A.C. Towing 613-284-3465 24/7 Service
Owned & Operated By:
Local & Long Distance Lockouts Boosts Ogilvie's Telephone: 613-283-7444
Vol. 8
No. 10
YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER - LANARK, NORTH LEEDS & GRENVILLE
OCTOBER 2021
Ten decades of benefiting others Smiths Falls - Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca It was a ‘tough’ interview. But when there are 100 years to talk about…where to start? The plan was to break the story into four sections — that’s four sections of 25 years each — starting at the beginning, going to the end. Centenarian James Smith Sands, resident at Lanark Lifestyles in Perth, was okay with that. But, as often happens, stories are evocative, and while the 100 years were covered, it didn’t happen quite as planned…a lot more meandering. Centenarian James Smith Sands is the youngest child of a family of six; he was born September 3, 1921 after four older sisters and Adam, the first child in the family. Several early memories are more than vivid for him still. Public school was pretty boring; he admits to “not being too bright” and even failing and repeating the last year. He went because he had to. He excelled when he got to high school, though, where he was introduced to and became intrigued by electronics which became a lifelong passion.
One of his vivid memories as a teen was taking the train from Peterborough with Adam to the roundhouse at west Toronto and climbing around the engines there. The only thing they were told, he says, his eyes crinkling in remembrance, was “not to touch the throttles on the locomotives…they were big engines, steam locomotives.” The two ‘trained’ back to Peterborough in the early evening. “Kids sure wouldn’t be allowed to do that today,” he muses. And this, he adds, is where his fascination with trains started. A second passion was music. He describes it as “a major part of his existence.” He picked up the guitar, which he played all his life until a couple of years ago — at 98 — when his fingers gave up. Along with guitar he sang tenor and his voice became a perfect complement in many choirs over eight decades; he and two sisters formed a trio early on and through the years he was frequently asked to sing solos in The Messiah. “There was music every day…it just happened. We were a singing family. Martha and Agnes and I formed a trio before I joined the Air Force. I played guitar, and
CHEX Peterborough used to broadcast a Milk for Britain. I’d sing Shabby Old Cabby with two of my sisters.” He stopped for a moment and recited word-for-word Willy, Willy, Willy, one of the “crazy songs” he’d memorized more than 70 years ago. Third…his faith has been strong and engrossing throughout his life. He tells the story of a friend later in life who was in a dire way and he, and 40 members of his Bible Study group in Agincourt, sat and prayed for him over many long days. “The fellow came right back out of death.” And, of course, the war. He joined the Air Force in 1945, and eventually became the “youngest airman commissioned out of Clinton as a radar officer. “When war started Britain had to have 5000 technicians in a hurry. They came to Canada, and the 12 universities across Canada agreed to give basic training in electronics.” Sands remembers more than 200 going to the University of Toronto where he says he became so wrapped up with electronics, as fast as they would “pour it out, I absorbed it.” From there, they were sent
Jim Sands is 100. His pace has slowed a bit but he keeps his hand in taking pictures of residents and events at Lanark Lifestyles in Perth. Photo credit: Sally Smith.
to Clinton, north of Toronto, to the village of Vanastra which became the secret radar school. “Once there we were sworn to 50 years of silence.” Six of his class were commissioned as pilot officers. From there they went on to Corpus Christi in Texas and were trained on the Loran navigation system. He met an interesting fellow there — movie star Tyrone Power. At the time Sands needed dental work and Power drove him back and forth between Corpus Christi and his dental appointments.
Sands called him “quite the guy.” After a year of criss-crossing the country — Florida, Bahamas, back to Canada, on to Miami, then to Moncton, he gave his one and only true love Evelyn a call and said “Let’s get married!” They were married when he was 22, she was 21. They were stationed in Moncton and every morning he’d walk four miles to the base to see what was happening. One day his orders were to “get on the train to Halifax” and he didn’t see Evelyn for a year-and-ahalf after that. He sent airmail
letters every day, though. He says, matter-of-factly, that “Ev burned them years ago.” But, boy, what a story they could have told! In England, at RAF Winthorpe, Sands found himself the first Canadian staff radar officer, and the youngest. His mom gave him some good advice then. Pointing to the stripes on his arm on his newly-bought uniform, she said, according to Sands, “Son, if you have to rely on that to get the job done, they’ve given the commission to the wrong man.” Continues on page 5
Truth and Reconciliation Day in Lanark: first step in a long journey
Regional - Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca On Thursday, September 30, Lanark County Warden Christa Lowry, council and staff hosted the first Truth and Reconciliation Day ceremony at the county’s
FIND US ONLINE
Groceries Produce Fresh Flowers
admin offices in Perth. A series of speakers outlined the history of Indigenous peoples in our region and both the need for and the paths forward to achieve reconciliation. They all strived in their comments to provide connections to Facebook/HometownnewsPerth
Fresh Deli Fresh Fish
Bakery Salad Bar Butcher’s Counter
and foster understanding by non-first nation’s persons in attendance. Reminders that residential schools existed up to 1996 provided some context to the day’s proceedings. One of the most touching presentations came from a young Ojibway member from the Crane clan who described the pain and suffering she and her small community suffered on a reservation and how it was difficult to get her off-reservation friends to grasp the situation. Warden Lowry noted the
organizers were pleased that the turn-out was bigger than expected and that a variety of speakers was chosen to help everyone in attendance understand how they had a role to play in the process of healing. September 30 marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — an annual commemoration honouring the children who died while attending residential schools and the survivors, families and communities still affected by the legacy of that system.
