Lanark, North Leeds & Grenville - Hometown News April 2024

Red Dress Day moves to Smiths Falls for May 4 ceremony

Event to be held at the town’s bandstand at 2 p.m.

Smiths Falls - Laurie Weir editorial@pdgmedia.ca

For the past six years, Flora Mesher Riley has been honouring her late sister, Daphne Mesher Brown, by hosting Red Dress Day at her home. Brown was murdered by her spouse more than 50 years ago. The Montague Township woman will mark year seven for this event on Saturday, May 4 – this time it will be held at the Smiths Falls bandstand beside town hall, starting at 2 p.m.

Riley, who is Metis, spoke with Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pan-

kow to see if she could move the ceremony into town where more people would see the poignant symbolism of the hanging red dressing fluttering in the breeze. The dresses are a symbol of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).

“It’s really important that more people are aware of this event,” Riley said on March 29 at the gazebo, where she and Pankow hung some dresses and spoke of the approaching event.

“With the central location it adds extra exposure to Red Dress Day,” Pankow said.

Since the installation of the holiday lighting at town hall and at the bandstand, Pankow said they will shine red for the event.

“That’s the reason we got these installed,” he said. “So, we can change them for certain needs and events.”

Pankow even offered to let the dresses hang not just for the May 4 event, but through to May 8, which would have been Brown’s 78th birthday. She was murdered April 25, 1970.

“We’re happy to partner with Flora for this important event,” Pankow added.

Riley will also remember Loretta Saunders who was murdered in 2014. Riley, Brown and Saunders are from Happy-Valley Goosebay, NL.

Red Dress Day was inspired in 2010 by Jamie Black, a Métis artist based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Black hung hundreds of red dresses in public places to MMIWG and to bring awareness to the issue. It’s an opportunity to hang red dresses from windows and trees, which represent the pain and loss felt by loved ones and survivors.

Brown left behind three children when she was killed by her husband, who shot her in the

chest. She had been recovering in hospital after he had thrown her down a flight of stairs at her workplace in Labrador.

“I remember it like it was yesterday,” Riley said. “My sister’s birthday is in May, and I have been hanging this red dress for her for the past seven years.”

Riley encourages others to do the same, or hang a ribbon or scarf. It would also be nice, she added, to see businesses take part across Smiths Falls (and beyond), to commemorate those missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, by placing red fabric in their windows.

CHEO pediatric day surgery program expands to Carleton Place

A new regional pediatric surgical program has been launched to address the waitlist for surgeries for children and youth in Eastern Ontario and bring care closer to families across the region. The initiative, led by the Kids Come First health team and supported by historic funding from the Ontario government last year, brings the CHEO day surgery program to two sites: Carleton Place

& District Memorial Hospital and Brockville General Hospital.

“Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital (CPDMH) is proud to be part of this initiative. Working better together ensures the very best care for, and in, our local community. Delayed surgeries can harm the development of local children and youth. This collaboration gives them access to the day surgery they need without further delay and close to home. We are pleased to welcome these new patients and their

families to CPDMH,” said Mary Wilson Trider, Integrated President and CEO of the Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA).

“Additional sites give surgeons more space to help us finally tackle these longstanding waitlists,” said Sabine Mersmann, President and CEO of Pembroke Regional Hospital and co-chair of the Kids Come First Regional Pediatric Surgical Working Group, a sub-committee of the Kids Come First Health Team.

“This program means children can access care faster and closer to home. Being able to address their health issues quickly is important in the life of a child as they grow quickly,” said Dr. Jean-Philippe Vaccani, Chief of the Department of Surgery at CHEO, and co-chair of the Kids Come First Regional Pediatric Surgical Working Group.

“The launch of this regional pediatric surgical program is another example of the innovation through partnerships happening across the

health care system that is helping connect children and their families to the surgeries they need, in their community,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This program builds on our government’s historic investment of an additional $330 million each year into pediatric care that is improving capacity, while reducing wait lists so children and youth can connect to the care they need, close to home, for years to come.”

Continues on page 2

Flora Riley will be joined by Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow to talk about this year’s Red Dress Day on May 4 at the town’s bandstand. The event will be held at 2 p.m. Photo credit: Laurie Weir.

Flora Riley is preparing for her seventh Red Dress Day on May 4 at the Smiths Falls bandstand. Photo

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Deeper dive slated for 2025 on Portland Harbour operations

Regional - Laurie Weir editorial@pdgmedia.ca

The Township of Rideau Lakes will take a deeper dive into its harbour facilities next year, after staff received an offer from a local resident to look after the Portland Harbour.

The Body Shop shuts down after 4 decades

Local auto-body paint & repair man Roy McLellan is hanging up his paint gun as he enters his fortieth year in business this April. The owner of The Body Shop, located on Highway 29 in Smiths Falls, has spent 50 years in the trade.

The 40-year celebration comes at a bittersweet time as McLellan has made the challenging decision to close the doors and enter retirement due to health reasons. With no one to take over the business, McLellan has decided to put the shop and property up for sale later this year.

“I’d like to say a sincere and heartfelt thank you to all my former employees and customers,” McLellan said. “I was fortunate to meet many great people throughout this journey.”

McLellan shared with us where it all began.

“I’ve painted everything from airplane parts, to anything on wheels. I’ve painted just about everything over the years, everything short of a train,” McLellan commented with a grin and twinkle in his eye.

McLellan discovered his love of the craft when he was just 13 years old, working on small jobs around the farm. He harnessed his

talent and went on to start in the trade at C & B Motors at the age of 16. With a full license under his belt just 3 years later, Roy began his own venture in Franktown at the age of 19 where he would spend the next 4 years before taking a job for then-owner of The Body Shop, Lennie Kilburn. McLellan later took over ownership in 1985. When asked how he plans to spend his retirement, he said, “I plan to spend time working on projects of my own and enjoy more time on my property in Numogate.”

