Lanark, North Leeds & Grenville - Hometown News January 2023

Plungers come out in force to support Cornerstone Landing

editorial@pdgmedia.ca

On New Year’s Day morning, a popular tradition returned in full force to the icy-cold waters of the Tay River in Perth. The annual Perth Polar Bear Plunge was back and with it came a tsunami of participants all willing to take a frosty dip to support this year’s cause: Cornerstone Landing.

Cornerstone Landing is a community-based, non-profit charitable organization providing assistance to youth ages 16-24 who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness in Lanark County. Like many community gatherings, the plunge had been somewhat restricted since the beginning of the COVID pandemic.

Over 110 human polar bears stripped down to their bathing suits and jumped in near the Perth Legion, assisted by members of the Perth Fire Service and numerous volunteers. They were then whisked into the Legion to warm up and get some hot

nourishment. The event, emceed by Lake 88’s Brian Perkin, raised over $22,000. David Lavery, founder and president of the plunge and Cornerstone’s Terrilee Kelford said they were thrilled with the results.

Kelford and others gave a thankful shout-out to the local firm, Dockmasters, who graciously delivered new docks to the site for the safety of all participants. The air temperature at the morning’s event was hovering at about 2° C and the water measured only 1° but the warmth from the large cheering crowd provided both heat and courage for the plungers. Kelford was the first to jump.

The Perth Polar Bear Plunge began in 1994, as a fund idea and fundraiser for Crime Stoppers. Founded by David Lavery, Stan Munro and others at the Perth Legion, it quickly grew into one of the safest and most successful true Polar Bear Plunges in Canada. To date it has raised almost $400K for local charities and organizations.

18th Annual Skate the Lake Portland returns Jan. 28 & 29

end event that Portland is known for far and wide. Yes, we have hosted speed skaters from many countries in Europe as well as North America over the years.

How many of you have ever heard of STL? Well, it has been run every win-

ter and this will be the 18th edition on Portland Bay on Big Rideau Lake. I have the luxury of looking out my window and in the middle of the night late in January see-

ing a zamboni going around the 1 kilometre speed skating oval laying down a glistening layer of ice for the next day’s events. It is truly a spectacular and unique winter week-

Skate the Lake is organized by Portland Outdoors, a not-for-profit group that puts on the annual event. The North American Marathon Speed Skating Championships were held in Portland in 2006 and 2014, and in 2016 an episode of the Rick Mercer Report was filmed. Skate the Lake in Portland, Ontario returns Saturday January 28 and Sunday 29, 2023.

Skate the Lake is a weekend full of skating races for all kinds of skill levels and all types of skates. The 10K

and 25K take place on Saturday morning, followed by the popular kids 5K (12 and under) and the 5x1K relay race where teams that enter are encouraged to dress up. On Sunday, the regular 5K and 50K races will take place. Skate the Lake also includes a kid’s skating rink, horse drawn sleigh rides, bon fires, concession stands (food and merchandise), snert and much more. Wait. Did you say snert? What’s that? It is a favourite Dutch green pea soup. Skate the Lake's founders, Marco Smits and John Bongers are Dutch Canadians. They love speed skating, and use long speed skates: the lake was a natural choice for long speed skates, which are used

on the canals in Holland and in Ottawa too

During the pandemic, there was no traditional STL but instead there was the birth of the Skate the Lake Challenge, which will also return in 2023. The challenge was introduced in 2020 as a safe way for people to get some exercise and fresh air. All skaters are welcome and you don’t have to be a registered racer. The concept of the challenge is that skaters log the laps they skate on the oval throughout the winter and keep a running total. Last year, 70 skaters recorded laps and collectively they skated all the way to Regina, Saskatchewan. The collective total was 2,703 kilometres!

Perth - Brian Turner

Regional - Brian Preston editorial@pdgmedia.ca

Photo credits: Kathy Botham

Photo credit: Submitted.

The Table, Canopy Growth collaborate on Holiday Feast

*Please note this correction from the following article in our December issue.

The Table is moving in to support lunch programs in Smiths Falls with funding from the Town of Smiths Falls and Canopy Growth.

