The Orleans Star Jan. 25, 2024

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Saltwater Santas raise whopping $28K for charity

By Fred Sherwin

The Orléans Star

Tony Sullivan and Bob Presland, aka the Saltwater Santas, have done it again. The pair, along with Tony’s wife Jocelyne, have managed to raise another $28,000 for local charities through Sullivan’s Sugar Creek Way Christmas display.

Sullivan began collecting donations from motorists and passersby during the first weekend in December and was outside every night until Jan. 1. He was often joined by Presland and on the busier nights by a long list of helpers all of whom are in their 60s.

The amount they raised is far in excess of the $16,000 they raised last year.

“It’s unbelievable how it all turned out,” says Sullivan. “We collected $12,000 on the final weekend alone.”

As in past years, the Saltwater Santas handed out candy canes and small chocolates to anyone who made a donation. When all was said and done, they had gone through 70 bags of Costco chocolates that contain 300 pieces each. That’s a total of 21,000 chocolates.

The vast majority of the donations were individual $5 bills. In fact, they collected over $9,000 in $5 bills alone, along with $10s and $20s and and even the odd $100 bill.

They also took in a pile of loonies and toonies which Jocelyne’s brother volunteered to roll almost every day before taking them to the bank.

But the best part about the Saltwater Santas’ fundraising effort is being able to distribute the money to the various charitable organizations afterwards.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Nisso Ifrah, far right, is the owner of the newly opened Dogtopia daycare and spa in Orleans. He is shown here with two of his staff members and his dogs Winnie and Lizzi. See story on page 7.

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Gen. Romeo Dallaire (ret’d)

to give virtual seminar

OTTAWA – Lt. Gen. Roméo Dallaire (ret’d) will give an online seminar on the subject of “Peace: the past, present and future of conflict” on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Lt. Gen. Dallaire was commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide. Since retiring Lt. Gen. Dallaire he has dedicated his life to addressing the effects of conflict, as well as finding strategic solutions for lasting peace. The seminar will be presented primarily in English, followed by a bilingual Q&A period. For more information visit https://bit.ly/3tJTh5h.

Historic Shaw House in Navan up for sale

NAVAN – The historic Shaw House (Circa 1876) is up for sale. The 150-year-old home suffered a fire in October that severely damaged the back of the building and forced the lone tenant, Country Moments Spa and Wellness Centre to find an alternative location. The house is now being sold ‘as is’ by the Shaw family. The initial asking price is $650,000. The house has served various purposes over the years.

Police seek help to identify robbery suspect

OTTAWA – The Ottawa Police Service is seeking public assistance to identify a suspect responsible for two robberies in the 1900 block of Trim Road. At approximately 5 a.m. on Jan. 7 and approximately 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 10. The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 30 years old, 5”10 (178 cm), with a large build, and a brown moustache. In the first robbery, the suspect wore a black snowmobile suit with a yellow/orange construction jacket over it and a black face covering. In the second robbery, the suspect wore a black snowmobile suit, ski goggles, a headlamp, a black knapsack, and was also seen carrying a shovel when leaving the area. Anyone with information as to the identity of this individual, or information about these incidents, is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service Robbery Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5116.

Saltwater Santas raise

$28K for local charities

Continued from page 1

This year they handed out 11 cheques ranging in amounts from $10,000, which went to the Ottawa Food Bank, to $1,000 for a variety of different recipients. The complete list is as follows:

• Ottawa Food Bank $10,000

• Ottawa Mission $4,000

• Cornerstone Women’s Shelter $4,000

• Orleans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre $2,000

• Shepherds of Good Hope $2,000

• Ottawa Boys and Girls Club $1,000

• The Salvation Army $1,000

• Gatineau Food Bank $1,000

• CHEO $1,000

• Canadian Cancer Society $1,000

• Ottawa Heart Institute $1,000

The Cornerstone Women’s Shelter was especially appreciative of the amount they received.

“At first the man didn’t open the envelope. So I asked him, ‘Aren’t you going to look inside?’. So finally he did and he was kind of shocked. I don’t think he was expecting $4,000,” recalls Sullivan

All told, the Saltwater Santas have raised over $61,000 for local charities in the past three years – a number that even Sullivan finds hard to believe.

“I just can’t get over how generous people can be. It’s been overwhelming” says Sullivan.

Some people came from as far aways as Cornwall. A good part of the reason for the Saltwater Santas success this year is their appearance on the CTV Morning Ottawa which picked up the story from the Orléans Star

The name “Saltwater Santas” comes from the fact that Sullivan and Preslund are both originally from Newfoundland. They met during a Canada Post hockey tournament and they’ve been fast friends ever since. (They’re also both former “posties” having worked for Canada Post.)

The Salt Water Santas were helped out this year by Linda, Louise, Geneviève, Marc, Andrew, James, Nancy, Robin, Carol, Guy, Edwina, Roch, Ashley, Glen, Raquel, Luca, Margie, Jessica, Andy and Bob.

The Saltwater Santas Bob Presland, left, and Tony Sullivan, centre, present a cheque for $2,000 to Chad Chartrand from the OrleansCumberland Community Resource Centre. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Outstanding youth recognized at special ceremony

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star

Twenty-one young people from across Orléans and the surrounding area were recently honoured at a special ceremony.

The Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards were first established in 2006 as a way to recognize the outstanding achievements of local youth.

This year’s awards were held at École secondaire catholique Béatrice-Desloges on Jan. 4. It was the first time the awards were handed out at a live event since before the pandemic.

