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October 15, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 12
L’édition de cette semaine à l’intérieur...
Next edition October 29
Local COVID cases continue to head in the wrong direction
Brothers Owen and Liam pick out a couple of pumpkins during a visit to the Proulx Farm pumpkin patch on O’Toole Road in Cumberland last week. FRED SHERWIN PHOTO
By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star Area residents need to do a better job in preventing the spread of C OVID-19. According to the latest data released by Ottawa Public Health (OPH), the number of coronavirus cases more than doubled during the two-week period from Sept. 21 to Oct. 5 compared to the 14-day period before. After doubling between Sept. 7 and Sept 21, the number of cases have more than doubled once again with 185 new cases coming to light in the east end between Sept. 21 to Oct. 5. That’s an increase of 107 cases. Cumberland Ward led the way with 60 new cases reported between Sept. 21 and Oct 5. That’s up from the 21 new cases reported between Sept. 7 and 21, and nine new cases between Aug. 23 and Sept. 7. Innes Ward is showing some stabilization
with 52 new cases reported between Sept. 21 and Oct. 5, an increase of only 15 new cases over the previous two weeks, and Orléans Ward only reported 33 new cases between Sept. 21 and Oct. 5, 12 more than 21 cases reported in the ward between Sept. 7 and Sept. 21 and the 14 new cases reported between Aug. 23 and Sept. 7. One of the reasons for the steady rise in cases is the increase in the number of tests being carried out in Ottawa. According to the OPH dashboard, 16,824 tests were carried out between Sept. 7 and Sept 20. During the 14-day period from Sept. 20 to Oct. 5, there were 27,590 carried out. That’s an increase of nearly 60 per cent. But the increase in testing only accounts for a portion of the increase in new cases. What’s alarming health care officials is that the positivity rate is also on the rise.
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COMMUNITY BRIEFS Pandemic forces Legion to revamp Poppy Campaign
ORLÉANS – Legions across Canada have been forced to come up with imaginative ways to raise money through years Poppy Campaign in response to the ongoing COVID-9 pandemic. Orléans Legion Poppy Campaign chair Wyn Fornier says they plan to set up drive-thru contactless donation centres in four parking lots around Orléans, where residents will be able to drop off a donation and pick up a poppy. The centres will be operational on Saturday, Oct. 31; Sunday, Nov. 1; Saturday, Nov. 7 and Sunday, Nov. 8. The locations and hours of operation will be published in the Oct. 29 edition of the Orléans Star and online at rcl632.ca. Local residents will also be able to make a donation at several high traffic stores – which must still be – using one of 12 electronic Tap-to-Pay poppy boxes. One tap will donate $2, and a person will be able to tap up between 1-15 consecutive times. The donations will go directly into the Poppy Trust Fund bank account.
Orléans Star now accepting nominations for Orléans Outstanding Youth Awards
ORLÉANS – 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 Orléans Online’s fourth annual 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 in the areas of academics, sports, the arts, and humanitarianism 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. Nominations can be submitted by e-mail to OYA@orleansonline.ca, or regular mail to the Orléans Star c/o 745 Farmbrook Cres., Orléans, K4A 2C1. Deadline for entries is Oct. 31. If you have any questions or require additional information visit www.orleansonline.ca/OYA or call Fred Sherwin at 613-447-2829.
World War II vet, proud Lion passes away at age 96
ORLÉANS – Former Orléans resident, Lions Club member and World War II veteran Syd Davie passed away quietly on Sunday, Sept 27. He was 96 years old. Mr. Davie was born on May 12, 1924. A native Liverpudlian, he joined the British Army in 1942 and served as a commando, taking part in both the Raid on Dieppe and Operation Market Garden as well as a number of other operations. He immigrated to Canada after the war and settled in Ottawa where he worked for the NRC until his retirement. It was in Ottawa where he met his late wife Mirielle “Miza” Davie (née Bosc). The two formed a formidable pair and became dedicated members of both the Navan and Cumberland Syd Davie Lions Clubs. After Miza’s passing in 2011, Syd moved into the Rockcliffe Retirement Residence where he met friend and companion Dawn Murray. He leaves behind his son Robert from his first marriage, daughter-in-law Sylvia and grandsons Alexander, Michael and William, all of whom are currently residing in the United Kingdom.
