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Vol. 8
No. 6
YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER - LANARK, NORTH LEEDS & GRENVILLE
JUNE 2021
Local woman organizes Indigenous children’s memorial in Carleton Place Regional - Janelle Labelle editorial@pdgmedia.ca Following the news that a mass grave containing the bodies of 215 Indigenous children was found at the former Residential school in Kamloops, BC, there has been an outpouring of grief across the country. Carleton Place woman Olivia Salvatori created an Indigenous Children’s Memorial with 215 teddy bears to illuminate the enormity of this tragedy. After reading about the mass grave on the news, Salvatori wrestled with trying to picture what a group of 215 children looks like. She saw a post on Facebook asking people to put a teddy bear on their front porch to honour the children who lost their lives. She thought this would be a beautiful tribute, but it wouldn’t help people to put into perspective what a huge number 215 is. Salvatori posted on local Facebook groups asking for donations of teddy bears. She contacted Carmela Ciocio, the principal of Caldwell Street Public School, and asked if she could put 215 teddy bears in the school yard and take photos so people could better visualize the size of this tragedy. Ciocio agreed, and suggested the bears be placed on the fence and left for 215 hours; one hour per child found, for passersby to see. All day Monday, teddy bears poured in. More than 215 were brought to Salvatori’s home and to the schoolyard. Catherine Townsend and Randy Swatt volunteered to help. Peggy Sue Brushett, an Indigenous woman whose children attended Caldwell St School,
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volunteered to smudge and wear a ribbon shirt. They arranged 215 bears in the school field, spaced 6 feet apart as they would be standing if they were in the yard today. “The visual impact was so powerful,” Salvatori noted. Residents who came to bring bears or just stand and honour the lives lost were brought to tears as they rounded the corner. “Some people asked me why I was doing this here because of bodies that were found in BC. But this happened all across Canada. This [memorial] can open a dialogue and allow people to be educated, to adjust what they think they know.” After the photos and smudging ceremony, volunteers and neighbours participated in hanging the bears on the fence. Salvatori left the remaining bears beside the fence with a sign inviting citizens to hang a bear in honour of missing and murdered Indigenous children. “We know that there are many more than 215 children missing,” Salvatori commented. She is deeply grateful that her idea snowballed into this larger memorial. “This is a place where anyone in the area can go and pay their respects in recognition of what has occurred.” Salvatori said she is “just a mom. It really had an impact on me as a mom.” Particularly shocking is the fact that this is not the first mass grave found at Residential schools. Seven mass graves were found in 2008. This is, however, the first one to catch national attention: Indigenous families and their allies know it will not be the last.
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TOP: A line of bears stretched along the fence has a huge visual impact. Photo credit: Submitted by Donna Deliva. BOTTOM LEFT: Olivia Salvatori and her son Sehrin with 100 donated teddy bears on Monday afternoon. Photo credit: Submitted by Olivia Salvatori. BOTTOM RIGHT: Residents are invited to hang a stuffie and pay their respects for the children who were murdered. Photo credit: Submitted by Shannon McLellan.
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Contact 613-284-9826 hometownnews@pdgmedia.ca Cartoon by Patrick Labelle
opinion: Am I the only one? Carrie Wynne
technology overload
I used to tell my kids that watching too much TV will make their brain turn to mush. I wonder what parents are telling their kids these days when it comes to their devices. Keeping kids off technology is next to impossible. I applaud every parent who is trying to do so, especially during Covid-19 where a year later we are still stuck in our homes — and increasingly stuck behind our screens. We must be flexible enough to evolve with the technology but choose how to use it right. Apple is
hands-down my favourite company in the world. It has made our lives better, easier, and more efficient and we cannot overstate how useful these devices are. Yet for every plus there is a minus. When we spend too much time on our phone, we miss what’s happening in front of us and lose connection with our surroundings. The average screen time in 2020 was 7 hours a day. Technology overload is detrimental to a person’s mind. Establish some “house rules”. Be present with others. Observe the world around you and let your mind wander. Your brain will thank you. These online platforms were designed to addict us. As someone who has struggled with ADHD and moderation I can tell you, they did a great job. Since
the inception of social media suicide rates have been rising. There will be a flood of internet disorders in years to come. More drugs are taken to quiet the mind than to heal the body. The surveillance and tracking are kind of creepy too. Did we sign up for this? Did our kids sign up for this? I’m optimistic that people are becoming more aware of these attempts to control us. To paraphrase a famous quote, No one on their deathbed will say, ‘I wish I had spent more time on my phone.’ Technology should improve your life, not become your life. Am I the only one? The opinions stated in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hometown News’ management, staff or writers.