Nineteen of the 21 recipients were in attendance, as were nearly 100 family and friends and the award sponsors. The actual presentations were punctuated with performances by Julianna Labelle and Liana Molinaro from Sing House Studios in Orléans, a group of dancers from the Cumbrae School of Dance and pianist and award recipient Charlotte Hou.

Along with their award, each recipient also received at least four copies of a commemorative program with the accomplishments of each of the recipients listed inside.

Unlike other awards which have various categories, the Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards have no categories. Instead, they recognize youth who are outstanding in a number of areas including academics, athletics, community service and personal character.

This year’s recipients were Selena Pang, Zaccary Jeggo, Maya Laframboise Tudor, Justine Perrault, Keira Westlake, Charlotte Hou, Owen Murphy, Raina Smith, Emily Rafter, Timéo Atonfo, Victoria Kay, Max Frederick, Julia Hanlon, Sefunmi Asanbe, Joel Iziomon, Maya Pasionek Chaparro, Myka Fournier, Olivier Myrak, Archie Hallen, Tyler Lahaie-Desabrais, and JeanSébastien Gorley.

The awards would not be possible without the support of presenting sponsors Collège La Cité, Université St-Paul and Collège Boréal; Platinum sponsor Richcraft Homes; Gold sponsors M.L. Bradley Inc. and the various individual award sponsors.

The accomplishments of each recipient will be published in the Orléans Star over the coming weeks. You can also read their accomplishments at orleansonline.ca/pages/ OYA_recipients_2023

Raina Smith, left, and Timéo Atonfo are just two of the 21 young people who were recently honoured at the Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards.

Crimespotting

This week’s editorial is an unashamed plug of a community Facebook page that has grown to over 15.3K members. I’m talking about Crime Spotting Orléans. It was launched by the husband and wife team of Nick and Elena O’Connell several years ago to enable local residents to share information about acts of crime and suspicious criminal activity in the community.

Nick is an auxiliary police volunteer with the Ottawa Police Service. For those of you who don’t know, auxiliary police volunteers provide a complementary service to sworn police officers.

Nick is also an habitual volunteer, having volunteered to help stage Canada Day celebrations in Fallingbrook and Orléans since he was barely a teenager.

It wasn’t so long ago that the Ottawa Police Service used to post a list of whatever crimes took place in the community on their website. They would list the type of crime that took place, the street the crime to place on and the date it happened. The only downside of the service was that the crimes were always posted a week to two weeks after they actually occurred making the information all but useless in trying to catch the perpetrators. Most people don’t remember something suspicious two days ago, let alone two weeks ago.

One day, and I can’t remember which day, the page simply disappeared never to return again with no explanation. Which is a shame, because it could have been a helpful tool in both trying to prevent crime and solving a crime after it happens.

Crime Spotting Orléans has replaced that service by providing reports of suspicious criminal activity in the community in real time.

A recent post alerted members of a scam artist posing as a contractor. Another recent posted a ring video of a man who was walking around a driveway at 1 a.m., looking inside the parked cars for the VIN numbers,

In fact, quite a few of the posts ring videos of suspicious characters either checking out the cars parked in the driveway or the front door to the house. Others showed actual crimes in progress with criminals stealing the person’s car.

There are regular posts about suspicious vehicles approaching minors and asking them if they want a lift.

All of the information is valuable to people who want to know what’s going on in their neighbourhood. It’s also valuable in trying to prevent crime by making people aware of things like break-ins and car theft. It’s definitely the best advertisement Ring video could ever hope for. Stay in the group for awhile and you will be running to the store to get one.

So go on Facebook and check it out and maybe you too can become a member.

– Fred Sherwin, editor

Orléans Health Hub needs to live up to its full potential

When the Orléans Health Hub, now called the Aline-Chrétien Health Hub, opened its doors over two years ago, it was a monumental moment for our community.

Discussed, debated and announced several times over the preceding decade it was a highly anticipated and long-awaited milestone for Orléans.

The $88 million facility brings together seven distinct healthcare and community organizations, all under one roof. This model of care is supposed to translate into an easier integrated process for patients, but also a more cost-effective use of resources in our healthcare system.

Stephen Blais Queen’s Park Corner

The Hub is offering some important walk-in services, notably x-rays and blood work. For a full list of services offered at the Hub and how to access them please visit their website: https:// carrefoursantealinechretien.com

As Ottawa continues to face an enormous healthcare and hospital crisis, the latest report by Ontario Health paints a picture of some of the worst emergency department metrics in our province’s history. The necessary conclusion here is that emergency departments, hospitals, and the healthcare workers who run them are still not getting the support they need from this government.

Over the past two years I have continued to hear from residents that the Health Hub has failed to live up to its potential.

From newborns to seniors, the Health Hub was supposed to be the one-stop shop for healthcare and community services.

While the hub offers highly specialized and important services, the lack of family doctors or urgent care treatment, means that it is not living up to the anticipation.

One of the factors to reduce the use of our hospital emergency rooms is to expand community care, and ensure facilities like the Health Hub are more relevant to the local population.

Rest assured that when we return for the next parliamentary session at Queen’s Park in February, I will be working with the Ottawa area hospitals and healthcare teams to push the Ford government to offer more funding and valuable healthcare services that Orléans residents deserve to have access to, close to home and in both official languages.

