GE02/03_Eganville Leader_November

The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

118th Year - No. 23

Postal Agreement # 40005333

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Page A1

Eganville, Ontario

Raging fire destroys barns at Willi’s Ranch

($1.90 plus 10 cents GST)

$2

Photo: Mike Yeas

Firefighters from Laurentian Valley Township were assisted by members of the North Algona Wilberforce Township and Town of Petawawa fire departments in battling this raging fire at Willi’s Ranch on Whitewater Road in LV Township early Friday morning. Two barns were lost at the ranch where Mr. Schmidt operates a horse boarding/riding business. Fortunately, no animals were injured in the fire but a large supply of square bales and tack equipment was lost. The flames were fanned by the strong wind that day but firefighters prevented a third barn from burning.

Tractor trailer flips Busy TransCanada shut

- Page A3

Agnews in new home LCBO for Golden Lake A year after fire - Pages A4 - A5

Variety Store approved - Page A6

The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

Page A2

Owner of Willi’s Ranch is anxious to rebuild after fire

By Terry Fleurie Staff Writer

Flames from the fire that destroyed two barns at Willi’s Ranch Friday morning were visible high above the structures and were fanned by the strong winds that day. Photo: Mike Yeas.

Firefighters from LV, NAW and Petawawa battled the raging fire at Willi’s Ranch on Whitewater Road on Friday morning Photo: Mike Yeas

Laurentian Valley Township -The well-known and popular owner of a Laurentian Valley (LV) Township riding and boarding ranch is hopeful of rebuilding after two of his barns were destroyed by fire early Friday morning.

Willi Schmidt, owner of Willi’s Ranch, told the Leader Monday he is busy making plans to rebuild and is grateful that despite the loss of the buildings and contents, no horses were injured in the fire.

Mr. Schmidt spotted the fire and had his wife call 911.

“We got some equipment out at least,” he said. “We lost over 200 feet of barn.

“They were all connected,” he added. “The third barn we didn’t lose, the fire department saved it. But the wind was just blowing like crazy.”

Mr. Schmidt said the firefighters did a great job considering the conditions.

“It was so windy, we were lucky to save the one,” he remarked.

Mr. Schmidt said he had between 25 and 30 horses at the ranch that day, 12 of which he owns and the others were ones being boarded at the ranch.

“They were all outside. When it’s nice they’re outside. When it’s ugly and cold, we bring them inside.”

Mr. Schmidt estimates he lost 1200 to 1500 square bales of hay and thousands of dollars in tack equipment and harnesses.

“We do a little bit of sleigh riding

here,” he said of the harnesses lost in the fire.

Fortunately, the sleighs were outside, he noted.

They spent all weekend assessing how to move forward, noting some of the loss will be covered by insurance.

“I have to rebuild, I don’t even have room for any hay. I have no room for equipment and we had this nice little room for sleigh riding.”

He estimated that room would hold 50 to 100 people.

Mr. Schmidt is erecting some standing stalls in the one remaining barn, noting that none of his customers have chosen to pick up their horses at this point.

“We moved here in 1971 and I just told some people it took about 40 years to build and four hours to destroy,” he lamented.

Mr. Schmidt was planning to enter his popular car -- the one with the reindeer mounted on the roof -- in the Pembroke Santa Claus parade on Saturday night and the fire did not deter him from doing just that.

“The kids wanted to go, so we went,” he stated.

Mr. Schmidt was involved in the catering industry for many years, selling the business seven years ago. The business still operates as Schmidt’s Catering.

Fire Chief Tim Sutcliffe said the department received the call at 7:58 a.m. and dispatched two pumpers and a tanker. There were 18 firefighters on

site. They also called in Mutual Aid from both North Algona Wilberforce Township, who responded with two tankers and 10 personnel, and one tanker and two personnel from the Town of Petawawa.

Chief Sutcliffe said it was fortunate all of the horses were out in the pasture and no animals were injured.

“The wind was crazy,” he said. “We probably could have saved more, it got so far ahead of us with the wind.

“We couldn’t cut it off where we would have liked to because the wind was swirling so bad,” he added.

He said the two structures lost were attached but they managed to save a third barn that was in close proximity.

“There was hay, of course, and all their tack (riding equipment) for the horses was in there,” he said. “And they had a little reception room at the front.”

Chief Sutcliffe said county paramedics were on scene for about five hours but no one required medical attention.

While the fire was under control within about an hour, the department was on scene until 5 p.m as they had some difficulty once the buildings collapsed.

“Once it’s down, the problem is it’s burning underneath the tin, so we had to bring a high-hoe in to clear the tin out to put the rest of the fire out that was underneath. We started that about 12:30.”

Firefighters from LV, NAW and Petawawa had several tankers on scene to haul water to the site of the fire on Whitewater Road.

Photo: Mike Yeas

Local educators taking job action to protest education cuts

By R. Bruce McIntyre

Staff Writer Pembroke -- Although yesterday (Tuesday) was the first day across all parts of the Ottawa Valley that some teachers took part in a provincial campaign of job action to protest education cuts by the government, there were no picket lines usually associated with a unionized protest.

According to two local union leaders, it is their goal to keep picket signs away from schools by reaching a negotiated settlement with the Minister of Education before there is any further escalation or demonstrations that could effect thousands of children.

The 60,000 members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) voted 96 percent in favour of job action and Christian Sell, a Mathematics teacher at Fellowes High School in Pembroke and local OSSTF representative for District 28 (Renfrew), said the goal is to reach a settlement to avoid disrupting students in the seven high schools in Renfrew County.

No Direct Impact For Students “Right now, you are not going to see the traditional picket lines going up outside of the schools across the county,” he said. “The words strike

and job action are similar at this stage.

Our job action will include handing out information pamphlets or literature outlining our concerns. We are still co-ordinating where and when these information lines will take place and it will likely be grouped by school areas and they will take place before and after school, and some may even be off-site like at a shopping mall.”

Mr. Sell said there will be a limited withdrawal of services. For instance, teachers will not participate in board or ministry professional development; provide comments on report cards or prepare students for provincial standardized tests (EQAO).

“All these measures are meant to draw attention to the issues and not disrupt the daily routine of students,” he said. “We submitted proposals to the Education Minister since April to get it moving and our contract expired August 31 of this year. In September, an outline of the OSSTF’s proposals were put on line (bargainingforeducation.ca) and I would encourage everyone to check it out. We want to be as transparent as possible.”

Mr. Sell understands there may be frustration in the general public with the possibility of another major labour disruption within Ontario’s education system. He is quick to point out the

current Education Minister, Stephen Lecee, has been open to mediation to end the impasse and he sees that as a good sign that any long-term disruption may be avoided.

“Nobody wants to disrupt the lives of students,“ he said. “We are fighting for class sizes that support learning and do not jeopardize student safety and our students deserve full access to programming and courses that give them opportunities for their future.

We would like to see specialized professional supports for students with special needs and most of all, a safe, equitable and supportive learning environment for all students.”

Elementary Schools Also Affected Similarly, the withdrawal of services by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), which represents 83,000 teachers, occasional teachers, and education professionals in public grade schools, will also be largely administrative and ETFO local union leader Allison Ryan is hopeful a resolution will come sooner rather than later.

ETFO members will not be completing Term 1 Report Cards, Kindergarten Communication of Learning reports or participating in school board activities on PA Days. She said members of the local ETFO met 15

minutes prior to classes starting yesterday in order to hand out information pamphlets to parents dropping off their children at their school.

Ms. Ryan said local members will be taking the same action as their provincial counterparts.

“At this point our job action is administrative in action which will allow educators to focus their attention on teaching,” she said. “Other job action includes not participating in staff meetings, not participating in EQAO related activities and not completing surveys or data collection activities. We are hopeful this job action will result in the Ford government coming to the table and negotiating a fair deal.”

As the spokesperson for approximately 400 elementary teachers and 200 Educational Assistants with an additional 28 professional support personnel, she is hopeful that when a negotiated settlement is reached, it includes the areas of concern brought forward by ETFO. “We want to protect the current kindergarten model that has a teacher and an Early Chldhod Educator in each kindergarten classroom,” she said. “We want increased support for students with special needs and it is very important that violence

in schools has to be addressed. We also need smaller class sizes in Grades 4-8. These are issues that we face every day and hopefully we can all move forward in providing quality education for our children.”

Although this is the first stage in a province-wide job action, she is hopeful the inclusion of a conciliator working alongside the ETFO will result in a fair deal. She said there are dates over the next few weeks set for negotiations and her membership wants to see a resolution so that they can focus on the classroom and the students on a day-to-day basis.

“Across the province, our membership voted 98 percent in favour of job action,” she said. “Although our membership has an overwhelming mandate to go this route, that is the last thing we want.

“We want to get the message out that ETFO is committed to defending our world class education system. The Ford government’s agenda of cuts is harmful to our students. Teacher working conditions are student learning conditions and we want to assure parents that our job action will not affect student learning or safety.”

Concerns Over Education Changes Both provincial unions share similar

concerns. They are opposed to the province’s move to larger classes beginning in Grade 4. In high school, the government wants to boost the average class size to 25, up from last year’s 22, which will lead to fewer teachers and fewer course options.

The province also wants to introduce two online mandatory courses for high school students. Originally, the province had proposed that high school class size averages be 28 and that students take four mandatory online courses.

In the case of recent labour disruptions for ETFO, the last work-to-rule action was in 2015, starting in May and it ended in November, when a tentative agreement was reached.

Meanwhile, for OSSTF, the last work-to-rule campaign involved support staff and was in October and November 2015. In July of 2015, the union announced teachers would withdraw from extracurricular activities, but an agreement was reached in August, before school started.

The 45,000 members of Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association voted 97.1 percent in favour of strike action if needed and they are also involved in provincial negotiations and have not announced any job action at this time.

The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

Page A3

Rig loses piece of equipment, flips on Hwy. 17

Const. John Soucie of the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP assisted at the crash scene on Highway 17.

the Renfrew detachment of the OPP was the lead investigator with assistance from members of the Upper Ottawa Valley detachment.

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Suspicious fire is probed Pembroke -- The Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating a suspicious fire in a parking lot of an apartment building on Bennett Street.

Police responded to the fire at about 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 19.

Construction debris in a utility trailer that was burning was extinguished by the Pembroke Fire Department.

Police are treating the fire as suspicious at this time. A small, light-coloured sedan and an unknown driver were in the area of the utility trailer at the time the fire started. The vehicle left the scene travelling eastbound on Bennett Street prior to the arrival of police and the fire department.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Pembroke Detachment of the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP at 613-732-3332 or Pembroke/Renfrew County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or at www.valleytips.ca.

The driver was charged under the Highway Traffic Act for having an insecure load on commercial motor vehicle.

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Several county seniors’ groups receive grants Toronto -- Renfrew-NipissingPembroke MPP and Minister of Natural Resources John Yakabuski announced over $400,000 to eight local seniors’ groups Tuesday as part of the provincial government’s commitment to helping seniors keep active, healthy, safe, independent, and socially connected in their own communities.

The Centre Laioie des aines and the Seniors Citizens Drop-In Craft Program, both in Pembroke, Community Resource Centre, Killaloe, the Eganville and District Seniors, The Grove in Arnprior, and the Renfrew and Area Seniors each received $52,727.

The Opeongo Seniors Centre in Barry’s Bay received $49,802 and the Silver Threads Seniors Club of Petawawa received $39,027.

Mr. Yakabuski said the funding will assist many seniors who face financial and other obstacles in accessing programs and services that will help support their overall health and well-being.

“This funding will go a long way in helping seniors in our communities stay active and socially connected, while also preventing social isolation,” Mr. Yakabuski said. “Seniors Active Living Centres provide a hub for seniors and their families to build positive connections, encourage physical activity, and in doing so, benefits everyone’s well-being.”

Overall, the government is investing $14.1 million to support more than 300 Seniors Active Living Centre programs in communities across the province.

An accident with a potentially serious outcome occurred last Tuesday afternoon on Highway 17 when a tractor trailer from British Columbia overturned while travelling westbound in Whitewater Township between the intersections of Godfrey and Calvin Roads at Haley Station. Fortunately, there was no oncoming traffic or vehicles travelling close behind the tractor trailer when the incident occurred. The driver lost control of the vehicle when the load he was carrying shifted, with the truck taking out several guide rails before flipping onto its passenger side, coming to rest across both lanes of the busy highway. The collision forced the closure of the highway for several hours with traffic rerouted on Haley and Godfrey roads.

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The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

Page A4

Agnews in new home one year after devastating fires

By Gerald Tracey

News Editor Eganville -- A local couple who lost their home and all of their possessions in a fire that destroyed their John Street home a year ago are now settled into their new residence on the same site and are grateful to a caring community for supporting them along their journey.

Steve and Jackie Agnew moved home in October and although there are still a few things to be finished inside, as well as landscaping outside, they are excited to be back.

Last Wednesday, November 21, marked the one year anniversary of the fire that not only levelled their home, but also destroyed a neighbouring home and caused damage to four others, ranging from melted siding to interior smoke damage.

It was about 2:15 p.m. on a sunny, cold and windy Wednesday, Novem-

Steve and Jackie Agnew are happy to be in their new home a year after fire destroyed their older home. Joining them is their pet cat, Charlie, who managed to survive the blaze. A second cat, Callico, wasn’t as fortunate.

ber 21st when fire was noticed coming from the Agnew home, located almost across the street from the post office, and within minutes the high winds carried the flames quickly through the structure.

When it became evident they had a major challenge on their hands, the Bonnechere Valley Fire Department sent out a request to neighbouring North Algona Wilberforce Township for help and they responded with several trucks and personnel to support BV’s Eganville and Sebastopol Stations.

It was a long afternoon and night for firefighters who battled the flames in bone-chilling temperatures, but not nearly as long as the next year would be for the Agnews who found temporary housing on Mink Lake and then at Lake Clear while they planned and built their new home.

“We’ve been at the lake and every-

thing, it was beautiful and we’re so grateful, but it just wasn’t home,” Mrs. Agnew said. “I’ve always loved living in town, being in Eganville. It was so nice seeing our house going up.”

The fire wasn’t the only bad thing to happen to the Agnews in 2018.

It started with Mrs. Agnew’s defeat at the polls in last June’s provincial election. She knew she had no hope of defeating incumbent MPP John Yakabuski, whom she admires as a person and a politician, but felt having the opportunity to debate against him would be a rewarding experience.

After finishing third in the election, the next blow came in October when she lost her seat on Bonnechere Valley Township council which hit her harder than the provincial loss.

“Steve and I do so much for the community and I was sure I had it,” she said. “And that hurt.”

See Page A5

After a series of bad luck events in 2018, Steve and Jackie Agnew are back home on John Street. They moved into their new residence in October and continue to be grateful to a loving and caring community.

The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

Page A5

Agnews settle into new home From Page A4 They say bad news or trouble comes in three’s and that was certainly the case for this couple. Although Mrs. Agnew lost her seat, the new council had not yet been sworn in when they were dealt their third and final blow: the fire.

But as tough as the year was, the Agnews were overwhelmed with the outpouring from the community.

“The big part of this year, although it was a really hard year, was realizing how great our community is,” she said. “Everybody has stepped up or helped out, or asked what they could do. It’s just been an amazing journey and we really learned a lot.”

Mr. Agnew is a well known local entertainer and has appeared on stage at many benefits and community concerts. He admitted there were times he was volunteering when he wondered if it does make a difference.

“But when you’re on the receiving end of it, it sure does make a difference,” he said.

Home construction started back in the spring. Mr. Agnew, who runs his own home renovation business, acted as the general contractor and hired many sub-contractors.

“I would have liked to have done more work on it myself but it was busy this year, which was a good thing.”

He also would have liked to have included more local people because so many were generous to them.

