Discover smiths falls hometown news, july 2015

Vol. 2 No. 7

July 2015

YOUR LOCAL, INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER - SMITHS FALLS

Inside This Issue

DANCERS WANTED Local dancers BREATHE Dance Company are looking for new members, experienced or not.

READ MORE PAGE 11

lifestyle A handfulof new inductees, including Smiths Falls Gymnastics Club ownerAmy Callahan, were inducted into the Smths Falls Hall of Fame.

A healthier Smiths Falls

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More than 8,000 people turned out for this year’s Healthy Living Festival in downtown Smiths Falls, surpassing crowd expectations. Activities included performances from dance and cheer troupes as well as flash mobs and dance competitions. More on page 9.

culture A local artist has donated her works to the city to help brighten up the Mayor’s Office .

Town must remove Confederation Bridge before winter, council told

BY: AMY HOGUE

Snow load is a potential issue for Confederation Bridge, council learned June 22 from Greer Galloway Group (GGG) representative, Scott Poole, at a Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting.

Poole recommended the bridge be removed before winter to eliminate any safety concerns about snow load.

Confederation Bridge was closed

the end of May after an inspection by engineering consultants, GGG, revealed safety concerns, with a recommendation that it be closed to all vehicular traffic, with a limit to pedestrian traffic of 10 pedestrians on the bridge at any one time.

At the COW meeting, council discussed deferring making a decision about the future of the bridge until there are funds available to actually

undertake a replacement of the bridge.

It was Mayor Shawn Pankow who first brought up the issue of snow load.

He asked Poole how long the snow could “sit there.”

Poole’s said he didn’t see any issue with leaving it for a year, but recommended the bridge be inspected twice annually for any safety concerns. Poole said cost for the removal of the bridge will be approxi-

mately $250,000.

A few minutes later in the meeting, Poole changed his answer about snow load, amending his response that if the bridge is left in place throughout the winter any snow would need to be removed to prevent any excessive weight on the bridge. Given the weight restriction of no more than 10 pedestrians at any one time, this would clearly eliminate the possibility

of using a plow on the bridge, which Poole said meant that any snow removal would need to be done by hand shovelling.

“You should definitely look at the removal [of the bridge] by winter,” Poole said.

“The community is very passionate about this bridge,” Pankow told Poole at the outset of the meeting, asking Poole to clarify how the bridge could be safe

one day and then not safe the next.

Poole said the bridge has been studied frequently over the past few years, and a study completed two years ago indicated that it was in need of work and was nearing the end of its lifespan.

“This year’s inspection the rate of corrosion was really intensive . . .

It’s just reached its limit,” Poole said.

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community Canada Post gets to see its contributions first hand after making a hefty donation to the Boys and Girls Club.

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FIND US ONLINE www.DiscoverSmithsFalls.ca

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Continues on p. #6

$7 All Day Combos with a medium coffee and your choice of soup, salad or cookie

All Dayst a Breakf

Summer is just around the corner so kick back and relax with one of our flavourful Chillers, a Freddoccino or a scoop of delicious ice cream!

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JULY 2015

Page Two

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

Community Events JULY19 1 Dec. Dec. 22 3 Free Skate, Youth • Canada DayCommunity celebrationsChristat Low- •JULY Tim Horton’s • 2nd Annual er Reach Park all day with Firemas Run - Leaving from Coffee works at 10 p.m.

Culture, 6:00 p.m.

• Holiday Movie Night- Rise of• the - Smiths Falls FreeGuardians Movie Nights in Centennial Civitan Club, 7:00 p.m.

Park. Film to be announced. Free • admission, Jewel’s Gently Usedpermitting.

Clothing weathe Bag Sale. 18 William St. E.

July 2

• BBQ 1:00 for The Arena, p.m.HUB Pool at 11 a.m. on Main and Beckwith Streets

Dec. 23 • Holly Days Children Workshop.

July 11House & 12 Heritage Museum. 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Art Horton’s in the Barn Lombardy •• Tim FreeatSkate, Youth Fairgrounds: 54 local artists/100s Arena, 1:00 p.m. of original paintings, carvings, glasswork, batik, pottery, andEve, more to see &Day, buy.

•sculpture Christmas Christmas Boxing Day :)

July 9 Dec. 20Love of Lustre exhibit at Dec. 24, 25 & 26 • For The • the Santa at the County Mall, Heritage MuseumFair from 10:30 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 21

• Santa at the County Fair Mall, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m • Legion Jamboree - Smiths Falls Canadian Legion Branch 95, 1:00 - 6:30 p.m.

• Movie & Skate - Smiths Falls Youth Arena, 4:50 - 8:00 p.m.

jan. 2, 2015

• Tim Horton’s Free Skate, Youth Arena, 1:00 p.m.

jan. 5 ONGOING

• Taoist Tai Chi Open House Week at the Seniors Activity Centre, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

YOGA IN THE PARK: FREE ADMISSION Come out Sunday mornings for a FREE yoga class along the canal. Hosted by Yoga and Wellness Weather Permitting, Centennial Park.

8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

PUBLIC SWIMMING FOR ALL AGES AT THE HUB 361 Queen St. in the Gallipeau Centre Mondays - 6-7 p.m.; Tuesdays - 6-7 p.m.; Fridays 6-7 p.m.; Saturdays -

pdg media

2-3:30 p.m.

Cost: Drop In Pricing or Membership Fee apply

Sunday ladies dart league Every Sunday - 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - RCAFA Hall

MONDAY DUPLICATE BRIDGE Held at the Royal Canadian Legion every Monday evening at 7:00 p.m.

MONDAY BID EUCHRE

Publisher

Editorial

Reporters

photographers

Patricia Krotki Email: pmkrotki@pdgmedia.ca

Cassie Aylward Email: editorial@pdgmedia.ca

Amy Hogue Kathy Botham Hanna Lange-Chenier

Jason Code

A view from the sky

Held at the Royal Canadian Legion every Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Canadian Room.

TUESDAY NIGHT BINGO Smiths Falls Civitan Hall, Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Bingo starts at 7:00 p.m.

THURSDAY NIGHT BINGO Smiths Falls Legion in the Lancaster Hall, 7:00 p.m.

FRIDAY NIGHT BINGO Rotary Collegiate Hall, 2 Gould St. 7:00 p.m.

WALKING CONCOURSE Smiths Falls Memorial Center open 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. 7 days a week

MIXED DARTS Every Thursday from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the RCAFA Hall on Abbott St. New Players welcome.

It was a beautiful day for the Annual Smiths Falls fly in breakfast, Dan Tristram captured this beautiful shot on his way home.

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JULY 2015

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

community Chamber of Commerce says goodbye to manager, restructures position BY: AMY HOGUE The face of the Smiths Falls & District Chamber of Commerce will soon change, as current manager, Melissa Hillier, steps down to take on her new role as Executive Director for United Way of Leeds Grenville.

Hillier, who has been in the position as manager for the past two years, said she made the decision to leave the Chamber of Commerce with “mixed emotions.”

“I’m very excited about the new role, but I’m sad to be leaving colleagues and friends and businesses in Smiths Falls,” she said.

Chamber of Commerce President, Anne Shropshire, said the Chamber Board of Directors is disappointed to see Hillier leave, as her contribution has helped to increase the Chamber’s profile, and moved it in the right direction.

“We’re sorry to see her go, and we wish her the best of luck,” Shropshire said, adding she’s sure Hillier will be successful in anything she tackles.

Since Hillier took over the position in 2013 the Chamber of Commerce has been involved in a number of new projects, including changes to Victoria Park like as a new wifi system and keyless locks on bathrooms, partnering in the development of the Smiths Falls Montague Community Fund, and founding the Rideau Paddlefest.

With Hillier’s departure, Shropshire said the Board now has the opportunity to restructure the position to one with more of a focus on membership. This, combined with the current strategic plan development, makes now a good time to bring in someone new, Shropshire said, and a good opportunity to refocus the purpose of the position.

“As we look forward this is really kind of an exciting . . . a sad circumstance turned into an exciting opportunity,” Shropshire said.

Hillier’s last day at the Chamber of Commerce office in Smiths Falls was June 19. She’ll be heading to United Way Leeds Grenville, an opportunity she said was “something that I couldn’t pass up.” As Executive Director, Hillier said she’ll be in a position to help form the direction the non-profit will be taking and to help the organization reach fundraising goals.

The new position will involve more human resources, which she says is a perfect match for her Bachelor of Human Services Management, and recently acquired Canadian Human Resources Professional education.

“Managing United Way there will be a lot more human resources involved, and my under-

Chamber of Commerce Manager, Melissa Hillier, moves on to her new position as Executive Director of United Way of Leeds Grenville, as of Friday, June 19.

grad is exactly geared towards that role,” Hillier said, adding her goal has always been to work with non-profit organizations.

Shropshire said the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors are already working on creating a new job description for the managerial position,

and creating a timeline for hiring Hillier’s replacement. In the meantime, the Chamber’s office coordinator, Ashley Lennox, will be available in the office, and board members will step forward to assist with Victoria Park.

Despite the need to find a replacement for Hillier,

Shropshire said the board of directors will take the time necessary to find the right person, and hope to have the position advertised near the end of July. “We want to take the time to find the right person who will help move the Chamber forward.”

Big Brothers, Big Sisters receives $17,000 grant for after school pro-

by: hanna lange-chenier

Canada Post staff were on hand at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School to see after school programming by Big Brothers, Big Sisters (BBBS) of Lanark County in action June 9.

Earlier this year, the organization won a $17,162 grant from the Canada Post Community Foundation to continue and expand its after school programs at St. Francis de Sales, Duncan J. Schoular Public School, and the Smiths Falls Public Library.

The visit to St. Francis was a chance for Canada Post staff to join in on the fun and see what the children and the volunteers who run the program do every week.

“The programs run once a week, and they have a mentoring aspect, they have a game aspect, and they have healthy eating aspects,” says Beth Sinclair, the Resource Development Manager for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Lanark County.

The children who participate in the program are recommended by their teachers, and are often those who may not have any other opportunity to participate in after school activities.

“I think for the kids, they just really enjoy it. They’re always wanting to sign up again if we have opportunities to offer them,” says Sinclair. “It’s been mentioned that for some

John Terstra from Canada Post cuts the cake – but everyone had to eat a serving of healthy veggies and fruit first.

kids, this is the only afterschool program opportunity, and it’s great that it’s a free opportunity because of Canada Post and other funders who have helped with these programs,” she says.

In 2014, the Canada Post program distributed $1.3 million dollars to 107 different applicants. BBBS and the other applicants had to apply by last April, and were given the funding decision in August.

The money has already gone to support the three after school programs, which are led by mostly volunteers. One volunteer stressed the importance of the program to kids who may not be able to participate in other after school activities, and recalls one student who only came to school so that he could go to the after school program.

“We’re so grateful for the local group, because we know it’s through the local Canada Post group that raises the funds,” Sinclair says.

The local aspect of the program is what makes it unique, because it keeps the money raised by local donors in the community, says Sue Whyte, Local Area Manager for Canada Post.

Groups who want funding can pick up application forms and learn more about the program at their local Canada Post, as well as online. The local post offices play a huge role in getting the word out about the community foundation grants to customers they see every day.

The next round of applications for 2015 closed in April, and funding decisions will be made by August.

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community

Column: Tips for edible gardening

Whether you have a large backyard or a tiny balcony the trend to Grow your own is quickly gaining popularity. Studies show the largest growth industry in gardening in the last year has been the sales of seeds, vegetables, fruit trees, and berry bushes. Many feel that it is in direct relation to our economic times which may hold true but for anyone who has grown their own food it simply just tastes better.

