Julie’s house when she bought it, with the windows boarded up. Photo credit: Sally Smith. Photo credit: Sally Smith.
Julie Chagnon says people are delighted and amazed at the ‘new’ look of the old Or ange Lodge on William Street in Smiths Falls. It stands just beside the Assemblies of God church, the building is small, the masonry work on the smaller building looks similar to the larger church… and it now has five new windows. That’s the difference.
The focus should be on what municipalities do deliv er, such as roads, sidewalks, water supply, sewage treat ment, recreation, libraries, garbage and recycling, and land planning, among others: things that affect residents ev ery day. She spoke of a recent study that revealed that mu nicipalities build 60% of all infrastructures in the country while only collecting 12 cents of each tax dollar. When it comes to growth, Christa sees the need for strong councils to help pro tect the rural and small-town character that’s important to residents. A total vision of how residential projects will fit into the community is key. Voters need to understand the candidates’ motivations and track records and that takes some homework. They need to ask what they hope to achieve if elected and how they work on a team. Munici pal websites have links to con firmed candidates’ lists and most contain contact infor mation. Smiths Falls seems to be the exception where their candidates’ list only contains names and addresses. Find out who is running in your area and how to find their platforms and how to forward questions and comments to them. What’s at stake is how a good part of your daily life will play out over the next four years. Good luck.
Better view on Willam Street Municipal elections. Boring? Waste of time? Think again! see page 2 for a list of candidates in your community
the “original church, which became so big, a bigger church was built,” and the little one became the Sunday school. The house next to her, as you look at her home, was the manse. She adds in some be musement “I heard it was St. Paul’s church…could have been a Catholic Church. But throughout my prima ry school my school was St. Paul’s… so it was meant to be. “I was meant to live here,” she grins. Regional - Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca We can all be excused for not looking forward to elec tions with their noise, exces sive and often negative adver tising, and seemingly endless debates about things we have little concern for. But on Oc tober 24th we will collectively elect groups that have more effect on our day-to-day lives than any other level of gov ernment: municipal councils.
It’s not just people walk ing by on the street who stop and look; neighbours stop for a chat, drivers slow down, everyone wants to see what’s different.
Concerns from residents about rapid growth and its effects on local infrastructure are bound to be at the top of door to door campaigns.
Christa noted increased inter est in Additional Residential Units will also be on council tables as they can help in crease rental stock and make homes more attainable by building in rental incomes to help finance purchases. Ad ditional Residential Units are smaller units located within, or attached to, or detached from primary homes on suit ability sized properties. We spoke of the common misconceptions that residents may have in terms of the pow ers of local council members.
Vol. 9 No. 9 YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER - LANARK, NORTH LEEDS & GRENVILLE SEPTEMBER 2022 Owned & Operated By: 24/7 Service Local & Long Distance Lockouts Boosts Ogilvie's Telephone: 613 283 7444 613 284 3465 A.C. Towing FIND US ONLINE Facebook/HometownnewsPertH Facebook/HometownnewscarletonPlace Facebook/HometownnewssmitHsFalls www.Hometownnews ca Smiths Falls - Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca
To find out what’s on the ra dar for both candidates and electors Hometown News sat down with Mississippi Mills Mayor, Mayor Elect and former Lanark County Warden, Christa Lowry. Christa was surprised by her own acclamation this time, saying she really thought a competitor would register at the last minute, but no one showed. There are a substantial number of candidates running for the Deputy Mayor and council positions in the Mills, so it wasn’t a case of apathy. We asked her opinion on what’s changed from the last elec tion in 2018 in terms of voter interest and concern. She noted that in 2018 in ternet and cellular connec tivity were hot and popular topics and the large migration of people away from city to home offices over the course of the pandemic simply am plified those concerns. She has been an active participant in the Eastern Ontario War dens Caucus, which created the Eastern Ontario Regional Network, as well as the Asso ciation of Municipalities of Ontario and the Rural On tario Municipal Association to support improvements to coverage. Progress is being made with more residents be ing connected, but she admits there’s a long way to go.
A new look.
The windows were boarded over so they were protected. Her game plan is to restore them as much as possible, and hang them inside. What was the intrigue? What made you buy it? She laughs a bit. “I had a tent trailer with a big hole in it,” she admits, remembering back 19 months, “saw this place driving by one day, put my brakes on, went on MLS, and bought it on the spot.” She doesn’t know much of its history, and asks if anyone has background could they get in touch with her at thechagnon2020@outlook.com.julieWhatshe’sheardisthatlittlebuildingshe’sinwas
Affordable and attainable housing has eclipsed con nectivity as the focus of this election, driven by an un precedented influx of families moving out of larger urban centres to take advantage of work-from-home situations and to enjoy the benefits of small-town and rural life. In 2018, when she was on the campaign trail, a substantial number of new rentals were being built in her area and they would have covered the demand at the time, but then Covid-19 hit and demands skyrocketed.
