The Orleans Star Jan. 21, 2021

Let’s hope this year gives us something to smile about!

Dr. Sally Ing

Dr. Kat Muzar

chapelhilldental.ca 3400 Innes Rd., Orléans (at Pagé) 613.424.4241

LOCAL BUSINESS CHAMPIONS January 21, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 18

Next edition February 4

Pages 7-13

J.A. Laporte closes its doors after 62 years

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star

J.A. Laporte Flowers and Nursery has closed its doors for good after serving the residents and of Orléans and the surrounding community for the past 62 years. FILE PHOTO

After serving the gardening needs of east end residents for the past 62 years, J.A. Laporte Flowers and Nursery is closing its doors.

The surprising announcement was made in a statement issued on their website last Friday morning. In the statement, owners Jean and Estelle Laporte explain that the extremely difficult decision was made as a family. The business was started by Jean’s parents Roger and Thérèse and in recent years the day-today operations of the garden centre were being managed by their son Nicholas.

Here is what the statement says...

“It is with very heavy hearts that we are announcing the permanent closure of J.A. Laporte Flowers & Nursery. While this decision

has not been an easy one, it is the right decision for us.

“After being a part of Ottawa’s vibrant business community for six decades, we are hanging up our gardening gloves and retiring.

We truly feel blessed to be part of such an incredible community, and honoured to have met so many wonderful people over the years.

“To our loyal customers, we want to express our heartfelt thanks.”

J.A. Laporte began as humble flower stall at the corner of Ogilvie and Montreal Roads. In 1982, Roger and Thérèse handed the business over to Jean and Estelle, who was then Jean’s girlfriend. The rest, as they say is history.

Over the years, Laportes has become a local institution.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Stop the Spread

COVID-19 can be deadly.

Stay home.

Stay strong.

Save lives.

COMMUNITY BRIEFS Provincial planning appeals tribunal rejects developer’s high rise plans ORLÉANS – Residents living on Pagé Road in Chapel Hill South are still celebrating a recent decision by the Ontario Local Planning Appeals Tribunal rejecting plans by Groupe Lépine to build a high rise complex on Innes Road just east of Pagé that included three high-rise apartment buildings – two 12-storey buildings and one 16-storey building. In its decision released on Jan. 8, the tribunal said that the development plan, which also includes five nine-storey buildings, “contradicts” the surrounding community in terms of height, mass and failure to adequately transition to lower-scale existing uses.

The decision means that Groupe Lépine will have to revise their plans if they want to proceed with the development. What’s not certain is whether the tribunal’s decision still allows for the nine-storey buildings which the city had already permitted in previous discussions with Groupe Lépine. Innes Ward Coun. Laura Dudas has asked the City’s lawyers to delve further into the ruling to get a better understanding of what it means for the community going forward.

GoFundMe campaign set up to help Orléans single mother ORLÉANS – A GoFund Me campaign has been set up to help a single mother of three children in Orléans after her husband died of complications in Nigeria while waiting for a Visa to join his family. Uyinmwen “Blessing” Ighodaro moved to Orléans with her three children aged 2, 5 and 9 in 2017 hoping to give them a better life. The plan was for her husband Kingsley to stay in Nigeria and help provide for his wife and their children until they were settled. When COVID hit, their plans got pushed back and everything came to a halt. Getting his Visa suddenly became an even more challenging task. At Christmastime, Kingsley began experiencing abdominal pains and had his appendix removed. Unfortunately, he would die of complications several days later just one day after receiving his papers to proceed with his Visa. He was 41. With no family here in Canada and the added responsibility of studying to become a nurse, Blessing trusted in her faith to show her the way. Her prayers were answered by Lindsay Haymes, a teacher at her kids’ school. After finding out about Blessing’s situation, Haymes set up a GoFundMe page on Jan. 15 with the goal of raising $50,000. In less than 24 hours, they had already raised nearly $11,000.Additional contributions can be made by visiting gofundme.com and entering Uyinmwen Ighodaro in the search bar.

Bradley Estates, Chapel Hill community associations launch snow sculpture contest

Visit ontario.ca/coronavirus Paid for by the Government of Ontario

2 • January 21, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 19

ORLÉANS – Residents living in Bradley Estates, Chapel Hill South and Chapel Hill North are being encouraged to take part in a snow sculpture contest launched by the area community associations in the aftermath of last weekend’s snowfall. After creating their snow sculpture participants must post a picture of their handiwork on the event Facebook page before Jan. 30 or email it to their local community association. Visitors to the Event page will then get a chance to vote for their favourite entry. The one with the most likes/reactions wins! Bonus points will be given for the neighbourhood with the highest rate of participation. The contest is being touted as an activity that can be enjoyed by the whole family while staying in their bubble during the provincial stay-at-home order.

New COVID cases in east end wards go from bad to worse

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star After the number of new COVID cases in the east end’s three municipal wards doubled between Dec. 14 and Dec. 28, they’ve doubled again with 273 new cases reported during the two-week period between Dec. 28 and Jan. 11.

In the last six weeks, the number of combined new cases in Cumberland, Innes and Orléans Wards have increased from 56 between Nov. 30 and Dec. 14, to 132 cases between Dec. 14 and Dec. 28, to now 273 new cases between Dec. 28 and Jan. 11.

Once again, the largest number of new cases, by far, occurred in Cumberland Ward which saw them jump from 80 between Dec. 14 and Dec. 28 to 143 during the latest two-week period.

Elsewhere, the number of new cases in Orléans Ward increased threefold, going from 20 between Dec. 14 and Dec. 28 to 59 between Dec. 28 and Jan. 11, and in Innes Ward the number of new cases rose from 32 to 71.

The increase in new cases in the east end between Dec. 21 and Jan. 11 mirrored the increase in new cases city-wide during the same two-week period.

According to the Ottawa Public Health COVID-19 dashboard, there were 1,358 new cases in Ottawa between Dec. 28 and Jan. 11, up from 646 new cases during the previous two-week period. The number of active cases currently being reported in Ottawa stands at 1,157.

During the two weeks covered by the latest data, the percentage of people testing positive ranged from a low of 3.0 per cent on Jan. 2 to as high as 5.9 per cent on Jan. 3.

On Jan. 10 the positivity rate was 5.6 per cent. Those are the highest positivity rates the city has seen since the outbreak began last spring.

Another leading indicator of the impact of the COVID-19 virus is the number of hospitalizations it has caused. In Ottawa, the number of people being treated for the coronavirus has risen sharply over the past two weeks. On Dec. 28, 11 people were being treated in area hospitals for COVID-19, two of which were in ICU. As of Monday, 33 people were being treated in area hospitals, 11 of whom are in intensive care.