The Agnews designed the house and their son, Andy, an architectural technologist, did the drawings. Their daughters, Bree and Emily, helped choose the colours and the furniture.

“We wanted the kids to have as

much input as they could into this,” Mrs. Agnew said. “That was really nice.”

The combined kitchen/living room is an open space with a cathedral ceiling. To the right are two bedrooms on the main floor and then the upstairs loft contains the master bedroom and ensuite bathroom.

“The happiest moment since we moved in was the day our grandkids came to visit and our granddaughter (Lennox), we did her bedroom with her own bed and the Frozen theme and she walked in and says, ‘Gramma and Grampa I have my own bed’ and that just melted our hearts.”

The community was very generous to the Agnews following the fire and they kept that in mind when they were rebuilding, purchasing as much of the material as they could locally and hiring local trades to do the work.

They were also very pleased with their insurance company, Desjardins, saying they were amazing right from the beginning.

The Old Feeling They both admit they sometimes feel like they are sitting in their old house. Perhaps it’s because the doors are in the same location in the new house or because when they look out the windows they see the same things they did looking out the windows in their old home.

“They only difference is this place is a little warmer,” Mr. Agnew quipped.

“And a little less creaky,” Mrs. Agnew added.

“But yes, 2019 has been great. And we had another grand baby (Nash), a brother for Lennox.”

Mrs. Agnew works for the County of Renfrew. At the time of the fire she

was the Housing and Homelessness Program Co-ordinator, but has since taken over responsibility for tenant placement in charge of the social housing registry for the county.

The Agnews are looking forward to celebrating their first Christmas in their new home. The tree is all ready to go and any day now they will be getting it out of storage.

“The tree is going right there,” she said, pointing to a spot on the backyard wall. “We just have to go and get it. Bree is storing it for us.

“Last year, when we were at (Jack and Lorraine) MacDonald’s (on Mink Lake) the teachers I worked with at EDPS, when I worked there, and staff and some community members went together and showed up at our door with a tree and decorations and so that is the tree we are going to keep and use this year as well. That was really beautiful.”

So, after a year of disaster and chaos, life for the Agnews is almost back to normal.

“Probably a better ending than anticipated,” he admitted.

“I love this house,” she added. “It’s been an amazing journey and just to know how much our community and our family has been there for us. And it has brought Steve and I closer together. We’ve always been there, but this whole experience has brought us closer together.”

They both agreed the experience made them realize the possessions in life they lost a year ago didn’t really matter as much as the compassion, care, concern and generosity of a community.

“There is no better place you could live,” they agreed.

Photos from last November’s fires on John Street that destroyed two homes and damaged four others.

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The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

Page A6

Golden Lake Variety obtains conditional approval for LCBO outlet

By Debbi Christinck

Staff Writer Golden Lake -- The Golden Lake Variety store and gas station has received conditional approval for an LCBO Convenience Outlet with plans for the store in the heart of the hamlet and at an increasingly busy intersection to start selling alcohol in the new year.

“My location was a pre-selected location they wanted to expand with Doug Ford’s plan to have more convenience stores selling for the LCBO,” owner Danny Von der Hoeh said, noting although the approval process was complicated, it has now neared completion.

With the conditional approval granted, it is only a matter of meeting some timing deadlines for the final approval and opening of the alcohol outlet, which he anticipates to occur

at the end of January.

“It will be fantastic,” he said.

Working with some tight deadlines, he has to have renovations in place in the convenience store by January 8 to finalize his approval. To do this, part of the stock room wall will be removed and the stock room made smaller to allow for more space inside the convenience store for the LCBO products.

“We will be expanding the floor space by 250 square feet,” he noted.

As well as the LCBO, he is excited about an M&M Food Market opening at the variety store.

“We are getting a three door freezer to accommodate M&M products,” he said. “I’m hoping that will be done by the beginning of the month (December).”

With the renovations to the building there are not only the physical renovations customers will see with

Danny Von der Hoeh is looking forward to opening an LCBO Convenience Outlet and M&M Meat Market at his Golden Lake Variety Store and gas station, which is located in the heart of the hamlet and at the busy intersection leading to Pikwakanagan.

the added space, but also renovations to the electrical system which will enable it to handle this extra capacity.

Mr. Von der Hoeh said he has seen the variety store and the corner at Golden Lake where it enters Pikwakanagan become increasingly busy since the opening of the cannabis shops at the First Nation. The location is perfect for the LCBO and M&M merchandise, he believes.

“The opening of the cannabis shops has been great for my business,” he said.

There are over 10 cannabis shops now in the small community of Pikwakanagan, with many of them located on the main road leading from Golden Lake.

Applying for an LCBO outlet seemed like a good option and one he is pleased was approved.

“There is a lot of stuff you have to do for this,” he said. “They did a site inspection in October and then the subcontractor for the LCBO looked at our rough floor plan.”

Everything fell into place smoothly and now it is a matter of having things in place, training staff and obtaining information from other similar LCBO Convenience Outlets on how they have dealt with the transition. Mr. Von der Hoeh said he hopes to speak with the owners of the outlet at the Round Lake store who also opened a similar LCBO Convenience Outlet to learn how their experience was.

As a convenient outlet he will not carry the full line of products, but there will be a “decent” selection, he said.

“We will carry the most popular products,” he said.

While some of these are predetermined by the LCBO, he anticipates he will make some changes depending on what his customers are looking for.

Fine-tuning the logistics of the store is still ongoing. There may be a second cash in the LCBO area and he does anticipate hiring more staff.

Although there has been some backlash against these kinds of outlets opening and some court challenges, he said this is something the Ford provincial government promised to do in smaller communities.

As well as having the LCBO stock, the variety store will also function as a bottle return depot. He anticipates putting up a storage container or shed for that.

One issue he is grappling with is space. His property is actually fairly small, just extending beyond the building slightly. The parking lot next to the store is actually MTO property.

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“They prefer for us to use that than be blocking the road,” he added.

Future plans would be to acquire more land if possible around the store.

Parking is already becoming a premium in this hamlet centre with a busy Cottage Cup store across from him, as well as the Pharmasave and post office directly across the highway.

With the opening of both the M&M

Food Market and the LCBO Convenience Outlet, he anticipates things are going to be getting even busier. Mr. Von der Hoeh has been vocal in the past about the importance of a light at the busy intersection, but past studies have shown no need for it. Since then the additional cannabis shops have increased the traffic tremendously.

“I’m excited about these additions

to our business,” he said. “I think it will be great for the community and our business in general.”

Although there had been rumours about the opening of the LCBO outlet, he said he wanted to wait until he had the approval before making it public.

“People have been looking for that information, so now the word is out,” he said.

By Debbi Christinck

so we had zero production,” he said.

“As it sits now all three turbines were repaired.”

In Units Two and Three, the two runner chests were taken out and the contractor took them to his shop and welded them. Both shafts were damaged and when the shafts were taken out the decision was made to not split the new bearings when replacing them. This will hold tighter to the shaft, he explained.

In both Units Two and Three, the shafts were rebuilt and five new wicket gates installed between the two units.

“Five were damaged from material hitting them,” he said.

Unit One was also taken apart and this was done by placing a bladder there to keep the water from coming in.

“The shaft was wore, but it was not significantly wore like the others,” he said.

Since it was not damaged as badly as Units Two and Three, it is anticipated it will be able to function for the time being.

“We will get another year or two on it,” he said.

To make repairs easier in the future, the contractor is making outlet gates this winter which will be installed next year. This is so the water can be shut off to the units.

Following the shut down the units have been back on since November 7. On Tuesday, November 19, Mr. Roesner said in that time they had generated around $11,500 in revenue.

Councillor Tim Schison, who sits as the president of the EGC, asked what type of efficiency the three are running at.

“There is not enough water to run all three,” Mr. Roesner replied. “Two units are running.”

Mayor Jennifer Murphy asked if the units are producing more than in the past because of the repairs.

“It is hard to tell because we are losing water,” Mr. Roesner replied.

The anticipated output when operating at full capacity is unknown.

“I can’t tell what the plant will do,” he said.

It has been a challenging year for the plant with lost revenue in the summer due to damage to the three turbines and low water in the river.

Sales production is down dramatically to between $24,000 in June and $16,000 in July, in contrast to about $45,000 last year.

When the issue was first raised Mr. Roesner said labour and parts to fix the units was about $150,000, which could increase to up to $185,000 if more damage was found. On top of this, the tail-raised gates would be an additional cost, but would make future repairs easier.

Round Lake Dam Mr. Roesner also provided council with an update on the situation at Round Lake where a plan to release the water to lower levels this fall has been on hold pending an approval by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).

“The water at Round Lake is still being held,” he said, noting there is some hope the DFO would be finished their fish habitat testing soon.

When the water is released there will be an increase in water flow along the Bonnechere River, he said. Round Lake currently has 17 logs in at the dam and Golden Lake has six logs.

Lowering the water at Round Lake significantly in the fall was part of a plan developed to deal with the extensive flooding in both 2019 and 2017.

However, there was some public opposition to the plan, noting the impact on fish habitat.

Mayor Murphy said there had been a lot of early celebration when it was believed the plan had been approved, but this was put on hold pending further approvals.

Generation Station operational again after two-month shut down

Staff Writer Eganville -- The Eganville Generation Corporation’s station is operational following a two-month shut down, but just what the final financial impact will be remains to be seen.

Earlier estimates of repairing turbines had shown the cost would be around $275,000 which included not only the work on the plant but the lost revenue. Last Tuesday during a meeting of the EGC board, which is comprised of all members of Bonnechere Valley council except Councillor Jack Roesner, who is employed as the manager of the plant, the group heard all three turbines have been repaired, but the bill for the work has yet to be submitted.

“I don’t have a bill yet,” Mr. Roesner told the group. “He has done this on the cuff for the last few months. He knows the number we had.”

While work on the plant and the three turbines differed slightly from the expectations, significant work was required, he had explained earlier to the board. In some cases, instead of providing for new items, the contractor had done some refurbishing instead at his shop. This would reduce some of the cost of parts which were anticipated.

“It is labour intensive, but he will treat us fairly,” he said.

In speaking with the Leader he said he did not believe the costs would be too different from original estimates.

The work to the plant was expensive, requiring a shut down for the months of September and October. This shut down meant a loss of revenue of between $30,000 and $61,000, Mr. Roesner explained, using generation amounts from the last two years for those same months. The plant shut down the last week in August and did not resume operation until the first week in November.

“The plant was shut off completely,

The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

Page A7

KHR mayor vows to continue to oppose 5G technology

By Terry Fleurie

“We have enough of that garbage already hanging on us that’s killing us,” Coun. Pecoskie remarked. “He (Dr. Miller) said it’s not only on what we’re carrying.”

He noted another one of the speakers displayed a “gadget you could buy” that measured the radiation being emitted from cell towers.

“And it’s unbelievable,” he said.

Coun. Jeffrey said it was stated the closest distance anyone should be to a cell tower is one-half kilometre.

“Everybody got rid of the old fridges because there was too much radiation,” he said. “There’s way more radiation in every cell phone now and the kids that are using it, this is going to affect every little kid in their elder years.

“They said it’s completely, totally dangerous.”

Coun. Jeffrey said the speakers urged municipal councils to not allow the projects to proceed in their areas.

Mayor Visneskie Moore questioned what municipal reps were in attendance and was advised the only other member of council they recognized was Mayor Jennifer Murphy of Bonnechere Valley, the warden of the County of Renfrew, as well as Councillor Jack Roesner of BV. Mayor Visneskie Moore said she receives continuous messages on the issue from Killaloe resident Lynn Davis, a strong opponent of the 5G technology, which she shares with county CAO Paul Moreau and Warden Murphy.

“I cc everything, so they’re aware of everything that’s going on,” she said.

“I’ve objected four times at county council; it’s on public record, and I’m the only one that has objected

to it, to date.

“I told them they need a lot more information before we start talking about allowing that to come into the county,” she added.

Coun. Jeffrey said the information shared in Eganville was really quite scary.

“I’ve gone to about six different workshops on it at Lyn’s (Ms. Davis) invitation, so there’s other places where I’ve gone.,” the mayor said.

“And I’ve come out of there scared for my grandchildren and things like that.”

Mayor Visneskie Moore said while some people maintain 5G will not happen in their lifetime, she believes otherwise.

“If we allow it, it’s going to be here,” she stated. “Our young people are insisting on that.”

“The public is pushing for this new technology,” Coun. Jeffrey added.

“But they said don’t ever think it’s not going to come, it will be here.”

“Well, we have to push back,” the mayor responded.

She re-iterated she had asked county council to step back and research more about it before committing the funding, but she was unable to convince her colleagues otherwise.

She said there was a similar fight over proposed wind turbines several years ago.

“KHR was the first in all of them to stand up and say, ‘listen, we need to step back here for a minute’. They were yelling at me at county council because KHR was stopping progress because they needed us to go through.

“And this council helped stopped that,” she added.

She recounted how she and the late

Lorna Hudder, former CAO, had visited three municipalities where the turbines were causing health effects on residents.

“ We did a lot of research on it and then we put forward a recommendation that stopped it coming here. We could maybe do that with 5G. We’ll

have to see how that moves forward.

“One municipality can stop a lot of things if you need to go through my place and we say no,” she added.

Truck fire on the B Line near Rankin An early morning mishap on the B Line south of Woito Station Road near Rankin resulted in a truck fire which was put out by members of the Laurentian Valley Fire Department. The accident, which occurred before daybreak, saw the truck leave the road, entering the ditch, where it caught fire. It has been a busy week for the department, which was also involved in suppression at the huge barn fire at the Schmidt property last Friday.

Photo by Mike Yeas.

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Staff Writer Killaloe -- The mayor of Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards (KHR) Township said she will continue to voice her opposition to any proposed 5G technology being established in the municipality until the proper research has been done on the new technology.

Mayor Janice Visneskie Moore reaffirmed her position on the subject during the November 19 meeting of council when the topic of the 5G public meeting in Eganville the previous Saturday was being discussed.

Councillor Debbie Peplinskie had asked if any of her colleagues had attended the meeting and councillors Stanley Pecoskie and John Jeffrey indicated they had been there. Mayor Visneskie Moore said she had chatted with Coun. Pecoskie about the meeting, reminding council she was the lone member of Renfrew County council to vote against proceeding with the implementation of 5G in the county when it came to a vote there a few years ago.

“Every meeting, the issue came up and I continue to voice my concerns on behalf of our taxpayers. Talking to Stanley last night, he told me there seems to be a change of heart with some of the issues at the county regarding 5G. “It seems like they’re starting to listen a little bit about the concerns, so that’s really good news, I think, for the residents of KHR,” she added.

Coun. Pecoskie noted there were three “really, really good” speakers at the public meeting, noting Dr. Anthony Miller, presented some good points.

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The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

The Eganville Leader

Postal Agreement # 40005333

Page A8

Founded in 1902 Published by The Eganville Leader Publishing Ltd. at 150 John Street, Eganville, Ontario Gerald Tracey, Publisher

Ford the diplomat JFK: The mythical president Every generation has anniversary It was a conciliatory Ontario Premier Doug Ford showing some dates which are indelibly etched into

very statesmanlike behaviour following his meeting with newly re-elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week, and he could be setting a precedent which will unite a deeply divided country and solidify his stature as a senior Canadian politician.

To say the congenial and conciliatory attitude from the Ontario premier came as a surprise to most pundits and casual observers would be a vast understatement, for following the bitter vitriol from the federal election campaign directed to him, it would have been more understandable if he demonstrated a tad of aggravation, or even some self-righteous smirking. For Doug Ford was the boogie man in the federal election, his spectre brought forward

by PM Trudeau and the Liberals whenever they felt a poll might be leaning toward Andrew Scheer and his Conservatives.