From 2020 until Dec 2022, various service organizations in Smiths Falls worked together to provide meals for the needy. These hard-

working groups included the Smiths Falls Ladies’ Auxiliary, St. Francis, Trinity United Church, and Rideau Community Health Services.

Letter from the editor

Happy New Year, dear readers. Thank you for reading along with us, for following the news stories of our busy, growing communities. Our wish for you as we enter into 2023 is that you can look forward with hope, and we aim to be a part of that by bringing you the stories of the people in your community who are making a difference.

When I was young, I ignored local newspapers. Who cares about what happens in this little town, I thought, real things are happening in the real world! And I would read world news, and national papers eagerly.

But as I’ve grown older I’ve learned how closely connected the world is, and how particularly connected I am to local news. Decisions made around the local council table will affect me more quickly than decisions made at Queen’s Park. I will meet the shop owners I read about when I pop into their stores. I will run into the young hockey team raising money out-

side the grocery store, and then I will see their pictures and read their stories in my local newspaper. I will read about needs and gaps in our community, and vote for those who are working to fix them.

World news and national news can feel enormously bleak and hopeless. Looking back over 2022, I read that climate change is looming; droughts and conflicts are threatening the global food chain; Russia’s war is raging in Ukraine. But locally, I read about a Biochar project spearheaded by the Rideau Environmental Action League which sequesters carbon, removing it from the air and lessening our community’s carbon footprint: this is good news.

Locally, I read about farms and businesses donating regularly and generously to the food bank: this is good news. Locally, I read about volunteers banding together to sponsor Ukrainian refugees and welcome them safely into our communities: this is good news.

When the world news

is dark and heavy, I do not believe we should ignore it. But if we are looking for ways to be part of the solution to creating a better world, we can look right in our own backyards for inspiration. Our neighbours are regularly doing great things, and our community members are making a world of difference right here where we live.

Local newspapers carry these simple stories of hope, shining a light on the faces you know and the places where you spend your time and money. Look closely: there is so much good here.

It is no exaggeration to state that the best part of my job is meeting people in our community and listening to your stories. Your courage, compassion, ingenuity, and persistence stir my heart and encourage me to keep going, to keep searching for the people who are building their own legacies right here at home.

From all of us at Hometown News, we wish you a year filled with hope and encouragement. Cheers to 2023!

Perth Town Hall and Market 1890

Candlelight vigil held for man missing 3 months

On December 30, a candlelight vigil was held on behalf of Lawrence Bertrim, who has been missing for more than 3 months. A crowd gathered at 7pm outside of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Smiths Falls to pray for Bertrim’s safe return and stand in solidarity with his family. Friends from across the country lit candles where they were and prayed for the family.

Bertim’s mother, Linda Mindle, thanked those who came and especially thanked Bertrim’s aunts for providing hot chocolate and offering prayer.

The vigil was held on Church Street, where Bertrim was last seen on September 30.

Lawrence Bertrim, age 42, is described as a white male, 5’7”, approximately 155 lbs with short brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a black and white t-shirt under a red plaid shirt, with jeans, black boots and a red ball cap.

Mindle is heartbroken about the lack of answers in her son’s case. She has been

counting the days since she last saw him. On New Year’s Day, she posted an appeal for information online, fearing the worst. It’s been “92 days and no word, and no idea what happened to my son,” she wrote, “but I know in my heart that foul play is involved as he would never miss spending the holidays with his daughter and family.”

Without any contact from Bertrim or anyone who has seen him, Mindle is longing for answers. “All my family is asking that

whoever knows what happened give us closure. Stop and think how you would feel if it was your child or loved one,” she pleaded.

The Smiths Falls Police Service has asked for the public’s help in sharing any information that may pertain to Bertrim’s whereabouts. If you may be aware of any details that could help, please contact the Smiths Falls police at 613283-0357 ext 0; or anonymously at CrimeStoppers 1-800-222-8477.

Happy New Year 2023. Cartoon by Patrick Labelle.

