THURSDAY
FEBRUARY 1, 2018
Newsstand value, $2 per copy 39 Renfrew Ave. W., Suite 203 Second Floor, Renfrew, ON
613-432-8122
www.royallepageoneil.com Helping you is what we do.
Fire victims thankful TIFFANY LEPACK
tlepack@metroland.com
Thank you. Two simple words that just don’t seem enough for Sara and Henning Thomssen after a fire devastated their farm on Jan. 15 at 537 Reid Rd. in Admaston/Bromley Township. Approximately 35 to 40 cattle perished in the fire, along with their main barn and 200 bales of hay. They estimate the total loss is close to $100,000; there was no insurance and therefore there will be no investigation. The pair is looking on the bright side in the face of the massive destruction. Sixteen cattle survived the blaze and two were at their brother’s farm; in total they now have 18 cows. “There’s always hope, they survived,” said Sara. “We still have some cattle so we will be back. The fire was devastating but we still have our family. We want to thank everyone, we will not let a fire bring us down.” “I’m to the point where it’s done and over and our kids our healthy so that’s what counts,” added Henning. Henning’s father bought the farm in 1983. He praises the efforts of both the Renfrew and Douglas fire departments that fought the fire. “They saved the other buildings, if they had not shown up it would have all been gone,” said Henning. “Those firefighters risk everything.” They said they are both extremely thankful for all of the firefighters who battled the blaze and were on site until midnight. “They really worked hard on it and stuck with it,” said Henning. He called 9-1-1 shortly after 1 p.m. but a neighbour had already made the call. “I didn’t hear anything, (I thought) this was not real, I was in shock,” said Henning on the moment he first saw the fire.
See HELP, page 2
Winter fun in Foresters Falls
Full of pancakes is Ryan Yuke, ready to take on the many kids’ games at the outdoor rink during the Foresters Falls Winter Carnival on Jan. 27. More than 100 came for breakfast, some by snowmobile (as part of the poker run), others with Kyla’s Kids Club, and still others for the adult games like the saw competition. The day rounded out with Saturday night bingo at the United Church. For more photos see page 15. Derek Dunn/ Metroland
Winter festival in Douglas
The 43rd annual Douglas Frosty Fun festival is set for Feb. 2 to 4. This year the theme focuses on the Olympics and everyone is encouraged to wear red and white. On Feb. 2 the events include: at 6 p.m. men’s hockey tournament starts, 7 p.m. opening ceremony, 7:30 p.m., kids big screen movie night at St. Michael’s School and 7:30 p.m. six-hand euchre at the Douglas Tavern cost is $10. Among Saturday’s events: starting at 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. hockey tournament, 9 a.m. to noon breakfast at the rink canteen, 10 to 11 a.m. children’s story hour at the Admaston/Public Library, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. kids indoor frosty activities and extreme fun zone for kids by RY-J’s Climbing Adventures at St. Michael’s School, noon to 6 p.m. smoking hot barbecue by Backyard Gourmet, 6 to 8 p.m. Little Ray’s Reptile Show at the school, 7:30 p.m. six hand euchre at Douglas Tavern $10 and fireworks behind the rink at 8:30 p.m. And on Sunday, Feb. 4 things get underway at 9 a.m. to noon Lions Club breakfast at St. Michael’s School, noon to 6 p.m. silent auction, 1 p.m. six-hand at the school cost $10, 1:30 to 2 p.m. radar gun puck shoot (beside the main rink), 2 to 4 p.m. youth broomball exhibition games at the main rink, 2 to 4 p.m. sleigh rides with Earl Walsh, 4 to 6 p.m. family public skate and hot roast beef dinner at the school. All proceeds from the event go to the Douglas Recreation Improvements.