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Vol. 7
No. 12
YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER - LANARK, NORTH LEEDS & GRENVILLE
DECEMBER 2020
Smiths Falls donors come through for food bank Smiths Falls - Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca
The annual Build a Mountain of Food campaign in support of local food banks scored another huge success in Smiths Falls this year, with Andress’ Your Independent Grocer owner Dan Andress reporting that customers purchased 1,200 bags of food in record time. Although the store has succeeded in selling 1,200 bags for donation to the Smiths Falls Community Food Bank for each of the past three years, said Andress, “This is the quickest they’ve ever gone.” Each bag has a retail value of $22 but can be purchased for $10. A total of 1,200 bags sold meant that the community donated 18,000 pounds of food worth $12,000 to the local food bank. “We had already sold 648 bags between Monday and Fri-
day,” said Andress. The campaign’s one-day drive in Smiths Falls took place Saturday, Nov. 21. People are eager to help, he added, because “They thought it was a wonderful thing that the community was doing.” A crew of volunteers assembled to pack the bags, and to transport them to the food bank. In addition to this community support, the store also donated 44,000 pounds of perishable items. The 2020 RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food Campaign’s Nov. 21 Smiths Falls food drive also had support from Giant Tiger, The Garden Market and some other local businesses. In a comment on the Smiths Falls Community Food Bank’s Facebook page, food bank manager Natalia Soteroff said that the community’s generosity has ensured that no
one will go hungry in our town. “Again a huge thank you to Andress’ Independent, Giant Tiger and The Garden Market for always being huge supporters,” she added. The food bank counts on the success of the annual drive to keep its shelves stocked for many months. The Build A Mountain of Food campaign was originally launched in 2007. This year the campaign is taking place in a total of 11 communities, including Almonte, Carleton Place, Perth, Lanark, Smiths Falls, Westport, Elgin, Portland, Merrickville, Athens and Delta. Last year’s six-week campaign collected 238,882 pounds of food and over $196,000 in cash donations. The 2020 campaign began in Almonte on Nov. 7 and will conclude Dec. 12 with food drives in Athens and Delta.
Andress’ Your Independent Grocer owner Dan Andress reports that customers once again stepped up to the plate in 2020 to buy 1,200 bags of food to be donated to the Smiths Falls Community Food Bank. The Build A Mountain of Food campaign came to Smiths Falls Nov. 21. Photo credit: Chris Must.
Local municipalities getting creative for pandemic Christmas
Smiths Falls kicked off its 2020 Festival of Lights Nov. 22. Displays may be viewed until Jan. 3. Photo credit: Submitted.
Smiths Falls - Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Christmas across Lanark County will look much different in 2020, as the province-wide state of emergency prohibits gatherings of more
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than 10 people. Local municipalities have been looking for creative ways to mark the season as annual parades and parties are cancelled. In a sign of the current times, Lanark County TourFacebook/HometownnewsPerth
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ism’s website includes a notice stating: “The Province of Ontario has declared a State of Emergency. All Public Events over 10 people are prohibited until further notice.” In Smiths Falls, the San-
ta Claus parade normally held by the first weekend in December is off the table in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Events are illegal, or at least gatherings are illegal,” said Art Manhire, Director of Community Services for the town of Smiths Falls. “It wasn’t feasible to start planning the event.” However, the town was able to kick off its Festival of Lights Nov. 22, and plans to keep a continuous display of lights and decorations leading from the town hall to Centennial Park below the water tower in place until Jan. 3. The town website includes the advice, “Please ensure you practice physical distancing between yourself and those outside your social bubble.” Manhire said there will also be a couple of visits from Santa to Centennial
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Park while the lights are on, with dates in times to be announced by the town in the near future. Annual festive events at Heritage House Museum are also cancelled in 2020. To help spread some holiday cheer the town is sponsoring a Christmas decorating contest. All residents and business owners are being encouraged to light up their home, business, window, or front yard for the holidays. Participants can register for the contest by visiting https:// forms.gle/gTJyqWsUDrw4cCMCA. Contestants are asked to upload a photo of their home or business, taken at night, for other citizens to vote on. A map is to be posted on the town’s Facebook page Dec. 6 showing all the participating locations. Judging will be completed by the community between
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Dec. 7 and 13. The locations with the most votes through Speak Up Smiths Falls will win! The top three locations with the most likes will receive a prize (exact prize to be determined). Fireworks purchased by the town for Canada Day were never used, said Manhire. The town is hoping to find a way to put on a fireworks display for New Year’s while adhering to provincial health regulations. “Our caseload has been excellent here,” said Manhire. “We’ve been very successful in being safe.” Also going ahead this year is the Smiths Falls Community Hospital Foundation’s annual tree lighting. The lighting ceremony will be held live on Facebook at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. continues on page 2 www.Hometownnews.ca
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December 2020
Page Two
Letter from editor
the worst christmas ever
One of the things we love most about Christmas is the nostalgia. We listen to the same music year after year, eat the same foods again and again for Christmas dinner, enjoy the same activities over again - we slip into that cozy repetition like a pair of fuzzy slippers. This Christmas is not going to look like most Christmases. So many events have to be cancelled, trimmed down, or done virtually. A candlelit service over the computer screen won’t, I think, have the same impact on the heart as it does in person. This year, we won’t experience the glorious feeling that rolls over a packed crowd when a beautiful voice starts to sing “O Holy Night.” We won’t take our children to sit on Santa’s lap for photos, we won’t even see one another smiling as we pick out just
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Cartoon by Patrick Labelle
SKATING AT CENTRAL BRIDGE - 1916
- Janelle Labelle
Andress' (Smiths Falls) • Barnabe's (Perth) Mitchell's (Carleton Place) • Patrice's (Almonte) PLEASE SUPPORT THESE LOCAL BUSINESSES.