If you have never tried growing your own then start simple with a patio tomato and some fresh basil in a planter.

Key factors in a successful vegetable garden are: Good Light - at least 6 hrs a day.

Rich Soil - loamy, well drained soil with lots of composted manure is important.

Good Air Circulation don’t plant your veggies too close the better the air movement the less chance of disease, powdery mildews and blights.

Fertilize - whether you are organic or not fertilizing your vegetable plants regularly helps to increase the crop yields and promote healthy strong plants.

Water – regular watering promotes deep root systems and healthier plants.

STOCK UP Problems can come on quickly so it is important to have a well stocked Garden Shed 1. Stakes, twine, twist ties help keep plants upright and reduce the risk of branches breaking when fruit gets heavy 2. Insecticidal Soap – great eco-friendly pest control a gardeners best friend in

from Gemmell's

the height of the summer.

3. Sulphur – this is your best defence against leaf diseases, powdery mildew and blights which come on quickly in hot humid weather.

4. Fertilizer – there are several different ways to feed your plants. Always have on hand fertilizers that are geared towards veggies or tomatoes specifically. Organic conscience growers should have seaweed/kelp based natural fertilizers as well as bone meal and blood-meal.

Join the trend and grow something edible this summer. There have always been countless reasons to grow some of your own food: to be more self-sufficient; to teach your children the powerful skill of gardening that is also a great joy, or simply to dig into a fresh salad whenever your heart desires.

You can’t get more local than your own backyard.

Kelly Heath Retail Manager Gemmell’s Garden Centre

Relay walkers rally more than $47K for cancer society

Twenty three teams participated in the 2015 Relay for Life in Smiths Falls Saturday June 13, 2015. The track at SFDCI was used to gather people who raised money for cancer research. The evening event began with an emotional “Survivor’s Walk”. This is a celebration of their fight with cancer, some of which have won and some are still battling.

By the end of the evening more than $47,000 was raised.

Local resident donates time to improve dog park

BY AMY HOGUE Five benches at the Gleeson Park Smiths Falls Off Leash Dog Park are a good start, but local resident, Gord Evoy, and Councillor Jay Brennan, say there is room for a few more improvements to the park. Brennan, who is the council representative on the Dog Park Committee, said the one and a half acre area could use a few more benches, and possibly a shelter for users.

The dog park, which was built in 2012, is used yearround as an area for local dog owners to bring their dogs where they aren’t required to be on a leash. The park is essentially maintained by users who pick up after their own dogs, but there is also an annu-

al cleanup to remove any dog waste from the area.

Brennan said because the park is used all year, he’d like to see a shelter at the park to give users a place to get out of the elements.

At the moment there are five benches at the park, along with a picnic table which have all been built by locals. The picnic table was built and donated by Rob Hewitt, while Gord Evot built all five of the benches which were sponsored by dog park users.

Evoy, whose dogs Buster, Custer and Duster are frequent visitors to the dog park, said he looked into benches after the dog park was built, and found the costs to be more than $600 for a comparable bench.

“I saw ones on the internet with no back that were

$625 plus shipping from the states,” Evoy said, “I knew that was out of our ball park.”

With so many users visiting the dog park daily, Evoy decided that if someone was interested in sponsoring a bench, he would build it for free. The cost to sponsor a bench is $125.00, which essentially covers the cost of the materials.

Evoy says his time is donated to the community.

“People have asked me why I don’t charge [to build the benches],” Evoy said, “I’m at home anyway, and I’ve lived in Smiths Falls all my life. I like to give back.”

Evoy said that if there are sponsors out there interested in sponsoring a bench, he’s ready and willing to build them.

Anyone interested in sponsoring a bench can contact

Gord Evoy (right) and his long-haired Chihuahua, Duster, along with Councillor Jay Brennan (left), and his Golden Doodle, Amos

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community

Lucky to have an X-Ray John is a senior living in Smiths Falls. It was just around Christmas when John slipped and really did a number on his leg. He was rushed to the Smiths Falls Hospital. In emergency the trauma to his leg appeared severe.

It was immediately clear he would need X-rays to determine the severity of his injury.

“When I came in during the holiday season, the X-ray was available right away, and if it hadn’t been available they would not have been able to assess what damage had been

done,” says John. (His name has been changed to protect his privacy.)

Luckily for John, the Smiths Falls site has a diagnostic imaging room on site. That meant that the doctors attending him, within a very short space of time, could see the X-rays of John’s leg.

John was lucky that time. The X-rays showed that he hadn’t broken anything in spite of the extensive bruising.

“If diagnostic imaging hadn’t been available, they would have had to transport me to Kingston or Ottawa.”

More than 13,500

X-rays are performed over the course of a year, according to Lise Smiths, executive director of the Smiths Falls Hospital Foundation. That’s an average of about 37 X-rays every day for a year.

It’s an essential piece of equipment that’s not now or ever funded by any government or medical agency.

That’s why the foundation is taking immediate action to raise funds to replace the now aging X-Ray machine at the Smiths Falls site of the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital.

“The X-Ray equipment we have is reaching its end of life. It’s 18 years old and it’s impossible to get spare parts for it now because of its age,” says Nancy Shaw, vice president of clinical services.

The machine is still operating but it is slowly deteriorating and has needed servicing several times in the past year.

“So we wanted to be proactive and avoid potential disruption to the services we provide to the community, which is why we approached the foundation for help in

replacing the $400,000 machine,” continues Shaw.

Recognizing the essential nature of the equipment the foundation has committed to raising at least $200,000 towards the cost of replacement.

“The foundation’s goal is to raise $200,000 and to date we have received $50,000 from one donor and donations are just starting to trickle in,” says Smith.

The need is huge according to both hospital staff and volunteers who direct patients within the hospital. According to one such

volunteer the bulk of inquiries at the information desk at the main entrance are for X-rays.

“I direct at least 60 percent of people walking in, to diagnostic imaging on any surgical day,” says Arnel Pattimore, “so the need is now.”

Submitted by the Smiths Falls Hospital Foundation For more information on how to donate, you can contact the Smith Falls Community Hospital Foundation at 613-2839743 or visit http://www. sfchfound at ion.com.

Perspective: A history lesson in Rwanda by: hanna lange-chenier

At this time a month ago, I was in Rwanda. This time last month, several days into the trip, I didn’t know then what a big impact the coming days and weeks would have on me.

I left Canada on May 16 for a two-week educational trip, called Reflections on Rwanda run by Shout Canada, to travel the country and learn about the 1994 genocide. As I wrote in last month’s column, the 1994 genocide resulted in the mass killings of more than 800,000 Tutsi in an attempt to ethnically cleanse them from the country. The chaos and violence that took place over 100 days starting April 6 was largely ignored by the international community.

When the violence broke out, United Nations peacekeepers arrived to evacuate diplomats and foreigners, but left as soon as the westerners were safe. Retired Canadian Lieutenant-General Romeo Dallaire, who led the mission peacekeepers stayed afterwards, said that the personnel used to evacuate them would have been enough to stop the genocide.

It’s hard to conceptualize how more than 800,000 people could be systematically killed in the span of 100 days. The number is unfathomable. But after visiting countless memorial sites, it isn’t the numbers that stick with you. It’s a rosary left behind at the church pulpit. A tiny baby’s red-and-white striped sweater, perched atop a pew piled high with

discarded clothing. Bullet holes in the church wall.

Mass graves littered with fresh flowers.

Most memorial sites are churches, traditionally places of faith, community, and safety. Tutsi who were threatened by the impending violence gathered there, safe in their conviction that no one could harm them in such a holy place.

But those who committed genocide were brainwashed into such blind hatred for the Tutsi that not even the threat of god could stop them. The genocide was ordered by the country’s government and had been highly organized, with the groundwork slowly being laid for years at the start of colonization by the Belgians. Regardless of the chaos, the genocide was no civil war or African ethnic conflict, as it is sometimes mistakenly labelled. It was a highly planned ethnic cleansing, no less orchestrated than the Holocaust.

Yet it does not gain the same level of awareness or compassion as other failures of humanity, both then when it was happening, and now.

We spoke to survivors who watched their entire families killed in front of them. We spoke to a man who was one of the few to survive at a church turned to massacre site, where as many as 50,000 people were killed over a few days.

We spoke to women who were widowed by the genocide. Nearly everyone in the country has their own story of loss and sadness.

But through all of these horrifying tales of death

Rawanda Countryside and violence, there are also threads of hope. Hearing the individual stories of survivors who lost their entire families, yet still have gone on to success and to have more children, like the story of a Hutu woman who saved countless Tutsi by offering them refuge in her home, and helping them escape across Lake Kivu to Zaire. Little things, like the laugh of children filtering through the memorial window from the school next door, or the oft-repeated slogan “We are all Rwandan,” that attempts to unite, regard-

less of ethnic lines.

The history of the genocide is far too complex for me to claim to be an expert on. All is know is what I have seen and experienced.

Though many aspects of the trip were extremely difficult to bear, and still are, I can certainly say I’m glad I went. The people I met, stories I heard, things I learned, and fellow group members I came to know were experiences that will shape who I am.

I do know that what happened in Rwanda in 1994 is an undeniable failure of humanity on all fronts.

Systematic genocide was perpetrated by an extremist, autocratic government, and the international community failed to intervene in a crisis we knew was happening.

But I can say that based on what I know about Rwanda, humanity is now alive and well. The country has been transformed, and is now one of the most stable in Africa. The new government has established universal education, invested in infrastructure, and created one of the most stable investment climates on the continent.

Though some challenges still exist, the nation is a hub for innovation and development.

My hope is that you will decide to learn more about Rwanda or other conflicts for yourself, and speak out against injustices - in our community, in our country, and in the world. Knowledge is a powerful weapon, and it’s the first step in making change. That’s the basis for the Reflections on Rwanda trip, and I intend to carry it forward.

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community

Council Briefs: Committtee of the whole / june 22 Lack of suitable candidates sends town to professional recruiter

“I’m convinced the right person is out there,” Morris said.

CAO Malcolm Morris told council that the recruitment process to hire an Economic Development Manager, which was started in March of this year, did not yield any suitable candidates. Morris explained that Economic Development “tends to be unique in the municipal realm” and because of this he suggested engaging Krecklo Municipal Consultants to seek out a suitable candidate.

Morris explained that Krecklo would take on the entire hiring process, and hand the municipality a list of qualified candidates.

Councillor Chris Cummings asked Morris if there was anything restricting the municipality’s ability to find the right candidate, at which point Morris replied that because the position is highly specialized, it’s possible the municipality needs to take “a more aggressive approach,” the kind that Krecklo is in a position to offer.

“The whole idea is to outsource it so they can take it and run with it,” Morris said.

The cost for the recruitment will be approximately $12,000, something which wasn’t budgeted for in the 2015 budget, although Morris said because the municipality hasn’t been paying salary expenses for that position there should be ample funds to cover the expense.

Council defers decision on retail business licencing fees, Quinn will be tie-breaker Council debated whether or not to begin charging for retail business licenses, for which there is currently no fee. Lynda McKimm, Manager Planning & Sustainable Growth explained the business license is essentially intended as a means of ensuring businesses are aware of and complying with safety regulations for fire and Health Unit requirements.

In 2006 the town instituted a fee of $100 per retail goods and services license, which was removed in 2008 with the intent that removing the fee could encourage business development in Smiths Falls.

McKimm explained that the processing of licenses takes staff time, at least one building and fire inspection. The cost for staff time is between $124 to $402.

