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Will Canada Day crowds cause surge in COVID cases? By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, area residents flocked to Petrie Island on Canada Day. FRED SHERWIN PHOTO
It’s a question that’s on the minds of health care officials and local residents alike. Will the gatherings that were seen around Orléans on Canada Day cause a surge or spike in local COVID-19 cases? While gatherings of more than 10 people was, and still is, prohibited, smaller gatherings could be seen on local patios and in city parks as area residents celebrated Canada’s birthday in the 30-degree heat. Petrie Island was especially busy as thousands of people flocked to it’s beaches to beat the heat. The parking lot was full by 2 p.m. and the causeway leading to the island had cars parked on both sides as visitors chose to ignore the no parking signs. While most people did their best to try and respect physical distancing requirements on
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the island, there were spots here and there were people were clearly within two metres of each other and in one instance, a family had combined six 10’ x 10’ tents to shelter what looked to be a large family outing. As for face masks, only a handful of people could be seen wearing them on the island. The vast majority were not. Whether or not the high concentration of people and the lack of face masks will cause a local outbreak in COVID-19 cases depends on how many people who visited the island actually had the virus and whether or not they were in close enough proximity to others to spread it. According to Ottawa Public Health’s most recent data, there were approximately 23 active cases in the east end as of June 22, but as many as 30 times that number could have the virus and not know it. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
COMMUNITY BRIEFS
Pandemic fails to prevent Canada Day fireworks Continued from page 1
On June 24, 60 school buses from M.L. Bradley in Navan formed a convoy through the streets of Orléans, driving past every high school, as a way to congratulate this year’s graduating class of 2020 on the official final day of the school year. STAFF PHOTO
Little Turkish Village stymied by unsympathetic landlord ORLÉANS –Like many restaurants in Orléans, Little Turkish Village has been struggling to survive during the current pandemic and ongoing shutdown of restaurant dining rooms. But unlike other establishments which have been given the go ahead to open their patios and in many cases expand them without the need for a special license, the owners of the Little Turkish Village have been stymied by their landlord who has so far refused to allow them to turn four of the parking spaces in front of the St. Joseph Blvd. restaurant into a small patio, even though the City of Ottawa has no objections. Although the revenue created by the extra tables won’t be a cash windfall by any means, it will help the owners pay the bills which keep mounting with each passing week. The Little Turkish Village has been offering takeout and delivery services through Skip the Dishes and Uber Eats ever since the pandemic began and, like most other restaurants, they are desperately waiting for the province to allow them to open their dining rooms to 50 per cent capacity as is currently the case in many other provinces.
Free library/pantry initiative launched in Orléans ORLÉANS – A group of Orléans residents has launched a local Little Free Library and Little Free Pantry initiative in order to help others and pass it on. The Little Free program was first launched in the United States and has now spread across the border into Canada. The basic concept is to take what you need and leave what you can. It is based on an honour system and allows individuals to borrow a book or take non-perishable food items from an unlocked box in a predetermined location and conversely leave a book or books and non-perishable food items so that others may benefit from them. Both initiatives were officially launched this week. Look for a full story in the July 23 edition of the Orléans Star.
2 • July 9, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 5
A number of people on the beach expressed their disappointment that the pandemic had forced the cancellation of the annual Kiwanis East Ottawa Canada Day celebration on Petrie Island and the fireworks display along with it. The Petrie Island Canada Day celebration has become a tradition for many local families. This year, they were forced to find an alternative. Some celebrated with a pool party in their backyard. Some escaped to their cottages. And others took the kids to their local splash pad. One aspect of Canada Day that didn’t fall by the wayside were the fireworks. Instead of a fireworks show on Petrie Island, people put together their own fireworks displays. In fact, at one point it seemed like fireworks were being set off in every park in Orléans. Some of the pyrotechnics lasted for over half an hour and choruses of O Canada could be heard echoing through the air in several neighbourhoods.
Onlookers watch an impromptu fireworks display behind Fallingbrook Elementary School on Canada Day.