Skating at the Central Bridge besides Patterson Funeral Home at Carleton Place 1916. Photo credit: Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum
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joy with our community when the pandemic is keeping us socially distanced. Bethlehem’s closed inn didn’t keep the Hope of the World from being born that night. The whole situation was uncomfortable and unexpected and yet the angels proclaimed Peace on Earth. Covid-19 won’t keep hope from being born in our hearts as we celebrate and share, just a little bit further apart this year. We might even find ways to love one another better, to echo the true meaning of the season here in our community. So when this Christmas feels difficult and a bit strange and uncomfortable, let us take heart: it just might be a little bit more like the First Christmas ever than the worst Christmas ever. Joy to the world, friends.
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the right gifts for our loved ones behind our precautionary masks. It might feel like the worst Christmas ever. I’m thinking that Mary and Joseph might have known how we feel. Instead of welcoming the new baby at home, surrounded by their loved ones, they had to travel away to Bethlehem. There they found no warm welcome, no safe haven. Everything they might have dreamed of, hoped, expected was gone. They didn’t even have the privacy of a room at the inn. So many of us won’t be able to welcome our families around our tables this year. Townsfolk who used to gather to share a meal with those in need will have to find another way to spread the love. We’ve got to think more creatively about ways to give and share Christmas
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Local municipalities are getting creative for pandemic Christmas Smiths Falls - Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Continued from page 1 The annual Perth Santa Claus parade, normally held on the first Saturday in December, won’t be held this year, confirmed Perth Director of Community Services Shannon Baillon. However, Santa will be putting in an appearance from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Perth Fairgrounds, courtesy of the local Lions Club. Perth’s Festival of Lights, normally held at the Crystal Palace at the Tay Basin on a
single evening, will continue from Nov. 20 to Jan. 3 this year. The lights and decorations now on display at the Crystal Palace can be viewed from outside every evening. The Perth BIA’s Festival of Good Cheer, a local shopping event, will be going ahead this Saturday, Nov. 28. Although many of Merrickville’s usual Christmas activities, including the Santa Claus parade, have been cancelled, the Christmas in Merrickville committee has planned two days of “Covid-friendly” activities Dec. 5-6. Village stores will
be decorated, and welcoming visitors although activities will be scaled down from past years. Information on the Christmas in Merrickville Facebook page advises that Dec. 5 most stores were to be open until 7 p.m. and reopening on Dec. 6. During these two days, visitors will have an opportunity to enter their name for a shopping spree contest, bid at a silent auction at the Knock Knock Shoppe, 117 St-Lawrence St, and view the stores at their finest thanks to a business decorating contest.
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December 2020
community Remembering the Christmas Star: Angelo Seccaspina's legacy Carleton Place - Linda Seccaspina editorial@pdgmedia.ca
The year 2013 was the last year that my late husband’s Christmas Star sat on top of our old stone home on Lake Ave East in Carleton Place, Ontario. For years the neighbours were treated to 4 hours of pounding lights and music on a loop for the month of December from a man who loved Christmas. I guess I could never understand why so much money was spent on this festive display but it made him happy, and the kids just loved seeing the lights up every year. Some neighbours even said they could see his wonderful creation from the Main Street and I agree. When Angelo began his Christmas extravaganza in the 90s there were no fancy displays, inflatables, or music. Canadian Tire, which used to be just down the street, was his home away from home and he made the Christmas decorations out of plywood. Each year it seemed to get bigger and bigger. In 1998-99 LED Christmas lights became available and early in the 2000s he added Christmas music to his display. I remember before timers were available for them that he would go out some nights risking his life in the icy laneway to turn it on every night. One year he decided to make the biggest star ever seen and fasten it to the top of the peak of the house so the whole town could see it. For a week he worked cutting out a wooden design, covering it with foil paper, and fastening a great deal of lights to this star. This was before the days of the aerial lift and Angelo would fasten one of the tallest ladders he had on the icy second floor verandah and climb up precariously to
Photo credit: Submitted.
the top of the roof line. My youngest son told me that in following years when lights burnt out on the star he was sent up to replace them with a holler of: ‘Get up there Perry, we need these lights to work!’ In 2013 Angelo was in the last throes of Stage 4 Colon Cancer, but he insisted that the Christmas lights had to go up, and go up they did. It was to be the last year that the star shone with all its lights. Somehow that year it shone so bright, I swore it could be a landing strip for planes. In February of 2014 Angelo passed away after a tough and brave fight with a horrible disease. For those who had no idea, our front yard was covered in extension cords every Christmas under the snow because of all the lights. I don’t want to tell you how many we owned, but whatever it took to
keep those lights going extension cords were key. The evening that Angelo passed away both my sons wanted their father to leave the home by the front entrance and not the side. It was important to us that all that respect be shown to their late father. However, there was one problem. You could not get the front gate open for the hearse because the circular driveway was covered with a lot of snow. No problem the boys said, Perry would plow it before Barkers Funeral Home showed up. In that time of sadness no one was thinking about Christmas light extension cords all over the yard and Perry just wanted to get it done. He came in after the job was done and told my oldest son Schuyleur and I that as he plowed the driveway he could see the plow cutting the extension
cords and they were flying up all over the place. He looked down and said, ‘Dad is going to kill me!’ We looked at each other and began to smile, realizing his Dad was indeed looking down from above with his hands in the air as he always did when he was mad and saying, ‘Guys, what the heck are you doing? Look what you did!’ The next few years Angelo’s big star was not turned on as lights had burnt out, so I suggested my youngest son Perry come get it for his home display. During the next five years, Perry had slowly taken his Dad’s Christmas lights to build an annual display to rival anyone in the valley, but that star just sat on top of the house. Let’s just say I gave up asking and knew when it was time he would come and get it. This week the star final-
ly left the building, and within one day Perry had transformed it into something new and fabulous for his 2020 display off the 9th line in Beckwith Township here in Lanark County. I had noticed the wooden post that held that star was in three pieces. Obviously Angelo had initially tried three times to put the star up but it wasn’t long enough so he just kept adding on. Perry and I had a good laugh, that yes, this was indeed his Dad’s work and he was going to leave it exactly as it was. You never change something that works, even if it looks kind of odd. I often tease Perry that one day if I win the lotto I am going to compete with his Christmas display, but I am joking. Perry is rightfully the successor of all things in the family Christmas decoration area and he proudly carries on
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his father’s LED legacy. This year when the family sees Perry’s final result in Sophia’s Christmas Light Show, which he named after his daughter, we will all feel the closest to Angelo. Even though he is far from sight we know this year his father can finally see us all under that shining star that he once built. I hope everyone visiting makes a wish on that Christmas star this year. Who knows; maybe your wish will come true– just keep them close to your heart. Sometimes dreams do come true. Sophia’s Animated Christmas Light Show –267 Stonewood Drive, Carleton Place every night from 6-9pm (off the Beckwith 9th line)– It’s off Country Lane Estates drive, there is no light so drive slowly and go right to the end of the road. You can’t miss it!