A recent survey of 11 neighbouring municipalities indicated that only three charged retail business licensing fees. The issue of instituting a fine should a business not obtain the necessary license prior to opening was also raised, as a means of ensuring businesses will strive to obtain a license to avoid the fine.

McKimm presented four options to council: a) con-

tinue with current practice of no fee and no fine; b) continue issuing licenses with no fee, but with a fine of $200; c) charge $125 for licenses (with the exception of Chip Wagon & Refreshment Vehicles), and add a fine of $200 (this was the staff recommendation); discontinue all business licenses but require retail business to register with the clerk’s office.

Mayor Shawn Pankow was in favour of not charging a fee for the license, stating that “I look at it as a service we provide.” Pankow was in favour of issuing a fine if businesses don’t comply.

Councillor John Maloney expressed his doubts that a fine would deter people from obtaining a license.

“Not sure a fine would be worthwhile, I’m not sure how we would enforce that?” Maloney said, adding that that the $150 business licensing fee shouldn’t be a deterrent, but is “a cost of doing business.”

Maloney also said he hasn’t been impressed with the town’s licensing process, and that in his opinion it takes way too long.

“Maybe if they’re paying a fee, we can get a little more accountability,” Maloney said.

Council was split on the issue, and deferred the matter to a future COW meeting where Councillor Dawn Quinn will be in attendance to cast the deciding vote.

Smiths Falls Police Watch ALLEGED SHOPLIFTER NABBED A 24-year-old Rideau Ferry man has been charged with theft under $5,000 after he was allegedly caught stealing meat products from a local grocery store June 2. Police say they were called to the store where they arrested the man after a loss prevention employee saw him taking the food without paying for it. He was released on a promise to appear.

WANTED MAN ARRESTED A 30-year-old Rideau Ferry Man was arrested June 3 after failing to appear in court on outstanding charges two days earlier. Police say a bench warrant was issued for his arrest as well as an additional charge of failing to appear in court charges. He was once again released on a promise to appear.

YOUTH ARRESTED AFTER BREACHING CONDITIONS A Smiths Falls teenager has been charged with breach of an officer in charge of undertaking after police received a complaint the 14-year-old was breaching release conditions. He was charged and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.

MAN FACING CHARGES FOR DRUNK E-BIKE RIDING A 61-year-old Smiths Falls man has been charged with impaired driving after police say they received complaints about a male riding an E-Bike in the downtown Smiths Falls area June 5. He was arrested shortly after.

KINGSTON MAN ARRESTED IN SMITHS FALLS A 31-year-old man who was wanted on a warrant was apprehended by Smiths Falls Police June 8. He was later picked up by Kingston Police and brought back to their jurisdiction.

Confederation Bridge poses ‘risk for potential disaster,’ councillor says Continued from p. 1 The options as outlined

by GGG are to replace the bridge with a single lane with sidewalk, at a cost of $2 to $2.5 million, a single lane without sidewalk, at a cost of $1.5 to $2 million, a two lane with sidewalk, at a cost of $3 to $3.5 million, or a pedestrian only crossing at a cost of $900,000 to $1.2 million.

Lynda McKimm, Manager, Planning & Sustainable Growth, also told council staff had been contacted by Algonquin Bridge, who presented an option for renting a bridge.

“This option has not been pursued at this time, however staff can obtain quotes if council wishes,” McKimm wrote in her report.

Pankow asked Poole if there was a risk for potential disaster, to which Poole replied, “Yes, from an engi-

neering point of view, we’re not willing to put a stamp on it.” Poole went on to say he estimated the bridge is only safe for less than two tonnes of traffic, which is less than federal standards.

“Can we narrow it so we can walk single file, then

no more than 20 people can use it?” Councillor John Maloney asked, to which Poole’s response was this would still be over the recommended 10 pedestrians on the bridge at any point in time.

Councillor Chris Cum-

mings asked for clarification from staff about daily traffic counts for both Confederation Bridge and Beckwith St. Bridge and were told there were approximately 1,100 and 24,000 vehicles crossing these bridges daily, respectively.

“With 24,000 crossing Beckwith, the 1,100 pales in comparison,” Cummings pointed out.

Senior Planner, Nicole McKernan, recommended that council undertake a Traffic Impact Study (TIS) to determine the full impacts of leaving the bridge closed to vehicular traffic, something which hasn’t been done thus far and she said could assist council in making a decision about the bridge.

“I think you’ve got a lot of opportunity to decide long term what you want to do,” McKernan said, “Just make sure you have the studies in front of you.”

CAO Malcolm Morris confirmed the TIS would be fairly simple to do and this would probably be a good time to do it.

Councillor Chris Cummings pointed to the potential development at

the old Water Treatment Plant, pointing out that “we don’t want to make a lot of decisions that would negatively impact that.”

Councillor Joe Gallipeau pointed out there’s already an existing pedestrian bridge owned by Parks Canada at that location.

“Do we really need two pedestrian bridges?,” he asked.

McKimm explained Parks Canada had been contacted and had indicated they did not want the town to divert pedestrian traffic to that walkway, citing safety issues.

“If it’s part of the canal and Parks Canada has a say, shouldn’t they be funding part of the bridge?”

Gallipeau questioned.

McKimm said she could contact Parks Canada and raise the question with them.

The Confederation Bridge issue is scheduled to return to a future COW meeting.

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Friendly competition encourages exercise

DBA brings new planters to downtown core, seeks sponsorship

BY AMY HOGUE Downtown Smiths Falls will soon look a little brighter, with the addition of new flower planters, thanks to the Smiths Falls Downtown Business Association (DBA).

by: hanna lange-chenier The competition is on between Lanark County, Renfrew County and Smiths Falls, but this rivalry benefits everyone. The Silver Chain Challenge is a friendly competition between the counties to see which citizens can log the most kilometers by bike and foot.

The kilometers are instantly tracked online so participants can see their own running tallies, as well as check on how the race is going between their rival neighbours. Individuals as well as sports teams, schools, and work groups can sign up for an account and input their numbers daily, which are then added to the tally for their respective county.

“Being able to track and see the results online is motivating,” says Shawna Babcock, one of the challenge organizers. “You can see how your community is doing, and you can see how many people are online. It gives people that incentive and a little bit of immediacy back to them,” she says.

Babcock points out that although Smiths Falls is its own separate municipality

and doesn’t fall under Lanark County, “we included Smiths Falls last year due to interest.” Smiths Falls residents can still clock their kilometers online, and will be able to see how many people are participating in the town.

The kilometers between counties are adjusted according to population so that the numbers are counted fairly.

The initiative is part of a larger effort by a cluster of organizations dedicated to active transportation. The challenge was founded by Mississippi Mills bike month a few years ago and is now supported by a hub of organizations, including the Physical Activity Network of Renfrew County, Active Transportation Renfrew County, the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Health Unit, and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.

The program has been expanded in recent years to not just cycling, but walking, running, and any mode of active transportation, says Babcock. The organizers have also involved not just citizens, but local government, business people, and the tourism community.

“We decided it would be a

fun way to engage our politicians from both counties, and also community members from both counties in a friendly competitive spirit,” Babcock says. The prize? The Silver Chain Challenge plate, a beautiful plate with a cyclist on the front painted by a local artist, which changes hands between the county wardens based on who wins.

Lanark County won last year for the first time, so Warden Bill Dobson recently to take on the plate from Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon at Pembroke’s active transportation summit.

Besides promoting exercise, the challenge is part of a larger initiative to “build a much stronger knowledge base as to why we’re building and designing our communities to support that kind of access,” says Babcock. “That we do need safer streets and increased social inclusion in our community so that it is an easier option for people to walk or bike.”

She says that the aim is to see active transportation as a determinant of health as well as an economic driver that creates tourism and easier access to businesses than just by car.

The move to new planters, brought forward to the DBA by the Beautification Committee is intended to eventually replace the older wooden barrel planters currently being used downtown, which are badly in need of repair.

The planters, purchased from Quebec based company, Produits Re-Plast, are made from 100 per cent recycled plastic. The Beautification Committee selected these particular planters with the intention they’ll be both functional and appealing, while also made from environmentally responsible products.

The DBA Coordinator, Nicola Thomson, said replacing the current wooden barrel planters will take a significant capital investment, and that the DBA is making the replacement with an eye to the longevity of the planter they choose. Because they are made from recycled plastic, the new planters will not be subject to the same environmental wear that reduces the life expectancy for wooden products.

“The committee hopes the new planters will improve the downtown aesthetically for years to come,” Thomson said.

Thomson said the DBA will need to make a substantial capital investment in the downtown to replace all the wooden planters with the new and is hoping for community support through public sponsorship of planters, which will allow the DBA to complete the replacements and increase curb appeal downtown at a quicker rate.

The new planters will be available for sponsorship by members of the community and local businesses, at a cost of $350. A plaque, engraved in commemoration of an individual will also be included with the planter.

Town project to provide funds for business renovations BY : HANNA LANGE CHENIER

Massage Therapy HRV - Heart Rate Variability Surface Electromygraphy - muscle and tone Thermography - organ and gland control

Smiths Falls has launched a community improvement project that will give money to businesses and organizations in the downtown core to improve their storefronts and interiors. “The incentive is to put money into the downtown core of Smiths Falls,” says Tim Lee, the Student Planner at the Town of Smiths Falls.

The town will provide grants from $2,500 to $10,000 to pay 50 per cent of the renovation costs for storefront facades, like new signage, windows, and lighting. For bigger interior renovation projects, eligible businesses can receive a loan from $10,000 to $20,000 to cover 50 per cent of the cost, repayable over 5 years with

no interest. The town will also reduce fees by 75 per cent for building permits and planning permits in an effort to spur development.

The minimum for grants is set at $2,500 because the town wants to encourage meaningful, quality improvements, Lee says.

“We will actually be creating design guidelines. Hopefully council will pass it as a bylaw so that we can give a base to build off of and make it easier for people.”

Bigger projects, like retrofits, renovations to bring a building up to the fire code, additions, and renovations for existing space would be covered by loans.

The larger Community Improvement Plan has been in the works for a few years

now, but Lee says this is the first year the town has offered this type of funding.

Money for the grants and loans has already been set aside in this years planning department budget, and Lee says they have a $50,000 reserve fund to distribute.

He says so far the response has been positive, and the planning department plans to explore additional funding for next year if there’s significant interest this year.

The planning department hosted an open house on June 22 to answer questions about the grants, and helped provide design tips and a design showcase to interested applicants. Those who want to apply for a grant can find the forms online at www.smithsfalls.ca, or at town hall.

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lifestyle Healthy Living Festival draws more than 8,000

BY AMY HOGUE It was a great day for a festival on June 20, and the streets in downtown Smiths Falls were bustling with the activity of more than 8,000 visitors during the third annual Healthy Living Festival.

The event, organized by the Smiths Falls Downtown Business Association (DBA), offered a number of

health-related activities and information, including the more than 65 vendors lining Beckwith Street.

DBA Coordinator, Nicola Thomson, said overall the DBA is pleased with the success of the event, and thankful to festival sponsors, committee members and members of the community who stepped forward to volunteer at the event, particularly the

Smiths Falls & District Youth Centre and the Rideau Ground Search and Rescue Team.

“There were so many happy, smiling faces in the downtown, thanks to the hard work and dedication from all involved,” Thomson said, “The whole Healthy Living Festival committee should feel amazingly proud of the successful turnout.”

