Lanark, North Leeds & Grenville - Hometown News March 2022

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Vol. 9

No. 3

YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER - LANARK, NORTH LEEDS & GRENVILLE

MARCH 2022

Merrickville Paralympic athlete heading to Beijing

Regional - Brian Turner editorial@pd gmedia.ca

Brian Rowland, 35 years of age, from Merrickville is preparing to compete for the first time at the 2022 Paralympic Games in Beijing in alpine skiing. He will be competing in the sitting category, the result of a motorcycle accident in 2015 which broke his back, leaving him without the use of both legs. He only took up the sport in January of 2017. He joined the national team in 2019 after winning the silver medal at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alberta. Hometown News caught up with him recently at the training site in Whistler BC. He credits his rapid move from hospital bed to the ski slopes to a great deal of support from family and friends. Dad, Michael; Mom, Claudette; and three siblings were a powerful force and made Brian feel very rich in terms of support and hope which helped him out during a traumatic time. After his discharge he met a new group of friends, also facing physical chal-

lenges that assisted in his new journey. After trying sit-skiing, his natural love for speed led him to immediately start racing with the help of a volunteer coach and mentor. In Paralympics, alpine skiing is comprised of 5 events: downhill, super-G, super combined, giant slalom and slalom.

Brian reports that the Canadian team is very diverse and many excel in all the events.

A typical training day starts with a visit to the gym at 6 am, followed by breakfast before gearing up and heading to the slopes.

After a morning of sit-skiing, it’s off to lunch followed by what Brian calls dry-land training, and weight training and a visit to the physiotherapist to work out any kinks. There’s a little late afternoon down-time before a team meeting and dinner. Sometimes they repeat all this 6 days a week.

Brian’s ski is comprised of a custom-fitted bucket that he’s strapped into which is mounted on a very advanced suspension strut connected to a single ski.

Merrickville's Brian Rowland to compete in Alpine Skiing event. Photo credit: Alpine Canada.

With it Brian can reach speeds in excess of 100 km/h in the downhill event. He knows the competition will be stiff, with some athletes having been in the sport since a very young age. Since 1976 Canada has earned 109 medals in Paralympic alpine skiing, making

it our most successful sport.

Brian feels that the Paralympics don’t get the media attention they deserve and Hometown News couldn’t agree more. CBC will be live-streaming many of the events with televised recaps being aired in prime-time hours.

We urge everyone to tune in and witness the best performances you’ll ever see from our topclass athletes and cheer them on to the finish lines. The Paralympic games in Beijing run from Saturday March 5th to Sunday March 13th.

Town of Perth shows support for Ukraine Perth - Submitted editorial@pd gmedia.ca The Mayor and Council of the Town of Perth are deeply disheartened by the senseless attacks that are being conducted against Ukraine.

"We stand united with the

Ukrainian people, who are fighting bravely against the invading Russian forces. While there are dark times ahead, in the end justice will prevail. Light will overtake darkness, good will prevail over evil. It is our hope that peace will soon be

restored,” states Mayor John Fenik.

In a show of support, the water tower and Town Hall will be lit in blue and yellow. A Ukrainian flag is being installed on top of the Crystal Palace and will remain in place until the attacks have ceased.

Smiths Falls to fly Ukrainian flag in solidarity Smiths Falls - Janelle Labelle editorial@pd gmedia.ca

Perth watertower illuminated with blue and yellow to show support for Ukrain. Photo credit: Submitted.

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During a Committee of the Whole meeting on Feb 28, Mayor Shawn Pankow expressed his desire to fly the Ukrainian flag in Smiths Falls as a show of support for Ukraine against the Russian invasion.

“We are all incredibly horrified

by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and it’s hard to take our eyes off the news. The actions that are happening: families being torn apart, mothers and children having to flee the country, civilians [answering] the call to arms, having to learn how to defend the country: it’s something that’s be-

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yond imaginable.

“I would like support from council to fly the Ukrainian flag on the pole in front of town hall, and for us to make a declaration of support for the Ukrainian people, and a condemnation of what’s happening over there.”

Expressing his support for the flying of the flag, Councilor Peter McKenna asked for how long it should be raised. Mayor Pankow replied, “my feeling is we fly the flag as long as Russia stands in a sovereign Ukraine. My hope is that it is short lived.”

