The SCOOP // June / July 2016

SCOOP The

June / July 2016

thescoop.ca

Did You Miss Me? Stocking Beaver Lake

Arresting Images

Calls of Darkness

Red Squirrel Rescue

Here’s The SCOOP

The

SCOOP C Founded in 2005 by Richard Saxe

PUBLISHER & AD SALES Karen Nordrum stonemills.scoop@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTORS Jerry Ackerman, Jordan Balson, Ron Betchley, Lillian Bufton, Glenn Davison, Mary Jo Field, Beth Freeland, Mel Galliford, Glenn R. Goodhand, Alyce Gorter, JoAnne Himmelman, Kim Kerr, Lena Koch, Blair McDonald, Terry Sprague, Mickey Sandell, John Sherbino, Marty Stockton, Jeff Thompson, Robert Wright All photos contributed, unless otherwise noted.

HOW TO CONTACT US 613.379.5369 stonemills.scoop@gmail.com thescoop.ca facebook.com/thescoop.ca Please write to us at: Stone Mills Scoop

omplaining is perhaps humanity’s favorite pastime. Entire cultural traditions are built around complaining. Music, poetry, and newspaper editorials are prime examples.

Why should The SCOOP be any different?

But rather than unleashing upon the world that most unwelcome of complaints: complaining about complaining, let’s try something else.

Complaining is a step. An important one, even. But the critical step is the next one.

Moving from complaining, to actually doing something about the object of the complaint. In some cases, that’s just not possible. Or the outcome is likely to be worse than the problem. A few noble souls have tried to fight the weather by shooting rockets at the clouds, or death by having their severed heads frozen, or taxes by not paying them. The results have not been very convincing.

the wrong kind of fish, too much wind, etc. Stocking fish addresses one of those complaints. But it’s a complicated, unpredictable business. As another of our writers describes, there is a long, fascinating history of fish stocking in our area. Let’s hope we can learn from it and enjoy fishing for years to come.

Some people sometimes complain that rural areas aren’t quite as welcoming to people from diverse social and cultural

backgrounds. But that’s clearly not always the case, as another one of our stories reveals. And who could possibly complain about baby squirrels, the rich history our area has enjoyed, poetry, pollinators, and all the other diverse topics this issue covers?

Of course, should you have a complaint, feel free to send it to us. We may even publish it!

Biting insects seem to be in that category.

We complain bitterly about the legions of bloodthirsty winged parasites that assault us once the snow finally melts.

But what else can we do? DDT and other chemicals take care of them, but they also take care of birds, useful insects, and other living things. We like most living things. Full body protection works as well, but it is less practical and does not look as good as a swimsuit (on most people anyway), plus a bug hat makes it hard to sip that drink.

But it turns out that there are things we can do! As one of our articles shows, what is probably the most despicable creature in central Canada, the deerfly, is now on the defensive. We complained for years; now we can move on to step two.

Fishermen also complain. A lot. Too hot, too cold, not enough fish, too many of

The Cloyne Pioneer Museum & Archives ( Hwy 41, across from the Post Office) will be holding their season opening on Saturday, June 25 at 11:00 a.m. There will be a BBQ and The Pickled Chicken String Band will be on hand to entertain.

Bring your lawn chair, put on your sun hat and shades and enjoy the day. Come into the museum and relive the experiences of the early settlers of this area.

The museum displays depict lumbering, farming, mining, and homemaking of days gone by. Photo by Cathy Hook of The Pickled Chicken String Band performing at last year’s season opening.

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COVER Closeup of a hungry horse fly (Chrysops).

Photo by John Hallmén.

2

COLLEEN’S GARDENING SERVICE

The SCOOP • June / July 2016

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Mailbag

The Scoop looks forward to reading all your letters!

Please send your letters to: stonemills.scoop@gmail.com

IVAN’S TREE SERVICE & SONS OVER 36 YEARS EXPERIEnCE

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lumber yard is at present. I think it is now a Home Hardware. We had 300 acres, and we raised a few cows for milk, and some pigs for meat. We also had a large garden and picked wild strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Mom did these up for preserves. We were rather self-sufficient.

Re: “Neighbourly in Northbrook” (February/March 2016)

TREE & HEdGE PRunInG CABlInG

The information about Lemke’s restaurant was interesting. I can add that the building was built by Sanford and Lily Thompson, who operated a restaurant. Sanford had been a cook for the Sawyer-Stoll Lumber Company.

Charles Kerr Sanford had worked as a cook for my Mount Forest, Ontario father in the camp. I remember as a child going to the restaurant for Visit our 20 acres of gorgeous lunches.

My parents were John and Julie Kerr. Four of my siblings have passed away: Alice, Edward, Dawson, and Joseph.

Three of us remain: George, Jacqueline, and myself (Charles).

In 1939, our family moved to Northbrook from Bancroft and rented a house for $5.

This house was two doors north of the Hotel and was later owned by Mary Lloyd Johnston. Dad had been hired by Sawyer-Stoll to run winter logging camps.

In 1946, we moved to our home which was 1-1/2 miles north of Northbrook on the right where the

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3

Fall off Seven Times, Get on Eight the track but never raced, came to be an important part of my life. It was apparent from the first that Toby’s (Red October) n old proverb is that to be a good aristocratic background had not prepared horseback rider one has to fall off him for the terrors of trees, water seven times. If that is the standard crossings, marshes with tall rustling for a good rider, I should be on the grasses, or cows but, fortunately, his Olympic Equestrian Team! Not all my training had prepared him for escaping falls have been spectacular or these – quickly. This led to our first, um‌ noteworthy, but there are a few that are unplanned dismount. We had just fought engraved upon my mind and body. But our way through a marsh with enough before I go into detail let me set the new sensations to wind Toby up to a stage. near-explosive level. When we reached the tree line, we stopped, and I turned in Although horses had been my passion the saddle to check on the whereabouts since childhood and I had ridden of my riding buddy, the reins dangling hundreds of horses over thousands of loosely in my hand. Just then, he and his miles in my dreams, I was in my 40s horse appeared with much crashing and before I had an opportunity to try to snapping of branches out of the midst of make those dreams a reality. At that the bulrushes. Toby was off to the races! point in my horse knowledge, all horses Caught off balance, bouncing madly from appeared as beautiful and potential side to side I was unable to shorten up on mounts no matter their experience or the reins or gain control of Secretariat. mine. The saying “green rider and green The mind works in mysterious ways. My horse results in black and blueâ€? meant mind said, grab a tree as you go by; that little to me‌at the time. will pull you out of the saddle, and you can slide gently to the ground like a So, after a series of more-or-less firefighter. Not exactly. Seconds later as I unchallenging steeds, a three-year-old looked up from the ground at my riding thoroughbred that had been trained for buddy hovering over me, I found it hard to believe that it hadn’t worked as planned. “I don’t know what happened,â€? I said. My Tel: 613-379-5874 Email: soscsvcs@gmail.com riding buddy stated in Web: www.s-o-s-computers.com a matter-of-fact tone, without sympathy, Wm. (Bill) Greenley “You hit a tree.â€?

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When the nine-yearold, registered Arabian mare was given to me, I was

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told that she had spent her whole life merely prettying up the landscape. Don’t try and ride her, I was told. However, that seemed like an unrealistic lifestyle in a household where everyone else had to work. So, the challenge began. We got to the point where if Asira agreed to be ridden that day she was amazing. BUT, if she didn’t feel like it (which was more often than not), she would let me know before I ever got my foot in the stirrup – or shortly thereafter. This was before Pat Parrelli, John Lyons, Chris Irwin or the myriad of other trainers with ready advice had become well known. I was on my own. For some unexplained reason, I feared but enjoyed the contest, determined, of course, to win her over to my way of thinking which was that I would ride when I wanted to not just when she said it could happen. When she pitched me over the rail fence into a snowbank, I excused the action. When the heavy-handed cowboy who insisted on riding her decided instead to lead her all the way, I forgave her behaviour.

But, then came the day in July‌I had led her down the main road intending to ride her home bareback. As soon as my rear-end touched her back, I knew I was in trouble. As she bucked her way across the road, my only thought was “How much is this going to hurt?â€? I was not left wondering for long. As she somersaulted me over her head, my back and shoulder slammed into a massive outcropping of Canadian Shield. Unable to breathe but still with a tight grip on the reins, I started to painfully inch my way out of the ditch. I could hear a car approaching from around the bend. “Please don’t stop,â€? I prayed silently, doubled over, arm clenched to my side. But it did. The

window rolled down, and the comedian said, “You should be riding that horse.�

Through teeth clenched from the pain of cracked ribs, I managed to say, “About a minute ago I was.�

Tango, was a big black and white mare with Clydesdale/Hackney blood. She was fun to ride although her high knee action and tendency to run on the spot when excited made her look like more of a challenge than she was. She and I set out on a “country block� bareback ride that led to a swampy water crossing before reaching home. She was reluctant to cross the knee-deep ooze, so I dismounted to locate solid footing through the mire. Picking my way from tussock to grass clump I was halfway across when I looked back to check on Tango. She was standing with her feet bunched together so I, thinking she was secure on her small patch of dirt, turned back to finish the crossing. The next thing I knew I was flat on my face with a mouthful of muck, my head against a stone and 1200 pounds of horse slowly settling onto my back. Tango’s front feet were above my head fighting for purchase on anything solid, one of her back feet was between my thighs repeatedly scraping as she sought to find a way out of the mess and her weight was settling more and more onto me as she sank deeper. At what point would my back break? The soft ground saved me.

