National Day of Remembrance marked with vigils in Perth and Smiths Falls
on Dec. 6 for the
Regional - Laurie Weir editorial@pdgmedia.ca
“It’s happening in your backyard, at your neighbour’s house—it’s happening everywhere.”
Erin Lee’s sobering words resonated with those gathered in Perth and Smiths Falls on Dec. 6, as the com-
munity marked the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
This annual observance honours the 14 women murdered in the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre and calls attention to the systemic violence women face across Canada.
Lee is Lanark County Interval House and Commu-
All aboard the North Pole Express at RMEO
Smiths Falls - Chris Uhlig editorial@pdgmedia.ca
The Holiday Train wasn't the only beloved railroading tradition that drew large crowds of visitors into town this season.
The Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario (RMEO) proved once more that its own North Pole Express, celebrating its 10th anniversary, was the little train that could, chugging along the track at the museum all day Saturday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7.
"Over the past decade, the North Pole Express has become a cherished tradition, offering fun-filled activities for families to create lasting memories,” said Becky Allen, executive director.
RMEO President Tony
Humphrey mused that “after 10 years of the North Pole Express, we could not be prouder to welcome so many visitors at RMEO this Christmas season with our busiest North Pole event to date."
Approximately 500 visitors attended the event.
The Grinch strolled the
grounds too, and the telegraph office was busy sending letters to Santa. People had the opportunity to get their pictures taken with Santa in the 1899-era dining car, local vendors sold baked goods, home-made soap, and honey, and the little ones found plenty of
opportunities to play.
Hot chocolate by the roaring fire pits, hot dogs, cozy tractor rides, carol singing and face painting got everyone into the holiday mood.
The RMEO will hold another event on Dec. 14. Come enjoy the magic of the season.
nity Support’s executive director. She emphasized that their work to “see it, name it, change it” is far from over, and she reminded attendees that femicide continues to plague the province.
“This year’s theme is ‘Coming Together and Acting Now.’”
“It’s not really easy,” Lee said. “People see things, they’re trying to name things,
but they’re not entirely sure how to change things.”
“In the last year, there have been 62 femicides have occurred in the province –that’s more than one a week,” she said to about three dozen people who gathered at the women’s monument in Perth at noon.
Lee said that 20 of those victims were taken by their partners, 17 were killed by family members, and the highest percentage of the victims were taken by sons or sons-inlaw. In 16 femicides, the perpetrator was known to the victim, she said. In 10 of them, there was no report of a relationship.
“Femicide is happening by people we know, and by people we profess to love,” Lee said. These femicides are not happening in impoverished communities, or immigrant communities, while 51 per cent of them identified as white women, 16 per cent as black.
Continues on page 2
Photo credits: Chris Uhlig
The community gathered in Perth
National Day of Remembrance vigil hosted by Lanark County Interval House and Community Support. Photo credit: Laurie Weir
The community gathered in Smiths Falls on Dec. 6 for the National Day of Remembrance as roses were placed on the pebble mosaic to remember those killed by violence. Photo credit: Laurie Weir
OPP Supt. Derek Needham places a rose on the women’s monument Dec. 6 during the National Day of Remembrance vigil. Photo credit: Laurie Weir
Page Two
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Smiths Falls police briefs
House cleaner arrested on theft charges
The Smiths Falls Police Service charged a woman with theft and failing to comply with a court order.
Police said on Nov. 13, they investigated a report of a theft from a victim’s personal safe.
A suspect was identified by local police and determined to be in breach of her current bail conditions, including not being employed as a house cleaner for any client over the age of 61.
As a result of the investigation, a warrant was requested and ob-
tained through the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth.
On Dec. 2, the suspect was located and arrested on the strength of the warrant, police said. She was held for bail court, where she remained in custody until her next scheduled court appearance.
The accused was charged with one count of theft under $5,000, one count of failing to comply with a court order, and one count of theft over $5,000. These charges have not been proven in court.
Mobility scooter swiped from Tim Hortons
A Smiths Falls resident was charged with a Criminal Code of Canada offence after a mobility scooter went missing from a Tim Hortons location.
Smiths Falls police said on Nov. 6 at 11 a.m. they were called to Tim Hortons on Beckwith Street in Smiths Falls to investigate the case of a missing mobility
scooter. The incident was captured on CCTV, police said, and a suspect was identified.
A 34-year-old individual from Smiths Falls was charged with one count of theft under $5,000 and was held in custody to appear in bail court. The suspect later entered a plea and was sentenced to serve a term on probation.
Police seek info on railway mischief
On Dec. 2, Smiths Falls police were called to investigate an incident at the CPKC rail yard in Smiths Falls. Employees reported signs of a break and enter into railway cars, along with extensive damage to the rail machines.
According to police, damages are estimated to be about $10,000.
Police are asking that if anyone has any information on this incident, they call the office at 613283-0357 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
IPV investigation leads to charges
A Perth man is facing intimate partner violence (IPV) charges after Smiths Falls police were called to a local residence for a report of an unwanted male inside a house.
Police said the man was allegedly breaching a court order, a
Source: Smiths Falls Police Service.
peace bond, and an undertaking related to prior IPV charges. The individual was charged with two counts of resisting arrest and was held in custody to appear in bail court. He was later released on a bail release order.
National Day of Remembrance marked with vigils in Perth and Smiths Falls
Regional - Laurie Weir editorial@pdgmedia.ca
Continued from page 1
Lee noted that the two femicides that happened this year close to home – one on Hunt Club Road in Ottawa in October when a 47-yearold woman was killed. She was a mother of four. A 47-year-old woman was killed in Stittsville, but her roots are in Carleton Place.
“Not only is it happening by people we know, it’s happening in our own communities,” Lee said. “It’s happening in your backyard, at your neighbour’s house –it’s happening everywhere.”
Lanark County Interval House responds to 3,000 crisis calls annually and works with more than 500 families locally.
Lanark County has led Ontario in addressing intimate partner violence (IPV).
In 2024 alone, Lanark County OPP responded to 701 IPV-related calls, underscoring the ongoing crisis.
Following the 2015 triple femicide in Renfrew County, where Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk, and Nathalie Warmerdam were murdered by a man with a history of domestic violence, Lanark
County became a leader in advocating for change.
A 2022 coroner’s inquest into their deaths issued 86 recommendations, including declaring IPV an epidemic—a step Lanark County was the first to take later that year.
Lee said 100 municipalities of the 444 in the province have declared that IPV is an epidemic.
“This reflects more than 70 per cent of the population. Lanark County and the Town of Smiths Falls were the first to pass this declaration, almost two years ago,” she said. “Since then, the community is acting to speak to recommendations… they are tired of waiting on (provincial) politicians to take leadership. Communities are taking action.”
Despite widespread advocacy, the provincial government has yet to declare IPV an epidemic. This inaction undermines the inquest’s recommendations and delays systemic change needed to protect women and families. The National Day of Remembrance serves as a stark reminder of the work that remains.