Councilor Wendy Alford added, “Canada is home to the largest diaspora of Ukrainian people.

It is heartbreaking to watch, and heartbreaking to examine ourselves if we were placed in the same position as the Ukraine is now, so yes, I am very supportive - as is the world. If it did nothing else, it is wonderful to see the world united in something, and that is Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine and our objection to it.

I’m very supportive for as long as it needs to be there.”

After months of massing troops along the border and simultaneously declaring he was not intending to invade, Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of neighbouring Ukraine on Feb 24.

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2

March 2022

Correction:

Page Two

What does this nation-leading growth rate mean to the residents of Carleton Place The February 2022 article "What does this nation-leading growth rate mean to the residents of Carleton Place" was submitted by Mayor Doug Black who stated it was a joint effort on the part of himself, municipal staff and council in response to the question, 'what does Carleton Place's nation-leading growth rate mean to its residents?' Attributing it to our reporter Brian Turner was an error.

Cartoon by Patrick Labelle

The fight for the right to a natural garden goes to court Smiths Falls residents challenging threat to destroy nature news release editorial@pdgmedia.ca

Photo credit: internationalwomensday.com

Tuesday, March 8 is International women's day. Celebrate women's achievement.

Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality. See Shannon McLellan's article on International Women's Day: #BREAKINGTHEBIAS on page 4.

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Opened in 1904, a Carnegie grant made the library possible, with donations matched by C. B. Frost, F. I. Frost and W. H. Frost of the Frost & Wood farm implements company, which had a location in Smiths Falls. Photo courtesy torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com.

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In a case that will affect municipal bylaws across the country, Craig and Beth Sinclair are appealing an order by the Town of Smiths Falls to remove their natural garden.

The Sinclairs have been carefully cultivating a natural garden for years, planting hundreds of native wildflowers, trees and shrubs, following the advice of wildlife organizations to place habitat logs in their yard for birds and pollinators, and maintaining their landscape for biodiversity.

The Town of Smiths Falls has ordered the Sinclairs to remove their habitat logs, which the Town has labeled “waste,” cut unspecified “grass and weeds” to 20cm, and remove “all landscaping” within 3 metres of the curb (and presumably leave bare soil).

These orders were upheld at a January 25 hearing by the Town’s Property Standards Appeals Committee, at which the expert testimony of three witnesses for the Sinclairs was unquestioned and unchallenged.

The town presented no health or safety concerns

Craig Sinclair working on the garden summer 2021.

Photo submitted.

regarding the Sinclairs’ garden, nor did the town assert that any provincially listed noxious weeds were present in the Sinclairs’ yard.

The Sinclairs are now appealing to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in a case that is centred on the right to a natural garden. The case will likely set a precedent concerning whether logs and tree limbs can be considered “waste” under Ontario’s Building Code, something the Sinclairs’ lawyer David Donnelly calls “pure nonsense.”

In two similar cases, the Sandy Bell case in the 1990s and the Douglas Count-

er case in the early 2000s, Ontario courts ruled on the constitutionally protected right to a natural garden.

But municipalities across the country continue to have overly broad grass and weeds bylaws on their books and enforce them arbitrarily against natural gardens.

The Sinclairs’ goal is to safeguard the right to a natural garden and put an end to vaguely worded, aesthetically based and arbitrarily enforced property standards and grass and weeds bylaws that place barriers in the way of positive environmental action in support of biodiversity.

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3

March 2022

community Brief stories of a gentle man

Smiths Falls - Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca

He knew hunger and terror as a small boy; he knew friendship and laughter as he grew older. He loved his old farmhouse on Brown Road outside Smiths Falls, filling it with plants and colour. He loved his cows, he raised pigeons and he loved his work as an orderly.

And for almost nine decades, he carved.

Rudi Welz died January 24 this year. He was 88.

He was a “gentle gentleman” Michael Herbert remembers, a happy man, content in his later life, a carver extraordinaire.

He began to carve very early, Michael remembers Rudi telling him, probably in or around Grade 6 (which would make him about 11).

And although he died a contented man, his early life was tough — transported to East Germany by the Nazis in the mid-1940s — mother, father, brother, sisters living in one small upstairs room in an old house.