Ward boundary review proposes controversial changes By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star While most residents in Orléans have been caught up in the COVID-19 pandemic, consultants hired by the City of Ottawa have been busy formulating recommendations for the Ottawa Ward Boundary Review (OWBR). Those recommendations were released last week in the OWBR Options Report, which among other things suggests a number of drastic changes to the ward boundaries in the far east end. By far the most drastic is the recommendation to merge the rural part of Cumberland Ward with Osgoode Ward, which is contained in all five options presented in the report. Four of the options would maintain three wards in Orléans and Blackburn Hamlet, while Option 5, would reduce the number of wards to two and cut the overall number of wards in Ottawa from 23 to 17. Under these scenarios that would maintain three wards in Ottawa. Innes Ward would no longer include Chapel Hill South and Bradley Estates. Instead, it would be extended east to include Convent Glen North and all of Chateauneuf and Queenswood Heights between St. Joseph Blvd. and Innes Road.
Although is would lose Convent Glen North and Queenswood Heights, Orléans Ward would retain the neighbourhoods north of Hwy. 174 (except for Convent Glen North) as well as Convent Glen South and Pressault between Hwy. 174 and St. Joseph Blvd. The ward would also be expanded south to Innes Road to include all of South Fallingbrook and east to Cox Country and Frank Kenny Roads between the Ottawa River and Innes which would include the new Cardinal Creek Village sub-division. The third ward would be located in Orléans South between Innes Road to the north, Trim Road to the east, Wall Road to the south and the Greenbelt to the west and would include Chapel Hill South, Bradley Estates, Trailsedge, Notting Hill and all of Avalon. And while there likely won’t be a great deal of opposition to the proposed new suburban ward boundaries, the recommendation to merge the rural part of the current Cumberland Ward to Osgoode Ward has already raised the ire of a number of residents and left several former elected representatives scratching their heads. “No, I don’t think it’s a great idea,” says former Ottawa city councillor Bob Monette
The Ottawa Ward Boundary Review proposes a number of changes to the east ends three suburban wards. GRAPHIC SUPPLIED who sat on Cumberland town council in the 1980s. “Besides the fact that the residents living in Cumberland Village and Navan have different issues than residents living in Metcalfe and Osgoode, it reduces the number
of rural wards from four to three.” The options contained in the Ward Boundary Review will be presented to Ottawa City Council on July 15. Public consultations will follow in August and September.
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June 25, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 4 • 3
Cumberland conundrum With the COVID-19 pandemic still having a dramatic effect on people’s lives, it’s little wonder that a list of recommendations suggesting a dramatic reconfiguration of the ward boundaries in Orléans and Cumberland was made public on June 24 to a chorus of crickets. Among other things, the recommendations would see Cumberland Ward separated along rural and suburban lines. The suburban portion of the ward would form part of a new Orléans South Ward and the rural portion of the ward would be merged with Osgoode Ward to form a much larger Cumberland-Osgoode Ward. The bit about realigning the boundaries in Orléans to take into account the massive growth south of Innes in recent years makes a lot of sense, but the idea to throw the rural portion of Cumberland in with Osgoode Ward does not. The only thing Cumberland Village or Navan has in common with Osgoode or Metcalfe is the fact that all four are located in the country. It pretty stops and ends there. The largely French communities of Sarsfield and Vars have even less in common with the aforementioned. The recommendations are even more dramatic for residents living along Navan Road, which would divided in half. Residents living west of Mer Bleue Road would be thrown in with the new Orléans South Ward and those living east of Mer Bleue would become part of the new Cumberland-Osgoode Ward. That’s pretty hard to imagine. It’s clear that the authors of Ward Boundary Review 2020 made their recommendations based solely on the population figures and future projections rather than history. Cumberland has always been a mix of rural and suburban ever since Queenswood Heights was created in the late 60s and Chatelaine Villlage after that. Instead of merging Cumberland and Osgoode, the rural part of Cumberland should be added to the suggested new Orléans North Ward and the boundary between Orléans South and North should be moved from Innes Road, which is the boundary that is being suggested, and moved to along Des Epinettes and Gardenway, which is the current dividing line between Orléans Ward and Cumberland Ward. This would keep the numbers just about even between the three east end wards and still allow the rural residents in Cumberland to remain part of the east end. Opposition against the recommendation to merge Cumberland and Osgoode will likely gain steam as more of the rural residents find out about it. In the meantime, they have other things to occupy their thoughts and keep them up at night. – 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 • July 9, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 5
