The Orleans Star Nov. 11, 2020

NEW PATIENTS WELCOME! WE OFFER DIRECT BILLING FOLLOW US! Dr. Plant

www.ottawafamilydentist.com

November 11, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 13

Next edition November 29

613-834-5959

L’édition de cette semaine à l’intérieur...

COVID cases take a dramatic downturn in east end wards

A Canadian flag stands beside a cross bearing the name of Cumberland Village resident and World War II fighter pilot Irving “Hap” Kennedy who passed away in 2011. STAFF PHOTO

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star According to the latest data released by Ottawa Public Health, the rate of community spread of the COVID-19 virus in the east end has taken a dramatic downturn.

During the two-week period between Oct. 19 and Nov. 2, a total of 86 people tested positive for the coronavirus in Orléans Ward, Innes Ward and Cumberland Ward. That represents a 50% decrease in new cases over the previous two-week period when 173 people in the east end tested positive.

When looking at the individual wards, there were 25 new cases in Orléans Ward between Oct. 19 and Nov. 2; 29 new cases in Innes Ward; and 32 new cases in Cumberland.

By comparison, there were 35 new cases in Orléans Ward between Oct. 5 and Oct. 10; 66 new cases in Innes Ward during the same twoweek period; and 72 new cases in Cumberland.

The drop in new cases is even more dramatic when you take into account that it partially coincides with the opening of the COVID-19 testing and assessment at the Ray Friel Complex on Oct. 26. During the second week of the reporting period from Oct. 26 to Oct. 30, more than 800 people visited the Ray Friel centre.

The number of student cases in the east end has gone down slightly from 16 on Oct. 30 to 13 as of last Friday.

According to the province-wide list of schools reporting at least one positive COVID case in the last two weeks there is one case each at St. Peter High School, St. Matthew High School, Cairine Wilson Secondary School, St. Clare Elementary School, St. Francis Xavier Elementary School, Convent Glen Catholic School, Henry Larsen Elementary School and Terry Fox Elementary School; three students at École secondaire LouisRiel; and two cases at École secondaire GisèleLalonde,

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

COVID pandemic plays havoc with holiday fundraising efforts COVID kiboshes Parade of Lights, Magical Village

Community Resource Centre launches Angel Tree program

ORLÉANS – The Orléans Cumberland Community Resource Centre has launched it’s modified Angel Tree program aimed at encouraging members of the community to either sponsor a local family, or make a cash donation which will be used to purchase gift cards from Best Buy, Canadian Tire, Amazon or Walmart. The gift cards will be given to the parents of registered families so they can use them to purchase gifts for their children. Each family will get $50 in gift cards per child. To register for the Angel Tree program or to make a donation visit www.crcoc.ca or contact Carla Colonna at 613-8304357 ext. 209 or email ccolonna@crcoc.ca.

City of Ottawa releases draft budget for 2021

ORLÉANS – The City of Ottawa released it’s draft budget for next year, which includes a three per cent tax hike for Ottawa homeowners. The draft budget proposes new investments in public transit, infrastructure, road maintenance, affordable housing and projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There is also a provision in the draft budget to hire 14 paramedics and procure additional ambulances along with $8 million in renewal projects for parks, recreation facilities, theatres, museums, rinks and other such facilities across Ottawa. A three-per-cent tax increase amounts to an extra $115 for the average urban homeowner and $88 for the average rural homeowner. The water rate is also going up by 4.5 per cent for urban residents which translates to an additional $37 and OC Transpo fares are scheduled to increase by 2.5 per cent on Jan. 1, 2021 and the transit levy on the tax bill is expected to increase by 4.6 per cent.

Former owner of Belcourt Meat Market passes away

ORLÉANS – Abraham “Abe” Haddad, the owner of Haddad’s Groceteria at the corner of Innes and Page Road from 1975 to 1987 and then Belcourt Meat Market from 1983 to 2008, passed away on Oct. 26 at the age of 86. Haddad was a well-respected member of the community who counted former Gloucester mayor Claudette Cain and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson among his friends He is survived by his wife Maha (née Aboud). Abe will be remembered as a wonderful father to Joseph (Anita), Peter (Leila), Rola (Craig), Robbie and as a loving grandfather (Jiddo) to Michelle, Jad, Jonathon, Alyssa, and Mya. He is survived by his brothers Sohail and Faiz (Patricia) and predeceased by his parents Nesrallah and Mariam (Makhoul) and siblings Julia, Samih (Najla), George, Elias, Sami (Shelley), and Simon.He was

2 • November 11, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 13

STAR STAFF– The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of several holiday traditions in the east end including Santa’s Parade of Lights and the Magical Village which double as fundraising events for the organizers.

The Parade of Lights traditionally occurs on the final Saturday in November. Every year, tens of thousands of people gather along St. Joseph Blvd. to take in the brightly coloured floats and marching bands while members of the Ottawa Firefighters Association collect money and toys along the route.

Together the Parade of Lights and the Help Santa Toy Parade held in downtown Ottawa raise tens of thousands of dollars and thousands of toys that are distributed to underprivileged children throughout the city.

Parade of Lights co-chairman Bob Rainboth says the Ottawa Firefighters Association is working with their community partners and sponsors to come with alternative ways to collect toys and raise money.

“We hope to be able to make an announcement either this week or next,” says Rainboth. “We’re hoping to do our very best, but there are still a lot of unknowns. If we do things right and make connections with the community we should be able to make up some lost ground, but we’re certainly not ready to give up in any uncertain terms.”

The Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre (OCCRC) is not a direct beneficiary of the Parade of Lights, but they have come to depend on other thirdparty fundraising efforts which have been

canceled as well, like the Orléans Christmas Choirfest and the Lions Magical Village which is a long-standing holiday tradition at Place d’Orléans.

To help make up for the loss of third-party contributions, the Resoure Centre is ramping up their own Christmas programs which include the Angle Tree program, the family sponsorship program and donations from individuals and local businesses.

Last year, the Resource Centre provided toys to 295 families dealing with financial hardship in Orléans. So far this year they’ve had roughly 150 families register for the program.