Michael says Rudi told him the Nazis gave the family half an hour to be out of their house, took them to a velodrome where they ransacked the family’s suitcases taking everything they wanted, including Rudi’s mother’s watch, something he clearly remembered.

In East Germany Rudi’s father was forced to shovel coal to eke out a living, and within that year Rudi lost several members of his family to starvation.

Michael remembers Rudi telling him that when growing up, kids made fun of him because of his strong accent.

One day, he’d had enough.

When forced to fight, he fought…and won. And from that day no one bullied him.

Rudi lived his life through carving. He added a room to the back corner of his small farmhouse, spending hours at his worktable, warmed by a small wood stove. His work

ranged from very small, about six or seven inches, to over two feet tall; his favourite wood was butternut which “goldens as it darkens” Linda O’Neill, another friend, says.

Linda and her husband Jeff knew Rudi as Rolf. She laughs recalling he was known as Rudi, Rudolf, Ralph and Rolf.

She met him when she was only 16, saying their favourite pastime was to “sit around the kitchen table, put a carving on the table, and talk about art.”

To Jeff, Rolf’s carving was “an expression of what was really important to him.” Many of his figures were Madonna-like, he adds, most likely because “his mother made his life bearable for him early on.”

The two remember him with real affection. “When all his work was present it felt like a chapel…there was an ambience. He worked with love. You could feel that in his carvings,” Linda says. “He carved from pure feeling.”

The O’Neills have more than a dozen of his carvings, the smallest a mother bending forward to a child, his arms reaching up to grasp her neck.

From Germany, Rudi went to Sweden as a refugee and eventually to Canada.

He found work at the Civic Hospital in Ottawa where he trained as an orderly, and eventually ended at the St. Francis Hospital in Smiths Falls (where the north unit is now). All the time Rudi worked as an orderly in both Ottawa and Smiths Falls, he was tending his farm. He loved gardening, he loved his cows and he also raised pigeons. Michael tells stories — a certain glee in his voice — of going for meals there, often being served pigeon.

It was in Smiths Falls where Ruth Conners knew him.

She was head nurse on the floor. “Patients loved him.

He was always kind and willing.” And it was while working as an orderly between the two hospitals (St. Francis and the public hospital), he met Dorothy O’Shea.

They married. Rudi and

Dorothy spent 18 years together before she died. Ruth says Rudi confided a bit shyly at one time that he should have done this sooner.

Dorothy was not the only woman in Rudi’s life. Early on he brought his Mom from Germany to live with him, and one of Michael’s memories is that she made wonderful German meals.

Ask Maria Doef about Rudi and she laughs with affection when she starts recounting Uncle Ralph’s cabbage board.

“It was a contraption to make sauerkraut.” A board, she explains, sits between your knees with a “galvanized pot underneath.” You can cut “whole bloody cabbages” with this thing, she laughs again “…ten cabbages at a time!” He used “cabbage, salt and caraway seeds,” he’d freeze it in bags and “make enough to last a year.” When his mother was living with him she made it, Maria adds. Maria had never seen one before and so, at his death, she asked for his. It sits in her house, now.

Maria’s father Pieter, and Rudi, were “like-minded artists, great pals, painters and sculptors.” They spent hours together, discussing art, discussing Rudolf Steiner’s Anthroposophy philosophy https://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Anthroposophy, enjoying each other’s company.

There are three things Maria remembers about Rudi right off the bat — his firm handshake; his laugh (which rumbled from the bottom of his stomach — Maria gave a good imitation over the phone); and his kindness and gentleness with everything he touched — his work with animals (he was even gentle with cows), his gardening.

And as she remembers further she recalls other qualities: he was not a great talker, she says, but when he did speak, he never spoke unkindly about another person; and, that his carvings, in fact, were spiritual.

“We’ll miss him,” she says wistfully.

Rudi and one of his carvings. Photo credit: Michael Herbert

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March 2022

community

International Women's Day: #BREAKINGTHEBIAS

Smiths Falls’ Anna Mae Charles challenges gender stereotypes #breakthebias. Photo credit: Shannon McLellan.

Regional - Shannon Mclellan editorial@pdgmedia.ca “The only limit to a girls’ dreams and achievements should be the extent of their own effort.”