Steve Holmes, manager of facilities and parks, recommended to the municipal services committee on Monday, April 8, that they continue with the day-to-day operations of the harbourmaster before taking a look at the bigger picture, which includes services at both Portland and Newboro harbours.

Council received a letter from Heather Heins in October 2023. She and her husband Rob own and operate Big Rideau Lake Boat Rentals, and their base is the Portland harbour. Having a home in Portland, Heins said she has viewed the harbour almost three decades and they are available during the boating season. They get many requests from boaters annually, and have helped several people navigate into the harbour, or in emergency situations. They’ve also recommended where people should pay docking fees. The duo has acted as ambassadors for the township by offering information on local businesses or any other inquiry they receive.

In their letter to council, Heins proposed 50 per cent of the fees from overnight docking and hydro, 25 per cent on seasonal docking. They also felt the township could charge more for services to increase revenue.

This would cost about $6,300, Holmes reported.

Holmes said they have a plan this fall to install new signage. There is a current contract in place for 2024 for a harbourmaster from May 13 to Sept. 23 with Tuesday and Wednesday off so there is someone on duty over the busy weekends.

The operation of the Portland Harbour includes maintenance at the waterfront grounds, including daily checks of the beach, raking sand, cleaning any washed up debris, picking up wayward toys, maintenance of the buoy lines, as well as daily checks of Hanna Park, cleaning, putting back moved picnic tables, etc. The harbourmaster also checks and reports garbage cans that need to be collected. Harbour operations like early season reservations of seasonal slip holders, accessing the waitlist as needed, maintenance of docks, performing daily safety and maintenance inspections, assisting boaters as needed, guiding users to the correct slips (transients in the transient spots), collecting mooring fees, etc. When finished in Port-

land, the harbourmaster then goes to Newboro to perform duties, before coming back to Portland.

Holmes stated in his report that it is not the strategic goal of council to prioritize making money from the harbours, but rather it’s a public service for economic development.

Fees collected in Portland last year totalled just under $13,000, and in 2022, it was $11,500. COVID has been attributed to higher-than-normal fees collected of $15,484, with people boating more frequently.

Holmes noted that if council wished to privatize the operation of the Portland Harbour, other residents and businesses should be given the opportunity to submit proposals through the RFP process as required in township’s Procurement of Goods

and Services policy.

“Staff have already begun receiving applications and collected fees for 2024 based on user fee By-law 2015-1,” he noted. “Should council wish to increase fees, this should be done prior to the 2025 season.”

Coun. Marcia Maxwell said it’s “something that we’re going to have to take a real close review of in 2025. We can’t put this on Steve now.”

Holmes is currently spearheading the rebuild of the Rideau Lakes No. 2 Fire Station off Highway 15 at Lombardy, as well as the new Portland Hall and library.

Council agreed with the staff recommendation that the harbourmaster continues to operate the Portland Harbour, which was unanimously supported by council. This will come to a future council meeting for final approval.

Cartoon by Patrick Labelle.

Smiths Falls - Shannon McLellan editorial@pdgmedia.ca

Owner of The Body Shop, Roy McLellan hangs up his paint gun after 40 years in business. Photo credit: Shannon McLellan.

news

Perth Chamber survey shows cautious support for Housing Development

Perth - Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca

A recent survey of members of the Perth & District Chamber of Commerce shows that a majority of business owners, managers, professionals and employees surveyed feel the proposed Caivan housing development could impact their businesses in a positive way.

A total of 85 Chamber members completed the survey in February-March (2024) entitled, ‘Future Growth For Perth – Housing Developments and the Opinion of Perth’s Business Community’. Of those surveyed, 77% feel if the population of Perth grows between 1,400 to 2,200 residents due to a new subdivision at the Perth Golf Course, that increase would be welcomed by the local business community.

Chamber President Brian Perkin says, “The proposed Caivan subdivision has been a hotly debated topic in the Perth community. With 640 detached homes and 300 townhomes proposed and plans to downsize the golf course to nine holes, we wanted to ask our membership how this proposal or similar housing developments, could change or impact their businesses.”

Perkin states, “While there are concerns and strong opposition to the Caivan proposal from some parts of the community, a number of businesspeople and members of the local workforce wanted to weighin on the possible benefits that a development like this might offer. A good majority of those who did the survey are not against growth on this scale. They just want to see it done responsibly.”

The survey examines five areas: The effect of increased population; housing availability; the impact on Perth’s tax base; parking and traffic concerns; and the town’s heritage character.

Businesses Capable of Handling Increased Consumer Demand

If a rise in Perth’s population increases consumer demand for local products and services, 77% of the respondents say their businesses will be able to handle a higher volume of customers and orders. A total of 70% say they have the physical capacity to grow their existing business using their current retail or office space. However, others feel that commercial rents in Perth are now too expensive for small businesses to afford, and the current inventory of commercial space in town is limited, so it would be difficult to expand their operations to serve more clients.

For some, more customers equal more employees. If customer demand grows, 54% of businesses say they wouldn’t anticipate a problem finding new staff, while 29% felt it would be difficult and 17% weren’t sure. A few of those surveyed feel a new housing development of this scale might help to attract higher paid employees in healthcare, financial services, professionals, and office workers.

feel population growth is needed to better sustain businesses through the off-season. One respondent states, “We should want our streets busy, our stores open past 4pm and our restaurants full.”

A few think that a larger local population will not necessarily increase their business because of the amount of shopping done online and out-of-town. Others say they are happy with the size of their operations as they are, and with a small staff, their stores are manageable at their current capacity.

The Impact on Housing Availability

A total 43% of those surveyed say an increase in available housing in the new subdivision could attract a larger skilled labour pool, while 25% felt the opposite and 32% were ‘not sure’.

We should want our streets busy, our stores open past 4pm and our restaurants full.”