Woes of how bad things were in Ontario and why no one should elect more Conservatives were part of the federal Liberal mantra.

For his part, the Ontario premier was not highly visible during the federal campaign, stating he was busy governing the province, while the Liberals continually accused him of hiding. It was not a pretty moment and in his contrite comments following his reelection, a humbled Prime Minister Trudeau admitted some of the comments in the election campaign were not his finest hour.

Now the election is done, however. Voters have spoken and democracy has been served, but Canadians are deeply divided with the West feeling a sense of alienation as great as any felt under the senior Trudeau a generation before. It is time for unity, statesmanship and nation building, and it looks like Premier Ford is ready to lead the charge.

The Ford brand, most popularly known under the current premier and his perhaps more bombastic late brother Rob Ford, who as the former mayor of Toronto was embroiled in addiction scandals, is a populist no-nonsense one. Some people find the Ford family brash and a tad bit too much like Donald Trump for northern sensibilities. The folks who proudly admit to being part of Ford Nation love them and many people in rural Ontario feel the Conservative party under this premier is one that will bring prosperity back to an area frequently overlooked by other parties.

However, what is clear is Premier Ford is emerging as a diplomat who can help unite this country. He has been quoted as saying his approach is more calm and measured than previously and he is willing to work to see Canada thrive the way Ontario has begun to thrive.

Premier Ford is following in the long tradition of Ontario premiers, most notably the elder statesman of the PC Party, Bill Davis, of putting the national interests ahead of provincial grievances. Ontario has long been regarded as the economic engine of Canada, and now more than ever with unemployment soaring to record highs in both Alberta and Saskatchewan, Ontario’s leadership on the unity file is a welcome sign.

The premier wants to put aside the days of adversarial word sparring with the federal government and work together. He still has a lot of work ahead of him in Ontario dealing with the largest sub-sovereign debt in the world, but his revelation as a champion of Canadian unity and co-operation should make all Ontarians proud.

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Selfless giving

hristmas is less than a month away and many people have started checking names off their list as they buy gifts for loved ones. But this time of year some people no longer have a Christmas list or are looking for a more meaningful way to celebrate the season of giving.

It is to those people, or all of us really, that we humbly suggest directing a few dollars to a food bank in your community. Another suggestion are Angel Trees that hold the names of many children and teenagers who may not get a gift this year. This selfless gift will mean so much to those who have little.

the collective memory. We remember graphically where we were or what we were doing when we heard the news of a significant event. The first and second World Wars held many of those dates as people recalled earth-shattering events such as Pearl Harbour, D-Day and Hiroshima.

For many in my generation, the first personally memorable historical event was the assassination of JFK on November 22, 1963. The familiar black and white television news coverage still holds its raw power more than fifty years later. Americans (and Canadians viewing CBC feeds) held their breath as the “big three’ (NBC, CBS and ABC) carried live coverage of the end of ‘Camelot’.

In the grief-filled days after the assassination, Jacqueline Kennedy compared her husband’s presidency with the shining imagery of Camelot, the mythical court of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The legend took hold and established JFK as a transcendent political figure, and his death as the end of liberal hopes and possibilities. As the widow said, “there will never be another Camelot.”

History has, of course, revealed the human frailties of the Kennedy dynasty which, like all families rooted in power, money and sex, are wrapped up in deceit and self-interest. We have another periodic unravelling of

the House of Windsor to affirm those truths. When we momentarily lose interest in Randy Andy, we have the impeachment hearings to fall back on.

A prince and a president, both devoid of what our grandmothers termed ‘class’ or dignity.

Today, much of the famous Kennedy mythology doesn’t stand up under the glare of moral examination. Joe Kennedy, the family patriarch, handed down a penchant for women, money and power to his sons. Kennedy Sr. was an anti-Semite, “a double-crosser and defeatist who thinks only of lining his own pockets”, according to a senior figure in the British Foreign Office at the time. As Ambassador

to Britain, Kennedy commandeered space on military convoys across the Atlantic to ship hundreds of thousands of cases of his whisky companies’ products from America.

By the late 1950s, Joe Kennedy was estimated to be one of the richest men in the United States. He turned his attention to his son John, sparing no effort to put a Kennedy in the White House. Possibly by virtue of his frail health during his childhood and his role as the second brother (initially his older brother Joe was slated for political life), JFK had an opportunity to become ‘his own man’. He was more introspective, more complicated and more learned than his ambitious powerful father. A visiting family friend described JFK in the infirmary after an appendectomy as a ‘very pale boy surrounded by books”. His illnesses gave him the time to read, particularly history and its heroes. The tales of King Arthur was one of those heroic stories. JFK carried his admiration for the honour and ethics of Camelot with him into the White House.

In these complicated times, documented by often simplistic news coverage, a knowledge of history is more important than ever. If we recognize the heroes and the villains of history, we may better understand the age-old dramas we see unfolding on our nightly news. More importantly, we can reflect on some of the horrors over the last few centuries and think “never again”.

A dream that must come true As a matter of fact I pray that God will leave me on Planet Earth until

I see it starting to become reality. I think it must have been the dream Sir John A. MacDonald had for our country when he envisioned a railway from the Atlantic to the Pacific. In his day it was a disjointed Canada that he hoped to bring closer together.

Following the last election we have an even worse division between East and West, with each Province facing a different kind of problem, but every one of them affected by a global economy with some of the big producers still paying slave wages. How can we hope to compete?

The needs and demands are so diverse it seems impossible to satisfy everyone. What is causing a nightmare for our PM is that Alberta is trying to ignore the danger of a warming climate by increasing the danger by pushing for more oil pipelines that Quebec and British Columbia, the Green Party and Parti Quebecois do not want. Also, Jody Wilson-Raybould has won her seat, and will love to be a thorn in his side while representing the neglected Indigenous people.

It will be hard to keep this one short because there are so many urgent things happening all at once that overshadow our internal problems. At last count there are an estimated 18 million refugees fleeing from persecution in their homeland and we are known as a welcoming nation. If we forsake them we will not be able to live with our conscience.

Strange as this may seem, the Trans Canada Railway proposed by Alberta’s former premier could be an answer to some of our prayers by carrying a different cargo in each direction: livestock feed coming east, pork, beef, dairy products going west.

I have first cousins in Saskatchewan who raise livestock and grow livestock feed, but have a problem pasturing their cattle because their farms are too large to build permanent fences.

I ran a hog farm more than 50 years ago until I went broke. I had a problem with alcohol and a bank manager who loaned money to buy pigs but no money to buy feed.

Getting back to the PM’s nightmare, he has to be more observant and learn how to speak farm language. He would notice that prairie farms grow

wonderful crops but have poor fences, while eastern farms have smaller fields with good fences and would make excellent pastures. Also, many of them have enough timber to build large barns.

I recall an old saying that you can take a boy away from the farm, but you can’t take the farm away from the boy. If there were more farmers among our Canadian premiers, China would not dare to find fault with our pork and canola. Within days every item made in China would be removed from our stores and our naval ports and airports closed to traffic from that country.

When the going gets tough the tough have to get going, and we are quite capable of doing just that. We have seen and heard enough petty politics and catering to the oil barons and drug barons to last a lifetime. It is time, once again, for common sense.

If we need electric motors powerful enough to drive our trucks and trains, we know how to build them. We have nuclear-powered submarines. If we need nuclear-powered trains, we have people at Chalk River who know how to build reactors.

When a half-blind half-deaf old man can see and hear glaciers dumping icebergs into the Pacific Ocean, there must be something drastic causing the ice to melt. When every world leader knows what is causing it to happen, they have to smarten up before it is too late. The good news is that the witch hunt south of the border has ended. They have found the witch.

Editorial Page Letters

War is hell Dear Editor: This recent Remembrance Day had me focusing on No More War, while honouring those who had/have to relate to war on a daily basis for many years of their lives.

What further spurred my thinking in this direction was re-reading my mother-in-law’s autobiography about growing up in Western Germany during the 30s and 40s. Reading about the rise of Hitler and his party’s movement to immediately curtail freedom of speech and control the mass media stirred my concern about the corporate control of our mass media and online news. Beate’s family had to be very careful of what they said to each other, lest they be overheard, reported and imprisoned.

Hitler’s party used fear and the most sophisticated media tools of the day, with well thought out psychological propaganda to encourage people to support them. The terms of the “peace” at the end of the “War to End All Wars” (WW1) resulted in a German population impoverished to pay all costs of the war to the victors, and ready to restore the glory and pride of the German Army and Empire.

A similar story unfolded after World War 2. Beate told of welcoming the invading armies whom she thought came to liberate her, her family, and her neighbours from the horrors of the Third Reich and the bombing and the starvation of war time…. and then feeling very betrayed as they were all immediately placed under curfew, and had their rations cut to 500 calories a day. The minimum caloric intake for survival is considered to be about 1200 per day for a woman, while good health requires about 1600+.

Essentially, the German civilians were being punished for the actions of their politicians and generals.

For at least three years the German people were subjected to starvation and depravations. Millions of German civilians died as a result of the invader’s policies. Policies which I can attest were not taught in the US public school system, nor in any history books I had read until last week.

Reading Beate’s story again, plus reviews of a few books about that time in Germany, aroused a great sadness in me, as the “last good war” and the image of the Allies being only “good guys” got quite tarnished. So much of our lore about our past has been filtered for some policy or other of “the victors”.

Last week also was the remembrance of the “Holodomor” in Ukraine in 1932-33, when the Soviets starved the peasants to death for daring to resist giving up their farms to a “collective” policy, and to stop the independence movement of the invaded Ukrainian nation. The genocide carried out, mostly by taking grain and all foodstuffs directly from each farm family, caused over 4 million deaths.

The word “Holodomor” (death by hunger) was not even allowed to be spoken or printed in Ukraine or Russia until 1987.

It reminds us of the “Potato Famine” in Ireland 100 years before, when the British Empire allowed the Irish people to starve while exporting all the grain grown on the Irish soil.

Food is such a prime necessity of life, only after clean air and clean water. Thus the active movement for Food Sovereignty in Canada at this time. We are so very dependent on imported food. Through WW2, Canada was able to feed all Canadians.

Trade wars devastate farmers and rural communities. Similar to wars of invasion. US General W.T. Sherman clearly said “War Is Hell”.

This is true for soldiers, civilians, eco-systems, and all life forms. No More War! Robbie Anderman, Killaloe

The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

Page A9

75 Years Ago - December 1, 1944 Induction of Rev. K.R. Cowan St. John’s Anglican Church, Eganville, was well filled last Tuesday evening for the induction service of the new Rector, Rev. K.R. Cowan.

The service was conducted by the Bishop of the Diocese, the Right Reverend Robert Jefferson, assisted by the newly-appointed Rural Dean of Pembroke Deanery, the Rev. J.W. Cornish, of Cobden, who read the Oaths.

The presentation of the Keys of the Church to the new Rector was made by the Wardens of St. John’s Church, Messrs. George and Douglas Shane, who also led in the procession during the Admonitions given to the rector by the Bishop. ****** Killaloe Mr. William McCarthy attended a meeting of the General Motors at Ottawa on Tuesday. He was accompanied to the city by Mrs. McCarthy. ****** Douglas Early Monday morning fire partly destroyed the pile driver machine being used by the CPR construction crew on the station siding. Two of the men in charge suffered burns in trying to smother the fire, one of them requiring medical treatment. ****** Mr. William Dunne met with a painful accident Friday afternoon. When shoeing a team of horses one of the animals caught him in the back of the leg with a newly shod foot, tearing the flesh and sinews and requiring several stitches to close the wound. He will be

confined to his home for several days. ****** FO.G. Garwood Warren FO. G. Garwood Warren of Eganville and his lovely English bride, Doreen, were given an affectionate welcome by his father. Garwood Warren served overseas for three years as a fighter pilot, one of which he spent in Africa.

When FO Warren introduced his wife to his father, Mr. Warren kissed her and said, “she’s a pretty wife -- welcome home.” ****** Of Local Interest Yesterday saw a continuous fall of snow in the district. By evening, about a foot covered the ground. It was the first heavy fall of the season, and on byways and highways made the going heavy for traffic. ****** Mr. J.C. George of Montreal, with the local manager of his pulp and lumber business, Mr. William Lawson, made a business coverage of Northern Ontario last week. Many friends from eastern parts were encountered. They were informed that production at the various mines was considerably lowered owing to the labour shortage. ****** Two fire alarms were sounded in the course of the week. On Thursday evening a lighted match dropped on the cement floor of Mr. Yuch’s garage and touched off a little gas and a flame sprang up. Close by is the fire station.

A ready extinguisher was quickly procured and it was used to good effect -- the danger was quickly removed.

Early yesterday morning -- about two

o’clock -- a taxi man returning from a trip sighted fire at the furniture premises of Mr. M.D. O’Reilly. He gave the alarm, and the prompt response of the fire brigade prevented what could have developed into a most destructive fire to the O’Reilly and adjoining properties. ****** The council and citizens of Wilberforce Township are holding a public reception in honour of the returned men of that township in the town hall, Eganville, on Monday, evening, December 4, at 8:30 o’clock. A military band from Petawawa will be in attendance and local speakers will address the gathering. The reception will be followed by an entertainment and the public are cordially invited to attend. ****** Grandfather of Dionne Sisters Dies At Callander North Bay, Nov. 27 -- The Dionne quintuplets lost one of their most beloved relatives last night with the death of their 77-year-old grandfather, Oliver Dionne. Mr. Dionne built the homestead in which the famous quints were born. He died at his Callander home.

News of their grandfather’s death was broken to the quintuplets by their mother early today, and Oliva Dionne, the sister’s father, said that he expected the quintets would attend the funeral.

Mr. Dionne stood guard alone outside the Dionne home for the first few weeks after the sisters were born.

50 Years Ago - November 27, 1969 Strike Continues At Lisks The strike at E.A. Lisk & Sons, Eganville, is now in its third week with no sign of a settlement as of yet. Negotiations appear to have broken down between management and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 647. The strikers are picketing the store 24 hours a day with uniformed guards from Anning Services Ltd. of Toronto hired

by Mr. Lisk standing guard duty on a shift basis. Picketers are receiving strike pay and the strike appears to be continuing in an orderly manner. ****** Will Improve Local Highway Renfrew North MPP Maurice Hamilton said a contract for work on Highway 41 north of Rankin has been awarded to Smith’s Construction Company of Arnprior.

The total bid was $896,987. Work will start May 18, 1970 and consist of grading, drainage and paving and will stretch 8.46 miles. ****** Radcliffe To Vote On Liquor Licencing The ratepayers of Radcliffe Township will go to the polls on Saturday, December 6th, to vote on the sale of alcoholic beverages in licenced premises in that municipality. There will be two ballots on this question, one to ask if residents favour the sale of alcohol with meals and the other to determine if alcohol will be served under a lounge licence.

Reeve Nick Lepinski and members of council were returned to office for another term by acclamation at a nomination meeting on November 21st. Councillors are Wilfred Remus, Bud Maika, Anthony Shulist and Emeric Etmanski. ****** Investigation Into Theft Continues Inspector Lloyd Lyle of the Criminal Investigation Branch of the OPP reported last week he has established that the break-in at Lisk’s Bakery and Supermarket and $9,427.81 robbery were not committed by a local person, or persons. OPP Chief Superintendent E.W. Miller, General

Headquarters, Toronto, advised the Leader that Inspector Lyle, an experienced criminal investigator, was assigned to the case because special training and concentrated efforts are required to solve it.

The Killaloe OPP detachment was called in when the crime was discovered and conducted the original investigation but, due to the large territory covered by the Killaloe detachment and responsibility for law enforcement in all matters, special assistance was required. Inspector Lyle is working exclusively on the Lisk robbery. The $9,427.81 was taken from the safe of the combined bakery and supermarket after thieves gained access to the building by forc-

ing a window open.