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December 2020
Perth Inside Out:
community Terry O'Hearn
A tale of a high-speed chase and daring escape from custody
A set of weaving headlights could be seen coming from the east on Highway 7, followed by a string of red flashing lights. The stolen vehicle had a drugcrazed and desperate youth behind the wheel, and the red flashing lights were the pursuing cruisers operated by Ottawa OPP officers. A call had come in the wee hours of Aug. 16, 1970, from a #10 District OPP radio dispatcher to assist Ottawa OPP in stopping a vehicle that had been pursued from Bells Corners. A Perth OPP cruiser was immediately sent to assist. The first sighting of the westbound pursuit was on a long straight stretch of highway east of Innisville, and the only option available to the Perth cruiser was to make a U-turn and head back west in front of the suspect and pursuit vehicles, which were
Photo from Perth Courier archives: Headline and story from Sept. 3, 1970, Perth Courier, after daring escape from second story window of Perth courthouse.
“requested to see the jail’s doctor since he had been indulging in drugs. The request was made through the duty counsel lawyer … Mr. LaChance is believed to be wanted by Ottawa Police for questioning in other matters.” LaChance decided not to take part in those court proceedings, and his escape is described under a September 3, 1970 headline: “Lachance Takes a Chance – Escapes Police Custody. Jumps from Second Storey Window.” Although LaChance already
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rapidly closing the gap. The maneuver required was known as a rolling stop or roadblock, and the idea was to get the timing right so that the suspect vehicle was forced to slow down, while the cruiser sped up at the last second and maneuvered to stay ahead of the chase. Although the Perth OPP cruiser took severe damage to the rear end after being rammed, the suspect vehicle lost control after the collision and entered the ditch and adjacent bush. Shortly, Ottawa OPP officers who had been in hot pursuit came out with the suspect under arrest – in custody, at least for the time being. Although the incident ended with no deaths or injuries, the danger to other drivers on the road was very real, and not lost on the OPP officers who took part in the chase that night. The offender was Joseph Hector Ernest LaChance, only 17 years old at the time. Prior to the Young Offenders Act of 1984, youths aged 16 years or more could be named by news reporters, as did The Perth Courier of Aug. 20, 1970, when reporting on court proceedings for LaChance. The story mentioned that LaChance had
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had a history of escaping from Ontario’s reform schools, security was lax that day. While being guarded by Perth Police and OPP officers, he was allowed to go to the washroom alone. When returning from the washroom, LaChance escaped by leaping from an unlatched second-storey window in the lawyers’ chambers onto a roof. “He then dropped to the courtyard, scampered over a three-foot wall, and landed on a bowling green ten feet below.” Police had arrived in the room of escape as LaChance was squirming through a window. “The window Lachance escaped through was directly behind another window in the courtroom where the police officers were sitting. Court proceedings were interrupted for half an hour as testifying police officers left the courtroom to search for the youth … During the search Perth Police and members of the OPP combed the area around the East Ward, but
Lachance was nowhere to be found. A woman living on Brock Street said she spotted Lachance running through her back yard but thought he was a neighbor’s child. She told him to get out of her garden.” He proceeded to steal a nearby vehicle, and drove the car to the parking lot of the grocery store on Wilson Street. Later, another car was reported stolen at RR4 Perth, and LaChance disappeared from there. Police continued the search in vain. The escaped prisoner’s freedom was short-lived however, as chronicled by a Sept. 10, 1970 newspaper report: “Joseph Lachance, the 17-year-old who escaped police custody in court last week was picked up by Ottawa Police only 24 hours later. Lachance, who was wanted by Ottawa Police for auto theft and other changes of break, entry and theft, was arrested at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday ... It may be a few weeks before Lachance returns to the scene of his short-lived escape to face a multitude
of charges, among them auto theft, dangerous driving and escaping custody.” LaChance finally had the Perth charges resolved when he appeared in Provincial Court on Tuesday, Oct. 20 and pled guilty to charges of escaping custody and dangerous driving. A newspaper report stated that “Police weren’t taking any chances this time.” LaChance was led into the courtroom handcuffed to two notorious Ottawa area criminals who were escapees from Burritt’s Rapids Correctional Centre. He was sentenced to 12 months in Ontario Reformatory, and the sentence was to run concurrent with a sentence of 15 months on break and enter and car theft charges already received in Ottawa. Sad to say, it was well known that Ontario’s Reformatories were schools in criminal techniques, and offered little chance of rehabilitation. If you have any comments or suggestions, please email me at: terry@pdgmedia.ca
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December 2020
community
Embrace the season at Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum Smiths FALLS - SUBMITTED editorial@pdgmedia.ca
The Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum is getting merry for the holidays. Residents are encouraged to spread a little holiday magic by sending letters to Santa at the museum. Santa Claus will be making a special visit to the museum to record personalized messages on video to anyone who has left him a special greeting. The Museum’s North Pole mailbox is located at 11 Old Slys Road. Letters must be received by December 16 with an email and telephone number in order for Santa to have enough time to respond to everyone. Donations to the museum are gratefully appreciated. The museum is currently open by appointment for tours and family and property research. A day pass is $5.00 per person or Museum volunteers can also assist with research for $25 per property or family request. Please note, Covid-19 safety protocols are in place for any visits inside the museum and masks must be worn, in addition to maintaining a two-metre physical distance. For more information, please contact: 613283-6311, heritagehouse@ smithsfalls.ca.
Photo credit: Submitted.