Tango was able to pull herself out, and I managed to climb to safety still a mile from home, sore and shaken.

Any lessons learned here? Certainly!

Wear a helmet. Learn to read your horse.

And, I’m not smart enough to own an Arabian.

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The SCOOP • June / July 2016

An Inspector Calls (Aug. 19 to Sept. 11) is J.B. Priestley’s nail-biter of a mystery in which a body has been found and everyone is suspect.

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original owners Poppy Harrison and David Greenland who opened their doors boasting that “they made the best bagels in Eastern Ontario.”

Over the years the Bakery changed grasses, with their deep roots, store Mary Jo Field owners but the quality of the food carbon at the same rate as trees? So by Many people think of the non-native a pollinator fedge we will be honeybee when the subject of pollinators t doesn’tand seem to matter what the the baked items only got betsioned as the culmination of a fiveplanting saving the planet in more ways than one. comes up, although there are about 800 subject is, I learn something every native bee and many time I goter. to one the Tamworth/ Nowof Bev and Dalton, with the yearspecies plan when theyother first moved to There are many plants suitable for a insects and animals involved in keeping Erinsville GrassRoots Growers speaker of David,March who still does the bulk Kingston.

While working at a full-pollinator fedge. For a list of our world healthy and in balance.

Bees, events. Onaid Wednesday, 30, Kim plants, go to the website butterfltime ies, moths, hummingbirds and Fellows came to town to talkhave aboutexpanded the of the baking, position, Dalton managed torecommended www.seeds.ca and look for “November beetles are but a few. Some, like the pollinator fedges, and because this is a and offer greater varietyhoneybee, of fit inrely several of part-time solelyyears on plant material work2015: The Pollinator Fedge Part 2.” term I was menu not familiar with, aI expected Actually, the easiest way to find it is to (pollen and nectar) for survival. Others to learn a lot. take-out items. Bev always hasarea predators learning dog training Google “pollinator fedge,” and the article and more help inabout our gardens by eating other harmful to our Kim is the Pollination Outreach warm smile to greet everyone who with insects boarding experts in Kingston.mentioned above will be the fourth or fifth result. vegetable crops. We need them all.

Coordinator at Pollination Canada, a enters TheofBakery and many of her Dalton believes that when dogs are project within Seeds Diversity Canada, else can we do to encourage To survive, pollinators require food, a non-profit organization whose recipes are now in demand. Annette boarded, they are embarking onWhat pollinators? Stop using pesticides. Leave nesting places, and protective cover all objectives include preserving year round. the other hand, enjoyTheyhedgerows and wild areas for nesting and biodiversity and encouraging cultivation Wilson, along with Anita Wilson, theirWe, ownonholiday from home. foraging. Leave old stems of raspberries our gardens for only six or seven months, of heirloom and endangered food crops. welcome thefrom patrons and provide join theupCowper dogsmaterial who live thereand blackberries for nesting bees, or cut often cleaning all the dead With an MSc in biology Queen’s stack the stems vertically and place every year to make room for the next University and three years working for first class service. Customers pop (all seven of them) for the durationand them near the garden. Stop using season’s growth. A pollinator fedge can Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, she go a long providing our a part oflandscape cloth; instead, use mulch and has a great by background foraspeaking on to pick up bagels, bread, mufofway theirto stay; theywhat become leave some areas of bare earth for insect and animal friends need to keep her subject. fins, pies and a wide variety of other thegoing. dog pack.

Dalton’s love of dogsground-nesting pollinators. There is so our world By planting a four-footto learn about how what we do wide swath of native plants around our Before getting to the specifi baked goods orc topic they of can sit down was evident when he rhymed off hismuch affects other inhabitants of our planet. gardens, we give year-round shelter, pollinator fedges, Kim reminded the food, protection winds and nestingSaxon audience why are so lunch from the andpollinators have a delicious own dogsfrom names: Dabney, Our thanks to Kim Fellows for providing material to pollinators. If raspberries, important. Pollinators are responsible for expanding menu.meal Theweold favou(the newbie), blackberries, SaskatoonPorter, berries,Kilty, and Cooper,an informative evening, to St. Patrick a significant portion of every Jerusalem artichokes areTarget included, a he is soSchool for allowing us free use of the eat, the fibres that make the lemon rites, such asour theclothes, much-loved Lacy and Louis (yes, premises, and to Chris Georgiou for his fedge can also provide food for our own dyes to colour them, and many of the lupins areWithout still available but look tables. for Wild special he would has hisserve ownaslast name).ongoing help in setting up and clean up. medicines tarts we take. pollinators, nitrogen-fixers for the soil. Our gardens there would be no milk for our cereal what’s new. and A big hit has been the There areand two Labs, three get a windbreak, some shade is Beagles,Student Award Announcement because cows eat grains grasses provided for plants such as lettuce that pollinated slow-cooked by insects. There would be no ribs that are offered a Bloodhound and a Coonhound; all do not appreciate unrelenting heat and apples and no blueberries, no almonds An exciting announcement was made at Friday nights as part of a prix fixe ofdid them asnative excellent hoststhe fedge ers, this is abyhuge relief knowing that sun. And you serving know that prairie and no honey. event Milly Ristvedt, former menu with five delicious courses. welcoming the other dogs into the their pets are in good hands. Even Dalton, well known for his kennel. as a youngster, Dalton was drawn year-round boarding kennel for Some dogs may never have to dogs, caring for his own family’s dogs called the Regal Beagle on experienced this before, but dogs dogs and for those he walked as a Hwy. 41, had already brought the love to socialize with other dogs. part-time job while growing up. Bev same level of attention to detail and Since they are free to mingle and also loves dogs and Labrador Rea love for quality organic pet foods roam in a safe environment, they trievers have a special place in her Looking people who enjoy learn to enjoy the comfort of a rou- heart as she always had a loving Lab with little orfor no preservatives to their kennel. I share Dalton’s love of dogs tine that includes a nap and, yes, a growing up. talking to large and small groups. and can appreciate the attention he weekly campfire night on Saturdays The kennel has many home pays to keeping bothrequired, his and hisuse cli- your when humans and all the dogs are comforts including air conditioning, A car and internet ents’ dogs on a nutritionally sound quite literally “happy campers”. homemade and branded organic diet which gives the lucky pooches home as the base while workingDalton was pleased to learn that the treats and CBC radio for their listenwonderful immune systems and su- burn ban has been lifted for now so ing pleasure. Some visitors of the throughout perior health. Sothe it’s community. not a surprise the dogs won’t have to miss this spe- canine kind stay for a month or 6 that Dalton and Bev wanted the very cial campfire night. Returning “cli- weeks at a time. There is a feeling of Speaking best forat theluncheons, customers thatseminars, visit The etc. entele” recognize their holiday spot comfort and safety communicated Bakery. and jump out of the cars looking by the resident dogs to newcomers DianaThe 1-866-306-5858 Regal Beagle was envi- forward to another visit. For own- and plenty of time to enjoy human

Calling All Pollinators

I

GREAT CAREER OPPORTUNITY!

The Scoop

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2011

The website for the Bakery is in progress: www.riverbakery.com Top photo: Dalton and Bev. Bottom: Dalton, Anita, and Bev. Photoofcredits: Barry Lovegrove. chair the GRG Steering Committee.

The Tamworth/Erinsville GrassRoots Growers Student Award, in the amount of $1000, will be given to a student enrolled in the Sustainable Agriculture Co-op programme at Fleming College in Lindsay. First consideration will be given to a student who lives in Lennox & Addington County, with other criteria including grade point average and financial need. This award is possible due to the funds raised from the GRG annual plant and seedling sale and to donations from people attending our speaker events. The award reflects the GRG mission, and we hope everyone shares in our sense of pride and accomplishment at being able to provide needed funds to someone wishing to study sustainable, ecological, or natural farming methods.

Our thanks go to the volunteers who help at the plant sale, donors of plants and seedlings, and everyone who gives a donation at our free admission events.

Tamworth/Erinsville GrassRoots Growers is a community-based group. Our mission is to encourage interest in local and organic gardening for both the home garden and the market garden; to raise awareness of issues surrounding food production; to improve our practical knowledge of all aspects of plant life; and to provide networking opportunities for gardeners. We welcome new members.

Visit our website at te-grassrootsgrowers. weebly.com

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June / July 2016 • The SCOOP

5

Do You Remember Grain Binders?

Glen R. Goodhand

D

rive along any country road during harvest time and you are likely to see a huge machine—some the size of a small house on wheels—called a self-propelled combine, cutting 30-foot swaths of ripe grain as they move up and down the fields.

Completing one hundred acres per day is well within their capacities—equivalent to an entire small farm—the norm in the good old days. In others words, this modern mechanized monster can harvest the equal of a whole spread over the course of eight to ten hours.

But do you remember the grain binder?

When it was developed in the 1870s, it was considered to be a wonder as a reaping tool. Technically one man alone could manage the cutting of grain on his own—even though more operations in the harvesting process had to follow.

From time immemorial the reaping hook, or sickle, represented the standard method of gathering a crop. While the materials from which it was made varied with the passing of time, it remained essentially a hand-held curved blade with which one cut the various kinds of growth.

