Discover Smiths Falls Hometown News November 2015

Vol. 2 No. 10

YOUR LOCAL, INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER - SMITHS FALLS & PERTH

NOVEMBER 2015

A spectacular fall display Spectacular images of Perth’s Stewart Park provides a stunning fall backdrop for the community, and explains why Stewart Park is such a popular choice for weddings. Such impressive fall colours, are like a flaming torche lighting the way to winter.

Photo Credit: Terrance O’Hearn

Town receives bio-fuel renewable energy application for Hershey Drive SMITHS FALLS - AMY HOGUE Property owners and tenants around Hershey Drive recently received Notice of Proposal and First Public Meeting for a renewable energy project at 1 Hershey Drive. C3 Acquisition, Inc. is proposing a renewable energy project at the Hershey Drive location, using generators to convert waste liquid organic matter into energy for the production of 500 KW of green electricity.

The applicant for the proposal, Justin Ferrabee, explained as part of a 20-year

contract with the Feed-inTariff (FIT) program, the project will use waste vegetable or virgin (unused oil) oil to fuel generators which will then generate electricity to be fed into the grid.

Ferrabee said the project will use existing fuel and technology, meaning there will be no fuel creation on site, and that he anticipates there will be the equivalent of roughly one truck every few weeks or more delivering 80,000 litres of oil to four 20,000 litre tanks at the facility.

Bio-fuel (often called biogas or biodiesel) is a re-

newable fuel made from seed oils such as canola, sunflower, soybean or corn, reclaimed vegetable or animal fats. Biodiesel has historically been a traditional fuel substitute for diesel engines and the technology proposed by the project is not new.

Ferrabee says he’s passionate about bio-fuel, and drives a vehicle himself which operates using reclaimed vegetable oil. His plan for the project is to gather oil from the surrounding areas, ideally using waste vegetable oil, but with the potential to use

virgin oil as well.

“We’re trying out a bio-fuel which is a fuel based on vegetable oil, or organic oils, rather than petroleum based oils, and trying to use them in a generator,” Ferrabee said, “We’re early days, but we’d like to provide a back-up generator for industrial locations using the bio-fuel.”

A public meeting for the project has been set for Nov. 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Smiths Falls Curling Club, 13 Old Slys Road.

A second open house is yet to be scheduled in the winter of 2015.

To learn more about the project proposal, public meetings or to request additional information, residents are invited to contact Terri Riley, Project Consultant for bioEnrivonmental Consulting Corp. at tri-

smiths falls

perth

PERTH

After his first year in office, Mayor Shawn Pankow sits down with us to discuss the year and the future.

A group of Perth high school students got a chance to meet a war veteranas part of their school’s Remembrance Day preperations.

The federal election results were barely in, when John Fenik NDP candidate again took up his role as Mayor of Perth.

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ley@bioenviroconsulting. com or 519-205-0096. The project proposal can also be found at the C3 Acquisition Inc. website, www.c3acquisition.com/ under the Services tab.

FIND US ONLINE Facebook/DiscoverPerth Facebook/DiscoverSmithsFalls www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

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NOVEMBER 2015

Page Two

Community Events Smiths Falls

service will be provided for those who need transportation back to the arena after the parade.

NOV. 7

-Santa at the County Fair Mall, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m

-Fall Craft Sale at the Smiths Falls Civitan Club from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring dozens of tabels of crafts.

– The Mini Ministers Puppet Team Fundraiser, 9:00am – 12:00 noon 94 Beckwith St. N. – Baked goods, Leg Smart Leggings, Thirty One Gifts, Scentsy Fragrances, Jamberry Nail Wraps, Pulled Pork Sandwiches –Giant Falls Craft Sale, 10:00am– 3:00pm, Lombardy Agricultural Hall -Candy Cane Bazaar & Luncheon, 11:00am-2:00pm, Trinity United Church Hall, corner of Market St. & Russell St. –Here comes the train, The Ottawa Valley Railway Story, -1:00pm The Station Theatre, 53 Victoria Ave – Tickets $25 & Youth Free (matinee only)

NOV. 7-Jan. 29

34th Annual Art Show & Sale with Christmas Artisan Market, 10:30am – 4:30 daily Heritage House Museum, 11 Old Sly’s Rd. - admission by donation

NOV. 21

-Smiths Falls Santa Clause Parade, 5:00 p.m. Starting at the Youth Arena Parking Lot and finishing at the Kinsmen Pavilion Lower Reach Park. Shuttle

Perth NOV. 7

-Legion Garage Sale from 7:30 a.m. until noon at Perth’s Royal Canadian Legion. Breakfast available until 11 a.m.

-Swirlicious and Friends Shopping Event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Perth Arena. Portion of sales goes to Novice B hockey team tournament.

NOV. 20

-LGBT Lanark County Civitan Club hosts first annual Transgender Vigil at the Bandshell behind Perth Town Hall.

All are welcome to attend.

nov. 24

-Valdy Live in concert at the Full Circle Theatre. Tickets available at Shadowfax

NOV. 27

Perth & District Community Foundation hosts its annual Christmas Gala fro 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Best Western.

Tickets are $110.

NOV. 28

-Festival of Good Cheer at the Crystal Palace startingat 11 a.m. Wagon rides, demonstrations in-store, festive holiday music, and more.

-Midnight Makers Holiday Pop-Up Sale at the Old Shoe Factory, featuring 23 craft and food vendors, free admission, free parking and 30 custom printed canvas tote bags for the first 30 shoppers.

-Yuletide Fair at 25 Gore Street West. A hot lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. $10 for adults, $5 for children five and under.

NOV. 29

-CP Rail Holiday Train at the Wilson Street CPR Tracks at 7:40 p.m. The Build-A-Mountain-Of-Food campaign truck will be there accdepting donations.

-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.

NOV. 28

-Christmas in the Rideau Craft Sale at the Gallipeau Centre from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Crafters still needed for $50 a table.

NOV. 29

-CP Rail Holiday Train at the Victoria Street Tracks at 6:30 p.m. The Build-AMountain-Of-Food campaign truck will be there accdepting donations.

Dec. 22 -Tim Horton’s Free Skate, Youth Arena, 1:00 p.m.

Dec. 24, 25 & 26 -Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day :)

jan. 2, 2015

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

-Perth Farmer’s Market hosts a Christmas Market at the Crystal Palace in perth from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

DEC. 4 -BIA Festival of Lights, Tay Basin 6:00p.m.

DEC. 5 -Annual Perth & District Children’s Santa Claus Parade of Lights at 5 p.m.Parade takes Wilson, Foster, Gore, and finishes at the Queen Elizabeth School on Wilson Street East.

-Nick of Time Christmas Artisan Show at the McMartin House on Gore Street East. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

DEC. 7 -A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens featuring David Bird at 5:30 p.m. All ticket proceeds go to the Lanark County Community Justice Program. Non-perishable food donations collected as well.

DEC. 12 -All Is Calm, All Is Bright event at Crystal Palace from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Family festive fun including horse-drawn wagons, music, and a bonfire.

DEC. 13 -Jingle & Mingle, Perth & District Chamber of Commerce, Crystal Palace 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

DEC. 19 -Sean McCann’s You Know I Love You at the Full Circle Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25 or $30 at the door.

Dec. 24, 25 & 26 -Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day :)

jan. 2, 2015 -Tim Horton’s Holiday Free Skate, Perth and District Community Centre, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

pdg media

Publisher

NEWS Editor

Reporters

photographers

Patricia Krotki pmkrotki@pdgmedia.ca

Amy Hogue amy@pdgmedia.ca

Amy Hogue Kathy Botham Dianne Pinder-Moss

Jason Code Kathy Botham

LAYOUT Editor Cassie Aylward

LETTERS TO THE Editor editorial@pdgmedia.ca

Smiths Falls Local Police Watch Police say the investigation began in May 2015 and resulted in charges of three counts of forger, three counts of utter A 19-year-old man from Rideau Lakes is forged documents, and fraud over $5,000. facing multiple charges after a traffic stop The accused has been released on a promOct. 10. ise to appear in court.

Police say the man was stopped in the OrTRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO DRUG chard Street area where he was found with CHARGES large quantities of cocaine, marijuana, and meth.

Two people are facing drug charges after a He’s facing more than a dozen charges in- traffic stop in Smiths Falls Oct. 24. cluding possession for purpose, trafficking, proceeds of crime, and breach of un- Police say officers stopped a vehicle for a dertaking connected to outstanding drug traffic violation and found a quantity of prescription drugs and cash. A 28-yearcharges. old woman and 29-year-old man from TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO BREACH- Watson’s Corners are facing charges of two counts of Possession of a Controlled ES AND DRUG CHARGE Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking.

Police say a 38-year-old Smiths Falls man is facing drug charges after a traffic stop The woman is also charged with possession of property obtained by crime. on Chambers Street Oct. 10.

TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO SEVERAL DRUG CHARGES

An investigation found the man was in DRINKING DRIVER NABBED AFTER SPEEDING possession of drugs and he was in breach of recognizance of bail. The man is facing A man is facing charges after he was charges and was held for a bail hearing. stopped during routine speed enforceFRAUD INVESTIGATION LEADS TO ment Oct. 24.

CHARGES Police say the accused was stopped for Police have charged a 46-year-old man speeding on Queen Street when he was after a months-long investigation into a found to have been drinking. He’s been charged and released on a promise to aplocal business. pear in court.

Perth Local Police Watch OPP LOOKING FOR BREAK AND ENTER SUSPECT

a man standing near her bed around 6 a.m. Oct. 13. The suspect fled on foot. An investigation found the woman’s property had been stolen.

A Ontario Provincial Police are asking the public’s help in a break and enter investiThe suspect is described as a male, 18 to 25 gation. years old, 5’8” with a thin build and dark Police say an 86-year-old female occupant complexion. He was wearing dark clothof a house on Victoria Street woke to find ing at the time.

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NOVEMBER 2015

community Re-elected MP talks election, Conservative party’s future

By Howaida Sorour-Roberts

Scott Reid says he’s glad to have been re-elected despite a disappointing overall election result on Oct.19.

Reid, re-elected Conservative MP for Lanark -Frontenac, Kingston, tells Hometown News over soup at a local café in Carleton Place he’s a bit puzzled by it all.

“We held onto 96.6

per cent of the votes we had in the last election,” he says. “We had our second best results since the Mulroney era.”

So while the party lost quite a few seats, they held onto most of the votes. In all, Reid believes the results of the last election reflected a number of factors.

“The NDP collapse combined with higher voter turnout benefited the Liberals, and Justin Trudeau was more appealing than Michael Ignatieff, just as Thomas Mulcair was less appealing than Jack Layton,” says Reid.

For a markedly thoughtful man, he’s shy about analyzing the last election or pointing to any failings in the Conservative party’s campaign.

“It hard for me to tease out the reasons why we didn’t win this

election, but I think timing had a hand. Certainly the Mike Duffy trial at the start of the campaign didn’t help.”

He says he believes Liberal leader and newly elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau media appeal had a hand in the results.

“His kind of appeal translates well in today’s media, which is a predominant factor in the decision making of the low involvement voters.”

Overall he says he thinks it will be interesting to see how this new order will handle some of the organizational challenges it faces.

Not least of which will be filling all the vacancies in the Senate, and delivering on the promise of electoral reform.

“I don’t doubt Trudeau’s sincerity, I just question how the Liberals go about in-

troducing electoral reform,” he says. “I’m assuming they’ll hold a referendum on the issue rather than ramming through a single option.”

In the meantime, he says his own party has some work to do. An interim leader will be chosen within days and then the work of choosing a leader will begin and should be completed within the year.

“I’m not running for either of those positions,” he says emphatically.

“I’m a good specialist and I think a leader needs to be a good generalist.”

He doesn’t rule out taking an advisory role within the party if needed or working on the party’s constitution again if required.

In the meantime he’s staying focused on the job at hand - representing his riding, not an easy task from

the opposition bench.

“You choose the issues that transcend party lines but benefit everyone including your riding,” he explains. “The trick is to identify issues that need to be addressed, and if the ruling party fixes it, they will take the credit but that’s when you ask yourself, am I here to serve my constituents or to earn credit?”

For Reid, who is known for consulting his constituents through referendums on important votes, the answer is so obvious he doesn’t bother to voice it.

He will, he says do his best to see infrastructure dollars invested in his riding.

In the meantime he’ll continue working on the projects he had already started including getting defibrillators in all police vehicles and in senior homes. He will continue to serve on the subcom-

mittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, but his role now will be as a member and no longer the chair and that does worry him a little.

“That committee was operated by consensus.

It was non-partisan by choice. Every member on it could speak freely and we all kept the party whips at bay,” he says.

The danger, he says, is that the committee could become partisan given that many of the original members have either not been re-elected or have retired, leaving few of the original members to continue the non-partisan culture.

He’s hopeful that he’ll be able to work with the new order.

“My job is to go out and get as much for my riding as I can.”

Fenik returns as Perth Mayor Police urge caution at school crossings perth - Howaida Sorour-Roberts

He’s barely missed a beat following a disappointing if not unpredictable election bid. The results were barely in, when John Fenik NDP candidate for Lanark, Frontenac, Kingston, again took up his role as Mayor of Perth.

“I’m glad to be back, Fenik says. “It feels good to be in council again.”

Looking back over the election campaign, he says he has no regrets.

“I’m very pleased with the campaign that we ran. We ran a principled campaign without resorting to negativity.”

Overall he’s not too disappointed with the results for many reasons. He says one positive is that Stephen Harper is no longer in power. He says in his riding, which has traditionally been Conservative blue, some cracks are starting to show.

“I think [Liberal leader and Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau’s rise in the polls really influenced how people were going to vote and ultimately people voted strategically,” he says.

“I think it was a de facto referendum on Mr. Harper and people strategically went with the Liberals.”

On the local level there were other forces at work.

“In this riding you’re looking at a riding that traditionally very blue, and

I think it’s a generational thing,” he said. “It’s a very conservative philosophy but I also see that changing.”

The numbers would seem to bear out Fenik’s analysis.

In 2015 MP Scott Reid had a 7,500 vote lead over the Liberal candidate down from a 21,500 vote lead in 2011.

That’s a significant erosion that can’t be completely explained by the change in the riding’s boundaries.

“I think there has to be an alternative choice in every election and I think we offered that alternative and I was pleased with my performance in the debates and with the time and energy I put into it,” says Fenik.

Although he won’t’ rule out running again for the NDP, Fenik isn’t promising that he will either.

“Never say never, but four years is a long time and I don’t know where I ‘ll be at that point,” says the Mayor.