The biggest unknown the Resource Centre is facing is the status of the Ottawa Firefighter Food Drive which traditional collects tens of thousands of food items that not only stock the OCCRC’s food bank shelves for the holiday season, but for the entire winter season.

During the food drive Ottawa firefighters man the entrances at grocery stores in the community and collect food donations from customers leaving the store. With the necessity for social distancing, it’s unclear whether they can collect food items as they’ve done in years past.

But perhaps the most heart-wrenching COVID cancellation of all, is the elimination of Santa’s annual visit to the Place d’Orléans mall. Kids in Orléans will have to send their Christmas list to Santa in writing rather than give it to him in person. In anticipation of the increased volume, Canada Post is gearing up for an increase in mail addressed to the North Pole.

Last, but by no means least, the pandemic is expected to keep churches closed for the foreseeable future, including over the holiday season, resulting in the cancellation of traditional Christmas services.

Former city councillor, Navan patriarch to receive Order of Ottawa

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star Former Cumberland and Orléans city councillor Bob Monette and Navan patriarch Ross Bradley will soon be joining a select group of individuals after being named as part of the Order of Ottawa’s Class of 2020.

Prior to amalgamation in 2001, Monette served on Cumberland town council for two consecutive terms from 1985 to 1991. In 1991 he ran for the mayor’s job against incumbent Brian Coburn and lost by 3,602 votes.

After staying out of the public eye for 14 years, Monette ran in the 2006 by-election to replace former Orléans Ward councillor Herb Kreling who had been appointed Justice of the Peace. He would emerge the winner from an eightman field and serve for the next 12 years, winning re-election in 2006, 2010 and 2014.

While a member of Ottawa city council, Monette played a key role in saving Lansdowne Park and resurrecting CFL football in

the city. He also played a leading role in bringing baseball back to Lynx Stadium. Amoung his many local accomplishments, he was responsible for creating the Orléans Community Garden and the Seniors Park on Centrum Blvd. He helped facilitate the construction of the first hotel in 30 years, the Quality Inn on St. Joseph Blvd. and he championed the effort to clean up grafitti in Orléans.

But perhaps his most important accomplishment was finding out the source of a massive increase in e-coli in the Ottawa River in 2007 during a tour of the ROPEC water treatment facility a year later.

His discovery would result the development of the Ottawa River Action Plan.

Monette retired from politics in 2018 to spend more time with his wife Pat and their grandchildren.

Ross Bradley has been a fixture in the Navan community for all of his adult life. He was a founding member of the Navan Lions Club, a school board trustee and a volunteer member of the Navan Fair Board.

He also played a leading role in the construction of the Navan Curling Club and led the fundraising efforts to build a new cenotaph beside the Navan Arena, the Navan Town Clock and extensive repairs to St. Mary’s Anglican Church.

Bradley’s name was added to the Navan Community Builder Wall in 2019 in recognition of his many contributions to the community.

Other members of the Order of Ottawa Class of 2020 include the Reverend Dr. Anthony Bailey; J.L. Richards & Associates former president and CEO, Dale Craig; former Ottawa Police Service staff sergeant, Sylvio Gravel; public servant and community advocate, Dr. Rouba Fattal; entrepreneur, angel investor and technology startup mentor, Paul Hindo; philanthropist and community builder, Fiona McKean; Hobin Architecture founding partner Barry Hobin; former CAS executive director, Barbara MacKinnon; entrepreneur, business leader and computer engineer, Bharat Rudra; author, architect, graphic designer and

Ross Bradley

Bob Monette

historian David O’Malley; former president and CEO of the Ottawa Humane Society, Bruce Roney; Cistel Technology president Vineet Srivastava; and Coconut Lagoon chef Joe Thottungal.

Last, but by no means least, St. Matthew High School teacher and football coach Jean Guillaume the Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching Because of the ongoing pan-demic, the Order of Ottawa inves-titure ceremony will be held some time next year.

Jean Guillaume

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

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

www.keeprite.com

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

Fully Bilingual Service. We service all makes and models.

(613) 830-1661 • (613) 835-2658

dbkottawa.com • 613.834.1796 CALL TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY!

2035 Lanthier Dr., Orléans (Near Innes and 10th Line)

November 11, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 13 • 3

The spirit of giving Let’s face it, 2020 has not exactly been the year many of us had expected. COVID-19 has cast a pale over our city, our country and over the entire world.

But here in our little neck of the woods, we have been more fortunate than other communities. For example, if you work for a government agency, the financial impact of the pandemic has been minimal. But others have not been as fortunate. The restaurant and tourism industries have experienced massive layoffs. The job market is almost nonexistent, making it impossible for folks who were unemployed before the pandemic to find any employment, gainful or not.

Small business owners have been especially hard hit by a loss in revenue. And while many have been able to hang on by their fingernails thanks to the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy, they are now scrambling after the federal government decided to drastically claw it back.

For many, the stress is beginning to take its toll. The impact of the pandemic on those under mental and financial stress can be seen in the increase in calls to crisis help lines and an increase in demand at our local food banks.

That stress will only get worse as we approach the holiday season.

In Orléans, we are fortunate to have two excellent community resource centres tasked with providing emergency services to local residents, but they can’t do so without our help.

The Orléans Cumberland Resource Centre and the Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre have a number of programs aimed at helping individuals and families in crisis. At this time of year, they normally depend on the assistance of third-party groups and organizations like the Ottawa Firefighters Association.

Unfortunately, a number of events such as the Orléans Christmas Choirfest and the Lions Magical Village, which traditionally raise thousands of dollars, are having to be canceled due to the pandemic.

Even the Ottawa Firefighters Food Drive, which the Orléans Cumberland Community Resource Centre Food Bank has come to depend on to fill its shelves for the holiday season and into the winter, is in jeopardy of being canceled, which is potentially disastrous.

This is where those of us who are fortunate enough not to need their services come into the picture. The Resource Centres and the foodbanks need our help. So if you can donate, please do so. Your contribution will help make the holiday season a little brighter for someone who has been adversely affected by the COVD pandemic.

