Hometown News - Lanark, North Leeds & Grenville July 2018

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JULY 2018

Carleton Place looks to establish a seniors centre Carleton Place - Stacey Roy editorial@pd gmedia.ca

A staff report on the feasibility of opening a seniors centre at the former train station in Carleton Place will be coming back to the next Policy Review Committee Aug. 7, 2018.

The new centre on Miguel Street is being called the Seniors Stop and was brought forward by Deputy Mayor Jerry Flynn during the June 26, 2018 committee meeting. He credits former Fire Chief Les Reynolds with bringing him the concept.

“He saw potential for there to be a seniors centre,” Flynn said.

While the vision for the centre itself is fairly open, Flynn does see it as a place for seniors

in the community to go to at any time to meet their neighbours and old friends. Once the centre is opened Flynn said he would like to hand over program development to the seniors themselves based on demand and interest.

“It’s kind of open right now,” Flynn later added of the centre itself. “I think it’s an absolute necessity”.

According to the 2016 census from Statistics Canada, Carleton Place’s population of 65 and older stands at 2,180 or 18 per cent of the town, which Deputy Mayor Flynn points out will only get higher in the years to come.

His fellow councillors agreed and directed town staff to pre-

pare a report on the space available at the old train station.

Staff plan to travel to Smiths Falls to see their Seniors Activity Building on Cornelia Street prior to the Aug. 7 meeting.

This centre is volunteer powered and offers a variety of programs such as cards, shuffleboard, and darts, as well as social clubs. Flynn noted he anticipates the current tenant at the old train station will remain should the Seniors Stop open.

The communication summary presented June 26 by Duncan Rogers, town clerk outlines that “a large portion” of the building is currently vacant, but the town has recently received some interest in renting space at the old station.

years old without the amazing support of our community and volunteers,” said Kerri-Ann Redwood, Commodore for the CPCC. The canoe club began life in 1893 under the name of Ottawa Valley Canoe Association, and is the longest continuously operated canoe club in the country.

The club continues to seek out volunteers for this anniversary year’s upcoming events that will be

taking place all year long, but most especially during the annual Regatta weekend July 21-22. In addition to sport racing, face painting, bouncy castle and games will also be part of this family fun weekend.

According to their website, the club is also fundraising for a new war canoe with hopes that a new canoe from the Bear Mountain Boat Company in Westport will materialize this anniversary year.

Annie Laurie from Parks Canada and her daughter Gaby LeSurf. Photo credit: Kathy Botham

Canoe Club invites area to celebrate 125th anniversary Carleton Place - Stacey Roy editorial@pd gmedia.ca

Just as in a war canoe where all team members are pulling in the same direction towards victory, the Carleton Place Canoe Club (CPCC) has arrived at their 125th anniversary thanks to the dedication of its volunteers and athletes who continue to wade through the years by pulling together as one.

“The club would be not 125

Kerri-Ann Redwood, Commodore of the Carleton Place Canoe Club sits in a boat on the Mississippi River with head coach Pat Lester the week the club launched its 125th anniversary season. Events will be taking place all year long to mark this special occasion. Photo credit: Stacey Roy

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Also on race weekend, club alumni will be invited for a special breakfast inside the club at 10 a.m. on July 21 followed by the Lifetime Achievement induction of what is hoped to be three individuals who exemplify the canoe sport’s motto of friendship through the water.

Nominations for this induction are still open until July 10 and anyone who is interested in nominating someone or in volunteering any amount of time with the club this year is asked to email info@cpcanoeclub.com. An evening dance party featuring the band StarFire will be on tap. Tickets are $25 with a theme of the club’s colours: white and red.

“We’re looking to have a regatta that looks back on the history of the sport,” Redwood said.

The Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum will be helping the club do just that by bringing a mobile exhibit on the CPCC to the regatta weekend.

Those who can’t wait to learn more about the club’s impressive contribution to the sport can head down to the museum at 267 Edmund Street in Carleton Place for the Paddles Up! exhibit that runs until Oct. 6.

“It’s amazing,” Redwood said.

Currently, the museum is showcasing a number of photographs dating back to the 1880s, as well

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as trophies and pennants on loan from the club. Jennifer Irwin, museum curator, said they are still accepting loaned items from alumni individuals.

“Really, I think it will evolve all summer long,” Irwin said.

John Edwards, two-time Olympic athlete and former CPCC member has donated his 1976 Olympic outfit and the racing boat he used, as part of the Paddles Up! exhibit.

During a phone interview, Edwards said the loan is quite fitting as the townspeople of Carleton Place fundraised to purchase that boat for him prior to the 1976 Olympics. He recalls the hundreds of people who gathered to welcome him back to town with Canadian flags waving and cheers of support and love.

“It was very moving,” Edwards said.

This Carleton Place son was introduced to the sport at the age of 11 when two men who worked at his grandfather’s grocery store urged him to give canoeing a try.

It didn’t take long until he was hooked on the sport and often waiting until the late hours of the night for his turn in the single canoe the club owned at the time.

Edwards said what he got out of the sport made all the late nights worth it. continues on page 2

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July 2018

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Page Two

Canoe Club invites area to celebrate 125th anniversary Carleton Place - Stacey Roy editorial@pdgmedia.ca

Continued from cover.

“I think a tremendous work ethic is really what they’re learning, and dedication,” Edwards said of athletes past and present, adding: “The canoe club is a place where people can define how good they want to be.”

In fact, the CPCC has proudly sent their members onto the Ontario, Canadian and Olympic teams to represent the sport. This year, five local athletes have been selected to be on Team Ontario: Ensby Brule and Aidan Dumont for the boys team and Evie McDonald, Lindsay Irwin and Breanna Lunn for the girls team.

Encouraging women to participate in the sport is still a significant objective for the club which already has a strong female component. It was in 1903 that the CPCC opened membership to women and has since advocated for their inclusion in the C.C.A. Race Schedule.

“We’re pretty excited,” said Pat Lester, head coach for

the club on seeing women’s canoeing in the Olympics in 2020.

All athletes who paddle the Mississippi River understand the gem that it truly is, and the CPCC staff are among its greatest admirers due to its calm waters and straight channel.

“It’s often regarded as one of the most beautiful places to paddle,” Lester said.

The water may be what has anchored the club to Carleton Place for so many years, but the community support the club enjoys is certainly part of the club’s success.

Carleton Place Mayor Louis Antonakos said the love the town gives the canoe club is certainly returned.

“The canoe club is really an anchor of so many facets of our community,” the mayor added. “It serves as a community hub.”

The entire community is welcomed to take part in this year’s anniversary celebrations. Redwood said they are using the hashtag #CPCCdoes125.

Cartoon by Patrick Labelle

Peterson's Ice Cream

Peterson's Ice Cream on Mill Street in Almonte circa 1950's. Louis Peterson’s ice-cream empire was king in Lanark County until almost the end of the 20th century. No one will ever rival their Vanilla Ice Cream and the summer memories of standing in line at Peterson's for a cone will never melt away. Photo credit: Gary Peterson-Peterson Family Collection

Grandpa Harold there in spirit on last day of school Smiths Falls - Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca It was a bitter-sweet last day of school for eight-yearold Maeva Vandermeer, June 27.

This is the day her grandpa always took her to Sweet Scoops for ice-cream — a good ending to school and a yummy beginning for summer. This year, though, her grandpa wasn’t there; he died December 24 last year.

But to keep the tradition going, Maeva’s grandma, Wendy Frizell, stepped up and took over.

Since Junior Kindergarten, Maeva and her Grandpa Harold had arrived at the doors of Sweet Scoops on the last day of school for that one big scoop of goodness.

This year, at the end of Gr. 2, she arrived with grandma, five-year-old brother Tobin, and Mom and Dad, Jenny and Tim Vandermeer.

The new owner of Sweet Scoops, Trish Krotki, knew

they were coming, she’d invited them. She read about the grandpa-granddaughter tradition on Facebook and decided (even though the renovations to the icecream parlour were not yet complete and the store hadn’t re-opened) to help keep the tradition alive.

Everyone arrived at 4.

Knowing they were coming, Krotki had a few other kids on hand to boost the party spirit — her two, Josie and Oliver, and granddaughter Hailey.

Maeva remembers her grandpa as being short (not tall), white hair (not bald), and one of his favourite names for her was “Babe".

On the way to the store he would hold her hand, and then, with cones in the other hand, they’d sit outside on the benches and lick away until they were finished.

Maeva’s special bond with her grandpa was cemented right from the beginning

when Mom went back to work. Grandpa looked after her so they knew each other well. And, of course, the dark purple guitar helps her remember. It was Grandpa’s and he showed her how to play three chords; her brother got a drum set and Bongos. Grandpa was determined his grandchildren should play music.

But this summer will be a busy one for Maeva.

She plays soccer, she swims and she’s a figure skater with the Rideau Lakes Skating Club.

One of her favourite summer activities is Theatre Camp in Perth. This is her third year and so far the kids have performed Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, and the

Lion King.

There’s no doubt Maeva will be going back to Sweet Scoops to satisfy her sweet tooth. Sweet Scoops opened June 29 and from then until at least the end of September will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. under the management of Trish's daughter Amanda.

Top photo: The whole family came to Sweet Scoops for a cone on the last day of school to keep Grandpa Harold’s tradition alive — Tim Vandermeer (top), Wendy Frizell and Jenny Vandermeer (middle) and Maeva and brother Tobin (bottom). Photo credit: Sally Smith Left photo: Maeva Vandermeer enjoys her two-scoop mint chip, and cookies and cream ice-cream cone at Sweet Scoops Wednesday afternoon. Photo credit: Sally Smith

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July 2018

3

community Old bones, young soul

Perth - Trevor Oattes editorial@pdgmedia.ca

At a glance, the small town of roughly 6,300 people appears to be stuck in the 19th century.

The downtown core features centuries-old buildings of limestone and timber, built primarily by Scottish stonemasons after their arrival in 1816. Underneath the old stone lies the Tay River, a gentle flow of water that courses through the town and the wooded parks that surround it.

Perth was established in 1816 as a military community. Initially settled by veterans, it soon became its own municipality. Perth and Bytown – now known as Ottawa – were the two major political and social players in the Ottawa Valley for a majority of the 19th century.

Now, some 200 years later, heritage remains the lifeblood of Perth. And while the bones of the town may be old, recent years have brought a modern vibrancy to the community.

Mayor John Fenik has been on the municipal council of Perth for over 20 years.

