Manotick Messenger July 12, 2024 by J Morris

School graduations and Canada Day mark the beginning of summer

It’s a special time of year for Ontario’s youth as school is out for the summer.

Congratulations to all elementary and secondary school students for completing another year on the educational path to your future. While Ontario has one of the world’s best educational systems, we are also blessed locally with talented, caring, and devoted teachers, as well as countless full-time, parttime workers and volunteers who contribute to the school experience.

The school year was met with some challenges this year but overcoming these challenges help galvanize our communities and make us stronger and more resilient.

In addition to congratulating the students and thanking the teachers and school administrators

for a great year, there are other groups that deserve recognition. We learned this year the importance of the role of our bus drivers plays in every day lives of families in the Carleton riding. We also have several dedicated volunteers on various parent councils who were responsible for not only making the school year better for the children of their school communities, but also who had a strong voice and who advocated to implement changes when necessary. It was a pleasure to meet so many of you and work with so many of you. And how about a big thank you to the crossing

guards. Not only do they keep students safe and suffer through some miserable weather all winter, but they develop friendships with parents and children they see every morning and afternoon and become a familiar and friendly face in the daily routines of children and their families.

There are many more people to thank as we close the book on another school year, but it is amazing to think of how many people influence our young students beyond our teachers, viceprincipals.

And what better way to celebrate the end of the school year than to a have a great Canada Day weekend with beautiful weather.

Carleton is a large riding geographically, and each year we have Canada Day festivities at

every corner of the riding and many places in between! Canada Day celebrations take place in Riverside South, Vernon, Greely, Osgoode, North Gower, Stittsville, Munster, and the Rideau Carleton Casino.

Personally, it is a special day for me and my family as we celebrate being Canadians and living in the best country in the world. I was only a year old when my family fled Iran to escape the terrorist IRGC regime. There is not a day that goes by that we aren’t thankful to be here and to fully embrace being Canadian and all of the freedoms this great country has given to us..

Ontario begins automatic license plate renewal

The Ontario government is making life easier and more convenient

for more than eight million drivers by becoming the first jurisdiction in North America to introduce automatic licence plate renewals. The change takes effect on July 1, 2024, and will save vehicle owners time, amounting to more than 900,000 hours every year.

Licence plates for passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, motorcycles, and mopeds will automatically renew 90 days before expiry if the vehicle owner has valid insurance and no outstanding fines or tolls. If a licence plate cannot be renewed automatically, the vehicle owner will be notified and required to manually renew online or in person at ServiceOntario.

Until automatic licence plate renewals take effect, vehicle owners are required to manually

renew their plates at no cost. Ontarians can check their licence plate status at ontario.ca/platerenewal.

Quick Facts

- Vehicle owners can ensure they do not miss digital notifications about issues related to automatic renewal by signing up for ServiceOntario reminders at https://reminders.ontario.ca/en or 1-800-387-3445.

- Vehicle owners who have signed up for ServiceOntario digital notifications will be sent notifications through email, text, or voicemail if their licence plates cannot be renewed at 90, 45, and 10 days before expiry, and again at 72 hours after expiry.

goldie continues on page 3

goldie continues from page 2

- Vehicle owners who have not signed up for digital notifications will be sent paper notifications by mail 90 days before expiry and 72 hours after expiry.

- In 2022, the Ontario government eliminated licence plate sticker fees and stickers for passenger vehicles, saving drivers up to $120 a year for every car they own.

- The introduction of automatic licence plate renewals will not change the way the province, municipalities or the 407 ETR collect unpaid fines and tolls.

- In May 2024, the Get It Done Act received Royal Assent allowing for the transition to automatic renewal of licence plates.

vices to the province’s Francophone business community.

The province’s support for the FGA will help broaden the influence of Francophone and bilingual businesses, stimulating job creation and unlocking new market opportunities. In partnership with Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBECs) across the province, the FGA will offer business advisory supports to Francophone entrepreneurs in their preferred language without service interruption.

Small businesses play a critical role in all of Ontario’s communities and are an essential part of the province’s economy, employing over

fluence of Francophone and bilingual businesses, stimulating job creation, and unlocking new market opportunities by focusing on three areas: entrepreneurship and innovation, a bilingual skilled workforce through education, training, and employability, and promoting Ontario’s Francophonie as an economic asset.

- The Ontario government’s approach to Francophone affairs is based on two complementary strategies. Together, the French Language Services Strategy and the Francophone Economic Development Strategy aim to recruit and train a bilingual, skilled work-

force, and increase the availability of front-line services in French, as well as support Francophone and bilingual businesses to encourage their full participation in the province’s economic prosperity.

- In 2021, the government granted a start-up investment to support the development of an Ontario Francophone business network, now the Fédération des gens d’affaires francophones de l’Ontario (FGA). Representing over 5,000 companies, entrepreneurs and institutional partners, the FGA is one of the three Canadian members of the Alliance des patronats francophones and one of

the four founding members of the new Alliance de la francophonie économique canadienne (AFEC).

- Announced in the 2024 Ontario Budget, the government is helping an additional 500 entrepreneurs across the province start and grow a business with an added investment of $4.8 million over two years through the Starter Company Plus program.

- The Ontario government is providing an additional investment of $1.5 million over two years to bolster its Summer Company program, helping an additional 250 young people start and grow a business.

- The Digitalization

Competence Centre is a $10 million investment that provides small businesses support with digital literacy, accelerating digital adoption, and enhancing technological capacity.

Office Notice: My office is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. If you require assistance on any matter, please contact me at any time. My staff and I will be happy to assist. Even if it’s not a provincial issue, I’ll make sure to connect you with the proper office.

Your voice at Queen’s Park

Goldie

Ghamari ‘disappointed’ with Ford’s decision to remove her from PC caucus

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has removed Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari from the Progressive Conservative Caucus.

The announcement was made after the Premier’s office received thousands of emails in a campaign from various Muslim groups, including the National Council of Canadian Muslims. The NCCM sent out a statement thanking Premier Ford, and to its membership for sending thousands of emails calling for Ghamari’s removal.

Ghamari accepted a virtual meeting with Tommy Robinson, a British right wing activist accused by the group of spreading Islamaphobia.

Various Muslim groups have been calling for Ghamari’s removal from caucus since the local MPP began speaking out against the September 2022 death of Mahsa Amini in Iran at the hands of the Islamic revolutionary Guard Corps for wearing her hijab incorrectly.

The Premier’s office issued a statement Friday, June 29.

“Today, the premier has made the decision to remove MPP Goldie Ghamari from the Ontario PC Caucus, effective immediately.

“This decision follows repeated instances of serious lapses in judgement and a failure to collaborate constructively with caucus leadership and as a team member.

“While this decision did not come easily, it has become clear that MPP Ghamari can no longer continue in her role within our caucus.”

Ghamari issued an apology the next day saying she

did not know who Robinson was when she agreed to speak with him.

She did not speak to the media, but she has posted on the X platform and did issue a statement after the Canada Day long weekend

“I was disappointed with Doug Ford’s unilateral decision to remove me from caucus,” she said in the statement.

“I am a proud Canadian who was born in Iran. My parents fled the Islamofascist dictatorship in 1986 and came to Canada after my father narrowly escaped a roadside execution with his life.

“As the first IranianCanadian woman elected to office in Canada, I’m proud to use my personal time to raise awareness and speak to people in Canada and around the world about the terrorist Islamic Regime in Iran, its countless human rights violations, and its very real threat to Canadians in Canada. The recent decision by the federal government to put the Islamic revolutionary guard Corps (IRGC) on the Canadian terror list after the NSICOP found that the Islamic Regime in Iran is one of the main culprits of foreign interference in Canada is proof.”

In her post immediately after the announcement, she wrote that “when one door closes another one opens.”

NDP leader Marit Stiles also called for Ghamari’s removal from Caucus, posting on X that “Ontarians expect their elected reps to stand with them against hate, not cozy up to those peddling it.”

Ghamari has been critical of Stiles and the NDP. Last week she called Stiles

and the NDP “anti-Iranian racists” and posted that the NDP “refused to condemn a listed terrorist organization that kills Iranians (including my own family members) and now they’re attacking me just because I was trying to raise awareness about the terrorist Islamic Regime in Iran in my spare time as a human rights advocate.”

She posted a copy of a statement from last Thursday that “Progressive Conservative and Liberal MPPs voted 78-0 to condemn Hamas and confirm Israel’s right to defend itself, as the war between the Palestinian militant group and Israel continues.

“All Progressive Conservative and Liberal MPPs voted in favour of the motion, which was tabled by House Leader Paul Calandra on Monday. The NDP abstained from the vote.”

For the rest of the political term, Ghamari will sit as an independent MPP in the Legislature.

“To the people of Carleton, my office is still open as usual and my team and I will continue to assist you with all your requests, said Ghamari in her statement. “I am still your MPP and I will continue to be your voice at Queen’s Park, as I have been doing for the last six years.

“To everyone who supported my efforts to raise awareness about IRGC terrorists in Canada, thank you. Please rest assured that I will continue to speak out on this issue. I will continue to align myself with and support conservative policies. I am a conservative and that will never change.

“I would like to thank everyone for the hundreds of emails, calls and messages of support. I appreciate you all very much.

“Serving the people of Carleton has been the honour of a lifetime.

“I don’t know yet what the future holds for me, but I am feeling very hopeful and optimistic. I will be taking some time to reflect on my next steps.

“When one door closes another one opens.

“Thank you and God

bless Canada.”

Double Standard

In another post on X, Ghamari was critical of the double standard of how Robinson was arrested in Canada, but IRGC and Hamas supporter Firas Al Najim “constantly breaches his bail obligations to dress up in Islamic Regime clothes and threaten politicians like me with zero consequences.”