Go to Cuba for the beaches and hospitality, not the food

It never ceases to amaze me what some people can find to complain about. During my recent trip to Cuba, I was standing outside the buffet room when a woman nearby me started complaining to her friend about the food. To be more specific, she was complaining that is was extremely bland and that the selection was underwhelming. Now keep in mind she’s in Cuba, where shortages of everything from eggs to certain vegetables are commonplace. It’s something that I had assumed was common knowledge.

Also keep in mind that we were staying at the Starfish resort on Cayo Santa Maria that is listed as a 3.5 star resort, which is why it is one of the least expensive resorts on the Santa Maria keys.

As I listened to her go on and on, I couldn’t help myself. Now also keep in mind that the Starfish Cayo Santa Maria is like my second home. So not only was she slagging the food, but she was also slagging my home.

Finally, I turned to her and said somewhat calmly, “Ma’am, if you want five-star food you should go to a five-star resort. This is a three-and-a-half star resort with threeand-a-half star dining. But it also has a fivestar beach, a five-star swimming pool and a 10-star staff,” and I walked off.

All of which to say that if you’re looking

Fred

Up Front

Sherwin

for fine dining, you’re not going to find it at a resort in Cuba no matter how many stars it has. You will find it in Havana, but then you have to fly to Havana and stay in Havana and that comes with a whole other set of issues.

A couple of weeks ago, a reader called and asked me about Cuba. She was told by a travel agent that the resorts in Cuba were hit and miss when it comes to food.

The truth is they are hit and miss when it comes to everything from hot water to the type of drinks you can order due to the ongoing shortages they must endure thanks to the American embargo. But like the rest of the island, they make do as best they can with what they have.

I told her this, but I also told her that you don’t go to Cayo Santa Maria for the food. You go there for the beach, which is among the best in the world, the pool which

is outstanding and the staff who treat you like you’re a member of the family. Most of people who work in the resort will bend over backwards to make you feel at home even though they are working a 12- or 16-hour shift and have to take a one- to two-hour bus ride to work and back.

Think about that for a second. If we are stuck in traffic for an hour, we’re grumpy all day. The early shift at Cayo Santa Maria starts at 7 a.m., which means that they have to be up at four or five in order to catch the bus to work. The early shift ends at 3 p.m., at which time they have to take another one- or two-hour bus ride back home. So that’s a 10or 12-hour day six days a week.

The late shift starts at 3 p.m. and ends at 7 a.m. So 16 hours in total, not including the time it takes to go to work and return home. The people working those shifts are on rotation – one day on, one day off.

For this they make a couple of dollars a day, which are decent wages compared to other Cubans. The payoff is in the tips, which are pooled with their co-workers in their specific area. For instance, everyone who works in the dining room share the tips in the dining room, everyone who works in the lobby bar shares the tips in the lobby bar, etc.

In a normal tourist season, the tips can be very lucrative. But the tourist season is only a few months of the year and most of the people working at the resorts are supporting six or more family members.

So the next time you hear someone complaining about the Cuban resort they are staying in or you get the urge to complain yourself...think twice or go to the beach and enjoy the white sand, the crystal clear blue water and the clear blue sky with your favourite drink in your hand.

• • •

A couple of readers recently asked me about what currency they should bring to Cuba. The answer is either or both Canadian currency and U.S. currency. You can tip with either the difference is that Cubans can’t deposit coins, including loonies or toonies. I’m constantly exchanging $20 bills with the people who work at Starfish for loonies and toonies. During my last trip to Cuba I brought back $80 in change.

When I go to Cuba I bring a whack of American one dollar bills and tip with those. The other thing to keep in mind is that Cuban restaurants and other businesses in tourist areas only take credit cards and the prices are always in U.S. dollars. So bring your credit card with you and enjoy.

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Ottawa’s rural community faces unique challenges

There is no doubt about it, rural and village life is markedly different than urban or even suburban life. These differences are important, and often in an amalgamated city that is 80 per cent rural and 20 per cent urban, they are often either overlooked, dismissed, or forgotten entirely. A one size fits all approach does not work for a city as large and diverse as Ottawa.

by rural communities, and to work toward insuring that these issues can be addressed in a fair manner.

The City of Ottawa has an agricultural and rural affairs committee comprised of the five councillors that represent rural areas, and I am honoured to be one of them. The five of us have come together and are planning a rural summit. This will be an opportunity to showcase and raise rural issues with city staff and elected representatives.

We are currently in the planning stages with city staff, and two members of the community from each rural ward – including our very own Yuri Locmelis and Steve Lecomte. Our hope is that we will be able to recognize the unique challenges faced

For example, rural infrastructure like sidewalks in villages fail to meet warrants that are applied citywide because of lower traffic. This means that our sidewalks in villages have been in some of the worst states of disrepair for years, and because of the way projects are evaluated, they never make the priority list. This needs to be fixed.

For a long time, our rural residents have felt priorities shift inward. There is no doubt that we have major challenges in the downtown core and our suburban areas. But addressing these issues cannot be always at the expense of putting off our rural areas.

I will keep you posted as the planning stage progresses, and I look forward to hosting our incredible rural residents to share their thoughts and work together to ensure that our rural areas get the respect they deserve!

2024 already shaping up to be a busy year for Ward 19

Happy New Year Orléans South—Navan!

I know January is almost over and time seems to be flying by, but it’s never too late to extend warm wishes for a great year ahead.

As we kick off 2024, I’ve already had several meetings with the Mayor’s office, the city manager, my east end and rural colleagues and City staff discussing the exciting prospects and challenges that lie ahead.

thank them for their dedication!