2 • October 15, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 12
18 schools in Orléans now reporting COVID-19 cases Continued from page 1 On Sept. 5, the percentage of tests coming back positive was 1.8 per cent. By Oct. 5, it had more than doubled to 3.9 per cent. That’s the highest positivity rate since May 25 when it was 4.3 per cent. The increase in positivity rates has coincided with the reopening of public schools, which have seen their own increase in infections among students and staff. The number of schools reporting at least one student or staff member having tested positive for the coronavirus in Orléans has more than doubled in the past two weeks, going from just eight on Sept. 25 to 18 on Oct. 9. Twelve of the schools only have one case; four have two cases; one has three cases; and one – St. Peter High School – has reported five students having tested positive. The following schools have one student who has tested positive: Emily Carr Middle School; Avalon Public School; Dunning-
Foubert Elementary School; St. Clare Elementary School; Trillium Elementary School; St. Kateri Tekakwitha Elementary School; École élémentaire catholique Alain-Fortin; École élémentaire catholique L’Étoile-de-l’Est; École secondaire catholique Mer Bleue; École élémentaire publique Jeanne-Sauvé and École élémentaire publique Le Prélude. The following schools have two students having tested positive: École Élémentaire Saint-Joseph d’Orléans; École secondaire publique Louis-Riel; and École secondaire catholique Béatrice-Desloge. École secondaire catholique BéatriceDesloges has one staff member who has tested positive for COVID-19; École élémentaire catholique Sainte-Marie has two students and one staff member who have tested positive and École secondaire catholique Garneau has one student and one staff member with the virus.
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Kitts easily wins Cumberland Ward by-election By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star Former Orléans Star editor Catherine Kitts is the newly elected city councillor for Cumber-land Ward 19. Kitts won the by-election – held on Oct. 5 – by a landslide, securing more votes than the other eight candidates combined. With voter turnout just shy of 24 per cent, Kitts received 4,736 votes; Yvette Ashiri came in second with 1,907 votes; and Lyse-Pascale Inamuco finished a distant third with 789 votes. Cumberland farmer and volunteer firefighter Henry Valois had the fourth highest tally with 484 votes; Ottawa Community Voice editor Patrick Uguccioni received 374 votes; and Carlsbad Springs community association president Denis Lebrèche got 239 votes. None of the other candidates received more than 100 votes. Kitts will replace former Cumberland Ward councillor Stephen Blais who successfully ran for the local provincial seat back in March. After securing her victory, Kitts laid out her priorities in a phone interview with the Orléans Star. First among them is to try to get a deferral of the Ottawa Ward Boundary Review to allow Cumberland Ward residents a chance to provide additional input into the six options currently on the table, all of which would see the rural part of the ward merged with Osgoode. “People are quite concerned about being merged with Osgoode, so I will be vocally fighting for them,” said Kitts. “The biggest problem is that we haven’t had a voice on
city council since Stephen resigned in March and during the consultation period from March 5 to April 4 we were experiencing a lockdown and people were more concerned with the coronavirus than the ward boundary review and justifiably so.” One of the concerns Kitts heard the most from voters is excessive speeding on local streets. She plans to meet with city staff to see if there is any funding available to pay for traffic-calming measures. Under the city budget, each ward is allocated $50,000 to be used for temporary traffic calming measures at the discretion of the local councillor. It is unclear whether Blais used the funds before he left. Kitts plans to find out if he did. She also plans to establish a solid line of communication between her office and the various community associations in the ward, but first she must put together her office staff, a task she plans to do in consultation with her fellow east end councillors. Unlike a general municipal election when the newlyelected councillors have over a month to hire staff and get their office in order, the winner of a by-election inherits their predecessor’s staff until they decide who to keep and who they must replace. Kitts will also need to be brought up to speed on the budget process which began in the summer. The draft budget will be presented to council in November after which the various standing committees will review the document department by department.
Catherine Kitts is the newly elected city councillor for Cumberland Wad 19. STAFF PHOTO Kitts will officially be sworn in prior to the start of the Oct. 14 city council meeting.
