Discover Smiths Falls - Hometown News March 2015

FREE VOL.2 NO.3

Y O U R LO C A L , I N D E P E N D E N T N E W S PA P E R - S M I T H S FA L L S

FEBRUARY 2015

Inside This Issue

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY In honour of International Women’s Day, we made local women the focus of this March edition.

SEE OUR FEATURE PAGE 11-14, 16-17

Community Local family competes on popular CBC reality show, Dragon’s Den. Read their story and see if they walked away with the prize.

Frozen Falls

PAGE 4

culture Workers Co-operative becomes The Town that Grows, seeks community input as part of feasibility study

PAGE 18

community Local youth grow Locks of Love for young cancer patients. Read the remarkable story inside.

PAGE 5 JASON CODE/PHOTOS The town has been covered in a cold layer of snow and ice for the past month or so, and despite the cold, it’s a beautiful sight to see.

SABRINA BEDFORD February has been a particular cold month. So cold, in fact, that it’s starting to have an effect on certain municipal infrastructure.

The Town of Smiths Falls issued a press release Feb. 20, announcing that some pipes throughout Smiths Falls have been freezing due to the recent prolonged period of cold

weather. It has “resulted in frost penetrating to a sufficient depth whereby some water services have frozen.”

A number of water services have frozen both on the Town

and the private side of the water service.

According to the release, the Works & Utilities Department is currently working to resolve the issue.

FIND US ONLINE ww.DiscoverSmithsFalls.ca

Facebook/DiscoverSmithsFalls Twitter/Discover_SF

march 2015

2

Page Two

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

CommunityEVENTS Events COMMUNITY mar.195 Dec. • •2nd Annualfor Community Preparing a Job Fair Christmas Run - Leaving from Coffee Workshop 52 Abbott St. N. 1 p.m.

Culture, 6:00 p.m.

• Holiday Movie Night- Rise of• the Guardians - Smiths Falls Second annual Swim-a-Thon Civitan Club, 7:00Sale. p.m. 12 p.m. The Relay and Bake • Hub. Jewel’s Gently Used Clothing Bag Sale. 18 William St. E.

mar. 7

mar.22 23 Dec. • Ontario College of Trades

• Tim Horton’s Free Skate, Youth Information Session. 1 p.m.

Arena, 1:00 p.m.

mar.23 28 Dec. • The Orient Express Fundraising

•diner HollyforDays Workshop. the Children Railway Museum at Heritage House Museum.

The Ivy on William.

6 p.m.1:00 – 4:00 p.m.Amanda Rheaume at the • 8 p.m.

•Gallipeau Tim Horton’s Free Skate, Youth Centre Arena, 1:00 p.m.

mar. 11 mar.24, 29 & 26 First Annual25 Indoor Triathlon in Dec. 20at Community Centre. •Dec. • Job Fair • Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, • 12 Santa p.m.at the County Fair Mall, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Dec. 21

• Santa at the County Fair Mall, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m • Legion Jamboree - Smiths Falls Canadian Legion Branch 95, 1:00 - 6:30 p.m.

• Movie & Skate - Smiths Falls Youth Arena, 4:50 - 8:00 p.m.

support of the Hub. Boxing Day :)

jan. 2, 2015

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

ONGOING jan. 5

• Taoist Tai Chi Open House Week at the Seniors Activity Centre, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

MARCH 16 TO MARCH 20: March Break at Heritage House Museum – A Warm Victorian Winter Welcome

MARCH 16 TO MARCH 20: March Break Camp 9 a.m. Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario

PUBLIC SKATING - $2 per person Youth Arena - Monday - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Wednesday - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

pdg media

Friday - 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Saturday - 12 - 2:00 p.m.

Community Centre - Monday - Friday - 11:00 a.m. - 12 Sunday - 11:30 a.m. - 12:50 p.m.

NOTE: Skating is cancelled during special events such as hockey tournaments

PUBLIC SWIMMING FOR ALL AGES AT THE HUB 361 Queen St. in the Gallipeau Centre Mondays - 6-7 p.m.; Tuesdays - 6-7 p.m.; Fridays 6-7 p.m.; Saturdays 2-3:30 p.m.

Cost: Drop In Pricing or Membership Fee apply

Publisher

Editor

Reporters:

photographers:

Patricia Krotki Email: pmkrotki@pdgmedia.ca

Sabrina Bedford Email: sabrina@pdgmedia.ca

Amy Hogue

Jason Code

Official opening of Gerry Lowe Memorial RINK of Dreams a great success

Sunday ladies dart league Every Sunday - 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - RCAFA Hall

MONDAY DUPLICATE BRIDGE Held at the Royal Canadian Legion every Monday evening at 7:00 p.m.

