A.C. Towing
Smiths Falls marks Truth and Reconciliation Day at new Healing Circle
Smiths Falls - Laurie Weir editorial@pdgmedia.ca
Smiths Falls commemorated National Truth and Reconciliation Day on Sept. 30 with a ceremony at the newly installed Healing Circle in Centennial Park.
About 100 community members gathered at the park and embarked on a walk to Duck Island, where the Healing Circle was unveiled. This space, intended to foster understanding, healing, and connection, was noted by Mayor Shawn Pankow.
“In recognizing the profound and painful history that Indigenous peoples in our nation have endured, we, as Canadians, bear a shared moral responsibility to deepen our understanding and commitment to reconciliation," said Pankow. "As we mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we are grateful for the opportunity to come together with the Indigenous community to honour and reflect on the
lasting impacts of residential schools. Our dedication to truth and reconciliation is a year-round commitment.”
The ceremony began with a Land Acknowledgement and opening remarks from Pankow.
“In the words of Justice Murray Sinclair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, ‘The road we travel is equal in importance to the destina-
Regional - Laurie Weir
editorial@pdgmedia.ca
Municipal governments along the Rideau Canal corridor and other waterbodies accessed by marine vessels from the LaSalle Causeway in Kingston are concerned about the economic impacts of the bridge closure
and reconstruction process.
A meeting of municipal leaders whose jurisdictions run along the Rideau Canal met in Smiths Falls on Oct. 2 to discuss options.
“The lakes and rivers of the Canal attract hundreds of large-cruiser boaters each year, including many
tion we seek. There are no short cuts. When it comes to Truth and Reconciliation, we are forced to go the distance,’” said Pankow. “Every step we take toward truth and reconciliation is an important step toward listening, learning, and understanding. There is no reconciliation without truth."
Pankow noted that 615 people, or 6.65 per cent of Smiths Falls' population,
identified as having Indigenous heritage in the most recent census. He added, “This is greater than the national average and more than twice the provincial average. We all have a responsibility to continue to learn the truth and to commit to
ongoing steps toward reconciliation."
He also highlighted the significance of the newly installed Healing Circle: "Healing Circles have been a fundamental part of traditional healing practices for many years. They are a method of promoting healing based on traditional belief systems. I hope this becomes a place where Indigenous and other members of our community come together on their personal journeys toward healing, health, and wellness."
Continues on page 2
LaSalle Causeway closure sparks economic concerns for Rideau Canal municipalities
from the United States who complete ‘the great loop’ and others from across Ontario and Quebec,” noted Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow in a release ahead of the meeting. “The temporary closure of the Lasalle Causeway in early 2024 resulted in many of these tourists avoiding the Rideau Canal and the temporary fixed-bridge option proposed by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) could stand as a barrier to boating traffic on the Rideau for the next several years. We are deeply concerned for the economic impact this will have on our tourism operators up and down the Rideau and are seeking an opportunity to work with federal minis-
tries on a solution that will address all needs.”
Smiths Falls chief administrative officer Malcolm Morris shared thoughts with Hometown News following the meeting.
“Our efforts are presently focussed on ensuring unimpeded access to the Rideau Canal,” he said.
When asked if there were plans to collaborate with other municipalities along the canal to create a unified tourism strategy, Morris said, not at this early juncture.
“The Town of Smiths Falls is developing an overall tourism strategy and it will consider alternate approaches should the LaSalle Causeway matter not be resolved,” Morris said. He emphasized that events
like Old Home Week next August in Smiths Falls are moving along full steam.
Morris said a lobby effort is underway “with an initial focus on direct interaction with Federal Ministers with authority over marine traffic.”
Julia Crowder, the town’s economic development and tourism manager added, “We continue to work with business and tourism partners to create program and initiatives that support businesses and attract visitors to our community.”
In the meantime, Morris suggests that residents can “reach out to their MP or federal ministers to convey their concerns over the impacts of throttling boat traffic on the Rideau Canal,” he said, if wanting to
get involved in efforts to maintain or boost tourism during this period that the causeway is not accessible to large vessels.
Mayor of Westport Robin Jones has expressed concern over the decision by PSPC to install a modular bridge without consulting the municipal governments along the Rideau Canal corridor. Jones emphasized the devastating impact of this change on marine vessel traffic, especially considering the ongoing challenges faced by the tourism industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Real solutions are needed to ensure all marine traffic can pass through the LaSalle Causeway beginning at the 2025 Rideau Canal navigation season.
A reflective walk from Centennial Park to Duck Island on Sept. 30 recognized National Truth and Reconciliation Day in Smiths Falls. Photo credit: Laurie Weir
This aerial view captures the LaSalle Causeway, a vital link for marine traffic on the Rideau Canal. The ongoing reconstruction project has raised concerns about its impact on local economies and tourism. Photo credit: Google Earth Screenshot
Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow welcomes Tim Bisallion to speak about his Ojibwe heritage and his powerful connection to residential schools. Photo credit: Laurie Weir
Page Two
Publisher:
Patricia Krotki pmkrotki@pdgmedia ca
Smiths Falls marks Truth and Reconciliation Day at new Healing Circle
Continued from page 1
The Healing Circle project began with concept drawings by Charlene Catchpole and the Racism and Discrimination Task Force in 2022.
The event featured Our Indigenous Children, a song written and performed by local Métis woman Flora Riley, who started Red Dress Day in Montague Township seven years ago in memory of her sister, Daphne Brown, killed by her husband over 50 years ago. This year, the event moved to town hall to accommodate growing support. Riley couldn’t attend the event but her song was played over the sound system.
Personal reflection
The community also heard from Tim Bisaillon, an Ojibwe man living in Smiths Falls, who shared his experiences as a descendant of residential school survivors.
Born and raised in the
Thessalon First Nation in Northern Ontario, Bisaillon moved to Smiths Falls in 1992. He reflected on losing touch with his cultural roots over time.
“I am a by-product of something that began long before my time on earth; a mindset meant to kill the Indian in the child,” said Bisaillon. His grandparents were taken from their families and raised in residential schools. “They were taught to be ashamed of their language, their traditions, and their identity. They were told that speaking Ojibwe was wrong, that our customs were savage, and that salvation could only be found in rejecting the ways of our ancestors. Like so many others, they believed they had no choice.”