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October 15, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 12 • 3
Unforgivable By now most people know that I’m not a fan of our premier and his government. They have failed to adequately protect seniors living in long-term care facilities, they have neglected to increase testing and hospital capacity despite having six months to do so, and now they’ve ordered gyms to close for 28 days along with indoor dining rooms in restaurants imposing a death sentence on many of them in the process. He did so while ignoring an abundance of evidence that the recent spike in new cases is in correlation to the reopening of schools. There are new cases among students going back to school every day. According to the provincial website, which lists the number of schoolrelated cases in Ontario, there were 628 new cases in the two-week period between Sept. 25 and Oct. 9. That’s more than double the number of cases during the previous two-week period. What we don’t know is where those cases originated. Most likely, they originated at home thanks to a family member who either didn’t practice adequate social distancing or failed to wear a face mask – or both. Very few if any originated in a restaurant or gym. Or least there’s no proof they did. The increase in Ottawa’s positivity rate since Sept. 1 is further proof that the culprit is not restaurants and gyms, but the provincial government’s insistence on reopening schools despite all the warnings that it would lead to a resurgence in COVID cases. Between July 15, when restaurants were allowed to reopen their dining rooms, and Sept 14, the positivity rate never rose above two per cent. Since Sept 1 when schools started to reopen, the positivity rate has been on a steady rise, going from 1.4 percent on Sept 1 to 1.7 percent on Sept. 15, 2.7 per cent on Sept 26 and now 3.9 percent on Oct. 7. Coincidence? I think not. But no matter. Ford has decided to close restaurant dining rooms and gyms, many of which could very likely never reopen again. Anyone who thinks that by doing so the number of new cases or the positivity rate will being to go down is living in la-la land. And does anyone really think that when the 28 days are up and the number of new cases is still on the rise, that Ford will allow them to reopen? I don’t think so. Forcing restaurants to close their indoor dining will be devastating. Ditto for most gyms. Most have already seen their business tail off as case numbers rise. Until recently, closing their dining rooms wouldn’t have mattered because most could count on their patio business. But those days are over and winter is looming. Their only hope is the new rent relief program recently announced by the federal government which will cover up to 65 per cent of a business’ commercial rent until the end of the year. They also plan to expand the business loan program which will make another $20,000 available to small businesses, half of which will be forgiveable. My fear – and that of many restaurant and gym owners – is that it will only delay the inevitable while putting them further into debt. – 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 • October 15, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 12
Health Canada reviewing potential AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine Dear Orléans residents, I hope you had the chance to celebrate a happy and safe Thanksgiving with your close ones while enjoying the long weekend and wonders of fall. Although this season’s beautiful colours are making us smile, we are still facing the many challenges the pandemic is imposing on our daily lives. I know how resilient our community is and therefore, I must reiterate the importance of continuing to follow the guidelines of our health officials. As the government is continuing to address the impacts of COVID-19, we are also working towards a sustainable and greener economic recovery that will create new jobs and opportunities for workers and businesses alike. For instance, the government has put forward several initiatives such as the ban on single-use plastic items and the new commitment to battery-electric vehicle manufacturing in partnership with Ford Canada. Along with my parliamentary colleagues, I have now returned to the House of Commons for the Parliament’s second session. The government continues and will continue to assist Canadians in coping with the pandemic, namely with the newly announced Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), the $600 one-time payment for people with disabilities and the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s (CIB) Growth Plan that is expected to
create approximately 60,000 jobs across the country, helping Canadians get back to work. The best thing the government can do for our recovery is to protect Canadians’ health. Health Canada has received its first submission for authorization of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca in partnership with the University of Oxford. This is an important step to keep us safe, and Health Canada will be reviewing AstraZeneca’s vaccine data to ensure it meets the department’s rigorous safety and efficiency requirements. It is always delightful to see our government investing in our community. I was most pleased to announce a funding of $35,000 from the federal government to improve the Rendez-vous des aînés francophones d’Ottawa (RAFO) centre’s infrastructure. By renovating the community centre’s roof, the RAFO will improve its groundwork, making it safer for its members. I also want to take this opportunity to welcome the newly elected city councillor representing Cumberland Ward, Catherine Kitts, to our local team and congratulate all the other candidates for their dedication to our community. As always, do not hesitate should you have any federal question or concern. You can reach out to my office at Marie-France.Lalonde@parl.gc.ca or call at 613-834-1800.