Central to the conversation is the mounting pressure Orléans South-Navan faces due to rapid development and increasing transportation issues. Rest assured, I am actively advocating for our community, and ensuring that progress on solutions for Ward 19’s challenges is top of mind for the City.

Despite the snowy and stormy start to winter, our devoted volunteers at outdoor rinks and trails continue their hard work, creating spaces for our community to gather and enjoy the winter season. If you come across these volunteers, take a moment to

An exciting event to look forward to in 2024 is the Rural Summit – the first in 16 years. A series of events are being planned, including one in each rural ward, will address various topics, fostering a deeper understanding of the unique needs of our rural areas. Keep an eye out for announcements regarding dates, times, and locations to participate.

Last but not least, while the City is seeking your thoughts on a new proposed model for recreation membership tiers, I’ve already heard you loud and clear. Concerns around Aquafit classes being bundled with the highest-cost membership have been noted by my office, and I’ve brought it to the attention of senior leadership.

As you see, it’s already been a busy month at City Hall, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. I look forward to working side by side with you this year to make Ward 19 and the City a better place to live, work and play!

SPONSORED CONTENT

Dogtopia daycare facility in Orléans is doggie heaven

By Jody Maffett The Orléans Star

Dog owners in Orléans and the surrounding area now have a place where they can leave their four-legged furry family members for the day and have them cared for in a safe and secure environment with other pooches.

Dogtopia is located next to the Place d’Orléans shopping centre in the same plaza as the No Frills store.

Although the Orléans location only recently opened, Dogtopia has been around since 2002. It was started in Virginia by dog owner Amy Nicholls, who was frustrated at the lack of dog care facilities in her area.

She went on to franchise the business in 2006 and since then it has grown to more than 260 locations across North America including 25 in Canada.

The Orléans franchise is owned by Montréal native Nisso Ifrah. When he was in search of a new business opportunity last year, a friend told him about Dogtopia. A dog owner himself, Nisso saw it as a perfect fit. He then researched

where the best place would be to open a franchise and decided on Orléans.

“The company is so professional. They provide excellent support to the franchisees and most importantly, it’s a great service,” says Ifrah in describing why he opted to get involved with Dogtopia.

“It’s more of a passion than anything else,” he says, adding, “I want people to know that my main goal here is to improve the life of dogs and my main concern is their safety and security above all.”

The first step to having your pet cared for at Dogtopia is an online form which you must fill out with their name, age and breed.

You then will asked to come in with your pooch for an assessment to see how they get along with other dogs.

Once they pass the assessment, your pet will be grouped with other dogs based on their age, breed and level of social behaviour all of which is necessary to make sure they feel safe and comfortable.

At Dogtopia, they have three different

activity rooms where the dogs are cared for by at least seven to 10 staff members at all times. Your pet is never left alone with the other dogs, and all the staff are dog owners themselves who often bring their pets into work with them, including Ifrah who has two dogs of his own, Winnie and Lizzi. You can drop your dog off for the day or just for an hour or two while you run errands.

Another neat feature Dogtopia offers is an app which can be used to check on your pet from anywhere at any time.

Dogtopia is currently open from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Ifrah is planning to offer full grooming services in the next couple of weeks.

To find out more about Dogtopia and the services they provide including pricing. visit www.dogtopia.com/ottawaorleans.

Dogtopia Orléans owner Nisso

Ifrah with his two furry family members Winnie, left, and Lizzi.

FRED SHERWIN PHOTO

NEIGHBOURHOOD UPDATE

Hello Orléans & Cumberland!

As the winter season blankets our community in a layer of snow, I want to extend warm greetings and best wishes for a Happy New Year!

As we navigate the winter months, I encourage you to find joy in the simple pleasures and take advantage of the diverse opportunities our community offers. Whether you choose to cross country ski along the Ottawa River Pathway, indulge in a good book, or spend quality time with loved ones, may this season bring warmth, happiness, and a sense of community.

The holiday break provided a much-needed opportunity for reflection, recharging and spending time with family and friends. Now, with renewed energy and a sense of purpose, I am ready to dive back into the important work of advocating for our community’s needs and concerns.

In the coming weeks and months, I look forward to engaging with you, attending community events and working together to make our community an even better place to live. Together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant community that we can all be proud to call home.

VUT (Vacant Unit Tax) Deadline

The City’s Vacant Unit Tax declaration portal is now open, with the deadline to complete your declaration on March 21, 2024. A $250 late fee will be applied to all declarations filed after the deadline. Visit Ottawa.ca/vut to submit your declaration or to read more about the Vacant Unit Tax. While I want to ensure that residents are aware of the requirement to submit this declaration, I also want to emphasize that I remain concerned with this policy and am committed to having it reviewed this year. I believe that it should be either made less intrusive and punitive or repealed entirely. When the matter comes before council again, as it should following this reporting period, I will work with my colleagues toward that end.

I publish an e-newsletter regularly with information about what is happening in our community. It’s a great way for us to stay connected.

Please sign up for our newsletter at www.matthewluloff.ca

...AND HOW CAN WE HELP?

My team and I are always ready to serve you. Best way to reach us? Simply send an email to matt.luloff@ottawa.ca or call 613-580-2471.

Winter Operations

With a couple of Winter storms in the books and more surely to come, it’s very important to stay up to date on all things Winter operations!

KEY TIPS TO REMEMBER:

• Make sure that during a Winter Parking Ban you are not parking on the street, even if only while you shovel your driveway.

• Please shovel out any fire hydrants or catch basins near your property. This can make all the difference in the world during an emergency.