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Remembering Dad on Father's Day Regional - Brian PReston editorial@pdgmedia.ca Isn't it ironic how Father's Day came into being? I am talking about its modern origins celebrated in many countries around the world and not the religious based versions which go back centuries in various faiths. Not surprisingly, it was in the United States of America where it all began but only in 1910! Father's Day was founded in Spokane, Washington at the YMCA in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd, who was born in Arkansas. Her father, the Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, was a single parent who raised his six children there. I find this to be a role-reversal reason to start a celebration, in generational terms (being a Baby Boomer myself), because we all would agree, I am sure, that mothers more readily come to mind to be honoured and celebrated as the family nurturers. Indeed, celebrations of mothers and motherhood can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who held festivals in honor of the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele, but the clearest modern precedent for Mother’s Day is the early Christian festival known as “Mothering Sunday.” In more recent times, we have seen both men and women in the workforce, sharing parental duties as well as economically providing for the family, once virtually the sole responsibility of the father. This was the 'traditionalist family cohort' (sociological term) for post WWII families that I was brought up in. My father was quite a role model and a good family provider. Born in Scotland on the Clydesbank near Glasgow, he
emigrated with the family to Canada and later became an active sportsman who loved to take us on camping and canoe trips. He taught the kids how to swim (he had won several long-distance medals swimming along the shores of St. Catharines as an adolescent, and he was in the Henley Regatta). I really loved the water because of his teachings and I became a scuba diver and master instructor, later diving shipwrecks and reefs around the world. Dad followed his older brother and became a Spitfire pilot going from England to Germany in the war. He made it home (obviously, or you wouldn't be reading this article!) and then married Mom who was his girlfriend before he went overseas. Dad's father, my 'Poppa' was a marine engineer who sailed the world in the commercial merchant marine throughout WWI and was lucky not to be torpedoed! I took my love of water and the sea from Poppa. In fact, on a canoe trip with Dad in the heart of Algonquin Park one fall, with the leaves in all their splendour on a warm sunny day, we were sitting at the lake listening to the waves gently lapping onto shore, when he asked me in a quizzical voice, "You're lucky your generation never had to go to war Brian, but if you did, what arm of the Forces would you join?" Pondering the question for a moment I said, "the Navy, dad." At 72 years old with clear hazel eyes that were still 20/20 vision, he blurted, "Good, cause you don't think fast enough to be a fighter pilot!" I was a bit taken aback for a second but agreed with his accurate assessment. I was also a bit jealous about his eyesight because I got my mother's eyes -
glasses at 16 years old! At least black horn-rimmed glasses were 'in' at the time like some of the British bands. Dad was also a good provider as he was quite the Sales and Marketing guy. After the war, he was the Canadian representative of a US company making aluminum 'Upright Scaffolds' in Canada. With the war over, aluminum production went back to supplying domestic needs. These scaffolds were lighter, lasted longer and were easier to erect by fewer people, so Dad did well selling them to DND Air Force hangars, large factory warehouses and the like. Like many fathers, he loved his wife and children, spending a lot of his free time with the growing family, instilling values and teaching us how to do many things. For my brother and I, for example, it was using tools and building anything out of wood, and for my sister it was getting her to help building and painting a big doll house for fabricating something for a school project. Later in life, things change for many fathers and mothers. Nowadays we see more divorces than ever before. In fact, even our family was affected as Mom and Dad finally split after over 55 years marriage with the kids all grown up with families of our own. They must have done something right though. My wife and I just celebrated 50 years of marriage and we have four kids who are all doing fine - defined as all being happy with none of them ever getting in trouble with the law! So a tip of the hat to all fathers out there on Father's Day this year! You/we complement the true family heroes, our mothers, our wives.
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June 2021
community Local businesses on board for first Westport Pride Week
The newly formed Westport Pride movement has offered to provide a Progress Pride flag similar to this one, to be flown at the town hall during the first-ever Westport Pride Week, May 31 to June 6. Photo credit: Chris Must
Regional - Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca “Westport is a tourist town, and everyone who comes into our community needs to feel welcome,” said Jessica Roberts, cofounder of the brand new Westport Pride movement. Roberts along with Neil
Kudrinko, owner of the Kudrinko’s Ltd. grocery store, launched Westport Pride in mid-May, unveiling a new Facebook page and writing to ask town council to proclaim May 31-June 6 Pride Week in the community. “In keeping with council’s efforts to confront and address systematic discrim-
ination in our community, council’s declaration of support for Westport Pride would enhance and support the inclusion and celebration of 2SLGBTQ+ (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/ questioning) people as contributing members of our community,” stated the let-
ter, dated May 10. “Council’s declaration would also serve as a strong signal to 2SLGBTQ+ people and their allies that Westport is a welcoming community that not only encourages people of all sexual orientations and identities to visit our community, but that we welcome all people to make Westport their home.” The letter also asked council to fly the Pride flag at town hall during the week, and offered to pay for the flag. Roberts said the request received a positive reception at a recent meeting of council’s Committee of the Whole, with a final vote scheduled for a June 1 regular council meeting. Because of the short time frame involved along with restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Pride Week activities in 2021 are mostly limited to the official proclamation, flying the flag at town hall, and encouraging local businesses to decorate their win-
dows with a Pride theme as a show of support. In future years, said Roberts, Westport Pride would ideally like to host social events including parades and picnics, as well as having a presence at other local events throughout the year, such as entering a float in the local Santa Claus Parade. “We’re not just going to be a once-ayear thing,” said Roberts. The recent decision to launch Westport Pride came about, Roberts said, because co-founder Kudrinko, who is well-known in the community “identifies as queer and pansexual.” Over the course of a series of conversations about sexuality and identity, Roberts added, “We said, let’s just do this.” In a Facebook post May 24 shortly after the launch of Westport Pride’s new page, Kudrinko said, “I also decided that I was no longer interested in being in the closet about my sexuality and I used my intro post as one of
the co-founders of Westport Pride to come out.” Now 43, Roberts said she grew up in the local area and attended Rideau District High School prior to moving to Toronto. She moved back to the area a few years ago. She recalled that two students at her high school in the 1990s, a lesbian couple, weren’t allowed to hold hands, which heterosexual couples were allowed to do. Although she is married to a man, Roberts said, “I have also come out as certainly not 100 percent straight.” Westport is still a small and conservative town, Roberts said, which means that promoting change means moving “cautiously and respectfully.” Overcoming prejudice requires ongoing education, she added. So far most local businesses have been supportive, and many have accepted the offer of small Pride stickers for their windows stating that “All are welcome.”
