COUNTRY ROADS, Celebrating Life in Hastings County SPRING 2018

celebrating life in hastings county

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CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Maddie Budding Jason King Michelle Lawrence Kristi Oikawa Sandy Randle Michelle Annette Tremblay Brendan Troy Sarah Vance Jozef VanVeenen COUNTRY ROADS, Celebrating Life in Hastings County is published four times a year by PenWord Communications Inc. Copies are distributed to select locations throughout Hastings County including the c­ ommunities of Bancroft, Belleville, Madoc, Marmora, Stirling and Tweed.

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CONTRIBUTORS Angela Hawn: Although frequent contributor Angela Hawn usually submits stories from her home in the heart of Hastings County, last August her entire family headed overseas to live for the year in Switzerland.

This fabulous opportunity offered the chance to indulge in more writing, frequently about Angela’s favourite subject: travel. Sometimes she and her husband like to live dangerously and risk irritating friends and family by bragging about the fact their feet have touched down in over 40 countries. Now they’re doing their best to make sure favourite travel companions, their two teenagers, get a chance to catch up.

Susan Shipton is a Film and Television Editor working in Toronto. Originally from Belleville, memories of horseback riding near Stirling drew Susan back to the area when she and her husband decided they wanted a rural home. Susan and husband Robert, a retired musician, share their farm north of Stirling with their two dogs, Pippin a 13 year old Australian Shepherd and Gin a three year old Border Collie.

Sarah Vance freelances articles for publications such as Bancroft This Week, The Haliburton Echo, Municipal Monitor and Country Roads. Sarah’s interest in cultural and social themes led her to pursue a masters’ degree, under the guidance of British philosopher Keith AnsellPearson. Sarah is always on the lookout for interesting angles and projects that will take her off the beaten path.

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Country Roads • Spring 2018

EDITORIAL

How do we choose where home is?

As is often the case when we pulled this issue together we found there was a thread that weaves lightly throughout the stories. It’s an unintentional theme or commonality that is found in many of the articles. Namely - the varying reasons why people choose Hastings County as their home.

For farmer Tara Dier it was her four-legged family members that drew the former city dweller to the Stirling area. We don’t want to give away too much but hope you enjoy Susan Shipton’s article profiling her as much as we do. A new contributor to the pages of Country Roads, Susan also spends a great deal of her time in the Stirling area. When the desire for a country property arose she chose to come back to an area she knew growing up.

For North Hastings resident Noah Zacharin it was a real estate listing with the simple yet descriptive words – perfect for an author – that spoke to the singer, songwriter, poet. And the description proved to be fitting.

We didn’t think we would see the byline of Angela Hawn, a regular contributor to the magazine until next fall but we’ve snuck in a fun and educating article on Angela’s great family adventure. Angela and family are living abroad for one year as part of a work exchange. But a return to Hastings County is definitely in their plans. We’re not sure why they chose to settle in this area over 15 years ago but with their passion for travel, near and far we’re pretty confident that Hastings County’s fantastic location mid way between Toronto and Ottawa, and with Montreal and other destinations within driving distance was most likely a big part of the decision making process.

According to Statistics Canada, as of 2016, Hastings County had a population of 136,445.

This doesn’t take into account the part time residents that also inhabit the county. The reasons why people choose Hastings County for their home community are many, varied, and personal. And for many they are following generations that have called this area home.

Whatever the reason in the end it’s because Hastings County provides them with the life and lifestyle they want and that’s a pretty good choice!

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VOLUME 11, ISSUE 1, SPRING 2018

CONTENTS 8

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Fun Starts Here!

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Also visit Stirling General Mercantile 26 West Front St., Stirling 613.243.8462

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FEATURES 14 THE NEXT CHAPTER

8 WORKING CLASS DOGS

By Susan Shipton

20 WORLDS APART?

12 STERLING SILVER

By Sarah Vance

By Lorraine Gibson-Alcock

By Angela Hawn

DEPARTMENTS 6 EDITORIAL

24 REMEMBERING

6 CONTRIBUTORS 17 JUST SAYING

Responses less travelled

28 ADVERTISERS INDEX

18 THE VILLAGE IDIOT

29 MARKETPLACE

The bird feeder

23 SOCIAL SCENE

Mister History

26 COUNTRY CALENDAR

30 BACK ROADS

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Spring 2018 • Country Roads

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WORKING CLASS DOGS Trials all business for this crew

BY SUSAN SHIPTON

Tara Dier puts her beloved dog Scott through his paces. He has provided Dier with her most exhilarating moments in the sport.

Photo courtesy Kristi Oikawa

Scott gets a well-earned cooldown at the USBCHA National Finals. He belonged to Tara’s friend Vergil Holland, a renowned trainer, breeder and handler from Kentucky. Photo © Michelle Lawrence, All Rights Reserved

“First it was one dog and a small car. Then two dogs and a bigger car. Then more dogs and another move up in car size. A camper for going to trials and clinics followed.” This is how Tara Dier describes the progression of her sheep dogging hobby.

Dier was settled into a career as a lawyer in Toronto when she decided to get her first dog.

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Country Roads • Spring 2018

She had a friend with a Border Collie so she chose that breed due to what she describes with a laugh as “no great amount of imagination”. She went to her friend’s breeder and got a puppy. She called him Doug.

It took Doug very little time to show the new dog owner why the breed is not for the faint of heart. Athletic and bred to work, Border Collies

learn quickly but are not discerning in the lessons they retain. As Dier describes it the ‘bad stuff’ sinks in as fast as the ‘good stuff’. She was working very hard to give Doug enough to do so when an acquaintance said she knew someone who was giving herding lessons, Dier thought it might be the perfect thing for Doug.

So began Tara’s journey into the world of sheep dogs. She travelled just north of Toronto for regular lessons with Doug, but it was when she made a trip to the prestigious Kingston Sheep Dog Trials that the sport really caught her imagination. Held at Grass Creek Park east of Kingston every August, the Kingston Sheep Dog Trials attract competitors from across Canada as well as the U.S.A. and the United Kingdom. Started 30 years ago by Amanda Miliken, the Kingston Trials has grown under her stewardship into the biggest event of its kind in North America, showcasing some of the best teams in the sport, the ‘Big Hats’ as they are known in the sheep dogging world. During three days of competition the event also hosts over 7,000 spectators, some of who return year after year to cheer on their favourite dogs and handlers.

Nicky, a spritely four-year-old with a cheerful demeanour, spent the winter of 2016 in Alberta being trained by current North American champion Scott Glen. Photo © Michelle Lawrence, All Rights Reserved

Top: Four-year-old Bernie is learning to channel his exuberance on the field.

Bottom: Fleet on the job. At times the communication between dog and sheep can seem uncanny to the untrained novice. Photo © Michelle Lawrence, All Rights Reserved

The ancestry of the Border Collie is the history of choices made to create the ultimate sheep dog.

Trials were developed in the U.K. as a way to test the working ability of the breed over a course devised to showcase skill and instinct. This course has changed little since it was developed in the late 1800’s. The test helped develop and preserve the Border Collie as a working dog, and of course allowed for bragging rights among the shepherds and farmers who depended on the dogs to move livestock.

The history and tradition of sheep dog trialing holds great appeal for today’s competitive handlers, who often choose classic names for their dogs as a nod to the breed’s heritage.

Names such as ‘Sweep’, ‘Tweed’ ‘Ben’, ‘Bess’, and ‘Moss’ are often found in the pedigree of today’s working Border Collie. Attend any sheep

dog trial in Ontario and you are likely to see these traditional names in the running order.

Sitting in the stands at the Kingston Sheep Dog Trials, Tara watched as Border Collies moved around the course with athleticism and focus; running with extraordinary speed in one moment, moving with slow intensity, crouched so low they disappeared in the grass in another. Responding to the whistled commands of handlers often standing several hundred yards from them, the partnership between dog and person was awe inspiring. Tara remembers thinking, “I want to do that.”

Some years after that first visit to the Trials, the then city dweller was nearing retirement.

She already had the large car, a couple of Border Collies and a camper. All that was left was the acquisition of a small farm and a flock of sheep.

She put her small city home up for sale, headed to the country and started looking.

From the sun-filled living room of the retired lawyer’s farmhouse north of Stirling, I can see a small flock of sheep grazing in the far field and the crumbling stone foundation of a barn in the foreground. It’s not hard to imagine why she picked this spot in Hastings County to immerse herself in the lifestyle of a sheep dogger. But there was more to her decision than the beauty of the countryside and the still reasonable price of farmland in the area. Southeastern Ontario is a hot bed of sheep dog activity and Dier’s location is within striking distance of much of it. With trials throughout the summer, the season hits its stride in late August when Miliken hosts her ’80 Acres’ trial just before the Kingston Sheep Dog Trials. These events are followed in October by the ‘Triple Crown’ series of trials, which take place in the Peterborough area and nearby Indian River.

I knew Tara from her small car, one Border Collie days in Toronto. I hadn’t seen her in some years when we ran into one another at a local gardening store and discovered we were country neighbours. When I told her I was considering getting a Border Collie, she invited me to work her seasoned trial dog Fleet to see if herding was something I might enjoy.

In sheep herding, handlers are not always trainers. Handlers take on much of the responsibility of refining their dog’s skills throughout its career but many will send their dogs to someone else for initial training. Even an experienced handler may choose to buy a dog that is already well-trained. Those new to the sport are strongly encouraged to go this route; putting a novice handler on the field with a green dog is often compared to putting a beginner rider atop an untrained horse. It’s generally not a recipe for success.