We must remain vigilant against COVID-19 to prevent resurgence Well, with Canada Day behind us, summer is in now open for patio service. After the long pause, it full swing. A special thank you to all the neighbours is nice to be able to enjoy a burger at Corner Bar, and local businesses who stepped up with music, a delicious meal at the Royal Canadian Legion 632 decorations and fun this physically (who have a new chef and updatdistanced holiday. I sorely missed ed menu), enchiladas at Mexi’s or our traditions of Senior’s Bingo and a pint at The Royal Oak, Taproom Matt fun at Petrie Island and can’t wait 260 or Jonny Canuck’s, to name a Luloff until we can do it all once again. few. Be sure to be patient and kind After posting my Canada Day with serving staff and observe all message, Laura, Libby and I enprecautions when venturing out. Orléans Ward 1 joyed an afternoon in the sun with We are faring well here in Ottawa, our friends in their backyard pool. After the public and the last thing we need right now is to have to pools closed in March, we missed out on Libby’s return to Stage 1 all over again. first swimming lesson session, so it was extra nice On that note, I want to thank you all for remaining to see that she’s just as enthusiastic about the water vigilant during this pandemic. I am so impressed as her dad! with how caring we have been to each other. As I It’s hot, and it is going to be hot for the foreseeable have said before, wearing a mask in public and future. As I write this, a heat warning is in effect, respecting the space of others is an act of love for and looking at the 14-day forecast, it looks like this one another. Be sure to stay up to date on the latest wave won’t be letting up any time soon. Splash pads advice from Ottawa Public Health by visiting www. and beaches are now open across the city and we are ottawapublichealth.ca and following the links. working very hard to safely reopen our other amen- Information is updated daily and our operations are ities, so please be sure to stay up to date with what is adjusted accordingly. and is not open quite yet on the city’s website. Also As always, my staff and I are here to assist you with be sure to drink lots of water while ensuring our furry any questions you might have, so please never hesifriends stay hydrated, too! tate to reach out. We are available between 8:30 a.m. If you have been missing the camaraderie of patio and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday at 613-580-2471 or season, many of our incredible local businesses are any time at matt.luloff@ottawa.ca. Stay safe!
Setting the record straight on wearing face masks As the great face mask debate continues on social media, I thought I would offer my own two cents’ worth on the subject since my position has often been misconstrued on those same channels. Overall, I think face masks can provide an effective defence against the spread of the virus, especially in crowded areas indoors where the ability to social distance is an issue, such as grocery stores, and particularly in areas where people congregate for an extended period of time, such as a funeral service or in a work environment like a manufacturing or food packing plant. Can wearing a face mask protect you from contracting the virus? Most reports would indicate that face masks, both medical and non-medical (e.g., fabric) are effective in protecting yourself against contracting the virus through airborne water droplets when someone coughs or sneezes. They don’t, however, protect you from contracting the virus through surface transfer. For example, if someone is coughing near you and the water droplets land on your clothing or your hair, you could contract the virus by touching the contaminated clothing or running your hand though you hair and then touching your face or rubbing your
Up Front Fred Sherwin eyes. That is why it’s important to continue to wash your hands on a regular basis, or use hand sanitizer. I rarely find myself in close proximity to someone who is coughing or sneezing. Which brings me to the efficacy of face masks in protecting you from asymptomatic carriers? There are several studies which have confirmed that you can spread the virus by talking loudly, or to a much less degree, heavy breathing. Both practices can expel microscopic particles called bioaerosols, which can be found in your breath or produced as the water droplets evaporate in mid-air and leave a dried version of the virus which can linger for an extended period of time. What the virus hasn’t been able to pin down is the potency of these bioaerosols
and the length of time it takes for the them to dissipate. What they have surmised is that you are much more likely to contract the virus through bioaerosols if you are in a closedin space with an asymptomatic carrier for an extended period of time, such as during a birthday party or in a bar, than you are in a retail or grocery store where you are constantly moving. It’s exponentially less likely to contract the virus through microorganisms outdoors where airflow can cause them to dissipate fairly rapidly. And while social distancing is the most effective way to avoid contracting the virus through airborne water droplets, it’s even more effective in avoiding those microscopic bioaerosols produced by asymptomatic carriers. So how can face masks help? Not in the way you might think. Because of their size, bioaerosols can easily penetrate through most face coverings. In a study conducted by the Southern Research Institute in Birmingham, Alabama researchers found that fabric masks were 11.3 per cent efficient in blocking bioaerosols while surgical masks like the ones that are blue on the outside and white on the inside were still only 33.6 per cent effective.