Highlights of the day included a Strong

Man Show that took place at the intersection of William and Beckwith Streets, and drew crowds of people to witness feats of strength by the three-man strong man crew. The Cow Guys buskers were also a bit hit, engaging visitors with juggling and other entertaining performances.

The Totally ‘80s Move-a-Thon drew roughly 20 partici-

pants, raising nearly $1,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Awards for best costumes went to Greg McDonald for best male costume, Jen Gray Heaslip for best female costume, while the prize for the best team went to members of the Child Development Centre team, Judy Arthur, Rebecca Fitzgerald, Kim Berry, and Jen Gray Heaslip.

Two surprise flash

mobs also hit downtown during the event, with a dance flash mob from Flare Dance Studio, and a little later in the day, a gymnastic flash mob from Gym Stars Gymnastics.

BREATHE Dance Company and Cheerleading team also had demonstrations at the event.

A Lulu Lemon vendor’s booth drew long lines of potential buyers before the festival

even opened, selling nearly $10,000 in merchandise.

A threeon-three basketball tournament, held in the parking lot adjacent to Main Street West and organized

by Todd Spencer from the Smiths Falls’ Storm Basketball, drew 150 players between the ages of five and fifty.

Plans are already underway for next year’s event, which will be held on June 18, 2016.

Duchess Boutique manager, Sarah Gaensler poses for a photo with Downtown Business Association Coordinator, Nicola Thomson (center) and Claire (left) and Penny Thomson (right)

Members of the BREATHE Dance Company gave a stunning dance performance during the Healthy Living Festival.

The Smiths Falls Gym Stars “flash mobbed” the Healthy Living Festival on Saturday, June 20th. Pictured are members of the Junior and Senior competitive teams.

The rock climbing wall has been a prominent part of the festival for the past three years, and always draws crowds of young people looking for a chance to

The Your Independent Grocer WOW Balls were a big hit!

A surprise flash mob put on by Flare Dance Studio was a big hit at the event, with more than a dozen dancers strutting their stuff on Beckwith Street.

The Canadian Tire mini paddle boats were a big hit. Pictured are Josephine and Oliver Krotki

Costume prizes were distributed at the Totally ‘80s Move-aThon, with a prize for the best team going to a team from the Child Development Centre team, shown here. (From left to right): Judy Arthur, Rebecca Fitzgerald, Kim Berry, and Jen Gray Heaslip. Grey Heaslip also won for best female costume.

Emma Babcock demonstrated her strength by successfully tearing a phone book in half during the Strongman Show at the festival.

The BREATHE Cheerleading team wowed the crowds with their demonstration at Beckwith and Main Street

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lifestyle

sports Community Centre launches new drop-in programming, online booking system BY: AMY HOGUE The arena at the Smiths Falls Community Centre was bustling with activity on May 23 and June 17, but instead of ice skates and hockey sticks hitting the rink, the activity involved running shoes and lacrosse sticks. Part of a larger initiative intended to increase traffic and activity at the facility, reaching out to the Nepean Knights lacrosse league is only one of many steps the town has taken recently to increase activity at the facility.

Manager of Community Services, Art Manhire, pointed out that when a community builds something like the Gerry Lowe rink, or the arena, a lot of focus is on the bricks and mortar of the building, with less of a focus on what will happen there once it’s open. Now that the bricks and mortar component is in place, Manhire explained the town is looking to work with community organizations and individuals to bring into the facility the kinds of services and experiences the community is looking for.

In the case of the recent lacrosse games, the idea is that the games could generate interest in the community for lacrosse, which could ultimately lead to community members stepping forward to organize the activity.

Manhire pointed out that although the town doesn’t have the capacity to take on organizing a lacrosse league themselves, it has many community members with good organizing skills and experience.

“They want the delivery (of the service) and

The Nepean Knights recently took on the Gloucester Griffins at the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre on June 17, the second of two lacrosse games held at the arena since May, and part of a larger initiative to increase programming at the arena. Manager of Community Services, Art Manhire, said he feels there is “really good potential” for lacrosse in Smiths Falls, pointing out that the recent games were well received, with approximately 200 people attending the game held at the arena in May.

we have the assets to deliver it,” Manhire said, adding that once those two items are put together, the town will be able to leverage those assets for the community benefit.

Manhire said the town and Gerry Lowe Foundation, in coordination with several service clubs in Smiths Falls, have also pulled together the resources to hire students to facilitate programming in the Gerry Lowe outdoor rink over the summer, offering drop-in activities like basketball, pickle ball, or ball hockey, to name a few. It’s anticipated the student coordinators will be available two to three hours a day, to en-

courage users to visit the community centre and participate in the activity.

Manhire said he’s also recently met with a group called For Pivots Sake, an Ottawa based non-profit group who work to engage and mentor youth in the Ottawa area, to implement programming based on skills development, leadership and mentorship.

Referring to the skateboard park at the Community Centre, Manhire said it is used, but not used as much as it could be, and he’d like to change that.

Programming at the skateboard park will involve workshops, with free skateboards available for those who may not

own a skateboard. Manhire said providing skills development in the sport is not the only purpose to the programming, and that developing social skills is also important.

“It’s not only the physical skills, but the social skills as well; it’s a shared space, and how do you share that space with other people?” Manhire asked, “Those are important components for us in terms of individual development.”

Besides the skateboard park, beginner skateboarding programming will also be available at the Gerry Lowe rink, to get youth accustomed to skateboarding on a flat surface, before moving onto more challenging landscapes.

Manhire explained that hosting drop-in activities like those planned for the Community Centre are a good way of gauging community interest in an activity. “If you get 50 kids come down to play lacrosse you know there’s an interest in trying to develop that sport.”

Serving a dual purpose, the student program coordinators will not only be delivering programming, but will also be in a position to connect with the community members using the facility and learn what they are looking for in the form of programming at the arena.

“We don’t know what equipment we need until we find out what services we can provide, then we have the audience to tap into and connect with and identify what they would like to see,” Manhire explained, adding that at that point the town will be in a position to go back to the community leaders, the Sens Foundation, the service clubs and identify the services the community is looking for, and plan how to deliver those services.

“If lacrosse is something to come to the surface, how can we get 20 sticks out there, some balls, and start people on the road?” Manhire said.

Manhire explained that although the arena is viewed as primarily a location for hockey, there are many other programs out there that can utilize the space available at the Community Centre, including speed skating, figure skating, and power skating. If training is provided around some of these activities, there may be people who become interested in the sport, and potentially interested in helping organize some programming.

“We have to tap into the community, we have to tap into what’s happening in the community, find out what people are looking for,” Manhire said, “The idea would be let’s expose

these kids to different kinds of sports, have a drop in activity for a different sport every day and have kids come down and try them.”

Book ice online Another step forward for the Community Centre has been a recent move to an online booking system, to allow people to look online and see what’s happening at the arenas, and if there is a space or an opportunity for a booking, to make their reservation. Community groups and sporting leagues will have first crack at the scheduling, but there will also be opportunities for other bookings.

“It’s a huge change from what we’re currently doing,” Manhire said, “We’re hoping it will be more convenient for people.”

In addition to being able to book online, the new system also has the capacity to send out emails or texts when space at the arena is available, yet another move that will hopefully increase activity at the arena, and generate additional revenue.

“Everyone is aware of town’s financial position, but we have tremendous resources in this community: the people, the experiences, the organizational ability…so our job is to try and pull those pieces together,” Manhire said.

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lifestyle

Rockin’ start to Rideau Ferry Regatta

It’s going to be a rockin’ start to the Rideau Ferry Regatta this year, almost two months before the Aug. 15-16 event.

Rock the Dock will be the kickoff this Saturday at Rideau Ferry, celebrating the first year since the new public docks were open. There will be bands, food and bar service at the docks starting at 1 a.m. as a charitable event to raise money for more docks for the Rideau Ferry Yacht Club (RFYC).

The event is hoping to attract attention to the regatta, this year being the first since the 2007 resurrection of the event that there are sanctioned races.

Canadian championships for flat-bottom boats will be held on Lower Rideau Lake. These boats, 16 to 19 feet, have 450 hp engines capable of reaching 140-km-per hour on the oval course. The drivers love choppy water, giving spectator the thrill of close calls. Though rare, they have been known to flip.

The regatta itself prom-

ises to have something for everyone, especially in the family-entertainment category. Kids will get the chance of building their own toy boats, using their artistic talent to paint them. Those not necessarily interested in the high-test engines can check out the canoe-build.

On the Saturday morning of the regatta, four teams of four will start building four canoes. By Sunday at noon they’ll be in the water racing. There is one spot left for any can0e-builder interested in the event. Entry fee is $120.

For that you get all the materials for a 15-foot canoe, plenty of instructions and you take home the canoe.

The last spot is still open.

Pretty inexpensive way of getting on the water.

The event at the Rideau Ferry Yacht Club is being likened to a carnival; pony rides, minnow races and even a parrot display where you can pay $3 to play pirate, a parrot sitting on your shoulder.

This year, for the first

time, the RFYC is combining forces with the Manotick Classic Boat Club , which is hosting a show of antique and classic woodies in Portland on Aug. 8, the week before the regatta. The boat club will be providing a 26-foot Hacker woody to do the three circuits for the opening ceremony – each circuit representing Canada, the United States and Australia, boats represented at the event.

Scott Cameron, the man credited with bringing the regatta back to Rideau Ferry says he did it to preserve history. When the regatta ceased in 1978, it froze its history. The event had been going annually since 1897, was incorporated as a non-for-profit corporation in 1909, and had years where it would attract as many as 10,000 visitors.

Cameron’s father, uncle, and most of his friends participated in the regatta.

He was only a kid when it folded, but because of his father leaving him a 1939 Jeffrey runabout called Crow’s Nest – dad’s nickname was Crow -- he was hooked on antique and classic boats. He’s well aware that as many as !0,000 visitors were attracted to the regatta in the 50s.

He recalls sitting in his shop with a buddy, reminiscing; talking about a book he’d just read about the Jeffrey boats. The author recalled the history of the regatta in the book and warned, “If someone doesn’t revive the event, the

history will be lost.” That was the deciding factor.

Today the regatta is a bi-annual event. It’s held at the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority’s site at the Ferry.

Since its resumption, The Regatta Book has been published and is going through its second printing for this year’s event.

The book is edited by Val Hudson, a local author.

Also featured at the regatta will be Miss Canada IV, the world’s first boat to reach 200 mph in 1950 at an event in Picton, On. It too was a resurrection of Canadian boating history, having been discovered rotting in an Ingersoll museum four years ago. Bobbie Genovese, a Gravenhurst philanthropist spent more than $250,000 in restoring it. ( FYI, the fastest boat in the world reached 316 mph in Australia.)

The Rock the Docks event at Rideau Ferry could become an annual event

because the community deprived of public docks for about seven years when Parks Canada sold the docks, to a private owner.

Boaters could no longer provision at Rideau Ferry after that. The RFYC was one of heaviest lobbyists for the return of public docks, holding fundraising events every year to fund new public docks.

It was Drummond/ North Elmsley Township which funded the construction of what is now considered a parkland,

quickly becoming a destination. Boaters can now dock, head to the Rideau Ferry Store for an ice cream cone or fill up their fuel tanks; buy a few pints and visit other local businesses.

The event this weekend will feature the Doherty Brothers Band, a favourite local rock group. Cameron is the harmonica player in the group. It will also feature The Ramblers, Midnight Train and guest entertainers. The event runs from 1 to 6 p.m.

There will be a few politicians at this weekend’s

event. Talk to them about their competition in the regatta – the cardboard boat race. Pretty well all the Rideau Canal politicians, all the townships along the 202 km waterway, have volunteered to compete in this race. Those on shore are not necessarily rooting that they stay afloat.