In that time, he has seen the town grow in exciting and surprising directions.

“I often think about how the community has changed from then and now,” said Fenik. “There is an energy and an entrepreneurship that can’t be found anywhere else.

If you walk through the town of Perth, you’re immersed in

a living town with architecture that brings you back to the 1800s. The arts, the culture, the people, their willingness to take chances and their zest for life, that hasn’t changed.”

But Fenik has felt the times change. With an influx of new business and technology, he believes the town will thrive as its identity evolves.

“While we maintain our heritage feel, we’re wiring the town with fibre optics,” said Fenik. “We’re recognizing the importance of connecting our businesses to the rest of the world. We’re building the infrastructure for tomorrow. All in all, Perth is embracing the past to thrive in the present and look towards the future.”

The town’s direction hasn’t always pointed upwards, however.

During the 20th century, Perth began to deteriorate.

Citizens lost sight of the heritage feel of their surroundings and began putting out signs and building extensions that completely clashed with the historic feel of the town.

Shannon Baillon, the director of community services, is well aware of what happened during this time frame.

“In the late ‘70s or early ‘80s, there was a program put in place to revitalize small towns,” said Baillon.

“Back then, the signs and the stuff that had been done to these beautiful stone build-

ings would just make you shake your head. It took a while to educate people, to make them realize this revitalization effort could be something big.”

In 2012, the town created a Heritage Conservation District, with the mission of preserving and restoring Perth’s history. Businesses in the downtown core needed to abide certain rules when it came to building and renovating so that the historic aspects of the town remained true.

“The buildings are owned privately, so it becomes something that the business owners have to embrace,” said Baillon. “It’s been controversial and it took a while, but eventually the business owners came together and agreed that the process made sense. Over the past six years, we have built upon what was started in the ‘70s to turn this into a thriving downtown.”

Top Shelf Distillers, a distillery located on the edge of the town’s border, is an example of that thriving trend.

Co-owned by Hannah Murphy and John Criswick, the business began production in January of 2016. Initially a small operation, the business would make a batch of 400 bottles a week.

With increased demand, the company now produces 800 bottles a day. Top Shelf gin recently went platinum at the SIP Awards, an international spirits competition.

Top Shelf gin is now ranked

opinion: Am I the only one?

by Carrie Wynne

Thank You Teachers and Coaches

Being a teenager is hard.

I would never want to go back. I was nothing special.

Kind of struggling and definitely ignored. Am I The Only One? I was pleasantly surprised when we moved here that teenagers at the Smiths Falls High School are not only given the time of day, they are uplifted, rallied around and supported. The teachers didn’t give a hoot in the city when I was growing up.

Smiths Falls High School (SFDCI) hallways are filled with teachers, coaches, volunteers and admin staff that care enough to notice when a kid needs some reassurance, a push, a pat on the back or

a redirect, which is nearly every single kid that ever goes to high school. If you don’t care enough to notice, then maybe you shouldn’t be a teacher.

I want to thank the teachers in Smiths Falls for going the extra mile and caring about my kids too. Thank you for planting seeds they will water for the rest of their lives. Thank you for giving them experiences to travel and lifelong memories they would never have had in the city. Thank you for your time and your athletic programs and your words of wisdom.

Thank you for listening and propping them back up. Thank you for getting through to them when we couldn’t.

Not all kids thrive. Strong messages they don’t fit in, aren’t good enough or there’s something wrong with them give teenagers a hopeless feeling about their abilities to cope. Industries prey on them. Technology takes over their lives and alters the brain. At 15 the pressure to

decide what they want to do for the rest of their life and the fear of getting it wrong is pretty intense.

Exploration and novelty, creative expression, emotional spark and social engagement are all part of a teenager’s life and it can all go sideways very quickly.

I’ll always remember the one gym teacher with the ball under her arm that cared enough to notice and tried to befriend me when I needed it. I still remember what she said and where we were standing.

Smiths Falls is a town that supports its youth with tremendous opportunities and dedicated, talented teachers and coaches. Moving here was the best thing we ever did for our girls. It’s a place where active people thrive.

Where superb athletics and academics start in elementary school and are fostered throughout high school. If your family is moving to Smiths Falls, when it comes to the schools here, you’ve hit the jackpot.

Perth’s Town Hall, built by Scottish Stonemasons 200 years ago. Photo credit: Tara McNeil

within the top 25 best gins in the world.

Alex Murphy, the bitters specialist for Top Shelf, has been with the company from nearly the beginning. He has seen the operation grow into something truly special.

“It’s crazy how fast we’ve expanded,” said Murphy.

“We’ve gone from a threeman crew at the start to about eight or nine nowadays. The amount of stuff we’re producing is crazy. We just finished our 100th batch of vodka and our gin is getting recognition at international awards.”

Murphy, born and raised in Perth, has seen the town evolve over the years. He has seen it grow from a sleepy retirement town into a booming home of industry and tourism.

“I know Perth is all about preserving history and the old feel, but we’re also kind of introducing new ideas and new industry,” said Murphy.

“There’s a new generation in Perth. It doesn’t have to just be a quiet little old-fashioned town. It can be a tourist attraction and a huge market industry. There are distilleries and breweries, so many things are coming to fruition. We’re taking a cool heritage and mixing it with growth.”

Riding that emerging wave of new and old is Algonquin

College’s Perth Campus.

While the school may have taken a hit in recent months after the suspension of five program intakes, it continues to function as a focal point for tradespeople in the region.

Chris Hahn, dean of the Perth campus, has seen Algonquin graduates work towards a better community. Many of the people who walk through his doors have gone on to find employment within the town.

“Our carpentry and renovations program has built homes on Arthur Street,” said Hahn. “Our early childhood education program has produced grads that have gone on to obtain jobs in the local community. Our police foundations program has a huge focus on volunteering.

There are a lot of things our grads are doing for the community.”

With Algonquin churn-

ing out capable, community-driven students, and businesses like Top Shelf making their presence known on a global stage, it has become clear that the tattered Perth from the ‘70s is gone.

What remains today is a strange mixing pot of the old and the new.

Within those old stone buildings there are trendy restaurants, microbreweries, chocolate shops and communications firms. Fibre optic cables lie under the ground where European settlers once stood. Electric cars may soon drive next to the horse-drawn carriages that can still occasionally be seen in town.

While there are so many efforts in place to preserve the heritage of Perth, it has never been about staying in the past. Perth is a town that prides itself on history as it moves towards a bright future.

Top Shelf Distillers, one of Perth’s most successful recent businesses, celebrates the 100th batch of their vodka. Photo credit: Trevor Oattes

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July 2018

4

community

Environmental act brings about new recognition program for residents Regional - Stacey Roy editorial@pdgmedia.ca

What started out as one area couple’s desire to showcase the beauty of Carroll Road has blossomed into a new resident recognition program in Montague Township.

Rick Frizell of Smiths Falls was formally thanked by the township during a regular council session held Tuesday, June 19 for his dedication in removing roadside garbage from Carroll Road. Councillor Vince Carroll, who brought forward the idea of presenting a recognition certificate to Frizell, thanked the area man for his and Mrs. Frizell’s regular commitment over the last year and some

months to beautifying what is a very busy road in the township.

“This is really something else,” said Frizell when he grasped the certificate.

“Hopefully we are doing some good,” Frizell later added. “We do what we can”.

Councillor Klaas Van Der Meer extended a thank you to Frizell, adding there must be many residents who go above and beyond like this couple and deserve a nod from the township. It didn’t take long for councillors to agree and ask township staff to draft a set of procedures for future recognition of local residents.

Discussion at the June 19 meeting seemed to focus on

creating a committee that would review possible certificate recipients and put names forward for those to be recognized each year.

“It’s the people in Montague that we like to be proud of, and it’s easy with people like you,” Reeve Bill Dobson said.

It was in March 2017 that the Frizells decided to shift their regular walk from town into the township. The Smiths Falls man said he was blown away by the beauty of the swamp and wetlands, as well as the wildlife that co-exist on the largely uninhabited stretch of Carroll Road he and his wife enjoy.

“If I don’t get out there I don’t feel good,” Frizell said.

His commitment was best demonstrated earlier this year when Mr. Frizell underwent knee surgery. It took the avid nature walker just one month of recovery time before he was strolling down the familiar road in Montague Township and picking up waste once again. Within the first week back at it, the couple picked up two bags of garbage along their route.In the last year Frizell has collected about $50 in beer cans. He plans to donate any funds from the recyclables to Mal’s Animal Sanctuary.

The couple has also filled two garbage bags of garbage in the last year. Councillors offered for Mr. Frizell to pick up free bags and gar-

Rick Frizell of Smiths Falls (left, centre) gratefully accepted a recognition certificate from Montague councillor Vince Carroll (right, centre) during the June 19 council session. Frizell was honoured for picking up garbage from Carroll road for over a year. Behind the two men stand council members (left to right) Ian Streight, Klaas Van Der Meer, Bill Dobson, and clerk Jasmin Ralph. Photo credit: Stacey Roy

bage tags at the township office for those bags that Carroll Road refuse fills up. The area man was very touched with the recognition, but is most hopeful that it will serve as a deterrent to those who continue to dump along the road.

Over the year he has seen all manner of waste including construction materials along the road. In these cases the Frizells will call the township staff whom he thanks for promptly picking up larger quantities of garbage along the road.

Mayors team up to find funding for local hospitals

Perth Mayor John Fenik and Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow address the Perth town council. The duo is seeking funding for new equipment at the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital. Photo credit: Trevor Oattes

Perth - Trevor oattes editorial@pdgmedia.ca Mayor John Fenik was joined by Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow during the Perth town council meeting on June 26. The duo sought funding to improve the hospitals in the

two towns.

The two mayors sat beside each other as they addressed the council. They took a brief moment to poke fun at the rivalry between their communities before agreeing that, on the matter of keeping hospitals

at peak performance, they are a team.

“We have a big gap that needs to be filled,” said Fenik. “It’s time for some dedicated funding.”

Hospitals are funded at a provincial level, but this does not include annual equipment needs. Finances for equipment usually come from hospital foundations and auxiliaries. However, as medium sized hospitals are the victims of uneasy financials, more money is needed.

The annual equipment funding necessary for the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital to run at peak performance is $3,100,000.

Money received from foundation and auxiliary sources, alongside the hospital’s own funds, only adds up to $1,500,000.

“We need hospitals now more than ever,” said coun-

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cilor Jim Boldt. “Perth is a retirement town, and we are all getting older.”