MONDAY BID EUCHRE Held at the Royal Canadian Legion every Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Canadian Room.

TUESDAY NIGHT BINGO Smiths Falls Civitan Hall, Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Bingo starts at 7:00 p.m.

THURSDAY NIGHT BINGO Smiths Falls Legion in the Lancaster Hall, 7:00 p.m.

FRIDAY NIGHT BINGO Rotary Collegiate Hall, 2 Gould St. 7:00 p.m.

WALKING CONCOURSE Smiths Falls Memorial Center open 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. 7 days a week

MIXED DARTS Every Thursday from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the RCAFA Hall on Abbott St. New Players welcome.

JASON CODE/PHOTO Despite the frigid temperatures, many people turned out to celebrate the opening of the Gerry Lowe Memorial RINK (Recreational Investments in Neighbourhoods for Kids) of Dreams. Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow, along with former mayor Dennis Staples were joined by Elaine Lowe (Gerry Lowe’s widow) and Spartacat, the Ottawa Senators’ Official Mascot to cut the ribbon and officially open the RINK in Smiths Falls.

march 2015

3

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

community Innovative Ottawa business sees potential in workers co-operative PrototypeD, an Ottawa based collaborative design studio, has expressed an interest in assisting with the Smiths Falls Workers Co-operative project, an emerging co-op exploring the possibility of developing a co-operative business model in Smiths Falls.

Janak Alford, director of innovation at PrototypeD, attended the first Workers Co-operative meeting on Feb. 3 and volunteered to contribute design charrettes at the next meeting to assist the group in developing the scope of the project.

Alford explained that he had an interest in the co-op for a few reasons.

“I’m interested in the food aspect of it, but our other big interest is in the area as well,” he said.

According to Alford, PrototypeD has been looking to expand their business for a little more than a year and a half, and after searching all over Eastern Ontario for potential locations, a piece of property at the border of Smiths Falls and Montague caught the eye of the organization. Alford explained they are interested in expanding the majority of their operation into the area as well.

“We’re hoping to use the land and develop an architectural design studio, and prefabrication for wood products,” Alford explained.

As a natural extension of exploring the possibility of moving the business to the area, Alford said they are interested in learning more of the economics of the region so they can understand how they can help and to join into the community.

“We are interested in the area both from how can we integrate and work with the communi-

ty, but we’re hoping to be job creators as well,” Alford explained. Curently PrototypeD employs six people full time, with approximately a dozen more part time contract workers.

The Workers Co-operative could be the perfect opportunity for PrototypeD to learn more about the community they hope to live and work in.

Alford said their group has participated in community consultation around heritage buildings, community development, and economic development in the past, and are actively working with a number of community associations in Ottawa.

“Understanding the economic landscape and job landscape is important for us,” Alford said, adding that a few of the employees for PrototypeD are looking at moving to Smiths Falls and making it their permanent location.

The Feb. 3 Workers Co-operative meeting was an important first step for the group in exploring the community, and since that meeting, Alford said he has been in contact with Mayor Shawn Pankow, who was also in attendance at the co-op meeting. Alford said Pankow seemed excited about supporting economic development and that Alford is looking forward to more opportunities to chat and see what kind of things they can come up with.

“I’m still trying to come as an outsider and understand how the town works and what the priorities of people in the town are…and see what the future holds for Smiths Falls.”

Alford said he and other PrototypeD employees are planning on attending the Feb. 17 Workers Co-operative meeting, to assist by offering projectors and

sound systems, in order to “build some more structure around the conversation.”

“We’re open to even bringing a few video cameras and making a short YouTube video to help spread the conversation,” Alford said.

Alford has also been in contact with co-operative meeting organizer, Carol Anne Knapp about how their group can assist with the meeting.

“She’s been working with some local people to facilitate a good conversation and we’d like to see how we can interface with that and help out and see where the conversation takes us,” Alford said.

Pankow said although their property may technically be located in Montague, he feels the group will be contributors to the Smiths Falls community, and sees their interest in the area as a good sign overall for Smiths Falls.

“They’re a young, progressive, forward thinking organization that has chosen the Smiths Falls area to relocate their business,” Pankow said.

“I think it shows, too, that the world is so wired now, so connected, that almost any business doing almost anything can locate here.”