Chief Inspector Miller visited the Killaloe detachment last Thursday to look into the break-in and other police problems in the area. ****** Holstein Heifer Brings High Price Terry O’Gorman, owner of Bromley View Farm near Cobden, recently sold one of his purebred Holstein heifers, Bromley View Rockman Sylvia, for $2,200 at the Fall Special Sale held by Eastern Breeders Inc., Belleville. The animal was sold to Mr. Alex Snedden and Sons of Almonte.

Mr. O’Gorman, who is widely known for his fine dairy herd, got a fine price for the heifer, but judging by appearances, she is worth every bit of it.

25 Years Ago - November 29, 1994 Driver Suffers Neck Injury When Cement Truck Rolls A 41-year-old Pembroke man sustained a fractured neck when the cement truck he was driving flipped on its side as it was approaching the village of Barry’s Bay on Highway 60, last Thursday morning.

Miraculously, a Barry’s Bay couple who was travelling east at the time of the accident, escaped with minor injuries when the truck struck their car as it slid down the highway on its side.

David Jansen, a driver for Allied Concrete Products, a Petawawa-area firm, was airlifted from St. Francis Memorial Hospital in Barry’s Bay, to the Ottawa General about three hours after the accident.

Mr. Jansen sustained major injuries in the accident, the most serious being the neck injury. Pat and Delores Flynn, of Barry’s Bay, were also taken to hospital where they were checked over and released the same day. ****** Willis Freitag Dies Suddenly A well-known and respected Eganville businessman, Willis Freitag, died suddenly at his home Monday afternoon. He was 62.

Mr. Freitag operated a retail shoe store in Eganville for many years, the third generation of his family to operate the store. He was also heavily involved in the community. ******

Conway Will Seek Re-election Veteran MPP was pondering retirement but decided to stay on at Queen’s Park as deputy Liberal leader If there was any doubt about whether or not Renfrew North MPP Sean Conway would be running as the Liberal candidate for the riding in the next provincial election, it was put to rest at the annual general meeting of the association last Thursday night in Pembroke.

When the 20-year veteran of the Ontario legislature announced he would be the candidate, the meeting burst into a high-spirited applause and cheering. There had been some speculation and rumour Mr. Conway would be stepping down, however, after the meeting, he said, “I have had a very good soul-searching exercise which concluded with the decision to be the candidate for the next election.

I’m looking forward to a vigorous and successful campaign.” ****** Bay Group Gets The Green Light To Move Water Tower Barry’s Bay council has given the Railway Station Restoration Committee the go-ahead to relocate the historic water tower to its original location.

At a special meeting council, in a recorded vote, was unanimous in its decision.

For Norris Zilney, who has been reeve of the village the past nine years, it was one of the last opportunities for him to provide input into village business. Mr. Zilney was defeated at the polls on November 14

by Alfie O’Malley who will officially be sworn in as the village’s new reeve this Monday. ****** Ski Hill Owner Hoping New Chairlift Will Help Draw More People Work on the installation of a chairlift at Dacre Heights Ski Resort is nearing completion and the new facility should be up and running for the coming season.

The installation of the lift is a $140,000 project undertaken by resort owner Gary Blemkie, 34, a native of the Dacre area, who purchased the ski resort two years ago after operating it under lease for one year from the estate of the late Frank Legris.

Known originally as Candiac Skiways, the hill was first established in the early 1960s. Since its development, two T-bars have transported skiers to the top of the hill, but once the chairlift is in operation, not only will avid skiers enjoy a more relaxing ride to the summit, but it will also improve the speed.

While the chairlift is not brand new, it is in excellent condition.

Letter

Company has a good reputation Dear Editor: Re: Lepine Construction coming to Renfrew I personally worked on the Lepine Apartments project at their Carleton Place location for much of the winter and spring 2019 and have nothing but praise for the company and their management and their designs. I would live in a Lepine apartment if one was near me.

I was impressed how well the job was run despite weather and other obstacles with always two supervisors

on site on a daily basis looking after all the trades and issues. I was impressed with how clean the site was compared to my many years working in “disaster” zones. I was impressed with the amount and availability of port o potties for the many workers and more importantly, the company set up real toilets within the building with running water…often a luxury on job sites.

The bedrooms and living areas were spacious and bright with a modern look. There were different sizes and designs, so something for everyone.

Granted, these units are not for low income dwellers…and they are not for sale. Instead, they are more geared for the middle income demographic who disdain the commitment and maintenance of a house and prefer more luxury and mobility in their lives.

I have known that the Lepines were planning to expand into Renfrew for several months and am happy to see them announcing their investment.

Michael Ilgert, Golden Lake

The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

Page A10

Burnstown Road fire destroys two outbuildings, excavator

By R. Bruce McIntyre

Staff Writer Renfrew -- Tom and Donna Nolan were able to return to the comfort of their log home late Friday afternoon after a fire came within 50 metres of the residence after it whipped through two outdoor buildings behind their Burnstown Road property.

Shortly before 11:30 a.m., Isabelle Rekowski, who lives directly across from the Nolans, called 911 to report flames and smoke coming from one of the buildings at the rear of the home.

Within minutes, two members from the Renfrew Detachment of the On-

tario Provincial Police (OPP) were on scene and determined the residence was unoccupied, but Mr. Nolan was on scene inside his car. Their home is located at 3708 Burnstown Road near the intersection of Pucker Street in Horton Township.

About six minutes later, the first pumper from the Horton Fire Department arrived and three volunteer firefighters quickly changed into their gear and began dragging hoses down the driveway to battle the blaze that had spread from the outdoor wood furnace to a second wooden shed.

As three additional apparatus ar-

A fire on the edge of Renfrew destroyed two outdoor structures located behind a Burnstown Road log house last Friday morning. It was an exceptionally windy day and members of the Horton Fire Department were successful in containing the flames, preventing them from spreading to the home of Tom and Donna Nolan.

rived and a temporary command centre was set up at the end of the Nolan’s driveway, one OPP cruiser blocked the intersection at Pucker Street and another blocked the intersection at Lime Kiln Road forcing motorists to use alternate routes in and out of Renfrew.

A major concern for Horton Fire Chief Allan Cole was the very strong wind that not only made it feel much colder than the recorded -3 degrees Celsius, but he was concerned about containing the fire.

“There was definitely a very strong wind and there was a concern the fire might spread beyond the two buildings towards the main house,” Chief Cole said. “Luckily, the crew was able to bring it under control and we contained it to just the furnace building and the shed. Unfortunately, both buildings were completely destroyed along with an excavator that was parked behind the shed. The good news is Tom and Donna’s house was not damaged.”

As firefighters battled the blaze, Mr. Nolan left momentarily and returned just after 12 noon with his wife. As they stood beside an OPP cruiser, all they could do was watch the flames engulf the two exterior buildings and pray the fire did not spread to their home.

Chief Cole said at this time the cause of the fire is undetermined, but he suspects the outdoor stove was likely the source. Although both buildings were lost, the overall financial loss was not significant enough to call in the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office.

Throughout the course of the afternoon, 12 members of the fire department were on scene. The last

The fire also destroyed an excavator parked behind the shed. The cause of the fire is undetermined, but it is believed it started near the outdoor furnace. firefighters left around 4 o’clock that afternoon.

“We are just thankful Tom and Donna were able to return to their home the same day,” he said. “Their house has an independent heating source so they were cozy on a very cold and windy day. They have good neighbours because they came out to talk to them and some offered food

and assistance.”

With the entire Horton Fire Department involved in putting out the fire, members of the Renfrew Fire Department were on standby under the Mutual Aid Agreement in case Horton was needed for any other incidents within the township.

Chief Cole sent out a word of thanks to Renfrew firefighters who assisted

in the transfer of water from a hydrant near the intersection of Ivy Avenue and Burnstown Road in Renfrew.

One of Horton’s tankers went back and forth between the Nolan residence and the fire hydrant to replenish the water supply. An ambulance was dispatched, but there were no injuries.

Burnstown Road was reopened to regular traffic by mid-afternoon.

The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

Page A11

Library expecting increased need for Angel Tree gifts

By Terry Fleurie

Library patrons John Baillie, left, and Luella Lavoie were two of the many young people supporting the Angel Tree program at the Bonnechere Union Public Library in aid of the Eganville and District Food Bank.

Staff Writer Eganville -- The annual Angel Tree in support of the Eganville District Food Bank toy drive is up at the Bonnechere Union Public Library (BUPL) and staff are expecting the numbers of stars on the tree, that represent the needy children, to increase again this year.

Erected soon after Remembrance Day, library staff were already replenishing the stars last Wednesday with more from a second list provided by Food Bank chair, Rev. Gale Edmondson.

Bee Stillar, the library’s director of programming, said in her tenure at the library, the demand has grown each year and 2019 will be no different.

“For me, my observation is the families that do need the help are kind of growing and we’re growing with them. They’re getting older and there’s actually a lot of older ages now.”

Contrary to most years, Ms. Stillar said the stars representing the older children were generally the last ones to get picked, but this year, they are being picked much earlier.

“For whatever reason, I don’t know,” she said. “But we’ve given them suggestions over the years for gift cards for Subway, ITunes, etc.”

Library CEO Nikolina Likarevic suggested the new trend might have something to do with the fact many stores are offering pre-packed gift sets that are geared towards teens.

Identities of the children represented on the tree are not known.

“It’s 100 percent confidential,” Ms. Stillar said. “The Food Bank actually gets the calls from families, so they just give us the gender and the age and then they come and pick everything up and package it themselves.”

The stars represent children from babies to

16 years of age.

Ms. Likarevic said the early response has been great since the tree was put up November 12.

“People were already asking about the tree at the beginning of November,” she said. “And I just got a call today from a person asking what they needed to do.”

Last year was her first year as a member of the BUPL staff and she said it was obvious the response was great.

“Everyone loves to give and they go above and beyond. When you tell them not to package the gifts, they’ll even put wrapping paper with the gift so the Food Bank doesn’t have to worry about that cost.”

She said because so many people congregate at the library, they feel a real sense of community there and they feel the Angel Tree is away of giving back to the whole community.

“People are using the space here together and I think that really increases the desire to give back,” she remarked.

Ms. Stillar said the interest in the tree is not just from parents but also from the children.

During the interview a woman picked two stars from the tree and was anxious to bring her two daughters in to also get some.

Library manager Pam Weigelin feels giving to the Angel Tree program has become a tradition for many families.

“It’s like they just come in, they know when the tree is up, they’re waiting, and it’s something they do yearly now. It’s part of their holiday tradition.”

Ms. Stillar said Opeongo High School had called about possibly doing an Angel Tree too but it was decided just to use some of the stars from the BUPL tree rather than duplicating the service.

Ms. Likarevic said because of the level of

need, the cut-off date is somewhat early and there are still people coming into the library afterwards who want to give. She said one BUPL patron has offered paper cranes ornaments that are handmade by her son and they will be used as prizes with the money raised going directly to the Food Bank.

“So we’re going to be able to continue giving throughout December,” she remarked.

The women agreed the donors are genuinely excited about the idea of helping some child out at Christmas.

“They’re so excited,” Ms. Stillar said.

“Every single time they come in it’s with a smile and just so excited to give it to us to pass on,” Ms. Likarevic added. “It’s a huge relief knowing that more kids will have gifts and that their parents don’t have to stress this time of year.”

The gifts are to be returned to the library unwrapped, with the stars, by December 12.

Rev. Edmondson said the Angel Tree program has been operating for more than 15 years and the need does grow annually.

“There’s more and more children every year,” she noted.

Last year, she said the number of gifts donated was 75 and this year she expects the number could reach 100. She expressed her gratitude to library staff for their ongoing support.

“It’s a real gift to have that going and to be able to give the children a little something at Christmas,” she said.

She said she actually had given some stars to Opeongo last year too and she is grateful to see that partnership evolving.

“There’s more people participating which is wonderful.”

Last year, every star was taken and she is hopeful that trend will continue this year.

Dates to Remember

Dec 1 - Keep Christ in Christmas 7 pm - Low Square Dec 6 - RVH Tree of Lights Kids Hour 5 pm, Tree Lighting 6 pm - Low Square Dec 6 - Candy Cane Lane - 6:30 - 8 pm - Downtown Renfrew Dec 7 - Santa Claus Parade 5:30pm - Downtown Renfrew Dec 7 - Meet Santa after the Parade - Low Square Dec 1 - 24 - Extended Hours in many downtown stores

The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

Page A12

Retired Brigadier-General leads the way at Pembroke’s First Presbyterian Church monwealth War Graves Commission earlier this year, he began to look around for new challenges to keep him busy. With his wife not set to retire for a few more years, he had no desire to just sit around the house waiting for her to come home.

As he had done 40 years ago, he began exploring ministry opportunities and discovered the Pembroke First Presbyterian Church was searching for a new minister.

He made contact with the search committee and both sides were very happy with the process which led to his recent installation as the minister of record.

“This is just a perfect fit for me at this stage of my life,” he said. “I was familiar with the area from my visits to Petawawa and the ability to work part-time three days a week at the church and then return on Sundays for service is perfect. I am staying with a family in Pembroke when I am up here through the week and they have made me feel right at home.”

When not busy attending to matters at his new church, Rev. Kettle and his wife are quite active and list crosscountry skiing, jogging and reading good literature among their hobbies.

He is looking forward to meeting current members of his church and welcoming newcomers to the congregation.

He joked this new venture was just one more example of how he parachutes in and out of phases in his life and he has absolutely no concerns about where this latest jump will have him land.

Retired Brigadier-General David Kettle is the new minister at Pembroke’s First Presbyterian Church. Rev. Kettle was ordained in 1978 and later enlisted in the Canadian Army as a Chaplain, retiring 30 years later as the first Presbyterian Minister to be named Chaplain General of the Canadian Armed Forces. He is looking forward to meeting both members of the congregation and other community members in his new role.

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Staff Writer Pembroke -- David Kettle loves to parachute and when he earned his jump wings in 1981 after a grueling 13-week basic training course and officially joined the Canadian Army at the rank of Captain, he had no idea of where his career would take him, but he knew he made the right decision.

During his time in the military, he served in some of the most dangerous Canadian overseas deployments including the U.N. operations in Bosnia and Croatia during the mid-1990s at the height of the brutal ethnic cleansing between warring factions. He was posted to Rwanda where, in 1994 more than 800,000 members of the Tutsi community were murdered in mass genocide.

Although he did not take up arms against those who inflicted so much suffering on innocent people, he did raise his arms in prayer and provided comfort and spiritual guidance to the soldiers he served with on those missions.

Brigadier-General Kettle retired in 2010 after serving two years as the first Presbyterian Chaplain General of the Canadian Armed Forces. He was stationed at CFB Trenton when the Highway of Heroes was established, and he was often one of the first soldiers on the tarmac when the bodies of fallen Canadian soldiers returned from Afghanistan.

Today, Rev. Kettle is travelling a far less symbolic highway when he leaves his home in Kanata and drives along Highway 17 to the First Presbyterian Church in Pembroke as the new minister for the church that has been a mainstay in the downtown core since 1849.

It is a far cry from the war zones he has seen over his career, but at this point in his life, it is the perfect fit for a man who admits he has ‘parachuted’ all his life in terms of diverse career choices.

“I never really intended to join the army and when I contacted the recruiting office in Toronto, I did so more of a way to annoy my wife than to actually consider it as a career,” he said. “Growing up in Toronto and going to university and being ordained there, my wife was a nurse and she told me as a minister it was time to decide where I wanted to live because it might not be Toronto and it also meant she had to move and look for work as well.