Lee said, “If we don’t do it, our numbers will continue to grow and the issue of femicide will continue to be an issue that we talk about every year when we gather in this community. It would be amazing if we could gather next year and say we had zero femicides in a year. Maybe that should be our goal.”
Cartoon by Patrick Labelle.
Attendees in Perth remember the women killed in the Montreal massacre in 1989. Photo credit: Laurie Weir
Erin Lee and Brianna Luckasavitch from Lanark County Interval House and Community Support lead the vigil in Perth, with Lanark County OPP Sgt. Kathleen Magill pictured to the right. Photo credit: Laurie Weir
Smiths Falls police Chief Jodi Empey attends the National Day of Remembrance vigil on Dec. 6 in Smiths Falls.
Photo credit: Laurie Weir
Smiths Falls police budget projected to increase 21%
Final approval by town council slated for December
Smiths Falls - LAURIE WEIR
editorial@pdgmedia.ca
The Smiths Falls Police Service is projecting a 21 per cent budget increase for 2025, raising the total from $5.5 million last year to $6,645,525.
Police Chief Jodi Empey outlined the proposed budget during a Nov. 20 police services board meeting.
Empey attributed the increase to several factors. Part-time wages have been elevated due to a parental leave replacement and coverage for staff vacations and illnesses. Training expenses have also contributed, alongside ongoing staffing challenges.
“We’re currently staffing 10 officers on the front lines, which is well below what we should have,” Empey said.
The chief noted that there hadn’t been a significant budget increase in several years.
“Overtime, we’re riding very high at $184,000,” she said. “We are almost $65,000 over budget for our overtime.”
New staff hires, approved at the previous board meeting, will cost approximately $120,000 in 2025. The service has also incurred generator maintenance costs, though these will be covered by the complex maintenance budget.
Empey expressed optimism about securing additional funding, noting recent grant applications, including a $200,000 Victim Support grant.
“This grant, if successful, will also help pay for officer training for cases involving intimate partner violence [IPV],” she said. “There’s a lot of courses that our officers are going to have to do under this new [Community Safety and Policing] Act, and I want to ensure that our officers are
trained in domestic violence investigations and sexual assault investigations.”
Population growth and increasing complexity
The town’s growing population is also straining resources, Empey said. By 2025, Smiths Falls is projected to reach 11,500 residents, compared to 9,250 in 2021.
“Our budget line has always stayed stable through the years. COVID helped that as well because there weren’t as many calls, and the complexity of calls wasn’t as bad as they are today,” she explained.
Empey added that the rise in complex cases—particularly drug enforcement, traffic issues, and IPV—reflects a trend seen across Ontario. The service handles about 800 calls per month, including a high-profile missing person case that requires daily attention.
Staffing challenges
A recent internal poll revealed that over half of the respondents reported feeling unsafe, and all staff respondents expressed burnout due to understaffing.
“Our service has one of the higher crime severity index rates,” Empey said.
Cases of IPV have also risen, with 226 incidents reported by October this year, compared to 212 in 2023 and 170 in 2022.
“We follow the IPV inquest procedures to ensure there is no other femicide in the community,” Empey said, referencing the 2022 inquest into the deaths of Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk, and Nathalie Warmerdam.
While the Smiths Falls Police Service has traditionally been proactive, it has shifted to a more reactionary stance over the past two years due to resource constraints.
“Additional staffing will take the pressure off the front line a bit and ensure we’re compliant with the new Community Safety and Policing Act,” Empey said, adding that the service aims for a complement of 30 staff.
Balancing costs and community safety
Board member Chris McGuire acknowledged that the budget increase would likely lead to a tax hike.
“I think it’s hopeful that maybe there will be some cost recovery from the province, but I’m also not holding my breath,” he said.
McGuire emphasized the need for public understanding of the increase.
“It’s disappointing how high it is,” he said. “I understand why it’s as high as it is, but I think it’s time for the community to have a conversation on policing and get more understanding on the money they’re spending and the service they get.”
Mayor and board member Shawn Pankow said he and the chief reviewed the budget line by line, making some amendments to reduce costs.
“We have to look at the realities we face,” Pankow said. “As much as we’d like to look at a 10 per cent increase, that means we’re probably not going to provide adequate policing for our community.”
Pankow noted that the police budget represented 37 per cent of municipal taxes in 2016, but this has since decreased to 28 per cent in 2024. The proposed increase would bring it to 33 per cent in 2025.
“To ensure the health and wellness of our service, we have to invest in personnel,” he said.
The board will reconvene in early December to finalize the budget.
Perth council approves 6% tax levy
Perth - Staff editorial@pdgmedia.ca
The Town of Perth has passed its 2025 budget with a tax levy of six per cent, and an additional six per cent water and sewer rate increase. That’s down from a proposed 10 per cent tax levy.
On a $300,000 MPAC assessment, that means the increase will be $220.31, which includes the six per cent tax rate increase at
$169.31, and a water and sewer increase of six per cent for $51 annually.
For a $400,00 assessment, the increase is $275.75 annually ($225.75 + $51.)
The proposed budget includes a $6M new debt which is required to fund capital expenditures and maintain the reserves, noted the treasurer Brian Burns, in the budget report to council.
From 2026 to 2029, it is expected that $15M in new debt will be added, in addition to the $6M in 2025 to fund capital expenditures per the Asset Management Plan and to maintain the reserves. Capital projects next year are listed at just under $9M and include the works garage at $835,000; replacement of the 2001 fire truck (pumper) for $970,790; and Craig Street reconstruction, $5.232M.
Smiths Falls considers Heritage Conservation District downtown
Smiths Falls - Staff editorial@pdgmedia.ca
The Town of Smiths Falls is one step closer to creating a Heritage Conservation District (HCD) in its downtown core following the completion of a study commissioned by the town. Conducted by Stantec Consulting Ltd. and finalized on Nov. 29, 2024, the study recommends developing an HCD Plan for a refined area along Beckwith Street and nearby streets.
At the regular council meeting on Monday, Dec. 9, Karl Grenke, the town's Manager of Development Services, presented the findings and recommended
moving forward with the plan. Council approved the recommendation.
The proposed HCD will aim to conserve the heritage character of Smiths Falls' downtown while accommodating compatible new developments. The district will focus on preserving the commercial aesthetic of key streets, protecting heritage buildings, and encouraging adaptive reuse where appropriate.
Council has directed staff to proceed with the Heritage Conservation District bylaw and plan under the Ontario Heritage Act.
The HCD would cover 106 properties, establishing a framework to man-
age changes to the built environment. This includes maintaining the low-rise commercial buildings, preserving green spaces like Centennial Park, and enhancing public areas. The district would also provide incentives for the restoration and preservation of heritage properties.
The town has allocated $120,000 for the project, covering the study and plan phases. About a quarter of the budget remains for the next phase.