Facebook/HometownnewsCarletonPlace
Algonquin Elder Larry McDermott addresses the audience at Lanark County's first marking of Truth and Reconciliation Day all photos courtesy of Lanark county staff. Photo submitted.
Facebook/HometownnewsSmithsFalls
www.Hometownnews.ca
2
PART OF THE DISCOVER COMMUNTIY NETWORK
Hometownnews
October 2021
Page Two Publisher
Photography
Patricia Krotki pmkrotki@pdgmedia.ca
Kathy Botham
Editorial
advertising@pdgmedia.ca
editorial@pdgmedia.ca
Community engagement
Reporters
shannon@pdgmedia.ca johnnyfive@pdgmedia.ca
Kathy Botham Sally Smith Chris Must Janelle Labelle Brian Turner John Kessel Shannon McLellan Catherine Poag
Sales & Advertising
Submit an Event events@pdgmedia.ca
Contact 613-284-9826 hometownnews@pdgmedia.ca
Hometown News is available at Your Independent Grocers across the region. Pick up your copy at: Andress' (Smiths Falls) • Barnabe's (Perth) Mitchell's (Carleton Place) • Patrice's (Almonte) PLEASE SUPPORT THESE LOCAL BUSINESSES.
opinion: Am I the only one? Carrie Wynne
Groceries Produce
Fresh Flowers
Fresh Deli
Salad Bar division politics
Fresh Fish
With genuine curiosity I had to google why the Bloc Quebecois leader, Yves-Francois Blanchet was at the federal debate on September 10. He has no intention or desire to be Prime Minister of Canada. I doubt Mr. Blanchet has any interest in unifying Canada and said as much in the debate. I found information on the Meech Lake Accord agreement and understand how and why the Bloc got official party status in 1991. It’s an insult to our democracy to
Bakery
Butcher’s Counter
have Mr. Blanchet at the federal debate as he represents one province. We really don’t need more of what’s good for Quebec. We need more of what’s good for Canada. Am I the only one? We must work together across all regions to restore our democracy and unify the country. Candidates at a federal debate should presumably be willing to represent all Canadians. The last thing Canada needs is self-serving federal leaders speaking on behalf of one province. Why were people apologetic to Mr. Blanchet about his claims he was unfairly treated at the debate? All the leaders were asked tough questions and thrown into the fire. Do I think the moderators left
their manners at home? Yes. Do I believe Mr. Blanchet was unfairly treated? No. I find this whole ‘distinct society’ and unique specialness a little hard to stomach. Mr. Blanchet is not what we need him to be, and he should not be at the federal leadership debate. There is a stronghold of division in society thanks to a media ecosystem that traffics in outrage. It is our job as Canadians to try and leave this country better for our children. Canadians are leery of any political figure that tries to destroy unity and that is a good sign for Canada. 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.
Cartoon by Patrick Labelle
Gift Bags for Seniors
Dawn’s Closet aids local seniors at Christmas Smiths Falls - Shannon McLellan editorial@pdgmedia.ca This Christmas season, seniors in the Smiths Falls community will once again be surprised with a special holiday gift, thanks to Dawn Quinn, owner of Dawn’s Closet located in Davidson’s Courtyard on Russell Street in Smiths Falls. The Gift Bags for Seniors campaign was birthed in efforts to spread some goodwill and cheer at this special time of year in the homes of the elderly, particularly those who are alone and without family close by. Last year approximately 229 gift bags were delivered to seniors in the Smiths Falls area as a result of the kindness of the hearts of Dawn Quinn and 15 dedicated volunteers. A few local seniors homes even received an extra special surprise, a visit from Santa Claus, played by local resident Gary Lackey who made his rounds dressed as jolly old Saint Nick himself. Organizer Dawn Quinn told Hometown News that the idea started 9 years ago on Christmas Eve during a conversation at church with a friend about how many elderly people, especially
Photo credit: facebook.com/dawnsclosetsmithsfalls
those isolated without family or friends nearby, are without so much as a visit at Christmas, let alone a gift. “It was a funny feeling to have on Christmas Eve to think that there would be people without something to open the next morning,” Dawn commented. The beautifully filled gift bags include items such as warm socks, jewellery, stuffed animals, word search puzzles, holiday snacks, scarves, hats, mittens, and many more thoughtful
gift items that any senior would enjoy, along with a Christmas card. Gift Bags for Seniors is now accepting donations, and is on the hunt for volunteers. Donations are being accepted now until the first week of December. Delivery dates are anticipated to be December 20 & 21. For those looking to help out or to nominate a senior in need of a gift, can reach out to Dawn directly at 613284-2664, or by email at: dawnscloset@hotmail.com.
Merrick Prep School receives prestigious International Impact PIEoneer Award Regional - Shannon McLellan editorial@pdgmedia.ca
Photo credit: Daniel Robles, Marketing and Admissions Coordinator for Merrick Preparatory School
The school year at Merrick Preparatory School started off with excitement last month, when the school was declared the winner at the fifth annual PIEoneer Awards in the “Secondary Learning International Impact Award” category, recognizing the school as “the best in the world.” Judged by a panel of 43 international leading education experts, 21 winners
spanning seven countries and all varieties of educator and service provider were awarded “top shelf ” in 19 categories in a year where the sector has been severely impacted by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The 21 winners, consisting of individuals, companies and associations, were recognised for their success, achievement and innovation in their work supporting international students and leading the international education sector during 2020.