Imagine a gender-equal world. A world that is free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Generation after generation of women have been trailblazing the path towards an existence where girls and women can choose to be who and what they desire to become. For well over a century, International Women’s Day has been setting the stage for women’s equality. IWD (March 8), is a global day of recognition that has been celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women since its first gathering in 1911. Each year carries a theme to raise awareness for women’s rights, this year’s theme, “Break the Bias,” is highlighting the fact that there remains a deliberate or unconscious bias that continues to prevent women from excelling. #BREAKTHEBIAS invites us to cross our arms in solidarity to actively call out

gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping.

“Girls are bad at math – Boys are not good readers.”

“Women are too emotional for some kinds of work – especially while pregnant”.

“Equal rights for women means fewer rights for men.”

“Feminists hate men.”

“Dolls are for girls, trucks are for boys.”

“Assertive women are not feminine, girls should not be bossy.”

“Women must be thin & classically beautiful to be appealing to men.”

Do any of these phrases sound familiar? Biases don’t have to be intentional to be real. Biases and stereotypes are invisible boundaries that make it challenging for women to move ahead, most specifically in male-dominated industries, but acknowledging that partiality exists simply isn’t enough: action must be taken to continue to create equality for all. Which is exactly what we are seeing happen in male dominated industries such as the NHL (National Hockey League).

It appears as though the boys-club era of NHL management could be ending, or at least expanding into seeing more female leadership roles around the boardroom table. The

Vancouver Canucks made waves in the hockey world in January 2022, when they hired Émilie Castonguay, making her the second woman ever to be hired as an assistant general manager in NHL history and the first in 25 years.

The hiring occurred just a few days after the Canucks hired Rachel Doerrie in an analytics role. In the space of one week, the Canucks drastically increased the diversity of their hockey operations department: they went from zero women to two. Back in 2019, there were on average 47 employees for an NHL team’s hockey operations, according to an analysis by The Athletic.

Only two of those staff, on average, would be women.

Many teams at the time had no women in these types of roles. The Toronto Maple Leafs had by far the best gender diversity of any NHL team: even then, 84 per cent of the club’s staff were men.

Perhaps you have heard of the glass ceiling effect.

This term, that first originated in 1978, represents the invisible barrier within a hierarchy that prevents women and minorities from rising to top ranks in companies or organizations.

What you may not realize is just how pervasive the glass ceiling still is, even several years into the 21st century.

While women have been shattering glass ceilings throughout the workforce and breaking down barriers towards high-ranking corporate positions which are more commonly male dominated, at least one glass ceiling remains: the NHL has yet to see its first woman in the crucible-like role of head coach or general manager of a team. The recent high-profile hiring and promotion of women in the NHL is inspiring, and shows young women in particular that this could be a viable career path for them. Will this positive trend continue in the sports world?

Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.

opinion: Am I the only one?

Carrie Wynne

corporate greed

Companies are doing a great job rebranding corporate greed as inflation. Take Starbucks for example, which says they are forced to raise prices due to inflation and supply chain issues and yet profits went up 31% and they gave their CEO a 39% raise to $20.4 million.

A corporation’s sole purpose today is to make money. Never has that fact been more evident than in the grocery business. I don’t have a problem with the Loblaw executive chairman Galen G. Weston making $4 million dollars a year, but I do have a problem with food going green on my counter and being forced to purchase multiple food items to get a sale price.

The same Loblaws that has

total assets amounting to $36 billion and cancelled its $2-per-hour pandemic bonuses for frontline staff in stores and warehouses.

When I asked the local store owner about these nefarious “multi-sales” he said they are profitable but not popular. He could lose his franchise if he doesn’t follow the rules. So now we have the executive board of shareholders sitting around a boardroom deciding that multi-sales are great for customers. If your customers are so valuable, why are you forcing us to clear expiring food off your shelves to get a sale price? What happened to your best price on one? What’s next, self-check-out? Loblaws’ website touts that it is ‘driven to constantly improve its products and to deliver feel-good moments to consumers.’ Did you tell the shareholders that a bag of apples costs $8? That didn’t feel too good. Did you tell them a head of lettuce is $3.49? I guess I could put some ketchup on it.

Loblaws is owned by the Weston family whose net worth is $7 billion, making them the third richest family in Canada. They’ve clearly never had to put groceries back at the checkout because they can’t afford them, nor had to choose between filling up the tank or paying a bill.