Despite dire warnings, the sky is not falling on local hospitals First, I want to thank Ottawa Citizen columnist Randall Denley for drawing attention to the fear-mongering campaign currently being undertaken by Ottawa’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Vera Etches. Columnists don’t normally “borrow” ideas from other columnists – we like to think that we are independent thinkers with our own unique points of view – but this topic is just too important to limit to the readers of one newspaper alone. In his column entitled “No, The Ottawa Hospital isn’t overloaded. No, the health system isn’t collapsing”, Denley chastizes Dr. Etches for making “apocalyptic” predictions during a CTV interview that the city’s hospitals are on the verge of collapse. I was going to characterize Dr. Etches predictions as “dire”, but I believe Denley’s characterization is far more accurate. Judge for yourself. Here is one excerpt from the report which was posted on Oct. 2. “Our health system is in crisis because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Etches, noting hospitals are “stretched to maximum” capacity right now. “Stretched to maximum” sounds pretty dire. So what are the facts? According to Ottawa Hospital president and CEO Cameron Love, who Denley interviewed
Up Front Fred Sherwin for his piece, there have been no more than two COVID-19 patients in intensive care at the hospital’s two campuses at any one time, but “the hospital could handle 30 to 40 such cases with no issue whatsoever.” Doesn’t seem especially dire, and it sure doesn’t jive with Dr. Etches’ comments. “Yes, Fred, but Love is only referring to intensive care cases,” I can hear some of you commenting “Surely, Dr. Etches is referring to the number of COVID cases flooding our hospitals who aren’t requiring intensive care.” Not so fast Sherlock, because Love goes on to say that only 17 of the 60 beds set aside in the hospital’s two COVID acute care units are currently being utilized. That was on Oct. 5, three days after Dr. Etches made her comments. According to the OPH COVID dashboard, there were 28 people being treated for COVID-19, six of whom
were in intensive care on Oct. 6, but that also includes the Queensway-Carleton Hospital and the Montfort. So why the disconnect? Why is Dr. Etches warning us that the sky is falling? She’s doing it because it fits into the health care hierarchy’s agenda to scare the crap out of people. She’s doing it because it fits into their push to close restaurant dining rooms and gyms even though there is zero evidence of any outbreaks originating in those same restaurants and gyms. You know why? Because the owners of those restaurants and gyms are bending over backwards and doing everything possible to ensure that never happens. When I read that CTV story, my first reaction was she’s crying wolf. My second reaction was that even if it were true, how did she and her esteemed colleagues allow such a scenario to become a reality? The province and the health care hierarchy have been predicting a second wave or surge in COVID cases and hospitalizations for months. I thought they were going to spend that time and additional dollars to increase hospital capacity and purchase more ventilators. By the sounds of it, and judging by Dr. Etches’ comments, they’ve done nothing and that’s even more alarming than her unfounded “apocalyptic” predictions.
It’s inexcusable. Just like the recent resurgence of cases and deaths connected with long-term care facilities and the lack of capacity to keep up with the increase demand for testing. What in God’s name is going on? We put our trust in these people to take care of this crap. It’s been nearly seven months since the Ford government declared a state of emergency in Ontario and during every one of those months the experts have been predicting a second wave. So what have they been doing to prepare for that wave? The original shutdown was to buy time. So what have they done during the time that we, the residents of this province, have bought and paid for through a loss in wages and earnings? What have the restaurant owners and gym owners and barbershop owners and other business owners bought after having to close their doors and opening back up to half capacity? Apparently diddlysquat. Instead, they continue to try to scare us into submission and threaten to put local businesses in jeopardy without any factual basis. It’s sad. It’s scary. And it’s an obvious attempt to try to cover up their inaction to adequately increase hospital capacity and testing. Shame on them all.
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Health, Happiness and Home October 15, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 12 • 5
Local councillors to hold Follow OPH guidelines and be virtual budget consultation HalloWISE this Halloween OC Transpo will carry out “Operation Coming up on Tuesday Oct. 20, from 6:30 Mask Up” from October 9 to 23 to help p.m. to 8:30 p..m, I will be participating with change the behavior of the small number my fellow East Bloc Councillors in a joint, of customers failing to virtual, public budget comply with OC Transconsultation. This will po’s mandatory mask be your opportunity to Tim policy. OC Transpo will provide your feedback on Tierney the upcoming 2021 draft be slowly transitioning to written warnings and City of Ottawa budget. possibly fines in the Along with Councillors Beacon Hill-Cyrville Ward 11 future. Luloff, Dudas and Kitts There are some customers who are unable will be staff from our financial services to wear a mask for a variety of reasons. department. Young children and customers who may You will be able to register for the webinar identify themselves as having a disability or via a Zoom registration link that is available medical condition that prevents them from through the Facebook event. wearing a mask will not be issued a warning. You must register with the link to be able Not all disabilities or conditions are obvious. to join in on the day of the event. You will Wearing a mask plays an important role also have the chance to submit your question in stopping the spread of COVID-19 when when you register through Zoom. Questions people are unable to maintain 2-metres of can be submitted until Saturday Oct. 17. physical distance. Being #COVIDWise This session is specifically for residents of is how we are able to help reduce the risk Wards 1, 2, 11 and 19. of COVID-19 transmission and resume Last but not least, you can also have your economic and social activities while say through Engage Ottawa, as well as COVID-19 is still in our community. We’re having access to other budget resources right all in this together folks! at your fingertips.