In November, Al Najim travelled from Toronto to Ghamari’s office in Richmond wanting to see the MPP. She was not in the office, but later in the day he made a video that was posted on Tik Tok calling Ghamari a “racist”, a “crook”, and a “prostitute.” He also accused her of having “mental health issues.”

In September, 2022, the Toronto Star ran a story accusing Al Najim, the head of a pro-Iranian regime and anti-Israeli organization called Canadian Defenders for Human Rights, dressing as an orthodox Jew to get into an event held by the United Jewish Appeal Federation of Greater Toronto to harass an elderly woman who was a holocaust survivor.

A month later, Al Najim was charged for dangerous driving after driving at a high rate of speed toward a crowd that was protesting the IRGC regime. According to a police press release, “the accused stopped the vehicle abruptly, squealing the tires while yelling at the protestors.”

Al Najim was released after spending one night in jail.

Positive Support

The timing of Ford’s announcement came at a time when Ghamari had perhaps her best month serving the Carleton riding.

She recently announced five major school projects, which is unprecedented for the Carleton riding. She fought for and got funding for a French high school in Riverside South, an elementary school in Findlay Creek, a high school and elementary school in Stittsville, and a major elementary school ex-

pansion in Richmond.

Less than 48 hours before Ford’s announcement, Ghamari shut down a wetlands mapping plan by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority that would have seen hundreds of farmers and landowners declared wetlands. Ghamari met with several landowners and farmers and pushed for Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Graydon Smith to force the RVCA and the South Nation Conservation Authority to hut the brakes on the wetlands mapping plan.

The RVCA went ahead with the open house it cancelled, and told landowners the wetlands plan was “paused”.

According to local farmers and landowners, having their land declared wetlands by the RVCA would devalue their land by about 80 per cent, meaning a parcel of land worth $1.5 million would be worth $300,000 or less after it is designated as wetlands.

With hundreds of farmers and landowners affected by the planned wetlands designation, Ghamari’s supporters say her work in getting Smith to stop the plan potentially protected more than $100 million for the local economy in the Carleton riding.

Tik Tok Star

Ghamari posted over the

Canada Day weekend that since she is no longer a member of the PC Caucus, she will be able to reinstate her Tik Tok account n her personal phone. She has close to 275,000 followers. She added that her videos about IRGC terrorists threats in Canada and around the world have had millions of views.

As the first IranianCanadian woman elected in politics in Canada, she used her spare time to crusade against the IRGC and make the province and the country aware of the threats that the terrorist organization poses to Canadians. Her work raised awareness in Canada for Mahsa Amini, and was also instrumental in letting Canadians know about the terrorist IRGC regime. She was vocal in pressuring Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to declare the IRGC as a terrorist organization, which he recently did.

Ford’s decision to remove Ghamari from his caucus leaves Ottawa with only one member, Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod. She began her career as an MPP serving Nepean-Carleton and was succeeded in the Carleton riding by Ghamari when the riding split before the 2018 provincial election.

IRGC and Hamas activist Firas Al Najim showed up at Ghamari’s constituency office in Richmond looking for her in November.

Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari enjoys a Canada Day moment with her dog, Baxter.

Breakfast on the Farm event draws a big crowd at Blackrapids Farm

It’s one thing to have some people over for breakfast.

But on Sat., June 22, Peter Ruiter and his family hosted 2,800 people for a farm fresh breakfast at Blackrapids Farm at Prince of Wales and Fallowfield north of Manotick.

The event was part of the Breakfast on the Farm program held by Farm and Food Care Ontario.

“We weren’t really sure how many people we were going to get,” said Ruiter. “We had enough food for 3,000 so everyone was able to get breakfast.”

The program gave the opportunity for visitors to learn about the world of agriculture and witness firsthand the variety of food produced right here in Ontario. Experts, including farmers and agricultural groups, were on hand to provide insights and answer any questions for an engaging and enlightening experience for visitors.

Visitors to the farm had to register in advance. There was a shuttle bus running between the Fallowfield Park and Ride in Barrhaven to the farm.

The farm is unique because of the technology used in the barn. Ruiter’s farm was destroyed by fire several years ago, resulting in the loss of 88 cows. When he rebuilt the farm, it was done with the latest in technology and robotic farming.

“The advancements in technology have attracted a lot of young people to be interested in farming,” Ruiter said. “A lot of young people who may have turned away from farming are now being drawn to it.”

The Ruiter family has operated Balckrapids Farm for 62 years. Peter’s parents, originally from the Netherlands, started the farm in the early 1960s. Their farm is home to 110 animals and showcases the impressive innova-

tion and technology used in farming today. At the breakfast, the Ruiter family encouraged Barrhaven residents to visit Blackrapids farm to tour a modern dairy barn and witness firsthand how robots seamlessly handle tasks such as milking and feeding, reflecting the Ruiter Family’s commitment to efficiency and sustainability.

In the rotation of cows, Ruiter keeps several cows across Prince of Wales in a field that is part of the farm.

Throughout the years, the most common question Ruiter is asked is how he gets the cows across the busy Prince of Wales Drive. When asked how many guests asked him that question during the event, he responded by saying “all of them.”

Theories have floated through the community that perhaps there is an underground tunnel under Prince of Wales Drive, or even that Ruiter, who is 6’10” and

“I have to come up with a good story for people when they ask that ques-

tion,” he said. “Once we had a helicopter do some fertilizing for us. People driving by were so busy looking up and watching that there were nearly accidents on the road.”

The Breakfast on the Farm program runs an average of three events per year. The event at Blackrapids Farm marked the first time that a farm in Ottawa has been a host.

build like Paul Bunyon, hoists the dairy cows on his shoulders and walks across the road.

Peter Ruiter of Blackrapids Farm had about 2,800 people over for breakfast on June 22.

Public awareness essential for achieving net-zero emissions

Achieving net-zero emissions is a critical goal in the fight against climate change. It refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted into the atmosphere and the amount removed. To reach net-zero, a comprehensive set of energy transition actions is required:

Building public awareness and support for climate action is essential. Governments, civil society organizations, and educational institutions should undertake widespread public outreach campaigns to communicate the following:

1. The urgency of climate change.

2. The benefits of transitioning to a net-zero emissions future.

Messenger Editorial

3. Individual actions people can take to reduce their carbon footprints.

Are you more Canadian than a fifth grader?

4. Correcting the significant amounts of misleading and erroneous assertions about climate change, the energy transition and the meaning of net-zero.

The discussion around addressing climate change through the energy transition has focused almost entirely on cost, disruption, and finding someone to blame. The potential benefits of achieving net-zero have received little air time to date. It’s as if saving the planet is considered insufficient.

With Canada Day approaching next week, it is a good time for us all to reflect on what it means to be Canadian.

Do we take being Canadian for granted?

Better yet, how do new Canadians feel about being Canadian? Some of us look upon immigrants and refugees as opportunists, not wanting to give but very willing to take. Perhaps, for some people, that is true, but when you attend a celebration for new Canadians, such as the one hosted by NepeanCarleton MP Pierre Poilievre at Mother Teresa High School in Barrhaven last month, you can see the excitement and the thankfulness in the eyes of every new Canadian.

Addressing climate change requires global cooperation. Air circulation and water courses do not respect country boundaries. Progress toward net-zero will be faster when countries collaborate to share best practices, exchange technology, and provide financial and technical assistance. International agreements like the Paris Agreement (COP) provide a framework for countries to work together and achieve their climate ambitions.

They understand, perhaps better than all of us, what it means to be Canadian.

So how can the rest of us have that feeling?

The Conservative government has a solid idea.

Collaboration is always good. However, some countries use gaps in collaboration as a convenient excuse to delay transition action they could take independently.

Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism and Andrew Cohen, President of the Historica-Dominion Institute, are challenging middle and high school students to take the citizenship test.

To maintain social support for transitioning to a net-zero emissions future, minimizing inequities imposed on affected workers and communities is crucial. The transition will cause job losses and spawn new industries with new employment opportunities. Maintaining social equity involves providing the following:

The Canadian Citizenship Challenge, funded in part by CIC and run by the Historica-Dominion Institute, will see students study Discover Canada: the Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship and then take a mock citizenship test.

1. Retraining programs.

2. Income support.

“This will be a fun way for students to learn about Canada and feel proud of our shared history and accomplishments,” said Minister Kenney. “As we learn about our past and the people and events that made Canada what it is today, we become more proud to be Canadian. We are inspired to see how we can defend our rights and live up to our responsibilities and we feel much more strongly how valuable it is to be a citizen of Canada.”

The world she’s-a flat, like-a your head from the other side

If you ever want to get the pulse on what is happening in the community, in the country, or in the world, just park it in a chair at Tim’s and keep your eyes and ears open.

It’s amazing what you will hear.

If you ever wondered why former Ontario education minister Stephne Lecce introduced a back to basics strategy in our schools maybe he sat at Tim Hortons and parked it and kept his eyes and ears open.

So fat earthers, what do have to say bout that?

And what about the Superman movie with Christopher Reeves, where he flies around the world so fast against its rotation that the world starts spinning the other way and he turns back time. How do the flat earthers explain that?

It’s maddening when you hear young people spit theories that the Holocaust was exaggerated or throw out some anti-Semitic rhetoric that the over-educated seem to be clouding the minds of our young people with.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse from the first group in three thousand years that can’t write cursive, a new contender in the bottom-this game of conspiracy believers emerges.

At the school’s 50th Anniversary Party, Manotick Co-operative Nursery School honoured its longest-serving teacher/volunteer with a memorial garden bench, which will be installed with a plaque in the school’s playground. Left to right, MCNS Director Sandy Erler and June Hodge celebrate June’s 29 years as a supply teacher, teacher and volunteer.