Smiths Falls - Janelle Labelle editorial@pdgmedia.ca

Undated photo from Lawrence Bertrim’s Facebook page. Photo courtesy of Linda Mindle.

Perth Town Hall and Market c. 1890. Glenn Lockwood Collection, No. 37. Public Archives of Canada. Photo credit:

community

Real-world learning project sees students as publishers

Perth - Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca

What started as a poetry assignment in the Grade 5 classroom at The Queen Elizabeth School turned into the creation of a student book publishing company that raises money for a community outreach program.

The project began back in November, when classroom teacher Emma Telford gave a poetry assignment to her

class. Each student wrote a self-reflection poetry piece titled “I am,” which included positive descriptive words about the student.

With the well-written poems displayed in the hallway, Telford and the students came up with the idea to compile their hard work into a book.

And that’s where A Plus + Publishing, the student-created publishing company, began.

All 25 students in the class each had a job title and specific responsibilities in the overall development of their first book, from Administration Liaison to Content Creator.

As part of the process, students learned important skills including how to set up appointments and send professional emails. Students also had the opportunity to be creative, illustrating their poems and creating

posters and social media posts on the computer. They even pitched their project to their principal Claire Snider to ask for money to launch their book.

“With the help of others, I made the PowerPoint pitch for Ms. Snider and designed Facebook posts on the computer,” says Grade 5 Student Nate McRae. As part of the presentation, McRae explained the costs and overall plan, which resulted in the principal agreeing to the proposal and covering the costs for printing.

“The jobs changed every day,” adds Emily Tanner. “Some jobs took longer than others and we had a checklist. We worked together to complete all the tasks.” Tanner was involved

in designing the front cover and the description at the back of the book.

“Students who aren’t usually as engaged with class work were getting excited about this project and even working on aspects after school,” explains Telford. “It was heartwarming to see them being so creative and collaborative and really excited for this project.”

Each of the poems were handwritten and accompanied by watercolour illustrations, which were also created by the students. When complete, the documents were scanned and sent to COBA Studios, a custom print shop in Merrickville.

The end product was 50 softcover books of poetry. All the books have been

sold and the profits are being donated to The Table Community Food Centre in Perth. On Dec 21, the class took a trip to the Perth Library to donate a book to their shelves and the book has already received a request to be put on hold.

During their trip, Perth Library Specialist Heidi Taber explained to the class the process that the book will undergo before hitting the shelves. It will be put in a protective sleeve, a barcode added and coded appropriately.

“I am so proud of this group of dedicated and creative students,” says Snider.

“There are so many valuable skills and lessons that the students get out of a project like this. It’s something that they will never forget.”

18th Annual Skate the Lake Portland returns Jan. 28 & 29

from page 1

The big question on everyone’s mind is what about the mild weather? Every couple of years it is the same. Mild weather that threatens the weekend for STL, but every time we have been blessed with a cold snap before the last week of January and we get at least 12 inches of ice necessary to safely run STL. Again, we hope this will be the case, so stay tuned for more information as STL draws closer!

I have a new pair of soft-sided skates that I hope I can bend over to tighten enough to skate all around

the oval again. The hockey skates I had with hard plastic sides were too loose as I could not at my retirement age tighten them. I looked like a 3 year old wobbling down the oval on my ankles and I couldn’t even do one lap! Well, this year will be a different story. So why don’t you come out with the family, bring your skates and spend a day on the lake. There will be food, kiosks and hay bales to sit on as well as fires to keep warm during STL. The oval will be maintained afterwards for leisure skaters and those who will still race around the oval looking like Hans Brinker or our own Olympic medalist Isabelle Weidemann. There are plans afoot by

RBC to again bring in an Olympian, and the folks in Kingston will also host a side-rink of Ice Stock for everyone to try. Ice stock sport is somewhat similar to curling but uses lighter stones with a vertical handle that everyone can use. For registration and a full list of race events visit www.skatethelakeportland.com.

Website - www.skatethelakeportland.com | Facebook - www.facebook. com/skatethelake | Twitter - www.twitter.com/bigrideauskate | Strava - www.strava.com log in and search for the Skate the Lake club For more information contact Skate the Lake at stlportlandoutdoors@gmail. com or 613-207-1950.