The spike in new cases can be traced back to the Christmas holidays and New Year’s when many people were gathering with

Number of new cases reported in east end wards between Dec. 28 and Jan. 11

Orléans Ward 59 cases

Innes Ward 71 cases

family and friends.

In an effort to combat the latest surge in new cases province-wide, Premier Doug Ford initiated a stay-at-home order on January 12, calling on Ontario residents to remain at home unless they need to go out for essential business such as grocery shopping or visiting the pharmacy. Outdoor activities are also allowed as long as physical distancing guidelines can be respected and

Cumberland Ward 143 cases

maintained.

Also under the new regulations, nonessential businesses including hardware stores and LCBO outlets must close by 8 p.m. and outdoor gatherings are limited to just five people. Area schools will also remain closed until at least Jan. 20 (at time of writing) when the situation will be reassessed, however, child care centres can continue to operate.

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January 21, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 19 • 3

The end of an era News that J.A. Laporte Flowers and Nursery is closing its doors for good after 62 years comes as shock to many people – myself included – and marks the end of an era.

I know many people whose relationship to the Laportes goes back to the original flower stand at Montreal and Ogilvie Roads which was run

by Roger Laporte and his wife Thérèse, who passed away in 2017 at the age of 90. Roger is still very much alive and kicking and keeping the staff at Résidence St-Louis on their toes.

My own relationship with Roger goes back to 1997 when his son Michel was killed when a cube van ran a red light and broadsided his car at Innes and Tenth Line Road. Following the tragic accident, Roger successfully lobbied the provincial government to pass legislation allowing for the use of red light cameras. I was writing a column for the Orléans Star at the time and wrote several pieces supporting his efforts.

He never forgot it and he never forgot me. Even today he still thanks me for supporting his efforts all these years later.

My relationship to Jean and Estelle Laporte goes back almost as far.

You won’t find two nicer people anywhere. And I’m not just saying that because there’s were one of the first businesses to advertise on OrleansOnline.ca at a time when the website was barely attracting 1,000 visits a month. They were also instrumental in helping get this newspaper back on its feet after I purchased it from Transcontinental Media in 2016.

Jean and Estelle are part of my Big Hearts Club that includes such business owners as André Lacroix, Ace Body Shop owner Lionel Laurin, J.T. Bradley’s owner John Bradley and his father Ross, the Soulignys who own the Heritage Funeral Home, James Locke of Locke Real Estate and Gord and Kathleen Both from M.L. Bradley. These are people who have answered the bell to help their community more times than I can remember and often times in relative anonymity.

The Laportes have donated plants and flowers to countless organizations and events over the years including the Cumberland Township Agricultural Society which runs the Navan Fair, the various service clubs operating in Cumberland and Orléans, the Orléans Legion and too many school and church councils to list here.

To say they will be missed seems almost trite. Hundreds of Orléans gardeners have come to depend on the Laportes for their expertise over the years, including myself. No matter how crazy my inquires used to be, Estelle always patiently tried to help me out.

I love them dearly and I know they love this community just as much.

I also know that the rest of the community joins me in wishing them all the best as they enjoy retirement and the joy of grandparenthood.

– 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.

4 • January 21, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 19

Failure to provide paid sick days contributing to spread of virus The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult on all in hotspots. The simple reason being that these workers of us. Almost 10 months after we were struck with cannot afford to stay home from work when sick or this new reality, cases are once again on the rise, awaiting test results. hospitals are on the brink of being overwhelmed, and Ontario’s leading health experts, Dr. Barbara we are now in our second state of Yaffe and Dr. Adalsteinn Brown emergency. rightly pointed out that the Queen’s have Recent modeling shows that our government must implement paid Park province is in a dangerous position, sick days to help residents comply with cases projected to reach with public health orders in the Corner 20,000 a day in February should face of rising cases. Unfortunately, we continue on the same path. We Premier Ford did not take their Stephen Blais must follow the advice of medical advice with the new declaration of experts and stay home to curb the spread of the virus. an emergency and stay at home order.

Adhering to these orders and taking care of our mental We first called for Doug Ford to reintroduce paid health has never been more important. sick days on March 12. But 10 months later, despite But for many, the decision to stay home isn’t repeated calls from leading medical experts, his always an easy one. Many of us in Orléans, myself government has taken no action. included, are fortunate enough to work from home Medical experts have been clear: Ontario cannot or be in a position to take a sick day when we are successfully curb the spread of the virus until people experiencing symptoms or feeling under the weather. have the supports in place that will allow them to But for thousands across the province, the choice isn’t follow public health measures and still provide for so black and white. their families. This includes paid sick days.

In 2018, Doug Ford eliminated the requirement Many if not most of us in Orléans are fortunate not to provide paid sick days, leaving workers to choose to be faced with this choice. But too many are, and between their health and the health of those around that is in part how the virus is spreading. We need a them or going to work so they can continue to put food provincial government who understands the difficult on the table and pay the rent but potential expose their position that Ontarians are facing and who will work coworkers and customers to illness. to provide these essential supports.

There is growing concern that transmission is I will continue to hold the government to account occurring in warehouses, factories, distribution and call on Doug Ford to re-introduce the paid sick centres, etc…and is driving the spread of COVID-19 days that so many Ontarians are desperately awaiting.

If all goes well, most of us will be vaccinated by July 1 There’s a great debate currently being waged on social media about whether or not Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government are doing enough to get Canadians vaccinated against the coronavirus.

A lot of people have been quick to criticize Trudeau for not getting vaccines into the arms of Canadians quickly enough. According to Canada’s vaccine tracker, 514,260 Canadians had received their first dose of the PfizerBioNTech vaccine as of last Friday and 28,182 had received their second dose. Keep in mind that you should wait three to four weeks in between doses.

All told, 71.2 per cent of the vaccines Canada has received have been administered to 1.43 per cent of our population.

By comparison 1.66 per cent of Italy had been vaccinated by last Friday, 1.64 per cent of Spain and only 1.15 per cent of the people in Germany had been vaccinated and that’s where the BioNTech vaccine is produced. In Belgium, where the Pfizer vaccine is produced, less than one per cent of the population has been vaccinated so far.

And in all the countries mentioned above, the people are complaining that they’re not getting vaccinated soon enough. So you see, Canadians are not alone.

The fact of the matter is that the number

Up Front Fred Sherwin of people you’re able to vaccinate is directly linked to the number of vaccines you receive from the supplier and ordering a million doses of a vaccine from a pharmaceutical company is not the same as ordering a dozen grommets on Amazon. It doesn’t work that way.

Case in point, Pfizer announced late last week that there would be a temporary delay in the distribution of their vaccine in order to allow for the completion of modifications to their plant in Belgium which will allow them to substantially increase production during the remainder of 2021. Pfizer has promised that the shortages will be quickly made up once the work is completed in February.