Sometimes it’s best just to say nil

I’m finding myself at one of those bizarre crossroads where everything I love about sports is about to collide with a large swatch of the population working diligently to grate my nerves.

3. Job opportunities in new industries, including clean energy industries.

Some have promoted the idea that we should use the transition to redress various social issues and inequities. This idea will likely slow the transition as efforts to increase its scope will lead to more disagreements and require more consultation and resources.

“Our schools need to be training our young people to become the citizens of tomorrow. Citizenship is not only about new Canadians, it’s about all Canadians, young and old,” said Andrew Cohen. “The Canadian Citizenship Challenge will encourage students to learn more about what it means to be Canadian and then put that knowledge to the test.”

Starting this summer, the Historica-Dominion Institute will be encouraging more than 5,000 middle and high school teachers to register their classrooms for the Challenge. Each classroom will receive a set of the new citizenship guide, along with specially designed learning activities. The teacher will also receive copies of a mock citizenship exam. Students will take the citizenship exam as a class and the teachers will return the completed exams to the Dominion Institute for grading.

Results will be announced by the Dominion Institute on Flag Day (February 15) each year for the next three years. For more information about the Challenge please visit the Historica-Dominion Institute website at www.historica-dominion.ca.

Our COmmunity FROM THE OTHER SIDE

I nearly choked on my Dutchie when I heard one student tell a group of others that he joined something called the Flat Earth Society. It sounds like something satirical and fun, like something Rick Moranis would be talking about in an old SCTV skit, or maybe a Kids in the Hall skit.

It’s this whole World Cup thing. Don’t you find that people are just a little too into it?

wonder about things like how come “underneath” is a word but no one ever says “overneath” when the discussion pulled me back into soccer.

But, no, this kid started explaining the theories that the world is a disc, like a big pancake of land and water. There is a big wall of ice surrounding the disc so that no one falls off. That wall of ice is Antarctica.

And what about the Trueman Show? It’s a good thing Jim Carey hit that wall before his boat fell off the earth.

The flat earth believers have always been around. Some are more educated than others, though we imagine there to be a bit of an education deficit when they get together.

Sadly, the flat earth movement is gaining momentum at an alarming and uncomfortable rate. Social media has got some people so wound up in conspiracy theories that they believe everything is a conspiracy. The government wants us to think the world is round, and they made up this entire orbit around the sun, and moon orbiting around the earth thing to control us.

Conspiracy theorist also have a tendency to not believe things they see on the news or learn about at higher levels of school unless they came up with the theories themselves.

Achieving net-zero emissions requires a comprehensive approach encompassing all economic sectors and all nations. It demands ambitious, even daunting, actions to decarbonize the energy sector, electrify transportation, improve energy efficiency, promote sustainable land use and agriculture, decarbonize industries, phase out fossil fuel subsidies, invest in research and innovation, foster international cooperation, raise public awareness, and ensure a just transition.

By implementing these measures collectively and urgently, we can make significant progress toward mitigating climate change and securing a sustainable future.

CIC’s multiculturalism grants and contributions program will be investing $525,171 in this 32 month project which promotes civic memory, civic pride and integration.

Yogi Schulz has over 40 years of information technology experience in various industries. Yogi works extensively in the petroleum industry. He manages projects that arise from changes in business requirements, the need to leverage technology opportunities, and mergers. His specialties include IT strategy, web strategy and project management.

manotickmessenger@gmail.com Advertising

Marketing: garyhcoulombe@gmail.com Website: www.manotickmessenger.ca

Staff/Contributors: Kelly Belair, David Brown, Gary Coulombe, Larry Ellis, Skyler Fraser, Goldie Ghamari, Melissa MacIsaac, Jeffrey Morris, Greg Newton, C.J. Rooney, Ralph Tweedie, Leeanne Van der Burgt.

I found myself in line in front of two nouveau soccer fan moms at Your Independent Grocer the other day. I was kind of in my own little mental world in the checkout line, scanning the tabloid and magazine covers and wondering what Justin Bieber’s first major scandal would be. I was just about to reenter the world after some quality time on Planet Jeff and launch into my weekly way-to-reward-your-customers-bycharging-us-five-cents-per-bag-and-claiming-it’sto-save-the-environment rant when I unexpectedly locked in on the conversation behind me.

“Chelsea is learning so much by watching the World Cup,” said the mom wearing Crocs. “We are studying each country before the game. She has really become a fan of Arr-hayne-TEE-na, and she even wants us to go there on our vacation next year. Perhaps we can even go to Brrra-seeel.”

That caught my attention. Arr-hayne-TEE-na?

Are you kidding me?

By Jeffrey Morris

As I listened to this, I didn’t know what was sadder. Was it that there actually are conspiracy theorists putting flat earth theories on the internet for anyone to believe? Or is the saddest thing about this that our school system, and our educators, have eroded to the point where people are actually graduating from high school thinking that the world is flat.

“I wish some of the stores would carry the vuvuzela horns so that we could bring them to Chelsea’s games,” said the mom who was wearing Crocs.

“Oh, I know,” said the one wearing Birkenstocks.

The other mom – the one with the Birkenstocks – piped in.

“They are a wonderful football nation,” she said. “My husband, of course, wears the azure and cheers for Italia, but Zachary’s favourite team has been MAY-heee-co. They did a school project on MAY-heee-co last year and he has even insisted that we go to out to eat and watch the games when they are playing.”

I bit my tongue.

There are different theories floating around between the flat earthers. The most common one is that the world is a disc. The arctic circle is in the middle of the disc, and the disc rotates around the North Pole, which is in the exact centre.

I kept thinking about that Bugs Bunny cartoon called ‘Hare We Go’.

“Zachary has a tournament next weekend and it would have been so in the spirit of the World Cup to have all of us blowing our vuvuzela horns. They lost two-nil and then three-nil. They need all of the support they can get.” Nil? Who says nil? Really.

In an effort to keep my blood pressure down, I looked out the big window at the big parking lot and scoped it out, looking for a puppy or a bird or anything that would pry my mind out of the shackles that these two soccer moms had put me in with their conversation.

Remember Christopher Columbus arguing with King Ferdinand?

Some flat earthers a partially in agreement with the disc theory, though they believe that Antarctica is not a wall of ice. They believe that Antarctica extends infinitely in each direction. You could go east, for example, and once you hit Antarctica, it would go on forever. Same with the west, north and south.

“The world, she’s a round,” Columbus said.

“Oh, I know,” said the mom wearing Crocs. “The horns are such a beautiful part of the South African culture.”

I wanted to jump in and say something, but I refrained. I couldn’t do it.

A busload of seniors from a nearby retirement home had pulled up and passengers were getting off. I was trying to, in my head, name all of their walkers as an escape.

Unfortunately, they pulled me back in.

“The world is flat, like-a-your head,” the King would respond.

If you are unfamiliar with the vuvuzela horn, then you have not tuned into CBC over the past two weeks. If you stumble across a World Cup soccer game on CBC, you will hear what sounds like 50,000 bees swarming the field. They are not bees. They are people blowing on cheap, plastic, gimmicky horns.

The funny thing about these horns is that they have become what has defined the 2010 World Cup. People who have been following the World Cup and people who have only seen 20 minutes of it in passing have commented on these annoying yet relentless horns. Ironically, while the world has learned to adapt these horns as the one thing they now know about South African culture, the horns aren’t really a part of their everyday lives. South African sports enthusiasts have commented that they had never seen nor heard a vuvuzela horn at a sporting event, and that the South African people find the noise just as annoying as the rest of the world does. Apparently, some now wealthy marketing genius came up with the idea to mass produce and market these horns as a World Cup novelty. The plan worked, and now the rest of the world must endure the shrilling sounds of his quick buck. I was just about to drift back into ADD world and

senger

“My cousin lives in Australia, and he was devastated when Germany beat them 4-nil,” said the mom wearing Crocs.

At this point, I couldn’t take it anymore. Mount Patience erupted and out came sarcasm lava.

“I saw that match,” I said. “I can’t believe AusTRY-lier looked so insipid against Deutschland.”

The mom with the crocs was not impressed.

The mom with Birkenstock’s wasn’t either, but she did acknowledge me with a response.

“Who is your team?” she quipped, condescendingly.

I did the only thing I could do, shouting as loud as I could.

“USA! USA! USA!” They turned their heads in disgust. The next 45 seconds were incredibly silent and awkward.

I have often thought that the problem with the Gen Z generation is that they didn’t grow up watching Bugs Bunny cartoons. How on earth would they know anything about history, humour, or classical music? To their credit, they have figured out that Amazon is pretty much the Acme of today. Thank goodness there were no porch pirates when Wile E. Coyote was ordering the bat suit and the giant magnet and all the other cool stuff he ordered.

At that point, it was my turn. The cashier scanned my Diet Coke and V-8 Fusion, and I was all set.

“Would you like plastic bags?”

“Yes please,” I replied. I had never been so happy to pay five cents for a plastic bag just to get the hell out there.

Eventually, Bugs Bunny proves the world is round by throwing a baseball so far it comes back to him on the other side. It has stickers from all the different cities it went through on the way back.

Jeffrey Morris was the 2008 OCNA Columnist of the Year. His book, From the Other Skide, is available at Manotick Office Pro, Barrhaven UPS Store, and Pages in Prescott.

That theory sort of wrecks the trilogy of Star Wars trilogies, or those Bell Fibe cable speed spaceship commercials.

In their blog on theflatearthsociety. org, the flat earthers claim that Einstein’s Equivalence Principal and Einstein’s Relativity proved the world was flat. They also claim that Isaac Newton’s Laws of Motion also prove the world is flat.