Photo credit: facebook.com/skatethelake. Regional - Brian Preston editorial@pdgmedia.ca Continued

lifestyle

Woke folk going too far? opinion:

Last year, the Girl Guides of Canada announced that they will be changing the name Brownies this month, January 2023. The branch of Girl Guides for girls aged 7-8 was called Brownies, but will be renamed either Comets or Embers.

On their website, Girl Guides of Canada explains their reasons behind this change: “As an organization driven by the experience of girls, Girl Guides of Canada must listen to girls’ voices. We have heard from members and former members that the name Brownies has caused them harm as racialized (Black, Indigenous and people of colour) girls and women. Some do not want to be part of this branch because of the name. Some girls choose to skip this branch altogether or delay joining Girl Guides until after this branch. This branch name is a barrier to racialized girls and women feeling part of the Guiding sisterhood and we cannot use a word that causes any girl harm. Part of the Girl Guide Promise is to ‘take action for a better world.’ Taking action by updating this branch name is an important step in creating a space where every girl feels that she belongs in Girl Guides.”

Increasingly we are being bombarded by articles written by those who we may call the Woke generation. They seem to me to be zealots wanting to change the face of society and socially reengineer how we think and act according to their beliefs. I have been around for some 72 years and as a Baby Boomer, terms like this emanating from an apparent philosophy espousing social justice (as they see it and frame it) is being pushed. It started years ago with the term ‘politically correct’ and now it has taken the form of hyper-sensitivity cautioning and even prescribing how

we should think and act in society in all our interactions with each other.

Take a moment to look up the origin of the scouting and guiding movement and how the word 'Brownies' was coined to designate young girls in the Girl Guides movement. Here is what Wikipedia says: "Brownies, originally called Rosebuds, were first organized by Lord Baden-Powell in 1914, to complete the range of age groups for girls in Scouting. They were first run as the youngest group in the Guide Association by Agnes Baden-Powell, Lord Baden-Powell's younger sister. In 1918 his wife, Lady Olave Baden-Powell, took over the responsibility for the Girl Guides and thus for Brownies. Originally the girls were called Rosebuds, but were renamed by Lord Baden-Powell after the girls had complained that they did not like their name. Their name comes from the story "The Brownies" by Juliana Horatia Ewing, written in 1870. In the story, two children Tommy and Betty, learn that children can be helpful brownies instead of being lazy boggarts.”

One of the earliest appearances of the brownie in literature (as opposed to folklore) is in the work of Victorian children’s writer Juliana Horatia Ewing, who was born in Yorkshire in 1841. Whilst growing up she often acted as storyteller to the rest of her family and, aged 23, her best-known story, The Brownies, was published in the Monthly Packet with illustrations by George Cruikshank. “The Brownies, or, as they are sometimes called, the Small Folk, the Little People, or the Good People, are a race of tiny beings who domesticate themselves in a house of which some grownup human being pays the rent and taxes… When they are

idle and mischievous, they are called Boggarts, and are a curse to the house they live in. When they are useful and considerate, they are Brownies, and are a much-coveted blessing… in time these Little People are Brownies no longer. They grow up into men and women.”

The next significant appearance of brownies was in the work of Canadian illustrator Palmer Cox (18401924). He produced a series of brownie titles which have been claimed as “the first commercial comic books.” The books were immensely popular and were used by some forty companies including Kodak (the ‘box brownie’ camera) and Proctor and Gamble.

Ewing's book and Cox's books use the word 'Brownies' which has nothing whatsoever to do with skin colour or race.

Come on folks, it is time to speak up and tell the Girl Guides of Canada what you think about this. Is this all that their woke headquarters staff have time to dream up? Why don't they put their efforts into great programming and recruiting good leaders and Brownies and Girl Guides? They should remember their roots in Lord and Lady Baden-Powell who spread the scouting/

guiding movement around the world for all children, and not be seen today as an organization that spends its time on false and extreme negative-oriented political correctness. The scouting and guiding movements are about fostering positive growth in all our children wherever they live in the world, not about making political statements.