Anyone wanting more info on the Regatta can check the website, www. rfyc.ca.

Photos and text by John Kessell with the Rideau Ferry Regatta Committee

Local Pan Am games torch bearers chosen Smiths Falls is proud to announce Corey Turnbull and Bailey Andison as the Smiths Falls community torchbearers for the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay, presented by President’s Choice® and OLG. The torch relay will visit Smiths Falls on July 2nd 2015 and will feature Turnbull and Andison as torchbearers. The relay will also include Neil Doef, who will carry the torch for a 200-metre stretch through the town.

Brooke Henderson, who was announced in May as the community torchbearer, will turn over the honour to her alternate, Turnbull, for the July 2nd celebration. Although Henderson was looking forward to participating and representing Smiths Falls, after receiving sponsor exemption into the LPGA Symetra tour event (Tullymore Classic) in Big Rapids, MI, she will be unable to make it home for the celebration.

Turnbull, who now will be carrying the torch as the Community Torchbearer, is an accomplished athlete participating in a wide range of running and endurance events from Ironman Triathlons to 100K running races. In 2013 he qualified for the Canadian National Duathlon Team and competed at the World

Championships in Ottawa, a dream come true Turnbull says, “To wear Canadian colors on our own soil”.

Turnbull is equally excited to participate in the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay,“I love our community, it’s been home to me for over 30 years and I am very proud to carry the torch.”

Receiving the flame from Turnbull will be Smiths Falls native, Bailey Andison. The Perth Stingrays swimmer won gold last July in the 50-metre breaststroke during the 2014 Canadian Age Group Championships.

As part of the flame coming through Smiths Falls, a community celebration will take place downtown between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. beside the Parks Canada building in Cenotaph Park. The celebration will include food, kids activities, the lighting of the cauldron and musical performances by Miss Teen South Eastern Ontario Amanda-Thecla Jordan, Trick Fiddler Jessica Wedden and Country Artists Henry Norwood.

The community is encouraged to come out and join in the celebration and support all the torchbearers.

A message from the town of Smiths Falls

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lifestyle

BREATHE Dance Company announces upcoming competitive team auditions

BY AMY HOGUE Love to dance?

BREATHE Dance Company is holding open auditions for their competitive dance team on August 16, and are looking for talented, committed dancers to join their group.

Although based in Merrickville, BREATHE Dance Company owner and director, Lindsay Roney, says they’ll be scouting dancers from anywhere around the region: Smiths Falls, Kemptville, or Merrickville.

The company first opened its doors in Merrickville in March 2014, and since that time have grown to offer a multitude of dance forms, including jazz, ballet, tap, acrobatics, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, modern, contact improv, musical theatre and jazz funk. Beyond dancing, BREATHE also offers a cheerleading team which practices out of the Gallipeau Centre in Smiths Falls.

Roney says because their studio will be expanding this fall and doubling square footage, there will be many spots available on the dance team.

She says they’re ideally be looking for someone with

some dance experience and background, there will be opportunities for beginners to work their way up to a competitive level.

“Ideally we’d be looking for someone with at least some ballet background, some technique training in ballet or jazz . . . Someone who wants to perform,” Roney said, adding that even stage shy dancers are welcome because one of the focuses of the company is to build confidence throughout the term.

“It’s really amazing to see, that’s one of the goals I have, to just increase everybody’s self-confidence and put themselves

out there and not feel like they have to hold anything back,” Roney said.

Roney says if someone has an interest in dance, and they want to be challenged and are ready and willing to practice several times a week, they are encouraged to come out to the auditions in August. Even without a difference, Roney suggests contacting her so she can figure out what classes they should take and to set goals to get them ready to audition the following year.

“If anyone wants to dance competitively and they’re driven, we can make it happen,” Roney said.

At the auditions, danc-

ers are expected to have prepared a 30 second solo and to also participate in some group choreography.

Dancers will be asked to explain why they would like to join the BREATHE Dance Company team, and to relate what they love about dance. They may also be asked to demonstrate a couple of basic dance skills such as the ballet position, pirouette or the splits.

Auditions are open to both boys and girls from ages eight and up. Competitive team members can expect to attend roughly four competitions each year. In 2014 the BREATHE competitive dance team competed in Ottawa, Kingston, Montreal and Roney said she expects they will attend the same number of competitions in the 2015 and 2016 dance year.

Roney said that BREATHE Dance Company provides dancers with choreographed dances and rehearsals leading up to competitions, which involve acquiring stage costumes, shoes and special hairstyles for the entire team.

“I like to communicate with parents and dancers and see what they’re comfortable with wear-

ing, I want them to be as comfortable as possible…I consider myself part of their team,” Roney said.

Roney calls the atmosphere at BREATHE Dance Company “a breath of fresh air” and an uplifting, positive energy. One of the priorities of the dance studio is provide a space where dancers can be themselves and work at their own skill levels.

With a number of different instructors available and in the new, expanded space which will permit two simultaneous dance classes, Roney said the instructors are always working to ensure every dancer is challenged within the class structure and striving to meet their own personal goals. Roney herself has extensive dance experience and has trained in workshops with the Canadian Dance Teachers Association. Other dance instructors at the studio include Allegra Crosby, Krystal Marion, Alyscha Taylor and Lauren Howard.

In 2014, Roney said the competitive dance team won a number of medals, and that it was the dance team’s first time receiving a diamond award, the high-

est award given to a dancer.

Competitive dance team members are also given the opportunity to participate in dance workshops throughout the season with professional teachers and choreographers.

One upcoming workshop will be held June 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The instructor, Allegra Crosby, will offer intensive and upbeat instruction in Jazz Funk.

Cost will be $30 per dancer or $50 for two siblings; dancers from surrounding studios are welcome to attend the workshop.

Roney said she offers the dance workshops because she believes that “the more training from as many different teachers as possible is essential for a dancer’s development.”

For more information about the upcoming audition, you can visit the BREATHE Dance Company facebook page, or contact Lindsay Roney at breathedanceco@gmail.com Photo Credit: Katie Kok, Goosecreek Photography

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Jennifer Andress McDonald named Healthy Living Ambassador

BY AMY HOGUE

After receiving a record number of nominations for the 2015 Healthy Living Festival Ambassador Award, Jennifer Andress McDonald was named as Healthy Living Ambassador for 2015.

Melissa Hillier, who received the award in 2014, was on hand to present this year’s award to Andress McDonald, citing her health related contributions to the community.

Hillier pointed to Andress McDonald’s contribution as organizer of the Spring Fling Running Thing, which has raised approximately $25,000 for the Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital Foundation over the past three years, and as a contributor to the Little Thing Running Thing, a free race for kids 10 and under held annually at the Healthy Living Festival.

Hillier also made mention of Andress McDonald’s volunteer work with Champions for Kids, and her volunteer work as race director for the Harvest Festival, which averages

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lifestyle

July 2015

Lee-Bentham takes title at local Women’s Tour event

Jennnifer Andress McDonald (left) receives the 2015 Healthy Living Festival Ambassador Award from the 2014 Ambassador, Melissa Hillier.

over $100 in donations for the Smiths Falls Food Bank.

The Healthy Living Ambassador Award is given to someone who best promotes healthy living within the community. In 2015, this criteria was expanded to identify those promoting active living, healthy eating, healthy sexuality, mental health awareness and education, safety and injury prevention, substance abuse education and prevention etc.

Other nominees this year included Rob Rodine, Amanda Fournier, John Maloney, Andrea McMurtry, Jan Turner and Kim Marshall.

The Healthy Living Festival committee considers the achievements of nom-

inees who have served as a positive role model or who have made outstanding contributions to the community in the area of healthy living. Some examples of these contributions could include showing dedication to working with others, being a good peer influence, involvement in community projects that promote healthy living, and demonstrating a commitment and leadership in supporting and promoting healthy lifestyles at the community level.

Spring Fling Running Thing founder, Corey Turnbull, received the award in the first year of the Healthy Living Festival, in 2013, and Hillier was the 2014 recipient.

column: My crazy life Why are we so hard on ourselves?

I ask myself this question multiple times a week.

As a working Mom I’m constantly feeding the story in my mind that I’m not doing enough.

I’m not good enough at my job, I am not spending enough time with my children, my house isn’t clean enough.

Thursday nights our son Tanner has blast ball.

For the last five weeks I have loaded the boys and taken them to ball to watch Tanner play.

He won’t. For the last 5 weeks I have coaxed, bribed, guilted & threatened punishment, nothing has worked. I am likely doing more harm than not going at all. I stand there and feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. I am a failure. I can’t even get my kid to play ball. I look at the parents whose children are playing and think how they must be thinking I am a terrible mother because I won’t make my kid play. I give

By Beckie Brown

in to feeding that voice inside of me, the one who tells me that I am not good enough. I leave feeling defeated and frustrated, just trying to get to my car in case tonight’s the night I cry.

The most recent game I left early. I knew he wasn’t going to play and I couldn’t take another half hour of this voice replaying in my mind of how much I have failed.

As I am heading to my van one of the staff members from my son’s school said “hello,” she asked Tanner if he had been playing ball I told her how we kept showing up and he refused to play. She said “Good job Mom, you are doing great. Keep it up” Those words meant more to me than anything else. In that very moment it was exactly what I needed to hear.

Life with children isn’t easy. I personally need to stop putting false expectations on myself.

I need to change that voice in my head. The

Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Richmond Hill ended the day with a score two under par in the final round to post a two day score of 140 - winning the 36-hole Canadian Women’s Tour event at Smiths Falls Golf and Country Club. Rebecca beat out home town favorite Brooke Henderson by three shots.

one that tells me how much i am letting everyone else down. I need to change that voice to one of praise of the things I’m doing right. Tonight I put three amazing boys to bed and even though the kitchen is a mess and I have sticky floors we all survived another day. That is something to be proud of.

National Softball Association Slow Pitch Standings Beat Down Crew: 4 wins-0 loses for 8 points R&R Construction Indians: 4 wins-0 loses for 8 points Jays: 2 wins-2 loses for 4 points Bakers Fries Hitmen: 2 wins-2 loses for 4 points Bruce Rogers Home Exteriors Spartans: 0 wins-4 loses for 0 points Toshack Titans Toshack: 0 wins-4 loses for 0 points.

Danny Wilkinson, League Secretary

please respect the planet

Recycle this paper

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13 July 2015

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lifestyle

New inductees celebrated at Recreation Hall of Fame ceremony Three community members and one team were inducted into the Recreation Hall of Fame on June 21 at the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre, bringing out one of the biggest turnouts since the event began, according to organizers.

The event began with the master of ceremonies, Terry Shea, reading a list of all the inductees from the last three decades followed by introducing this afternoon’s guest speaker Dave Schreiber.

Shreiber, a member of the Smiths Falls Hall of Fame, said in his 50 years of broadcasting, the Smtihs Falls Hall of Fame was the first to honour him. He began at CJET and moved on to opportunities doing sports commentary.

The first inductees were Brooke and Brittany Henderson, who were added to the Wall of Fame. The sisters were away playing in a tournament after playing in their Pro Am earlier that

week at the Smiths Falls Golf and Country Club.

Inductee Amy Callan is the owner and coach at the Smiths Falls Gymnastic Club. What began 20 years ago with 16 students has blossomed into a fully equipped gym club with more than 300 boys and girls four nights a week and Saturdays.

Amy said it’s been a privilege to be involved in the community. She said this ceremony was fitting to be held on Father’s Day because “20 years ago my Dad said to me, why don’t you open a gym club?”