Celebrate Pride with flag raisings and online events Regional - Catherine Poag editorial@pdgmedia.ca June is here and Pride Month has begun as many of our awesome surrounding communities have started planning virtual and fun activities to celebrate pride this year. With the current lockdown, celebrating in person is not allowed but that has not slowed down the pride groups as they worked even harder to pull off an awesome pride month. There are so many groups, and so many exciting events to share! First up we have just welcomed a new group to our pride community, Westport Pride. This group is based out of Westport and just started their group this May! On May 16 an email went out to businesses in Westport to ask them to show their support for Westport Pride and recognize May 31-June
6 as Westport Pride Week. The email also asked businesses to decorate their locations in Rainbow theme. The group has also reached out to Council and asked that the week of May 31- June 6 be recognized as Westport Pride Week and to fly the pride flag at town hall. Next up, events! So many great covid-friendly events happening this month! Starting with Brockville: May 31 starts the pride week off with a virtual pride flag raising at town hall which is being held over Facebook. Next up, a virtual Pride Cake Competition and Auction June 1, to be held via Zoom at 7pm. Later in the week, Brockville Pride is offering Drive by Drag on June 5 and 6, and to end off their pride week an all-inclusive online church service will be held on Sunday at 10am on the
Wall Street United Website. Next up on the events list is the Lanark County Area which includes Lanark County, Perth, Mississippi Mills, Smiths Falls, and Carleton Place. Each Pride Week will start with a flag raising ceremony; Lanark Country will raise their flag on June 1 at 11am at 99 Christie Lake Rd; Perth will have a flag viewing and ceremony at the Crystal Palace on June 5 at 4pm; Carleton Place will have theirs on June 17 at Roy Brown Park; Mississippi Mills will show their pride on June 5 at 2pm at the textile Museum; Smiths Falls has yet to announce a date but they will be raising their flag in August. For the Perth and Mississippi Mills Pride Flag Raising, people are encouraged to decorate their cars and drive from the Mississippi Mills Raising to Perth.
Next up in events for these communities is Say it with a Rainbow All Month! This event starts June 3 and goes until June 30. This event is to encourage people to make rainbows for their windows for Pride Month. You can pick up a “Say it with a Rainbow” kit between June 1 to June 30 at Mississippi Mills Youth Centre, Carleton Place Library, Trinity United Church Smiths Falls, and YAK in Perth. Next event on the list is ‘Stand up to Street Harassment.’ This event will be held June 8 from 7 to 8pm via Zoom. Don’t forget to register for this at queerconnectionlanark.ca. On June 11, Trinity United Church in Smiths Falls is holding a Rainbow Sabbath from 7-8pm. This will be held over Google meets.
Find the link to join at www. queerconnectionlanark.ca On June 13, Francine Desjardins and the Lanark Drum Circle is holding a ‘Sunrise Ceremony to honour Two Spirit People.’ Sunrise begins at 5:18 am, and if more than 5 people are allowed to gather together, people can attend the park at 5:10 am, meeting at The Healing Forest Memorial, Last Duel Park in Perth. On June 16 from 6-7pm, J Wallace Skelton is holding a ‘Parenting Outside of the Gender Binary’ discussion over Zoom. Visit queerconnectionlanark.ca. to register. On June 17 from 7-9:30pm, a virtual event called ‘Music, the Arts & Mingle virtual meet-up’ is being held over Zoom. This event allows people to share their music, poetry, comedy and art and gives them the opportunity to chat with others.
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On June 20 from 6-8pm over Zoom, join Peter and Family for ‘Cooking IN while being OUT! virtual culinary experience.’ Visit the Queer Connection Lanark website for the Zoom information. On June 23 join Deborah and Hayley from 7-8:30pm for ‘Coming Out Ish.’ This is a virtual event held over Zoom for a sharing experience of your coming out. You can register for this event at queerconnectionlanark.ca. All these events can be found at Queer Connection Lanark’s website, so grab your computer and jump on some of these awesome events. Even though Covid-19 has not allowed us to celebrate together, the celebrations this year will be just as big and loud as ever as we celebrate Pride Month 2021.