I was a Cub and a Scout throughout my childhood formative years, and I can say that many of the skills and activities we engaged in taught us how to work and play well together while learning many life skills that have served us well in adulthood. Those permanent values are exactly what Lord and Lady Baden-Powell fostered in creating such a wonderful international organization devoted to our children. Don’t let the recently woke folks try to put their own so-called modern stamp on what is essentially an effort to socially reengineer society into their vision of utopia.

Brian Preston Portland, Ontario

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.

Am I the only one? opinion: what did you learn in 2022?

Today I put a memorial in the paper for my mom marking the first-year anniversary of her passing. A lot of unexpected life-changing things happened this year. What I learned in 2022 is that life is short. None of us knows how much time we have left and to make the most of it.

The Canadian government declared a state of emergency, froze bank accounts and jailed protest leaders. 2022 was the clean-up year from the policies that were implemented during Covid. The government finally lifted most of the mandates and restrictions giving Canadians their freedom back. I appreciate all the ordinary people who were willing to risk their reputation and well-being to demand it.. It seems like the Federal Government has a beef with many Canadians and not just conservatives. It is with families, especially those who wish to protect their children and keep traditional values important. It is also with people who don’t wear masks or want vaccines. We heard a lot from the city of Ottawa this year. I don’t think any government employee lost a dime of income during Covid.

Carrie Wynne

Now they’d like to stay home permanently and not bother going back to the office. That will be an ongoing saga in 2023. I have learned how crooked the news industry is and I’m excited about the influx of independent news sources where the community of ideas and truth will always find a way. In Ontario, 2022 has been focused on the lack of resources in our education and healthcare systems. Where is Premier Doug Ford the businessman and why can’t he fix these top-heavy systems in our province?

We just came home from Vancouver visiting our son who became a father, making me a grandmother and reminding me about what really matters. Babies have a unique talent of making everything okay. I’m learning that complaining and griping is a zero-sum game. I’m learning to trust that some of the leaders have our backs and will do the right thing. What I learned in 2022 is that I’m not the only one. I appreciate all the readers who have written to me supporting this column.

I feel the magic of new beginnings and I’m excited about our plans for 2023. I wish each of you the love, warmth and happiness that comes from trusting in God and living your best life.

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.

Brownie and Girl Guide Uniforms Canada circa 1975. Photo credit: Girl Guides of Canada from Canada, CC BY 2.0 <https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.

Beer, Wine and Spirits Food & Drink

Let's Eat

Westport Brewing Company

as well as in managing the operations.

To accompany lunch, I went with the Sample Flight consisting of the three award winners and I selected a style of craft beer that I love but this one with a twist, ‘Open Flame Ginger Bread Stout.’ I also noticed another one on the board which I just had to try, a sample of his ‘Starboard Sour’ coming in at a tame 5.3%abv for a Sour-style, consisting of blackberries, blueberries and lime. This is a great refreshing summer beer that will return next June.

I can hardly wait!

The following are 473ml cans at $3.75. Westport Brewing Company also carries Cottage Crowlers, 32 ounce cans for $9.00.

Upper Rideau Blonde Ale ABV: 4.7% IBUs: 16 A clean and well balanced light ale with a sweet, malty aroma.

Westport Brewing Company opened in 2018 and I wrote an article back then showcasing the new brewery and the new brews that they were making as well as getting a restaurant up and running. Well, here we are 5 years later and the place now has a patio overlooking Upper Rideau Lake, a great variety of menu items to select from as well as a whole range of beers made by the Brewmaster/Manager, Alex Trickey. I went out for lunch and sampled a number of the brews while Alex gave me a tutored tasting. They went exceedingly well with the Montreal smoked meat sandwich on rye with house lager-honey, the mandatory dill pickle, and some tasty kettle chips, all for $16. The owners Kevin Quinlan and Tamara Philips have given Alex free rein on coming up with the beers, and it is no wonder as they entered the annual Ontario Craft Brewer’s awards in November 2022 and came home with 2 silvers and a bronze! His American Pale Ale entry was ‘Upper Rideau Blonde,’ and his India Pale Ale entry ‘Dock Days’ also won silver, while his ‘Rideau Lakes Red Ale’ took home a bronze. Not bad for a first time entrant, and youngest competitor at 23 years old!