Orléans has always been a generous community. Let’s show that even in the midst of a pandemic, we still possess the spirit of giving.

– 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 • November 11, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 13

Local MP continues to advocate for small businesses during pandemic On November 11, we remember our fallen heroes, our veterans and our active members of the Canadian Armed Forces in Orléans.

By commemorating them on this day of memorial and respect, we thank them and pay tribute for their service, their dedication and their sacrifices to ensure our country’s collective safety, peace and freedom.

I was pleased to be able to attend the this year’s outdoor ceremony at the Orléans Legion Branch 632 for a private gathering in compliance with Public Health guidelines.

At the end of October, my team and I lent a hand to the Orléans Legion with their drive-through poppy donation campaign as they are facing many challenges and financial hardship this year.

Thank you for your support, it was nice to see you stopping by and wearing your poppy proudly!

Over the past few months, I have been hearing the concerns of our small business owners here in Orléans and have been advocating for greater targeted support on their behalf.

As we face the second wave of this virus, and as small local businesses are the heart of our economy, I was most pleased to see a new legislation tabled in the House, introducing new focused support to address rent and wage matters for our small business owners.

I want to acknowledge your support to our businesses in Orléans by encouraging them in buying local products. Thank you!

I strongly value meeting with the community to touch base and connect with residents. I have been attending virtual town halls with our different community associations along with my local elected colleagues.

On Nov. 5, I participated in a town hall with the Queenswood Heights community association which was insightful and engaging. Our next and seventh town hall will be on Nov. 17 with the Greater Avalon and Avalon Encore community associations.

Thank you to those who attended and connected through our Facebook Live. It is always so nice to share views with you.

As some restrictions were lifted last Saturday, I cannot stress enough the importance of maintaining our now-acquired good habits and pursuing the work we are doing in respecting the guidelines put forward by our health officials. Thank you for your consistent cooperation, understanding and resilience.

I encourage you to remain safe and warm during these colder times. As always, do not hesitate to reach out to my office, 613-834-1800 or Marie-France.

Lalonde@parl.gc.ca, should you have any question or concern.

Study proves science-based decision-making a fallacy First, I’m not anti-masker. Nor am I a COVID denier or conspiracy theory promoter. But I do have a functioning brain. I possess the power of reasoning and I have an extremely keen B.S. detector which started going off the day Doug Ford placed a 28-day moratorium on indoor dining rooms, dance studios, martial arts dojos and gyms.

He made the announcement just days after he promised he wouldn’t do it unless he was shown the data that supported the position taken by health officials that indoor dining at restaurants, dance studios, dojos and gyms were the source of a disproportionate number of outbreaks.

When he made the announcement on October 10, giving those businesses less than 12 hours notice to shutdown, he had no data, or at least none he was willing to share.

During the city council meeting the following Wednesday, Ottawa’s chief medical officer of health Vera Etches was unable to provide any data or corroborating information when asked if she could do so by Beacon Hill, Cyrville Coun. Tim Tierney.

Instead this is what she offered up...“We do not have an outbreak where we can prove that there was transmission between an employee and a customer, but there are probably – well, there are, you know, you see definitely in Toronto, and you see data that the province

Up Front Fred Sherwin has, I believe... but I don’t have access to that information.”

What the H? That was on Oct. 14. For the next eight days, a handful of city councillors, people in the media, the restaurant industry and every other business sector impacted by the moratorium were demanding the underlying data behind the decision and heard nothing but crickets in response.

During the Oct. 28 city council meeting, council passed a motion asking the provincial government share the information behind their controversial decision after Etches once again admitted that she didn’t have access to the data behind the moratorium.

Then, low and behold, 24 hours later, the Science Advisory and Modelling Consensus Tables released it’s own data showing there has only been three outbreaks linked to bars and restaurants in Ottawa over the past three months amounting to less than two per cent

of all the outbreaks in the city over that same period of time.

In response to the new information, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health David Williams shared his insight into the original decision.

“The recommendation we made back at that time because of the rising numbers and the extensive community spread, a lot of the times people were contacting in areas where they were not having adequate protection,” said Dr. Williams.

“We didn’t particularly pick one site or another; we said, as we said along, that we were picking those settings where it’s indoors, where people are unable to mask for long periods of time.”

In other words, the decision wasn’t based on science it was based on conjecture, and non-scientific best information gobblygook.

For months Doug Ford and other elected decision-makers have been telling us they would decide how to respond to the coronavirus based on science.

Bullcrap. It’s all knee-jerk reaction with little thought to the ramifications their decisions would have on the businesses impacted by them.

And if you need further proof, consider the fact that Ford allowed dance studios to reopen just days after he imposed the

moratorium after seeing a heart-warming video from a young dancer.

So what’s the difference between a dance studio and a gym... none, as long as both are following the proper protocols.

Thankfully, Ford bowed to public pressure and allowed restaurants and gyms to return to the Stage 3 protocols which was met with a collective sigh of relief from people in both businesses.

As far as the original decision is concerned, I will leave you with this example. When a student tests positive for the coronavirus, the rest of the students in their class are told to stay home for 14 days. They don’t close the rest of the school and they sure as heck don’t close every school in the city even though schools and daycares accounted for 39 per cent of the outbreaks outlined in the Science Advisory and Modeling Consensus study.

Under the current protocols, when an employee at a restaurant tests positive for the coronavirus, the restaurant must close for 14 days which is similar to a class having to close. There is no need to shut down every restaurant in the city.

All the restaurant industry is asking is to be treated the same as schools even though it should be the schools that should be shutdown and not the restaurants. But hey – that would mean following the science.