• Place garbage bins in your driveway and not on the road on collection day.

• If you are going out in a storm, please drive safely and based on the conditions of the road.

• Please stay 3 car lengths behind City vehicles with flashing blue lights and never pass them.

• Where possible, please step off the sidewalk into a driveway if a sidewalk plow approaches.

Our crews are committed to bringing you a top tier service and our East Roads team is dedicated to being the best in the City! During a snow event, as a standard operating practice, our Roads team aims to clear all roads within 24 hours after the snow has stopped falling. If you experience any wait times longer than that, then it is appropriate to create a service request through 3-1-1 or reach out to my office.

Providing all your print and graphic needs

What started out as a small print shop catering to the needs of local residents has now become one the busiest independently owned printing and graphic businesses in Ottawa with clients across Canada.

SURE Print & Graphics, located on St. Joseph Blvd., has been around for over 30 years. During that time it has built up a loyal clientele and specializes in providing business-to-business services.

The professional staff and graphic designers at Sure Print can provide on-site production to handle all of your business needs such as strategic mail campaigns, product labels, display signage, vehicle and store front graphics, promotional items, branded apparel, business forms, manuals, brochures and more.

Owner Monica Alongi and her team are always happy to provide their expert advice to ensure your complete customer satisfaction and best of all they provide a human voice and are quick to respond to any issues you may have during the process.

Monica moved to Orléans with her family in 1992. Her father wanted to open a Sure Copy franchise and picked Orléans as the ideal location. Since then the business has grown into the position it now occupies as the go to print and graphics shop for businesses in Orléans and Eastern Ontario.

SURE Print & Graphics is located at 2507 St-Joseph Blvd., just east of Orléans Blvd. You can reach them by email at orders@sureprint.ca, or by calling 613-830-8678.

Print Shop!

Building a practice one relationship at a time

The roots of the Orléans-based law firm Grandmaitre Virgo Evans Lawyers/ Avocats go back a long way – more than four decades in fact, when founder Gerry Dust opened the practice in 1979. In the early 1990s, he teamed up with Brad Evans and the firm became Dust Evans.

Over the next 20 years, the two men turned the firm into one of the most pre-eminent law practices in Orléans, specializing, in Real Estate Law, Will and Estate Law and Corporate/ Commercial Law.

In early 2011, Phil Grandmaitre’s name was added to the partnership. He began working at the firm as a student in 2003 and was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2006.

Josée Cameron-Virgo began her career with Dust Evans in 2002 and, after spending several years with the Ottawa office of a national law firm, re-joined the Dust Evans Grandmaitre family as a partner in the fall of 2011.

Today, the firm continues to specialize in Real Estate Law, Will and Estate Law and Corporate/Commercial Law.

As leaders in the community, Brad, Phil and Josée are committed to supporting the community that supports them in any way they can, following a tradition first started by Gerry Dust who was one of the founding directors of the Orléans Chamber of Commerce and was in too many endeavours to list.

Brad Evans is a past chair of the Ottawa Mission and the Heart of Orléans BIA, and a former Board Member of Arts Ottawa East. Josée Cameron-Virgo is a past director of the Ottawa Sport Council, the Orléans Chamber of Commerce and past secretary and director of the Ottawa TFC soccer club. Phil Grandmaitre is a past president and current member of the Navan Community Association, a past member of the now defunct Business Club d’Orléans and past board member of the board of directors of the Montfort Hospital Foundation. Phil coaches multiple sports teams with which his kids are involved and is the President of the Pioneer League and well as the Navan Minor Ball Association. As a firm, GVE continues to support several local clubs and organizations through sponsorships of all kinds.

The firm is proud of its past and ongoing contributions to Orléans and its surrounding areas. It is committed to continuing the tradition of supporting the community that has supported it for over 40 years.

Whether you are buying or selling a property, getting started in business or need estate planning or administration advice, Grandmaitre Virgo Evans Lawyers/Avocats has the expertise to make the process as stress-free as possible. You can reach them by calling 613-837-1010 or you can visit their website at gvelaw.ca.

Monica Alongi

Take the first step toward pain-free feet

Orléans residents are truly fortunate to have the premier foot care clinic in the entire Ottawa region right here in their own back yard. The Orléans Dynamic Foot Clinic can diagnose and treat virtually any type of foot ailment including corns and calluses, bunions, Morton’s Neuroma, plantar fasciitis, Athlete’s Foot, heel spurs, ingrown toenails and planter warts.

Led by Mélissa Clouthier-Chatel, who has a Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine, the team of foot care specialists at the clinic can help you find the relief you are looking for to enjoy the quality of life you deserve. Chiropodists Anna Grynechko and Katie Kroupskaia round out the team, which also includes office manager Lucie Quinn.

With foot and back pain, many people make an incorrect self-diagnosis which often leads to the situation getting worse. The foot care specialists at the Orléans Dynamic Foot Clinic will perform a thorough examination using the latest technology to provide a diagnosis and recommend the appropriate treatment which is often covered by your health insurance.

In most cases, orthotics, custom made to your feet, will solve the problem and provide the relief you are so desperately looking for. A properly made orthotic allows for the foot’s natural range of motion but limits bad tendencies in movement, returning the foot to its optimal position and functioning. The Orléans Dynamic Foot Clinic uses CryoVizion technology to perform a non-invasive examination of your lower body and feet. Through 3D imaging they can then create an optimized fit for your orthotics which can make all the difference in the world.