He does however see these next four years as a great opportunity for the NDP to rebuild itself.

“I think nationally we have to take a look at where we’re at, and reconnect with our roots,” he said. “That’s the positive, there’s time now to rebuild and redevelop who we are as a party.”

In the meantime, Fenik says he’s comfortable with this riding’s choice.

“In this riding we have Scott who is a good

Submitted by Cst David Murphy, Community Service Officer of the Smiths Falls Police Service.

friend and became a better friend during this campaign,” says Fenik.

Now it’s time to focus on the municipal file that right in front of him, and this is a busy year and busy time of the year.

“We’re going to be dealing with our budget now and so we’re going to be working hard to bring in a budget that has room for some capital projects,” says Fenik.

At the same time the Town of Perth is celebrating it’s 200th anniversary in 2016, one year ahead of the nation, a milestone the town is committed to celebrating with panache.

There are according to the Mayor, a series of events planned starting in January.

“We’ve been planning this for a couple of years, so we’re just putting the finishing touches on now.”

School crossing guards play an important role in the lives of children. The mandate of the program is to ensure school children cross streets safely as they walk to and from school. These men and women provide an excellent community service and are dedicated individuals who work in heat, cold, rain and snow.

There are five school crossing guards at designated locations throughout the Town of Smiths Falls for the safety of children. These locations are Brockville Street at Ross Street, Brockville Street at Oak Street, Elmsley Street at Russell Street, Queen Street at Anderson Street and Chambers Street at McGill Street.

It has come to the attention of the Town of Smiths Falls and Smiths Falls Police Service that Crossing Guards are having some safety issues with traffic and pedestrians while conducting their duties The Crossing Guards have advised there are some parents/guardians and some students who are crossing the roadway near the crossing guard

but not at the crossing guard where it is safe to do so. This can not only be dangerous to the children and adults but also to the crossing guard who may move out of their normal crossing area to assist these people but it is also creating a bad example to the children and to motorists who see this.

It has also been reported some motorists are not stopping for the crossing guard choosing to speed through when the guard is attempting to stop traffic or they are stopping and proceeding prior to the crossing guard completing their duties.

These issues could have a very negative impact on our children and crossing guard.

Vehicles Approaching Guard Displaying Sign Section 176(3) HTA. Where a school crossing guard displays a school crossing stop sign as provided in subsection (2), the driver of any vehicle or street car approaching the school crossing guard shall stop before reaching the crossing and shall remain stopped until all persons, including the school crossing guard, have cleared the roadway.

Offence Section 176(5.1) HTA. Every person who contravenes subsection (3) is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $150 and not more than $500.

NOVEMBER 2015

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community

Ruffling feathers and no settling for the status quo To mark the end of his first full year in office, Hometown News’ Amy Hogue sat down with Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow to discuss the Smiths Falls Police, putting the town on the map, and more.

SMITHS FALLS - AMY HOGUE With one full year in office as mayor under his belt, Mayor Shawn Pankow has been working hard with council to bring much needed change to Smiths Falls, and not always without controversy.

The year 2015 has seen debate arise at council over controversial budget decisions, the closure of Confederation Bridge, and the decision to explore other policing options.

In an interview with Hometown News, Pankow said his first year in office was really a year of laying the much needed groundwork for change, and although he recognizes change can ruffle feathers, it’s council’s responsibility to stay true to their objectives.

“I think it’s been a year of planning and preparation for more significant changes in the next couple of years,” Pankow said. “We were laying the foundations so we can understand where our greatest challenges and greatest opportunities lie.”

Some of those include the completion of the first phase of the Asset Management Plan and the creation of a long term financial plan, which will work in conjunction with the town’s Strategic Plan to identify key priorities for the municipality moving forward.

“The long-term financial plan will allow us to understand what revenue needs there will be in the future, and what changes to operation are needed,” Pankow explained.

The Asset Management Plan is a document needed by council in order to have a full understanding of where funds should be allocated. Pankow called the Asset Management Plan a “guiding document” that will help identify where the municipality needs to invest most.

Pankow pointed to the Foster Avenue reconstruction as a good example of capital work that could have been planned for with an Asset Management Plan.

Foster Avenue needs a new sanitary and storm sewers, as well as an upgraded water main. Although provincial funding was received in part for the project, Pankow said the Asset Management Plan would identify similar issues so council can address them before they become a real problem.

“Putting off capital work only creates a bigger problem in the future,” Pankow said.

Another achievement for this council is the reduction of debt the municipality is carrying by $4 million.

Pankow says this will have major impacts for the municipality going forward.

By reducing municipal debt load, the town not only reduced debt carrying costs by $200,000 which can be used for other priorities, but has also increased the town’s debt carrying capacity.

“We’ve really made strides to improve the financial situation for the town,” Pankow said. “If we’re going to leverage provincial and federal funds in future we need to be able

to have access to funds.”

Staff turnover Going forward, Pankow says he is excited by the opportunities opening up for the municipality. The turnover of several key staff members through retirement or contract completion has given the town an opportunity to bring in new ideas for creative solutions.

In the past year, Chief Administrative Officer Malcolm Morris, Community Services Manager Art Manhire, and Fire Chief Normand Beauchamp have been brought on board with the municipality and have implemented changes Pankow says have had positive impacts on the municipality.

Manhire’s implementation of an online booking system for arena ice time has increased overall bookings at the arena by eight per cent, according to Pankow. Manhire has also provided information to allow council to move forward with replacing windows and repainting at town hall, and replacing a pedestrian bridge at a fraction of the estimated cost.

Morris has brought a wealth of experience to his position, including some new insights on creating positive change, and that currently Beauchamp has ensured fire fighters in Smiths Falls are among the best trained in the province, and are managing in their existing space while reducing equipment costs.

“It’s thinking outside the box,” Pankow said. “People are looking at things

Veterans prepare for Remembrance Day ceremonies

SMITHS FALLS - AMY HOGUE Perth and Smiths Falls will honour both fallen soldiers and local surviving veterans as part of Rememberance Day ceremonies Nov. 11.

In Perth, the Legion Colour Party will gather at 10 a.m. at the Perth Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion at 26 Beckwith Street East to begin their march to the cenotaph at the

Great War Memorial Hospital on Drummond St. The annual Remembrance Day Ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. sharp and the public is invited to attend this event and mark the occasion.

After the service, Legion representatives will lead a march back to Gore Street where the parade will turn left on Herriott to continue to the Perth

Legion where refreshments will be available.

A platoon of the Royal Canadian Regiment from CFB Petawawa will participate in the parade and remain on hand for refreshments after the event.

Dinner at the Legion will begin at 6 p.m. where awards will be distributed.

In Smiths Falls, wreaths will be deposited at the Legion Cenotaph at the Community Center at 9:30 a.m. followed by depositing wreaths at the Library Cenotaph. A parade will start at the Smiths Falls Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion at 10:30 a.m. and end at the memorial at Veterans’ Memorial Park for 11 a.m. After the service, the public is invited to return to the Legion branch where refreshments will be available.

through a different lens.”

The service review is another piece of the puzzle Pankow and council have been working towards in the past year, one that Pankow stressed will identify how the municipality can provide services effectively and cost efficiently. The service review, which is expected to be completed in early to mid-2016, has involved an in-depth look at municipal services to find efficiencies.

“It’s a matter of determining what we should be doing or what we shouldn’t be doing,” Pankow said.

Policing The debate over policing models in Smiths Falls has been a source of endless conversation, both in the council chamber and in the community. Pankow says he’s confident the Police Services Board understands council needs to see reductions in policing costs, and that seeking out information on alternative policing models like the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are necessary for the municipality.

“We have to examine how we operate in every department in the town, and policing is no exception,” Pankow said.

Looking at OPP costing is an easy decision, in Pankow’s book, who feels having all the information can only help council make a better informed decision that will benefit taxpayers, but he stressed he has no preconceived notions and is seeking more informa-

tion with an open mind.

“We have no idea where we will end up.”

Economic Development Economic development and rebranding of the municipality will be the next major project to tackle, according to Pankow. Rebranding will help reshape Smiths Falls’ identify for the coming years, and put the town on the map. Exceptional community leaders like Brooke and Brittany Henderson and Neil Doef have already made big strides in promoting the town on the world stage, Pankow says.

“To have that type of positive reflection on our community has been a big help,” Pankow said.

Pankow says some of the challenges weathered by the

municipality in 2015 are related to economic development, and include weathering the storm of the closure of several major employers in town, such as Shorewood Packaging and Target, and the more recent announcement of GH Metals.

For Pankow, promoting the town and putting it in a positive light is a matter of being open minded to possibilities and committed to change. Simple things like embracing technology and social media, being proactive in seeking out economic development opportunities and identifying who new residents to Smiths Falls could be, can have a big impact on the town’s future.

“We should never be satisfied with the status quo.

We’re going to put the stamp on the town that’s going to be there for some time.”

Perth Remembrance Day Parade & Ceremony

NOVEMBER 2015

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community

Smiths Falls council looks to shorten budget process SMITHS FALLS - AMY HOGUE Faced with what has traditionally been a long, drawn out budget deliberation process, council is looking to shorten the process for the 2016 budget.

At a Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting on Oct. 26, council agreed to the creation of a preliminary budget for 2016, but not to enter into any meaningful budget discussions until council has received all facts and figures needed to complete it.

Mayor Shawn Pankow brought the matter forward before council during a budget update at the Oct.

26 COW meeting, when he questioned if given the pending long term financial strategy, service review, asset management plan, and Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) funding announcements, council should delay beginning budget discussions until all information has been received by staff.

“Every year the budget process has been very frustrating,” Pankow said, adding that council needs information from a number of different areas in order to make informed budget decisions. “With all the moving parts we have right now that tie into

the 2016 budget, would it be a good idea to wait?”

Councillor Jay Brennan suggested council receive a draft budget from staff, reminding council the service review may or may not change budget numbers, and it might not be completed until next year. Brennan also pointed out that some of the recommendations from the service review may be items that council will want to talk with taxpayers before implementing.

According to CAO Malcolm Morris the service review which is currently underway will affect a portion of the budget, but suggested that there are departments

within the municipality which will not be subject to the service review, such as Public Works, and that staff have already begun compiling budget information for those departments.

“The question is: does council want to see [the draft budget]?” Morris said.

Councillor Chris Cummings said he agrees the budget process is drawn out in Smiths Falls.

“Some councils do [budget deliberations] in two meetings,” he said.

“We do it in a dozen.”

Cummings said he wouldn’t want to see a preliminary budget, and that waiting until all in-

formation is received would be his preference.

He expressed concern that creating a draft budget would place an extra burden on staff, who he acknowledged are already working on a number of different projects for council. Cummings pointed out having a preliminary budget prepared that wouldn’t in the end be used for budget deliberations might not be the best use of staff ’s time.

Councillor Joe Gallipeau said he would like to see a draft budget, while Councillor Lorraine Allen and Councillor John Maloney both said they would be happy to wait until all

information is available.

“It would be nice to have all the information.

That way we can have a better informed discussion and decision,” Maloney said, “It may not shorten the process, but it might make the process better.”

Morris settled the matter by suggesting staff prepare a preliminary budget but that council hold off discussing the budget until all figures have been received. Morris’ reasoning was simple: by preparing a preliminary budget would allow council the opportunity to see what the budget would look like without doing the service review.

Perth council rejects picnic shelter for Stewart PERTH - Dianne Pinder-Moss There are several things Perth town council could consider as a legacy project for its 200th anniversary celebrations in 2016, and according to Mayor John Fenik, the erection of a timber frame picnic shelter in Stewart Park shouldn’t be one of them.

“In my opinion, that would be the worst thing to do in that park,” Mayor John Fenik said at the Oct. 27 regular meeting of town council.

The majority of council agreed and voted down a motion approved at the Oct. 6 Committee of the Whole (COW) session directing staff to proceed with the consideration of the picnic shelter in the park “as a possible 200th anniversary commemoration.”

Coun. Jim Graff initiated the discussion on the issue by asking that the COW motion be removed from the list of consent items on the agenda that evening.

The picnic shelter was initially one of the components of an Athlete’s Legacy Park

recommended by the Wilson Street Advisory Panel for the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Wilson Street.

When the town was unable to reach an agreement with the Upper Canada District School Board for the use of the land for the project, it was recommended in a staff report at the Sept. 1 COW meeting that the legacy park component of the silhouette monuments, which would recognize “the world class sport achievements from Perth athletes,” be located at Conlon Farm Recreation Complex and the timber frame structure on the green space opposite the Last Duel Park boat docking area.

Following discussion of the recommendations, a motion was approved at the September COW session calling on staff to prepare a report on the feasibility of constructing the picnic shelter in Stewart Park.

The October motion was a followup to that report.

With this being Fenik’s first meeting of council since returning from an unpaid leave of absence he

took in early August as the New Democratic Party’s candidate in the riding of Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston in the federal election, Graff provided a brief overview at the Oct. 27 meeting of what had taken place on the issue.

Noting the intention of the Stewart family when the land was deeded to the town that the park be kept as green open space, the councillor made reference to a stipulation in the deed regarding buildings in Stewart Park. According to the deed, “No buildings shall be erected on the said lands except those necessary for park purposes.”

In regards to a suggestion that the proposed picnic shelter could be beneficial as far as the Stewart Park Festival is concerned, Graff said he didn’t think that was a good enough reason “to change what previous councils have maintained.”

The councillor went on to express his concern that, if council approved this project, successive councils would be faced with similar requests. This would

result in more buildings, which he stated “completely destroys the intent of this beautiful park.”

Graff said council should be placing “much more weight” on the stance of the Heritage Perth Advisory Panel (HPAP) on this issue.

A motion was approved by the HPAP on Sept. 16 supporting the placement of a commemorative picnic shelter in Haggart/Code Park but stating that the panel “strongly opposes” its placement in Stewart Park.

The HPAP is comprised of Brent McLaren as Chair, John Fowler, Marjory Nasmith, Darrin MacDonald and John Scott, with Councillor Judy Brown and Deputy Mayor John Gemmell serving as council representatives.

Calling the members of the advisory panel “the gatekeepers,” Graff said that town council needed to be respectful “of this great gift the Stewart family gave to us.”

Fenik agreed with Graff ’s position, and said the only things that should be in Stewart Park are “trees and flowers, grass and kids.”

The mayor went on to say that, if the town starts infilling the park with small structures like the picnic shelter, “we absolutely destroy the nature of what this legacy was supposed to be.”

Having been part of the Wilson Street Advisory Panel, Councillor Jim Boldt said that the timber frame structure was initially intended to complement the silhouettes of athletes proposed for the Wilson Street site.