Both results can be compared to N95 masks which were found to be nearly 90 per cent effective. But here’s the catch – the tests were conducted using mannequin heads. Other studies have found that by simply wearing a face mask you create a type of barrier that can drastically reduce the number of bioaerosols you either expel or ingest. When you wear a face mask, the space between your mouth and the mask creates a type of heated vapour barrier that can cut down on the number of bioaerosols you either expel or ingest. So yes, masks can be effective in protecting yourself from either contracting or spreading the COVID-19 virus. Whether or not they are necessary when going outdoors is still up for debate. I personally don’t believe they are necessary when going outdoors unless you find yourself in a mass protest or rally and are in close proximity to others for an extended period of time. I also don’t think they are necessary for otherwise healthy individuals indoors in situations where you are moving about like a grocery store or a shopping mall. But hey, that’s just my opinion based on the studies I’ve read. You can form your own opinion.
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June 25, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 4 • 5
Innes Road Prince Gourmet undergoes rebranding By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star The Prince Gourmet on Innes Road is no longer Prince Gourmet. Owner Kassem Cheatani has changed the name to Chez Shawarma...but don’t worry, they still have the same friendly helpful staff and they still use the same marinades, sauces and dressings that have made them one of the most popular Lebanese takeout restaurants anywhere in Ottawa. Kassem and his brother Ibrahim opened the very first Prince Gourmet in Kanata in 2006. They soon expanded to a location downtown and eventually Orléans, where they opened the first Prince Gourmet on in 2009. The restaurant was so successful that Kassem and his brother decided to franchise in 2013. During this time, Kassem was still a fulltime teacher at Avalon Public School where he taught French Immersion and coached a variety of different sports. “I would teach until 3 p.m. Then coach for a couple of hours before coming into the restaurant and working here till 10 o’clock and then going home to prepare the lessons for the next day. I did that for many years,”
says Kassem, who only retired from teaching in 2016. Kassem decided to rebrand his restaurant last fall in order gain a degree of independence and separate himself from the other Prince Gourmet restaurants and even the Shawarma Prince locations. “I was the one doing all the advertising, but everyone else was benefiting,” says Kassem because people were getting mixed up between Prince Gourmet and Shawarma Prince. And to be honest, even the other Prince Gourmet locations were not doing the same. I have my own very high standards but not everybody shares those standards.” In December, Kassem started asking customers to help come up with a new name. Out of the dozen or more suggestions he chose Chez Shawarma, but unfortunately Chez Shawarma owner Kassem Cheatani stands outside his restaurant whoever suggested the name did so anonyat 3848 Innes Rd. next to Lowe’s. FRED SHERWIN PHOTO mously. “I would love to find out who suggested was the idea. I am all about community and Shawarma has been able to weather the current pandemic. A sign above the the name. If they are reading this article family and being together.” Over the years, Kassem has built up a storefront says it all, “In good times and in please come in and let me know. I would love to meet you and you will get a free loyal clientele, many of whom are former bad times – solidarity and togetherness in our community.” shawarma,” says Kassem who chose the students and colleagues. His focus on community and customer Chez Shawarama is located at 3848 Innes name because it reflects the idea of a gathering place and a sense of family. “This service is also the reason why Chez Rd. next to the Lowe’s store.