Many may not be aware of it, but provided the following recommendations for Halloween is my favourite holiday. It is a Halloween. Instead of trick or treating: time for young and old people to let loose, ● Decorate your house; show their creative sides, ● Make your own and is typically filled spooky treats; with fantastic community ● Dress up in a scary Laura events. costume; Dudas It has become increas● Plan a fun outdoor ingly clear that, due activity such as a scato the upward trend in venger hunt. Stay two Innes Ward 2 COVID-19 cases, this metres (6 feet) apart from Halloween cannot be celebrated as in the those outside your household or your chosen past. It is CRITICAL that we all follow the social support person(s). direction of both the Province and Ottawa In the spirit of a COVID-WISE Halloween, Public Health (OPH). I will be including some online and physically OPH stated that they expect to provide distanced Halloween activities on my further guidance on Halloween this week, website, including an Innes Ward “Halloween but have already made a call-out to residents Tour”. This tour will allow for residents to asking us all to be “HalloWise”. I am echoing drive or walk around on the 31st, to see some their call and asking you to be cautious when of the Halloween-themed homes throughout planning your Halloween activities. the ward. If you would like to have your Be aware that whatever plans you make, Halloween decorations included as part of may result in having to be canceled closer to the tour, please let me know your address at the date, and that by playing it safe through LauraDudas.ca/Join-the-Tour/. limiting activities to your household and This year, the biggest treat that we can give online is the way to go. one-another is to be safe and limit our points To date, Ottawa Public Health has of contact.
East End Joint Budget Consultation
Consultation budgétaire pour les quartiers de l’est
MATTHEW LULOFF
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TIM TIERNEY
CATHERINE KITTS
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Tuesday, October 20 Mardi 20 octobre 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 18h30 à 20h30
Registration required Inscription requise Ottawa.ca/budget 6 • October 15, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 12
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October 15, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 12 • 7
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Local businesses need your support now more than ever STAR STAFF – It’s been nearly eight months since the COVID-19 virus first arrived in Canada. Since then, more than 180,000 Canadians have contracted the virus and nearly 10,000 have died as a result. In order to combat the spread of the virus and flatten the curve, the province of Ontario declared a state of emergency on March 17 forcing all non-essential businesses to temporarily close their doors including gyms, fitness centres, restaurant dining rooms, shop-ping malls and retail stores. The decision was especially difficult for small independent businesspeople like Michael Willems who owns a photography studio in Place d’Orleans Mall and Vanda Haradean who operates a fitness studio on Youville Drive. Their revenue dried up almost overnight, forcing them to dip into whatever savings
they had, or borrow money from the federal government through the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) which provided small businesses with an interest free loan of up to $40,000. The CEBA loans were meant to help small businesses cover their expenses while waiting for the province to open things up again. Stage 1 of the province’s plan was implemented on May 19, a full two months after the shutdown began. During the first stage, retail stores outside of shopping malls were allowed to reopen provided they had street-front entrances and could maintain proper physical distancing measures. Restaurants would have to wait another month before they could start serving customers on their patios. Hair salons, barbershops and spas also had to wait an additional
month to open their doors and even then at a fraction of their normal capacity. Most locally owned business have barely been able to keep their doors open. As the temperature drops and the number of new COVID cases continues to rise, they are worrying about being able to make it to the end of the year, let alone to whenever a vaccine is available. Restaurants in Orléans have been able to make it this far thanks to a combination of takeout sales and patio traffic. Getting the goahead to open their dining rooms at 50 per cent capacity on July 19 was an added bonus. As patio traffic began to cool off with the weather, restaurant owners were hoping to make up the difference in their dining rooms. All that changed last Friday, when the province returned to Stage 2, immediately closing indoor dining and gyms.
Local businesses – especially restaurants – are looking at a very long and potentially bleak winter. Their ability to survive until the spring will depend on the willingness of the local community to spend its money in their establishments. Several local businesses have had to close their doors already, including the Lexus Resto -Bar. Others, like Makers Feed Co. in Cumberland Village and Palki Cuisine of India in Carlsbad Springs, have only just opened and already face an uncertain future. There are some businesses that won’t make it to spring. How many won’t make it will depend on us all, because make no mistake, without our patronage and financial support they will be forced into bankruptcy and the face of the community will change forever.
