Lanark, North Leeds & Grenville - Hometown News October 2019

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Vol. 6

No. 10

YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER - LANARK, NORTH LEEDS & GRENVILLE

OCTOBER 2019

Carleton Junction on track to becoming a very popular destination Carleton Place - Brian Turner editorial@pd gmedia.ca When the crowds gathered on Sept 20th for the official opening of Carleton Place’s newest park, Carleton Junction, few could have known how popular one of the active features would soon become. At the Friday evening’s festivities, the pump track was seeing a lot of wheels on it, having just been paved that morning.

A pump track is a closed circuit course designed for specialized bicycles and scooters. It features a series of low but steep inclines and hills to permit extreme-style cyclists to obtain some jumps with impressive air time or to complete the course without the use of pedals. The first evening only saw cycles with inflated tires and no hard-wheeled scooters due to the freshness of the asphalt surface. This track which also surrounds a skateboard area is located at one end of a long expanse of 4.5 acres which encompasses the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail. Pump tracks are still relatively new in municipal park features and Carleton Place’s is one of only a small handful across the prov-

ince with the challenging and advanced terrain it offers. The park was planned and built by the town with support from the county of Lanark and input from various community groups. It also contains a large rail-themed climbing/sliding structure and a replica of a period train station complete with water-tower.

The entire complex is located behind the Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers building on land that was once a major rail hub, hence it has been named in recognition of Carleton Place’s railway history and the former ‘Carleton Junction’ stop on the rail line. The OVR Trail it flanks serves both motorized and non-motorized users and stretches in town from Coleman Street to Town Line Road, and features two paths running parallel through town, one with a gravel base and the other paved.

At the opening event the park was filled with people of all ages and families with younger children were well represented.

Mayor Doug Black noted during his remarks that additional features and landscaping would be added over time.

It didn’t take long for the public to respond to this new com-

Photo credits: Brian Turner.

munity destination. At the town council meeting on Sept 24th, Black read a letter of thanks received from the parent of a young teen who had recently moved to town. They noted that their son had eagerly followed the development and construction of the pump track and was out early on its inaugural Saturday and didn’t return home for the day. The following day was a repeat of the first with the addition of some tools and an air pump to keep the track’s pit-stop humming.

Building positive relationships seems to be a very much-appre-

ciated side effect. Comments on social media sites relay reports of less experienced riders being encouraged and coached by others to participate instead of being ignored on the sidelines. There

also seems to be no shortage of volunteers to keep things running smoothly.

Perhaps the town has found a cure for the isolation our electronic age sometimes brings.

Community celebration kicks off plans for SFDCI to host 2021 championship Smiths Falls - Chris Must editorial@pd gmedia.ca

Mayor Shawn Pankow and other members of council joined SFDCI basketball players, coaches and the Redhawks mascot for a ceremonial tip-off to start an outdoor game Sept. 27 at Settlers Ridge Centre. The game highlighted a celebratory event to announce to the community that SFDCI will host the OFSAA double A boys’ basketball championships in 2021. Photo credit: Chris Must.

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The parking lot at Settlers Ridge Centre became a basketball court Sept. 27 as the mall hosted a community celebration announcing plans for SFDCI to host the province’s high school basketball championships in 2021.

An outdoor game featuring SFDCI Redhawks basketball alumni highlighted the afternoon celebration, which also included the unveiling of the school’s proposed logo for the 2021 event. Basketball coach Todd Spencer, whose daughter Abby designed the logo, explained that the design still requires OFSAA (Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations) approval before it

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SAA’s 18 districts will compete, including Smiths Falls’ own district, EOSSAA. Spencer noted that the SFDCI Redhawks won gold at the OFSAA championship in 2011, when it was held in North Bay. Spencer expressed special thanks to the 2021 tournament’s first major sponsor, Mike Fair Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac Ltd. “Thanks to all the merchants at the mall for letting us do this (Sept. 27 launch),” he added. “We’re looking forward to doing some special things together.”

To help coordinate the 2021 event, a committee is being formed with responsibility for individual tasks including tournament programs, the opening banquet, and arranging accommodations.

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The provincial AA boys’ basketball championships, scheduled for March of 2021, are expected to draw as many as 800 high school athletes, coaches, referees and family members to Smiths Falls. As the hosts for the tournament, SFDCI’s own team will automatically be eligible to compete.

“We know that the boys are going to compete well,” said Mayor Shawn Pankow, who attended the launch along with other members of town council.

“You’ve got a year and a half to develop.”

Smiths Falls earned the right to host the championship thanks to a successful application by Coach Spencer, submitted in the spring of 2017. At the tournament the top teams from OF-

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October 2019

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Page Two

From everyone at hometown News

Happy T hanksgiving Happy Halloween Cartoon by Patrick Labelle

Interval House's annual Take Back the Night walk

Almonte 1894 Fair

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Almonte Fair in 1894. Photo courtesy of https://almonte.com/our-history/historicphoto-archive/

Lanark County Interval House's annual Take Back the Night walk in Carleton Place took place Thursday, Sept.19. Attendees marched against domestic violence and sexual assault. Carleton Place Councillor Linda Seccaspina dressed up like a Handmaid. Photo credit: Emilie Must

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October 2019

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community Golfers tee up to fund recreation for Smiths Falls youth

Smiths Falls - Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca

More than $4,000 is available to provide recreational opportunities for youth in Smiths Falls thanks to just two recent donations to the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Program.

The local Canadian Tire store is forwarding to the national program $1,000 raised through a recent golf tournament for members of law enforcement held at Rolling

Greens, along with $1,060 raised by the men’s night league at Smiths Falls Golf & Country Club through the sale of raffle tickets for a barbecue. The Canadian Tire Corporation matches all gifts to the Jumpstart Program, meaning the value of the two gifts is actually $4,120.

The funds will be available in 2020 for applications from local groups. “It’s kept local for all the kids here,” said Smiths Falls Canadian Tire

owner Craig Lattanville.

With the slogan “Giving kids a sporting chance,” the Jumpstart program is dedicated to helping children overcome barriers to sports and recreation. The program provides funds to cover the costs of registration, transportation and equipment, as well as funding for recreational infrastructure and programming.

Funds raised locally go into a pool and can be applied for the following year.

“We’re already well ahead of what was raised in 2018,” said Lattanville.

Applications for funding from Jumpstart can be submitted from Jan. 15 to Nov. 1 each year, and the program

aims to distribute assistance equitably between spring, summer, fall and winter activities. Applications can be submitted online at jumpstart.canadiantire.ca.

In addition to supporting

the Jumpstart Program, the Smiths Falls Canadian Tire store also operates a breakfast program at Duncan J. Schoular School, and this year donated a quantity of balls for use at the school.

Giving thanks leads to filling Christmas stockings

Photo submitted.

Carleton Place - submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca As we all sit down to give thanks, it is the perfect time of year to turn our minds to another opportunity for giving, the Annual Christmas Stock-

ing Drive for the Lanark County Food Bank - The Hunger Stop.

Sandy Schappert is the spirit behind Christmas Stockings filled with toiletries. Acting upon a remark made by her late husband Hank Schappert,

while volunteering at the Food Bank, she has sought to fill the need for toiletries for adults for 10 years, and the community has responded.

Because clients of the Hunger Stop can only access the Food Bank once a month, stockings start being handed out in the middle of November, so you can see why we say that Christmas is "just around the corner".

Despite all the fall colours, thoughts and actions are underway to ensure that everyone has a Merry Christmas this year. In words of gratitude from one recipient, "It is the only gift I get to open Christmas morning."

If you'd like to donate stockings, toiletries, or even the funds to fill the stockings, please contact Sandra Schappert: sandyhank@bell.net or call 613492-1006, and she'll make sure your generosity puts a smile in someone's heart this Christmas. Receipts from the Lanark County Food Bank are available on request.

Members of the men’s night league at Smiths Falls Golf & Country Club have donated $1,060 to the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities.1 The funds were raised this summer through the sale of PDG Media Hometown News.pdf 2019-09-05 1:40 PM tickets for a barbecue raffle and will be matched by Canadian Tire Corporation. From left are Smiths Falls Canadian Tire community relations rep Jim Evoy, store owner Craig Lattanville and store manager Lenny Rogers. Photo credit: Chris Must

Have your say on revised wellhead protection areas & policies

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Submitted by the Lanark County Food Bank – The Hunger Stop Y

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View the Draft Amendment: • Online at www.mrsourcewater.ca • At our Conservation Authority Offices: • Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority, 10970 Hwy. 7, Carleton Place • Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, 3889 Rideau Valley Drive, Manotick

  .    

For more info contact: Marika Livingston, Project Manager 613-692-3571 or 1-800-267-3504 ext 1148 marika.livingston@mrsourcewater.ca

We want your feedback: • Revised wellhead protection area for the Municipality of North Grenville and the Village of Merrickville-Wolford • Revised Source Protection Plan chemical policies

October 2019

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community

One ‘doer’ replaces another at REAL Victoria Park to see new foot bridges Smiths Falls - Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Katie Hoffman says she took on the presidency of REAL because she “likes to be in charge.” Ask any of her friends and they’ll tell you the same thing — she gets things done.

Hoffman, 78, joined the REAL board last spring and took over from Barb Hicks at a recent meeting. In all seriousness, she says she wants to leave her grandchildren (of which she has 11) “a better world.” A good way to do that, she adds, is “taking small steps,” and if we do that “we may get somewhere.”

Hoffman comes qualified for the position: at one time she owned and operated a travel agency in Toronto, then Auberge Sauvignon in Mont Tremblant. When she and her husband, David, moved to this area on his retirement, she immediately joined a volunteer group at Lombardy School where she produced the ‘sub’ lunches. It goes on from there — Friends of the Library, a baking group after school program for teens at the arena, breakfast program at Duncan J. Schoular and the Duplicate Bridge Club. “I have a wonderful network of friends,” she says. “I can draw on a lot of people.”