At seven years old Tara’s Fleet was retired from trialing because he lacked the confidence to work well in the large, wide open courses Spring 2018 • Country Roads

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Four-year-old Bernie is learning to channel his exuberance on the field. Photo © Michelle Lawrence, All Rights Reserved

at the top level but he still loved to work. An easy going, biddable dog who knew his job, Fleet was the perfect guy to get a novice like me started.

Out on the field facing a small flock of sheep, Fleet waited beside me. If movement could be still at the same time, Fleet was what it would look like. “Send him.” Tara said. “Away to me,” I said and he was off before I finished the phrase, arcing out around the sheep a couple of hundred yards away. He reached the top of the flock and tucked in behind them. His head lowered, Fleet moved forward and did what a good sheep dog does. He fetched the flock to me.

Catching glimpses of him moving steadily behind them I saw Fleet adjusting his course to keep the flock in line. I hadn’t said a thing

and it seemed everyone knew the steps to this dance but me. I started trotting backwards. On they came. Tara called out “Lie him down” and I remembered her telling me that’s how you stop a dog. “LIE DOWN!” I shrieked at a volume loud enough for ‘Fleet’ to have heard from the next county.

He dropped like a stone in the grass. With the pressure off, the sheep immediately slowed down. They passed by me knocking my legs, to settle about 10 feet away, where they calmly commenced grazing. It seemed like everything that had happened was between Fleet and the sheep. I had no idea what role I might ever hope to play in this three-species waltz. I was left with a feeling of complete uselessness, and an inexplicable urge to do it again.

Like most sheep dog competitors, Tara has several dogs in different stages of their training. Nicky, a spritely four-year-old with a cheerful demeanor, spent the winter of 2016 in Alberta being trained by current North American champion Scott Glen.

Tara describes Nicky as “eager and fun and a little excitable on the field”. Four-year-old Bernie, so named because he is a big tri-colour boy who resembled a Bernese Mountain Dog as a puppy, is learning to channel his exuberance on the field. Tara is having a lot of fun with these two youngsters, but it was competing with her 10-year-old dog Scott, that gave her the most exhilarating moments of her time in the sport.

Scott belonged to Tara’s friend Vergil Holland, a renowned trainer, breeder and handler from Kentucky. When Vergil passed away three years ago, Scott came to Tara. “Scott knows how to do everything.” Tara says. “He never rattled the sheep, he was responsive and smooth. He was a treat to handle.” I think running Scott was a little like driving a Maserati, there would be nothing quite like it and not something one had a chance to do often.

In Hastings County, Dier and her black and white crew are far from Scotland, where it all began, but it matters little to the dogs if they work the hills of the border country or the hills of Hastings County. The journey that began in a small city house with one Border Collie has taken Tara to farm ownership, 29 sheep in her field and three Border Collies (down at the moment from her average of six). Positioned at the hub of the wheel of Ontario’s sheep dogging activity, Tara has attained the lifestyle, she and her dogs are busy, and that suits them all just fine.

Scott, the Kentucky gentleman with the big paws and a way with sheep, is retired now. He enjoys walks in the fields and lighter work.

Three years ago Fleet got a job offer. The Tivoli Lake Preserve in Albany, NY received a

Scott in action at the 2017 USBCHA National Finals in Virginia, where he earned a place to compete with the top trialing dogs in North America. In the sheep dog trialing world, qualifying to compete with the top 150 dogs in North America is prestigious. Photo © Michelle Lawrence, All Rights Reserved

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Country Roads • Spring 2018

MIKE BOSSIO Member of Parliament for Hastings—Lennox and Addington

While handlers take on much of the responsibility of refining their dog’s skill, many will send their dog to someone else for initial training. Photo © Michelle Lawrence, All Rights Reserved

Main Office: 20-B Richmond Blvd, Napanee Mon-Fri, 9am to 4pm

getting started as a sheep dog. I took her out and experienced the thrill of seeing a working dog do what it was bred to do. Gin injured herself in non-sheep related activity, so she’s on house arrest right now. When she is snoozing by the fire her feet twitch and I’m pretty sure she’s rounding up sheep in her dreams.

But a sheep dog hobby is a huge commitment; it is not just a sport, it’s a lifestyle, and I’m just not sure I can make that commitment right now.

I must admit though, I find myself wondering if the cattle fencing around my fields would work for sheep.

And I do think I could use a bigger car.

Satellite office hours throughout the riding—call for details!

mike.bossio@parl.gc.ca Toll Free: 1-866-471-3800 www.mikebossiomp.ca

•

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Fleet now plies his trade at the Tivoli Lake Preserve in Albany, NY, where he works with young farming students. Photo © Michelle Lawrence, All Rights Reserved

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To learn more about border collies, training, herding and a list of events visit www.ontariobordercollieclub.com/ and www.canadianbordercollies.org Information and dates for the Kingston Sheep Dog Trials can be found at www.kingstonsheepdogtrials.com

R0011294653

grant to protect and revitalize the area through an approach that involved ‘targeted grazing’ to reduce invasive species. The program paired a young farming student with a dog and a flock of sheep. With his biddable nature, work ethic and previously demonstrated patience with novices, Fleet was a perfect fit. Tara jokes that he is the only one of her dogs that actually got a real job.

I did get my Border Collie. I’m a ‘Little Hat’ in the sheep dog world, in fact I’m so green I don’t even think I have a hat size. But my working bred collie Gin was born with one. She spent a month in the fall of 2016 back at her breeder’s

~

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Spring 2018 • Country Roads

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Sterling Silver EXERCISE GROUP GETS FIT AND RAISES FUNDS STORY AND PHOTOS BY LORRAINE GIBSON-ALCOCK

Top Photo: The Marmora Community Centre hosts the Silver Foxes sessions, and participants range in age from mid-50s to over 80.

Garry Poirier accepts a cheque from the Silver Foxes for the McFaul Family House Fund, which aimed to support a Marmora-area family that lost its home to fire. The exercise class cost of $2 a session goes to support a wide range of local initiatives.

A

s I woke up the other day after my first exercise class in over 30 years, with my body aching in unfamiliar places, the old expression came to mind, “In for a penny, in for a pound!” A pound of flesh, that is!

A neighbour of mine talked to me about this exercise club, ‘The Silver Foxes’, she was starting up a few years ago, but as I was still working full time I did not research it further. But as I got older and worried about the formidable aches and pains of getting older, plus the additional pounds going on my frame, I decided now was the time!

I arrived at the Marmora Community Centre and there was my neighbour along with a number of ‘silver foxes.’ They ranged in age from 55 to over 80, with hair colour from red to white. Why the ‘Silver Foxes’ moniker, I wondered? I soon found out as the DVD playing on the new flat screen TV showed Richard Simmons in a much younger form encouraging ‘The Silver Foxes.’ These were women and men in varying degrees of advancing years doing leg lifts, knee bends and arm movements,

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Country Roads • Spring 2018

Dorothy Caverly (right) started the ‘Silver Foxes’ over a decade ago after returning from a visit to Florida. In this photo she presents a cheque to Norma Crofts of the Marmora Garden Club.

all low impact activities to enhance and sustain better fitness levels for ‘Silver Citizens.’ It was a great workout.

My neighbour Dorothy Caverly, now in her 80’s, had been in Florida about 13 years ago and upon returning home realized she needed to have a regular exercise program. She saw the VHS tape and purchased it. After coming home she gathered a group of like-minded people together and started the local ‘Silver Foxes’. Expensive you say? $100 a month…$50? They meet every Monday and Thursday, at 9 AM and do the routines for about 45 minutes all for a low cost of a toonie for each class. Before and after there is a social element, where everyone chats and catches up on their lives.

The membership fluctuates between summer and winter – some go south in the winter and in the summer cottagers attend. The club operates 12 months a year – no time off for the summer as many classes seem to do. This has become a real community. Several members are either in the throes of cancer treatment or recovering from

this or other illnesses; many are newcomers to the area; all have varying reasons for attending. It has become an unofficial support network and all are welcome, newcomers, incomers, old-timers alike.

They get together socially a couple of times a year for a summer BBQ and Christmas lunch to honour their achievements, either physical or financial.

And what financial achievements! The Silver Foxes of Marmora and area have much to crow about! From their first class date of April 11, 2005, those toonies have accumulated and given back to the community to an amazing amount of $11,835.60. The group does not support just one or two endeavours but many, including the Marmora Medical Centre, local Fire Department, Library, Memorial Park, Community Centre, Food Bank and Historical Society; as well as other organizations sorely in need of funds like Three Oaks, Campbellford Memorial Hospital, and the Heart of Hastings Hospice.

So a Toonie can make a world of difference, not only in your own life but in the lives of many.

•

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Spring 2018 • Country Roads

I 13

The next chapter Winter words with Noah Zacharin Story and photos by Sarah Vance

A real estate brochure that described a property as “perfect for an author” drew Noah Zacharin to Carlow Mayo Township and he admits to feeling obligated to fulfill the property’s job description.

I

t is in the woods north of Slabtown that Canadian singer and songwriter Noah Zacharin has been producing his latest music.

A vintage typewriter sits atop his desk, a guitar is within reach, and his studio window overlooks the York River’s icy refracting shoreline.

Slabtown is a hamlet with a single-lane iron bridge and only a handful of cozy houses nestled into the valley below Boulter, in Carlow Mayo Township. Historically Slabtown basked in the fruits of thriving logging and mining industries and it derives its name from the lumber slabs that were milled in that region after loggers drove raw timber down river.