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June 2021
Farmers Markets: How do they look different this year? Regional - Catherine Poag editorial@pdgmedia.ca The Covid-19 pandemic has changed how we interact, shop, and do activities in big ways. This is not any different for our farmers’ markets, but with Covid-19 they have pivoted and have started the season by making a few adjustments to how they normally serve you. The Perth Farmers’ Market opened for their first day on May 8. The market is considered essential for food and produce vendors; due to the lockdown craft vendors are not allowed at this time. The market will run every Saturday from 8am to 1pm, and the market has put in place
covid precautions to keep the vendors and customers safe. These precautions include operating only outdoors with a single entrance and exit where all customers will be asked to sign in, check themselves for symptoms, and asked to wear a mask. The Carleton Place Farmers’ Market also had their opening day on May 8 this year; their market is open from 8:30- 12:30. The market has had to make some changes with the pandemic and current lockdown: it is still filled with vendors selling vegetables, seedlings, local meat, canned goods, maple syrup, honey, birdhouses, coffee, plants, macra-
me, soap, vegan kits, bread, baked goods and much more. On their Facebook page, the market released their safety measures in order to keep their customers and vendors safe. These safety measures include asking customers to stay home if they are not feeling well, social distancing between customers and vendors, and recommending that masks be worn when social distancing cannot happen. The Almonte Farmers’ Market is set to open for this season on May 22 and will be open from 8:30-12:30 in the library parking lot. The Almonte market has created a plan to keep both their vendors and customers safe.
For vendors, the layout of the market will allow for social distancing and there will be a limited number of vendors. For customers there will be one-way traffic which will be marked with arrows on the pavement and marked entrances and exits. Sanitizer will be available as you enter the market, and you are encouraged to bring your own bags. The market states that wearing masks outside is optional if you can maintain social distancing. The Crosby Flea Market has been advised to wait until after lockdown to open their market as they sit on standby. The Crosby Market will adopt the same proto-
cols used at their market last year. They will have hand sanitizer at every entrance and each booth, social distancing for the booths and customers, and some of their vendors are even offering curbside pickup! The Westport Market is opening for the season on May 22. Their hours are 10am to 2pm, and they have lots of returning and new vendors signed up for their season. They have many protocols in place to keep their patrons safe this season. These protocols include providing hand sanitizer as people enter the market and having a specific entry and exit to monitor capacity limits.
This summer is a great summer to get out for some fresh air and some local goods at any of these awesome markets. Pick up some treats, crafts, maple syrup, and local meats, and stay safe in the process.
on to new challenges and adventures. The class of 2021 is the second year of graduating students directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, who will be missing out on in-person parties, proms and graduation ceremonies that are traditionally shared with their fellow classmates. This is why local mother Stephanie Imerson decided to take matters into her own hands, and create a Facebook group that would allow community members the opportunity to get creative and help bring happiness and fun to students who are graduating from grade eight and highschool across Lanark County. Stephanie stated in an interview with Hometown News that “the group blew up in minutes of going live on Facebook”. She said “it’s been so fantastic, it grows daily”, when talking about the group's progress. Imerson told us she got the idea after seeing the 2020 “Adopt a Grad” Facebook group last year which was initiated by Amber-Lynn Hall for graduating students
in Smiths Falls and Perth. Stephanie noted that it really took off last year to help students who were missing out on their special graduation celebrations, and she wanted to bring that momentum forward this year through Smiths Falls and Lanark County. Stephanie explained that the group is easy to participate in: simply upload a photo of the graduating student with a few words about who they are and what they enjoy, and a member of the community then has the chance to adopt them and surprise the grad with a special token to celebrate this special milestone in their life. Members of the group have also had the opportunity to nominate students to win prizes in the weekly prize draw. There have been prizes donated by local businesses such as K. Jones Photography, The Pickled Pig, Jacqueline Marie Photography and Couch & Hare Insurance (Tammy Mulroney). Many generous members of the community have also been so kind as to have taken their
time and money to create and donate prizes, as well as the labour of love by the group’s founder. All this work is done in support of making sure these deserving graduates are acknowledged in their accomplishments. In our interview with
Stephanie she was thrilled to tell us that as of the end of May there had already been approximately 167 graduates adopted, and that number continues to grow daily. She also noted that no graduate that is posted in the group will go unadopted. Each stu-
dent posted will receive a special token of celebration. Graduates can be posted and adopted right up until the last Friday in June. For further information or to join the Adopt a Senior group on Facebook, email Stephanie Imerson at mrs.imerson@gmail.com.
Photo submitted.
