SUMMER 2009
It’s Paddles Up in Belleville Stirling Says Cheese Farming The Exotic
COVERING THE ARTS, OUTDOORS, HISTORY, PEOPLE AND PLACES
from
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Country Roads
discovering hastings county
Country Roads
discovering hastings county
Contents VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2, SUMMER 2009
CR Country CO-PUBLISHER & EDITOR
Nancy Hopkins
CO-PUBLISHER & EDITOR
John Hopkins ART DIRECTOR
Roads Jozef VanVeenen SALES DEPARTMENT
Michael Beeston county discovering hastings michael@countryroadshastings.ca
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CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Brandon West • www.westphotography.ca Bill Bickle • www.bilbickle.com HOW TO CONTACT US Telephone: 613 395-0499 Facsimile: 613 395-0903 E-mail: info@countryroadshastings.ca Website: www.countryroadshastings.ca For written enquiries you can reach us at: PenWord Communications Inc. P.O. Box 423, Stirling, ON K0K 3E0 COUNTRY ROADS, Discovering Hasting County is published four times a year by PenWord Communications Inc. Copies are distributed to select locations throughout Hastings County including the communities of Bancroft, Belleville, Madoc, Marmora, Stirling and Tweed. Copies are also delivered to select homes within southern Ontario. Subscription rates: 1 year: $10.50 2 years: $18.90 3 years: $27.30 All prices include G.S.T. The contents of this publication are rotected by copyright. Reproduction of p this publication in whole or in part without prior written permission of PenWord Communications Inc. is prohibited. The advertising deadline for the Fall 2009 issue is July 31, 2009
F E AT U R E S
6 - Dragons Roar Summer paddlers stroke to fitness and fun
10 - Go Buff for the Afternoon The Stirling Water Buffalo Festival
14 - Exotic Animals Right at Home They come from all over the world D E PA R T M E N T S
12 - Booked for the Summer 17 - Cross Roads Ducks for Dollars • Marmora Poet a Master of Japanese Form Last Frame for Springbrook Alley Hastings County Volunteers Reap Rewards
20 - Country Calendar Things to see and do in Hastings County
22 - Back Roads Summer Days on the Crowe
Cover photo: Brandon West www.westphotography.ca
Summer 2009 • Country Roads
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FALL IN LOVE WITH
COMFORT COUNTRY V
ISIT
THE FAR MARKEMERS TS SA
TURD 8AM AYS MAY TH - 1PM THANK ROUGH SG WEEKENIVING D
• Antiques • Artist Studios & Tours • Shops • Sumptuous Dining • Heritage Sites • Live Entertainment • Lakes and Rivers to Explore • Hiking • Accomodations
’& CRUISINZ O O M SCH y evening fromINMa’y
MADOC July 11th Centre Hastings Non-Motorized Regatta on Moira Lake. Canoe, pedal boat and kayak races. Bring yours or use ours. FREE www.madoc.ca
Every Thursda rmora through September Ma d rolls an t ee str in ma wn do shuts ulous fab s thi for t pe car out the red th wi e tim in ck event. Stroll ba 60’s. sounds of the 50’s and classic view scores of amazing proud MARMORA August 1st Family Fun Day & Purdy Fest beauties and talk to theclassic car er A fun filled day of children’s a ctivities – for owners along with othtertainment, all ages! And Marmora’s 3rd Canadian enthusiasts. Live en e, even the literary culture celebration in the great face painting...its all frefree!. outdoors www.marmora.info/ registration is go to For more information ers.com ccruis ssi cla ora rm STIRLING ma w. ww August 29th Stirling Water Buffalo Festival Feast on water buffalo mozzarella and ricotta cheese dishes created by guest chefs! One ticket and you can taste all! www.stirling-rawdon.com
2009 STIRLING TRUCK SHOW
June 19th – Stirling Fairgro21st www.truckshowan unds dshine.com
TWEED Every Sunday 2 – 4 pm Music in the Park Bring a lawn chair and listen to classic country and bluegrass music. FREE Presented by Tweed Lion’s Club www.twp.tweed.on.ca DESERONTO June 20th Deseronto Waterfront Family Festival Carnival Games, Classic Car Show, Barrel Racing, Tall Ship Tours, Entertainment, and much more. FREE ADMISSION www.deseronto.ca TYENDINAGA TOWNSHIP August 28th-30th Shannonville’s World Fair Midway, arts & crafts, tractor pull, beach volleyball, classic car show and more. www.shannonvillefair.com
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CELEBRATIO 1st ly June 27th - Ju
For more information on events, attractions, places to dine, accomodations, shopping and more.
www.comfortcountry.ca
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Country Roads • Summer 2009
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DESERONTO
Summertime And The Living Is Easy The staff at Country Roads magazine is pretty thrilled to be serving up a smorgasbord of summertime stories to our readers. And speaking of delicious meals be sure to mark August 29 on your calendar and come out and feast on the dishes created from traditional Italian water buffalo mozzarella, ricotta and scamorza cheeses at the Stirling Water Buffalo Food Festival. Guest chefs will put their own individual touches on a wide array of locally grown foods.
A
nd after all that food you might want to make a call to the Belleville Dragon Boat Club and get in a bit of exercise paddling on the beautiful waters of the Bay of Quinte. Dragon boat paddling is a great way to exercise, socialize and re-energize in the warm weather months. Then as a reward for all your hard work you can curl up with a good book. Why not make it one written by a Hastingsite! We’ve reviewed some books by folks who have called Hastings County home and they’re good reads. If poetry touches your soul then the life and works of Marmora area master haiku poet Chris Faiers will be of interest. Hastings County is home to an amazing group of hard working farmers – both hobby and professional - but you might be surprised by the variety of animals that reside here. We were completely taken with the infectious, energetic, gentle (and very furry) nature of the alpacas. The ostrich put on quite a show for us. Hastings County has one of only eight farms in all of Canada that raises kiko goats. We hope our story on the somewhat exotic animals in our midst educates and entertains. We sure had fun meeting them and their owners. If a clean out of the garage, attic or basement is on your list be sure to make note of our article on valuable decoys. And should you unearth any fake waterfowl, Steve Lloyd of Oaks Hills can tell you all about them. Also included in this issue are news and updates on the great work being done by area artists, volunteers and communitiesat-large. We sincerely hope the summer will allow you the opportunity to get out and about to experience first-hand what’s happening in Hastings County. We can confidently say if it does you’ll return home with the knowledge that this is a county on the go.
WHEN SUMMER’S OVER DON’T MISS AN ISSUE Subscriptions to Country Roads are available: 1 year $10.50 2 years $18.90 3 years $27.30
Please mail cheques to PenWord Communications Inc. Box 423, Stirling, ON K0K 3E0
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BELLEVILLE
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TRENTON
Summer 2009 • Country Roads
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Members of the 2009 Belleville Dragon Boat Club recreational paddling team work on perfecting their stroke. Photo: Brandon West
Racing to the finish line at the 2006 Great White North Dragon Boat Regatta in Toronto. Photo: Jens Ronneberger
Dragons I Roar By Nancy Hopkins
t’s a captivating sight, some might say majestic or even mystical – a sleek 40-foot boat gliding across the water propelled by the unified strokes of 20 paddlers, its bow
adorned with the fierce and powerful looking head of a dragon. And it’s a sight that has become more
Summer paddlers stroke to fitness and fun
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and more common on Canada’s waterways in recent years. Today summer dragon boat festivals are held in almost every major city, the most established being in Toronto and Vancouver and many towns and cities, including Belleville have their own dragon boat clubs.