Bisaillon shared how his family's heritage felt distant: “I grew up in a family where my heritage looked like an old photo. The stories my grandparents should have passed down to me—the language, the songs, the dances, the myths and the legends—were all silenced.”
He said he never spoke Ojibwe, as “that part of me
was erased before I even knew it existed.” Now, Bisaillon is reconnecting with his roots, learning the language, and reclaiming the lost pieces of his identity. “To those who came before me, your silence is not in vain. I hear you now. I feel you, and I will make sure the world hears you, too.”
Smiths Falls’ connection to residential schools
Mayor Pankow also took the time to reflect on Smiths Falls' historical connection to residential schools. He highlighted Duncan Campbell Scott, whose father, William Scott, was the Methodist Church pastor in Smiths Falls in the late 1870s.
Duncan Campbell Scott played a central role in shaping Canada’s residential school system. He joined the Department of Indian Affairs (DIA) in 1879 and later became its Deputy Superintendent in 1913, a position he held until 1932. Scott was a strong proponent of forced assimilation and believed Indigenous cultures should be eradicated, seeing residential schools as the primary tool for this.
As Scott once infamously
said, “I want to get rid of the Indian problem,” believing that Indigenous peoples needed to be absorbed into mainstream society.
A pivotal moment in Scott’s career came when he chose to ignore the findings of Dr. Peter Henderson Bryce, the DIA’s Chief Medical Officer. Bryce’s 1907 report, The Story of a National Crime, exposed the horrific conditions in residential schools, where death rates were as high as 25 per cent due to tuberculosis caused by unsanitary conditions, malnutrition, and overcrowding.
Instead of addressing these issues, Scott downplayed the findings and allowed the schools to continue operating without significant changes. According to historian John S. Milloy in A National Crime: The Canadian Government and the Resi-
dential School System, Scott’s prioritization of assimilation over welfare cemented the schools as institutions of cultural and physical abuse.
Scott’s legacy, while initially tied to his literary contributions and government service, is now more closely associated with his
role in one of the most destructive policies in Canadian history. As awareness of his involvement in residential schools grows, public criticism of his actions has intensified, positioning him as a key figure in Canada’s system of colonial oppression.
Photography:
Smiths Falls - Laurie Weir editorial@pdgmedia.ca
About 100 community members took part in a solemn event at the newly installed Healing Circle in Smiths Falls recognizing National truth and Reconciliation Day on Sept. 30. Photo credit: Laurie Weir
Chris (Silvermoon) Cutler has a reflective moment at the Healing Circle during the National Truth and Reconciliation Day in Smiths Falls on Sept. 30.
Photo credit: Laurie Weir
Photo credit: Laurie Weir
Rideau Lakes council faces turmoil over Code of Conduct breaches
Regional - LAURIE WEIR
editorial@pdgmedia.ca
Rideau Lakes Township is grappling with a series of Integrity Commissioner (IC) investigations that have led to financial penalties for two councillors, intensifying divisions within the council.
At a council meeting on Monday, Oct. 7, four IC reports were on the agenda — three investigated by Integrity Commissioner Bill Hunter, with a fourth by Tony Fleming, set for release on Oct. 15. The most notable cases involved Coun. Paula Banks and Deputy Mayor Marcia Maxwell, both facing pay suspensions for their conduct.
Banks’ Second Suspension This Year
Banks faces a 16-day suspension of pay following a complaint about remarks she made during a May 6 council meeting. She referred to the Rideau Lakes Grassroots Group (RLGG) as a “hate group” and accused them of harassment while defending herself against previous accusations. In his Sept. 19 report, Hunter found her comments extreme and unsubstantiated, stating she provided no evidence for her harassment claims.
While Banks did not deny the allegations, she reiterated her belief that the RLGG has divided the council.
Hunter concluded her statements breached decorum, leading to the recommended 16-day pay suspension.
The meeting became tense when Banks demanded an apology from Hunter, accusing him of treating her unfairly during a closed session. Hunter, appearing via video, said, “If Coun. Banks was offended by the closed session, I apologize for that.”
Banks rejected the apology, saying it should not contain the word "if."
Banks also raised concerns about errors in the IC report, stating that details unfavourable to her were left in while other comments were redacted. She mentioned
incidents of harassment, including an event where her husband, Coun. Jeff Banks, was spat on during an RLGG delegation at council.
Hunter said these incidents were outside the Code of Conduct investigation and should be reported to police.
Coun. Sue Dunfield voiced support for Banks, opposing the suspension and stating, “I think this woman has suffered enough” and encouraged her peers to get behind her.
Coun. Jeff Banks Cleared Coun. Jeff Banks, implicated in the same investigation, was cleared of any violations. While he supported his wife’s comments, the IC found he had not made any inflammatory remarks. He criticized the council’s growing division, linking it to a past vote rejecting the Portland hub project, and accused Mayor Arie Hoogenboom of failing to address the RLGG’s impact on council.
“Your reluctance to call out this group or Coun. Maxwell has me suspect of your leadership skills and my confidence in you,” he said. “This behaviour by Coun. Maxwell has to stop or nothing short of a resignation will be acceptable.”
Banks then asked for a confidence vote regarding Maxwell, which Paula Banks seconded.
Hoogenboom said he wasn’t prepared to accept that criticism. “Or from your spouse … I’m trying to do what I can do to try and keep this thing together a little bit, but I have to tell you, it is a challenge. And there is enough fault to go around for everyone.”
Hoogenboom said he hasn’t talked about the hub for months, “yet you keep bringing it up. Please set it aside,” he stressed.
“What you are doing is escalating the problem instead of trying to resolve it,” the mayor said, “and if you keep talking about it, we’re never going to get through the next two years, Mr. Banks, never!”
Hoogenboom said it wasn’t his leadership in question, but “the inability of this council to get along.” Maxwell's Dual Investigations
Deputy Mayor Marcia Maxwell was the subject of two investigations. The first involved her alleged support for the RLGG and the distribution of a “blue flyer” containing personal contact information of five councillors and township information. While the IC found Maxwell had distributed the flyer, it did not violate confidentiality or misuse of township resources. However, her actions were deemed to have brought the municipality into disrepute, resulting in a recommendation of an eight-day suspension of pay.