When she first joined REAL she voted, along with other board members, to increase the size of the board from seven to 12. They do have some new members now, and are still looking for more.

Hoffman explains that they’re looking for people who can bring a skill with them like “younger people who know how to use Twitter. We need their social media savvy, people who know how to video.”

So if there are people in Smiths Falls who have some time to offer, come into REAL and talk to the

Top photo: New president of REAL, Katie Hoffman, takes a quiet look round the Monarch Waystation before officially opening it September 14.

Photo credit: Sally Smith.

Right photo: A Painted Lady butterfly takes a rest stop at the REAL Waystation on its journey south. Photo credit: Sally Smith.

store manager, Dan Cunningham.

Back to getting things done — this week Hoffman says a debit machine is going into the REAL storefront which will make it easier for customers who often don’t have cash at hand. Her hope is that the debit machine will increase walkthrough customers, too.

On a daily basis, REAL needs “two or three volunteers, plus a cashier, plus a manager and two yard men.” Hoffman speaks more than glowingly about the manager and volunteers — “they’re super!”

Hoffman also wants REAL clientele to know about the two radon meters the store lends out.

Radon is a radioactive gas — invisible, odourless and tasteless. According to Government of Canada information, it “occurs naturally when the uranium in soil and rock breaks down. When released from the ground into the outdoor air, it is diluted and not a concern. In enclosed spaces, however, like homes, it can sometimes accumulate to high levels, which can be a risk.

“Radon can enter a home any place it finds an opening where the house contacts the soil: cracks in foundation walls and in floor slabs, construction joints, gaps around service pipes, support posts, window casements, floor drains, sumps or cavities inside walls.”

Hoffman says she tested her home and the reading was acceptable; talk to her, or research what levels are safe. She adds there have been “several people with terrible readings.” Leeds, Grenville and Lanark has a fairly high level of radon, according to Cancer Care Ontario.

The meter is loaned for two weeks; during that time-frame homeowners

take daily readings and then make a decision as to their findings. REAL intends to host a radon presentation in the near future. To borrow a meter, call Hoffman at 613983-3360.

One of the neatest projects Hoffman and her board have taken on this 30th year of REAL is the Monarch Waystation. “A lot of topics were thrown about and the butterfly garden came out on top.

It’s gorgeous!” The garden was dedicated on September 14 at a short ceremony, and the Smiths Falls garden at REAL has been “certified and registered by Monarch Watch as an official Monarch Waystation.” It “provides milkweed, nectar sources, and shelter needed to sustain monarch butterflies as they migrate through North America.” www. monarchwatch.org But this isn’t all. There are two events coming up in October. First is a Zero Waste evening on October 2 at the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre. Doors open at 6:30 and the presentation begins at 7. Michelle Dunford of Kemptville and Heather Mitchell-Adam, owner of Modern Thymes in Smiths Falls, will give tips on how to get started with choices for eating, clothing, garbage, consumer goods, transportation, housing and food.

The second is the Local Food Harvest Dinner Fundraiser on October 19 at the Legion in Smiths Falls. Doors open at 5:30, social hour from 6 to 7 and dinner at 7. Tickets are available at Modern Thymes and at the REAL Deal store. Joanne Edwards from the Cove Inn in Westport is catering.

As of October 1, REAL (Rideau Environmental Action League) is open four days a week, Wednesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The construction zone at the footbridge in Smiths Falls along the Rideau Canal in Murphy Park.

Photo credit: Emilie Must.

Smiths Falls - Emilie Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca As part of the 2019-2022 master plan Smiths Falls council pledged to replace the footbridge connecting Victoria Park with the newly named Murphy Park.

The area has been closed for construction all summer and now town director of recreation Art Manhire says the foot bridges are

ready to be installed any day now.

Smiths Falls council approved the purchase of two different footbridges in March 2017 and applied for permits from Parks Canada at the beginning of May 2019.

The town received approval for a permit from the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority.

“We have heard from

Parks (Canada) saying that they’re in the final stages of approval,” Manhire said.

“We should hear shortly and anticipate they will be done this fall.”

In the meantime, the manufacturer is storing the bridges.

The park had three connecting footbridges until they were destroyed in 2014 when flood conditions made them unfit for use.

More PEP shining light for Smiths Falls Senior citizens PErth - Emilie Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca

In 2018, the Perth Enrichment Program opened its doors at Cornelia Court for the seniors of Smiths Falls.

With the help of funding from the newly named United Way East Ontario, the program is offered Thursdays from 9:30am- 3pm.

For $35 a day, seniors living in Smiths Falls and in the surrounding area can come to PEP, socialize and exercise physically and mentally. The age of those in attendance on Thursday, Sept. 12, ranged from 60 to 90. At 11 a.m. the group session ended and exercise time began, followed by a lunch catered by Two Guys for Lunch also in Cornelia Court.

The program begins with a roundtable group session filled with word puzzles and brain exercises taken from MENSA. The group facilitator Kathy Finner incorporates a series of math puzzles, riddles, and word scrambles, “anything that works your brain. We always try to pick things that work all the parts of the brain,” Finner said. “[The programs] have to be inclusive for all education types in the class as some seniors had to leave school to work on the farm at a young age,” Finner said. “For example, we’ll leave only one square empty in Sudoku so everyone feels included.”

Paul Fitchette, director of PEP says there are many different reasons why programs like these are needed in rural communities.

“The main reason is the social interaction that our

Kathy Finner helps Rick with a word puzzle at the Smiths Falls location of the Perth Enrichment Program on Thursday, Sept 12. Photo credit: Emilie Must.

clients can get. A lot of time they’re at home and this is their opportunity to come and be with friends,” Fitchette said. “But I think the main reason that our clients like to come is definitely the social part of the day.

The space on Elliott Street in Perth is only one room in Perth. The Cornelia Court location consists of a living room, kitchen, bathroom and exercise room.

“Seeing the need for it and how everybody really enjoys being here and appreciates the program,” Fitchette said. “It sort of makes you feel good when you come to work and you leave and you know everybody’s had a great day.”

Two women have been attending PEP since it opened in Smiths Falls. “Pat and Alice have been coming the

longest,” volunteer Judy Barbarro said. “Alice is the best at the puzzles.”

“I started in May,” Catherine, an attendee said. “The second week I came there was a tribute to Elvis. It’s a lot of fun and they make me think.”

The program also involves going on outings, including a boat cruise the first Thursday of September.

Over at the Perth location, Pam Newton runs the music program where several local musicians have come as entertainment for group.

The program’s mission statement is 1) to enhance or maintain the functioning level (social, physical, emotional and cognitive) of older adults on an individual basis and 2) to provide respite, encouragement for the family or caregivers of participants.

October 2019

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lifestyle Health Matters Dr. Robert Rodine

‘Text Neck’ and ‘Study Strain’

THE CONNECTION BETWEEN POSTURE AND NECK PAIN

These days, it doesn’t seem to matter where you go, everyone is staring at their phones. From coffee shops to waiting rooms, to public parks and gardens – everyone is looking down.

Like any posture or movement that is done repetitively, the forward head posture that comes with smart phones can lead to neck pain and some types of headaches. At the same time, it is important to remember that we are not delicate china dolls ready to shatter because we held a cell phone for too long.

Remember that our bodies evolved to withstand stress and fatigue and to recover and heal from injury. The problem isn’t the fragility of our necks, more so it is the cumulative strain of modern living that is to blame.

Forward head posture is often compared to carrying a bowling ball in front of you; the ball is much heavier at arms length than it is close to your chest.

While slightly dramatic, the analogy helps to identify the additional work the muscles of the neck and upper back need to do in order to support forward head posture.

And no, looking down is not suddenly a new thing!

Whether it was reading, writing, needle point work, or hunting and gathering, humans have been sustained in these positions since we began walking upright. Which means, this shouldn’t be a concern to our biomechanics for

isolated episodes during the day, the problem starts when this becomes our primary posture due to work, school or the habitual demands of a modern ‘’connected’’ life.

For example, the typical high school student spends their days sitting at a desk, writing or working on computers. From here they return home to spend more hours in front of the computer or craning over a textbook as they study. The use of a smart phone and texting their friends helps them to coordinate their learning as well as connect and foster relationships.

However, the cumulative strain of flexing the neck forward and looking down for hours on end will eventually lead to problems.

This is called The Cumulative Injury Cycle: where sustained motions or postures results in muscle strength/flexibility imbalances, which eventually lead to injury. This cycle is most often associated with problems like carpal tunnel syndrome.

So, how do we interrupt this cycle and spare our teens (or even ourselves!) from postural abnormalities? The answer is simple: interrupt the sustained exposure to extreme postures and increase the time for rest or opposite positions.

This is as simple as holding your phone or tablet higher when reading to reduce neck flexion. You could also set a timer on your phone while reading, studying or typing to

33 Ferrara Dr., Smiths Falls

encourage a stretch break and move your body into some alternate positions that allow recuperation.

One postural exercise I often recommend to patients in practice, stems from a very common yoga posture. Called the ‘Seated Cat Cow,’ a person sits in a chair comfortably and as they inhale, they lift their head tall and raise their chest up and out, imagining their spine lengthening, while they lean their head back to look at the ceiling. As they exhale, they tuck their chin and lean their head forward while rounding the shoulders and the upper back.

This pattern is repeated for several breaths through a pain free range of motion. This relatively simple mobility stretch can help to reduce the cumulative strain of prolonged reading, studying or smart phone use when used several times throughout the day.

