The Orleans Star Dec. 10, 2020

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December 10, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 16

Keith and Jennifer Carter refuse to let the COVID-19 pandemic deter them from spreading Christmas cheer one house at a time while observing proper physical distancing. STAR PHOTO

Next edition December 17

Pandemic fails to deter Orléans Santa

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star For the past three weeks, a jolly old elf with a white beard and a red suit has been making the rounds in Orléans, visiting children outside their homes and spreading joy and cheer whereever he goes. No, it’s not Santa, silly. He’s busy preparing for Christmas at the North Pole. The man in the white beard and the red suit is Santa’s helper Keith Carter.

Carter’s wife Jennifer – who doubles as Mrs. Claus during the visits – first saw a post on the Being Neighbourly Orléans Facebook group asking if anyone with a Santa’s suit was willing to visit her son who was just turning one.

Carter, who had recently purchased a Santa suit to potentially use during a Zoom meeting for a laugh, answered the call and in the process made a young boy extremely happy.

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After the visit, Jennifer and Keith started offering their services free of charge to other parents. Since then, they have visited dozens of houses across Orléans, spreading Christmas cheer in a year when the COVID pandemic has sidelined shopping mall Santas and visits to Christmas parties.

The second request for a visit was to a nearby house in Queenswood Heights. Because they live so close, they decided to walk together in costume, with Keith ringing a handbell as they went. Along the way, kids came out of their houses thrilled to see Santa walking down their street.

“Once we saw the looks on the kids’ faces we decided, ‘Let’s do a little more of this.’,” says Jennifer. At the same time, the requests started coming in on Facebook and things snowballed from there.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Queenswood Heights couple aka Mr. and Mrs. Claus Continued from page 1

(L to r) Akshay, Anjum and Sunil Kurichh, The owners of the Little Turkish Village Restaurant dropped by the Orléans-Cumberland Reource Centre food bank on Dec. 1 to deliver a cheque for $1,000.

The donation is part of the Kurichh family’s efforts to give back to the community. FRED SHERWIN PHOTO

GoFundMe campaign set up for family whose home was destroyed by fire ORLÉANS – A GoFund Me campaign has been set up for an Orléans family whose South Fallingbrook home was destroyed by a fire on Dec. 1. The McCormick family lost everything in the blaze except for the clothes on their back. Mike and Kelly McCormick managed to escape the fire with four their children and their puppy Marley. The account was established by friends Michelle and Ray Latour who explain, “We hope that we can bring them some comfort and joy during such a horrible event, and help through the holidays, in what has already been a difficult year. Let’s help them rebuild, and provide them with what they need.” You can donate to the campaign by visiting https://ca.gofundme. com and type “McCormick Family fire relief fund” in the search bar.

Navan Fair board to hold drive-thru Holiday Lights Santa Parade

NAVAN – On Saturday, Dec. 12 the Navan Fair Board will be holding a drive through Holiday Lights Santa Parade on the Navan Fairgrounds from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. This will be a drive through parade for vehicles only. Due to COVID restrictions everyone must remain in their cars at all times. As each vehicle passes through the fairgrounds there will be a variety of floats festooned with Christmas lights on display and Santa will be there too. Entrance to the grounds will be through the Fairgreen Road entrance only next to the Navan Curling Club. Admission is free but cash donations for the Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre food bank will be accepted by Navan Fair Board volunteers as you enter.

2 • December 10, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 16

The couple now have their own Facebook page at facebook.com/OrleansSanta2020 where parents can submit their requests for a visit.

During their visits, Santa wears a face shield and Mrs. Claus, who usually stays in the car, wears a mask. They also practice safe physical distancing at all times.

For Keith and Jennifer, who both suffer from occasional bouts of depression, it’s been a great form of therapy as the COVID-19 pandemic enters its ninth month.

“When I see Keith’s face light up when the kids light up – and sing with the kids and be a kid again – it’s really fun and it makes me feel good,” says Jennifer.

Before the pandemic hit, Keith worked for the federal government by day and played in band at night. Since the pandemic began, he’s had to work from home and he hasn’t been able to practice with his bandmates.

“For the last nine months, he hasn’t been able to practice with his band or do any shows, so it’s kind of fun to go out and perform as Santa,” says Jennifer.

The couple doesn’t have children of their

own, but Keith has two teenaged children from a previous marriage.

“They’re mortified by what we’re doing, which makes it even more fun for us,” says Jennifer.

As the requests keep coming in, Keith and Jennifer have had to keep up a pretty hectic schedule as Mr. and Mrs. Claus which they plan to maintain right up until Christmas Eve. “It’s so much fun and so joyful to bring a little magic to the kids,” says Keith. “And with everything that’s been going on with COVID, we all could use a little magic, right? Plus it brings a little meaning to the day.”