Mike Fair’s award was presented to his daughters, wife, and brother posthumously. Fair was involved on many committees and boards and received “Business Person of the Year”. He was particularly proud of his Bobby Orr golf tournament that he ran annually since 1989.

This event alone raised more than $400,000 for juvenile diabetes.

His daughter, Kristine, said a few words

Left: Mike Fair’s daughters, Kristine and Wendy Right: Amy Callan with her award and picture that will be displayed in the Hall of Fame

on behalf of her father and her family, saying her dad would have thought all this attention wasn’t necessary.

Former Smiths Falls mayor Dennis Staples has been involved in all sorts of sports, playing, organizing, and coaching.

In 1988 he was named “Citizen of the Year”.

Just as recent as this past week, Staples was one of

the organizers of the Pro Am Golf Tournament with Brooke and Brittany Henderson. He accredited a lot of his accomplishments on being one member of a team. He thanked his wife Jackie, their children, and their families. He also made mention of the event falling on Father’s Day, adding his father was a natural athlete and gave

him the gift of music.

The 19911992 Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute Reds Girls Basketball Team were inducted for winning many championships and gold medals.

They travelled to Tucson Arizona and placed second in that tournament. The team (Jenni-Lee Drummond, Leslie Maidment, Lori

Kendrick, Christina Williams, Kathy James, Angie O’Brien, Julie Taber, Glenda Chu, Julie Goedhuis, Alison Graham and Sylvia Graham) along with their coach Betty Mulville accepted the induction. Mulville spoke and said “it takes a village to raise a child but it takes a town to raise a championship team”.

Hendersons return for charity tournament

Brooke Henderson & Neil Doef, along with fellow SFDCI students, smile for the cameras. Neil, who suffered a serious spinal cord injury earlier in November, was able to walk from his golf cart to stand with his classmates in celebration of Brooke’s graduation from SFDCI. Brooke Henderson, the teenage golf sensation, and her sister Brittany, a Symetra Tour pro, came back to their home town of Smiths Falls on June 15th, for a charity Pro-Am and a Canadian Women’s Tour event that followed. Proceeds from the pro-am are going to two causes — Lanark County Support Services and Doefstrong. Shown here is Team Henderson presenting a cheque for $5000.00 to the Lanark County Support Services.

JULY 2015 Vol. 2 No. 7

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YOUR LOCAL, INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER - SMITHS FALLS

July 2015

culture Local artist donates painting to Mayor’s office; creates ‘living paintings’

BY AMY HOGUE The Mayor’s office at town hall will look a little brighter with the recent addition of a donated painting by local artist, Angie Stoddard. The painting, Champagne Bubbles, will be hung in a prominent location, on a wall to the left of the mayor’s desk and serve as inspiration for the current, and future mayors.

“I’m so excited to be giving [Mayor Shawn Pankow] this,” Stoddard said. “This is a big thing to be mayor” Pankow, who received the painting form Stoddard, said he was delighted to have the work of art on display in his office.

“It would be nice to have a place at town hall where we could have more local art,” Pankow added, suggesting that maybe the front windows in town hall would be a good location for a showcase of local talent.

Stoddard, who recently participated in the Art Journey in Smiths Falls event, agreed with Pankow, saying she’d like to see more local artists participating in that event, and that she is already planning

for next year’s Art Journey.

“I’m already creating in my mind. I already have ideas,” Stoddard said.

Stoddard, who’s been painting for more than 15 years, said she began painting on the walls while living in Lanark Village, before beginning painting on tiles. After her children moved out to live on their own, Stoddard said she moved back to Smiths Falls to be close to family. Disappointed at leaving her works of art behind in Lanark, she turned to painting on canvas.

Stoddard explained that her artwork has evolved over the years, and she enjoys paintings with a slightly different twist to them.

Currently, she’s begun creating paintings she likes to call ‘living paintings,’ a painting beneath a painting.

Stoddard said she came across the technique while working on a painting with ships in it that she ended up painting over with another work of art. After completing the new painting she found that when the light shone behind the painting she could see the artwork beneath it, adding

a unique and interesting element to the creation.

“It just about blew my mind,” Stoddard said, “It’s a beautiful picture on its own, but then the light hits it and ‘wow.’ ” In addition to painting, Stoddard is also a musician and plays in a band with her husband, Jeff Stoddard. Their band, Blue Thunder, began singing at a small café on Snow Road, in Lanark Highlands, but now plays at a variety of venues, including Rideau Carleton Raceway, the Civitan Club and local fairs.

Recently, Blue Thunder performed at Relay for Life in Smiths Falls, on June 13.

Not content to be restricting herself to music and painting, Stoddard also recently wrote a picture book, called Father Goose. Stoddard says that delving into such a wide variety of art forms is nothing new to her.

“These are all just different ways of creating, it’s just a different outlet.”

Stoddard and her daughter, Jennifer Stoddard, along with Luiza Constantinescu also create a form of collaborative art called 3Directions. The concept

Local artist, Angie Stoddard, recently presented Mayor Shawn Pankow with one of her original paintings, called Champagne Bubbles, to hang in the mayor’s office at town hall.

behind 3Directions is that each artist creates their own painting and then allows another member of 3Directions to add their own creativity to the canvas.

“We all have our techniques and we add to each other’s painting,” Stoddard said, adding that “you really have to trust each other.”

3Direction artwork can be found across Canada in places like Edmonton, Fort St. John’s, and through Facebook.

Creating and then showing your paintings can be difficult, Stoddard said, but she says she’s had nothing but good feedback from the community.

Stoddard said she’d like to continue to delve into the living paintings she’s been creating, and allowing the creativity take her in different directions, often nowhere near what she had been planning when she started creating.

“You start doing the painting it’s not something that you plan and you do it, it comes out of you, it’s like the birth of a child,” Stoddard said.

Stoddard’s paintings can be found at The Vineyard, Harmony Gallery, and also online, at www.fineartamerica.com. Her paintings can be purchased as prints or on unique items like duvet covers, pillow covers, tote bags, greeting cards etc.

Chris Angel: A guy, a guitar, and a script

BY ALLISON GRAHAM Entertainer, Chris Angel, began his professional training at the age of eight, when his parents “threw him” into piano lessons.

In grade nine, he added drumming to the mix and joined the school band.

“It seemed like a cool thing to do and I loved it,” he explains.

When deciding on postsecondary education, he factored those thoughts into his decision, “I wanted to study something for which I had an aptitude and that I also loved.”

Chris chose the University of Windsor, and graduated with a Bachelor of Musical Arts, with a minor in psychology.

“I was always interested

in the ways that music and psychology overlapped. I was also curious about the developing idea that music can support learning in other disciplines.”

After graduation, Chris started singing at ‘open mic’ nights in Irish pubs, where there was a strong Celtic and Folk influence.

“I fell in love with that

type of music and absorbed that culture. It was what I was driven to do.” He saved some money and released an independent album covering the lyrics of well known celtic-folk songs, creating his own unique musical arrangements.

At this point in his career, along with promoting his music, he was

gigging 20-25 times a month. He eventually got to the point of exhaustion. “I felt completely burned out,” he tells me.

In 2006 Chris and his wife, Kristy, decided to move back to the area and settled in Smiths Falls. A couple of years later, Chris experienced one of those ‘A-Ha’ moments, when a friend from Los Angeles, who was developing a web series, asked him to write a theme song for the project.

“It was equivalent to a flood gate opening, in terms of writing my own material.”

Chris’s next two albums focused solely on original material. “I realized that it’s fun to write. It’s fun to find something that I didn’t know I had in me.”

What makes a good song?

“There’s always that one little moment that makes me love a song; it could be a riff, a complex time signature, lyrics are important, but mostly it’s about passion. Every time you sing a song, it’s a performance.

You are living that story.”

As well as his musical achievements, Chris is also an accomplished actor.

This coming August will mark his 10th theater performance with director, David Jacklin, at the Full Circle Theater in Perth. The play is The Merchant Of Venice and Chris plays Bassanio.

“It’s so much fun playing a villain. With Shakespeare, you have to find the meter,” he mentions. “The language is layered, there are so many hidden meanings and you have to push the mean-

ing through the words. It’s not about what you say, it’s about how you say it.”

Chris also works with the Perth Community Choir, having performed in, Sweeney Todd, Anything Goes, Secret Garden and Oliver. His next project with them is Pirates of Penzance, which will open this fall. What’s the difference between singing and acting? “Singing is more solo and all control rests with me. I like having everything in my hands. With acting, I’m working with people and we’re bouncing ideas off each other and ultimately, I get to have fun with my friends.”

For more information, please visit, www.chrisangelmusic.com

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culture

July 2015

YOUR LOCAL, INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER - SMITHS FALLS

From the Basketball Court to a Broadway Classic for Festival Actor One of the first times actor Chris Zonneville ran into Rachel Fischer, his co-star in the Classic Theatre Festival production of Neil Simon’s comedy “Barefoot in the Park” (running July 10 to August 2 at 54 Beckwith Street East in Perth), she knocked out one of his teeth.

The two first met while performing in a series of Disney Cruise Lines musicals, as part of “Toy Story: The Musical” casts. The cruises would launch from Cape Canaveral and end up on Disney’s private island in the Bahamas (where the movie “Blow” was filmed).

On a second tour, they saw each other for the first time in eight months and, in a manner common to the theatrical tradition, went for a friendly hug.

“But as we went to hug each other, a guy walking nearby accidentally bumped her from behind, so she butted me in the face and broke out my fake tooth. It was funny, and also a bit awkward, but we were chipper about it and went on,” Zonneville laughs. Little did he know then that the two would

work on a show as a battling young married couple years later in Perth, in the roles of stuffed shirt lawyer Paul and his free-spirited newlywed wife Corie.

Then again, accidents can have a funny way of determining one’s destiny.

Zonneville’s path to a life on the stage began when an accident kicked him off the elementary school basketball team. So when his mother needed boys for the chorus of the musical “Bye Bye Birdie,” he suddenly had some free time and gave it a shot. Like many a youthful performer, he was immediately struck by the unique experience.

“I finally found a voice that empathized with me when I got into theatre, and I love telling stories, which is the basis for theatre,” says Zonneville. “I was very young at the time, and it just seemed very real and natural and I was good at it,” he says, noting that growing up in a sports-crazy town (Sarnia), his future as a theatre student was a bit different from the career paths of many of his hockey-loving peers.

He was accepted at one

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10:30am-4:30pm

Canada Day Scavenger Hunt and Trivia at Heritage House Museum

11:45am

Registration for Bicycle & Wagon Decorating at Lower Reach Park

12:30pm

Judging of Bicycle and Wagon Decorating contest at Lower Reach Park

1:00pm

Opening Ceremonies, Smiths Falls Lions Food Booth, Beer & Snacks by Smiths Falls Kinsmen Club, Face Painting for children, Inflatable Games, Vendors & more

1:15-6:15pm

Live Entertainment

1:15-5:00pm

Children`s Games - Pillowcase races, egg on a spoon, scavenger hunt

10:00pm

and it can be very broad, but the goal of the remount was to find the intimacy and honesty in this huge musical. I remember the first time we ran the barricade sequence with 8 or 10 other guys, and you find these real relationships in rehearsal. We asked, ‘What would you do if you looked at your best friend and you were about to die?’ which happens in that scene. To build and find those moments was a real focus.”

That production was also important personally for Zonneville, who met his partner Mallory Reeves during the production.