Those in favour of the development believe the town needs population growth to support businesses in both the downtown core and on Highway 7, and the corresponding increase in tax dollars will help pay for infrastructure improvements and social projects.

Some feel that downtown retail is highly dependent on seasonal shopping by non-Perth residents. Tourist-related operations and many restaurants are typically subject to a business cycle where operators need to ‘tough it out’ in the slow sales period from January to April, before seasonal visitors and cottagers return in the spring. They

Asked if the salary range of their staff would allow employees to purchase new homes in the subdivision, if home prices ranged from $600,000 to $900,000, a majority of 61% felt the cost of the new homes would be out of the price range of employees working in small business, retail and hospitality, while 10% feel workers in higher-paying jobs could afford those prices, and 29% were ‘not sure’.

One owner commented that their 5 employees cannot afford to live in Perth or find any available housing. They say that even apartment rents in town are not always affordable. Many employees commute to work in Perth from Smiths Falls or neighbouring townships, and a subdivision with homes in this price range will not alleviate the situation, so lower-priced options need to be included.

“Irresponsible” Not to Include Affordable Housing

When respondents were asked if any new housing development should include Affordable Housing, 67% said ‘yes’, 26% said ‘no’ and 7% were ‘not sure’. Some feel very strongly that our region has an Affordable Housing crisis, and it is irresponsible for any development not to include a percentage of Affordable Housing. Another respondent says, “Affordable housing is like rungs on a ladder. Everyone moves up

as they can, so even $800k homes will help everyone on the ladder.” Others say the problem of Affordable Housing should not fall on the developer but should be managed by the town or county.

On the question of what type of housing is most needed in the Perth area, support is as follows: detached bungalows (29%), rental apartments (29%), townhomes (23%), 2-storey detached homes (15%) and

condominium apartments (4%). There were calls to support housing needs for younger residents versus retirees, with that demand being met by offering a wider range of affordable options.

(Further Survey Results will be distributed in upcoming Parts 2 & 3)

For further information, contact Paloma Zander, Executive Director at: manager@perthchamber.com (613-267-3200)

Perthmore appeals zoning bylaw to Ontario Land Tribunal

Perth - Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca

The Town of Perth has recently received notice that Perthmore Enterprises Inc. has submitted an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) regarding the Zoning By-law Amendment. A virtual Case Management Conference (CMC) has been scheduled by the OLT for Monday, May 6, 2024, at 10 a.m (Case Number OLT24- 000210).

The Conference serves to:

• identify issues raised in the proceeding;

• identify facts or evidence that may be agreed upon between the two parties;

• provide direction for disclosure of information;

• discuss opportunities for resolving issues in proceedings and possible use of other dispute resolution processes;

• establish dates and determine the order of presentation of submissions; and

• determine the length and schedule of a hearing.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the Case Management Conference virtually. Individuals who wish to seek participant status must review the OLT Hearings Guide and submit their required

application to the assigned OLT Case Coordinator/ Planner by email.

As the matter is now one of a legal capacity, Town staff and Council are not able to make public comment. Furthermore, Town staff and Council no longer have the ability to make a final decision on the subject as a result of the appeal; this decision will be made by the Province through the OLT. The Town continues to work with its solicitor in preparation for the Case Management Conference.

For more information regarding the Appeals Process and Hearings, please visit the Ontario Land Tribunal website.

Photo credit: Submitted.

community

Perth's Festival of the Maples sugars up for sweet 48th year!

Perth - submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca

It’s the annual rite of spring. Maple syrup season is upon us once again as we prepare to celebrate our region’s most famous agricultural commodity –sweet, delectable maple syr-

up! Our local maple syrup producers are the stars of the show at the Perth Festival of the Maples being held Saturday, April 27th from 9am until 4pm in downtown Perth.

Ever since local businessman Vic Lemieux organized the first event close to 50 years ago, Perth has been the gathering place for this annual occasion to applaud the efforts of our local farmers and syrup producers in making La-

nark County, the ‘Maple Syrup Capital of Ontario’.

This year’s Festival of the Maples is being organized and presented once again by the Perth & District Chamber of Commerce. New Chamber Executive Director Paloma Zander says, “This free annual event attracts between 15 to 20,000 guests who can’t wait to enjoy ‘taffy on ice’, maple butter, maple candies and the latest syrup straight from the area’s sugar bushes.”

Zander adds, “We’re extremely proud of the partnership the Chamber has with our local producers and members of the Lanark & District Maple Syrup Producers’ Association (LDMSPA). We routinely see well over a dozen producers join us every year, and some have been coming for decades. They’re extremely proud of their craft and can’t wait to share this year’s harvest.”

Perth Chamber President Brian Perkin says, “It’s been a stressful year for some of our local producers. The early warm weather and changeable temperatures kept them on their toes wondering when and how much the

sap would run. In this region, most producers have had a good crop, but with any weather-dependent farming operation, outcomes can vary quite a bit. Now, it’s time for them to shine and be rewarded for their labours.”

Producers will have a chance to enter their syrup and other goods for judging in the festival’s annual syrup competition run by LDMSPA. Awards will be handed out on the festival’s main stage on Herriot Street during the opening ceremonies at 11am on festival day.

The festival kicks off with a pancake breakfast at the Perth Legion from 8:30am to 10:30am, plus the annual Classic & Antique Car Show on display on Herriot Street. Gore Street and Foster Street downtown will be lined with a wide array of artisan and food vendors, farm products, retail,

community and charity exhibitors. Booth registration has been busy, with over 160 vendors booked to participate.

On the Festival’s main stage, located at Herriot at Gore Streets, live entertainment will continue throughout the day. This year’s artists include CR5 Bluegrass, The Receivers, Crooked Creek, The Valley Mountain Band, Three 2 Go, Eric Uren and Meghan Balogh, along with the Kings of Swingers.

