trainer of trainers. RSAR went through some tough times. The Rideau Search and Rescue team initially had a home at the former Rideau Regional Centre but when the building closed down in 2009, the team lost its home. “When the building closed down, we took the team to the community,” Murphy says. None of the big equipment (like ATVs and buses) was allowed to go with them, so members only took what they themselves had brought in. Training exercises were done out of a garage in Smiths Falls. But even though the team was not housed in one physical space, members kept on training. It was shortly after Joe Gallipeau bought the old RRC buildings and grounds that Murphy and her team
approached him for a room. They only really wanted a room, but Gallipeau “very graciously” gave them eight rooms and two bathrooms. “If Joe charged us, we’d have to close down,” she says. Now everything is stored in one space and the training schedule is going full tilt. There are three requirements to become a volunteer with RSAR. The first is to fill out an application. Be prepared to answer questions on interests, schooling, any outside certification you’ve received and most important — why you want to be part of the team. Second, attend basic training; it’s three days over two weekends, and is intense. And third, basic first aid training. It doesn’t sound like much, but break it down to hours and there’s 24 hours of basic training, 16 hours of first aid
and 80 hours throughout the year for a total of 120 hours in the first year. Be prepared to get to know your teammate; be prepared for fall and winter training, and be prepared for good laughs, long hours and great camaraderie. That’s what it takes to become a volunteer, and Murphy says they’re always looking for new people. If you’re enthusiastic about being outdoors, if you have some spare time, if you want to give back to the community, “We’ll train you,” she grins. And you’ll be well trained, not only to OPP standards but above and beyond to Ontario Search and Rescue Volunteer Association (OSARVA) standards. “We work for the OPP. OSARVA has a Memorandum of Understanding with the OPP that says qualified search and rescue units can be used by the OPP. We’re qualified,“ Murphy explains. “We teach to OSARVA standards, which make sure that all OPP standards are met. “We are well trained,” she reiterates emphatically. She also says that any individual can call RSAR if they need help finding someone. She insists they contact the OPP first, and tell them they want the assistance of the search team, but says she and her team would be there “in a
heartbeat” if asked. Rideau Search and Rescue does ground search. They work with the Coast Guard and OPP water patrol if a search is along a shore or coastline. There is an Eastern Ontario Search and Rescue dog team (which goes anywhere), and, in the last four to five years, there is a growing Rideau Mounted Search and Rescue team. “They do the same training. They re-certify annually —and, bonus —they ride horses. They can go places the average searcher can't and the best thing is, they don’t make a noise.” Murphy explains that ATVs or skidoos are noisy in the fall and winter, and if someone lost is yelling, they might not be heard above the noise. “We’re always looking for riders with access to horses. They have a different requirement on a search team,” she says, adding that the goal is always the same: to find the person. It’s not, however, that easy to keep an outfit going. Initially while in the RRC building, the annual budget was about $4,000 for 30 people which came out of the RRC end-of-year pocket. Now, as the building is under new ownership, Murphy and her team are always on the lookout for sponsors and fundraising gigs.
The bulk of their earnings come from providing services for the Smiths Falls Bears. “We give them first aid and crowd control assistance,” says Murphy. And for that they get $2,600 this year. The team is also involved in the Perth Parade, a car show in Merrickville, Movies Under the Stars, and was at the Tweed Shindig. Possibly a sponsor could come out of that, Murphy says hopefully. The team needs a minimum of $3,000 a year with a lot coming out of pocket. “We don’t have great funding and no big sponsor,” she says. “We go out and hustle.” The RSAR also does community outreach that have nothing to do with emergencies. For example the Hug A Tree And Survive program. It’s an AdventureSmart program offered by Search and Rescue Teams to elementary schools from kindergarten to Gr. 5. Murphy says team members will go into any school and talk to kids about staying safe in the woods (or in a mall). Each child gets a kit. If you’re interested in getting involved or having RSAR come to your class or event, contact Murphy at 613-269-4615, or email her at smurphy101@hotmail.com. Volunteers range in age from early 20s to 70s.
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Home Improvement 101
Take the time to plan your renovation project The first step in any successful renovation project is to develop a clear set of goals. You should keep several points in mind while you’re setting out these goals. Form: how do you want the renovation to look? Function: what do you want to do in the new space? Compatibility: how is this project going to blend with the rest of your home? Consider structural factors such as load bearing walls or beams together with existing locations of plumbing pipes, and heating ducts that may put limits on what you can do. Home renovation projects can be a daunting task for many homeowners. Building an addition on to your
home can even be more complicated than building a brand new home. These structures have most of the elements and considerations of a new home but also have a whole set of issues all their own. Meeting the Ontario building code for additions is one thing but you also have to consider location, property layout, how your addition will tie in to your home, budget, return on investment, and if you are going to do it all yourself or if you will hire a company to do it for you. Breaking the planning of your addition down into manageable chunks will help make the process less intimidating and the execution of your project run much more smoothly.
Here are some tips to help you manage your project: 1) Objective: determine the purpose for your project: -to create more living space -improve the traffic flow of your home and reduce bottlenecks -increase storage space -accommodate family growth and lifestyle -make your home more saleable or increase value -modernize or update your home 2) Ideas: gather ideas for your project: -renovation & design magazine -design programs on television -local home store showroom -take pictures of addi-
tions you like -open houses 3) Features: make a list of all the elements you would like to incorporate in your addition. -Prioritize these in order of importance: -flooring -fixtures & finishes -furnishing -dĂŠcor 4) Red Tape: determine restrictions and requirements that will affect building in your neighbourhood. -Some things that need to be determined are: -local building code guidelines -municipal property setbacks -what types of struc ture can be built on your property -height restrictions -bylaws and zoning
Checking out these things before hand will help avoid frustration and disappointment later!