Think of this the next time you see your teen, partner or even co-worker slumped over their phone and maybe even try the exercise together. Because our bodies adapt to what we put them through, and we could all use a little more movement therapy throughout the day.

Dr. Robert Rodine is a chiropractor with Optimum Health: Chiropractic, Massage & Fitness in Smiths Falls and Cordick Chiropractic & Optimum Health Clinic in Perth.

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Lanark Transportation launch date set Carleton Place - Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca Wednesday Oct 9th will be the launch date for Lanark Transportation Association’s Ride the LT in Carleton Place. Patterned on a service offered over the last two

years to residents of Lanark Village and the surrounding area, this weekly transit run will offer rides on a preset circuit to the most popular shopping facilities in Perth and Carleton Place. The cost per rider is only $2 and the

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Photo credit: lanarktransportation.com

service will run weekly alternating between Carleton Place and Perth locations.

Riders must preregister for their trip. Further information will be found soon at the LTA website, lanarktransportation.com.

October 2019

6

Let's Eat I’ve hesitated writing reviews on chain restaurants or diners due to the fact that there’s limited individual chef input into menus or preparation but that leaves a lot of great facilities out of the mix and it’s not really fair to them or to readers who haven’t been able to visit and are looking for a recommendation. When St. Louis Bar & Grill opened their newest location in Perth (on Hwy 7 in front of the Independent Grocer/LCBO mall) the public reaction was positive and the joint, as they say, has been hopping. To dispel a popular misconception, St. Louis Bar & Grill is a 100% Canadian operation, having started in Toronto and now boasting over 60 locations.

My wife and I decided to pay a visit recently and by accident we chose the day and time of the U.S. tennis open when Canadian Bianca Andreescu was playing in the final.

To say the restaurant was busy would be a gross understatement, but our greeter promised us a short wait for a table, so we stuck it out.

We waited no longer than a few minutes for a vacant table to be cleared in this new 94-seat facility (still trying to figure

Food & Drink

Brian Turner

St. Louis Bar & Grill Perth; Great food with excellent service

out why anyone would leave while the tennis game was still being aired on a large number of big screens) and we were prepared for a longer than normal delay to speak to our server and get our orders. But that wasn’t the case. The crew was well prepared for the onslaught of tennis fans and while almost every seat was taken, our orders came quickly and we received more than attentive service. Even the noise levels were reasonable, allowing for quiet conversations and enjoyment of the food.

We ordered the Saturday special; a half-rack of ribs with sides and a 20 oz domestic draught for $19.99. St. Louis prides itself on keeping prices reasonable while still delivering what diners want. There are plenty of sauces to choose from and we selected honey garlic and smoked BBQ. We started things off with an order of deepfried pickles. Our ribs and pickles were cooked to perfection with a minimal amount of fat in the ribs and almost fall-offthe-bone consistency.

You really should have to work a bit to get all the meat off the bone of a properly cooked rib. And

surprisingly the pickles didn’t have lava-temperature burn-your-mouth heat. Our total with tax, before tip came to only $60.00 (we opted for 2 extras; gravy and sweet potato fries).

St. Louis is wheelchair accessible and has a spacious outdoor patio.

They’re open from 11:00 am to midnight Sundays and Mondays and to 1:00 am Tuesday through Saturday. You can reach them at 613 466 0286.

They offer great special savings everyday on selected items and you can find more details at stlouiswings.com. We’re definitely going back to try their legendary wings.

Photo credit: Brian Turner

opinion: Brownies a success says mellow fellow Sally Smith

Task: cooking with cannabis.

Deadline: end of September.

Desire: great…

Knowledge: none.

How to do this? It should be easy, surely. Get some cannabis, find a good brownie recipe, sprinkle the cannabis into the batter, bake and eat. Easy peasy!

I called Maggie McDougall, the Tweed Community Engagement Specialist. She said I’d have to go to Ottawa or Kingston for cannabis.

She suggested going online

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for recipes and also suggested using ‘cannabis butter’ which I could keep in the fridge if I didn’t use it all in my brownies; it would be good in cookies, icing, salad dressing or even mashed potatoes, too.

I googled how to make cannabis butter (or cannabutter) — and this is where I got bogged down. Its “psychoactive potential” has to be activated. To do this “the flower must be heated slowly at a low temperature,” a process called decarboxylation.

Read about it here: https:// www.leafly.ca/news/lifestyle/ recipe-how-to-make-basic-cannabutter. Basically, it needs to heat in a low oven for 30 to 40 minutes; this heating process “activates the dormant cannabinoids (CBD and THC) within raw cannabis.” Cannabinoids give the physical and mental effects users look for; THC produces the psychoactive effect, CBD the calming effect.

Once that’s done the process continues — grind, melt butter and add ground cannabis. Simmer for two to three hours in butter, and strain; keep in fridge. Dose carefully by spreading 1/4 or ½ teaspoon on a “snack and watch for effects after an hour. Decrease or increase dose as desired.”

Decarboxylating and then dosing was all a bit

much.

I called a friend. She’d done all this before. At fish and chips that night, she handed directions to me — all the same directions I’d been reading about…sigh.

No way around it.

Here goes.

I prepared my baking sheet with tinfoil, spread the broken up cannabis on it, covered it with tinfoil and set the timer.

So far, so good.

Out of the oven and then cooled; finally, stored away in a container waiting for the melted butter (still to come).

Next morning I ground the decarboxylated cannabis with a mortar and pestle, melted the butter, added the ground cannabis and watched and stirred (and watched and stirred) for slightly over two hours.

The house was filled with the smell and for the rest of the evening I was a bit giggly.

(Does that really happen or is it just the suggestion of smelling the fumes — a placebo effect.)

Now for the baking. My online recipe calls for a mixture of cannabutter and plain butter, lots of dark chocolate, a bit of flour, eggs and sugar. Done.

Before we tried it, I remembered McDougall’s words — “start low and go slow.” We each had half a brownie, and after an hour with no physical effects we had the other half. At bedtime, still no effects so the words from the other half were “These brownies are a bust.”

After seven hours of the best sleep I’ve had in ages I woke up knowing that, indeed, there had been some effects from my evening brownie.

Would I do it again? It’s a lot of work and it’s smelly, but I liked the restful result the next morning. It was a fun project, I tried something new and I have some brownies to hand out to friends.

While I was decarboxylating, diffusing into butter, and finally baking, the words of MacArthur Park sung by Richard Harris in 1968 kept coming back to me: “I don't think that I can take it 'Cause it took so long to bake it…”

And the whole process did take a long time but the final consensus is I’d do it again; my mellow fellow (who ate another full brownie without offering me half), said the same.

**Sign up at the bar any time after 6pm.**

www.bowiessmithsfalls.com 20 Russell St E, Smiths Falls Photo credit: Sally Smith

October 2019

7

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New faces, exciting changes for The Pickled Pig Smiths Falls - Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Apparently Angie Webster, the new face at The Pickled Pig in downtown Smiths Falls, talks about cheese in the middle of the night.

She says that’s because she thinks about The Pickled Pig a lot during the day — and night. Webster, The Pickled Pig’s new Operations Manager, came on board eight weeks ago to be in charge of events and catering as well as all the daily operations of the business.

“We’re growing,” she says.

“We have big plans. We’re putting more staff in place,

we’re networking with other businesses. We’re building a good, solid brand for The Pickled Pig.” Webster, a 53-year-old mother of three and grandmother of four, returned to Smiths Falls 10 years ago following a career in Interior Design in Kingston. But longtime residents of the Town might know her better as the owner of Lalonde’s Drapery initially situated on Main Street eventually relocating to Russell St. The connection, she says, between decorating and food is the visual aspect. “I have a huge passion for food,” she

admits. Born and raised in a cooking family, she says she’s been cooking and baking since she was a little girl.

Grinning, she adds “it’s part of the Martha Stewart domestic diva kind of thing.“ She explains further about decorating and food: “You see food with your eyes first.” So her desire is not only to sell a good product but to have it visually appealing to her clients as well.

To this end, The Pickled Pig hosted its first foodie event October 2 — Harvest Charcuterie and Cheese Workshop. At this initial function, the store unveiled its new up-

stairs Event Lounge, too.

“We supplied, or guests supplied their own charcuterie board,” Webster explains. Cheeses, meats, accompaniments like almonds and apricots were on hand, all ingredients “for a perfect board,” Webster adds. As well as “instructions on how to build a board” guests enjoyed a complimentary glass of wine; at the end of the evening, they left with full hands (the result of their ‘board building’), as well as handouts.

Stay tuned for future workshops. November’s will focus on Holiday Entertaining partnering with a local florist which will “help to enhance the class,” a smiling Webster says. And December will bring Sweet Treats and Christmas Spirits. Be on the lookout for 2020, too, with one workshop a month — maybe Beavertails and Beer in February…

Kids are included in this burgeoning change to The Pickled Pig — birthday parties with great cakes and cupcakes. And Webster is available for private parties as well as hosting events for other businesses, all through The Pickled Pig. “I am now The Pickled Pig,” she grins in mock seriousness.

Those who walk into the store are met with eye catching displays of new and wellloved lines like Mrs. McGar-

Angie Webster has come on board at The Pickled Pig to help growing dreams come true. Photo credit: Sally Smith

rigle’s in Merrickville, and, also from Merrickville, Pickle and Myrrh Sea Salt Caramels.

Webster adds that their garlic comes from Athens, chips and salsa from brothers in Toronto, and coffee from Reunion Coffee Roasters also in Toronto. “We’re all coffee lovers here,” Webster says. “We tested many local coffees, picked one we felt was great and different,” and went with that one. All kinds of specialty coffees will are available too, like Pumpkin Spice Lattes and a popular Salted Caramel Macchiato.