discovering hastings county
The ceremonial dragon head is kept ashore during the year and only affixed to the boat for races. Photo: Jens Ronneberger A traditional flower ceremony in honour of those who have lost the battle with cancer is performed at the 2008 United Way Belleville Dragon Boat Festival Photo: Jens Ronneberger
There are two schools of thought regarding the history of dragon boat racing, both with Chinese origins. The use of dragon boats for racing is believed to have originated in south central China more than 2,500 years ago. Racing during annual water rituals and celebrations, including the summer rice harvest, has been practiced continuously since this period. There is also the 2,000 year old legend of Qu Yuan. A scholar and advisor to the emperor of the Chu Kingdom, Qu Yuan jumped into the Mei Lo (Mi Luo) River in despair and protest against government corruption. Local fishermen raced out in their boats to save him. They beat drums, pounded their paddles on the water and threw rice dumplings wrapped in silk into the river to distract the water dragons and keep them from eating Qu Yuan’s drowned body. The exploding popularity of the sport in Canada has its roots in the medical field. In 1996 Dr. Don McKenzie conducted a study with 25 female breast cancer survivors and one dragon boat. He believed that if they followed a special exercise
and training program – of which dragon boat paddling was a key component – the women could avoid lymphoedema, the chronic swelling of the arm that can result from cancer or the effects of treatment. The condition can be painful and affect arm movement. The ‘Abreast in a Boat’ study proved his theory correct. There were no new cases and none of the existing cases worsened. News of the study’s success spread quickly and before long teams with such distinctive names as ‘bosom buddies,’ ‘bravehearts,’ ‘pink dragons abreast’ and ‘breast ahoy’ formed all across the country, decked out in their trademark pink shirts. Anne Lawrence has been a member of the Belleville Dragon Boat Club (BDBC) for the past six years. For the breast cancer survivor “there’s nothing like being in a whole room full of women who are breast cancer survivors and you race against each other.” She’s seen the benefits for survivors. In addition to controlling lymphoedema paddlers gain core strength, generally feel better and she’s thrilled to lose 10 lbs. each summer. But the benefits go beyond physical. For many participants
the social bond and pure fun of the sport are as important as the sport itself. A member of the Belleville Pink Dragon team, Lawrence has paddled at races in Ontario and Quebec and even sports a gold medal from the Canadian American Breast Cancer race held in Windsor. That event drew 35 teams with some coming from as far away as Los Angeles, New York and Vancouver. Beating the team from Los Angeles was a proud moment since, as Lawrence points out, the southern Californians have the benefit of a much longer paddling season than Canadians enjoy. But while the medals and competitions are special, Lawrence’s favourite moments in the boat are the 6 am Friday morning voluntary practices on the Bay of Quinte, where she and her teammates take to the water as the city of Belleville begins to wake up. But it’s not just pink attire you’ll see in these regal boats; paddlers of all ages are taking up the sport. For BDBC Commodore Cheryll Drumm dragon boating is a family affair. Her 19-year-old Summer 2009 • Country Roads
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Three generations of the Drumm family are active with the Belleville Dragon Boat Club. (From l to r: Tom Drumm, daughter Cheryll and grandson Chris) Photo courtesy: Cheryll Drumm
The Outer Harbour Women’s Grand Masters Team took home gold at the 2008 World Club Crew Championships in Penang, Malaysia. The team included five women from Belleville and eastern Ontario. Photo: Jens Ronneberger
The Cruiser and Rebel Crew recreational paddling teams with Belleville City Hall in the background. Photo: Brandon West
son stepped into the boat a couple of summers ago and was instantly hooked and happy to find a sport that could keep him fit after school football season finished. Her father is the on-land coordinator keeping things running ship shape. Nancy Lewis was looking for the right sport to take over when curling season ended. With dragon boat racing she believes she found the “ultimate team sport. You can have 20 powerful people get into a boat, like a hockey team, but if they don’t paddle in unison you won’t succeed. The goal is to work as one in absolute unison – and that is what’s neat about it,” says the past BDBC Commodore. And the social aspect and camaraderie complete the sport. She’s not alone; there are ap-
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proximately 15-20 ‘curlers’ out in the BDBC boats. The standard crew of a contemporary dragon boat is made up of 22 people. Twenty paddlers are seated in pairs facing the bow of the boat, a drummer or caller is stationed at the bow and there is a sweep or tiller at the rear. The drummer is there to set the pace and keep the crew in time and the sweep keeps the boat steered in the right direction. There are several components to a dragon boat stroke cycle and top speed is achieved with a well timed stroke of the blade hitting the water as horizontally as possible and a quick short pullback driven by rotating the torso. The goal is to generate enough speed to cause the boat to rise
high and smooth above the water on the crest of a wave from beneath the bow. A seasoned dragon boat team can achieve a stroke rate of 70 - 80 strokes per minute and travel three to four metres per second. Often referred to as the fastest growing water sport in the world, many paddlers find the sport addictive and push themselves to go further faster. In 2008 five Belleville and eastern Ontario women took their paddling to a golden level. Elly Brunet, Lauria MacDougall, Karen McKeown, Dagmar Ronneberger and Karen Smith won the gold medal in the Women’s Senior Open 2000 metre race at the 6th World Club Crew Championships in Penang, Malaysia as members of the Toronto based Outer Harbour Grand Masters Team. Nearly 200 teams from around the world participated and Canadians dominated. This year the 9th World Dragon Boat Racing Championships will take place in Prague. A Senior (over 40 year olds) and a Grand Master (over 50) women’s team will represent Canada. According to Brunet, “You have to be in fairly good physical condition to compete at the international level,” and many of the paddlers work out daily including dry-land training. Belleville boasts two dragon boat clubs. The Belle Harbour Club headed by Pat Bradley also competed at the world championships in Penang, Malaysia last year. In nine events the three Masters teams – Mixed, Women’s and Men’s – brought home six gold and three silver medals. The club is not just for paddlers in the Masters division and anyone from teenagers to octagenarians can join. For further information contact Pat Bradley at 613- 967-4643. If you’re in Victoria Park on the Bay of Quinte in Belleville at 6pm on Monday and Wednesday nights you may catch a glimpse of the BDBC Cruiser and Rebel Crew recreational teams. The competitive
discovering hastings county
Machine Crews take to the water on Tuesday and Thursday evenings training for races later this summer in Kingston, Belleville and Toronto. The 10th annual Belleville Dragon Boat Festival takes to the water on Saturday, Sept. 29, when the BDBC teams up with the United Way of Quinte. In past years participating teams have included members from a youth swimming team, a local cycling group, the ‘Craig Street’ crew and many area companies sponsoring their employees. Teams receive two training sessions so novice paddlers are not left out and the day is filled with 250m sprint races and the chance for the coveted gold medal while supporting the programs of the United Way.
Dragon boat racing is an affordable sport. Membership in a club and some quick dry clothing are all that’s needed. The BDBC began the 2009 summer with 35 new members but there are still paddles to be found. Anyone interested can try a free week of paddling before joining. Lawrence would love to see new pink dragon members come on board. “At the moment we have only nine active pink dragon members. We are welcoming new members and they can paddle with the recreational crews on Monday and Wednesday until we get a full team,” says Lawrence. She can be reached at 613-968-6596.
For Outer Harbour team member Brunet, when the time comes that she has to step back from competitive paddling there’s no question she’ll stay in it recreationally. “For most people who get into it, it becomes a part of their life,” says the Loyalist College teacher. “When you’re out on the water – with the sunset and gentle breeze and see the flag on the top of City Hall and hear the chimes out on the water, it’s a special feeling. And as an added bonus there are very few bugs!”
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www.bellevilledragonboatclub.com
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Summer 2009 • Country Roads
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GO BUFF FOR THE AFTERNOON
At the Stirling Water Buffalo Festival By Nancy Hopkins • Photography by Bill Bickle More water buffalo are milked in Italy on a daily basis than cattle in Ontario.
Stirling, Ontario may have Scottish roots but for one day later this summer the town is going Italian. On the afternoon of August 29 as many as 10 guest chefs will create a wide variety of dishes using traditional mozzarella, scamorza and ricotta cheeses made from local water buffalo milk as part of the 1st Stirling Water Buffalo Food Festival.
C
athy and Dave Baynes, owners of the local La Dolce Vita Bed & Breakfast will both be on hand serving up their individual creations. The festival marries their love of cooking, and Cathy’s experience conducting Italian culinary classes and her proud Italian heritage. There will also be a taste of Provence, France with the talents of Chef JeanMarc Salvagno from L’Auberge de France Bistro & Bakery in Belleville. Other acclaimed chefs will serve up offerings made from water buffalo cheese and possibly meat and a great array of produce from area farms. The idea for the food festival is the brainchild of the town’s Economic Development Department and active Stirling Business Improvement Area members who wanted to share the new and exciting agricultural product local farmers Martin Littkemann and Lori Smith offer. In April of 2008 Littkemann and Smith became owners of their first herd of water buffalo when they purchased 40 from a farm in Vermont.