Your turnkey store for all your bathroom, kitchen, laundry, basement, closet and office needs. 30 Years in the Ottawa area and all surroundings. 613.834.1796 • dbkottawa.com 2035 Lanthier Drive, Orléans, ON (Near Innes and 10th line)
6 • July 9, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 5
By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star Thousands of online donors have answered an 11th-hour call to help save Little Ray’s Nature Centre from potentially going out of business and closing up shop after contributing nearly $150,000 to a GoFundMe campaign over the past five weeks. The Nature Centre’s founder, Paul “Little Ray” Goulet, launched the campaign to help pay his mounting bills as the COVID-19 pandemic enters a fourth month. Since mid-March when the provincial government imposed a state of emergency and ordered all non-essential businesses to close, Little Ray’s has suffered a 94 per cent drop in revenue. The pandemic could not have happened at a worse time for the Nature Centre. Last year, they bought the old Home Hardware store in Sarsfield, which they have been renovating in order to house the more than 800 exotic animals they have in their care. In 2018, Goulet established Little Ray’s Foundation For Animal Rescue and Education, or FARE, in anticipation of opening the Sarsfield location as a non-profit, but with the financial issues brought on by the
COVID-19 pandemic, Goulet decided to launch the non-profit foundation in conjunction with the GoFundMe campaign. One hundred per cent of the money raised will go towards the care and maintenance of the animals and the core costs associated with them. Those combined costs amount to just under $70,000 a month. Goulet estimates the centre can generate roughly $20,000 a month now that the province has allowed them to operate under an established protocol that includes strict social distancing rules. But visitors only account for four per cent of the centre’s annual revenue. Before the pandemic their main source of revenue came from outsourced education programs and museum exhibits which have been put on hold indefinitely due to the pandemic. That leaves a monthly shortfall of about $50,000. Goulet is hoping that things will pick up in January, but to get there they have to raise a total of $350,000. Between the GoFundMe campaign at www.gofundme.com/f/largestexotic-animal-rescue-in-Canada and the monthly donor campaign at donorbox.org/ save-canadas-largest-exotic-animal-rescue they have raised close to half what they need.
FRED SHERWIN PHOTO
Little Ray’s Nature Centre halfway to fundraising goal
“In my wildest dreams I never thought we would be begging for support,” says Goulet who is tremendously thankful for all of the help they have received so far. “For me, regardless of what our future holds, to hear how we have impacted people’s lives... it’s been very special for my wife and I as we try to navigate a very difficult time,” says Goulet. One young donor in particular has raised
over $500 by selling bracelets for $1 each. Caleigh, 9, from Orléans, heard about Little Ray’s situation and immediately started making loom bracelets and selling them for a minimum donation of one dollar. “I heard that Little Ray’s may go out of business which breaks my heart, so I came with the idea to sell bracelets,” says Caleigh, for which everyone at the Little Ray’s Nature Centre is extremely grateful.
Join us for our virtual programming Soyez des nôtres avec notre programmation virtuelle Activities for families with children up to 6 years Infant playgroup: 0 - 12 months
MONDAY LUNDI
TUESDAY MARDI
Activités pour les familles avec les enfants jusqu’à l’âge de 6 ans Groupe de bébé : 0 - 12 mois
WEDNESDAY MERCREDI
Jouer et apprendre en famille (Français) 10 à 10 h 30
Family Move and Groove (English) 10 to 10:30 a.m.
Family Learn and Play (English) 10 to 10:30 a.m.
Bilingual Infant Playgroup | Groupe de bébé bilingue 1 to 1:30 p.m.
Virtual Coffee Chat (English) 2 to 2:30 p.m.
Café rencontre virtuelle (Français) 14 à 14 h 30
Histoires avant le dodo (Français) 19 à 19 h 30
Bedtime Stories (English) 7 to 7:30 p.m.