The big question is — will you be able to expand. Webster holds her hands out and gestures upward. “We’re already expanding,” she says, indicating the new event room on the third floor. Immediate plans include the addition of a commercial

kitchen (new ovens are waiting to be installed), opening at 8 a.m. with fresh baked goods like croissants, scones, muffins, cinnamon buns and danishes “to go with early morning coffee,” Webster bubbles over.

New hours for the winter months start September 30 — 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. But it’s back to summer hours (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.) in May to keep the ice cream crowd happy.

Contemplating the last six weeks, Webster looks at this job as combining all her talents and skills — people, sales, marketing and design.

“Stay tuned,” she grins.

The Pickled Pig 1 Chambers Street, Smiths Falls (613) 283-7707 For menu: https://drive.google.com/ file/d/1v8dE-XQbskFP4L_ C5fIN3RemBQYIetSo/view

NOW OPEN

E V E N T S

&

C A T E R I N G

#LiveSimpleEatWell

ENJOY THE DRIVE LOVE THE FOOD

GREAT FOOD GREAT TIMES

7 Church Street, Westport 613-273-7733 www.tangledgardencafe.com

7 Church Street, Westport 613-273-9900 www.lostpennypub.ca

Presents:

The annual 2019 Heritage Perth Christmas House Tour Eight homes transformed for the holidays

Advertorial - Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca

We all have favourite traditions to lighten our hearts as the daylight hours shorten and the temperatures fall. The annual Heritage Perth Christmas House Tour is one such joyful occasion to break up the winter months. For 2019, the Perth and District Chapter of the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) has once again lined up an incredible selection of eight homes, transformed for the holidays with inspiring seasonal dĂŠcor presented by talented local designers and florists. The popularity of this tour has continued through the years, attracting those interested in local history, home construction, heritage conservation, restoration, remodeling and seasonal decorating.

Not only is the house tour great fun, it is a significant fundraiser supporting local women in their pursuit of advanced education, and contributing to literacy and other educational initiatives in local schools and libraries. Since the tours began 14 years ago, over $225,000 in proceeds have been distributed throughout the Lanark County area.

An exciting aspect of the 2019 house tour is the close proximity of all eight houses. It is not

always possible to minimize driving, but this year you’ll be especially pleased with the route and the variety of homes, including traditional stone farmhouse, elegant Victorian, country bungalow, modern green design and former carriage house. The delightful heritage town of Perth is a destination in itself, with streetscapes crafted

by Scottish masons in the early 1800s now housing pubs and restaurants, galleries and artisan shops, bed and breakfast establishments and a va-

riety of other attractions.

House Tour tickets are $30.00 each again this year, available as of October 21st. They may be purchased online from Tickets Please (ticketsplease.ca) or in person from a number of locations listed on the house tour web site: https://cfuwperthanddistrict.wordpress. com/2019-house-tour/.

If these options are not available to you, please call CFUW member Isabel at: 613-326-0437 or email cfuw.perth@ gmail.com

Canadian Federation of University Women Perth & District Annual Fundraiser

December 7 & 8, 2019 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Eight unique homes, beautifully decorated for the holidays by local designers and florists

Tickets: $30 (cash or cheque only) available at Perth Home Furniture 18 Gore St. E., Perth 613-26 4-9876 Elizabeth Interiors 8 Chambers St., Smiths Falls 613-28 3-7581 Tara Natural Foods 81 Princess St., Kingston 613-54 6-4439 Windsor's Courtyard 211 St. Lawrence St., Merrick ville 613-269-2999 The Blossom Shop 167 Bridge St., Carleton Place, (613) 257-1855 Tivoli Florist 282 Richmond Rd., Ottawa 613-729-6911 Crush Marketplace 14 Mill St., Almonte 613-461-2211 Dockside Living, The 1000 Island Shoppe 6 Broad St., Brockville 613-865-7328 On Line at ticketsplease.ca (credit cards accepted) Or Call Isabel at 613-326-0437 For details, visit www.cfuwperthanddistrict.wordpress.com/2 019-ho use-tour

This unique home in BurgessWood, designed and built for this lot, is one of eight exceptional homes participating in the 2019 Heritage Perth and District Christmas House Tour, a community fundraiser organized by the Perth and District Chapter of the Canadian Federation of University Women. Photo submitted.

Events around the region CARLETON PLACE

SUNDAYS

Blues w/Redneck Limousine 3:00pm - 6:00pm Waterfront Gastropub 12 Bell St. 613-257-5755 thewaterfrontgastropub.ca

TUESDAYS

Olde Time Bingo 7:00pm - 9:15pm Carleton Place Arena 75 Neelin St. 613-257-1690 Carletonplacecivitan.com

WEDNESDAYS

Open Jam 9:00pm - 1:00am Waterfront Gastropub 12 Bell St. 613-257-5755 Thewaterfrontgastropub.ca

THURSDAYS

Karaoke 9:00pm Waterfront Gastropub 12 Bell St. 613-257-5755 Thewaterfrontgastropub.ca

OCTOBER 4

Mississippi Blues Society Open Jam 8:30pm - 11:00pm Waterfront Gastropub 12 Bell St. 613-257-5755 Thewaterfrontgastropub.ca

OCTOBER 5

Genealogical Mtg 1:30pm Cdn Co-op Wool Growers 142 Franktown Road lcgsinfo34@gmail.com Turpin's Trail 7:00pm Zion-Memorial United Church 37 Franklin St. 613-257-2133

OCTOBER 8 & 22

Hackberry Men's Shed 7:30am The Gourmet Restaurant Hwy 7 at Hwy 15 almontecarver@gmail.com Phone: 613-461-0013 almontecarver@gmail.com 613-461-0013

OCTOBER 10

Toastmasters 7:00pm - 8:30pm Riverview Seniors' Residence 204 Lake Ave. 613-250-9282

OCTOBER 19

Pumpkinfest 11:00am - 3:00pm Carleton Junction Park Downtowncarletonplace.com Roast Beef & Pie Dinner 4:30pm - 7:00pm Zion-Memorial United Church 37 Franklin St. 613-257-8547 MMLT Go Wild Gala 5:30pm The Grand Hotel 7 Bridge St. mmlt.ca/events

OCTOBER 19 & 21

Historical Tour of United Cemeteries Oct. 19 at 1:00pm Oct. 21 at 6:30pm 2677 Cemetery Side Rd. 613-253-7013

OCTOBER 20

Lyle Dillabough 2:00pm Carleton Place & Beckwith Heritage Museum 267 Edmund St. lyleproductions@gmail.com 613-257-9002

OCTOBER 25

Lanark Laughs 8:30pm - 10:00pm Waterfront Gastropub 12 Bell St. 613-257-5755 Thewaterfrontgastropub.ca

OCTOBER 25 & 26

UCW Fall New To You Sale Oct. 25 at 9:00am - 6:00pm Oct. 26 at 9:00am - 2:00pm Zion-Memorial United Church 37 Franklin St.

OCTOBER 27

Fine as Binder Twine 5:00pm Beckwith Public School 1523 9th Line Beckwith 613-253-0427 Stonefence.ca

NOVEMBER 2

Women's Fair & Psychic Offerings 10:00am - 4:00pm Carleton Place Arena 75 Neelin St. 613-257-1690 womensfairinfo@gmail.com

NOVEMBER 2 - 3

Itty Bitty Art & Craft Show 10:00am - 4:30pm CP Canoe Club 179 John St. 613-253-1838 Cpcanoeclub.com

MERRICKVILLE

OCTOBER 5 & 6

Merrickville Artists' Guild Studio Tour 10:00am - 5:00pm Merrickville Mill St. Mag-artists.ca

OCTOBER 9

Fall Trails Walk 10:00am - 1:00pm Trailhead Scotch Line Merrickville Estates tim.allen@arul.ulaval.ca

MISSISSIPPI MILLS

SUNDAYS

Sitting on Sundays 10:00am - 11:00am Big Stone House 218 Strathburn angie@bigstonehouse.ca Bigstonehouse.ca

MONDAYS

Cancer Support Group 10:00am - 11:00am Almonte Library 155 High St. 613-726-8040 Sage Age Theatre 10:00am - 12:00pm St. Paul's Anglican Church 70 Clyde St. m.mullan454@gmail.com Stpaulsalmonte.ca

TUESDAYS

Message in a Bottle 6:30pm - 9:00pm Curious & Kind Heritage Mall 12B Mill St. curious.and.kind.almonte@ gmail.com Music Trivia 8:00pm Almonte Lobby Bar in Alm Riverside Inn 81 Queen St. facebook.com/almontelobbybar

WEDNESDAYS

Duplicate Bridge Club 7:00pm Almonte Legion 100 Bridge St. 613-256-4747

THURSDAYS

Naismith Men's Shed 1st & 3rd Thurs each month at Mamma's 2nd & 4th Thurs at the Mill of Kintail's gatehouse boardroom almontecarver@gmail.com Menssheds.ca 613-461-0013

SATURDAYS

Craft Market 10:00am - 2:00pm Curious & Kind Heritage Mall 12B Mill St. curious.and.kind.almonte@ gmail.com Curiousandkind.ca

OCTOBER 4

Vernissage: Loonie Banks 6:00pm - 8:00pm Almonte Potters Guild 95 Bridge St. manager@almontepottersguild.com 613-256-5556 Almontepottersguild.com

OCTOBER 5

Almonte Yoga Festival 8:30am - 5:00pm Almonte Old Town Hall 14 Bridge St. almonteyogafestival@gmail. com Almonteyogafestival.com Craft Market 10:00am - 2:00pm Curious & Kind Heritage Mall 12B Mill St. curious.and.kind.almonte@ gmail.com

OCTOBER 6

The Brindled Cats 7:00pm - 9:00pm Almonte Lobby Bar in Alm Riverside Inn 81 Queen St. facebook.com/almontelobbybar

OCTOBER 9

Back to Basics Supplementation 6:30pm - 7:30pm Dandelion Foods 451 Ottawa St., Suite E info@dandelionfoods.ca 613-256-4545 Dandelionfoods.ca

OCTOBER 10

Fall Street Market 5:00pm - 9:00pm Downtown Almonte Mill St. Downtownalmonte.ca

OCTOBER 11

Comedian DeAnne Smith 8:00pm Curious & Kind Heritage Mall 12B Mill St. curious.and.kind.almonte@ gmail.com curiousandkind.ca

OCTOBER 12

Great Veggie Grow-Off Weigh In 10:00am Almonte Library 155 High St. Open House 10:00am - 5:00pm Carriageway Studios 65 Mill St.