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Stirling area farmer Martin Littkemann purchased his first herd of water buffalo in April 2008.
Italians have been using water buffalo milk for over 200 years for cheeses, ice cream and yogurt. In Italy approximately 300,000 water buffalo are milked daily compared to approximately 250,000 holsteins in Ontario. The worldwide population of the 74 different breeds of domestic water buffalo is estimated at about 165 million and they produce
in the region of 15% of the world’s milk, primarily in Southeast Asia, South America and Italy. And yet, despite these numbers there are only a few water buffalo farms in Canada. In a roundabout way the first water buffalo farm established in British Columbia played a part in Littkemann and Smith starting their operation. Littkemann’s brother was affiliated with the cheese making company that processed the farm’s milk and he suggested to them it was something worth investigating. Another friend also mentioned the idea. But when Smith came across an article on the animals in a copy of Harrowsmith magazine she knew it was time they started to seriously investigate the possibility of farming water buffalo. According to Littkemann the animals live and work worldwide from “the tip of Argentina to Denmark” so they knew they could survive Ontario weather. But with so few farms in Canada it was necessary to conduct hundreds of hours of research, contract the services of a consultant and take a trip to the World Buffalo Congress in Italy
discovering hastings county
Lori Smith and one of their herd. Smith considers water buffalo to be animals of impressive intelligence.
Water buffalo can live 20 – 25 years and weigh up to 2,000 lbs.
Cheese made from the animals on the Ontario Water Buffalo Co. farm will be served up at the Stirling Water Buffalo Food Festival August 29.
This simple traditional Italian recipe can be served as an appetizer or side dish.
Mozzarella di Bufala Caprese Salad One large ball of buffalo mozzarella One large fresh tomato Olive Oil Balsamic Vinegar (the thicker the better) Fresh Basil • Slice the cheese and tomato into ¼ to ½ inch slices • Arrange slices on plate alternating cheese with tomato • Sprinkle fresh basil leaves over entire serving • Drizzle olive oil & then gently pour balsamic vinegar overtop in 2007. When all was completed they made arrangements to purchase the Italian/American breed that they now farm. Today, milk from the Ontario Water Buffalo Farm Co. is shipped weekly to the Italian cheese-making company, Quality Cheeses in Toronto. With traditional pasta filata machines they in turn produce approximately 300 kilograms of mozzarella di bufala cheese. “Any cheese that you make from dairy milk can be made from water buffalo milk,” Littkemann says. So the recipes are endless. Smith says the ricotta makes very good cheesecake. The milk is very high in fat and protein. The butterfat ranges anywhere from 6 to 10% on individual animals. The milk is also easily digestible,
especially for people with lactose intolerance and other dairy health-related issues. The meat is also a healthy alternative, as it is lower in cholesterol and saturated fats than beef. Visitors to the Stirling Water Buffalo Festival will have to sample their way through the foods to taste the difference. Farming the animals is not unlike farming cattle, but there are differences. “While they’re hearty, they don’t have hair like a cow but rather bristle similar to a pig,” Littkemann explains. “They need some shelter in winter and in excess heat. They can’t stand the heat. If it’s too hot they don’t sweat and need extra water to keep cool.” True to their name they enjoy water and emerging from a large puddle dripping in mud from head to hoof is not an uncommon sight at the farm. Smith regards the animals as “very intelligent” and “great creatures of habit. They go in the barn door the same way every day and come out the same way and it’s very difficult to get them through a different door. But you can retrain them.” Smith also credits them with fantastic memories. “Generally, with strangers they will stay back, observe and take their time,” she says. “But we got some cattle last year and a couple of months ago the co-owner of the animals came for a visit. When they (the water buffalo) saw him they all ran to the fence friendly and personable and they followed him everywhere.” And their movements differ slightly from cattle and require patience – which the farmers jokingly refer to as “buffalo time.” The animals don’t respond to being rounded up in the same manner that cattle do. Driving and the use of dogs won’t work. They need to be called and when one or two come the rest will follow, more like sheep than cattle. The first calf was born last September and earned the farm the designation of the first milking water buffalo herd in Eastern Canada. Since then another
19 calves have been born, and they purchased an additional 10 bringing the herd to near 70. The animals have a lifespan of 20-25 years and are a little heavier than dairy cattle, weighing in the 1,000 to 2,000 lb. range. Their horns grow backwards in a crescent shape but Littkemann and Smith keep them clipped for safety reasons – both theirs and the animals’. Farming an animal that enables the production of a made-in-Canada food that has previously had only limited availability is a source of pride for the farmers. On August 29 festival-goers will have the chance to sample the unique flavours of water buffalo cheeses combined with locally grown produce blended by the hands of talented and innovative chefs. And the water buffalo themselves wouldn’t miss the event and will be downtown for visitors to see and touch and get to know. Organizers hope to have cheese available for sale. Schedule a visit to the Stirling Water Buffalo festival and you’ll be able to say you experienced a true taste of Italy and did it in just one afternoon. Tickets for the gastronomic extravaganza will be $12 and attendees can sample any and all of the recipes from food stations set up throughout downtown Stirling. More information on the Ontario Water Buffalo Co. and other Hastings County farms can be found at www.harvesthastings.ca. For additional information on the Stirling Water Buffalo Food Festival visit www.stirling-rawdon.com
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Booked For The
Dancing in the Sky; The Royal Flying Corps in Canada By C.W. Hunt Published by Dundurn Press SC $28.99
Much has been made of Canada’s contributions to the Allied cause in the First World War, particularly the bravery and dedication of our soldiers and how our involvement in that conflict helped shape the identity of the country. With his new book, Dancing in the Sky, Belleville writer C.W. Hunt has added another chapter to the story, and a very significant one at that. Dancing in the Sky chronicles the creation and evolution of the Royal Air Force’s fighter pilot training scheme in Ontario. The program was instituted in early 1917 as a means to shore up England’s aerial resources and it grew rapidly, proving to be a key element in the ultimate victory for the Allied forces. Two of the airfields that made up the original Royal Flying Corps presence in Ontario, Camp Mohawk and Camp Rathbun were located in the Deseronto area, and there are numerous references to the region in the book. Dancing in the Sky is remarkably rich in detail, and in his Acknowledgements Hunt is quick to credit RCAF Captain (Ret.) J. Alan Smith, who presented Hunt with 20 years worth of research material to form the basis of the story. The firsthand accounts from young training pilots, collected from diaries or letters home, give a vivid picture of the mixed emotions many of these young men felt, from the thrill of learning to fly airplanes to the often mundane existence of life on the air bases. On top of that was the inevitable danger that accompanied their pursuit, well before they were finally shipped off to England to assist in the Allied cause. But the book also vividly demonstrates the leading role Canada played in the development of the aviation industry, which of course was still in its infancy. Indeed, Dancing in the Sky is a fitting tribute to the energy, ingenuity and perseverance of Canada early in the 20th century. This is Hunt’s first book dealing with aviation and military heritage, although he has written six books on Canadian history, most famously on Ontario’s prohibition era rum runners, with titles like Booze, Boats and Billions and Whisky and Ice. He is also
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a licensed pilot, and the mixing of his passions of history and flying makes for an ideal combination. Reviewed by John Hopkins, Country Roads Publisher. Hopkins’ interview with C.W. Hunt can be found in the Summer, 2008 issue of Country Roads magazine.