Public consultation will be integral to the plan's development, with input from partners including the Municipal Heritage Committee and local business owners.
The Smiths Falls Police Services Board discussed a 21 per cent budget increase at its latest meeting this month to meet staffing challenges.Photo credit: Screengrab
community
Rising food insecurity: Food banks strained by unprecedented demand
Carleton Place - Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca
The numbers are alarming. In March 2024, there were more than two million visits to food banks in Canada, representing a six per cent increase compared to 2023 and a 90 per cent increase compared to 2019, according to the 2024 HungerCount report from Food Banks Canada. The report warns that the food-banking system is nearing its breaking point.
The level of food bank use is unprecedented. The report links this trend to record-high rates of food insecurity, consistent with other studies showing more Canadians facing economic hardship. High food inflation, evident at the grocery store, is compounded by rising housing costs. Those with the lowest incomes spend more than 80 per cent of their disposable income on food and housing. As rent absorbs an increasing share of their income, reliance on food banks grows.
Locally, the numbers reflect the national trend. From 2019 to 2024, the number of clients more than doubled in Lanark County.
About half are served by the Lanark County Food Bank, also known as The Hunger Stop, which provides service to Beckwith Township, Carleton Place, and Mississippi Mills. Other food banks operate in Perth, Lanark Village, and Smiths Falls. Residents can call 211 to find the nearest food bank.
The Hunger Stop is a registered charity with a board of directors elected by the community. Financial statements are public, and the annual general meeting is open to the public. The organization does not receive funding from any level of government.
The Hunger Stop welcomes anyone who needs food. No means test is required, but statistical information, such as household income sources, is collected to support lobbying efforts by Food Banks Canada.
Clients can obtain food for about five days per month, including items such as milk, bread, eggs, cereal, juice, school snacks, baked beans, pasta, pasta sauce, macaroni and cheese, canned soups and stews, canned fish and meat, canned and fresh produce, rice, cheese, yogurt, meat, peanut butter, coffee,
tea, and toilet paper. Approximately half the items are fresh produce.
Clients can also visit weekly for top-ups, which typically include three items from the top-up shelf, bread and buns from the freezer, surplus items, fresh produce, milk, and pet food. Up to four emergency visits per year are permitted.
The Hunger Stop operates from a storefront in Carleton Place. It uses a shopping model, allowing clients to choose items based on family size and availability. Volunteers assist clients during their appointments, fostering a welcoming and supportive environment. Many clients, often socially isolated, build friendships with volunteers.
The lack of public transportation in Lanark County significantly impacts marginalized residents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the food bank expanded delivery options for clients unable to reach Carleton Place, replacing a satellite operation in Almonte with home delivery.
The primary cause of food insecurity is lack of income. Over 40 per cent of food bank clients rely on disabil-
ity pensions, and many are part of the working poor. Food insecurity drops significantly for those 65 and older, thanks to government pensions and income supplements. During the early stages of COVID-19, demand for food banks decreased, largely due to the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).
This is no longer the case, as demand continues to climb. Despite the increasing need, the response from local donors has been overwhelming. Governments have been slow to address food inse
Montague Township
Join Township Staff, Council, Fire Association, Forget-Me-Not Club, MRCC, as well as local Community Partners and Special Guests for some winter fun! While some events are free, please be sure to bring cash to ensure you don’t miss out on anything!
curity through measures such as increasing disability pensions, social assistance benefits, or minimum wages. Instead, the response has been largely charitable, relying on food banks and soup kitchens, most of which depend on volunteers and donations.
Many individuals rely on food banks to feed their families, and countless volunteers dedicate time, money, and effort to ensure their neighbours don’t go hungry.
The future remains uncertain. Rising costs for gasoline, housing, utilities, and
mense pressure on marginalized communities. Food bank financial reserves may not be sufficient to weather the challenges ahead. I commend those lobbying for increased disability pensions, affordable housing, and a guaranteed annual income. However, we must not lose sight of the immediate need to ensure no one in our community goes to bed hungry. Article submitted by David Hinks. Hinks is a volunteer and member of the board of the directors for the
On behalf of Montague Township Staff & Council, we would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season! A very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year to all those who celebrate!
5-7pm @ Forget-Me-Not Club includes Pizza & Drinks
Kids Glow Dance Party JK-Grade 3: 6-7:30pm @ Forget-Me-Not Club
Family Activities Skating, Sliding, Sleigh Rides and more! 11am-Dark @ 22 Acres, Rosedale Hall & Forget-Me-Not Club Yoga
YukYuk’s and AfterParty: 7pm-12am @ Rosedale Hall Is your local business interested in being a community partner / sponsor for WinterFest?
Lanark County Community Justice appeals for support to sustain restorative justice programs
ReGIONAL - Heddy Sorour editorial@pdgmedia.ca
It’s that time of the year, when Lanark County Community Justice (LCCJ) reaches out to the community for support.
The non-profit restorative justice organization offers offenders (mostly youth) a second chance and has been serving Lanark County and Smiths Falls for nearly a quarter of a century.
“In restorative justice what we do is bring together the accused or offender, the victim or survivor and all of their support people — siblings, caregiver, maybe they have a social worker — to start a justice conversation about what happened and how to make it right,” explains Joellen McHard, executive director, LCCJ. There can be as many as 10 people taking part in the conversation.
Essentially, restorative justice is a way of addressing conflict and crime by engaging the person who caused the harm, the people who were affected by the harm, and the community; and is based on the idea that through empathy people can change their behaviours.
The program is partially funded by the Provincial Ministry of Children Community and
Social Services according to McHard but back in 2013 under the Ministry of the Attorney General the program saw a 23 per cent cut in funding and another two per cent was shaved off in 2019 and a one per cent increase in 2024.
“We receive no funding for our adult cases. The average case costs $2,000. Funding from the province is $49,300 and that’s just for youth, not adults,” says McHard, adding that the organization sees an average of 57 cases every year, well beyond the funding envelope.
“Our funding from the province is a set amount and in fact that funding has decreased in recent years so it’s not dependent on the number of cases that we do. If we do more cases requiring more hours from paid staff, we’re only getting the same amount of funding,” says Marilyn Bird, board director with LCCJ. LCCJ has two paid employees. McHard is paid part time for three days a week but works full time and the program coordinator is paid four days a week. The rest of the team are volunteers, however they receive considerable training before they can participate in the forums and become
effective facilitators.
According to the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario’s Annual Report in 2014, the average cost of holding an offender in custody was about $1,444 per day.
“This system is so much cheaper,” says Bird. LCCJ does solicit donations and hold fundraisers but these are not consistent or reliable funds and McHard is now approaching municipalities.
“We have not been consistent about going to the municipalities for funding — especially during COVID. We have since gone to Carleton Place, Lanark Highlands, Drummond North Elmsley, Beckwith, Town of Perth, and Tay Valley in the past three years,” says McHard.