Don’t wait until it’s too late City offers municipal lots to get your annual flu shot to avoid winter parking Looks like we’re coming around to one of if they’re going to school. Keeping warm on the busiest times of the year again! Despite colder days can help support your immune the unseasonably warm weather, it’s a good system and prevent the seasonal flu from time to get ready for making its way into your when the snow flies. The household. city is asking people to If you haven’t already, Tim make preparations for now is a great time to Tierney think about getting the flu potential parking bans as many more of us are shot for yourself and your staying home these days. family. If you haven’t Beacon Hill-Cyrville Ward 11 This could mean tidying gotten a flu shot before up your garage, asking your neighbours if or are looking for resources, Ottawa Public they have an extra spot to share or even local Health can help direct you to where you can businesses who can share their parking lots get the shot and how to either register or during weather events. walk-in to your nearest location.

This busy time of year also includes the I’m also excited that this season, the city budget. The draft budget was officially Ski Heritage East Trail will extend to the released this past council meeting on Nov. 4 bottom of Blair making it more accessible and we’re all looking forward to working for the east end residents in my ward! The with staff to ensure our communities are support I’ve gotten from the other eastern well supported in all aspects. Check out the ward councillors has been awesome and my city website for the full 2021 Draft Budget. residents and I are so grateful. These past After a week of sunshine, we’ll be tuning months have really shown us how much of back into cooler weather so make sure you an asset our green space is here in Ottawa check the forecast in the morning and dress and how fresh air can benefit our overall yourself, and your little ones appropriately well-being.

For better or for worse, we are now nearing vehicles without a residential parking permit the end of 2020. The air has chilled, and we that are parked on the street may be ticketed have already seen snowflakes fall. It was and towed. wake-up call for the winter weather we know This year, I am happy to announce that is just around the corner. the City of Ottawa will be While the City’s Snow continuing my pilot project Removal teams are ready from last year by offering Laura to respond to any weather free parking during winter Dudas event at any time, the weather parking bans at COVID-19 Pandemic has select municipal parking meant many of us are facilities and four specific Innes Ward 2 working from home, and OC Transpo Park and this year residents may need more time to Ride locations – including our own Chapel prepare when a parking ban is implemented.

Hill Park & Ride at Brian Coburn Boulevard Last year, the City moved to a new parking and Navan Road. ban system that was timed to match winter When a winter weather parking ban is weather patterns rather than set times of day, called, the City issues a special advisory to for instance overnight. Between Nov. 15 and the local media and posts it on social media.

April 1, the Director of Roads and Parking As well, residents can sign up to receive an Services may declare a winter weather email notification about the parking ban at parking ban for inclement weather, including Ottawa.ca. freezing rain or when Environment Canada The parking ban ends when snow clearing forecasts 7 cm or more of snow in the Ottawa is completed, and the City will issue an area. This includes any forecast for a range of advisory indicating the ban has been lifted. snow more than 7 cm, including 5 to 10 cm.

In the meantime, enjoy the rest of the During a winter weather parking ban, snow-free weather of 2020.

November 11, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 13 • 5

Pandemic presents challenges to local Kiwanis Club

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the ability of service clubs like Kiwanis Eastern Ottawa Est to raise money for their activities.

Their two biggest fundraising events – O’ Canada Orléans on Petrie Island and the Skreamers Haunted House – both had to be canceled, denying the club tens of thousands of dollars that are used to fund their various programs in support of children and families in the east end.

Undaunted by the pandemic-related cancellations, the club and its members came up with alternative ways to support the community starting with Computers for Kids.

Working in concert with other Ottawa area Kiwanis Clubs, they managed to raise over $25,000 which was used to equip over 100 students from financially challenged households with technology enabling them to connect and learn from home.

“When the schools first went virtual, it shone a bright spotlight on the parallel between the digital access divide and the achievement gap for students from low socio-economic which made5 the program kiwanis-ad v3.pdf 2020-10-28 more important than ever,” explains public

relations director Adam Polka.

“The project has also helped us forge relationships with area school boards in new ways so we can continue to identify areas where we can provide support and services moving forward.”

Despite the revenue shortfall caused by the pandemic, Kiwanis Eastern Ottawa Est has still been able to donate thousands of dollars to local community centre food banks to help stock the shelves for the unprecedented demand they’ve been facing.

The Feeding Families program has also been extended to support local families in need in coordination with three local community resource centres.

In particular, they are supporting foster families which have been facing higher costs of living than when their foster kids were in school and had lunches/activities paid for by other programs.

To that end they have partnered with Smoky’s on Shefford Road to provide meals to foster families in and around Orleans.

“Smoky’s has stepped up in a big way,” says Polka. “It’s a win-win for our local foster care community and a local business working hard to serve its community in the 9:25 PM middle of a pandemic.”

EASTERN OTTAWA EST

C

M

Kiwanis Eastern Ottawa Est member Harley Bloom stands with Smoky’s restaurant owners Gilbert El-Hage and Cam El-Hage. PHOTO SUPPLIED While the club is disappointed the community has missed out on our its two signature events this year, the members have been far from missing in action.

“We’re proud of our volunteer engine that keeps persisting and delivering for our local, regional and global community,”

says Polka. “Sure, we’re not as flush as we would be in a normal year, but our people are what keep us chugging, doing good for our neighbours.”

To learn more about Kiwanis Eastern Ottawa Est and how you can become a member visit www.keoe.ca.

The 2020 Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards

The Arts – Academics – Sports – Community Service – Humanitarianism

Y

CM

MY

CY

Do you know someone in your community under the age of 18 whose talents and abilities set them apart during the past year? If so, why not consider nominating them for the Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards. Nominees must be 17 years old or younger as of Sept. 1, 2020 and reside within the City of Ottawa east of St. Laurent Blvd. Nominees will be judged on their accomplishments between Sept. 1, 2019 and Aug. 31, 2020. All submissions must include the name, address and phone number of both the nominee and the nominator as well as a resume of the nominee’s accomplishments. There are no categories per se, those nominated will be judged on their accomplishments in any one area, or a combination of areas.

Nominations can be submitted by e-mail to OYA@orleansstar.ca or regular mail to The Orléans Star c/o 745 Farmbrook Cres., Orléans ON, K4A 2C1. The deadline for entries has been extended to Nov. 19. If you require any additional information visit www.orleansonline.ca/OYA, or call Fred Sherwin at 613-447-2829.