I don’t know what you believe, but I am going to stick with the whole world is round theory and assume that pictures of the earth from space are legitimate. If the world really was flat, don’t you think a photo would have been leaked by now?

Then again, if you have ever been to Saskatchewan, well, we’ll give them that one.

So the next time the Ministry of Education puts in a mandate for teachers to actually teach relevant material between threats to go on strike, let’s add the world is round to reading, writing and arithmetic.

6, Manotick Messenger, Wednesday, June 23,

Bev McRae photo

Veteran says Messenger snubbed the Legion by leaving them out of photo spread

The Editor, I was disconcerted to see that the Manotick Messenger saw fit to not include a picture of the Branch 314 Manotick Royal Canadian Legion float in their multiple series of pictures of the 2024 Dickinson Days parade.

In preparation for this parade, the Legion Veterans and Associate Members took several weeks to construct decorations for their float to acknowledge the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) of which many personnel from Ottawa and surrounding areas served with and were killed

in action during the Second World War.

Several of the RCAF Veterans and their spouses they left behind when they deployed on missions who rode on the float, had previously served overseas in Bosnia, in Peacekeeping missions in some of the worst environments on this planet and/ or had trained the Ukrainian Army before the invasion of the Ukraine by Russia. The float was escorted both front and rear by two Veterans Motorcycle Riding Clubs of which no pictures appear in your paper.

After the parade, a large

historic display of RCAF equipment and uniforms was set up inside the Legion as part of their open house which elicited many stories from the public who viewed it of their relatives who had been Spitfire pilots in the Battle of Britain, Lancaster Air or Ground Crew who had flown missions to Germany or Airmen who had served in the far East in the Burma campaign.

While the public viewing the parade, which included several young boys and girls, excitingly acknowledged the RCAF and other Veterans on the float by shouting “Thankyou for your Service”

and many giving the Veterans a wave or respectful salute, the Mantoick Messenger decided, in turn, to thumb its nose at the RCAF Veterans by not considering that they were worthy of a picture in your paper.

Terry Hunter

Canadian Army and RCAF Veteran

Editor’s Note – The Messenger in no way intended to “snub” or “thumb our noses” at the Legion. With 50 or 60 floats and room for about a dozen photos, we can’t get

everyone in. The Legion float has been included in almost every parade photo spread through the years. We have always been strong supporters of the Legion and will continue to be. Here is a photo from the Dickinson Days Parade.

Before you vote for someone, would you let them walk your dog or babysit?

The Editor,

As global political upheaval continues questions abound on suitability of candidates be it age, fitness, sanity, stamina and even golfing ability! In light of recent events I’d offer most voters need to cut though the piffle and trite issues and focus on a simple litmus test; would I trust this candidate to babysit/walk my dog/hold my

wallet or even my pint (*delete as applicable). It seems incongruous that as public scrutiny and exposure has risen exponentially too many of those lured by public office believe their constituents are both myopic and amnesic (and can’t use a search engine). ‘Sorry’ has lost meaning and now sadly equates to ‘oh, I got caught but in my defence…’, it is

fast becoming the most disingenuous, hackneyed and tried five letters in political existence. That some of late have refrained from even using it preferring to leverage their questionable actions as a new career opportunity and opening of new doors is indicative of those whose reasoning for wanting public office we should be reviewing. The old ad-

age of ‘my enemy’s enemy is my friend’ displays a void of creative political desire and a lack of moral fortitude. Can anything positive be gained for Ontarians by giving the oxygen of publicity to an aspiring 21st century Oswald Moseley-like thug? For those unsure a quick Google (or even Bing) will hopefully add clarity and make most wonder what could possibly

Yours aye

Bobby Strawbridge

have been the plan. Forget party lines, forget mandates and focus on the humanity and moral fibre of the characters we seek to do our bidding. Democracy is awash with compromises and that reflects societies everywhere. As we will undoubtedly have political canvassers aplenty over the coming 14 months I’d urge the Messenger readers to adopt the Patches O’Houlihan mantra and dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge through the chaff, the waffle, the toadying blather. Get to the nub of who these folks are and question why they should have the right to babysit/walk my dog/hold my wallet or even my pint (*delete as applicable).

Village getting ready for 12th annual Allan Haan Soap Box Derby

ssociation of M anotick

We hope that you will join us for the annual Manotick Soapbox Derby and Picnic in the Park!

On Sunday August 25th, the Manotick Village and Community Association (MVCA) will be holding the 12th Annual Allan Haan Manotick Soapbox Derby and Picnic in the Park.

Help a youngster build a cart and join in the fun or come cheer the racers on… and then celebrate the end of summer and meet your neighbours at the Picnic in the Park.

Allan Haan is a longtime resident of Manotick and is a soapbox derby enthusiast. Allan started the first Derby in 2012, and has put together instructions for building soapbox carts, provided carts for youth who don’t have the means or time to build their own, as well as carts that can be copiloted for young ones with disabilities. Allan will be at the top of Beaverwood Road to encourage our young participants as they race their carts!

The races start at 9:00 a.m., so get there early for a good spot on the sidelines. Visit our website manotickvca.org to register for the Derby, and follow us for information on upcoming events, including a derby cart building demo.

MVCA’s Picnic in the Park runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Centennial Park, located next to the Manotick Community Centre/Arena at 5572 Dr. Leach Drive. There will be activities

for all ages, including music by the Manotick Brass Ensemble, children’s story time by the Manotick Branch of the Ottawa Public Library, face painting, and more. And while you’re there, check out the David Arntfield Recreation Area, which includes a new skate/pump track and basketball court.

We’ll be offering free corn-on-the cob and BBQ burgers and hotdogs at old-fashioned prices. Refreshments will be available, as well as fresh popcorn and cotton candy! Come early, as food may go quickly!

Many thanks to our passionate volunteers who so enthusiastically offer their time in the planning and running of these events, including members of the MVCA, the Manotick Kiwanis and Royal Canadian Legion, Youth of Manotick Association (YOMA), and more.

We also couldn’t do it without the continued support of the City of Ottawa, and our many local sponsors. Kudos to the City and Manotick business community for their generosity!

If you would like to volunteer at the events, or help sponsor the Soapbox Derby, please contact us at events@ manotickvca.org. We would love to hear from you.

We look forward to celebrating with you all on August 25th!

More details about these events and other issues and happenings in the community are available to MVCA Members through our newsletter. Details about Membership are available on our website.

Being OTHS Student Council President a rewarding experience

Name: Melita Wyche

Age: 17 School: High

Grade:

The MessengerFOCUS ON YOUTH

FOCUS ON YOUTH

Being OTHS Student Council President a rewarding

Parents: nis Wyche

Sisters: UNB Fredericton. Violet (20), Canterbury (vocals), Carleton University. Ivy (22), St. Mark, Algonquin College.

and Pixie, and a cat.

leading and tumbling coach at Kemptville Infinity in Kemptville.)

“Math

Pets: Two dogs, Ewok and Pixie, and a cat.

Part-time Work: “Cheerleading and tumbling coach at Kemptville Infinity in Kemptville.)

Sat., July 13 – Afternoon Tea at Dickinson House. Enjoy a selection of black & white themed tea sandwiches, scones, and treats in a colourful Victorian house museum. Tickets are $30 and must be purchased in advance. Call 613-692-6455.

• Ottawa Futsal Club entering their 29th season indoor soccer. Youth boys & girls, women, men & coed. Players / teams wanted. All skill levels. League starts October ends April 2020. Please go online at www.futsalottawa.com. Early bird ends September 21st

Favourite Subjects: “Math and Chemistry. I enjoy doing labs and prob-

What is your Greatest Accomplishment? “Earning the title of Student Council President at my school. The process was not easy, but I persevered and made it through, even though there were setbacks along the way. It has also been a very rewarding accomplishment, as I’ve gained so many opportunities, and gotten to network with other youth like myself.”

Sat., July 20 – Goulbourn Museum Summer Olympics, 10 a.m – 2 p.m. Goulbourn Museum is celebrating the 2024 Summer Olympics with fun sports challenges and craft activities! There will be a chance to win prizes and everyone will learn a little history about the games which got their start in ancient Greece 3,000 years ago! Local Olympic athletes and Olympic artefacts from Goulbourn Township will also be highlighted!

• Ottawa Newcomers Club - For women who have recently moved to this area; (and those who have experienced a significant life change), and would like to meet new people of similar interests by joining our many group activities. More information at: ottawanewcomersclub.ca or by contacting newcomersclubottawa@gmail.com.

places all over the country and amazing hiking. The next location I wish to travel to is Iceland, because it’s a very open country, with very kind citizens, and lots to see.”

• Old Time Fiddle Music & Dance - East Osgoode Greely Assoc, First Friday of each month, invites & welcome all Musicians, Dancers & Listeners. Greely Community Centre, 1448 Meadow Drive, Greely. For additional info call 613 489-2697.

kinesiology. My top choice schools are University of New Brunswick in St. John, and Dalhousie in Halifax. After that, I hope to pursue a career in either athletic therapy, or education.”

9-10:30 a.m. Cost is $35. Beginners welcome, advance registration required. Call Watson’s Mill at 613.692.6455.

Why did you get involved in what you do?

• Friday Night Country Music & Dance Club The Greely Legion the fourth Friday of each month. Bring along an instrument to play, or come in to sing, listen and dance. Admission is FREE. Greely Legion, 8021 Mitch Owens Road, ON. Information: 613-822-1451 or 613-826-6128.