Slabtown once employed hundreds of men with a busy railway depot nearby in Bessemer and commerce so abundant that a steamboat named the Mayflower transferred goods through the waters between Barry’s Bay and Lavoys Landing. Archie McArthur’s lumber mill at Norway Bay contributed to the York River being awash with log drivers, many of whom were of Algonquin-Nippissing heritage and who balanced the logs for just pennies a day.

14 I

Country Roads • Spring 2018

Today cell service literally stops before the turn at McArthur Mills and Highway 28, so by the time you travel through Boulter and arrive at Slabtown you will find that you have been offline for at least a good 30 minutes.

Let that sink in for a moment.

There are no incoming or outgoing calls - not one text or tweet - and Google Maps just goes offline in this zip code.

Zacharin finds Carlow Mayo’s tranquility absorbing as he gradually closes one chapter in his life as a dentist in Toronto’s busy inner city to pursue his parallel career as a singer, songwriter and poet northwest of Bancroft.

Since moving to the area he has built a canoe and paddled through the York River’s interior basin through Norway Bay to Conroy’s Marsh, a 2500-hectare conservation area that received its provincial designation in 2003.

The Marsh is named after the late Robert Conroy, a lumber baron and president of the Madawaska River Improvement Company that in the early 1900’s owned the timber rights to the area and built the slides and chutes used to transport raw timber down river. The

marsh’s eerie landscapes of wild rice and red cranberries were once the muse for a painting

by A.J. Casson, a member of the Canadian group of artists known as the Group of Seven, who frequented the busy area in the 1930s.

With six albums to his name, transitioning to Slabtown has been a productive and creative move for Zacharin.

Waiting on Your Love is Zacharin’s second single where American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation figures heavily into both the vignette video and the expression of the lyrics.

This adds another dimension and layer to the music, as if to expose the gaps between what is spoken and what is left unsaid, between the utterance and the word, and the margins that exist along the peripheries of communication.

The single Sick at the Heart -- composed at the time of Ray Charles’ death -- also features American Sign Language interpretation by David McCloskey, whose gestures factor into the sizzling guitar and soulful tuba solos that offset Zacharin’s voice.

McCloskey is the lone presence in the videos, making Zacharin’s words accessible

In winter or summer Zacharin’s neck of the woods remains isolated and this solitude has become a catalyst for his craft.

Slabtown was once a thriving logging town but today it is a hamlet with a single-lane iron bridge and a handful of houses nestled into the valley below Boulter.

for the hearing impaired These trails are mainand presenting a serene and tained by the Old Hastvulnerable dance, using only ings Snow Riders and it is his hands and facial gestures possible to fuel up at Cunto communicate the message. ningham’s Country Store, Images like “locusts in the which is the last access wheatfield” and “jagged point following L’Amable. refracted lights” dangle at the Loop E travels through edge of McCloskey’s fingers Bessemer, where it is posas he tells the rhythm of the sible to see glimpses of an story through body language. old mining ghost town, just These and other videos, steps off the track, between written and produced by Child’s Mines and Egans Zacharin, can be viewed on Creek. his Youtube page and all of Bessemer’s mining ghost Zacharin sometimes plays acoustic solos in Bancroft and in Maynooth. His live shows are rooted in folk, his albums are available for town is accessed on what jazz, blues and funk genres. purchase through itunes and was a subsidiary line of in CD format. On his website, the Bessemer and Barry’s http://www.noahsong.com, Bay Railway (B&BB). This Noah presents his biography and samples of his seeking properties in the more isolated regions in railway line was chartered in the late 1800’s songwriting and poetry portfolio.

North Hastings as they step away from the city to branch off the COR at L’Amable, south Noah’s newly released single, Waiting on Your lights to pursue new aspirations in the creative of Bancroft, and it runs east to Child’s Mine.

Love features the haunting brass melodies of domain.

There you can see a decrepit foundation of a Ralph Carney, an eclectic musician who has Noah draws inspiration from Carlow Mayo’s once popular hotel, which has become a dynamic collaborated with performance arts icons such breathtaking vistas and “million mile skies”; landmark for sledders and ghost town travellers, as Tom Waits and the B-52’s. from the forests of rugged pines; and the who search out its mystery by foot and all-terrain It was a real estate brochure, describing a tributaries that run through them. And he notes vehicles. Mayo Lake is also a popular destination property “perfect for an author” that lured the authenticity of storefronts like Stedmans in the winter for ice fishing and is accessed off Zacharin away from cottage hunting in the and Winnie’s Treasure Shop in Bancroft, which trail 933, near Foster Lake.

Muskokas to eventually finding a home in helped him make his decision to move to the Zacharin sometimes plays acoustic solos in Carlow Mayo Township. area. He found these places to emulate a genuine Bancroft, at the Granite and the Bancroft Pub, And despite having a portfolio of published presence in the culture and history, which is and in Maynooth, at the Arlington. His live poems, song credits and professional reviews delightful for tourists but which has not been shows are rooted in folk, jazz, blues and funk with his name on the byline, Zacharin admits to fabricated for them. genres that the Globe and Mail have acclaimed feeling humbled by the property’s job description In the winter Carlow Mayo becomes a popular as “wresting an improbable sense of order from and now obligated to fulfill its weight. destination for snowmobile groups who come a chaos of genres.”

Zacharin was born in Montreal, and he has in search of over 350km of groomed trails When he is not headlining in Bancroft or lived in Toronto and Israel. He is not unlike a throughout Glen Alda, McArthur Mills, Coe Toronto, Noah is a well known fixture within growing number of urban professionals, who are Hill and Gilmour.

Canada’s live music and festival circuit.

Spring 2018 • Country Roads

I 15

healthy, awake, aware, awash in inspiration and joy… to still sing water.” Even if and as, one may find oneself “swallowing sand”.

In the poem the river, he writes:

Carlow Mayo’s breathtaking vistas are a constant source of inspiration for Zacharin and he finds the area’s tranquility absorbing.

A rapids about 1km upriver, past the iron bridge in Slabtown, and another rapids downriver from Zacharin’s cabin, keep his turf cut off from fishing boats and summer tourists that frequent Carlow Mayo, although he sometimes sees the odd cluster of bathers floating downriver on inflatable tubes.

And in the winter the river never fully covers in

ice, making it unsafe to travel by snowmobiles.

This helps keep Zacharin’s neck of the woods in isolation and this solitude has become a catalyst for his craft, as a writer of poetry.

In the poem Prayer Zacharin invites readers “to welcome the sadness in like some darker honey dripping from the slippery elm leaf” and “to stay

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Zacharin’s poetry and songwriting present rich, stirring imagery that draw attention to the reflective and ephemeral ways of knowing and being in the world.

In the quiet of Carlow Mayo, he is cultivating his craft as a songwriter, and while his artistic life takes him across the globe, his style and sound have come to find derivative roots in North Hastings.

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JUST SAYING

BY SHELLEY WILDGEN

Responses less travelled

“I should have said…” is a much said line. Maybe it’s because what we of relying on the ones that fall out of our mouths first. Sort of like changing should have said has far more value than what we did say. Should-have-saids a potential road rage incident by using your expression finger to hook your are sparkling and witty and always turn our conversations in the direction hair behind your ear. Potential disaster averted and hair tidied in one quick, we wish they had gone. Those should-have-saids are conversational rock yet well thought out gesture. stars. Shiny and unattainable.

I once knew a woman who attained great success and a glistening corporate We’ve all gone places we didn’t want to go, okayed plans we didn’t want corner office simply by exuding calm and using the same phrase whenever to make, spoken our mind blindly, engaged in long conversations we didn’t disappointment landed at her door. Instead of scoldings about bad numbers want to have, alienated someone with an unnecessarily sarcastic comment or lacklustre efforts, she’d look warmly at her staff, smile and say, “We (OK, maybe that’s just me). That’s a lot of misfires worked hard, but didn’t hit the mark – so next and over a lifetime they add up to one collective year we’re going to try even harder.” Everyone left sigh of irretrievable time. the meeting feeling good and softly encouraged, So, how does that happen? I hazard to say we wanting to please her, while she got to snuggle My mom had a penchant for never make it happen. Our lives are filled with “I should into her corner office year after year. providing a quick answer. If I called her have said….”’s. Loads of them. Why don’t we Oh, here’s a good one…simple too. It’s nothing exercise the same caution for our verbal selves that would send Oscar Wilde running for his quill, to go for lunch, she’d always say, “That as we do for our physical selves before stepping but effective nonetheless. Caught in a conversation sounds nice. Let me call you back in in front of a bus? Take a few beats to make sure you don’t want to be in can be tortuous. Whether we’ve selected the safest and most energy efficient bored or uncomfortable the art of diffusing can 15 minutes.” Grrrr. Just say “yes” and response? be difficult so remembering this one word is a let’s go!