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December 2020
Meaningful holiday connections while keeping your distance Regional - Janelle Labelle editorial@pdgmedia.ca Celebrating the holidays this year will take a little bit of ingenuity. The specific restrictions we face in our region will limit us, of course, but reaching out beyond our bubbles to spread some love (and not germs) is absolutely possible. Keeping our loved ones safe is an important goal; living with joy is equally important. Celebrating together and sharing good memories will help us walk through the dark times and come out on the other side. If your loved ones are in your bubble, make time to play games, share meals, and watch movies together. Be intentional about choosing activities that you all enjoy, so that you can build happiness whenever possible. Watch a comic special on Netflix, bring out that Home Alone DVD, play that hilarious board game that makes the whole family laugh. Create home movies: re-enact your favourite scenes, record video messages for loved ones far away, or sing along with a favourite carol. But what if your loved ones are at risk? Seniors, the immunocompromised, and anyone living in isolation may be facing the most solitary holiday of their lives. Do not despair: there are plenty of ways to connect meaningfully and joyfully even when we’re apart. Take some time over the holidays to create a journal or scrapbook together. These are momentous times. Take photos, write down your thoughts and
feelings, glue mementos into the pages. The entire family or group of loved ones can participate via mail, and one person (I suggest nominating the most organized one) should be in charge of compiling it all together. No matter what, this holiday will be one to remember, and a physical scrapbook that records your memories will be a treasure to enjoy in future Christmases. Build a regular telephone call into your existing routine. My husband’s parents telephone him every Friday morning and they chat (hands free) during his long drive to work. I call my siblings while I enjoy a morning walk. My friends enjoy a chat with their granddaughter every night before she goes to bed. When we can’t be together in person, having frequent small chats keeps us close and involved in our loved ones’ lives. Having a bank of ordinary conversations will make that Happy New Year phone call all the sweeter! Make a donation to a charity that matters to your loved ones. This might sound a bit like a boring gift, but it can be surprisingly meaningful. Reach out and ask them what charities are close to their heart, and why. Then, after making a donation in their name, send them a note and tell them how it felt to support something they love. If technology permits, have a board games night via video. This one is surprisingly fun and quite doable, as long as both parties have copies of the same
game. Some board games lend themselves more easily to the constraints of a video chat - we enjoyed Taboo and CatchPhrase recently, but also have played Bananagrams and Would’ya Rather with family far away. Cultivate coziness when you are getting together online via video chat. Getting ready for company is half the fun of hosting in-person guests; you might be surprised by the warmth you add to your virtual visit when you put the same effort into a video call. Pull the plush throw and fancy dishes out of storage. Light candles, take time to make your favourite drinks or snacks, and settle in for a good chat. Make a plan for reaching out to seniors and loved ones this holiday season.
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How will Carleton Place make the season merry? Carleton Place - Brian turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca By now, more than a few of us have come to the realization that our new pandemic “normal” will drastically affect traditional Christmas activities and celebrations, but those inventive elves that populate our communities have been hard at work to keep the holiday spirit inside us sparkling. In Carleton Place, the Yuletide team has been particularly busy, with their imaginations working overtime. First, Santa will be making at least 2 appearances.
The jolly old elf will be touring neighbourhoods on his wheeled sleigh with his partner, Mrs Claus. They will be joined by the Ocean Wave Fire Department and the Ontario Provincial Police in a Christmas Caravan guaranteed to bring smiles as well as donations of nonperishable food donations for the Lanark County Food Bank. The runs are scheduled for Friday Dec 4th and Saturday Dec 5th, starting at 6:30pm and on Sunday Dec 6th starting at 2:00 pm in different areas of town. Stay tuned to the Carleton Place Recreation and Cul-
ture Facebook page for route and time details. The Downtown Carleton Place BIA has allowed Santa and Mrs Claus to make temporary use of their storefront office at 136 Bridge St for some work organizing the big Eve. On the first 3 Thursdays of December from 3-7 pm and on the first 3 Saturdays from 2-5 pm, viewers can watch as the lists are checked twice and toy designs are planned with plenty of opportunity for distance-safe behind-the-window photo memories. Following in the foot-
steps of longtime advocate for all Kory Earle (who spearheaded a Carleton Place community Christmas dinner for years), Mark Van Rijswijk and his wife Deeana are opening up the doors to the Waterfront Gastropub and keeping alive the tradition in Carleton Place of a free Christmas dinner despite the challenges of Covid-19. There will be three seatings of 40 people each at the Gastropub at 12 Bell Street on December 25, at noon, at 2:00 pm and at 4:00 pm. They will take reservations as of December 1. To reserve your seats please
call 613-257-5755. If you can’t make it in person they will arrange free delivery. As giving is a big part of the Christmas spirit, Lanark County Interval House and Community Support has launched a virtual grove of Angel Trees to let those who can, provide for those who need. In collaboration with their physical trees at Carleton Place’s IDA Drug Mart, and the Metro Grocery and Giant Tiger in Perth, the virtual tree site is at lcihvirtualangeltree. com. Gift givers can click on categories for helpful suggestions from the dedicated team at LCIH.
For those that can’t get through the season without their Christmas light show display fix (and isn’t that all of us?), you can tour out to Beckwith’s Stonewood Drive, number 267 (off the 9th Line) to be amazed at Sophia’s Animated Christmas Night Show at the Seccaspina home. It plays nightly from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm with over 40,000 coloured lights with animation set to music you can play on your vehicle’s radio at 88.3 FM. Visitors are asked to drive with extra care due to dark road and residential driveway conditions.