The Little Green Pea By Alison Barber Illustrations by Paige Keiser Published by Sleeping Bear Press HC $17.95
What young reader wouldn’t love a story about poo? Even better, make that worm poo, an important element in the charming fable described in Alison Barber’s Little Green Pea. The story begins with a pea daring to think outside the pod, much to the chagrin of his fellow pod-mates, who urge him to use his “pea-brain” and conform. However, the little pea has grand-sized ambitions: his aim in life is to grow into a tree. He perseveres in the pursuit of this dream, only to end up one of many peas in a pea bucket. Will his fate end here, one pea among many in a tuna casserole recipe? Does the little green pea give up? Of course not. Dogged determination and hard work free him from his bucket prison. However, the pea’s mission seemingly ends midway through the book with both the pea and his dreams swallowed up by the narrator of the story, a worm. At this point, the worm lets us in on a little secret. This story is not just about dreaming big. It’s also about teamwork, albeit unintentional on the part of the pea. Complemented by Paige Reiser’s lovely watercolour illustrations, the tale reveals itself to be one of cooperation and working together to achieve the loftiest of goals. For what do worms do best? Make poo, of course. And out of poo grow great things, like trees! Our family of four’s pronouncement on The Little Green Pea was unanimous. We loved it. Dad and mom are considering reading it in their respective Grade 7 and Grade 4/5 classrooms. Picture books are frequently used for shared or choral reading exercises even in the upper grades and the theme of cooperation fits well with current trends in character education. Maddie, age 10, loved reading the book to her little sister and was the first to spy the little green pea’s signature red bow-tie at the top of the tree on the last page. However, perhaps Isobel, age 5, said it best. “EWWWWW! Worm poo is icky. Can we read it again?” Author Barber grew up in the Quinte area and spent three joyful years as the children’s librarian at
Stirling-Rawdon Public Library, These days she resides in Toronto and is a professional actor and writer. Reviewed by the Hawn/Budding family. The book loving Hawn/Budding family are proud card carrying members of the Stirling-Rawdon Public Library. They were thrilled to review this book with its enchanting subject matter and close connection to home.
Resenting The Hero
By Moira J. Moore Published by Penguin Books, Ace SC $9.95 In a world where natural disasters have become a frequent and crippling occurrence, a select few are born with the task of defending humanity. “Sources” are individuals born with the fascinating ability to control and quell imminent disasters. Their partners, “Shields” are p a i re d w i t h t h e Sources to protect and accompany them on their adventures. Eastern Ontario author Moira S. Moore has created a truly unique world in her series debut, Resenting the Hero. The story revolves around the adventures of Source Lord Shintaro Karish, and his Shield partner Dunleavy Mallorough, or Lee. Lee is far from pleased with her pairing with Karish, as his reputation for partying and female objectification precedes him. However, if the pair is to work together effectively, they will have to set their differences aside – or try to. The novel presents an interesting take on the standard fantasy hero/heroine genre, occasionally straying towards cliché but enjoyable nonetheless. The language used is accessible enough for readers of all ages; however it is thematically focused towards an older audience. While Lee comes across occasionally as somewhat ignorant and difficult to relate to, this is not enough to detract from Resenting the Hero’s merits as an entertaining light read, and a satisfying social commentary. Moore’s novel adds a fresh twist to the standard themes that have been saturating the fantasy genre of late, and because of this, I would recommend that anyone looking for something modern and inventive give Resenting the Hero a try. Moore has three novels published in the Hero series, with a fourth due out in September of 2009. Moira J. Moore lives in Belleville, Ontario. She works as a family law lawyer, but writing is her true passion. She has had three books published to date, and her fourth book, Heroes At Risk, will be released in the Fall of 2009. Reviewed by Harrison Grieve. Grieve is an avid reader and non-fiction writer, having read close to 200 fantasy novels in his lifetime. A fan of crime and non-fiction novels, he hopes to pursue postsecondary education in business and philosophy. He is always experimenting with new genres. His mother owns Belleville bookstore Greenley’s Books.
discovering hastings county
Written and Illustrated by Peggy Collins Published by Applesauce Press HC $15.95 A graduate of Sheridan College, and currently living outside of Napanee, author and illustrator Peggy Collins has planted over 500,00 trees in her lifetime, so it seems only fitting that her newest book is all about the joy a young child experiences from planting his very own garden. In the Garden is an absolutely lovely children’s picture book. Sure to delight children ages 3-8 years, with this story the author has shown what amazing things can come out of a lowly pile of dirt! Whether it is a worm peeking out from inside of a child’s toy truck to hungry, hairy caterpillars, each page of this book is filled with the author’s gorgeous illustrations. With every seed that is planted, this young child learns that he is not alone in his garden, and very soon he (and some hungry bunny rabbits!) will be enjoying fresh vegetables. With so much emphasis today on eating fresh and locally, what better book to read to your child than one which will encourage him or her to plant their own garden! In the Snow, Collins’ second book as both author and illustrator will be released this November. Reviewed by Sue Winfield. Winfield has been a librarian at the Stirling-Rawdon Public Library for 12 years. She loves to read and is looking forward to reading to her first grandbaby! Unfortunately, she does not possess a green thumb, so is holding out hope that this lovely book will release her inner child “gardener”.
Tarp Shack
By Richard A. Dominico Published by Publish America SC $29.95 The personal and relationship trials associated with adolescence, midlife and aging are explored by Richard A. Dominico in Tarp Shack. Set in the fictional town of Beach Bay, Ontario, Dominico tells the story of Phil, Fern and Jason Lukenda, three generations struggling to make peace with their past and present. Phil, in a nursing home, grapples with aging and loneliness. Fern has to come to terms with past mistakes and a troubled son and Jason is a young man trying to find his identity. The reader experiences the voices of all three characters as narrator. We are engaged in not only
their dialogue, but the characters’ thoughts as well. This unique perspective, which employs a writing style that evokes how we think as opposed to how we talk, challenges the reader to connect with the narrator at a very personal level. Further, in moving between the three primary characters and various points in time, Dominico creates tension that increases the reader’s curiosity about where we will go next. With experience as a social service professional, I found Dominico’s portrayal of inner conflict interesting. He captures the fear, anger, doubt and regret that we all think about but rarely articulate to others. The playing of inner conflict against interpersonal struggles makes the characters relatable and endearing. The Tarp Shack itself serves as a focal point in the adolescent stories of all three characters. This serves to highlight how patterns of dysfunction,
although seemingly unique, all have common and relatable features. This novel, about three generations trying to find their own way, offers the reader a glimpse into the minds and hearts of the protagonists. Not without humour or action, the primary focus of Tarp Shack is the constant inner battle in defining who we are to ourselves and to those we love. Author Dominico and his wife Christine retired to the Marmora community in 2005. They quickly developed a love for the area and its strong and diverse arts community. Richard’s currently working on his third novel. Reviewed by Jennifer Abrams. Abrams has spent the last 15 years as a social services professional in mental health, and child welfare and development. A passionate reader, these days the Stirling resident finds her Masters Degree in Sociology pursuit dictates most of her subject matter.
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Summer 2009 • Country Roads
I 13
discovering hastings county Alpacas come in 22 recognized natural colours and about seven varieties can be found on the Amazing Graze farm.
Exotic Animals
At the Canadian Kiko Goat Farm a premium is placed on natural diet and healing practices.
By John Hopkins Alpacas & ostriches: Photography by Bill Bickle Goats: Photography by John Hopkins
Right At Home
They come from all over the world to settle in Hastings County – South America, New Zealand, Africa. And that’s just the animals! Indeed, this area is home to a number of diverse and interesting farms. Travel just outside of Stirling on Highway 14, past the Ontario Water Buffalo Company (see story on page 10-11) and take a right onto Sine Road and you’ll soon come to Amazing Graze Alpacas. Looking for a bird of a different feather? Head up to Tweed on Highway 37 and you’ll find the Ostrich Farm. Or if you find yourself in North Hastings you could visit the Old Farm in Boulter, where they raise rare Kiko goats.
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Country Roads • Summer 2009
Let’s take a little road trip, starting in the south and heading north, and find out more about these distinctive farms.
Amazing Graze Alpacas
As mentioned, Amazing Graze Alpacas is located not far out of Stirling, and if you give Marjorie Brady a call ahead she’ll be happy to introduce you to these cuddly characters.
Alpacas are native to South America and belong to the same family as camels and llamas. According to Brady, they were domesticated 5,000 years ago and it is understood that they were cherished in the ancient Inca civilization. Alpacas first arrived in Canada in the late 1980s, but the real influx came in January, 1992, when 362 animals were flown from New Zealand to Alberta. These were eventually released to six farms and the growth of the alpaca industry in Canada began. Alpacas Ontario, the provincial association, numbered 17 farms when it started and now consists of 155. Alpacas are considered excellent livestock because they are extremely hardy, relatively easy to care for and quiet and peaceful. They are also thought to be quite intelligent and are incredibly cute. One visit to Amazing Graze and you’ll want
discovering hastings county Marjorie Brady leads the girls out for a snack.