“I felt good about the structure going on the property it was originally designed for,” he remarked.

Boldt agreed the structure was not going to add a lot of shelter during the Stewart Park Festival, par-

ticularly if it rained. Based on the new information received and “a change of thought,” the councillor stated that he didn’t think it was right to put the picnic shelter in Stewart Park.

“It seems we are putting a shelter somewhere because we decided to put up a shelter,” Councillor Riq Turner said. “Maybe we should look at something else to commemorate the 200th anniversary,” he suggested.

Speaking in favour of the motion, Gemmell said out the town had sought a legal opinion on the park deed in regards to the picnic shelter and was informed that the installation of the structure would not breach the wording of the deed.

Adding there were already Millennium Gates in Stewart Park thanks to a donation from the Lions Club, the Deputy Mayor said he personally didn’t see a problem with the picnic shelter being installed in the park.

“It is an excellent legacy project,” he stated.

Councillor Ed McPherson was interested in knowing what the town planned to do to recognize Perth’s 200th anniversary during the yearlong celebration if the picnic shelter project does not proceed, asking whether or not other options were available.

Shannon Baillon, Director of Community Services, said when she contacted the 200th Anniversary Advisory Panel in September as part of consultations for her Oct. 6 report and presented the three options – the picnic shelter, silhouettes and a mosaic project that had been discussed – their recommendation was to continue moving forward with the picnic shelter. However, no location was specified.

When it came time to vote on the motion, unlike the

Oct. 6 meeting, when it received unanimous approval, this time round the resolution was defeated 5-1 with Gemmell casting the only yes vote. Councillor Brown was absent from the meeting.

Reached after the meeting, McLaren who said he was glad that council “sought our advice and has acted on it.”

“We give council the best advice that we can and council acts on it or doesn’t act on it,” the chairs of the HPAP stated.

In this particular case, McLaren said the advisory panel’s position on the picnic shelter was based on their interpretation of the park deed, “as well as knowing the intent of the park.”

Fowler, a member of the HPAP for the past 10 years, said he’s pleased with council’s decision.

“I was pleased that they had second thoughts, which we at our last meeting recommended they might have,” he told HomeTown News.

Having known Jessie Stewart as she was his grandmother’s best friend, Fowler thinks she would have approved of the decision as well.

Both he and McLaren said they support the idea of the picnic shelter but not in Stewart Park.

“I really hope that they find some place to do that for the 200th anniversary,” Fowler stated.

Baillon will be going back to the 200th Anniversary Advisory Panel “with some other options” for a legacy project, she said in an email.

She said the silhouettes are also on hold for now.

“They are one of the options that is being considered for the 200th, commemoration by the town but Council has not yet decided which project(s) the Town will pursue,” she said.

NOVEMBER 2015

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community

perth council briefs Funding pre-approved for new soccer field project Members of Perth town council have endorsed a motion recommending a budget deviation amounting $123, 214 for a proposed new soccer field at 20 Smith Drive.

The town is in the midst of negotiations with Grenville Castings, a division of Cosma International, regarding the proposed acquisition by Grenville Castings of property located north of the manufacturing site. Known as the Doctor’s Field, the site is home to some smaller soccer fields that are part of the Conlon Farm Recreation Complex.

According to a report prepared for the COW meeting by Director of Community Services Shannon Baillon, the development of a soccer field on the town-owned property will proceed under the condition of a finalization of a land sale agreement with Grenville Castings, an environment assessment of 20 Smith Drives allows the development of the field, and the approval of an unfunded expenditure of $37,158.

As part of the motion the $86,056 in proceeds from the land sale, if it goes ahead, would be utilized for building the new field with the remaining $37,158 being unfunded.

During discussion of the motion, Councillor Jim Boldt said he was under the impression when the proposed sale of the Doctor’s Field was first deliberated, “the money we would get would more than cover putting in an adjacent soccer field.” He said there was talk of adding washroom facilities as part of the project.

“Now, we are asking the taxpayers to fund an additional $37,000 plus,” he said, before asking where the bulk of the money is being spent.

Baillon said that the new field would be approximately 30 per cent bigger than the Doctor’s Field. Based on discussions with the Perth United Soccer Club on the project, she said the larger field could be used for “a complete range of participants.”

Approval for repairs to splash pad decking Council has given the goahead for repair work on the concrete pad of the splash pad.

In a resolution, which received unanimous approval, the expenditure of $39,678 has been authorized “for the remediation” of the splash pad decking with $30,000 of this cost to be funded from the contractor holdback.

Of the remaining $9,678, $8,000 is to come from the Splash Pad Reserve and $1,678 from the 2015 operating budget.

In her report to council, Baillon said the top layer of the splash pad, which was constructed by Water Splash Inc. and had its grand opening on July 1, 2014, is starting to come off.

“I suspect it wouldn’t even last another summer.”

Baillon says the town wouldn’t be using the firm that built the splash pad to do the remediation.

“The deck on the splash pad was not properly constructed and thus the Town has been necessitated to bring in another contractor to remediate the deck,” CAO John deRosenroll said after the meeting.

During the session he said the $30,000 was

being taken from the original contractor holdback to finish the construction.

In terms of the time line for the remediation work to be completed, Baillon told council the intention is “to do it right away.”

“The company that quoted can do it before the snow flies.”

2016 budget timelines and target established Council has scheduled a one-day budget deliberation meeting, repeating what’s been done the previous three years.

The 2016 budget session has been set for Jan. 29, 2016.

As part of a motion approved, council will be aiming at a zero to 1.75 per cent tax levy increase. Town treasurer Lang Britchford has been directed to send a letter to all 2015 grant recipients advising them “of the requirement to fall within the increased target or less.

Deputy-Mayor Ed McPherson said he would like to have time at the November COW meeting for councillors to have a full understanding of the budgetary process.

“I sometimes wonder if everyone understands what we are doing,” he said, adding he didn’t want council to have a rigid timeline.

Britchford said there are “too many unknowns in November.”

“Early December would yield a better result,” he said.

In addition, the treasurer encouraged all council chairs to sit down with their department directors “and see the pressures each director is under.”

Under the proposed timelines, the Annual Report Card Night would be on Dec. 1, in which all major departmental 2015 accomplishments and goals for 2016 will be reviewed.

In the 2015 budget, a tax levy increase of 0.8 per cent was approved.

As to whether council will be able to achieve its target for 2016, Britchford said he wouldn’t “want to speculate.”

“I honestly can’t predict,” he said. He says Perth, like most small rural municipalities, is grant dependent on the province. At this point, there has been “no concrete news” on what the town might expect to receive in funding for 2016.

Town staff to prepare report on allowing snowmobilers access to Perth Councillor McPherson has introduced a motion for council to direct staff to prepare a report on the opportunity to allow snowmobiling groups and individuals to access downtown perth following up on comments made at the Sept. 22 council meeting.

This follows comments made at the Sept. 22 council meeting.

The report will provide information on contacting local and provincial snowmobiling groups and associations as a tourism initiative, similar to inviting motorcycle, motorhome “and other social clubs in future months.”

“I think this is long overdue in the Town of Perth,” Councillor Riq Turner said of the resolution, which received unanimous approval.

All of the above COW motions received final approval at the regular meeting of town council on Oct. 27.

smiths falls council briefs Arena online booking system increases use of arena The online booking system for ice bookings at the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre has been successful in increasing use at the facility, council heard from Manager of Community Servicers, Art Manhire. The new system was brought in by Manhire for the 2015 booking season and allows community groups interested in booking ice to check availability and secure a booking through an online system.

In 2014 bookings at the arena were at 40 per cent, according to Manhire, while in 2015 that number increased to 48 per cent, equating to 506 hours of improvement.

“Much of that is attributable to the booking system,” Manhire told council.

Councillor Chris Cummings said he had heard positive feedback from the community about the new system. “It’s obviously had an impact on overall ease of service,” Cummings said.

Deadline approaches for community donations grant Community groups interested in applying for the community donations funding from the municipality need to get their applications in before 4 p.m. on Nov. 30 to be considered for funding. In 2015 more than $80,000 was allocated for community donations to support local organizations with events or programs that benefit the community.

Council considers requests for events and programs that promote the welfare of the community, the health of the people and the community, education and training, the economic advancement of the community, or cultural, heritage, social or environmental wellbeing of the community.

Applications can be found at the town’s website www.smithsfalls.ca.

Police receive approval for annual street toll In light of council’s recent decision to limit the number of street tolls in town, the Smiths Falls Police Service has sought council approval for their annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics street toll, which has historically been held on the Friday of the first weekend in June.

The Special Olympics toll raises mon-

ey and awareness for Ontario’s Special Olympics and its programs both locally and provincially. Smiths Falls Police will participate in coordination with police services across the province. The committee agreed they were in support of the event continuing, particularly because the annual toll has been in operation for many years and takes place on Cornelia Street as opposed to Beckwith Street.

Exemption from procurement by-law requested for computer leasing A procurement by-law exemption has been requests to allow for the sole source procurement of 45 workstations, 20 laptops and 5 servers from Dell Canada Inc. In a report presented to council at the Oct. 26 committee meeting, Director of Corporate Services, Kerry Costello, told council that because Dell has entered into an agreement with Ontario Education Collaborative Marketplace, which is open to public organizations like the town of Smiths Falls, Smiths Falls has realized significant savings from using Dell.

The report estimated savings in excess of $10,000 per year in lease payments since the town contracted with Dell three years ago. The town also has an agreement for office supplies and toner cartridges which have also resulted in savings to the municipality. Costello told council although they’ll be requesting 45 workstations, 20 laptops and 5 servers, it is possible those numbers will be reduced following the completion of a needs analysis.

Mayor Shawn Pankow asked if there was any consideration given to going to market for quotations, and Costello said the savings the town receives from the other agreements with Dell makes it more cost efficient to maintain the current relationship.

“Because of the savings we get for cartridges and office supplies it makes Dell more appealing,” Costello said. “We don’t want to lose those savings.”

Councillor Joe Gallipeau asked if council could receive a report of the different estimates from suppliers, and Costello said estimates from other suppliers couldn’t be presented in open council due to confidentiality issues but that the information would be made available to council prior to a formal resolution in support of the procurement policy exemption. The matter is set to return to an upcoming council meeting in November.

PUBLIC SWIMMINg - THE HUB Smiths Falls Tuesdays - 6-7pm, Fridays 6-7pm, Saturdays - 2-3:30pm PUBLIC SWIMMINg - Perth & District Indoor Pool Tuesdays - 6-7pm, Fridays 6-7pm, Saturdays - 2-3:30pm PUBLIC SKATING - Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre Monday-Friday: 11:00-12:00 Sunday: 11:30 - 12:30 PUBLIC SKATING -Smiths Falls Youth Arena Monday: 3:20pm - 5:20pm Friday: 3:20pm - 5:10pm Saturday: 11:20am - 1:20pm PUBLIC SKATING -Perth & District Community Centre Monday: 1:30pm - 2:50pm(Adult) Wednesday: 10:30-12:00pm (Tiny Tots) 12:00pm - 1:20pm (Adult) Sunday: 12:00am - 1:20pm

NOVEMBER 2015

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community

St. John’s students meet Legion veterans in preparation for Remembrance Day

St. John’s grade 12 history students, Nicholas Marchant (not shown), Erin Symon (left) and Alfred Rochefort (foreground), interviewed Perth Legion President, Eric Devlin, during a visit to the Legion on Oct. 23.

St. John’s grade 12 history student, Erin Symon, received a tour of the Perth Legion’s Hall of Remembrance museum while visiting the Legion as part of a class project.

PERTH - AMY HOGUE Three St. John’s High School students were at the Perth Legion Oct. 23, to speak first hand with Legion members to get their perspective on the importance of honouring Remembrance Day. Grade 12 students Nicholas Marchant, Erin Symon, and Alfred Rochefort said they’re part of a group responsible for

the Remembrance Day Ceremony at their school Nov. 11 as part of their history class. Rochefort said the class makes a big difference in how students see veterans and the impacts of war.

“This class gives students a chance to help out and talk to veterans about their experiences,” Rochefort said.

During their visit to the Legion, Symon in-

terviewed Veteran Eric Devlin while Rochefort did the camera work.

She asked questions about the meaning of the poppy. Devlin said the poppy is an important reminder of fallen veterans, and he wears the poppy year-round.

“It’s a sign that I believe and I do remember,” Devlin said.

Spooky good fun at the Crystal Palace

Station Theatre announces 2016 line-up The Board of Directors of the Smiths Falls Community Theatre has announced its lineup of plays for the 2016 Season. It’s a delightful mix of comedies and mysteries from well-loved playwrights, a children’s story supported by a lyrical score, and another rib-tickling Christmas pantomime. And they are also introducing a change in the scheduling of plays: next season all plays will open on Friday nights, not Thursdays.

Next year’s plays are: February 19 – 28: The Fox on the Fairway, by Ken Ludwig, directed by Jamie Schoular. A tribute to the great English farces of the 1930’s and 40’s, this play takes audiences on a hilarious romp which pulls the rug out from under the stuffy denizens of a private country club.

April 8 – 17: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Jeffrey Hatcher. A new and shocking version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale of depravity, lust, love and horror. Directed by Steve McWade.

June 10 – 19: Things My Mother Taught Me, by Katherine DiSavino, directed by Sheila Jasiak.

Funny and touching, this new comedy from the author of Nana’s Naughty Nickers takes a generational look at relationships and how sometimes parents pass their best lessons onto their children without meaning to.

Downtown Perth was full of spooky good times on Halloween night, when crowds of kids thronged the Crystal Palace for the Civitan Club’s annual Haunted House. These four trick-or-treaters were among those waiting in line to enter the Crystal Palace for their chance to be chilled to the bone – and get their Halloween treat. (left to right) Buzz Lightyear (a.k.a. Jayden Prost-Stacey); Monster High’s Catty Noir (a.k.a. Blair Jarvis); Captain Underpants (a.k.a. Gavin Merkley); and Batman (a.k.a. Keegan Merkley).

August 19 – 28: Bridge to Teribithia, by Katherine Paterson & Stephanie S. Tolan, music by Steve Liebman.This powerful adaptation, supported by a lyrical score, focus-

es the humour, warmth, and emotional intensity of Katherine Paterson’s Newberry Award winning novel. Directed by Lynda Daniluk.

October 14-23: Out of Sight...Out of Murder,

by Fred Carmichael. An author is grinding out a murder story in an old mansion where another writer was murdered years earlier. In this comical mystery, directed by Katharine Coleman, a weird electrical storm makes his characters come to life. The result is romance, suspense and comic wit.