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December 2020
Food & Drink
Beer, Wine and Spirits Many of us will be glad to see Christmas just to be able to celebrate a bit and to forget what a horrible year we just had with the pandemic. So put this all behind you and select your Christmas cheer! Here are some suggestions to get you started. TO START WITH, A LOCAL CANADIAN SPARKLING WINE FOR WINTER: Hinterland Borealis VQA Gamay Noir from Prince Edward County LCBO#: 16876 11%abv $24.00 I like this one to kick off the taste buds and get everyone into a festive mood. Its quality and method of production does not cut corners and the price is very reasonable. This Charmat method Gamay sparkling has lots of cherry, raspberry and rhubarb notes plus hints of floral at the edges. There is a hint of sweetness while the black cherry finish and good acidity keeps your interest. WHITE WINES: Château des Charmes Barrel Fermented Chardonnay VQA 750 mL bot-
tle LCBO# 81653 $14.95 For my money, you cannot beat Paul Bosc's exceptional wines at reasonable prices in every vintage! Hand selected grapes sourced exclusively from their vineyards. Light golden in colour with aromas of pear, apple, melon, mineral and a touch of smoke. Rich, creamy, medium bodied texture fills the palate, with a bright note of acidity that adds balance. The rich fruit flavours persist on the lengthy finish, and this is a perennial favourite that balances well with traditional Christmas supper. Pierre Sparr Altenbourg Riesling 2017 750 mL bottle VINTAGES#906016 13%abv $19.95 This Riesling is from the small Altenbourg lieu-dit under strict growing regulations to produce a great Riesling priced under $20. A new find for me, this would be lighter than the Bosc Chardonnay above, with a crisp, refreshing finish matching well with Festive food, including spicy foods too! Expect this ex-
Let's Eat
ample to deliver tangy citrus fruit, with bright acidity and refined minerality. The above wines illustrate the principle of matching wine to food: complement as in the Chardonnay because of the weight, texture and fruit flavours to match the rich food; and contrast as in the Riesling which cleanses the palate after a few bites of food which dulls the taste buds, so that you can again taste the full range of food flavours until you finish your meal. RED WINES: Pinot Noir is a classic with traditional Christmas turkey or glazed ham The wine is bright, fragrant, and filled with red fruits, including cherry and strawberry, ideal for those lighter meats. It's also a fantastic pairing for any vegetarian dishes. You can get a nice one ranging from the lighter Canadian versions to the medium-bodied 'Old World' versions from countries like France. A top dollar and earthy style would be from the Willamette Valley in Oregon, USA.
Santa Margherita Chianti Classico 2017 Sangiovese/ Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot VINTAGES#: 91694 $22.95 The Santa Margherita Chianti Classico is complex, yet approachable, with seasonally appropriate notes of cherries, plums, and sweet spices. Serve with roast, either beef, pork, or with any sort of game meat. The more flavorful the dish or the more mature the cheese, the better. AND TO FINISH: Bailey's Irish Coffee INGREDIENTS • 1 mug hot premium coffee • 1 fluid ounce Bailey's Irish Cream • whipped cream DIRECTIONS • Combine coffee and Bailey's Irish Cream. • Top with whipped cream and serve. Note: I always add 1 ounce of Jameson or Bushmills to cut the sweetness a bit! Jameson hails from Catholic-rich County Cork, whereas Bushmills originates from Protestant-heavy Northern Ire-
land. I'll nay be tellin’ which one I prefer- pick your own! I have an Irish grandmother but two Scottish grandfathers, so you understand why! Besides, my French-Canadian grandmother would probably say I should be recommending a nice Calvados: Calvados Boulard Pays
Salamanders of Kemptville:
brianpreston@hotmail.com
d'auge LCBO# 296228 750ml 40%abv $50.95 The blend of varieties aged 2 to 5 years this unique apple brandy with its aromatic and flavourful character. Baked and fresh apple aromas and flavours along with layers of pear, peach, and vanilla create an elegant/flavourful experience.
Brian Turner
much more than just a good restaurant with a great waterside patio
Photo credits: Brian Turner.
Salamanders, nestled on the water in Kemptville’s downtown core, is really three event destinations in one. It has a well-appointed dining room, backed by an
Festive Beverages
Brian Preston
The Travelling Sommelier
award-winning Chef, with a menu that was crafted to sate any taste and appetite. Secondly, it’s got a traditional pub section, perfect for less formal gatherings, with local
craft ales, lagers, and beers on tap to cheer up even the dreariest fall and winter days. And finally, there’s their unmatched outdoor patio area with the best water view in town. Both the pub and dining areas have glass walls facing out onto this vista, so indoor diners don’t miss out even in winter, when the patio is closed. Salamanders is the Salad King in Kemptville: Liane and her team craft their own salad dressings to turn any fresh mix of greens into a great reason for coming in just for their own sake. And their house-made quiches draw guests in from far and wide. We stopped by on a recent Sunday for lunch and weren’t disappointed.
My wife had one of their signature quiches, loaded with grilled vegetables and feta cheese; just to be different, I tried the open-faced steak sandwich. Judging by the perfectly browned top on each, it’s safe to say the kitchen uses the broiling device, a salamander that the restaurant is named after. The quiche was perfectly cooked and seasoned, perched on an extremely light and flaky crust (a feature that many restaurants ignore to their peril). It was accompanied by a Caesar salad with a silky consistent dressing to create a perfectly generous and tasty combination. You can certainly be impressed when a server asks what level of doneness you want your hum-
ble steak sandwich cooked; at Salamanders, it’s not done simply to impress but to ensure that their steak deserves its appropriate attention. My medium steak had just the correct amount of pink in the middle and was full of flavour; it matched the garlic-infused roll on which it was placed to perfection. Of course, Salamanders is also well known for its Cajun fusion cooking that brings unique flavour blends to almost every section of their menu from appetizers to sandwiches to salads to main dishes. While our current pandemic has wrought havoc on the dine-in restaurant business, Salamanders seems to have planning in their favour as one of the key Sala-
manders services is a highly successful catering operation. Salamanders also offers convenient take-out and has taken bold, yet safe steps to make the upcoming holiday season a truly merry one. Small groups from the same social “bubble” can book the dining room completely for healthsafe gatherings that respect current restrictions. Their catering expertise eases the job of a host laying out a festive spread for home guests to rave about. Check out the details at salamanders.ca. They’re located at 28 Clothier St. E. in Kemptville and can be reached for reservations at 613-258-2630. Our very filling and delicious lunch for two came to a paltry $34 before tax and tip.
Ask us about our Share-cuterie boxes and Confection crates. Great for gift giving!