An added benefit of the additional funding would be the recruitment and retention of physicians throughout the community.

One of the primary factors that physicians consider before opening up shop in

a new area is the proximity to a hospital with modern technology and a well-kept patient information system.

The two mayor’s proposition for funding is based off of a levy on all properties in the towns. With a relatively small levy, the towns would still be able to meet their goals, while individu-

al property taxes would increase by only a few dollars a month.

The council was unanimously in favor of the proposition. Fenik and Pankow will continue to pitch their proposal to other municipalities in the region in hopes of meeting their funding goals.

Almonte wood oven is cooking as a future community hub

Photo credit: Stacey Roy

Regional - Stacey Roy editorial@pdgmedia.ca The new Neighbourhood Tomato Garden’s Friendship Oven at the Elizabeth Kelly Library is built on a strong community foundation - literally!

The recently opened wood brick oven has its base built directly on the foundation of the former Almonte train

station. The discovery was made by Sean MacKenzie of Dominion Masonry in Almonte and others when it was realized that the earth at the construction site was disturbed. After digging more than eight feet down they heard the heavy thud of metal on stone and realized they had found the original train station foundation.

“Once we got past that

point it was reasonably smooth sailing,” MacKenzie said.

A series of concrete blocks connect the wood oven with the station foundation, but that isn’t the only connection it has to the former transportation junction. All of the materials used for the oven came from other community buildings, including the train station itself.

“I let the materials do a lot of the design,” MacKenzie said.

The oven opening has a beautiful stone arch header and is made with a combination of grey stone and red brick. The roof pitch takes its inspiration from the former Keepsakes building at the corner of Bridge and Mill Street.

“I’m just amazed,” added Jeff Mills, coordinator of the Neighbourhood Tomato Garden (NTG) who is

behind the oven’s creation.

“He’s [MacKenzie] gone way above and beyond”.

The construction was funded through a variety of organizations and stakeholders, including the Elizabeth Kelly Library Foundation who put in $5,000 for the Almonte oven and $2,500 for an oven to be built in Carleton Place. Both will be built along the Ottawa Valley Railroad Trail.

“How’s that for friendship?” Mills asks.

He said the project was undertaken to provide an outdoor community hub and create a space where residents can learn about healthy food and cooking.

“We want to bring people out into the community. I think really good things happen when people eat good food together and share it,” Mills said.

Since the first firing of the

oven took place Sunday June 17 the NTG group is turning its attention to scheduling the how-to course of operating the oven. Completing this course will be a requirement for anyone who wishes to sign out use of the oven free of charge at the library, but that is the only requirement. Mills said the NTG really wants everyone in the community to feel welcome to use the oven for anything from roasts to pizza to beans.

The Father’s Day opening served as not only the first firing but also the first fundraiser the oven took part in.

Sara Fortin, program coordinator at the Mississippi Mills Youth Centre confirmed $230 was raised for her organization June 17.

Fortin shares her community’s enthusiasm for the new public asset as something that will be a force for good in Mississippi Mills. The piz-

za sauce that was used for the Father’s Day fundraiser was made by youth in the centre’s Thursday night Confidence in the Kitchen program.

The Almonte community has come together to donate materials and labour for the creation of the Neighbourhood Tomato Garden’s Friendship Oven.

The community wood oven is located on the grounds of the Elizabeth Kelly Library in Almonte. Once individuals undertake a how-to class on the oven, they can book it out much like a library book!

Photo credit: Stacey Roy

July 2018

5

community

Perth Inside Out:

by Terry O'Hearn

World War I soldier George Stokes remembered

Perth’s George James Stokes was but one of many young Canadians whose lives ended on the Somme battlefields in France during World War I. Stokes was recorded as born on September 18, 1895, in the Town of Perth, to George and Minna (Jemima) Stokes.

The greatest battle in Canadian history was yet to come at Vimy Ridge, when the 21-year-old Stokes fell to enemy fire on Nov. 18, 1916, near Albert, France.

We can only hope he felt the loving arms of his mother as his body was engulfed by the rancid mixture of flesh, blood, earth, and war materiel. Stokes was a Private with the 38th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF).

The 38th Battalion was mobilized in Ottawa and recruited in Ottawa, Brockville, Perth, Prescott, and Alexandria, with an initial complement of five officers and 251 other ranks. They had grown to a strength of 35 officers and 1001 other ranks by the time they disembarked in England in June, 1916. The battalion arrived in France on Aug. 13, 1916, becoming part of the 4th Canadian Division, 12th Canadian Infantry Brigade.

The Battalion’s Nominal Roll of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men, issued in 1915, has the following entry: Stokes, George James; Private; number 410199; NOK Stokes, Mrs. Minna; Perth, Ont.; Taken on strength April 10, 1915.”

An official Battalion War Diary entry for Nov. 18 reads: “Batt. in front line. Attack commenced at 6:10 a.m. 8th Batt. on right, East Surrey on left flank – All Battalions obtained their objective. Large list of casualties. Snow early in the morning, later turning to rain – Albert & vicinity of Transport Lines untroubled by enemy shelling or aeroplanes – Desire Trench occu-

pied.”

Using the stilted military language of the times, the war diary entries of Nov. 22 and 23 go on to describe the recovery and funeral services for three commissioned officers of the Battalion. Nothing is mentioned of the recovery of remains, or services held, for “other ranks”, as enlisted men were known.

A Perth newspaper of Dec. 8, 1916 reports the following under the headline “Killed In Action”: “The sad news was received by telegram from the Record Office on Friday last by Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Stokes of town, of the death of their son, George, in France. The telegram gave no particulars, but simply said he had been killed in action in France on the 18th of November. … “Pte. Stokes, who has made the supreme sacrifice … “was born in Perth, where he lived until joining the 38th Batt. His parents, two brothers and five sisters mourn his loss, and are awaiting further particulars of his death. His father is a veteran soldier, having spent thirteen years with the British army, and has seven nephews

at present at the front.”

There are many other instances of missing men (assumed to have been killed in action) during World War I, and it is not for lack of trying to find the remains. A good example is Norman Christie, who is recognized as Canada's number one expert on the battlefields and cemeteries of both World Wars. Christie is the former Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s chief records officer, and has written nearly 20 books on Canada’s military history and hosted several documentaries about Canada’s wartime history. He has arguably done more than any other Canadian to locate the remains of men missing in action from the two World Wars.

Some further history of the 38th Battalion relates that it returned to England on May 6, 1919, arrived in Canada on June 13, 1919, and was demobilized in Ottawa on June 15, 1919. It was disbanded by General Order on Sept. 15, 1920. The 38th, was known by the nickname “The Royal Ottawas”, and the unit is perpetuated by The Camer-

The George Stokes family plot at Elmwood Cemetery, Perth, where the name of son George James Stokes is inscribed. He was killed in action in France on Nov. 18, 1916, but his remains were never located. Photo credit: Terry O’Hearn

on Highlanders of Ottawa to this day.

From reading newspaper coverage of Perth Council meetings of those years, it can be found that the elder George Stokes was employed seasonally by the Town of Perth to water down the dusty streets for a time after his son’s death. However, the Perth Courier of Jan. 11, 1918, reported that: “George Stokes has sold his house and lot, opposite the brick yard, to M. Karakowsky and with his wife and family removed to Ottawa on Wednesday.”

The name G.J. Stokes is inscribed on the ramparts of the Vimy Memorial at Pas de Calais, France, with the names of over 11,000 Canadian soldiers who were posted as “missing, presumed dead”, and his name is also

Sunsets Chihuahuas

Owner

Tel: 613-256-3337 sunsetspups@gmail.com

Shirley Usher 613-832-2689

929, 9th Concession Road South Pakenham, Ontario K0A 2X0

www.sunsetschihuahuas.ca sunsetspups@gmail.com

Keep your pets safe this summer ture is 39°C and a temperature of 41°C can be withstood only for a very short time before irreparable brain damage or death can occur.

Pets left outdoors on hot summer days can also be in serious danger. Dogs should only be left outdoors for short periods, should have sufficient water and a cool, sheltered place out of direct sun. Walking early morning or evening when it is cooler is advisable.

Certain types of dogs such as northern breeds or short-muzzled dogs like boxers and pugs - can have a more difficult time in the heat. Older dogs, overweight dogs, puppies under six months, dogs with certain

medical conditions like lung or heart disease and dogs on certain medications may also be more susceptible to heat exposure.

First aid for heatstroke Even if you are cautious, there may be a time when you will have to deal with heatstroke. Familiarize yourself with the signs of heatstroke and what to do. First aid and medical treatment are essential and can help save your dog’s life. Time is of the essence!

Signs of heatstroke include: • Increased heart rate • Excessive panting or drooling • Listlessness • Confusion or disorienta tion

If you have any comments or suggestions, please email me at: terry@pdgmedia.ca

Shirley Usher

Purebread Apple Head Puppies Tiny Tea Cup with big hearts

The so-called carefree days of summer can mean danger for your pets. Take the following precautions to keep your pets happy, healthy and safe during the hot summer months.

Heat stroke can kill NEVER leave a pet alone in a vehicle, even in the shade.

Pets left in cars, or other unventilated areas, or tied in the sun, are susceptible to heat stroke. Since dogs have only a limited ability to sweat, even a short time in a hot environment can be life-threatening.

Temperatures inside a parked car can rapidly reach dangerous levels even on relatively mild days, and even if the windows are slightly open. A dog’s normal body tempera-

etched into the gravestone at the family plot in Elmwood Cemetery here in Perth.

Stokes’ enlistment documents in 1915 recorded these simple facts: “Trade as machinist apprentice; single; no current or previous military service; Church of England; height: 5 feet 4.5 inches; girth: 34 inches fully expanded; fair complexion; blue eyes; fair hair.” And so, a machinist trade never fully accomplished; no chance for a loving wife and children; the remains of that small body with the blue eyes and fair hair forever entombed in the detritus of the Somme battlefields. Rest In Peace brother.

• Bright red gums • Vomiting or diarrhea • Collapse, seizure or coma • Body temperature higher than 40°C What to do Move your dog out of the heat immediately.

Use a hose or wet towels to start cooling your dog down.

Do not use ice. Offer your dog water.

Take your dog to a veterinarian immediately. Continue cooling him with wet towels during the drive.

If you’re unable to get to a veterinarian right away monitor his temperature and check for signs of shock.