Amazingly enough, it was not until the 16th century that advancement was offered as an alternative to the backbreaking task just mentioned. The scythe was then reintroduced. The ancient Romans had invented a primitive form of a blade on a long handle, but for some unknown reason, it disappeared

CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ARTISTS! Do you have what it takes to be published in The SCOOP? Send us your best photos and artwork documenting rural life in our area: stonemills.scoop@gmail.com

from the scene for some 500 years before surfacing again. This cutting instrument had a much wider and longer blade than the sickle, and the handle enabled the person “swinging” it to stand erect.

The “cradle” came next. Basically, it was a scythe with four long wooden “fingers” paralleling the instrument’s blade. As the crop was cut it was scooped into this “catch basin,” and flung aside, creating a swath—a row of piled grain. The wheat, oats, barley, or hay could then be raked and tied into bundles called sheaves.

In 1831, the first mechanical mechanism for harvesting was invented. It was the brainchild of Cyrus McCormick. It was called a “reaper.” Pulled by horses it was equipped with a platform with a horizontal pulsating cutting knife. A rotating reel with long slats forced the snipped stalks to fall flat on that platform. As the pile grew, a second man swept these bundles off the deck of the table onto the ground. The bundling process then followed.

Twenty-five years later another advancement was made. The “selfraking” reaper added a mechanical arm, which replaced the helper—sweeping the gather piles at set intervals onto the ground. Once more farmers needed to bend their backs to gather those heaps as well.

But then came the binder. This machine was introduced to the agricultural community by Charles Withington in 1872. The same type of slatted reel knocked the grain back onto a platform, as before. But now two canvas conveyors

carried the piles, first along the table where it met another canvas conveyor, which slanted upwards. These single strands of grain were dumped into a slot, and, as soon a given size bundle accumulated, a “knotter” encircled it with twine, tied it, and kicked it out onto a “carrier”—a multi-tined metal scoop.

When four or five of these bundles, called “sheaves,” were gathered, a foot pedal on the machine’s platform enabled the operator to “trip” it and leave sheaves in a pile. Right on the spot, along with four or five other piles left by the binder on its previous cycle were erected into a stook (or shock—depending on the area in which you lived). These were left to dry until they were transported to the barn for storage, or for threshing.

Initially, binders were pulled by two or three horses. But eventually, starting in the 1930’s, they were towed behind tractors.

The old McCormick binder Was like the one my Uncle Ves Operated with a team of horses

Super 8

On the Forty just to the west.

The power for the binder Was really quite a deal.

Just below the needle and the knotter Was the great bull wheel.

That drives the reel and the sickle All the chains and the gears; The canvases that carry the barley Up to the bundleers.

Old Bob and Betty pulled the binder; My job to shock the grain.

To keep up to the binder, No need to strain.

One more swath Left it nice and clean.

Only a few shocks Standing in between.

—Monte Leon Manka The binder was still a far cry from the combine harvester. But it was also far removed from the hand-held sickle.

Harvesting had “come a long way, baby!”

My Friend, the Dragonfly

Do you remember Super 8?

The whirring cams and clacking gate Images that juddered by Those out of focus shots of sky The pebbled screen and tripod stand Sheets on windows drinks in hand Hoots of laughter, popcorn too Children’s faces, me and you.

Sometimes friends roped in to share We watched theirs, and so they’re there.

Wide lapels and double knits Bouffant hair, Hurst shifter kits Broken film and blinding light The aaws, the splice that made it right Do you remember Super 8?

Let’s face it — as a dragon, you’re a failure no snarling lips no protruding fangs no breath of fire not even threatening tail or wisp of smoke You’re not much of a fly either, you know you don’t buzz and crawl your wings are much too awkward and your abdomen is way far—well, too long Patient labourer among us impatient swatters, how can we truly praise you when we see you as a fly much less a dragon ?

Please help us help you find a better image Why don’t we name you properly Proclaim you as a SUMMER SAVIOUR praise you as you snatch away mosquitoes, give you full credit for what you do for us ?

Jerry Ackerman

John Sherbino

FRENCH TUTOR Conversational & written French Kids & adults Evenings or weekends Jean Lepage (Tamworth) 613.539.2495 jean.rodrigue.lepage@gmail.com 6

The SCOOP • June / July 2016

TAMWORTH PRO HARDWARE RE-INVENTED

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Lessons Learned Blair McDonald

E

veryone has an opinion on education – and rightly so, we have all been put through its trials and tribulations in one form or another. For most students, going to school will always inspire a mix of dread and disdain. Whether that will ever change, I have my doubts. But from an educators’ standpoint, the responsibilities of education are not to be taken lightly.

Between the lines of every complaint or controversy with the education system, we can read concerns with how the youth of today should be taught, what they ought to learn, how they should be tested, and how they should be disciplined for poor performance or behaviour.

In a recent talk at Drexel University in Philadelphia by one of my favourite “shock jocks” of the academic world, Camille Paglia (the paper was later turned into an article titled “Free Speech and the Modern Campus”) discusses not only the history of classroom dissent but, of equal importance, the concern with teachers using the classroom as a platform for their own personal ideologies or worldviews. In her estimation, today’s teachers have confused their role as educators with that of social workers.

This is not to say that the teacher cannot have strong social convictions, it is more to the point that, for Paglia, “teaching and research must strive to remain objective and detached” from the personal agendas of the instructor.

Rightly, Paglia adds the following: “The teacher as an individual citizen may and should have strong political convictions and activities outside the classroom, but inside, he or she should never take ideological positions without at the same time frankly acknowledging them as opinion to the students and emphasizing that all students are completely free to hold and express their own opinions on any issue, no matter how contested.”

It remains to be seen how much of what

we teach (and learn for that matter) is the result of our own biases. Unfortunately, I know from experience that courses with the same topic (for example, a history of the movies course) can be taught in completely different ways just by changing the instructor. In a funny way, history appears to change and come to life differently depending on who is at the helm.

Similarly, in one of the finest modern essays I have ever read on education, Albert Einstein (from his collection of essays written between 1934 – 1950, published in his book Out of My Later Years) reminds us that while the instructor does have a definite “influence upon the molding of the psychological foundation for pupils” it is the school itself (as a social institution) that is “the most important means of transferring the wealth of tradition from one generation to the next.”

Educators would do well to recall Einstein’s claims on the role of standardized schooling. He writes: “a community of standardized individuals without personal originality and personal aims would be a poor community without possibilities for development.”

One can only wonder what Einstein would have thought of our current careerist, grade-driven era of education where a B grade is enough to send students (and some parents) into a tailspin.

In contrast, Einstein writes that the goals of higher learning, in particular, ought to consider its use within the greater community. In this sense, he writes, schooling ought to generate “independently acting and thinking individuals, who, however, see in the service to the community their highest life problem” – regardless of the ‘status’ of the profession.

How often we forget that it’s the little ideas that can generate the biggest changes.

Tweet and follow me at @bmcdnld.

Beyond the Doors: Home and Garden Tour Lillian Bufton

T

his year’s annual tour will be held on Saturday, June 4 and will support the programs and activities of the Lennox & Addington Seniors Outreach Services, which is celebrating its Ruby (40th) anniversary this year.

The day-long tour goes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features eight properties in Odessa, Newburgh, and Napanee. The houses range from custom-designed and built newer homes to 19th-century heritage properties that have been lovingly restored.

“These are absolutely stunning homes and gardens, and this tour is one of the highlights of the year for us; one of our best fundraisers,” says Ruth Graham, who is coordinating the project for the fundraising committee of the SOS. “We have already had people coming in for their Passports.” They are available at the SOS office at 12 Richmond Park Drive, and at the IDA Drug Store on Dundas Street in Napanee. Graham expects that the Passports will sell out quickly so you are encouraged to purchase one soon.

Mixed adult soccer league Starting in June Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.

Free at Tamworth Field For more details: cna420@yahoo.ca

Tamworth Elementary School

Fun Fair

“We remind people to be courteous at each home, removing their shoes before entering the house, and not touching any household items,” says Graham. To be respectful to the owners, no pets are allowed in the homes or gardens, children must be well supervised at all times, and no smoking is allowed.

Photography may be allowed outside, but no photographs may be taken inside any of the homes.

For more information about the annual Home & Garden Tour on Saturday, June 4, please contact Ruth Graham at the SOS, 613.354.6668, ext. 104, or ruth@ lasos.ca.

ANNUAL OUTDOOR CEMETERY MEMORIAL SERVICE TAMWORTH CEMETERY

Sunday, June 12 at 2:00 p.m.

Please join us for a short service at the cemetery with guest speaker Rev. Howard Dudgeon and music by Michelle Pyatt and soloist Janyce Arnill.

Refreshments will be served after the service.

Donations to the enhancement and maintenance of the cemetery greatly appreciated.

Friday, June 10 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

We are hosting Erin Ball from Kingston Circus Arts as our entertainer from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Ontario Woodlot Association Quinte Chapter Annual Meeting Saturday, June 18 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Slide put on by our very own

Arts Centre Hastings 239 Durham Street, Madoc

as well as games Albert Einstein speaking to students at Lincoln University in 1946.

New Ways of Looking at Your Property From the Air: Aerial Photos & Drones

There will be a BBQ /Slip-n-

Tamworth Fire Department,

and face painting.