Virtual Coffee Chat: Parents, grandFamily Move and Grove: A fun and parents and caregivers are welcomed to engaging experience with a circle time: chatting, signing, dancing and much more. join discussions and ask questions on child’s development, self-regulation in children, parenting, resources in the Chantez et bougez en famille : Une expérience amusante et engageante avec community, etc. un temps de cercle : chanter, danser, bouger et beaucoup plus.
Café rencontre virtuelle : parents, grands-parents et responsables de garde Bedtime Stories: A relaxing story time sont invités à participer aux discussions et with your child. à poser des questions sur le développement de l’enfant, Histoires avant le dodo : Un moment de l’autorégulation, le rôle parental, les détente avec votre enfant. ressources offertes dans la communauté, etc.
THURSDAY JEUDI
Chantez et bougez en famille (Français) 10 à 10 h 30
FRIDAY VENDREDI
Show and Share (English) 10 to 10:30 a.m. Montre et raconte (Français) 10 h 30 à 11 h
https://bit.ly/EarlyONyva2020 Meeting ID: 862 4944 5305 Passcode: 236054
Family Learn and Play: A fun and structured experience - a prepared activity for your child to engage in. Jouer et apprendre en famille : Une expérience amusante et structurée - une activité encadrée pour votre enfant. Show and Share: A fun and engaging experience - your child will be invited to show or share an experience of their own. Montre et raconte : Une expérience amusante et engageante - votre enfant sera invité à montrer ou à partager une expérience qu'il a vécu.
Bilingual Infant Playgroup: A special time for you and your baby to meet new families, ask questions, and engage in songs with others during circle time. Groupe de bébé : Un temps spécial pour vous et votre bébé à rencontrer de nouvelles familles, poser des questions et participer à un temps de cercle en bonne compagnie.
Virtual Support for Parents | Soutien à distance : (613) 830-4357 www.crcoc.ca
June 25, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 4 • 7
City council rejects planned high-rise development STAR STAFF – Ottawa city council has voted against a proposed high rise development on Innes Road, but it may be too little too late as the developer, Groupe Lepine, has already appealed their application to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (formerly the Ontario Muncipal Board) which has the final say on all planning matters in Ontario. Groupe Lepine wants to build five ninestorey buildings and three high-rises of up to 16 storeys on land just south of Innes Road near Mer Bleue Road. The buildings will house 1,320 apartment units in all. The city received written feedback from nearly 400 residents, three-quarters of whom are against the project for a variety of reasons including the potential impact on local traffic and their quality of life. The Orléans Village and Area Community
Group, which was formed to give a voice to those who oppose the development, argues that the it should be built near Hwy. 174, close to the soon-to-be-built LRT route, but Groupe Lepine has their mind set on the current location. In, fact thay have been advertising the site and proposed apartment buildings in the Ottawa Citizen for weeks. Groupe Lépine filed their application to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal last fall, after the city failed to deal with it within the required 90 days. Groupe Lépine representative Miguel Tremblay said they were frustrated after waiting for the city to send back its technical comments, and when they finally came, the comments were “out of sync” with prior discussions between the two. A date for the LPAT hearing has not yet been set.