Local mom thinks outside of the box to help grads celebrate amid pandemic
Graduate Declan Watts is all smiles receiving his surprise treat from Lisa Ritskes. Photo submitted by Stephanie Imerson
Regional - Shannon McLellan editorial@pdgmedia.ca Graduation is a time when we look forward and back simultaneously. The ways that graduates have learned, have supported one another and have attained their goal of completing school in these most trying of times is a testament to the fact that these students are ready to move
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June 2021
lifestyle Bailey Andison gearing up for Olympic trials Smiths Falls - Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Ever since she began swimming with the Perth Stingrays at the age of five, Bailey Andison has been telling people she was going to be an Olympic swimmer. Now that dream is within the grasp of the 23-year-old Smiths Falls native, who has been in Toronto since April to prepare for the Olympic trials to join Team Canada at the Tokyo Olympics. That Olympic journey has come with some significant bumps in the road along the way. First the COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the 2020 Olympics, now set to be held in Tokyo in July. The Swimming Canada Olympic Trials, which would normally be held in
April, were first postponed to the end of May, and then again to June 19-23 at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, because of the stayat-home order issued by the Ontario government. “It’s just been a crazy year, an emotional roller coaster for them,” said Andison’s mother, Bronwyn Saywell. “They’ve persevered and trained through another year.” In a Facebook post a year ago, Andison said, “I know it is selfish to be mourning the loss of a potential athletic opportunity when myself, and the ones I love, are safe and healthy. With that being said, fighting for a spot on the Canadian Olympic team is something I have been dreaming about since I was a little girl.” Andison’s personal best,
a time of 2:09.99 in the 200 IM (Individual Medley) ranks her at number eight in a list of the world’s fastest competitive swimmers. Saywell said the postponement of the 2020 Olympics may have been a “blessing in disguise” since her daughter has actually “gotten faster over the past year.” Andison is Canada’s second-fastest swimmer, ranked close behind 24-year-old Sydney Pickram. She competes in both the 200 and 400IM, although the 200 is her main event. Individual medley consists of a single swimmer swimming equal distances using four different strokes (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle) within one race. To prepare for the up-
coming trials, and a spot on Canada’s Olympic team, Andison is training in the pool every day except Sunday, sometimes twice a day. Dry land training with weights is also scheduled several days a week. Andison left her hometown at the age of 17 to accept an athletic scholarship at the University of Denver, Colorado. To take advantage of the opportunity to train with superior coaches in better facilities, she transferred to the University of Indiana to complete her program in international relations, graduating two years ago. Andison came to Toronto from Indiana, where she continued to train after graduation, in mid-April, and had to take an enforced two-week
With the 2020 Olympics now set to go ahead (a year late) in Tokyo this July, Smiths Falls native Bailey Anderson is fighting hard to win a spot on Team Canada. Photo credit: facebook.com/ bailey.andison
break to quarantine. The Tokyo Olympics, which the Japanese government recently confirmed are definitely going ahead, will be held without spectators, which should be an unusual experience for athletes used to competing in front of crowds. Andison’s family and
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friends in Smiths Falls will be with her in spirit, however. The community has always supported her Olympic dreams, sometimes holding fundraising events to help along the way. “She’s got lots of support from this town,” said Saywell. “She always gives a shout out to Smiths Falls.”
Let's Eat Beer, Wine and Spirits Sweet Scoops and The Pickled Pig: Broken Stick Brewery
I found a relatively new brewery just east of Ottawa which is, I understand, the only brewery in Canada located at a golf course - Hammond GC. I noticed that they are quite generous in their local community support because $1 from every can of their special beer, Little Ray's Gator Ale goes to support the operation and feeding of the animals at Little Ray's, which is famous for touring schools and operating a zoo for people to visit and learn about exotic animals. All the beers in the can are 473ml. Stepane Dicaire is one of the owners and his Brewmaster has put together some notable brews which are regularly changing, so look online to see what you like (www.brokenstickbrewing.com). For $15 they will deliver to your door! Their popularity is a testament to the quality of the beers and they have had to hire an Assistant Brewmaster as they also increase their volumes. If you are in the neighbourhood for a golf game, stop at the brewery/restaurant and have a nice cold beer with your nibbles. They also plan on building a rental,
eco-friendly tiny home on site so you can play a round or two of golf, enjoy the food and craft beers, and not have to worry about drinking and driving when all you want to do is unwind, relax and play golf. Little Ray's Gator Ale, New England IPA, 6.5%abv, $4.00 Nice cloudy yellow orange with a touch of sediment which is good for you, really! Nose: refreshing pink grapefruit reflected in the zesty taste along with a creamy head and mouth-coating softness giving way to subtle bitter lemon notes and a medium hoppiness. Showcasing bold tropical teeth, a submerged juicy body and a subtle bitter bite. Let Gator Ale quench your thirst. Malt: 2-Row, Oats, Wheat. Hops: Mosaic, Azacca. Yeast: Foggy London Ale Hazy Bear, New England Pale Ale, 5.5%abv, IBU 28, $3.23 Intense citrus and berry aromas, soft and juicy body. Hazy golden colour with grapefruit and citrus nose similar to Ray's but softer and lighter citrus notes. This beer is for those lazy
Brian Preston
The Travelling Sommelier brianpreston@hotmail.com
days, so let Hazy Bear help you relax. Malt: 2-Row, Oats, Wheat. Hops: Mosaic, Azacca. Yeast: Foggy London Ale Happy to Be Here, Cream Ale, 4.6%abv, IBU 15, $2.74 Light golden colour with a good initial creamy head followed by mouth-coating creaminess and a light, pleasing malt taste coming through. A light, crisp, easy drinking and uncomplicated ale. Just happy to be here. Malt: 2-row , Carapils. Hops: Sterling. Yeast: American Ale Mully's, Irish Red Ale, 4.8%abv, IBU 21, $2.74 Named after their dog, this copper red is a malt forward sessionable ale with caramel and notes of sweet raisin; wonderful creamy soft malts with just the right amount of cleansing bitterness on a long, dry roasty finish. One of the best red ales I've tasted! Great with fish and malt vinegar chips, or a pizza. Malt: Maris Otter, Light & Dark Crystal, Roasted Barley. Hops: East Kent Goldings. Yeast: American Ale Lion's Pride, Stout, 4.0%abv, $2.89 Our dry stout is a malty and sessionable dark ale with coffee, dark chocolate and a dry roast finish. Join the pride and take your lion’s share of this dark tasty treat. Malt: Maris Otter, White Oats, Roasted Barley. Hops: East Kent Goldings. Yeast: American Ale
Brian Turner