Stop the cooling process when your dog’s tempera-

www.pakenhamcountrykennels.ca

ture reaches 40°C or his body temperature can drop too low and increase the risk of shock. tween you and the dog. Running away will make matters worse.

Even if your dog cools down take him to a vet as soon as possible as some medical problems caused by heatstroke may not show up right away.

Pets in pick-up trucks Dogs allowed to ride loose

in the back of a pick-up truck can easily be thrown from the back into on-coming traffic. Flying debris can injure eyes and ears, and the metal flatbed can burn his paws. If your pet can’t ride with you in the cab of the truck, leave him at home; it’s safer for everyone!

Continue reading this article onlie at www.hometownnews.ca/keep-your-petssafe/

July 2018

6

lifestyle Health Matters

Living with Lyme disease a real struggle Like to walk, run in the woods, let your dog roam, have an outside/inside cat?

With the long winter we’ve had, and now the warm weather moving in, getting outside is a joy. It’s when you come back inside that you have to be aware and look carefully for what could be on your clothes, your shoes, in your cat or dog’s fur. That tiny, wee, almost invisible little biting insect could bring a lifelong illness into your home.

Corrine O’Grady knows this well. She has Lyme disease and has been dealing with it for at least 10 years. It daily rules her life: “Chronic fatigue, both physically and mentally, to the point of extreme disability leaves [me] in a state of ‘survival’ each day,” she says. She’s unable to drive or do many other simple tasks like showering or preparing a meal without frequent interruptions for rest.

Everyone is a target for Lyme disease. It is not easily recognized, it is not easily diagnosed and once you’ve got it, you can’t get rid of it. O’Grady doesn’t remember being bitten but says “it is quite possible.

I’ve had many bug bites and didn’t give much attention to [them].” She explains that there are other biting insects besides ticks “that can infect you with Lyme disease.” O’Grady and her family (husband and three sons) are cash croppers, beef farmers, and in the excavating business, in Marlborough Township.

O’Grady reiterates that the disease was not easy to diagnose. Over the past decade, she frequently went to the doctor with “bizarre” symptoms. “They’d do a few tests and tell me I was fine.”

So she went home and soldiered on, time after time,

until one day she “crashed; ” that’s when Lyme disease took over her system.

According to CanLyme, the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation, there are three stages to the disease, and it’s after the early infection Stage 1 when Lyme disease is most treatable. As the disease progresses, CanLyme says “… both treatment and diagnosis become more difficult. Symptoms worsen during each stage of infection, ranging from flu-like to neurological illnesses, including paralysis.

With chronic Lyme disease there is not one system of the body that can be unaffected… this includes various hormone productions as well.”

O’Grady says her “sleep is unrefreshed,” and she suffers from a long list of at least 19 other symptoms.

The disease is multi-systemic and “can affect people differently.”

For O’Grady, it affects every part of her life. Today she relies on her family “to help with everything.”

She’s hired people to help with the work she can’t do anymore, and when she does work it’s often from the couch as sitting upright tires her.

Does it hurt?

“Yes.” She’s on an anti-inflammatory diet which helps with the pain.

The absolute worst part for O’Grady is the disabling fatigue which isolates her from “family, friends, events and life. It’s difficult to have an invisible illness.

From the outside I look completely healthy; on the inside it’s quite different.

“My doctor says it like this: ‘you don’t get it until you get it.’”

In a 2016 Martha Vineyards Times article, Dr. Nevena Zubcevik chal-

lenged the conventional diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne diseases.

She used, as an example, Rhodes Scholar and songwriter Kris Kristofferson, who was cured of dementia once correctly diagnosed with Lyme disease. By that time he had suffered with various symptoms and disabilities for 10 years.

Zubcevik says in the article “Sudden-onset dementia should really be a red flag for Lyme [disease], especially in people with compromised immune systems. And everyone over 50 has a compromised immune system.”

She also says that studies show the length of time the tick has to be attached to contract the disease is outdated. Fifteen minutes can give you anaplasmosis.

In her talk to physicians, she stated that a two-day course of doxycycline, often prescribed for people who find a tick embedded on their body, has little or no prophylactic value. “It should be 100 to 200 milligrams of doxycycline twice a day for 20 days, regardless of the time of engorgement,” she said. “It is not a two-day thing.”

The article can be found at http://www.mvtimes. com/2016/07/13/visitingphysician-sheds-new-lightlyme-disease/ CanLyme has good information on how to prevent tick bites: • Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Tuck your pants into your socks to prevent ticks from getting inside your pants.

• Check your clothes for ticks often. Ticks will climb upwards until they find an area of exposed skin.

• Wear light coloured clothing to make it

Sally Smith

easier to spot ticks.

• Walk on pathways or trails when possible staying in the middle.

Avoid low-lying brush or long grass.

• Apply insect repellent to your skin and clothing, especially at the openings such as ankle, wrist and neck.

It is also a good resource for learning about living with Lyme. You can find it here: https://canly me. c om / 2 0 1 5 / 0 1 / 2 3 / lyme-and-associated-tickb orne-diseases-globalchallenges-in-the-contextof-a-public-health-threat/ O’Grady knows she will have Lyme for the rest of her life but her hope is it will go into remission.

She is young (46) and has much she’d still like to do.

She has some advice: find a Lyme literate doctor; if bitten, get treatment immediately; check your body thoroughly - warmer parts

like groin, armpits, scalp, behind the ears, behind the knees, around the waist; and shower after working outside.

And finally she says “it is a very serious disease that

hasn’t been given proper attention by the medical profession. It ruins people’s lives by being misdiagnosed and not treated properly, or in time. Awareness and prevention are key.”

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r e v o c Dis Lanark & Northern Leeds Grenville

Your Hometown guide to Attractions & Leisure

3 DAYS OF MUSIC IN THE PARK. MAKE IT YOUR FESTIVAL, YOUR EXPERIENCE, YOUR MEMORIES. TICKETED EVENING EVENTS, ADMISSION BY DONATION.

Stewart Park Festival Releases 2018 Performer Line-Up The Stewart Park Festival has released its 2018 performer line-up and the talent set to hit the stage this summer is a solid mix that’ll once again draw thousands to the park.

The three-day festival will showcase performers from across Canada including Juno-award winners The LYNNes and three-time Juno-award nominee Danny Michel. Festival-comers can also expect to see up-andcoming artists such as The Commotions, Fränder, and Digging Roots. There will also be acts for children including performers like five-time Juno nominees Splash ´N Boots.

This summer’s festival line-up was put together by long-time musician and Stewart Park Festival Artistic Director James Keelaghan - and it’s bound to be nothing short of memorable.

“James is so ingrained in the music industry and has the pulse on performers who will give us an unforgettable experience on stage this summer," says SPF Chair John McKenty.

"We're so excited to roll out this line-up and to continue our 27-yearlong tradition: offering incredible music in Stewart Park."

2018 Line-Up The performers set to hit the Stewart Park Festival Main Stage this

The LYNNeS. Photo credit: Submitted

July 13-15, 2018, include: · The Academy for Musical Theatre · Ariana Gillis · The Commotions · The Confabulation · Danny Michel · Digging Roots · Fränder · Hat Fitz and Cara · Humanettes · J.P. Cormier · Junkyard Symphony · King of the Swingers · The LYNNeS · Magoo · Mama’s Broke · Olivia and the Creepy Crawlies · The PepTides · Polky Village Band · Rag and Bones Pup pet Theatre · Splash ´N Boots · The Stewart Park

Festival Youth Showcase · Tallbeat Stilt Drumming Troupe · The Tritones · Wade Foster, Julie Corrigan and Shaun McCullough More than Music While the Festival’s Main Stage will be filled with incredible performances, music isn’t the only thing on the schedule line-up.

Children’s activities will take place throughout Saturday and Sunday including crafts and instrument

building, workshops and an instrument petting zoo, sponsored by Long & McQuade.

Adult Workshops will give the grownups a chance for personal development as well. Whether it’s Salsa Dancing or bike repairs, the workshop schedule gives adults a taste of new opportunities for growth.

Head across Gore Street to take in the tunes at the Perth Brewery Patio at Crystal Palace where we’ll have a licensed patio, live

music and stunning views of the Tay Basin.

This year’s newest addition will include a Wine and Jazz Bar hosted by the Stone Cellar at the new Terrace on the Tay development off Mill Street. The newly renovated outdoor landscape makes for the perfect chance to soak in some good music while lazily sitting by the water.

Learn more about the 2018 Stewart Park Festival Performers by visiting our website at www.stewartparkfesti-

Danny Michel. Photo credit: Submitted

Events around the region CARLETON PLACE Saturdays

Carleton Place Farmers Market 8:30am - 12:30pm 7 Beckwith Street

July 7

Kid’s Fishing Derby 9:00am - 2:00 pm Lake Ave. West Boat Launch

July 11

Classic Car Show 2:30pm - 4:30pm Carleton Place Terrace 6 Arthur Street 613-668-0545

July 12

Orange Lodge Parade/Dinner/Dance 3:00pm - 11:00pm Carleton Place Arena 613-253=5547

July 17

Hackberry Men's Shed 7:30am The Gourmet Restaurant Hwy 7 at Hwy 15 hackberrycp@gmail.com

July 19

The Magic of Tyler 10:00am - 11:30am Town Hall 175 Bridge Street

July 21

Commodore's Ball 8:00pm Canoe Club 179 John Street info@cpcanoeclub.com

KEMPTVILLE Saturdays

Organized Play! At Twice the Fun Games 1:00pm - 4:00pm 200 Sanders Street Unit 103 (in the B&H shopping centre) 613-702-6620

Fridays

Kemptville Cruise Nights 6:00pm Food Basics www.highway43carclub.com

Saturdays

July 18 - 22

2018 Kemptville Live Music Festival www.kemptvillelivemusicfestival.com

MISSISSIPPI MILLS Wednesdays Open Celtic Jam 7:30pm - 10:00pm Naismith Pub 411 Ottawa St. 613-256-6336

Fridays

A Guided Food Tour 11:30am - 2:30pm Thegoodfoodtour.com

July 6 - 8

22nd Anniversary Almonte Celtfest Gemmill Park Behind Community Ctr 182 Bridge St. almonteceltfest@hotmail.com www.almonteceltfest.com

July 11

Stephen&Dianne Lynch/Redneck Limousine 6:00pm Augusta St. Park Augusta & Mercer St. facebook.com/FriendsOfAugustaStreetPark

July 12

Music & Beyond: Cuarteto Quiroga 7:30pm Almonte Old Town Hall 14 Bridge St. boxoffice@musicandbeyond. ca 613-241-0777 Musicandbeyond.ca

July 13

Music Trivia Night Crooked Mile Brewery 453 Ottawa St. crookedmile.ca

July 13 - 15

Almonte Fair Fri. - 4:00pm to 9:00pm Sat. - 10:00am to 9:00pm Sun. - 10:00am to 3:00pm Almonte Fairgrounds 195 Water Street www.almontefair.ca

Family Trail Walk/Run Club 8:00am - 9:00am Veterans' Park 613-258-9569 ext. 123 Kemptville Farmers Market 12:00pm - 4:00pm 200 Sanders Street (at the B & H parking lot) www.kemptvillefarmersmarket.ca

July 14

Thursdays

July 14 - Sept. 22

Summer Family Fun Day MOVIE: 10:00 am SKATE: 12:00–12:50 pm SHOW: 2:00 pm 613-258-9569 ext.123 OPP Thursday BBQ 11:30am - 1:00pm 236 County Road 44

July 6

Mission Trip Bottle Drive 7:00am - 11:00am Yazdani Family Dentistry 115 Sanders St.