She knew the ministry meant picking up and moving from church to church so I said I was going to join the army just to get a rise out of her.”

Accepted As One of Their Own That impulsive decision led to his first posting to Cold Lake, Alberta, where he and his late wife (Karen) had barely settled into their two-bedroom home when he was off to Chilliwack, B.C. to complete his basic training. Even though he was a chaplain and had no desire to take the life of another, he had to pass the grueling basic training.

“Only about 35 percent of us went on to a military career and I went from making $9,900 as a minister in Southern Ontario to making $25,000 as a captain and I thought I was a rich man,” he said with a laugh. “I was not given any special breaks because I was a chaplain and because I trained alongside them, or parachuted out of a plane, I was seen as a fellow soldier.”

It was in basic training he came to understand the need not only to train side-by-side regular troops, but he learned how to relate to the men and women in uniform.

“You can’t be an introvert and be a chaplain, whether it is in civilian life, and especially in the army,” he said.

“Moreso in the army because one of the vital roles we have is to focus on the troops and help keep morale up.

Years ago it was hard to get soldiers to open up so I needed to understand what they were going through and because I had gone through basic training and was deployed within the units, they saw me as one of them.”

For most people, the image of an army chaplain is that of Father Mulcahy in the TV series MASH that portrayed the Irish Catholic priest in both comedic and dramatic form.

Rev. Kettle said the depiction of a chaplain on television was made for viewership and ratings, but one aspect of it was accurate.

“The way they had him involved in the daily lives of troops is one that I experienced and that is the best way to fulfill my role,” he said. “There were times when there was an actual church on a base, or it might have been a temporary tent during an operation, but it was a place of worship and it was a safe place.

“There were times when I was surprised to see someone attend a service and sometimes they were just bored or at times they were there for support. They knew I had an oath of confidentiality and that helped some who needed to talk about their lives.”

First Protestant Chaplain General When he joined the army as a rookie captain chaplain, he never for a moment envisioned one day he would be in command of all chaplains in the Canadian Armed Forces.

There had never been a Protestant to lead the service and traditionally, the rank of major was the norm for his faith.

However, as he made his way through decades of service and working closely with thousands of troops over his career, he set his sights on breaking the norm. He had a grasp of cultural differences and gained that experience as the Senior Protestant Chaplain during the Oka crisis.

“When I found out I was to be promoted to the office of Chaplain General, it was both an honour and a privilege,” he said. “I was promoted from Colonel to the rank of Brigadier-General shortly before my appointment and it was a role I am very proud of and ranks as one of the highlights of my career.”

The Office of Chaplain General is traditionally a twoyear appointment and when he finished up his term (20082010), he resigned after a distinguished 30-year career.

There were many personal changes for him after 2010, and sadly that included the death of his wife, Karen. He kept busy for a few years and remarried two years ago to his current wife, Bonnie, who also happens to be a chaplain with the Canadian Navy.

When asked what he considered a highlight of his career, he points not to his accomplishments while an active member of the armed forces, but his role in helping to bring a Canadian soldier back home.

“I joined the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Canadian Agency just after I retired and it was one of the most rewarding things I have ever been involved with,” he said. “The idea of bringing home an unknown soldier to lie in state in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier started with the Canadian Legion and I was so proud to be part of the group. We brought that Canadian soldier home almost 100 years after World War I started. We brought him home to lay in state for three days in the Hall of Honour. I helped organize a 48-hour prayer vigil as part of the ceremony and to this day, I consider that experience as one of the best in my life.”

After he retired as Secretary-General of the Com-

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Finance offers exclude registration, insurance, PPSA, licence fees and dealer admin. fees of up to $499. Fees may vary by dealer. °$500 Winter Tire Credit available with the finance, lease or cash purchase of new in-stock 2020 Elantra/2020 Veloster/2020 Tucson/2019 Tucson/2020 Santa Fe/2019 Santa Fe models. Customer may decline the Winter Tire Credit and instead apply the credit amount to the purchase price of the new vehicle. Winter Tire Credit applied before taxes. Offer can be combined or used in conjunction with any other available offers. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be assigned. No vehicle trade-in required. Tire installation and balancing are not included in the offer. See your local Hyundai dealer or visit hyundaicanada.com for details. ^0 payments (payment deferral) for 90 days is available on promotional finance offers of in-stock 2019/2020 Hyundai models. Payment deferral applies only to promotional finance offers on approved credit. If the payment deferral offer is selected, the original term of the finance contract will be extended by 2 months (60 days). Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. will pay the interest during the first 2 months (60 days) of the finance contract, after which the purchaser will pay all principal and interest owing in equal installments over the remaining term of the contract. Payments on finance contracts are paid in arrears. ^^For finance contracts payable on a weekly and bi-weekly basis, purchasers who select the payment deferral offer may have to make their first weekly or bi-weekly payment sooner than 90 days from purchase. Down payments are not subject to the payment deferral offer and are due on the date the contract is signed. Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. reserves the right to amend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without prior notice. Additional conditions and limitations apply. Ask your dealer for details. ♦Price of model shown: 2020 Elantra Ultimate Intense Blue/2020 Tucson Ultimate AWD Aqua Blue/2020 Santa Fe Ultimate Turbo AWD Scarlet Red is $29,592/$40,142/$47,442. Price includes Delivery and Destination charges of $1,710/$1,810/$1,910, levies and all applicable charges (excluding HST). Prices exclude registration, insurance, PPSA, licence fees and dealer admin. fees of up to $499. Fees may vary by dealer. ◊†^°^^♦*Offers available for a limited time and subject to change or cancellation without notice. Vehicle colour is subject to availability. Delivery and Destination charge includes freight, P.D.I. and a full tank of gas. Dealer may sell for less. Inventory is limited, dealer order may be required. Offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any other available offers. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be assigned. No vehicle trade-in required. Visit www.hyundaicanada.com or see dealer for complete details. ††Hyundai’s Comprehensive Limited Warranty coverage covers most vehicle components against defects in workmanship under normal use and maintenance conditions. ±Certain restrictions apply. Customers must present their proof of military relationship and I.D. at time of purchase to receive special price discount off their purchase. Program subject to change or cancellation without notice. Visit www.hyundaicanada.com/military or see dealer for complete details. ∇Android Auto™ is compatible with Android phones running Android Lollipop or newer. Android Auto may not be available on all devices and is not available in all countries or regions. Additional apps may be required. Visit www.android.com for further details and any applicable limitations. Android and Android Auto are trademarks of Google Inc. ‡Apple CarPlay™ works with iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5 and later models running the latest version of iOS 7 and above. Apple CarPlay™ may not be available on all devices and may not be available in all countries or regions. Visit www.apple.com for further details and any applicable limitations. Apple, Apple CarPlay and iPod are trademarks of Apple Inc. ™/®The Hyundai name, logos, product names, feature names, images and slogans are trademarks owned or licensed by Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. For further details, terms and conditions visit www.hyundaicanada.com/buyright or your local dealer.

The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

Page A13

Opeongo students presenting Mamma Mia next week

By Terry Fleurie

Staff Writer Douglas -- Opeongo High School (OHS) continues its proud reputation of bringing some of the best known musical productions to the local stage when it presents the very popular Mamma Mia to audiences for three shows starting next Thursday evening, December 5.

Show producer and co-director, Jodie Armstrong, who is presently away from her teaching duties for personal reasons, said the decision to go with the well-known musical Mamma Mia as this year’s production was really student driven.

“There is a group of graduating students who have been asking me to

do Mamma Mia since Grade 9,” she explained. “So, I gave them the option and that is what they chose.”

The decision was made to do the production before Christmas rather than in the spring because they wanted a shorter time span for this one, adding when they do a spring production, the participants are also involved in the many sports happening then.

“And, of course, we get really busy with the band and the choir in the spring,” she noted. “Also, a lot of the kids are in this semester’s drama class and we saw the opportunity for them to work on their production skills at the same time.”

The casting call was done at the end of September and the participants were

Erin McKechnie has the lead role as Sophie Sheridan, who is anxious to learn which of the three men her mother was dating is her father.

selected about a month ago. In terms of rehearsals, initially the participants do a little bit every day in class, and the leads were rehearsing on Mondays, with the whole cast on Wednesdays.

“But in the last few weeks, its run Monday, Wednesday and Thursday,” she remarked. “And a lot of them have been learning lines at lunchtime as well to try and meet this time frame.”

There are 25 songs in the production and an encore.

“It’s more singing and dancing than anything else,” she pointed out.

The production is set on a fictional Greek island, Kalokairi, in the summer of 1999 where the main character, Sophie Sheridan, is scheduled to be married to her fiancée, Sky. “Sophie is getting married and she has decided to, behind her mother’s (Donna) back, to invite three men who could potentially be her father to her wedding, to walk her down the aisle,” Ms. Armstrong explained. “This all happens after she finds her mother’s diary and she reads about three people that Donna dated in her youth.”

Ms. Armstrong noted that not only does Sophie not know who her father is, her mother is also unaware of who he is.

“Because of that content, the play is meant for a more mature audience, however, we have cleaned it up to make it school appropriate,” she said.

The lead characters are being played

by Erin McKechnie (Sophie), Josh Good (Sky, Sophie’s fiancée), Daniella Bell (Donna, Sophie‘s mom), Luna Nordholt (Tanya, Donna‘s former band mate), Sabine Duknic (Rosie, Donna’s former band mate), Jordon Oattes (Sam, Sophie’s possible father), Wyhatt Levesque (Bill, Sophie’s possible father), Andrew Lemieux (Harry, Sophie’s possible father), Taylor Reese (Lisa, Sophie’s bridesmaid), Natasha Kargus (Ali, Sophie’s bridesmaid), Andrew Blok (Pepper, Sky’s best man), Ethan Prins (Eddie, a friend of the wedding couple), and John Bennett (priest).

“And then there’s a whole lot more in the chorus, as dancers, and in the supporting staff with sets, sound, lighting, wardrobe, make-up and hair,” she said.

Fellow teacher Barb Scott-Cole is the co-director, set manager and working

Daniella Bell (Donna) performs a number with supporting cast members Eloise Webster, left, Khloe Bertrand, and Megan Covell, kneeling.

on costumes, and Schroeder Nordholt and Matt Brydges are the co-musical directors. The musicians are Mr. Brydges on guitar, Mr. Nordholdt on piano, Sam Mills on bass guitar, and Patrick Holmes on drums. The choreographers are Megan Covell, Daniella Bell, Erin McKechnie and Maddy Brownlee.

Ms. Armstrong said the production had been going well prior to her having to step aside from her teaching role due to personal reasons about three weeks ago.

“The kids have all worked really hard on it and most of them have really been dedicated. A lot of them have taken leadership roles, from conducting, to designing sets, and to organizing their own rehearsals at lunch time.

“Everything has been coming together quite well with the tight time frame, but these kids are quite talented and it’s shaping up to be an excellent show,” she added.

She said the production will be the “swan song” for many members of the cast and a sort of graduation project.

“But you will see in the extended cast, a lot of bright, new faces,” she remarked.

Ms. Armstrong said it’s great to see the mentorship that has been created between the more senior students and the younger ones.

“As this group graduates, they have shared their knowledge and expertise with the Grade 9s sand 10s, and that’s going to progress into Mr. (Jeff) Scott’s play next year and I’ll do a musical the following year. So the senior students are leaving a legacy to the younger students.”

Ms. Armstrong has worked with Mrs. Scott-Cole on many other productions and she has complete confidence in her abilities to step in and carry on while she is on leave.

Mrs. Scott-Cole said this production is really different for her as she is normally worried more about the props, sets and costumes and occasionally running some lines, so to be in charge of so much more is different.

“I’ve been telling people it’s not big shoes I have to fill, it’s high heels,” she said of Ms. Armstrong being away.

And like her colleague, Mrs. ScottCole re-iterated the school is so

Daniella Bell, seated, plays Donna, Sophie’s mother, in the play. Here, she is comforted by Sabine Dunic, who plays her friend and former band-mate, Rosie. blessed with such talented actors.

“The kids who are acting and singing are absolutely amazing and a delight to work with,” she said.

Mrs. Scott-Cole expressed her gratitude to Mr. Scott for his assistance with the lighting and sound.

“That’s great because I haven’t done that since Footloose,” she said.

The production is being staged for elementary school classes and some residents from nursing homes on December 4 at 12:30 with the actual

show running Thursday and Friday nights, December 5 and 6, at 6:30 and on Saturday, December 7, with a 2 o’clock matinee performance. Admission is $10 per person with kids 12 and under set at $5. Ms. Armstrong said it cost the musical society several thousand dollars for the rights for the play, so a bake sale will be held during the intermission of each show to help offset some of the costs.

The production is about 90 minutes in length.

Erin McKechnie as Sophie, is trying to learn which of these three men is her father. Seated Jordon Oattes plays Sam, behind him Wyhatt Levesque is Bill and Andrew Lemeieux, right, portrays Harry.

The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

Page A14

Calver extends unbeaten streak with two late goals - Bulls, Loggers post wins

By Terry Fleurie

Staff Writer Eganville -- The defending champion Calver Lumber of Pembroke

extended its unbeaten streak to five games Friday night, posting a 5-3 win over the Golden Lake T-Birds in the return of the Eganville Hockey

League (EHL) after the two-week break for hunting season.

Calver needed two late goals in the third to break a 3-3 tie after having led

the game 3-1 entering the final period.

Calver opened the scoring with 3:02 to go in the first period as Luke Marinic registered his first of two goals. The T- Birds drew even at one exactly one minute later as Scott Bromley found the twine behind goalie Matt Schroeder. Calver restored its one-goal lead 50 seconds into the second period as Marinic managed to beat Josh Vanden Barr with his second goal of the game.

Then with 2:58 to play in period two, Liam Poirier stretched Calver’s lead to 3-1 entering the third period.

The T-Birds narrowed the lead to 3-2 on a Scott Zadow tally 1:36 into the final period. Then, with 3:26 to play, Kurtis Godin knotted the game at three with Scott Kohoko picking up his second straight assist. The teams traded chances until the 1:20 mark when Poirier netted his second of the game, which proved to be the game winner. Danny Pickering sealed the win with an empty-net goal with 24 seconds left to play.

There were 10 penalties assessed in the contest, six going against Calvers.

In other action Friday night, the Barry’s Bay Bulls collected their third win of the season with their convincing 5-1 win over the Whitewater Brewers, while the M.W. Miller Loggers got back in the win column with their 4-1 victory over Enright Tree Services.

The Bulls got two goals from Davine Parks, including the gamewinner, in their win over the Brewers. The Brewers drew first blood in the contest, as Jory Zely scored the team’s only goal with 2:45 left in the opening period. The Bulls knotted the score at one midway through the second as Bailey Hein found the twine behind goalie Tyler Kauffeldt. A minute and three seconds later, Parks scored his first of two on the night to give the Bulls their first lead, which they never relinquished. Sam Schutt stretched the Bay lead to 3-1 with 1:47 to play in the second and Mitch Nitikin made the score 4-1 with 6:45

to go in the game. Parks added his second of the night midway through the period to make the final 5-1. Each team was penalized twice.

In the nightcap, the Loggers snapped their winless skid at four games with a 4-1 win over the still winless Enright team. Bradley Borutski staked the Loggers to a 1-0 lead 1:37 into the contest and Quinton Rook stretched the lead to two by the 6:08 mark. That score stood up until the third period with Jon Agnew of Enright’s foiling Dan McGrath’s shut-out bid 2:58 into the period. Borutski netted his second of the game midway through the period to restore the Loggers’ twogoal margin at 3-1. Rook scored his second, an unassisted tally, with 17 seconds to play for the 4-1 final. The Loggers had five of the six penalties assessed in the game.

This Friday night, the T-Birds meet the Loggers at 7, the Bulls try to hand Calver their first loss at 8, and Enrights look to pick up their first win against the Brewers at 9.