NAPANEE AUTO RECYCLING INC. 4941 County Rd. 8, RR#2 Napanee ON K7R 3K7 12kms South of Napanee

Nick January, Coordinator GIS Hastings County Community Online Maps Chris Droog, with his flying quadcopter and camera Lunch $15

Large Selection of Car & Truck Parts!

To reserve lunch Louise Livingstone: 613.395.4388 info@harvesthastings.ca or Kevin Durkin: 613.396.6381

Call Dan: 613-354-3838

ontariowoodlot.com/quinte-chapter localwood.harvesthastings.ca

The Back Kitchen reopened on May 20th and will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays and holiday Mondays until Canada Day, when the restaurant will be open seven days a week until Labour Day.

613.389.1005 5660 Front Road, Stella backkitchenai@gmail.com www.backkitchen.com

Passports include a map for the selfguided tour and participants are welcome to start and stop wherever they wish. The SOS office will be closed, but parking is available for those who want to carpool. Signs and balloons will mark the properties where participants must get their Passport checked by the home’s volunteer guide. Guides will answer questions and show visitors through the home and garden.

June / July 2016 • The SCOOP

7

La Senda

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CANADA DAY July 1 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Greater Napanee Hometown Market Saturdays, Bi-Weekly May 14 - October 15 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Market Square, Napanee * Rain or Shine May 14 May 28 June 11 June 25 July 9 July 23 August 6 August 20 September 3 September 17 October 1 October 15

Horticultural Society Plant Sale Craft Kids Bonanza Riverfront Festival Splish, Splash, Water Bash Farm Fresh Frenzy Summer Sizzler and Cool Treats Carnival Creations Amazing Animal Day Dance, Dance Revolution Touch the Trucks Honey Honey/ BIA Scarecrow Festival “Falling” Into Nature

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Groomed hiking trails, kayaking & canoeing, nature viewing, peace and quiet. The perfect retreat home. See drone photos at www.century21.ca/Property/101133746. $789,900.

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8

The SCOOP • June / July 2016

613-379-2903 613-354-4347 1 866-233-2062 storring@kos.net robert.storring@century21.ca

WOW!

Stocking Beaver Lake Marty Stockton

I

started fishing Beaver Lake in 1989. It seems to me that it was pretty easy to catch largemouth bass right off the dock back then. Can’t say that’s happened at all in the last five or six years. I have no idea why that would be the case. The other significant change I’ve noted is how hard it is now to catch walleye. To be fair, I’m never out there at night when walleye fishing is said to be at its best. But I have caught my share of walleye by getting out in the early morning and fishing some favourite spots in the south lake. As long as I was out there by 6:30 a.m. or so the fishing was pretty good up until about 9:00 a.m.

But I haven’t caught a walleye for about three years now. Is the population declining or am I just having a long stretch of bad luck? I decided to contact the MNR to see if their population count data would confirm my declining population suspicions. I already had a copy of the 2009 catch data. I emailed the MNR and requested population data going back as far as possible and stocking information as well. They didn’t have lots of information about fish counts over the years, but the data they sent me about stocking the lake came as quite a surprise.

The earliest record of the lake being stocked was in 1914 when the Ministry put in an undocumented number of smallmouth bass. The next stocking took place in 1922 when walleye were put in.

Again, the records don’t tell us how many. The following year, 10,000 lake trout were put in. I guess that they didn’t do very well and likely didn’t last very

long. There is also a note in the Beaver Lake file that states that brook trout were stocked from 1936 until 1962, but no indication of how many.

Ministry records show that muskellunge were introduced in 1942; 5000 fry were put into the lake that year. I was stunned to learn this fact. With war raging in Europe and Asia, the Ministry had enough money to put muskie in Beaver Lake. Flash forward now to the year 1991.

My then brother-in-law was staying at the cottage with us along with my younger sister. We’re in the boat fishing the south lake. He hooks a fish, and I get the net ready. As I bring the netted fish into the boat, I tell him he has a small pike. He looks closely at the fish and tells me that he has hooked his very first muskie. He went on to point out the differences between the two species and sure enough, he was right. His muskie was just a little guy, no more than two pounds.

The Ministry was very active on our lake in the post-war years. Smallmouth bass went into the lake every year from 1946 to 1956, ranging from a low of 600 in 1952 to a high of 15,000 in 1950. During that same stretch of time, they were also putting walleye eggs in the lake including half a million eggs in ‘46, ‘47 and ‘50. In 1954, 1.2 million eggs went into the lake.

I can only assume they expected a survival rate below 10 per cent. The sunfish must have been very well fed in those years.

Several interesting tidbits were found in the population assessments in later years. As an example, the 1969 catch record shows four ling and four shallow-

View of Beaver Lake from the author’s cottage. water cisco. Google tells me that ling are salt water fish. I suspect the MNR employee made a mistake there. Cisco are also known as lake herring. I wonder how they got in the lake? Might an angler fishing Beaver Lake have used juvenile cisco as live bait and dumped the rest of his bait in the water at the end of the day? Ten years later, the 1979 survey recorded that five lake herring were caught in the net. Do you suppose there are still lake herring in Beaver Lake?

We usually spend some time at the cottage in the month of June before bass season opens. I’m sad to report that it is very common to see fishermen, often with young children in the boat, casting surface lures in shallow water. I make a point of asking folks, as politely as I am able if they know what harm they could

be doing. Most people don’t realize that the male bass are guarding the nests at that time and will strike anything that comes near the baby bass. But once the hooked male bass is pulled off the nest the damage is done. Even if it’s released, the male bass does not return to protecting his offspring. There is nothing to prevent sunfish and other opportunistic predators from eating all the young bass in the nest, thereby harming future populations. Please resist the urge to yell at people fishing bass zones before the season opens. Try educating them instead.

In closing, if you have ever caught anything you weren’t expecting in Beaver Lake, I’d love to hear about it: mstockton@hotmail.com.

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www.facebook.com/wiseacresorganic June / July 2016 • The SCOOP

9

A Natural View The Calls of Darkness Not So Mysterious Terry Sprague

I

have never made it a secret that I enjoy starting my mornings at 4:00 a.m. Those who receive emails from me already know that by the timestamp.

Most mornings, well before light, I don my LED headlamp and go for a leisurely two-kilometre walk on a trail that I keep groomed around the perimeter of two hay fields just west of our house.

The habit of getting up early was about the only thing that I retained when we sold the farm almost 40 years ago, in addition to a milk can, a pitchfork and an old crosscut saw. I have no use for hours beyond 9:00 p.m., so starting my day early is very special to me. It is a very peaceful time of the day, filled with distinct, and sometimes, mysterious sounds that filter in through the darkness. Faint hints of daylight are on the horizon, so I have only about an hour to enjoy it before they disappear, and the sounds of the human world take over.

Among the mysterious sounds are the subtle calls and notes from birds. I know whom they belong to, but I am more

accustomed to hearing them call during daylight hours. What are they doing out there in the darkness and why are they so vocal? Mostly, they are the same birds – robins, song sparrows, towhees, even a white-throated sparrow, birds that we usually think of as diurnal in nature.

We are familiar with nocturnal species that typically call at night. Owls come to mind. The marsh wrens ricocheting from the nearby cattail marsh can be expected, as they are usually nocturnal birds, it seems. Even the weird squelching noises of the bittern. Often I have bumped into woodcocks seemingly stupefied as they take in the flight nuptials of a male above them. Whip-poor-wills are notorious for their persistent calling. I was in my element one time at Machesney Lake, a Ranger camp, just north of Bon Echo Provincial Park. It was an amazing location and as a birder, I was delighted to be surrounded by the sounds of red-eyed vireos, wood thrushes, and loons. Come nightfall, though, my opinion of Machesney Lake changed when an overzealous whip-poor-will landed right outside my window and infuriated me all night long with his tiresomely repetitious call.

If I had thought for a moment that I could sneak up on the bird and strangle it until it was dead, I would have surely made the effort, with no apology.

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Male birds of many species sing during the day to call attention to themselves, and the message depends on to whom the song is directed. Male birds sing to establish and defend a territory from other males of the same species. In this sense, song is a stay clear signal. Other males know that if they violate a territory’s boundary, they will be attacked. So they tend to respect territory holders.

But why do diurnal birds, which should be sleeping at night, sing in the dark?

We guess that they probably sing for communication.

Territories need to be protected at night as well as during the day. So, their

voices must be heard, even at night, to let others know that a chosen nesting and hunting ground is protected and occupied. Other males of the same species know they must respect these breeding zones, or there will be consequences. This is my turf.

However, the delivery of song at night is much different. These songs are not the happy, spirited songs of day, but rather, short snippets of their regular songs, barely recognizable as to species. There is a reason for this.

The lengthy calls and songs they usually deliver during the day is a dangerous way to communicate at night because sounds can lead hungry predators to tasty midnight snacks. These birds know that brevity creates confusion. Once uttered, these short abbreviated calls vanish, so predators can’t use sound to locate the callers. When danger threatens, birds simply stop talking until the threat passes.

Full bird song is stimulated by light. If there is a full moon, birds may sing as though it were the day. As dawn breaks, though, the increasing light triggers hormonal activity resulting in a more energetic song. The brighter it becomes, the louder and more enthusiastically birds will sing. We have heard that robin singing persistently and very loudly near our bedroom window at dawn, the song getting less intense as the morning wears on. Any birds that decline to join the dawn chorus may be seen as weak or inferior by other males and females. So ecological fitness is established with song, and the legendary dawn chorus builds.