July 7

Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group Rally 9:00am - 3:00pm Maplewood, Oxford Mills 613-424-7713 cvmg-Ottawa@gmail.com

July 10, 24

Tuesday Night Scene 8:00am - 5:00pm Geronimo www.facebook.com/tuesdaynightscene/

July 15

Summer BBQ & Live Band Kemptville Snowmobile Klub 1505 O'Neil Road 613-297-3152 613-258-3648

Exhibit Opening: Noreen Young 2:00pm - 4:00pm Mississippi Valley Textile Museum 3 Rosamond St. E info@mvtm.ca 613-256-3754 mvtm.ca A Puppet Retrospective Mississippi Valley Textile Museum 3 Rosamond Street East www.mvtm.ca

July 18

Lost:Pet Pigeon/Steve Stacey & the Stumpsplitters/BBQ 6:00pm Augusta St. Park Augusta & Mercer St. facebook.com/FriendsOfAugustaStreetPark

July 19

Weaving Workshop 9:00am - 4:00pm Tranquil Weaver 119 Peacock Cr. penny@tranquilweaver.ca 613-858-2647

July 19 - 22

I'm Not Jewish but my Mother Is! Jul 19-21 at 7:30pm; Jul 21-22 at 2:30pm Almonte Old Town Hall 14 Bridge St. www.sometheatre.ca

July 21

Stunt Ventriloquist: Tim Holland 2:00pm - 4:00pm Mississippi Valley Textile

Museum 3 Rosamond St. E info@mvtm.ca 613-256-3754 Stuntventriloquist.com Meet the Artists: Carol Bajen-Gahm, Michael Pittman 3:00pm - 6:00pm Sivarulrasa Gallery 34 Mill St info@sivarulrasa.com 613-256-8033 Sivarulrasa.com

July 25

Terry Tufts/Walking 6:00pm Augusta St. Park Augusta & Mercer St. www.facebook.com/FriendsOfAugustaStreetPark

PERTH Tuesdays

Brock Zeman 8:30pm O'Reilly's Pub 43 Gore St. E 613-267-7994 www.oreillyspubperth.com

Thursdays

Lonely Ghosts Walk 7:00pm Matheson House 11 Gore St. E. classictheatre.ca

Friday

Lonely Ghosts Walk 7:00pm Matheson House 11 Gore St. E. classictheatre.ca

July 6

Mary Poppins 7:00pm Code's Mill 17 Wilson St. E. Ticketsplease.ca Smitty 8:45pm O'Reilly's Pub 43 Gore St. E 613 267-7994 www.oreillyspubperth.com Jeff Leeson 9:00pm Golden Arrow 71 Foster St. 613-267-4500 goldenarrowpub.com

July 6 - 8, 19 - 22

Golden Arrow 71 Foster St. 613-267-4500 Goldenarrowpub.com

July 12, 19, 26

Live w/Logan Brown 9:00pm Golden Arrow 71 Foster St. 613-267-4500 Goldenarrowpub.com

July 13

David McGrath 8:45pm O'Reilly's Pub 43 Gore St. E 613-267-7994 www.oreillyspubperth.com Nolan Hubbard 9:00pm Golden Arrow 71 Foster St. 613-267-4500 Goldenarrowpub.com

July 13 - 16

Stewart Park Festival www.stewartparkfestival.com

July 14

Michael Brown 8:30pm O'Reilly's Pub 43 Gore St. E 613-267-7994 www.oreillyspubperth.com Matt Dickson 9:00pm Golden Arrow 71 Foster St. 613-267-4500 Goldenarrowpub.com

July 14 - 15

Paint the Summer Show Algonquin College 7 Craig Street www.rideaulakesartists.com

July 19

Perth Citizen’s Band Concert 7:30pm Stewart Park Bandstand 80 Gore Street East www.perthband.ca

July 20 - Aug. 12

Bernard Shaw’s “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” Classic Theatre Festival 54 Beckwith St. E. www.classictheatre.ca

July 20

The Perth Antiques Show 10:00am - 4:00pm Civitan Club of Perth 6787 Lanark County Road 43 www.perthantiqueshow.com

Film: Beirut 7:30pm Studio Theatre 63 Gore St. E. 613-267-7469 Studiotheatreperth.com Stephen Mark Fisher 8:45pm O'Reilly's Pub 43 Gore St. E 613-267-7994 www.oreillyspubperth.com Brian Downey Band 9:00pm Golden Arrow 71 Foster St. 613-267-4500 Goldenarrowpub.com

July 7

July 20 & 21

Box and Cox, Complete!

Full Circle Theatre 26 Craig Street www.barndoorproductions.ca

July 6 & 7

On Golden Pond 7:30pm Studio Theatre 613-485-6434 Ticketsplease.ca

July 7 & 8

Meet the Author: Tim Wynne-Jones 1:00pm - 3:00pm The Book Nook 60 Gore St. E. thebooknook@bell.net facebook.com/the.book.nook. and.othertreasures

July 8

On Golden Pond 2:00pm Studio Theatre 613-485-6434 Ticketsplease.ca Memorial Service followed

by Guided Tours 2:00pm Elmwood Cemetery 165 Dufferin Road 613-267-7450 elmwoodcemeteryperth.com/ events-and-tours

July 11, 18, 25 Karaoke 9:00pm

July 27 - 29

Perth Ribfest Jul 27, 11am-10pm; Jul 28, 11am-10pm, w/Car Show; Jul 29, 11am-7pm, w/Car Show.

Last Duel Park Craig St. (off Hwy 43) perthribfest.com

SMITHS FALLS Sundays

Karma Yoga in the Park 9:00am - 10:00am Centennial Park (across from the water tower) Weather Permitting serendipitylaneyoga.com Tea in the Garden at the Heritage House Museum 10:00am - 4:00pm 11 Old Sly's Rd 613-283-6311

Thursdays

Mystery Nights 6:00pm - 8:00pm 11 Old Sly's Rd 613-283-6311 Movies Under the Stars Pre-show activities start at 7:00pm Movie starts at Dusk (9:00pm - 9:20pm) Weather Permitting Centennial Park Saturdays Bake Oven Demos 10:00am - 4:00pm 11 Old Sly's Rd 613-283-6311

July 7

Rideau Rendezvous Motorcycle Rally 7:00am - 12:00am Settlers Ridge Mall 275 Brockville Street Settlers Day 1:00pm - 12:00am Oktoberfest in July 1:00pm 5:00pm Rock & Roll Dance Revival 7:00pm - 12:00am Smiths Falls Community Centre 613-880-4434

July 8

Kids, Cops & Canadian Tire Fishing Days 10:00am - 1:00pm Lower Reach Park

July 13 - 15

2018 Quilt Show Friday - 12:00pm until 5:00pm Saturday - 10:00pm until 5:00pm Sunday - 10:00pm until 4:00pm Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre

July 17

Sign Unveiling: Chief Larry Hardy Memorial Skateboard Park 4:00pm Skateboard Park 71 Cornelia St. N.

Getting to Room Temperature Jul 20-21 7:30pm; Jul 21 2pm Full Circle Theatre 26 Craig St. Ticketsplease.ca

July 21

July 21

New Rolling Thunder Car Club Car Show 9:00am - 3:00pm Lower Reach Park

Giant Book Sale 8:00am - 4:00pm Crystal Palace 63 Gore St. E. Brian Downey Band 9:00pm Golden Arrow 71 Foster St. 613-267-4500 Goldenarrowpub.com

July 27

Chris Angel 8:00pm O'Reilly's Pub 43 Gore St. E. 613-267-7994 www.oreillyspubperth.com

Vendor Event & Bake Sale 9:00am - 2:00pm Smiths Falls Legion 613-284-2021

July 22

July 23 - 27

Explore Day Camp 10:00am - 3:00pm Heritage House Museum 11 Old Sly's Rd 613-283-6311

July 25

Cemetery Tour 7:00pm - 9:00pm Heritage House Museum 11 Old Sly's Rd 613-283-6311

WESTPORT July 6

Henry Norwood 6:00pm - 9:00pm The Cove Country Inn 2 Bedford St. 613-273-3636 Coveinn.com

July 7

Logan Brown & Taylor Angus 6:00pm - 9:00pm The Cove Country Inn 2 Bedford St. Coveinn.com

July 8, 15, 22, 29

Head over Heels (Patio) 12:30pm - 3:30pm The Cove Country Inn 2 Bedford St. Coveinn.com

July 11, 18, 25

Open Mic w/Shawn McCullough 7:00pm - 10:00pm The Cove Country Inn 2 Bedford St. Coveinn.com

July 12, 19, 26

Jazz w/Spencer Evans Trio 9:00pm - 11:00pm The Cove Country Inn 2 Bedford St. Coveinn.com

July 13

The Goodnight Irenes 6:00pm - 9:00pm The Cove Country Inn 2 Bedford St. Coveinn.com

July 14

Riley & Riley 6:00pm - 9:00pm The Cove Country Inn 2 Bedford St. Coveinn.com

July 20

John Wilberforce 6:00pm - 9:00pm The Cove Country Inn 2 Bedford St. Coveinn.com

July 21

Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Night 7:00pm - 11:00pm The Cove Country Inn 2 Bedford St. Coveinn.com

July 27

Nolan Hubbard 6:00pm - 9:00pm The Cove Country Inn 2 Bedford St. Coveinn.com

REGIONAL July 14

Fish Fry 5:00pm ABC Hall 3166 Bolingbroke Rd., Maberly abchallfishfry@gmail.com 613-273-3781 Abchall.ca

July 21

Cross Cultural Connections 9:00am - 5:00pm Plenty Canada 266 Plenty Lane, Lanark 613-278-2215 www.plentycanada.com Bridges Blues Series 6:00pm - 10:00pm Bridges Bar & Grill 2496 County Rd. 29, Pakenham 613-624-5939

July 25

Company of Fools: Twelfth Night 7:00pm MERA Schoolhouse 974 9th Concession A, McDonalds Corners meraschoolhouse@bell.net 613-278-0388 meraschoolhouse.org

On the Roll LIVE MUSIC SERIES

July 7

Rideau Rendezvous Motorcycle Rally

Charity Ride for Jumpstart and youth programming in Smiths Falls. 4 Degrees Brewing beer tent, dyno trailer, vendors, show’n’ shine, stunt riders, competitions and more! Sponsored by the Pace Law Firm and Pace Motorcycle Division. Part of the On the Roll Music Series. Featuring the Carpet Frogs, Abandon Eden, Poetic Justice, and The Last Supper. Facebook: Rideau Rendezvous Motorcycle Rally

July 7

July 26 to 28

Canadian Bass Anglers Federation Fishing Cup

Enjoy live music during the Registration on Friday, July 27th as part of the On the Roll Live Music Series.