December 2 – 11: Sleeping Beauty – the Panto by Ben Crocker. Lots of action here for a busy chorus with two very sexy cats – one good – one bad! Loads of great comedy including an hilarious musical routine. Emily Duberville directs the onstage fun for young and old in this British pantomime.

Patrons can now purchase a season ticket in voucher form for the six plays described above.

The theatre is offering a “Six-Pack-Flex Pack” for just $99, meaning that playgoers can select how they want to use their six vouchers to redeem tick-

ets for any of the 2016 plays. The deal – which is good up to the deadline of February 28, 2016, the last day of our first play– offers savings of almost 20 percent compared to the regular adult ticket price. Go to www. smithsfallstheatre.com for detailed ordering instructions and information on the different ways the “Six-Pack-Flex-Pack” can be used throughout the 2016 season. The voucher package makes a great Christmas gift.

Don’t miss out!

We invite patrons to keep in touch with all our upcoming shows – outstanding plays like the pantomime, Puss in Boots by Ben Crocker, on stage before this Christmas from December 3 to 13; and wonderful movies like Mr. Holmes, The Man Behind the Myth, starring Ian McLellen and Laura Linney, screening on November 20 &21. Simply sign up for our e-newsletter through a visit to our web page or by joining us on Facebook (Smiths Falls Community Theatre).

Submitted by the Smiths Falls Community Theatre

november 2015

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community

Council looks to electronic promotion ahead of bicentennial PERTH - Dianne Pinder-Moss Instead of spending money on setting up a Tourism Information Booth on Highway 7, the Town of Perth could get “a better bang for our buck” by using social media and other electronic forms of promotion to increase awareness of the town as a tourist attraction, according to Director of Community Services Shannon Baillon.

Baillon presented the results of a feasibility review on the creation of a tourist information centre on the highway to council. The review was undertaken as the result of a motion passed at the Sept. 22 council meeting requesting staff to conduct such a study. Research was done in conjunction with Karen Rennie, the town’s tourism manager.

In her report, Baillon said since the twon own property along Highway 7, she had approached the property managers for the vacant lot across from Barnabe’s Independent Grocer in regards to the possible rental of a small portion of the property for the booth.

“They indicated that they were not interested in doing this at this point,” she said, adding that they said they’d be willing to revisit the idea in 2016. No other locations were investigated at this time.

Based on a financial estimate Baillon included as part of the report, the approximate cost of setting up a temporary tourist information booth would be $16,112 with the biggest outlay being $10,868 to have a student staff

the facility seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the tourist season. While she said the Town might be able to get a grant to cover the staffing cost, she said she couldn’t make promises.

After reviewing some of the Ontario tourism statistics, which show a seven to nine per cent increase in American and other international visitors this year as compared to 2014, she said she looked at how this market might be targeted.

One option she suggested was to purchase advertising at the 400 series highway ONroute Service Centres as a reported 500,000 people travel on the 400 and 401 highways on a daily basis.

The cost for a 30-second advertisement looped every 10 minutes to be shown in 10 Eastern Ontario ONroute locations for a six month period would be $6,000.

“That would be a better place for us to spend our money at this point,” Baillon stated.

Council agreed and a motion was unanimously approved recommending that staff proceed “with developing an increased presence” for tourism in Perth through social media and the website.

Also, as part of the resolution, additional advertising is to be considered for the United States and other international tourists in the 2016 budget.

“Spending money elsewhere to get people here is better recovery of the dollar,” said acting Mayor John Gemmell.

While Councillor Jim

Graff said times have changed in terms of tourism promotion, he agreed there should be some form of signage on Highway 7 to promote Perth’s 200th anniversary celebrations in 2016.

He referred to Ministry of Transportation statistics for the section of Highway 7 extending from County Road 511 to Drummond Street. In 2010, the average annual daily traffic volume, considering both directions, was listed at 19,100 vehicles with summer volumes peaking at 23,600 vehicles per day, he told HomeTown News after the meeting.

As part of the bicentennial festivities, a marketing and promotions plan has been developed that includes additions to existing Town of Perth signage on Highway 7 to highlight the anniversary, Baillon said in an email.

“We will also doing ‘geo-fencing’ set up on popular mobile applications like the Weather Network, where people who are within a certain radius of Perth will see an advertisement for Perth’s 200th anniversary when they go to that application,” she noted. “They can then click on the ad and find more details about the celebrations.”

Perth & District Chamber of Commerce general manager John LeVatte, who was also consulted for the report, had an initial conversation with Baillon when the options were being investigated and he received a draft copy of the report before it was presented. He says he “totally believes” in

Ontario Municipal Board appeals filed against Town SMITHS FALLS - AMY HOGUE

There have been two appeals to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) filed against the town of Smiths Falls in relation to a recent temporary use amendment granted for 18 to 22 Main Street East, council heard at a Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting Oct. 13.

Senior Planner, Niki McKernan, told council an Official Plan (OP) amendment appeal and a Zoning By-Law appeal have been filed by Zanderplan Inc., on behalf of James Benda. The zoning by-law and OP amendment requests were to allow for a ground floor residential use in a commercially zoned building in the downtown core.

McKernan told council she expects a hearing for the appeals will be set sometime in early 2016 and will keep council apprised of any developments as they arise.

Benda originally applied for a temporary zoning amendment for a three year term in 2012, which was approved by council.

Following approval, an OMB appeal was filed by a third party, but was subsequently withdrawn before the hearing.

The temporary use approval for ground floor residential remained in place until it came up for renewal in 2014, when Benda approached council with an OP amendment request to recognize the permanent use on his

downtown property.

After lengthy debate at council, Benda was granted a one year temporary use extension, which was to expire in late 2015.

In September 2015, Benda again approached the municipality for an extension of the temporary use for a three year term, but was granted only a one year extension. At a COW meeting on Sept.

14 Benda told council thar he applied for an OP amendment in 2014 to allow for the residential use permanently, but council changed the application without consulting him. He indicated his wish was for a permanent solution to the matter.

people being able to get tourism information through their Smartphones or other online sources. As they are travelling, through their Smartphones, “they can look on their various apps and immediately find out what is going on in Perth,” he said.

LeVatte, however, says the Chamber of Commerce board believes there should be a mix. For that reason, he mentioned that the Chamber of Commerce will be continuing to investigate over the winter months what “hard structural things” could be introduced on that section of the highway.

“Just a place [tourists] could pull over and quickly get some information.” Input will be sought from business owners and others in that area.

In essence, he says what the Chamber of Commerce is exploring is “some

kind of tourism and economic development presence” on Highway 7.

For many years, the Chamber of Commerce operated a tourist information centre on the north side of the highway near the Drummond Street

intersection. No information was available on when the information centre closed.

The motion approved at the Oct. 6 COW meeting received final approval from council at its regular meeting on Oct. 27.

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november 2015

9

lifestyle Fundraiser raises $8k for local woman with cancer

Column:

Lest we forget

By Darlene MacLachlan

The mind is truly fascinating, especially as it relates to our ability to remember and forget.

As human beings, our mind’s natural tendency is to forget. The act of remembering is affected by the process of aging.

Affected by the pain of a memory and sometimes we just simply turn away. We forget.

When memories become diminished, fade into the background, there is a tendency for details and events to become less significant. We forget.

Each November we are reminded to remember. To remember those who served and continue to serve their country through the Great Wars; The Korean War, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and in the many peacekeeping missions. We remember.

For those men and women who lost their lives so that we and others may enjoy the lives we have today.

We remember.

For the families of those who serve and families who lost loved ones in service to their country.

We remember. It is estimated that every three minutes a memory of World War II disappears with the passing of a veteran. We remember.

Several years ago business travel took me to The Netherlands.

While there my husband and I took the opportunity to take a train to the countryside with the objective of visiting the village of Holten.

This trip was important for my husband and to his family, as his uncle Jimmy fought in World War II and was killed in battle shortly before the end of the war in Holland.

This young man from Cape Breton, like many young men and women, died far from their homeland and were laid to rest on foreign soil, without family present to say their farewell.

This was a significantly emotional trip for my husband’s family-the first family member to visit the cemetery and to visit Jimmy.

The Holten Canadian War Cemetery is the final resting place to more than 1300 Canadian soldiers, I knew that before we left on our trek.

I had researched and gathered the practical information on the site.

But practical does not prepare you for the impact of seeing so many beautifully kept graves, the fresh flowers, many placed by the villagers of Holten.

Nor does practical prepare you for the realization of just how young these soldiers were and how many of them came from small communities and ended resting far away from their home.

As I began to walk between the rows of graves, stopping to read the headstones, one thing became clear-we were not leaving until we had stopped at all of them and acknowledged the sacrifice of the soldier resting there.

We need to remember, always.

SMITHS FALLS- KATHY BOTHAM

Athletes and wellwishers rallied $8,000 at a Smiths Falls home for the Love for Amanda fundraiser Oct. 25.

Proceeds from the fundraiser, hosted by Sarah Patterson and Jordan Yolkowski, will help Amanda Barrett, a local woman who’s recently been diagnosed with cancer.

The boot camp course which runs through Patterson’s family property took people on a few kilometres through the bush. There were many stations where the participants had to stop and do certain exercises. Some even carried large pumpkins through the course.

You weren’t done either when you crossed the finish line. One last sta-

tion awaited where 100 burpees were needed to properly complete the course.

Once they completed the 100 burpees, a BBQ, a bonfire and a bake sale awaited participants and even those who didn’t participate in this extreme workout.

Barrett has already undergone surgery.

Barrett, Kory Hamil-

ton and their 3 girls went along the trail.

The ladies took the ride through with Sarah Patterson and Jordan Yolkowski chauvering.

Kory hit the trails carrying out a pumpkin and completing those exhausting burpees. He and many friends did in support of Amanda and her family. They did so for the “Love for Amanda.”

3rd annual Pink in the Rink raises $5000 for breast cancer research The Smiths Falls Bears held their 3rd annual “Pink in the Rink” night in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.

The Bears raised $5,000 for breast cancer research Oct. 28 as part of the annual event that takes place province-wide with hundreds of teams participating.

Wearing pink jerseys as part of the awareness

efforts, the Bears played the Nepean Raiders, losing 4-3. The game ended the team’s nine-home game winning streak, giving them their first at-home loss since the CCHL showcase in Kanata The Bears and Raiders were also the teams who played the first Pink the Rink event in 2013.

Photos by Jason Code

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november 2015

lifestyle

Smiths Falls Child Developement Centre saying goodbye to long-time staff member

Longtime supervisor for the Child Development Centre, Beverly Leach, will be retiring effective Jan. 15, 2016 after 35 years working for the municipality. Here, she takes part in a tea party with several day care charges, soaking up her last few months of child-centred activity.

smiths falls - AMY HOGUE A familiar face to those who’ve grown up in Smiths Falls is retiring after 35 years of work in the community.

Child Development Centre (CDC) Supervisor Beverly Leach’s final day with the centre will be Jan. 31.

“The countdown is on,” Leach said in an interview with

Hometown News.

“Forty-six days left.

It’s kind of surreal.”

Throughout her years with the CDC, Leach has been involved in the care of many future community leaders, and said she has cared for children, then seen their children and grandchildren come through the centre.

“You can tell you’re getting older when

there are grandchildren coming through,” she says. “It’s nice to see, it’s kind of like we’re a big family.”

Leach pointed to Museum Curator and President of the Smiths Falls & District Chamber of Commerce, Anne Shropshire, as an example of a child who has come through the centre and grown up to become involved

in the community..

“It’s nice to say we have had a part in shaping that person,” Leach said.

Although Leach’s official retirement date is Jan. 31, the long time supervisor will be stepping down on Jan. 15 and taking two weeks’ vacation before officially retiring. With two trips to the Caribbean already planned for 2016 and an interest in volunteering in the community, Leach will be anything but bored in her retirement.

“I’d like to help out at church or drive cancer patients, or volunteer at the hospital,” Leach said, “I’ve had a career. Now I’d just like to do a job.”

The CDC is a municipally licensed child care centre operated by the town of Smiths Falls, which provides before and after school programs at area elementary schools, non-profit

daycare and summer camps. As a licensed facility, the CDC undergoes a variety of inspections through the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education and must maintain strict standards.

Throughout her tenure at the CDC, Leach said she’s seen a lot of changes over the years, beginning with more children coming to the centre with allergies, or dietary restrictions.

Another big change is through programming, which is now called Learning Through Play, and is a child centred approach to child care.

Leach said she feels the CDC serves an important role in the community, offering affordable, licensed childcare for local families. With a high staff retention rate at the centre, there is a continuity of care available for children, who can find security and com-

fort in being cared for by the same staff members for years at a time.

“Parents know their children are safe and happy and can go to work without worrying about their child,” Leach explained.

Leach said she’s always enjoyed working with children, and although she moved on to the supervisor position, she’s still hands on with the children, and wouldn’t have it any other way. She says she’s not sure who will be taking her position with the CDC, but noted that she’s certain they will have a great team in place to work with, who will make their job easier.

Although she has lots planned for retirement, Leach says it may take a few weeks to get used to not going to work at the CDC every day.

“I’m going to have the cleanest house in Smiths Falls.”

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lifestyle

Column: My Crazy Life

By Beckie Brown

There is a country song on the radio that starts with the words“There’s a split second moment where life’s about to change, and you don’t even know it, seems like everything is moving in slow motion.”

I have had a few times in my life where I can pinpoint an exact moment like that. The moment is frozen in time inside my mind and I can recall the smallest of details. One of these moments is the night my father died and another is the night my youngest son was taken to the hospital because he was lethargic, fevered, and not responding.

The first week of September I planned a night out with friends.

It had been no less than 7 years since I had done so and I excitedly waited for the evening to arrive. We spent some time shopping and laughing and then went for dinner. As our dinner was wrapping up my phone rang, I answered expecting to hear my husband’s voice. Instead I heard my father in law.

“Denver is on his way to the hospital” My world stood still for that split second and I wondered if this was it, was this the moment that my life would change forever. Again?

My friend was driving me home, I had no idea what was going on. I couldn’t get a hold of my husband and no one else knew anything. Thirty minutes later I was halfway home and my phone rang. I couldn’t understand a single word that my husband was saying.

He passed the phone

to a nurse who told me that my baby boy came in having seizures, they were unable to get a vein to administer medications and they needed to drill into his bone to give medication.

He was now being taken with the head nurse and doctor to CHEO in an ambulance. My friend and I turned back to the city to meet them there.

I couldn’t stop myself in those moments from the what-ifs. I know they are not healthy and I recognized that but I had no idea what to expect when I saw him.