The Maplefest ‘Sap Tapping’ and ‘Wood Cookie Challenge’ returns to the main stage at 12:30pm when 2-person teams test their skills by drilling spile holes for sap buckets and wielding old-time band saws to clock the fastest log-sawing times.

Families and kids will be able to join in a variety of fun activities at the Children’s Playpark in the Tay Basin including bouncy

rides, a rock-climbing wall and zip-line run by Ry-J’s Climbing Adventures, along with pony rides and a petting zoo, with a rest area, Korny’s Klowns and child activities by the Lanark Highlands Youth Centre planned for the Crystal Palace.

Perkin states, “We’d like to thank our Chamber members and other area businesses for stepping up once again this year to sponsor just about every aspect of this event so it remains a free festival. Their support is greatly appreciated.”

The Chamber offers free parking and a shuttle courtesy of Martin’s Bus Service from the lot at the Perth Campus of Algonquin College on Craig Street. The shuttle drop-off and return pick-up spot is at Craig and Gore Street.

For more information, visit the festival website at: festivalofthemaples.com

Ready, set, go! May 11 is Red Shoes Run Family Day in Montague

More of Rural FASD.

Regional - Laurie Weir editorial@pdgmedia.ca

The first ever Red Shoes Run Family Day will be held May 11 in Montague Township.

It’s a day of fun and fitness and participants can run, walk or jog a one-kilometre trail. It’s great for all ages and all fitness levels.

The event is a collaborative one between the Leeds Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit, Rural FASD Support Network and Montague Public School, noted Rob

There will be games, a petting zoo, live music and face painting, antique cars on display, fire trucks and treats, and even bicycle safety tips from police officers. (Bring your bike!)

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at Montague Public School.

The agenda looks like this: Registration, 9 to 9:30 a.m.

Musical Chairs with MC Wayne Cavanagh and band, Wanda and Eric, 9:30 to 9:45 a.m.

Egg carry (Burnbrae Farms), for different age groups, 9:45 to 10 a.m.

Sack Races (different age

groups), 10 to 10:45 a.m.

Greetings from dignitaries and sponsors, 10 -10:30 a.m.

This event is all about bringing families together for a memorable experience. Get ready to run, walk, or jog with your loved ones amidst a vibrant atmosphere, More noted.

“This free event for all area families will have the opportunity to learn about FASD prevention and support in a fun environment and interact with multiple individuals living with this disability,” More said. “It is also in conjunction with a local vendor/artisan fair.”

To register for this free event, visit: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/red-shoes-run-family -day-tickets-862246100297?aff=oddtdtcreator

Photo credit: Submitted.

Toledo Fish Fry sizzles for 25 years: St. Philip Neri reels in community Queen Elizabeth Students plant pollinator garden on school grounds

Regional - Laurie Weir editorial@pdgmedia.ca

For the past 25 years, there has been an annual fish fry in Toledo.

It started as a bullhead supper and now it’s a way to help entice parishioners back to the church.

On Sunday, April 21, from 4 to 6 p.m., the tradition continues at the Royal Canadian Legion in Toledo, Branch 475.

Takeout is available — adults are $19, children $9. There is indoor dining as well as an outdoor heated area.

ers, and set up the legion hall.”

The modern version of the church’s fish fry supper is more to stay afloat financially than it is about maintenance, she said.

“The double blow of parishioners who leave or pass away plus COVID has us back on our heels and we know the other congregations in the area are feeling the same pinch, but nobody is giving up, and rightly so,” she said.

The Toledo and Frankville area has three Christian denominations in St. Andrew’s United, Anglican Parish of Kitley in Newbliss, and St. Philip Neri.

“Over the years we changed from bullheads to haddock loins with homemade baked beans, cabbage salad, scalloped potatoes and desserts, tea, coffee, juice, cheese and pickles,” Downey explained. People come from miles around to get a taste of fresh fish.

“It’s usually quite successful,” Downey said. “Every year, the day before our fish fry, we have a work bee and erect a cooking hut to keep the wind and rain off the fry-

The Catholic parish of St. Philip Neri in Toledo started the fish fry where parishioners would go out and catch the fish, clean and freeze them for the big day, explained Vicki Downey. Originally, proceeds were used for church property upkeep and maintenance, and was held at the Toledo legion.

“We all talk and support each other’s fundraising activities and have recently collaborated (to hand out) an outreach flyer to area residents that explains each church’s weekly mass and worship times,” Downey said.

“The three churches and area Christians got together in the year 2000 to erect the millennial Kitley Cross to commemorate 2000 years since Christ’s birth and at 7 a.m. every Easter morning we all meet at the cross and hold a Sunrise service.”

increasing outreach for monarch butterfly habitat creation on wish list

Regional - Laurie Weir editorial@pdgmedia.ca

Increasing the habitat of the monarch butterfly is on the agenda for Lanark County council.

During a regular meeting of the county council’s public works committee on Wednesday, March 27, the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge was supported, with interest at expanding educational components to more

students across the region.

Elizabeth Gallant, climate environmental coordinator for the public works committee, said mayors and other heads of local government can take action to save the monarch butterfly whose eastern populations have declined by 90 per cent recently, she said.

Through the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, communities are creating habitat for butterflies and pollinators and educating residents about how they can make a difference.

cation on April 8. “But they made a large area.”

The children in her Grade 3/4 class helped sow the seeds last fall, just before the frost came.

Callan said the county tilled the land that they had chosen beforehand, “a place near where the children play, but they can also go visit and watch it grow, see what’s there.”

It’s located near the ball diamond just before the forest.

You don’t need a referral. There are no long forms to fill out. Nor is there a rigorous intake program to go through.

If you’re in need of mental health support, ConnectWell Community Health has got you.

Mental health wellness rooms are peer support drop-in spaces for adults looking to connect with others going through similar challenges. A new space just opened in Carleton Place, joining others on the map in Smiths Falls and Perth.