Open to the public!

Hosted by the Town of Smiths Falls and Four Degrees Brewing at the Settler's Ridge Mall!

Please visit the website for more information about the tournament and registration, dates and location.

Info: www.cbaf.ca Or go to our Facebook page for more details about performers and time.

Settler’s Day

At the Smiths Falls Community Centre.

Part of the On the Roll Music Series.

1 to 5 p.m.: Oktoberfest in July featuring Schteev und die Lederhosers Band 7 p.m. to midnight: Licenced event featuring The Continentals and The Doherty Brothers Band.

Organized by local Services Clubs: Kinsmen, Legion, Civitan, Rotary and Lions Clubs. Tickets: Smiths Falls Legion, Impression Printing, Community Centre or by calling Garry Beep Dalgleish at 613-880-4434

Smiths

ON

OntheRollSmithsFalls

Falls

THE

R ll More events in Smiths Falls:

July – All Month

Exhibition: The First Nations of Smiths Falls and the Historic Rideau Canal

An ongoing exhibit until July 31st at the Heritage House Museum.

Info: 613-283-6311 or heritagehouse@ smithsfalls.ca or www.facebook.com/ heritagehousemuseum

June 28 to August 30

8th Season of Movies Under the Stars

Thursday evenings at 7 p.m.: free outdoor movie screenings by the Rideau Canal in Centennial Park. Special appearance Opening Night June 28th by Junkyard Symphony! Bring the family and a blanket or lawn chair and spend your summer evening watching a family-friendly movie on the big inflatable screen!

Info: info@togethersmithsfalls.com or www.togethersmithsfalls.com

July 13 to 15

Lanark County Quilters Guide 2018 Quilt Show

Featuring over 200 amazing original quilts, with 20-plus vendors, boutique and tea room. At the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre, 71 Cornelia St. W. Show runs Friday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Info: 613-273-9732 (Marilyn Robinson) or 613-267-5982 (Nijole Deskin) or find LCQG on Facebook

July - Thursday Evenings

Smiths Falls Cruise Nights

In the Walmart parking lot, Smiths Falls, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Everyone welcome!

Info: 613-284-0848 (Ken Manwell)

July 15

Smiths Falls Dairies & the History of Ice Cream

Come celebrate ice cream day at the Museum!

Make ice cream the old fashioned way as we celebrate Ice Cream Day in Canada – Demonstration at 1:00 p.m.

Samples while supplies last.

Information on Smiths Falls dairies and ice cream history and trivia will be available.

Info: 613-283-6311 or heritagehouse@smithsfalls.ca or www.facebook.com/ heritagehousemuseum

July 25

Saved by the Bell: Cemetery Tours

Touring local cemeteries discovering local historical figures, cemetery superstitions and design. $10 Adult, $5 Youth (18 & Under). For cemetery location schedule, please contact the museum. 7:00 p.m. start time.

Info: 613-283-6311 or heritagehouse@smithsfalls.ca or www.facebook.com/ heritagehousemuseum

www.smithsfalls.ca

Get t ing t here is more t ha n ha lf of t he f un Smiths Falls - Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Warren Hollis has a vision for his retirement.

It includes wine making and building. It also includes a story.

Almost at the half-century mark in his life today, he’s got another 10 good years before those retirement plans snug into place. But in the meantime, he’s having a whale of a time getting there.

There’s no doubt he loves his chiropractic work in Perth at the Perth Family Health Centre with his wife Elaine Chagnon; but as that part of his life is beginning to slow down, he’s ramping up his retirement plans.

Way, way back when he was going to college he and a buddy built custom designed homes. The money put him through chiropractic college and the work gave him a taste of building, seeing the end result of sweat and labour, finesse and craftsmanship, a “physical presence.”

Add to that the visit he and his wife made to a small vineyard in Nova Scotia. The wine he remembers as being not that great, but the story behind the stone building where they tasted the wine stayed with him.

The building was an old stone church which had been dismantled stone by stone on one side of the river, barged across the bay, and re-assembled on the other side. This became the wine venue; it was the story and the pictures that brought “value to the wine.”

So every day over the last couple of years as he drove back and forth from Lombardy to his chiropractic practice in Perth and passed the crumbling, old, stone Darou farmstead, a plan slowly began to take shape. He laid those fledgling plans on the table in Perth, bought the old Darou building and slowly but surely, within the next five years, will re-build the farmstead on his 37 acre property.

From there, his plans are to open it up for weddings or events (not wine tasting, he says) and serve his own wine to guests and visitors. Already his vines have been in the ground for 10 years and the stone building will be his chef-d’oeuvre.

This building (and one other on the property as well) were de-constructed under the supervision of two experienced head masons who previously worked on Parliament Hill getting the buildings there in shape for Canada 150. Their comment to Hollis was that even though the old building was built roughly in the

Warren Hollis soaks up the sun waiting for his grounds to dry before trucking, and piling, the old stone Darou farmhouse in its new location at Otter Creek Estate. Once there, it will be re-built as an event venue.

Photo credit: Sally Smith

1840s it was “still in very good condition from a structural perspective.” Hollis understood from this - after doing his homework - that the condition after about 175 years was because of the lime mortar used to put the building together.

His intention is to use “traditional lime mortars and probably re-construct the house in a four-year cycle.” The practice of the day was to build over four years. It was built to the window sills the first year, then to the top of the windows the next year, then to the next window sill the third year and then to the roofline the fourth year.

“They did it partially because of available resources. They’d build when not farming, they had to find enough stone in a season, and then just the sheer weight of it.

They couldn’t build to the roofline in one year.

The weight would have been too much on the mortar and stone underneath.”

Was each stone numbered as it was taken apart? “The front’s all been numbered, chimneys were numbered and pulled down. With our scanning tool, we’ve labelled most of the key stones of all the corners, and specific stones on the sides so we do have every stone technically mapped, not necessarily numbered. The windows and doors have been numbered so they’ll go back in exactly as they came out.

“We used an interesting 3-D scanning program to know where stones are.

We recreated the house in a CAD drawing based on the scanning we did.”

The front, chimneys, corners, windows and doors have all been marked and are on skids, Hollis says. “The rest of it we’ll just simply knock down and move out en

masse. As we rebuild we’ll take the stones randomly and put them back in.”

He says “the front was probably quarried stone brought to the site. It’s cut and squared and laid in rows like bricks. The other three sides were really random rubble so they laid stones randomly and built the wall.”

And this is the way it will go back together.

Plans are for “the basement to be the winery. It will double as to where we bring the harvest to process - instead of my garage - and the upper part will be one open room so when we do re-construct the stone house it will not be divided up, and possibly, at some point, there will be a bar across the back.”

There’s another building, too, the old barn, that’s on skids at Otter Creek Estate. It’s about 40 x 100 feet, “a good size,” he says and this is where (when it’s re-assembled) events could be held for about 200 people.

As well as the barn and old stone house, “we purchased the small United church across the road last year. If you have a smaller group and want to have a church wedding, you could do that, come over here and have your reception. That’s part of our master plan.”

This is all a work in progress, Hollis grins.

“I’m not in any hurry which is a darn good thing because nothing happens fast anyways.”

He figures it will be five years before they’re doing anything significant “and probably 10 when we’ll be at our peak.” But for him, he wants to be known as the guy in the background “who makes the wine and plays in the vineyard and has everything ready when you want it. That’s as far as I’ll go,” he laughs.

There's Always One Place Around On the Chip Wagon Circuit

Why do we love buying food from chip trucks so much?

Maybe it's the hand cut fries or the fresh curds on that yummy poutine, or maybe it is that old favourite that you just can't find anywhere else.

Connoisseurs of hot fresh-cooked fries are part of Canada’s culinary identity. It's part of our culture.

If you are looking for a delicious homemade burger with a side of fresh hand cut fries then you don't

need to look any further! Try these locations to satisfy your cravings when you’re road tripping across Lanark County this summer, and be sure to let them know you found them on the chip wagon circuit!

With The Best Chips In Town

BEST FRIES IN TOWN  OPEN YEAR ROUND FISH & CHIPS HAMBURGERS CHICKEN BURGERS HOMEMADE SAUSAGE

106 Broadway Street West Merrickville, ON 613-269-4428

FRIES & POUTINE

OPEN Tuesday to Saturday 11:00am - 7:00pm Sunday 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Burgers · Fries · Poutine Hot Dogs · Sausages . . . Many More Favorites

124 MOORE STREET, CARLETON PLACE

4 Chips ‘n giggles

Fries • Poutine • Burgers All fries are gluten free.

All burgers are made from AAA grade beef fresh from the butchers daily.

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613-812-3217

17716 Hwy #7, Perth, ON.

July 2018

11

Brian Turner

When is it time to retire that ride?