Located in the picturesque village of Merrickville, Merrick Preparatory School currently has 22 international boarding students and will be continuing to accept more for its second semester in early February 2022. The school still offers the online option for students, both locally and internationally. In an interview with Hometown News, Daniel Robles, the Marketing and Admissions Coordinator for Merrick Preparatory School stated that, “we are beyond
excited that we received this award, and we are fortunate to be located in a small and safe community that parents can trust to send their children to live and learn in the environment that Merrick Prep School provides.” “We greatly appreciate the support of the community.” Robles added. For further information about this award and the opportunities (scholarships and bursaries) available for our local-day students contact www.merrickprep.com.
3
October 2021
community Build a Mountain of Food campaign prepares to kick off its 15th year Regional - Shannon McLellan editorial@pdgmedia.ca The annual Build a Mountain of Food campaign is embarking on its 15th year, and will soon be underway in its efforts to help keep the shelves well stocked at area food banks across eleven local communities beginning on Saturday November 6, and concluding on Saturday December 11. Again this year, dedicated volunteers will be visiting different towns and villages over the six week food drive, including Almonte, Carleton Place, Perth, Lanark, Smiths Falls,
Westport, Elgin, Portland, Merrickville, Athens, and Delta. On October 13 food bank representatives, sponsors and media partners will be brought together at the Smiths Falls Civitan Club to kick off the campaign. With humble beginnings in 2007, the Build a Mountain of Food campaign results have continued to climb over the past 14 years to a remarkable total of 1,702,556 lbs. of food and $1,179,423.99 in cash, with 100% of all cash and food going straight to the shelves of local food banks. Community food banks bring
aid to the many faces of hunger such as seniors with dwindling incomes, single parents, homeless and unemployed people in our community who can't make ends meet - any who struggle with food insecurity. Over the past 14 years the campaign has been associated with numerous community supporters such as Town & Country Chrysler, the Hinton Automotive Group, and its latest title sponsor, RCL Automotive. The newest change to BAM occurred in 2020 when owner and operator of RCL Automotive in Smiths Falls, Chris Craig was given the
reins. “I feel even more confident this year,” Chris stated with laughter in his interview with Hometown News. “2021 will look similar to last year as we are not able to be inside the grocery stores with the pandemic still looming over us,” Craig commented. “Our volunteers will be set up outside each location every week.” The RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food campaign serves as a primary food drive for many of the area food banks. “Many of the food banks are in need more than ever over the past few years, we see the smaller food banks
Housing Crisis: when getting answers is impossible Carleton Place - Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca Along with COVID-19 and partially because of it, housing has been a major topic in our region’s news for some time, like it has been for most of the country. There are a growing number of voices calling on all levels of government to deal with affordable housing shortages and skyrocketing prices. At the local level most of this discussion is centered on social housing as many people are being financially forced out due to rent increases and even mid-level paying jobs aren’t enough to afford reasonable accommodations. A substantial change in social housing occurred this year in Carleton Place when Lanark County sold its social housing units at Joseph Street, Edwards and Pattie Drives as part of a legal settlement stemming from court action taken by the county against the Circle K company (owners of a former gas station that was involved in a toxic chemical leak back in the 1980s). Part of the settlement involved Circle K being responsible for selling the homes and property on behalf of the county. This clause prevented anyone from the public asking any questions on the deal, including how much the County received for property
originally paid for by taxpayers. The private concerns that purchased all of the units is reportedly in the process of renovating them for rent. A statement from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment made in 2019 reported that as of 2018 there was no risk to human health at any of these homes due to the historic fuel station leak. So the obvious questions that many are asking are simple; if there are no environmental issues with the properties, why were they sold to private interests when there’s a shortage of social housing? If they were at the end of their lifecycles, how can private interests find a way to make them habitable and profitable? Why did the County agree to a confidentiality clause that prohibits it from answering reasonable questions? What the County has said in numerous social housing reports to its council and the public is that the demand for assisted-rent multi-bedroom homes has decreased drastically over the years. In last year’s Housing and Homelessness report of the 720 people on the rent-geared-to-income wait-list only 65 were looking for 4 or 5 bedroom units while 593 wanted 1 bedroom or bachelor accommodations. The county’s staff learned long ago that if you’re not offering
the right-sized and correctly located homes, you’re not servicing the needs of those at risk. And they have reported publicly that all of the original residents in those sold units were relocated successfully, the County is still building social housing units, and they’ve increased the number of rent-assistance programs to service more people. Besides, for the Carleton Place properties, this conversation is over; the deal is done and those homes will be on the private rental market soon. But some of the reasons that rents are skyrocketing today aren’t necessarily related to COVID-19 influences. I spoke with a local landlord facing over $10K in unit repairs after tenants moved out leaving the place unfit for human habitation. Rotting animal waste and other debris made it dangerous to even breathe the air inside for a short period of time, not to mention the health risks to those occupying the place. He reported in the 14 years they lived there, there was never a problem with late payments or complaints. The landlord was inside the unit 4 years ago supervising a furnace replacement and found nothing amiss. He mentioned conversations he’s had with other landlords facing similar problems along with tenants refus-
ing to pay any rent, abusing the current legislation to live cost-free for months while waiting for tribunal dates. The current housing crisis isn’t going away soon and local governments have limited resources to deal with the problem. Lanark County held a series of meetings with pretty much every stakeholder and expert on the topic this year and has approved the funding to get an external consultant to help find solutions. They have to balance their spending with a taxpayer base with little appetite for increases.