A delegate, Jordan De-
Long, criticized Maxwell’s suspension as too lenient, stating, “Grass Roots is getting out of control,” and calling for council unity.
Maxwell defended her actions, refusing to apologize and emphasizing residents’ rights to voice concerns. She defended her actions, stating, “I’m not going to apologize for supporting my constituents. There is nothing to apologize for. I didn’t lie here. Anytime I was asked, I just didn’t respond because of the harassing and bickering.” She added that residents have the right to express their concerns without being labeled as hostile.
A second report focused on Maxwell’s behaviour during council meetings, where tensions had escalated. Although Hunter initially recommended an eight-day
suspension, council voted to extend it to 42 days — 21 days for each investigation.
Upcoming IC Report
A fourth IC report concerning Coun. Linda Carr will be presented at the Oct. 15 meeting.
Previous investigations have cost the township between $4,000 and $20,000, according to CAO Shellee Fournier. She said the in-
voices for the latest reports have not yet been received. IC Termination Council also gave notice to terminate IC Hunter’s services. Reacting to the decision, Hunter commented, “It will be the third IC in 12 months, but that’s good. We’ll see where that goes.”
To view this meeting in its entirety, please visit the township’s website.
Perth radio personality seekng a living donor
Grant Deme of Perth, 28, needs a living donor as he struggles with liver disease. If he doesn’t receive a new liver soon, he will die.
Photo credit: Find Grant A Living Donor Facebook page
Perth - LAURIE WEIR
editorial@pdgmedia.ca
Grant Deme, a young journalist with myFM (Lake 88.1) in Perth, is urgently seeking a living liver donor as he battles a rare and life-threatening disease. At 28 years of age, Deme has been diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a condition that scars and destroys the
bile ducts. After three years of fighting the disease, his liver is now failing.
Deme, who has been a champion for others in need of organ transplants, now finds himself in desperate need of help. In a Facebook post, he explained his situation, saying: "My doctors have told me that my best chance of receiving the life-saving operation is by finding a living donor, so here I am, asking for help.”
He also explained the gravity of waiting for a deceased donor: “If I hold off for a deceased donor, there’s a chance I'll die waiting."
A Facebook group titled Find Grant A Living Donor has been created to help spread his story, which has already been shared more than 300 times. He is searching for a living liver donor with blood type O+ or O- to donate at Toronto General Hospital.
“My journey with PSC began three years ago. It’s a very rare disease of the bile ducts where they become so scarred and inflamed, they prevent the liver from
filtering out toxins properly, leading to liver failure,” Deme wrote in his Facebook post. “Researchers have no idea what causes PSC. It's not from substance abuse or anything of the sort. Quite honestly, it’s just bad luck. I woke up sick one day and I haven't been healthy since.”
Living liver donation involves a living person donating a portion of their liver, which regenerates within approximately six weeks. If Deme finds a living donor, he will be removed from the deceased donor list, which means others awaiting a liver will move up the list.
Since 1990, more than 1,000 living liver transplants have been performed at Toronto General Hospital, and all donors have returned to their regular lifestyle without restrictions.
“A number of our family and friends have applied to be donors, but none are a match,” the Facebook post reads. “As his mother, it is incredibly hard to see our son so sick.”
Deme, an avid sports fan, calls local Junior B hockey games on Friday nights
and continues to work at the radio station despite his illness. He also participated in Ottawa Race Weekend last year with his sister and has been working through his bucket list by travelling, although his participation in physical activities has since diminished due to the progression of his liver disease.
“Sadly, his participation has decreased significantly due to the side effects of his liver disease,” his mother wrote.
Anyone with blood type O+ or O- between the ages of 16 and 60 and in good health may apply to be a living donor. The donor does not need to be related or of the same ethnicity. Criteria for living organ donors are different from those for blood donors, so those who may not qualify to donate blood could still be eligible as organ donor.
To learn more about becoming a living donor, visit uhn.ca/Transplant/Living_ Donor_Program/Pages/living_liver_donor.aspx.
“Please spread the word that I need a living donor,” Deme wrote. “My life depends on it.”
Rideau Lakes Township council debated on Oct. 7 penalties surrounding recent Integrity Commissioner reports citing breaches of the Code of Conduct by two councillors. Photo credit: Screengrab
community
Timber pedestrian bridge to replace Confederation Drive river crossing
Smiths Falls - LAURIE WEIR editorial@pdgmedia.ca
Smiths Falls council will move forward with plans to replace Confederation Drive river crossing with a new timber pedestrian bridge.
During the recent committee of the whole meeting on Oct. 7, council discussed a bylaw to award the design and construction contract to StructureCraft Builders Inc. for the project, which is expected to be completed next summer.
The decision follows a Request for Proposal (RFP) that drew five submissions from various construction companies. StructureCraft Builders Inc. from British Columbia was selected based on its comprehensive proposal, which included a Clear Span Shallow Arch design, recognized for its aesthetic appeal and structural integrity. The project will utilize Alaskan Yellow Cedar Glulam materials, enhancing both durability and visual attractiveness. The cost quoted also included the removal of the old bridge.
Originally budgeted at $1.367 million, the replacement project has faced funding challenges, as the available budget has dwindled to approximately $1.25 million. This leaves a shortfall
of around $850,000, which will need to be accounted for in the 2025 capital budget. Town staff are also pursuing additional funding through the Green Construction through Wood (GC Wood) grant program, which may provide up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs. They are through the first phase of the approval process, Grant McMunn, director of public works, informed council.
The new pedestrian bridge is designed to improve accessibility and promote outdoor activities in the area, serving as a vital link for pedestrians and cyclists. The existing steel bridge, which has been out of service, has prompted the town to explore more sustainable and aesthetically pleasing options.