OCTOBER 15

Coffee 101 7:00pm Equator Coffee 451 Ottawa St. 613-256-9560 Equator.ca

OCTOBER 17 & 18

9 Plays for a Sustainable Future 7:30pm Mississippi Valley Textile Museum 3 Rosamond St. E info@mvtm.ca 613-256-3754 Mvtm.ca

OCTOBER 19

Zombie Walk 1:00pm Almonte Community Centre 182 Bridge St. hgadbois@sympatico.ca facebook.com/almontezombiewalk Meet the Artists: Jane Irwin, Susan Tooke, Gillian Willans 3:00pm - 6:00pm Sivarulrasa Gallery 34 Mill St. info@sivarulrasa.com 613-256-8033 Sivarulrasa.com

OCTOBER 20

AGH Fundraiser: Jim Cuddy, Tracey Brown, Randall Prescott 7:00pm Almonte Old Town Hall 14 Bridge St. almontehospitalfoundation. com/jimcuddy

OCTOBER 21

Almonte Quilters' Guild 7:00pm - 9:00pm Almonte Civitan Hall 500 Almonte St. almontequiltersguild@gmail. com

OCTOBER 23

How Being Female can Hinder Diagnosis of a Heart Attack 7:00pm - 8:30pm Dandelion Foods 451 Ottawa St., Suite E info@dandelionfoods.ca 613-256-4545 dandelionfoods.ca

OCTOBER 23 & 30

Writing for Kids 4:15pm - 5:30pm Curious & Kind Heritage Mall 12B Mill St. curious.and.kind.almonte@ gmail.com Curiousandkind.ca

OCTOBER 24

Vernissage: Sarah Moffat 7:00pm - 9:00pm Fairview Manor 75 Spring St. 613-256-3113 Almontegeneral.com

OCTOBER 25

Lectures: What Makes a City Age-friendly?

7:30pm Almonte United Church 106 Elgin St. AlmonteLectures@gmail.com Almontelectures.net Tim Nast Solo Piano 7:30pm Almonte Old Town Hall 14 Bridge St. Timnast.com

OCTOBER 26

Dandelion Foods Customer Appreciation Day 10:00am - 2:00pm Dandelion Foods 451 Ottawa St., Suite E info@dandelionfoods.ca 613-256-4545 Dandelionfoods.ca

Potluck & Talent Show 6:00pm Union Hall 1984 Wolf Grove Rd. at Tatlock Rd. 613-256-2277 AiC: The Missing Pages (a chamber musical) 7:30pm Almonte Old Town Hall 14 Bridge St. Almonteinconcert.com

OCTOBER 27

Trad Song Pub Session 2:00pm - 4:00pm The Barley Mow 79 Little Bridge Street dave@barleymow.com 613-256-5669 barleymow.com World Tour Paddling Film Festival 3:00pm Almonte Old Town Hall 14 Bridge St. 613-256-9090 Millstreetbooks.com

OCTOBER 29

Coffee: Brew It Right 7:00pm Equator Coffee 451 Ottawa St. 613-256-9560 Equator.ca

OCTOBER 30

5 Root Causes of all Autoimmune Diseases 6:30pm - 8:00pm Dandelion Foods 451 Ottawa St., Suite E info@dandelionfoods.ca 613-256-4545 Dandelionfoods.ca

NOVEMBER 1

Tim Nast Solo Piano 7:30pm Tatlock Community Hall 696 7th Con Darling Timnast.com

NOVEMBER 2 & 3

Cheerfully Made Holiday Market 10:00am - 4:00pm Almonte Old Town Hall 14 Bridge St. hello@cheerfullymade.com cheerfullymade.com Christmas in the Valley Artisan Show 10:00am - 4:00pm Almonte Community Centre 182 Bridge St. Valleyartisanshow.blogspot. com

PERTH

TUESDAYS

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

WEDNESDAYS

Karaoke 9:00pm Golden Arrow 71 Foster St. 613-267-4500 Goldenarrowpub.com Meditation & Associated Processes 1:30pm - 3:00pm Perth Library 30 Herriott St. 613-225-4675

THURSDAYS

Open Mic w/Kevin Choffe 8:00pm Fiddleheads Bar & Grill Code's Mill, 53 Herriott St. Fiddleheadsbarandgrill.com

FRIDAYS

Scottish Country Dancing 9:30am McMartin House 125 Gore St. E. 613-264-2767

OCTOBER 4

The Lady in the Van 7:00pm Studio Theatre 63 Gore St. E. 613-267-7469‎ Studiotheatreperth.com Ken Workman & Blair Hogan 8:45pm O'Reilly's Pub 43 Gore St. E. 613-267-7994 Oreillyspubperth.com

OCTOBER 4 & 25

Danielle Hewitt 9:00pm Golden Arrow 71 Foster St. 613-267-4500 Goldenarrowpub.com

OCTOBER 5

Music for the Green Party 7:00pm Perth Civitan Hall 6787 County Rd 43 613-485-6434 The Sounds of Scotland 7:00pm - 9:00pm Royal Canadian Legion 26 Beckwith St E 613-283-8119

OCTOBER 8

Perth Hort: Glorious Gardens & Plant Delights 7:00pm - 9:00pm St. Paul's United Church 25 Gore St. W. robinmcintosh435@gmail.com 613-253-5690

OCTOBER 11

Shawn McCullough 8:30pm O'Reilly's Pub 43 Gore St. E. 613-267-7994 Oreillyspubperth.com Jordy Jackson 9:00pm Golden Arrow 71 Foster St. 613-267-4500 Goldenarrowpub.com

OCTOBER 11 - 13, 17 - 20, 24 - 27

Generals Die in Bed Oct 11 - 12, 17 - 19, 24 - 26 at 8:00pm Oct 13, 20 & 27 at 2:00pm Full Circle Theatre 26 Craig St. 613-267-1884 Barndoorproductions.ca

OCTOBER 12

Joseph McDonald 8:45pm O'Reilly's Pub 43 Gore St. E. 613-267-7994 Oreillyspubperth.com Matt Dickson 9:00pm Golden Arrow 71 Foster St. 613-267-4500 Goldenarrowpub.com

OCTOBER 12 - 14

Perth Autumn Studio Tour 10:00am - 5:00pm Perth Various locations perthstudiotour.com

OCTOBER 12 - 13 & 19 - 20

Indonesian Batik & More 10:00am - 4:00pm POPin2SHOP 5 Burchell Blvd. facebook.com/POPin2SHOP

OCTOBER 17

The Butterfly Fan Club - Perth & District Breast Cancer Support Group 7:00pm - 9:00pm Perth Family Health Centre 33 Lewis St. 613-812-4474

OCTOBER 18

Stephen Mark Fisher 8:45pm O'Reilly's Pub 43 Gore St. E. 613-267-7994 Oreillyspubperth.com Jeff Leeson 9:00pm Golden Arrow 71 Foster St. 613-267-4500 Goldenarrowpub.com

OCTOBER 19

Invasive Plants, Monarchs, Site Restoration 10:00am - 12:30pm Lanark Co Admin Bldg 99 Christie Lake Rd. mvala@lanarkcounty.ca 613-267-1353 Lanarkcounty.ca Outdoor Workshop: Pollinator Restoration 1:00pm - 2:30pm Lanark Co Admin Bldg 99 Christie Lake Rd. mvala@lanarkcounty.ca 613-267-1353 Lanarkcounty.ca Matt Dickson 9:00pm Golden Arrow 71 Foster St. 613-267-4500 Goldenarrowpub.com

OCTOBER 20

Meet the Artists: Bird, Evans, Raby, VanAlstine 2:00pm - 4:00pm Strévé Design 16 Gore St. E. strevedesign@gmail.com 613-267-0230 Strevedesign.com Kombucha Workshop Artizen Kombucha 12 Gore St. E. Artizenkombucha.ca

OCTOBER 22

Quilters Guild 7:00pm - 9:00pm Lions Hall Perth Fairgrounds Arthur St. Lanarkcountyquiltersguild.com

OCTOBER 24 - 27

Evening of One-Act Plays 7:30pm Studio Theatre 63 Gore St. E. 613-485-6434 Ticketsplease.ca

OCTOBER 25

Jono Townsend 8:45pm O'Reilly's Pub 43 Gore St. E. 613-267-7994 Oreillyspubperth.com Halloween For Health 8:00pm Farrell Hall 186 Gore St E

OCTOBER 26

Jeff Leeson 9:00pm Golden Arrow 71 Foster St. 613-267-4500 Goldenarrowpub.com

OCTOBER 27

Choral Evensong 3:45pm St. James Anglican Church 12 Harvey St. cnr Drummond stjamesperth@superaje.com 613-267-1163 Stjamesperth.ca

NOVEMBER 1

David McGrath 8:30pm O'Reilly's Pub 43 Gore St. E. 613 267-7994 Oreillyspubperth.com Halloween Party 9:00pm Golden Arrow 71 Foster St. 613-267-4500 Goldenarrowpub.com

NOVEMBER 2

Roxy Swan 7:30pm Full Circle Theatre 26 Craig St. 613-485-6434 David McGrath 8:45pm O'Reilly's Pub 43 Gore St. E. 613 267-7994 Oreillyspubperth.com

SMITHS FALLS

MONDAYS

Duplicate Bridge Club 7:00pm Smiths Falls Legion 7 Main St. E. office95@cogeco.ca 613-256-4747

TUESDAYS

Duplicate Bridge Club 1:00pm Smiths Falls Legion 7 Main St. E. office95@cogeco.ca 613-256-4747

OCTOBER 3 - 6

Death by Design Oct 3 - 5 at 7:30pm Oct 6 at 2:00pm Station Theatre 53 Victoria Ave. 613-283-0300 Smithsfallstheatre.com

OCTOBER 4

Bustle on Russell 4:30pm - 10:30pm Russell St.