THEPICKLEDPIG.CA
1 CHAMBERS ST, SMITHS FALLS
613-283-7707
9
December 2020
culture
Santa’s helpers dedicated to the festive spirit of giving
Photo credit: Brian Turner
Regional - Brian turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca Thinking of a smaller or separate Christmas during our times of pandemic restrictions really does bring an extra dark shade of grey to December skies. We’ll miss out on the crowded and noisy home kitchens and dining rooms with tables threatening to buckle under mountains of food. We’ll shun stores packed with last minute shoppers and worry and fret over every cough and sneeze within earshot. Business is down and unemployment is up. This year we could really use a strong dose of the Christmas giving spirit as just about everyone of us is in need. One tradition that is going as strong as ever is the appearance of Santa Claus (often accompanied by his long-suffering partner, Mrs. Claus) much to the delight of the young and young-at-heart. Saint Nick has been around for over 1,700 years and for a good part of his life, he was on his own with no helpers or assistants to boost the Christmas spirit. Just over 200 years ago, he made the big
decision to put together a world-wide team to ensure no one was ever forgotten during the Yuletide season. The call went out for volunteers and the entry requirements were stiff. All applicants had to have enough Christmas spirit to share with hundreds if not thousands of children. They had to be patient and have great hearing to listen to whispered wishes from those too shy to speak up or who didn’t want anyone to overhear. They had to look like Santa, but were allowed to wear beards if their own wasn’t thick and white enough. They had to be kind and do their best not to frighten younger ones who might not be prepared to sit on a lap belonging to someone other than their mom or dad. Above all, when they donned the red furtrimmed Santa uniform, they had to be on their jolliest behaviour to keep Santa’s magic alive. Over the years this team has grown. In shopping malls, department stores, community halls, and homes all over the world, Santa’s helpers appear at just the right time to her-
ald the season of giving. In one small town, a man discovered he had the right stuff and desire to help out. Lucky for him, his fatherin-law was a helper with years of experience that he was more than willing to share to help out our Santa’s helper-in-training. Even luckier, our new helper was married to a wonderful lady who was eager to follow in her own mother’s footsteps as a Mrs. Claus’ helper. Together they donned the carefully made outfits of bright red and white. By now our Santa’s helper’s beard was as white as the snow and Mrs. Claus’ own hair blended in with the snow-white trim on her cape’s hood. Only a few years ago they nervously awaited their first celebration; a community visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus held in the grand ballroom of the town’s finest hotel. Would they look the part? Would the magic be kept alive? Would any child be frightened? They took their seats between two beautifully trimmed trees and the families were ushered in and their gasps of surprise were quickly drowned out by shouts of excitement from the young. From very young and small to much taller and, well, one can never be too old to chat with Santa, all were delighted and great memories were made. But most importantly, the giving spirit of Christmas was shared. Mr. and Mrs. Claus left quietly after the last child’s visit was over. Their hearts were full and spirits buoyed by the energy and thoughtfulness of those they were truly honoured to meet. They promised each other then and there to answer, when a call for Santa’s helpers came.
BRIAN RABY & ASSOCIATES INC LICENSED INSOLVENCY TRUSTEE
Free Consultation • Personalized Service Flexible Appointments
613-283-6308 91 Cornelia St. W. Smiths Falls, ON
Roy Brown statue unveiled Carleton Place - Brian turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca On a fittingly mild and sunny Saturday November afternoon, a pandemic-mandated small gathering took place on Bridge Street in Carleton Place to unveil a tribute to one of its most treasured sons: Roy Brown. After over a decade of planning, fundraising, and building support for the idea, Roy Brown Society President Rob Probert was proud to welcome the invitation-only group to the unveiling on Nov 28th, promising a much more public celebration would occur in June of next year. Arthur Roy Brown was the World War One flying
ace who was credited with the downing of Germany’s Manfred von Richthofen, also known as the Red Baron, in April of 1918. The original proposal envisioned the statue being located just south of the river at the Moore log house building, but it was decided that the monument merited a much larger space. Town council agreed to the request to move the location to a park on Bridge Street immediately north of the central bridge, named Lolly’s Park. Construction of an impressive stone wall in a semicircular layout has been underway for months. The 7 foot tall cast statue of a young Brown in full military uniform sits at one
end of the wall while a cast plaque depicting the aerial battle on that fateful day and a biplane’s propeller occupy the centre point of the wall. Mayor Doug Black commented that the current plans for the replacement of the central bridge that Brown’s statue surveys call for it to be clad in the same stone as the wall. In his opening remarks at the ceremony, attended by members of council, the local legion, town staff, and media reps, Probert noted that additional works on the site, including a garden and decorative fencing, along with a stone foot rest for one of the statue’s feet, would be completed next year. Sculptor David Clendening, who created the works addressed the assembly to explain that the casting process he used was new to North America and that the statue had won a first place award in a North American and European wide competition. He thanked Carleton Place for giving him the opportunity. After the event, Mayor Black commented that he’s seen that as time goes by, the sacrifice and service of Canada’s military is becoming more relevant and appreciated by all Canadians. The interest and support that the Roy Brown statue has fostered and grown is a fine example of that view. The detail of both the statue of Brown and the bronze air battle plaque are astounding and the young face of Brown seems to create a personal connection with those that view it.