With the project’s approval by the majority of council, the construction timeline has been set, aiming for the new bridge to be operational by June 2025. An additional $30,000 for an upstream viewing platform was suggested by Coun. Chris McGuire. McGuire said the new bridge’s materials (stone, steel and timber) will be reflective of what has been built in that space over the decades. “The
first bridge built there was timber,” he said. “The bridge that we’re taking down now is metal, and the stone has been so critical in the building of the locks, the abutments, the dam … it really brings all of those traditional building materials together.”
In a way that only Smiths Falls does, McGuire said the new bridge will take something modern and pair it with traditional means. “By doing that, we’re having a lower carbon footprint.” He added that he’d like to see an investment by this council into a “real legacy project.”
Councillors Jay Brennan and Steve Robinson didn’t support the recommendation saying other high priorities in town needed funding – like the infrastructure, the water tower project, roads and sidewalks, and even the parks and recreation plans.
The removal of the old bridge was slated for this fall (mid-November), but McMunn said it may be easier for StructureCraft if they only had to mobilize once in the spring to remove the old bridge and replace it with the new one. Holding off on the removal of the bridge wouldn’t make much difference, he said as the community would see that they’re moving forward on the work.
Mayor Shawn Pankow said this initiative reflects the town’s commitment to enhancing community infrastructure while embracing environmentally friendly practices.
Council is optimistic that the new pedestrian bridge will become a showpiece landmark … “the first of its kind in eastern Canada,” Pankow said, and a valuable asset to the community.
Tiny forest takes root in Smiths Falls
over 300 trees planted by volunteers at corbett park
Smiths Falls - Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca
Craig Sinclair, aka the “tree man”, was the teacher; he demonstrated how to plant a tree at the mini-forest planting at Corbett Park Saturday morning.
“Clear the wood chips away, dig the hole only as deep as the roots, find the trunk flare where roots go in ground — it should be visible. Loosen up roots…” and when planted “use the whole bucket of water that has mycelium powder in it.” Sinclair went on to explain that “trunks rot but roots are waterproof.”
Each volunteer planter
chose three trees from the blue, green, yellow and red
flagged groups of pots, was given a square metre pod to plant, and settled in. Some planted two pods, six trees.
There were 350 trees delivered; 34 different types with 330 planted in 110 square metres.
As one group left, another arrived.
The tiny forest will grow between Chambers and Sussex, the northwest corner of Corbett park. The planting will go at one end lending coolness on hot summer days.
About a year ago, Dave Thornley, REAL volunteer, planted a seed about a mini-forest at a REAL board meeting; the idea is based on a Japanese concept — the Miyawaki Method — devel-
oped, initially, to counter deforestation in that country after the war.
Smiths Falls gave land, about 70 people volunteered, and Saturday, Oct. 8 saw the culmination of the initial plan.
”The idea is to plant close together. The undergrowth fights against each other, grows faster, and turns into a forest in 10 years.
“That’s the whole idea of a tiny forest,” Thornley explains.
Alison was there picking up community service hours and learning how to plant; she’s in Gr. 9 at SFDCI.
Kathy Deutekom and hubby were there digging in.
Stephanie Clark, Director of Community Services with the town, was also
Perth dog park community donates $4,000 to the
Perth - LAURIE WEIR
editorial@pdgmedia.ca
The fenced-in off-leash dog park is closer to reality after a $4,000 donation was presented to the Town of Perth from the Perth dog park community members on Oct. 7 at Darou Farm.
Tania Cadeau, chair of the community group, with vice chair Tracy Lettner and other members, presented the $100 bills taped to a presentation board. It was the first time Perth Mayor Judy Brown received such a donation.
“On behalf of the town, I’m thrilled to accept this money, and I really admire these people for all the hard work they have done to come up with the money they need to reach $30,000. They’re well on the way – and I admire their $100 bills.”
“The money is important, but so is the community of care that comes with it,” Lettner said, as they are fundraising $30,000 toward the cost of the initial stag-
town
for
es of the dog park, which the town has committed to meeting. The early stages of preparation will include fencing 1.3 acres of property for the off-leash dog park. The committee is more than halfway to the goal, recently hitting $18,000. They have jars in places of business in town –The Perth Brewery and Top Shelf Distillery.
“We have so many small businesses that are animal-related and community-related,” Lettner said.
“And we have the holiday market coming up, too.”
Cadeau said they’re still getting asked where Darou Farm is – something Waterfield found surprising, especially from people who live in Perth.
Lettner said it would be nice to have a sign directing people to the farm, located south of town about two kilometres (from Tim Hortons on Gore Street).
“If you haven’t been here forever you wouldn’t know
there
The day
was high, lots of volunteer laughter and chatting, and a tiny-forest was planted.
Watering comes next, and finally watching it grow. The knowledge is that after three years it should be self-sustaining.
their cause
that’s the farm,” Lettner said. “But we’re getting it out there.”
Long-time advocate Pat Cairns said she’s happy to see plans moving along after such a long time trying to establish a dog park.
Brown said if the group keeps working this hard, they could be at the beginning stages of park development as early as next summer.
“We have to keep that in mind when we do our budget,” said Waterfield.
Cathy McNally, the town’s director of community services, said the $30,000 amount for the town’s part of this equation is in the budget for council’s consideration – that budget process will be starting soon for 2025.
“It’s in there for onetime operating for 2025,” McNally said. “That will be for council to discuss and review.”
She said the first part of the development will also include making the parking lot more accessible. “Then the add-ons can happen after that,” McNally said.
Waterfield said this was a great example of partnership.
“Personally, as a councillor, I feel a dog park really enhances a community and helps create a community of wellness,” he said. “I’m a strong supporter of the dog park and I’ll do everything possible to help them raise their component and certainly be voting for it when it comes to the contribution from the town. I think it’s a great asset to the community.”
The next event hosted by the dog park community group will be a “sniff and discover” event. These monthly events will be opportunities for people to have a playdate with their dog, get to know others in the neighbourhood and discover topics of interest based on the season. Watch for more on the group’s Facebook page. It will also be a chance to see what
offers.