you will undertake yourself -pre-existing conditions that may affect your addition
5) Budget: have a realistic budgetary figure in mind to avoid surprises later. Some of the factors that can influence the cost of your project are: -location, a factor that can determine material costs -size and scope of your house addition -will you be building up or out, creating a second floor tends to be more cost effective than building out -extent of preparation required for project before construction begins -type of materials and finishes being used -how much of the work
Once you understand building restrictions and requirements and you have a realistic budget in mind, you can now begin making building plans. At this point you may wish to involve a professional, and with your objectives and ideas in mind, they can help you come up with a plan that fits your family's needs specifically. Remember that involving a professional can help your project run smoothly therefore saving time and money not to mention frustration! Submitted by Patricia Krotki Dipl. Interior Design
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opinion:
Am I the only one? by Carrie Wynne
Patience is a real virtue in retail
While working in a very busy convenience store in cottage country over the summer I gained a much different perspective on human nature. People shouldn’t have to go to work and get beaten up by public unkindness. The experience helped me understand why people working in retail don’t always greet you with a cheerful smile on their face. Here are some consumer dos and don’ts. And ones that I’ll be using when I’m on the customer side of the cash from now on. 1. Don’t roll your
eyes like I’m taking too long. You’re the one buying lottery tickets when there’s a big line up behind you. 2. Don’t complain to me about the prices. It’s not my company. 3. If you count out exact change because you think it’s faster and easier, you’re totally wrong. It’s just annoying. 4. Please don’t throw your money at me and expect me to remember what you bought. If you think you’re too good or important to stand in line like the rest of the customers, remember that there’s no limo waiting for you. 5. Don’t think your griping is unique. I can pretty much guarantee we’ve heard it before. 6. If I’m being nice to you and you’re not nice back, you really look like a jerk. We remember faces. 7. Don’t give me the stink eye if you’re waiting in line. It makes me nervous and it’s out of my control.
8. Check your patience radar before heading out of your house. If it’s below the line, stay home. 9. If someone hasn’t served you right away it’s not because we’re ignoring you, it’s likely because we’re busy. 10. If someone scooped your ice cream or pumped your gas, why not leave a tip? Loonies and toonies add up and make us happy. Without this fun job over the summer I would never have considered some of my own bad behaviour. I’m glad that I now understand the importance of cultivating patience from both sides of the counter. I just thought patience was a soft fluffy quality that nice people have. Patience really is a virtue. Signed, Am I the Only One ? Carrie Wynne’s column reflects her own opinions and not necessarily those of Hometown News.
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Let's talk about mental health Mental health disorders in children and youth Regional - submitted Canadian adolescents, like teens throughout the world, are at high risk for mental illness. Research has shown that in Ontario alone, about one out of five 4-to 16-year-olds suffers from some type of psychiatric disorder. In the U.S., adolescents represent the only age group where the mortality rate continues to increase. Combined, the top three causes of death — accidents, suicide and homicide — account for 75% of adolescent deaths. Professional mental health care resources reach no more than one of every six youth in Canada. It is important to better understand what is going on with our youth, why they are at risk, and
how we can try to better address the needs of adolescents with psychiatric disorders. What is mental illness? Mental illness and mental disorders are not easy to define. Misunderstandings lead to misuse and abuse of the terms, reinforce myths, and even prevent people from getting help when it is really needed. In general, mental illness refers to clinically significant patterns of behavioural or emotional functioning that are associated with some level of distress, suffering (pain, death), or impairment in one or more areas of functioning (such as school, work, or social and family interactions).
The basis of this impairment is a behavioural, psychological, or biological dysfunction, or a combination of these. The good news is that early diagnosis and treatment lead to better outcomes for children later in life. Some of the more common mental health disorders affecting children and youth are as follows: • anxiety disorders; • attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/ HD); • autism spectrum disorder (ASD); • behaviour disorders (including oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD)); • mood disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder (manic-de-
SUPPORT
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
pression)); • eating disorders; • schizophrenia; • substance abuse; and • tourette syndrome. Identifying the signs Recognizing symptoms is key. Family awareness and early identification are often the first steps to effective treatment for children and youth with mental health disorders. It's easy to recognize when a child has a fever, but a child's mental health is different. It can be difficult to distinguish between 'normal' problems that all children and adolescents experience from time to time, and behaviour that may be indicative of a mental health disorder. The following charac-
teristics and behaviours may be signs of an underlying mental health disorder: • getting significantly lower marks in school; • avoiding friends and family; • having frequent outbursts of anger and rage; • losing his or her appetite; • having difficulty sleeping; • rebelling against authority; • drinking a lot and/or using drugs; • not doing the things he or she used to enjoy; • worrying constantly; • experiencing frequent mood swings; • not concerned with his or her appearance; • obsessed with his or her weight;
• lacking energy or motivation; • hitting or bullying other children; and • attempting to injure him or her self. Children and youth with the most serious mental health disorders (e.g., severe psychosis or schizophrenia) may exhibit: • distorted thinking; • excessive anxiety; • odd body movements; • abnormal mood swings; • acting overly suspicious of others; and • seeing or hearing things that others don’t see or hear. Courtesy of Children’s Mental Health Ontario and the Canadian Psychiatric Association.
Children’s Mental Health of Leeds & Grenville
FREE • ACCESSIBLE • CONFIDENTIAL Tel: 613.498.4844 Toll Free: 1.800.809.2494 Mission: To provide effective & timely mental health service to children and their families.