Alford said the co-operative is something he feels is an interesting endeavour that he is interested in learning more about, seeing it as a good model for entrepreneurship.

“It’s early days, but I think that employment and food co-ops are all good conversations for a small town to be having. People are starting to think more of social enterprise as being a strong alternative and a positive replacement to a standard for-profit corporate structure.”

SUBMITTED/PHOTO Janak Alford, director of innovation from PrototypeD, attended the first Workers Co-operative meeting on Feb. 3 and volunteered to contribute design charrettes at the next meeting to assist the group in developing the scope of the project.

Dentistry @ Smiths Falls where relaxation meets care

Your One Stop Dental Office Now Accepting New Patients

• • • •

General Dentistry Oral Sedation Dental Implants Implant Supported Dentures

NOW OPEN!

• Wisdom Teeth Removal • Same Day Emergency Care • 0% Financing OAC

County Fair Mall 275 Brockville Street Unit 28

613.205.1600

Accepting New Patients

www.dentistryatsmithsfalls.ca

443697_0703

AMY HOGUE

march 2015

4

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

community

Wonton Crunch walks away with prize on CBC’s Dragons Den AMY HOGUE Smiths Falls entrepreneurs, Prim, Dean and Farrah Singh, owners of Wonton Crunch, appear headed for success after their appearance Feb. 11 on the popular TV show, Dragon’s Den. The family appeared on the program in an attempt to secure financial backing for their Wonton Crunch business, requesting $70,000 in exchange for a 20 per cent stake in their company.

During their segment of the program, Prim told the Dragons that Wonton Crunch sold 150,000 wontons in the past 12 months before the filming of the show, making $40,000 in gross sales, and $27,000 in profit. Prim said the family will be looking at finding salespeople to expand their market.

“You don’t need salespeople, you need 5 contracts in this country,” Jim Treliving told the Singh family, adding the Singhs need to sell to big distributors like Sisco and GFS. Prim explained they had approached the larger distributors but that they “laughed at him.”

In the end, the Singhs entertained not one, but three bids from four of the Dragons for a stake in their business. David Chilton and Arlene Dickinson combined their bid to offer the Singhs $70,000 in exchange for 40 per cent of the company and royalties of 20 cents per bag until they recouped their investment. Michael Wekerle expressed an interest in marketing the Singh’s wonton machine, but declined from further bidding on the wonton manufacturing business.

After a bidding war between Jim Treliving and Vikram Vij, who both offered the Singh family the $70,000 they had asked for in return for 30 per cent of the company, as opposed to the 20 per cent they had offered. In the end, the Singhs chose Jim Treliving as their business partner.

The Singh Story The Singhs are walking, talking proof that with enough hard work and determination, anything is possible. Wonton Crunch Chief Executive Officer, Dean Singh, explained that his father, Prim,

SUBMITTED/PHOTO Prim Singh demonstrates his wonton folding machine for Dragons’ Den investor, Jim Treliving, during the taping of the show in Feb. 2015.

a former Hershey’s employee, used to make and sell wontons to friends and co-workers at Hersheys more than 20 years ago, before going back to school and starting a computer repair business, Reboot.

For a number of years, Prim worked for both Hersheys and his new computer business, but never forgot about selling wontons. He looked into purchasing a machine to fold wontons but couldn’t find one, and had essentially decided it wasn’t feasible to produce by hand.

“It was very time consuming and labour intensive,” Dean explained, referring to the process of folding the wontons that at the time had to be done by hand. “It takes a lot of practice to fold a wonton properly.”

Dean said that he and his sister, Farrah, always helped their father with wonton production, spending up to 10 hours a day on the weekends folding wontons to keep up with production. Dean explained that his father always felt that there was a market for wontons if you could create a machine to produce in large quantities.

SUBMITTED/PHOTO Farrah (left), Dean (centre) and Prim Singh explain the details of their business to investors on CBC’s Dragons Den in Feb. 2015.

At Christmas dinner eight or nine years ago, Prim’s family laughed when he announced he was going to make a machine to fold wontons. Since that announcement, Prim has gone through approximately 500 prototypes using everything from CD’s to paint brush handles to simulate the folding of a wonton. Prim also appeared on Backyard Inventors featuring a hand cranked plastic and wood machine, one of the later prototypes.

“After that, the machine started to take shape and become what it is today,” Dean said.

What it is today is a machine that will fold 1,000 wontons per hour. To put that into perspective, Dean said that to fold 1,000 wontons by hand it would take four people eight hours, or 32 hours for one person to accomplish. Dean said the Singhs have commissioned another machine to be built which will be capable of folding 3,600 wontons per hour, folding one wonton every second.