We spent the next 12 days in CHEO. My husband and I alternated nights in hospital and nights at home so we could each see all of the boys. The older two boys started school and we spent each day in the hospital meeting with teams of doctors. We still do not know what caused his fever to spike so high so fast but we do know that it caused febrile seizures.

While we went through the days we felt like they were never going to end.

We tried to find the balance between hospital, home & work but it wasn’t easy. Fortunately we were able to take the time we needed from work to support our boys through this difficult time. At the end of those days we arrived home exhausted and happy to be home together.

We are so very thankful for the Smiths Falls Hospital, CHEO, our places of work, our friends and our families.

It is true what they say, it takes a village to raise a child. We couldn’t have done what we did without the love and support of those around us.

That split second moment may have changed our lives for a period of time, but I am so happy to say that we are now back to our “normal,” if somewhat crazy life.

please respect the planet

Recycle this paper

Children had the opportunity to decorate their pumpkin at Café 7 West Oct. 24. The fundraiser for a local family, the Paquettes, will help them with costs associated to medical issues. Mom’s, Grandma’s and some Great Grandma’s helped their children add their personal touch to this season’s favori te squash. Alex and Tyler Ohagan added some feathers to theirs.

Photos by Kathy Botham

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lifestyle

Prospective students tour Algonquin College

PERTH - DIANNE PINDER-MOSS The year’s Open House at the Perth Campus of Algonquin College Oct. 17 provided an opportunity for prospective students and their families to find information on the 11 pro-

grams offered there including Construction Carpentry, Advanced Housing to Early Childhood Education to Police Foundations, and, the school’s newest offering, Business Management and Entrepreneurship. Those attending the Open House

were able to tour the campus and learn about Student Support Services and other services available to students attending Algonquin. Here, new Academic Chair Gerry Salisbury leads a tour of the Constructions and Trades program.

Add some cheer to your Christmas decorating this holiday season ‘Tis the season for showing your holiday spirit. Your love of gardening doesn’t have to end once winter begins.

Holiday decorating is a fun and festive way to add a touch of nature to the inside and the outside of your home. Get inspired by some of these simple and fabulous ideas.

The key to a fabulous winter container is having three or more different varieties of greens and layering them through the design. This adds texture and colour to the mix.

Spruce, red pine, white pine, balsam and cedar are all good choices. Add some upright thrill with a cluster of red dogwood

colour scheme for an elegant and chic effect. Add a weather-proof bow in our latest favourite material sinamay to finish it off. The key to keeping your planter green all winter is to create your design in soil and then water it thoroughly allowing it to freeze.

Pull the bow out after the holidays and it’s a simple evergreen accent.

Hanging Baskets

Evergreen Urns Don’t let your urns or planters sit empty and forlorn this winter.

Spruce them up (no pun intended) with a mixture of evergreen branches.

branches or curly willow.

Pines cones, stars or any other kind of outdoor bling in shades of red, gold, silver, or natural really finishes off the festive look.

Try and stay with one

Another great seasonal accent to entrances is Evergreen Hanging Baskets. Replace your summer flowers with a mixture of pine, cedar, spruce and balsam. The key is to keep the branches shorter, around eight inches is usually a good length.

Always work your way around in a circle to make sure all sides look good. Add some BC Cedar for a draping effect, wire in some pine cones and add battery operated lights. Voila, simple and festive. I like to use the coco lined black wire baskets or cone shaped willow baskets instead of plastic because the basket is so visible. Be creative and add bows, berries and bling to match your evergreen planters. It is important to water well so they freeze up and hold the branches in and

also to keep them fresh.

Centrepieces A fresh evergreen centrepiece can really finish off a holiday table. There is an art to designing and creating centrepieces but here are a few tips to help you get started. Choose a low bowl or container, as your arrangement should take centre stage not the container.

Uses floral foam as your base, cutting it to fit the bowl and size you wish your piece to be.

Use a variety of fresh greens, short pieces work best four to six inches, starting at the bottom and working your way up to the top and layering the, as you go.

If you are using a candle be sure to insert it into the foam at the beginning. BC cedar and Ontario cedar are nice for centrepieces and give off a lovely scent, spruce and white pine are also good choices.

Add holly, boxwood, berries, or wild rosehips for colour and texture.

Fresh flowers can be added in after as well, some of the longest last-

ing are orchids, carnations and freesia. It is important not to make your arrangement too early as greens and flowers do not last as long indoors, the beginning of December is a good time to create centrepieces.

If all this seems a little overwhelming to you or design is not your

strength then you can consider joining one of the many winter workshops offered at your local garden centre.

It’s a fun afternoon out with friends or family and best of all you can leave the mess behind.

-Kelly Heath Retail Manager Gemmell’s Garden Centre

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lifestyle

HEALTHY CHOICES Creative arts to feed the spirit Many women work through their stress by talking about it with their girlfriends, their husbands, their parents and other family members and sometimes, they may even seek professional help in the form of psycho-

therapy otherwise known as talk therapy. Talk therapy is great but what if you don’t really like to talk, much less about traumatic childhood experiences? What if some of your trauma is buried so deeply, you are only vaguely aware of it’s existence? This is where the creative arts come in and take over, producing amazing results by healing our innermost emotional wounds.

Men tend to work out their stress physically by participating in sports, hunting, fishing, focusing on something else while being physical at the same time.

Women will do the same for example vacuuming and cleaning when agitated but women go a step further and talk about it. Men often will keep it all in and refuse to talk about it. This is where music, art, drama, writing and yes even dance, can help people to process emotions they sometimes don’t even

know that they have! Writing a song or drawing a picture is easier then talking about “it” but “it” will come out in the creative process whether it is in the form of art or music, drama or writing.

The creative arts work with young and old alike and research is starting to support the use of the creative arts in therapy, education and in utilizing in health care settings. Imagine processing your anger and fear through music or art, dancing or writing. They are the tools that help us to process our emotions, good and bad. Creative art therapies are not just for children and youth, adults benefit tremendously from them too, if they would only dare to think outside of the box and allow their childlike spirit to come through.

Participating in the arts helps to feed your spirit. We all know that we are body, mind and spirit but we tend to only focus on our bodies and minds and forget about our spirits especially in Mental Health. The arts help to fill our spirits and can bring healing when nothing else can. People with Demen-

tia who cannot recognize their spouse of 50 years, but they can retrieve every word to their favourite song from their youth. Music reaches places other things can’t.

Animals are another tool used in therapy and equine therapy with horses is a growing field. At Arts For Life Psychotherapy, we call it rural answers for city problems. A horse acts as a mirror for the client. If you are anxious, the horse will be anxious as well. Horses, as well as other animals, can sense our moods sometimes better than we can.

Various activities are completed with a trained therapist using the horse that help to improve confidence while lowering stress and anxiety and building trust and mutual respect. It is quite astonishing the effect a horse can have on an angry mistrustful person.

Practicing Mindfulness, Meditation and Prayer are ways to learn and practice how to slow down and quiet our thoughts so that we can tune in to hear from God. Prayer is talking to God while meditation is listening to God. Mindfulness is learning to be present in the here and now instead of thinking about what has yet to come or about what has happened in the past. It is one of the greatest expressions of love, to be present, where the divine Creator will meet and guide you toward all that you need to heal. After all, art, music, drama, dance and writing all come from God to help us.

- Laurie Bowen, B.Ed., C.D.C.,M.S.W.,R.S.W. Psychotherapist/Creative Arts Therapist

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

Clinic Location: McMartin House 125 Gore St. E Perth

november 2015

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

14

culture Canadian songstress Lynn Miles to visit Smiths Falls One of Ottawa’s most celebrated singer/songwriters is coming to Smiths Falls this month. Ottawa based, Juno award winning songbird Lynn Miles, will perform at the Gallipeau Centre Theatre on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.

“We’re going to do some old songs and new songs, and the audience will laugh and they will cry, but probably laugh more because Keith and I get really funny together,” says Miles.

Keith Glass of Prairie Oyster is a multiple award winner in his own right. The two met up some 25 years ago and started playing together about 14 years ago.

“I was going to Europe on tour and needed a guitar player, and so I asked him,” says Miles. “He’s a dear to work with, and really fun-

ny, and easy to travel with.

We get along really well.”

That rapport has led them to continue playing together on and off, ever since.

“She’s great to work with, primarily because she’s a great songwriter and singer,” Glass says.

“So when it comes time to sing harmony, I know exactly where I need to be.”

It is in fact both the singing and the songwriting that really define Miles rather than any one genre of music..

“I write all the time.

I really live my life as a writer. I’m always writing - at the airport, in the car, everywhere – I’m obsessed with lyrics,” she says.

She says she’s inspired by the human condition, why people do the things

they do, and how they form and negotiate relationships of every stripe.

“I also love words and the beauty of words,” says Miles who says she’s an avid reader. She consumes books voraciously and her tastes run the gamut of fiction to history, psychology, philosophy, and current affairs.

“Really I read anything that sparks an interest or could lead me to a song,” she says.

Mile began singing even before she could talk.

“My mom says she only knew I was asleep in my crib when the singing stopped,” says Miles.

Devoted to her craft, Miles has been a professional singer/songwriter since she turned 18. She has toured Canada and

the world, and spent some years in Los Angeles, Nashville and Austin, Texas.

Along the way she has collected an array of accolades including multiple Canadian Folk music awards including English Songwriter of the year and a Juno for Roots and Traditional Solo Album. She has 12 albums to her credit and isn’t slowing down at all. If anything she seems to be getting better and better. Her latest release “Downpour” has been receiving glowing reviews.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visist www.gllipeaucentretheatre. com Tickets are just $20, and there is a cash bar, and canteen on site and free parking.

— Submitted by the Gallipeau Centre Theatre.

Heritage Symposium highlights ideas for revitalizing downtown SMITHS FALLS - HOWAIDA SOROUR ROBERTS

The fourth annual Heritage Symposium held on Friday Oct 23 at the Station Theatre was well attended with more than 80 registrants.

This year’s theme was Re-

vitalizing Our Main Street.

“I’m new in my job as BIA coordinator for Perth and I wanted to get informed,” said Kari Clarke.

She was not alone and there were representatives from numerous surrounding municipalities.

“I’m on a Façade Improve-

Jan Hawley, economic development officer for Huron East, explains an innovative idea to fill empty stores with new blood, and create a buzz to revitalize flagging downtowns.

ment committee and I have a lot of interest in what other municipalities are doing, I’m particularly interested in hearing from Jan Hawley,” said Rob Probert, business owner in Carleton Place.

Certainly the highlight of this year’s symposium was the final speaker, Jan Hawley who explained her innovative “Win this Space” project that was launched in Huron East.

“The idea behind it was to help budding entrepreneurs open store front businesses to fill empty spaces in the downtown area,” said Hawley.

The project offered the winning business one year’s free rent in any of the empty downtown retail spaces. The town’s investment was $9,000 in rent payments for one year.

The competition was open to any entrepreneur who wanted to take the next step. Competitors had to submit their business ideas and attend a series of business workshops and finally submit a business plan.

The winning entry was given a choice of locations as well as in-kind support from other local businesses. Huron East received 28 submissions for the contest, 24 of them completed the training and 14 submitted business plans.

“The contest created mo-

mentum and three of the other finalists opened their businesses without winning any space,” said Hawley.

The response to the contest said Hawley far exceeded the original expectations in terms of both interest and downtown revitalization.

Other speakers at the symposium included Adele Arbour, who talked about the transformation of downtown Thorold through Community Improvement Plans (CIP). Her well received talk centered on how municipal government incentives can beautify and revitalize a neglected downtown. In the case of Thorold, the CIP was accompanied by urban development guidelines and development design guidelines in an effort to preserve the heritage character of the downtown area.

“The result is an attractive downtown that has become a destination, and a resurgence of new retail businesses locating in the area,” said Arbour.

In the case of Thorold the CIP has since been expanded beyond the BIA area to include areas designated as ‘mixed use’ by the town’s official plan.

Arbour cautioned that while the town of Thorold is now reaping the benefits of its vision and CIP, it wasn’t all smooth sailing from the start.

“We set out our first CIP in 2005, but didn’t get any applications until 2007,” she pointed out. “We were also aggressive with our zoning by-laws,” she added.

Pointing out that at the start there were a lot of property owners who wanted to turn retail space into residential but were categorically turned down.

“We stuck to our zoning and ruled that the front of those properties had to be businesses but 50 percent of the back could be residential,” said Arbour.

Each case, she said, was evaluated on its own merit.

Other speakers included Andrew Edmundson, marketing officer at the Perth Campus of Algonquin College who discussed and explained the goal and role of the College’s Heritage Institute.

In particular he focused on the Masonry program, which teaches students everything from structural to ornamental masonry and repair.

“Students learn about and how to do stone cutting, repair and repointing as well,” said Edmondson.

Most significantly they learn the importance of matching stone to the right mix of mortar when assessing and undertaking repair jobs.

The next speaker was Robyn Pixner the inven-

tor of Rhino Wood Repair. Pixner has developed a product that takes a bite out of the cost of repairing or replacing rotten or damaged wood. It’s a formable putty that is water-proof, has structural integrity and can be treated like wood in every way, including staining, once it dries.

Last but no least Maire Hogan, gave a fascinating presentation on the challenges she and her husband Steve Maddock , are facing as they slowly and methodically restore their property on Chambers Street in Smiths Falls.

“The challenge is balancing cost and aesthetics with heritage restoration plans,” said Hogan.

The couple, who run two business on the street level of their building have been doing all the building restoration and repairs on their won without any municipal involvement.

While the symposium lasted the entire day, the time passed quickly largely thanks the Heritage Committee and Town of Smiths Falls impeccable organization of the event, which included several coffee breaks and a beautifully prepared lunch catered by Limestone and Ivy. The caliber of speakers also meant there was little fidgeting in the auditorium.

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culture

Perth inside out: by Terry O’Hearn One soldier’s resilience

“You are lying on your side, and it feels like a spiked club has been shoved inside you – every nerve and fiber of your body is being ripped apart. On top of that, the sensation of dual ice picks inserted into the groin area pushes the pain level to an eleven out of ten.”

Perth veteran Frank Larabie, a Member of the Order of Military Merit (OMM), describes a typical ordeal with chronic pain. His suffering is much like that of others who have the debilitating ailment, and they are all aware the “specter of agony,” will be coming to get them from time to time.

Larabie suffered multiple injuries, beginning with a dislocated shoulder in 1983, and underwent many operations, during his 22-year career in the Canadian Armed Forces and North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD). Surgeries did not always go well, and additional nerve and muscle damage took place over the years. His shoulder and scapula were rebuilt in 2007, followed by three months in a confined position while healing.