The same Loblaws that the liberal government gave $12 million in funding to install more energy-efficient fridges. When the government helps a corporation, it’s called a subsidy.

It’s a handout for everyone else. Galen Weston seeks to create economic value for investors through active management of its portfolio companies, utilizing its extraordinary people, culture of excellence and access to capital. If your employees are so excellent, why not give them a raise?

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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March 2022

lifestyle Local immigration partnerships needed now more than ever Regional - Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca

Photo credits: Submitted.

At the Wednesday, February 23rd session of Lanark County Council, a presentation was given by Jodi Bucholtz and Andrea McCoy-Naperstkow on Local Immigration Partnerships for Lanark and Renfrew Counties. There are approximately 80 of these organizations in Canada with 36 in Ontario alone.

They are funded by the federal Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada with the goal of strengthening the role of local communities in integrating and serving newcomer populations. With current local labour shortages and global conflicts increasing the need for people to seek safe places to live, their work is more important than ever.

The partnership serving Lanark and Renfrew Counties was established in 2011 with its administration being supplied through the

Pembroke campus of Algonquin College. Local advisory councils (one each for the two counties) provide connections with municipalities, school boards, post-secondary education facilities, employment services, labour market planning groups, employers, and various government services. The primary work of these partnerships is research, knowledge sharing and facilitation. They represent a substantial evolution of traditional immigration models which relied on families and friends to help newcomers find work, places to live, and assistance in connecting to communities.

Hometown News caught up with Jodi Bucholtz, the manager of our local Partnership. She reports that Lanark and Renfrew Counties, like most regions across the country, have major needs in terms of finding employees for a wide variety of industries and services. While she

2021-2022 a historic season for smiths falls rideaus Add another couple of firsts to a historic Smiths Falls Rideaus Inaugural return season.

This historic franchise has not only captured the west division champs but the regular season championships heading into this years playoffs, clinching the award by virtue of their 10-5 victory over the Deseronto Bulldogs Sunday afternoon at the Deseronto Community Recreation Centre.The Rideaus improved to 15-3-0 (30 points) on the season and are guaranteed to finish with more points than any other team in the league even with a few games still remaining on the regular season schedule.

Smiths Falls will have home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs as a result of their regular season dominance.

Along with locking up the aforementioned accomplishments, Smiths Falls Rideaus also had players capture second in league points (Andrew McKenney 37 points); second in league goals (Andrew McKenney 19 goals); first in defenseman scoring (Brett Costello 31 points); second in league assists (Brett Costello 26 assist); third in goalie wins (Dallas Slack 9 wins); second in the league for power play goals (Andrew Mckenney and Brad Hamilton 4 goals); third in the league for power play goals (Brett Costello 3 goals); second in game winning goals (Mike McKenney 3 goals); third in game winning goals (Brock Boisclair and Dan Lacroix 2 goals).

admitted there is a small deficit in formal settlement services in our mostly rural and small urban areas, she reports that communities are keen to roll up their sleeves to help out. Her organization is helping to create welcoming armies, as she puts it, and this level of grassroots support is very meaningful and effective in getting newcomers settled and employed.

The biggest challenge the partnership has faced is the lack of in-person contact caused by two years of pandemic restrictions. This has moved a lot of their operations online, which provides the added benefit of being able to reach more groups and individuals.

Their partnership with a variety of stakeholders has allowed them to create a standardized newcomer package to support integration and greater understanding of local communities and Indigenous histories. It’s sched-

uled to launch at the time of this writing. The next step according to Jodi is a standard community support package.

The partnership has also been busy working with area employers such as KI Canada, Tim Horton’s-Renfrew, and various agricultural groups, to name a few, to help identify skilled labor shortages in order to attract and keep newcomers. Mentorship programs are also in the works to provide learning and connection resources.

Jodi believes that the biggest opportunity in the partnership’s work is the success that comes through diverse communities. They are always looking for employers and community advisory volunteers and you can learn more by checking out liplanarkrenfrew.ca.

These partnerships hold the keys, not only for local economic recovery but for the lifeline that so many need.