OCTOBER 5

Dancing with Our Stars Hanley Hall 30 McGill St. N. 613-283-9743 Annual Zombie Walk 4:00pm Town Hall smithsfallsarts@gmail.com Spaghetti Supper 4:00pm - 6:00pm St. Bede’s Anglican Church 1641 Rosedale Road North 613-285-9479 613-285-6622

OCTOBER 6

Blessing of the Animals 4:00pm St. John Anglican Church 2 George St S 613-283-1261 stjohn-smithsfalls.com

OCTOBER 7

Women In Business Networking Event 6:30pm - 8:30pm Boston Pizza 275 Brockville St facebook.com/EOWIB

OCTOBER 8

Family and Service Provider Dialogue: FASD in Children and Youth 9:00am - 2:00pm Hanley Hall 30 McGill St kidsinclusive_enfantsinclus. eventbrite.ca

OCTOBER 10

Redhawks Wing’s Kitchen Community Dinner 4:30pm - 6:00pm SFDCI Cafetorium 299 Percy St.

OCTOBER 12

Train Rides at RMEO 11:00am - 3:00pm Railway Museum 90 William St. W. info@rmeo.org 613-283-5696 Rmeo.org

OCTOBER 18

Annual Gala: A Night in Old Hollywood 6:00pm Econo Lodge Hotel Ball Room 33 Centre St info@smithsfallschamber.ca

OCTOBER 18 & 19

Yesterday 7:00pm Station Theatre 53 Victoria Ave. 613-283-0300 Smithsfallstheatre.com

OCTOBER 19

REAL's Local Foods Dinner and Silent Auction 6:00pm Smiths Falls Legion 7 Main St. E. 613-283-9819 Realaction.ca Replay Beatles Tribute 8:00pm Gallipeau Centre Theatre 361 Queen St Gallipeaucentretheatre.com 613-284-9916

OCTOBER 20

Songwriters Series: Campbell Woods, Patrick Dorie, Claude Munson 8:00pm Bowie's 20 Russell St. E. Ticketscene.ca

OCTOBER 25 & 26

Haunted Heritage House 6:00pm - 9:00pm Heritage House Museum 11 Old Sly's Road heritagehouse@smithsfalls.ca 613-283-6311

OCTOBER 26

Scavenger Hunt 11:00am Curling & Squash Club 13 Old Slys Rd Judy - 613-269-4294 or mcintyres@ripnet.com Pat - 613-269-4234 or pab05@bell.net Fall Fun Day! 12:00pm - 3:00pm Heritage House Museum 11 Old Slys Road 613-283-6311 heritagehouse@smithsfalls.ca Smiths Falls Kinsmen 50th Anniversary 6:00pm Smiths Falls Golf & Country Club

OCTOBER 27

Sole Sisters Annual Charity Event For Cancer Research 8:00am Lower Reach Park

NOVEMBER 2

Annual Craft and Bake Sale 10:00am - 2:00pm Smiths Falls Civitan Club Hwy 15 613-283-7172

WESTPORT & RIDEAU LAKES

WEDNESDAY

Open Mic w/Shawn McCullough 7:00pm - 10:00pm The Cove Country Inn 2 Bedford St. Coveinn.com 1-888-COVEINN

THURSDAYS

Jazz w/Spencer Evans Trio 8:00pm - 10:00pm The Cove Country Inn 2 Bedford St. Coveinn.com 1-888-COVEINN

OCTOBER 19

Dave Balfour & Jamie Campbell 6:00pm - 9:00pm The Cove Country Inn 2 Bedford St. Coveinn.com 1-888-COVEINN

OCTOBER 25

Young Petty Stones 'Ghosts of Woodstock' Halloween Party 7:00pm - 11:00pm The Cove Country Inn 2 Bedford St. Coveinn.com 1-888-COVEINN

OCTOBER 26

SUNDAYS

Spencer Evans 7:00pm - 10:00pm The Cove Country Inn 2 Bedford St. Coveinn.com 1-888-COVEINN

OCTOBER 4

LANARK OCTOBER 5

Head over Heels (Patio) 12:30pm - 3:30pm The Cove Country Inn 2 Bedford St. Coveinn.com 1-888-COVEINN Chris Murphy 6:00pm - 10:00pm The Cove Country Inn 2 Bedford St. Coveinn.com 1-888-COVEINN

OCTOBER 11 & 12

BOTR: The Hogtown Allstars 7:00pm - 11:00pm The Cove Country Inn 2 Bedford St. Coveinn.com 1-888-COVEINN

OCTOBER 18

Al Lerman 6:00pm - 9:00pm The Cove Country Inn 2 Bedford St. Coveinn.com 1-888-COVEINN

REGIONAL

Sacred Heart Church Bazaar 11:00am - 2:00pm Foy Hall 91 Princess St. 613-256-1119

OCTOBER 6

Fall Colours Hike 10:00am - 2:00pm Blueberry Mountain Clifford Property 502 Hills of Peace Rd. 613-259-3412 Mmlt.ca Discover Lovely Lichens 11:00am - 4:00pm Blueberry Mountain Clifford Property 502 Hills of Peace Rd. 613-259-3412 Mmlt.ca

OCTOBER 27

Autumn Fair Show 9:00am - 4:00pm Foy Hall 91 Princess St. 613-256-1119 McDonalds Corners

OCTOBER 5

Vernissage: Meed Barnett 2:00pm MERA Schoolhouse 974 9th Concession A meraschoolhouse@bell.net 613-278-0388 Meraschoolhouse.org

OCTOBER 6

Paint Day: Sunflowers 9:00am - 3:00pm MERA Schoolhouse 974 9th Concession A meraschoolhouse@bell.net 613-278-0388 Meraschoolhouse.org

OCTOBER 20

Wendell & Wheat 2:00pm MERA Schoolhouse 974 9th Concession A meraschoolhouse@bell.net 613-278-0388 Meraschoolhouse.org

PAKENHAM OCTOBER 5, 19 & NOVEMBER 2

Pakenham Youth Group 10:00am - 2:00pm Pakenham Library 128 MacFarlane St. 613-257-9772

OCTOBER 26

Euchre 7:30pm - 9:30pm Cedar Hill Schoolhouse 270 Cedar Hill Side Rd. 613-256-2014

32 years of exceptional choices at the Christmas in the Valley Show Advertorial - Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca Are you looking for gifts with originality and quality that are locally made? Then forgo the gift cards, big box stores and stressful malls. Make your first holiday shopping destination Almonte’s popular Christmas in the Valley Artisan Show where a selection of 30 artisans, crafters and a baker will be presenting their original creations in a relaxed, friendly and festive atmosphere this November 2 & 3, 10-4pm at the Almonte Community Centre & Arena Upper Hall, 182 Bridge Street. www.valleyartisanshow.blogspot.ca The Valley Show always strives to bring in new artistic talent and returning favourites to give you a wide variety

of handcrafted items for those special people on your shopping list, great things to add to gifts baskets, fill stockings and a few things for yourself too! An exceptional array of vendors are here to help you discover great gift choices; items such as beeswax candles and flavoured honey from award winning Heavenly Honey. Locally produced maple syrup products and gift baskets from Springdale Farms. Photography inspired by the beauty of the Ottawa Valley in prints, cards and puzzles. Wooden cheese trays and rustic turned bowls. There are plenty of different types of knitted, woven, felted and sewn items, to use personally or around the house. Eye catching glass works in blown form and

fused. Repurposed silver plated jewellery, delicate crocheted necklaces with precious stones or wirewrapped pendants to enhance an outfit. Wonderfully scented soaps and scrubs. No need to bake because Sweet Temptations has all your baking needs ready to take home. Find great books for children, bird houses, miniature quilts, metal works, calligraphy signs, weaving. The list goes on, you have to come down and see these and much more.

Enter for our chance to win a handmade festive Christmas lap quilt.

Homemade baking and a light lunch will be served by the Ladies of the HUB with the proceeds going to help the many causes throughout the Almonte community. The Lanark

Photos submitted.

Animal Welfare Society will be selling raffle tickets, calendars and other items to raise money for their shelter animals.

Come out and support them www.lanarkanimals.ca . Consider bringing something for their donation box.

More details on ven-

dors can be found at www.valleyartisanshow. blogspot.ca and Facebook. We offer free entry and parking, a door prize and tea room. There are lots of reasons to plan a day trip to Almonte: besides planning to visit the Valley Artisan Show you can take a stroll

down main street with all its boutiques, antiques and eateries to discover, and you can enjoy the views of the Mississippi River on the river walk.

There are even more craft sales taking place the same weekend at the Old Town Hall and the Potters Guild.