In the meantime, shipments of the Moderna vaccine will continue as planned.

Trudeau has stated that most Canadians who want to get vaccinated will be able to do so by next September, but he’s talking about

all Canadians – including those people who are living in rural and remote communities.

The Ontario government has released a more aggressive distribution plan which will see most people in the province vaccinated

by July 1. Now that’s more like it.

More recently, the CEO of the Ottawa Hospital, Cameron Love, said that most of the people in Ottawa could be vaccinated by the summer.

According to the provincial distribution plan, employees and staff members at senior care facilities will be vaccinated by the end of February along with residents in long term care homes. Other senior care residents and people living in Ontario’s indigenous communities will be vaccinated by the end of March which is when the mass vaccinations will begin starting with people over the age of 80 and essential workers including first responders and teachers. From there people will be vaccinated in age groups in increments of five years – so 75-80, 70-75, 65-70 and so on.

Also starting in April, you will be able to get vaccinated at a variety of locations including pharmacies, health care clinics and special locations set up by the city.

Canada has pre-ordered more than 415 million doses from six different suppliers

which is enough to vaccinate every man, woman and child in Canada five times over.

Even more when you consider the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, of which we’ve order more than 38 million doses, vaccine only requires one application.

We’ve preordered 58 million doses from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech alone.

The only bottleneck in the province’s plan is Health Canada, which must approve each vaccine before it can be distributed.

For instance, the AstraZeneca vaccine, which was submitted to Health Canada on Oct. 1, is still waiting approval. The same vaccine was approved by the UK on Dec. 30 and they will soon be receiving a million doses a week. Canada has ordered 20 million doses of the vaccine. When combined with the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines already ordered and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is also awaiting approval from Health Canada, and you will have enough doses to vaccinate the majority of the population by July 1.

So be patient everyone – the vaccine is one the way. If Cameron Love is right and the city is up to the task, those of us who want to get vaccinated will be able to do so

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Health, Happiness and Home January 21, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 19 • 5

Milestones worth celebrating Mental Health Crisis Line there in midst of stay-at-home order to help people cope with stress example, and I want to thank every single one of you who are doing the same. Your resilience inspires me.

We will hit a major milestone the end of January as every longterm care resident in Ottawa will have received their first vaccination, thanks to our paramedics.

This is a massive step toward protecting our most vulnerable and getting back to some semblance of normalcy.

I can’t say enough about the work our paramedics do, and their commitment to the community. Simply put, they are awesome.

I would also like to congratulate Symphony Senior Living for standing out as a retirement home network that was COVID-free in 2020!

This is an incredible accomplishment.

Your commitment to sound protocols and the care you have for your residents is so obvious. I miss visiting with your residents very much and can’t wait to congratulate you all when this is over.

Until next time, stay safe, buy local and take care of each other.

up S to ave 25 % *

Happy New Year, Orléans! It is a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to pandemic news lately, but we have reason to be optimistic.

At the time of writing this column, we are two days into the provincewide stay-at-home order, largely driven by the selfish and reckless people who failed to heed the restrictions on gatherings during the holidays.

I find this particularly frustrating because the vast majority of us are going above and beyond to prevent the spread of this terrible virus. Like you, I was aghast to find out some politicians and community leaders were travelling over the holidays as well.

There cannot be different sets of rules for different groups. COVID-10 doesn’t ask for your business card before infecting you.

It boils down to making good decisions every single day – using curbside pickup for groceries and essentials, supporting local with delivery, staying home unless it is absolutely necessary and protecting ourselves and others by following the guidelines. I am committed to leading by

Bored silly?

Animate your life with Spanish, tai chi, yoga, painting, programming and more!

A new year brings with it hope and not to be okay. It’s important to check in promise for what lies ahead. I know I always with yourself and your loved ones to see how look forward to a fresh start and opportunity things are going. to realign. Putting the Recently, we have frustrations of 2020 seen an increase in behind us, we all shared a COVID-19 levels in our common wish for a better community and in the 2021. number of contacts per But, it’s been a chalcase. In order to stem the lenging first few weeks. tide against the increase Cumberland Ward 19 At the best of times, in cases, the province January can be an isolating and difficult issued at stay-at-home order last week. month. I’d like to remind you that if you are But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. struggling, there are resources available to Healthcare workers and long-term care you for supporting your mental health. residents in our community have begun to Ottawapublichealth.ca has suggestions receive the vaccine. for building positive coping skills that can I am hopeful that if we follow the help improve our mental health and build measures and continue to get vaccines resilience. If you’d like a full list of mental distributed, that we can once again flatten health resources and supports located the curve – in time, for good. throughout the Ottawa Region, including As always, my office is here to support culture-specific services, my office would be you and answer your questions. Please do not happy to provide you with that information. hesitate to reach out. If you need assistance The Mental Health Crisis Line is available or would like to get updates through my 24/7 by calling 1-866-996-0991. newsletter, email catherine.kitts@ottawa.ca While we are all going through this I know that none of this is easy. Sending pandemic together, not everyone is exper- everyone strength as we continue to weather iencing the same challenges and it’s okay the storm together.

Catherine Kitts

Have your say on Ottawa’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan Join the conversation now!

For more information: visit ottawa.ca/CSWBP CSWB/SBEC@ottawa.ca

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6 • January 21, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 19

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Convenience Store . . . . . . . .. . 10 Restaurante Caravela . . . . . . . . 10 World Burger . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 11 SupperWorks . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 11

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January 21, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 19 • 7 Proud supporters

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Wine so fine your Keeping Orléans motorists on the road friends won’t be able to tell the difference for over 25 years According to Environment Canada, Ottawa will soon be in the grips of a Polar Vortex with daytime temperatures expected to plunge below -10 degrees. This can spell trouble for vehicles with problems potentially waiting under the hood. Nothing can ruin your day more than losing a drive belt or blowing a hose in the middle of nowhere during the dead of winter. Not only is it inconvenient, but it can potentially cost you an expensive towing bill.

With 10 bays, four licensed technicians and two apprentice technicians, Precision Automotive is the largest service centre in Orléans. It’s also the perfect place to give your car a mid-winter check up.

The trained technicians at Precision can check all your fluid conditions and levels, the condition of your tires and tire pressure, as well as all of your drive belts and hoses. They can also inspect your brakes, suspension, exhaust and even your heating system. All these things can potentially cause major problems, especially during the winter.

Providing peace of mind for you and your family is what Precision Automotive is all about. Owner Rob Brouwer and his staff have been providing peace of mind, along with honest service and honest value for over 25 years. They offer an industry leading 2-year/40,000km warranty on most newly installed parts and labour. Why not take advantage of their expertise and have your vehicle checked out today to avoid the chance of a possible headache tomorrow? You can either drop your car off personally, or you can take advantage of their contact-free pick up and drop off service*.