The reception has been great, and councils have been very supportive of LCCJ’s programs and services.
“We have not received any additional funding to date but have promises from Perth Mayor Judy Brown to donate some funds from the Mayor's discretionary fund and Beckwith Township has promised to provide us with free meeting space,” says McHard adding that meeting space is something LCCJ is always in need of for their communi-
ty justice forums, especially in the evening or weekends.
Not all offences can be handled through restorative justice. All cases are referred to the process by either the police or the Crown Attorney.
“We receive referrals from the police as precharges or from the Crown Attorney as post charges,” explains McHard.
Bringing together the offender, the victim and their support people requires that they acknowledge the harm, its impact on the community and, through a forum where everyone’s voice is heard, participants get to understand different perspectives and build empathy for one another and their community.
The program also requires the offender to agree to completing certain tasks or behaviours within a prescribed time limit toward putting the offence right. It does not operate outside the traditional justice system but is a recognized alternative that is often more effective than the punitive method.
“There’s always a police representative,” says retired OPP officer and Perth councillor, David Bird. “I found it really useful. Community justice is based on giving people another chance and trying to put people right, and it’s an obvious fit for youth. I was a little bit more sceptical when it came to adults and what I found was that in all the cases I had, I don’t think I had one person that didn’t comply and complete the program. It ends with a contract or agreement on how they will behave and it was so good.”
The restorative justice system is so effective that only between five and eight per cent of offenders re-offend, compared to 25 to 30 per cent in the tradi-
tional justice system.
According to people who have been involved, the process itself can be powerful not just for the observers, but for the people involved.
“Because everyone who comes to the forum gets to say how they’ve been impacted including the support people,” explains Teresa DuBois, a lawyer by profession and a volunteer facilitator with LCCJ. “So you’ll often hear parents explaining to youth what their reaction was when they heard what had happened, what their child was accused of doing. It can be very impactful as well for an accused to hear what the parents of a victim felt when they heard what had happened. Sometimes it’s a beautiful outcome for everybody and sometimes there are just beautiful moments when you’ll see the moment when it dawns on the offender how they impacted their parents. So it may not always be a beautiful resolution, but you can see the kernels of understanding that happen.”
Key elements in the deci-
sion to refer the case to a restorative justice forum are the type of offence and the willingness of all the affected parties to take part in the process.
“If you complete the Community Justice program then you will have no record. If you fail to comply with the contract then you’re back before the court. The charges don’t go away because you’ve tried community justice, it’s still hanging there until the Community Justice program is complete,” explains David Bird.
The system does not replace the criminal justice system but it is another way to resolve conflict and a way to heal wounds rather than inflict punishment without consulting the wounded parties in cases where it can be applied.
“In my experience with the traditional justice system, even when there’s a conviction, the victims feel that it’s not enough, they feel again that they have not been heard, they didn’t have a voice in the process and so everyone in the process is harmed,” concludes Bird.
Lanark County Community Justice Executive Director Joellen McHard and Board Director Marilyn Bird at Carleton Place council chambers following a presentation detailing the work they do in the community and surrounding area and asking the town to consider supporting the organization financially or in-kind. Photo credit: Heddy Sorour.
CPKC Holiday Train slides into Smiths Falls station
Smiths Falls - Chris Uhlig
editorial@pdgmedia.ca
The brightly lit CPKC Holiday Train rolling into the Smiths Falls train station around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday Nov. 28 attracted thousands of people once again this year, packing the yard and Victoria Avenue to the brim.
For the first time the train drove under the her-
ald of the newly formed CPKC, a merger of the Canadian Pacific and the Kansas City Southern that created a transnational railroad connecting Canada, the US, and Mexico.
Music by Wizard of Sound, baked goods by Jabreezys Doughnuts, hot chocolate, refreshments by 4 Degrees Brewing, and information booths by Lepine Apartments as
well as Smiths Falls 2025 Old Home Week sweetened the waiting time until arrival.
The Smiths Falls Fire Department showed up in full force demonstrating their equipment and collecting donations for the Smiths Falls Community Food Bank.
Tyler Shaw and Shawnee Kish then rocked the crowd from the platform
stage on the train.
After the stop here in Smiths Falls the train proceeded for another performance in Perth, but returned later to Smiths Falls, offering night owls an unobstructed view of all the decorations.
Earlier in the day, the train made a stop in Merrickville.
The much-loved annual tradition is a quarter century this year; it began in 1999.
Holding Onto Hope: A Perth mother's unwavering search for Emma Fillipoff
Perth - Laurie Weir editorial@pdgmedia.ca
For Perth’s Shelley Fillipoff, each day without her daughter Emma feels like an eternity. Emma vanished at age 26 from Victoria, B.C., under haunting circumstances on Nov. 28, 2012, leaving Shelley to navigate a constant cycle of hope, despair, and determination. Over the past dozen years, Shelley has lived through endless leads that have gone nowhere and attempts by people to scam her out of the $25,000 reward for Emma’s safe return.
There was an age-progression photo shared on the 10th anniversary of Emma’s disappearance, but Shelley said she didn’t feel it looked like her daughter. She said she wasn’t sure what to expect, but was thankful for a second attempt. A forensic artist, Hew Morrison, saw the news and felt he could help with another age-progression drawing. He created a new image of Emma, as well as a composite drawing of the man in the green shirt.
This Green Shirt Man was seen in a Vancouver clothing boutique. He had a crumpled missing person poster of Emma and was adamant that she wasn’t missing and she didn’t want anything to do with her family. He called Emma his girlfriend. The man had a pronounced limp and tattoos on his arms. He seemed agitated in the video surveillance and left before police could arrive.
sary of Emma’s disappearance. This preview brings renewed focus to the unresolved story of the man in hopes of reigniting public interest, the filmmaker said. Bordage noted that the image of the man in the green shirt has received limited exposure so far. She hopes the new video teaser and expanded media coverage will encourage more people to see and share it. "Maybe someone will recognize him," the release stated. Criminologist Dr. Michael Arntfield called the drawing "really well done. A very rigorous, thoughtful approach on how to develop a more usable image of what this person may look like, versus the grainy CCTV footage that we’ve relied on thus far."
The grief of having a missing child is unlike any other. "When someone dies, you can grieve. You know they’re gone. But with Emma, I don’t know where she is. I can’t grieve in the normal way," Shelley said. Days blur together, with Shelley thinking constantly about her missing daughter. She spends time online,
follows up on every potential lead, and monitors new tips that might bring Emma home. Shelley’s unwavering belief is that somewhere, someone knows something that could help find her daughter. "I know someone has information, someone knows something," she said. When asked what she would say to other families suffering similar loss, Shelley said, "Lean on people who care about you. Don't try not to lose sight of the love that surrounds you and the good things in your life because it’s very hard to sometimes not let the dark overshadow the light. It can be hard and you don’t want to get into that dark, because I think if you get into the darkness too much, in terms of closing out the light, I think then you’re in a deeper hole. Then you’ve really got to dig your way out."