in particular continue to struggle and we are proud to help provide support,” Chris stated. The full schedule for the 2021 season of community food blitz dates has been revealed, with the RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food launching in Almonte and Carleton Place Saturday, November 6th which supports the Lanark County Food Bank, also known as The Hunger Stop. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., volunteers will be stationed at Patrice’s Your Independent Grocer in Almonte, as well as Giant Tiger, Mitchell’s Your Independent Grocer and FreshCo in Carleton Place. For more information visit: www.buildamountainoffood.com SATURDAY, NOV. 6 Almonte: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at Patrice’s YIG. In support of the Lanark County Food Bank (The Hunger Stop). Carleton Place: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at Mitchell’s YIG, FreshCo, and Giant Tiger. In support of the Lanark County Food Bank (The Hunger Stop). SATURDAY, NOV 13 Perth: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at Metro Perth, Barnabe’s Your Independent Grocer, Foodsmiths, and Giant Tiger. In support of the Perth
Serving our Community since 1997
On Site Digital X-ray Registered Massage Therapy Low Level Laser Therapy for Muscle, Tendon and Joint Healing Improving Your Quality of Life for 25 years
For Your Information with Kathy Botham
Good Food Bank. Lanark: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at Lanark Highlands Thrift Store. In support of the Lanark Highlands Food Pantry. SATURDAY, NOV. 20 Smiths Falls: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at Andress’ YIG, Food Basics, The Garden Market, and Giant Tiger. In support of the Smiths Falls Community Food Bank. SATURDAY, NOV. 27 Elgin: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at Gordanier Freshmart. In support of the Elgin Food Bank. Westport: 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, at Kudrinko’s. In support of the Westport Food Bank. SATURDAY, DEC 4 Portland: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at the Portland LCBO and RBC. In support of the Portland Food Bank. Merrickville: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, at the Merrickville Food Market. In support of the Merrickville Lions Club Christmas Food Hamper Campaign. SATURDAY, DEC 11 Athens: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at Athens Fresh Market. In support of the Athens Food Bank. Delta: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, at the Delta Country Market. In support of the Delta Food Bank.
4
October 2021
community
Stray cats a big problem in this town Smiths Falls - Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca She does it all. She buys the food, she finds the cages, she traps the feral cats, and then calls Smiths Falls By-Law. Smiths Falls ByLaw drops by her house on William Street, picks up the caged-cats and takes them to a shelter. But until mid-September there was no place to take these cats; when a few spots opened at Lanark Animal Welfare Society (LAWS) between Perth and Smiths Falls, By-Law took four animals there. Now, once again, LAWS is full, as is Furry Tales Cat Rescue. So Sarah Hall, who lives across the street from the feral cat colony is at a standstill. She doesn’t like seeing injured cats. She’s seen a few with injuries on her busy street; one old tom “has been injured for a while. His front paw is lame, there are visible sores on him.” A couple of months ago, she decided to take one of the kittens into her home as a pet. When Lucy first visited the vet at four weeks, the vet counted 32 ticks and “she was infested with fleas.” Hall is certain this is the same fate for the rest of the cat colony. “They’re all infested. With that comes other health issues,” she says. And even though cats are “highly resistant to the bacteria causing Lyme disease,” there are other tick-related diseases, like anemia, that are even more threatening, according to a Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine article. While the fate of the cats has been on Hall’s mind for some time, what really ticked her off was a warning from By-Law to her next-door neighbour. If the neighbour didn’t stop feeding the stray cats, she would be fined. “That made me angry,” Hall remembers. She says both she and her neighbour have tried
communicating with the town about the cats. She adds the cat problem has been going on for six years (if not longer), since she and her family moved to Smiths Falls — and the town has done nothing. “I couldn’t understand how they could come here and tell my neighbour they were going to fine her but not come down here and pick up the cats!” Hall says the town’s reasoning was that feeding the cats also brought in skunks and raccoons. “The skunks and raccoons are here anyway,” she adds, disgruntled. “And it’s not just this block…it’s town wide. “There’s a big problem with stray, and unfixed felines in this town.” Kerry Costello, Smiths Falls Town Clerk, feels a bit hopeless about the situation, too. “We don’t have an answer.” If there is an emergent issue and an animal needs veterinary care, the animal can be trapped and taken to a vet “… but we can’t find anyone to [house/home] feral cats.” Her office has been in touch with fellow Clerks in both Brockville and Ottawa, but they are facing similar situations. So why the warning and possible ticketing about feeding feral cats? There is a Prohibiting the Feeding of Wildlife By-Law in Smiths Falls. Under this By-Law ‘feed’ or ‘feeding’ means “the intentional act of giving, exposing, depositing, distributing, or scattering any edible material with the intention of feeding, attracting or enticing wildlife…” ‘Wildlife’ means “any animal which is wild by nature and not normally domesticated in Ontario…” The question to Costello then becomes is a feral cat considered wildlife? For example, is a feral cat one that is not normally domesticated. If the answer is ‘yes’, then it’s considered wildlife and hence the ticket.