From postal service to health care delivery to gasoline pric es, calls have come in to town halls expecting change. She suspects some requests land on council doorsteps simply because municipal councilors are often the most accessible and responsive to the public.
Julie laughs, relating that people told her they stopped in the middle of the street wondering if they were in the right place on the way by, in or out of town. “It’s brought hope to the community,” she says. “We’re not just pulling buildings down and making skyscrap ers. We can make the town pretty... it’s got good bones.” Members of the Assem blies of God church, she adds, “are beyond excited. We have a good relationship.” Julie figures the windows have been boarded up at least 25 years (back to the late 1990s), and is keeping all the old stained glass that was“They’rethere. damaged, but use able,” she says of future plans.
INCUMBENTS MARKED (I)
What walks like a teen fad and talks like a teen fad...is probably a teen fad. Cele brating trans is a growing trend and something I’m not okay with. But then again, I’m not a doctor set out to make millions off confused teenagers and des perate parents. I’m not big pharma that stands to make billions off these kids and the services including endo crinologists, sexual health physicians, speech patholo gists, nurses, social workers, child and adolescent psy chiatrist and psychologists. I feel sorry for the parents that must navigate this with their teenagers. As if raising kids isn’t hard enough. Am I the only one? In Abigail Shrier’s book, Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seduc ing our Daughters. She alerts us to the new est trend in internet sup port groups that indoc trinate young girls into believing gender identi ty as the root of all their problems. If Shrier is right, a great many people have been complicit in practic es that are proving very harmful to adolescent girls. She describes genu ine gender dysphoria and distinguishes it from the sudden surge in transgen der identification among young women. She inter views doctors, therapists, and school administrators who “fast-track” trans girls’ demands without investi gating whether there is any underlying history of psy chological distress, and she wonders to what extent pol itics has trumped science when it comes to gender dysphoria. She looks at how our culture, to protect the feelings of trans people, in creasingly describes women using dehumanizing termi nology such as “breeders,” “bleeders,” “people who menstruate,” and “individu als with a cervix.” One moment you are just an awkward and con fused teenage girl, the next moment you are taking tes tosterone and denouncing your parents for refusing to use the male pronouns. One parent said her daughter just didn’t seem like “a boy trapped in a girl’s body.” She seemed like a girl who had had a lot of trouble fitting in with peers, who had been introduced to an explana tion and latched onto it. Well, I would rather have a living son than a dead daughter is an argument many activists use focusing on the higher suicide rates and poor mental health of people who suffer from gender dysphoria. Shrier says there are no good longterm studies indicating that gender dysphoria or suicid al thoughts diminish after medical transition. Nearly all novel problems teenagers face today trace themselves back to 2007 and the intro duction of Steve Jobs’ iP hone. If you want a well-ad justed preteen or teenager throw out their cell phone. Demi Lovato, a talented pop music star has changed back to regular pronouns again. She didn’t want to be a they-them anymore because she’s feeling more feminine these days. It probably got too confusing to write songs. The opinions stated in this article are those of the author and do not neces sarily reflect the opinions of Hometown News’ man agement, staff or writers.
DEPUTY MAYOR Ed McPherson (acclaimed) COUNCILORS, 5 TO BE ELECTED
Cartoon by Patrick Labelle
Hometown ne ws
Am I the only one?opinion: trans activism Carrie Wynne
Barry Smith
Election Candidates
CARLETON PLACE MAYOR Andreas tobyrandell88@gmail.comEdwarddoug_black@hotmail.comDoughonesty@andreasfoustanellas.comFoustanellasBlack(I)(Toby)Randell
Aaron wesparsons2025@gmail.comWeskwissa.townofcp@gmail.comTracytdboyce@hotmail.comToddarizaconsulting1@gmail.comSarahmr_p_villa@hotmail.comPaolomarkhinton@360plusmedia.caMarklindaseccaspina@gmail.comLindakoryearle@hotmail.comKoryjredwards73@gmail.comJohnjeff@jeffatkinson.caJefffrancoismaltais2022@gmail.comFrancoisdenacomleyforCP@gmail.comDenaaniedbala@gmail.comNiedbalaComleyMaltaisAtkinson(I)R.EdwardsEarleSeccaspina(I)HintonVillaCavanaghBoyceKwissaParsons(I)