Precision Automotive is located at 385 Vantage Dr. behind the McDonald’s restaurant at Innes and Tenth Line. You can also check out their web site at theautopros.ca or call them at 613-841-5550. Happy motoring!

“We are commited to providing honest service for an honest price.” – Rob Brouwer, Owner

PRECISION AUTOMOTIVE 385 Vantage Dr., Orléans near Innes and Tenth Line Rd. behind the McDonald’s www.theautopros.ca *Contact-free pick up and drop off service is available during the provincial stay-at-home order.

8 • January 21, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 19

In the world of winemaking, Wine Kitz has earned a reputation for variety, quality and value. Making your own wine at Wine Kitz costs a fraction of what you would pay for the same quality of commercial wine. Best of all, it’s as easy as 1-2-3.

Step 1 is choosing which wine to make with the help of the staff at the Orléans Wine Kitz location in the Orléans Town Centre on Centrum Blvd. and starting the wine-making process. Step 2 is bottling your wine in as little as four weeks after the initial process.

The third and final step is you enjoying your wine with family and friends.

Owner Shawn Larkin has been helping Orléans residents make their own wine since 2001. He recently stepped in to help over 100 customers of The Wine Bottega on Tenth Line Road recover their wine after the store unceremoniously closed its doors just days before Christmas.

Wine Kitz is associated with Andrew Peller Ltd. which owns and operates several award-winning wineries in Canada including Pellar Estates and Trius Winery. That relaShawn Larkin tionship ensures that Wine Kitz uses only the finest ingredients in their wines which they stand behind with a 100% NO HASSLE Satisfaction Guarantee.

Besides their Ultra Premium and Premium wines, Wine Kitz also has their recently released Global Passport Series. Available for a short time from December to March, these exclusive wines celebrate the various winemaking regions of the world.

The first two releases of the 2021 Global Passport Series are the Grenache Mourvedre which is a flavourful blend of Grenache and Mourvedre inspired by the Languedoc region of France, and the 3 Post White which is a wonderful bland of Chardonney Chenin Blanc and Riesling. Both wines are now available at Wine Kitz.

Other wines in the series include a Merlot from the Hawkes Bay region of New Zealand, which will be released in February and the Barbera from the Piedmont region of Italy that will be released in March.

To learn more, visit winekitzorleans.ca, or drop by the store at 3095 St. Joseph Blvd. in the Orléans Town Centre.

Clients have confidence in Riopelle Group Riopelle Group Professional Corporation is quickly becoming the place to go for legal services when selling, purchasing or refinancing a home in Orléans and area.

The reason is its reputation for providing outstanding services and no-surprise, all-inclusive pricing for all real estate transactions.

“We feel it’s important clients know exactly what to expect when it comes to costs associated with their residential real estate transaction,” senior partner Robert Riopelle said.

“For many of our clients, this is the biggest financial investment they will make in their lifetime, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by finances. We take the guesswork out of the equation and provide a clear breakdown of cost so there are no surprises when it comes to budgets.”

Riopelle Group lawyers also practise business, family law and wills and estate matters.

Whether buying or selling a business or dealing with difficult and emotional matters such as divorce, custody or death, Riopelle Group can help.

Riopelle Group has adopted strict Covid-19 protocols to ensure the health and safety of its clients and staff and are able to provide all its services virtually.

The Riopelle Group office is located at 2888 St. Joseph Blvd., near the Place d’Orléans Shopping Centre. They can be reached at 613-834-4800 or online at www.rglaw.ca.

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(Up to three pay-outs) We will also help you calculate other closing costs such as Land Transfer Tax (“LTT”) and adjustments for municipal taxes and condo fees. Calculate LTT costs at www.rglaw.ca.

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The bottom line Legal Fees Disbursements Title Insurance Registration Costs Title search Costs HST

When comparing prices, ask whether all this is included.

Orléans cannabis store now offering home delivery For the past six months, The Oz Store on St. Joseph Blvd. has been meeting the cannabis needs of Orléans residents in a safe and welcoming environment. More recently they have started to do home deliveries for customers for an extra level of safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Oz Store opened for business on June 30 much to the relief of area cannabis users who previously had just two options to get their product – order it online, or go to one of several stores downtown. Besides selling several different varieties of flower bud, The Oz Store also sells cannabis edibles, oils, vaping cartridges, cannabis-infused beverages and pre-rolled cannabis joints.

While smoking cannabis may not be everybody’s cup of tea, it is estimated there are thousands of recreational pot users in Orléans. Oz Store manager, Kolby Seifried, says the feedback they have received since first opening has been nothing but positive.

Like every other privately operated cannabis store in the province, The Oz Store gets its product through the Ontario Cannabis Store Wholesale division which is regulated by the Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

A sign on the door at The Oz Store warns that customers must be over the age of 19.

Under normal circumstances you must first ring the doorbell and a “budtender” would come to greet you. However, in-store shopping has been prohibited during the provincial lockdown. Currently, customers are still able to order online for delivery or curbside pick-up. For customers who cannot purchase online, The Oz Store has installed a plastic barrier at the front door in order to accommodate payments for curb-side pickup. You can also call ahead to place your order over the phone by calling 613-424-2222.

The knowledgeable staff are still available via phone to help you decide which product will best meet your needs, which is the biggest difference between purchasing cannabis online versus a store.

Seifried sees the store as having a dual role – selling cannabis products and educating cannabis users, especially those people who are new to the market and don’t have a lot of knowledge about the different varieties of cannabis that are available. You can browse The Oz Store’s complete product line on their website at ozstore.ca. Each item is listed with both the THC and CBD content.

While THC is the chemical component of cannabis that gives you a buzz, CBD does not. Both components, however, have been scientifically proven to have certain medical benefits. CBD is known to benefit people experiencing anxiety, migraine headaches, depression and chronic pain, while THC has been proven to benefit people experiencing all of the above as well as glaucoma, insomnia and muscle spasms.

The Oz Store is located at 3022 St. Joseph Blvd. across from Farm Boy. You can reach them by e-mailing ozstore420@gmail.com.

DELIVERY NOW AVAILABLE!

*Additional charges may apply to transactions that are private, multi-unit residential, involve non-residents and purchases in excess of $500,000. Please contact us for further details.

Meeting all your cannabis needs!