CMY

K

6 • November 11, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 13

Remembrance Day Remembering the forgotten casualties of war

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star In Canada, Remembrance Day is reserved for the 116,000 men who served and died in the five major conflicts the country has participated in – the Boer War, the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War and the Afganistan War – as well as the thousands more who served and have since passed.

But we often forget that soldiers aren’t the only casualties of war. During the Second World War, 390,000 civilians, many of them children, died in France alone. That’s more than five times the number of civilian casualties in Great Britain.

When the Germans first launched their offensive into the northern and eastern parts of France in May, 1940, it sparked a mass exodus of refugees fleeing the advancing forces. An estimated 8-10 million refugees fled their homes in an effort to escape the Nazi invasion – almost a quarter of the French population at the time.

Among the millions of refugees was former Orléans resident Miza Davie.

Born Mireille Bosc, Miza was just six years old when the Germans invaded France.

As the advancing army approached Paris, Miza escaped to Marseilles with her mother Paule and younger siblings Robert and

CANADA

Françoise who were four and two respectively.

It didn’t take long for the Germans to takeover the entire country.

For the next two years Miza and her siblings were Miza Davie raised by their grandparents – first in Nimes in the south of France and then in Générac near Bordeaux – while their mother returned to work in Paris. Later in the war, they were reunited with their mother in Paris before fleeing to an uncle’s place in the north to escape the bombing in the French capital.

Miza lived during extra-ordinary times and experienced joy, grief, sorrow and horror. After she retired from nursing in 1994, she began writing a collection of short stories about her life as young girl growing up during the war. Prior to her passing in 2005, those stories were assembled in a self-published book entitled “A Child’s Memory of the Second World War”. Here is just one of those stories about taking cover in a bomb shelter in Paris prior to the liberation of the City of Lights.

Marie-France LALONDE MP/Députée Orléans

Today we are remembering those women and men who lost their lives to protect our freedom and our country.

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

Down in the Cellar

Sometimes my brother Robert, the youngest of the children, would fall asleep as Mummy would sing us a song. Other people were also occupying the “War Abri” shelter. No one would say much as we were all very scared.

Then suddenly a loud scream would echo in the room. A big gray rat had just scurried among our feet and disappeared through a hole in the wall.

To pass the time, we would make shadow puppets on the all with our fingers, but most of the time we had to remain very quiet. We could even go to the washroom facilities because there weren’t any. We were in limbo, waiting for an unknown verdict. Then suddenly, out of the deepest silence, came the sound of an alarm telling us the bombing was over.

One by one, we would climb up the narrow staircase in silence. As we were getting nearer to the exit, a narrow ray of daylight shone through the crack in the door, bringing some hope again that we were alive.

Often, as we regained contact with the outside world, the picture was devastating: people lay dead and dying, homes were demolished, piles of smoldering rubble filled the air with acrid smoke and human lives were destroyed.

It was so difficult to forget these trips to the “war shelter”, as we had to go frequently, during the occupation. I still remember the

Illustration by Miza Davie

heavy breathing of scared people, and the horrid smell of humid earth. What had gone wrong that people were killing each other and children were crying bitter tears not knowing why their dads had gone and moms had lost their smiles.

All these years later I still wonder why adults create wars, while children in the world only want peace and tranquility.

We will remember them.

MPP|Député provincial Orléans

(613) 834-8679 | SBlais.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org | StephenBlais.ca

November 11, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 13 • 7

Remembrance Day Local teen donates winnings to Legion after finishing second in national Remembrance Day poetry contest

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star When Grade 9 St. Peter High School student Ava Butts entered a Royal Canadian Legion Remembrance poetry contest last year, her hope was that her poem, “A Mother’s Cry”, might win the local branch competition. Little did she know it would end up being selected as the best poem at the district, zone and province levels, making it all the way to the national level.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ava didn’t find out her poem won at the provincial level until she received a letter from the Legion National Foundation in July, notifying her that her poem had not only won the provincial competition, but it had placed second in the intermediate category for students in Grade 7, 8 and 9 across Canada.

Although she didn’t win the national competition, Ava was over the moon when she found out that her poem had won second place honours, especially considering it is only the second poem she has ever written.

Ava drew inspiration for her poem after visiting the Vimy Memorial during a family trip to Europe and hearing about what life was like in the trenches and on the battlefield for Canada’s soldiers.

A Mother’s Cry

by Ava Butts

A mother’s cry is something you never want to hear For it draws people near This mother’s cry was out of fear Because her son enlisted in the war and may disappear As they drive to the train station, the mother has something dear to say Oh son I love you so much now please don’t go away She hugs him tightly and tells him her love for him is profound But she knows he must go to keep his country safe and sound

Ava Butts Ava received a $500 cheque for finishing second, which she generously donated to the Orléans Legion.

“I saw on the news that the Legion was suffering financially because of COVID so I wanted to donate it back to them because they need it more that I do,” says Ava, who got a chance to do so while practicing proper physical distancing and a face mask during a recent visit to Branch 632.

The letters he sends are too few and too far apart She can tell war is tearing him apart She longs to hug him in a blanket of love And remind him that God is watching over him from up above Time passes and a man in uniform stands at her door Holding a red and white flag in a triangular fold His face is somber, his body stoic

The news he bears was that her son was heroic I’m sorry to tell you, your son was in the battle in No Man’s Land She squeezes with pain her husband’s hand She knows death has come to her son so dear And slowly fall the silent tears She hopes that with his last breath He knew he was loved, his soul at rest The grief she feels is real and deep This is the bitter price of war and fighting for peace And though, years later, she is honoured with the Memorial Silver Cross All she can think about is the son she lost And all the other soldiers who have died Up in heaven they can hear their mothers’ cries For mothers whose sons have been lost Fighting for Canada at all cost Remember their sacrifice so we can be free Remember so history doesn’t repeat

Renovations or just cleaning up...

Waste, Recycling & Construction Debris

Recycle and Landfill • Roll Off & Front Load Service 2 to 30 yard containers available • Free estimates

We will remember.