Aces advance to International Silver Stick

By Terry Fleurie

T-Birds forward Scott Bromley jumps to avoid being hit by a shot directed at Calver Lumber goalie Matt Schroeder in Friday night’s contest between Calver Lumber of Pembroke and the Golden Lake Thunderbirds.

Calver won 5-3 to extend their unbeaten streak to five games.

Staff Writer Pembroke -- The Upper Ottawa Valley Aces will be representing the Valley when they travel to Port Huron in late January to participate in the International Silver Stick tournament.

The Aces won the Major Peewee AA category at the Regional Silver Stick in Pembroke recently, rebounding from an opening game loss to Nepean in the four-team round-robin with a tie and three wins to capture the AA-division championship with a revenge win over Nepean in the final.

The team dropped its opener 3-0 to Nepean on Friday and then tied West Island Royals 2-2. The Aces won their final round-robin game 6-1 over Rideau-St. Lawrence Kings to advance to the semi-final where they again defeated the same Rideau- St. Lawrence team 5-2. In the final, which was a re-match of the opener

with Nepean, the Aces prevailed 2-1.

Head coach Kris Heideman of Eganville said the team consists of players from across the Valley, including three graduates of the Eganville Minor Hockey program, Logan Heideman, Aydan Fleguel and Carter McIntyre.

“We have players from Arnprior and we have players from Deep River and everywhere in between,” he explained. “And the home games are spread amongst all the different associations.

“We’ve had a game or two in Eganville, Cobden, Pembroke, Renfrew, Arnprior,” he added.

Heideman said when the team was at training camp to start the year, he and assistant coaches Marc Robillard of Pembroke and Bailey McIntyre of Douglas felt they had the personnel to compete at that level.

“We recognized that we had a strong

group of players trying out and were optimistic that we’d have a competitive year,” he said.

At the event in Port Huron, the Aces are one of 16 teams in the Major Peewee AA category and they will see action in a four-team pool with entries from Port Huron, Stratford, and a United States team from Las Vegas.

He said this will not be the first time the team has played an international opponent as last year there was a team from New York State in the AA league they were in.

Heideman said this is his second year with the team, having previously led the Valley Storm Atoms to a berth at the International event in ???

Aside from tournament play, the Aces compete in a 10-team league that sees them travelling as far as Cornwall for games.

“The kids are sure excited for it,” he said.

Eganville Pee Wee Eagles win 7-1 over Arnprior Eganville -- The Eganville Eagles Peewee #1 team scored early and often in their 7-1 win over Arnprior in a game played last Monday night here.

Ryan McEachen staked Eganville to a 1-0 lead in the opening minute with Wayne Breen stretching the lead to 2-0 a minute later. With three minutes remaining in the first, Zach Yantha’s hard shot from the blueline, found the

top corner to give Eganville a 3-0 lead.

After a scoreless second period, Marshall McFarlane scored Eganville’s fourth goal and 21 seconds later, Kieran Donohue made some nifty moves before firing a shot top-shelf to make the score 5-0.

Trent Whitman scored Arnprior’s first goal, finding the twine behind Eganville goalie Rhys McFralane, who

came on midway through the second period after starter Zander Stehle had registered a shut-out in his period-anda-half of action. Breen and McEachen both added their second goals of the game later in the third to make the final 7-1. Assists on the Eganville goals were credited to Yantha and Breen, with one each, and Marshall McFarlane, with two helpers.

Eganville Bantam Eagle teams play to a 2-2 tie Eganville -- The Eganville Eagles Bantam #1 and #2 house league teams battled to a 2-2 tie on Saturday in a fast-paced game.

Carter Jessup got the “visiting” Eagles #2 on the board in the first period with Mackenzie Donohue picking up

The UOV Peewee Aces defeated the Nepean Raiders in a tight 2-1 final top win the Silver Stick Major Peewee Division in Pembroke on the weekend. Team members are: front row: Gabe Groves, Aydan Flegal, Daniel Wertwyn, Jayke Spence, Kyle Radford and Riley Mayhew; back row: Addison Robillard, Assistant Coach Mark Robillard, Owen Tracy, Trainer Shane Flegal, Bryce Rebertz, Korbin Wright, Carter McIntyre, Louis Tumber, Coach Kris Heideman; Kolton Osipenko, Jenssen Morgan and Logan Fleury; Assistant Coach Bailey McIntyre. Out front are goalies Greyson Cobus and Logan Heideman.

the lone assist. In second period action, Dryden MacDonald extended the lead for the Eagles #2 beating Sam Resmer with a deflection with Ryan Buch picking up the assist.

Jakob Fraser battled back for the home Eagles #1 team, scoring two

goals before the end of the second period with Logan Throop, Natalie Kargus and Kaleb Smith picking up assists.

Sam Resmer of the Eagles #1 and Cameron Coughlin of the Eagles #2 teams were outstanding in their respective nets.

The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

Page A15

Modernization funding will bring greater efficiency to township office

By Debbi Christinck

Staff Writer Eganville -- Bonnechere Valley has been sitting on the modernization funding provided by the province earlier this year, but a push for greater efficiency in the township office will

see a slight dip in the funds.

“We sat on this for awhile,“ Mayor Jennifer Murphy pointed out last Tuesday afternoon at a committee meeting of council.

The municipality received $592,000 in modernization funds earlier this

year. Other municipalities in the county, as well as the County of Renfrew, also received similar funding that was slotted to find efficiencies and ways of modernization. The mayor noted municipalities were told this money was not for them to spend

the majority of requests for funding come from a number of groups that are usually a one-time request.

In order to make a fair and standard playing field, CAO Andrew Sprunt brought forward a report and draft policy for council to approve.

“There are different categories of grants contained within this policy and they are identified as a Community Project, Special Events and Community Events,” he said. “All applications are submitted to the CAO or clerk and they all have certain criteria that has to be met in order to be considered by council.”

The group must be based in NAW and illustrate how the assistance will benefit the residents. They must be inclusive, show detailed financial records and contain a detailed budget. There is other common criteria including criminal records check, list of directors for incorporated organizations and other factors.

Councillor Doug Buckwald asked if annual contributions to organizations like Fairfields (senior needs association) would be required to complete an application every year.

“I would recommend that council continue to leave groups like Fairfields and the arena as set line items in your budget,” Mr. Sprunt said.

The maximum amount of $2,000 is allowed for any applications received after March 31 of each year because the annual budget is usually set at that time so the amount of money left for groups will vary from year to year.

“I think it is important that some groups will want to apply so we need to be sure to let them know to apply before March 31 in case they may be seeking more than $2,000,” Mayor James Brose said. “That way, it helps us when we sit down and finish our budget for the rest of the year and we have an idea of how much is being requested.”

Mr. Sprunt said any applications that do not contain all the documents requested will not be brought before council for approval.

He said the goal of this policy is not only to be fair for any group seeking assistance, but it is also to make it more efficient for council.

“That way you are not wasting time at the council table discussing a grant that is not complete. The role of staff is to ensure all criteria is met and complete. Staff does not decide if a group receives funding as that will be the decision of council.”

Council voted in favour of accepting the policy and it will be passed as a by-law at the next council meeting.

NAW moves toward a standard grants policy for township

By R. Bruce McIntyre

Staff Writer Eganville -- Instead of donating money without any preconditions, North Algona Wilberforce Township council will now require any non-profit or charitable group seeking financial assistance to submit a formal application annually which will be graded on a number of areas before council authorizes any future donations.

The decision to move to a standardized donation policy is one of the priorities the one-year old council agreed that needed to be addressed when they first met in January of this year.

There has not been a standard donation policy in the township and to date, when an organization makes a request for assistance, it has been at the discretion of council to make a contribution.

There are some annual donations which are set amounts in the annual budget such as a $5,000 grant towards seniors programming offered by the (Fairfields) Eganville Senior Needs Association or the township’s contribution towards the Eganville Arena or Bonnechere Union Public Library.

There is also an annual in-kind donation of the township cottage to the Lake Dore Property Owner’s Association for its Canada Day breakfast, but

on a plow truck or new building, but rather to find efficiencies and better ways of doing things in the future.

Staff made the recommendation to make some changes at the office which would bring in some more efficiencies, including changing the look of the front counter which could allow someone to have a desk there.

“We were given this to find how to make this business more efficient,” she said. “One thing which needs to be done is to see if there is a way to make the office more efficient with the counter and someone sitting there.”

At the same time the flooring would be changed. Other changes include painting the council chambers.

Mayor Murphy said Acting CAO Sandra Barr has been looking at ways of moving the desks in the staff area to make things more efficient. Other

changes would include a one-way window for the CAO to be able to see what is happening at the front counter.

“We also need a properly accessible counter,” the mayor said.

The building was built in 1995 and this would be the first significant renovation of the front area.

Mayor Murphy said she felt this was what the province had in mind with the modernization funding.

“I believe that is where this money should come from,” she said.

Following the recommendation of staff to make the office more efficient is a good way to start using this funding, she said.

The township will be issuing a tender for this work.

There was also some discussion of re-arranging the council chambers and the possibility of microphones to

make it easier for the public to hear what members of council are saying.

Since the desks used by council are modular, there is the possibility of doing this easily.

Council also heard in other moves towards finding greater efficiencies a meeting was held among county municipalities looking for ideas on efficiencies and shared services.

Mayor Murphy pointed out there are already shared services in place and more efficiencies are being looked at by the lower-tier municipalities in the county.

Some options for shared services which were discussed by some county municipalities included by-law, fire and recreation.

“Those were things people said we could probably share,” the mayor said.

CWL donates to Hospice Renfrew The Catholic Women’s League of St. James Parish in Eganville recently made a donation of $1,000 to Hospice Renfrew to assist the end-of-life facility in meeting its operational expenses. Hospice chair Gerald Tracey of Eganville accepted the donation from CWL President Janet Doiron as league member Lois Chretien looked on.

Holly Jolly

Radiothon & Open House for Hospice Renfrew Saturday, December 7th 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

With your host Art Jamieson

Join us for some great live Christmas music from some of the Valley’s best entertainers live on stage at our radio station at 3009 Burnstown Road Please make a donation!

All proceeds go to: All money goes to maintain and expand valuable services at Hospice Renfrew Event sponsored by:

Please call with your pledges:

613-433-3993

or

1-866-751-1685

The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

Page A16

BV council reverses track on garbage increase for businesses

By Debbi Christinck

Staff Writer Eganville -- Bonnechere Valley council agreed to reverse track on a garbage increase to local businesses and organizations which had seen garbage fees jump by almost 50 percent.

“Some of the increases

could be debilitating,” Mayor Jennifer Murphy noted at council last Tuesday afternoon. “When you look at Fairfields, that increase is too much.”

Councillor Brent Patrick brought up the issue, pointing out he sits on the board at Fairfields which was hard hit by the bag

price increase imposed recently by the municipality. He said other groups in town were also affected with the increase for 17 local businesses averaging about 49.39 percent.

Some of these groups, like Fairfields, just had not budgeted for this type of increase so unexpect-

edly. There are also others in the community which don’t have much flexibility in their budget either, he pointed out.

“We know it severely impacts them,” he said.

“There was a $389 increase at the Legion.”

He questioned if the matter could go back to staff to look at a $2 tag system for the businesses and seeing if the price could be adjusted over a gradual time period. Phasing in an increase over the next several years would be better than one large increase like this, he added.

“It is easier for a business to deal with a 20 per cent increase instead of a 49 per cent,” he said.

The mayor agreed phasing in the increase over three years is fair to the organizations and gives them an ability to adjust.

The system changed as the tag system changed from a blue tag with a $15 minimum to a tag for $2 a bag, she explained.

While some businesses and organizations saw a large increase, others actually saw a decrease in what they were paying monthly for their garbage.

“There were some businesses that did not meet the minimum,” Coun. Patrick said. “Like the post office.”

Acting CAO Sandra Barr said for some groups it is

cheaper to buy a $2 sticker than pay the minimum $15 charge. She pointed out the $15 fee was brought in when the municipality began having a fee for garbage several years ago.

“Businesses did not want to use the BV bags,” she explained. “We had them put stickers on it.”

Mrs. Barr explained with the old system, businesses would pay the equivalent of $1.25 for a bag. Council agreed to phase in the increase from the old fee of $1.25 to $2 but do this over several years to enable the organizations and businesses to plan accordingly.

The new plan would be for the fee to go up to $1.50 until October 31, 2020. It would then increase to $1.75 until October 31, 2021 and then the final increase would be to $2 by October 31, 2022.

“So there will be no minimum anymore,” Coun.

Patrick added.

Township residents are paying $2 a bag now.

Mayor Murphy agreed phasing in the bag charge for these businesses and organizations makes sense.

The sudden jump from $1.25 a bag to $2 a bag was too fast, she noted.

“Some of these are cost prohibitive now,” she said.

The new rate of $1.50 is in effect for the businesses and organizations.

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The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

RV issue returns to BV council as property owners cajole for action

By Debbi Christinck

Staff Writer Eganville -- The RV issue on Lake Clear is not going away anytime soon, following a presentation by the Lake Clear Property Owners Association to Bonnechere Valley council, asking for a response to their request to limit the RV use around the “at capacity” lake.

“At last count there were 55 around the lake,” Dr. John Earle, the vice president of the association told council last Tuesday afternoon. “The majority are hardscaped with porches and decks. For all intents and purposes, they are the equivalent of a dwelling.”

He was at the meeting asking for a decision from council on an issue which was first introduced to the table in May, 2017, noting he is speaking on behalf of property owners with the association.

“I’m here because I am a different face,” he said in his preamble to council.

“We wanted to drive home a point that it is not just one or two folks who have a crusade. It is a widely-held concern.”

He said the property owners’ group has 235 members, which represents about 75 per cent of the property owners around the lake. He pointed out this also represents a sizeable percentage of the constituency of BV, since the lake is located solely within the township.

With a conservative size household estimate of three people per household, this means they represent about 700 township residents.

Dr. Earle said the association did a survey of the property owners and the results, which are available online at the group website, show 77 percent are concerned about the water quality in the lake.

“Close to that are concerned about septic installations and waste water disposal,” he said.

Of the property owners, 91 percent said they have a septic system.

“That means close to 10 percent don’t, so what are they doing with their waste water?” he questioned.

The property owners are also concerned about the issue of septic inspections, he said, dropping the hint that is something on their radar which they will address with council at a subsequent date.

“A number of townships have taken on that as an issue to address,” he said.

Dr. Earle pointed out in the survey 40 percent showed they would be willing to participate in septic assessment, but 35 percent are not willing to participate.

The survey is quite accurate, he added, with a 60 percent response rate.

Lake Clear is a special lake with a naturally occurring population of lake trout, which makes it very rare. The nutrient load from septage winds up in the lake and this has a big impact on lake trout, so this is why the RV issue is so important to the group, he explained.

“You have had wildlife scientists tell you what their monitoring is showing and it is not a pretty picture,” he said. “For a wildlife biologist, development is a four-

letter word.”

The beauty of the lake and the water quality is why many people moved to this lake, Dr. Earle said, noting the nutrient load from too many users will affect the lake.

In prior visits to council, delegations from the property owners group have asked council to limit the use of an RV as a cottage or bunky around the lake.

Representatives from the Ministry of the Environment, notably Vic Castro, have been to council and said the lake was “beyond capacity and in need of immediate remedial action”, Dr. Earle said.

“We are not suggesting all RVs are a bad thing,” he added, pointing out some people store their RV on the property for use at other locations.

“An RV that is hardscaped at the lakeshore is a residence in sheep’s clothing,” he added.

Council is aware this is an issue, he said, adding this is within the ability of council to regulate.

“You have a by-law which covers this situation,” he said.