Groups are facilitated by peer support workers and

volunteers, and they welcome participants into a safe and inclusive environment, said Jeff Kohl, one of the support workers at The Link in Smiths Falls.

The Carleton Place space opened in March. ConnectWell Community Health has been hosting weekly group sessions for those dealing with anxiety, depression, isolation or loneliness.

Morphing participants from the “Stepping Stones to Wellness” program, which they launched last spring, into these new peer support groups has been key, Kohl said. But participants don’t have to be graduates of this 12-week program.

“The ones who are fin-

ishing this program, they’re not just thrown to the wolves,” he said. “They’ve got someplace to go.”

He said it’s partly rebranding the Stepping Stones to Wellness program with the drop-in sessions.

“We’ve now got wellness groups in Smiths Falls on Wednesdays, Perth on Thursdays and Carleton Place on Fridays,” he said.

The groups are informal but allow structured conversations around mental health topics.

“They can be topics of any type,” he said. “They can be suggested by the group, or by the facilitator.”

It’s a little less structured than the multi-week meeting program.

“We take people at face value,” he said.

If there's one thing he’s learned, it is that people do better when they have peer support.

“To be stuck in a little apartment and trying to navigate life and improve your mental health, but you’re alone, or you don’t have family that you’re in contact with, by coming out and being with other people in a non-judgemental space, it provides a number of things for people. It reduces the stigma attached to mental health, it provides connection, and motivation because they hear from each other. We like to celebrate little success stories. When people make a little shift in their lives, it’s something to celebrate.”

People who are lucky,

he said, have an understanding partner, a friend, or a neighbour.

“I see a lot of people don’t have that social contact,” he said.

How do they reach those people who need it?

They have an active mailing list, and through social media, as well as through family health teams.

“We do standard e-blasts to all the partners that are known to us – we rely a lot on partner referrals, like through Lanark County Mental Health, Lanark County Interval House and Community Support, The Table Community Food Centre, etc.”

If you feel that this may be helpful, Kohl encourages people to come out and give it a try. You don’t have to sign up – just drop in.

“Our prime goal is to make sure people feel welcome, comfortable and safe,” he said, “and they’re not judged.”

People know they can come and just be themselves, he added.

Meeting times include:

Smiths Falls, Wednesdays from 2 to 3 p.m. at 88 Cornelia St. W. (The Link, behind 2Care4, on the east side).

Perth, Thursdays from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Perth and District Union Library, 30 Herriott St.

Carleton Place, Fridays from 2 to 3 p.m. at the ConnectWell Community Health building, 30 Bennett St.

For more information, call Jeff or Andrea at 613284-4608 or email mhsp@ connectwell.ca

The county has reduced or eliminated the use of herbicides, pesticides or other chemicals that are harmful to monarchs and pollinators and urban wildlife, Gallant wrote in her report. The county has launched or maintained public communication to encourage residents to plant monarch gardens.

They have also engaged with gardening leaders (horticultural societies) to support conservation, and they’ve also met with parks and recreation, public works and other staff to identify opportunities to revise and maintain mowing programs and milkweed/native nectar planting programs.

Coun. Jeffrey Carroll (Montague Deputy Reeve) said education is a “key component” to this program.

“I’ve witnessed the growth of butterflies in schools and the excitement I’ve seen in the kids.”

He asked if the program could be further expanded to schools outside Perth. Gallant said it’s difficult to transport the tractor and tiller to work the soil where they would plant butterfly habitat plants, but they could look at smaller garden creation in regional school yards, as well as seed sharing programs.

At Queen Elizabeth School in Perth, science teacher Amy Callan said students helped plant indigenous seeds supplied by the county on a plot of land 30 feet by 15 feet in size.

“It will take a couple years for it to grow and mature and be useful for pollination,” she told this publi-

She said the children were enthusiastic. “They were given a handful of itty-bitty seeds that didn’t look like anything, and in our rubber boots, we bent down and pressed them into the soil. I had 25 students all working on this garden,” she said.

During the county county meeting, Carroll added: “I think it would be great for all of our county to be participating in something like this. I know there is a lot of excitement from kids when they do these types of things.”

Coun. Richard Kidd (Beckwith Reeve) said the more they can make this county wide, the better. He spoke of working in collaboration with staff and students at Beckwith Public School by creating a habitat garden at the new municipal office.

Gallant said she’d be happy to share information, seeds, and educational materials across the municipalities in the county.

Gallant said programs and demonstration gardens are options to encourage monarch butterfly habitat.

Since the migration path of the monarch goes from Canada to Mexico, Coun. Rob Rainer (Tay Valley Township Reeve) asked about the engagement in Mexico, as this is a tri-national pledge.

“The butterflies here all fly to a very small forested area in the mountains of northeastern Mexico, and that’s a super critical habitat,” he said. “If Mexico can’t conserve that the monarch won’t survive.”

Gallant said Mexico is part of this program as well.

For more information on the program, call Elizabeth Gallant at 1-888-952-6275 ext. 3114.

Regional - Laurie Weir

editorial@pdgmedia.ca

Jeff Kohl is one of the peer support workers at ConnectWell Community Health in Smiths Falls. They are now offering mental health drop-in centres in Carleton Place, Perth and Smiths Falls. Photo credit: Laurie Weir.

Photo credit: Laurie Weir.

Lanark County’s public works committee supported the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge on March 25. Photo credit: Submitted [Pixabay].

lifestyle

#DoItForCraiger fundraising horseshoe tournament slated for April 27 in Toledo

Smiths Falls - LAURIE WEIR editorial@pdgmedia.ca

After losing her husband during his organ transplant journey, Bobbi-Jo Craig of Smiths Falls has become an advocate for organ donation.

It seems appropriate during April – Organ Donor Awareness Month – that she is helping to spread the word about organ donation.