You shouldn’t have to spend the rest of your life walking in pain. Healthier feet means happier days. Be kind to yourself and book an appointment at the Orléans Foot Clinic today.

Turkish Village, a culinary jewel in the Heart of Orléans

After more than 32 years, the Little Turkish Village restaurant on St. Joseph Blvd.is still serving up delicious food including some of the best beef, chicken and lamb kebabs in the city and the very best lamb burger anywhere, according to Orléans Star publisher Fred Sherwin.

If it is traditional Turkish food you are looking for, then you need to look no further than Little Turkish Village. Besides the kebabs and lamb burger, the dinner menu includes such Turkish delights as Yougourtlu Shish Kofte which is charcoal-broiled ground beef marinated in Turkish spices and hand-rolled. It is then sliced and served on top of yogurt made in-house and garnished with a small skewer of lamb kebab.

Other mouth-watering delicacies include Classic Pirzola lamb chops; the Fillet of Sole, the Turkish Balik which is a Rainbow Trout fillet seasoned with Turkish spices and charcoaled grilled, and chicken wings made Turkish Village style.

And no meal at Little Turkish Village would be complete without dessert which includes homemade baklava, katif, mango fruit pudding and home-made cheesecake.

Owner Sunil Kurichh and his staff are dedicated to providing their customers with friendly and attentive service in their newly renovated and air-conditioned dining room.

The restaurant is located at the corner of St. Joseph Blvd. and Grey Nuns Avenue. They are open for both lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday; 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday; and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

• Custom orthotics

• Hip, knee, back and heel pain

• Flat feet

• Corns/calluses/warts

Ingrown nail surgery

• Fungal nail & laser treatment

Diabetic foot care

• Xrays

*Our services are covered by most private insurance plans

You can also enjoy your favourite Turkish Village dish at home by ordering directly through their website at turkishvillage.ca or by calling 613-824-5557. You can pick it up yourself or use any of the popular delivery services.

Sunil and Anjum Kurichh

Melissa CloutierChatel, DPM

Anna Grynechko, Chiropodist

Ekaterina Kroupskaia, Chiropodist

Find out what all the excitement is about at Caravela Restaurante

Since it first opening on Boxing Day 2016, Caravela Restaurante and its owner Fernando 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 Diniz. “Many of our customers come back two or three times a month.”

The long list of regular clients 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 “Rico” Sousa who also worked at El Meson for many years.

Diniz hails from Teceira located 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, shrimp, baby clams and 20 mussels. They also have a number of seafood appetizers including Grilled Octopus, Cod Cakes, Shrimp Cakes and Garlic Shrimp. Caravela has also become famous for its Seafood Chowder which is arguably among the best in Ottawa.

Caravela is currently ranked as the 8th best seafood restaurant in Ottawa by Tripadvisor, even though it is not primarily a seafood establishment. For non-seafood lovers, Caravela serves up an outstanding Lamb Shank, Braised Rabbit, sumptuous Chicken Piri-Piri, and Alcatra, which is a Portuguese pot roast. They can even make a delicious Paella for two or four, but it has to be ordered ahead of time. Most of the items on the menu can be ordered with no spice, medium spice, or hot and spicy.

Enjoying 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 Diniz.

You can check out Caravela’s latest menu at caravelarestaurante.ca. Because of the restaurant’s popularity, reservations for Thursday, Friday and Saturday night are a must. Caravela Restaurante is located at 3712 Innes Rd. next to Food Basics.

Expertise + quality = customer satisfaction

With more than 55 years of combined experience in selling and installing fireplaces of every type and model, the father and son team of Mike and Jason Pilon have a well-established reputation for meeting and often exceeding their clients’ expectations. It’s one of the reasons why they have a 4.8 star rating on Google with 182 reviews. It’s also the reason why so many of their new clients are referred to them by existing customers.

“It’s probably the most rewarding part of the job,” says Mike Pilon, who sold fireplaces in Cornwall for 31 years before moving to Orléans in 2009. “When someone says, ‘Oh, so-and-so told me I should come here,’ you know you’re doing things right, especially when you think a fireplace should last a lifetime. We don’t get a lot of repeat customers, unless they move to another house and want another fireplace.”

The biggest advantage to buying your next fireplace at Romantic, besides their selection of quality natural gas, propane, pellet, wood fireplaces, and wood stoves is the fact that they do their own installation, including mantles and hearths. There are no sub-contractors involved. Their after-sale service is also second to none. In fact, Mike and Jason make it a point to check in with their customers from time to time to make sure everything is working to their standards... and the customer’s satisfaction.

The first step to buying a new fireplace at Romantic is to visit their showroom located in the Canotek Business Park. You can drop in anytime between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Since the owners are the salespeople, you will be greeted by either Mike or Jason, who will be happy to explain the pros and cons of the different types of fireplaces in meeting your needs and your budget. In most cases they will give you three options – good, better and best. The decision is then up to you. Mike can also help you design an enclosure for your new fireplace to fit into your existing decor or your new home.

After the initial consultation, either Mike or Jason will visit your home to see the room the fireplace is going in for themselves to further ensure that you are making the right purchase and to give you an accurate final quote. Once the fireplace is installed, you can enjoy it for as long as you remain in your home.

Romantic Fireplaces is located at 5380 Canotek Rd. Unit 7. To get to the Canotek Business Park exit Hwy. 174 at Montreal Road. You can also visit their website at romanticfireplaces.com.