Flower buds

ROBERT M. RIOPELLE MÉLANIE M. NYLUND CLAIRE DUTRISAC (robert@rglaw.ca)

Main office: 2888 St. Joseph Blvd., Orléans (across from Place d’Orléans)

(melanie@rglaw.ca)

(claire@rglaw.ca)

Tel: 613.834.4800 Fax: 613.834.4828

By appointment only: 411-1376 Bank St., Ottawa

(just south of Billings Bridge Mall)

Edibles

Drops

Vape Cartridges and Pens Oral Sprays 3022 St. Joseph Blvd.

Prerolled Cones www.ozstore.ca

(613) 424_2222

January 21, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 19 • 9

Country Convenience just For the best seafood minutes from Orléans in Orléans, visit 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’ 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. 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.

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

They sell other unique and hard-to-find items as well, including Huismann farm fresh eggs, St. Albert Cheese, artisanal chicken produced by Bast Farms in Cumberland and honey from the Villy Bee Honey Company in Navan. They also sell seasonal produce from the Avonmore Berry Farm.

Oh, and did we mention they sell lottery tickets? They’ve even had their share of big winners, including a scratch ticket that paid $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 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.

J.T. Bradley’s Country Convenience Store is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

You can find their website at www.jtbradleys.com.

10 • January 21, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 19

Restaurante Caravela

Since it first opening on Boxing Day 2016, Restaurante Caravela and its owners Fernando and Alzira Diniz, have earned a reputation for delivering healthy, hearty Portuguese cuisine that has earned the establishment a long list of repeat customers for which they are truly grateful.

“We have made a lot of good friends since we first opened,” says Fernando. “Many of customers come back two or three times a month.”

The long list of regular customers is a tribute to the food and family-friendly service delivered by Diniz and his staff starting with Chef Tom Moore, formerly of El Meson who creates the magic in the kitchen and manager Henrique Sousa who also worked at El Meson for many years.

Although trying to operate during the COVID pandemic has been a roller coaster ride for Diniz and his staff, they have not made any sacrifices when it comes to the quality of the food which Fernando Diniz includes arguably the best seafood in Orléans.

Diniz comes from Teceira in the Azores, which is known for their reliance on the sea and everything in it.

Among the many specialties on Caravela’s menu are Shrimp and Scallops, Grilled Octopus, Sea Bass, Seafood Cataplana and Fernando’s Platter which includes lobster, Tiger shrimp, baby clams and 20 mussels. They also have a number of seafood appetizers including Grilled Squid, Cod Cakes and Garlic Shrimp.

Everything on Caravela’s menu can be ordered for takeout only. They do not use any of the delivery services because they can’t guarantee the quality of your meal when it gets to your door.

Ordering a meal from Restaurante Caravela is like dining at any quality restaurant in Porto, Lisbon, Algarve or the Azores.

“We often get compliments from people who have been to Portugal and they tell us that when they eat our food they are immediately transported back in time. It’s like reliving their memories all over again,” says Fernando.

The first step to enjoying delicious Portuguese food prepared by Chef Tom is to visit their website at caravelaottawa.com, make your selection from their online menu and give them a call. Restaurante Caravela is located at 3712 Innes Rd. next to Food Basics.

YOUR WORLD...

YOUR BURGER

Burgers made the way you want them

SupperWorks has become known as a high-quality meal preparation business where customers can order meals that are prepared using the freshest ingredients and either pick them up curbside at the SupperWorks Orléans location on St. Joseph Blvd., or have them delivered to their home.

The first step to enjoying your delicious no-muss, no-fuss meal is to visit the SupperWorks website at supperworks.com and place your order using their online menu options. You then have two choices – you can either enjoy them that day, or freeze them to enjoy later At any one time you can order a wide selection of main courses, side dishes, esserts and smoothies. A sample of main courses include Roast Pork Tenderloin with Whiskey Sauce, Eggplant Caponata and Honey-Chipotle Chicken & Sweet Potato Wraps. They also have a number of vegetarian and gluten-free options. (Ask for their Gluten Check documents.)

The selection often change from month to month, which makes choosing what to order half the fun. No matter what you decide on, you know your meal has been prepared using fresh ingredients with zero additives, so it’s not only convenient, it’s super healthy. So have fun deciding and bon appetit!

SupperWorks Orléans is located at 2003 St. Joseph Blvd. (just east of Jeanne d’Arc) in the old Randall’s building.

The business is locally owned and operated by Alison Kelly-Quesnel who will be celebrating her 16th year in business this February.

IT’S OUR BIGGEST DEAL OF THE YEAR! SAVE

2F E1N% T RÉE

OF

USE PROMO CODE:

S

Since first opening its doors in 2019, World Burger has become a mecca for burger lovers in Orléans.

Located near the corner of Tenth Line Road and Brian Coburn Blvd. across from the Tenth Line Road Sobeys, World Burger combines international flavors with local Ottawa flair to bring you the best burgers and poutine around. Last summer, they were recognized as the “Most Popular Burger” in Ottawa-Gatineau during Le Burger Week.

The cornerstone of their burger menu is the Ottawa Burger which combines an all-beef patty with savory sautéed onions and mushrooms, delicious candied bacon, cheddar cheese, and lettuce, all brought together with a sweet maple mayo.

The inventive team at World Burger has come up with internationally themed burgers inspired by some of the world’s greatest cities. There’s the Berlin Burger topped with bacon, horseradish, onions, Swiss cheese and Dijon mustard; the Paris Burger topped with honey poached pears, sautéed onions, brie and honey mustard mayo; Sydney Burger and the Tokyo burger which consists of a panko encrusted burger topped with Asian salad and sweet teriyaki mayo. They also have gluten-free burger options with the purchase of a gluten-free bun.

World Burger is also unique in that they have a Kids Menu with a Kids Meal Combo, a Kids Burger, chicken strips and a hot dog. Besides the burgers, World Burger also serves up some excellent sides including amazing fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings and a variety of different poutines including the Texas poutine topped with seasoned ground beef; the Tennessee poutine topped with pulled pork; and the London poutine topped with sweet peppers, sautéed mushrooms and onions.

You can learn more about World Burger and read some of their many reviews on Facebook at facebook.com/worldburgerottawa/. The restaurant is open for takeout and delivery Sunday to Thursday from 11-8 and Friday and Saturday from 11-9. These hours are subject to change during the pandemic.

Convenience the key for SupperWorks customers

21FOR21

STAY HOME FOR VALENTINE’S DAY.

Pan-Seared Filet Mignon with Herbed Garlic Butter for only $99.

Includes Shrimp Cocktail, Baby Arugula Salad with Pomegranate & Feta, Roast Parisienne Potatoes, Honey-Butter Carrots, Triple Chocolate Mousse.

Book online by Feb. 8. Pick up Feb. 10-13.

15 Capella Court, Unit 127, Nepean • 613-695-5151 2003 St. Joseph Blvd., Unit C, Orléans • 613-845-0842

Delivery available!

www.supperworks.com January 21, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 19 • 11

Home heating specialist at your service There’s no question that when it comes to maintaining your furnace, experience matters. It can also save you hundreds of dollars.