The Town of Smiths Falls has approved a timber frame pedestrian bridge for the Confederation Drive river crossing and the winning bid came from a British Columbia company, StructureCraft Builders Inc. Photo credit: Screengrab
Darou Farm
The Perth off-leash dog park committee presented the Town of Perth with $4,000 on Oct. 7 — in $100 bills — collected from their previous two fundraising efforts en route to building a fenced-in off-leash park at Darou Farm, just south of Perth on County Road 1. The group has raised nearly $18,000 of the $30,000 needed for the town to match. Coun. Gary Waterfield and Mayor Judy Brown accept the cash from Tania Cadeau and Tracy Lettner, Tatianna Mosher, Ann Cameron, Pat Cairns and Cathy McNally, director of community services with the Town of Perth.. Photo credit: Laurie Weir
on the hotdog crew keeping volunteers fed. Sinclair himself has planted a similar tiny forest on his own front lawn, and REAL has planted a tiny forest, too.
was busy, the sun
A group of planters digging in at the tiny forest planting last Saturday, Oct.8 at Corbett Park. Photo credit: Sally Smith.
Ignoring the rules: the problem with 'Local Traffic Only' signs
OPINION - Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca
What about those signs on the road, the ones that say…’Local Traffic Only.’
You’ve seen them… there’s actually one on my street right now.
The signs are there at the end of this short block because a work crew is putting in sidewalks; the whole intersection is pulled up and has been for months.
At 5 p.m. tonight as I finished walking the dog and was headed home, four people were standing in the rough, as-of-yet-unfinished street, having a ‘meeting’.
I joined them.
But I heard from one of the guys it’s coming to an end, maybe only another month…or two. Yeah!
Let’s go back to the signs, the tall ones that say ‘Local Traffic Only.’ A whole lot of drivers come down this street; I know they’re not local because when they get to the line of nine orange and black bollards, they stop, back into a convenient driveway (often mine), turn around and head back to the top of the street. They never turn into a ‘home’ driveway (there are nine here…and 75 sidewalk pavement squares) — they just keep on going back out the way they came in.
Why don’t people obey signs?
They have to be able to read — they had to read to get their driver’s licence… so that means they’re not illiterate; so what is it that compels them?
One of my friends says she does it …because she wants to. Another says … because she can.
We’ve endured long days of pounding, screeches, and thuds; all through those horribly hot days of summer the big machinery was there digging; keeping the windows open was not an option.
But when you do some observing there are other reasons: sometimes a homeowner along the street is having a meal delivered; maybe there’s a medical emergency. There’s a church there so every Sunday morning (and Wednesdays, too), lots of cars turn up, stay awhile and then go home.
Often people turn down the street so they can get to the further street (also blocked off).
Some just think the sign is arbitrary or ridiculous. They drive right through just for a kick.
Of course…they’re right. If no one is there to enforce the signage then why not break the rule; chances of getting caught are slim.
But here’s a thought — and a look out. As I said before, the intersection is being prepared for paving so it’s now sandy, gravelly, smoothish and perfect for kids on bikes to do wheelies, jumps, skidding stops, lots of good moves. They’re learning how to ride through the rough stuff — an analogy for life, maybe. So for those truant drivers squeezing past the sign, this is a cautionary note: choose another route.
Seniors for Climate Day in Perth
Perth - Submitted
editorial@pdgmedia.ca
October 1, 2024 was National Seniors Day in Canada. In 76 communities from coast to coast to coast, seniors held climate events to call on governments of all levels to take climate action. In Perth,
there were more than 60 people from the local area and from various parts of Lanark County, adjacent counties, other parts of Ontario, and one doctor from Vancouver. Our planet is heating up because we continue to burn fossil fuels. Seniors
want a livable future for their children and grandchildren. According to Doug Norman, co-chair of Seniors for Climate - Perth, “We’re in the race of our lives. We need to act now, because later is too late. We want faster and deeper action on climate by all levels of government.”
Anita Payne, co-chair, agrees. “We must phase out the burning of fossil fuels, and speed up the transition to renewable power and clean energy. We need climate action that is broad-based and preserves a livable future for our grandchildren.”
Seniors for Climate is a coalition of Canadian climate groups mobilizing to bring attention to the worsening climate emergency.
Smiths Falls Jr. A Bears post 3-4-
0-1 start to CCHL league action
Smiths Falls - LAURIE WEIR
editorial@pdgmedia.ca
The Smiths Falls Jr. A Bears have kicked off the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL)’s 2004/25 season with some tough one-goal losses.
They sit currently in the No. 5 hole at 7 points, five back of the division leading Brockville Braves who have clocked a 6-2 record for 12 points. Overall, the Rockland Nationals are leading the league at this early stage, with a perfect 8-0 record for 15 points.
After coming off an impressive campaign in 2003/24 where the Bears were the runner up to the Navan Grads for the Bogart Cup — the new young team is starting to settle.
In pre-season play, the Bears were 4-1-1 to tie Brockville at the top of the Robinson Division with 8 points.
Now in league play, the team has had a hat trick of wins against five losses –one of them in a shootout.
Their two October games were one-goal losses: Sunday in Ottawa, it was a 3-2 defeat to the Jr. A Senators, and Friday at home it was a 1-0 upset to the visiting Cornwall Colts.
September showed a 3-3 win/loss record with two points coming in games against Navan (3-1 on Sept. 14); Carleton Place (5-3 on
Sept. 20) and Kemptville (2-1 on Sept. 27. They posted a 3-2 loss to Navan on Sept. 14, a 4-3 loss against Cornwall on Sept. 15, and a 4-3 shootout loss to Nepean on Sept. 29.
OCTOBER SCHEDULE
Oct. 10: at Hawkesbury, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11: at home against Renfrew, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Kemptville at 2 p.m.
Oct. 18, at home against Nepean, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Brockville, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 25, at home against Pembroke, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Navan, 3:30 p.m.
TEAM STATS
Tyson Parker has been noted as the team’s leading scorer to date. In 8 games, the 19-year-old forward has 4 goals and 7
assists for 11 points. Quinn Booth, 20, has 2 goals and 8 assists for 10 points. Kyle James and Travis Ouellette are sitting in the team’s third spot with 8 points each with 3 goals and 5 helpers. In the crease, Ethan Morrow had played 7 games with three wins and four losses recorded for a 2.61 GAA.