He was quick to say that all the competitors had a good time and camaraderie was high among all the brewmasters. “Everyone wants their friends to win too, and even though it was my first time competing, they made me feel right at home,” he said.

Alex was an engaging host telling me that his family in the area has local roots because they are relatives to Benjamin Tett who established the Bedford mill in the early 1800s. While his post-secondary education was in Media Studies, Alex said, “I have always liked working with my hands and having fun making batches of home brew, but Covid hit and I was looking for a job. I knew the brewmaster, Tyler, who wanted to move on, so I began shadowing him in all aspects of professional brewing at Westport, and took courses on beer making.” Alex was no stranger to the process, though, as a home brewer who liked to create beer recipes and try them out. He was learning all the way. After working with Tyler and becoming thoroughly engrossed in learning the process of commercial craft brewing and creating new recipes, he seamlessly took over the reins with the blessing of the owners who had confidence in his abilities

Lakeside Lager ABV: 5.1% IBUs: 22 A refreshing golden German lager with less hoppiness than Czech versions and a pleasant bitterness that finishes dry.

Rideau Lakes Red Ale ABV: 6.9% IBUs: 38 A complex brew using Maris Otter, the base malt for all English style beers, as well as other malts to boost the flavor profile with sweet caramel, chocolate notes, a touch of cleansing bitterness and a smooth finish.

Dock Days IPA ABV: 6.9% IBUs: 6 This hazy golden IPA has a bold citrus and floral aroma, smooth mouthfeel and a pleasant sweetness with a subtle dry finish. With minimal hop bitterness but a citrus profile, the toasted malts give a tip-of-thetongue sweetness reminiscent of creamy, smooth flaked oats to balance out the body of the beer making it a summer or anytime dockside brew.

Open Flame Gingerbread Stout

A more sessionable offering, created for holiday gatherings spent around friends, family, delicious treats, and warm fires, this Gingerbread Stout is focused on showcasing a touch of real ginger and seasonal spices.

When next you go to Westport for shopping, do drop in at 41B Main St or call ahead during this holiday season (613) 273-2739 to be sure of their hours.

Brian Turner

The Sterling;

solid gold from start to finish

Just opened on Almonte’s Mill Street last month, The Sterling Drinks and Eats is proving you can get the best of chef-made tastes in a great atmosphere with exceptional service without breaking the bank. I had a chance to visit one recent winter afternoon and immediately forgot about the blustery weather outside, taking in the amazing decor of this former bank (Sterling Bank of Canada). It strikes the perfect balance of paying tribute to the heritage features of the building while creating a very welcoming space for everyone from couples to families. Even singles will feel comfortable at the impressive bar loaded with locally crafted libations and staffed by some great wizards of mixology.

At the helm in the kitchen, you’ll find professionally trained and exceptionally experienced Jacob Greene. After service in some of the top restaurants in Ottawa, he’s now free to script and create his own menu and he’s made some instant hits with locals and visitors alike. From a short but varied list of plates, I chose the Banh Mi sandwich, with herb and parmesan cheese loaded fries with a garlic mayo for dipping. Jacob started me with a sample of his Korean fried chicken. The pieces are hand cut and marinated in buttermilk, spices and a touch of house-made Gochujang sauce. It’s a thick and spicy sweet sauce and was just hot enough to make you happy there’s ice water on the table and to blow away thoughts of a winter storm. My Banh Mi, stuffed with grilled chicken (but crispy tofu is also offered, as it is with other dishes instead of meat) was served on a large soft roll generously topped with pickled carrot slivers,

cucumber, jalapeno and cilantro. The chicken was tender and moist and provided a perfect balance to the crisp taste of the veg. The loaded fries will spoil your taste-buds for any other type, so venture at your own risk: you’ll never reach for ketchup again. Their veg options such as the winter bok choy salad are also proving popular with the large attendance that’s kept The Sterling busy since opening their doors. Jacob says a smaller menu provides attention to the dishes and gives the opportunity to switch things up more frequently. Future plans include creating an outdoor patio space for warmer weather dining and inviting guest chefs in for limited runs to provide exciting new tastes for area

foodies. I can’t wait for more of his take on Asian cuisine.