By hiring a professional to regularly maintain your furnace and humidifier, both units will be able to operate at maximum efficiency and you will be able to avoid any problems that often occur when a home’s furnace is neglected.

“It’s the one appliance you can’t do without,” says Jerry Lemay, who has been installing and maintaining furnaces in the east end for over 44 years.

With a Polar Vortex expected to descend on Ottawa in the coming weeks and days, now is the time to have your furnace checked out to prevent any potential problems. Anyone who has experienced having their furnace malfunction in the dead of winter due to improper maintenance, or no maintenance at all, very seldom make the same mistake twice.

With his wealth of experience, Lemay can pinpoint problems repairmen with far less experience may not which could mean the difference between merely repairing your furnace or having to replace it entirely.

Although he is a sales rep for the Keeprite line of furnaces, Lemay can repair any make and model including gas furnaces, oil furnaces, propane furnaces, combination wood and electric furnaces, and combination wood and oil furnaces, which is why he’s earned the nickname “Dr. Furnace”.

“I’ve gained a reputation for being the repairman of last resort,” explains Lemay.

“A lot of people call me for a second opinion, or when they can’t seem to get the right answer from anyone else. Obviously I would prefer it if they called me first. A lot of people who I helped in the past are regular customers now.”

It’s important to note that contracting J.G. Lemay Heating and Air Conditioning to maintain your furnace will not effect your existing warranty.

Besides furnaces, Lemay also repairs and maintains hot water tanks, hunidifiers, thermostats, and heat recovery ventilation systems, not to mention gas BBQ hookups, kitchen fan installation, and dryer hook-ups and intallation.

For quality work you can trust, it’s best to go with someone who has the type of experience and solid reputation earned by serving the community for more than 43 years.

To book an appointment and have your furnace checked out today call 613-8352658 or 613-830-1661.

STAY SAFE. STAY WARM. INVEST IN A NEW FURNACE THIS WINTER.

G LEMAY JL J.G. Heating & Air Conditioning Furnaces by

www.keeprite.com

Book Your New Furnace & Fireplace Insert Installation Now & Avoid the Rush Humidifiers • High-Efficiency Oil or Natural Gas Furnaces from $399 Installed • Single or Two Stage Heating • Wood, Gas, Fireplace inserts and Stoves • Chimneys and Chimney Liners • Electric Furnace Installation, Repairs and Service • Sheet Metal Work and Ductwork Call now to book your winter heating and fireplace maintenance.

Fully Bilingual Service. We service all makes and models.

(613) 830-1661 • (613) 835-2658

12 • January 21, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 19

Biggest Loser is now Bold & Beautiful

For the past 15 years, 180º Fitness owner Adrian Delorey has been transforming the lives of his clients through programs such as Biggest Loser Ottawa.

This month, to celebrate the 25th edition of the program, it has been rebranded as Bold & Beautiful to reflect how clients feel at the end of their 12 week transformation. The program comes fully equipped with a team of transformation professionals including his partner and nutritionist Julie Gauthier and an amazing group of fitness coaches all in your corner ready to guide and encourage you through every obstacle you might face.

Get ready to TRANSFORM into an entirely NEW YOU, reprogramed with a NEW IDENTITY packed with UNSTOPPABLE confidence and a PASSION for life.

The first session of the Bold & Beautiful program starts on Jan. 24 with several virtual spaces still available. If you have 30-70+ lbs to lose, call 613-749-2267 or e-mail adrian@180fitness.ca.

The Bold & Beautiful program is part of Adrian Delorey’s goal to help his clients lose one million pounds over the next 10 Julie & Adrian years. It sounds like a lofty goal, but Delorey estimates that his members lost more than 100,000 lbs since opening his doors in 2007 and his sights are set on 10x’ing that mark over the next decade.

At 180º Fitness, they focus on not just living longer, but living longer and being healthy enough to enjoy it. Longevity in terms of being able to get fit, lose weight and stay healthy for the long term is the driving force behind the 180º Fitness Transformation System.

Most of us are just one degree away from living a healthy, active lifestyle well into our 80s & beyond. Of course, it’s difficult to think that far ahead when all you want to do is lose that 15 pounds you gained over the holidays, or you’re too busy with work or chasing the kids around to do any real exercise. But think about it: you can make incremental changes now in your diet or your level of fitness that can add five or eight years to your life.

Your Bigger & Brighter future awaits. And if adding five to eight years to your life isn’t motivation enough, Delorey will offer a second year for FREE to anyone who manages to lose 18% of their starting body weight during their first year of membership. To find out how 180º Fitness can help you be the healthiest fittest version of you you can be, not just for a month or a year but for the rest of your life, contact them first. Your children and future grandchildren will thank you later!

Your neighbourhood pet store for every member of your family

At Critter Jungle Orléans, they care about your four-legged family members almost as much as you do. They are all pet owners themselves so they know a thing or two about what makes your animal healthy and happy, whether it’s the very best in dog and cat food, or the latest in activity toys and outerwear to keep them warm and safe during those winter walks.

They also carry food and supplies for birds, tropical fish and reptiles, all of which can be pre-ordered and obtained through their free home delivery or curbside pickup service authorized under the recent State of Emergency guidelines issued by the provincial government.

For over 33 years, Critter Jungle has been owned and operated by the Stanke family in Hampton Park Plaza in the west end and over four years in the Orléans Garden Shopping Centre where Ottawa’s pet owners turn to for knowledge and advice for their pets. Experts in their field, the staff can provide advice over the phone on everything from puppy training and dietary needs to advanced reptile and aquarium care.

Critter Jungle is well known for offering many brands of both canned and dry food, raw pet food, dehydrated and freeze-dried food as well a variety of unique all-natural options.

The owners’ philosophy is simple, if they won’t feed it to their own pets then they won’t carry it for their customer’s pets. And while they love animals of all types at Critter Jungle, you won’t find cats and dogs for sale at their stores. They believe in pet rescue and adoption and support this by providing space in-store for New Beginnings Pet Rescue where cats are housed until adopted.

Your neighbourhood pet experts LOCALLY OWNED & FAMILY RUN Treats • Toys • Beds • Supplements Best selection of raw pet food and Premium natural pet food.

Go to www.critterjungle.com to arrange FREE HOME DELIVERY and CURBSIDE orders during the State of Emergency.