Publisher Patricia Krotki pmkrotki@pdgmedia.ca Botham Sally ShannonBrianJanelleChrisSmithMustLabelleTurnerMcLellan
ORCOERSCOVDITHEOFRTPAMMUNTIYNETWK Page Two
roy.vdma@gmail.comRoyMeredith.toivanen@gmail.comMeredithsheldongiff@gmail.comSheldonmarlene19271@gmail.comMarlenenonicameron@gmail.comLeonajimboldt145@gmail.comJimisabelannemcrae@gmail.comIsabelgarywaterfield@yahoo.comGarydzeisman@yahoo.caDerekbirdhouse133@gmail.comDavebarryasmiths36@gmail.com(I)Bird(I)ZeismanWaterfieldAnneMcRaeBoldtCamerson(I)DonoghueGiffToivanenVanDerMull rickeyminnille@gmail.comRickeypaulwatters1949@gmail.comPaulhinks.david@rogers.comHinksWattersMinnille(I)
SMITHS FALLS MAYOR Justin Duhamel 8 Helen ShawnStPankow (I) 58 Russell St E COUNCILORS, 6 TO BE ELECTED Chance Lauziere-Peterson 33 Lavinia St Chris Saumure 5 Glen ChristopherAve McGuire (I) 15 McEwen Ave Dawn Quinn 58 Elmsley St S James Creighton 39 Strathcona St Jay Brennan (I) 100 Colonel By Cres Jennifer Miller 67 Jasper Ave Joane Morin 8 Moore St Karen Salter 54 Jasper Ave Lynda Bradford 49 Main St E Patricia Ann Clark 6 Pearl St Unit H Peter McKenna (I) 116 Queen St Stephen Robinson 24 Strathcona St Wendy Alford (I) 28 Roosevelt Dr MISSISSIPPI MILLS MAYOR Christa Lowry (I) acclaimed DEPUTY MAYOR David
COUNCILORS RAMSAY WARD 2 TO BE ELECTED Bev Holmes Cynthiaholmes@storm.ca(I)Guerard vickiannlowe@gmail.comVickicguerard@mississippimills.ca(I)Lowe
COUNCILORS PAKENHAM WARD 1 TO BE ELECTED
Photography Kathy Botham Sales & Advertising advertising@pdgmedia.ca Community engagement johnnyfive@pdgmedia.cashannon@pdgmedia.ca Submit an Event events@pdgmedia.ca Contact hometownnews@pdgmedia.ca613-284-9826
Denzil (Denny) Ferguson (I) denmarg2@sympatico.caacclaimed
DEPUTY MAYOR Andrew seanredmond@sympatico.caSeancastlemasonry.andrew@gmail.comTennantRedmond(I)
2september 2022
COUNCILORS, 5 TO BE ELECTED
Editorial editorial@pdgmedia.ca Reporters Kathy
COUNCILORS ALMONTE WARD 2 TO BE ELECTED Jane gmail.commarylousouterformmcouncil@Maryjohn@dalgity.caJohnjan.maydan@sympatico.caJanetjane@janetorrance.caTorranceMaydan(I)Dalgity(I)LouSouter
MAYORPERTH John Fenik stephaniedrummond27@gmail.comStephaniejbrown82@cogeco.caJudyjfenik@rideau.net(I)BrownDrummond
Smiths Falls is getting ‘BACK ON BECKWITH’
Photo credit:
Smiths Falls - SHannon Mclellan editorial@pdgmedia.ca
Andress' YIG helps Ukrainian families settle in Smiths Falls
Dan and Wanita Andress and Mark Czubak. Photo submitted. SFDBA. SFDBA.
Smiths Falls - Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca
3september 2022 community
“Like most people, Wan ita and I cannot believe what has happened, and is still happening in Ukraine. It’s impossible to imagine how the people there feel or understand what they have been going through. Wan ita and I wanted to help make the transition a little easier for those Ukrainians who come to our town for a new beginning. They still have a long road ahead.” – Dan Andress. “The SFWU commit tee wants to acknowledge the generous donation of $5000 from Dan and Wanita Andress. To see the Andresses step in to lend a helping hand is a testament to their com munity spirit. We contin ue to welcome Ukrainian families to Smiths Falls. Here they have a chance to start a new life and make their own contribu tions to our community.” – Mark Czubak, SFWU committeeTheSFWU committee members are commit ted to investing personal expertise, time and re sources to assist Ukraini ans. Donated funds stay in Smiths Falls to help purchase airplane tickets for displaced Ukrainian individuals or families. These individuals have completed their visa pro cess and will come to our town, where they will be housed with a local Host Family with the support of the SFWU committee. Donations will also help with the initial costs asso ciated with ensuring our new neighbours have the essentials to begin their newWelives.are a direct, impact ful way to help Ukrainians. If individuals, service clubs, schools or church groups wish to donate or hold fundraising events, we can use the funding to help set tle families from war-torn Ukraine here in Smiths Falls. Donations can be made through our website at: goingandFacebookFallswelcomesukraine.comhttps://www.smithsfallsPleasevisittheSmithsWelcomesUkrainepageforupdatesdetailsonnewandonfund-raisingactivities.