www.thehubalmonte.com
reachus@cmhlg.ca
www.cmhlg.ca
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lifestyle
The Brett Pearson Run For Your Life takes to Carleton Place Sept. 24
Carleton Place April Scott-Clarke april@pd gmedia.ca Outliving a child is a parent’s worst nightmare, but that nightmare became a reality on Nov. 20, 2006 for Nicole Pearson when her 16-year-old son, Brett Pearson, took his own life. “Brett was a sensitive and caring boy who kept his emotions bottled up inside, he had a lot of difficulty expressing himself,” explains Nicole. “Brett had opened up to some of his friends but then they blamed themselves. He was sad sometimes, but he wasn’t showing that to us. It was a difficult time for us as a family.” Over a nine-month period Nicole says she noticed a change in Brett. He started missing school, not going to his part-time job, and he started experimenting with recreational drugs. “We tried to reach out for help, but back then, help wasn’t a clear pathway. Even though we were
Photo Credit: Submitted
raising red flags, it wasn’t a direct route to help,” she says. After learning to cope with her grief, and teaching her then 11-year-old son how to grieve this loss as well, Nicole made a decision to help bring awareness to youth suicide. “It’s easy to stay in the corner and be silent, but what is that going to do? It’s not going to teach anyone,” she says. “It’s a lot easier to go the other way. I’m a very positive person. I didn’t want to be in a space where you are negative or angry. Positive energy will make you do a lot more moving forward.” She started by sharing her story and facts about youth suicide in schools — to date she’s done 150 presentations and reached over 6,000 students from grades 7 to 12. Then in 2011, she launched the Brett Pearson Run for Your Life event in Carleton Place. The event has a five kilometre run route and a five kilometer walk route. In
its first year, 100 people registered. Last year Nicole says over 400 people participated. Since its inception, the event has raised $23,000, which gets donated to a different cause each year. This year’s event is being held on Saturday, Sept. 24 with all profits going to the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre, a non-profit, residential, and community-based agency that is dedicated to helping youth with addiction issues and their families. There are locations in Carleton Place and Carp. The event will kick off at the Carleton Place town square, located at 15 Mill Street, with plenty of post-run/walk entertainment and resources on site. Registration is open online at www.cpdrugstrategy. ca/Brett_Pearson_2016 until midnight on Friday, Sept. 23 or in person on the day of from 8: 30 a.m. until 10 a.m. This year’s guest speakers will be Senator Vernon White,
Chiropractic Care & Longevity Center celebrates 25 years by giving back to the community Advertorial She has worked with patients from newborn babies to centenarians. Her passion and joy in the work she does have inspired an equal response of loyalty and support. That’s why Dr. Kathy Wickens, chiropractor, and owner of Chiropractic Care and Longevity Center in Perth is celebrating her 25th anniversary with a fundraiser. “It’s been so rewarding to help others people attain a better quality of life, so it’s been a wonderful 25 years and I want to give back,” says Wickens. On October 1, the clinic will be hosting a Give Back Walk/Run, and they hope the community will come out and help them support the two charities they’ve chosen. “Since we work on the nervous system which has an impact on neurological function we decided we would support the local
Alzheimer’s Society,” said Wickens. The event, which takes off from Algonquin College, Perth will also raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. “We chose the name ‘Give Back Walk/Run’ as a sort of play on words because we work on the ‘back’ and we want to give back to our community. We’ll be giving away prizes and we just want it to be a fun day and raise money for good causes,” said Wickens. This is hardly the first time that Wickens has given back to the community; her entire 25 years have been as much about giving patients the tools they need to thrive, as it’s been about treating patients. “My big thing is to educate people to think ‘how can I get my body to heal?’ versus ‘what can I take to make the pain go away?’,” says Wickens. Chiropractors don’t just relieve pain, the work they
do can often alleviate many other symptoms. “Very often we’ll have a patient come in with lower back pain, and after we’ve worked on that, they’ll tell us that their frequent urination problem has gone away,” says Wickens. People, she says, seem to forget that the body can heal itself. Before she knew about the benefits of Chiropractic, Wickens would get regular medical checkups. “However, nobody ever told me to get my nervous systems checked,” says Wickens adding that the nervous system is often the root cause of many types of pain and malfunctions in the body. The clinic provides a full range of services including Chiropractic manipulation using Sigma instruments, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, Orthotics, Hydro Massage, Holistic Nutrition, Weight Loss and even offers an on-site gym.
former Ottawa Police Chief and Kathie Donovan former broadcaster from CTV Regional Contact and author of Inspiration in Action: A Woman’s Guide to Happiness. “For me the objective was to have a memory of my son. I wanted something for Brett, to express my love for him. It was Brett’s life and I didn’t want him to be remembered as the 16-year-old who took his life,” says Nicole. “He was the type to help people. He’s not here to do that, so I will do that for him.” Suicide is the second leading cause of death globally among 15 to 29 year olds, according to 2014 statistics from the World Health Organization, and the Mental Health Commission of Canada confirms that suicide and mental health problems are deeply connected; it is estimated that 90 per cent of people who die by suicide were experiencing a mental health problem or illness. Although Brett wasn’t formally diagnosed with depression, in hindsight Nicole believes that her son was depressed and that it was one of the contributing factors to his death. “[Youth] don’t have the coping skills, the human brain doesn’t mature until they are 25,” she explains. “Youth really need the help of adults to get these coping skills. It’s normal to have anger and pain inside and it’s important to be surrounded with a strong network. We are getting that message out. Youth are more open now about their feelings.” Pearson’s other son, Dennis, is also heavily involved in the event — he proudly leads the Parade of Life down Bridge
Street as part of the opening ceremonies. He’s followed by legion members, scouts, military and other community groups. The parade stops at the cenotaph for a moment of silence for all of the families who have lost loved ones. “If we knew then what we
know now, the approach and the initiatives, I have a feeling that Brett would still be with us today,” says Nicole. “Kids that are in crises today, we get at them a lot earlier. They need to get help right away. We need to get at these children as soon as possible.”
88 Cornelia Street West Unit A2, Smiths Falls Ontario K7A 5K9
Monday until Thursday 8:00am - 8:00pm
Friday
8:00am - 4:00pm Crisis worker available onsite at hospital locations
WALK-INS WELCOME! www.lanarkmentalhealth.com
613-283-2170
SEPTEMBER 2016
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Game on: popularity of pickleball spreads throughout Lanark County
REGIONAL Dianne Pinder-Moss Editorial@pdgmedia.ca
Laurie Bennett openly acknowledges that she has never been one to play team sports. That all changed, however, in January when the Almonte resident was introduced to pickleball. She started playing at the invitation of friends and enjoyed the sport so much that, along with playing in Almonte, she is now also travelling to Perth one morning a week. Bennett is part of a growing number of local people taking up pickleball, which is described as a combination of table tennis, tennis, and badminton. Its popularity is such that here in Lanark County, people can now play the sport in Almonte, Carleton Place and Perth. “Myself and a few other people got experience in the southern U.S. playing it,” says Perth resident Don MacKenzie, noting that the sport is very popular in Florida and California. Locally, pickleball had its beginnings in Carleton Place in 2012. Linda Pond, who is currently convening the sport in Carleton Place credits snowbirds Walter and Carolyn Renwick for being “mainly responsible for
bringing pickleball to CP.” “They convinced Heritage Fitness to build it and they will come,” she says of the outdoor pickleball courts that were constructed at the Heritage Community Fitness Centre. According to Pond, a core group of people who were introduced to pickleball shortly after it arrived in Carleton Place still play on Tuesday evenings and Sunday mornings there. This year there is also a Thursday evening drop-in from 5:30 p.m. until dark where non-members of the fitness centre can play for $3. As the local ambassador for the Canadian Pickleball Association, Pond has also been heavily involved in the Almonte program, which is being offered by the Mills Community Support Corporation (MCSC). In fact, Jan Watson, health and wellness program co-ordinator for MCSC, refers to Pond as “my right hand person.” “I’d like to offer thanks to Linda for all she has done to help and promote [pickleball],” Watson says. Pickleball started up in the summer of 2015 in Almonte on the old basketball courts at Gemmill Park. The MCSC paid to install lines on three courts with the Town of Mississippi Mills funding the repairs to cracks in the courts.