(When he leaves Perth the

Fireworks at Lower Reach Park

Lower Reach Park Smiths Falls

town in August, he will be living in Perth County, Stratford, where Reeves is working as a wigmaker at the Stratford Festival.)

Zonneville’s life continues to take serendipitous paths. As someone interested in becoming a beer sommelier, a few weeks before he came to town he ran into a man in Toronto with a car full of Perth Brewing product. “Here I am in this city of millions of people and I meet this guy from Perth.

I didn’t get his last name, it was just Bruce from Perth, and he was the nicest guy.

I like that feel in a community, and look forward to spending more time with it.”

Zonneville is enjoying rehearsals for “Barefoot in the Park,” given “it’s such a universal play. Things haven’t changed a lot in the last 50 years in many ways when it comes to relationships.

Audiences will totally relate to the arguments that Corie and Paul have and the tender beginning of married life.”

Tickets to the Classic Theatre Festival are available online at classictheatre.ca or 1-877-283-1283.

Matthew Behrens Associate Producer Classic Theatre Festival

‘A summer day’ at Redeemer Dance Academy’s first show

JULY

Canada Day ACTIVITIES

of the top theatre schools in North America, Sheridan College, where he enjoyed the triple threat program (singing, dancing, acting) a few years behind Fischer. “It’s a remarkable program, and you get back what you put into it, with a great staff who put in the time to make sure you get the training you want.

His first professional gig out of school was performing “The Mikado” at Southern Ontario’s Drayton Theatre, and he has since performed across the country in a variety of roles, including a recent Thousand Islands Playhouse production of “Anne & Gilbert,” as well as a remount of “Les Miserables” at the Princess of Wales Theatre in 2013. He says that musical was huge but very intimate at the same time.

“I will never forget our first public preview, and we sing this huge Act 1 finale song and 2,000 people who gave up just about anything to get a ticket to this show just erupted in applause,” he recalls. “It was a sound and a feeling that is impossible to describe.

“The emotion was huge

Redeemer Dance Academy presented their first annual school performance at The station Theatre on Sat, June 20th. The performance was inspired from the theme of a summer day and the students did a great job presenting their dances with grace and beautiful expression. The show also included a strong group of guest dancers from the Arise School of Dance, which complimented the overall impression. The audience was left with many smiles, laughter and some even moved to tears. Chelsea Gardiner, the school director, was very proud of her students.

JULY 2015 Vol. 2 No. 7

YOUR LOCAL, INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER - SMITHS FALLS

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culture

July 2015

Spring Fling Running Thing raises $7K for Smiths Falls Hospital Foundation

Members of the Spring Fling Running Thing organizing committee, were proud to hand over a cheque for $7,000 to the Smiths Falls Hospital Foundation last week. The event has raised more than $31,000 for the foundation since it’s inception. This year organizers were delighted with the turn out of 366 participants who helped raise $7,000 this year for the foundation. Shown here from left: Jenny Salter, SFRT volunteer committee member, Lise Smith, executive director of the Smiths Falls Hospital Foundation, and volunteer committee members Phillipa Thompson, Jennifer McDonald and Pat Graveline with the event mascot the Running Thing kneeling in the foreground.

Seven students become their own bosses for the summer

This year 7 local students have been selected for the 2015 Summer Company Program in the Lanark County/ Smiths Falls area. Summer Company provides an opportunity for students to be their own boss and to start/ run a business for the summer. The successful students for 2015 from this area are: Bailey Wood started First Aid Guru, which provides services providing First Aid courses to the general public in the comfort of their home.

Bailey will be running children’s ‘basic’ first aid courses, emergency first aid courses, standard first aid courses and CPR level C courses. The First Aid Guru, will also be selling first aid kits to Carleton Place’s local business’ that would be equipped to meet WSIB regulations.

Contact the First Aid Guru at: 613-435-3344 or by email: info@firstaidguru.ca Website: www.firstaidguru.ca Andrew Lorimer, who founded Lorimer Lawn Care & Garden Restoration, will be offering its services

to the residents of Rideau Lakes this summer. Andrew can be contacted to keep your lawn and garden in top notch shape this summer! Contact Lorimer Lawn Care & Garden Restoration at: 613-285-6633 or by email: lorimerslawncare@gmail.com Mackenzie Fournier Photography will offer family, couple, modeling, and group and event (anniversary parties, reunions, etc.) photoshoots.

Mackenzie will be serving the Smiths Falls & Perth area. Have your memories frozen in time and contact Mackenzie Fournier Photography at: 613-390-0019 or by email: Mackenzie.fournier@hotmail.com Facebook: mackenziefournierphotography Kristian Belot - “The Rideau Rental Company” Rideau Rental Company will provide a rental service based out of Merrickville, ON offering tents for special events. Contact Kristian at the Rideau Rental Company at: Phone: (613) 983-2337

Website: www.RideauRentalCompany.com Email: info@ RideauRentalCompany.com Emelia Buffam’s Custom Sweet is a home based cake business stationed in Balderson, ON. Custom Sweet will be making beautifully designed custom cakes and cupcakes for any occasion. Contact Emelia at: 613-326-1821 or by email: emelia.bowie@gmail.com Danny Albert started Easy VHS to offer a service that converts home VCR movies to DVD to preserve your memories digitally. Easy VHS is based out of Almonte, ON. Contact Danny at: 613-620-2059 or by email: evhs@bell.net Aaron Rudyk started “RudykTech” , a source of technology related help, whether it is technology tutoring, installing a new digital device, device connectivity, device backup or using social media and digital devices to support a business. RudykTech is based out of Almonte, ON. Contact Aaron at: 613-816-6816 or by email: aaron.rudyk@gmail.com The Summer Company Program is an initiative of the Ontario Government and is in place to motivate and educate young people to possibly choose entrepreneurship as a viable career, equip them with the tools necessary to succeed and

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Perth Kilt Run

An estimated 2600 people participated in this year’s Perth Kilt Run. People from far and wide gathered to participate in what could be called the greatest marathon race North of Boston.

JULY 2015 Vol. 2 No. 7

YOUR LOCAL, INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER - SMITHS FALLS

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

17 July 2015

food & drink

Column: Good health is just on the ‘edge’

I recently read a book that changed me. Truly. If you are making any changes in your life (your health for instance), I would highly recommend “The Slight Edge” by Jeff Olson.

I’ll give you a little review so that you can decide. In the context of using his principles to better your health,

he talks about doing things that are easy to do, but just as easy not to do. Is it easy to go for a 30 minute walk after dinner? Of course it is, but it’s just as easy not to. Is it easy to start your day with a glass of lemon water? Absolutely! It’s also easy not to. How about ordering a salad in a restaurant? Easy to

do and easy not to do.

Think about it for a second. If we knew that ordering (and eating) that drive-thru cheeseburger would give us a heart attack on the spot, we wouldn’t dream of eating it, but because the effects are cumulative, adding up over a number of years, we forget that the small decisions that we are

“June on the farm.” The phrase brings to mind many thoughts; young calves shadowing their mothers in lush, green pastures, not yet burdened by the scorching heat and dryness of July, tidy vegetable rows, not quite yet filled in by the quickly growing plants, roadside signs popping up here and there, announcing the long awaited news, “Farm Stand Now Open!,” the heady aroma of freshly cut hay as the sun goes down and the dew forms, only magnifying the intoxicating perfume, and Farmers Market stalls becoming fuller and more colourful each week, the wild leeks, fiddleheads, and asparagus of May are crowded out by mounds of

tender lettuces, rhubarb, the first cut flowers of the season, and of course – the star of the show this month, strawberries.

Yes, June is a beautiful month on the farm.

Most of the planting is behind us. Harvesting of commodities, like grains, soybeans, and corn, is still weeks away.

It would be a perfect month to sit back and reflect on what we’ve accomplished thus far if it weren’t so very busy.

There is planting machinery to repair, harvesting equipment to prepare, weeds to attend to, hay to bring in, and livestock to take care of.

It’s no mistake that the longest days of the year are available to us this month. You can be sure

that we will make use of every daylight minute.

Before we know it, it’s July. The children are finished school, already complaining of being bored. (Yes, even on the farm!) Those little calves are not so little anymore.

The corn is growing so quickly it seems like you could see the change if you only stopped to watch for a few moments. Parks, cottages and backyards come alive with family and friends gathering together for festivities, fun times, and FOOD. What would all of these summer get-togethers be without food?

So, bring on the barbeques, the potlucks, and the dinner parties! There is no better time of year to get excited about what

making are having an impact. In effect, they are our lives. Small decisions, made over and over again add up to a lifetime. Time can be your friend if you’re making the right decisions for your health.

The myth of our society is to believe in that one big break.

That one big thing that will change everything.

Guess what? There is no big thing. By the time people start noticing the changes in you (you’ve lost 25 lbs, your skin is glowing, etc) the hardest part is over. You’ve been doing small things that no one noticed that put you on the path to success.

This is my philosophy about nutrition in a nutshell. Nutrition is slow. It’s small changes over time that

become habits. These habits create your life. It’s not bells and whistles and fancy diets and potions. It’s subtle. The kind of stuff that nobody notices. But you will.

You don’t have to do extraordinary things.

You just have to do something. You have to do it over and over again – keep making the choices that will get you closer to your goal. If you want to become better in any area of your life, in fact, if you want to become twice as good as you are today, you would only have to improve today by 3/10.

Insignificant. Yet if you did that every day, for a year, you would see a 100% improvement! That’s CRAZY. So strap on your runners, grab your bi-

Column: On the farm you’re eating.

Home gardeners and farmers alike are anxiously awaiting the reward for their labour, and what a reward it promises to be.

There will be new baby potatoes, juicy field tomatoes, garlic, beans, cucumbers, zucchini, and sweet corn, to name just a few. It’s an almost endless bounty and it’s bound to leave you wishing you could enjoy that ‘fresh-from-the-garden’ flavour all year round.

You can, and it’s really not that difficult. But we can talk about that later. For now, make sure to take advantage of the abundance that surrounds us, and savour the flavours of summer!

Shannon Miller Miller’s Bay Farm

cycle, do some yoga, eat some veggies, drink some water, do all of those little things that are easy to do and they will make a difference. I promise.

You don’t have to be 100% all of the time.

Look for good – better – and best and try to move farther along the scale as you go along.

Ask yourself; If I keep doing what I’m doing now… how healthy will I be in a year? What about 5 years? 10? If you don’t like the answer, you know what you have to do.

Vickie Dickson is a Holistic Nutritionist Nutrition you can Live With Find her online at www.vickiedickson. com

JULY 2015

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explore spotlight on business:

BY HANNA LANGE-CHENIER Fifty years in any business is a great achievement, and for a business to remain a landmark on the same street all those years is an impressive feat. That’s what W.J. Wood Brokers in Smiths Falls has done since it was established at 14 Beckwith Street in 1965.

Robbie Wood, the company’s vice president, says since it opened the business has only moved once – two doors up the street.

“When my dad purchased the business, it was located at 14 Beckwith North. And he was there from February 1965 through until December 1980. He built this current building at 10 Beckwith North, so we’re two doors down the street,” Wood says.

The new building, which remains the company’s current location, was an upgrade from one storey to two, essential to allow the company some growing room in the years to come.

In 50 years, company has made a name for

itself as a local, trusted source for insurance information. The insurance broker gives valuable advice to clients on car, home, travel and business insurance, compares prices to find the best value, and offers personal advice and service Wood says you wouldn’t find at a big business.

“If something goes wrong, my neck is behind this desk,” says Wood. “We know the area better than someone could ever possibly try to do from Toronto or a call centre based in some other province.