A Yellow Warbler proclaims his territory.

Photo by Garry Kirsch.

Biologists, however, seldom subscribe to such anthropomorphic references to bird behaviour. So far, I remain convinced that birds are capable of expressing joy in their world if things are going well for them. They can sing for happy, and I have seen no proof that they can’t.

For more information on birding and nature, check out the NatureStuff website at www.naturestuff.net. Terry Sprague lives in Prince Edward County and is self-employed as a professional interpretive naturalist.

Birds like to play games with predators, too. They need to survive. So, rather than a bird choosing to sing by itself on an exposed branch where it can be easy pickings for a passing sharp-shinned hawk, birds sing during the day as a large stage performance, making it more difficult for a predator to single out individuals.

Birds sing to identify their real estate, and birds sing to attract a mate. However, I am also convinced that birds sing for a third reason – because they are happy and are expressing themselves in song.

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The SCOOP • June / July 2016

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A New Weapon in the War on the Fly Mel Galliford

O

f all the animals great and small that live in this still very wild part of the world, a few are uncontested stars of the backyard, forest, or lake.

Everyone loves cardinals, loons, the majestic moose, and most butterflies. A few have mixed reputations. Chipmunks are strikingly beautiful animals, but they don’t seem to understand that the strawberries I planted are not theirs to eat. And then there is the bottom of the barrel. No one is very fond of coyotes (although their appetite for chipmunks should be noted) and absolutely no one enjoys biting insects. Scraping the absolute bottom is the deerfly. It does not just bite, it repeatedly attacks, slices skin, burrows in hair, aiming for eyes and nostrils. It does so in large groups, intent on ruining summer picnics, swims at the lake, and quiet fishing trips.

Thankfully, some of us have gone beyond complaining and have taken the war between humanity and that miserable pest to a whole new level. And make no mistake, it is a war, and not a civilized one. Here is how the bite is described in the scientific literature (yes, Wikipedia is scientific): “When feeding, females use knife-like mandibles and maxillae to make a cross-shaped incision and then lap up the blood.” If this described people, they would be on trial for crimes against humanity. So what new weapons can we use against this evil foe? The trap has long been the preferred means of control. Look online and you will see many models, from simple glue contraptions, to advanced systems intended to control large areas.

One local resident, Rick Courneya, has recently been building and selling an elegant, homemade, and strikingly efficient version of these traps. This is such an important development in the “war on the fly” that The SCOOP decided to make it a feature story. Rick, it turns out grew up in Tweed, but his grandfather, EJ Courneya, owned the Tamworth Hotel and had the Ford dealership in Tamworth. He was also Warden of the County. Rick’s parents, Ted and Dora Courneya, owned the Tweedsmuir Hotel in Tweed. They’ve known our local deer fly population for generations.

Rick became a surveyor for the Ministry of Transportation, but his career path included other ventures, including a hotel business in Thunder Bay and a bakery business in Belleville. He retired in 2001 as Manager of Ministry of Housing for Hastings and Prince Edward County and retired to Tweed, where he built a home on the family farm property on the Moira River.

The deer and horse flies were always a problem on the property, especially with the close proximity of the river. Rick and his wife Brenda would ride the riding mower “with one hand on the steering wheel and one swinging the fly swatter”!

This is a common sight throughout the region, and this writer has more than once nearly ridden the lawn tractor into the drink doing just that.

After researching possible solutions to the problem, they ordered a fly trap from the U.S., and by the time it arrived, it cost well over $400. However, it did work!

Rick decided he wanted another trap for

the 70-acre property and vowed he could make one himself. It took a while and several prototypes, but eventually he succeeded in building a similarly designed fly trap. It worked just as effectively as the first.

After four years with the two traps, their farm is virtually deer fly and horse fly-free. There are still flies going to the traps, so they are still around – but they must prefer the traps to human victims because there are no flies around the house, pool, or around the vast area they mow. Friends began asking him to build traps for them, and thus began Bye Bye Deer Fly. The fly traps are built to resemble an animal in the field, stand 4-½ feet tall on four legs, and are made from cedar and pressure treated wood. A black sphere hangs below the body of the trap, moves gently in the breeze, and attracts the flies. The flies enter the trap and fly upwards into a screened area leading to a jar. Once in the jar, they are trapped and cannot escape.

These traps, when used correctly and emptied diligently, will eventually eliminate your fly problem. The goal is to continually catch the female flies before they bite and reproduce, thereby breaking the breeding cycle. Best of all, the traps use no insecticides or attractants, are environmentally friendly, are easy to move, store, and empty.

Rick has heard many positive comments from customers. One dog breeder told him that before he bought the trap, deer flies were attacking his dogs, resulting in bleeding ears. When he put the trap up the first day, he phoned to say he caught

A Bye Bye Deer Fly trap, at the ready.

78 on the first afternoon! Horse breeders have similar nightmare stories of the pain these flies inflict on their animals. Once when Rick was installing a trap on a golf course north of Brockville, the flies were actually swarming him as they tried to get into the trap – and there were about more than 100 in the trap by the time he had it set up!

Has the evil fly met its match? It’s probably too soon to tell, and nothing antagonizes the enemy more than claiming victory too early. But Rick has clearly found a deadly weapon. Now could someone do something about black flies?

To learn more about the Bye Bye Deer Fly trap, please visit www.byebyedeerfly. vpweb.ca, email info@byebyedeerfly.ca, or phone 613.707.5940.

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June / July 2016 • The SCOOP

11

Red Squirrel Rescue Lena Koch

O

ne day this spring, our dog Panda brought a little creature to us. We all looked at the tiny thing and tried to figure out what it could be. It was too big for a mouse. After some discussion, we decided to bring the little baby inside to see if we could keep it alive.

We weren’t hopeful, but nevertheless, we made every effort to keep the little one warm. We placed the baby in a large plastic container with a lid, and with lots of soft tissues for comfort and warmth.

We put the container on top of the stove with the oven on, to try to keep it warm.

We tried feeding the baby by putting milk on our fingers and hoping it would have some, but that didn’t work. We looked online for help and realized that we had rescued a baby squirrel and that it was probably a few days old. We watched videos on how we might feed it with an eyedropper. There was only a large eyedropper in the house, but we used it anyhow. Since there was no baby formula on hand, we took skim milk mixed with whey powder and warmed it up, and the baby actually seemed to drink a little!

But everyone knew that the baby would have to go to a wildlife rescue centre. Luckily, there is one very close to us – Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre, near Napanee. So we drove to Sandy Pines and brought him in, where we learned that he was a male red squirrel, or “pinkie” – naked, eyes closed, and about the size of a pinkie finger or thumb.

Pinkie, now well on the way to recovery.

He was examined, and it was discovered that he had an infection and needed to be treated with antibiotics. We were updated with the good

Pinkie, shortly after his arrival at Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre. news that although he was in still critical condition, he was slowly starting to take fluids, requiring feeds throughout the day and night. He was treated for pneumonia and gained strength. Despite the bruising over his head and body as well as an injury to the tip of his tail, with the loving tender care at Sandy Pines, he survived. We had named him Wiggly Willy, but at Sandy Pines, his new name is Pinkie.

Every year Sandy Pines has a baby shower every May, and this year we all went. Our whole family wanted to see how little Pinkie was doing. Usually, the

public can’t see how rescued animals are taken care of, but on days like the baby shower and other open houses during the year, the public is allowed to visit and see some of the animals being fed.

We didn’t see our Wiggly Willy, but we saw other squirrels being fed by loving staff members. We were told that our little survivor will soon be ready to return to the wild, and he will be relocated near the area where he was found. We’re so thankful to the staff at Sandy Pines that they made it possible for this little red squirrel (and countless other animals) to survive.

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12

The SCOOP • June / July 2016

40th Anniversary of the County Museum and Archives: Travelling Exhibits Will “Capture” You This Summer!

JoAnne Himmelman Curator, Lennox and Addington County Museum & Archives

D

id you know that the building that houses the Lennox and Addington County Museum and Archives was once the County Gaol? When Lennox and Addington separated from Frontenac in 1863 and Napanee officially designated the County Town, a new courthouse and gaol (jail) were needed to adequately fulfill their legislative duties. The gaol (jail), built in 1864, operated until the Quinte Regional Detention Centre opened in 1971. The building was used as the Napanee Town Police lockup until 1974. At that time, it was retrofitted for museum purposes and the Museum & Archives opened in their new space on October 6, 1976. 2016 celebrates the County Museum’s 40th anniversary.

As an ode to the building’s past and in celebration of the museum’s 40th anniversary, two travelling exhibits will be featured this summer. Arresting Images circulating from the OPP Museum, Orillia and Fakes and Forgeries: Yesterday and Today coming from the Royal Ontario Museum.

Arriving in June is the travelling exhibit from the OPP Museum, Arresting

Images, an award-winning exhibition that started its travels in 2009, the 100th anniversary year of the Ontario Provincial Police. Since that time, it has been hosted by museums and galleries across Ontario. The exhibit features 100 mug shots (1886 – 1908) from The OPP Museum’s collection. These images are reproduced and presented at their actual size so both the photographs on the front of the mug shot, and the descriptions of the suspect on the back, are displayed.

Arresting Images includes the two earliest known mug shots (1886) in a public collection in Canada.