ON THE BENCH
Head Coach/ Gen Mgr: Pat Malloy
Asst. GM / Asst. Coach: Joshua Filoso
Assistant Coach: Rob Dopson
Assistant Coach: Marc Lafleur
Trainer: Dale McCabe
Trainer: Gerry Savage
Equipment Manager: Tom Arnold
Photo credit: Chris Uhlig.
Photo credit: Sally Smith.
Photo credits:
Photo credit: Chris Uhlig.
The Rideau Roundtable hosts complimentary fall-colour canoe tour
Smiths Falls - SUBMITTED editorial@pdgmedia.ca
The Rideau Roundtable is organizing a Fall-Colour Voyageur Canoe complimentary Fam Tour for people associated with the Tourism sector on Thurs. Oct. 10 in Smiths Falls.
This is a collaborative event with the town of Smiths Falls, its Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Business Association, with the local Tim Horton
sponsoring lunch. The Rideau Roundtable is an incorporated, not-forprofit organization with activities focussing on the sustainable use of the Rideau and Cataraqui waterways and watersheds. We have partnered with Paddle Canada to provide the public with guided voyageur canoe tours of the Rideau Canal Waterway -- and beyond -highlighting the history and ecology of the region.
Heritage House Museum
is the municipal museum, archive and art gallery for the Smiths Falls Community.
The event starts at 10 am at Old Sly locks, with about two hours in the water, followed by a visit to the Heritage House Museum with lunch and wrapup ending before 2 pm.
For information, call Peter Au, President of the Rideau Roundtable at 613-298-5756 or go to https://www.rideauroundtable.com/
Food & Drink
This month I thought you might like to hear more about LCBO implementing their program extending the sale of certain alcoholic beverages in a variety of marketplace locations. Having read their policy and program announcements, it is clear that LCBO designed the program to promote Ontario-made products and support local jobs in an open marketplace that will potentially include up to 8,500 new stores. Spirits like vodka, gin and whisky will continue to be sold at the LCBO.
The Ontario government informed The Beer Store that the Master Framework Agreement (MFA), signed and extended for ten years by the previous government in 2015 limiting the number of retail stores that could be authorized to sell alcohol, will not be renewed after it expires on December 31, 2025. The Beer Store and LCBO will continue their retail operations in Ontario’s new marketplace.
Competitive pricing: LCBO retail stores will maintain consistent pricing across the province to help
ensure consumers do not pay more based on where they live, including in rural and northern Ontario. As they do in other provinces, new retailers will have the option to set promotional prices consistent with relevant regulations. Minimum pricing policies will remain in effect to preserve standards for responsible consumption.
Recycling program: The Beer Store has agreed to continue to run the province wide recycling program for alcoholic beverage containers until at least 2031. This was one of the
The Travelling Sommelier
hurdles faced by LCBO in getting many new retailers ‘on board’ as they do not want to have individual store recycling. The government will consult with retailers and industry stakeholders on the future of recycling and deposit return to ensure this important feature is maintained beyond 2031.
Support for local beverage alcohol producers:
• Extending dedicated shelf space requirements across all new retailers for craft producers to provide opportunities for small producers to compete
• Immediately enhancing the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) Wine Support Program beginning in 2024-25 for up to five years to 2028-29 to support the growth and sale of Ontario-grown VQA wines
• Extending the Wine Marketing Fund and the Small Cidery and Small Distillery Support Program for up to five years
• Supporting local eco-
nomic development by directing the LCBO to promote and prioritize Ontario-made products, producers and workers by providing more and enhanced programs, promotions and strategies to help local producers grow Ontario product sales
• Introducing legislation that will, if passed, eliminate the 6.1 per cent wine basic tax at on-site winery retail stores, making Ontario’s tax regime competitive with other provinces, including British Columbia
• After October 31, 2024, all eligible grocery and big-box stores will be able to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink beverages, including in large pack sizes.
I have looked at a map showing the 450 new outlets that came on board in September, and I visited a couple in the Rideau Lakes region. I was impressed at the amount of floor space being given to products and the range of beers and wines that are on
display. The wines include several Ontario labels that range from inexpensive to some that are a step up from the entry level wines from around the world. Don’t expect to find a bottle of Premier Grand Cru Bordeaux or an Italian Amarone. These you can get at LCBO or by order from any number of wine merchants. But do expect a selection of good table wines for most occasions for that last minute get-together with friends, where after hours for both The Beer Store and LCBO you need to pop out to a nearby convenience/grocery store, and even big box stores starting this month! This is a ‘win-win’ for all of us as far as I am concerned, and I hope that this is only the first step in relaxing the monopoly that the Province, through its crown corporation LCBO, and foreign owned The Beer Store, has on alcohol sales across Ontario. Cheers!
Photo credit: Submitted
Photo credit: Submitted
Annie Fergusson shines on Paralympic sitting volleyball team
Carleton Place - HEDDY SOROUR editorial@pdgmedia.ca
Sliding around a 10 by six meter volleyball court on buttocks with precision and intent is no easy task, but that’s exactly what Carleton Place athlete Annie Fergusson mastered. In fact she’s so good at it, that she and her sitting volleyball team secured a bronze medal at the Paris Paralympics earlier this year. And it all started in Carleton Place.
“I grew up in Beckwith, I say Carleton Place because that’s what’s on my address. My family’s farm is just outside of Carleton Place in Beckwith,” clarifies Fergusson.
Born without a left hand, she says that growing up in Carleton Place was what gave her the opportunity to fully explore and realize her athletic potential.
“Carleton Place High School isn’t that large, and I was allowed to be part of so many sports and receive coaching in so many sports. Volleyball wouldn’t be the first you’d expect someone with one hand to be playing in high school but it never seemed strange to me, because my coaches never questioned it,” says Fergusson.
In her final year of high school Fergusson was introduced to sitting volleyball by her volunteer high school volleyball coach, who also connected her to Volleyball Canada.
“So I emailed and said I was interested and the way to try out for the sport
at the time was national camp. So the first time I tried the sport was at the national camp in Calgary,” recalls Fergusson.
At that time, Canada’s female sitting volleyball team had not yet qualified for the Paralympics. They would eventually qualify in 2016 for the Rio, Brazil games. Fergusson, now a full time student at Queen’s majoring in Mechanical Engineering and practicing sitting volleyball, was not yet on that team.