Dragons Den Experience The process to appear on the Dragons’ Den was extensive. It all began through an online application in 2012, followed by a preliminary screening in November 2013 before taping the show itself in February 2014. Although the Singh family had confidence in their product, the taping of the show wasn’t without its nail biting moments.

Dean laughingly explained that the Singh family realized only half an hour before taping that they had forgotten their deep fryer in their vehicle at their hotel. The deep fryer was necessary to cook the wontons ahead of time to have them freshly prepared to offer to the Dragons’ Den investors.

“I had to run back to the hotel to get the deep fryer, then run back with it in my hands…I just made it,” Dean said, adding that “there is nothing like the looks I was getting dressed head to toe

in my Wonton Crunch outfit…I heard people yelling ‘go Wonton Crunch, go!’”

Despite the nerve-wracking final moments, Dean said their presentation went well, although he was “a little winded” during the first moments of the show.

“It was nerve-wracking at first, you walk out and feel butterflies start but then the initial pitch started and I settled in,” Dean explained. “You’re armed with your wits and props and hoping you’re well prepared.”

The Singhs were definitely well prepared, Dean said, “We’ve been making wontons for over 20 years, no one knows wontons better.”

The Singhs signed a number of confidentiality agreements forbidding them from discussing the results of their appearance on the Dragons’ Den. Although the Singhs asked for $70,000 in exchange for 20 per cent equity in the company, Dean explained that on the Dragons’ Den you have to get what you ask for or you leave with nothing.

“You can leave with more than what you asked for, but not less,” Dean stressed, “That’s the only rule.”

Dean said the Singhs have already seen an increase in demand for the product leading up to the airing of the show, and the family has been working 10 to 12 hours a day to keep up with production.

Currently, Wonton Crunch is carried at a number of area locations, including Your Independent Grocer in Perth and Smiths Falls, The Garden Market, the K-Rock Centre in Kingston, Algonquin College in Ottawa, and St. Lawrence College in Kingston.

“We’ve already proven the market exists, the only challenge left is to explore the rest of the market,” Dean said.

The Singhs plans for the future of their company is ambitious.

They plan on taking distribution nationwide in the next year and hope to go international in the next five years. To keep up with production, Dean said they are looking at other locations to produce their product that will allow for greater production capacity.

In the works is a plan to open a production facility in the food hub location, at the Gallipeau Centre.

“You have no idea how lucky we are to have such a great opportunity in the community,” Dean said, referring to having access to the newly established Two Rivers Food Hub, “We’ve been able to do something we really believe in and create jobs in Smiths Falls.

We see the food hub as a great opportunity.”

Dean said the Singhs have also looked at the Hershey factory as a potential future location, and are eager to “once again put Smiths Falls on the map.” Instead of being referred to as the Chocolate Capital of Canada, Smiths Falls may soon be referred to as the Wonton Capital of Canada.

“Right now our main focus is securing a federally inspected facility, so we can take our product nationwide,” Dean explained.

Next steps for the Singhs include expanding their Wonton Crunch varieties, which currently include Chicken Bruschetta, Jalapeno and Cheese and Coriander Pork, with the potential to eventually expand into the gluten free market.

SUBMITTED/PHOTO One of Prim Singh’s earlier prototypes for the wonton folding that eventually evolved into what it is today, capable of folding 1,000 wontons per hour.

march 2015

5

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

community

Local youth grow Locks of Love for young cancer patients AMY HOGUE At first glance there seems to be nothing out of the ordinary with 14-year-old Nathaniel and 11-year-old Owen Watson. Both are members of the Rideau St. Lawrence Kings hockey teams, Nathaniel is on the Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute (SFDCI) junior basketball team, while Owen plays with the Smiths Falls Storm team. Both attend school in Smiths Falls.

But look a little closer and you will begin to see what makes these two young role models for other youth, and takes them a step above the norm. The big tip off that something is different right now lies with Owen; his hair is quite a bit longer than expected, reaching his shoulders. And although Nathaniel’s hair is currently dyed a bright yellow as part of a hockey team solidarity move, not long ago his hair would have reached well past his shoulders.

How it all began It all began four years ago when their mother, Michelle Watson, was diagnosed with cancer, Michelle explained, and grew from there. Nathaniel was 10 when Michelle was diagnosed, and although she said she never wore a wig, both boys were affected by her struggle with cancer.