It was not really a surprise to Larabie when he also developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), most likely the result of trauma and injuries received during overseas service. PTSD by itself can be so overwhelming it has been described as “like having a compound fracture ripping through the soul.”

And to make the situation worse, people with chronic pain may actually be reminded of the traumatic event, which will tend to make the PTSD symptoms worse. The vicious circle is thus completed.

Rather than accept a bedridden existence, Larabie has taken the high road, and met the enemy head-on. The first significant milestone was registering for the 5-kilometre Canada Army Run in 2009, after spending a year healing and relearning to walk following a final surgery. Completing a walk of the course on behalf of the Soldier On program was his “way of giving back to the people who help me.”

Although he had already achieved more than most of his medical

support team thought would be possible, Larabie shocked even himself at the 2012 Army Run, when he announced in the excitement of the moment that he would complete a half-marathon, or 13.1094 miles, the following year.

Now faced with a goal that at times seemed insurmountable, he decided to surround himself with friends. The deal was that Larabie would pay their Army Run registration, and he would also give them a free team T-shirt.

The first group numbered only five, but he has since had to limit the team at 16 members. By the time he did complete the 2013 distance, friends and support team had begun to realize the grit and determination within the broken body.

Although the physical size of the team is 16, there are two additional members walking with them in memory. The names Brown and Bromley appear on the team T-Shirts in the shape of a cross. Warrant Officer Dennis Brown was killed while deployed to Afghanistan in 2009, and in 2006, Private Travis Bromley.

“There are really 18 members of the team. And every step of the Army Run will be for Warrant Officer Dennis Brown and Private Travis Bromley.”

The name of Larabie’s team came about following a workout in Perth.

“During our first year of half-marathon training we did a dry run of the full 21.1 km distance in the summer. It was a miserably hot day and there were five of us walking and two of us riding bikes, but there was not one quiet moment, the conversation never stopped. That’s why we are the Walky Talkys,” explained Larabie.

Larabie is the one member of the Walky Talkys who has little to say during a typical training session.

Because he has to focus on each body part movement, he can only add a few words every 15 minutes or so. The use of Nordic style walking poles has greatly improved his ability to walk distances, and his mobility has improved to the extent that he dreams of one day running the final stretch at the Army Run. At this year’s Canada Army Run, Larabie and the Walky Talkys raised $3,000

for Soldier On, bringing the total over the last six years to $17,500. He and other Army Run participants have been responsible for collecting more than $1.2 million on behalf of Soldier On and Military Families Fund. Larabie is thankful to have received a gym membership from Soldier On in 2010 and 2011, an organization known for helping ill and injured soldiers by introducing them to high-level and recreational sports.

Larabie went on to describe a device which is being created solely for the purpose of providing the opportunity to mix in some running with walking. Assisted only by walking poles, he can run about 10 metres without collapsing. With the help of the poles, and the device he describes as “like an oversized mousetrap walker with slings and pulleys,” Larabie expects to be able to run considerably farther without stopping.

Although he does find satisfaction in his own achievements, Larabie insists that the end goal is to be able to pay it forward. Raising money and awareness will help those who suffer from PTSD, depression, operational stress, cancer, chronic pain, and other ailments.

“Frank’s Five Plus One” lifestyle adaptation is a method Larabie has developed to help himself and others achieve their goals.

“You have five achievable goals each day. And then you add one more, just like doing that extra pushup.”

The plan calls for keeping a log to communicate with self, family and friends, and medical support personnel. Is there an App for that? Not yet, but there may be one in the works.

The man you see walking with cane or poles, a determined, perhaps ferocious, look about him, and clad in a Walky Talky or Soldier On shirt, that warrior may be Frank Larabie. He is on a journey with a past that often haunts, a present that has much satisfaction, and always there seems to be a better future within reach.

-Terry O’Hearn served in the Royal Canadian Navy for three years in Naval Radio Station Inuvik, and on the Destroyer Escort HMCS Chaudiere, and then served for 28 years in the Ontario Provincial Police in Perth and Toronto. He is currently part of the organizing committees of the Glen Tay Block Race, Perth Polar Bear Plunge, and Perth’s World Record Kilt Run 2016. He is also an exective member of the Royal Canadian Legion, PerthUpon-Tay Branch 244, and the Public Relations Officer for the branch and Zone G6 of the Legion.

Classic Theatre actor receives prestigious award nomination

The Classic Theatre Festival’s Alison Smyth has won a Best Actress nomination for her performance in the Festival’s 2015 staging of the thriller Wait Until Dark. (Photo: Jean-Denis Labelle)

A performer with the Classic Theatre Festival has received a prestigious Capital Circle’s Best Actress nomination.

Alison Smyth has been nominated for her performance as blind Susy Hendrix in the festival’s 2015 production of the thriller “Wait Until Dark,” directed by Laurel Smith.

The Capital Critics Circle is a collection of some of Canada’s top professional theatre critics, including Iris Winston, Jamie Portman, and Patrick Langston. The Toronto-based Smyth will return to her Ottawa hometown November 21st for the annual awards ceremony at the National Arts Centre.

“The National Arts Centre is the theatre I went to see my first professional everything,” Smyth said upon hearing the news. “My first musical, opera, symphony, concert recital, play and ballet. It is the theatre that had me transfixed as a child. It will be very exciting to return to the NAC for my first Best Actress Nomination.”

Smyth says she was elated to hear the news, as she was “very proud to be a part of ‘Wait Until Dark.’ The entire company was fully invested in always finding and playing the truth.

This made it magical.”

“Wait Until Dark” the story of a blind woman who must defend herself after her apartment has been invaded by criminals, drew five-star reviews all summer from

critics and audiences alike, and also marked the professional debut of local aspiring performers Madison Miernik of Perth and Samantha Salter of Smiths Falls, who shared the role of the nine-year-old Gloria. Rounding out the cast were Classic Theatre veteran performers Alastair Love, Greg Campbell, Richard Gélinas, Scott Clarkson, and Sean Jacklin.

“It’s a challenging play to produce because so many elements have to come together in an exact fashion to keep the tension building right until the final moment, and we were thrilled to be able to have such a great company to pull it off,” says director Laurel Smith, who notes the introduction of mysteries and thrillers into the festival’s summer mix has been a major success.

Behind her onstage poise, Alison Smyth confesses “the role of Susy brought me some anxiety leading up to rehearsals.

Once Susy enters in at the end of the first scene, she never leaves the stage for more then a few seconds. I wanted to know my lines before rehearsals so that the element of memorization would have been dealt with and I could focus on finding a truthful performance.

As a performer, Susy made me connect with the other actors without using my eyes. That was a challenge and very interesting. It was such a juicy role. I’m grate-

ful that Classic Theatre Festival cast me because it made for fulfilling work as an actress.”

The Capital Critics Circle nomination, the second for the Festival, is among a number of noteworthy achievements that have helped place Perth on the regional map as a tourism destination for professional entertainment, including nominations for the 2013 Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts, Best New Company (Ottawa Tourism), Vision Awards (Land O Lakes Tourism), and top-tier scores in the OHVation customer service ranking.

“But the best recognition we get is from our audiences (80% of them tourists) when they enjoy the show and come back for more, which is not only great for the company, but also good news for Perth’s economy,” Smith says. “Cultural tourists outspend all other tourists by a ratio of almost two to one, and that is good news for our partners in the restaurant and accommodation business, as well as for downtown shops.”

The Festival is slated to officially announce its 2016 season shortly, with the exciting teaser that the mainstage season will expand to add a third play, pushing the season opening to June 24 and running until Sept. 11, 2016.

For more information, visit www. classictheatre.ca

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culture

Celebration of Lights Back for a 3rd Season

With the Christmas season drawing closer, the Smiths Falls Celebration of Lights is making plans for its third exciting season of bringing Victoria Park alive with illumination. Beginning Nov. 28 and continuing through Dec. 31, Victoria Park will once again capture the magic of the holiday season as families, friends and visitors are able to tour the many outstanding light displays throughout Victoria Park along the beautiful Rideau Canal.

Everyone is invited to the opening ceremonies on Nov. 28 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Victoria Park on Lombard St. when the lights will be turned on for the 2015 season. The ceremonies will feature music, horse drawn wagon rides, free cookies and hot chocolate – not to mention a visit from Santa. Build a Mountain of Food will also be on site so please bring a non-perishable food item to fill the van.

In 2014 this completely free community event featured an opening ceremony that saw more than 500 visitors in Victoria Park to view more than 20,000 lights in 25 displays, three blow-ups

and several trees. We estimate that up to 7,000 additional visitors either strolled or drove through the park to see the festive lights throughout the month-long event.

“We are very pleased that Celebration of Lights has been such a success. We heard over and over how much everyone enjoyed the lights in the park, ” said Susan Richards, Vice-President for Together Smiths Falls. “I am looking forward to 2015 as we have new displays and more lights in the works”.

To create a truly spectacular display for visitors in 2015, Together Smiths Falls is looking for organizations interested in putting up their own displays in the park.

The opportunity to put up a free display in the park is open to anyone who wishes to participate, including individuals, families, businesses, churches, non-profit organizations and schools.

“It’s a great promotional opportunity for businesses and community partners,” said Tracey Pankow, President of Together Smiths Falls.

“And best of all, there’s no cost for businesses to participate, oth-

er than the expense of their lighting displays.”

Organizations can create lighting displays following the theme of their choice and can be either handmade or purchased. Pankow said participating in the lighting displays at the park is a good way for businesses to show their Christmas spirit while taking part in a community event that has shown tremendous success aCer two seasons.

The Smiths Falls Celebration of Lights is organized and operated by Together Smiths Falls and is run thanks to the efforts of volunteers. Together Smiths Falls is a non-profit organization and funds raised by its events are used to run the activities or donated back to the community. The Celebration of Lights is run in co-operation with the Town of Smiths Falls.

For more information about reserving your space at Victoria Park, to make a donation or to volunteer for the event, please contact Tracey Pankow at 613-2859125 or email at info@ togethersmithsfalls.com

The CP Rain Holiday Train coming to Smiths Falls and Perth November 29

The train features mu- include sical performances and festivities, while raising food and cash donations for North American food banks. This year’s performers will

Blue Rodeo front man Jim Cuddy.

The tour tickets off in Montreal Nov. 28 and will stop in Smiths Falls on Nov. 29 at 6:29 p.m. and in Perth on the

same day at 7:40 p.m.

The concerts are free but attendees are encouraged to make donations of either cash or non-perishable food items.

Nighttime parade brings Christmas magic to Smiths Falls

Don’t miss Santa’s exciting appearance at the annual Santa Claus parade on Nov. 21 at 5 p.m.

Sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 95, and with the co-operation of the town of

Smiths Falls, this year’s parade will feature support and participation from a number of local businesses, service clubs and other organizations.

The parade will start at the Youth Arena on Cornelia Street before pro-

ceeding down Beckwith Street to Jasper Avenue, where it will turn left to continue on to Lower Reach Park. Following the parade, the Kinsmen Club has offered to open the clubhouse at Lower Reach Park and provide free hot dogs and hot chocolate to all spectators. Healey Transportation will be providing a complimentary shuttle service back to the arena.

Although Santa will not be able to stay at Lower Reach Park, children will be relieved to know he be ready for more fun at the Smiths Falls Legion on Sunday morning where

he will host a breakfast.

The breakfast will be free to children accompanying a paying adult, and will also feature an opportunity to meet Santa firsthand and grab a photo with the big guy himself.

comes onto site.”

Lawrence says the nighttime parade adds an important bit of Christmas magic to the parade as spectators watch the Christmas-inspired light displays move through downtown.

“The Smiths Falls parade is always very well attended by both spectators and float entries,” says parade committee member Lori Lawrence.

“It is very exciting when the parade moves along the streets of Smiths Falls to see all the excitement on the faces of the little ones and the happy cheers for Santa when he

The parade committee encourages all businesses and community services groups to participate in this exciting event by entering a float and show their community spirit.

Floats can arrive anytime in the afternoon at the Youth Arena parking lot, final judging of the floats will take place between 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Prize categories nclude Best Overall Entry, Best Christmas Entry, Best Religious Entry, Most Original Entry, and Best Commercial Entry.

Lawrence says the parade committee encourages everyone to be creative and to incorporate music in their floats to help get spectators into the Christmas spirit.

Parade participants can pre-register by calling Margo Loughren at the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre at 613-283-1265.

-Submitted by the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre

november 2015

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

17

food & drink Column: Food for thought

A taste of fall It’s the time of year we yearn for warming foods like soups, stews or, for me, anything with mashed potatoes. There is this sense of comfort, particularly on cold and rainy days, that accompanies these foods.

Take, for example, chicken soup. Is there anything better than chicken soup when you have a cold or are feeling ill? Maybe your grandmother made a beef stew that you love and that reminds you of her when you make it or maybe it’s shepherd’s pie that your mom used to make when you were little and

By Amy Rendby

it was cold and icky outside.

They are meals that warm not only our bodies, but our hearts too.

And so we put away the barbecue and turn instead to crock pots and dutch ovens the stovetop to prepare meals we have probably enjoyed since we were little.

I most certainly inherited my Dad’s love of soup. I could, quite easily, eat soup every day and never tire of it. It’s filling, it’s warm and yet, not so heavy that you feel the need for an afternoon nap.

One of my favorite

fall vegetables is the sweet potato. So easy to make, so hearty and ridiculously healthy as a great source of Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin A, potassium, magnesium, iron and fiber but contain no fat and a medium sized sweet potato is roughly 115 calories.

For those who are diabetic or working to manage blood sugar levels, steaming or boiling may be a better option than roasting.

This is an easy soup to make and it freezes very well. If you do freeze it, add the cream

Column: On the Farm

By Shannon Miller

Just what DO farmers do in the winter?

It’s a perfectly legitimate question.

After all, the fields will soon be covered in snow, and that’s where we spend the majority of our time in the summer, right?

The quick answer to the question is always, “Now, we do the things we didn’t have time for in the busy season.”

Believe it or not, the days fly by, filled with

many tasks and commitments. They are just tasks and commitments of a different sort.

There are endless appointments with financial advisors, insurance providers, sales reps for all types of crop inputs and farm machinery. Yes, there is much camaraderie and many pots of coffee are consumed around the farm kitchen table in these ‘quiet’ months.

Now, we take the time

to meet with all of those people we ‘brushed off’ over the summer!

We spend more time ‘in the books’, (or on the computer), researching and planning for the next year, placing orders for seeds and supplies, and keeping up on the latest trends and developments in agriculture and food.