InstagramsociationSmithsalongon-beckwith/townsmithsfalls.ca/back-orfollowontheDowntownFallsBusinessAsFacebookandpage.
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Downtown Smiths Falls is gearing up to celebrate the end of nearly three years of construction, and the beginning of a beau tifully revitalized down town. On October 1, the Downtown Smiths Falls Business Association, in partnership with the Town of Smiths Falls, is hosting ‘Back on Beckwith.’ The all-day street party wel comes local residents and members of surrounding communities to celebrate the town’s long awaited re juvenated downtown core with something for every one to DSFBAenjoy. co-ordinator Nora Schlathau shared in her interview with Home town News that the idea behind ‘Back on Beckwith’ started around the same time the construction on Beckwith Street had begun. Schlathau stat ed, “This is an event to celebrate the downtown businesses. They’ve had a challenging few years, be tween covid and construc tion. This is the marking of an exciting new chapter in the ‘Backdowntown.”onBeckwith’ will offer its patrons a full day of fun showcasing an array of ertheandsoulsoundsmainrietystreetanformedleyChambersbalconywhomusician,stageiconicpartofbeenRideau,informSchlathautherapyscrumptiousentertainment,eats,retailandmuchmore.waselatedtousthattheHotelwhichshefelthasagreatcollaboratortheevent,willplayitsinthefestivities.Thehotelwillbecometoawell-knownlocalAmbreMcLean,willbeperformingaconcert.BeckwithStreet(fromStreettoElmsStreet),willbetransintoapedestripromenadefeaturingperformers,avaoflivemusiconthestagesuchastheofMotownandfromTheHornettes,themusicalstylingsofevent’sheadliner,RivTownSaints,whooffer
an energetic combination of pop, country and rock. In addition, patrons will discover a few recogniz able local main stays on site, such as the Heritage House Museum with juicy tidbits from back in the day, and the Smiths Falls Station Theatre setting the stage for what’s sure to be a great time! This free event welcomes rev elers of all ages to join in on the celebrations. Event-goers can also look forward to attending the official opening of the Artscape Parkette, located on the corner of Beckwith and Russell Street, an other theyoptionsBites,arethattoWe’rewhateverorareingshighlighteagerly-anticipatedofthehappenattheevent.“Someofthebusinesseshavingsidewalksales,offeringworkshops,theirstrengthis.encouragingthempromotesomethingforday.TherestaurantsdoingBeckwithStreetofferingsnackableforvisitorsaswalkupBeckwith and its feeder streets,” Schlathau stated. To keep the festivities accessible and easy to travel to, Healey’s Trans portation Ltd. is spon soring a “Beckwith S’cool Bus”, which will allow event goers a free shuttle throughout the day, with transportation from four different locations. Pick up locations include An dress’ Your Independent Grocer, Lower Reach Park (parking lot), the Smiths Falls Memorial Commu nity Centre and the Town Hall parking lot. The shuttle will run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For an event map, and further details of the ‘Back on Beckwith’ street party, visit https://www.down
The owners of a wellknown local business are making a difference in the lives of those displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Dan and Wanita Andress, owners and operators of Andress’ Your Independent Grocer, have very generously donated $5000 to the Smiths Falls Welcomes Ukraine (SFWU) committee.
Regional - Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca After two years of pan demic-caused cancellation, the North Lanark Highland Games scored big in its victorious return to the Al monte Fairgrounds on Sat urday Aug 27. The games, celebrating their 37th edi tion, drew great crowds un der a sunny warm summer sky after a cloudy start to the day. Competitors, such as these going after stone throw records, enjoyed per fect conditions.
Tom Kondert and his ‘signs’ at the end of the driveway. Photo credit: Evans/Fisher.