We will match our competitors' tire prices by 5% on the purchase of four eligible passenger or light truck tires (call for details) UP TO $70.00 TIRE REBATE WHEN YOU PURCHASE 4 TIRES
Costello adds the town does not have cages to trap the animals but will be purchasing some. There are “parameters” however for those doing the trapping. If the animal is trapped in cold Canadian winter weather, it can’t be left unprotected to freeze to death; the same dictate holds for hot, steamy summers. So whoever traps them has to deal with them until they can contact By-Law. The Ottawa Humane Society, says Stephen Smith, manager of communications, supports “feral cat management programs that adopt a ‘stabilize and maintain’ approach.” They look for community caretakers to monitor and care for colonies, and/or the removal of suitable cats for rehabilitation and adoption. If cats are not suitable for
adoption, they trap, test for infectious diseases, vaccinate, neuter and return the cat to its colony, and only turn to euthanasia if a cat is deemed ‘unrecoverable’ or illness poses a risk to other cats. Westport resident Margot Rothwell is a community colony cat caretaker. Perhaps 10 years ago she and a friend, both concerned about the increasing cat colonies in the village, convened a meeting with the mayor, the vet and other worried townspeople. They developed a plan. The vet agreed to fix the cats and only charge half price; Rothwell and her friends set about fundraising, hosting lots of glitzy events, and raised $3000 to pay for the other half. So if they found a potential owner in the village, the vet would fix
Carleton Place - Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca
at the right time? Hometown News sat down with Carleton Place town hall’s communication coordinator Amanda Charania to see exactly how things have changed and how that progress is monitored. Charania has been working for Carleton Place for 16 years and has witnessed (and helped to shape) the changes in policies and processes for getting details on a wide variety of topics out to the public. It wasn’t too long before her arrival that all such information was provided only in print format with the general public getting most of that through local newspapers. In addition at that time, town hall was using letters stuffed into utility bills to get messages out as well as producing and distributing multi page newsletters. As Charania described the situation, it was traditional and expensive. It also was without a workable feedback process to help gauge reach. Were those messages read or did they end up in the
Sara Hall and Lucy. Photo credit: Sally Smith.
the cat at half price, and the cat fund would pay for the rest…a good deal. Rothwell says, of the two colonies, one has dwindled
to none, and while the other is still there, “there haven’t been kittens around for a long time.” At one time she remembers “hundreds” of them.
recycling bin? The move to electronic and digital means of disseminating information came long before our current COVID-19 pandemic, but this virus certainly accelerated the evolution in most of the country. Carleton Place expanded and improved their website to be able to handle a wide variety of inquiries. From frequently asked questions (FAQ) menus to intuitive navigation paths, every aspect of the town’s interface was reexamined and tweaked from a user’s viewpoint to make searching easier. Charania noted that the town’s eventual move to social media platforms such as Facebook was almost expected by the public by the time it came about. These resources permitted a much needed boost in delivery as almost all connected residents knew of the various platforms and how to access them. They also brought a push to create better means of delving into more complex topics through detailed graphics and videos. The pandemic forced a great deal of our daily interactions to virtual communications and town halls were no different, moving to online meetings for councils and committees. Carleton Place was already live-streaming regular meetings before public health gathering restrictions hit in March of 2020 and Amanda hopes this continues when we return to normal (whatever that will be) as it brings much more accessibility to these proceedings. But are residents truly being served with these changes? Charania doesn’t simply accept raw numbers when it comes to reach. She measures numbers by a true level of engagement between users and the related platform. She looks for comments, reactions, and inquiries to weed out phantom viewers. The town’s email address database has now exceeded 1,600 people with more signing up every day. It’s a perfect way to deliver the Scoop, a daily
newsletter that proved its value in providing the latest updates on public health issues when the information from the provincial and federal governments as well as public health units was changing on a daily basis. It’s easy to scan, sorted under topic headlines, and with its associated links can let a reader get as much or as little detail as they need. But is this evolution leaving some residents out of the loop? The latest statistics reveal that as of 2019 96% of Canadian households had internet access. This figure doesn’t include those that use smart phones as their sole access. The news media still has a printed presence, but more and more, their content is moving online. No user profiles are required to view any of the town’s material on their social media sites or on their main website, so residents who might be shy about signing up, don’t have to. Forwarding your email address to the town to receive their daily Scoop newsletter means only receiving that and nothing else, no ads, no spam, no pop-ups. And for those entirely offline, the library has plenty of internet resources. But Amanda stressed that the town has no intention of abandoning traditional resources such as water bill inserts, newspaper advertisements, community info slideshows on the flat screens at the town hall, arena, pool, community centre and library, billboard and digital signage, etc for those who prefer to live offline. Recently the town released a high-quality video explaining the process of replacing the central bridge and updating Bridge Street infrastructure; a project that will start in January. It involved interviews with key stakeholders such as the mayor, the BIA coordinator, and the town’s project manager. A high-graphic drone video brought this very complex project into instant focus and Charania tells us more of this type of information delivery is in the works.
Town hall is speaking, is anyone listening?