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to stuff one of these bundles of fur in the back of your car and take it home with you. Very inquisitive and full of character, it didn’t take long once we arrived at the farm to discover which of Brady’s animals were keen to show up on camera and which were more circumspect. Most, however, seemed quite happy to be in the spotlight. Brady left 25 years in the Toronto banking industry and life in the city to move to the Stirling area and start raising alpacas. “I needed a change,” she explains. “I don’t know exactly where the idea for alpacas came from, but there was a farm in Aurora [just north of Toronto] that raised them and I saw them and liked them. I thought that they would be quite manageable for me.” Initially Brady bought two girls and kept them on a farm in Aurora while she learned more about the industry and developed a plan. Those females had babies (crias) and by the time Brady, her husband Steven and their children (Douglas and Jennifer) moved to Stirling in the summer of 2004 they had 12 animals. Their farm now numbers 26 alpacas, not including any births over the past spring! Amazing Graze raises its alpacas primarily for the fibre, which is highly sought after. One of its most significant characteristics is it includes no lanolin, the oil found in sheep’s wool that causes allergies in people. Alpaca fibre is softer, warmer and lighter than wool, and is said to be one of the strongest animal
fibres in the world. In the ancient Inca civilization of South America, the cashmere-like fleece of the alpacas was reserved for royalty. The animals are sheared in May, and according to Brady the males will produce eight to 10 pounds of fibre. The fibre is processed into yarn, socks and felt at independent Canadian mills. Amazing Graze sells yarn, rovings and felt sheets and the products are available online, through annual open houses or by appointment. The farm also sells some finished product. Brady shows her animals and one of her girls, Sigourney, brought home a Supreme Female Award at the Alpacas Ontario show in 2008. The farm also sells most of its breeding stock in order to maintain a smaller herd. Marjory Brady & Steven Martin, Amazing Graze Alpacas, 127 Sine Road, Stirling www.amazinggrazealpacas.ca (613) 395-6406
Ostrich Farm
If you take Highway 37 north from Belleville, just before you reach the village of Tweed you’ll go through the community of Thomasburg. Head right on Bethel Road and after a short distance, if you look to the left, you may find yourself under the gaze of a couple of very, very tall birds. This will tell you that you’ve reached the Ostrich Farm, where Andy Cernavez raises five birds, two adults and three young. The 72-year-old Cernavez is a retired painter from Toronto who settled in the Tweed area 22
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Alpacas are considered intelligent and inquisitive.
years ago. What made him decide to raise ostriches? “I’m a weird guy,” he says simply, “I like interesting and different things.” It would seem he hit the mark. Ostriches are native to Africa and are considered the largest birds in the world. This will come as a bit of a relief to anyone who’s stood close to one, because they’re big. They reportedly stand two to two and a half metres tall and weight between 113 and 159 kilograms. They are fierce, and equipped with very powerful legs and feet. It was with some trepidation that our photographer ventured into the pen with the adults, but thankfully he emerged unscathed. Cernavez has scaled down his operation now, but he used to bring his birds from Texas. At one time he sold ostrich meat, which he says tastes like beef and is quite lean, but is also very expensive, meaning there’s a small market for the product. Now he keeps the birds primarily for show, and for their eggs. In fact, ostrich eggs are highly sought after by artists for decoration and Cernavez’s home is accented by elaborately decorated eggs. The female will lay up to 40 eggs a year and Andy says his girl, who is 14 years old, could lay eggs for another 10-15 years. That should keep the arts community happy. Andy Cernavez, 243 Bethel Road, Thomasburg (613) 478-2489
Ostriches are among the largest birds in existence, measuring up to two and a half metres tall and weighing between 113 and 159 kilograms.
Old Farm (Canadian Kiko Goat Farm) Travel 30 minutes northeast of Bancroft and you’ll come to the scenic community of Boulter, home to the Old Farm, or the Canadian Kiko Goat Farm. This is where Renate Carriere raises her Kiko, Boer and Kibo Goats. Carriere’s farm is apparently one of only eight in Canada raising Kiko Goats, which are native to New Zealand. These goats are highly prized, however, because of the excellent meat they produce. “What we like about them is they’re very hardy,” Carriere explains, “and their growth rate is enormous. They will weigh about six pounds when they’re born, but by the time they’re four months old it’s not unusual for them to weigh around 50 pounds. “They have very sound hoofs, so they don’t have foot rot and we don’t have to cut them as often and their resistance to worms is enormous, so maintaining them is a lot less expensive.” Kikos also tend to carry twins or triplets, making them very popular for breeding as well. Carriere emigrated from Germany in 1967 and when she was growing up her family had a cottage in the Boulter area. When she decided to leave a job in the financial industry and get away from the Toronto area some six years ago her old stomping grounds seemed a perfect fit. The property Carriere and her husband Bernie live on comes by its name honestly. The house on
Carriere’s goats are noted for the excellent quality of their meat.
The Old Farm was built in 1896 and the barn dates back to 1932. In addition to the Kiko Goats Carriere raises Boers, which are native to South Africa. They are also reputed to produce excellent meat and a cross between the two, Kibo Goats, are said to offer the best meat of any goat breed. Carriere currently has 54 goats and in addition to raising them for meat she sells the animals for breeding purposes. The goats are raised in as natural a setting as possible. “When I made the decision to move to the country I wanted animals that were pure and chemical free,” Carriere explains. “For example, every Monday they get apple cider in their water, which is very good for their general health. We also do as much natural healing as possible.” A butcher in Foxboro, just north of Belleville, produces the meat and Carriere has customers from as far away as Toronto buying her product. In the newly renovated main house Carriere sells pizzas, chicken wings, baked goods and government inspected goat meat from animals raised on the farm. Carriere’s 200 acres includes ponies and some cows, with pigs expected for the summer. Additionally there are the two pure bred Maremma sheep dogs, Zack and Angel. These very attractive and intelligent animals act as guard dogs for Carriere’s livestock. Renate Carriere, 3940 Boulter Road, Bancroft www.canadiankikogoatfarm.com (613) 332-0310
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For more information on these farms or to discover more about the wide variety of farms in Hastings County, visit harvesthastings.ca. Andy Cernavez has five ostriches on his Thomasburg farm, two adults and three young.
Renate Carriere was happy to return to the Boulter area where she had spent a great deal of time growing up.
Alpacas can be very friendly.
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Country Roads • Summer 2009
discovering hastings county
• cross roads • Ducks for dollars
Photos Courtesy Steven Lloyd
Steven Lloyd fields enquiries from all across North America regarding the value of wooden decoys.
A selection of the staggering number of decoys Lloyd has in his collection.
Before you throw out those old wooden ducks that have been collecting dust in your basement for years, or sell them for a couple of bucks in a garage sale, do yourself a favour and call Steven Lloyd. What he has to say may shock you. The 54-year-old resident of Oak Lake, just south of Stirling, is one of the foremost experts in the world when it comes to appraising wooden decoys. And if that sounds funny consider this, the Canadian record sale for a wooden decoy is $206,000, and not too long ago Lloyd helped a Rice Lake lady secure $52,000 for a pair of decoys she had found in her house. Still laughing? Telling the unsuspecting that grandpa’s old hunting decoy is worth many thousands of dollars has become almost a way of life for Lloyd. On a daily basis he fields enquiries from across North America from people wondering if they’ve hit the jackpot. “Once or twice a month someone will send me a photo of something really magnificent,” Lloyd says. “And I’ll direct them to an auction company and they’ll go from there.” Lloyd jokes that he has been around hunting from before he was born, since his pregnant mother used to accompany his dad on hunting trips. But his real fascination with wooden decoys started soon after he moved out on his own and he had to purchase his own decoys for hunting. “When I started looking around to purchase decoys I realized that there was a lot of difference between them, and I started appreciating them as an art form,” he recalls.