“I got involved in Student Council because I saw it as an opportunity to make

• Thursday Fun Night for adults and children. An optional supper at 5:45 pm. Indoor soccer/games, crafts, or nursery for ages 0-11. Parenting course, Alpha course, or Growing in Faith/Hearing God course for adults, 6:30 - 7:30 pm. To try it out contact, discipleship@trinitybiblechurch.ca

Sat., July 20 – Watson’s Mill Cape Breton Dance, 7 – 9:30 p.m. The dance is taking place inside Watson’s Mill. Come for an evening of music and dancing. Snacks and drinks available, and it is a licensed event. Admission is by donation. Suggested donation is $5 at the door.

These cards accepted Monday-Friday: 9am-8pm Saturday: 9am-5pm Sunday: 10am-4pm Paul’s Pharmacy 990 River Road (across from Tim Hortons) 613-692-0015 Transferring a prescription is easy to do

Tues., July 23 - Getting to Know the Chromebook: Beyond Basics 2-3 p.m., Manotick Branch of the Ottawa Public Library. This program shows Chromebooks users how to search the Internet using popular search engines, shopping, maps and weather. Also presented are some security basics and other features. To register visit Getting to Know the Chromebook: Beyond Basics | Ottawa Public Library (biblioottawalibrary.ca)

www.pharmasave.com

Wed., July 24 – Watson’s Mill 5525 Music Series 7-9 p.m. Keith Glass Band will be performing on the second floor of Watson’s Mill. Tickets $40 available through Watson’s Mill.

Fri., July 26 – North Gower United Church Garage Sale, 4-8 p.m. The North Gower United Church is collecting “Clothing and Clutter” for their garage sale. Collection dates & times are listed below. The garage sale will be July 26th 4:00pm-8:00pm & July 27th 8:00am1:00pm.

Sun., July 28 – Yoga and Brunch with Stacey, Watson’s Mill,

990 River Road (across from Tim Hortons)

613-692-0015

Transferring a prescription is easy to do

These cards accepted Monday-Friday: 9am-8pm Saturday: 9am-5pm Sunday: 10am-4pm

Progressive Euchre Tournament - First Saturday of the month at the Manotick Legion - Register at 12:30 pm; play at 1 pm. For more information, contact danspitzig@gmail.com.

After suffering numerous concussions, Melita Wyche turned to coaching.

PHILL POTTER PHOTO

Youth of Manotick Association is a registered not-for-profit organization offering safe, social, inclusive programs and activities for youth in our community. Friday nights Pre-Teen Program for youth in Grades 4-6 6:30 - 8:00 pm / Youth Drop-In for youth age 12-17 7:309:00 pm. See the website for more information https://www.yoma.ca

• Tuesday Dance Party The Greely Legion hosts live music on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Bring along an instrument to play, or come in to sing, listen and dance. Admission is FREE. Greely Legion, 8021 Mitch Owens Road, ON. Information: 613-822-1451 or 613826-6128.

The Manotick and Area Centre for Arts & Wellness (MACAW) focuses on intergenerational connections for seniors through arts and wellness. This includes a multitude of activities such as Tai Chi, yoga, art, music, and dance classes as well as community dances. Their popular concert series focuses on our local singers and musicians. For more info go to https://www.manotickmacaw.com

STEVENS CREEK

Ottawa Public Library - The Manotick Library has many activities for children and adults, including an Adult French Conversation Group and story and craft programs. To discover all the events happening at the Manotick branch go to https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/

SHADES SHUTTERS DRAPERY & more Free shop-at-home service

613-706-1250 stevenscreekshutterco.ca

• Friday the fourth play, or Greely 613-822-1451

• Tuesday the 1st pm. Bring listen and Mitch Owens 826-6128.

SHADES

College.

B y L eeanne Van der B urgt youth a

Many of Ward 21’s infrastructure projects and upgrades are underway

By DaviD Brown, riDeau Jock councillor

Two years ago this month, I was doing interviews leading up to the 2022 election. I said that one priority for the ward must be investing more in fixing our roads. Many resurfacing plans and roadway upgrades had been languishing. Now, the necessary investments are being made and projects are underway.

For some residents, it may seem like construction is happening all at once. Many long-delayed infrastructure projects that are critical to our growing communities are now being started after much persistence

Rideau-Jock Report

David Brown, Councillor , Ward

21

from my office. One of the reasons why construction can be delayed is a shortage of available construction crews as the City contracts out much of the infrastructure work that needs to be done. While there is not one reason why there have been delays to necessary projects in the ward, I am happy that progress is being made.

In the 2024 road re-

surfacing budget, Ward 21 received nearly 25% of the budget – the most of all the wards in the city. This does not include road preservation projects or rural road upgrades (when a gravel road is paved). In the 2023 resurfacing budget, Ward 21 was allocated under 8% of the total investment. This represents a significant increase in tax dollars that will be put towards improving our roads.

The City evaluates pavement condition, road classification, and traffic volume as some of the main qualifiers for resurfacing.

There are hundreds of roads across the City that

need investment. The City prioritizes high-volume arterial roads over smaller, quiet residential roads when planning its resurfacing projects. However, small improvements can still be made. Between this year and last, we have been able to get four residential streets into the budget, and we are pushing for more.

Pothole repairs are a major operational priority every year. If you see a pothole in the community, it is helpful to report it to the City as soon as possible. Below are a few details to remember before reporting a pothole:

• Identify the cardinal directions (i.e. the pothole is

in the southbound lane or on the north side of a particular intersection)

• A brief, relevant description of the pothole (eg. the approximate size and depth)

• A photograph is accepted, but not required

• A nearby civic address or intersection

While crews repair potholes in the wet, cold months of the year, the best time to fill a pothole is in the hot, dry summer months. Reporting a pothole this summer will allow the repair to last a lot longer as opposed to reporting it in the winter or spring.

Please call 3-1-1 if a pot-

hole on the road is related to construction activity, an immediate hazard to people or property, or personal accessibility.

My office is always ready to resolve issues or ease concerns for residents and I know how frustrating and disruptive constructionrelated and road infrastructure activity can be. My office works closely with City staff and construction project managers to ensure that a detailed plan is in place to minimize the impacts on residents. At the end of the day, I am glad that the investments are being made to get more things done here in Ward 21.

Osgoode Township Museum launches “Sign My Book!” website

As the 2024 school year comes to an end, and students throughout Ottawa collect signatures in their yearbooks, the Osgoode Township Museum is pleased to launch Sign My Book!

In 2022, the Osgoode Township Museum received an envelope containing an autograph book from 1884. It belonged to Katie Kennedy who was born and raised in Osgoode Township, not far from the Museum.

Katie was born in 1875, and received the book on her ninth birthday. Looking through our records, we found that the museum already had an autograph book that belonged to Katie’s older sister! Jessie was born in 1871, and was four years older than Katie.

The two autograph books - and others that we discovered in our collectionsparked our curiosity about how teens connect. Through our research, we discovered that autograph books evolved into yearbooks. That led us to

contact local high schools and add yearbooks to our collection. Put together, autograph books and yearbooks paint a picture of teens over the years. We get a snapshot of their lives through their own words and photos. This journey back in time inspired our new exhibit and virtual experience. The Sign My Book! exhibit explores the marks made by teens in Osgoode Township (part of Ottawa since 2001) from the 1880s to today. Through this exhibit, we honour the hopes and dreams of yesterday’s teens. And invite today’s teens to dream boldly and forge their own paths in the world.

Osgoode Township Museum Executive Director James Jensen notes that, “This project is a testament to the power that objects have to inspire the development of heritage content that is broadly appealing and relevant to the local community.”

Sign My Book! was de-

veloped by the staff of the Osgoode Township Museum, with yearbooks spanning 70 years on loan from Osgoode Township High

School and St. Mark High School. This ongoing effort will ultimately see nearly 10,000 pages and 30,000 images digitized. Input from

Dr. Cynthia Comacchio, a leading scholar on the history of children/childhood and youth in Canada, added considerably to the project.

eLearnza was responsible for website development and design, while James Street Writing Co. provided content services.

Church Directory

Manotick ..United .Church

5567 Manotick Main Street, Manotick, Ontario, K4M 1A5

Road, Osgoode

We welcome all, who with God’s help, work to build a better world. Rev. Paul Whynacht Sunday Worship at 10 am Office hours are: Wed 9a.m.-4:30p.m. Thurs-Fri 1p.m.-4:30p.m. admin@manotickunitedchurch.com www.manotickunited.com 613-692-4576

ST. JAMES’ ANGLICAN CHURCH

1138 Bridge Street, Manotick

–Serving South Barrhaven, riverSide South and Manotick–

Sunday Services

Holy Eucharist at 8:15 & 10 a.m.

“A Christian community joyfully serving & growing in God’s love” (Elevator Access Provided)

Church Office 613-692-2082 Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 9a.m.-2p.m. The Reverend Kerri Brennan e-mail office@stjames-manotick.ca Web site: www.stjames-manotick.ca

ST. LEONARD ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

5332 Long Island Road, Manotick

Pastor: Rev. GeRaRd Plant

Mass tiMes

Saturday 4:30p.m., Sunday 9a.m. 11a.m Weekdays Wed., Thu. 9a.m., Fri. 9:30a.m.

Office: 692-4254 www.stleonardsparish.ca

Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. EMAIL: office@stleonardsparish.ca

David Arntfield Recreation Area officially opens at Centennial Park

It was a project that Mike O’Neill of the Manotick Culture, Parks and Recreation Association called “a collective effort” as the community celebrated the opening of the David Arntfield Recreation Area with a celebration July 4.

Located in the northeast corner of Centennial Park in Manotick, the David Arntfield Recreation Area is the gateway into this park. Once complete, the new park will become a significant gathering place for the community.

The creation of the David Arntfield Recreation Area was made possible with support from community contributors, including R.W. Tomlinson Limited, and from the City of Ottawa, the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario through the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).