Following up on the success of its pickleball program in the summer months, the MCSC continued to offer the sport indoors during the winter on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at Naismith Elementary School. Some nights, upwards of 15 people came out to play, not only from Mississippi Mills but Carleton Place, Carp and Perth. This summer, players were back on the courts at Gemmill Park on Monday and Wednesday mornings and Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The cost is $2 per session. Watson believes pickleball fits the mission of MCSC. That is, “keeping people healthy and active, primarily seniors, in their community.” About half a dozen Perth residents took part in the Almonte winter league so MacKenzie decided to bring the sport to Perth. The Town of Perth made available its two public tennis courts and volunteers layed out and painted the yellow lines. “A pickleball court is onethird or one-quarter the size of a tennis court,” MacKenzie explains. “It is basically a badminton court.” At the Perth courts, there is regular drop-in play four days a week: Monday at 8 a.m., Wednes-
Out for a game of pickleball on a recent Wednesday at the Conlon Farm Recreation Complex in Perth were front row left to right: Don MacKenzie, Eric Besch, Jim Little, Lois Mowat and Kim MacKenzie: Back row: Bob Saunders, Marilyn LaBelle, Dave Reesor, Gerry Leduc, John Bickerton, Linda Bickerton and John Low. Photo Credit: Dianne Pinder-Moss
day and Friday at 9 a.m. “This is an informal activity with no membership fee,” MacKenzie stresses. “Beginners are always welcome at the regular drop in times.” While many of those taking up the sport are 50 or older, it is attracting other ages as well. MacKenzie says a few students in the heritage masonry program at the Perth campus of Algonquin College are coming out to play on Thursday evenings. Pond has brought pickleball to Carleton Place High School several times “and the kids seemed to love it.”
“Once people try it, they get addicted,” she said. “However, I think the name throws people off.” Part of the appeal of pickleball is that all you need to participate is a pair of sneakers. Paddles and balls are usually provided, although regular players will often purchase their own paddles. The sport is also easy to learn. “It’s one of the few sports you can show up and, within half an hour, you are returning shots and playing at a reasonable level,” MacKenzie points out. Anyone interested in becoming part of Perth's Pickleball Community is
invited to email perthspickleball@gmail.com. Pond is the contact for Carleton Place and can be reached at Linda.pond@gmail.com or by phone at 613-2530240. For Almonte, you can contact either Pond or Watson at 613-256-1031 or jwatson@themills.on.ca. Ask Pond what she loves about pickleball and she has a list of things. In addition to being inexpensive to play and the skills easy to learn and master, she says the sport is fun, offers social activity with other “pickleball-aholics” and is “a terrific workout.”
Extreme paintball league’s cup finals to be played in Smiths Falls SMITHS FALLS Howaida Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca
The Stanley Cup of the Canadian Xtreme Paintball League (CXBL) is coming to Smiths Falls this month. On Sept. 24 and Sept. 25, the Siloki Centre located at the Gallipeau Centre in Smiths Falls is hosting the NAX Cup Championships. This is the second tournament to be hosted in Smiths Falls by Siloki, and it’s free to watch. “The one we had in July was the midway challenge, which is played halfway through the season,” explained Richard Peskett, owner of the Siloki Centre. Hosting the NAX Cup is a big deal and the venue has to be approved by the CXBL.
“With the finals, we require more terrain, so we will be using three fields at Siloki Center, which was a huge factor in choosing the location. In addition, Smiths Falls is pretty well equi-distant for participants in both conferences,” said Joey De Caire, spokesperson for CXBL. Not only is securing the cup a huge feather for the winning team, but there are cash prizes for the winners in each division as well. “The MXL division first place gets $7,000 cash as well as full NXL World Cup entry (value $3,500), a second place finish gets $5,000 cash. The next division is RXL and first place gets $5,000 cash, and second
The Canadian Xtreme Paintball League’s final tournament will be landing in Smiths Falls from Sept.24 to Sept. 25. All 60 teams in the league will be competing, bringing about 900 players to the area. Shown here, a player waits for an opening to make her move.. Photo Credit: Howaida Sorour-Roberts
place gets $3,000. There are another two divisions with cash prizes,” said Le Caire. The league has been around since 2005 and is now in its 12th season. CXBL is the only professional XBall league in Canada. It currently consists of two conferences, central and eastern. The CXBL is a "closed division" league, which means that the number of teams in a division doesn't change during the season. Teams commit to playing an entire season, and compete for a place in the NAX Cup Finals to determine a series winner. There are 60 teams participating in the league this season, which translates to about 900 players. “We won’t have 900 players here all at once, they’ll be coming and going at various times of the day depending on their scheduled games,” said Peskett. The game itself is fast and furious, demanding considerable athleticism. Most XBall matches are played on flat grass or a similar surface. Play areas are surrounded by see-through safety netting rising 20 feet in the air. XBall athletes have to call on all their speed, skill and courage as they scrimmage within inflatable “bunkers” of various shapes and sizes. There can be up to 50 bunkers on a single course. Like hockey, the game has penalty minutes of twoand five-minute durations. Each match consists of two
25 minute halves with a five-minute halftime. At the start of play, each team’s line will break out from the start position and try to eliminate the opposing team’s line and hang the center flag to score a point for their team. Teams usually have 15 players, split into three lines of five players. At the conclusion of each point, teams
are given two minutes to clean up, reload, and send another line of five players onto the field for the next point. “Teams are co-ed and the game is based on both player elimination and points,” said Peskett. “We expect teams from Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes, and players from
both Canada and the United States,” said De Caire. Teams and their supports will be staying overnight in the area, whether in Smiths Falls or Perth. “The last tournament we hosted, we filled up 90 per cent of hotel rooms between [Smiths Falls] and Perth,” said Peskett.