Where on earth did she have The 1998 movie ‘Sliding Doors’ is a parallel game-changer. It’s not judgemental and best of universe type film where a woman gets to see how all it doesn’t require further chat. “Interesting” to check while doing her crossword alternative small decisions would have changed is a response worth tucking away for verbal everything in her life. On a large scale, that is emergencies. It’s polite and provides the illusion puzzles from her recliner chair? Fifteen just too much to wrap a brain around but is it of being involved but leaves no open avenues for minutes later, the call always came and possible our day to day dealings with folk would further discourse. Even a volatile conversation be coloured far differently if we dug a little deeper can be diffused with a well-placed “interesting.” she confirmed lunch was a go. into the crayon box of responses? So, no regrets for Sometimes one to three (never more) ‘interestings’ not saying yes to the dweeby guy in high school are needed but they always work…and no one has who grew into the hippest, coolest, dead-funny and to be rude. strikingly handsome political activist. No, I mean, change our everyday, Suffice to say a good response doesn’t have to sparkle, it just has to have seemingly inconsequential responses and see where we land. a little thought given before instead of after. A pondered reaction versus an My mom had a penchant for never providing a quick answer. If I called her initial reaction. Turn it upside down, inside out, shake it around and then to go for lunch, she’d always say, “That sounds nice. Let me call you back deliver it with well-meaning interest! in 15 minutes.” Grrrr. Just say “yes” and let’s go! Where on earth did she have to check while doing her crossword puzzles from her recliner chair?

Fifteen minutes later, the call always came and she confirmed lunch was a go. She later explained that she liked to have 15 minutes to make sure no one else needed the car, make sure there wasn’t anything else happening, sort of catch her breath and then agree to go, instead of agreeing to go right away and then feeling the pressure of a forgotten scheduling conflict. It made good sense. All from one unexpected response. Well, not one. Eventually, I 206 Hastings St N Bancroft, ON K0L 1C0 saw several of those 15-minute delays utilized but I respected them.

There are times though when even carefully crafted public responses can 206 Hastings St N Bancroft, ON K0L 1C0 fall flat. Back in the ‘80s, Nancy Reagan’s ‘Just Say No to Drugs’ tagline advice was meant to create healthy consciousness raising in response to a national drug problem. As easy as choosing to have a V8, right? Arguably, ‘Just Say No to Drugs’ became one of the most ineffective sentences ever.

Perhaps, Nancy could have coined something a bit more comprehensive and motivational. What a societal difference it could have made! No, I don’t know what she should have said but her fat salaried PR people certainly should have.

Turn left instead of right.

Malcolm Gladwell wrote a book called ‘Blink’ about how we make all huge decisions in a micro-second. Well no wonder we feel the need to reinforce those immediate decisions with words…fast. Slowing down the process can be as simple as stockpiling a handful of go-to responses instead

•

Spring 2018 • Country Roads

I 17

THE VILLAGE IDIOT

BY JOHN HOPKINS

The bird feeder

Y

ou hear all sorts of isolated creaks and groans in the country during winter nights – ice cracking on the river, trees slowly shifting under the weight of snow, a large man in red landing a sleigh on your roof.

But the sound that woke me up very early one morning was different. Rather than a single crack or creak this was a steady tapping sound, as if someone was throwing pebbles at a window pane.

Or worse, as if water was steadily dripping from a leaky pipe. And it wasn’t stopping. Obviously I was going to have to investigate and hope for the best.

I cautiously ventured downstairs, half-expecting to find our kitchen and living room floor covered in water. But all was dry – no sign of any leaks anywhere. And still the tapping continued.

Finally, in the gray light of the dawn I saw the source of the incessant noise. A tiny bird was rapping its wing against our patio door.

Upon seeing me it shook its head in seeming exasperation and with its other wing pointed at the bird feeder hanging several feet away – EMPTY! I have had mixed feelings about the bird feeder.

Were we tampering with nature’s delicate balance by setting up an artificial feeding station for the birds? What if we forgot to fill it? Would the birds all die? Would we destroy our ecosystem?

As it turned out, the consequences were much, much worse than I had imagined. The feeder was empty and I was soon to have flocks of angry birds on my hands. Sure enough, what started as one almost indistinguishable voice grew as the morning went on. More and more birds flew in, gave a cursory inspection of the empty feeder and then perched on our backyard furniture, staring through our patio doors in protest – Blue Jays, Gray Jays, Juncos, Chickadees stood in solidarity.

I thought perhaps that our two cats might break up the protest, but quite the opposite turned out to be the case. Our orange tabby went so far as to suggest that I wasn’t so snappy with his food dish either and he wasn’t surprised to see I was depriving the birds as well.

Obviously some form of mediation was necessary so I arranged a meeting with representatives from each species. It was a chaotic summit, not

I have had mixed feelings about the bird feeder. Were we tampering with nature’s delicate balance by setting up an artificial feeding station for the birds? What if we forgot to fill it? Would the birds all die? Would we destroy our ecosystem? As it turned out, the ­consequences were much, much worse than I had imagined.

helped by the fact that I accidentally kept referring to the Gray Jays as Black-Capped Chickadees, which got them very irritated. The Chickadees, meanwhile, complained that the Blue Jays were big bullies who kept on monopolizing the feeder when it did have food in it, and the Blue Jays said this was unfair stereotyping, and we probably all thought they squawked too much as well. That brought a rather embarrassing silence, as we all thought they were kind of loud, but we

collectively chose not to bring up that point during this meeting.

A couple of Cardinals that I did not recognize showed up partway through our discussion and said there was a very nice house down the road they visited that had a bird feeder that was full all the time, and with the expensive stuff. Our orange tabby asked if the family looked to be in need of a housecat, but my withering glare convinced him he should keep his thoughts on the matter to himself.

I said that if the other house looked after them so well, maybe the birds didn’t need to come around here for our “cheap” food, but the Cardinals quickly backtracked and said our feed really wasn’t so bad, and they thought we had a nicer view from our feeder.

Several black squirrels in attendance said they would be happy to monitor the distribution of feed, but their crafty smiles and the way they rubbed their paws together when they made the suggestion convinced me they were perhaps not the most trustworthy creatures of the bunch.

After much debate and discussion, and thankfully few feathers flying, we came up with a feeding schedule that seemed to satisfy all involved. A timetable was created for me to replenish the feeder, and each bird species was given an allotted time to feed. The Blue Jays felt a bit short-changed but agreed to try it out, and the Gray Jays were willing to let the Black-Capped Chickadee mixup go in exchange for some positive press. (Isn’t the Gray Jay a great choice as our national bird?) I even arranged to leave some feed scattered on the ground for the squirrels to enjoy.

The birds and I have been getting along pretty well since that winter day. But on another early morning, when the weather had started to get a bit warmer and spring was in the air, I awoke once again to a tapping sound outside. I knew I was on schedule with filling the bird feeder, so I was puzzled as to what this disturbance could be. I hurried downstairs and there at the patio door was a groggy-looking raccoon. I opened the door and he motioned for me to bend down so he could whisper in my ear. In a rough, almost hoarse voice he asked, “Hey buddy, any word on when the sugar water stand will be opening this season?”

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Worlds apart?

Swiss region and Stirling share some traits

By Angela Hawn • Photos by Maddie Budding

S

tep out the door of our temporary new digs in the lovely rural town of Switzerland’s Farvagny le Grand and savour the rustic sounds of cows lowing in the distance, frequently accompanied by that homey whiff of manure associated with cows everywhere. Ah, so much like our former surroundings back in beautiful Stirling, Hastings County. Except here, the cows generally sport bells, and on special occasions, flowers and even hats!

When my family decided late last March to move abroad for a year courtesy of a job exchange for dad, we eagerly anticipated all the differences encountered when living in a new culture. And, to our delight, there have been many.

To begin with, unlike our native homeland, people speak not one or even two official languages, but four. We’ve ended up in the French speaking part of the country, but you don’t have to travel far to hear Swiss German,

Much like in Hastings County, wonderful daytrip destinations are within driving distance. This is the 500-year-old town clock in Bern.

Gazing out at the sweep of the Aletsch Glacier while simultaneously hiking directly across it on a Swiss marked trail.

Swiss Italian or even that small section of the population who speak Romansh. And hand in hand with four languages comes a wide variety of Swiss cuisine. From German style spätzle noodles to fried potato rösti to French baguette dipped in moitié moitié fondue (half Gruyère, half mouth-watering Fribourg Vacherin cheese), we’re doing our best to sample it all.

And it’s all good, 99% of the time.

But occasionally homesickness strikes, even when you’re having fun. You might be strolling along the shores of Lake Leman (better known to tourists as Lake Geneva) and suddenly realize how much it resembles Lake Ontario at sunset.

Or maybe you’re speeding down the autoroute between Fribourg and Montreux, marveling at how much it looks like the stretch of 401 near Brighton. Until, of course, you look to the side and view the Alps looming over top. Absolutely stunning, but definitely not home.

Fortunately, on those rare occasions when a wee bit of nostalgia tugs at our collective soul and we find ourselves aching, ever so slightly, for a taste of the familiar, we’ve been delighted to realize Farvagny and Stirling have far more in common than just cows.

Take cheese, for example. Serendipitously, four cheese lovers who hail from Canada’s Cheese capital have landed right in the heart of the Gruyere region, famous for making some of the best Swiss cheese around. Whenever we find ourselves missing some of the delectable cheddars or mozzarellas found at Eastern

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Country Roads • Spring 2018

Moitie-Moitie Fondue Unless you can get your hands on some proper Swiss Gruyere and Fribourg Vacheron, making a traditional MoitieMoitie fondue might be pretty hard outside of Switzerland, but you can easily rig up a Canadian substitute using the following:

Above: The view from Albert Einstein’s former apartment (now a museum) in downtown Bern.

Top Right: La famille Hawn-Budding prepares to hike along the famous north face of the Eiger.