Soon after he was asked by the Ameliasburgh museum, in Prince Edward County, to display some of his decoys. “A reporter from the Toronto Telegram was there and he seemed to be impressed with my knowledge,” Lloyd says. “I found it so enjoyable displaying them there I’ve been doing that sort of thing ever since.” Eighteen years ago Lloyd made his first appearance at the Toronto Sportsman Show, and in the first day he had 100 people approach him asking for their old decoys to be appraised. He has traveled all over North America and consulted with the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa and the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. The rise of the internet has meant less travel for Lloyd. Within a few minutes of seeing some photos emailed to him he can often give a fair appraisal of a piece of work. Lloyd says the history of decoys in North America goes back 2,000 years. The earliest such items are now stored in the Smithsonian. They were found in an Arizona cave and were dated with native pottery pieces found nearby. Most decoys were made from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s. Among the most celebrated craftsmen were George Warin of Toronto in the late 1800s and William Hart and Bill Chrysler from the Belleville area, whose work goes back to the 1920s and ‘30s. It was a piece from Hart, a Hooded Merganser, which fetched the $206,000 Canadian record price. So what gives a decoy that kind of value? According to Lloyd the quality of the workmanship
is a key factor. The best looking decoys were the ones that would show up in reference books. These became well recognized and as a result are highly sought after. Those with a hollowed body are also extremely valuable, since those were more difficult to make. Their light weight made them very popular among hunters. While Lloyd runs into many people who feel like they’ve won the lottery when he appraises their wooden decoys, for others the value runs a bit deeper. “A lot of times I’ll deal with families where a relative has died and the collection of decoys is among the artifacts they’ve left behind,” he explains. “And when the family finds out how valuable those decoys are, they really appreciate them as a remembrance of that relative.” Lloyd can be contacted through www.decoyinfo.com.
MARMORA POET A MASTER OF JAPANESE FORM It is somewhat ironic that it was an incident of rejection that set Marmora poet Chris Faiers on his path toward literary success. It was the late 1960s and Faiers was attending college in Miami, Fla. He submitted some poetry to a magazine on campus and, in rejecting the material, the editor commented that it looked like Haiku. At the time Faiers didn’t know what Haiku was, but now, 40 years later, he is one of the most prominent practitioners of the ancient literary form in the English language. He has published 17 books of poetry with the most recent, ZenRiver Poems and Haibun, released last December by Hidden Brook Press. His work has appeared in over 30 anthologies and academic works, and over 50 magazines. He has read his work on CBC TV and BBC Radio. Summer 2009 • Country Roads
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discovering hastings county
• cross roads •
The 60-year-old Faiers was born in Hamilton in 1948 but his family emigrated to the United States when he was quite young. While at college in Miami, with the Vietnam War at the forefront of the news, Faiers became an antiwar activist. Although a Canadian citizen he was eligible for the draft and he attended demonstrations, organized a campus group and published an underground newsletter. It was at this time Faiers discovered Haiku. Following the comments from the college magazine editor, Faiers decided to investigate the art form. “I didn’t know what it was,” he explains. “And I was reading the Village Voice and I saw an ad for a magazine called Haiku, with a Toronto mailing address. The editor was Dr. Eric Annan, who was the godfather of Canadian Haiku. I started sending submission to him and after a number of rejections he finally started printing them.” Annan is famous for adapting the traditional Japanese form of Haiku to better suit the English language. A Haiku is a three-line poem, with a pattern of five syllables in the first line, seven in the second line and five again in the final line. Haikus generally contain seasonal themes. The form gained popularity in Japan in the 17th century, and started to find acceptance in western society in the early 20th century. According to Faiers, Annan broke new ground by realizing that the differences between the Japanese and English languages meant that the formal Japanese Haiku format didn’t necessarily translate well to English and vice versa. “He found that when he wrote in English and tried to mimic the structure it didn’t work in Japanese,” Faiers explains. “So he created a form in English that is not quite so rigid.” Faiers quickly came to master the technique of Haiku and at the same time was introduced to meditation and yoga, which are key elements of his lifestyle today. A couple of examples of his work: frogs croak
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Country Roads • Summer 2009
Zen River Gardens, the Buddhist retreat of acclaimed Mamora poet Chris Faiers.
spring horniness April Fools Day or Christmas vacation tame ducks starving by the campus lake In 1969 Faiers moved to England where he lived for two years as part of a commune at the Eel Pie Island Hotel, situated in the Thames River near London. While there Faiers and some friends visited the estate of Beatle George Harrison, unannounced and uninvited. While being ushered off the grounds Faiers’ friends left the bemused musician a tape of their music, and Faiers gave him some of his poems. While the music apparently made little impression on Harrison, he reportedly said to Faiers’ cohorts, “tell your friend I like his poetry.” Faiers’ British adventures formed the basis of his book Eel Pie Dahrma. In the 1970s Faiers moved to Toronto where he founded the literary press Unfinished Monument in 1978. The following year he founded the Main Street Library Poetry Readings and was also a founding member of The Canadian Poetry Association and Haiku Canada. In 1978 Faiers was the inaugural recipient of the Milton Acorn People’s Poetry Award for his book Foot Through The Ceiling. Currently Faiers spends his time tending to his Buddhist retreat, ZenRiver Gardens, and organizing the Purdy Country Literary Festival, or PurdyFest, named for his colleague and fellow Hastings County resident Al Purdy. This year’s event will be held on Aug. 1. “We’re hoping to expand PurdyFest,” Faiers says. “We’d like to have a little more participation and from other writing genres.” Last year’s event drew over 175 people and a wide range of participants, from highly published writers to those reading their material in public for the first time. “We have a real literary heritage that seems to be renewing itself in this area,” Faiers points out. “I like to say that ZenRiver Gardens is at the toenail of the Canadian Shield. And it is here that the Canadian experience is found, not in the cities. And that’s the dream and the vision that poets like Al Purdy had.”
Photo: Nancy Hopkins
Master Haiku poet Chris Faiers is one of the organizers of the Purdy Country Literary Festival, or PurdyFest, named for his colleague and fellow Hastings County resident Al Purdy.
Photo Courtesy: Stan White
Photo courtesy: Doug Roy
LAST FRAME FOR SPRINGBROOK ALLEY
(From l to r) Brett McInroy, Dilan Reid and Michael Vinnicombe set up the pins for one last time at the Springbrook Bowling Alley.
Three young men from the Springbrook community may hold the distinction of being the last people in Canada to list ‘Pin Boy’ on their resumes with the closing of the Springbrook Bowling Alley in April. The alley opened in 1962 and over the years manually setting up pins was the part-time job for many area kids. According to owner Leonard Wigger, a number of years ago Loyalist College, an area radio station and others attempted to find out if there were any other bowling alleys remaining in Canada with pin boys. They put out the call but didn’t uncover any. Wigger and his wife Abby owned the alley connected to their popular Springbrook Restaurant for the past 19 years. According to Wigger, “In the old days we had leagues five nights of the week but in recent years it’s diminished to just one.” He thinks the increase in shift work and the younger generation not holding the same interest in leagues as in years past may be some of the reasons. Closing the alley was a difficult decision but the cost of heating and maintaining a 33x100 foot six-lane bowling alley for just one night of bowling proved to be unfeasible for the Wiggers. The space is now home to a newly opened country market with fresh produce, baked goods, groceries and antiques. But a piece of the bowling alley and its history still remains. Underfoot is the hard maple and white pine that constituted the bowling lanes so shoppers will always be walking on a little piece of Canadiana.
info@countryroadshastings.ca www.countryroadshastings.ca
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• cross roads •
Photo courtesy: Hastings County Museum of Agricultural Heritage
HASTINGS COUNTY VOLUNTEERS REAP REWARDS
The dedicated work of The Hastings County Museum of Agricultural Heritage volunteers earned them the prestigious June Callwood Award this past April.
A group of dedicated volunteers from the village of Stirling, the creators of one of the coolest skateparks in North America and a couple of enterprising university students from Trenton were among the recipients of the June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Awards in Toronto on April 24. The awards are given “for an exceptional contribution to volunteerism in Ontario” and this year’s 20 recipients were selected by a panel appointed by the Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. The Hastings County Museum of Agricultural Heritage, the Centre Hastings Skatepark Committee and the University of Guelph Chapter of the Meal Exchange were among the groups and individuals honoured at downtown Toronto’s St. Lawrence Hall.