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winekitzorleans.ca • 613 841-8197 3095 St. Joseph Blvd. (Orléans Town Centre Plaza) October 15, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 12 • 9
Orléans has quickly become a craft beer lover’s paradise STAR STAFF – If you love your suds, then you need to plan an Oktoberfest tour of local craft breweries in Orléans where there is a veritable wealth of riches with no fewer than three microbreweries within a five- or 10-minute drive and a well-stocked brew pub. With the Orléans Beer Festival having fallen victim to the COVID-19 pandemic, the only way to celebrate Oktoberfest this year is to take matters into your own hands, starting with a visit to the Orléans Brewing Co. on Innes Road where you can enjoy their Oktoberfest 2020 lager with Bangers & Mash, or their Oktoberfest flatbread, in the comfort of their heated patio tent. The OBC has a number of great beers on tap, all of which are also available in cans so you can bring some home with you. The microbrewery is located at 4380 Vantage Dr. near the Innes Road McDonald’s. They are open Tuesday to Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. A short drive down Innes from the OBC is the Clocktower Brew Pub. Located in the Sobey’s plaza at the corner of Innes and Trim, the Clocktower has more than a dozen beers on tap including their own brews – German Kölsch, the Raspberry Wheat; the Extra Special Bitter Ale, the ’96 Red, the No. 7 IPA, the Bank St. Brown and CT Stout. And just in time for autumn, they’ve teamed up with the Calabogie Brewing Co. to produce a Harvest Pumpkin beer, which is available in cans until supplies last.
Thanks to a new set of rules introduced by the Ontario government to help restaurants weather the pandemic, you can now buy beer and wine from most establishments including the Clocktower and either pick it up or have it delivered. Besides their vast selection of beer, the Clocktower Brew Pub also has an extensive menu which you can enjoy in their newly installed patio tent. About a five-minute drive down Trim Road you will find the newest craft brewery in Orléans – the Broadhead Brewing Company. Located at 1680 Vimont Court in the Taylor Creek Business Park, Broadhead has eight different beers on tap which can either enjoy on their patio or purchase them by the can and bring them home. They offer both curbside pick up and free home delivery. Their 174 series of beers includes Wet Hop Harvest Ale, Rye, Brut IPA and Rye & Ginger Ale. If you go there on Thursday, Friday or Saturday you can order a variety of different menu items provided exclusively by Meatings BBQ including tacos, chips & salsa, and jumbo wings. Located just around the corner from Broadhead on Lacolle Way is the Stray Dog Brewing Company where you can enjoy one of their imaginative creations on their outdoor patio, or take advantage of either their indoor pickup or delivery options and enjoy your beer at home. With names like Anytime Pale Ale, Shaggin’ Wagon Indian Pale Ale and Unity Triple IPA you may want to mix
Contactless Curbside Pickup Free Home Delivery in Ottawa
(on orders of $40 or more)
1680 Vimont Court, Unit 106 (Taylor Creek Business Park)
broadheadbeer.com
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Plan your Oktoberfest visit to one of the three microbreweries in Orléans including the Broadhead Brewing Company (above) and the Orléans Brewing Co. (right) and enjoy one of their delicious craft beers. FRED SHERWIN PHOTO and match your selection. Their latest seasonal offerings are the One Hop Wonder : Sapbro IPA and the Boo Ya! Spiced Autumn Ale. Curbside pick-up is available Monday to Thursday from noon to 6 p.m. while their free delivery service is only available with a minimum order of 12 cans from Monday to Friday. There is no weekend delivery.
All of the craft beers mentioned are available exclusively at the micro-breweries. To learn more about them, I would invite you to visit their respective websites: orleansbrewing.com, clocktower.ca, broadheadbeer.com and stray-dog-brewing.myshopify.com.
COVID pandemic fails to slow down Orléans deaf/blind athlete STAR STAFF – Orléans deaf and blind athlete Kevin Frost is not about to let the COVID pandemic slow him down. Despite the many challenges he faces, Frost managed to play 30 rounds of golf over the summer including two rounds at the Chippewa Creek Golf Course in Hamilton, where he finished second in the Ontario Visually Impaired Golf Championship on Aug. 15 and 16. The result is that much more impressive when you consider that visually impaired golfers were allowed to participated in the championship remotely due to the pandemic. That means they could golf on their home course during the two-day event and their scores would count as their tournament result. The same system was used a week later for the Handa International North American Championships. The event replaced the Handa iCloud World Visually Impaired Championship, which is normally held in South Africa every year. Because of the pandemic, the organizers decided to hold regional open events in North America and Europe with the golfers able to participate remotely from their home courses. Frost’s home course is the Pine View Golf Course on Blair Road.