Ontario’s Wilton Cheese Factory or nearby Ivanhoe, we can easily run right next door to the Farvagny Fromagerie and sate ourselves on the wonderful products made in-house.

Luckily, I’ve only mistakenly requested 5000 grams (vs. 500) of the stuff once. Blame it on the challenges of placing an order in a second language. Thank goodness my French fluent elder daughter was there to help set things straight. If our Fromagerie neighbour thinks the Canadians living across the way have a dairy addiction, we’ll never know. Like all Swiss we’ve met so far, he’s far too polite to comment.

And, what goes better with cheese than wine?

So easy back home to hop in the car and head to Tweed’s Potter Settlement Wines or any number of excellent wineries in Prince Edward

County and indulge in a little tasting. To the delight (relief?) of the adults in the family, good wine in Switzerland can be found just as close.

Living less than an hour’s drive from one of Switzerland’s best known wine regions, we’ve happily made many a daytrip to the gorgeous Swiss Riviera, where grapevines frequently share space with palm trees. Oh, the pinots, the gamays and the syrahs! Heavenly!

Just ask the same kid who sorted out my cheese ordering dilemma. The first night we arrived and headed next door to a welcome dinner at the neighbours’, she made a very exciting discovery: future wine connoisseurs can begin drinking anything made from the grain or the grape at age 16. And 18-year-olds can partake legally in the harder stuff!

Below: Lake Leman / Lake Geneva at sunset, complete with swans – not unlike Lake Ontario.

Bottom Right: Cows on parade at Desalpes.

•5 00 grams shredded French Gruyere (don’t tell anyone from Gruyere, Switzerland!)

• 500 grams shredded Emmenthal • one and a quarter cups of white wine (since nothing Swiss is likely available, try Sauvignon Blanc) • 2 or 3 tsps. cornstarch to help hold everything together • dash of lemon juice • black pepper and minced jar garlic to taste • baguette, torn into pieces Stir everything but the baguette continuously over low to medium heat until blended and keep warm with a fondue burner. Enjoy!

Optional: Give each guest their own shot glass of kirsch for dipping their pieces of bread prior to swirling them in the fondue.

For more about Angela’s adventures in Switzerland and even the occasional recipe, check out her blog at ramblingsofamenopausalmomabroad. wordpress.com.

Spring 2018 • Country Roads

I 21

The Roman ruins in nearby Avenches have become family favourites and merited repeat visits.

The church steeple of Farvagny le Grand stands out in this rural town, which has more in common with Stirling than simply cows.

All dressed up and nowhere to go but down from the Alps to greener pastures for winter. A flower-bedecked cow gets ready for the annual Desalpes celebration near Charmey.

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Country Roads • Spring 2018

Good thing about the wine, as her only chance to sample it will happen in Switzerland.

Apparently only about 2% of all those superb Swiss reds, whites and rosés ever hit the export market, and I’m pretty sure Canada isn’t on the list. Still, as our ever practical daughter has helpfully pointed out, our part of Ontario produces amazing wine and she will even be legal drinking age when we return.

Indeed, wine’s a popular beverage here. Inspired by our experiences back home singing with choirs like the Hastings Prince Edward Youth Chorale and Shout Sister, we opted to join a couple of choral groups in Switzerland. And what better way to end a practice than with a glass or two of a good Swiss red! I like to think a few sips here and there help improve both my singing and my ability to speak French!

My husband regularly enjoys a glass after school with his teaching colleagues right in the elementary school staffroom, a definite no-no back home. You can well imagine his surprise on a recent field trip. After a long hike through the snow, all of the teachers organized the students into groups to eat their packed lunches, then pulled out bottles of wine to share amongst themselves. And the one pouring the drinks might very well be the principal! Cheers!

When not busy sampling the local wine and cheese, we love to travel. Whether it’s the Swiss Riviera, Bern, Lausanne or Geneva, we’re surrounded by interesting places to visit on the weekends. Much like our beloved Hastings County, we live within easy driving distance of several wonderful daytrip destinations. Checking out the Roman ruins a few kilometres away in Avenches or a 1000-year-old abbey in nearby Jura region quickly became repeat favourites.

At just over 40,000 square kilometres, the entire country feels pretty accessible, though getting from point A to B can mean traversing a few mighty curvy mountain passes or going straight through them via seemingly endless tunnels.

And, when we want to go a little further afield and head outside Swiss borders, no sooner said than done. Once late on a lazy Saturday afternoon, we decided to head next door for dinner in France.

Could teeny, tiny Liechtenstein be next in our plans to visit nearby countries for an hour or so? Just past Zurich and bookended cozily

by Switzerland on one side and Austria on the other, this tiny kingdom on the Rhine figures prominently on my husband’s “must see” checklist. Even better, our younger daughter can practise her fledgling German there.

“Really?” she moans when we tell her about Liechtenstein’s lingua franca. Apparently the only thing more challenging than total French Immersion at the local high school is studying German for the first time. Though always available, teacher assistance comes in…French!

We’ll just have to console her with a trip to the cinema (plenty of “Version Original” selections abound, with subtitles in both French and German running along the bottom of the screen) or perhaps with some good Swiss chocolate. Gruyère region also boasts a number of award winning chocolate factories. And the chocolate, helped along by all that rich milk produced by Switzerland’s many cows, tastes divine. Hmm…we’re so glad we get to return to wonderful Hastings County at the end of this grand adventure. But there are definitely some things we will miss. Chocolate anyone?

•

ON THE COVER

COUNTRY ROADS SOCIAL SCENE We’re very social and we’d love to hear from YOU. Letters to the Editor can be sent via www.countryroadshastings.ca, email or snail mail.

CORRECTION

Due to an editing error in the Winter issue of Country Roads two of Brendan Troy’s excellent wildlife photos were misidentified. The photo on the top of page 14 that introduced the story is of a Gray Jay and the picture in the lower right of the same page shows a Snowy Owl. We apologize for the errors and thank those readers who were conscientious enough to draw our attention to them.

Cover Photo: Sandy Randle

Nothing says spring like lilacs!

Stirling photographer Sandy Randle passes this old barn several times a week stopping to admire the sweetly scented blooms and how pretty they look against the weathered barn.

“To me, spring is a fresh new beginning, an awakening. Everything emerges from the cold, dark days of winter; it’s like throwing off the blankets, opening the blinds, letting the sun shine in.”

Randle’s photographic passion focuses on old structures; barns, lighthouses, bridges, and landscapes and waterfalls as well as photographic memories of recent travels across Canada.

Since moving to Stirling 1 ½ years ago her work has been part of an exhibition at the Parrott Gallery and most recently at the Stirling-Rawdon Library/Art Gallery. She has won awards for her photographs and two images have been selected to be displayed at the Expressions Art Show this coming May. Randle also has a gallery of her work at her home studio and offers custom picture framing as well.

Love your magazine

Dear Country Roads: Always pick up when I am in the area. A cousin sometimes will send me a copy.

My Father and Grandfather were born in Tweed; my Grandmother was born in Eldorado across from the gold mine there. I have cousins who live in Madoc. For the past few years I try to get a cottage at Moira Lake and try to visit as often as possible. Last year also spent a few days near Tweed.

John Turcott Amherst, NY

Church at Hazzard’s Corners

Dear Country Roads: Life is full of surprises.

I recently received a copy of the fall 2017 Country Roads from a friend. When I saw the picture of the United Church building at Hazzard’s Corners, I suddenly remembered

that this was where I preached my first sermon. The year was 1955 and I was with a group of young adults who were part of the Caravan programme of the United Church. We had been invited to conduct a Vacation Bible School for the Queensboro Pastoral Charge that included Hazzard’s Corners United Church. We were asked to conduct Sunday worship there. That meant that someone needed to preach the sermon. I drew the short straw, or more likely, because I had decided to train for ordained ministry, I was the logical choice. I was petrified! But I did the best I could and obviously the church did not fall down and I survived to be ordained in 1960. I also spent 37 years in ministry before formal retirement in 1997 and actual retirement in 2002. Thanks for refreshing my memory.

Rev. Robert (Bob) Nicholls, Mississauga, Ont.

DID YOU KNOW UP TO 2,000 PEOPLE CHECK OUT WWW.COUNTRYROADSHASTINGS.CA EVERY MONTH FOR GREAT HASTINGS COUNTY STORIES & MORE? Country Roads is searching for

Freelance Writers to join our team.

If you are interested you can submit story ideas, and samples of your work to nancy@countryroadshastings.ca

the

COMPASS

VISIT WWW.COUNTRYROADSHASTINGS.CA AND SIGN UP FOR THE COUNTRY ROADS’ NEWSLETTER TODAY!

Spring 2018 • Country Roads

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R E M E M B E R I N G

Renowned historian Gerry Boyce, shown with his wife Bev, has enjoyed a varied career. In addition to his many writing credits, he spent 32 years as an educator and even enjoyed a stint at Belleville radio station CJBQ.

Mister History

A longtime champion of the region’s history, Gerry Boyce was recognized by having the new archives’ reading room named for him. He was presented with the room’s sign by Archivist Amanda Hill.

Boyce brings authoritative voice to county’s past

By Barry Penahle • Photos courtesy the Barry Penhale Collection

O

ne of the best-known and most respected individuals identified with Hastings County, Gerry Boyce unquestionably has no equal when it comes to the documentation of the region he lovingly calls home. Few areas of Ontario have been as fortunate in having a heritage champion of Boyce’s stature. Chances are that many Country Roads readers will know on sight the genial Boyce shown on these pages. His research and writings over upwards of 60 years will have found him literally in your neighbourhood at some time, piecing together important but generally little-known reminders of the past.