Tom Kondert’s a man of few words; people who know him straight away say this. But he sure knows how to get what he wants. Since last October he has collected pop cans with proceeds going to Parkin son’s Canada. He’s not sure of the total number accu mulated over this time but by the end of August there was a weeks-worth of cans waiting in his garage yet to beWhencrushed.he put a sign on his lawn last spring, people start ed dropping off cans. Not only that…soon bags of cans were delivered to his drive way…and then he started collecting liquor bottles and beer bottles, too. Sometimes he finds full bags at the foot of his driveway, sometimes on his front steps. He doesn’t know how many pounds he’s collect ed but each time he’s gone to the site to drop them off, he’s collected “between two and five pounds.” So far he’s collected over $1500 worth, and doesn’t have any reason to stop. Tom has Parkinson’s dis ease, has had for at least 12 years. He’s collecting because “it’s something to do, it’s doing something for others, and I have no prob lem doing Recentlyit.”he found a copy of a letter in his mailbox from a neighbour; it was about him and addressed to Parkinson Canada. “I am writing to squeal on my next door neighbour. Tom has endured the trials of Parkinson’s with deter mination and kindness. This military veteran faces his battle like a war hero. “Every day, all year round, snow, ice, rain or heat, Tom is diligent in his ‘cannery’, aka garage. He has walked and driven miles to collect beer and pop cans wherever he can find “Relentlesslythem. he has pressed, packaged and de livered the cans to recycling for“Thecoins.Order of Canada could not find a more fit tingIt’scandidate.”signedShirley Burden. Tom takes this in stride, shrugs a bit, directs brown eyes at you and goes on with the story. “The fun part,” he says, “is figuring out if it’s a beer can or just looks like a beer can” — because he gets money for beer cans but no money if it’s not. A honk on the road grabs his attention. Besides the sign for collecting pop cans, there’s another sign with a small table set up at the end of his driveway with tomatoes. The truck driver pops his head out the window, asks if they’re free, takes one. Tom, a self-admitted peo ple watcher, watches…and then laughs as the driver adds salt, again sticks his head out the window and takes a Anotherbite.honk. A wave as a neighbour drives by. Tom’s headed to the Par kinson’s SuperWalk Sep tember 10 at Conlon Farm in Perth. Come out and walk with him.
Photo credit: Brian Turner
4september 2022
Lanark Highland Games make triumphant return
Perth - Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca
He should get order of ‘Can’-a-da community
Planet Youth Lanark County: Collaboration needed and the stakes are high
5september 2022 lifestyle
Maple Leafs are coming to town
Planet Youth Lanark County (PYLC) marked some major milestones this year. In February, after a twoyear pandemic-induced de lay, the all-important student survey was delivered to grade ten students in both public and separate school boards. This voluntary, comprehen sive, 70-plus question polling probed into not only sub stance use among youth, but also explored family relation ships, social pressures, mental health issues, and isolation. The survey was a key step in following the Planet Youth model to reduce substance use among youth. This approach was first pioneered in the 1990’s in Iceland when that is land-nation was ranked with the worst substance use rates in Europe. After less than 20 years of following a road-map of regular student surveys and community action with stakeholder support, those rates are now the lowest. The Planet Youth model has now been established in commu nities around the globe with similarly outstanding results. Planet Youth Lanark County’s first survey results are now available for public viewing (planetyouthlanark.ca).Thenextstepsinvolve dis seminating the survey infor mation to community leaders and stakeholders and helping them to focus on how to im prove protective and support ive measures for youth. But first, it would be helpful to review how PYLC came to be and why a concerned, self-or ganized group of local resi dents thought that a Planet Youth approach was needed in Lanark County. David Somppi is the chair of the PYLC steering com mittee and Hometown News caught up with him and a few other key members to ask someHometown:questions.How did you first learn of the local interest in Planet Youth and why do you think its approach was needed in Lanark?
On Saturday, Sept 17, the Smiths Falls Rideaus will host the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni team. There is no special reason or event to draw them here, other than sheer love of the game. “[This is] just something we thought would be amaz ing for our town and our team to connect with, and enjoy something we all love: hockey,” said team captain Brett Costello. “This is a great opportunity for our team to bond and cherish the great memories.” The game will take place at 6:00 pm, and tickets are $20 for general admission. There will also be a meet-and-greet at Boston Pizza from 2-4pm, at the cost of $100. A $40 voucher for Boston Pizza will be included in the price of the “Notmeet-and-greet.onlyisita great event for our team, but it’s a great event for our com munity. This is something special for our town to be able to take part in,” Costel lo added.