Which part of winter do we look forward to most? Having more time to play! Whether it’s building a snowman, spending some time on the snowmobile trails, or having family board game and a movie on a Saturday afternoon.

Many years, when the season has been favourable and the budget permits, our winter will include a short get-away to somewhere warmer, well deserved by our kids, for whom the term “summer vacation” is definitely a bit of an oxymoron.

Between meetings, planning, preparation and playing… there really is NEVER a dull moment!

But, as “they” say….

“A change is as good as a rest.”

after defrosting, when you’re reheating.

Sweet Potato Bisque (5-7 servings) 6 medium sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed 900mL water or soup or vegetable stock 400mL of cream ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg ½ teaspoon of minced ginger 1 tablespoon of olive oil

salt and pepper to taste Heat olive oil in a soup pot and add minced ginger to lightly sauté. Add mashed sweet potatoes and water or stock. Once heated through, add nutmeg, cream and salt and pepper. Transfer soup to a blender and blend until smooth. Return to the pot and add the cream.

Heat through and serve.

Add a tea biscuit and

you’ve got a great lunch.

If you’d like to make this a vegan soup, simply use water or vegetable stock and use coconut cream instead of regular cream. You can also lighten it up by using milk instead of cream.

-Amy Rensby, Foodie and owner of Magnolia Catering and Event Creations

Local church women’s group does Christmas baking

Big changes are happening for the Bethel United Church Bazaar in 2015. Historically, the small rural church has held a very successful Christmas tea and bazaar, holding a Christmas worship service and selling hundreds of tins of their famous homemade cookies. As a result of their success, the event has been changed to better accommodate everyone who wants to attend.

This year, their annual Worship, Tea, and Bazaar will be a two day event. In the past the United Church Women’s (UCW) group of the church have enjoyed tremendous success with their annual bazaar. So much so, the crowds were becoming a lot to manage.

“We want to continue to sell cookies, and we don’t want to cut out the things that make the event truly special, like the worship,” says UCW member Linda Hamon, “We’re taking a risk and spreading it out. We hope that peo-Shannon Miller, Miller’s ple can come and enjoy Bay Farm a very special Christmas worship service and then come another

day to shop the bake sale. We’ll have more help, and the help will be a little less tired!”

This UCW group is highly supportive of local charities, including the snowsuit fund, Interval House, and various children’s charities. Funds raised from this event help the Bethel UCW support local not for profit agencies as well as add to the needs of the local congregation.

The Worship, Tea, and Craft Sale will take place on Nov. 18 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Orders for tins of mixed cookies will be taken, on the day, for pick-up at the Bake Sale on Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Telephone orders will also be accepted until Nov. 22 by calling 613-283-1777.

Also this fall, the local church will be hosting a now annual event, “Give Me That Old Tyme Religion” on Nov. 8. Come join the Bethel United Church Choir and the Rideau Mellowdears in a presentation and sing-along of favourite gospel tunes and special requests. Come for dessert at 6 p.m. and stay for the performance at 7 p.m.

Want to know more about this dynamic group, or about the local church and its services? Call the church office at 613267-3855 to speak to Rev. Elizabeth Tucker.

— Submitted by Bethel United Church

november 2015

18

business spotlight on business Rideau Candy Shoppe smiths Falls Howaida Sorour-Roberts

It’s definitely a destination store, with a huge heart. The Rideau Candy Shoppe on Russell Street is sweet tooth heaven. It’s not just a sugar lover’s heaven either, because Sheldon Giff, proprietor, carries both sugar and sugarless candies.

“I do carry sugar free candy, and I’m looking at making sugar free candies in store, so I’m tinkering with recipes in the workshop right now,” says Giff.

That’s what makes the Rideau Candy Shoppe stand out. Giff doesn’t just buy and sell candy. He makes most of the candy in his store.

“I learnt how to make candies with my grandmother and mother, but I also took chocolate making workshops in Ottawa,” says Giff.

He makes chocolates and truffles on the premises and 36 flavours of a soft caramel he stores in a refrigerator. He also makes 200 flavours of hard candy.

“I don’t make those every day otherwise I’d go crazy,” says Giff.

He has a wide selection of colours and flavours at any given time. He also makes 150 flavours of fudge.

“A lot of my fudge recipes are my own and the caramel recipes are mine as well,” says Giff.

Unlike most fudge makers, Giff says he doesn’t use a fudge kettle but makes all his fudge by hand in batches.

“We do everything by hand, we do it the old fashioned way, we then cut it and wrap it, we even make our own packaging, because we’re not rich yet,” he says.

Besides making candy, Giff also runs regular candy making workshops.

In addition, Every two months he holds an art contests for the 18 and under crowd. He breaks that age group into three segments and

the top three winners from each category receive prizes for their winning entries.

He also gives back to the community, running a fudge sale every two weeks with 10 per cent of proceeds going to an organization or charity in town. The Smiths Falls Library and the Susan Shirley program have both been recipients of his donations.

“We’ll be having a sale from the first to sevent of November to benefit the Library again,” says Giff.

Never short on ideas or community spirit, Giff also runs holiday themed events. Mrs. Claus will visit the store on Dec. 11, 12, 19, and 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Children are invited to meet Mrs. Claus and make a free gingerbread man with her. There will also be free hot chocolate. Parents who want photos are asked to bring their own cameras.

Responsible young man that he is, Giff is also planning an essay contest for anyone under 18 who wants to take part in a free candy-making workshop.

“Kids will have to write in and tell us

why they want to take the workshop and who they want to accompany them and why,” says Giff.

There will be eight winner picked, to make up a class of 16 participants for the free workshop on Tuesday Dec 22.

He’s also planning to make some special holiday fudge, or at least name a holiday fudge.

“I have lots of fun with the names, this year at Valentine’s we had ‘Don’t Worry, You’re Not Alone Fudge’, it sold out in one day,” he says.

That cheery disposition coupled with a very practical bent and a college degree in accounting make Giff a savvy young businessman.

He says his first year has been more successful than he could have hoped, and he’s been able to add a little more to his business every month. He’s a got a five year plan that’s both intriguing and achievable.

“In five years I hope to have a second store while keeping this store as the anchor, I also hope to have a good sized staff, because that was partly why I opened the store, to create employment in this town,” says Giff.

He’ll need the staff as is on fire,” he says. demand for his amazing candy creations continues to grow. The Rideau Candy Shoppe isn’t just about homemade candy, Giff also imports candies from Japan, South Africa and the U.K., but he’s selective.

“We’ve got candies you won’t find in corporate stores,” he says.

“We try to bring in nostalgic lines of candy.”

Giff says that includes Sky Bars, Astro Pops, Chiclets, McGraw’s Taffy, and BB Bats.

“I’ve got some weird things as well, like bug candies and chocolate covered bugs, and jalapeno candies that Proprietor Sheldon Giff shown, here with his hand made fudge sestart out sweet but then lection including lavender fudge, cheesecake fudge, cotton candy suddenly your mouth fudge and so much more.

november 2015

19

business

Lots to celebrate as Duchess Boutique marks first birthday After a year in business, the Duchess Boutique has provided opportunities to women in the community while giving them a place to shop as well. Hometown News’ Dianne Pinder-Moss speaks with the store’s manager about the year that was and what’s to come.

By Dianne Pinder-Moss A birthday is cause for celebration, and that’s certainly the case for the Duchess Boutique, which is marking its first year anniversary of being in business.

A social enterprise of Crowns of Life, the gift shop at 4 Main Street East in Smiths Falls, opened Oct. 2014 to raise funds for the Susan Shirley Program, a residential maternity home and parent training centre on Elmsley Street that provides support to young mothers and mothers-to-be during their pregnancy and the initial months following the baby’s birth.

With the Susan Shirley Program receiving no government based funding, Duchess Boutique has provided much needed cash for the program.

“Considering we have only been in business for the first year, it is quite successful,” manager Sarah Gaensler tells HomeTown News. Taking into consideration startup costs, the store has still managed to assist the program with a couple thousand dollars in financial support.

Another cause for celebration is the success of the Duchess Boutique, in terms of helping program participants from Grace’s Haven, a second stage home on Russell Street for graduates of the Susan Shirley Program, work on their employable skills “It allows them to

have a real job experience,” Gaensler said. Work skills learned range from product placement to marketing to refurbishing furniture.

The Duchess Boutique provides an opportunity for those who have not yet finished high school to earn co-operative education credits to finish their schooling.

To date, five young women have received training through the store.

“Some have gone on to other jobs and moved forward in their life,” Gaensler stated, adding that one also attained the necessary co-operative education credits at the store to receive her high school diploma. “As much as it is financial, they are succeeding in other ways as well.”

As Duchess Boutique marks its first year in operation, its manager is also celebrating that about 110 pieces of furniture from end tables to china cabinets, most of which have been donated, have been refurbished in a variety of colours and styles. All of the refurbishing has been done in-house, thus allowing young moms working there to learn an important job skill. “[Refurbishing] is a skill they can take away with them,” she said. “They can upcycle pieces for their own home or to sell. It is transferrable and useful.”

Another thing that is “kind of cool,”

Gaensler says, is that about eight other new stores and restaurants have opened in downtown Smiths Falls in the past year.

“We have really created a community where you can come and shop and dine,” stated the store manager who joined the board of the Downtown Business Association earlier this year.

“It’s a place where you can come and shop and buy a gift and support the local economy.”

As its name suggests, the philosophy of Duchess Boutique is that everyone should be treated like royalty from the young mothers working there to the customers.

“We want to show Smiths Falls that you matter,” Gaensler remarked. “Everybody deserves to be treated well.”

As part of the royal treatment, Gaensler says if a customer comes in and buys a gift, wrapping will be provided.

She says Duchess Boutique also tries to stand out in the merchandise sold in the store’s different sections – refurbished furniture, women’s accessories, kitchen, home décor and baby items. From linens from Ireland to colourful silicone kitchen utensils and oven mitts from the United Kingdom to handmade “Cutie Pie Tutus” by local resident Suzanne Donovan, the emphasis is on unique.

“We try to bring

things into the store you don’t see in Smiths Falls – something you wouldn’t find in a box store,” Gaensler said.

Likewise, the focus is on providing quality products at reasonable prices.

“All of the prices reflect the economy in Smiths Falls,” the store manager stated. “Even though we are all brand new, we believe we are super affordable.”

To enhance the customer experience, Gaensler says she hopes to introduce online shopping within a few months.

Response to the Duchess Boutique since its opening in 2014 has been quite positive, its manager says. As an example, someone posted on the store’s Facebook page – “Amazing store with such an amazing story. I would love to see this idea go viral.

Lots of cities should pick up this idea.”

Customers aren’t

the only ones talking up the Duchess Boutique. Rebecca, who’s been gaining job skills in the store since January, says the experience is “wonderful.”

“It’s a good kind of challenge,” she says.

Aside from the work experience she has received, being able to bring her infant son to work with her until he was six months old was an added bonus for Rebecca.

“It was nice to bring him in the store,” she said. “Being able to tend to him and get job experience.”

The Susan Shirley Program has served 36 young women aged 15 to 30 since its opening in September 2011.

Gaensler says it’s the only maternal home between the east end of Ottawa and Ajax.

Participants have extended beyond Lanark County and the United Counties of Leeds-Grenville to Renfrew and Fronte-

nac, Lennox and Addington. Right now, between the Susan Shirley Program and Grace’s Haven, both houses are full with eight women being served.

Operating hours for the Duchess Boutique are Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Along with Sunday, the store is also closed on Mondays during the winter months. The exception is December when the store will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Gaensler is currently looking for volunteers, preferably with retail experience, to help staff the Duchess Boutique. Anyone who is interested in helping out a few hours each week is invited to contact her at 613-701-3354 or email her at duchessboutique.sf@gmail.com.

november 2015

20

business

the

VALUE

of advice Shawn Pankow CFP.CLU How do you envision your retirement? Are you anxious and excited to enter that stage of your life, confident you will have the time to do what you want, and enough money to feel confident about your income security for life? Or are concerned you will not have enough savings, and are worried you will face poverty and dependency on others in your later years as you run out of money?

Unfortunately, with so few people retiring with a full, defined benefit pension plan and with the decline in interest rates over the past decade, the reality is more people could face a very difficult and stressful retirement than those that can approach their golden years with confidence and control.

However, with your discipline and commitment, combined with professional advice and a well thought out and crafted retirement plan, there may still be time to enter retirement with the incredible confidence financial security can provide.

Life can be very challenging when you are living paycheck to paycheck and there never seems to be anything left over at the end of the month.

However, as long as you have the ability to work and earn an income, you can still create success for yourself and manage your cash flow and expenses.

Now picture yourself in the future. Imagine being 75, 80, or 85 years old and broke. You could still have Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security, however, these alone would not likely be enough to pay even the most basic expenses.

Do you want to start looking for a job at that stage in life? Do you want to be dependent on someone else?

No matter what age you are today, a retirement plan can illustrate for you how much money you will need at retirement, and how much you should be saving

each year to ensure you will be okay. A properly drafted plan will also set annual goals and benchmarks you should meet to ensure you are on track to meet your goals. As you approach retirement, it enables you to understand if you can retire when you want, or, if you need to work longer or adjust your lifestyle as you prepare to transition to a lower income.

If you are retired, a retirement income plan can ensure you are able to stretch your savings out for the rest of your life and follow a reasonable draw down rate to ensure you don’t run out of money. These plans also illustrate benchmarks that need to be monitored annually to ensure your income, and therefore your lifestyle, are sustainable.

Approximately 75 per cent of people will live to retirement age, and when about half of all people age 65 will live another 20 years, retiring without a plan, or being retired without a plan, creates a real risk to your income security.

Furthermore, the sooner you start, the better off you will be. As Albert Einstein once said, “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it.

He who doesn’t pays it.”

As the rule of 72 indicates, when you divide 72 by the amount of interest you earn each year, you quickly learn how quickly your money will double in value. For example, if your portfolio earns eight per cent interest, it will double in value every nine years with no further contributions. However, if your portfolio only earns four per cent, it will take 18 years for your values to double.

So, a 30-year-old with $25,000 saved in Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs), wanting to retire at age 66, would see that value double four times in the next 36 years creating a nest egg of $400,000 with no further contributions,

at an annualized growth rate of 8%. That future value at retirement would swell to over $1.3 million if he or she continued to save $5,000 annually.

If the same investor was more conservative with his or her investment philosophy and was only able to earn 4% annually, the future values with no additional contributions would be just under $103,000, or $490,000 with the $5,000 annual contributions.