This once active jogger — he completed the 1990 Oshawa Marathon at age 56 — is now embarked on a healthy walking routine that more times than not finds him making his way from a downtown Belleville apartment to his favourite local research venues — notably the library and archives housed in the same inviting building at 254 Pinnacle Street. The convenient access to such facilities is all the more appreciated now that he is an octogenarian and no longer owner of a commodious seven-bedroom home.

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Country Roads • Spring 2018

Gerald Egerton “just call me Gerry” Boyce was born in Hamilton, but has known a lengthy and intimate association with the Quinte region, notably Belleville and Napanee, that dates back to the late 1940s. In delving into the special world of Gerry Boyce, I was to learn of his youthful employment over four summers at the well-known Hogarth’s Book and China Shop in Napanee. Later on, other part-time work in the early 1950s found Gerry fulfilling the role of announcer and news director at CJBQ radio in Belleville. Good grounding, I would say, for someone who became an award-winning author and accomplished communicator.

Boyce’s parents moved to the city of Belleville in 1952. With family ties both there and in Napanee, Boyce has truly known a long kinship to the County. By the fall of 1957, he was on his way to a fulsome academic life that led to a 32year career, teaching in five secondary schools for the Quinte District High School Board and the Hastings County Board of Education.

While perusing Boyce’s imposing resume, running over eight pages, I was bowled over by even half of what the man has accomplished.

So extensive are Boyce’s written historical contributions that Hastings County’s Kirby Books published a volume The Best of Boyce that spans five decades of selected writing.

How he ever found time to raise five children with his devoted wife Bev is beyond me. He is so respected that any launching of a new Boyce book is a “can’t-miss” event, as I discovered at launches for books he authored and I was privileged to publish. Gerry’s stellar reputation is a guaranteed draw. His fans comes out in droves and, as I learned firsthand, some truly wonderful and yes, even amusing things happen at a Boyce book launch.

R E M E M B E R I N G

Boyce’s book on the Eldorado gold rush attracted an unconventional assortment of retailers that proved the popularity of his local historical contributions.

immediately attracted interest in the new book by displaying copies alongside aged cheddar and curds. Apparently the combination of blueberries, cheese and a good read proved to be irresistible!

A literary feast like no other.

With the 2008 publication of his book Belleville: A Popular History, county history buffs quickly found themselves absorbed by the contents of a community book quite unlike most others. Gerry had delivered on his promise to author a book that punctured a few sacred cows — revealing a Belleville that reminded us of less than savoury characters and events in the city’s past that other writers had either overlooked or simply avoided.

An endorsement on the book’s back cover speaks volumes, especially when attributed to the nationally-known journalist and broadcast personality, the late Roy Bonisteel. “Once again, Gerry Boyce has proven his mastery of the historical genre. He’s a good storyteller and has discovered fascinating corners of Belleville’s past.

Boyce has achieved what so often plagues other historical recorders — accuracy. If he says it’s so, you can bet the farm on it.”

As indeed should be the case, the list of Boyce’s admirers both locally and nationally continues

to grow. His always expanding body of work has resulted in a remarkably thorough, almost intimidating record of Hastings County that is not likely to be duplicated. But its importance is far from regional as confirmed by the recognition given to Gerry in 1973 by the Canadian Historical Society “for outstanding contribution to local history.” Yes, “Mister History” as he deserves to be known, has come to be regarded by prominent Canadian historians as a unique figure in the heritage community. Among countless Boyce admirers is Canada’s premier Susanna Moodie scholar, professor emeritus Michael Peterman of Trent University, Peterborough — a longtime Boyce fan.

Now, in 2018, one cannot but feel compelled to ask Mister History “Will it ever end?” But somehow we need not ask as we already know the answer. Gerry, not surprisingly and in typical full-bore Boyce fashion, is hard at it researching Belleville’s haunted houses, working away on Volumes 2 & 3 of Historic Hastings. And he has plunged as only he can into the compilation of the Hastings County Historical Society’s very own history. That should keep him occupied for a while.

•

Recipient of the 2016 Peter Stokes Restoration Award—Architectural Conservancy of Ontario

OPEN YEAR-ROUND—TUESDAY TO SUNDAY SEPT. TO MAY:1 PM-4:30 PM JUNE TO AUG.: 10 AM—4:30 PM

Published in 2008, Belleville: A Popular History proved to be a community book unlike many others and punctured a few sacred cows.

G LANMORE N ATIONAL H ISTORIC S ITE

257 B RIDGE S TREET E AST , B ELLEVILLE , ON -TripAdvisor Review

During the 1992 launch of Eldorado: Ontario’s First Gold Rush, my wife Jane was approached by a friendly couple who were keen to sell the new book on their property which, as it turned out, was the site of the 1867 gold rush on John Richardson’s farm. Not being booksellers, they did not want to appear to offend Gerry’s publisher by broaching the idea of selling to a clientele comprised of blueberry pickers. As it happened, I was already seen in the publishing world as a bit of an odd duck — with a growing unconventional customer list comprised of many niche-market outlets. And so it turned out that Gerry’s book quickly racked up impressive sales in the middle of a blueberry patch!

But that’s not the half of it — another nearby nonconventional outlet for books, the cooperativelyowned-and-operated Eldorado Cheese Factory Spring 2018 • Country Roads

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C O U N T R Y

C A L E N D A R

Things to see and do in and around Hastings County.

To submit your event listing email info@countryroadshastings.ca or call us at 613 968-0499.

ART GALLERIES/EXHIBITIONS ART GALLERY OF BANCROFT, 1 0 Flint Avenue, Bancroft, 613-332-1542 agb@nexicom.net www.artgallerybancroft.ca.

Art openings the first Friday of the month 7:30pm.

APR 4 – 28: Fred Gottschalk – “Bee-cause and Effect”

MAY 2 - 26: Martha Eleen – Exhibition of Paintings

MAY 30 – JUNE 30: Eric Weiner – “Still Life is....still life.”

BELLEVILLE ART ASSOCIATON, 392 Front St., Belleville, Ontario 10am to 4pm, Tues - Sat. 613-968-8632 info@bellevilleart.ca www.bellevilleart.ca.

APR 14 – PAINTING PARTY - Spend a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon painting A beautiful landscape design. 1 – 3 pm. Open to both members and non-members All supplies provided. Party leader is Janice Edwards. $25.00 APR 16 – PAINTING PARTY - Spend a couple of hours painting. 1 – 3 pm.

Open to both members and nonmembers All supplies provided. Party leader is Sheila Romard. $25.00 A PLACE FOR THE ARTS Artist run collective and The Partista espresso bar, under one roof. A warm, welcoming space to meet and be inspired, 23 Bridge St W. Bancroft www.aplaceforthearts.com.

Birch cLiff Lodge

EVENTS

STIRLING LIBRARY ART GALLERY, 43 Front St, Stirling, 613-395-2837 APR 11 – JUN 2: DIFFERENT STROKES 2018 - An exhibition and sale featuring the artistic expressions of The Group of Eleven: a collective of artists working in mixed media, oil, watercolour, acrylics, pen & ink and encaustic.

WILDEWOOD GALLERY, 33012 Hwy 62N, Maynooth, 613-338-3134

APR 14 – JUN 22: Ren Lonechild.

Maynooth Indigenous artist, new original works. APR 14 1pm - 3 pm meet the artist.

JUN 2 – JUN 22: George Raab, prints from 1979 to present. JUN 2 1pm – 3pm meet the artist.

THEATRE/LIVE ENTERTAINMENT BANCROFT VILLAGE PLAYHOUSE 5 Hastings St S. Bancroft 613-322-4682 www.boxofficebancroft. www.bancroftvillageplayhouse.ca A PR 7 - RED DIRT SKINNERS Widely regarded as one of the most innovative acts to come out of the UK in recent years, the sublime genre-defying sound of the Red Dirt Skinners is created by husband and wife team, Rob and Sarah Skinner.

Tickets $20.00 613 332-8014

MAY 11 – MUDMEN – CANADA’S CELTIC ROCK WARRIORS. 8 pm. Doors open 7pm 613 332-8014

on Baptiste Lake

A great place for weddings, conferences and vacation getaways.

BELLEVILLE THEATRE GUILD Pinnacle Theatre, 256 Pinnacle Street, Belleville 613-967-1442 or www.bellevilletheatreguild.ca.

APR 5 – APR 21 - “THE CURIOUS SAVAGE” by John Patrick & directed by Kathryn Dalmer. A wealthy widow’s greedy stepchildren set their sights on her fortune. 2pm & 8pm. Adults $20, Seniors $18, Students $10.

MAY 31 – JUNE 17 - “ANNIE GET YOUR GUN” by Irving Berlin, directed

by Moira Nikander-Forrester. History’s famous sharpshooter finds fame and romance in Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show. - 2pm & 8pm. Adults $25, Seniors $22, Students $10.

TWEED & COMPANY THEATRE, The Tweed Pavillion (Memorial Park) 416-476-1092 Tim Porter, Artistic Director tim@tweedandcompany.com M AY 12– JAMES KING & THE MIDNIGHT HOURS. A combination of live music, vocal athletics, and theatricality, James King has been sweeping the Toronto Music scene.