A municipality, even one of a modest size such as Carleton Place, produces tomes of information on a regular basis. Sorting and compiling all this data into digestible content and then delivering it to the appropriate audience can be a monumental task. Why should we care? Of all the levels of government that guide, control, and support us, there is none with the reach and ability of local town and township councils and staff to affect our daily lives. From land-use regulations to snow plowing to garbage pickup and reliable water quality and beyond, town halls are deeply involved in shaping the communities where we live, work, and play; and their methods of connecting with their residents have seen change and evolution on an unprecedented scale. But are the new ways working? Are we getting dependable information
5
October 2021
lifestyle New Smiths Falls senior hockey team off to a strong start Smiths Falls - Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca
One of the new teams in the recently expanded Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League, the Smiths Falls Rideaus, got its first season off to a great start with back-to-back wins, both at home and on the road. The Rideaus’ first official game Saturday, Sept. 25 took place in Ottawa against the Bytown Royals ending in a 4-3 win for Smiths Falls. The Rideaus’ first home game at the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre Sunday, Sept. 26 resulted in a resounding 7-1 victory over the West Carleton Rivermen. The EOSHL was formed two years ago, and has expanded from four teams to 12. It is a senior league for players aged 20 and over, and includes some very experienced athletes. Team captain and defen-
seman Brett Costello, now 28, has been playing hockey all his life. His hockey career included playing for the Jr. A Smiths Falls Bears, and a stint with the NCAA division in Canton, New York. Prior to the team’s first official games, Costello said, “I’m definitely excited to see it come to fruition. It’s been a long two years in the making.” Costello said the Rideaus have a lineup of 26 players with 14 coming from the local area. All have played at the junior level or above in the Smiths Falls-Perth area. These are players “a lot of people know already,” he said. The team’s owner and general manager is Rusty McArthur. Head coach is Jamie Axford, and the assistant coach is J.J. Rhoden. The league itself, made up of two divisions of six teams each, boasts some serious talent, according to
Costello. He noted that one of the league’s players is a veteran of 81 NHL games. Building the new league up to this point has faced some challenges. “Last year we started up, but with COVID the season was cancelled,” he said, adding that the players only had the chance to participate in a couple of exhibition games. The role of head coach is a perfect fit for Axford, who has coached hockey at all levels for more than 30 years. “I love developing, especially local people,” he said. Axford said the league draws on an abundance of talent. “It’s something I firmly believe was needed, because there’s so much hockey talent in the area.” Axford noted that the lineup of the Rideaus was basically hand-picked from veteran players known to the organization, with no need for tryouts. He added
WE’RE HIRING SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS
Over the age of 21. Valid drivers license with 3 years good driving record. Will train to upgrade your license. REGULAR PART-TIME WORK
$18.00/HR
that the team’s first season will provide a solid foundation to build on for the next few years. The league’s first weekend of the new season Sept. 2526 marked 20 months since the last puck dropped in the EOSHL due to the impact of the pandemic. The EOSHL includes teams from Ottawa, Cornwall, Deseronto, Gananoque, Maxville, North Dundas, Tweed, South Grenville, Frontenac, Glengarry, and West Carleton, as well as Smiths Falls. The Tweed Oil Kings were the last team to join, effective May 2021.
Smiths Falls Rideaus players. Photo credit: Smiths Falls Rideaus.
WE’RE
HIRING! CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE Full Time Days. Hours Required: Monday to Friday from 11am - 5pm Knowledge of point of sales systems would be an asset. Customer service experience required. Must be polite, courteous and have the ability to multitask.
HEALEY
10497 HWY 7, CARLETON PLACE
TRANSPORTATION LIMITED
613-257-7858
Ten decades of benefiting others Smiths Falls - Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Continued from page 5 This Sands took to heart; as an officer he knew he was only as good as the men under him and this was a principle he worked with the rest of his life. “I could do anything they could do.” He carried his mother’s reminder with him as he wrote manuals and taught technicians; it was ever-present as he worked with a team putting the first Yagi antenna atop the Royal York and King Edward Hotels and Casa Loma in Toronto. And it was there when the first black and white TVs were produced. After his discharge, he headed to Toronto for an electronics course but before completing that, Marconi called, then General Electric (GE). He thought about it for a bit and agreed to go to GE only if he “could be in on the ground floor of TVs.” He didn’t stop there.
Philips, the Dutch multinational corporation called and offered him a position as Ontario Service Manager; after one year he became the National Service Manager. These were busy, busy productive years. “Every two years, I’d start on the east coast and run tech schools in every major city across Canada. I was away a lot, driving 30,000 to 40,000 miles a year in a company car. Evelyn met me sometimes in my travels, and one year we got to the Brussels’ World Fair.” By 40 he was “writing television design training manuals, training personnel and running schools for circuitry.” Each time a new model was introduced, Sands taught the salesmen “how things worked,” and initially how to tune in the right frequency signal on a TV set (like you had to tune a radio.) With a certain glee he says “…and then we added the mute switch. “All the advertisers got mad,” he laughs.
While Sands was immersed in electronics, Evelyn was busy, too, looking after two boys, Roger and Don, and for 16 years working at the Harold R. Lawson School for Multiple Handicapped Children. “Evelyn had a knack,” Sands says. “I saw her many times go to a person and the person put her arms around Evelyn, crying.” He remembers some funny stories she came home with, too…about the two kids who painted their bellies blue with Evelyn reporting back they had a heck of a time getting the paint off, and about the young kid, at nine, who wheeled into the parking lot in a nicked car. Evelyn, he says, looking back, was definitely the person who most influenced him throughout his life — from as early as the time she was five, through 71 years of marriage and through 87 years of friendship. He adds, though, with a bit of mischief, “I even used to check her boyfriends out.”
Lanark Lifestyles Retirement Residence. Photo credit: Sally Smith
He retired at 63…but retirement only kept him busier. He built three theatre organs importing the innards of the organs and the keyboards from England; one of them took three-and-a-half years to pull together. He built a boat in 1960, a cottage in 1970 (adding furniture and rooms over the next years). And through all of this time he was a member of the Toronto Society of Model Engineers, vice-president there for several years, working on live steam locomotives. “I have a locomotive that can pull three people easily,” he says…not a boast, just a quiet statement. Every home he had, he
had a shop. About 22 years ago, Sands left Toronto and headed east to be closer to his son, Roger; for the last two years he’s lived at Lanark Lifestyles Retirement Residence in Perth, and, of course, has kept busy, busy. Just inside the doorway to his room, sits one of his engines, a to-scale Royal Hudson. During the years he spent living around the corner from his son “…the house was full of machines,” and he spent a lot of time in the shop “building machines.” Now, at Lanark Lifestyles, ask him the question. “Miss it…?” He’s thoughtful for a bit.