4-1605 Orléans Blvd., Orléans Gardens Shopping Centre 613-824-7354 1405 Carling Ave., Hampton Park Plaza, Ottawa 613-729-7354 WE’RE SOCIAL!

www.critterjungle.com

Yvan Rhéaume: Your Ottawa Veteran Realtor® There is a theme to Yvan Rhéaume’s life – it is service. Before he became a Realtor® in 2014, Yvan served as a military member for more than 30 years. As a teenager, his parents and older brothers invested in rental properties. Although he considered following their lead, he decided to join the Canadian Armed Forces instead. Having neither bought, sold, or moved into a property of his own, he thought he lacked the credibility to provide advice in such areas.

Even though he decided to pursue a military career, Yvan always kept a potential career as a Realtor® in mind. In 2013, realizing then that he could provide a real and significant insight into relocation and the buying/selling process of real estate assets, Yvan made the decision: He would make realty his second career. After completing the required courses, he obtained his license the following year. It was one of the best decisions he ever made.

Since then, he has helped clients both buy and sell their homes. He’s helped first time home buyers get into the market and assisted others in maximizing the equity in their existing property as they transitioned into the home of their dreams. As an independent real estate agent, Yvan is able to be laser-focused on delivering his client’s results as evidenced by the glowing testimonials on his website.

As a 16-year resident of Ottawa, Yvan believes deeply in giving back to his community. He’s been a volunteer at the Orléans-Cumberland Food Bank for more than 12 years. A member of the Royal Canadian Legion, he’s also a proud donor to the Support Our Troops Fund, the Soldier On Fund, and the Ontario Realtors Care® Foundation. Service, dedication, commitment... that is what you get when you trust Yvan Rhéaume with buying or selling your home.

www.Yvan-desmaisons.ca www.Yvan-desmai sons.ca ACHAT :

je rembourse l’inspecteur que vous choisissez, entreposage gratuit, décoratrice professionnelle gratuite, voyez les propriétés avant qu’elles soient sur REALTOR.ca, et beaucoup plus

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Si vous trouvez un agent qui investit plus que moi pour vendre votre propriété au meilleur prix, je vous le recommande!

Yvan Rhéaume, ABR®, MCNE®, SRS®

Agent immobilier bilingue, Senior Real Estate Specialist®

“Fier de vous servir en français!”

1730, boul. St. Laurent, 8è étage, Ottawa ON

yvan@yvanrheaume.realtor 613-882-2912 January 21, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 19 • 13

Contactless Curbside Pickup Free Home Delivery in Ottawa

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2010 TRIM ROAD (AT INNES), ORLÉANS • 613 424 7733

14 • January 21, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 19

A silver lining for 2020 at Symphony Senior Living Orléans Special to The Orléans Star

Seniors are by far the population who has suffered the most during this pandemic and for the majority of 2020.

Many seniors who were infected with COVID-19 lost their life to the devastating virus.

The residents at Symphony Senior Living Orléans were lucky enough to evade the virus with no confirmed cases within the home. However, not being able to see family or friends for the majority of the year took a toll on many residents. Even still, they found a way to look to the bright side of 2020!

One resident, Brontie, said that moving to her new home at Symphony Orléans is probably the best thing that has happened to her this year.

Since moving into the retirement community Brontie finds herself enjoying her previously loved hobbies. You can often find her in the activity room playing the piano almost every day.

Brontie says that playing the piano lifts her soul.

Another resident, Monique, was asked about something good that happened in her life this year. She said the birth of her sixth great-grandchild was something that

she held very close to her heart. Her family has since sent her photos of the new baby as these new additions make her so happy.

Symphony Orléans adopted a new furry friend to the family in the summer of 2020 when Sophia arrived from K9 Rescue.

One resident, Rolly, has formed a close bond with the pup. They have been inseparable ever since!

Rolly enjoys teaching Sophia new tricks as he has professionally trained dogs in the past and finds Sophia’s company very comforting during times of stress or anxiety.

The residence also had farm animals come to visit in the courtyard during the summer months.

A local farmer brought in his baby cow and goat for the residents to see and pet.

Another resident, Carmen, mentioned how happy she was to pet the two animals and give them treats. She likes how the activities within the home keep her mind busy instead of focusing on the negativity of this year.

To finish off the year, Symphony Orléans hosted a Christmas Pen Pal Program that went viral on Facebook overnight. They have since seen 20,000 letters from all over the world come into the home for all the residents to read and enjoy. Marietta mentioned how much the program was

• • • •

Custom orthotics Hip, knee, back and heel pain Flat feet Corns/calluses/warts

Symphony Senior Living Orléans resident Carmen pets a cow that was brought in for the residents to enjoy as a break from the stress and anxiety of living under the COVID-19 restrictions. PHOTO SUPPLIED something that brought her pure joy. She says that writing everyone back will keep her busy well into the new year!

When asked the question, “What are you looking forward to in 2021?” the residents’ unanimous response was that they are

• • • •

looking forward to the community being filled with friends and family as it was prior to the pandemic.

We can all agree that we miss gathering with those closest to us and can only hope to give all our loved ones a big hug in 2021!

Ingrown nail surgery Fungal nail & laser treatment Diabetic foot care Xrays

*Our services are covered by most private insurance plans

www.orleansfootclinic.com | 3012 St. Joseph Blvd., Suite 201

Melissa CloutierChatel, DPM

Anna Grynechko, Chiropodist

January 21, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 19 • 15

Symphony Senior Living

THE COVID-FREE 2020 SPECIAL Valid until Feb. 28/2021 At Symphony, we want to celebrate keeping our seniors safe from COVID-19 for all of 2020!

We thought we would give back to our community by offering your 6th month free when you move in before Feb.28/21.

Move in today and don’t pay for July!

For more information and to book a virtual tour, contact Glenese at: (613)-366-4969.

Sym

Ask us about our new

e phony C e Complet ar

a truly all-inclusive care package!

16 • January 21, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 19

SENIOR LIVING

www.symphonyseniorliving.com

Orléans couple donates refurbished computers to others

By Aislin Lionais The Orléans Star During the COVID-19 pandemic, most things have gone virtual so everyone can stay safe at home.

Students are expected to attend virtual classes. Meetings are being held on Zoom. Employees who can no longer go into the office to do their job must find ways to do it virtually at home. Most medical consultations are being done via the Internet and when visiting relatives in person is no longer an option, staying connected can often provide much needed peace of mind.

But what if, because of financial issues, you don’t own a computer?

Fortunately for hundreds of residents in Orléans there is another option. Paul and Nancy Begin have been refurbishing old, donated computers and giving them to area families free of charge.

In October, the couple celebrated 400 computers donated. Since then, they’ve managed to refurbish and donate another 80 computers and counting. They have been working on the Computer Refurbishing Program for the past four years. The first year was a rocky start to say the least, but the community rallied to their aid and raised nearly $600 so they could continue their work.

Since the pandemic began, they have successfully refurbished and donated more than 180 computers.