Throughout July and August, many City services will resume in new or different ways. Find out how to access services safely at ottawa.ca/reopening
8 • July 9, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 5
Plan your COVID-19 getaway in lovely Westport By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star If you’re looking for a way to alleviate some of the stress you’ve built up while trying to live under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, you should consider spending a weekend in Westport. Combine a night or two at the Victorian Luxury Suites with a sunset dinner at the nearby Schneuermann Vineyard & Winery and the pandemic will seem like a distant memory. The Scheuermann Vineyard & Winery was founded in 2011 by the husband and wife team of François and Allison Scheuermann. It took four years for the vineyard to produce enough grapes to make the winery’s first vintage in 2015, which was a grand total of 400 bottles. A year later with 8,000 vines on 6.25 acres of land overlooking Westport Sand Lake, they produced 2,000 cases. Today, the winery produces
its trademark Cabernet Franc, a Chardonnay, a Vidal and a sparkling white named Les Bulles. Besides making some of the finest wine in all of Ontario, Scheuermann Vineyard & Winery also makes some pretty good woodfired pizza which you can order during regular operating hours, Monday and Tuesday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (They are closed Wednesdays.) But if you really want to enjoy all Scheuermann’s has to offer, book a reservation for their wood grill dinner seatings on Friday, Saturday or Sunday when you can choose between a thick, juicy rib steak served with honey glazed carrots, grilled asparagus and baby potatoes, or a fish entrée which on different nights can be Salmon, Arctic Char, or even Walleye. On the evening I visited the winery, the choice was between the rib steak or grilled salmon. For the
The Victorian Luxury Suites is located on Church Street in the picturesque village of Westport, Ontario. PHOTO COURTESY OF PICSELLS INTERNATIONAL
sake of wanting to provide Orléans Star readers with a thorough review, I decided to order both, but not before sampling the artichoke dip appetizer which was delicious as was the salmon. But the star of the evening, besides my server, Hunter, who I will get to later, was the rib steak. At 17 ounces, it was a behemoth morsel of beef marinated in herb butter and topped with a thin slice of blue cheese. Having learned his trade as a chef in the French school of cooking, François tends to cook a little under as opposed to a little over. So, if you order your steak medium rare, as I did, it tends to be more on the rare side than medium. If you prefer your steak with a nice pink in the middle, then definitely order it medium. The meal itself was only matched by the service. Olivia, or hostess, couldn’t have been nicer, and Hunter, who I referred to earlier, was a gem. He was attentive without being obtrusive and he knew the wine and food menu inside and out, probably because this is his second year at the winery. Besides her hostessing duties, Olivia also makes a very tasty blueberry cheesecake which I had for dessert. In fact, everyone I met at the winery was as nice as can be. Everyone had a smile, which could be easily explained by the fact that the winery had just been allowed to serve food on the premises after weeks of uncertainty. In actuality, the main reason for their remarkable rapport with their customers and each other is the family atmosphere Allison and François have created among the staff, some of whom have been there since they started serving food three years ago. How many restaurants do you know where the staff gets together after every dinner service and enjoy a meal together before heading home? Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the view you can enjoy when you simply take a walk around the main house. To the south is the vineyard with its rows of grape vines and to the west is the lake. Sitting in an Adirondack chair while sipping from a glass of
François Scheuermann (left) is the owner of Scheuermann Vineyard & Winery in Westport along with his wife Allison. (Right) The rib steak perfectly cooked with aspargus, honey glazed carrots and baby potatoes. PICSELL PHOTOS Chardonnay as the sun sets over the lake is one of the most serene things you will ever do during these stressful times. And for those of you who are questioning my choice of two entrées, let me say in my defence that I donated a portion of my rib steak to the resident pooches, Sheba and Copa. I’m sure they enjoyed it just as much as I did. After dinner I returned to the Victorian Luxury Suites which is owned and operated by Stephanie Manstan – a native Newfoundlander who came to Westport last November by way of Toronto. Stephanie bought the Luxury Suites to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. The Victorian-era home has been completely renovated and has five suites to choose from, all of which are luxuriously appointed with king size beds, kitchenettes and some of the most beautiful washrooms you will see outside of a showroom. The Loft’s vaulted ceilings and full kitchen are a showstopper, while the Sunken Suite’s double clawfoot tub for two is a romantic’s dream. Four of the suites have kitchenettes, while the Loft offers a full kitchen. All of the suites come with
plush cotton robes and luxurious Egyptian cotton bedding. Referring to The Victorian as a “bed & breakfast” is a slight misnomer as Stephanie has decided to drop the self-serve continental breakfast in order to put more emphasis on her guests comfort and accommodation. If you feel like a bite to eat in the morning, there’s a wonderful bakery just down the block that makes a delicious bacon, egg and cheese croissant. Both the winery and the Victorian Luxury Suites have taken the necessary precautions to protect their guests against the COVID-19 virus and I felt totally safe during my visit. So much so, that I would recommend both establishments as the perfect way to get away from it all for a night, or a weekend. The Scheuermann Vineyard & Winery is located at 82 Bedford Ave. You can find their website at scheuermannwinery.com. The Victorian Luxury Suites are located at 16 Church St. in Westport. You can find their website at thevictoriansuites.com.