Photos submitted.

Artists find pop-up shops good for exposure Regional - Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca What exactly is a shop that pops up?

If you ask Smiths Falls’ woodturner Don Crowder, he’ll show you around the small side room at Abel Mountain store in Merrickville where he’s displaying and selling some of his work. It’s a temporary space where he, Kemptville artist Meredith Luce and Merrickville lapidary artist Kenna McCall, have set up shop until the end of September. Small pop-up shops like this one sell everything from fashion, through woodwork, jewellery and art, to food and tech gadgets.

The space at 306 St. Lawrence St. is long and narrow with lots of natural light from the big front window. It lends itself to browsing — up one side and down the other — with the artist quickly available to answer questions.

Pop-up shops usually set up in high foot-traffic areas and are sometimes used to launch a new product, or, as in Crowder’s case, enhance an already

widespread reputation in nearby towns and villages.

The fun part about pop ups for artists is instant visibility; they’re right there to answer questions, offer insight to their craft, lend a helping hand, discuss a technique or extend a bit of knowledge, if asked.

And it’s cheaper for those just starting out in their chosen métier.

Crowder really set to wood turning when he retired, but he’d been pursuing the craft for years before that. After purchasing his first lathe, he joined Ottawa Valley Woodturners, went to one class a month for a long time taking lessons and learning from master turners. He started with small pieces, he says, harvesting his own wood along the way and letting it dry for a good long time before using it. One of his latest pieces is a baptismal bowl presently being used at St. James Anglican Church in Manotick.

Now, at 60, he does what he likes, experimenting with new approaches, new tools, new finishes; turning allows him to slow down and enter into an almost meditative state.

“When the curls are flying,” he says, along with the smell of the newly turned wood, “it’s very relaxing.” What is especially satisfying for him is when customers turn to him and say “Wow! How did you do that?” He calls that the ‘Wow!’ factor…

His pieces range from $15 to $500.

Watch for Crowder’s work at Gallery 629 located at 629 St. Lawrence St. in Merrickville.

Yves Grandmaitre, president of the Merrickville Chamber of Commerce, says the pop up at Abel Mountain isn’t the only one in town. In fact, he says there are several others including one in Mrs. McGarrigle’s Fine Food Shop and one in Healthily Ever After. New this year, he adds, is a workspace of three artisans in Wood and Glass — Gray Art Glass, Bram D’Hoest Woodwork and silver from Fiona Macintyre Design.

“It gives artists exposure,” he says, calling the three at Wood and Glass more of a “co-op type of thing.”

Michele Baitley, chair of the Smiths Falls Down-

town Business Association, and owner of Doorway To Splendour, likes the idea of pop-up retail.

She says the town doesn’t have any yet “that she knows of ” but adds “it’s a good idea.” As a matter of fact, she intends to take the idea to the next DBA meeting.

And Kate Murray, co-ordinator of the Carleton Place Business Improvement Association, is enthusiastic about pop ups calling the idea “fresh and new.” In mid-November a small shop from Shawville will make its presence known at Cheryl Batten’s storefront, 127 Bridge Street, in town. Jolie.Folie has all sorts of neat stuff, Murray says. “It’s a good fit.”

Finally, Kari Clarke, the BIA co-ordinator in Perth, says there are no pop ups in Perth — not because there couldn’t be but because there are no vacancies in the downtown neighbourhood.

“We’re very fortunate that way,” she adds, explaining that pop ups usually take over an empty space to see if the market for their product is there.

Don Crowder’s woodturning talent was showcased at Abel Mountain in Merrickville along with two other artists.

Photo credit: Sally Smith.

October 2019

14

Chip Trucks around the region 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 freshcooked fries are part of Canada’s culinary identity. It's part of our culture.

If you are looking for a delicious home-made burger with a side of fresh hand cut fries then you don't need to look any further!

Try these locations to satis-

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October 2019

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culture SFDACC calling for nominations for annual Joyce Brennan Awards

l l Faents Ev

October 3rd 0th

October 18th

Dive into the year 1932 with

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Annual Chamber Gala annual awards dinner and celebrate the business community of Smith Falls.

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The Bustle on Russell

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Don’t miss this Russell Street celebration featuring live

October 18th

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Yesterday

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Dancing #ith the Stars Gala The Smiths Falls Community Hospital Foundation ala. 8ote for your local celebrity dancer! www.sfchfoundation.com

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REAL Local Foods Dinner Local Foods Dinner and Silent Auction Celebrating our 30th Anniversary. www.facebook.com/REALaction.ca

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A ollo %% Astronomer, broadcaster, and

October 2 th 20th

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This special tour will explore oral traditions and mysterious happenings of the Smiths Falls area and the museum. facebook.com/HeritageHouseMuseum

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Smiths Falls - Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca These awards are given in honour of the late Joyce Brennan, who was a founding member of the Rideau Canal Museum Board and the Heritage House Museum, a Town Councilor, as

well as a founding member of the Smiths Falls & District Arts & Culture Council (SFDACC) board. The awards are to recognize outstanding contributions to art and culture in the Smiths Falls area by an individual.

This year the SFDACC

wish to give two categories of awards, one to recognize a young person’s (18 and under) contribution and one to recognize an adult’s contribution to arts and culture.

Arts and culture can include visual, music, dance, film, theatre, or written mediums, but also embraces culinary arts, parades, festivals and community events, design, and much more. An individual or an organization can nominate a candidate.

The deadline for submission of nominations this year is Friday, October 18th, 2019.

The winners will be announced, and the award presented at an awards dinner the evening of Saturday, November 2nd, 2019 at the Royal Canadian Legion beginning at 6:30 pm. Tickets for the event are $25.00 which includes a full course meal. They will be available on October 1st at Special Greetings, 8 Russell St. East, Smiths Falls and The Rideau Candy Shoppe, 73 Foster Street, Perth.

Nominations can be submitted via the Arts Council website https://www. smithsfallsarts.ca/awards or via https://smithsfallsarts.wufoo.com/forms/scmzc4r0pak746/

Voyageur tour a symbiotic tourist relationship Regional - john kessel editorial@pdgmedia.ca Le Boat, running highend rental boats out of Smiths Falls, and The Rideau Roundtable’s voyageur canoe program have teamed up to promote the Rideau canal with its luxury vessels and a more down-to-earth voyageur canoe trip on the waterway.

On Sept. 13 four women from Germany, before venturing south on the canal with Le Boat, took a three-hour tour upstream through Old Slys locks to Edmunds locks and back to Smiths falls. They got what the Roundtable calls the eco-tour, explaining the flora and fauna along the way, and a leisurely lesson in paddling a voyageur canoe.

Andrea Howard of Merrickville provided the play-by-play for the paddle. The bowman, William McLean of Lombardy, made sure the paddling was leisurely by setting the pace.

Two of the women were top travel agents, a third was a Le Boat employee responsible for promoting the Rideau throughout northern Europe, and

Closest to furthest are Aline Herfurth, Sandra Eisel, Patrizia Accardo and Steffi Knoess, all of Germany. Andrea Howard is next and the man with his back showing is William McLean.

Photo credit: John Kessel

the fourth a friend who couldn’t resist what she called an adventure.

As Heather Whiting, Marketing Coordinator at Le Boat’s Smiths Falls office said, “When you understand the vacation, it’s so much easier to describe it to potential customers.�

Steffi Knoess, the north-

ern Europe rep “has reported about her trip with photos to the entire Le Boat global market,� says Whiting, expecting the tour will boost tourism on the Rideau.

As a qualified gourvernail, I was the one steering the boat, against a 20 km headwind.

October 2019

16

culture

Perth Inside Out: Jewish community finds success in Perth, Part I

It had been a long road, fraught with sorrow and hardship, for many of the Eastern European Jewish people who began arriving in Perth and Ottawa area during the second decade of the twentieth century.

They had suffered persecution in Russia, Ukraine, and other countries, only to find they would be met with the same sort of anti-Semitic treatment in the Montreal area where they first landed.

And so the small group who came to Perth at first found support within their own circle, but quickly started providing goods and services needed by the community. They embraced the people of Perth, and in turn were embraced.

The families were soon operating retail businesses, giving back unconditionally to the community who had welcomed them.

Two of the most prominent families, the Hoffmans and the Karakowskys, were intertwined in their family

trees, and both branches went on the become part of the downtown Perth business area as successful merchants.

The first mention of these families can be found in a Dec. 11, 1914 Perth Courier edition, when L. Karakowsky, Beckwith St., had an advertisement for “Boots, Shoes & Rubbers: See me for your new Boots, Shoes and Rubbers. I carry a full line of new goods, all sizes and styles, for Men, Women, Boys and Girls, and can save you money in your Footwear if you buy them from me.”

L. Karakowsky was known as L.K., and his given name was found to be Louis in a subsequent announcement. Although little is known about L.K., it seems he must have been a brother of Meyer Karakowsky, who was a close relative of the families we are discussing. A notice in the Oct. 22, 1915, newspaper further traces the path of L.K. mentioning that: “Mrs. William (Dr.) Cain has sold her property on ‘Park Avenue’ (Wilson street) to Mr. L.K. Karakowsky, dealer in second hand hardware, etc.” More advertising can be found through the 1920s for both Louis and Meyer Karakowsky, with the M.K. business located on Gore St. The diversity of goods offered can be seen in a

Feb. 6, 1920 advertisement which now puts the location of L. K.’s second hand store on North Street.

“Wanted at once: All lines of second-hand furniture for which I will pay the highest cash price.” In addition to furniture, L.K. was also buying hides, furs, and poultry.