ROUND 1

PLAYOFF

SCHEDULE

The Rideaus look to remain on pace and channel this momentum entering the 2022 playoffs against the Gananoque Islanders in the first round.

Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre

GAME 2 FRIDAY 11TH

MARCH

7:30PM

Lou Jeffries, Gananoque & T.L.T.I Recreation Centre

Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre

Photo credits: Submitted.

PLAYOFFS

March 2022

6

Food & Drink

Beer, Wine and Spirits

Earl Grey Gin. Photo credit: facebook.com/dunrobindistilleries

I became aware of this distillery, which opened about 4 years ago, through a friend of mine in Ottawa who tried their products at an arts and crafts market in Navan.

Dunrobin Distilleries' Adrian Spitzer co-founded the business with Mark Watson, known as 'the spirit whisperer'. Their story began on their organic farm in Dunrobin, Ontario where the nutrient rich soil inspired the planting and harvesting of many of the organic ingredients in their small batch handcrafted distilling products. Their Canadian Whisky, Artisanal Gin, Artisanal Vodka & Earl Grey Gin are now available at locations throughout the greater Ottawa area and on lcbo.com for the rest of Ontario.

Dunrobin Distilleries Wins Gold & Bronze At The 2021 MicroLiquor Spirit Awards The MicroLiquor™ Spirit Awards is one of the highest rated distilled spirits competitions in the world that recognizes brands with extraordinary quality and in-

tegrity. Dunrobin Distilleries is proud to announce the award of a Bronze Medal for our Canadian Whisky and an additional Gold Medal for its packaging and design.

Canadian Rye Blended Whisky $49.95 2021 Bronze Medal winner at Micro Liquor Spirits Awards Using a blend of wheat, corn and rye, a barrel-aged whisky that strikes a perfect balance out of complexity.

Notes of toasted cereal, butterscotch and burnt sugar ignite the taste buds, then it ends with an incredibly smooth soft rye aftertaste that gently glides off the back of your throat.

Colour: Clear, pale amber.

Nose: Clean with light intensity and aromas of butterscotch, caramel, burnt sugar and sawdust.

Palate: Dry with a smooth texture, light flavour intensity and characteristics of butterscotch, toast, vanilla and spice.

Finish: Medium with some complexity.

Artisanal Vodka $34.95 A healthy wheat stock is

the key ingredient in this exceptionally smooth and perfectly balanced spirit. As clear as ice and with no aftertaste, this is a high-quality vodka that can be sipped on its own or seamlessly blended into your favourite cocktails.

Colour: Clear and water-white.

Nose: Clean with light intensity and aroma characteristics of rye bread, vanilla and menthol.

Palate: Dry with a smooth texture and light flavour intensity with flavour characteristics of citrus peel, mint and peppercorn.

Finish: Medium and simple.

Artisanal Gin $34.95 An infusion of 100% local Canadian winter wheat seamlessly blended with a carefully selected bouquet of botanicals. You'll taste hints of orange peel in this floral forward dry gin, while the warm mouth-filling texture and medium finish will have you appreciating

Let's Eat Brian Turner It’s probably the most popular first question anyone asks after moving to a new region: where’s the best – insert your favourite international cuisine – place to eat? This query is becoming more frequent as families are shunning large urban centers (usually filled with different types of food facilities) to move to small towns and rural areas.

Looking for Mexican dishes? We’ve tried Mex & Co in Perth and both burri-

Dunrobin Distilleries

the unique personality of this handcrafted spirit.

Colour: Clear and water-white.

Nose: Clean with medium intensity and aroma characteristics of lemongrass, juniper, citrus peel, ginger and coriander.

Palate: Dry with a mouth-filling texture, medium intensity and flavour characteristics of lemon/ lime peel, white pepper, ginger, juniper and coriander.

Finish: Medium with some complexity.

Earl Gray Gin-Premium $44.95 This premium, smallbatch handcrafted gin blends twelve botanicals including bergamot, also found in Earl Grey Tea. A combination of flower petals provides the regal purple hue along with a warm herbal earthiness and delicate citrus notes. When served with tonic and a slice of lemon or lime, the colours transform before your

eyes. A three-dimensional gin that is delicious on its own or well balanced with tonic water. Soft floral notes of lemongrass and bergamot at the front of the palete and peppery essential oils at the back of the throat so they recommend starting with a ratio of 1:1 with your favourite tonic or other mixers to explore all the flavours. Add more mixer to your liking.