613 749-8000

3354 Navan Road (3.5 Km from Innes Road)

www.wasteconnections.com

8 • November 11, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 13

Remembrance Day Former Orléans veteran served in World War II

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star Last month saw the passing of one of the last members of what we refer to as our greatest generation – those men and women who answered the call to defend freedom during the Second World War. Syd Davie served in the Irish Guards from 1942 until the end of the war. Known as “Skid” to his comrades, Syd saw action in a number of major battles including the Raid on Dieppe, the Normandy Invasion and Operation Market Garden.

After the war Syd immigrated to Canada and eventually settled in Orléans where he enjoyed a successful career with the NRC until his retirement in 1990.

After he retired, he and his wife Miza were active members of the Gloucester North Lions Club and the Navan Lions Club.

When Miza passed away in 2005, Syd sold their Fallingbrook home and moved into the Rockcliffe Retirement Residence where he met Dawn Thomas. The pair remained close companions until his passing last month.

Syd Davie was a quiet and kind man who could best be described as a “gentle soul”.

He was born on a ferry on May 12, 1924 while his parents were crossing the Irish Sea to settle in Liverpool, England. His original story would come in handy some 18 years later.

When he first tried to enlist in the Irish

Guard, he was rejected due to the fact that he wasn’t obviously Irish. It wasn’t until his mother dug out a page from the log book of the Belfast Packet noting his birth at sea that he was accepted.

Through a combination of skill and fortune, Syd was selected as one of the original members of a special commando unit known as the Bogmen.

The job of the Bogmen was to harass the enemy in occupied territories by demolishing their communication and transportation capabilities. After the Normandy Invasion, they were tasked with sensitive reconnaissance operations. More times then not their commando missions failed to achieve the objective due to issues over missed drop zones, missing equipment or both.

During one such mission, Syd was supposed to demolish a radio tower during the Raid on Dieppe with the help of a dozen former German POWs who had switched sides. When heavy seas separated their landing craft, Syd ended up with the main raiding force. Left without a mission, Syd took it upon himself to rescue as many injured comrades as possible by running to them under fire and dragging them to safety behind a decommissioned armer personnel carrier.

When asked how many men he rescued, he answered that he never kept count. When the last of the landing craft left the beach

Lest we forget

to go back to the main naval group, Syd was given a choice to get on board or stay behind on the beach. He who lives and runs away lives to fight another day. And so Syd headed back to England.

On May 7 1944, Syd’s unit was operating near the Danish border in Northern Germany when he sent his cousin out on a routine patrol from which he would never return.

No one on the ground had any indication that the Germans would formally surrender the next day. Syd’s cousin was one of the last British casualties of the war. His aunt never talked to him for the remainder of her life.

When he died, Syd left behind a collection of short stories recounting his wartime experiences. Most recount his many operations.

Some are quite funny including the “Battle of the Latrines” during which an attacking company of German soldiers surrendered when they thought they were surrounded after Syd and another officer fired on their flank from adjoining latrines.

One in particular, about the death of his first love Annie, is immensely sad.

Syd was heading back to his barracks in Chelsea during a lull in an air raid when he spotted Annie across the street.

Syd writes, “As I took her in my arms she lifted her face up to be kissed and said “Thank you for coming Syd”, but when I kissed her lips, her body slumped against me and at the same time I realized that my hands were wet.

MATTHEW LULOFF Ward 1 Orléans

LAURA DUDAS Ward 2 Innes

Syd “Skid” Davie I could not believe what I saw - just below the hairline Annie had a large, jagged piece of shrapnel in the back of her neck.”

Annie later died from her wound, but not before answering Syd’s proposal for marriage days before.

Annie’s death would effect Syd for years to come. He later married not once, but twice, and had three children as a result of his first marriage which ended before he immigrated to Canada.

TIM TIERNEY

Ward 11 Beacon Hill-Cyrville

CATHERINE KITTS Ward 19 Cumberland

November 11, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 13 • 9

Book Your Winter Getaway Today

Mildred Riverstone Resident Afternoon Tea

Beat the Winter Blues Take a break from your house this winter and relax in comfortable, connected and all-inclusive Willowbend Retirement community.

•

New private suites in a vibrant community

•

Full continuum of care: Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care

•

A variety of activities and events to keep our residents safe, happy, and connected

•

Amenities include a fitness pool, library, movie theatre, games area, lounge, hobby room, and heated underground parking

Call Liette at 613-907-9200 to find out more about our Winter Getaways. No long-term commitment required.

PARKS DINING GROCERY & SHOPPING SERVICES HEALTH & WELLNESS

Locally owned and operated by:

Health, Happiness and Home 613-907-9200 I WillowbendRetirement.com I 1980 chem Trim Rd, Ottawa 10 • November 11, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 13

Bruyère Village repeats silver medal Road World performance STAR STAFF – Despite the emotional toll the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on seniors living in retirement communities across the country, the residents at Bruyère Village in Convent Glen were able to cycle in locations all over the world as part of the Road World for Seniors international competition.

Road Worlds for Seniors is an annual one-month event organized by Motitech, the European manufacturer of Motiview which combines a stationary bike that can be pedaled by either your arms or your legs while watching a video that takes the user on trips through locations around the world in real time.

The system promotes physical activity while providing sensory stimulation to the brain through sight and sound. Motiview has proven to be especially beneficial for seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.

At Bruyère Village, a small group of residents have benefited from the physical and social aspect of the program by competing in Road World for Seniors and for the second year in a row they finished second in the world competing against 129 teams from seven different countries.

The team of 23 residents “cycled” a total of 12,825.8 km in four weeks.

The team was lead by Norman Coté who

accounted for nearly half of the total, cycling an astounding 6,028.3 km and earning the title of world champion for the third straight year.

Former Cumberland town councillor Fern Casey Thomson won the silver medal in the women’s category with a total of 1,422.4 km and Jeannine Benoit earned the bronze with 1,311.4 km.

Thompson had to sit out last year’s event after undergoing a knee replacement.