Photo credits: Brian Turner
10
December 2020
business WeShopLocalPerth.com connects retailers and shoppers online
Perth - Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca
As a successful and experienced business coach with many local entrepreneur contacts and clients, Melanie Ireton realized that a lot of good retailers and service providers were struggling when trying to transition to online sales and promotions. The restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic were the incentive for business owners to try and make their virtual presence known. Ireton decided to step in for Perth businesses and facilitate these journeys with a locally owned e-commerce platform. She tackled the challenging task of bringing a wide variety of Perth retailers and service providers
together on one consumer portal that allowed those with working websites to continue to use them as well as display their thousands of products with details on the all new weshoplocalperth.com site. And she is doing this all without charge to any Perth business. The fees that Shopify does charge are covered by a portion of online sales. When Hometown News caught up with Ireton near the end of the first week of the site’s operation, she noted she was amazed at the amount of community and business support for this initiative and that early consumer traffic rates were fantastic. The extremely easy-to-use site lets shoppers breeze through various categories of products and services
opinion:
with each item having the name of its supplier clearly listed. The mix of facilities on the site represents traditional bricks and mortar stores as well as homebased artisan producers. Promotion to draw people to view all the wares and services have been primarily concentrated on social media and a wide colourful banner strung across Foster Street in the downtown commercial core. When asked if shipping presented any concerns to date, she replied there have been no negative experiences as many shoppers are taking advantage of curbside and in-store pick-ups and many retailers are offering free local delivery minimizing courier use. One of the most common requests has been; “when
are you going to get more product on the site?” And Ireton is working as fast as she can. She has already turned down retailers from Smiths Falls who wanted access, as the main goal is to help and promote Perth entrepreneurs by providing them with a meaningful connection to their customers in this era of restrictions for the sake of public health. Of course with the rapid approach of the Christmas season, the timing of WeShopLocalPerth couldn’t be better. It eliminates any concerns from health-cautious shoppers who might dread shopping in crowds, or waiting in lines to enter stores during peak time. It provides the convenience of browsing at
Photo credit: Submitted.
home without being rushed and the ability to compare products and pricing. It also gives consumers the chance to learn about businesses they might not have heard of before and to discover the treasure that
Perth retailers represent. And of course in the times of Covid, it is bringing a much needed boost to local bottom lines, helping keep businesses open and staff employed. What better gift could be asked for?
Local business brings a Peace Am I the only one? to the community this season Carrie Wynne
personal political manifesto
I think it is a fabulous idea to write your own personal political manifesto. Am I the only one that gets annoyed when leaders speak ”on behalf of all Canadians or Ontarians”? How is that even possible? What I learned through the US election is that the mass media is tilting society towards ‘crazy town’ and trying to throw us into separate camps. The best way to avoid group polarization is to march to the beat of your own drum, have your own set of values and a political manifesto to adhere to. Now I can focus on the issues I care about without getting lost in the weeds. I can lay all my cards on the table because I am irrelevant. I am an ordinary, unseen member of society with the right to cast my vote and voice my quibbles. I have nothing to gain and nothing to lose. I cannot get cancelled. Just a regular schmo. I am not going to get elected or hired or fired. I will not lose my job or position. I have no coworkers to posture around. I have no power or authority. I have no group or following I am beholden to or reputation to protect. I have the right to change my mind. My real friends do not care what my political views are, and my family is stuck with me. 1. What Ontario Health is doing to address the opi-
oid and mental health crisis among teenagers. 2. Protecting free healthcare available to all Canadians and promoting Ontario Hospitals and the amazing care my loved ones have received from our doctors and nurses. 3. I care that Health Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Health continue to allow the tobacco industry to manufacture an addictive poison sold on every street 24 hours a day 7 days a week killing 45,000 Canadians every year, without an activist approach to stop it. They are placing a tremendous burden on our healthcare system that spends $6.5 billion a year fighting the disease of tobacco addiction and impoverishing our country and families. 4. I care about Indigenous rights and racism in Canada and holding police to higher standards including, and especially, the RCMP. 5. I have not forgotten that Justin Trudeau demoted the former Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould to Veterans affairs due to her lack of cooperation after attempting to pressure her about SNC Lavalin. 6. We must protect freedom of expression and censorship is a slippery slope. 7. I care that the mass media and social media are tilting society towards crazy town and think ‘an eyes wide open campaign’ would be a great benefit. 8. I care that tuition rates are climbing at universities in the middle of a pandemic when school is 100% online. 9. I care about wasteful public spending on a myriad of under-utilized, over-funded and ineffective programs such as labor and
social services. 10. I care that there are 76 Public School board offices in Ontario when all that money could be spent on healthcare. 11. All ministers provincially and federally should be held accountable to their high paying positions, inactions, and screw ups, including the Minister of long-term care, Merrilee Fullerton. 12. I care what the Department of Fisheries and Oceans does to address the dispute between First Nations and private fisheries on the east coast and why it was not done sooner. 13. I am waiting for Justin Trudeau to handle the issue with the Governor General of Canada, the over-spender and workplace bully. 14. I care that billionaires and corporations are offshoring their wealth to avoid paying taxes. 15. I care about stiffer penalties for people who perpetuate crimes of violence against children and animals. 16. I care about climate change and I think a price on carbon makes total sense. 17. Incentivizing capitalism to come up with green solutions is the right approach. 18. I care what happens to our trade relations with China and the US. I believe that Canada’s foreign policy is important to our country and its economic survival. Am I the Only One? The opinions stated in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hometown News’ management, staff or writers.
Tareq Hadhad front right, his sister Taghrid Hadhad front left , his brother Ahmad Hadhad back left and his niece Sana AlKadri back. Photo credit: facebook.com/peacebychocolate.
Smiths Falls - Janelle Labelle editorial@pdgmedia.ca If you’ve popped into the Pickled Pig lately, you may have noticed the array of decadent chocolates they carry. One of those confections stands out: Peace by Chocolate. The chocolates are a delight, and their heartwarming story even more so. Peace by Chocolate is the name of a Syrian Nova Scotian chocolate factory, owned by the Hadhad family. The Hadhads were chocolatiers in Damascus, Syria, where they owned a factory that employed 30 workers. When their factory was bombed in 2013, they fled for refuge to Lebanon. Meanwhile, in Antigonish Nova Scotia, a group of women were heavy-hearted about the conflict in Syria. They decided to band together and sponsor a family of Syrian refugees to come to their small town: they formed the SAFE organization -Syrian
Antigonish Families Embrace. They fundraised, acquired housing, arranged for language teachers, warm clothing, supplies, and raised enough funds to support a family for a year. After waiting for three years in a Lebanese refugee camp, the Hadhads were told they had a place to go: Canada. The only thing they knew about Canada was that the winters were cold. They were right. But the hearts were warm, and a few months after the Hadhads arrival, the people of Antigonish had built a space for Isam Hadhad to use as a chocolate factory. The name of the Hadhads’ new Canadian chocolate factory? Peace by Chocolate. Business has expanded rapidly, and the Hadhads’ chocolates are now being carried in confectioneries and sweet shops across Canada. Locally, the Pickled Pig is Lanark County’s purveyor of these unique treats; they also carry the book, Peace by
Chocolate: the Hadhad Family’s Remarkable Journey from Syria to Canada, by Jon Tattrie. The back cover elaborates: “Peace by Chocolate is the story of one family. It is also the story of the people of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, and so many towns across Canada, who welcomed strangers and helped them face the challenges of settling in an unfamiliar land.” Nova Scotian Rebecca Barkhouse recently purchased a box of Peace by Chocolate. “One thing that totally impressed me was they had a little bag of violet seeds in with the chocolates. I loved that idea because it’s like you get what you want, chocolates; but then a little more which reflects everything I have read and heard about the company and the owners.” Without the Hadhad family’s story, Peace by Chocolate is a delicious confection to enjoy. When you know the story, however, everything tastes just a little sweeter.