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21
culture
culture Bridges to be topic of the evening at Heritage Symposium
The Heritage Symposium is organized each year by the Smiths Falls Municipal Heritage Committee. Shown here are some of the members of the committee, from left: Jeanne Howard, Tony Humphrey, Dawn Quinn, Dorothy Hudson and Becky Allen. Photo Credit: Howaida Sorour-Roberts
SMITHS FALLS Howaida Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca Sharing information and inspiring change are benchmarks for the annual Heritage Symposiums that the Smiths Falls Municipal Heritage Committee (MHC) organizes each year. This year’s fifth annual
symposium’s theme revolves around bridges and will be held on Friday, Sept. 30 at the Station Theatre in Smiths Falls from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. “We chose the theme because five of Smiths Falls bridges are named in the Historic Bridges of Lanark County list,” said Dorothy Hudson, chair of MHC.
The Bridging Hometown Pride with Heritage Assets symposium will host three speakers and one of them is Andrew Ross, senior engineer and vice-president of Structural Group “Andrew Ross will be specifically talking about bridges and historic bridges and will look at our own Confed-
eration Bridge,” said Jeanne Howard, MHC member. With more than 20 years of experience designing and building bridges, Ross has also developed a passion for restoring old bridges — regardless of how damaged they are. “I find it particularly challenging when someone declares a bridge to be ‘beyond repair,” said Ross in an email. “In some cases it may not be practical to repair a particular bridge, but there may be cultural or heritage reasons why the bridge is important enough to rehabilitate.” His talk will also touch on the original designs of heritage bridges and the material and tools that were used at the time compared to the technology and tools available today. Ross believes bridges are an integral part of any community and are often the focal point, both culturally and economically. “Historically, business and
industry developed on roads that were close to bridges. Even in rural areas, bridges are used as meeting points, viewing opportunities, or access to the river for recreation, but bridges also represent economic opportunities,” said Ross. While Ross will largely address bridges, their importance and how they can be rehabilitated, there are three other speakers who will guide the audience towards understanding how heritage can be used to a community’s advantage. Carl Bray, adjunct professor at Queen’s University as well as landscape architect and heritage planner will discuss how heritage can become an opportunity. Bray’s talk will touch on examples of how heritage can be leveraged. Drawing on 30 years of professional experience in both the public and private sectors, Bray will share his wealth of experiences on projects he has com-
pleted in Canada, the US, the Caribbean and Great Britain. Meanwhile Wayne Morgan, president of Community Heritage Ontario, who is a professional planner with concrete experience in historical projects like the Distillery District of Toronto, will expand on how communities can use heritage assets to their advantages. “I think we have the best speakers this year that we’ve had to date,” said Becky Dow, member MHC. Last but not least there will be a presentation from Algonquin College explaining how local communities can make use the college’s historic carpentry program. Admission to the symposium is $20 for adults and $10 for students. A light lunch will be served. Interested members of the public are invited to let the organizers know they will be attending by emailing kmorphet@jlrichards.ca.
Perth Inside Out:
by Terry O'Hearn
Perth’s namesake served honourably in World War II On Feb. 20, 2010, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) honoured the memory of Perth’s namesake, the frigate HMCS Lanark, with a special ceremony at Code’s Mill Conference Centre to mark the Navy’s Centennial. A representative of the RCN presented Mayor John Fenik with a framed pictorial history of the ship at the time. The old warship had served honourably during World War II; her bell hangs in the Members’ Lounge of the Perth Legion, and the Hall of Remembrance museum upstairs has a prominent display about her. Although few Perth citizens are aware of the ship and her history, I will relate some of that to you now. The frigate HMCS Lanark was named for the Town of Perth when commissioned on July 6, 1944 at Montreal. The naming of ships is a time-honoured tradition for seafarers the world over, and sailors have always had a special affection for their ships, usually referring to them with the feminine pronouns "she" or "her". British Prime
Minister Sir Winston Churchill famously directed that the numbered submarines in the Royal Navy during World War II be given names, because “it is difficult to ask a man to die for a number”. The Dec.16, 1943 issue of The Perth Courier carried a front page story about the attendance of a delegation from the Town of Perth for the launching of the Lanark, and the story also explains why the fighting frigate was destined to carry the name Lanark instead of Perth. If the dates are confusing, the launching takes place before the ship is completed, when she is not yet commissioned. “The HMCS Lanark won her first victory, Friday, Dec. 10 at 4:30 p.m., as she slid down the ways at the yards of Canadian Vickers Limited to triumph over the winter ice, which was already threatening to seal the waters of the St. Lawrence,” reads the story. “HMCS Lanark was sponsored by Mrs. Clark, wife of J.D. Clark, veteran foreman joiner at Vickers, supported by Mrs. W.C. McLaren. The
Legion President Eric Devlin with the ship's bell from the HMCS Lanark, in the Members' Lounge. Photo Credit: Terrance O'Hearn
new frigate was the third ship to be launched from Vickers’ yard since the beginning of the war. “She was named for the town of Perth. Owing to another naval unit in the fleets of the Allied Nations bearing the name Perth, it was not possible to have the name of our town given the ship named for her. The HMCS Lanark, one of Canada’s brand new ships is safer, bigger, harder-hitting than the famous corvette, and ships of her class have already become the most deadly enemies of U-Boats.” She spent most of the European war on convoy duty, and early in June, 1945, sailed for home. In mid-July she began tropicalization refit at Liverpool, N.S., but the work was called off on Aug. 31. The ship was paid off at Sydney on Oct. 24, and sold to Marine Industries Ltd. in 1946. Later repurchased by the RCN, she was converted to a Prestonian class frigate, and on April 26, 1956, commissioned for training purposes out of Halifax. She was paid off the last time on March 16, 1965, and broken up at La Spezia, Italy, the following year. The ceremony in 2010 was attended by two Perth men who had served on the HMCS Lanark in her later years, the writer and one other man. If that old seadog is still in the Perth area, please email me, as I would like to reconnect. Terrance O'Hearn is the Public Relations Officer for the Royal Canadian Legion, District "G", of the Ontario Command.