If Shelley could speak to Emma right now, she said she would fall apart. "I think I’ll just crumble, but I would tell her that I love her beyond words. And of course, how much I’ve missed her. I mean, it’s just terrible. All the Christmases and the
Shelley heard about the lead and spent hours searching for him. "I walked those streets," she recalled. "I thought maybe, just maybe, this was the break we needed."
A new teaser for a sixhour docu-series by Bayberry Films shows interviews surrounding the man in the green shirt. Kimberley Bordage, filmmaker and missing persons’ advocate, said the release date of the docu-series has yet to be determined. The 22-minute preview, The Man in the Green Shirt, dropped on Nov. 28, the anniver-
birthdays … it’s everything. I’d just keep repeating how much I love her. I think it would be a great reunion — an incredibly wonderful thing to have happen."
Shelley has gone through the kids’ rooms, purging things that are no longer needed. She’s not a hoarder, she says, but Emma was a "manic collector" of things like rocks and feathers. "I’ve got her boxes down to three now," she said. "There were 18."
Shelley’s passion for keeping Emma’s story alive is unwavering. "It’s not just about finding her— it’s about making sure her story doesn’t fade into the background. People need to know that she’s out there, and that her family is still searching," Shelley said.
While time has not diminished Shelley’s search, she refuses to give in to despair. "I don’t care how long it takes. I will never stop looking for Emma, because she deserves to come home. We deserve to be together again."
For now, Shelley remains a beacon of hope, her determination to reunite with Emma a powerful force in
the fight for answers. Despite the years of uncertainty, Shelley’s love for her daughter has never wavered. "I’ll keep going, no matter what," she said. "Because that’s what a mother does."
Victoria Police Department’s lead detective, Det./ Cst. Bob Illes, said the investigation needs only one person with the right information to come forward.
"If you are the person known as ‘Green Shirt Guy,’ or if you know who he is, or if you have any other information related to Emma’s case, contact the Victoria Police Department or report anonymously through
Crime Stoppers," Illes said. Call (250) 995-7654, or the Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. The website dedicated to finding Emma has been updated to include a revised timeline, most recent search initiatives, and an expanded media section. The site now features a news archive covering past articles related to Emma’s case and a press release section. It is also available in 10 languages to broaden the reach. Visit HelpFindEmmaFillipoff.ca to stay up-todate on the latest news, and see the docu-series teasers.
Shelley Fillipoff has been searching for her missing daughter, Emma, for 12 years. She’s hopeful that a new composite drawing of a key witness will help solve the mystery as to where her daughter is. Photo credit: Submitted [Bayberrry Films].
Photo credits: Chris Uhlig.
Experience the Heart of the Holidays in Perth
Discover the sights and sounds of the season at PERTH.ca/HolidayEvents
Happy Holidays from the Town of Perth
On behalf of Council and Staff, we wish you a joyful holiday season and a bright, happy New Year. May your celebrations be filled with happiness and your days brimming with cheer!
Annual Christmas Tree Collection January 13-17, 2025
Tree collection starts at 7 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 13. Please remove all decorations and place your tree by the curb before Monday morning.
EVERY FRIDAY IN DECEMBER IN MUNICIPAL LOTS
Parking on Saturdays and Sundays is always free!
Visit PERTH.ca/Parking to see a map of parking lot locations.
A BIG thank you to all of our Holiday Skate & Swim sponsors!
Check the schedules to find out when you can skate and swim for free PERTH.ca/IceSchedule PERTH.ca/PoolCalendar
ATTENTION PERTH RESIDENTS!
The 2025 Curbside Chronicles are now available!
Pick up your waste and recycling calendar at these locations:
Town Hall
Perth Museum & Visitor Information Centre
Perth & District Union Public Library
Barnabe’s Your Independent Grocer Donaldson’s Shell Foodsmiths Metro
Or online at PERTH.ca/Garbage
Portland Food Bank gains $22,000 from Build a Mountain of Food campaign
ReGIONAL - Laurie Weir
editorial@pdgmedia.ca
The Portland community came through for their food bank on Saturday, Dec. 9 as $22,099 was collected during the RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food campaign, as well as 1,800 lbs. of food.
It was another excellent day on the trail, noted Jim Wright, one of the organizers of the event, who was on site with Chris Craig, key sponsor and owner of RCL Automotive in Smiths Falls. The crew was also in Merrickville that afternoon where 1,100 lbs. of food and
$2,500 in cash was collected for the Merrickville Lions Christmas Food Hampers.
“It’s been steady,” Wright said, as SUVs loaded with goods from the area were dropped off at the LCBO/ RBC location In Portland
across the region, which he discovered in the previous four weeks of the campaign.
that morning.
The group from Sheldon’s Corners filled a wagon with food as volunteers went door to door collecting food and cash donations.
Wright said food bank usage has been increasing
Louise Martin, the Portland Community Food Bank manager, said it’s no different for Portland with increased usage.
“Unfortunately, it’s the same everywhere,” she said. “Our numbers are higher than last year again. January and February will be tough months, and what doesn’t help us is the cost of food.”
With the cost of food increasing, Martin said this is why families have had to rely on the food bank.
“They are working, but with four children, they cannot make ends meet anymore and we’re there to support them,” Martin said, who noted the food collected in Sheldon’s Corners is about one-third of the food they received, as well as the substantial cash donations from business
in the village, like Recess Café, and the RBC, who offered a $1,500 donation. Martin noted that Jonsson’s Your Independent Grocer in Smiths Falls also offered a gift card to the food bank in Portland, as many people from the village shop in Smiths Falls.
“And we receive support year-round from local organizations,” Martin said.
“It’s really wonderful.” Saturday, Dec. 14 marks the final stop of the Build a Mountain of Food run with the team heading to Athens from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. They will set up at the Athens Fresh Market, in support of the Athens Food Bank. Then it’s to Delta from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Delta Country Market for the Delta Food Bank.
Volunteers Dennis Hanley (left) and John Philp (right) from the Merrickville Lions were on hand to collect food and cash donations for the Merrickville Lions Christmas Hamper campaign. Photo credit: Submitted [Jim Wright].
From the left, Louise Martin (food bank manager), Jane Simpson (Rideau Lakes Swans), Angela Bearance (president, Rideau Lake Swans), Anita Cox (Portland Community Food Bank), Norma Cummings (food bank) offer a donation for $400 from the Rideau Lake Swans to the Build a Mountain of Food campaign in Portland on Dec. 9.. Photo credit: Submitted [Jim Wright].
A donation of $2,500 was received from WTC’s Mike Lynn (third from left). Catherine Gibson (far right), and Sutton Lynn (child, second from left). Brian Preston, Chris Craig and Norma Cummings are also pictured. Photo credit: Submitted [Jim Wright].