“Not now. I had a whole life with a lot of electronics…” But he keeps his hand in. He takes pictures and downloads them to his computer — like the building going on at Lanark Lifestyles for the two new residences. He’s pulled together 140 construction pictures so far, as well as taking portraits of some of the residents, and photos of many ongoing events. Jim Sands is a quiet man who’s experienced great passions in ten decades — his wife, his boys, his work, his faith. For him, a good life is a question of what you did, if you’ve been a benefit to others. Clearly he has…and still is.
6
October 2021
Let's Eat In June, Perth’s beautiful heritage downtown welcomed an exciting new food neighbour, Gather, located at 40 Gore Street East. Owned and operated by the team of Kerri Smith and James Gallant, it has quickly developed a strong following among local res-
Food & Drink
Brian Turner
Gather: where friends and great food meet
idents and visitors alike. Of all the restaurants and diners I’ve visited over the years, this one has hit the target best in terms of delivering not just great food, but a great experience as well. To start with, just about everything on their diverse
Get 20 off $
menu is made in-house, from breads to soups to handhelds to desserts. They’ve already developed good relationships with local farms and source as much from them as possible. As they’re currently only open for daytime repasts (with plans to expand
New customers get $20 off your first batch WITH THIS AD
613.284.1777
140 Lombard Street, Smiths Falls BBYCASPERRAOL.COM
|
WWW.BREWBYEYOU.COM
TTTTTTT - FFFFFF 10:00 - 5:00 SSSSSSSS 9:00 - 2:00
into evening offerings) their menu is sandwich, soup, and salad focused. But what James can do with a sandwich would drive many master chefs to hang up their aprons. I tried the curried chicken salad served on lightly toasted whole wheat cardamom. The slight heat of the yellow curry and arugula was nicely paired with the sweetness of the coconut and cranberries James adds to the mix. I took Kerri’s suggestion and had one of James’ no-recipe soups he crafts fresh every day; a smooth flavourful puree of squash and apple. These concoctions are too good to save for a crisp fall day but should rather be enjoyed all year long. Their other lunch options range from pastrami spiced cured salmon to Asian steak. They are licensed for alcohol and offer a great selection of local craft beers and ales along with a growing wine list (Kerri and James have extensive sommelier backgrounds). One of my surprises came when
I was offered an iced tea and had to initially turn it down for sugar content; but Gather has several versions of this refreshment, all sugar-free and made from unique blends. They even freeze cubes of each tea to keep them from watering down the flavor. Even lowly table butter servings get some special treatment: they come whipped with just a hint of garlic and maple syrup. As much as Kerri and James have mastered the art of the cuisine over their careers in the business, they have also learned how to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable. As they put it, “we share our hospitality through food and wine. Gather seeks to fulfill the desire within us all to connect; to spend meaningful time with each other alongside the simple pleasures of modern, wholesome, comfort food.” Prices are reasonable; my lunch came to $20 before tip. Gather is open Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm and
Photo credit: Brian Turner
Photo credit: Brian Turner
has a wheelchair accessible entrance with plenty of on-street parking nearby. You can reach them at 613-264-8282 or can check out their changing menu online at gatherinperth. com. I’m looking forward to another visit.
culture Smiths Falls History & Mystery: Message in a door frame by Ted Outerbridge
When we visited the Keyhole House for the first time in 2018, entering through the Moorish arch was almost like crossing a threshold into another world. We touched the ornate moulding surrounding the doorway to the parlor. We stood back to admire the breathtaking and unusual stained-glass panels highlighting the front hall. It felt like a dream. The architecture and craftsmanship was incredible. We have been living here for almost three years now. Our gratitude for the privilege of living in this eclectic mix of architectural movements has not faded. We love the Romanesque architecture, the Italianate brackets on the frieze above the second story windows, the Queen Anne Revival style porch and the Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie Style inspired stained glass. The
house creaks and groans and lulls us to sleep every night. Some of the creators who built this grand Victorian home left us a note wedged in a door jamb. It fell on the floor while I was removing the door frame in Marion’s sewing room. The brittle scrap of paper is dated June 1892 and reads "This day for God & Queen have we pledged ourselves to live a life of soberness & love." The note is signed by three people, Benj Byram, Joe Boynton, and Bill Rogers. I pounced upon the opportunity to research these craftsmen. Benjamin Glover Byram was a joiner and wheelwright from England. He was married with two children when he was working as a carpenter in this house. Joseph Herbert Boynton was a carpenter, born in Aurora, Ontario and would have been 30 years old at the time. He was married with three children. William Ernest Rogers was an 18-year-old liveryman who made deliveries with a horse and buggy. John Leslie Perrin was another Smiths Falls car-
ted@tedouterbridge.com penter who left his mark in the form of a signature on the back of a door frame in 1892. We visited his grave at Hillcrest Cemetery and were shocked to discover that he had died the following year at the age of only 27. John married Annie Weeks on May 9, 1893, and sadly, John died seven months later. One of these carpenters left us a souvenir but we are
Photo credits: Ted Outerbridge
not sure who. As part of our restoration efforts, we had the house rewired. Some floorboards in the attic were lifted for the first time in over 100 years. A screwdriver with a well-worn wooden handle was discovered. From time to time I like to hold it in awe. It was used to build the Keyhole House 129 years ago. Ted & Marion Outerbridge are currently restoring
a Smiths Falls heritage home built in 1893. They are also being swept away by local history & mys-
tery. You can follow them at The Keyhole House on Instagram & Facebook. ted@tedouterbridge.com
7
October 2021
business SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS Freestyle United in Carleton Place: Textbook case of success by Brian Turner While the COVID-19 pandemic has decimated a great number of local businesses across our region, there are glowing examples of success and growth, spurred by innovation, imagination, and in the case of Freestyle United at 205 Franktown Road in Carleton Place, a great focus on customer service. Following their path from opening only a few months ago in May to becoming the well-frequented hub of all things skateboard, long-board, scooter, and BMX is like reading a textbook on how to succeed
in retail business. Chapter One: know your potential demand. This was probably the easiest phase of Freestyle United. It was founded, developed, and run by three energetic entrepreneurs: Isaya Matsushita, Matthew Bernard, and Nik Pappas-Barabe who have a long history in these sports. With two of the three being local residents, they had an intimate knowledge of the number of potential clients and their product needs. With a strong user base within Carleton Place and the
surrounding area without any facilities to service it, the Freestyle trio had identified a need not being fulfilled. Chapter Two: location, location, location. They picked a perfect storefront just about as close as you can get to one of the region’s newest major pump tracks at the Carleton Junction municipal park. Matthew noted it was one of the reasons to open Freestyle United. It also fronts on one of the town’s busiest commuter and commercial entrances giving it exposure money just can’t buy.