Colour: Clear and medium purple.

Nose: Clean with a medium intensity and aroma characteristics of juniper, peppercorn, root, citrus peel and lemongrass.

Palate: Dry with a warming texture, pronounced intensity and flavour characteristics of peppercorn, ginger, coriander and lemon grass.

Finish: Medium with some complexity.

Limoncello-Premium $60 This limited-edition premium Limoncello, made with fresh lemon zest, is their first liqueur. Inspired by the wild

Brian Preston

The Travelling Sommelier brianpreston@hotmail.com

beehives on their organic farm, they replaced the use of refined granular sugar for the softness of honey. In order to achieve the warm and creamy flavours that vanilla provides, they sourced the world's best from Madagascar. To give it a truly unique finish, they added just a hint of star anise. The result, a truly premium handcrafted liqueur in a gorgeous black ceramic bottle.

Colour: Clear, medium gold.

Nose: Clean with a pronounced intensity and aromas of vanilla, custard, honey, lemon, star-anise and lemon meringue pie.

Palate: Medium sweetness, medium(+) flavour intensity and a warming, smooth texture. Flavour characteristics of vanilla bean, lemon, star-anise and lemongrass.

Finish: Medium finish and some complexity.

Bitters Many fruit, herb and nut varieties from $11.50 to $15.95

Travel the culinary world without leaving Lanark, Leeds and Grenville to chains, Guac Mexi-Grill (Perth and Carleton Place) and Fat Bastard Burrito in Smiths Falls. The latter two are fast-food style and both offer great value and taste for the money. Their fillings are fresh and the regular sized burritos are substantial. Mex & Co is more of a traditional dine-in restaurant, located on the Tay canal in Perth’s downtown.

They offer a more extensive menu, score highly on quality and taste, and provide

some great views from their waterside patio.

Asian. We are blessed in our region with an extremely wide variety of Asian and Asian Fusion restaurants.

From traditional Chinese menus such as House of Fong in Carleton Place to Srilankan restaurant Kothu Labs in Perth, your tastes are covered and appetites satisfied. While there is a lack of exclusively Thai diners, almost all of the area’s Asian food facilities have a listing of Thai dishes on their menus. If spicy heat is your go-to favourite, Kothu Labs has a great selection.

Italian. We’ve reviewed Boulton House in Carleton Place and Joe’s Italian Kitchen in Almonte. Both are located on the Mississippi River and offer great views and both hand-craft their Italian specialties to perfection. Joe’s in Almonte has recently made the move to offer packaged frozen dishes at local grocery stores and of course is known for using Pinsa dough (a combination of soy, rice, and wheat flour)

which delivers all of the taste, without saturated fats, additives, or preservatives, whilst being vegan, low gluten, and organic.

European. We’ve tried Maxmillian’s in Perth, My Place in Smiths Falls and Bistro Polo in Carleton Place. The latter specializes in Polish dishes and is owned and run by a lovely Polish couple. Their pierogies can’t be beat and they also have a great selection of incredible soups to take home as well as superb cabbage rolls and sandwiches.

Maximillian’s and My Place have spacious dining rooms and both are known for their legendary schnitzel dishes.

This list is by no means exhaustive, but hopefully will bring some new ideas to mind when the family crowd are shouting, “What are we having for dinner?”

If you own a restaurant serving something unique, whether new or established, we’d like to hear from you for possible future reviews. Contact me at bjoeturner@hotmail.com.

Joe's Italian Kitchen. Photo credit: Brian Turner

7

March 2022

culture Smiths Falls History & Mystery Ward and Simpson: Canal Crimes

by Ted Outerbridge

In 1825, 400 acres of Smiths Falls land was auctioned off for £105 by a sheriff. Major Thomas Smyth defaulted on his mortgage, and Charles Jones took advantage of a great deal. Within two years, Jones was able to flip lots 1 and 2, Concession Four, Elmsley Township, and pocket a substantial profit. James Simpson and Truman Hicock paid £600 for the uncultivated townsite, which boasted waterpower on the Rideau Canal. By 1831, one-third of the site of Smiths Falls belonged to Abel Russell Ward, and two-thirds belonged to James Simpson.