Arresting Images documents a unique historical encounter between the police of the time and suspects and criminals of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It provides a unique perspective on the social history of Ontario at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries and the practices of early policing in Ontario. The exhibition highlights historical themes and social circumstances that provide a backdrop to the stories of the individuals featured in the exhibition. Arresting Images will be exhibited from June 21 – December 15.

To “capture” your imagination, you’re also invited to snap a museum “cellfie”.

Step inside one of the remaining cells and line up for your own mug shot, perhaps you have been caught for pick pocketing, vagrancy, penny weighing, horse stealing, or safe cracking!

You can choose to have your mugshot hang in the archives corridor during the exhibition.

In conjunction with this exhibit, Dave St. Onge, Curator, Canada’s Penitentiary Museum will speak at the monthly Tuesday Night At The Museum on June 21st. Dave will guide us through the introduction of the federal identification card or “mug shot” with his illustrated lecture “Admission and Discharge.” His lecture will begin at 7 p.m. at the County Museum & Archives.

Relief sandstone, 20th century. The sandstone on this fake is tinted with a reddish pigment to give the appearance of old age. Image courtesy of Fakes and Forgeries, ROM.

Coming up in July is our second travelling exhibit of the summer, Fakes and Forgeries: Yesterday and Today, curated

Lillie Williams (alias Harrington), a housekeeper, was arrested on suspicion of an unidentified crime. The camera captured her evocative expression on August 11, 1901. Image courtesy of the OPP Museum (2008.28.141). by the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).

You become a sleuth as this interactive exhibition presents real and fake objects that run the gamut from historical specimens and cultural artifacts to household items and designer name brands. Visitors of all ages are invited to guess which objects are real and which are clever fakes. Learn how to tell authentic pieces from sly forgeries and discover the fascinating lengths forgers will take to hoodwink the unwary.

This exhibit features eleven cases, each devoted to a different category of artifacts and their corresponding forgeries. Every display provides hints on how to tell the real from the fraudulent and provides the visitor with a chance to guess an authentic artifact or specimen from an almost identical forgery. Seven cases feature items from the ROM’s collection. Two cases display modern knock-offs ranging from black market DVDs to designer brand clothing and accessories. Microsoft Canada contributes a case on counterfeit computer software, and the Bank of Canada provides a display on the history of counterfeiting currency in Canada and an array of counterfeit bank notes.

Whether you like antiquities, fossils, clothing, currency, or computers, you get

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to make the call if it’s real or a fake! Fakes and Forgeries will be displayed from July 5 – August 27.

These two exciting travelling shows are sure to pique your interest as the County Museum explores the world of crime, fakes, and forgeries this summer. Be sure to check out the summer programming guide at our website www. countymuseum.ca for more complete program listings and happenings at both the Museum and Macpherson House.

The County Museum is located at 97 Thomas Street East, Napanee.

FULLY INSURED & BONDED

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angiecares@outlook.com 613-888-3566 June / July 2016 • The SCOOP

13

Bon Echo Provincial Park: Flinton Memories Special Events 2016 Glenn Davison

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Dogs are not permitted at this event.

Time: 10 a.m.

Location: Children’s Program Area

Saturday, July 2: Sciensational Sssnakes!

Do you or someone you know like snakes? Want to learn more about the amazing reptiles we have in Bon Echo?

Staff from Sciensational Sssnakes will give two interactive presentations on snakes and other reptiles and help us understand why it is so important to protect them and their habitats. Ontario snakes will be featured with a hands-on session so you can hold some of these fascinating reptiles. Bring your camera!

Times: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Location: Children’s Program Area

July 22-24: Friends of Bon Echo Art Exhibition and Sale The Friends of Bon Echo Park host their annual Art Exhibition and Sale. There is art for everyone including photography, stained glass, paintings, and pottery.

Children’s activities are offered by the staff of the Lennox & Addington County Library, who will be providing crafts, songs, stories and games from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. on Friday and staff from Sciensational Sssnakes will be presenting fun and interactive programs about reptiles at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Each afternoon, local musicians share their talents. Food and refreshments will be available.

Times: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day Location: Children’s Program Area

Wednesday, July 13: David Archibald Dust off your singing & dancing skills and join songwriter & children’s entertainer David Archibald. Hear the two songs he wrote about Bon Echo. David is a songwriter/composer & playwright who has worked with Avril Lavigne and performed songs on Sesame Street. His music is regularly featured on CBC Radio.

Join David and park staff for a one-hour energetic & interactive show for the whole family.

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Amphitheatre

Wednesday, August 10: Speaking of Wildlife Do you like birds, turtles, and other wildlife? If you do, join staff from Speaking of Wildlife for a close encounter with some animals native to the Bon Echo area. Bring your family and friends to this one-hour presentation to learn some amazing things about Ontario wildlife and increase your appreciation for the wildlife around you.

Time: 1 p.m.

Location: Amphitheatre

Friday, July 15: Healthy Parks Healthy People Day Ontario’s provincial parks play a vital role in the protection of our natural environment, but did you know spending time in nature is good for your health too? It actually helps us live happier and healthier, lives. Exposure to natural environments such as parks enhances our ability to cope with, and recover, from stress, injury, or illness.

Start your day with some yoga to get your body moving.

Time: 9:30 a.m.

Location: Pumphouse Beach

Saturday, August 13: Phil the Forecaster Phil Chadwick is a painter, avid environmentalist, and worked as a meteorologist with Environment Canada for some years specializing in severe weather. He will combine this knowledge & examine how the weather was depicted in some Canadian paintings, including those of the Group of Seven.

Join Phil as we explore art in a new way.

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Amphitheatre

Saturday, July 16: Traditional Teachings with members of Ardoch First Nation Members of Ardoch First Nation are back this year to provide insight into their culture and history. Join staff, elders, and traditional people for an hour of sharing.

Please contact the park office 613.336.2228 for more events & updates.

s a kid growing up, my life was blessed, always has been. My grandfather, Jack Davison, taught me a lot about doing a good job. He taught me blacksmithing, and how to work with metal. My dad taught me everything I needed to know about running a farm and fixing machinery. He even gave me a Chilton manual, as they called it at that time.

When I was thirteen years old, a ‘57 Ford station wagon needed a new camshaft.

My father parked it and said, “Go ahead and put the camshaft in.” I tore it all apart and put a camshaft in it no problem. There used to be an old carburetor where the dome goes on. In an eight cylinder, it was an intake. My father told me what intake exhaust was, the whole bit. I dropped a nut, and it was sucked in. As soon as I started it up, it was “rattle, rattle, rattle.” Not wanting to get in trouble, I didn’t say anything. He knew exactly what I’d done just from listening to it, and I thought “oh boy, I’m going to have to tear it all apart again.”

Spark plug out, long magnet down in, pull it out, put that back in, and it purred like a kitten.

The river was our biggest friend. In the summer time, we swam at what they called the boom, which is a conservation area now. Why they called it the boom, I have no idea. It was a sandbar, and someone’s mother would always come and watch while we were there. The men built a big diving board for us to dive from.

In those days, there were twenty-six farms in the Flinton area. There are just three left now. Mechanization certainly played a big role. I remember the first tractor, a Ferguson, I believe, purchased by the Haslers. I remember Garry McLuckie, Robert Woods and myself going to the Spicer farm at the end of Freeburn Road, to hunt porcupines. But when we got to the top of the hill, Gordon Hasler was out there plowing a field with a tractor. Some of the farming families from that time were the Sedores, Wegars, McLuckies, Trepaniers, Brydens, and O’Donnells. Their farms were like little settlements on their own.

On the River Road, right across from the Fevrals, there was a hotel that the loggers

Know Your Plants: Plant Identification Workshop With Peter Fuller (Fuller Native and Rare Plants) and David Smallwood (Forester)

would use when they drove logs down the Scoot. Across the road from it was Ralph Goodmurphy’s place. On down from it, was Louis Lessard’s farm and then Billy Lamb’s farm. When I was a very young boy, me and my best friend Cecil Lessard were sitting out on the long sidewalk in front of the school.

Freeburn’s store was there. Billy Lamb stopped with his team and went into the store. Cecil and I had two firecrackers.

We waited until Billy came back out and got back on his team. We set the two firecrackers off. The horses and Billy went one way, and Cecil and I went the other way!

UN – DANDY LION UN – long stemmed hollow tube curving over UN-der the weight of a frowsy impertinent ample head UN – bowed by winter’s piercing frost UN-daunted by hoeings and cursings and sprayings UN-wanted, UN-loved ... ....but never UN-noticed Jerry Ackerman

Sharbot Lake Farmers’ Market will be at the Oso Beach every Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Come and explore the offerings of new and returning vendors.

All foods and goods are produced within 100 km of Sharbot Lake.

Food items include farm fresh produce, grass-fed heritage beef,

HR Frink Outdoor Education Centre, 381 Thrasher Rd. Plainfield

pork and other meats, maple syrup,

Thursday, June 9, 6-9 p.m.

Sunday, June 12, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

preserves, fresh baking (including

$20 per person

Book a spot or for information: Louise Livingstone 613.395.4388 / Matt Caruana 613.921.3032 info@hastingsstewardship.ca

gluten free), fair trade organic coffee and herbal teas and snacks to enjoy while you browse.

Crafts include quilts, fine yarns and crocheting, wood turning, tie-dye

Tamworth Variety & Gas Bar Open 7 days a week 6:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

• Gas • Diesel • Propane • Soft ice cream

6682 Wheeler Street, Tamworth 14

• Ice • Coffee • Hot dogs • Groceries

613-379-2526

The SCOOP • June / July 2016

clothing and more.