Photo Credit: Linda Seccaspina
We will regret the loss of our farms Carleton Place Linda Seccaspina
In Lanark County we have many farms that have been forced into abandonment. What kind of toll does it take on the owners of these lost properties? It would be false to say that farmers don’t become attached to their land and the memories of family connections. Farmers take nothing and turn it into something, year after year, and it becomes their life force. The farm pictured here used to be the McCrae farm on Highway 7 near Carleton Place. Murray and Audrey MacRae once proudly owned this home where they lived with their children: Linda, Cathy, Ann, Heather, Don, Jimmy, and Howie. Now the buildings are in shambles and the walls are covered in graffiti. Carolann Lowry McRae told me that the family initially sold it to an individual who bequeathed it to his son, who in turn sold it to a developer. As Sandra Hurdis Finigan from MPP Scott Reid’s office said, “I did some research on the McRae farm on Highway 7 for work. According to both distant family and Beckwith Township, the farm was
bought by a person who has let it get to this state.” Miles away another kind of scenario played out in 2014. Frank Meyers on Meyers Creek Road near Trenton lost his farm to the government after a long battle. Is this what should happen when your family farms the same plot of land for two and half centuries? “This is heritage property,” said the 81-year-old, pointing at his freshly plowed fields in Quinte West, Ont. “This is the property that was given to my forefathers when they fought for the British army against the Americans. This land was designated for us.” Today, the Meyers land has finally been expropriated and designated for something else: a new headquarters for Joint Task Force 2, the Canadian military’s top-secret special operations squad. I am grateful for the military, who protect our freedoms, but what about Mr. Meyer’s freedom to live out his life on his own land and pass it onto future generations, as is his right? Word is that the government acquires property like this for the “greater good,” whether willingly or by expropriation without a care or thought into the history.
More often than enough they do nothing with it after they acquire it. Frank and Marjorie Meyers are another prime example of what is happening to some of our farmland. Frank will never cash the cheque they gave him as he wants his farm back. In my opinion, the right thing to do would have been to let the Meyers’ sign a lease that allowed them lifetime rights to harvest. When they pass away–maybe then the government can take it and use it. Still wrong in my mind, but I don’t control the world. We can deem rights for a heritage building, so why not land? To think this is a unique situation is to live with your head in the sand. I feel for the families that have lived and worked their land for generations only to have them either taken away or deteriorate. Surely something better can be done. Have we no respect at all these days? We are now losing farms and farmland at an alarming rate, and I worry for the future as there are fewer resources now to sustain this industry. Each time I look at old photos of our former Lanark farmers I know for a fact — one day we will regret the loss of our farms.
SEPTEMBER 2016
22
culture
Back to a dog’s life for Blue The grandmother of all comedies
Blue in costume. Photo Credit: Sally Smith
Smiths falls - Sally Smith sally@pd gmedia.ca His gig in Bridge to Terabithia at The Station Theatre is over but Blue, my anxiety-prone, obsessive-compulsive, allergy-inclined cockapoo still expects all the perks he got during the seven days he was on stage. And I would dearly love to carry on with the perks of his performances but unfortunately, it’s back to a dog’s life for Blue. At our second-to-last performance, I asked the
director what the next play was to be. She mumbled so quickly I couldn’t catch the title, then she briefly glanced my way and said, very distinctly, ‘No dogs.’ She moved away furtively after that as if she had people to see, places to go, things to do. H-m-m-m. He is a bit of a prince, no doubt about that; he expects treats and walks and a place to sleep, lots of kind words — all the normal stuff. But, in my reckoning, he was the star of the show. Not taking anything away from the kids who did a fabulous job, but as W. C. Fields is supposed to have said “Never work with children or animals.” And while he might not have stolen the show, he did get a clap for his last ‘performance.’ Most of his appearances were spent with his back to the audience; that was probably because the kid actors had handfuls of treats - and Blue is focused on treats. As one audience-goer said of Blue after a Saturday night performance - “It’s doggy diet for you next week!” And he learned a new trick: standing on three legs and scratching his side with his left-hind leg. That got a laugh. The trick we
were actually working on was bowing but he equated that with “down” and “roll over” which are good tricks but the bowing would have elicited lots of o-o-o-h’s and a-a-a-h’s. The second to last show he was a bit recalcitrant to go on. It wasn’t stage fright or that he’d forgotten his lines or that his costume was too tight. Seven performances is a long run and he’d just reached the end of his leash. Another cast member and I had to physically shove him into the limelight. But once out there, being the true star he is, he performed magnificently. I’ve been doing some research on dog actors. Rin Tin Tin was paid $6,000 a week for his performances; Eddy, on Frasier, was paid $10,000 for each episode. Now I know the Station Theatre is run on a tight budget — and I certainly wouldn’t ask that much — or even half those numbers. But next time I think I might negotiate a salary. I suspect their answer might be excruciating politeness, smiling grimaces and ‘noton-your-life!’ thoughts running through their minds. I can only try…
Merrickville shutterbugs showcase their work at local exhibit
comes to the Studio Theatre
All in the family: (L to R) Connor Williamson (Nick Cristano), Sheila Jasiak (Emma Cristano, Nick's paternal grandmother), Jennifer Jasiak (Caitlin O'Hara) and Rob Glas (Frank Gianelli, Nick's maternal grandfather) rehearse a scene from Over The River And Through The Woods, premiering at the Studio Theatre Sept. 22. Photo Credit: Len Modderman
Perth - Submitted
Nick has just received a job offer in Seattle that he simply can't refuse. Trouble is, accepting it means he'll have to tell his grandparents he's moving away from New Jersey. And if you're Italian and Catholic, with grandparents like Nunzio, Emma, Frank and Aida, that's a big problem. Premiering Thursday, September 22 at the Studio Theatre it's Joe DiPietro's comedy Over The River And Through The Woods, a heartwarming story about family, faith, food, and other things that sound good but sometimes make life more than a little complicated. In the minds of Nick's beloved (annoying) Italian grandparents there is nothing more sacred than family. So for years Nick has dutifully attended Sunday dinner in an effort to atone for the sins of his parents who had done