perfect partners for a food destination Food always seems to be connected in our memories to meaningful events and occasions in our lives. Whether it’s something elaborate like a family holiday feast or wedding dinner, or something simple like picnics or ice-cream in the park, fond memories of family and friends usually involve favourite foods and refreshments. But can foods be the launching point for fun adventures and new traditions? The folks at The Pickled Pig in Smiths Falls think so, and they seem to have attracted new converts to this philosophy. Sweet Scoops revitalized their landmark location at 1 Chambers Street in Smiths Falls in 2013, eventually incorporating The Pickled Pig market/eatery and this season marks the second summer of offering their mouthwatering treats in Centennial Park. The evolution from being a quality ice-cream vendor to a full-service counter-purveyor of unique and delightful foods as well as developing a great catering company along the way may not have followed any precise tactical plan, but the end destination is something that shouldn’t be missed. The Pickled Pig learned quickly enough, it wasn’t enough to just select, prepare, and serve the best meats, cheeses, and veggies available, but matching them with the right oven-baked goods is what completes the picture. It should be no surprise that you’ll find 3 full-time bakers at Chambers
Street with expertise in everything from breads to cakes of all types to to-die-for treats. Last year the town of Smiths Falls launched an imaginative campaign to increase outdoor activities while promoting tourism. Picnic Smiths Falls is back for a second year and it was a perfect fit for Sweet Scoops and The Pickled Pig. The program urged visitors and local residents alike to purchase a picnic-box-for-two (or more) at participating vendors. The boxes come with walking-tour guide literature and a special gift along with a complete picnic meal. The Pig was quite busy welcoming new customers with this initiative last summer and is expecting even better results this season. They specialize in piled-high sandwiches like the turkey/bacon Swiss and the Grandpa Pig but also excel at savory pastries, desserts, take-home dinners and of course their renowned Charcuterie boards.
Now you can lead your troops on an outing of discovery and earn heaps of praise, just for making a quick stop at The Pickled Pig to pack the basket. You can also get their famous sandwiches at the Centennial Park annex building by the basin, along with real old-fashioned ice-cream and milkshakes, hotdogs, cold drinks and snacks. It’s a perfect match for a day of boat-watching, strolling, or just soaking up some sun. You can reach them at 613283-7707 or check out their details at thepickledpig.ca or sweetscoops.ca. Some of us wasted our summer last year, fretting and waiting for public health restrictions to ease, but with picnicking and great weather and gorgeous scenery to take in, this is the time to make new memories and discover new treasures and dive into tastes that will ensure your good times won’t be soon forgotten.
6
June 2021
culture Smiths Falls History & Mystery: The lost cemetery by Ted Outerbridge
For twenty years, Agnes Lamb lived in what was considered to be the finest mansion between Montreal and Toronto. Alexander Wood’s “Glenwood” Mansion was built on Chambers Street in Smiths Falls in the early 1870s and absolutely no expense was spared. This immense structure was built of imported white sandstone and featured a multi-coloured slate roof adorned with the finest iron cresting. It boasted a massive ballroom occupying the entire third floor. Parties that took place there became headlines in the local papers. In 1846, Alexander Wood formed a partnership with Ebenezer Frost. For 116 years, Frost & Wood played a huge role in the history of Smiths Falls. They were one
of the largest manufacturers of farm implements in Canada, and the largest employers in town. Their products were sold across the world. Wood acquired an abundance of real estate, including a grist mill complex on Wood Island which he purchased in 1880. Today, it is home to Parks Canada. In 1893, the Toronto Globe newspaper wrote that Alexander Wood was the most enterprising man in Smiths Falls. At that time, Wood had already retired as an active partner in the Frost & Wood Company. Alexander Wood and his wife Henrietta Baird had seven children. Only two of them made it past their sixth birthday. In 1866, Henrietta died at the age of 43. Nine years later, Agnes Lamb, who was Henrietta’s niece, arrived at Glenwood. She became Alexander Wood’s “trusted companion and housekeeper” for twenty years, according to The Record News. The 1891 census documents four people living in the Wood household: Alexander Wood, age 63 and widowed, Agnes’s mother Catherine Isabella Lamb, age 70 and widowed, Agnes Lamb, age 40 and unmarried, and a six-year-old
ted@tedouterbridge.com
boy named Alexander Lamb who was apparently born in the United States. Who was Alexander Lamb? Was Alexander Wood his father? Upon Alexander Wood’s death in 1895, his family purchased an acre of land for $100 on a farm facing the Maple Vale Cemetery. The property was located on “Vault Hill” just outside of Smiths Falls in the Township of South Elmsley. The Wood Mausoleum and Cemetery was constructed for his entombment. Just like the Glenwood mansion, it was a spectacular show of wealth. It was reserved for Wood family and friends only. On January 31, 1895 the Rideau Record newspaper wrote that Alexander Wood’s will was “short and simple”. It stated that Miss Lamb was given $20,000 in cash. His two sons, William and Stephen, were given $6,000 in cash and a yearly income of $2,500. The article also mentioned that “Mr. R. J. Brodie and Miss Agnes Lamb are the executor and executrix and to them is given the power to deal with the estate as they think best.” Wood’s real estate was liquidated, and Agnes Lamb and her mother
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downsized from the Glenwood mansion to the modest seven-bedroom “Keyhole House” on Brockville Street. It was purchased for $3,000. The house had just been built by contractor Matthew Ryan and was designed by architect George Thomas Martin. This grand Victorian structure is an eclectic mix of older architectural movements. Its notable features include: a keyhole entrance or Moorish arch, Italianate brackets on the frieze above the second story windows, a Queen Anne Revival style porch, and Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie Style inspired stained glass. The 1901 Census documents Agnes Lamb and her mother as living at the Keyhole House, but with no mention of Alexander Lamb. Agnes never married and died of tuberculosis at the age of 60 on August 11, 1903. She was entombed at the Wood Cemetery. Agnes left money to the Saint John’s Episcopal Church, her mother, Wood family members, and her sisters. Clause 4 in her will stated: I give and bequeath to my Executors out of my personal estate one thousand dollars, In Trust, to be invested by them on Deposit Receipt in the Molsons Bank for all time to come, the interest arising therefrom to be applied by them annually and expended for the maintenance and embellishment in a decent and proper manner of the burying ground lately purchased by the Estate of the late Alexander Wood, and in which his remains have been interred, such maintenance to be done out of the interest of the said fund for all time to come. The next portion of this story is rather disturbing. The last burial at the Wood Cemetery and Mausoleum took place in 1949. After that, it was abandoned. Trees and brush grew up and the cemetery was lost to time.