Greg Hamre (dressed as Buddy the Elf) and the crew from Sheldon's Landing make their annual visit to the Portland stop during the RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food with a trailer full of food on its way to the Portland Food Bank on Dec. 9. Photo credit: Submitted [Jim Wright].
Carleton Place - heddy sorour editorial@pdgmedia.ca
The town of Carleton Place is getting ready to receive the Kazakhstan Hockey Team ahead of the World Junior Hockey Championships being held in Ottawa in the New Year.
“We submitted our bid to host on June 6, 2024 and we had been confidentially making logistical plans
since then. We only received official word in August that we had been chosen as a host community,” said Jess Hanson, community programmer with the Town.
The town will be billeting some 40 members of the Kazakh delegation including the hockey team and staff at the Comfort Inn and providing them with ice time at the Arena according to Mayor Toby Randell.
Carleton Place prepares to host Kazakhstan Hockey Team ahead of World Juniors in Ottawa lifestyle
“The visit from the Kazakhstan team will not interfere with our local hockey communities’ ice time at all. In fact we hope that our boys and girls' teams will come out to the practices, as they are open to the public. We are also planning on the team attending a local Carleton Place Canadians game and having a meet and greet with the community while they are here,” said Randell.
The Kazakh team will arrive on Tuesday, December 17, and stay in Carleton Place until December 22, 2024, practicing and participating in pre-competition activities before heading to Ottawa for the games.
“The Carleton Place Arena will be the hub for this team, during their pre-competition camp December 16 to 23, 2024. The team will eat, train, and stay in Carleton Place, and will have an opportunity to explore the town and the people that make it great,” states the town’s website.
The Kazakh men's national under 20 ice hockey team is the national
junior ice hockey team in Kazakhstan. The team represents Kazakhstan at the International Ice Hockey Federation's World Junior Hockey Championship Division I. They have played at the championship level eight times since 1998. They are ranked 16th in the world as of 2022.
Securing gold at the 2024 Ice Hockey U20 World Championships the Kazakh team was promoted to compete at the 2025 World Junior Championships.
Just last month the U20 Kazakh team won their first Asia Championship beating the undefeated Japan team
5-1 at the IIHF Ice Hockey Asia Championship.
According to the IIHF website “The Kazakhs used speed, a balanced attack and superb defending and goaltending to take a 5-1 win and finish atop the round-robin standings.”
Kazakhstan and Japan both ended up with two wins and six points, but the Kazakhs won the tournament with the tiebreaker.
At this year’s games in Ottawa, Kazakhstan, Sweden, Slovakia, Switzerland and Czechia will form Group B and play at TD Place. The relegation game and quarterfinals will take
place on Jan. 2, before the tournament shifts over completely to Canadian Tire Centre for the semifinals on Jan. 4 and medal games on Jan. 5. This is the first time that Carleton Place has hosted an international team and the first time participating in this kind of event according to Randell.
“We are very excited to host the team and will treat them as one of our own for their stay and cheer them on as they challenge for a medal in the tournament, as long as they aren’t up against Canada of course,” said Randell.
You win some, you lose some: SF Bears split December games
Smiths Falls - Laurie Weir
editorial@pdgmedia.ca
The Smiths Falls Jr. A Bears split their last two CCHL league games, but came away with three points. They posted a 3-2 overtime loss to the Navan Grads on the road Sunday, Dec. 9, but earned a 3-1 win at home Friday, Dec. 7. Sunday’s loss in overtime gave the team a single point as the team sits in the fifth spot of the Robinson Division with 25 points on 11 wins, 13 losses, two overtime losses and one shootout loss.
Carleton Place is on top of the division with 35 points on a record of 13-8-1-2. Overall, it’s Rockland on top with 45 points (21-5-1-0).
NAVAN 3 SMITHS FALLS 2
The Bears dropped a 3-2 decision on the road Sunday. Navan took the early lead with Colin Holmes goal at 13:39 of the opening period.
Smiths Falls shot back to take the lead in the second with a pair from Tyson Parker. Assists were credited to Davis Hails and Gus Rabe on the equalizer at 16:03 while Travis Ouellette had the assist on the goahead market with just one second left in the period.
Into the third, it was Ian Ramsay who scored the tying goal at 13:40 of the period, assisted by Marty Magaletta to force the extra period.
Noah Carpenter made good on his unassisted goal for the win at 4:19 of the overtime stanza.
Game stars were goalie Tomas Gagne (first for Navan), goalie Ethan Morrow (Smiths Falls, second) and Carpenter (Navan, third). Navan outshot Smiths Falls 34-28.
SMITHS FALLS 3 OTTAWA 1
The Bears claimed a 3-1 win over the Ottawa Jr. Senators ON Friday, Dec. 6 at home.
The Bears opened with a power play marker by Parker assisted by Kyle James and Quinn Booth in the first period. The lead held through to the mid-way point of the third period when Ottawa rallied back to tie the score with Ben Kozyra’s goal.
Just 33 seconds later, Ouellette scored the winner, assisted by Parker and Gus Rabe.
Insurance came from Kyle Dagg, assisted by Caeden Heins and Cameron O’Con-
nell for the 3-1 final.
The stars of the game were Parker, Kozyra and Ouellette, while Morrow picked up the win in nets with 17 saves. The Bears outshot the Sens, 31-18, in front of 239 fans.
UPCOMING GAMES Dec. 13: Smiths Falls in Brockville, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15: Hawkesbury in Smiths Falls, 4:30 p.m. Dec. 20: Renfrew in Smiths Falls, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21: Smiths Falls in Renfrew, 7:30 p.m.
Kazakh team members at the 2024 U20 Junior IIHF Hockey Championships. Photo credit: Submitted.
Photo credit: Chris Uhlig
Photo credit: Chris Uhlig
Canadian youth face soft skills crisis: Scouts Canada Survey
Regional - STAFF
editorial@pdgmedia.ca
A recent survey conducted by Scouts Canada highlights growing concerns about the social and developmental challenges facing Canadian kids aged 10 to 21. The findings reveal that an overwhelming 94.7 per cent of Canadians believe
these youth have faced significant disadvantages due to growing up during the COVID-19 pandemic. These disadvantages, according to the survey, manifest in a critical lack of “soft skills” such as stress management, problem-solving, and basic etiquette—key tools for future success.
The survey, which polled 1,000 Canadians, paints a
stark picture of the generational impact of pandemic disruptions and modern parenting challenges:
• Over a third (34.3 per cent) of Canadians are not confident that kids in this age group will secure jobs and become successful adults.
• A significant 91.2 per cent express concern over the absence of soft skills among today’s youth.
• The skills most commonly identified as lacking include stress coping, basic etiquette, problemsolving, and even the ability to say “thank you.”
Canadians over whelmingly believe (74.7 per cent) that modern parents, spanning Gen X, Millennials, and early Gen Z, have been “too soft” on their children. Furthermore, 75.9 per cent feel that parents are not adequately preparing kids for the future.