The Midnight Hours are a five piece classic rock trip served up with retro style. Tweed Pavilion. 8 pm. General Admission $15.00

MAR - APR – TREATS ON THE BLACK RIVER High water on the Black River signals the beginning of Whitewater Kayaking and great treats for sale at the river’s edge in Queensborough each weekend. Watch the fun and support the Queensborough Community Centre.

For more information, call Lud and Elaine Kapusta 613-473-1458.

MAR 24 – 5th QUINTEWEST ANNUAL SEEDY SATURDAY, which includes a raffle ticket, seed swap table, workshops and a kids corner. Vendors will be offering seeds, plants, wares and gardening paraphernalia. – 10am – 3pm. Admission $2. Prince Charles Public School, Trenton.

APR 4 - “IT’S NOT THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW” Featuring: Host, Comedian Tim Boyle & The Spring Fashion Show. 6:30 - 9:30 pm, 122 North St. Stirling (Train Station) All Proceeds to the Stirling Rotary Station Park Project Limited Seating Call 613-395-2929 APR 6 - 8 – MACKfest - Note: Tentative Date dependant on high water conditions. Marmora’s kayak festival & Queensborough’s Treats on the Black River collaborate for a fantastic kayaking weekend!

Info Lud & Elaine Kapusta 613 473-1458 or www.mackfest.ca APR 6 – 5th ANNUAL VON TRIVIA CHALLENGE – Knights of Columbus Hall, 57 Stella Cres, Trenton. $30/person.

6pm – 10pm. Cash bar, 50-50 raffle, silent auction. To register Paula Mason 613-392-4181 x 5316 paula.mason@von.ca.

ARE YOU NEW TO THE NEIGHBOURHOOD? Visits are free.

No obligation.

Compliments of local businesses.

APR 15 – AN AFTERNOON WITH JS - St. Thomas’ Choral Academy, Duo Pergulæ, the Odin String Quartet (Toronto) and an ad hoc professional vocal ensemble (Montreal) will give a concert featuring Bach’s Concerto in C minor for two harpsichords transcribed for organ duet, the Sanctus in D minor, the Cantata No. 4 (Christ Lag in Todesbanden), as well as two works written by the music directors to celebrate St. Thomas’ Church’s bicentennial. St. Thomas’ Anglican Church, 201 Church Street, Belleville.

4:30pm. Reception to follow. Admission by donation.

APR 23 - QUINTE FIELD NATURALIST FUNDRAISING EVENT - Join us for a delicious meal followed by a presentation from, Peri McQuay, nature writer and passionate environmentalist. – 7 pm at St Mark’s United Church, 237 Cannifton Rd N, Cannifton, 613-477-3066 for tickets, $28/person.

APR 25 – HAM SUPPER at St. Andrew’s United Church, 812 Bosley Road, Queensborough Betty Sexsmith 613-473-2188 APR 27 & APR 28 – 4th ANNUAL STIRLING-RAWDON HOME & LIFESTYLE EXPO Thinking of updating your home or just want to see what’s available in and around the community?

Hours: Apr 27 5:30pm – 8pm & Apr 28 9am – 4pm, Stirling Arena, 435 W Front St, Stirling. Admission $2.50. www.stirling-rawdon.com MAY 4 - 6 – BELLEVILLE’S 6TH ANNUAL JANE’S WALK This global event held the first weekend of May honours urban activist Jane Jacobs. Lace up your walking shoes and bring your bike. Organized tours.

Each walk (or ride) approx 1-1.5 hours. www.janeswalk.org/Canada/Belleville

2ND ANNUAL BACKWOODS ATV TOUR SATURDAY MAY 5 OVER 70KMS

OF SCENIC COUNTRY & INCREDIBLE TRAILS

Registration fee $85 $35 per passenger Fee includes Trail Ride, Dinner & Draw Prizes!

SUPPORTING YOUTH TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

Sharon: (613) 475-5994 sharon.welcome2014@gmail.com

www.birchclifflodge.ca 613-332-3316

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Country Roads • Spring 2018

1-844-299-2466 www.welcomewagon.ca

TO REGISTER: TRACY 613.332.9999 OR 613.334.2807 WWW.BANCROFTCOMMUNITYTRANSIT.COM

C O U N T R Y

C A L E N D A R

Things to see and do in and around Hastings County.

To submit your event listing email info@countryroadshastings.ca or call us at 613 968-0499.

MAY 5 - BANCROFT TURTLE FESTIVAL Bancroft Fish & Game Club 27602 Hwy 62 S, Bancroft.

10am – 3pm. Kelly Wallace at thinkturtle@yahoo.com May 5 - 2ND ANNUAL BACKWOODS ATV TOUR - Over 70kms of scenic country & incredible trails. Registration fee $85 /$35 per passenger. Fee includes Trail Ride, Dinner & Draw Prizes. Supporting Youth Transportation Services. Heart of the Park Bancroft Community Transit. To Register: Tracy 613.332.9999 or 613.334.2807 www.Bancroftcommunitytransit.com MAY 5 & 6 - STIRLING AUTOMOTIVE FLEA MARKET, Stirling Fairgrounds Two big days loaded with antique cars, parts and automobilia. 7am to 5pm.

Admission $5. Children under 12 free.

Info Roxanne 613-395-1583 or 613-921-6936 treasurer@stirlingfair.com MAY 6 - PANCAKE BREAKFAST Queensborough Community Centre, 1853 Queensborough Rd. 8am – Noon. Ann Brooks, 613-473-4550, Queensborough Community Centre FB page.

MAY 6 - THE MOTHER OF ALL CRAFT SHOWS - This indoor/outdoor event features artists, artisans, live music and a licensed bar. Items donated by artisans raffled off with proceeds benefiting Fixed Fur Life. Admission $2, kids free. Rain or shine 10am 4pm. Henry’s Place & Signal Brewing Company, 79 River Road, Corbyville. www.motherofallcraftshows.com

MAY 26 or JUN 9 – ADVENTURES IN LALA LAND - Daylong guided bus tour of Central Lennox and Addington County. Cost $70, which includes lunch.

Organized by Hastings County Historical Society. Tickets & info Mary-Lynne Morgan 613-961-7091 or www.hastingshistory.ca.

MAY 26 - RETURN OF THE BLACK FLY SHUFFLE - New owners of Queensborough’s historic Orange Hall are inviting the community to a return of our traditional springtime Black Fly Shuffle Dance. Elaine Kapusta, 613-473-1458, Queensborough Community Centre FB page.

MAY 27 - 5TH ANNUAL ROTARY LILAC RIDE - charity cycling event supporting PEC’s “Reaching For Rainbows”, reachingforrainbows.com. All routes start & finish in Picton at the Prince Edward Community Centre Rotary Hall.

Refreshments will be available at route check points and a Post Ride BBQ will be provided. Info and registration www.pictonrotary.com.

MAY 28 – JUN 2 - 1st ANNUAL TURTLE WALK - This is the Strawberry Moon and considered to be the most active times for turtle nesting in Ontario. Part of the Turtle Walk is to raise money for the Turtle Trauma and Tunnel Campaign. www.turtleguardians.com

MAY 17 – QUINTE TWEED MASTER GARDENERS PLANT SALE 8am - 12pm, Parkdale Community Center, Belleville.

CLUBS, LECTURES, MEETINGS HOW WE CAN HELP TURTLES - This presentation will cover the perils turtles face on and off the road, what we can do to effectively help turtles, and resources available to do so.

MAR 21 - 6pm - 7pm – Bancroft Public Library, 14 Flint Ave, Bancroft MAR 29 - 6pm – 7pm – Carlow/ Mayo Library, 124 Fort Stewart Rd, RR 4, Bancroft MAR 31 – 12:30pm – 1:30pm – Hastings Highlands Library, 33011 Hwy 62N, Maynooth

MAY 15 – THE AFTERMATH OF THE 1837-8 REBELLION & THE IMPACT ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS presented by Society Director Trevor Parsons.

QUINTE FIELD NATURALISTS ASSOCIATION - Meetings 7pm, Sills Auditorium, Bridge Street United Church, Belleville. All welcome, by donation.

JUN 3 – 11am – 12pm - Join the Hastings County Historical Society, HarperCollins Publishers and Cecily for a discussion of the Lost Diaries of Susanna Moodie. The event will be held at The Belleville Public Library (3rd Floor meeting room).

MAR 26 – SMALL WETLANDS WITH BIG IMPACTS - Vernal pools provide critical wildlife habitat. Learn about the features of these temporary wetlands, and the species that rely on this unique ecosystem from Emma Horrigan, Conservation Science Coordinator for Ontario Nature.

TURTLEY SPEAKING - An hour of interesting & fun facts for kids about the eight species of Turtles that live in Ontario.

APR 7 – 11am – 12noon - Carlow/ Mayo Library, 124 Fort Stewart Rd, RR 4, Bancroft APR 11 – 6pm – 7pm - Bancroft Public Library, 14 Flint Ave, Bancroft APR 21 - 12:30pm – 1:30pm – Hastings Highlands Library, 33011 Hwy 62N, Maynooth HASTINGS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 100 College St W, Belleville, 7:30pm Lectures are free. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Enjoy refreshments, conversation and displays following lectures. Ample parking. www.hastingshistory.ca.

MAR 20 – A BRIEF HISTORY OF WATER & DRINKING WATER SYSTEM IN BELLEVILLE presented by Belleville City Manager Perry Decola.

APR 17 – THE FIRST SPIKE - A LOOK AT THE EARLY RAILROADS OF EASTERN ONTARIO presented by author Steven Manders.