Her husband, Chris Craig, died last spring while waiting for a liver transplant. He was just 46 years old.

Bobbi-Jo, as a new member of the Transplant Advocate Association, is hoping to encourage the Ontario government to adopt a presumed consent system, by presenting a petition to Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston

MPP Jim Jordan to be read in the House of Commons.

Nova Scotia has recently adopted this system where anyone who does not wish to be an organ donor must opt out of the process, rather

than having to register their consent. The copy of the petition can be obtained for signature from any Transplant Advocate Association board members. With enough signatures, the optout system may become a reality, and shorten the agonizingly long wait for organ and tissue donations in Ontario, Bobbi-Jo noted.

Chris was diagnosed with liver disease as a teen but was well into adulthood when the symptoms worsened. In 2022 he was advised he needed a liver transplant but despite a lengthy search for a live donor, one was never found. By the time a deceased donor’s liver became available, Chris had developed other health issues, and was too sick to receive the transplant.

Bobbi-Jo is hosting a horseshoe tournament on April 27 at the Royal Canadian Legion in Toledo. It will be the inaugural memorial

tournament in honour of Chris. The family, including adult children Coral and Connor Craig, held a horseshoe tournament last year to help with medical bills.

Bobbi-Jo said it will be “a little different than last year but still just as important to celebrate and remember Chris and raise awareness.”

A fee of $10 per player will be charged with a portion of the proceeds going to first and second place and a portion to a family going through the transplant process. For those not playing, a donation would be appreciated.

Players can register between 9 and 9:30 a.m. at the legion and a draw for partners will be held once registration is complete. The tournament starts at 10 a.m.

“We will be accepting donations and having a 50/50 with proceeds also going to a family going through the transplant process.”

There will be info on liver

Veteran battles Parkinson's with model helis and tenacious spirit

Tom Kondert was 65 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s; he’s verging on 81 this month…and except for a stilted, slow walk (sometimes he walks with a cane or a walker), he still gets around.

He has brown eyes and a direct gaze. He’s tall and thin. He likes country music, played the accordion as a kid… and makes helicopters.

In the military he was a helicopter technician. But now, at 81, he builds models. There are 13 in his basement.

He needs little urging to talk. He worked on the Bell Jet Ranger called a Kiowa in the military, and the Chinook CH-47 twin engine.

Can you fly a helicopter? “The smaller ones I might, but the bigger ones — no,” he says.

He spent 30 years in the army — “long enough,” he adds dryly, and from there went to Sears.

About 15 years ago Tom first knew there was a prob-

lem. It started with legs and hands shaking a bit, some stuttering, loss of balance, eventually hard to remember names; when walking, his doctor could “see” things. His first doctor retired (much to Tom’s dismay) and in the interim there was some trouble adjusting his medication…but ”they finally got it running pretty good.”

Today, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA) helps him. He has a grant from the Department to help him do things around the house, like shovel snow and cut grass.

It set up a floor to ceiling pole with a swing arm by his chair; it brings in 10 meals a week, and a nurse to help him bathe. And also put rails in to help get in and out of the shower as well as down the steps into his garage where he collects cans and bottles for Parkinson’s.

Drive down his street and watch for the prominent sign asking to drop cans off. His next door neighbour paints it every year, and in the past year-and-a-half he’s brought in just over $5,000.

disease and organ and tissue donation.

“We would love to see as many people as possible with your #doit4craiger shirts or wear green to show your support. Hope to see everyone there!”

For more info on the tournament, check out the Facebook page.

Transplant Advocate Association

TAA is a charitable group, whose members are comprised primarily of organ and tissue recipients, donors, and caregivers, aims to create awareness of the benefits of organ and tissue donation, and the need to register consent, as well as to support anyone through the transplant process.

Members hail from numerous communities across eastern Ontario. They welcome anyone who may be entering or are already in the transplant process or who may just be interested in organ and tissue donation and helping to create awareness. They support people emotionally and help to provide some financial assistance if needed.

Each April, the group

He’s busy. He walks when he can; he boxes with a Parkinson’s group three times a week. He tells great stories about his time in the military. And as a storyteller, this is another story for him to tell — he has Parkinson’s.

He’s made his house fit his life — bars to help him get up and down, pills counted out into small glass bowls on his kitchen table, television where it’s easy to watch, DVA meals brought in, good friends nearby.

He says he’s fallen eight or nine times. “One time I didn’t have a way to get up. I crawled an inch or two at a time from one bedroom to the other and finally got hold of my daughter.

“I couldn’t call because the phone was stuck under me and I couldn’t flip over.

“Interesting times,” he says, “but ya gotta have something in life to keep you going,” he adds, a bit flippantly.

“Parkinson’s was the one point in my life when everything changed. When I was first diagnosed I realized time wasn’t a factor anymore, that life wasn’t going to go on forever…that life was short, there’s an end…

“It’s changed my life drastically. Everything you ever thought of doing is something that might not ever happen.”

April 11 is World Parkinson’s Day, and the month of April is Parkinson’s Awareness month. Help raise awareness about the disease and make life better for those living with it. Go to parkinsonscommunitynetwork.org for information.

hosts flag raising ceremonies in various communities in support of BeADonor month and Green Shirt Day (April 7) which is the day commemorating Logan Boulet, who died as a result of the Humboldt Broncos hockey team’s bus crash April 6, 2018, and who saved the lives of six people, through the donation of his organs after succumbing to his injuries the following day. The group works to create awareness through information booths and speaking engagements, social media and digital advertising.

In Ontario in 2023, there were 1,200 organ transplants, and more than 1,800 tissue transplants. Every three days in Ontario, someone like Chris dies waiting for an organ or tissue donation.

While over 90 percent of Ontarians are in favour of organ donation, only 35 percent have registered as donors. Visit www.beadonor.ca/ taa_canada to register.