Wood Cemetery and Mausoleum. Photo credit: Ted Outerbridge.
Locals forgot that it existed. Vandals broke a number of the gravestones and even smashed and opened a tomb. In October 1987, it was documented that multiple headstones were missing from the Wood Cemetery—including the headstones from three WWI veterans’ gravesites. A metal maple leaf marker was discovered and placed in the mausoleum, but later went missing. Numerous padlocks were broken by vandals breaking into the mausoleum; the original padlock even contains a bullet hole! While Agnes Lamb’s tomb was crumbling from neglect, the money invested by her executors to maintain the cemetery appears to have vanished. In 1925, The Molsons Bank merged with Bank of Montreal. When an account at a bank or trust company has been inactive for ten years, and the owner cannot be contacted, it is considered an “unclaimed balance.” Did the Bank of Montreal transfer the balance to the Bank of Canada? Was some accounting error to blame, or is the truth more scandalous? Meanwhile, Alexander Wood’s Glenwood mansion was converted into apartments, and was destroyed by fire in 1992. 2014 was a turning point
for the Wood Mausoleum and Cemetery. While attending a Municipal Heritage meeting, Tony Humphrey received a distressing phone call. The door of the Wood Mausoleum was ajar. When he arrived, he discovered the padlock had been destroyed and that Agnes Lamb’s tomb was crumbling. This incident resulted in the revival of the Wood Cemetery Committee originally spearheaded by Joan Hogan. Ron Lyon, Tony Humphrey, Councillor Dawn Quinn, Peter Maddock, Dave Pringle and Leisa Purdon Bell joined forces to oversee the restoration of the historic cemetery. An arborist was hired to cut down the wall of cedar trees and brush. Their work revealed a cemetery littered with fire pits, beer bottles, and garbage. Fortunately, a group of volunteers came together and cleaned the space. The Township of Rideau Lakes has now accepted ownership of the abandoned Wood Mausoleum and Cemetery. We have been advised that we can look forward to seeing the Agnes Lamb tomb restored soon. My wife Marion and I feel somehow responsible for her wellbeing as we are restoring the Keyhole House on Brockville Street, where she used to live.
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7
June 2021
business Bill King looks to change representation for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston Regional - Terry O'Hearn editorial@pdgmedia.ca
Bill King visiting the 150-year-old country general store that has just been renovated and reopened by new owners in McDonalds Corners, where he bought a Lemon Tarte. Photo credit: Submitted.
Bill King has thrown his hat in the ring for the Progressive Conservative nomination in the riding of Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston because he feels the current MPP has been “off chasing headlines in pursuit of his own narrow agenda.” He is referring, of course, to independent MPP Randy Hillier, who was unceremoniously booted from the PC caucus on March 12, 2019. Hillier was informed by letter from the Progressive Conservatives' caucus chair at that time that he had been permanently expelled, and he has been running as an independent member ever since. One of the reasons
King is running for the PC nomination is because he believes “We need a strong and experienced candidate to bring about the change voters in Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston need and want. Voters in LFK have been left with no representation.” He believes his business and government experience, along with extensive community involvement, positions him well for the job of MPP at Queen’s Park. King pointed out that he has worked as a newspaper journalist, public servant, senior corporate executive, and a small businessman along the road to his present position representing Ward Four of Lanark Highlands Council. His Council positions include the township
Shopping local in Perth Perth - Catherine Poag editorial@pdgmedia.ca We have all missed shopping during this pandemic, and all our local shops have sure missed us; with the lockdown coming to a close and shops reopening, it is the perfect time to tell you all the wonderful shops that Perth has to offer. This ultimate shop local guide will help you know where to shop for all the things you’re looking for, and not looking for. Let’s start with our specialty shops. These cute shops are filled to the brim with those perfect gifts. Know someone who has a birthday coming up? Stop by Ground Waves, Treasure by the Tay, or Shadow Fax for those hardto-buy-for people. Decided to do Christmas in July and have no idea what to get for your Mother-in-Law? Check out Where Dragons Fly, Red Brick Emporium, or Mariposa Design. Looking for something for your Irish or Scottish friend? Look no further and check out the Irish Scottish Shop. Looking for something for a child? Don’t worry we have you covered on that one too! Perth has all the bases covered whether you need clothes, toys, or baby supplies; all can be found in just three stores, Spring Children,