Abel Russell Ward was a United Empire Loyalist and Maitland lumberman who came to Smiths Falls in 1826. James Simpson was one of the first contractors to work on the canal. He was from Londonderry, Ireland, and had experience working on the Erie Canal in Lockport, New York. A team of Irish immigrant labourers accompanied him. Simpson described his experience as follows: “When I came to Smyths Falls or Wardsville in 1827, the place had no roads leading to it. It was an entire wilderness with the exception of an old sawmill newly rigged up by Abel Russell Ward for the purpose of sawing lumber to build with, and Ward’s own dwelling, a log house nearby. The sawmill had hardly commenced operations, when by order of Colonel By, the Officer in charge of the entire works, I removed it, to make way for the canal. I came on with about twenty men and with teams, we opened

a road from Smyths Falls to the By-town road, a distance of about eight miles, also roads towards Perth, about nine miles, improved a road to Merrickville, three miles, also a road to Dack’s Tavern on the post road to Brockville, and a road of five miles from Smyths Falls to the Rose Settlement. In my opinion, the opening up of these roads all leading to this quarter and the improvements made by myself, Abel Russell Ward and others who settled in, tended more than all other things to make Smyths Falls what it is today.”

In 1827, Lieutenant Colonel John By, Superintending Engineer of the British Army’s Ordnance Department, entered into a contract with Rykert, Simpson & Company for work to be performed on the canal. It was not a healthy working relationship. Colonel By was not impressed with their construction techniques and Lieutenant Pooley complained of general incompetence. Meanwhile, Simpson had his workers build several mills for him on land on Jason Island, which he did not own. The land belonged to the Crown, and Simpson had no legal right to it. In January 1831, with a £2,000 advance in hand from the Ordnance Department, Simpson abandoned his contract and used the funds to develop his mills and increase his ownership of Smiths Falls land. The Ordnance Department responded by hiring Richardson, Griffith & Company to complete the work on the canal.

Then, they attempted to reaffirm ownership of the land where Simpson’s mills were located. This did not go as planned. Simpson had an incredible influence over the French Canadian and Irish immigrant workmen and could arrange for angry mobs when necessary. When Pooley in-

ted@tedouterbridge.com stalled pickets marking the land owned by the Ordnance Department, Simpson simply tore them out and tossed them into the canal. Simpson is said to have used “the most abusive language to the servants of the Government on all occasions.”

Ordnance officials launched a lawsuit against Simpson. They knew that if it was successful, Simpson would be unable to produce £2,000, as he had already spent it on his property acquisition. As a result, Simpson would be forced to sell his property.

However, if Simpson defaulted, Ward would become responsible for the debt, as he had guaranteed the canal contract in 1827.

James Simpson and Abel Russell Ward used some epic legal prestidigitation to extract themselves from their dilemma. The Upper Canada Jurist tells us that in 1831 they sold their interest in the 400 acres of land to James’s brother William Simpson for £5,000. After that, James simply vanished.

In 1832, the Rideau Canal opened and the Ordnance lawsuit was dropped. William Simpson resold Abel Russell Ward’s share of land back to him for £2,000. Simpson and Ward agreed on a division of their property and drew up a plan of the village. They began to sell lots even before it was officially surveyed by John Booth in 1833. During this time, Ward tried unsuccessfully to rename the town Wardsville. Rumours circulated that James either began a bootlegging career in Smiths Falls, or found employment as a canal contractor in the United States. James eventually materialized in California to participate in the gold rush. In 1849, he died of cholera aboard the ship Independence while in Panama. William Simpson became the single largest

1858 Ward & Simpson Map. Photo credit: Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum

landowner of one of the most promising townsites in eastern Upper Canada.

William Simpson and Abel Russell Ward built themselves magnificent homes which still stand today. In the mid-1830s, Ward had a Neoclassical Adam style house built at 57 Water Street, later known as Chambers Street. At the time, it was the largest and most elegant home in Smiths Falls and was most appropriate for a major landowner and millowner. William Simpson had a more conservative—but

Ward House. Photo credit: Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum

no less spectacular—villa constructed circa 1840, with lovely twin verandahs, Tuscan windows, and

a massive curving stone wall wrapping around the corner of Brockville Street and Jasper Avenue.

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