When is it time to retire and think when your garage ting a thorough annual inthe ride? staff presents you with a re- spection by a qualified tech The best answer to this pair estimate that approach- is the best way. This should question is, 'before you es or exceeds 75% of the ve- include a close look at sheet have to'. Starting the shop- hicle’s wholesale value. It’s metal and steel support ping process for a new or relatively easy to find this members. A good tech can new-to-you replacement number by perusing any of tell a lot about major comvehicle is always best done the major used/new vehicle ponents from a cursory when your current auto is want-ad websites such as check and examination of still serviceable. This gives autotrader.ca for example. any fluids they might use. A you the priceless luxury Simply find your vehicle’s computer scan may also reof time. Time to research, year, make and model with veal any dormant diagnostic check deals, compare sup- comparable equipment and codes which may be signs of pliers, kick some tires and of mileage being offered in impending repairs. These course get the best value for your area. Then subtract check-overs should also inyour trade-in. Far too many $1500 from the asking price clude a thorough road test. consumers make quick deci- to get a rough idea of the Most shops (from manufacsions on the second-largest wholesale value. turer dealerships to regionexpenditure of their lives For example, if your 11 al/national chains to small which can lead to many re- year old SUV with 260,000 independents) offer seasongrets down the road. km on the clock is facing a al specials for these types of Few automakers will ever $3500 transmission over- inspections. They’re usually admit it, but they all design haul and its wholesale value combined with engine oil and build their products is only $4500, dropping that services at less than $100 with a lifespan in mind. For amount on one single repair and represent good value for the average mainstream, is very risky. the money spent. non-luxury vehicle this So how can we predict If you’re looking for ways works out to about 10 years when the clock will run out to extend your vehicle’s lifesor 250,000 km. Yes there on our daily drivers? Get- pan, check where it’s parked. are plenty of vehicles on the road well past that mark, but there are also plenty of hulks in the scrap-yard that entered into vehicle Valhalla long before those milestones. And of course the major reason (other than collision damage) that most Barry Webster vehicles hit the bone-yard is corrosion.

Transmission 149 Lombard Street, Smiths Falls, ON K7A 5B8 One of the biggest finanTransfer Cases Tel: 613-284-2200 Fax: 613-284-2201 cial mistakes that vehicle Differentials Email: sftransmission@cogeco.net owners can make is to plunk down a major amount of money on a single repair on an older vehicle. Whether it’s a large engine or transmission repair, few consumers ever take into account the current value of their older ride when authorizing expensive service work. www.streetmotorsales.com This leaves their wallets vul- streetmotorsales@cogeco.net www.streetmotorsales.com nerable if another big failure 24 streetmotorsales@cogeco.net Family Lane, Smiths Falls ON | 613-205-1212 | 1-888-603-3486 occurs in the near future. A 24 Family Lane, Smiths Falls ON | 613-205-1212 | 1-888-603-3486 good rule of thumb is to stop

Parking a vehicle on grass or any poorly drained surfaces can easily shorten its life due to corrosion. Keeping your drive in shape has a lot to do with maintaining its driveway.

Don’t forget to check with your automaker for any outstanding recalls and/or warranty extensions on a regular basis. If you aren’t

registered with them as the owner you won’t receive any related notices. The number of vehicles on our roads with extended coverage for corrosion failures for example would surprise you. And knowing if your ride is covered before you pay for such repairs can be a real money saver. Safety recalls can be researched online via the

automakers website or by checking Transport Canada’s database at tc.gc.ca. Extended coverages (those not included in the original factory warranties) are usually only listed on automakers dealership databases, so calling their dealership service departments is pretty much the only way to find out if your vehicle has such plans.

S&R Camping Trailer Restoration & Repair Service’s Repairs - Rebuilds - Tune Ups All Makes and Models We sell all types of Interstate Batteries  Generators  Golf Carts  Snowblowers  Lawn Tractors  Snowmobiles  3 & 4 Wheelers and more

Unwanted Small Engines Ray Chenier & Ethan Chenier

Call or Text: 343-264-9003 548 County Rd. 29, Jasper

Like us on Facebook facebook.com/Rays-Small-Engine-Repair

RVs - Camping Trailers - Boats - Wanted Scrap Trailers Pay Cash

Restorations - Repairs - Sales - Rentals - Cosignment Storage with on site security 24/7 & security cameras

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548 County Rd. 29, Jasper Like us on Facebook facebook.com/SR-Camping-Trailer-Rentals-Restoration-Services

July 2018

12

Cancer

Awareness

Wheels of Hope – Neighbours helping Neighbours Sometimes simply getting to cancer treatment can be difficult. If you can’t afford the cost of travel, or if you are not physically well enough to use public transportation, the Canadian Cancer Society can work with you to help find a solution.

CCS's Wheels of Hope Service is one of the largest volunteer-provided programs in North America.

CCS invests in recruiting, training and maintaining 2100 volunteer drivers to support the program across Ontario.

In 2017/18, our drivers made more than 60,000 trips totaling 9 million km. These drivers helped 9,000 patients (including over 3,000 brand new patients) to attend 90,000 cancer related appointments.

We anticipate the need for the program will increase each year given the aging population and more advanced screening practices.

Do you need help getting to treatment?

The Wheels of Hope Transportation Service

covers 2 programs: Volunteer Driver Provided Program and Family Provided Program. These programs are intended to assist an eligible client and escort (if required) with their short-term travel to attend cancer-specific medical appointments or supportive care services delivered by a professional recognized by Ontario's Health Care System. Patients can declare a financial, physical or emotional need for service.

Since the mid 1950's the Society has provided volunteer driver transportation assistance for people with cancer.

Volunteer drivers provide return trips for patients from their home to treatment centres. They offer friendly support and kindness at a time when patients need it most.

New patients who register for volunteer driver provided transportation are required to pay an annual registration fee. Patients 18 years or younger are exempt. If you are unable to pay the full registration fee, you

may be eligible for assistance through our compassionate program. We are committed to ensuring that no patient is denied a ride due to their inability to pay the entire registration fee.

To register or for more information, please call 1-800-263-6750.

Family Provided Program Family provided transportation assistance is available to a family whose child has cancer and is traveling 200 km (one way) or more to get to the treatment centre(s).

In these instances, families provide the transportation to treatment and are reimbursed financially according to our policies.

Families should contact their Social Worker or Interlink Nurse at their treatment centre to register.

Looking for Volunteers!

Volunteer drivers are well trained and supported in their role, and are important ambassadors for the Canadian Cancer Society. We offer flexible day-time driving oppor-

tunities based on your schedule.

Potential drivers must attend a training session and have a MTO and criminal records check before joining our team of volunteer drivers.

Drivers are reimbursed for kms accumulated while driving patients to their appointments and home again. Drivers can further support the program by donating all or part of their reimbursement amount and in return receive an income tax receipt.

Interested in becoming a driver? Please contact the Canadian Cancer Society at 613-723-1744 ext 3622 for more details.

Photo credit: Submitted

SERVING PERTH & AREA

SAM LIMA DENTURE CLINIC 3 Beckwith Street East

PERTH ONTARIO

613-267-5462

samlima10@aol.com

SERVING THE TOWN OF PERTH AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY WITHIN A 25KM RADIUS

Stay@Home Senior Services Non-Medical Senior Services

stayathomeservices@hotmail.com

SERVICES INCLUDE Fees for services based on an hourly rate

Companionship Shopping, errands and delivery Light housekeeping, laundry

613-812-4486

Transportation to local appointments Sorting, packing and downsizing Gardening, spring & fall cleanup

Contact Karen for more information or to arrange a free consultation visit

July 2018

13

HOME & GARDEN Garden Matters:

Lanark County Master Gardeners

There’s nothing like catching up with the ones you love, and summertime is truly the best time of year for spending time with friends and family.

Whether you’re welcoming friends for a backyard barbecue, preparing guest rooms for family from afar, or packing the car trunk with tents and coolers, summertime is get-together time. And while all of the togetherness might mean a lot of preparation and care, nothing motivates me to clean, declutter, and refresh my home like the promise of guests arriving. When it means a chance to catch up, to spend some time with the ones my heart loves, all of that hard work seems much more like joy.

Uninvited guests, however, are no joy at all. No, I’m not talking about Uncle Phil and Auntie Paula popping in unexpectedly; even if they witness my messy kitchen, seeing them is a treat. I’m talking about the guests who prefer to skip the doorbell and find their own way into the house or garden. Keeping them out can definitely be an un-joyful challenge.

Yes, you know who I’m talking about: pests.

Before living in Smiths Falls I have always lived in cities. This town, with its abundance of wildlife,

is such a delight. Each morning I find bunnies in our backyard, nibbling clover, and bounding away when I get too close. Chipmunks skitter across the deck and peep in low windows, looking for crumbs and thrilling my children.

Walking along the Rideau, we’ve seen turtles and beavers, otters and snakes, geese and loons. It is so special to see local animals in the wild.

It is decidedly less special to see local animals scurrying across the kitchen floor, leaving their droppings behind. I have enough people to clean up after already; those uninvited guests are not welcome here! To get rid of them, I put all of the tempting food in sealed containers. Then we went around the foundation and filled all the holes we found. Then we set traps.

We caught six mice in the first week, and the number has since dwindled to one every week or so. I am not sure how they’re getting in (we do have an earth basement, so it’s not truly a surprise), but with a few traps at the ready, I feel like we’re mostly winning this battle.

The squirrels, though, are another matter. In our former homes, a plastic garbage can with a sealed lid was enough to keep squirrels and raccoons

from making a mess of the yard. Sturdy plastic cans haven’t deterred the squirrels here, as they simply chewed straight through the lid and plunged into the trash with astonishing ease. We tried a few popular DIY sprays to repel them, but none of them seemed to work well. Metal cans with metal lids have thwarted the squirrels so far, but they keep on trying. Occasionally, they are helped out by some talented raccoons who use those adorable and mischievous little paws to pry off the lids and sometimes even topple the cans entirely.

If this is the cost of enjoying the beautiful Ottawa Valley, it is well worth it.

However, I would love to be able to control the uninvited guests in order to more beautifully welcome our invited guests. It’s been an interesting journey. How do you outsmart the squirrels in your yard?

Please share any tried and true tips you may have. We welcome home and garden articles from citizen journalists. Contributions may be emailed to editorial@ pdgmedia.ca with “Home and Garden” in the subject line. Please note that submissions must be original content exclusive to HTN, and if selected, are subject to editing.

What are those strange curly green stems growing from the top of my garlic?

If you were one of the gardeners who planned ahead last October and planted a variety of hard-necked garlic, right now you might be asking yourself just that question.

Garlic is one of the few plants that provides two harvests. In early July the first crop is the curly stem known as scapes. If you cut off the curly flower stems, your garlic bulbs will grow larger. Once you’ve cut them off, they’re a delicious addition to your early summer dining.