When Keith interacts with the kids, most are quick to pass along their Christmas wish list to him.

And, so, what’s been the most interesting request Santa has received so far?

“One seven-year-old boy actually said he wanted a tarantula for Christmas,” Keith says. “At first I wasn’t sure what to say. But his mother just cringed a bit and said he has a real interest in insects, so I guess he’s getting a tarantula for Christmas.”

Committee motion redraws east end ward map Navan, Sarsfield to remain in Cumberland Ward – Carlsbad, Vars to join Osgoode Ward

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star The east end’s municipal ward boundaries are expected to be dramatically redrawn this week after city council votes on the final recommendations contained in the 2020 Ward Boundary Review.

The councillors are also expected to approve a surprise amendment put forward by Osgoode Ward councillor George Derouaze and adopted by the finance and economic development committee on Dec. 2 that will keep Navan and Sarsfield in the newly redrawn Cumberland Ward.

In their final report, the consultants who carried out the review recommended that the northern part of Cumberland Ward between Willhaven Drive and the Ottawa River be included in Orléans Ward. The remaining rural part of the ward including the villages of Navan, Sarsfield and Vars, but excluding Avalon, will be merged with Osgood Ward.

When that recommendation, also known as Option 6, were first floated in an interim report in July, it unleashed a firestorm of criticism especially from rural residents living in Cumberland who wanted to remain with their neighbours in Orléans. The topic became a hot button issue during the Cumberland Ward bylection won by Catherine Kitts.

After winning her seat at the council table, Kitts immediately started lobbying her colleagues against breaking up her ward.

That lobbying effort paid off with the Derouaze motion which keeps the northern part of Cumberland Ward in a

redrawn Orléans Ward, but also draws a line down Milton Road to Russell Road and then east to the Prescott-Russell border. Everyone who lives between Wilhaven Road to the north and Russell Road in the south will be included in a newly-configured Cumberland Ward with Avalon, Chapel Hill South and Bradley Estates. The remaining portion of Cumberland Ward south of Russell Road, including Sarsfield and Carlsbad Springs will be merged with Osgoode Ward.

The Derouaze motion was endorsed by Mayor Jim Watson, which meant that it was very likely to be passed during this week’s city council meeting on Dec. 9.

Although the motion splits the former township of Cumberland Ward into three separate wards, it at least keeps a majority of Cumberland residents in same ward as their Orléans neighbours, which is a major improvement over the consultant’s final recommendation, according to Kitts.

“In a perfect world I would have redrawn things differently, but I also recognize that we have to redistribute the population growth,” says Kitts. “I’m just happy that my colleagues listened to the feedback from our residents and we were able to find a compromise.”

The ward boundary changes will effect all three east end wards. Innes Ward will lose Bradley Estates and Chapel Hill South, but pick up Convent Glen North and South, Orléans Wood and the western half of Présault. That means Orléans Ward will lose those neighbourhoods, but will pick up the section of Cumberland Ward between Willhaven Drive and the Ottawa River, including Cumberland Village.

Orléans Star illustration showing Derouaze motion boundaries.

Orléans Ward will also absorb the portion of Queenswood Heights and Fallingbrrok south of Des Epinettes and Gardenway which are currently in Cumberland Ward.

To view the proposed new ward boundaries, visit www.ottawa.ca.

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December 10, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 16 • 3

The Greatest Gift is Family DEC. 24: Open ‘til 6pm DEC. 25: Closed DEC. 26: Open 9am to 6pm DEC. 31: Open ‘til 7pm JAN. 1: Closed

From our family to yours, thank you for your efforts this past year. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.

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Store #7496of store #4738 Store #4738 LOCALLY Eric Foget, Owner 5150 Innes at Trim 2276 Tenth Line at Brian Coburn OWNED & Allan Foget, Owner of store #7496 613-590-2205 613-590-9179 OPERATED 4 • December 10, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 16

Orléans, Cumberland wards see two-week drop in COVID cases

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star According to the latest data released

by Ottawa Public Health, the rate of community transmission of the COVID-19 virus has dropped in two of the east end’s three municipal wards.

During the two-week period between Nov. 16 and Nov. 30, the number of new cases in Orléans and Cumberland Ward dropped considerably. Compared to the previous two-week period, the number of new cases in Orléans Ward dropped from 31 to 18, and the number of new cases in Cumberland Ward went down from 41 to 30.

Innes Ward unfortunately bucked the trend by seeing the number of new cases increase from 13 between Nov. 2 and Nov. 16, to 31 between Nov. 16 and 30.

Taken as whole, the number of new case in all three wards went from 85 between Nov. 2 and Nov. 16 to 79 new cases between Nov 16 and Nov. 30.

City-wide, the number of new cases went down from 607 between Nov. 2 and Nov. 16

to 494 new cases between Nov. 16 and Nov. 30. That is the third straight drop in new case over the past six weeks. Some 969 were reported between Oct. 19 and Nov. 2.