Assuming the same people waited another nine years before starting to save, but then started investing $5,000 annually.

The future value for the investor earning 8% would total $400,000 (compared to a value of $1.3M starting nine years earlier) and the one earning 4% would have a nest egg of $221,000 compared to $400,000.

Wait another nine years to age 48, and those future values drop to $187,000 and $128,000 respectively.

If you retire in your mid 60s and want to ensure you will never run out of money and can adjust your future income to inflation, your drawdown rate at the start of retirement should be no greater than 5% of your initial portfolio value.

In other words, do not take out more than $5,000 for every $100,000 you have saved. A drawdown rate of four per cent would be that much more sustainable.

Withdrawing more than that amount each year creates a risk that you will outlive your savings. A risk you do not want to face later in retirement.

Most financial planners or advisors will create a comprehensive retirement or income sustainability plan for free. Take advantage of this opportunity and give yourself the peace of mind you need to retire with confidence and the knowledge that your income is secure for life.

Shawn Pankow is a Certified Financial Planning professional with Pankow Financial Solutions Ltd.

Column:

Though it may not be intuitive, your taxes and marital status are very intertwined.

A number of calculations on your tax return are affected by your marital status on Dec. 31.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is always advised of your marital status when your tax return is filed, but you may not realize the CRA must usually be notified of a change to marital status when it occurs.

This notification is very important because your marital status affects credits paid to you throughout the year, such as the GST/ HST Credit, the Ontario Trillium Benefit, and the Child Tax Benefit.

These credits are calculated using your marital status at the start of the month in which they are paid. If your marital status is common-law or married, the payment is calculated using the combined net income of both partners and is paid to either you or your spouse (not both).

How your marital status can complicate your taxes

By Steve Bennett Let’s look at a simple example using the GST/ HST Credit. Two people with no dependents get married, and they each have an annual net income of $30,000. Prior to their marriage, they both would have been receiving quarterly GST/ HST Credit payments based on their individual incomes. Once they are married, their combined income is too high, so they will cease to qualify for payments beginning the following month.

In this case, any payments received after getting married will have to be repaid. The more time that’s taken to notify CRA, the larger the overpayment and eventual bill. Of course, marital status changes can also increase credit payments. In these cases, CRA would issue a catch-up payment when they are notified of the change.

As long as you are aware of the potential pitfalls around marital status changes, they are easy to avoid. All you

need to do is identify when a marital status change occurs, at least according to the Income Tax Act, and notify CRA shortly after that change occurs.

Identifying your marital status is not always as straightforward as you might think. It is usually pretty clear, but there are often questions about when a couple is considered common-law. For tax purposes, a couple is considered common-law if they have been living together for 12 months.

If they have a child together, they are considered common-law the date they move in together.

You are required to notify CRA by the end of the month following the change (or 90 days in the case of a separation).

So, if the couple in our example was married in November, then they must advise CRA by the end of December. This is done using form RC65 – Marital Status Change.

Steve Bennett is a finan-

FINANCIAL, RETIREMENT AND ESTATE PLANNING RRSPs . RESP . Mutual Funds . GIOs . Life Insurance RRIFs . Critical Illness . Disability Insurance

Shawn J. Pankow CFP, CLU . . . . . . Certified Financial Planner James Pankow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Financial Security Advisor Barry Thompson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Financial Security Advisor Insurance products are offered by Pankow Financial Solutions Ltd. and mutual funds are offered by investment representative Shawn Pankow, James Pankow and Barry Thompson.

Do You Plan to Retire Someday? Are you confident, in control and excited about the possibilities or are you worried about what the future will bring? We can make the difference.

613- 283 -5510

37 William Street East, Smiths Falls, Ontario

november 2015

21

business

Local business people honoured at Chamber of Commerce awards

SMITHS

FALLS-KATHY

BOTHAM

Four awards were announced last month at the Smiths Falls Chamber of Commerce Dinner and Awards Evening. This formal masquerade event followed their annual general meeting.

“This was an interesting and valuable year for the board,” said Anne Shropshire.

The Young Entrepreneur Award was presented to Sheldon Giff owner of the Rideau Candy Shoppe. It’s taken Giff a year and a

half to establish some roots and wants to give back to his community.

The Immigrant Entrepreneur Award was presented to Prim from Wonton Crunch. He said he’s been overwhelmed by the exposure after many saw him on CBC’s Dragon Den. “The town has supported me and opened their arms to me,” he said.

The Business of the Year went to Smiths Falls Family and Chiropractic.

Dr. Fraser Smith and Dr. Mark Czubak accepted their award

saying that they knew they were staying in Smiths Falls when they started working with the friendly people here.

Kristine Fair from Mike Fair Chev Buick GMC Cadillac accepted her award of Business Person of the Year. When speaking of maintaining a community presence and being a good corporate citizen, Kristine gives credit to her father.

“I live up to the last name that God gave us and I promised my Dad,” she said.

Column: Christmas season marketing Believe it or not your customers started thinking about Christmas a month ago and although that may seem early to a lot of people it isn’t. Small businesses have a lot of competition during the Christmas season; and it is often a boom or bust time of year for many, so maximizing your Christmas marketing campaign is your best chance to end the year on a high note.

First things first, review previous years’ Christmas marketing and review what you need to change. Ask yourself: What didn’t work?

What can be improved?

Was something missed or forgotten?

Answering these questions will enable you to work through the following five tips, each of which will prepare your marketing for the Christmas season: Determine your holiday audience - If you have a women’s apparel store, your target audience may change a bit during the Christmas season to include men shopping for their significant others or mothers. It is important to not only research who your target audience is during the Christmas season, but to determine the best methods to reach them.

Optimise your mobile experience – Make sure your email marketing and online advertisements translate well onto mobile devices. More and more

By Sherry Crummy

traffic is coming from smaller screens. You also want to make sure your website is mobile-friendly so if someone is out shopping they can easily find information regarding your business, such as hours and location, quickly and easily.

Target key days – Target and maximize your marketing during the key days such as the American Black Friday and Cyber Monday by creating a marketing campaign that includes offering special promotions that are only valid on these days. Run Facebook ads or other advertising leading up to these days. Promote the benefits supporting local and remind people that by shopping locally they save on shipping and duty.

Don’t always sell or promote yourself – When posting on social media or writing blog posts don’t always sell what it is you are trying to sell, be a resource! The Christmas season is stressful and overwhelming, so provide your customers with something they can actually use. For example, if you sell household products, share information on how to host a Christmas party successfully (and subtly promote some items you sell in-store) or if you are a restaurant share how hosting a party in a restaurant saves time during an already busy time of year.

Remember what works – Not everything

about marketing changes during the Christmas season. Hold to your best practices and be consistent in your email and social media marketing.

Continue to engage with customers online and lastly remember to thank them. Christmas is all about meaningful connections and good will.

Take the time to thank your customers for their support with a personal Christmas card or small gift. You can even slip a special offer into every greeting you send or shopping bag after a purchase. Another great option is having an email promotion, to thank those on your email marketing list. Gestures like these take little effort but make a big impact.

The Christmas season can be a stressful and busy one for small businesses, so plan ahead and get started on your Christmas marketing as soon as possible. Remember – your customers are thinking about Christmas months before the actual date! Don’t lose your customers to box stores by waiting until December to get them into the holiday spirit – start now and beat the competition.

Connect with me online at www.crummymedia.com to get more Digital Marketing Tips and information about upcoming workshops.

november 2015

22

explore

See Your Ad here for $59.00

explore Why My Child? The Story of Lisa Barrie of Carleton Place

SCOTT REID, MP

LANARK--FRONTENAC--KINGSTON

While some parents are busy getting a start shopping for their families for Christmas, mom-of-three Lisa Barrie is just trying to keep her family going.

Her 12-year-old son Jeffrey is in CHEO fighting to regain a normal life, and the family is living with the unknown.

Barrie couldn’t even think about Thanksgiving like most Carleton Place families as she was doing everything to save her boy. Jeffrey remains in hospital at CHEO and

is now recovering after spending almost a month in ICU on life support.

On July 2, 2015, Barrie’s oldest son fell gravely ill.

He was non-responsive and rushed to CHEO where they discovered he had bacterial meningitis and also suffered two strokes. She never knew what roadblocks she was going to face until the only choice she had was being strong. The mother of three is currently facing many challenges. Her doctors are

not able to predict how much he will recover, or if he will ever be able to care for himself again.

Being a single mother, times are tough, and the income that once covered the bills and expenses is gone. Her sole source of earning has been cut off, as she left her job to care for her son full-time.

Since the bills add up quickly, and with limited financial support from her family, she now has to think about the costs of making life accessible

for Jeffrey. She’s spending as much time as possible at CHEO so she can to learn how to take care of her child and eventually bring him home.

Barrie talks to Jeffrey constantly in ICU and tells him, “Mommy loves you more than anything in this world. Please don’t leave me because I can’t live without you”.

“I tell him that several times a day,” she said.

“Sitting there watching him fight for his life made me feel helpless. Why my child?”

The young mother didn’t know how he would survive this ordeal until the MRI on August 28. That’s the day she found out the meningitis was fully gone.

Imagine waiting for two long months to hear the outcome of your child’s life. When your children are struggling, you want more than anything to help them and to make their pain and struggle go away, but there was nothing she could do to make Jeffrey better.

It’s very difficult for Barrie to talk about the nightmare she has been living with all this time.

Disregarding her own

emotional needs, she wants to send a positive message to her children, and she often feels alone.

She bravely copes by shoving her own feelings aside and concentrating on getting Jeffrey well again.

The doctors have assured her the meningitis is completely gone and he has about as much risk as anyone else for it to come back. But now her child requires around-theclock care. Barrie now worries that Jeffrey will be prone to strokes, or has thoughts in the back of her mind like any mother that he might get meningitis again. Every time he sneezes she jumps and runs for medical advice.

Barrie tried to explain the magnitude of how she feels. She and her Dad were very close. He was everything to her. When he passed in 2011 she says it ripped her heart out. She says what happened to her son this year was much more painful than her father’s death.

No matter what she is going through she still has a message to all parents.

“Please hold your children tight. Each day is a gift that should not be taken for granted. We

THANK YOU!

I want to thank the voters in the new electoral district of Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston for giving me a sixth mandate to serve as their representative in the House of Commons.

The election campaign is over and, for the 338 MPs elected to the 42nd Parliament, the business of governing the nation now begins. With each new election, all MPs---both new and old---have to be prepared to adjust to changes in government, changes in riding boundaries, and changes in the political issues that dominate the news. Representing all residents of this riding, regardless of how they voted in the election, will be my top priority in the coming months.

From Kingston in the south end of this riding to Pakenham in the north, I hope you will always feel my door is open, and that you will always be aware that my staff is eager to help you with any government issue.

Sincerely, Scott Reid

1-866-277-1577

mp@scottreid.ca  www.scottreid.ca

all say to ourselves that it will never happen to me, it only happens to other people. My whole world changed forever on July 2. I hope with all my heart that you never have to experience what I have been through”.

Together we can make a difference and help bring Jeffrey home. They are now in need of suitable housing which can be modified. They need medical equipment, feeding pump, braces and a lot of other things that are out of reach to most financially. But together we can make a difference for Barrie and her family. Your contribution will help achieve a solution and touch their lives forever.

Seeing your child in pain is the last thing any parent wants to witness, because whatever pain they feel we feel twice as much and we wish the pain was ours. A child’s smile is like a ray of sunshine on a rainy day.

A fundraising page has been set up to donate at gofundme.com/ jeffsjourneyhome.

— Submitted by Linda Seccaspina

november 2015

23

explore

United Way shares Nikki and Brittany’s story

United Way Lanark County has been supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County for over 28 years. Over the last year they have served more than 515 children and youth in Lanark County and Smiths Falls, through programs such as traditional and inschool mentoring, Go Girls – Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds, Game On!, JAMMMusic Mentoring, and after-school programs.

One of the best known and longest running programs at Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is their traditional match program. In this program, Big Brothers, Big Sisters or Big Couples spend 2-5 hours a week with their Little doing things that they all enjoy.

Big Brothers Big Sisters works hard to match children and adults who have similar interests.

Nikki and Brittany are a great example of a traditional match. They have been matched for a few months now and are enjoying each other’s company.

Nikki and her Big Sister, Brittany, enjoy going to the park, playing on the monkey bars, going to the splash

pad, making cupcakes and play dough together, and watching movies.

Brittany had previously volunteered, but she was looking to “take more on” and wanted to do something in Smiths Falls. She learned about the various volunteer opportunities and the process of becoming a mentor through the BBBS website (www.bigbrothersbigsisterslanark. ca) and made her decision.

Brittany was looking for a way to make a direct impact and she found it when she became Nikki’s Big Sister.

Brittany would recommend being a Big Brother or Big Sister to those who are looking to make a difference. “Being a Big is a good experience.” Brittany talked about the support that Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County offers Bigs, “You aren’t alone in the process... you have regular check-ins with staff.” Brittany shared that Big Brothers Big Sisters even offers an app for your phone with ideas of activities that Bigs and Littles can do together.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is always looking for more mentors like Brittany. Right

now there is a high need for Big Sisters in Carleton Place. If you have ever thought about becoming a volunteer, contact Cliff Woods at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County by calling 613-283-0570 or email cliff.woods@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca. Invest in helping our county’s children realize – and sharetheir full potential.

United Way Lanark County is proud to support Big Brothers Big Sisters through your donations to our annual fall campaign. $50 builds self-esteem and a healthier body image for a young boy or girl through Game On! or Go Girls programs. You may make your donation online at www.lanarkunitedway. com or by calling our office at 613-253-9074 – we accept cash, cheques or credit cards. Another easy way to donate is through a workplace campaign – check at your place of work to see if they have a campaign. If you work in Ottawa, many organizations have campaigns, and allow you to direct you donations back to United Way Lanark County. In the federal govern-

ment our code is 1379 and for the Ontario workplaces, the code is ONXX. Some workplaces have matching plans, when they will match all or a portion of your giving, which increases your

donation – be sure to ask!

All funds donated in to United Way Lanark County stay in Lanark County, to help those in needs – like the Littles at Big Brothers Big Sisters. Together we are

possibility – through your generosity.

Kate Hallas Fund Dev. Officer khallas@ lanarkunityedway.com

613-253-9074

Photo Credit: Goose Creek Photography

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november 2015

24

Always & Forever Wedding Show draws brides from across region

The Always & Forever wedding show was a big hit at the Gallipeau Centre on Oct. 24, and included a stunning fashion show as well as a wide variety of vendors including florists, cake designers, photographers and bridal wear retailers.

Photo Credit: Jason Code