The efforts to build a strong team to arrange fund ing, obtain cooperation from the involved schools boards, and set out an effective public communications plan have brought success according to Somppi. The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Public Health Unit, Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth, the Upper Canada District School Board, the Catholic District School Board, uni versity researchers, and other organizations have and con tinue to actively contribute to the work of PYLC. We asked Kevin Clouthier, Ex ecutive Director of Open Doors how Planet Youth could benefit youth in his organization’s care. Kevin: “Planet Youth La nark County is a welcomed process for Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth. We have for a long time worked with educa tion, healthcare and social services partners with peo ple who would benefit from our support and service. We do so at the other end of the continuum of service, when treatment is required. Planet Youth Lanark County pro vides all of us opportunity to effect change so that the need for treatment will be eliminat ed for some, hopefully many. Addressing the mental health needs of our children and youth is now an urgent need. It is not enough any longer to deliver service once problems have emerged. As we learn from the information deliv ered to us by Lanark youth through the surveys, we have opportunity to focus our en ergies in ways that will ease the stressors that erode men tal health of vulnerable chil dren and youth. Our desire to include their voices to assist in defining workable solutions that will enhance the personal agency of youth throughout Lanark. They, our youth, are a significant contributor to solutions. Lanark County will be stronger and better for children, youth and families through our collaboration.” The local public health unit has been a strong sup porter of PYLC since the be ginning and their expertise in delivering effective health services and their knowledge of the region has been essen tial. We asked Medical Officer of Health Dr. Paula Stewart about the risks youth face with today’s popular choices of controlled substances Dr Stewart: “The Febru ary 2022 survey of grade 10 students found that, in their lifetime, 30% had been drunk (12% in the past 30 days), 28% had used e-cig arettes (19% in the past 30 days), and 21 % had used cannabis (12% in the past 30 days). The regular use of these substances can affect the brain development that is critical during adoles cence. Their use influences judgment and reaction time which can lead to injuries, particularly if driving while intoxicated, and their use can replace healthy social interactions with family and friends. Teens with anxiety, depression or other mental illness may use substances to cope with symptoms. See our Public Health Website for more information, and suggestions about how to talk with teens about sub stance use, narkourgrowthwehol-other-drugs.health-information/alcohealthunit.org/CollectivelycansupportthehealthyanddevelopmentofyouththroughtheLaPlanetYouthInitiative.”InterestinthePlanetYouth approach is growing in North America with US and Cana dian communities starting the process and seeing results. Lanark County is the first region in Canada to adopt this model and the province of New Brunswick and the city of Calgary are officially signed up and several other Ontario communities (in cluding in Eastern Ontario) are in early planning. Recent ly, Somppi and Stewart and Pall Rikhardsson (an expert in prevention) made a presen tation to the British Columbia standing committee of health as that province is struggling with record-setting addiction and death rates. They were kept on the line for an hour after their presentation an swering questions from offi cials looking for answers. At this stage of the PYLC process there’s a need for community leaders, resi dents, and stakeholders to take the information from the surveys and begin plan ning collaborations and actions. One of the main reasons for Planet Youth’s success around the globe is that individual communi ties plan and make decisions based on their own needs and resources. Regularly re curring surveys help them learn what actions have been effective and which have failed to move the needle. To find out more and how you may be able to help, check out planetyouthlanark.ca.
Smiths Falls - Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca
The Leafs will visit one week before the senior-A Rideaus’ season begins on September 24.
Regional - Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca
David: “I first heard about Planet Youth while attending a 2017 meeting discussing the opioid crisis. People who attended that meeting were trained in administration of Naloxone, which revers es opioid overdose. It really struck me that our commu nity, where I raised my kids, needed this type of interven tion. During the Q+A, the success of the Planet Youth model was mentioned and folks were invited to attend another meeting to learn more. As I learned how the Planet Youth approach uses evidence to drive decision making and regular surveys of local youth to gather ev idence I became convinced that Lanark County could and must seriously consider the approach. Having recent data gathered from youth living in Lanark County al lows us to understand what is happening where our kids and grandkids are growing up. Without this insight, it is really difficult to prevent problematic substance use. On the assumption we re spond to the data, we have a real opportunity to build on the good things that exist within our communities and to identify opportunities to make things better. Our goal in the latter part of 2022 is to share that data so we can start an informed conversation within our community.”
Photo credit: Tyler Armstrong. Some young local en trepreneurs have obtained substantial success in a very competitive market place during a pandemic. In fact, pandemic business models are all they know. Holey Confections proudly opened their third location at 21 Bridge Street in the heart of downtown Carleton Place (which is undergoing its own reinvention with major street-scape rehabili tation and construction), in August. Their earlier bricksand-mortar editions in Stittsville and Barrhaven ha ven’t looked back since their premieres, both launched in the middle of the Covid-19 public health pandemic. Tyler Armstrong had a vi sion of taking everything we know about donuts and re inventing the process to give us what our taste-buds have truly been craving all this time. After months of home experimentation they came up with the 140-layer cre ations that now grace their display racks in the middle of an imaginatively remod eled store-front. So they’re really more of a pastry than a traditional donut. Their glaze and topping treat ments of these drool-induc ing works of culinary art af ter they’re baked ensure you won’t miss a crumb or flake of each layer. Each one is decadently substantial, being the equiv alent of a generous serving of a fine dessert from a top-rat ed restaurant or bakery. The imagination that came up with the layering process to create them didn’t slow down when it came to tempting flavours. The Nova with its maple cream and bacon, or the cinnamon infused Sin nerman, or the Skor, inspired by the famous candy-bar, just top the list of a wide array of the favourite flavours you never thought you would find in a donut. The process to create them contains no short-cuts, taking 3 days to just prep the dough. Almost all of the glazes are veg an, as are their yeast-raised vegan pastries. The latter are not relegated to just a few choices, but are offered in a large line of their own mouth-watering options. Samantha Armstrong, one of the owners, like the rest of her CP team, has been blown away by the public response to their presence on Bridge St. Sell-outs have been a regular occurrence, but each passing day provides welcome data on what Carleton Place resi dents have been drawn to in terms of favourite selections to allow them to tweak their inventory. She’s had personal visits from many of her storefront neighbours with plenty of support and appreciation for what Holey Confections brings to a downtown streetscape in the middle of a totalHoleyrestoration.Confections orig inally started as an Insta gram business but demand soon sent the team on the hunt for physical locations.