The positivity rate is also going in the right direction. It has remained under two per cent for 14 straight days, from as high as 1.9 per cent on Nov. 21 to as low as 0.8 per cent on Nov. 20.

Number of new cases reported in east end wards between Nov. 16 and Nov. 30

Orléans Ward 18 cases

Innes Ward 31 cases

Cumberland Ward 30 cases

COVID cases among area students on the decline

The number of student cases in the east end decreased substantially during the twoweek period between Nov. 21 and Dec. 4, going from 21 to just 14, with half of those cases limited to just two schools.

According to the province-wide list of schools reporting at least one positive case of COVID-19, three students at Collège Catholique Mer-Bleue have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus between Nov. 20 and Dec. 4, while four students have tested positive at École secondaire catholique Béatrice-Desloges during the same two-

week period.

Elsewhere, three students tested positive at Glen Ogilvie Public School in Blackburn Hamlet; and one student has tested positive at each of the following schools: Good

Shepherd Elementary School, also in Blackburn Hamlet; Henry Larsen Elementary School in Chateauneuf; École secondaire publique Louis-Riel; and École élémentaire catholique Alain-Fortin.

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(613) 830-1661 • (613) 835-2658 December 10, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 16 • 5

100

This week’s copy of the Orléans Star is the 100th edition of the paper since I acquired the publication from TC Media four years ago.

On the one hand, it seems like only yesterday that I got a call from a colleague of mine in the newspaper business informing me that TC Media was looking for a local buyer for the paper.

On the other hand, it seems like a lifetime ago, or at least 100 deadlines, 92 columns, 653 stories, and countless small fires ago.

When I first heard the paper was for sale, my reaction was one of mild intrigue. After all, I was between jobs and my bank account hovered between $1,500 and $100, depending on what time of the month it was.

The one thing I had going in my favour was that TC Media didn’t know how broke I was. As a result, they let me examine the paper’s financial statements after I agree to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

To say it was an eye-opening process, is an understatement. Without going into detail, the financial statements showed that the paper was bleeding red ink and on the verge of being shutdown which was both a positive and a negative. The positive was that it likely wouldn’t take a suitcase full of money to purchase the paper. The negative was that all that red ink would make it difficult for me to raise the money needed to make the deal happen. (Not to mention the fact that I had zero security.)

During an ensuing conference call with a TC Media representative, I made my opening offer of a dollar. After an extended pause on the other end of the line, the representative said that they were looking for something closer to $125,000. We were obviously light years apart. After making a reference to the bottom line of the profit and loss statements, I told him that I would be better off waiting for the paper to fold and starting anew. We had nothing further to discuss. Or so I thought.

After taking a couple of days to crunch the numbers and come up with a revised business plan, I contacted TC Media and made them a counteroffer which was a lot closer to $1 than $125,000. The negotiator listened to my offer and said he would have to consult with the higher-ups before calling me back. The phone rang less than five minutes later with news that they accepted my offer. All I had to do was raise the necessary funds. Thankfully, during the previous 25 years I had made a lot of friends in Orléans, some of whom were willing to take a flyer on me even though I had no security and the paper had lost over $85,000 in the eight months before I bought it.

To say the past four years have been a challenge is yet another understatement. Thankfully, I managed to pay everyone back within the first 14 months, but it wasn’t easy. Launching the L’Orleanais was a huge help. Readership has been on a steady rise and the paper was starting to turn a small profit when COVID-19 arrived, presenting the greatest challenge of all. But it’s not insurmountable. We will overcome and we will celebrate many more milestones in the future.

– Fred Sherwin, editor

Fredrick C. Sherwin, Editor & Publisher fsherwin@orleansstar.ca The Orléans Star is a bi-weekly publication distributed to 44,000 residences in Blackburn Hamlet, Orléans and Navan. The newspaper is locally owned and operated by Sherwin Publishing Inc., 745 Farmbrook Cres., Orléans, ON. Inquiries and delivery issues should be sent to info@orleansstar.ca.

6 • December 10, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 16

The Fall Economic Statement and its positive impacts on Orléans This is my last column before the holiday season, and I want to take this opportunity to wish you wonderful celebrations – even though they may be different this year. As always, I encourage you to keep following the guidelines put forward by our health officials and to enjoy some festive, yet safe, moments with your loved ones in your household.

With vaccines on the horizon, the end to this crisis is in sight. And that means it’s time to look at what comes next. The federal government has an ambitious plan to rebuild a strong, resilient economy that works for everyone.

To help us get there, the government must continue its efforts in supporting our community and Canadians all throughout the country.

It is with that in mind that the government presented its Fall Economic Statement on November 30th, and I want to share with you its positive impact on Orléans.