We can often jump in the car, go see the property, take pictures, explain local things to the insurance company, and in most cases, we’re able to get things resolved.”

The company’s long history on Beckwith street is perhaps a good metaphor for the company’s values – trust, reliability, and a focus on family.

This trust and good advice is built right in to the business model. “We’re really here to act as an independent advisor to

someone looking for insurance. We don’t charge fees for doing that. We get a portion from the policy if we sell it, but we’re not here to [charge for our advice]. That’s not how it works,” says Wood.

Keeping local ties is an important aspect of the business. “We’ve got some of the largest insurance companies here in Canada represented right here in this little office.

So there’s really no need for anyone to go outside Smiths Falls to purchase insurance,” he says.

Also integral to the business is the focus on family. “My dad purchased the business 50 years ago, and spent all his life writing insurance policies day after day, never taking any holidays. And now at age 73, he’s finally tak-

ing some time off to enjoy himself,” Wood says.

But Robbie says his dad still comes in a couple of times every day, his mother still works two days a week, and his wife and sister-in-law also work every day.

“It’s very much a family operation,” he says.

Also a regular at the office is Chamois, Robbie and wife Cathy’s 10-year old yellow lab. When the couple first got the dog in 2004, “we left her home one day, and she tore up some stuff. We decided it was probably better off to bring her to work,” he says. That trial run stuck, and Chamois is a regular at the office two days a week. “She seems to really enjoy being here, especially when kids drop in with their parents, she’s over-

joyed. She comes and sits looking out the window,” Robbie says. “The neat thing is, she seems to have some sense of when the office is open and when it’s not. [When] people walk by on the street and dogs walk by on the street during business hours, she never barks. If she’s here after 5 and a dog walks by, she barks at them.”

“Don’t tell me how that works, I have no idea. But it’s pretty neat.”

Despite its family roots, Wood says the business’ staff are key to its success. It’s impossible to build a business without the help of employees who are dedicated to their work, he says.

“Most of our people have professional designations in insurance that’s over and

above the minimum required,” he says. “And it’s all so that we can give better service.”

As the company looks ahead, space is the main concern on Wood’s mind. Every square inch of the Beckwith street office is occupied, and “we’re at the stage where we need to do something more again,” says Wood.

“I’m not really sure what we’re going to do, it’s an ongoing project. Having been on Beckwith street all these years, I’d like to be here still. But we’ll have to see what comes available, and what we can afford,” he says.

And on its 50-year anniversary, Wood says that “it’s something that we’re very thankful for, that we’ve been able to keep in business all this length of time. There’s certainly been challenges and ups and downs over the years, and we’re glad to be here today.”

“For the customers, hopefully it means that there’s stability. That they can trust what we’ve done, and be reliable and be there for them when they need us.”

Festival of Small Halls brings big names to small spaces Wednesday, June 17 - Imagine hearing quality, renowned music in small community gathering places frequented hundreds of times for celebrations, weddings, euchre nights, stag and does, and fundraisers. Music drifts out into the cool evening and applause swells from familiar hands. All witness to a celebration of big music in treasured rural spaces across the region.

That’s the reality of The Festival of Small Halls—welcoming big name musical acts to rural Ontario, while showcasing some great local talent, so music fans can revel in an evening of special music at the community gathering places that residents hold near and dear.

From September 12 to 27, The Festival of Small Halls will get toes tapping in villages throughout Eastern Ontario.

From Delta to Westmeath, the Team Behind Bluesfest in Ottawa will present

the Small Halls concert tour, which will encompass more than a dozen community halls.

Kelly Symes, festival co-ordinator, said that Small Halls is a way to enliven those authentic spaces and build community, while also providing rural music fans with the pleasure of experiencing big names in music. “The Festival of Small Halls is a celebration of exceptional live Canadian music in intimate settings,” says Symes. “The festival is partnering with participating communities to deliver incredibly memorable musical evenings—it’s all about sharing a love of music in a beloved place.”

Thursday, Sept. 12: Seeley’s Bay Community Hall - Corb Lund Friday, Sept. 18: Chaffey’s Lock Community Hall - Gordie MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys

Saturday, Sept. 19: Pembroke Festival Hall – Corb Lund and McDonald’s Corners Agricultural Hall - Gordie MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys Sunday, Sept. 20: Maberly Community Hall – The East Pointers Thursday, Sept. 24: Almonte Old Town Hall – The Strumbellas and St. Luke’s Anglican Church Hall in Lyndhurst – Fortunate Ones Friday, Sept. 25: Union Hall in Clayton – Fortunate Ones and Delta Old Town Hall – The Strumbellas

Saturday, Sept. 26: Westmeath Community Hall - Beòlach Sunday, Sept. 27: Althorpe Bolingbroke Community Hall - Beòlach and Morton Community Hall – Good Lovelies and The Spencerville Mill – Good Lovelies Tickets will be available online for individual events starting on Friday, June 19. For more information, please visit www.thefestivalofsmallhalls.com or follow on social media.

JULY 2015

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www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

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column: Building your key marketing messages

Too many small business owners spend time telling you how great they are without taking time to focus on the customer’s needs.

Smart marketing delivers the right message to the right audience — a message that solves a customer’s problem.

The customer always wants to know what is in it for them, how you can help them and solve their pains. Your marketing messages are the key messages that you want to convey across all your marketing platforms, from newspaper ads, to website, to social media accounts.

You have to intimately understand your current and potential customers.

Start by defining your audience.

Distinguish individual character profiles by age, gender, interests, and profession.

Write down the details and find images that represent your target audience, this is your avatar

column: Every summer, Canadians pack up the kids, pets, suitcases, and everything but the kitchen sink to head off to the cottage or on a road trip. Inevitably at the end of the classic two week vacation, we return home to unpack, do the laundry and add up the bills from our vacation and get ready to go back to work.

The last vacation we took with the kids, we treated my husband to the Oshkosh Air Venture. Aviation buffs will know what it is, for the rest, imagine thousands of people camping under their airplanes in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in July, at the largest air show in north America.

Sounds like fun, right?

It’s a 16-hour plus road trip and as I found out, Wisconsin in July is hot, really hot with thunderstorms galore. We were

or avatars. Based on your defined target audience, what are the key problems or concerns you can address or solve? Expand on and define those pain points for each character and write it under each profile. Below that, write down three key marketing messages you want to communicate to that audience.

What is messaging? How are key messages developed?

Messaging is a term to describe how you talk about who you are and why you exist as a business or organization.

It communicates key points you consistently make when you reach out to your audience. And it always ties back to your brand. They should also be developed for different audiences. You may want to consider crafting a set of short, standard phrases or paragraphs to describe your business, programs, products and/or services. Then, as

you need to reach out to specific audiences, implement new marketing campaigns, you’ll have standard language ready to tailor to your purpose.

A well-crafted message will highlight your unique benefits, target your audience, support your mission and often include a call to action.

What you want people to know about your business or organization, your services or products? What do you want people to do? How do you want them to feel about your business?

Develop a few core messages that makes the connection between

what you do and how it relates to your audience. Be consistent with delivery. Each message you deliver should reflect your brand, who you are. Highlight what is relevant to the issue and your audience, but be sure to include a consistent statement about your business or organization. This makes your messaging memorable and helps position you in the market and in the minds of your audience.

Make sure there is not a disconnect from traditional marketing to your social media marketing side. They must reinforce each other. If someone

reads your website, then your brochure, then your Facebook page and then talks to a staff member, all those points of information will be consistent and delivered in a similar tone.

Take a look at your marketing messages.

Are you focused on your customer’s needs or are you touting your wares? Your marketing message should be used in all your external communications. It starts with knowing the wants, fears, problems, and needs of your target market and ends by crafting a message that speaks to those problems

in a compelling and believable way. The result is an irresistible message that makes your prospect want to know more.

Remember, a good marketing strategy plan starts with defining your marketing key messages. Long before you start choosing how you want to market your small business, you have to decide what it is you want to say. It’s critical to focus on something from the start and be consistent.

Sherry Crummy Follow my blog at www. crummymedia.com to find more about marketing planning for your business.

Should I stay or should I go? Starter Company in a tent with two teenage girls, with 2 thunderstorms daily, and the heat was oppressive. How many ways can you describe misery? I had alot after that experience and decided that maybe the time of the traditional family vacation was long gone.

This year my husband and I have decided to take a staycation. You know, that “let’s stay home, save money, enjoy the region” type of vacation. Let me say, this is not the first time we have tried this.

We did the same last yearit failed miserably. But we are determined, or as some would say stubborn, and we are out to prove that we can decompress and let go while vacationing at home.

Last year when we tried our staycation we spent it doing everything but relaxing. We thought we’d enjoy leisurely mornings in bed, biking, day trips to the features Lanark county and surrounding areas have to offer and getting to know the region. It would be two weeks of shutting down-no stress, staying longer in our PJs, no having to be somewhere by a specified time or packing suitcases like the tradition vacation. In my case, I am

the one who will inevitably lose something while on vacation or gets ill.

Vacations never end well.

None of that happened.

It was more like one of those weekends where the chores never end. Like never, never end. The gardening; the painting; and the project list which seemed to have multiplied by 1,000 projects. There was no break. When our staycation was over we wanted to go back to work to have a break from it!

This, we realized, was where we had failed. In our eagerness to embrace the concept of a staycation, we didn’t stop to consider what it was about. Yes, staying home and saving money are elements, but it is more than that.

A staycation is about connection, and connecting with yourself by setting your priorities for how you want to relax. You decide how much of each day is just dedicated to relaxation and how you want to do it. It is about connecting with your family by spending quality time together-maybe by shutting down the technology for a specified period of time and taking in activities that you can do together.

In this day and age, the ability to have meaningful communication, as in, real dialogue is being diminished by gadgets everyone walks around with.

A staycation is about putting the tasks aside.

If they’re important to you, choose the time you want to dedicate to them instead of the tasks consuming you. The chores can wait, can’t they?

A staycation allows you to explore your neighbourhood, your community, or your region. Each time I travel in Lanark County I find something new in the many wonderful communities. From nature to museum, services and festivals there is so much within an hour drive. Pack a picnic lunch, pack up the family and explore.

A staycation is about realizing that a vacation in your home enables you to decide how much or how little relaxation you want and need. If it means lounging in your PJs on the patio until 10 am, kudos to you. It means that going elsewhere is not always necessary for a vacation, especially when there is so much to offer at home.

Darlene McLachlan

a great company starts with

mentoring, money and you.

Start a company, launch your future.

If you’ve got a great idea for a business - and the entrepreneurial drive to see it through Starter Company is here to help you start your company.

Up to $5,000 in funding , plus the invaluable guidance of a business mentor.

Starter Company is an Ontario program that provides young people with the resources and knowledge they need to start and grow their own business As a Starter Company entrepreneur, you get: . Funding of up to $5000 . One-on-one guidance from the Small Business Enterprise Centre Advisor . Mentoring with a local successful Entrepreneur . Access to business workshops on topics ranging from writing a business plan and budgeting, to executing a marketing campaign Could you be a Starter Company Entrepreneur?

You can apply to the Starter Company program if you’re an Ontario resident aged 18 - 29 and not attending school full time. To qualify for funding of up to $5,000, you need to be able to contribute least 25% (in cash or in kind) of the grant amount.

91 Cornelia Street West, Smiths Falls, Ontario K7A 5L3

(613) 283-7002 ext 108/109 cjames@smallbizcentre.ca smallbusiness@smallbizcentre.ca

www.smallbizcentre.ca

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