June 25, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 4 • 9
Navan Lions Club keeps busy during COVID-19 pandemic STAR STAFF – The Navan Lions Club has not let the COVID-19 pandemic slow them down. Last month, members of the service club visited a number of long-term care facilities and local businesses which have been providing an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their visits were intended to demonstrate their appreciation and recognize the important work these organizations do and the risk their employees take each day. Club members have not only visited the Sarsfield Colonial Home on June 12 and 17, they also visited the Portobello Retirement Residence on June 15 and the Queenswood Villa on June 16. Their support to several local businesses was extended to NAPA Autopro in Navan, Castello’s Pizza, J.T. Bradley’s Country Convenience Store, the Colonial Veterinary Hospital and Navan Veterinary Services. “Our members are pleased to be part of this important initiative,” says Navan Lions Club president Don Macartney.
“We now have members who have recently relocated to a residence and therefore, it was important for us to show our support. “The local businesses that were recognized by the Navan Lions Club are integral to the community and are strong supporters of our Club’s ongoing charitable and fundraising activities”. The Navan Lions Club has been serving their community since 1952. Over the years they have organized a number of fundraising drives in order to support local initiatives and individuals. The Club has approximately 20 active members, who meet twice monthly. The Club generates approximately $20,000 in revenues annually that helps support a number of local organizations such as the Orléans Cumberland Community Resource Centre, the Outcare Foundation and the CHEO Foundation. For more information, please contact Tony Fiorentino at tfiorentino@cces.ca, or call 613-697-6126.
BACK TO SCHOOL
RETOUR À L’ÉCOLE
To register call
Pour s’enregistrer, appeler le
613-741-6025
613-741-6025
until
jusqu’au
August 3rd 2020
3 août 2020
Eligibility Requirements
Critères d’admissibilité
-Low-income families
-Familles à faible revenu
living in Orleans-South
habitant à Orleans-Sud
(K1C postal code)
(code postal K1C)
-Students from Kindergarten to grade 12
-Élèves de la maternelle à la douzième année
10 • July 9, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 5
Navan Lions Club members have visited a number of senior homes including Revera Portobello (above) and Queenswood Villa.
Highly anticipated Orléans Health Hub begins to take shape By Rebecca Kwan L’Orléanais Barely a few months have passed since construction began on the Orléans Health Hub at the corner of Mer Bleue Road and Brian Coburn Blvd. and the project is already more than halfway complete. “Construction is progressing as planned, our timelines remain unchanged,” says Mélanie Potvin, project director at Montfort Hospital adding that she is pleased with the rapid progress of the work despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning in the summer of 2021, clients of all ages will be able to take advantage of a wide
range of specialized health care services offered in both official languages by providers such as the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Santé Ottawa and several other local organizations. The major project is part of a provincial initiative to optimize Ontario health care. By investing nearly $75 million in the project (worth approximately $83 million) the province has seen the prototype project come to life. “Not only will the Health Hub improve and increase the supply of health services in Ottawa, it will bring together under one roof a series of organizations offering a range of integrated programs that previously all worked inde-
pendently,” says Orléans MP Marie-France Lalonde, who has been a leading figure in the development of the project at both the provincial and federal levels. Once completed, the Health Hub will further alleviate the already overburdened health care system in Ottawa and the rest of Eastern Ontario. “By providing important medical services at the local level, we can help reduce the burden on other aspects of our health system while making these services more accessible to residents of Orléans,” says Orléans MPP Stephen Blais. The design of the new Health Hub was inspired by the landscape of Petrie Island.
The Orléans Health Hub currently under construction at Mer Bleue Road and Brian Coburn Blvd., is scheduled to open in the summer of 2021. FILE PHOTO
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June 25, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 4 • 11
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 12 • July 9, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 5