For our families with children under the age of 6, the government will enhance the Canada Child Tax Benefit. For our youth, the government will eliminate interest rates on student loans for one year. Moreover, for our small businesses and workers – which are the heart and soul of our local economy – the

Wage Subsidy will be strengthened and the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) will provide direct rent and mortgage support.

For our seniors, the government is investing in a new emergency health response, including rapid testing, PPE, and a new $1 billion-dollar Longterm Care Fund.

Until a safe and effective vaccine becomes available for everyone, the government will continue to do whatever it takes to protect Canadians and help them get through this crisis. Canada is in the right place to have access to a safe and effective vaccine as soon as possible and the federal government has a plan to ensure a safe and effective rollout to all Canadians.

On a different note, I wish to extend an invitation to all seniors in Orléans to join me and experts from the Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre (EORC) for an educative conversation on services for our seniors.

The forum will be held virtually on Tuesday, Dec. 15 with a French session from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and an English one from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30. p.m.

My office will be closed during the holiday season, but my team and I will be most happy to help you coming back on January 4th. I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a joyful holiday season!

Trudeau government will be judged on vaccine rollout After being inundated with news about COVID-19, the coronavirus and all things pandemic for the past eight months, we are about to turn the word-of-the-day curve to the vaccine and vaccination.

In fact, it’s already started. Justin Trudeau sparked a firestorm a couple of weeks ago when he said that most Canadians would be vaccinated by next September. Big mistake.

What he should have said is that Canadians will be vaccinated as soon as the vaccines are available.

Within hours of Trudeau’s forecast, the inevitable questions started popping up on social media. Why will it take so long?

Why can’t Canada make it’s own vaccine?

Whose fault is it that we can’t make it?

Why aren’t we closer to the front of the line in the international race to acquire the vaccines?

Unfortunately, Trudeau has either been unable or unwilling to provide an adequate response.

I’m assuming that Trudeau predicted most Canadians would be vaccinated by next September in an attempt to keep expectations at a manageable level. It is a veteran political move. Keep expectations low and you’ll inevitably meet them. The only problem with that approach is that the

Up Front Fred Sherwin scientists researchers and drug companies have been blowing our expectations out of the water.

For months, public health officials have been predicting that vaccines wouldn’t be available until the spring and mass vaccinations wouldn’t be possible until next fall at the earliest. It’s a prediction that Trudeau repeated.

Even the most optimistic prognosticators felt a vaccine wouldn’t be approved until February or March, and that mass vaccinations wouldn’t start until June or July.

Last Wednesday, Great Britain was the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer vaccine. Vaccinations are expected to begin for health care workers in the UK this week, putting pressure on other countries like Canada and the U.S. to follow suit.

So here’s the bottom line: no one can predict when the vaccines will be rolled out here in Canada, because no one knows when the vaccines will be available.

What does seem clearer by the day is that the vaccine companies are ahead of the prediction curve.

It’s also a fact that Canada has placed orders for more than 120 million doses from the five leading vaccine developers including AstraZeneca. The Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, has already manufactured millions of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine which is expected to complete late-stage trials by Christmas.

During a recent BBC interview, the Serum Instistute’s CEO, Adar Poonawalla, said that half of the doses already produced will be kept for domestic use and the other half will be split between the UK and Canada.

I guess you can take that with a very large grain of salt, because the truth is that no one knows when ordinary Canadians will begin to get vaccinated. But with the limited knowledge we do have and at the rate many of the vaccines have been making progress, it is not unreasonable to expect that mass vaccinations should begin in major

population centres like Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary – and dare I say, Ottawa – by the end of June.

The pressure will be too great on the Trudeau government for it not to happen.

If Canada ends up lagging behind other countries in the vaccine race, Canada will pay a devastating price economically and the Liberals will pay the ultimate price politically.

So here is my bold prediction. A large majority of health care workers, senior care facility residents and employees and individuals with co-morbidities will be vaccinated by the end of February.

Next in line will be front-line workers who deal directly with the public in grocery stores, banks, fitness studios, gyms, hair salons, barbershops etc. along with workers in the food production industry. I expect they will be vaccinated by the end of April.

Finally, the rest of us will be able to get vaccinated through a mass vaccination campaign starting with children under the age of 18.

There are some who will argue that this is little more than wishful thinking. My response is simple, unless you shoot for the stars you will never reach the moon.

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Health, Happiness and Home December 10, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 16 • 7

Councillor still thrilled to serve after 10 years in office

Behind-the-scenes at Hwy 174Montreal Road bridge demo

Typically, at this time of year, I’m community and I am grateful for them to hosting pancake breakfasts and looking have supported me throughout the years. forward to seeing residents, family and I am honoured that my residents have put friends to gear up and celebrate the their faith in me to serve them day in and holidays. However, this day out. year we’re spinning I will continue to things a little differently work my hardest to Tim and doing what we can ensure my community Tierney and the east end is well to celebrate in new ways It’s been a wild ride served and serviced this year, but we’ve Beacon Hill-Cyrville Ward 11 by the City of Ottawa. come so far and are While there might be a doing well; let’s continue the good work bit more snow on the roof than there was as we’re trending in the right direction.