Despite playing his worse two rounds of the summer, he still managed to finish in 11th place. “It was horrible,” Frost laments “I played at Anderson Links a week later and shot eight strokes better. If I could have used that score I would have finished second.” With the outdoor season all but over, Frost plans to stay on top of his game by practice at the indoor golf facility at Pine View while working on the technical aspect of his game at GolfTech. Visually impaired golfers play with the aid of a coach who provides them with the distance to the flag stick. From their they depend on feel and consistency using each of the clubs in their bag. Golfing has been a welcome distraction from the pandemic for Frost, although it has presented some unique challenges. “Lewis can’t read the arrows on the floors,” Frost points out, referring to his guide dog Lewis and trying to shop in stores that have directional arrows on their floors. Frost depends on the support of a number of local businesses for their sponsorship and fundraising efforts. SKINS Derma Care plans to raise money for Frost at their three Ottawa locations in November including their Orléans location on Innes Road.
Visually impaired golfer Kevin Frost poses with his service dog Lewis and some of the hardware he’s won since taking up the game three years ago.
October 15, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 12 • 11
Surviving and Thriving on Main Street:
Stray Dog Brewing taps into new sales channels amid pandemic By Matt Harwood Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Orléans’ first microbrewery strayed from its normal path to getting its beer to customers. Home brewing connoisseurs Marc Plante and Justin MacNeill partnered with Gen Benay to open Stray Dog Brewing Co. in 2017. Since then, the company has been selling about 130,000 litres of beer produced annually in its 2,600-square-foot facility to beer lovers from Pembroke to Cornwall and across the National Capital Region. Prior to the pandemic, most of its beer was distributed through local restaurants and bars, LCBO stores and the Beer Store, with the remainder sold at music and comedy events hosted in their taproom. With direct-to-consumer sales traditionally representing a relatively small fraction of the brewery’s income, expanding into home delivery had been “far removed” from the company’s business plan, co-owner Marc Plante said. But that quickly changed in March with the arrival of the pandemic. Plante recalls thinking the worse when we heard bars and restaurants were closing. “It was like, ‘Well there goes 60 per cent of
our revenue,’” he says. Stray Dog quickly pivoted to selling its beer online using Shopify’s ecommerce platform and introduced a free delivery service. For the first few weeks after restrictions were imposed, Plante was working 12hour shifts to get beer to customers. “I soon realized I needed help,” he said. Employees who traditionally worked in Stray Dog’s now-shuttered tap room – and who might have otherwise been laid off – were reassigned into packaging and delivery roles. While Stray Dog has kept its taproom closed, until it can “100 per cent welcome everybody back safely and not put our staff or customers at risk,” the brewery opened an outdoor patio from Friday to Sunday that accommodated up to 16 people at a time. Plante said the goal was not to produce a large revenue stream, but was primarily a way “to re-engage with our customers and give them some sense of normalcy.” Stray Dog also partnered with neighbouring restaurant Bistro L’Entre-Deux to serve its food on the brewery’s patio. The brewery will also be adding two new fermenters and a brite tank, which Plante
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hopes will increase its brewing capacity by 3,000 litres and allow the company to add new beers to its lineup more regularly. Plante said he and MacNeill have never taken the success of their business for granted, and during the pandemic they have been “so humbled and appreciative of the support we’ve received from the community.” That is why instead of celebrating their three-year anniversary with a party like in previous years, Stray Dog released their first triple IPA beer ‘Unity’ in celebration of the resilience of Canadians during the pandemic, and as a thank you to their loyal customers. “We believe so much in our community, and we can’t have a community without the word unity.” (Surviving and Thriving on Main Street is presented by Invest Ottawa. Digital Main Street (DMS) helps small businesses impacted by COVID-19 in Ontario to recover and grow. Through government-funded programs such as Future Proof, main street businesses (restaurant, retail shops, skilled trades, and home-based businesses) can access their own digital squad, business advisors and training resources – for free.
Stray Dog owners Marc Plante (left) and Justin MacNeill. OBJ PHOTO Develop digital ads, create a new online business model, or set up a digital marketing strategy for your business – all free through Digital Main Street: investottawa. ca/digital-main-street.)