By 2021, Fergusson had made it onto the team that travelled to the Tokyo Paralympics, and they made it all the way to the finals only to succumb to Brazil three games to none. This year in Paris they turned the tables.
“They beat Brazil three games to nothing - sweet revenge - as it was Brazil that knocked them out in the previous Paralympics,” said Toby Randell, mayor of Carleton Place as he congratulated Fergusson and her team publicly at the September 10 council meeting.
“The Paris games was the third time that the team made it to the Paralympics, it was the second time that I went, and we have grown so much. We really learned a lot from the Tokyo games…coming in at fourth place sucks,” says Fergusson.
Sitting Volleyball is a relatively new game, it was invented in 1950 in the Netherlands and men’s sitting volleyball made it into the Paralym -
pics in the 1980s, women in 2004. Compared to standing volleyball the sitting volleyball court is smaller and the net lower but the ball is the same. There are 12 members per team with six on the court at any given time. A player’s buttocks must be in contact with the court except in extreme defensive positions when they might leave the floor for a split second.
Going from standing volleyball to sitting volleyball is quite the learning curve for anyone able bodied or not, and no less so for Fergusson. It requires agility and incredible core strength.
“Because I’m an upper limb athlete I don’t use a prosthetic but I did have a learning curve for the movement. We call it a slide and it requires a lot of hip flexibility and a different kind of strength than I was used to, so it took me quite a while to figure out the movement,” says Fergusson, adding “If you don’t have a disability it’s still a fun sport to learn, because you’re just sitting on the floor and using your body to move.”
On the other hand, her temperament and physical ability meant she was what is termed a ‘utility’ player on the team.
“When we look at para sports, a lot of the team are leg amputees and Annie has all her limbs, which ideally means she should be able to move around a little bit faster and a little bit more easily and read -
ily than others, which is why she’s a ‘utility’ athlete as well, because she kind of moves into different positions. I think that’s why she doesn’t have one set position,” says Leah Mousseau, a Mavericks Volleyball coach and Annie’s regional coach.
During those first years of sitting volleyball training and school, Fergusson was part of the team that secured bronze medals at both the 2015 and 2019 Parapan American Games. In 2022, just a year after their fourth place finish at the Tokyo Paralympics, Fergusson and her team secured silver at the World Championships.
“I would say Annie’s biggest strength is being a support system for other members of the team. I think her dedication is how she fits with the team. She always shows up and really shows that she’s there to support others, which I think is really really important as an athlete on any team. I would say she fits well, she’s very adaptable and her perseverance is something that helps her fit in,” says.
Growing up the youngest of three, Fergusson credits her siblings for her competitive streak and her parents for her athleticism and confidence. They are, she emphasizes, a very close family.
“As far as aggressiveness and grit goes that I see in a lot of athletes, Annie has some of it and it’s something she’s been working on, but I think it’s not as
STARLET OPENS IN PERTH: New store brings fashion and charm to the community
Perth - Laurie Weir
editorial@pdgmedia.ca
Starlet – a new shoe, jewelry and clothing store, has opened in Perth.
Saturday, Sept. 28 marked the grand opening, complete with a warm welcome and ribbon cutting by Mayor Judy Brown.
“Thank you to the husband-and-wife duo, Jefta and Cat Monster, for brining your vision to life here in Perth,” the mayor said.
After having a store of the same name in Napanee for 18 years, the mayor said she’s “very excited” that they chose Perth as their second location.
“Starlet is a perfect fit for Perth,” she said. “A place where shoppers will find high-quality women’s wear and more. The care and passion that the Monsters and their team put into creating an inviting and luxurious shopping experience and it will certainly make
everyone feel like a starlet.”
Brown said businesses like these are the backbone of the community.
“I want to encourage everyone here today and all of Perth to support this incredible new business and continue to shop locally. It’s our local businesses that continue to keep our economy strong and it’s places like Starlet that give the town its charm.”
The Monsters said their inspiration for Starlet came from the idea that all women should be made to feel like a starlet and receive that special celebrity treatment.
“What woman doesn't love an endless selection of jewellery, shoes, purses, lotions and hilarious greeting cards from some of Canada's leading companies and designers?”
With a passion for people, a friendly and knowledgeable staff — seven of whom are mostly local women — and all that is unique and fun, shopping at Starlet is an
unforgettable experience.
Jefta said they chose Perth because “it’s one of the most beautiful towns in Ontario … and they didn’t have a shoe store.”
There are some interesting aspects inside the store, including two Instagram
present as I’ve seen in other athletes. She’s more cooperative than aggressive,” says Mousseau.
Today Fergusson is raising a ten month old puppy with her boyfriend in Ottawa, while pursuing a Law degree at the University of Ottawa.
“Currently I’m focusing on intellectual property law. I was initially attracted to it because it allows me to use a lot of my technical skills,” she explains, referencing her mechani-
cal engineering degree.
Right now, she’s taking one day at a time enjoying the afterglow of Paralympic success and hasn’t yet made any plans for her future as an athlete.
“Luckily sitting volleyball is a sport where you do have longer careers. We have athletes in their 40s. I will definitely be following the Canada sitting volleyball team, I will definitely either be there or watching it,” says the 29 year old with a grin.
worth selfie spots. There is lots of room to mingle and enjoy the atmosphere.
Check out the shopping experience online: https:// www.starlet.ca/
Or drop by the store, located inside the old Shaw Building at 1 Gore St. E.
Paris Paralympic bronze medallist in sitting volleyball, Annie Fergusson credits Carleton Place High school for her athletic success. Growing up on a farm just outside Carleton Place Fergusson has fond memories of her early years in the area. Photo credit: Submitted
Mayor Judy Brown cuts the ribbon on the grand opening of Sparkle at 1 Gore St. E on Saturday, Sept. 28 with owners Jefta (left) and Cat (right) Monster pictured beside her, alongside the retail team. Photo credit: Laurie Weir.
culture
EODL to showcase nine plays at One-Act Festival in Perth this November
Regional - sally smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca
How do you fit nine plays into two days? Ask Eastern Ontario Drama League members (EODL)… they know how.