Construction of the David Arntfield Recreation Area began in 2020 and was divided into two phases. The

first phase included a seasonal outdoor rink with lighting, basketball courts, and tree planting. The second phase included the new skateboard park and pump track, which is now ready to welcome riders.

In 2020, the northeast corner of Centennial Park was commemoratively named in memory of David Arntfield, a dedicated community volunteer and talented fundraiser supporting both local and regional initiatives. With the opening of this recreation area, local residents and visitors can share in David’s lifelong passion for sports and recreation.

“A heartfelt thank you to the Manotick Culture, Parks and Recreation Association, our Provincial and Federal partners, and all the dedicated contributors within our community who made this vision a reality,” said Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. “This incredible new space stands as a tribute to your efforts and honours the memory of David Arntfield, a remarkable member for the com-

munity and an avid sports fan.”

Anne Robinson of the MCPRA thanked the “get your hands dirty” people who played a role in creating the recreation area.

Among those she thanked were Fotenn Planning and Design, New Line Skateparks, the Tomlinson Group, D & G Landscaping, McKee Electrical, MCPRA Outdoor Rink Volunteers, Artistic Landscape Design and Prestige Design & Construction.

She also thanked the team of garden stewards, which

included students from Manotick Public School and St. Leonard, YOMA, and the Arntfield family and friends.

Robinson also thanked a number of contributors to the project. They included the Tomlinson Foundation, the Kiwanis Club of Manotick, the MCPRA, Olga and Bob Simpson, and the Manotick Village Community Association.

“And special thanks to the many additional individuals and organizations that also donated to the project in the memory of David Arntfield,” she said.

Wholesale siding

Youngsters on their bikes will be enjoying the pumptrack all summer.

Mike O’Neill and Anne Robinson unveil the David Arntfield Recreation Area. G R e G NewtO N ph OtO s

Anne Robinson addresses the crowd at the official opening of the facility.

Manotick has had a skateboard park at Centennial park for nearly 40 years. Now, it is one of the best in the city.

St. Mark students win silver at Reach for the Top Junior Nationals

For the second consecutive year, the St. Mark High School Reach for the Top team has finished in second place at the Junior Nationals.

The program was started last year by St Mark teacher Britney Castleman, when she was in her first year at the school.

The six members of the St. Mark team are Milo Cheung, Isaac Bogle, Declan Faloon, Sophia Tang, Terrence Tang and Madison Zwetko. Four players were returning from last year. They are thrilled to get a second banner to hang on the wall at the school.

The St. Mark students had to beat three other teams from Ontario high schools to earn a spot in the nationals. in round robin play, St. Mark beat Queen Charlotte from PEI 350-110, École Lansdowne from Manitoba 290-190, and Tempo School from Alberta 340-150. In the quarterfinals, St. Mark defeated Maplehurst Middle School from New Brunswick 280-150 and the semi finals won against Choice School for Gifted Children from British Columbia 320-160. St. Mark lost in the finals to the other Ontario team, Charles Howitt Public School of Richmond Hill. Reach for the Top s divided into three different divisions. The Junior division is for Grades 7-8, Intermediate

is Grades 9-10, and Senior is for Grades 11-12.

“St. Mark has a lot of great extra curricular programs, especially for a smaller school,” Castleman said of starting the program last year. “When I found out there was no Reach

for the Top team, I thought it was an opportunity to put a team together and create something special for the students.”

Casselman put the word out at the school that they were looking for students in-

teresting in joining the club and forming a team. She was surprised with the reaction.

“There was no interest at all from the high school students,” she said. “All of the students interested were from Grades 7 and 8.”

In their first year competing, St. Mark earned a trip to the Nationals and finished second to a school from Alberta. This year, the team went to the finals again, earning a second banner for the school.

Teacher Britney Castleman and her St. Mark Reach for the Top team won silver for the second straight year at the Junior Nationals.

St. Mark received a second banner courtesy of their Reach for the Top team.

Annual kids’ bike parade highlights North Gower Canada Day

Sun shines brightly on Osgoode Village Canada Day Parade

Poison Ivy is a three-leaved plant that causes an itchy skin rash by encountering the plant or its residual oils on things like clothing, animal fur or garden tools. The best way to avoid contracting a rash is by avoiding contact with the plant. If you are working in an area with poison ivy it is recommended to wear long sleeves and pants and to wash your clothing immediately when finished. If your skin encounters the plant gently wash the area as soon as possible with a damp washcloth and liquid dish soap under running hot water as this may lessen the severity of the rash.

Kiwanis scholarship program encourages community-minded students

By Ralph Tweedie ManoTick kiwanis cluB

The Kiwanis Club of Manotick’s primary focus is on youth. One way we achieve this is to recognize the achievements of local high school students and to encourage them as they continue with their studies.

Our tradition has been to provide a scholarship for students as they enter a new chapter of their lives.

We are excited to announce that we have expanded our program. We now provide scholarships of $2,500 to graduates at five local high schools. To show support for our Key Club Members, we also award a scholarship

of $500 to a member of each of our four Key Clubs.

In addition, the Kiwanis Foundation of Canada provides a $500 Mel Osbourne Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a graduating Kiwanis Key Club member who is pursuing a post-secondary education at a recognized institution. The chosen recipient has shown an outstanding commitment to community service.

We are proud to announce this year’s winners.

We have had a strong relationship with South Carleton High School for many years. This year’s winner of the $2,500 scholarship is Corinne Yantzi. Corinne will be attending the University of British Columbia to study Engineering. Our Kiwanis presenter, Marg Demers, was seated with Corinne and her parents. Marg was very impressed with this year’s winner.

The winner of this year’s Kiwanis scholarship at John McCrae Secondary School is Abdullahi Qalinle. This year’s graduating class numbered 400 and our presenter, Bernard Doiron, was very impressed with the young adults.

Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School combined our award with a donation from the Kiwanis Club of Nepean. They then divided it up equally among four deserving students. Each student received $875. Carol Luce, our Teacher Advisor and Kiwanian Jennifer Murphy, were the presenters. The three recipients of the Manotick Kiwanis awards were Rand Habani, Connie Liang and Sidharth Sajan.

Our Kiwanis Advisor for St. Mark High School, Terry Tomkins, made the presentation of $2,500 to Julie Decelles. Julie was chosen for her work in organizing and promoting local community service events and for her fantastic attitude toward community service.

The $500 dollar scholarships to Key Club members for their outstanding commitment to community service were awarded as follows:

• St. Mark High School –Julie Decelles

• Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School –Candy Barasa

• John McCrae Secondary School – Cynthia Wu

• St. Mother Teresa High School – Jiwoo Kim

Our Kiwanis Advisor for St. Mother Teresa High School, Bruce Tomkins, made the presentation to Hailey Reynolds-Middleton. Hailey was selected by the school for her strong grades, active involvement in the school community and financial needs.

This year’s Key Club recipient of the Mel Osborne Scholarship has been a contributing member of the St. Mother Teresa HS Key Club for 3 years, where she served as Co-President and more recently served as the District Lieutenant-Governor for Key Clubs in the Ottawa area. The Kiwanis Club of Manotick is very proud to present the award to Jiwoo Kim.

It is with your continued support that the Kiwanis Club of Manotick is able to assist these impressive young adults in their pursuit of a higher education. Our Kiwanis presenters always leave the ceremony inspired by the caliber and aspirations of our youth.

If you would like to know more about us, contact Debbie Mulvihill at 613-6925346 or Email ddmulvi@ gmail.com and join us at one of our summer BBQs.

Jiwoo Kim was the winner of the Mel Osborne Scholarship.

Richmond Lions Club sponsoring local Ukrainian child to attend camp

A local Ukrainian child refugee will have the opportunity to go to summer camp, thanks to the generosity of the Richmond Lions Club.

Soniashnyk (Sunflower) Summer Camp was established in 2022 for displaced Ukrainian children who arrived in the area as a result of Russia’s unwarranted at-

tack on Ukraine. For the first two years, the camp could only accommodate 40 children. This year the camp is adding another week at Lac Newcombe and a day camp in Ottawa which means they can now accommodate 120 children. Priority will be given to those children newly arrived in Ottawa

from Ukraine.

The camp was organized by volunteers from the Ottawa branch of Ukrainian Canadian Social Services. It is sponsored by the Ukrainian National Federation of Canada. The camp counsellors speak Ukrainian, and many of the counsellors also fled Ukraine because of the war.

The camp features Ukrainian food, language, art and music.

Many children who have come to Canada from the Ukraine have done so without their fathers, as many of the men stayed behind to fight the Russian invasion. The Ukrainian children are

facing difficulties because they have been separated from some of their family members, their friends, and their knowledge of English is, in most cases, very limited or non-existent. The camp is intended to bring Ukrainian children together where friendships can be

made and where they can enjoy being kids for a week. In addition to announcing that they would be sending a local Ukrainian kid to camp, the Richmond Lions Club also announced their bursary winner from South Carleton High School for 2023-24.

Survey says rural Ottawa has potential for 11,000 dwelling units

The City of Ottawa Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee received an information report at its July meeting indicating that there is sufficient residential development potential within Ottawa’s rural areas.

The Rural Residential Land Survey, which monitors lot creation and residential development, estimates the potential for almost 11,000 dwelling units in rural Ottawa. Roughly 82 per cent of that future rural growth is within the City’s 26 vil-

lages. At average rates of development, the current supply is sufficient for approximately 15 years outside of villages and 25 years within villages. The supply exceeds the requirements of Ottawa’s Official Plan for villages to be supplied with enough land for 15 years of market-based residential development.

The Committee also approved funding for an application to the Rural Community-Building Grants Program(link is external), which supports rural-based

community improvement projects undertaken by non-profit organizations. The Osgoode Legion would receive about $6,300 to replace flooring in the Legion Hall that has deteriorated beyond repair. The work will help bring a sense of community back to the space and make it a hub within the village.