Created in 1986 to preserve the rural heritage of Hastings County and promote awareness of agriculture, the Hastings County Museum of Agricultural Heritage covers more than 35,000 square feet at the west end of the village of Stirling, with more planned. About 75 volunteers contribute to the Museum. Five members of the volunteer board were on hand to accept the June Callwood Award from The Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, including president Roger Barrett, his wife Lucille, Ron and Kathy Reid and Ken Thompson. The Centre Hastings Skatepark in Madoc has received considerable recognition for its volunteer efforts, its commitment to green construction and its involvement of area youth in developing its facilities. The Skatepark, situated off Highway 62 just south of the downtown, is packed with enthusiasts during the summer season. On the weekend of June 2628 it will celebrate the grand opening of its latest amenities. Committee chair Carman Donato, Judy Smith, Jim Smith and Sarah Bowles accepted the award in Toronto. Trenton natives Jack Alvarez and Nick Irvine, along with fellow Guelph University student Jordan Thompson were co-ordinators of the Meal Exchange at the university this year. The Guelph chapter of the program was founded in 1998 and over $688,674 has been raised through 31 campaigns. All funds go directly to support local agencies like the food bank, drop-in centre and women’s shelter. Alvarez, Irvine and Thompson were credited for setting new records for the ‘Trick Or Eat’ and ‘Skip A Meal’ campaigns, and for creating a new program, ’24 4 Hunger.’
A celebrated Canadian author, journalist and social activist, Callwood was born in Chatham in 1924 and died in April, 2007. Among her accomplishments she founded or co-founded over 50 Canadian social action organizations.
•
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discovering hastings county
• country calendar •
Things to see and do in Hastings County To submit your event listing email info@countryroadshastings.ca or call us at 613 395-0499.
ART GALLERIES/EXHIBITIONS Art Gallery of Bancroft, 10 Flint Avenue, Bancroft, 613-332-1542 www.agb.weebly.com June 3 – 28 - A Cast of Shadows; works by Susan Dunlop July 1 - 26 - Whispers of the Ancients; Moses Amik Beaver July 29 - Aug. 30 - Heart & Hand Exhibition; Fine Craft as Art Sept. 2 - 27 - Works by Heimo C. Haikala” John M. Parrott Gallery, Belleville Public Library, 254 Pinnacle Street, Belleville 613-968-6731 www.bellevillelibrary.com July/August - Quinte Quilters Guild - 20th Anniversary September 6 - On the Go; Retrospective of Work by Six Local Long Time Artists. Marcel Blanchette - Drawings and Paintings
THEATRE/LIVE ENTERTAINMENT Bancroft Village Playhouse 613-332-5918 www.bancroftvillageplayhouse.ca Jun 30 - July 11- Having Hope At Home a comedy by David S. Craig Jul 21 - Aug 1 - See How They Run; a farce by Philip King Aug 11-22 - The Foursome; a comedy by Norm Foster Aug 25-27 - The Un-Scene Story; a musical revue The Empire Theatre, 321 Front Street, Belleville, 613-969-0099, www.theempiretheatre.com July 21 - Stompin’ Tom in Concert July 24 - Empire Rockfest - The Doobie Brothers July 25 - Empire Rockfest - Hippiefest July 26 - Empire Rockfest - Creedence Clearwater Revisited September 18 - Empire Anniversary Celebrations - Oak Ridge Boys
The Stirling Festival Theatre, West Front St., Stirling 613 395-2100 or 1-877-1162 www.stirlingfestivaltheatre.com July 8 - 18 - On Golden Pond by Ernest Thompson. August 4 - 22 – CATS. Not recommended for children under 6 August 10 - 21 - Sheena, The Queen of Stirling. Presented in a one-hour format by our Young Company in the Upper Hall. Driftwood Theatre - live outdoor theatre, Centennial Park Amphitheatre, Trenton. August 6th - A Comedy of Errors, 7:30pm 613 392 – 7635 www.driftwoodtheatre.com
EVENTS June 13 - Loyalist Settlement Experience 225”, UEL Heritage Centre & Park, Adolphustown, Ont. 10 am – 4 pm. Step back 225 years to the original loyalist landing site, 1784. Experience the arrival of many reproduction bateaux, re-enactors & their encampment Genealogy course, historical workshops, virtual museum adventure, food venues. 613-373-2196 June 18 – 21 - Fiddlers on the Trent. Frankford Tourist Park, Quinte West 613 398 -0505 www.fiddlersonthetrent.150m.com June 19-21 - Stirling Truck Show - Vintage Truck and your chance to drive a “Big Rig!” The Agricultural Museum will be open and shuttles to downtown “Ladies Pit Stop” for mini-spa treatments and great demonstrations! Music, parade and more. www.truckshowandshine.com. June 20 - Deseronto Waterfront Family Festival - Carnival Games, Classic Car Show, Barrel Racing, Tall Ship Tours, Entertainment, and much more. FREE www.deseronto.ca June 20 - Fête de la St-Jean Baptiste - St. Jean Baptiste Day Celebration. Live entertainment & giant bonfire! Baker’s Island, BFC Trenton CFB Trenton. 5 - 11pm 613 848 – 5080 www.franco-phare.ca
June 20-21 - Quinte West Sports and Recreation Show, Centennial Park and Arena, Trenton 613-392-2841 June 26 - 28 - GRAND OPENING Centre Hastings Park, Madoc. Free music & entertainment in the award winning “Green Park.www.centrehastingspark.com. sbowles@centrehastings.com or you can reach Sarah by phone at 613-473-4030. June 27 – Stockdale Mills Yes I Care, Mill Fest 09, A Benefit To Help Provide Scholarships To The Children Of Fallen Soldiers. Heritage demonstrations, children’s activities, outdoor entertainment, BBQ pit, 10am-10pm www.yesicare.ca Free. 613-398-6356 June 27 – Stirling Canada Day Celebration Downtown covered bridge 9am-4pm. Free BBQ and rock climbing at the fairgrounds 6pm-8pm. Freddy Vette and the Flames 8pm and fireworks at 10 pm. June 27 - Canada Day Celebrations, Coe Hill Fairgrounds, Coe Hill. Evening parade and fireworks. 613-337-5731 June 28 - 4th Annual Strawberry Social - Hastings County Museum of Agricultural Heritage, Stirling, 11am – 3pm www.agmuseum.ca July 1 - Canada Day Celebrations - Games & entertainment, evening outdoor movie and fireworks! Centennial Park, Trenton. 8am - 11pm 613-392-2841 July 4 – 5 - Armed Forces Weekend & Air Display. Come, Commemorate, Celebrate! 8 Wing/ CFB Trenton welcomes all to their open house and display. 613-392–2811 www.cfbtrenton.com July 5 – 12 -Canadian Law Enforcement & Fire Games. Highland Heavy Events, Fire Challenge and Live Amateur Boxing. Tickets required for this event. 800-930–3255 www.clefg.com July 7 - Great Waterfront Trail Adventure On day 5, the City of Quinte West hosts participants riding from Niagara Falls to Quebec along Lake Ontario’s waterfront trail. Join the ride for the day! 416 943 – 8080 il@wrtrust.com
All-Natural Kettle-Brewed Beer No additives • No preservatives Self-brew & bottle (in only 2 weeks!)
• 48 litres from only $99.00 * That’s six 24’s of beer!