To enjoy the mild tender scapes cut them when they have a curl in the stem. As they mature the stem will grow straight and bulbils will form a seed head. Harvest the stem in the heat of the afternoon when the sap dries more quickly.

To harvest, simply snap the stalk with your fingers, just above the top set of leaves. Use scissors or a sharp knife if you don’t want the smell of garlic on your fingers—but who doesn’t want to smell like fresh garlic? If you don’t grow garlic,

Garlic Scapes

scapes are now a common produce item at local farmers market although the season is very short.

To prepare your garlic scapes they can be left whole or cut into pieces and used in the following ways: · steam them like aspara gus · sauté in butter until ten der · stir-fry—chop in 2.5 cm lengths and add to your favourite stir-fry · pickle them · grill them · add to soups, pestos, salsas.

If you have more scapes than you can use fresh, just blend them in your food processor with a little olive

oil or water. Put them in a 250 mL canning jar or freezer bag and freeze. When you need some garlic, take the jar from the freezer and use as much as you need.

These frozen scapes make a wonderful dip for veggies or crackers using equal parts mayonnaise and yoghurt and a couple of tablespoons of garlic scapes. Add salt to taste.

Enjoy!

Gerda Franssen is a member of the Lanark County Master Gardeners. Want to know more about the group or ask a gardening question? Visit our website at www.lanarkmg.blogspot.com or contact us at lanarkmg@ gmail.com.

July 2018

14

lifestyle

Food &Drink Dr Warren Hollis Lombardy Vineyard Brian Preston - The Travelling Sommelier brianpreston@hotmail.com

Dr. Warren Hollis and his wife Dr. Elaine Chagnon operate the Perth Family Health Centre.

Along with healthy living and chiropractic care, they have another dream which is beginning to come true.

For full details see another article in this issue by my colleague Sally Smith.

What I want to focus on are their plans for growing their own vines and serving their own wines to guests at public events that they will host on their beautiful secluded Lombardy property, Otter Creek Estate Winery.

The log beams from a deconstructed barn building are in the field adjacent to the main vineyard. This will be the main event building once it is erected.

Warren had the soil tested in several plot areas on

the property and found that it is largely 4 feet of sandy loam on a clay base. Eleven years ago he planted his first two main grape varietals: Marquette and Frontenac.

Marquette is a complex light red American hybrid created in 1989 at the University of Minnesota from eight parent grape varieties! You could call it the grandchild of Pinot Noir.

It was named in 2005 after Pere Marquette, a seventeenth century Jesuit missionary and explorer, and it was first released in 2006.

It is aptly named because of the winter hardiness of the grape and its ability to survive winters down to 35 below Celsius for short periods of time. Typically, Marquette wines have cherry and blackberry flavours with complex notes of pepper and spice. They have high acidity and noticeable tannins which must be softened by malolactic fermentation which Warren does

in stainless steel tanks after the grapes are harvested, and then bladder-pressed for the free-run juice. Yeast is added to start the primary fermentation and he calibrates the time in tank to go to secondary or malolactic fermentation stage. This is where the art of the winemaker comes in. For example, he is currently looking at an Aussie yeast that is great at reducing acid levels which he is trying to set at about 3.6 Ph. He has also completed courses in winemaking with Viticulture & Enology Science and Technology Alliance (VESTA), and he attends seminars and conferences to hone his craft, e.g. Eastern Winery Exposition, and Winemaker Magazine Conferences, to name a couple.

Because Minnesota clone grape varietals are relatively new, cool climate winemakers are experimenting on where they grow best and how to treat them in

Dr. Warren Hollis. Photo credit: Brian Preston

the field and during the winemaking phase to get the best wines possible out of the grapes. These varietals are growing in popularity in the northern United States and Quebec too.

Warren planted a test plot of Petite Pearl, a new red grape variety that makes a smooth semi-dry rosé wine with bright notes of red currant and raspberry. It’s a richly-flavored dark rosé, and it is lower in acidity. He also planted some Swenson Red, a firm, meaty red with a unique fruity flavor and strawberry notes. In white, he is trying La Crosse which produces fruity white wines similar to Riesling or for use as a base for blended wines. Warren plants using double stalks on a trellis system in case one fails or is winter killed. Canopy control during growing season is important to ensure that enough sun gets to the grapes and produces high enough sugar levels.

Frontenac is also a complex red Minnesota clone able to withstand our winters and it was created in 1996. It doesn't have the foxy nose and flavour of

native North American grapes (vitis riparia) common in wines from Niagara Peninsula before the 1960s along with several French Hybrids like Marechal Foch and Vidal. Minnesota clones are resistant to many diseases but are susceptible to phylloxera (leaf curl infestation). The grapes are small to medium growing in loose bunches, mid ripening which is good with our short summers, and they can achieve high levels of sugar and fruit acidity which is necessary for converting sugar to alcohol and balancing this with the right acidity level. Like Marquette, it must undergo malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Frontenac wine is deeply red coloured with cherry and blackcurrant or plum flavours, even chocolate as it ages. It can be made as a red table wine or into a sweeter port-like style wine. Warren blends blends the Marquette and Frontenac to make his own red blend. I tried the 2006 and it was an opaque deep purple colour with a nose of deep forest earth and dark, rich, ripe

Life on the farm

Isn’t it interesting how we change our eating habits with the seasons? In this kitchen, it’s already been weeks since the crockpot has seen the light of day.

Once the warmer weather arrives, the soups, stews and chilis of winter quickly give way to fresher, cooler tastes of summer.

Salad becomes exciting again! One of the best things about this season is the fact that everything needed for a delicious, fresh salad can be found right in the garden. (Not a green thumb, no problem…your local market gardeners have you covered. Salad greens are in abundance at a nearby farm stand or Farmers’ Markets!) It’s time for a hiatus from commercially prepared, bagged salads.

Hooray!

The thing about dealing with fresh lettuce in the summertime is that before very long at all, it looks about the way we feel... warm, wilted and weary.

But don't despair. There is hope!

With a few simple steps, you will be pleasantly surprised at the "fridge life" of the lettuce varieties and other greens that you pick up fresh from the farm.

Greens can be given a quick rinse in some nice cool water, dried off (a salad spinner is easiest) and stored it in a bag or container in the crisper. They will keep very well for several days.

Some sources suggest lining the container or bag with some paper towel, to

plum. On the palate it was a replay of ripe, dark berry and plum that was very smooth with medium body that coated the tongue with balanced acidity that was refreshing. It was the best I have had of these two varietals which I have tasted before in Quebec and New England states.

Warren also grows Frontenac Gris, a grey-berried mutation yielding aromas of peach, apricot and citrus together with refreshing acidity. Warren makes Rose with this one. It too was from the 2006 vintage and it has a deep red blush colour and a cherry nose with some viscosity to hold the flavours and your interest as the complex palate of red berries unfold: raspberry, sweet strawberry and a lasting finish. It was unique and surprisingly good; a great match with BBQ pork loin basted in red chili/ honey glaze.

When the event centre is up and running these wines will be a great match for the foods served and I wish them well as the plans come to fruition in our beautiful area!

Millers Bay Farm help with absorption of any excess moisture. Another point to note is that a hard-sided container may be better than a bag for protecting the tender greens from other ‘bullies’ in the crisper…the heavier items like celery, carrots, cucumbers or zucchini which may end up getting tossed in on top, and crushing them.

Then comes the fun part – deciding on which salad to enjoy! Don’t get stuck on the same old recipe every time. The options are endless. Rather than give you just one recipe this time, see the inset for a basic salad formula. Use it as sort of a ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ guide and salads will never be boring again.

July 2018

16

lifestyle

Let's Eat

Brian Turner

The Opinicon a Feast for the Senses

The long wait for the reopening of The Opinicon at Chaffeys Locks last year was certainly worth it.

This resort and dining facility has a storied history dating back to 1865 when John Chaffey built the main structure. It grew and evolved over the years under multiple owner/operators to become a destination of desire for locals and visitors alike looking for an idyllic refuge nestled among the trees and hills next to Murphy’s Bay off Opinicon Lake and the canal locks. Its current owners Fiona McKean and Tobias Lutke purchased the property in 2015 and have restored the main lodge, outbuildings, and rental cottages to their former glory with a perfect mix of yesteryear and modern conveniences and styling. Picture those family resorts in the Catskills of New York State as depicted

in the movie ‘Dirty Dancing’ with a unique Ontario flavor and you’ve got the image.

My partner and I attended the dining room in the main lodge on a bright warm sunny afternoon for lunch and were amazed at the architectural details that were lovingly restored, the abundance of very friendly and accommodating staff, the pristine grounds, and the large number of visitors (even their ice-cream shop in their general/cottage store draws fans who often drive for hours just to enjoy a cool treat).

The large main dining room is completely surrounded by expansive windows providing great views of the beautiful scenery. The menu is available to both dining room and pub attendees (and their pub is almost as large and just as windowed as the

dining room). It has something for just about every taste and appetite with a great selection of sharing and individual apps, soup/ sandwich combos, full entrees, comfort food, and fresh desserts. We thought we had settled on a couple of appropriate choices until our server tempted us with the day’s specials.

I ordered the prime rib sandwich with greens salad and my partner chose a very unique take on softshelled tacos.

My generously portioned beef sandwich was served on a multi-grained artisanal roll with just the right amount of crust crunch and soft tasty interior. It was garnished with provolone cheese, caramelized onions and a nottoo-far over the top aioli.

The local greens salad was fresh and not overpowered by a light vinaigrette dressing. My partner’s 3

well-sized soft-shelled tacos were stuffed with beef donair meat, and a great take on a sweet veggie/ fruit chutney and topped with a sweet garlic sauce.

As the scenery and delightful weather had us in a bit of a trance, we opted for a rare shared dessert and weren’t disappointed. The Opinion’s version of lemon meringue pie for one was

two tortes with a dense and flavourful filling and ultra-light topping. In all our lunch with wine and a craft beer came to less than $65 before tip.

If the taste and flavours don’t tell you, the menu will; The Opinicon is proud to support local farms and suppliers with their offerings. They’re located at 1697 Chaffeys

Locks Road, just off Highway 15 between Crosby and Elgin. You can reach them at 613-359-5233 and reservations are strongly recommended. The resort offers all types of accommodations and activities and is a perfect getaway for two as well as a great venue for larger family gatherings and celebrations.

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