The City will continue to accept grant applications until the annual budget is fully allocated. Please consult the grant program guidelines for information on how to apply.

Dr. Philip Mwimanzi 613-692-6500

Dr. Larissa Patterson (613) 692-6500

Dr.Harold Bobier

613-692-4432

Dr.Harold Bobier (613(692-4432

Dr. Jolieann Joseph 613-692-4432

Dr. Jolieann Joseph (613)692-4432

Dr.Donald Young 613-692-4432

Dr.Donald Young (613)692-4432

Dr.Thomas Proulx

613-692-4432

Dr.Thomas Proulx (613)692-4432

Dale Green of the Richmond Lions Club presented a bursary to South Carleton High School student Ashlyn Marshall.

ROSSS reflects on success and growth at annual general meeting

By Kelly Dumas

Rural Ottawa South

Support Services (ROSSS) celebrated its Annual General Meeting for the 202324 year at the Osgoode Legion on June 24th. The evening was a testament to dedication, growth and the transformative impact of community support initiatives.

The evening kicked-off with a beautiful reception, offering guests refreshments and delicious charcuterie from Manotick’s North Station Provisions. We are so grateful for our guest speakers for sharing their insights. Councillor David Brown, a big supporter of ROSSS in our community, talked about why ROSSS is so vital to rural Ottawa South and how much it means to the many people he represents. Dr. Denis Osmond also shared how ROSSS has personally helped him and his wife Anne. His sincere appreciation touched everyone there, underscoring how important ROSSS is to our local community.

Despite facing formidable competition, game 7 of the Stanley Cup PlayOff featuring the Edmonton Oilers- the event boasted an impressive turnout, underscoring the community’s commitment to ROSSS’s mission. For those unable to attend, here are the highlights of how the evening showcased ROSSS’s milestones and the recognition of invaluable contributors.

At the heart of the even-

ing was honouring the volunteers and staff whose steadfast dedication drives ROSSS’s impact. Volunteers recognized for their years of service at ROSSS were:

5 years: Cella Exelby and Carol Pearson

10 years: Freda Dupuis, Helena Flack, John Flack, Michael Roche

15 years: Mary Mackenzie, Shirley McClary, Jean Mowat

… these volunteers exemplify the dedication ingrained in ROSSS’ community ethos.

Staff members Ron Menard, France Connor, Melissa MacIsaac, and Jennifer Baxter were also honored for their 5-year service anniversaries, their contributions integral to ROSSS’s operational success. In addition to these incredible milestones, we honoured Transportation Driver, Keith Porteous with a Long-Standing Service Award having been with While preparing the annual report, I reflect on the past year and two significant themes emerge: Change and Growth. Our move from 1128 Mill Street to our new address at 1096 Bridge Street stands as a testament to our adaptability and commitment to better serve our community. This move, though monumental, has provided us with a facility better suited to meet the needs of our clients and accommodate our expanding staff, who tirelessly work to support our evolving programs and services.

Moreover, ROSSS played a pivotal role in driving transformative changes within our healthcare system, particularly through our involvement as an anchor partner in the Ottawa West Four Rivers Health Team. Our contributions to the redesign of local healthcare, aimed at integrating community support services seamlessly, underscore our dedication to ensuring holistic care for all.

In 2023-2024 we experienced growth in the breadth and depth of ROSSS’ programs and services. In collaboration with Nepean Rideau Osgoode Community Resource Centre (NROCRC) and South Nepean Community Health Centre, ROSSS introduced an innovative caregiver support program. This initiative not only extends additional support to caregivers but also enhances the quality of care for their loved ones

through our adult day program and respite services. Additionally, our partnership facilitated access to counseling services, providing invaluable support to caregivers facing myriad challenges.

Recognizing the profound impact of social engagement on healthy aging, ROSSS expanded its large group breakfast and lunch programs to include the Osgoode Lunch and Metcalfe Breakfast, alongside the revival of the beloved Richmond Lunch. This return to large-group programming, a key focus of our strategic plan, has brought immeasurable joy and camaraderie to our community, enriching lives through fun and entertaining social activities.

Furthermore, the past year marked a significant milestone for A Friendly Voice, ROSSS’ telephone line for older adults, with

the receipt of the Scaling Up for Seniors grant in the amount of $740,176 from the Federal Government. This grant has enabled A Friendly Voice to extend its reach beyond Ontario to the Atlantic Provinces, amplifying our impact and providing vital support to seniors across a broader geographical region.

As we navigate the dynamic landscape of community support services, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our supporters, volunteers, staff, and partners for their unwavering dedication and collaboration. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient community where everyone can thrive.

NOW OPEN

Sandy’s Island BBQ

Specializing in Rotisserie BBQ Chicken & Ribs Fresh Cut PEI Fries and PULLED PORK AND MORE

Beth, our Manager is a Cordon Bleu Certified Chef in charge of preparing all our food. Beth won the Chili cook-off contest at the Manotick Legion in February. WE now have a second chef Wayne Foster, certified “RED” Seal chef on the team with many years of catering experience.

Brand New to Manotick Soft serve ice cream (3 flavours) plus scoop ice cream (many flavours). Open Daily to 8pm.

Special thanks to all our Customers who have made our Restaurant venture successful

We will offer Catering for Weddings, Backyard BBQ parties with family and friends, Company Meetings and any other get together occasions. Rotisserie BBQ Chicken and Ribs are a first for the Manotick area.

Deliveries by Uber & Skip The Dishes.

Please call (or drop in) to pick up our packed menu for this exciting venture.

We look forward to serving you some of the best food in Ottawa and the Valley.

HOURS: Mon – Sat: 11am – 8pm Sunday: Closed

Fiddles on the Rideau makes much appreciated donation to YOMA

B y L eeanne V an der B urgt

YOMA’s summer has started off with a lot of great news.

We were grateful to be invited to receive a cheque last week from the organizers of the Fiddlers on the Rideau festival. Thank you Sheryl Fitzpatrick and Chad Wolfe from the Fiddles on the Rideau for making time to meet with us for the photo. The event was a fun filled weekend. The volunteers from YOMA who helped at the festival had a wonderful time. They could not stop talking about the

music. Fiddles on the Rideau supports organizations who support youth with mental health challenges. The money donated to YOMA will be used for our initiatives in that regard.

The next exciting news is that July is Chairs for Charity month. This is the second year that Manotick Home Hardware has organized this event. YOMA is thrilled to be the recipient of the proceeds this year. Local businesses have purchased and transformed wooden Muskoka chairs into one of a kind works of art. Some of the chairs were painted by local

artists from Manotick Art Association. Photos of the chairs have been posted online as part of a virtual silent auction for the month. You will also see the chairs on display at the participating business’ locations. The bidding is open. Check our website for the link to the auction.

The last piece of good news is that, at YOMA, our activities continue through July and August. When it comes to the kids, we are excited to make some memories together. Our program is similar over the summer but we do change it up a bit.

One of our more popular activities at YOMA, any time of year, is when we cook and bake. Not only do the youth find it tasty, they enjoy participating in making whatever we have planned. So, in the summer, we add making dinner to every night at YOMA.

We start our night at YOMA earlier in the summer to allow the extra time for cooking. Those interested in the meal come at the start. Each week there is a different menu planned. Youth are asked to register in advance if they plan to participate so we know we have enough

ingredients for everyone. When youth arrive they will immediately start to work in the kitchen with the YOMA staff, doing whatever is needed to prepare the meal. They get an opportunity to learn or improve kitchen skills, maybe try new things and when they are done, everyone gets to enjoy the meal they have prepared together. After dinner the YOMA staff have fun activities planned for the rest of the evening. If youth are not interested in cooking or do not want to join for dinner, that is just fine. They can arrive a bit later and

join in then. Each night is different so we encourage everyone to visit our website, sign up for our e-newsletter or follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.

2024 Fiddles on the Rideau Festival floats into Manotick

On the weekend of June 21-23rd, fiddlers from across Canada coupled with local musicians gathered together at the Manotick United Church to play concerts, have an old tyme square dance, teach fiddle, dance, piano workshops and jam sessions. Due to the rain forecast on Sunday June 23rd, the flotilla planned for the Rideau River was cancelled but everyone quickly came back to the Manotick United Church to participate in a jam session that lasted 3 hours! The square dancing on Friday night was a huge success as fiddle enthusiasts, young and old, as well as many new Canadians assembled to celebrate Canadian culture, and to raise awareness and financial support for the Youth of Manotick Association (YOMA).

Just as the culture in Canada is diverse, so is the music. Each year the festival highlights the differences in fiddle styles between provinces. This year, the festival showcased: Canadian virtuosos from the band Cécilia, Louis Schryer from Chapeau, QC, Erin Leahy from Montreal, QC and Timi Turmel from Quebec City, QC along with square dance caller Jackson Corry originally from Alberta. On Saturday, June 22nd back by popular demand was the Fiddles on the Rideau Trio (Mark Allen, Chad Wolfe and Sherryl Fitzpatrick). New this year, we had a Women of Fiddle concert to cele-

brate the contribution from women in fiddle music. Included in the concert was Kelli Trottier from Kingston, ON, Karen Steven from Scotland, Terri-Lynn Mahusky from Renfrew, ON, Anna Ludlow from Antigonish, NS and founder of the festival, Sherryl Fitzpatrick from Ottawa, ON. We were pleased to welcome CBC Radio Host, Teri Loretto as our Emcee for the weekend festival.