* bottles and taxes not included
3-36 Frankford Crescent Trenton, ON
Call: 613-394-1010 www.loyalistbrewers.ca
Made for Loyal Beer Drinkers
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• country calendar • July 10 – 12 - Frankford Island Blues Festival - All blues, all weekend! On-site camping available. Order tickets online. 613-392–1025 festival@loyalblues.ca / www.loyalblues.ca July 11 - Centre Hastings Non-Motorized Regatta on Moira Lake. Canoe, pedal boat and kayak races. Bring yours or use ours. FREE www.madoc.ca July 12 - Horizons of Friendship 12th Annual Homes, Gardens & Music Tour, Cobourg, 1-5:30 pm. Elegant homes & gardens, live concerts and light refreshments. Tickets $30 tax receipt @22. 905-372-5483 or 1-888-729-9928. info@horizons.ca/www.horizons.ca July 15 - Bancroft Horticultural Society Meeting, Bancroft Pentecostal Tabernacle, Hwy 62 N., Bancroft 7 pm. Guest speaker Master Gardener Ed Lawrence. $10 entrance fee. 613-332-4365 July 16 – 18 -Sidewalk Sale Days. Downtown Trenton TH 9am - 6pm, F 9am - 6pm, SA 9am 6pm 613-394 – 4318 www.downtowntrenton.ca July 17 – 3rd Annual Quinte Tri-Charity Golf Tournament – Timber Ridge Golf Course. Nine holes of golf, one power cart per couple, full 10-ounce steak dinner & prizes. Golf package only $75.00/person Top Prize $10,000.00. 613-392-9640 July 17 – 19 - Bancroft Area Lifestyle Expo, Bancroft Curling Club, Bancroft 613-332-3397 July 25 -Trenton Horticulture Society & Garden Club Flower & Vegetable Show, Tea and Goodies Quinte West Farmer’s Market, Front Street Parking Lot, Downtown Trenton. 1-3:30pm 613-392–3952 July 25 - 26 -Team Penning, Ranch Sorting & Games, Maynooth, Loggers Field. Presented by the Rocky Hills Horse Club. www.rockyhillshorseclub.com 613-339-1842 July 26 - 13th Annual Mineral Capital Gem and Mineral Show, Bancroft Legion Hall, Bancroft 613-332-1032 July 30 – Aug 2 - 46th Annual Rockhound Gemboree, North Hastings Community Centre & Bancroft Curling Club Canada’s Largest Gem and Mineral Show www.bancroftdistrict.com 613-332-1513 July 31 - August 3 - Classic Country Music Reunion. Traditional country music. Tickets available at the Quinte West Chamber of Commerce. Centennial Park, Trenton 705-878 – 3102 www.ccmr.ca August 1 - Family Fun Day & Purdy Fest, Marmora. A fun filled day of children’s activities – for all ages! And Marmora’s 3rd Canadian literary culture celebration in the great outdoors www.marmora.info/
August 28 – 29 - Coe Hill Agricultural Fair, Coe Hill Fairgrounds, Coe Hill 613-337-5504 August 29 – Stirling Water Buffalo Food Festival. A cook-off between local chefs using fresh water buffalo mozzarella produced locally! Join us downtown and taste the great meals prepared while visiting the live water buffalo! September 11 - 13 - Trenton Scottish Irish Festival -19th Annual Celtic Festival and Ceilidh. Pipes and Drums, Heavy Events, Dancing and Entertainers. Centennial Park, Trenton. F 7-10pm, SA 10am11pm, S 11am-1pm 613-392–2841 www.trentonirishscottish.com
SEASONAL May – September – Every Thurs. night - Marmora Classic Cruisers, Main Street, Marmora. Live entertainment, face painting, kids contest, prizes. Free. www.marmoraclassiccruisers.com
classic country and bluegrass music. FREE Presented by Tweed Lion’s Club www.twp.tweed.on.ca June 12 – August 28 - Friday Night Concerts in Fraser Park, Ted Snider Band Shell in Fraser Park, Downtown Trenton. 613-394–4318 www.downtowntrenton.ca June 12 - August 28 - Art in the Park. Friday evenings; local artists displays; Fraser Park, Downtown Trenton. 613-392-7635 June 28 - September 6 - Norampac Summer Concert Series. Bring a chair, and enjoy the evening relaxing to some of the regions best musicians. Amphitheatre, Centennial Park, Trenton. W & S 6:30 - 8:30pm 613-392-2841 June 27, July 25, August 29, September 26Fresh Harvest Stirling, Mill Street will be lined with tables for a monthly harvest featuring fresh local foods!
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May 17 – Sept. 27 – Quinte Access Cruise Nights 6pm – Dusk. BBQ & Live Entertainment , Pig Roast – Aug. 9, 5pm – Following the Quinte West Chamber of Commerce Boat Cruise Sundays, 97 Front St., Trenton
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May 12 – September - Every 2nd Tues., 7pm– dusk beginning May 12. Bancroft Classic Cruisers, Cruise nights in the Canadian Tire Parking Lot, Hwy. 62 N., Bancroftwww.bancroftcruisers.ca
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June – August - Every Sunday 2 – 4 pm Music in the Park, Tweed. Bring a lawn chair and listen to
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Kelly’s Restaurant
Casual Family Dining in a Quaint Country Setting. Licensed, kids menu, take-out and catering. Open daily at 11:30 am
613-478-2113
Hwy 37 – North of Tweed
Experience Tweed this Summer
We’re fun, friendly & eclectic!
VITAMINS, SUPPLEMENTS GLUTEN FREE PRODUCTS BULK AND NATURAL FOODS BLOOMING FLOWER TEA NETI POTS. 347 Victoria St. N
613 478-3373
www.thefoodcompany.ca
SHOP•PLAY•DINE•STAY
GIFTS & DÉCOR
August 1 – 3 - Coe Hill Wild West Weekend, Coe Hill Fairgrounds, Coe Hill www.coehillwildwestweekend.ca
August 14 – 16 - Loonie-Tic BMW Return to Trenton Rally -Open to all motorcycle riders. Centennial Park, Trenton. 905 372 – 7357 www.ltbmwr.ca August 15-16 – Art In the Park, Tweed Memorial Park, Tweed. Hosted by The Kiwanis Club of Tweed in partnership with the Tweed and Area Arts Council. Audrey Ross 613-478-3591 or Jack Vance at jack.vance@sympatico.ca.
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Aug. 1 – 2 -The Bancroft Art and Craft Guild Summer Show and Sale, Millennium Park Bancroft 10 to 6 &10 to 4. Nancy @ 613-338-5431
August 13-16 - Stirling Agricultural Fair featuring Canadian Country performers Gord Bamford and Jessie Farrell! Animal shows, derbies, rides, and more.www.stirlingfair.com.
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gifts, souvenirs & rustic décor ice cream, fudge & so much more 108575 Hwy #7 ½ km West of Hwy #37
613 478-2562
www.unconventionalmoose.com
Gifts, custom framing, mirrors & full decorating service. Gift-bagged for you too! A beautiful waterfront retreat ideal for overnight guests, workshops, seminars and special events.
1-888-478-6116
www.bridgewaterretreat.ca Hwy 37 - North of Tweed
259 Victoria St. N. (across CIBC)
613 478 3701 www.homecolours.ca
Summer 2009 • Country Roads
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BACK R OADS
Country Road d i s c o v er i n g h a s t i n g s c o un t y
Country Summer Days On The Crowe Roads
discovering This photograph of Dougald and Magee Sanderson was taken by the banks of the Crowe in the summer of 1909.hastings The boyscounty are decked out in their straw hats and bamboo fishing poles anticipating a great catch of sunfish. The Crowe River flows into Crowe Lake which took its name from the Crowe Indians that lived along the shore. The Sanderson family owned a livery business on Front Street in Marmora almost across from where Twist is located today.
Country Roads
Our thanks to Cathie Jones of the Marmora Historical Society for supplying this photo.
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Country Roads • Summer 2009
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Stirling-Rawdon
A Stirling Experience!
A warm welcome awaits you in Stirling - the little village with the BIG heart!
EXPLORE
OUR RURAL HERITAGE Dairy Building, Steam Engine Display, Tractor Building, Harvest Building, Tillage Building, Heritage Village, School House (new). (Allow min. 1 ½ hours for tour)
LARGE SELECTION OF NEW & USED BOOKS • SOY CANDLES UPPER CANADA ALL NATURAL BATH PRODUCTS COLONIAL CANDLES • ROBEEZ • WILLOWTREE • WEBKINZ ALL FAIR TRADE ORGANIC COFFEE & TEAS NEW JET TEA SMOOTHIES
• 4th Annual A FRIENDLY, Strawberry Social ABLE Sunday, June 28 11am-3pm AFFORDILY FAM OUTING. • November Starlight Christmas House Tour
Hastings County
Museum of Agricultural Heritage
Open 10am – 4pm daily Last Admission 3 pm Victoria Day thru Labour Day
Infinity has something for everyone looking for the t rendiest styles and biggest brand names from casual wear to special occasions. We also carry footwear, stylish bags, and one-of-a-kind locally made jewellery.
437 West Front Street, Stirling, ON
14 West Front St. Stirling, ON K0K 3E0
613 395-0015
613-395-0990
www.agmuseum.ca
LOCALLY MADE PRODUCTS Amazing Crafts and Collectibles Melissa & Doug Toys Paintings and much more • Brickstone Fine Foods • Casa Relief International • Lampe Berger • Lavender Hill Products • McCall’s Candles Step back in time by visiting our charming 1908 shop. 22 Mill Street, Stirling, ON K0K 3E0 613 395-6210
www.goodnightvienna.ca
Drop into see us
You’ll be pleasantly surprised
22
West Front Street Stirling, Ontario
613-395-1100
(ACROSS FROM THE STIRLING FESTIVAL THEATRE) VENDOR OPPORTUNITIES
It’s the “u” in unique that makes us #1.
NOW OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!