Jason and Mike Pilon

Fernando Diniz

Providing a positive dental experience

At the Blackburn Shoppes Dental Centre, Dr. Chantal Plant and her team have a well-earned reputation for providing the very best dental care with the utmost sensitivity to their patients’ needs no matter their age.

Dr. Plant is also sensitive to the anxiety many people have when visiting the dentist. She has been successfully treating anxious patients for over 25 years to the point where they are no longer afraid of coming to the dentist and actually look forward to it.

Getting to know her patients and their dental fears helps her decide what techniques to use to help them relax as much as possible. One of the most effective ways Dr. Plant does this is to allow her patients to communicate with her during their procedure using various techniques such as raising their hand to signal her to stop and give them a short break.

Informing her patients step by step as to what she is doing also goes a long way in reducing their level of anxiety. Offering nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas) is another method used to relax a nervous patient.

When it comes to young patients, Dr. Plant pays special attention to a child’s behaviours and feelings so that they feel unique and respected. To do this, she uses a variety of approaches such using kid-friendly words and the “show-and-tell” technique explaining each procedure in language they understand. Dr. Plant’s goal is to raise a new generation of children who have no fear of the dentist.

The Blackburn Shoppes Dental Centre also provides cosmetic services including veneers, crowns, braces and implant, utilizing the latest technology including the use of a digital scanner that takes a digital impression and 3D printing of your teeth and provides a more comfortable experience for the patient.

So, no matter what your age, you can count on having a positive, stress-free experience when visiting the Blackburn Shoppes Dental Centre.

Don’t put off going to the dentist any longer – it’s an important part of your overall health. You can contact the dental office at 613-834-5959 or online at ottawafamilydentist.com. It’s the first step in what will be a ful“filling” experience!

Ottawa law firm has deep roots in Orléans

Established in January 2021, Richardson Hall LLP prides itself on being a modern litigation law firm that focuses on families and their rights. The firm’s partners, associates, law clerks and students are a tight-knit family that work collaboratively so that their clients can focus on their own families and what matters most to them.

Founding partners Jonathan Richardson and Amanda Hall both went to high school in Orléans, where they currently live and raise their children with their respective spouses.

Having worked together since 2012, Jon and Amanda joined forces to launch their own firm in January of 2021. A native of Orléans, Jon has been practicing law for the past 17 years. His specialty is in the areas of family law and civil litigation with a particular focus on construction law.

Originally from Newfoundland, Amanda moved to Orléans with her family in 1982. With over 20 years’ experience in the area of family law, she is highly proficient in representing clients in parenting matters, as well as property division, spousal support and child support claims.

Jon and Amanda, along with co-partners Erin Lepine and Marta Siemiarczuk, and associates Angela Livingstone, Victoria Boddy, Camille Ligier, Alice Weatherstone and Tory Fishman, pride themselves on working to meet their clients’ needs as efficiently as possible.

The Richardson Hall team has embraced technological efficiencies and is entirely cloud-based with team members able to work remotely as necessary to assist their clients.

A team of litigators, Richardson Hall is willing to go to court but embraces alternative dispute resolution when it is appropriate. The team is dedicated to helping clients protect their rights and will negotiate agreements or proceed to mediation when it will benefit their clients. Should litigation be necessary, Richardson Hall has experienced staff to work with clients to keep costs down and matters progressing in a timely manner.

“Being a small litigation firm with deep connections to the community gives us a great deal of flexibility,” Jon says. “We can work individually with every client to meet their needs, but also to bring a flexible and cost-effective team approach.”

To learn more about Richardson Hall LLP, the firm’s legal team and the services they provide visit richardsonhall.com.

Jonathan Richardson

Amanda Hall

Keeping Orléans motorists on the road for over 29 years

When it comes to providing honest service for honest value, no one delivers more on that promise than the folks at Precision Automotive where customer service is there number one priorities.

With 10 bays, five 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. As the saying goes “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, or in this case potentially an expensive towing bill and hundeds of dollars in repairs that could have easily been avoided with a trip to Precision.

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 for honest value for over 29 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 precisionautomotive.ca or call them at 613-841-5550. Happy motoring!

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

near Innes and Tenth Line Rd. behind the McDonald’s

www.precisionautomotive.ca

Phone: 613-841-5550

Your total home entertainment and Smart Home store

If you’re an audio-visual buff, or just someone who wants to upgrade their home entertainment system with the latest in audio and visual technology, then you need to visit the Sound & Sight showroom on St. Joseph Blvd.

Sound & Sight is the premier home entertainment and Smart Home technology store in the east end, bar none. The store is locally owned and operated by Jason Miller, who has over 30 years experience in the audio-visual and home entertainment industry.

Jason can help turn your audiovisual dreams into reality by working with you in developing a concept, coming up with the design elements and putting all the pieces in place. From putting together multi-room sound systems to stateof-the-art home theatre set ups, Jason can turn your home into a Sound & Sight oasis.

They carry all the leading brands of audio-visual equipment, including Canadianmade Totem speakers and the complete line of Arcam integrated amplifiers, AV receivers and CD players. They also carry all well-known brands like Samsung, Sony, Harmon Kardon, Mission and Sonos.

Beyond the audio-visual, Sound & Sight also equips your home with all the latest Smart Home technology, including remote-controlled, motorized blinds by Hunter Douglas, security and surveillance systems, Smart Home HVAC controls, lighting controls and home networking systems.

And they’re a licensed dealer for Panasonic and Human Touch massage chairs as well as Jaymar recliners and theatre seating.

As you can see, Sound & Sight is more than just an audio visual store.