10 years ago; I still wake up bright and If you’re having difficulty coming up early every morning with the same pep with ideas for safe ways to celebrate the and vigor to get the job done. holidays, Ottawa Public Health recently We have learned to find joy in our put out an article with 10 ideas for everyday lives this past year and I hope celebrating the holidays safely. You can that the little things continue to bring you also find resources online through social joy in the New Year as well. If you have media and local groups We’re so fortunate the opportunity, go see the Christmas to live in a time where we have incredible lights in your neighbourhood and wave to technology to stay connected! your neighbours when you pass by.

This month I also celebrate 10 years From my family to yours, I wish you all in office. It’s been incredible to serve my a very happy holiday season this year.

Over the past year, residents in and shears.

Ottawa’s east end have seen a great deal • Two water trucks were on-site for dust of transformation as part of the Stage 2 control.

Light Rail Transit East Extension.

Construction machinery on top of The first weekend the bridge began the of December marked demolition by chipping a significant milestone away at the top of the Laura in the project with the deck. Once the deck was Dudas demolition of the two removed, the skeleton Hwy. 174 bridge decks of the old bridge (steel crossing Montreal Road girders and beams) was Innes Ward 2 – the future home of the removed by excavators Montreal Road LRT Station. with hydraulic shears. To complete the For many, myself included, these large work, the centre piers were removed. scale construction projects are fascinating.

When completed the Montreal Road So, for everyone who likes to dig into the Station platform will be in the median nuts and bolts of this engineering and of Hwy. 174, above Montreal Road. The construction milestone, I’ve collected platform spans above Montreal Road some interesting tidbits for you. with bus stops located on both sides of Demolition fast facts: Montreal Road beneath the station.

• 1,456 m3 of concrete was demolished; In the east end, we will continue to see • 160 metric tonnes of steel was removed; work progress on the LRT as it extends • The demolition required various pieces eastward down the middle of Hwy. of large construction equipment fitted 174 to Trim Road with the goal of full with hydraulic hammers, buckets, forks completion in 2024.

8 • December 10, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 16

DINING OUT

Caravela goes the extra mile to keep their patrons safe STAR STAFF – Last summer when the COVID pandemic forced restaurants to close their dining rooms, many restaurant owners were left wondering when they would be able to reopen.

In an effort to be proactive, the owner of Caravela Restaurante on Innes Road, Fernando Diniz, decided to use the downtime to renovate his dining room in anticipation of their eventual reopening.

He spent several thousand dollars building barriers between each table with curtains to allow for additional privacy.

“I knew from day one that if I wanted my customers to come back we had to make sure they felt safe,” says Fernando, who has a background in construction, “and at the same time, I wanted the changes to fit in with the rest of the restaurant.”

Little did Diniz, or anyone else know at the time, that it would take almost four months before restaurants were finally be able to reopen their dining rooms on July 15. In the meantime, Diniz had also built a covered patio in front of his establishment which proved to be a big hit with his customers.

The few people who chose to eat indoors appreciated the work Diniz had done to go above and beyond the official COVID-19 protocols which include a having a handsanitizing station at the entrance, temperature

checks and taking contact information.

“The summer was very good. The weather was nice and everyone was happy, considering we were still trying to live with the pandemic,” says Fernando, who is especially proud of the more than 250 five-star reviews they have received on Google.

As the weather started to cool off near the end of September, more and more customers felt comfortable about eating inside, especially with the extra precautions Diniz had taken, which by that time included the purchase of a HEPA air filteration unit, and then October 10 happened. That’s the day Premier Doug Ford announced that restaurants, gyms and other non-essential businesses would have to close for 28 days in Greater Toronto, Peel and Ottawa to combat a new surge in COVID-19 cases in those areas.

Diniz and other restaurant owners in Orléans were left with no choice but to revert to take-out and delivery orders as their main source of income.

When the 28 days were over and Ford allowed for the resumption of indoor dining, Diniz was able to breath a huge sigh of relief.

“The takeout business is nice, but we need the indoor dining to pay the bills and keep all of our employees. Without it, the winter would be very difficult,” says Fernando whose planning for two important events

Fernando Diniz is the owner of Caravela Restaurante on Innes Road in Orléans. FRED SHERWIN PHOTO in the coming weeks. On Boxing Day the restaurant, which specializes in Portuguese cuisine, will celebrate it’s fourth anniversary, and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are important dates for any restaurant.

Because of limited seating due to the COVID-19 protocols, Diniz is taking advance reservations for all three dates.