For further information visit https://www.transplantadvocateassociation.ca, check out the Transplant Advocate Association on Facebook, or email info@transplantadvocateassociation.ca.

The Craig family (back, Chris and Connor, front Bobbi-Jo and Coral). Photo credit: Submitted.

Regional - Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca

Tom at boxing class. Photo credit: Submitted.

Food & Drink lifestyle

The Tap Room Inc. opens at Settlers Ridge Mall in Smiths Falls

partnership with 4 degrees brewing and distilling also on tap

Regional - Laurie Weir editorial@pdgmedia.ca

What’s on tap?

Come find out, as new entrepreneurs have moved into the space at 4 Degrees Brewing in Smiths Falls.

The Tap Room Inc., owned and operated by Daren and Silvia Givoque and their son Gage, Ian O‘Donohue, Luke Price, Luc Belanger and Ian Smiley, is undergoing a transformation to bring patrons so much more than just beer.

The opportunity came up last summer when they were looking to open a tap room in Kemptville.

“We were interviewed for an article in The Kemptville Advance and discussed our challenges with opening a brewery. Nick and Andrew read the article and reached out as they were considering selling 4 Degrees Brewing,” Daren Givoque said, during renovations on St. Patrick’s Day.

Givoque said his group started their move into the Settlers Ridge Centre brewery on March 1, and will have their official opening in May, but until then, they’re busy with some upgrades, including a new commercial kitchen, and the addition of some big screen televisions, and some new paint. They’re still open, offering customers

some of the 4 Degrees Brewing options as well as a variety of craft beers on tap, as they grow, expand, and continue with excellence established in the draft beer industry.

The group said they will continue to be committed to the community, ensure patrons are satisfied, deliver quality services, and ensure that the dedicated community support remains unwavering.

They said they’re excited to be coming to Smiths Falls after searching for a suitable location in Kemptville – but that doesn’t mean that expansion in Kemptville is off the table, as they want to have more than one location.

“We’re opening a kitchen in the back, brand new – this space and the kitchen will be part of The Tap Room, and 4 Degrees Brewing, which we bought, will become 4 Degrees Brewing and Distilling,” said Givoque.

This new lounge and bar will host theme nights, live music, and karaoke.

Silvia Givoque will be creating delicious homemade Italian food, like meatball and cold cut sandwiches on focaccia bread, or chicken parmesan.

“We’re keeping the brewing tanks here but we will also be brewing with partners to collaborate on recipes.” For now,

that’s an “industry secret.”

A 250-litre distilling apparatus will replace the coffee roaster so “we will be bringing vodka, gin, rum and whisky to this area,” he said, all under the 4 Degrees Brewing and Distilling banner. Patrons will be able to purchase any of these products on site. Some will be available at LCBO locations.

“We’ll also have our RTDs (ready to drink), like vodka and cranberry, gin and tonic, Moscow mule … three or four different varieties that we’ll have on the shelf,” Daren said.

It will take six to seven months to get fully operational, but now they’re making their way through the beer side. They will be doing a massive sell-off of their current stock of beer.

Starting in April, they will release three new labels — the Southern Lager, the Northern Pilsner (replaces North), and an IPA, Eastern IPA keeping with the theme of the directions on a compass. In the summer, they’ll launch the Western Pale Ale.

“In the fall we’ll be coming out with a new coffee stout,” Daren said. “There is a coffee stout now but we have changed the recipe – it’s a creamier, heavier Guinness style beer, but with a nice coffee finish.”

Hill 70 (a Belgian blond), is already available at LCBO locations, may be joined in the fall with the coffee stout and either a radler or a strawberry blond lager. That will be chosen through a taste test, Daren said.

“We’re hoping the customers can help us decide,” he said.

Nick Ritchie and Andrew Howard started 4 Degrees Brewing 12 years ago. In a Facebook farewell, the duo’s journey was to bring craft beer to the people of Smiths Falls. “Working with fantastic local partners, supporting our community charities and launching beers that reflect the local landscape and history,” they posted.

“Too many people to thank over the years but just a few: Thank you Highlanders for the partnership, Rob Roy’s for being the first bar to serve our beer, Andress’ Your Independent for the bonspiels and the Smiths Falls Heritage House Muse-

um for the monthly trivia!”

Ritchie and Howard said over the past dozen years, they’ve been thankful for the support, especially from their team: Chris Haines, Joe Adams, Tim Vandermeer and David Jones. “It’s been a wild ride,” they stated.

“Most importantly, to the people of Smiths Falls, you welcomed us, enjoyed our beer, supported our events and helped us build a stronger community together. It’s time to turn the page, time to take the foundation of this brewery and build upon it. The Tap Room team are amazing new partners and ready to take the craft industry to new heights. New beers, craft distilling and a welcoming space for fun, games, food and tipping a pint! Let’s lift a pint and lend your support to this community focused new leadership team.”

Givoque said there is a beauty to the new tap room, as it will be a tipping place for all their own beers, plus

“all kinds of guest taps,” he said. “We only have, at our highest, seven labels, then three RTDs, which gives us a total of 10 options for people, and that gives room for five to six guest taps.”

The goal is to cycle through the taps and always have a variety for people to try –aiming for a complementing brew, not one that competes.

Belanger is working behind the bar, and is on site from noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. The kitchen’s not open yet, but hotdogs are on the menu for $5 each. House beers are $7, and guest taps are $8. Flights are also available – four four-ounce glasses. Frozen drinks will be another option on the bar menu.

For people looking for distribution (kegs for events, for example), call 613-2228213; for any Tap Room Inc. information, call 613-2228691. Follow the Tap Room Inc. on their website, or on Facebook for information.

Health Unit Board votes in favour of voluntary merger

Regional - Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Board of Health voted in support of the intent to merge with Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox & Addington Public Health (KFL&APH) and Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) to create the South East

Health Unit, on March 28.