Michele’s Doorway to Splendour offers stylish sanctum for new ladies' fashion
Advertorial - Shannon McLellan editorial@pdgmedia.ca Michele’s Doorway to Splendour has taken a pivotal turn into becoming the place to shop for the latest in new ladies’ fashion. The fashion boutique offers a one-stop shop for women's apparel and fashions to create confidence in everything from day-to-day life, special events, life milestones or memorable occasions. Its revamped mission is to “only offer high-quality clothing that will last for years to come.” Michele’s Doorway to Splendour luxury women’s clothing boutique is located in the heart of beautiful downtown Smiths Falls. Shop owner Michele Baitley’s vision was to create a
unique shopping experience for women of all walks of life. “Here at Michele’s Doorway to Splendour we are proud to offer something for every woman,” Baitley commented. Known for her stunningly decorated storefront window displays, Michele’s store wows shoppers before they even step foot through the door. The latest threads to land at Michele’s Doorway to Splendour are a chic and on-trend women’s fashion line from Tribal. The collection offers pieces that are thoughtfully crafted using exceptional materials and premium fabrics, with unparalleled attention to detail for enjoying life’s adventures in comfort and style. This brand-new line at Michele’s meets the needs of
every generation of women. In addition to Tribal, the store also features fashion brands such as Orange Fashion Village and selected pieces by Joseph Ribkoff. Women’s fashion apparel isn’t the only thing that can be found at the boutique. In addition, shoppers will find accessories such as soft colorful scarves, a wide variety of supple leather purses by Karla Hanson, and a brandnew line of nickel-free, surgical steel jewellery by Pablo Creations. Michele’s also carries natural, organic skin care products by k’pure Naturals. Michele Baitley is changing the face of women’s fashion alternatives in Smiths Falls. This most recent endeavor is the perfect fusion of Baitley’s love for beauty, fashion and style. Ladies can enjoy a blissful shopping experience while soaking in the boutique’s décor adorned with the perfect amount of subtle hints of femininity and simplicity. Michele’s Doorway to Splendour can be found at 10 Beckwith Street South in Smiths Falls. Like & Follow on Facebook and Instagram @michelesdoorwaytosplendour 613-283-9942.
Isaya Matsushita, Matthew Bernard, and Nik Papas-Barabe. Photo credit: Brian Turner
Chapter Three: provide added value. When opening a new store that sells a relatively new product line to the area, it only makes sense to offer some type of consumer education, and again, this was a natural for the Freestyle United trio. As they were all skilled in the sports, and knew their clientele, and had a made-toorder facility within a stone’s throw of the their shop, they immediately began offering demonstrations and classes on the finer arts of getting wheeled-conveyances to defy gravity and most of the laws of physics. They also offer repairs and modifications as well as a full slate of DIY kits and components with plenty of over-the-counter advice. Chapter four: never pass up an opportunity to promote. It’s hard to make gener-
alized assumptions about the varied and diverse customer base that Freestyle serves. It covers a wide age and interest range, but the majority seems to have an affinity to proudly display their association with their supplier. Whether with complimentary stylish decals, or competitively priced branded wear and safety gear, almost all of their clients are happy to show their connections to the store. Chapter five: roll with the punches. The pandemic has brought this home to roost. As Freestyle United opened in the middle of our public health restrictions, it had to be quick and efficient on web-based, curbside-pickup orders and their website was totally functional and user-friendly from the beginning. They did note
that customer traffic tides have since turned to more in-store focused. Chapter six: show your dedication to your customers. Even though all three owners of Freestyle have day jobs away from their facility, they keep the store open 7 days a week with hours tailored to their clients. They’ve already made more than a name for themselves as the prevalence of scooter users has skyrocketed in Carleton Place since their opening. This is a textbook case of a retailer doing everything right. Check them out at freestyleunited.ca or drop in. They’re open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 7 pm, on Saturday from 9 am to7 pm and on Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm. You can call them at 613-253-0554.
your one stop Branding shop!
Vehicle wraps
Signs
Custom Apparel
Banners
Promotional Items
Murals
Now Located at 88 Cornelia St. W. Unit F, Smiths Falls 343-881-4695
howlingdesigns.ca
the marketplace directory Advertise Here - $45 per issue. For more information call 613-206-0708 or email us at advertising@pdgmedia.ca EMPLOYMENT RESOURCE SERVICES
GRAPHIC DESIGN
REALTY
Good design is good business PDG Media Solutions
613.284.9826
contactus@pdgmedia.ca
Why pay 5% real estate fees!
Our fee is 3.5%