Knife sharpening and Shiatsu massage are also available.

For more information, please visit www.sharbotlakefarmersmarket.ca

or facebook.com/ sharbotlakefarmersmarket

Community PRIDE Ron Betchley

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bout this time each year, one might witness the transitory presence of a different flag flown atop a few of the many residential flagpoles that dot the county. Not perhaps in the numbers one might find in a big city but present none the less. The month of June bears witness to the customary raising of the multi-coloured “rainbow” flag flown by residents celebrating PRIDE. The flag’s origin and purpose were to encompass the many minority groups found in our communities, each separate bar of colour representing the diversity of each, but melding together into one flag. The flag today most notably represents the LGBT community, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.

At one time, it may have been somewhat of a surprise to some rural residents to find that members of the LGBT communities chose to reside here among them. One might understandably think that it would be only within the confines of the cities, large and small that would be our choice of residency. But not so today with restrictive laws being rescinded by Parliament, legislating equality in the freedom to live, including same-sex marriage. With this freedom, it was no longer necessary to congregate in the refuge of the city to afford our own protection from the many faces of discrimination. Now, why would we not also want to live in and enjoy the serenity and beauty of the rural terrain that others have done for so long?

Our desire to live here, out in this beautiful countryside began just over 25 years ago, long before many of the freedoms since guaranteed us were legislated. The story of our eventual detailed route to our home here was covered in a previous SCOOP. But this journey began from an apartment located on the 8th floor of a high-rise building housing countless other families and situated smack dab on one of the busiest traffic congested streets in downtown Montreal. Who there would not yearn for some unpolluted life-giving air and a bit of serenity to heal the abused eardrums? But what I would like to address in this writing is the fears that someone from our community would have in making such a move at that time.

We were well acquainted with the smacks of discrimination over the years but never felt threatened in any way that

would resemble that shown on the TV from south of the border. To see people have their property vandalized, bringing misery to their private lives because of who they were was of much concern. But these concerns were paltry in comparison to our heart’s desire to reach this beautiful environmental space.

So with possessions safely packed and loaded into an unwisely thought out humongous moving van we began our journey to Yarker, Ontario. Navigating this multi-wheel monster up our unpaved road was harrowing enough, but then the driver advised us that regardless of the considerable steep hill, we would have to unload at the bottom of our long driveway because he could not navigate its narrow winding terrain.

We began to wonder at the wisdom of our bold location move. But eventually, unloaded and with pets in confusion and fear of the new locale, we began our new life in our first ever personally owned house, situated, hopefully conveniently, above a well and a septic tank.

Our arrival and presence in the community were noted, at times with undue concern, for we were neighbours with families with children. But within days, we were visited by, introduced to, and welcomed to the community by our immediate neighbours, with their children in tow, mother bearing her homemade pie as a welcoming gift for us.

The sense of relief was immeasurable.

What was the fear? No TV scenes of words of hatred painted on garage doors.

We had never known such residential cordiality, having known only the grunted greeting on rare occasion by indifferent apartment dwellers on our eighth floor. But here and in time, we freely integrated ourselves while endeavouring to bring our newly acquired but much-neglected property up to standard, a relief to more than one neighbour. The notoriety of our addition to the community eventually wore off and apart from a humorous chide now and then we were home. There is, and I suppose always will be a minor number of people who steadfastly will not acknowledge that we all share this space equally. But the welcome we have received here has been truly unforgettable. So come June and for that month, we will deck our flagpole with the rainbow coloured flag as a testament to the pride we have in who we are, but also as a salute to our community for their tolerance and sensitivity.

Help Out on Canada Day Jordan Balson

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anada Day is coming up, and it’s a great way for communities to come together and celebrate. Luckily for us, Napanee, Tamworth, Bath, and all of the areas around here have fantastic celebrations.

Bath is famous for its celebrations and fireworks, and a bunch of neighbouring communities have great firework celebrations as well. But I think the best Canada Day celebration I’ve experienced was in Tamworth. The reason it was so great, I believe, is that I got to be a part of it, by volunteering with the activities.

Some friends and I offered to help at the kids’ stations; there was face painting, cookie designing, bracelet making, and other crafts and games. It was so much fun helping the kids create their bracelets and juice box covers, and they kept wanting to involve us in their activities. It was overall just a great experience; the kids all had a terrific day, and they loved showing everyone their bracelets and other crafts. It was incredible to see just how hard everyone worked to get the event running, and how the whole community was invested.

After the events for the kids finished we

decided to see what else there was to offer; people were selling knickknacks, there was a barbeque, great live music, and some older cars to look at; really, there was something for everyone! And the best part was when the fireworks started that night. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I didn’t think it would be too much. Boy, was I wrong! It was one of the best firework shows I had ever seen! It was timed so well, and the crowd was so big and impressed. It was a gorgeous evening, and it seemed for a moment during the fireworks show that even the mosquitoes were so impressed that they forgot to bite us!

If you’re looking for something to do on Canada Day that’s different, I suggest volunteering at your town’s events. Most communities with events are always looking for people to help man the stands and help with activities, or even just be a vendor for the day. It really gives you a sense of satisfaction to know that in some little way you helped bring the community together for a day of fun.

And besides, it’s fun! Helping out with the activities is hardly work at all, and you still get to enjoy them yourself.

So try getting involved this Canada Day, and help bring your community together to celebrate this beautiful country.

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St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church on Amherst Island Annual Garden Party Saturday July 23, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

BBQ • White Elephant • Home Baking • Pie and Ice Cream Used Clothing & Jewelry • Many Books • Post Office for Children Silent Auction • Live Auction around 1 p.m.

All are welcome!

Note: Ferry departs Millhaven every hour on bottom of hour (10:30, 11:30, etc).

Once on island, the church is 2 km south of Stella.

June / July 2016 • The SCOOP

15

Come Volunteer at Bon Echo Park Beth Freeland

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hese are exciting times for the new season at Bon Echo Provincial Park and for the Friends! At the annual planning meeting held in January, Acting Park Superintendent Clark Richards reported nearly 100% usage of the Park through July and August in 2015.

Working together, the Friends and Park staff will now focus on increasing visitation in the shoulder seasons (May, June, and September).

One of the hallmarks of the Park is the Boat Fleet, offering informative tours of Mazinaw Lake and a ferry service over to the Cliff Top Trail. Volunteer Deck Hands are needed to assist Natural Heritage Education and Fleet Staff and provide service, boating safety, and information to customers. The volunteers will be trained to supplement summer students and to cover the shoulder season.

The Visitor Centre will also require assistance with staffing. Volunteers to assist with day-to-day operations, orient visitors to the building, and answer questions about the Park and surrounding community will allow the building to be open additional hours.

Expanding their services in the shoulder seasons will also mean additional barbecues and hours at Greystones Gift and Book Shop. All of these extra roles may mean the current pool of

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dependable volunteers have less time and energy to assist with the well-known Art Exhibition and Sale to be held July 22, 23, and 24. Recruitment of new volunteers became an ongoing conversation with the Board, its’ Committees, and staff.

What came out of these discussions was that many visitors to the Park as well as local people often offered to assist with activities in any way they could, even if they were only available for a short time.

“Come volunteer for an hour, a day, or a season!” is reflected on the Friends’ website, www.bonechofriends.ca. Area residents and campers alike can register for volunteer opportunities that interest them for the length of time that suits them either online or by calling the Friends’ office at 613.336.0830.

Volunteering has its perks, too. An annual barbecue is held, bringing together Friends’ supporters for a time of camaraderie. Volunteer roles receive different forms of recognition, most applicable to the type of service provided, e.g. all volunteers can purchase Greystones Gift and Book Shop items at reduced rates.

2016 is destined to be a busy time at Bon Echo Provincial Park. The Friends hope that they will see you here and that you will “Come volunteer for an hour, a day, or a season!”

The Woods Are Calling Mickey Sandell

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tumped on what to do the weekend of June 10 to 12? It’s the time to get yourself to the Ontario Forest Expo in Bancroft. The show, in previous years known as SawTech Log Expo, is for anyone with an interest in logging, woodlot maintenance, home improvements, and wood crafting of any sort.

The reappearance of the Expo in North Hastings, the last one happening in 2012, comes at a time of renewed hope for the industry and the emergence of more ways to add value to a precious homegrown resource.

This year’s event will feature the traditional displays of heavy equipment and accessories for the logging giants along with equipment for the smaller cutters, regional mills, woodlot owners, cottagers, and various kinds of folks who work with wood. Included in the list will be a huge display of portable sawmills.

Among the accessories on display will be such things as planers, molders, jointers, wood kilns, and more.

Of interest to almost everyone will be the information and displays dealing with the growing area of “added value.” It’s the sector that ranges from producers of flooring, siding, and other building products to people such as carvers and

recreational vehicles SHINING…

CTY RD 4, TAMWORTH DAVE & BARB WAY 16

The SCOOP • June / July 2016

The shows always feature the availability of woodlot tours, educational opportunities, equipment demos, and show deals. Organizer Glenn Dredhart, President of Canadian Trade-Ex says there’s truly something for everyone at the event. “Kids are awed by the big machinery, everyone will learn something about an important sector of our economy, and many will make useful contacts and cut deals during the show.”