The Sterling is perfect for just dropping in for drinks and a light bite or to relax or take the time to savour a satisfying and filling meal (the portions are generous). Specials range from $18 to $22; exceptionally reasonable in light of the quality of the dishes. They’re located at 28 Mill Street and are open Wednesday through Friday from 11 am to 11 pm and on Saturday from 9 am to 11 pm and from 9 am to 3 pm on Sunday. You can reach them at (613) 620-1928 or info@sterlingalmonte.com. Their social media accounts will keep you up to date on specials. On street parking is available and there’s one small step up to the door.

Brian Preston | The Travelling Sommelier | brianpreston@hotmail.com

Photo credit: Brian Turner.

Photo credit: westportbrewingcompany.ca

Photo credits: Brian Turner.

culture

Smiths Falls History & Mystery: A tale of two Brodies

by Ted Outerbridge

ufacturers of farm implements and were the largest employers in town.

In 1873 McGill University granted its first Engineering degrees which at the time were known as Applied Science. Robert James Brodie (1851-1938) was one of only six scholars to be awarded this recognition. To this day he remains a McGill posterboy. Photographs of the bearded, Chateauguay-born, Fenian Raid veteran, grace the walls and website of the 200-year-old institution.

Employment was immediate and Robert Brodie began work for the Canadian Pacific Railway, surveying a route between Montreal and Saint Jerome in Quebec. He then served with the engineering team who conducted the original survey across the Canadian Prairies. Brodie made news headlines by saving his team from starvation. He traveled with a dog sled team for miles, in the brutal cold of winter, to acquire much needed food and supplies from Edmonton. When broken equipment threatened serious delays in their work, Brodie’s ingenuity prevented weeks of delay. He repurposed a spider’s web discovered in a hollow tree and used it to replace a broken wire in their Theodolite instrument.

Upon his return to Montreal in 1875, Robert Brodie formed a business with his brother-in-law, Robert Harvie. Harvie was married to Brodie’s sister, Henrietta. Brodie & Harvie’s Self-Raising Flour became a household word and can still be found on grocery store shelves today.

The following year Brodie settled in Smiths Falls. Upon his arrival he began a friendship with brothers Frank, Charles, and William Frost and Alexander Wood of the Frost and Wood Company. They were known worldwide as man-

In 1879, a 27-year-old Robert Brodie and his business partner, Robert Harvie, founded the Standard Fertilizer and Chemical Company Limited. News of the state-of-the-art business made it into Toronto’s The Globe newspaper. The factory was built on the west side of Quarry (later Abbott) Street on the north side of the Rideau River.

The location afforded incredible shipping facilities which contributed to over 30 years of operation. The company manufactured superphosphates, creating sulfuric acid from brimstone imported from Sicily and Japan, and then mixing the sulphuric acid with finely ground apatite, to produce commercial fertilizer. Brodie's factory manufactured large quantities of liquid acid phosphate, dry acid phosphate for baking powders and phosphate of soda. There was also a complete laboratory for analysing and testing materials.

The firm had virtually no competition in Ontario and was so successful that it was “not able to supply more than one tenth of the orders received.” according to the Rideau Record in 1888.

After the factory was abandoned, it was taken over by Frey Industries in 1948, with a staff of two.

The company expanded to employ 41 workers by 1956. They worked mainly on defence contracts, manufacturing marine markers, metal containers, hardware, and ammunition boxes for the military. The company moved out in 1959. The building is now the headquarters of the local Royal Canadian Air Force Association.