The Perth families kept in touch with friends and relatives who had stayed behind in Montreal, and those who had moved further on to Ottawa. The Aug. 22, 1919 edition of The Courier published a wedding announcement for Aaron-Steinman: “The Murray Street Synagogue, at Ottawa, was the scene of a very pretty wedding when Miss Sarah Steinman, daughter to Mr. and Mrs. C. Steinman was united in marriage to Mr. David Aaron, of Montreal … Among the out-of-town guests who attended were: Mr. and Mrs. M. Greenberg, Toronto; Mr. and Mrs. B. Gold, Perth; Mrs. S. Marcovitz, Montreal; Mr. and Mrs. A. Donin, Perth; Mr. and Mrs. J. Kushner, Sherbrooke, Que.; Miss A. Bernstein, Montreal; Mr. S. Erchenberg, Sherbrooke, Que.; Mr. S. Hoffman, Montreal; Miss L. Smolkin, Montreal; Mrs. P.J. Hoffman, Montreal; Mr. C. Smolkin, Montreal; Mr. B Kusher, Sherbrooke, Que., and Mr. Ralph Grossman of Montreal.” Many of

the guests at that wedding are relevant to the families we are discussing, and were living in Perth at the time.

Also, the Karakowsky family tree reveals that Meyer Karakowsky was married to Zelda Aaron from Dagda, Latvia, a relative of the groom. Meyer and Zelda emigrated, and landed in Canada in 1912.

Another Ottawa wedding which had taken place in 1917, was between David Hoffman, originally from Yashin, Ukraine, and Rebecca Karakowsky, daughter of Meyer Karakowsky. Meyer, mentioned earlier, was the patriarch of the Karakowsky side of the Perth family. This wedding was significant, in part because it forged the link between the Hoffman and Karakowsky families.

The early story of the Hoffman family in Perth begins when David and Rebecca arrived in Perth on May 28, 1928, and started the D. Hoffman & Son business on Gore Street, in the building later housing the well-known Benny K’s (Karakowsky) store. We will have more to say about Benny K. in the second part of this story. David and Rebecca Hoffman (Karakowsky) had three sons between the years 1919 and 1931: Israel, Joseph, and Eli. The Hoffman and Karakowsky families continued as merchants, and were able

Terry O'Hearn

David Hoffman and Rebecca Karakowsky at their wedding in 1917. Photo courtesy Aaron Hoffman

to interact with the Perth community and practice their faith with little problem. Then when World War Two came along, many of their men served Canada with distinction. As they joined the fight with the Allies, the roundup of Jews had begun in Nazi occu-

pied countries across Eastern Europe, with the fate of many of their relatives in the balance.

The story continues in November’s column.

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

Mother and daughter enrolled in Algonquin College to become carpenters

Photo credit: John Kessel

Perth - John Kessel editorial@pdgmedia.ca Kate Gordon-Lee and Bridget Lee are a lot like a duet, sometimes singing harmony, sometimes a solo.

They like each other, a lot.

The mother and daughter

are on a gig together to become carpenters, enrolled in Algonquin College’s Perth heritage carpentry and joinery program. Both have just finished the college’s high school equivalency program together at the Smiths Falls campus.

When they’re finished they plan on going into business together.

“They registered together and graduated together” and they’re determined to go into business together because they see a market for female carpenters, says Anne Davis, head of the Smiths Falls Academic and Career Entrance program.

“Believe me, they are not a typical mother and daughter. More like a couple of girlfriends, hanging out,” she says. She believes they’ll succeed. Davis’ read on the two is that they figured out that they needed to combine their resources and families to succeed.

They now share a farm in Lombardy, their husbands and children – nine altogether in a two storey house with sheds and plenty of animals; a couple of dogs, a snake, a llama, two goats, chickens and bees.

Both husbands support their “adventure.” Kate and her husband Billy met while in the military. They both retired with a disability pension, Bridget and her spouse Eeasi Uniuqsaraq met at their Ottawa high school. Eeasi is also enrolled in Algonquin’s high school equivalent program.

Both Billy and Eeasi believe women have a greater sense of detail than men.

They say they’ve had work done by male carpenters,

citing an example of one carpenter installing a new window for them. “Even when the window was closed it let a breeze in. It sounded like bagpipes,” says Billy.

“I remember building a shed with a flat roof. It was awful,” he says, adding he’ll leave the work to the two women.

Bridget's first build on their property was a shed for the llama, Monty. It’s called Monty’s hall. The carpenter’s pouch that rests on a chair on their verandah, ready for use, is not the men’s.

“Their adventure is also part of creating a balanced gender environment,” says Eeasi. “I believe in what they’re doing.” When he finishes his high school equivalency, he plans on taking the college’s masonry course.

Bridget and Kate have worked together before, a cleaning business in Ottawa. But they wanted to get out of the city, find a place where they could all run around, especially the children. As the two women talked, their husbands played with the kids pushing them on a swing, part

LL FARRELL HoA ries em Make lasting m

of a kid’s fort, which Kate assembled.

Davis finds it hard to believe that Bridget was pregnant throughout her equivalency course. “She never missed a beat or a class.”

“We’re trying to be self-reliant. We’ve even had solar panels put up,” says Kate.

Billy, smiling as he talks about their carpentry, “Yeah, and they can work on the house too.”

Neighbour Elaine Oosting says she can’t believe the energy of the two women.

It’s a lot greater than their husbands’, she chuckles.

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October 2019

17

business Downtown Perth launches Digital Main Street Service Squad Perth BIA receives $10,000 Digital Main Street Grant to help main street businesses improve online presence.

Perth - Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca The Downtown Heritage Perth BIA today announced that it has received a grant from the Ontario government to fund a Digital Service Squad to help main street small businesses improve their online capabilities.

As part of Digital Main Street, the Downtown Heritage Perth BIA received a $10,000 grant from the Ontario government to establish a Digital Service Squad to help small businesses in the downtown area enhance their use of digital tools and techniques to better evolve and grow.

The Squad will consist of a trained specialist who will visit and assist BIA-area downtown businesses at no cost to help them set up Google My Business, conduct a digital-readiness assessment and apply for a $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant. The Squad will start visiting businesses the first week of October, 2019.

“We are excited to offer this opportunity to our

downtown businesses. We want to determine the needs of each individual business and create a plan that will encourage our businesses to move forward with new technologies and compete in this digitized workplace.

The Digital Main Street program will work with our business owners to determine what capabilities are needed to enhance their businesses,” said Kari Clarke, BIA Coordinator.

A joint program funded by the Government of Ontario and delivered by the Ontario BIA Association, Digital Main Street helps improve how small main street businesses use digital tools and techniques to become more successful. Today’s digital economy is vital to small businesses, and DMS will help them adopt new digital technologies from e-commerce and social media to back-office systems such as payroll and inventory.

“Our government is committed to helping small businesses improve their competitiveness, create jobs

and attract investment,” said Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “That’s why I’m so pleased that businesses in the Town of Perth will benefit from the expertise of a Digital Service Squad to help small businesses embrace digital technology. Our investment in the Digital Main Street program will help to ensure that Ontario is open for business and open for jobs.”

Digital Main Street offers two types of grants: 1. Digital Transformation Grant: There are 2,000 grants of $2,500 each available to qualifying small “main street” businesses across Ontario to help them adopt new digital technologies.

2. Digital Service Squad Grant: There are 300 grants of $10,000 each available to qualifying municipal or business groups across Ontario to develop and implement local squads of digital vendors and experts to directly help small businesses.

“The Downtown Heritage

Perth BIA clearly understands the importance of digital technology and the power of Digital Main Street to help keep its downtown core vibrant and strong,” said Kay Matthews, Executive Director of the Ontario BIA Association. “Our small main street businesses

are a critical contributor to Ontario’s economic, social and cultural health, and it’s vital that we work together to ensure their success.

Digital Main Street will help the small businesses of downtown Perth compete in an increasingly digital world.”

Businesses within the BIA area will be introduced to the Digital Service Squad over the coming weeks. The Perth BIA has welcomed Cathy James of Cat’s Cove Communications on as the Digital Service Squad member for the downtown Perth businesses.

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October 2019

19

business Carrie Wynne

opinion: Am I the only one?

Spending Cuts

March Madness is a long-observed phenomenon in Ottawa which sees federal departments quickly spend all their remaining annual budgets in the last month of the fiscal year to avoid losing the cash altogether in the following budget.

This has been going on for decades. Why? I also wonder why we must pay for people’s sick days when nobody pays for ours?

If I’m really brainstorming, I’d say we charge a flat fee of $5 for a Doctor’s visit which would deter needless appointments and save millions if not billions.

This money can be

moved around into areas like healthcare. Spending cuts and economic austerity measures go over like a lead balloon especially during an election campaign. There’s always a hullabaloo from opposition parties and special interest groups.

They would find one person’s heart melting story and put it on the news, and you would be a buffoon committing political suicide if you tried to ignore it. Welcome to democracy.

I agree that a universal daycare sounds awesome for young families, but I don’t trust the government to handle it well.

Am I the Only One? I believe there are too many tired, uninspired people working behind desks. A job is the greatest social program there is. Maybe these programs need to be more exciting and dare I say mandatory? If I must stand in line and explain my reason

for not having a job and account for my time, I might make some other plans. What we need now, more than ever, are strong role models and mentors along with programs that help people get on their feet. Complacency never changes the status quo.

We should never stop putting in effort, trying to innovate, or working to advance someone’s potential.

I’m still encouraged to see a full parking lot whenever I drive by a mall in the city. I guess the middle classes are doing alright. Maybe we can afford this massive government.

Spending cuts don’t just happen. We must make choices.

SCOTT REID, MP HAS TWO OFFICES TO SERVE YOU!

The opinions stated in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hometown News’ management, staff or writers.

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