Cajole To Action Dr. Earle said he, as well as the small group of property owners present on Tuesday, were not there to harass council.

“It is to cajole you to act,” he said. “The situation has been percolating on the back burner long enough.”

Councillor Jack Roesner, who was elected in the Sebastopol Ward where Lake Clear is located, said council did speak with Mr.

Eganville -- During last week’s North Algona Wilberforce council meeting, CAO Andrew Sprunt and Mayor James Brose acknowledged Accounting Clerk Karen Utronkie and Administrative Assistant Laura Griffith for their efforts in submitting a grant application.

As Mr. Sprunt explained to council prior to presenting the women with Certificates of Commendation, a major infrastructure grant had to be submitted at a certain and non-negotiable midnight deadline. However, the application was incomplete as staff were

waiting on an external letter of support and the system would not allow the grant to be submitted due to formatting issues originating from the other end of the internet portal. The women remained in the office well into the evening and stayed in constant contact with Mr. Sprunt, who was driving through Algonquin Park to the Muskoka Region to attend a funeral, and they were able to reformat the application and submit it in time.

Mr. Sprunt said there is no guarantee the grant will be successful, however, had

the women not stayed several hours past their scheduled end of shift without confirming the application was submitted, the township would not have qualified for the program. He said the unselfish actions of the women are an example of how staff go above and beyond for the residents of the township.

Mayor Brose commented all federal and provincial grant programs are highly competitive and there is always an uncertainty when submitting an application as to its eventual success.

However, in this case, the staff members put forth an

Castro and asked him for information on how much the RVs are contributing to the situation in the lake. He said Mr. Castro was willing to do a chart showing the impact of homes, seasonal properties, farms and RVs on the water quality if information was passed on to him. At the time council did direct staff to submit that information to Mr. Castro.

“He was looking at phosphate levels by individuals and from run off,” he said.

“We are waiting on that.”

Mayor Jennifer Murphy said council does recognize the current by-law is “very poorly worded” and added council did ask Building Inspector Mark Schroeder for his input on the issue.

“They (RVs) don’t fall under the building code because they are not structures,” she said.

Council is still receiving information and is waiting for the information from Mr. Castro, she added.

“This is not about putting off a decision,” she said.

As well, it is a challenging time because the province is in the midst of revamping the Provincial Policy Statement which governs development and the county official plan cannot be updated until this is done. This also governs development in BV, she explained.

The information council had was of the 55 or so RVs on the lake, only 20 were used as cottages or residences, she said.

Dr. Earle said his findings were vastly different.

“We feel only nine are being stored,” he said, pointing out this leaves about 46 used

as a cottage or residence.

Mayor Murphy said council is not encouraging more development around Lake Clear since it is an at-capacity and sensitive lake.

Coun. Roesner said water testing has been done at Lake Clear and when compared to some other lakes done by the same group, the water quality is very good.

“The only thing that is not good is the oxygen level,” he said, adding there is no comparator to show it was ever at a better level.

“The testing that is done shows it is holding its own,” he said.

Dr. Earle said he disagreed, pointing out there are green beards on the rocks where there never were before.

“At the end of the day, you fall back on what you can see and touch,” he said, adding the last thing any property owner wants to see is an algae bloom.

Councillor Tim Schison pointed out the municipality installed an RV dumping station this year in Eganville and this provides the capability to dump dirty water there.

“There is no reason anybody should be dumping anything,” he said. “That is one pro-active thing we have done here.”

Councillor Merv Buckwald addressed the issue of septic inspections which Dr. Earle had touched upon.

“Who is going to pay for it?” he asked. “How do you propose to inspect it?”

Dr. Earle said he would be pleased to come back to council at a future date and speak on septic inspections.

Page A17

Please join us for a

Reception of Appreciation as we honour our loyal donors &

C elebrate theRetirement of Toni Lavigne-Conway

Wednesday, December 11th Drop in from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

(Remarks From Friends & Colleagues at 5:30 p.m.)

Royal Canadian Legion, Barry’s Bay Hors d’oeurves & Refreshments ~Best Wishes Only~

Should you be unable to attend in person and would like to send a personal message please email your sentiments to CoulasM@sfmhosp.com Hosted by the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation in partnership with SFMH & Auxiliary, Valley Manor, MV Hospice Palliative Care and Lorraine’s Pharmasave

22nd Nov. 29 - Dec. 1, 2019 GermaNia club, 15 beNNett St., Pembroke, oN k8a 3Y6

Friday Nov. 29 Saturday Nov. 30 Sunday Dec. 1

1 p.m. - 2 p.m. for those with mobility challenges 2 p.m. - 8 p.m.

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

NAW staff recognized for efforts to meet deadline

NAW CAO Andrew Sprunt and Mayor James Brose presented township administrative staff members Laura Griffith and Karen Utronkie with Certificates of Commendation last week. extra effort that, if in the event the grant proposal is successful, their efforts

in a small way will help improve the quality of life for residents.

Art and Crafts of All Kinds from Local Artisans Authentic German Food catered by Schmidt’s Catering

For more iNFormatioN call: 613-732-3756 or 613-587-4403

https//www.facebook.com/christkindlmarktpembroke

The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

Page A18

Sunset Lane ownership still up for debate in NAW Twp.

By R. Bruce McIntyre

Sunset Lane residents Doug and Linda Schultz were in NAW council chambers for the second time in six months seeking an answer on whether or not the township wanted to assume ownership of the roadway.

Approximately 100 meters of the 500 meter road falls within NAW boundaries and the property owners living along the lane would like the township to assume both ownership and maintenance of the road.

Renfrew’s jackpot at $348,000 Renfrew -- Elizabeth Dodge of McNab-Braeside Township was Week #32 winner in the Renfrew Victoria Hospital Foundation Catch the Ace draw. She won $16,138 with her ticket which she purchased at Home Hardware in Renfrew. Ms. Dodge selected envelope #14 and it contained the Ace of Hearts.

The progressive jackpot is now at $348,090.

To date an incredible $580,150 has been raised for RVH. The foundation holds the weekly draws each Thursday.

Tickets for the RVH draw are

available at 19 location in Renfrew; in Douglas at the Grocery and Tavern; Eganville: Country Store and Foodland; Cobden: Olmstead’s Home Hardware; Beachburg: Simple Things; Calabogie: General Store; Griffith: BMR Building Supplies; Burnstown: Neat Cafe and Castle Building Supplies.

David Golka of Barry’s Bay was the Week #7 winner in the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation’s Catch the Ace draw. He won $1,157 on the ticket he purchased at the Barry’s Bay Shell.

He chose envelope number 51 which contained the Queen of Diamonds.

The prize for Week #8 is estimated at $1,095 and if the Ace of Spades is found the jackpot will be around $14,461. All proceeds support the redevelopment of Valley Manor.

Tickets for the weekly draw can be purchased at Round Lake Centre, AJ’s Convenience, Killaloe Hardware, Kokomish Café, Wilno Building Supply, Charlie D’s, Barry’s Bay Esso, Lorraine’s Pharmasave, Barry’s Bay Shell, CO Country Market, Algonquin Bound Outfitters (Madawaska), St Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation, Valley Manor and The Cottage Cup.

Staff Writer Eganville -- More than 10 months after the question of whether North Algona Wilberforce council wanted to assume ownership of a portion of Sunset Lane was first raised, the issue was back in front of council last week when Doug Schultz was again in council chambers seeking clarification on whether or not there was any interest for the township to take ownership of the road.

Sunset Lane is a unique road with 400 meters located in Bonnechere Valley and the remaining 100 meters in NAW. There are four residences at the end of the road, all located in NAW. A letter was first sent on January 15 from Ryan Hoelke requesting council to not only take over maintenance of their section of the road, but to assume ownership of its 100 meter portion in partnership with BV assuming control of the remaining section.

A few months later, Mr. Schultz appeared as a delegation before council and spoke on behalf of the four other property owners on the road. At that time, he explained the private road was recently upgraded with a double surface treatment by Greenwood Paving and the 6.1 foot wide roadway was in good condition and would become an asset for the owners.

At the time, he said BV roads department verbally agreed to take over maintenance, which included snow plowing. The estimated cost to NAW for annual maintenance was approximately $4,500.

The current owners agreed with the roadway situated on a prime waterfront location and with lit-

tle or no service provided by the townships despite paying very high taxes, they wanted the townships to assume ownership so it could be properly maintained and at the same time, become an asset for the two municipalities.

When it was raised again last week in NAW chambers, Councillor Doug Buckwald said he was not in favour of assuming responsibility for the roadway.

“At this time I am not in favour of taking it over unless Bonnechere Valley agrees to a mutual agreement on the roadway as well,” he said. “I am not against looking at the possibility, but it doesn’t make sense just to maintain a small section of it and we don’t really know the condition of the road and long term costs.”

CAO Andrew Sprunt said historically when private developers build a road for new homes, they often do so with the intent of a municipality eventually assuming control.

“It is common practice for developers to build a road that will meet the minimum standards in order to meet the requirements for a municipality to assume control and maintain it,” he said. “The road becomes an asset for the township, and that includes any long-term maintenance of it and the costs involved so that is something this council needs to consider if you decide to take over the road.”

Mr. Sprunt said public works staff have examined the road and agreed the estimated cost of maintenance is approximately $4,500. He said the road is in good shape. He said council must also be aware the road would be considered an asset in the township’s inventory and would require maintenance, and like all roads, would one day have to be resurfaced.

Mr. Sprunt was asked if assuming ownership would set a precedent.

He said during his tenure as CAO it has not been done, and was unsure of past actions.

Mayor James Brose said he was of the understanding it had been done in the past so there was precedence.

Councillor Maria Robinson said a timely decision was needed.

“We are heading into the winter season and we need to give staff direction and we can’t just let this sit around for another six months without something being done,” she said.

At that point, Mr. Schultz raised his hand and asked permission to address council.

Mayor Brose canvassed his colleagues and they agreed to let Mr. Schultz speak.

“Please go ahead Councilor Schultz,” Mayor Brose said and immediately stopped as both he and council broke out in laughter.

Mr. Schultz served on the previous council (2014-2018) when both he and Mayor Brose were councillors.

“My apologies,” Mayor Brose said with a big smile. “Please proceed Mr. Schultz.”

Even Mr. Schultz had to laugh when he was addressed by his former title.

“All I can say is I first brought this up six months ago when I was here and it has been sitting on your desks for about 10 months,” he said. “That is a long time and now plowing is going to start. That’s all I’m going to say, just that it is going on a long time.”

Both Mr. Sprunt and Mayor Brose agreed and council directed staff to arrange a meeting with BV representatives as quickly as possible and return to council on December 3 with a report and recommendations.

The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

Page A19

CRC promotes new strategic plan to KHR council

By Terry Fleurie

Staff Writer Killaloe -- A well-known community organization that delivers programs and services well beyond its home base in Killaloe has developed a new strategic plan to enhance its abilities to improve the lives of families in rural communities it serves.

Bil Smith, executive director of the Community Resource Centre (CRC), and Cathy Lyons, chair of the board of directors, appeared before Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards Township council last Tuesday night to explain the new plan. Their delegation was supported by other CRC board members, Dan Harrington and Greg McLeod.

Mr. Smith began by saying he is still surprised to hear some people do not know what the CRC is all about.

“They see that building, they don’t know what we’re all about,” he said.

“So earlier this year, we updated our strategic plan and I thought this was a great opportunity to come here and to let you know what we’re doing.

“At the CRC, we think about a future where people have access to opportunities, supports and services so they can live full lives in vibrant communities,” he added. “We think about how do we let people live the best life possible in all of the small communities and towns around this end of the county.”

He said the staff and board discussed strategies required to enable them to do that and it is included in the strategic plan.

Ms. Lyons said it is gratifying and exciting to be part of the CRC. She said they started off with a strategic plan that dated back to 2016 to the present and staff and board spent a full-day session over the summer reviewing it to see if it still worked for the organization.

“We wanted to see if it was still allowing us to have the kind of direction that we need to have in order to fulfill our mission,” she said. “So we actually, pretty much validated it as we had had it before” She explained there are three strategic directions outlined in the plan, the first is Access and Inclusion.

“To increase and sustain access to programming for all community members, particularly our most vulnerable,” she explained. “And that’s really important to us, because we do believe the more marginalized you are, the more challenging it is for you to just live in the world in a decent, safe and secure way.

“So we want to pay a lot of attention to things like barriers in our programming,” she added.

Ms. Lyons said if a person has low literacy skills and the CRC is writing a program or sending out information that is hard to understand, that’s a barrier. And there are other barriers too.

“That’s our first strategic direction

and we’ve re-affirmed that to 2023.”

The second strategic direction is Food Security, which, on the surface, is to increase availability of and access to, healthy food for all.

“So that includes increasing the number of programs that support community food security,” she noted.

She admitted when she joined the board, one of the things that surprised her was how important food security is, adding the statistics are “pretty frightening”.

“One in eight households is food insecure, which means they suffer from chronic hunger, and one in six kids do. And if you think about that, that means kids end up going to school hungry and that affects their ability to learn.”

She said it also affects people’s ability to take care of themselves as they get older.

“We’re basically very keen on helping community members access healthy food and we’re kind of excited that we’re starting a new partnership with the Killaloe Food Bank.”

She explained the majority of food bank volunteers have accepted an offer from the CRC to co-locate in the St. Andrew’s Catholic Church basement where the food bank presently operates.

“That will make things more accessible for them and our food bank will operate just as it does now, but in a new location,” she said.

The third strategic direction involves what Mr. Smith eluded to in his opening comments -- the CRC telling its story.

“You can’t help people if they don’t know what we can do for them. So we’re constantly in the process of building awareness of what we can and cannot do.

“Word of mouth is always the best way of doing that in small communities, but we use social media and other things as well,” she added.

Mayor Janice Visneskie Moore asked if the CRC would be developing an evaluation strategy which was one of the points mentioned in the Telling Our Story direction. Mr. Smith explained each of the agency’s funders require differently of evaluations.

“What we’re looking at is an agency-wide evaluation strategy,” he noted. “We’re collecting lots of data and looking at what it’s really telling us and how can we understand that to help us move forward.”

He said the evaluation started a long time ago and will never end because it’s an ongoing process.

“And we’re continually looking at what the data is telling us,” he reiterated.

Mayor Visneskie Moore said as the vice-chair of the board of health committee for Renfrew County the items are of interest to her because the two groups can learn from each other.

Bil Smith, executive director of the CRC, and Board Chair Cathy Lyons, shared the organization’s new strategic plan with KHR council last Tuesday. There were three major directions in the plan - Access and Inclusion, Food Security and Telling Our Story.

Ms. Lyons said one of the things that fascinate her about the CRC are the number of different programs and different funders and the groups involved need to be as cohesive as possible to help support the local community.

“We need to be very careful that our programs integrate and that they don’t make things more difficult for people.”

CRC Providing Impressive Numbers Mr. Smith said in terms of their approach to access and inclusion, the CRC is mobile and already takes a great deal of its programming out into the different communities.

The flagship program is the Toy Bus, which has been around for over 25 years, and which has three vehicles on the road every day.

“We’re in eight communities every week, sometimes more than once a week with that program, and that’s growing,” he stated.

The program services communities from Whitney to Beachburg.

He said they try to make the programs as barrier-free as possible with no enrollment/participation fee and they try to provide information to people in ways they can easily access and understand it.

He stressed food security is a tremendously important direction for the CRC, noting in its annual report for 2018, they served over 24,000 snacks and 63,000 meals.

“That’s healthy food that’s made a lot of the times, not all of the times, by program participants who are participating in our youth after-school program.”

The program teaches kids how to

identify what’s available in their home and teaches them to make healthy snacks from those items.