She started rehabilitating her new knee on the Motiview bike last winter.

“It’s done wonders for my knee and it’s helped me sleep better. I was experiencing a lot of pain after my surgery, but the cycling really helped with that and it eventually went away altogether,” says Thompson, who enjoyed the social aspect of being able to cycle with other team members.

Top, Jeannine Benoit (left) and Fern Casey Thompson show off the second place trophy the Bruyère Village team won in this year’s Road World for Seniors competition. FRED SHERWIN PHOTO Below, Norman Coté won the men’s division of the event for the third year in row, cycling 6,028.3 km in 30 days. FILE PHOTO

O U R S H OW R O O M I S O P E N ! P L E A S E V I S I T O U R W E B S I T E T O L E A R N A B O U T O U R S A F E T Y P R O T O C O L S !

FLOORING

...for life

While walk-ins are welcome, we recommend booking an appointment to avoid extended wait times.

Please contact us at 613-837-6003 or janie_legault@hotmail.com.

Proud supporters

C A R P E T • H A R DWO O D • C E R A M I C • V I N Y L & L A M I N AT E • BA M B O O • C O R K

www.millenniumfloorcovering.ca | 1680 Vimont Court, Unit 600, Orléans | 613-837-6003

November 11, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 13 • 11

Twelve Days SENIOR LIVING

ou needTHE additional help...

When you need add

OF CHRISTMAS

At Symphony, we understand the holidays can be a time of gathering with your closest friends and At family celebrate season. This year, gathering Forest to Valley Terrace, ourthe supportive will be difficult – but we won’t let this stop us from some holiday cheer! and enriching home environmentspreading brings Join us for our 12 days ofcomfort Christmas at any and careevents to both seniors andone of our four properties their families.the With holiday both value season oriented safely. and let’s celebrate

t Symphony Senior Living Orléans, we care”. With our Oasis® Assisted ving Services, we create a care plan ased on your exact needs. And as life hanges, you can be certain that your volving needs will always be met. ind out how we can help.

Assisted Living and our engaging and Symphony Senior Forest Valley All events will follow social and gathering limits, memorydistancing care program, guidelines seniors and their families will sleepbe well.mandatory Learn more! to participate.Living Orléans Terrace as well as masks

At Symphony Senior Living Orléans, “we care”. With our Oasis® Assisted Living Services, we create a care plan based on your exact needs. And as life changes, you can be certain that your evolving needs will always be met.

Find out how we can help.

Fores Terra

Hold your phone’s camera over the ‘SCAN ME’ graphic or visit www.symphonyseniorliving.com/12_days for all ticketing and RSVP information!

1510 St. Joseph Blvd Orléans, Ontario

6419 Lumberman Way Orléans, Ontario Find out more online at SymphonySeniorLiving.com

Nov. 27 – Christmas Pie Sale

6419 Lumberman Way Orléans, Ontario

Find out more online at SymphonySe

Mini Holiday Drive-In Theatre

Pick one of three delicious pie options and pick them up between 1 pm and 3 pm!

All ticket proceeds go to the Ottawa Food Bank.

Enjoy a mini drive-in theatre right in our backyard!

Concessions will be available for purchase, all proceeds to go to The Ottawa Mission.

Nov. 28 – Toy Mountain

Tickets are required for entry – visit the link above to purchase.

Drop off a new toy or warm clothing for teens between 10 am and 2 pm and support an amazing cause!

Nov. 29 – Winter Wonderland Outdoor Photoshoot

Come by Forest Valley Terrace and get your picture taken with a beautiful winter wonderland backdrop!

1 pm to 3 pm – bring a cash or non-perishable food donation to participate. All donations will go to the Ottawa Food Bank.

Showtimes for all movies are 5:30 pm and 8 pm

Dec. 4 – Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Dec. 5 – The Polar Express (2004) Dec. 6 – How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

*For our other 6 days, visit the link mentioned above for our Kanata and Carleton Place events!

12 • November 11, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 13

Local restaurants celebrate end of moratorium on indoor dining

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star Local restaurant owner were all smiles last weekend and it wasn’t just because the warm weather was filling their patios with patrons.

As of midnight last Friday, restaurants could start serving food indoors again after the province lifted a 28-day moratorium on indoor dining.

Being able to reopen is a godsend for the restaurant industry, even though under the new guidelines they can’t serve alcohol past 9 p.m. and food past 10 p.m.

Still, restaurants are counting on sales over the next two months to carry them through the traditionally slow months of January and February.

The longer they stayed closed, the less likely they would have been able to make it through the winter.

On Saturday night, Caravela Restaurante owner Fernando Diniz was all smiles. Not

only was his dining room full booked, but his patio was busy all day due to the unseasonably warm weather.

“The last four weeks have been very tough because of the weather and not being able to open our dining room, but I’m hoping things will get a lot better,” said Diniz. “Even though we can only use half our tables, it’s better than nothing.”

Before the pandemic began, Caravela only had a limited amount of takeout business –it now accounts for nearly half of their sales.

Little Turkish Village owner Sunil Kurichh doesn’t have a patio because owner of the strip mall where he’s located wouldn’t let him. And although his takeout sales have gone up during the pandemic, they haven’t gone up enough stay on top of the bills, which is why being able to reopen his dining room is a life-saver for his restaurant.

“It’s a good that we can we get the dining

Patrons take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather on the temporary patio at OCCO Kitchen on the weekend. STAFF PHOTO going again and rev things back up,” says Kurichh. “It’s a matter of survival.”

The lifting of the dining room ban is also a major relief for restaurants like Jonny

Canuck’s on Trim Road and OCCO Kitchen on Innes where the don’t have heated covered patio areas and indoor dining makes up a large portion of their sales.

TAKEOUT & DELIVERY NOW AVAILABLE!

Enjoy $10 off your next purchase of $40 or more.

Limit of one per customer/bill. Offer valid for taproom menu or merchandise items only.

Not applicable to retail beer or gift cards.

No cash value. Offer expires 2020-NOV-29.