He says there’s still time to book exhibit space and reminds potential visitors that entry to the show is free.

The Ontario Forest Expo is the biggest show of its kind in central Canada, with two arenas and acres of outdoor space and is an important event for people in the wood products industry as well as being a real family event. There will also be a forestry career and education job fair. Students and individuals seeking work are encouraged to attend and bring their resumes. All in all, whether you are an industry leader or industry follower Bancroft is the place to be this June. You can see more reasons why at sawtechlogexpo.com.

New Fire Rescue Boat for Stone Mills Jeff Thompson Deputy Fire Chief/Public Works Supervisor, Township of Stone Mills

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or years, the Stone Mills Fire Department has been limited in its ability to respond to calls that required a boat to reach a fire or other emergency. In the past, volunteer firefighters needed access to private boats or to privately owned equipment, or their rescue efforts would be limited to the shoreline only. This wasn’t something that sat well with the volunteers, who strive to respond to emergencies to the best of their abilities.

Helplessly sitting on the shore, and hoping for the best was just not something they were willing to sit idle on for any longer.

In 2016, members of the Stone Mills Fire

Keep your

instrument makers. Timber frame homes also fall into that category plus a range of goods from popsicle sticks to furniture.

No matter where you come from, there is someone nearby that falls into this sector.

Department presented a proposal to Council to partner on the purchase of an 18’ Stanley Predator Boat, which would be funded through a combination of firefighter fundraising, fire service revenue, and a minimal contribution from the municipal tax levy.

We are delighted to report that this proposal was supported by Municipal Council. Although this improved service doesn’t apply to cold water rescues and certain water emergencies, it significantly improves the Fire Department’s ability to put out fires and deal with many emergencies at water access only properties throughout Stone Mills. The boat has been purchased, training has already started, and the Fire Department hopes to have it in service by early June.

Puzzle Page Crossword: Space Oddity by Matt Gaffney

June Maze

Canada Day Word Search

Sudoku

June / July 2016 • The SCOOP

17

Sharing and Solving Mysteries in the Vault

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n celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the L&A County Museum and Archives, is pleased to share its collections with the community. A Peek in the Vault will showcase the amazing local history collection now curated in the 150th anniversary archives wing opened by Lennox and Addington County Council in 2014. Researchers may access the collection in the new reading room, fully equipped with digital readers and computer access at the tables. The Archivist is available to assist with your search.

Fax: 613-475-5331 •

Tamworth were donated to the collection. Tamworth was formerly known as Wheeler’s Mills after its founder, Calvin Wheeler, who built the first mill in the Sheffield district along the Salmon River. In 1912, a new school, Tamworth Continuation School, was opened.

Kim Kerr Archivist, Lennox & Addington Museum and Archives

Tel:1-80

PROOF

To: R&V Farms An Archivist is also a historical detective, Attn: Vicki piecing together the puzzles and

mysteries of the past. A Peek in the Vault will also give you an opportunity to help us solve some of the mysteries in the collection.

Date: April 7, 2016

Over the years, community members and organizations have generously donated photographs, family papers and records to the County Archives… and more continue to come each year.

Recently, several photographs taken in

Acct: 15959

greater na

What are the students from Tamworth Consolidated School doing in the field?

Was there a special event? What are the tents for in the background?

Email us at archives@lennox-addington. on.ca or drop by for a visit if you know what’s happening in this picture. In the meantime, here’s some more history from Tamworth.

2

James Aylsworth’s store, corner of Addington and Concession Road, Tamworth, about 1870. A clever piece of early marketing using the popular carte de visite, a small albumen print mounted on card. Each card photo was the size of a visiting card, and could be easily mailed or traded among friends, visitors. or customers! Courtesy of L&A Museum and Archives.

613.354.1452

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call RICK at Edmund Wheeler in front of a chicken ** Phone: 613-388-2460 FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE WE ACCEPT VISA, MA coop, April 20, 1919. Edmund is the great Cell: 613-561-6585 grandson of Tamworth’s founder, Calvin Wheeler. Courtesy of L&A Museum and Email: rick.tuepah@gmail.com NAME ON CARD: ___________________________ CARD#: _________________________AMOU www.byebyedeerfly.vpweb.ca BALANCE NOW DUE: y.ca $ 395.50 info@byebyedeerfl 613-707-5940

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The SCOOP • June / July 2016

Tamworth Poetry Readings Robert Wright

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ne of the pleasures of running a book shop in a rural area is making connections with the local community. This includes getting to know local writers, as well as writers visiting the area, and introducing them to readers. Over the last seven years, we have been fortunate to host many author readings at the shop.

What goes on at a reading here? Our readings are free, and everyone is welcome to attend. A typical reading will feature two poets or writers reading for

The SCOOP is looking for writers!

Are you a communityminded person who loves to write, and would like to have fun making The SCOOP the best little newsmagazine in the area?

Contact Karen: stonemills.scoop@gmail.com

48 years experience

about 20 minutes each. The events are informal in nature and are often held outdoors in a tree-shaded setting adjacent to the book shop. Typically two or three dozen people are seated on lawn chairs or blankets; when the weather does not cooperate, we move everything inside the book shop. Light refreshments are served, and there is an opportunity to meet and speak with the readers, and maybe get a book signed.

Often readings transcend what one might expect to be a fairly routine affair.

Readings can take on a surprising dimension and become “life experiences” similar to those experienced at a memorable concert, play or film. We had one such reading here with Phil Hall and Stan Dragland in 2013. The two readers had a unique chemistry that day, and we doubt that we will ever forget the atmosphere that the two created. Others in attendance that day remarked about the extraordinary nature of the event and the impact that it had on them. Readings offer singular experiences, each with their own memorable and distinct nature, and provide insight into the creative work of the writer.

Our first reading this season on June 12 features writers whom we first met while they were visiting the book shop. Harold Hoefle and Kevin Bushell have made annual visits to the shop for a decade.

Both Harold and Kevin are enthusiastic readers and both work as English Professors in Quebec. Harold is the author of a favorite book of mine, the linked-story collection, The Mountain Clinic. His poem “A Loving FollowThrough” won the 2014 Banff Centre Bliss

Carman Poetry Award, sponsored by Prairie Fire; the poem is also a finalist for the 2016 National Magazine Awards.

Kevin Bushell’s unique and thoughtful nature is reflected throughout his poetry, essays, and reviews, which have been published in literary periodicals such as The Antigonish Review, Exile, The Fiddlehead, and Prairie Fire. His work also appeared in The Best Canadian Poetry in English, 2011, where his poem was considered amongst the best 50 of the year by guest editor, Priscila Uppal.

We are looking forward to a very special appearance by poet and musician Paul Dutton on Sunday, July 17. Paul has a rich artistic legacy that includes his work with the Canadian poetry performance group The Four Horsemen and the

free-improvisation band CCMC. His work includes free verse, formal, linear, visual, and sound poetry, fiction, essays, solo soundsinging, and numerous ongoing and ad hoc free-improv musical collaborations. Anyone interested in learning more about the scope of his artistic activities is encouraged to visit his website at pduttonpoetry.wordpress. com.

Paul’s recent publication Sonosyntactics provides an introduction to over 45 years of his literary work. A wide variety of Paul Dutton’s books and recordings will be available for purchase at the reading.

Paul Dutton will appear courtesy of the League of Canadian Poets’ Canada Poetry Tours program.

Readings harold hoefle & Kevin Bushell: SUNDAY, JUNE 12

Quality Second Hand Books Fri – Sat - Sun: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Paul Dutton:

Bridge Street East at the foot of Peel

SUNDAY, JULY 17

Tamworth, Ontario 613-379-2108 www.tamworthbookshop.com info@tamworthbookshop.com

All readings @ 2 p.m.

Attendance is free. All are welcome.

Light refreshments will be served.

TURNER’S BARN REPAIRS & PAINTING

The right mortgage can help build your wealth and save you thousands of dollars!

4 Poor credit rating?

You still have OPTIONS! I work with several lenders willing to help you own your home.

4 Are you still renting?

Wouldn’t you rather build YOUR WEALTH instead of your landlord’s? Your mortgage payment could even be lower than your monthly rent!

4 Is your consumer debt piling up?

Do you know you can clear your high interest credit card debt by rolling it into your LOWER INTEREST mortgage?

HOUSES • BARNS DRYER SYSTEM FOUNDATION BEAMS • TROUGH • BOARDS STEEL ROOFS & MORE

www.turnermaintenance.ca 705-238-6529 1-866-876-0266

Call me today for your FREE consultation!

Jonathan Mc Donald MORTGAGE BROKER

Jonathan.McDonald@migroup.ca

613·354·2224 BROKERAGE #10428

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HO: 877.667.5483

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E&OE

June / July 2016 • The SCOOP

19

MATT WHITLEY - NEW TRUCK SALES mwhitley@kenworthontario.com 1-800-267-0212

KENWORTH ONTARIO - KINGSTON

Terry & Sandra O’Neill at TCO Agromart On behalf of Matt Whitley and all the staff at Kenworth Ontario Kingston,

191 Dalton Avenue Kingston, ON K7K 6C2 T: 613-544-1212 F: 613-544-4080 SALES: Mon-Fri 8 am - 5 pm PARTS & SERVICES: Mon-Fri 7 am - midnight Sat 8 am - 4 pm 20

The SCOOP • June / July 2016

thank you for your business.