The CRC operates a drop-in intergenerational cooking program that serves well over 100 people a year, with 25 to 30 participants each week.

“It’s mayhem in the kitchen and by noon, they’re eating a meal together,” he remarked.

Mr. Smith said there are various

other programs, including an emergency food cupboard, all aimed at increasing better food security.

In terms of telling their story better, they are working on updating their website, adding the past two years the CRC has focused on social media.

The CRC operates three licensed daycare facilities: KidzCastle in Killaloe, which has been operating 13 years, and two new facilities opened earlier in 2019 in Whitney and Barry’s Bay. The CRC also offers pre-natal programs, girls programs, the Buried Treasure used clothing outlet, and the seniors active living centre.

“We do information and referral,” he explained. “We had 350,000 hits on our County Connections database and we have 2,000 people through the front door looking for information or for help filling out forms or helping them to access government services.”

The CRC realized they can’t do it all on their own, so they now offer office space for agencies like the Phoenix Centre, Family and Children Services, etc. Mr. Smith stressed the CRC tries to support businesses in all local communities where they operate.

He also noted the CRC is a significant employer in the area with 42 staff.

Mayor Visneskie Moore questioned where the Game On program was at and Mr. Smith said the larger Trillium funding for it had ended, but they have another application in. The program continues to operate in both Killaloe and South Algonquin township on a weekly basis and in other communities on a monthly basis. The mayor promised Mr. Smith she would continue to lobby the provincial Ministry of Heritage, Tourism, Culture and Sport for sustainable funding for the program.

She ensured Mr. Smith council would continue to support the CRC, thanking the organization for the great work they do.

The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

Page A20

Pembroke Community Choir presenting two concerts starting Sunday Special Guest Chorus: Renfrew Children’s / Youth Chorus Pembroke -- The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season might feel overwhelming to adults, but to children, it is usually a magical and memorable time they have been anticipating for weeks.

Through their upcoming concert theme, “Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child”, the Pembroke Community Choir (PCC) is hoping to capture the excitement and joy that children experience at this time of year. The 80 members of the PCC are

excited to perform beautiful carols and songs with their special guests -- over 25 singers from the Renfrew Children’s / Youth Chorus.

In addition to performing with the Pembroke choir for two pieces, the Children’s / Youth Chorus will be singing some of their own Christmas songs throughout the concert.

“We are so pleased to have these young singers join us” PCC Director Gerald LaRonde, said. “They will surely bring some joyful energy to

the concert and keep us on our toes as well.”

The children and youth choir members range in age from seven to late teens. The chorus was established in 1989 to provide the boys and girls of Renfrew and area with an opportunity to develop their vocal talent through singing together. They practice throughout the year, and usually perform a concert each spring and Christmas. For the last decade, their director has been Jessica Belanger,

The Pembroke Community Choir will be in concert on Sunday and Monday at Holy Name Church.

a well-known classical singer and music teacher from Renfrew, who also performed as guest soloist with the Pembroke Community Choir last Christmas.

For the upcoming Pembroke concerts, some of the less familiar but beautiful Christmas pieces include: Make a Wish for Me at Christmas; When a Child is Born; Mary’s Boy Chile; Remembering December, and Carol of the Russian Children. Some of the more popular songs, especially with children, include medleys from The

Grinch and Home Alone movies; as well as Do You Hear What I Hear; Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth; Frosty the Snowman; Nuttin’ for Christmas and, of course, Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

Director Laronde encourages everyone to begin this festive season with the Pembroke Community Choir.

“The heartfelt performances, and especially the smiling faces of the children, will no doubt prepare everyone for a quiet and relaxing season ahead,” he said.

The concert will be performed in Pembroke at 7 p.m. on Sunday and Monday, December 1st and 2nd at Holy Name Church. This concert usually sells out so it is best to get tickets early. Advance tickets are $15 and available until November 29 from choir members, at the Pembroke Mall office, and Fleurish in Petawawa. Children 13 years and under are free. If still available, tickets at the door will be $20.

More information on the event is available at www.pembrokecommunitychoir.org.

The Renfrew Chidren’s/Youth Chorus are special guests at the concert this year.

Radiothon raises funds and awareness for Hospice Renfrew Annual Valley Heritage Radio Holly Jolly fundraiser set for Saturday, December 7 Renfrew -- Dignity. Comfort. Support.

These are just three things offered to patients and families of Hospice Renfrew. And the Ottawa Valley’s community radio station is hoping to spread the word about how important it is to the region.

Valley Heritage Radio is set to host its annual Holly Jolly Radiothon and Open House Saturday, December 7 and for the third year in a row, the recipient of all funds raised will be Hospice Renfrew.

“Many people have heard about the hospice, but we’re hoping to be able to educate people about what a phenomenal organization this is, and the great service they offer not only in Renfrew, but across the Valley,” said station

manager Jason Marshall. “They offer compassion, care and kindness at a time when people are facing one of the most emotional and difficult stages of their lives. The importance of that cannot be stressed enough, that’s why we are committed to be their partner.”

In addition to helping spread the word about what services are offered at Hospice Renfrew, the radio station is also hoping listeners across the Valley and beyond will offer financial support during the four-hour radiothon -something the six-bed, non-profit hospice needs in order to keep the lights on and the doors open.

All Hospice programs and services are available to all 102,000 residents of Renfrew County and the services are completely free. According to Hospice representatives, they are only funded for about 50 per cent of their nursing salaries through the Ministry of Health. The other 50 per cent of the nursing salaries, plus 100 per cent of the operational costs – hydro, groceries and all the other bills associated with running the hospice – are paid for through fund-raised dollars.

Hospice officials feel the partnership with Valley Heritage Radio is extremely important, as it will contribute to the very sustainability of the organization, helping them to continue to pay the bills and provide important services.

And how much do they need to keep the doors open?

According to Hospice, the annual operational budget is $1.3 million. The ministry expects every hospice in the province to fundraise about half of their budget, and for Renfrew that equates to approximately $630,000 a year in fundraising, donations, and through in-memoriams.

Officials say thanks to the generosity of communities throughout Renfrew County they can quite successfully raise $350,000 of that. However, they do fall short almost $300,000 every year and draw upon a sustainability fund that was established when Hospice opened 10 years ago to cover this shortfall.

That’s why Valley Heritage Radio recognizes the importance of bringing in every dollar it can for the cause.

Valley Support Mr. Marshall is hoping the station’s listeners, and the people of the Valley will offer their support at this year’s radiothon.

“Each year Valley folks blow me away with the support,” he said. “And I hope they keep the phones ringing at this year’s radiothon, because Hospice Renfrew is truly a remarkable place. Tune in and you’ll learn more about why hospice is so vital to not only the Renfrew area, but the entire Valley.”

The Holly Jolly Radiothon will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Art Jamieson will host the on-air portion of the event.

The public is invited to drop into the open house that day at Valley Heritage Radio (3009 Burnstown Road) and donate in person, or just come and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

The open house will include snacks, raffles, live music and a visit from Santa Claus. Donations can be made on site, over the phone, or online at www.valleyheritageradio.ca Find out more about Hospice Renfrew at www.hospicerenfrew.ca.

Through the years, the Holly Jolly Radiothon has raised more than $275,000 for a number of local groups and organizations including The Bonnechere Manor Foundation, the Child Poverty Action Network, the United Way, Recovery Road, the Champlain Community Transportation Collaborative, The Robbie Dean Centre, the Arnprior & District Humane Society, the Muskrat Watershed Council, and Hospice Renfrew.

The event is generously sponsored by Ontario Power Generation.

The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

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Residents lobby for an NAW Active Transportation Committee

By R. Bruce McIntyre

Staff Writer Eganville -- Seniors make up half the population of North Algona Wilberforce Township (NAW) and they want to stay active, but they are concerned about their safety when they venture out for a walk or a bike ride, and it is for that reason Ish Theilheimer wants the township to strike an ad hoc committee to study the issue and come up with solutions to keep the aging residents active and healthy.

That was the key message he brought to NAW council last week when he requested council take the lead in terms of making Active Transportation (AT) a key aspect of present and future planning when developing its overall strategic plan.

Mr. Theilheimer, who was joined in the gallery by fellow biking enthusiast Chris Hinsperger, said whether it is walking, hiking, cycling or any other recreational endeavour, the township has an opportunity to take the lead in

removing barriers for AT. “Many residents, including a lot of seniors want to get out and go for a walk or jump on the bike, but they don’t feel safe and this is the time for an ad hoc committee to be formed so it can identify these obstacles and help make a strategy to promote AT”, he said. “There is a belief by some that you can only get around by car, but Chris (Hinsperger) rode his bike here tonight and he is proof you can travel and be active at the same time.”

He said the growth and popularity of events like Mr. Hinsperger’s Tour de Bonnechere proves there is an appetite for people to get out and be active and NAW has a chance to not only promote recreation, but recoup valuable tourist dollars from people who come to the area to cycle or hike.

“Look at the Tour de Bonnechere and how it has grown,” he said. “Chris has done a great job of promoting cycling from his business at the Caves and people come from all over to take

part in it.”

He said events like that and just having people come to the area and cycle has shown they will spend between $200 to $300 while in the area. Tourism has emerged as a major economic driver in the Ottawa Valley over the last 10 years and now is the time to use existing resources to help plan for future opportunities.

He said when the Ottawa Valley Cycling and Active Transportation Alliance (OVCATA) was formed three years ago, it started with just a few members, but has grown to over 500 and the group is approaching several local councils to lobby for the creation of a committee in order to examine the issue and help promote an active lifestyle.

Among the issues a committee could examine is the creation of an inventory of existing resources (trails, etc.) and examine the strengths and weaknesses of what is currently identified as a recreational asset, and

identify safety concerns and areas where improvements can be made and start to map out these areas as safe areas.

“You can incorporate AT into all

Ish Theilheimer

your future planning and road work so when you resurface a road, you allow for room on the shoulders for walking or cycling and mark it to identify it is safe for both motorists and users of the section.”

He said by taking a proactive approach, the township will be ready whenever the upper levels of government open up funding opportunities for AT. By having a plan in place that identifies opportunities, he said there is a better chance of NAW receiving a grant due to its proactive approach.

“These are the reasons why we would like to see this council create an ad hoc committee, with council representation, be formed so we are ready for these opportunities and to create more resources for our residents to get out and be active.”

Councillor Janet Reiche-Schoenfeldt agreed it is important to promote physical fitness and safety, but she questioned some of the statistics presented.

“Getting people out and active is important, but you listed a survey showing support for Active Transportation, but you only had 89 responses and that is a pretty low number,” she said. “As well, where in NAW do you think people will spend up to $300 when they are here?”

Mr. Theilheimer agreed the survey response was low, but he said cycling clubs and individuals are becoming more and more aware of the need to be active and popular events like the Tour de Bonnechere entering its tenth year show there is an appetite for these kind of events.

“As to where people will spend their money, they will get gas and some may go to The Sands and other places, but they will come so why not encourage them by showing NAW is a great place to visit and be active and a committee can help do that.”

Mayor James Brose thanked him for attending and council received the presentation as information.

The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

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Christkindlmarkt features more than 50 vendors at annual show Pembroke -- Along with many other communities in the world where there is a German cultural influence, Pembroke is gearing up for its 22nd annual Christkindlmarkt A Taste of Christmas in Germany, sponsored by the Germania Club.

This German-style Christmas market has been a highlight of pre-Christmas activities in Pembroke since 1998.

The 2019 edition features over 50 vendors both inside and outside the Germania Hall. It starts Friday, November 29, and runs until Sunday, December 1. Admission is free; however, donations of non-perishable food or cash to be shared between The Grind Community Kitchen and St. Joseph’s Food Bank will be gratefully accepted.

The official opening is on Friday at 2 p.m., with a number of local dignitaries expected to participate.

Users of wheelchairs and walkers, as well as seniors or any others with mobility or other challenges for whom crowds can pose a difficulty, are invited to a special opening from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday.

Open hours for the general public are from 2 to 8 p.m.

Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday.

The Christkindlmarkt features a variety of arts and crafts, including stained glass, fused glass, wheel-thrown pottery, blacksmith art, and hand-painted Christmas ornaments.

There are also wearable and decorative fibre arts, cuddly toys, decorative and functional woodcraft including log furniture, handcrafted jewelry, men’s grooming products, floral arrangements, and semi-precious stone art. Edibles include jams and jellies, cookies and fruit cake, gourmet honey and maple specialties, handmade chocolate creations, herbs and spices, artisan food mixes, game meats and sausages, and imported and locally-made traditional Christmas treats including Stollen.

As always, there will be free draws for door prizes donated by vendors approximately every hour throughout the show.

The Christkindlmarkt is providing space for UNICEF to

Tree of Lights celebration: Friday, December 6, Low Square

GRAND ROUNDS

5:00–6:00 p.m. Family Hour 6:00 p.m. Tree lighting Ceremony 6:20–8:00 p.m. Candy Cane Lane on main street with treats for kids and specials for shoppers!

Bundle up your family and join the festivities Kick off the holiday season with a familystyle celebration at the Renfrew Victoria Hospital Foundation’s 2019 Tree of Lights event at Low Square on Friday, December 6, beginning at 5 p.m.

Everyone can enjoy some delicious hot chocolate from Tim Hortons and warm s’mores by Backyard Gourmet.

Children have been invited through their schools to bring handmade Christmas ornaments to decorate a tree for the RVH gazebo, and Santa will be there to take photos with kids who bring ornaments.

“It will be a celebration for the whole family,” says Patti Dillabough, RVHF Executive Director.

Local artist Dwyene MacNabb says she felt honoured to be asked to create the artwork for this year’s card.

“…We are so fortunate in this area to have such a world-class hospital filled with worldclass doctors and staff. I am very pleased to be part of this year’s fundraiser and honoured to have an image of my painting on the annual Christmas card,” shares MacNabb.

Renfrew resident Jim Deacon is also a firm believer in supporting RVH. “I recognize that it empowers the hospital to maintain medical services and outreach,” he explains.

His donations to Tree of Lights over the years have been made in memory of his wife, in honour of Dr. Wong for the excellent care she provides, and last year in recognition of the emergency department staff. “It varies depending on my experiences,” he notes.

This year, funds will help to refurbish and re-outfit RVH’s main x-ray suite, which provides more than 17,000 x-rays close to home each year.

market items which are part of their fundraising efforts.

Santa will be at the door with treats for the children, so bring your camera.

A craft area for children will be provided by the Children’s Garden Nursery School so that youngsters can be busy while their parents browse and shop. There is a small charge to cover the cost of materials.

Authentic German food, provided again this year by Schmidt’s Catering, will round out the atmosphere of the Christkindlmarkt. The club will also offer “Bratwurst on the Run” in the chalet outside the hall, and Beavertails will again be available.

Clarification

In the November 20 edition of the Eganville Leader on Page 12 a story ran on Two Gals partnering with Two Canoes for Meals on Wheels at First Nation.

The story writer inferred Julie Sanderson, a former partner in Two Gals and a Truck, was still involved with the organization. In fact, Ms. Sanderson resigned from the organization on November 4, 2019 and was not or is not involved in any way with the new program being operated under the Two Gals name. The Leader apologizes for the confusion and for any problems this may have created for Ms. Sanderson.

You’re invited to the Annual Tree Lighting Eganville Tourist Booth Friday, November 29 at 6:30

This year’s RVHF Christmas card artist Dwyene MacNabb captures the essence of the magic of the season through the eyes of a child in keeping with the event’s family theme. The Tree of Lights celebration takes place at Low Square on Friday, December 6.

To purchase a Light of Love in memory or in honour of a loved one, please contact the RVH Foundation office.

The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

Page A23

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The Leader, Eganville, Ontario - November 27, 2019

Postal Agreement # 40005333

Page A24