On New Year’s Eve they will be serving a special table d’hôte menu with three seatings at 3 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Seating is limited so Fernando recommends that you reserve your table as soon as possible.

There will also be a special on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. You can reserve your table by calling 613-424-9200.

December 10, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 16 • 9

Christmas in Orléans

The perfect gift to protect the family vehicle STAR STAFF – If you’re stuck wondering what to get that hard-to-shop-for person this Christmas, you may want to consider getting them something from the WeatherTech® line of products.

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10 • December 10, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 16

Christmas in Orléans

Let Critter Jungle help fill your family pet’s stocking STAR STAFF – If your pet is part of your family, then they no doubt have an important place on your Christmas gift list. Fortunately, pet owners in Orléans have a place to go where they can buy their furry loved ones that special gift and fill their stockings with everything from gourmet treats to squeaky toys and all-weather booties.

Critter Jungle, located in the Orléans Garden Shopping Centre at the corner of Jeanne d’Arc Blvd. South and Orléans Blvd., has the latest in dog and cat toys, dog beds, cat trees, scratch posts, doggie apparel and a wide variety of all-natural gourmet pet food and treats that will make them jump for joy.

Dog lovers will appreciate Critter Jungle’s selection of canine apparel, from Pretty Paw dog boots and Chilly Dogs fleece-lined coats and parkas to the complete line of RC Pets products.

Apex Boots are RC Pets newest addition.

Made with a specialized molded outer sole that provides maximum comfort and exceptional traction in slippery conditions, the boots are fitted with an easy to adjust front strap that ensures a perfect fit that will stay on your dog no matter where your adventures take you.

RC Pets and Pretty Paw are both Canadian companies as is Chilly Dogs which makes a

wide variety of outerwear for dogs of every size and shape.

Chilly Dogs is an Ottawa company that makes some of the best dog coats in the business for Chihuahuas to Great Danes.

The coats are made with polar fleece necks and lining, the back end is tapered and the Goretex straps are fully adjustable to provide maximum comfort.

For cat lovers, Critter Jungle sells the complete line of Catit interactive toys made

by Hagen and the latest in Petkit products including the Breezy Cat Carrier, which is the Cadillac of pet carriers, and the Cozy Gen 2 Pet Cave.

Other items include scratch posts, cat trees, beds and pet carriers.

When it comes to food and especially treats, Critter Jungle has a number of natural products to choose from including grainfree Taiga and Pulsar dog food and Fromm’s Crunch-Os dog treats with flavours like Pot Roast Punchers, Banana Kablammas, Smokin’ CheesePlosions, Blueberry Blasts and Pumpkin Kran POW. Last but by no means least, Critter Jungle carries several lines of gourmet cat food, including Tiki Cat which has such exotic flavours as Wild Salmon, Ahi Tuna and Mackarel and Seabass. They also carry

Among the items you will find at Critter Jungle include RC Pets Apex Boots (top left); cat trees of all shapes and sizes (right) and products from Petkit including the Cozy Gen 2 Pet Cave (bottom left). FILE PHOTOS Fromm artesian cat food which makes such interesting recipes as Hasen Duckenpfeffer and Salmon Tunachovy – all of which make

great stocking stuffers when combined with a couple of squeaky chew toys. To learn more, visit www.critterjungle.com.

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613-824-7354 www.critterjungle.com December 10, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 16 • 11

Da Artisti gallery showcases work by local artists

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star It may sound like an oxymoron, but one of the biggest challenges any visual artist has is visibility. Being able to have your art seen by potential buyers is never easy, especially during a pandemic when most art galleries are closed and local art and craft shows have been canceled.

There is, however, a place in the east end where local artists and artisans have a venue to not only display their creations, but expose them to an appreciative public.

The Da Artisti Studio and Gallery in Cumberland Village is owned and operated

by Wendy Canci, who is a gifted artist in her own right specializing in fused glass.

Wendy opened the gallery in the fall of 2017 as a warm and inviting place to celebrate artistic expression in a judgementfree environment. The studio’s motto says it all: “Where creativity is embraced and experiments are celebrated”.

The gallery is currently showcasing a wide variety of local artists and artisans. Drop in at any time and you will see we stained glass

by Diana Atkinson, torched glass jewelry by Janet Evans and Barbara Ham, bead work by

Nathalie Brunelle, mixed media art by Pamela Stewart, metal sculpture by Ron Matton, pottery by Liz Fournier and Andre Breau, beautifully made quilts by Dorene Hartling and driftwood art by Alain Normand.

They also have watercolours by Danielle Beaulieu, Helene Charbonneau’s paintings on slate, fine wood creations by Ron Lacroix and unique woodburning art by his wife and partner Joanne Lacroix.