Creek 1680 Vimont Court (Taylor Business Park)

broadheadbeer.com

Enjoy your favourite Taproom260 cravings at home, including beer, cider & wine! Order online at www.taproom260.com and get 10% off with promo code (STAR10)*.

260 Centrum Blvd.

All takeout alcohol items can only be purchased with food by law. (Must be legal drinking age, photo ID required at pickup/delivery). *VALID UNTIL NOV 30, 2020.

We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all of you!

Thanks to our amazing staff who have been here through all this!

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ALL SMALL BUSINESS.

BROADWAYBARANDGRILL.CA

613-830-1575

1967 PORTOBELLO BLVD.

November 11, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 13 • 13

TING P E C C A W O N RESERVATIONS FOR INDOOR DINING!

(TAKE-O U

T’S AVA

ILABLE TO

O!)

Check out our menu at www.makerfeedco.ca

2607 Old Montreal Rd., Cumberland Village • 613-833-8380 Promo code : ORLEANS15

%

15

off

www.benny-co.com (613) 824-4999

Valid 2020.

from

October

Cannot

29

to

combined

November

with

any

12,

other

offer. To order online, add your meal to the cart then enter the promotionnal code in the designated

box

before

paying.

Photo

illustration purposes only.

11 am - 10 pm

14 • November 11, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 13

for

Registration now open for virtual arts centre courses

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star Are you sick and tired of COVID? Are you worried the coronavirus will leave you isolated in your own home this winter with nothing to do? Fear no more. The City of Ottawa’s recreation department has released a list of visual and performing arts classes that you can either do online or in person.

The Arts Centres’ eGuide is now available online for people to check out visual and digital arts courses, dance classes and music lessons, such as keyboard or guitar.

The courses are offered as both modified in-person sessions, or virtually within the comfort of your own home. But you have to act fast – most of the courses begin on Nov. 14.

There are classes for everyone from pre-schoolers to seniors. The beauty about the virtual classes is that you can enroll in classes at either the Nepean Creative Arts Centre or the Shenkman Arts Centre.

Dance classes for children and adults will be held in person at the Shenkman following the prescribed COVID-safety protocols and measures including mask requirements, frequent cleaning, no sharing of equipment and tools, reduced capacity to a maximum of 10 people and physical distancing.

Pre-schoolers have the option of taking the “Creative Movement with Parent” class or the “Gotta Dance” class.

Pre-teens have a choice between tap, con-temporary hip-hop, hip-hop and jazz, or just jazz, while adults can chose between ballroom, belly dancing, Bollywood and Hawaian dancing.

Visual virtual arts classes are available for pre-teens in “Comics and cartooning”, “Intro to gaming” and “Drawing and painting”.

Youth aged 11-14 have a choice between “Art journaling” or “Virtual animation”.

Adults 18 and over have options like “Drawing for absolute beginners” and “Oil

acrylics” Level 1 or 2, all available online.

Virtual music classes for adults include Guitar Level 1 or Level 2 and Keyboard Level 1.

The quickest way to find the eGuide is to go to ottawa.ca and type “eguide” in the search bar on the top. When the next page opens click on the item titled “Recreation programs”. On the next page click on “Fall 2020 recreation and arts programs”.

Swimming classes: If art or dance isn’t your cup of tea and you are looking for a way to stay active this winter, then you may want to consider going for a swim at either the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex or the François Dupuis Recreation Centre.

Lane swimming is available by reservation only at either facility from Monday to Saturday. They are closed on Sundays. You can reserve your date and time by visiting the City of Ottawa’s recreation and parks page at https://ottawa.ca/en/recreation-andparks.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY COUNSELLING

PLUMBING

CENTRETOWN OTTAWA DR. ANDREW C WATSON BA(psych); MD; CCFP - Adult (18+) individual counselling.

- Focus on people who have been affected (past or present ) or concerned with another’s Alcoholism or drug addiction.

- Stable concurrent disorders e.g. complex PTSD, depression, childhood trauma/neglect.

- Non OHIP, private practice - E-mail drandy224@gmail.com

HOME RENOVATIONS KITCHENS & RENOVATIONS

• Complete kitchen design & installation • Cabinet re-facing & countertops • Save 50% - cash & carry • Buy direct • Quality workmanship & reliability

REAL ESTATE

Suzanne Robinson Bilingual Real Estate Broker

Call me any time: 613-291-2121 EMAIL: suzanne@c21apt.com Daniel Lavergne

25 YEARS EXPERIENCE SERVING ORLÉANS (613) 620-2889 • (613) 834-1661 2269 Pagé Rd., Orléans, ON

You deserve PERSONAL, FACE-TO-FACE & HONEST service!

CENTURY 21

Action Power Team Ltd. BROKERAGE

Independently owned & operated Not intended to solicit already listed properties.

HANDYMAN

Affordable Handyman

THE Renovations & repairs at reasonable prices!

• Bathrooms • Kitchens • Basements • Roofing • Siding and more!

EXPERTS IN: electrical, flooring, plumbing, carpentry, drywall & more!

21+ YEARS OF HAPPY CLIENTS!

Licensed & Insured

613-290-0479

www.affordablehandyman.ca

HOME RENOVATIONS QUALITY & SERVICE FOR LESS Dan Bisaillon and Elizabeth Sandziuk – helping you take the first and final steps in creating your own piece of paradise.

PAINTERS

Professional Painting Contractor SPRAY + BRUSH + ROLL

Home & Office Interior & Exterior

For your free quotation, please call Josh Lancaster 613-355-1700

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED

1439 YOUVILLE DR. #4, ORLÉANS

824-0860

www.inneskitchenandbath.com

November 11, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 13 • 15

KEEPING OUR DISTANCE IS BRINGING US TOGETHER

UPGRADE YOUR LIFE Every Tamarack Adult Lifestyle Community comes with an exclusive Community Activities Building. Discover the lifestyle benefits in Cardinal Creek Village today!

613 830-8467

S H O P, T O U R A N D B U Y O N L I N E 16 • November 11, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 13