The survey also shed light on the perceived dangers to today’s kids, with Canadians citing social media (39.3 per cent), excessive screen time (25 per cent), and social or peer pressure (16.2 per cent)
The waiting room revolution
Regional - submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca
When patients and families hear the term “palliative care”, they assume that the healthcare system is giving up on them.
Faced with that discouraging reality, and frustrated that so many patients are anxious and scared near the end of life, a palliative care physician and a health system researcher teamed up to radically rethink their life’s work.
“We learned that to improve end-of-life care we had to improve the beginning,” Dr. Sammy Winemaker told a workshop co-sponsored by The Hospice Hub (https:// www.thehospicehub.ca/) and the Perth and Smith Falls District Hospital.
She explained that the beginning is when patients are first diagnosed with a life-changing illness. “We had to start upstream.”
Ten years ago, Dr. Winemaker and researcher Dr. Hsien Seow, both professors at McMaster University in Hamilton, began to envision what they call a “waiting room revolution”.
Frustrated with the slow pace of change within the healthcare system, they decided to instead work to help patients learn how to get the information and help that they need from their health care providers and others throughout their illness experience.
Too many patients, near the end of life, had said to the pair: “I wish I had known that earlier.”
“We decided to go right to the public. We realized that information is a superpower. It makes patients feel better and helps get
them out of the twilight zone,” Dr. Winemaker told the packed audience of more than 75 health care and social service providers, hospice volunteers, and members of the public.
“Honestly we are the least likely to be disruptors,” Dr. Seow told the Nov. 28th meeting held at the Oakfield Rugby Park. “We’d never been on social media, never listened to podcasts. But we felt so passionate about this.
The pair quit their academic palliative care committees to work with patients and caregivers. They self-financed a website and launched a highly-regarded podcast, now in its tenth season.
In 2023, they published their handbook Hope For The Best Plan For The Rest; 7 Keys for Navigating a Life-Changing Diagnosis, and their workbook will be available in 2025.
A key piece of information that patients and families usually don’t get is a road map of their illness. How does a particular illness typically proceed? What are signs that herald the beginning, middle, late, and end stages of the illness?
For example, in the early stages of an illness, patients and caregivers can explore ways to slow progression, designate persons(s) for future care oversight, and settle personal affairs proactively. Later, figuring out how to access care and get support becomes more important.
“People feel more hopeful… more empowered, activated and in control in their journey” when they have an “in the know” experience of their illness instead of being left in the
as leading concerns. Other factors, like video games (10 per cent) and helicopter parenting (6.7 per cent), also ranked as threats to the development of critical life skills. Despite these challenges, Scouts Canada remains optimistic. Kathryn Ashby, executive director of marketing and communications, emphasized that kids’ potential should never be underestimated: “We all know that the current cohort of Canada’s 10- to 21-yearolds have had unique chal
Canadians seem to be massively underestimating the resilience and potential of our kids. Kids just need the right experiences and mentors to bring out their confidence.”
Scouts Canada offers one solution, providing youth aged five to 25 with opportunities to build soft skills through leadership training, adventure programs, and team-building activities. For a competitive annual fee of $270, youth can join programs
With the holiday season approaching, parents and caregivers can register their kids for the 2025 Scouting year, which runs from Jan. 1 to Dec.31, 2025. For more information, visit www.myscouts.ca/ca/join.
Scouts Canada’s survey serves as a reminder that while today’s youth face unprecedented challenges, the right interventions can help them overcome. With greater exposure to leadership opportunities and supportive mentorship, Canadian kids
dark, Winemaker said.
She explained that when someone is diagnosed, “everyone around them approaches it with a high dose of positivity and cheerleading.” But what can get lost is the reality of what is happening: “The patient begins to feel like they’re being silenced. They crave someone to invite the truth into what is happening.”
Hope is important, she stressed, noting that what people hope for can change through the course of an illness.
But at the same time, patients can better prepare for each stage of their illness by understanding the typical way that it progresses, Dr. Winemaker said. “It is your right to get the information you need about your body and your journey.”
The pair are eager to share what they have learned from their experience and their work with patients and families. “It’s not about us,” Dr. Seow stressed. “Positive change will come when thousands of people demand something different from the healthcare system.”
“We decided to try to work from the grassroots up,” he said, noting that the audience at the workshop was made up of exactly the sort of people who could help effect change.
The Hospice Hub, cosponsor of the event, is a community-led initiative created to fill a gap in the south Lanark area services. It trains volunteers and offers services to connect and coordinate palliative care and bereavement services for patients and caregivers.
Article by Ann Silversides
Christmas M E R R Y
AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
Embrace the spirit of giving, the joy of togetherness, and the magic that surrounds us during this special time. Wishing you a festive holiday season and a prosperous New Year ahead!
WITH WARMEST WISHES, SHAWN & TRACEY!
MERRY CHRISTMAS & Happy New Year
Buying a car should be SIMPLE! Personalized searches, seamless financing, and convenient services — all handled by one person. Experience simplicity today!
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Food & Drink
For this Christmas edition, I thought that in these days of high prices for everything, and your desire to have some bang-for-yourbuck good tasting beverages, I would save you the time and point out some deals at LCBO. I have had all of these products and they are from consistent producers, so you can be assured of the best value in selecting any of them. They are locally available and are on sale until Jan. 5, 2025, with some offering an additional Aeroplan bonus if you collect points!
Jacob’s Creek Shiraz
5 star rating!
LCBO#:22199 14.5%abv
Jacob's Creek is a legend in South Eastern Australia. This full-flavoured shiraz pours deep ruby with aromas and flavours of black plum, herbs, oak, and blood orange. Full-bodied and smooth with lush tannins on the lengthy finish. Great with grilled lamb or beef, game meats, firm cheeses.
$16.95 Save $3.00
50 bonus points valid until Jan. 5, 2025
Deinhard Green Label
Riesling, Mosel
4.5 out of 5 stars
LCBO: 8094
From Deinhard, one of Germany's oldest producers, the Green Label Riesling shows the appeal and elegance of the Mosel region. Notes of apple, tropical fruit and honey waft from the glass while the palate shows a juicy acidity that balances the medium-sweet profile.
The Travelling Sommelier best
value festive season beverages
Column by Brian Preston | brianpreston@hotmail.com
Pair this delightful white with Vietnamese cuisine.
$11.95 Save $2.00 40 bonus points. Valid until Jan. 5, 2025
Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva
4.1 out of 5 stars
LCBO: 137810
This winery has been at the forefront of advanced Spanish winemaking since 2001. Pours garnet colour with inviting aromas of cherry, plum, blackberry, vanilla, and oak. The palate reveals smoked meat, spice, and herb notes. Full-bodied and smooth with soft tannins and a long finish. Pair with an herb-crusted leg of lamb.