Of the 25 artists and artisans whose work is featured at the studio, 10 are from Cumberland, three are from Orléans, five are from Ottawa, two are from ClarenceRockland, two are from Plantagenet and there is one each from Greely, Limoges and Gatineau.

One of the most multi-talented artists showcased at the gallery is Deborah Lyall.

A professional art framer by trade, Deborah is also a graphic artist and designer who specializes in fibre and textile art. Her creations are available as wall art as well as functional and wearable art.

Canci’s fused art creations have taken the shape of painted Christmas ornaments, night lights, small condiment dishes and other art pieces that would look gorgeous on any

The Da Artista Studio and Gallery in Cumberland Village is a godsend for local artists and a mecca for area art lovers. FILE PHOTOS mantel or shelf unit.

The best way to see all that the DaArtisti Studio and Gallery has to offer is to drop by the studio yourself. It’s located in the old general store building that dates back to the early 1900s. The original safe is still on display as is the well worn section of the wooden floor that was behind the counter.

To fastest way to get to the studio is to take Hwy 174 eastbound and turn right at the lights on to Cameron Street. Take a left on Old Montreal Road and the studio is located on the left, just past the church. The more scenic route is to take Old Montreal Road east from Trim Road. You can find their website at www.daartisti.com.

Feel like a couch potato?

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12 • December 10, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 16

Marie-France LALONDE MP/Députée Orléans

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YOU p l e h o t e r e H

Constituency Office 255 Centrum Blvd., 2nd floor Orléans, ON K1E 3W3 marie-france.lalonde@parl.gc.ca 613.834.1800 MFLalondeMP.ca

At Willowbend, take comfort in the comforts of home NC – The holidays can be a stressful time.

And this year, even more so. For some, there’s also the added challenge of having to consider a retirement community for themselves or a loved one. At Willowbend, we can help take the worry out of the next chapter.

As part of Riverstone Retirement Communities, Willowbend provides our residents with an unmatched level of comfort, dignity and style. We believe that everyone deserves to live an engaged, meaningful and joyful life. Whatever your lifestyle or needs, Willowbend has options to suit you best, from Memory Care and Physical Assisted Living to Independent Living and Residential Care.

With our new Memory Care floor, residents’ families can rest assured that their loved ones are living with the utmost care and comfort.

Our services are designed specifically for residents with dementia, providing enhanced care to help with all their everyday needs.

The large secure floor has a bright allseason sunroom, supervised private dining room, and private lounge with specialized activity programs. When possible, residents can enjoy supervised outdoor activities and planned outings. And all the while, overseen by our trained healthcare staff.

For those who need help with daily living but not the extensive support of the Memory Care floor, there’s Willowbend’s Physical

Assisted Living. Residents receive assistance with dressing, grooming and hygiene, daily housekeeping, an escort to and from the private dining room, the managing of medications, and the coordination of select health-related services. They enjoy a private room with an easy step-in shower with seat, as well as access to the floor’s supervised reclining bathing system. And healthcare staff are available at all times.

Willowbend also caters to those who live an active and independent lifestyle.

With our Independent Living, you have flexible meal plans to choose from, weekly housekeeping, fitness activities, games and outings (when safe to do so), along with access to emergency nursing care, if needed.

Suites have a kitchenette with full-sized refrigerator and microwave, and you can use the laundry facilities on your floor, as well as the underground garage. Plus, small pets are welcome.

And if you need a little bit more help day to day, Residential Care includes all the Independent Living services plus some helpful extras. You can enjoy daily room tidying and bed-making, weekly personal laundry, and the administration and supervision of medication.

Willowbend has all the comforts you desire at your fingertips including an indoor saltwater fitness pool, fireside library, movie

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Step through the entrance to Riverstone’s Willowbend Retirement Community and step into the lap of luxury. PHOTO SUPPLIED theatre, games area, hobby room, lounge with piano and demonstration kitchen. Beyond the residence, you can enjoy the on-site gardens and nearby walking paths, as well as the local shops, grocery stores and restaurants that are just steps away.

Willowbend is the retirement community you’ve been looking for in Orléans. Nestled on the edge of a beautiful residential

neighbourhood, it has an array of comforts and conveniences. And with its wide spectrum of care, it has a lifestyle that’s right for you.

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Health, Happiness and Home December 10, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 16 • 13

J.T. Bradley’s Store a throwback to days gone by

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star Take a short 10-minute drive down Trim Road to the quaint little village of Navan and you will be able to step back in time when at the heart of every small village in Ontario was a general store that provided the local residents with a place to meet, shop and share the news of the day.

J.T. Bradley’s Country Convenience Store has been at the heart of Navan ever since it was first founded by John Thomas Bradley over 120 years ago, as has the Bradley family.

The store is currently owned and operated

by John Thomas’s great grandson and namesake John Bradley who took over the business in 1994.