Founded by Ottawa-area musician-educator-composer Sherryl Fitzpatrick, the FOTR event is part of a larger vision to familiarize all Canadians with the traditional and contemporary importance of fiddling to Canadian Heritage. It is also a fundraising initiative to bring awareness and support to mental health. This is the fourth year for the FOTR event but the first year for the Youth of Manotick Association (YOMA). In addition, it is

a three-day music festival. RBC and Portfolio Manager, Janice Domaratzki was enthusiastic to get on board to support the festival.

“To see how the Manotick business community has embraced us and has supported such a great cause is humbling and encouraging” says Fitzpatrick. Music heals and helps to build relatinoships and bring people together. We couldn’t have operated a festival without the support of our sponsors: Lead Sponsor, Janice Domaratzki RBC Wealth Management & Dominion Securities CIM Portfolio Manager, our Official Sponsors, Beth’s on the Bay and the Dentistry at Manotick as well as community donations from Myers Manotick Dodge Jeep Chrysler RAM, Manotick BIA and various online donations. To date, FOTR has raised close to $15,000 for mental health

organizations in Ottawa. This year, the Fiddles on the Rideau Festival were successful in surpassing their fundraising goal and raised $3,000 for the Youth of Manotick Association (Yoma.ca). Leeanne Van der Burgt who is a Board member at the Youth of Manotick Association says, “the $3,000.00, will go towards the continuation of their parent and caregiver support group.”

The Youth of Manotick Association provides a safe, inclusive and social-

ly accepting environment to help support local and rural youth build positive relationships, offer support for addictions and mental health counselling, to experience new opportunities and to connect them to their community.

When asked if the festival was a success, Fitzpatrick says, “The Fiddles on the Rideau Festival was a huge success not just from a financial standpoint but seeing positive relationships being built, music being shared, new friend-

ships being developed, new sponsor partnerships, and hearts being healed. We could not have done this without your support. Music really is therapy!” Plans are already underway for next year to bring this live event to the Manotick and surrounding area on the weekend of June 2022, 2025.

Visit www.fiddlesontherideau.com or follow them on Facebook and/or Instagram and watch for detailed announcements next year.

YOUR COMMUNITY

Shop Local!

Don’t look ahead, take a glance into

By CJ Rooney

I’m pleased to introduce to you a new feature in the Messenger, which we are calling “Rideau’s Rearview”.

Rideau’s Rearview

CJ Rooney

This column is designed to take you back through time, to discuss things ‘the way they were’. To stir up memories that are long-forgotten. Perhaps to reveal things that are yet unknown to many. To remind us of how the people, the places and the things that used to be worked together to form the present. Without a tie to history, we run the risk of losing it.

Larry Ellis was a great proponent of this, a long-time community historian, and columnist in this very newspaper. This column is not trying to ‘fill his shoes’. That was a role that only Larry could fill, in his own special way. This column is designed to bridge the past and the present. To strengthen the link. To ‘pick up the torch’.

This first article in Ri-

deau’s Rearview is dedicated to the memory of Larry Ellis, and his efforts in the sharing of community history. Progress is ever driving forward, and that’s a wonderful thing...but I invite you to take a moment, every now and then, and pause. Reflect. Think about what it has taken to bring us to where we are today...where our community is today. Lean into that, and

Rideau’s Rearview

enjoy it. Ponder it. So, why don’t you come along for the ride? In this column we will cover a variety of topics: Buildings, methods of doing things, people, enterprises, community activities and events—all through a heritage lens. At least, that’s what you’d see if you took a glance in Rideau’s Rearview.

UPCOMING HERIT-

AGE EVENTS:

-Afternoon Tea @ Dickinson House (Jul 13 1:303pm)

-Milling Demonstration @ Watson’s Mill (Sundays 1-3pm)

(SUBMISSIONS WELCOME: If you have anything you’d like to see covered in this column, or have information you think may be of interest, call 692-4036.)

Accessible bridge officially opens at Baxter Conservation Area

Dignitaries, donors, and special guests joined staff and board members from the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation (RVCF) and Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) to celebrate the Baxter Conservation Area’s flagship accessible bridge’s grand opening on Friday, June 21.

The 100-metre accessible bridge and two large education platforms embrace the gold standards of accessible design, including a 10-foot-wide deck, gentle slopes, handrails, benches and appropriate sight-lines for people in wheelchairs and strollers.

The impressive span was made possible with generous support from the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), and the City of Ottawa’s Rural Community-Building Grant, as well as inkind and financial support from the RVCF, RVCA, and their generous donors.

“Accessibility improvements to this area and two new educational platforms will make this beautiful green space a safe and welcoming destination for all to enjoy,” the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario wrote in a prepared statement. “The Government of Canada is happy to have supported the Rideau Valley Conservation

Foundation.”

Rideau-Jock Councillor David Brown thanked the Nature For All committee, which brought its vision of an accessible nature destination to the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and its Foundation six years ago. Brown also recognized the hard work of the many RVCA and RVCF staff, volunteers and board members who have helped turn this vision into reality.

“This project was not easy,” Councillor Brown said. “What we’re looking at today really shows the hard work, the dedication and the consistent pressure to make life better out here for everyone of all ages and abilities.”

In total, Baxter’s accessible bridge project garnered more than $800,000 in support, including donations from 100 Women Who Care, 1st Greely Cubs, Fjällräven, FedEx Canada, Girl Gone Good, and The Gosling Foundation. The RVCA also contributed from its capital infrastructure funds.

“Each year, Baxter welcomes thousands of visitors and more than 4,000 students to its facilities to enjoy the trails, beach and outdoor education programming,” said RVCA Chair Kristin Strakerjan. “The new bridge will help visitors of all abilities enjoy an enhanced outdoor experience while taking advantage of the many physical

and mental health benefits that go with it.”

The previous bridge was at the end of its life cycle and was closed for safety reasons in 2019. Cue Mike Nemesvary, an accessibility advocate located in Manotick who has been visiting Baxter Conservation Area in his power wheelchair for more than 20 years. An athlete and adventurist, Nemesvary had long dreamed of transforming Baxter into an accessible nature haven for people of all abilities. Working with the RVCA and RVCF, he founded the local Nature For All committee to bring his vision to life.

“My partner Mary Anne and I have been continual visitors to Baxter, which includes a sandy beachfront, five kilometres of nature trails, picnic areas, lookouts, marshlands, a nut grove and a multitude of ecologies,” said Nemesvary, as he addressed a crowd of 75 people gathered to open the bridge. “This unique bridge is the culmination of a grand vision, a dedicated committee and an outpouring of support from private and public sectors for the past six years.”

And the accessibility transformation continues.

“There’s more work to be done, including rebuilding and replacing the 950 metres of accessible raised boardwalk and trails that will lead people of all abilities to this mag-

nificent spot,” said RVCF Board Chair Andrew Harkness. “We are excited to continue Phase 2 of this shared mission with support from our partners and generous community members.”

To learn more about the Nature For All project visit www.rvcf.ca/naturefor-all.

To learn more Baxter Conservation Area visit www.rvca.ca/conservation-areas/fee-required/ baxter-ca.

The Baxter Conservation Area’s 100-metre accessible bridge was officially opened in June. It includes a 10-footwide deck, gentle slopes, handrails, benches and appropriate sight-lines for people in wheelchairs and strollers. (RVCF phoTo )

Swans unveil Indigenous-inspired jerseys at Manotick Polo Grounds

In early June, the Ottawa Swans became the first Australian Rules Football Club in North America (which boasts 41 Clubs in Canada, 47 in the USA) to have an Indigenous Round.

The idea started in 2019 when Indigenous players on the team wanted to do something akin to the Indigenous Round that occurs in Australia, that would be a recognition and celebration of Indigenous Culture.

Jordan Harcombe and Rob Harbic set about trying to find an artist to design a jersey to commemorate the occasion. After a while searching, they came across the work of Kanyen’keha/Mohawk Artist Kory Parkin, who has previously designed jerseys for the Belleville Senators (AHL), Toronto Rock (NLL), Hamilton Bulldogs and Erie Otters (OHL) who was commissioned by the Club following some fundraising. As the ball started rolling, Blyth Academy Glebe came aboard as a community partner to sponsor full sets for the Men’s and Women’s+ teams.

The jersey is of an in-

digenized Swan interwoven with lines representing the importance of rivers in the Ottawa-Gatineau area as a means to travel, and the circles representing meeting places, acknowledging the importance of the region as a traditional area of trade.

‘Ottawa’ is derived from the Anishinabe word ‘Odawa’ which means ‘to trade’.

The jerseys made their debut at the Swans Doubleheader home opener vs the Hamilton Wildcats at Manotick Polo Grounds (1600 Bankfield Rd), where all those attending, players and spectators alike, where invited on the field for a special opening ceremony. Swans player Connor Adair, Metis, offered tobacco to Mr. Greg Meekis, Ojibwe Cree from Sandy Lake First Nation, Knowledge Keeper and Cultural Resource Coordinator with the Odawa Native Friendship Centre, who then provided a land acknowledgement and smudging followed by a song and drum. This was followed by a spectacular display of Hoop Dancing by Makhena RankinGuerin, Anishinabe.

The Men took to the field after, and following 80 minutes of play they came out victorious 80 - 8. The Women+ capped the special day with a strong 32 - 8 victory.

unveiled their new Indigenous-inspired jerseys in June

The Swans will continue to wear the Indigenous jerseys for the remainder of their home games this season, and look forward to beginning to offer free Aussie Rules clinics for Indigenous Youths through a collaboration with the Odawa Native Friendship Centre this summer.

The Swans next home games are July 20th starting at 2pm at their home field (1600 Bankfield Rd) admission is free, a BBQ and concessions are available for purchase and a free junior football clinic is offered for children of all ages during the halftime.

The Ottawa Swans hosted a special Indigenous celebration and

at the Manotick Polo Grounds.