EODL has been promoting festivals since 1933, and this year is hosting the OneAct Play Festival at Studio Theatre Perth between Nov. 1-2 with Nov. 3 as prize day.
EODL fosters interest in the performing arts by promoting both artistic and technical standards and encouraging education in theatre.
Who’ll be there? Companies from the east, west and north — Brockville, Dundas County, Kanata, Kingston, Merrickville, North Grenville, Perth and Ottawa.
Grant Coward, who hails
from Cobourg, calls the whole experience “intense”. This is his second year as EODL festival liaison; he does a lot — he “oversees” all aspects of both the OneAct and Full Length Travelling groups like planning and scripts, presenting awards, and is ever-present to work through problems and find solutions.
He describes the one-act weekend as fast-paced but it’s more than that — it’s a whirlwind. The theatre groups have an exact timeframe to set up, present their play and then pull it down; if they’re a minute over, they’re disqualified. Coward says there’s “10 minutes to set up, five minutes to strike…” and then it’s on to the next play.
On Friday evening Nov. 1
three plays are scheduled, three more on Saturday afternoon and the final three Saturday evening; after each grouping, there’s a public adjudication by a professional adjudicator. Coward says the whole event goes on well into the evening to “probably after 11:30 p.m.”
Lisa Leroux, president of EODL, understands his job well; she says it’s the job to have before taking on the president’s role, the job where you learn how EODL festival works.
She agrees it all comes down to timing — and the rules have to be followed. For instance, a play has to be “less than 60 minutes and a minimum of 25.”
There’s a one-hour rehearsal time-frame. Each group gets a small 8’ by 8’ square, she says, in a “corner of the backstage” where they set up their props for easy dragging onto the stage and then a quick exit so the next group can move in.
She laughs. “It’s a scheduling nightmare…but it’s fun to watch.”
And the audience gets to see the mêlée of quick setups and take-downs. Sometimes, Leroux says, they
Film Night International Smiths Falls launches with The Great Escaper
Photo credit: rottentomatoes.com/m/the_great_escaper.
Smiths Falls - Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca
Film Night International
Smiths Falls is a film series presenting the best in independent and international films at the Station Theatre in Smiths Falls.
We have been a part of the TIFF Film Circuit for 13 years. The series consists of six films (Oct.-April) with both a matinee and an evening performance. In the past years, attendance has averaged
around 100 people per film.
The first film to be screened is The Great Escaper starring Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson. The Great Escaper is a 2023 biographical drama film based on the true story of an 89-year-old British Second World War Royal Navy veteran, Bernard Jordan, who “broke out” of his nursing home to attend the 70th anniversary D-Day commemorations in Normandy, France in June
don’t quit their seats, they just sit and watch the chaos become order as one group gathers up and leaves, and another arrives.
“One in, one out. It’s a beehive of activity.” And a very busy weekend, she adds, for the performers and stage managers. All in all it’s a good “12- to 15hour” day on the Saturday.
One of the Friday evening plays is Steve Wendt’s, written during the pandemic; Robin Churchill, who directs it, calls it “darker — based on a canoe trip done as a friend’s bucket list item between Marathon and Wawa on Lake Superior.”
She adds that “all bird sounds are 100 per cent authentic to the area, time of day, and season”…and those who know Wendt will know why.
Next comes Sunday — first brunch and then awards. Leroux says everyone gets a prize, an award, an honour, a decoration… some acknowledgement their efforts were recognized and appreciated. She adds if the theatre-goer can “prove they’ve seen all nine plays, then they get a ballot to vote for the People’s Choice tro-
phy.” Award categories include costumes, sound, acting, and supporting actors.
But that’s not all…as a theatre company that’s been going for slightly over eight decades, and with a great desire to keep theatre uppermost in the community’s mind, there are scholarships for promising students who want to take their talents further. The student scholarships include one for film studies, one for a student wanting to pursue the technical aspects of theatre, and a third is an honorarium for “someone who was a great volunteer” and haunted all the workshops.
Churchill again adds to this: “This is my second time directing a play for the festival. The in-session adjudication provides great insight to what is going well and points out things to ponder for next time.
“The other thing I love is the festival focus on getting first-timers and young people participating. So this year I have one cast member, two tech crew and a stage manager between the ages of 16 and 20.
“How better to inspire the next generation than
by introducing them to a festival like this? And what a great venue to show off their talent.
“I’m pretty sure the North Grenville Community Theatre group’s production crew will have the youngest average age in the festival by far!”
Leroux said EODL also gives out a New Project grant for a new theatre who perhaps needs equipment i.e. a sewing machine, or to host a fun “stage fighting workshop.” So…if you’re itching to act and want to get involved, or just want to sit back and enjoy two days of good theatre, the Eastern Ontario Drama League could be for you. The three one-act plays run Nov. 1-2 at Studio Theatre Perth, 63 Gore Street East, 613-267-7469.
For ticket information go to ticketsplease.ca or call 613-485-6434. Tickets are $24 per play or $60 for three plays. Or, contact boxoffice@studiotheatreperth.ca
For more information about EODL, contact Lisa Leroux at lisa_leroux@ live.ca or Grant Coward at grantcoward3@live.ca
2014. Along the way, he is aided by strangers, makes some new friends and says a heartfelt goodbye to a fallen friend, while news of his “escape” makes him an international sensation.
The Friends of the Smiths Falls Public Library and the Smiths Falls Community Theatre are working together to bring Film Night International Smiths Falls to our community. Any profits will be shared between the two organizations.
The Friends of the Library will use their share to support programming for children and teens at the Smiths Falls Public Library while the Smiths Falls Community Theatre will use their profits to help with future programming as well as the upkeep of the theatre. Both organizations enhance the cultural life of our community. The dates for the films are: Oct. 10; Nov. 28; Jan. 23; Feb 27; Mar 27, and Apr 24.
Series passes are available at the Smiths Falls Public Library — six films for $60. Passes will also be available at the first screening. Single tickets are available at the door for $12. Shows are at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The pass is good for either afternoon or evening showing and can be shared with a partner. Passes will be available the day of the show at the box office.
For more information go to sffilmnight@gmail.com