In August 2023, the Ministry of Health announced plans to strengthen the public health sector by offering one-time funding, resources and supports to local public health agencies that voluntarily merge by January 1, 2025. In response to the announcement, the HPE, KFL&A, and LGL Boards of Health decided in December to move forward with the exploration of the impacts of a voluntary merger and engaged the consulting firm of Sense and Nous to prepare a feasibility study and a business case for a merger.

In a public session of the Board meeting on April 08, 2024, Dr. Linna Li presented

a Merger Feasibility Summary Report and Business Case Brief. This Merger Feasibility Summary Report outlined the results of the merger feasibility exercise for KFL&APH, LGLDHU and HPEPH, identified the strategic opportunities and challenges associated with the proposed merger, and concluded that there are no significant barriers to a merger. The Business Case Brief summarized the rationales and key proposals to be considered by the Ministry, including, in part, the name of the proposed new entity, governance model, geographic boundaries, opportunities to strengthen public health and the supports needed to merge.

The Tap Room Inc., has opened in the Settlers Ridge Mall in Smiths Falls. New owners include: Luke Price, Daren Givoque, Ian O’Donohue, Silvia Givoque, Luc Belanger, and Gage Givoque. Missing from the photo is Luke Smiley. Photo credit: Laurie Weir.

Bringing compassionate care to the end of life: Perth and Smiths Falls Hospice Hub takes flight

Regional - Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca

“We’re all going to die,” Anne Janssen says, a bit matter-of-factly, a slight shrug.

So she and The Hospice Hub team in the Perth and Smiths Falls area are determined to make death more peaceful, a bit gentler, more comfortable.

Anne, the Hospice Hub’s Volunteer Executive Director, knows what she wants and doesn’t hesitate to ask — a building, money, and volunteers. The volunteers are already taking a course at Algonquin in Perth — 30 hours and two months of time; Anne’s attended council meetings to get her request for money heard ($25,000), and she’s on the lookout for a building — could be new, could be standing. She has her “ears to the ground.”

It won’t be easy, she knows. “There are strict standards for a hospice” — air ventilation, size of room,

is there a linen closet, a kitchen area, is the room big enough for the family to be there through the process of their loved one dying.

Then she outright asks if there’s anyone willing to donate a house, a hospice residence with four beds. It’s a big request, but is it a possibility in Smiths Falls, she wonders. Until that happens, Hospice Hub volunteers will give in-house care.

Hospice Hub serves the communities and townships in South Lanark and North Leeds Counties including the towns of Perth, Westport, Portland and Smiths Falls. It’s similar to the May Court in Ottawa where Anne began to volunteer back in 2008; that’s where she met Janet Douglass, and over the years, meeting now and again at events, the two eventually decided it was time.

Another push to the beginning of The Hospice Hub was the death of

Anne’s sister; Anne was the primary caregiver. She saw the dying, death, bereavement and grief first-hand.

Anne’s sister’s wish was to die at home. Anne made sure this happened.

In the process “I really came to see how inadequate and what a huge gap there was in service here.”

Their first try was unsuccessful but slowly a group of like-minded people (mostly women) formed, and “a year ago, on March 17, we were incorporated.

“It’s really taken off,” she says with delight… and a grin.

“It’s exciting, exhausting, challenging. We’re all volunteers,” she adds, “with one paid part-time staff member.”

She calls the morphing into The Hospice Hub “a magic trail of connections” and looking back adds “it’s not rocket science,” just plain, old hard work. It’s been done across Ontario, across Canada, around the world.

And now it’s coming to a town near you — the area served by the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital and south Lanark, including the towns in-between.

A little history: In 2016 four beds were allocated to the area where services were needed most — but not actually funded. “If we have a community that can

house and service a hospice,” funding is provided for nursing, Anne explains. “Hospice beds need a care team around them — passionate care, clinical co-ordination, bereavement support, day programs…and all of this is volunteer run,” she adds.

Admitting this is a beautiful thing (all run by volunteers), Anne knows the actuality belies the hard work; it won’t be done without funding and a community to back it. Smiths Falls agreed to $25,000 out of next year’s budget, but this is just a beginning.

“We’d welcome a generous sponsor to help us make the residence a reality,”Anne grins, a glint in her eye, straightening her shoulders. “The community’s so ready for this. The talent and skills here…” she gestures. “Whoo!”

So who needs a hospice? “Generally speaking, it’s clients further along in their illness,” who have six months or less to live.

Well…how long does it take to die? “It depends on the illness.

“Ten percent die like that (she snaps her fingers); the rest of us die more slowly.

“Everybody does it differently. Some don’t want to know, some want to know everything.

“But they need to be able

to talk…and it’s a beautiful conversation,” she adds.

That’s where the volunteers come in. They’re essential, an integral part of the healthcare team. “It’s an important role, with a lot to learn…and it’s not for everyone.

“Volunteers are the eyes and ears” — they report back, it’s all confidential, maybe the physician or primary care provider needs to hear something the volunteer knows, for instance if the spouse or caregiver is falling into a depression, or if the client is in a lot of pain.

Their families want them to stay at home, too, to be there, say goodbye, start grieving.

“It’s the humane way.”

This, too, is part of what Hospice Hub volunteers do; they help navigate the system, they get caregivers and equipment, they know how to get to the hospital and ask the right questions, they find social workers and drivers. And while volunteers choose where they want to work, “we want volunteers from all over,” Anne adds.

Most of all …“we need a home, a place to receive care.”

She throws down the gauntlet adding a pointed last challenge: “It could be a legacy for someone.”

And mostly clients want to stay at home, Anne says, until it becomes too difficult… and the caregiver will know when this happens — usually when they can’t provide care or the client needs more medical intervention.

Anne Janssen is determined to find a home for The Hospice Hub. Photo credit: Sally Smith.