$15.95 Save $3.00
30 bonus points. Valid until Jan. 5, 2025
Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
4.7 out of 5 stars
LCBO: 426601 12.5%abv
Pale straw colour; intense aromas of grapefruit, herbs, gooseberry with a mineral streak; extra dry, medium-plus bodied, fresh acidity, and flavours of grapefruit, green gooseberry leaf and berry; clean, fresh finish.
$16.95 Save $3.00 Valid until Jan. 5, 2025
Jackson-Triggs Reserve Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon VQA
5.0 out of 5 stars
LCBO: 560680 12.8%abv
Medium ruby colour; aromas of red fruit, toast, floral note, marmalade and berries; on the palate it is extra dry and medium-plus bodied with flavours of bright red fruit, toast and berries with medium tannins and medium finish.
$11.95 Save $3.00
Valid until Jan. 5, 2025
BEER
Kilkenny Irish Ale
4.5 out of 5 stars
LCBO: 442731 4.3%abv Made in Ireland 4 x 500 ml can Kilkenny's brewing heritage dates back to the 14th century and is classic Irish ale. Pouring brilliant copper with a foamy white head that sustains for a good length of time; the nose is malty and fresh while the palate is creamy with light coffee, raisin, plum and light bitterness on a medium-length finish.
Price $10.65 Save $2.00
If you are having the traditional stuffed turkey with all the fixin’s, I suggest either of the two white wines. Both will refresh and cleanse your palate after a number of bites of the rich food so that you will cut through the mouth-coating food fats and be able to repeatedly get the full taste of the range of food items on your plate. The Mosel Riesling will give you this cleansed palate with a touch of residual sweetness matching or complementing, as we say, the food. The Sauvignon Blanc, on the other hand, will do the same thing but it has more fruit acidity providing more of a drier contrast to food.
In terms of the red wines, I would go with the Jackson-Triggs Reserve Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon blend. This Reserve wine is medium bodied to match the medium bodied turkey and seasonings in the festive plate. The lighter fragrance and fruity flavours of the Cabernet Franc are complemented by the body and deeper variety of flavours from the Cabernet Sauvignon.
An update on the world of wine and wineries! They are diversifying because of the economy and the increasingly negative effects of climate change. The side hustle has redefined the
working lives and finances of many people as the cost of living and inflation have skyrocketed (along with a rise in credit card debt and plummeting rates of savings). But it’s not just for individuals: increasingly, wineries are launching side hustles to help fill in financial gaps created by lower sales and rising costs.
In Portugal, the Fladgate Partnership team has been slowly diversifying its Port buying into The Yeatman Hotel, opened in July of 2010 in Vila Nova de Gaia (a municipality within Porto) with 82 bedrooms. Then there is Pikes Wines in South Australia that launched a brewery and a restaurant. Why not when food and alcoholic beverages like beer and wine go so well together. And remember a decade or so ago when a smart Scot, one of Scotland’s most famous master distillers named Jim McEwen pondered on how long Single Malts have to be aged before you can sell them and reap the reward. He wondered if there was another distilled product that would reap financial payback a lot sooner and then the Eureka moment came when on the Island of Islay, he met a husband and wife team of botanists. Out of this came the request from Jim for them to gather as many local botanicals to make a new dry Gin. Voila! The Botanist was born, made by the Bruichladdich Distillery in Islay, Scotland. It became my favourite gin, along with Bombay a few years earlier. In 2024, The Botanist was ranked the seventh-best selling brand of gin in the world by Drinks International. Cheers! and have a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year!
Need help getting your business off the ground? bynan business solutions is your go-to coach
Regional - LAURIE WEIR
editorial@pdgmedia.ca
Kevin Savoy is an engineer by trade and has turned his passion for business into helping others. Named after his sons, Byron and Nathan, ByNan Business Solutions is based in Merrickville.
Here is part of a recent Q&A: For the full interview, visit hometownnews. ca/bynan-business-solutions-coach/.
Q: What inspired you to start ByNan Business Solutions? Was there a specific moment or experience that led you to pursue business coaching?
A: After 25 years in leadership, sales, and management, I realized my passion lay in helping entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of running a business. The inspiration came from seeing countless business owners struggle with challenges that could be solved with the right guidance. I wanted to create a company that became a true partner, emotionally invested in each client’s success. Naming the company after my sons reflects my dedication to family and reminds me
to uphold the reputation tied to their names.
Q: What is your unique coaching philosophy, and how does it differ from other business coaches?
A: My philosophy is a solutions-based, systematic approach tailored to each client’s needs. What sets me apart is my role as that “unreasonable friend” who pushes you beyond your comfort zone. I dive deep into the intricacies of your business and foster a partnership to turn it into a vehicle for a better quality of life.
Q: Are there common challenges you see business owners face?
A: Absolutely. Challenges like scaling operations, managing cash flow, retaining talent, and balancing work-life commitments are common across industries. Many business owners struggle to move beyond day-to-day tasks to focus on strategic growth. That’s where I help them identify bottlenecks and implement effective strategies.
Q: How do you customize your coaching strategies to fit businesses of different sizes or sectors?
A: Customization starts with listening and under-
standing each client’s goals, challenges, and industry dynamics. I analyze their business to pinpoint areas needing attention and draw on my experience across various sectors to tailor solutions. This ensures strategies are effective and sustainable, no matter the size or sector.
Q: Can you walk us through your typical coaching process?
A: I begin with a comprehensive assessment of the business, including financials, operations, and organizational structure. I also take time to understand personal aspirations and align them with business goals. From there, we de-
velop a customized action plan targeting key areas for improvement, addressing root causes instead of symptoms.
Q: What’s your approach to helping clients set realistic and actionable business goals?
A: I use SMART goals— Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. We define success, break larger objectives into smaller milestones, and regularly review progress. This keeps the process manageable and ensures goals remain aligned with evolving circumstances.
Q: How do you help clients stay on track and motivated during difficult times?
A: Accountability is key. I establish regular checkins to monitor progress and address obstacles. During tough times, I provide both emotional support and practical solutions to keep clients focused on their vision. As that “unreasonable friend,” I push them past limitations while keeping the bigger picture in mind.
Q: How do you balance emotional support with tough love when needed?
A: It’s about trust and respect. I create a safe space for clients to share challenges while offering honest feedback when necessary. Tough love challenges clients to rise above their comfort zones, but always with emotional support to help them through the process.
Q: What feedback do you often receive from clients after they’ve worked with you?
A: Clients appreciate the personalized, solutions-based approach that not only addresses business challenges but also improves their personal well-being. They value the accountability and guidance that help them achieve goals they once thought unreachable, transforming their businesses into tools for financial stability and personal fulfillment. For more information, visit ByNanBusinessSolutions. com or email coach@bynanbusinesssolutions.com.
Kevin Savoy of ByNan Business Solutions shares the inside scoop about what makes a successful business coach. He is a long-time collaborator with Cindy James of the Small Business Advisory Centre’s Starter Company Plus program. Photo credits; Laurie Weir.