the unthinkable and moved to Fort Lauderdale. Over The River And Through The Woods has everything a family comedy requires — big-hearted grandparents adrift in a new world, a thoroughly modern grandson they just don't understand, and the Grand Canyon of a generation gap that exists between them. When Nunzio and the others try to set Nick up with beautiful young Caitlin to make him stay in the East, the cake is iced with all the ingredients of a comedy that any generation will appreciate. "This play is both funny and heartwarming," says director Patricia Parry, a veteran of stage comedy. "It's about life, love, and learning to let go — a family show even kids will enjoy." Another engaging aspect of the show is that it introduces Perth audiences to several performers they may not be familiar with, Smiths
Falls actors who are pleased to join the Studio Theatre's ever-expanding stable of talents. These include Rob Glas, David Wright, Sheila Jasiak, and Jenifer Jasiak, who take the stage with local favourite Norma Cummings, and newcomer Connor Williamson. Parry is thrilled to have so many new faces on her stage. "It can take time for a cast to grow into their roles," she says. "But right from the start I knew we had something special. It's been exciting to watch this cast, and this great show, come together." Over The River And Through The Woods will have shows on Sept. 22, 23, 24, 30 and Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. matinees on Sept. 25 and Oct. 2. Tickets are $22 (cash only) at the Book Nook, 60 Gore St. E, and $22 plus convenience fee at Shadowfax, 67 Foster St., (613-267-6817; shadowfax. on.ca) and Tickets Please, in the Matheson House Museum Visitor Centre, 11 Gore St. E. (485-6434; ticketsplease.ca) both of which accept in-store, phone, online and credit card purchases. Tickets are $24 at the door, and $10 at the door for students with ID. Attend opening night and save $5! Remember that Season Passes for the Studio Theatre's 2016/2017 season of outstanding live theatre will be on sale until the end of September at the Studio Theatre box office on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon, and at Shadowfax.
Members of the Merrickville Photo Club are getting ready for their third annual exhibition opening on Sept. 15. From left to right front row: Mary Ross, Amanda Rick Boal, Cheryl Ogilvie, Line Pelletier. Second Row, left to right: Monique Forgues-Paradis, Connie Marie Kerr, Tanya Van Eyk, Dianne Bennet, and Joy Cox, founding member. Third row, left to right: John Chambers, Michael Venables, Kemp McMeekin, and Rod Fournier. Photo Credit: Submitted
Regional Howiada Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca An informal group of shutterbugs are holding a photography exhibit in Merrickville. The Merrickville Photo Club is hosting its third annual photography exhibit, opening on Sept. 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m at the Yellow Canoe Café. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served. It’s an opportunity for members of the public to meet the photographers and view their work. “There is no theme, every member is invited to submit their best photo for the exhibit,” said Mary Ross, club member. The Merrickville Photo Club started about three years ago by two local photographers, Richinda Bates and Joy Cox. The group
meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Goose and Gridiron in Merrickville. Their mandate is simply to get people who enjoy photography to learn how to use the equipment they have and improve their skills. “It’s also a way to get people more involved in the community by photographing local events and sharing those photos on Facebook and with event organizers,” said John Chambers, professional photographer and de facto leader. So far the club has trained about six or seven members to become event photographers in the village. “We also get assigned projects every month, for example, converging lines, was one project. It’s really a way to encourage people to go out and use their cameras and explore,” said Kemp Mc-
Meekin, club member. From time to time one of the group’s professional members will hold an informal workshop on a technical aspect of photography. There can be anywhere from 15 to seven members at any given meeting although there are about 25 members in total, and the skill levels vary from professional to beginner. “There are four of us that are at professional skill level, and the rest of the group are at the intermediate and beginner level,” said Chambers. The upcoming exhibition, according to Chambers, is an opportunity for members to showcase their work and share their accomplishments. “It’s all in the name of fun, enjoyment and learning more about our favourite hobby - photography,” said Ross.
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SEPTEMBER 2016
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business the
VALUE
Helping you for shine your Helping addplan some retirement to your golden years
of advice Shawn Pankow CFP.CLU
How confident do you feel about retirement? How do you envision your retirement? Are you anxious and excited to enter that stage of your life, confident you will have the time to do what you want, and enough money to feel confident about your income security for life? Or are concerned you will not have enough savings, and are worried you will face poverty and dependency on others in your later years as you run out of money? Unfortunately, with so few people retiring with a full, defined benefit pension plan and with the decline in interest rates over the past decade, the reality is more people could face a very difficult and stressful retirement than those that can approach their golden years with confidence and control. However, with your discipline and commitment, combined with professional advice and a well thought out and crafted retirement plan, there may still be time to enter retirement with the incredible confidence financial security can provide. Life can be very challenging when you are living paycheck to paycheck and there never seems to be anything left over at the end of the month. However, as long as you have the ability to work and earn an income, you can still create success for yourself and manage your cash flow and expenses. Now picture yourself in the future. Imagine being 75, 80, or 85 years old and broke. You could still have Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security, however, these alone would not likely be enough to pay even the most basic expenses. Do you want to start looking for a job at that stage in life? Do you want to be dependent on someone else? No matter what age you are today, a retirement plan can illustrate for you how much money you will need at retirement, and how much you should be saving each year to ensure you will