In the late 90s and the early 2000s, J.T. Bradley’s did a brisk business renting out VHS movies and selling various sundry food items. Their big break came in 2002 when they were granted an LCBO licence. Today, they have a large selection of domestic and imported beers and coolers, wine, single malt scotch and other fine spirits including a large selection of seasonal products and gift boxes. And if they don’t have it, they can order it for you. Best of all they have plenty of parking and there’s almost never a line.

For many folks living in Avalon south of Brian Coburn Blvd., J.T. Bradley’s is closer, quicker and more convenient than the nearest LCBO store.

In 2017, J.T. Bradley’s started selling pet food and animal feed by Purina and Loyall which specializes healthy and nutritious dog food. Since then they’ve added a wide range of take home meals made by La Binerie including Lasagna, Tourtiere, Shepherd’s Pie and Chicken Pot Pies.

They sell other unique and hard to find items like Huismann farm fresh eggs, St. Albert Cheese, artisanal chicken produced by Bast Farms in Cumberland and honey from the Villybee Honey Company in Navan. They also sell seasonl produce from the Avonmore Berry Farm and natural Christmas wreaths from Bergeron Gardens which are currently on sale at the store.

Oh, and did I mention they sell all the most popular lottery tickets. They’ve even had their share of big winners, including a scratch ticket that paid off $1 million.

The residents of Navan are extremely fortunate to have a store like J.T. Bradley’s in their midst and an owner like John Bradley among their number who has done so much for the local community. One initiative that

J.T. Bradley’s Country Convenience Store is located at 1220 Colonial Rd. in Navan. FILE PHOTO is especially near and dear to his heart is the annual Bradley Cup charity hockey tournament which has raised thousands of dollars for the Navan Lions Club and the Hannah Billings Fund.

For their various philanthropic efforts and initiatives over the years the Bradley fanily

received the Key to the City in 2001.

J.T. Bradley’s Country Convenience Store is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. You can find their website at www. jtbradleys.com.

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2607 Old Montreal Rd., Cumberland Village • 613-833-8380 14 • December 10, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 16

Ballet Jörgen’s Nutcracker production goes virtual

By Aislin Lionais The Orléans Star One of the east end’s most beloved holiday traditions is going virtual this year.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Canada’s Ballet Jörgen to present their annual production of “The Nutcracker: A Canadian Tradition” on various social media platforms this year rather than on stage at the Shenkman Arts Centre as they have done for the past 12 years.

Every weekday between Dec. 7 and Dec. 22, fans of the Nutcracker will be able to go to canadasballetjorgen.ca/about/social-stream to see clips of their online production of “Twelve Days of the Nutcracker” for free.

Canada’s Ballet Jörgen decided to offer the virtual production “to lift spirits after a bad year,” says spokesperson Stephen Word.

Because Ballet Jörgen is not charging visitors, the budget for the production has been kept relatively low and the dancers have been asked to make or use old costumes.

“They’ve been told to get creative.” says Word.

Every day, fans can tune into Ballet Jörgen’s Youtube, Instagram or Facebook social media platforms to see a different scene from the Nutcracker play out.

Three of the dancers in the virtual production are from the Cumbrae School of Dance in Orléans. They are: Keradwyn Thompson, 13; Emilie Lecavalier, 13; and Ollie Burelle, 9.

All three dancers auditioned using the Zoom app, which also how they are learning their parts.

The clips that will make up the “Twelve Days of The Nutcracker” will be comprised of the dancers doing their parts in remote locations which will be pieced together to form the dance.

This will be Keradwyn’s fifth appearance in the holiday classic. She has been cast as one of the school children and will appear in the Dec. 17 performance.

When asked how she felt about the

production going virtual, Keradwyn said that she was “really excited”. “It’s a new experience,” she said.

This is Emilie’s first appearance in the Ballet Jorgen Ollie production, but not Burelle her first Nutcracker.

Emilie danced with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet of Canada the past two years. She will perform in the Dec. 17 clip as one of the school children along with Keradwyn.

Emilie says she is “grateful and honored” to have been chosen for a part in the unique production.

Ollie is the youngest of the three dancers from Cumbrae and the newest to ballet, but that didn’t stop him from earning a spot in the production.

“I am excited and happy to be in the

Emilie Lecavalier

Keradwyn Thompson

Nutcracker,” Ollie said when asked about being chosen as one of the frogs who will appear in the Dec. 21 clip.

All three dancers say they plan to audition for next year’s production which will hopefully return to the Shenkman. Emilie’s dream is to one day dance in the lead role as Clara.

“I will certainly be in the audition room again next year,” says Emilie.

Congratulations to Keradwyn, Ollie, and Emilie for being chosen to be in the cast in the upcoming video production of “Twelve Days of The Nutcracker”.

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December 10, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 16 • 15

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S H O P, T O U R A N D B U Y O N L I N E 16 • December 10, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 16