In 1882 Robert Brodie married Henrietta “Hattie” Lamb (1855-1930) at Glenwood, Alexander Wood’s spectacular mansion. They had five children, Mary Richmond, Agnes Isabella who only lived three years, Crawford James, Alexander Wood, and Henrietta who lived to the age of

eight. In 1921 Robert and Henrietta were living at 2 George Street in Smiths Falls with Mary who was a teacher and Crawford who worked with the Canadian Pacific Railway.

When Smiths Falls was incorporated as a town in 1882, Robert Brodie was elected as a councillor. He was responsible for many civic improvements including the first sewer system, on Russell Street. He served for years as a town engineer and laid out many of the streets. He was also a member of the Board of Education. In 1912 Robert became manager of the Wood Mills. His circle of friends included Sir Wilfred Laurier and other prominent Liberal politicians. In 1919 Brodie seconded the motion to name the Right Honorable W. L. Mackenzie King as Liberal leader.

In 1936 a headline in the Ottawa Journal read “Grand Old Man of Smiths Falls in Splendid Heath as

he Nears his 85th Birthday”. Robert died two years later, at the age of 87, his wife Henrietta and all but two of his children having predeceased him. The funeral was held at his late residence with interment at Maple Vale Cemetery.

There are some interesting Keyhole House coincidences. In 1881, Robert Brodie was one of four boarders in the Hannah Cordelia (Friar) Butler household which included her daughter, Alice (Butler) McNeil. Alice would later become owner of the Keyhole House from 1923-33.

Robert’s sister-in-law, Agnes Lamb lived at the Keyhole House from 1895 until her death in 1903. Her will stated “…my Executors shall first offer to sell the

ted@tedouterbridge.com

said dwelling house property to my brother-in-law, Robert James Brodie, for the sum of two thousand dollars.” Agnes had paid $3,000 for the property seven years prior so this was a generous offer. Robert bought the Keyhole House and owned it from 1903-07.

Robert’s second cousin was Hugh Brodie (18501920). In 1880 Hugh’s quest for great fishing led him to become the first settler at Lac Brûlé in Sainte Agathe north of Montreal. Hugh Brodie would cast a line with three leaders into the river from the shore near his log cabin and catch three trout. By 1893 Hugh had title to some land on the lake which would become a recreational haven for some of his Montreal friends.

Ted & Marion Outerbridge are currently restoring the Keyhole House, a Smiths Falls heritage home built in 1892. They are also being swept away by local history & mystery. You can follow them on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok @thekeyholehouse or email ted@tedouterbridge.com.

Hugh Brodie’s grandson is Dr. Hugh Brodie, a retired a pediatrician from the Montreal Children’s Hospital and he is still living on the family property at Lac Brûlé. I, the writer am the current custodian of the Keyhole House together with my wife. I am grateful for a lifetime of beautiful memories from vacationing at several family properties at Lac Brûlé.

Applied Science (Engineering) Class of 1873, including Clement H. McLeod, Donald A. Stewart, Robert J. Brodie, Henry K. Wicksteed, George T. Kennedy, John F. Torrance. Photo credit: McGill University Archives, PR011223.

Brodie headstone. Photo credit: Ted Outerbridge.

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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS:

Welcome to ontrac Employment Resource Services!

ontrac Employment Resource services has been providing free professional in-person, local employment services to the community of Smiths Falls since 2002. Our team of dedicated staff provides

services to job seekers, supporting individuals to achieve their employment and training goals and to employers, supporting businesses with their hiring and training needs. How can we help?

• Are you looking for help finding and keeping a job?

• Have you been laid off? Are you thinking about re-training?

• Do you need help looking for work?

• Do you want help

making career decisions and identifying goals?

• Do you want some support and guidance in your job search?

• Are you a student or do you know a student looking for work?

• Do you need help connecting with employers and available job opportunities?

• Are you an employer who needs help meeting your hiring needs?

• Are you an employer interested in support to help you find and keep staff?

• Are you an employer interested in investing in training for your staff or new hires?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions give us a call, we are here to help!

Our office is open Monday to Friday 8:30am –4:00pm. We offer services in-person (by appointment) and remotely, making accessing services as flexible and easy as possible. Please call or email the office to get started. We look forward to working with you!

Photo credit: Submitted.

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