Let's Eat Holey Confections, Carleton Place: much more than a donut Brian Turner
6september 2022 Food & Drink
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SPIRITS Top Shelf Vodka $30.45 Original Price $32.45 Save $2.00 LCBO#545194Thiscraftdistillery from Perth, Ontario produces this vodka from locally-sourced corn base which creates a crowd-pleasing sweetness on the palate. It is light and fresh with a dry finish and rounded smoothness on the palate that makes it versatile for cocktails.
The following LCBO Bin End Sale ends on Sep tember 11. These products are widely available now in our local LCBO stores. I have selected products that are at the lower end of the price scale and that are significantly reduced in price so that you get the mostThiscost-savings.monthIwanted to alert you to the fact that LCBO has what is called Bin End sales and Clear ance sales all the time. It is easy to find them on their website or by sim ply asking at your local store to see what is avail able. While last month I wrote about products that beat inflation pricing, this month my column shows you another way to save on paying those high al cohol taxes on your bev erages! Besides, it is satis fying to keep some money in your pocket and enjoy products at lower prices rather than giving it to the Queen’s Park treasury! Note that the product descriptions are from the LCBO with comments add ed by me to further assist you in selecting your pre ferred beverage.
Samantha and her fami ly are looking to settle as residents of Carleton Place and noted they did things a little backward by finding a store-front first, but they aren’t shy of grabbing op portunities when they come up. Their timing couldn’t have been better. With peo ple re-emerging from the restrictions of a pandemic and looking for ways to treat themselves while support ing local businesses, Holey Confections has become the holy grail of their search. You can do some online drooling by checking out their website at holeycon fections.com. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. They’re happy to handle custom or ders (through their website) which are great for any type of party of any size. Treat yourself and your friends and family: as they say at Holey Confections, the diet starts tomorrow!
COOLERS Salvador's Original Mar garita (PET) $23.45 Original Price $25.45 Save $2.00 LCBO#697797Salvador'shas been a popular pre-mixed option for a long time. Here is the 1750ml size at 11%abv for that end of summer back yard party with its authen tic margarita flavour and ease of use. Pour over ice and serve! Bud Light Seltzer Mix Pack $26.95 Original Price $28.95 Save $2.00 LCBO#24384TheBud Light Seltzer Flavour Pack (12 cans) at 4%abv contains three 355 mL cans of each flavour, including mango, black cherry, and strawberry, as well as the newest addi tion, peach. They are light, crisp, and fruity, with only 80 calories and 1 gram of sugar per can, making this mixed pack perfect for any occasion.
Brian Preston | The Travelling Sommelier | brianpreston@hotmail.com
Beer, Wine and Spirits
bin end and clearance sales
WINE Masi Bonacosta Valpoli cella Classico DOC $15.50 Original Price $18.50 Save $3.00 LCBO#285585Adescription of Valpo licella attributed to Ernest Hemingway calls it 'a light dry red wine, as friendly as the home of a favorite brother.' Friendly notes of coffee, licorice, prune, clove and violet pull you in; flavours of coffee, spice and plum embrace you and end in a silky finish. Serve with risotto, lamb or venison (LCBO). Masi is a very good Italian producer and this is a good medium bodied version with floral notes and red berries on the nose and taste. Oyster Bay Pinot Grigio $16.95 Original Price $19.95 Save $3.00 Sale Ends: September 11th VIN TAGES#326090OysterBayhas long been a flag-bearer for New Zea land premium wine. Their soft, juicy PG shows gener ous grapefruit, yellow plum, floral lift and minerality and falls between the Alsatian and Italian styles. Enjoy it with grilled pork (LCBO). From Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand; ripe tropical fruit, floral and honey aromatics leading to a fresh and well-balanced taste with crisp acidity and ripe fruit flavors. Beronia Tempranillo Rioja $12.45 Original Price $14.45 Save $2.00 LCBO#243055Darkrubycolour; sweet and savoury notes of dark berry fruit, cedar and spice; dry, with medium body, supple tannins and dark fruit flavours (LCBO). Beronia is a consistently good producer putting out good value wine for your money; an easy drinking Rioja with good balance and medium bodied with some oak, fruit and bal anced tannins. Matua Sauvignon Blanc Hawke's Bay $16.05 Original Price $18.05 Save $2.00 LCBO#619452AnotherNew Zealand award-winning wine from Hawke's Bay brimming with lifted aromas and fla vours of spice, grapefruit, smoke and herbs. The pal ate is fresh and clean with balanced acidity and notes of citrus and herbs on the finish. Try with light sea food and herbed fish dishes. BEER Sleeman Clear 2.0 $14.95 Original Price $17.25 Save $2.30 LCBO#486142Arefreshing and flavour ful Ontario 6-pack light beer that's only 4% alcohol, and low in both 'carbs' and calories. Medium gold co lour with aromas of citrus, sweet malt and delicate hops, followed by flavours of grain and light herbal tones. The palate is softly sweet with a crisp and re freshing finish.