Fawn and Fox, and Balderson Kids. Finally, but certainly not least, looking for jewellery for that special someone or a nice gift for yourself? Stop by Burns Jewelers! Wanting to stay with the trends and try your hand at thrift shopping? Check out Worth Saving Charity Shop so you can save money and help the planet! After the pandemic is over I know I will have a lot of events to attend so some new clothes are in order, especially with all the extra snacking that happened during the lockdowns. Perth has you covered for all the styles for the whole family. For the men, check out Conway’s Men’s Store or Jewel’s Gently Used Clothing. For the ladies’ fancy, check out Fall River Company and Fall River Fashion, Voila!, and Queen Bee Millinery. Looking for something a little more casual? Check out Dragon Moon, Fashion Envy, Miss Penny’s Closet, Flint and Honey and The Second Collection. Looking to find the perfect bra? Stop by Lavender and Lace. Finally, after this lockdown are you in need of a wedding dress? Do not worry you won’t have to look far, head down to Perth and visit Ever After Bridal. Getting annoyed of looking at your house office every-
Photo credit: facebook.com/Perthtourism
day as you sit on those boring Zoom calls, maybe it is time for some new decorations. You are in luck; Perth is filled to the brim with décor shops that have something for everything. Grab a coffee and take a walk through Perth and stop at Studio 87, Hay Design Furnishing and Décor, Décor a la Mode, Evelyn and Louise, and Decorating by Design. By the end of your day, your house will look amazing with its new décor! Add some flowers in your brand new vase or end tables from Kelly’s Flowers and Gift Boutique, or Apropos Flowers. Want something to do in your newly decorated house? How about some crafts? Take up knitting and visit Yarns Aplenty or Unraveled. Make some new curtains and stop
by Perth Fabrics and Crafts to grab your fabric. Maybe you need some new artwork for your wall so stop by Art and Class, Katherine Muir Miller Gallery, Riverguild Fine Crafts, and Streve Design Boutique and Art Gallery. Now that you have your house fully decorated it's time to move on to relaxing. Curl up with a good book from The Book Nook and Other Treasures, or The Book Worm. Or curl and put on a record from Backbeat Books, Music & Gifts. It is time to put your shopping shoes on and hit the town of Perth! Make sure you start saving up again for next month as we take a hop, skip, and a jump over to Smiths Falls to do some more local shopping.
committees of Council, Committee of the Whole, Committee of Adjustment, Lanark Highlands & North Lanark Community Health Centre – Joint Planning Committee, Mississippi Valley Conservation Board, and Frosty Fling. King’s official biography reveals that: “With more than four decades of government, private sector and political experience, (he) has an established, community-oriented, and successful track record of common-sense leadership in Ontario at the municipal, provincial and federal level, as well as international experience.” King was raised in Northern Ontario, and after school was employed as a reporter for the North Bay Nugget where he developed a taste for civic affairs and politics. He soon met newly elected Nipissing MPP Mike Harris, and was hired by Harris as an assistant. While serving Harris from 1981 to 1998 at Queen’s Park, he became one of the Premier’s top advisors, as well as Manager of Caucus Relations. King also managed Harris’s media relations and constituency operations when Harris was absent. Their personal and professional relationship endures to this day. A Globe and Mail op-ed piece shortly after Harris’s resignation quoted an ‘understatement’ by Harris: “Over the past six years, I believe we've changed politics in Ontario. The Globe opined that the Premier’s greatest contribution to political life has been to crack the mindset too many Ontarians had of entitlement and limitless public resources. “He has taken an axe to the fiscal deficit. He has been prepared to suffer the opposition of many to create a more accountable and cost-efficient public sector for all,” a legacy not too insignificant. After his stint with Harris, King was recruited to lead the public affairs practice at Hill & Knowlton Canada, where he served
for ten years as a member of the senior global marketing team. At the time he was internationally recognized for his management and government relations expertise. During that time he served on several Boards of Directors, including the Hummingbird Centre of the Performing Arts, and the McMichael Art Gallery. The year 2006 saw King shift focus to Ottawa, and he went to work with the Harper Government, where he served as Chief of Staff to the federal Health Minister and Industry Minister. During this time, he played a key role advising the ministers on pandemic planning and the response to SARS, as well as a rescue package for automakers and Canadian jobs during the 2008-09 recession. He also continued to work internationally, learning best government practices from other countries, and taking part in the Russia-Italy G8 economic summit delegation. In 2010 King returned to the private sector to launch several small businesses with his wife Dawn in the Perth and Lanark areas. As well as remaining active politically, he currently serves as Chief of Staff to a federal Member of Parliament in Ottawa. He is a former board member of the Lanark Youth Centre, and the national Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse and Addictions, and also sits on the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority. King feels that local council & community groups have been left to fend for themselves. “This needs to change. With my nearly two decades experience working at Queen’s Park, I have more experience working at the provincial Legislature than Randy Hillier does. We need an MPP whose first priority is the lives and livelihoods of folks right here at home; an MPP who can work with others locally and provincially. I believe I am that person.”
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