They started the program as a way to reduce the number of computers ending up in landfill.

They started the program as a way to reduce the number of computers ending up in landfill. People would donate computers destined to a landfill to them, and the couple would replace the screen, or the keyboard, or whatever else needed to be fixed, and gift them to people

within the community that reached out to them via their Facebook and asked for the computer.

Their average cost to refurbish a computer is $16. Sometimes it doesn’t cost anything, while other jobs could cost as much as $60, which is still a lot cheaper than buying a refurbished computer through a retail store or on the Internet. The couple sells parts of the computer they don’t need, like gaming equipment, to raise money for the refurbishments. The couple does not use the money to buy computers; they only refurbish computers that are donated to them by the community.

“Neighbours being neighbourly, because it starts with them.” says the couple.

Paul fixes the computers while Nancy keeps the books and tests the computers after he’s done. They are both retired and enjoying spending

Paul and Nancy Begin their free time working to help their community. Ninety-nine per cent of the people Nancy and Paul donate the refurbished computers to live in Orleans.

The couple uses Facebook to run the Computer Refurbishing Program. They have received

a number of requests through the Facebook group Being Neighbourly Orléans. If you have a computer you would like to donate or know of a family that is in need of a computer, you can contact the Begins at www.facebook.com/ paul.begin71.

KOOL KIDS BOOKS Principal and author Bruce Foster

The City of Ottawa is reviewing its Winter Maintenance Quality Standards, with a focus on: • Residential roads • Multi-use pathways

Virtual consultations

January 25, 26, 27 and 28

Order you favourite bilingual Mr. Kool book at mrkool.ca and support Kids Help Phone (Canada) brucerfoster@gmail.com

• Cycling pathways • Sidewalks

Survey available

January 18 to February 19

Join the discussion

at engage.ottawa.ca/wmqs

2020-094_03

CANADA

Marie-France LALONDE MP/Députée Orléans

!

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

www.orleansstar.ca January 21, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 19 • 17

J.A. Laporte closes its doors after 62 years Continued from page 1 Three generations of east end residents have come to rely on J.A. Laporte for their gardening and landscaping needs. One of the most endearing aspects of the business was the personalized service the Laportes offered their customers, many of whom they knew on a first name basis.

“Our customers are the reason we’ve stayed in business for so long,” says Estelle.

Customers will miss the ability to ask the Laportes for their expert advice which they would dole out from the information gazebo in the centre of the store.

The Laportes will miss much more than that...

“What will I miss? Oh my goodness. I’ll miss the wonderful customers that have been with us over the years. I’ll miss all of our employees and suppliers. But what I will miss the most is digging my fingers into the soil every winter to plant the seeds and then the satisfaction of seeing the greenhouses explode every spring,” Estelle said during an interview with the Orléans Star.

The decision to permanently close the store has nothing to do with the current

pandemic even though it severely cut into their sales when they were limited to curbside service last spring and summer.

The pandemic was just another reason to make the decision when they did. Nic and his wife Véronique are expecting their first child this spring and he wanted to pursue other opportunities that will allow him to spend more time with his young family.

Meanwhile, Jean and Estelle plan to spend a lot of time with their first grandchild.

J.A. Laporte’s roots run all the way back to the late 1800s when Jean’s greatgrandfather was a farmer and his greatgrandmother used to sell vegetables on the Byward Market. His grandfather was a farmer as well, and his grandmother was a gardener, which is where Roger developed an appreciation for plants that would eventually grow into a real passion.

A construction worker by trade, Roger decided to buy a farm where the nursery is currently located on Old Montreal Road. The first two years he tried to grow vegetables with very little success, but rather than give up and go back to construction work, he switched to flowers.

“When I first bought the farm, I didn’t buy it with my head, I bought it with my

18 • January 21, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 19

heart,” the family patriarch told the Orléans Star during the business’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2000.

The flower business took off, and soon Roger was holding seminars in church basements, community halls and anywhere else people would listen to him.

“I wanted to help people appreciate plants as much as I did. I talked about flowers and plants all the time. I bet I talked to 50,000 to 75,000 people over the

years,” said Roger.

That commitment to community was taken up by Jean and Estelle who have donated scores of plants and flowers to local groups and organizations.

Their legacy runs deep and J.A. Laporte won’t soon be forgotten because they will be greatly missed.

NB – The Laportes ask that any questions regarding gift card redemptions be directed to sales@jalaporte.com.

Get outside and stay active during latest lockdown STAR STAFF – Orléans residents

who wish to stay active during the current provincial emergency stay-at-home order have several options to chose from besides taking a walk around the block.

Under the stay-at-home order, Ontario residents are still permitted to go outside to exercise. That includes snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, skating, tobogganing and snowmobiling, all of which are now possible after last weekend’s snowfall.

The only caveat is that the provincial emergency regulations prohibit more than 25 people gathering in one location such as a toboggan hill or an outdoor skating rink.

Of course, that regulation doesn’t pertain to a cross country ski trail such as the Ski Heritage East Trail along the Ottawa River between Trim and Shefford Road, which can also be used by snowshoers.

The Green’s Creek toboggan hill has always been a popular location for east end sledders, but it has also become a frequent check point for Ottawa bylaw officers who

have been charged with the task of enforcing the maximum public gathering rules.

With the recent dip in overnight temperatures, volunteers have been busy preparing outdoor rinks in communities across the east end including Chapel Hill South, Queenswood Heights, Fallingbrook and Cardinal Creek.

This has been the latest start to the outdoor skating season in recent years and although the rinks will be open, the changerooms won’t be at least not until the provincial emergency is lifted.

Under the provincial emergency regulations, skaters must wear a face mask at all times. The same is true for anybody heading to the Rideau Canal, which is expected to officially open this weekend.

One activity that remains off limits, at least in Ontario, is downhill skiing. Mount Pakenham and Calabogie Peaks have been closed since the second provincial shutdown was implemented on Dec. 26, however Ontario residents have the option of going

Sledders take advantage of the fresh snow last weekend to go tobogganing at Green’s Creek. STAFF PHOTO across the river to ski in Quebec where ski hills have been allowed to remain open with social distancing and face masks required in line-ups for the chairlift.

Indoor access is also limited to food services and washrooms were social distancing and maximum occupancy requirements must also be maintained.

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January 21, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 19 • 19

Keeping Our Distance Is Bringing Us Together

It’s a challenging time for all of us.

When the time arrives, we’ll be re-opening our doors and welcoming new homeowners to discover our wonderful community.

Until then, stay safe, follow government guidelines and respect your neighbours.

At Cardinal Creek Village, community comes first.

613 830-8467

S H O P, T O U R A N D B U Y O N L I N E 20 • January 21, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 19