“Caring for your family’s dental health”

health & pharmacy beauty food & home optimum post office

Stirling Dental Centre Dr. Doug Smith A N D A S S O C I AT E S

Dr. Lauren Allen & Dr. Ross Erwin

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Owner/Pharmacist: Helen Phan 118 Hastings St North Bancroft K0L 1C0 613.332.4846 (corner of Hastings & Station)

www.shoppersdrugmart.ca

Family & Cosmetic Dentistry New Patients & Emergencies Welcome

ATTENTION EVENT ORGANIZERS

To submit your community, arts or non-profit event, free of charge, for print and online publication, please visit www. countryroadshastings.ca and fill in our online form or email us your listing to info@countryroadshastings.ca.

2018/2019 DEADLINES TO SUBMIT EVENTS AS FOLLOWS: MAY 11 – for Mid June thru mid September AUGUST 10 – for mid September thru early December NOVEMBER 3 – for early December thru early April MARCH 2 – for early April thru mid June

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GROW OUR CULTURAL INVENTORY

Put yourself on the map and event calendar on the Hastings County Cultural Portal.

www.culturalportal.ca

Your Adventure Starts Here.

FIND #thestrengthwithin 4-Season Outdoor Gear Rental Wilderness Tours Outfitting Guided Adventures #fuelyouradventure Eat Well with Gourmet Food & Beverages designed for all your adventures

705.448.9888

Friendly people and gentle dentistry for your whole family.

9B Tuftsville Road, Stirling, ON 613-395-2800

info@deeprootsadventure.com ampmoutdoorgourmet@gmail.com

2307 Loop Rd, Wilberforce, ON DeepRootsAdventure.com Spring 2018 • Country Roads

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celebrating life in hastings county

Country oads R Hastings County ADVERTISER INDEX

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BANCROFT Bancroft General Mercantile Bancroft Sport and Marine Birchcliff Lodge Heart of the Park - Backwoods ATV Tour Kathy Tripp, Broker, Royal LePage North Hastings Family Pharmacy Shoppers Drug Mart True Scarlette - Aesthetics & Tanning Alice’s Pantry Dawn Ebelt, Registered Massage Therapist Fudge Factory & Emporium Necessities Retail Store Old Tin Shed Posies Flowers & Fashions Zihua Clothing Boutique 2 BELLEVILLE Glanmore National Historic Site Loyalist College Ruttle Bros. Furniture 3 HASTINGS COUNTY SERVICES Bye Bye Deerfly Custom Deer & Horse Fly Traps Mike Bossio, MP, Hastings Lennox & Addington Skyhigh Historical Restora12 tion & Consulting Weeds B’ Gone Welcome Wagon 4 MADOC Johnston’s Pharmacy & Gift Shoppe Kellys Flowers & Gifts Madoc Home Hardware Madoc Timber Mart Renshaw Power Products 5 MARLBANK Golden Bough Tree Farm 6 MARMORA Boutique Inspiration Broadbent’s Home Hardware Building Centre Fairtradeworks Jillian Antiques & Things Law in Motion Professional Corporation Possibilities Inc.-furniture & home décor 7 MAYNOOTH Arlington Hotel Black Spruce Art Works Brush with the North Deuce Boutique & Botanicals Foxfire Gallery, Gifts & Antiques Gallo-Teck Electrical Contractor Hastings Highlands, Municipality of Highlands Hot Tubs Madawaska Art Shop Gifts & Gallery Maple Leaf Country Store Memories Bakery & Tea Room Willow Tree Health & Wellness 8 ORMSBY Old Hastings Mercantile & Gallery 9 SPRINGBROOK Springbrook Diner 10 STIRLING Brad Comeau Law Office Julia’s Womens Wear Lavish Gardens Pro Gas Stop Rona Rollins Building Supplies Skinkle’s Feed Depot & More Stirling Carpet & Flooring Stirling Dental Centre Stirling Heritage Wines Stirling Manor Stirling-Rawdon, Municipality of The Apple Store The Treasure Addict Wells Ford 11 TWEED Black River Trading Company Rashotte Home Building Centre Tweed & Co. Theatre - James King & The Midnight Hours Tweed, Municipality of 12 WILBERFORCE Deep Roots Adventure

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celebrating life in hastings county

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celebrating life in hastings county

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HASTINGS COUNTY

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marketplace

Celebrating Life in Hastings County

AUTOMOTIVE • Gas Bar • Convenience Store • Laundromat • Movie Rentals • Propane

LAWN & GARDEN

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

GOLDEN BOUGH TREE FARM GOLDEN BOUGH TREE FARM

BRAD COMEAU Professional Corporation

OPEN HOUSE

Providing bare root Trees & Shrubs to all of Canada for over 40 years

Saturday & Sunday, April 28 & 29 9:00am to 4:00pm Come, browse and choose from our great selection of bare root trees and shrubs.

OPEN HOUSE April 28/29 END of SEASON SALE May 5/6 900 Napanee Road, Marlbank, ON K0K 2L0 www.goldenboughtrees.ca

Law Office

END OF SEASON CLEARANCE Saturday & Sunday, May 5 & 6 Great buys on over-sized & leftover trees & shrubs.

Cash Payment

900 Napanee Road, P.O. Box 5, Marlbank, ON K0K 2L0 www.goldenboughtrees.ca

Min & Julie Yoo Tel: 613-395-5360 Fax: 613-395-1491 208 North Street, Stirling ON K0K 3E0

TO BOOK YOUR MARKETPLACE ADVERTISEMENT PLEASE CALL 613-968-0499

Box 569, 33 Mill Street, Stirling, ON K0K 3E0

Bye Bye Deer Fly

CUSTOM DEER & HORSE FLY TRAPS

Ph: 613-395-3397 Fx: 613-395-3398 Tf: 877-565-1626

bcomeau@countrylawyer.on.ca www.countrylawyer.on.ca Member of Ontario & PEI Law Societies

Real Estate, Wills & Estates

SPECIALTY SHOPPING Wells Ford Sales Ltd

Wells

Kelly’s Flowers & Gifts

48 Belleville Rd., P.O. Box 160 Stirling, Ontario K0K 3E0

www.byebyedeerfly.vpweb.ca info@byebyedeerfly.ca • 613.707.5940

Body Shop: 613-395-3378 Wells Ford: 613-395-3375 Toll Free: 1-800-637-5944 Service: 613-395-3377

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

North American Customer Excellence Award Winner

Dawn Ebelt, R.M.T. Registered Massage Therapist

Providing effective treatments since 2003

BEAUTY & WELLNESS

Wedding Consultations, Wedding Rentals, Bridal & Attendant Bouquets Sympathy, Tribute & All Occasion Designs

Kelly DeClair 43 Durham Street S., Madoc, ON Tel: 613-473-1891 ~ Fax: 613-473-2712 kellysflowersandgifts@gmail.com • www.kellysflowers.net

212-2 Hastings St. N. Bancroft

call 613-332-1650 cell 613-318-8227 debelt@sympatico.ca

45 Hastings St. N (side door), Bancroft, ON 613-332-1661 • www.truescarlette.com wills / estate planning / business / real estate

HEALTH

Melanie Williams

BARRISTER & SOLICITOR • NOTARY PUBLIC

THEATRE

PH: 905.419.0489 • FX: 905.419.1698 TOLL FREE: 1.844.381.0489 MELANIE@LAWINMOTION.CA • WWW.LAWINMOTION.CA

Celebrating Family, Friendship & Love

613-395-2596

www.stirlingmanor.com 218 Edward Street, Stirling

LAWN & GARDEN SALES & SERVICE

GRAVELY-ARIENS TROY-BILT-BOLENS

• Lawn & Garden Tractors • Roto-Tillers With 35+ years experience, Small but knowledgeable.

the

COMPASS

VISIT WWW.COUNTRYROADSHASTINGS.CA AND SIGN UP FOR THE COUNTRY ROADS NEWSLETTER TODAY!

(613) 473-5160 • R.R. #5, Madoc, ON K0K 2K0 (1 mile N. of Ivanhoe on Hwy. 62 - #11700)

Spring 2018 • Country Roads

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Back Roads

Postcard showing the original Hastings County Court House building on Pinnacle Street in Belleville. The cornerstone for this building was laid 180 years ago, on May 30th, 1838. The cost of the building was ÂŁ143, five shillings and four pence. In April 1872 the slopes in front of the building were planted with 25-cent maple trees. The building was extended in 1910 at the cost of $30,000.

In 1959 Hastings County Council approved the building of a new Court House and County Building immediately to the west of the existing building. The contract was awarded to McFarland Construction for $542,000. Eight large maples were cut down in September 1959 to make space for the new building, which officially opened on January 18th, 1961. The old Court House stood behind the new one for another ten years, and was finally demolished in September 1971.

Photos courtesy of Community Archives of Belleville & Hastings County

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Country Roads • Spring 2018

Since 1990

Historical Restoration And Consulting Restoration, Renovation & Preservation of

• • • •

Historical Buildings Churches Residential Commercial We dedicate ourselves to ONE PROJECT AT A TIME! Proudly serving the counties of York, Durham, Northumberland, Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Prince Edward, Hastings, Lennox & Addington, and Frontenac

613.475.7141 E-mail: info@skyhighrestoration.com www.skyhighrestoration.com We would like to thank Maurice and Mark Rollins for giving us the opportunity to restore such a prestigious piece of Canadian History. Please visit our website and social media to see our video documenting the restoration process.

Spring 2018 • Country Roads

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