11
December 2020
business
Love, hope and community support make for business success in pandemic Regional - Janelle Labelle editorial@pdgmedia.ca Opening a new business is always, at some point, a bit of a leap of faith. Investing in space, product, and hoping for community support requires a lot of work and a lot of guts. To open a business during Covid-19, with all of the restrictions and unknowns it might bring, is an even larger challenge. But judging by the number of new businesses that have planted themselves in the community during the pandemic, we are not short on leaps of faith. Ranelle Larocque opened Queen Bee Millinery in Perth this May. Her shop at 16 Gore St East is the place
to go for bespoke hats and fascinators in the Ottawa Valley, and her work is nothing short of gorgeous. “To say opening under such challenging circumstances has been surreal is an understatement. However dreams do come true” even in a pandemic, Larocque writes on her Queen Bee Facebook page. She celebrates that the support of her community and husband have made it possible: “Special thanks to the community of Perth for embracing my unique business and to my husband Rob for his love and support.” Queen Bee Millinery is open Wednesday through Saturday, from 11am-4pm, and Sundays by appointment only.
Taylor Angus of Tayboo Boutique in Davidson Courtyard was not planning to open a shop this year. The former jazz singer from McDonald’s Corners was happy designing and selling products online through her Etsy shop; she had even produced a wide selection of stock for the Signatures Craft Show in Ottawa in the fall of 2019. She was thinking about the future, planning to possibly expand into a brick and mortar shop in 2021, when she saw space available in the Davidson Courtyard this June. “I made an appointment to see the space, just to get an idea of what was out there,” she explains, laughing, “Covid-19 was here, I wasn’t planning on opening
anything for at least a year.” But when she walked in? “I fell in love,” she says, smiling. “I had to take it.” She challenged herself to have the shop opened in two months. “I worked on creating stock day and night. And I opened in September.” As for opening during a pandemic, she had no idea how it was going to go. “Creating art was always a fun side hobby, but the more I did it, the more I loved it. It was my dream to open a store sometime in the future.” From these tentative beginnings, Angus took that leap of faith and was thrilled by the response from the community. “It feels amazing, I don’t know how this all happened. There has been
to make her dream a reality. “Yes, there were challenges,” she nods, “there was a daily tension - are we going to be allowed to open? Can we pivot to an online store if we need to?” And yes - as numbers of cases stayed low in our area, they were allowed to open. With the support of her family, Lentz opened the doors to Pretty Things on Russell in early October. Local businesses appreciate your business, especially during these unprecedented times. If you are reluctant to enter a shop due to Covid-19, don’t hesitate to call ahead and see what options they offer - you just might find their personalized service and one-on-one care is second to none.
one Here at y r e Og Ev
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Fro m
The Pickled Pig is on the move
such an awesome response.” To help customers shop safely, the usual mask and sanitizing procedures are in place (she sells sanitizer too), and Tayboo Boutique also offers curbside pickup. Leslie Lentz of Pretty Things on Russell had a similar experience. She had long envisioned opening a shop in Smiths Falls to sell unique, curated gifts and unexpected treasures. She and her family frequently found themselves on Russell St, enjoying a meal at Chuckles Jack, relaxing at Bowie’s, and enjoying the Saturday market through the summer. So when the shop at 18 Russell St became available, even though it was in the middle of a pandemic, Lentz jumped at the chance
Photo credit: facebook.com/thepickledpig.sf
Smiths Falls - Janelle Labelle editorial@pdgmedia.ca The Pickled Pig, which currently shares space with Sweet Scoops at 1 Chambers St, will be moving uptown to Russell St West early in the new year. They are setting up shop in the location formerly occupied by Rowatt Flowers and Gifts and The Groggery, at 1A Russell St West. Owner Trish Krotki is excited about the move. “We’ve simply outgrown our current space,” she explains, “we needed to find something larger to meet the demand.” While space was tight at Sweet Scoops before Covid-19, it is particularly limited now with social distancing. The sign on the door of the tiny shop makes the space constraints quite clear: 2 cus-
tomers at a time, please. The new location will increase the Pickled Pig’s retail space tenfold. They will also carry more of their wildly popular take-home meals, expand meat and cheese selections with a larger deli counter, and will be able to offer seating for those who wish to enjoy their lunch-counter purchases on the spot. Look to the new Pickled Pig to become a safe gathering place: they will have a liquor license and always nice, but essential during a pandemic - an outdoor patio. The Pickled Pig will be fully accessible, with a ramp installed at the door. The Pickled Pig sells fancy drinks (both hot and cold), soup and sandwiches, meats and cheeses, and an array of catering options for crowds of any size (watch for some exciting
announcements coming in the spring!). A selection of local hot sauces and exotic mustards complements the traditional delicatessen offerings. What about Sweet Scoops? ”We’re currently in negotiations with the landlord to also take over the front space which was most recently Grunts & Giggles.” replies Krotki. For those who remember Rowatt’s Flowers and Gifts, it would be the same layout. You could go into Sweet Scoops off Beckwith Street, and up and back to the Pickled Pig.” Sweet Scoops will regain its own identity but will continue to sell ice cream, candy, confections, fine chocolates, pastries, custom-made cakes and cupcakes, “all the sweet things our customers love,” assured Krotki.
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