be okay. A properly drafted plan will also set annual goals and benchmarks you should meet to ensure you are on track to meet your goals. As you approach retirement, it enables you to understand if you can retire when you want, or, if you need to work longer or adjust your lifestyle as you prepare to transition to a lower income. If you are retired, a retirement income plan can ensure you are able to stretch your savings out for the rest of your life and follow a reasonable draw down rate to ensure you don’t run out of money. These plans also illustrate benchmarks that need to be monitored annually to ensure your income, and therefore your lifestyle, are sustainable. Approximately 75 per cent of people will live to retirement age, and when about half of all people age 65 will live another 20 years, retiring without a plan, or being retired without a plan, creates a real risk to your income security. Furthermore, the sooner you start, the better off you will be. As Albert Einstein once said, “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it. He who doesn't pays it.” As the rule of 72 indicates, when you divide 72 by the amount of interest you earn each year, you quickly learn how quickly your money will double in value. For example, if your portfolio earns eight per cent interest, it will double in value every nine years with no further contributions. However, if your portfolio only earns four per cent, it will take 18 years for your values to double. So, a 30-year-old with $25,000 saved in Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs), wanting to retire at age 66, would see that value double four times in the next 36 years creating a nest egg of $400,000 with no further contributions, at
an annualized growth rate of 8%. That future value at retirement would swell to over $1.3 million if he or she continued to save $5,000 annually. If the same investor was more conservative with his or her investment philosophy and was only able to earn 4% annually, the future values with no additional contributions would be just under $103,000, or $490,000 with the $5,000 annual contributions. Assuming the same people waited another nine years before starting to save, but then started investing $5,000 annually. The future value for the investor earning 8% would total $400,000 (compared to a value of $1.3M starting nine years earlier) and the one earning 4% would have a nest egg of $221,000 compared to $400,000. Wait another nine years to age 48, and those future values drop to $187,000 and $128,000 respectively. If you retire in your mid 60s and want to ensure you will never run out of money and can adjust your future income to inflation, your drawdown rate at the start of retirement should be no greater than 5% of your initial portfolio value. In other words, do not take out more than $5,000 for every $100,000 you have saved. A drawdown rate of four per cent would be that much more sustainable. Withdrawing more than that amount each year creates a risk that you will outlive your savings. A risk you do not want to face later in retirement. Most financial planners or advisors will create a comprehensive retirement or income sustainability plan for free. Take advantage of this opportunity and give yourself the peace of mind you need to retire with confidence and the knowledge that your income is secure for life. Shawn Pankow is a Certified Financial Planner with Pankow Financial Solutions in Smiths Falls.
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Discover Smiths Falls is your community mined by the Hindu Luniso- ness of suicide and mental Food bank. The event raises with a social hour starting at 5 many other autumn festivals to for local lar calendar. It’s a celebrationguide illness. This events, year thenews, band information, funds and awareness for the p.m. Starfire will perform for enjoy. It’s the season of fall fairs of Good’s triumph. Dogs in Soundslistings Sweet &will perform local food bank. the evening and dinner will and estate auctions and corn or business more. Experience local particular are important due covers from the 1960s from 12 Also returning in 2016 is the consist of a bounty of local fall pig roasts. Sept. 10 the Farmer’s culture, dining, lifestyle, activities & all that It’s back to school time again to their association with the p.m. to 1 p.m. You can choose Chamber of Commerce Golf favourites. Tickets are $30 per Market celebrates the harvest er has seven facebook and our Communities days our becoming on to offer. Hindu God of death. They are a five Smiths kilometreFalls walk has through Tournament on Sept. 12 and person and can be purchased with the 5th annual pie contest a little damper with blessed with vermillion and town or a five kilometre run the second edition of Farm 2 in advance at Nancy’s Impres- and with horse-drawn wagon Discovershorter, Perth Discover Carleton Place dew in the morning and we adorned with marigold neck- at the Mississippi River trail. Fork comes back to Market sions, The Granary or The rides. Though some may miss have Mills to grab a sweater on our Merrickville Discover Mississippi "Local people helping local business, laces. The celebrations involve You can register on site on the Squaretogethon Sept. 10 with a har- Carleton Place Chamber of the heat of July, I welcome the way out the door. Thoughts candles, fireworks and give day of the event from 8:30am- vest dinner and dance. It runs Commerce. cooler air of autumn and all the er for a stronger community" scover West Port & Rideau turn to Thanksgiving and Hal-Lakes gifts and family feasts to cele- 10am for $25 per person or from 6 p.m. until midnight, Outside our town there are fun it brings. loween, changing leaves and all brate. $15 per person in a team. All of our favourite fall traditions. In Carleton Place we have participants will receive a racAll over the world people our own traditions. Septem- ing kit with a T-shirt, lunch celebrate fall. In Great Britain, ber welcomes back the Fall ticket, racing bib, door prize Guy Fawkes day is a tradition 400 Dragon Boat festival. Ev- ticket and more! Carleton filled with fireworks, lan- ery year our town gathers at Place will welcome honoured tern-lit parades and bonfires Riverside Park to witness over guests, Senator Vernon White originating from the foiled 1,100 paddlers and drummers and Kathie Donovan. The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and on over 46 teams, racing to the event kicks off at 10 a.m. with the attempted assassination of finish line. This event draws a Parade of Life leaving from James I. hundreds from all over East- Town Hall and featuring milMexico has “Dia de los ern Ontario and 100 per cent itary and first responder vehiDiscover Sm Muertos” (Day of the Dead) of the funds raised are donated cles and the Royal Canadian guide for lo that includes the building of back to our community. Last Legion Branch 192 leading the alters, colourful costumes, year, $15,000 was donated to march. business list food offerings to the deceased the Arena Building Fund for There are some newer Sepculture, dini and grave decorations. Despite improvements to the Carleton tember traditions like the Chef Community Discover has seven CommunitiesCommunity on facebookDiscover has sev Sm the morbidity of the name, the Place Arena. Cook-Off for the Food Bank Discover Smiths Falls Discover P Discover Smiths Falls Discover Perth Discover Carleton Place festival, which runs Oct. 31 to Another September tradi- happening from Sept. 19-21,t Discover Almonte & Mississippi Nov 2., is actually a celebration tion returns on Saturday, Sept. featuring three top local chefs Discover Almonte & Mississippi Mills Discover Merrickville "Local people of life. 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; The who will compete for the title Discover Kemptville Discover erWe for Discover Kemptville Discover West Port & Rideau Lakes Diwali is the Hindi festival of Brett Pearson Run for Your using only the pantry ingredilight, the date of which is deter- Life. The event raises aware- ents from the Lanark County Discover Smiths Falls is your community
Carleton Place Sarah Cavanagh editorial@pdgmedia.ca
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