John Perrin was a mem ber of the team of carpen ters who built the Keyhole House in Smiths Falls in 1892. During its construc tion, he left his signature on the back of a door frame in a second-floor bedroom. The following year, John married Annie Weekes. Tragically, seven months later at the age of twenty-seven, John was dead. He is buried at Hill crest Cemetery, along with his parents and siblings. In Canada during the 1890s, the average life ex pectancy was 50. Tubercu losis was the leading cause of death among adults, followed by Typhoid from contaminated water. Forty percent of deaths were in fants under the age of one.
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Smiths Falls History & Mystery: Death of a Carpenter by Ted Outerbridge ted@tedouterbridge.com
John’s obituary made the front page of the Decem ber 21, 1893 edition of The Rideau Record. It read: “After a long and painful illness Mr. John L. Perrin succumbed to the call of death on Wednesday morn ing. The deceased young man was a zealous worker in the Methodist Church and had always taken a deep interest in the Y. M. C. A. He was only twenty-sev en years of age and a young wife is left to mourn the loss. The funeral took place this morning at 10 30 o’clock to the public cemetery.” We know that John Leslie Perrin was born on Novem ber 5, 1866, in Montague, Ontario and died on De cember 20, 1893. The 1871 Census tells us that his par ents were Wesleyan Meth odists. His father, Thomas Perrin (1836-1920) was an Irish farmer who lived to be 84. His mother, Sarah (1837-1923) was Scottish and lived until the age of 85. We also know that John was the fourth of sev en children. He was the younger brother to William Humphrey Perrin (18591920), Barbara J. Perrin (1860-1884), and Elizabeth (Perrin) Lee (1862-1916), and elder brother to Emma (Perrin) Thompson (18721928), Isabella (Perrin) Lumsden (1874-1958), and Laura Marie (Perrin) Wood (1878-1964).Johnwas building the Keyhole House for archi tect George Thomas Martin. Martin also happened to be the architect for the 1895 addition to Trinity Meth odist Church where John was active. John’s obituary in The Rideau Record men tions that he was also active in the YMCA. On January 5, 1888, The Rideau Record reported that a meeting was held at the Baptist chapel to form a Young Men’s Chris tian Association (YMCA). By March, regular meetings were being held in the town hall. The YMCA was vital to the growth of the Canadian Pacific Railway by support ing railway workers in the late 1800s. Railway YMCAs would later become more extensive along the Canadi an National Railway. Railway YMCAs were built along de veloping rail lines, providing recreation, literacy programs, reading rooms, and accom modation to railway workers who were otherwise limited to visiting saloons during their leisure hours. Several YMCAs today can trace their roots back to a railway. John’s widow, Annie Ma ria Weekes (1868-1955) was born to Edward and Mary Jane Weeks in Lombardy, Ontario. Four years after the heartbreak of losing her hus band in 1893, she restarted her life and married Clarence H. Hawkes on November 3, 1897. They had five children together. Clarence was an im plement agent and died at the age of 52 from an injury. At the time of the 1921 Census, Annie Hawkes was a 50-yearold widow living at 37 McGill Street North in Smiths Falls with her five children and two lodgers. Annie died in 1955 at the age of 87 and she is buried at Hillcrest Cemetery just a few steps away from her first love, John Perrin. Ted & Marion Outerbridge are currently restoring a Smiths Falls heritage home built in 1893. They are also being swept away by local history & mys tery. You can follow them at on Instagram, Facebook, and Tik Tok @thekeyholehouse or email ted@tedouterbridge.com.
John Perrin's grave stone. Photo credit: Ted Outerbridge. John Perrin's signature. Photo credit: Ted Outerbridge.