Willowbend Retirement Community now open in Orléans STAR STAFF – The Willowbend Retirement Community located at the corner of Trim and Innes Roads welcomed their first residents last week following their official opening on Sept. 29. The staff at the Willowbend donned their face masks and rolled out the red carpet as their first guests arrived, all of whom had to follow all the proper COVID-19 protocols. Willowbend is the latest senior retirement residence owned and operated by Riverstone Retirement Communities, which is based right here in Ottawa. It is the ninth Riverstone community designed and built by Claridge Homes. Willowbend features more than 145 spacious suites available in studio, one- and two-bedroom floor plans. Residents can choose from a full spectrum of individualized care alternatives including: Independent Living, Residential Care, or one of their two Assisted Living arrangements – Physical Assisted Living or Memory Care. Their all-inclusive approach to retirement living is what sets
Riverstone Retirement Communities apart. Among the many amenities offered at Willowbend are a brightly lit salt water indoor pool; a gated garden area with a lovely gazebo which is perfect for meeting with family members; a fully equipped fitness centre; a large library; a theatre room; a games/activities room; and a ground floor bistro where residents can enjoy coffee or tea, hot chocolate, mocha, or a variety of specialty espresso drinks. Meals at the Willowbend are prepared in a state-of-the-art kitchen by a well-trained brigade that is overseen by food services manager Meenaal Sharma. Every detail at the Willowbend has been meticulously taken care to make the transition of moving into the residence as welcoming and comforting as possible. Riverstone Retirement Communities has had an excellent record during the pandemic throughout which their number one priority has always been and remains the safety and well-
being of their residents and team members. They strictly follow the directives issued by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, the Ontario Retirement Community Association (ORCA) and the Retirement Home Regulatory Authority (RHRA). At Willowbend, they understand that searching for a retirement home that will provide you or your loved one with quality care and peace of mind can be a challenging experience. That is why they invite you to call them to discuss how tham can meet your individual needs. For more information, or to arrange a tour call 613-907-9200.
(Above) The staff at Willowbend rolled out the red carpet to welcome the retirement community’s first residents on Sept. 29. The open concept lobby, below, is one of the reasons why Willowbend is creating so much buzz in the retirement living industry. PHOTOS SUPPLIED
Join us at Willowbend this winter Take a break from your house and winter chores and stay in a safe, comfortable and connected community, in a new private suite.
Book your winter getaway today
Call Liette at 613-907-9200 to book a personal tour.
WillowbendRetirement.com I 1980 chem Trim Rd, Ottawa
Health, Happiness and Home October 15, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 12 • 13
14 • October 15, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 12
Giving back during challenging times “…because it’s the right thing to do” Applications open for CP Business Solutions Spotlight Fund CP Business Solutions Special to the Orléans Star Ottawa marketing company, CP Business Solutions Inc., has a charitable giving campaign and local Orléans organizations are welcome to apply. The CP Biz “Spotlight Fund” offers interested organizations the opportunity to apply for a complementary “Spotlight Session” where they can meet with CP Business Solutions staff members and tap into their marketing and planning expertise. Each Spotlight Session includes an initial consultation followed by a halfday brainstorming/planning/ creative session to share ideas, inspire solutions and leave participants invigorated and excited to move forward.
“We started small, and are grateful to the people who helped us along the way,” says CP Business Solutions owner and CEO, Catherine Priestman. “Now that we’re in a position to give back, we want to pay it forward to organizations that are positive and forward-thinking like us... because it’s the right thing to do.” Catherine has always had a strong social conscience, and corporate social responsibility is embedded into her company’s daily operations. This also comes through in the many ways she gives back to the community and inspires the next generation of entrepreneurs. The Spotlight campaign will appeal to groups that are struggling as a result of Covid-19, need fresh ideas or need professional
marketing assistance but can’t afford it. Organizations that involve children and youth, educational and community-building endeavours in particular are encouraged to apply. You do not have to be a registered charity to participate. “We believe that the strength of a community is enhanced by supporting local organizations and our creative solutions can help.” adds Priestman. Applications for the fall sessions open now and close on October 31st. This season’s recipients will be contacted and announced at the end of the month on social media. For more information or to apply for a Spotlight Session online, visit https://www.cpbusinesssolutions.com/ spotlight-fund.
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October 15, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 12 • 15
KEEPING OUR DISTANCE IS BRINGING US TOGETHER
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S H O P, T O U R A N D B U Y O N L I N E 16 • October 15, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 12