To get a taste of all they have to offer, visit their website at soundsight.ca which has several links to videos that are bound to spark your imagination. You can also visit their Facebook page @soundsight.ca.

But if you want to take advantage of their ongoing special deals and pricing on everything from flat screen TVs to sound bars and speakers, you need to visit their showroom at 2688 St. Joseph Blvd. at the corner of Orléans Blvd. across from the TD bank.

Jason Miller

COMMUNITY BILLBOARD

FRIDAY, JAN. 26

CELEBRATE ROBBIE

BURNS DAY at the Royal Oak Orléans from 6-9 p.m. starting with the traditional piping in of the Haggis. The Royal Oak is located on the corner of St. Joseph and Jeanne d’Arc Blvd. For more information visit facebook.com/ RoyalOakPubsOrleans/.

FRIDAY NIGHT DANCE AND OPTIONAL DINNER at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 632 in the Taylor Creek Business Park. Rambler Blvd. is excited to be deejaying a Friday night dance at the Orleans Legion. There will be an optional three-course dinner from 5-7 p.m. provided by Prestige Catering for $25. Dance will start at 7 p.m. No cover charge and everyone is welcome (i.e., you do not have to be a Legion member).

FRIDAY, JAN. 27

1ST ANNUAL WINTER

MARKET from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Robert Plante Greenhouses, 4228 Navan Rd. Immerse yourself in the warmth of the lush greenhouses as you explore the offerings of 60+ local vendors and artisans, each showcasing their unique, homemade creations

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 31

THE STRAY DOG BREWING CO. presents Taproom Trivia. Exercise your gray matter each and every Wednesday night. Reservations are a must to secure your spot. Send your team name and number of people to info@ straydogbrewing.ca

FRIDAY, FEB. 2

STRAY DOG BREWING CO. presents Steve Stacey live in their taproom located at 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park. For more information visit facebook.com/ StrayDogBrewingCompany.

SATURDAY, FEB. 3

SUNDAY, FEB. 4

CCR TRIBUTE BAND

OYSTER NIGHT at the Orléans Brewing Co., 4380 Innes Rd. from 6 to10 p.m. Indulge in the finest oysters and unwind with a drink in hand. We also offer wine and ciders for the non-beer lovers!

GREEN RIVER REVIVAL will be performing at the Shenkman Arts Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 4 at 3 p.m. Tickets $50 per person available at the online box office at shenkmanarts.ca

Robert “Bob” Woods, 77

Passed away on January 12, 2024

Adrien-Paul Aubertin, 89

Passed away on January 11, 2024

Nicole Bourdeau, 80

Passed away on January 10, 2024

By Fred Sherwin

The Orléans Star

Navan native Dominique Vivier is the latest in a long line of successful Orléans area curlers that goes back to Jeff Morris who was a two-time world junior champion in 1998 and 1999, the 2015 Brier Champion and an Olympic gold medalist in 2018 in mixed doubles with partner Kaitlyn Lawes.

The list also includes three-time Scotties Tournament of Hearts champion and World Champion Rachel Homan, who went to Cairine Wilson Secondary School, and brothers Jason and Mat Camm who, like Dominique, also hail from Navan.

Jason won the 2011 U16 provincial bantam championship and the 2013 Ontario junior championship. Older brother Mat won the U16 provincial championship in 2008 and the junior title in 2011. He went to have a successful men’s career playing mostly third for John Epping.

All of which means Vivier is following in some pretty impressive footsteps. The 18-year-old Collège Mer-Bleue grad began curling when she was eight after her dad signed her up for the Little Rocks program at the Navan Curling Club.

It took a while for Vivier to warm up to the game. It wasn’t until she was recruited to play on the Little Rock competitive team that she began to enjoy it more.

“I had a competitive streak in me even

back then,” says Vivier.

Although she loved competitive curling, it wasn’t until this year that Vivier finally made it to the top, but she did so with help of three teammates from across Ontario.

It was her third, Brooklyn Ideson –who lives in London and goes to Western University – who contacted her first. Vivier is a first-year student at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, which is just down the road from Western.

“We’ve been talking about putting a team together for a while,” says Vivier. “And this year is our final shot at the U18 level so we decided to actually do it.”

The two young women then contacted second Toula Pappas from Peterborough and lead Sydney Anderson from Greely to join them and the rest is history.

Even though they had never played together before and weren’t able to practice together on a regular basis, they managed to earn enough points at the early season tournaments to get a direct berth in the U18 provincial championships, where they finished in first place after the round robin and went on to win the title in an extra end although Vivier had a chance to salt the game away in regulation.

After making a difficult take-out through a narrow port to earn shot rock, Vivier just had to draw to the eight foot on the final stone in the eighth end to get the win.

Unfortunately, the adrenaline from the previous shot took over and she ended sailing her shot through the house, giving her opponent a new lease on life.

But in the extra end, it was her opponent who made a mistake, allowing Vivier to score two points and win the title.

Vivier and her teammates are now preparing for the national U18 championships which are being held at the RA Centre in

Navanite skips team to U18 provincial title

Ottawa from Feb. 4 to 10.

Although the team’s initial goal was to qualify for the Canadian championships, Vivier is now excited to see how far they might go, with the ultimate goal being the gold medal.

The team is hoping to capitalize on their home ice advantage to go all the way. For a complete schedule of the championships visit www.curling.ca/2024u18.

Left to right, Skip Dominique Vivier, third Brooklyn Ideson, second Toula Pappas and lead Sydney Anderson. PHOTO SUPPLIED