“Nathaniel is pretty mature for a young kid,” Michelle said. “He understood more of what was happening.”

Nathaniel explained that it was shocking when his mom lost her hair for a year, and it started him thinking of what it would be like to lose your hair for longer.

“I thought people who were in it for a couple of years might need hair,” Nathaniel said. “I just decided to grow my hair as soon as I heard about the program...it kind of just snowballed after that.”

Nathaniel is referring to the Locks of Love program, a program where people can donate their hair for others in need. According to the Locks of Love website, they are a public non-profit organization providing hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada suffering from long-term medical hair loss.

Michelle said it takes five hair donations to provide hair for one child, adding that she was surprised when Nathaniel first told her he was growing his hair, and why.

“I was completely shocked, but I thought it was a pretty cool thing for him to do,” Michelle said.

Nathaniel grew his hair to a whopping 12 inches the first time he donated it, and 16 inches the second time, each time growing his hair for more than two years before cutting it. This, in turn, has inspired his younger brother, Owen, to grow his hair, too.

Owen has been growing his hair for one and a half years now and Michelle said

AMY HOGUE/PHOTO Five boys from the Rideau St. Lawrence Kings whose lives have been touched by cancer are growing their hair for donation. Local youth, Owen Watson, and the other players shown here, have been invited to attend WE Day in Ottawa on April 1, 2015, where a YouTube video describing their hair growing project will be aired. Front row (left to right): Nolan Brien, Owen Watson, Kayne McCadden, Gavin McCarthy; Back row: Conner Craig.

the difference between the two boys is interesting. Nathaniel didn’t explain to anyone why he was growing his hair, she said, but Owen tells everyone.

“At the start I didn’t like it,” Owen said, but added that it’s grown on him since, and “I like it now.”

Michelle said that after cancer entered their life with her diagnosis, it has not been a touchy topic for their family. She sees discussing cancer openly within their family as important for the two boys, and that “it’s good they know that people survive.”

Nathaniel and Owen’s decision to grow their hair has had impact on other area youths. Members of Owen’s Minor Peewee Rideau St. Lawrence Kings team whose lives have also been touched by cancer decided to grow their hair for Locks of Love, and after a school speech Owen gave about growing his hair, he said several younger kids came up to him and told him they want

to grow their hair, too.

“I always feel proud and happy we’re giving it to someone who needs it,” Owen said.

Michelle said that when Nathaniel first grew his hair he didn’t feel it necessary to explain to people why he was growing his hair long, but that the response from his peers and adults was “interesting.” In the beginning, Nathaniel may have been teased a little by his peers, but that it didn’t last long.

The interesting response came from adults, Michelle said, who often look askance at the boys with their long hair. There have been times, Michelle said, when Nathaniel has received comments from adults about his hair, and it is his peers who

have defended him, informing the adults that “Nathaniel donates his hair.”

“Maybe they look like kids who are going to cause trouble, but they’re not,” Michelle said.

WE Day Invitation Owen’s fellow Kings hair-growing teammates have also been invited to attend WE Day 2015 at the Canadian Tire Centre on April 1, 2015. WE Day is an annual series of stadium-sized events, bringing together world renowned speakers and performers.

Young people cannot purchase a ticket to this event, but instead must earn them through taking local and global action to make a difference in their community and the world.

Derrick Casselman from the Upper Canada District Schoolboard (UCDSB) interviewed members of Owen’s Kings team on Jan. 30 and created a YouTube video about their hair growth, which so far has had several thousand views. The YouTube video was distributed throughout the UCDSB as examples of three UCDSB students who have three traits in common; hockey, hair and character.

The video will be aired at WE Day, as an inspiration for other young boys and girls. The YouTube video highlighting these remarkable young men can be viewed by searching YouTube for UCDSB Hockey Hair for Cancer.

AMY HOGUE/PHOTO

Nathaniel (left) and Owen Watson are two young people who have already demonstrated remarkable character. Nathaniel has grown his hair out twice for donation to others in need while Owen is still in the midst of his first donation growth; he has at least another six months to go before he will be able to cut his hair to benefit other children.

march 2015

6

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

community

Council Briefs: Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting on Feb. 9 Reported and Written by Amy Hogue 1) Open air and pit fires

permits may soon come to Smiths Falls

Fire Chief Normand Beauchamp hopes to reduce firefighter responses in Smiths Falls with the introduction of open air and fire pit permit fees.

Currently, open air fires and fire pits are not permitted in Smiths Falls, but Beauchamp proposes to introduce annual permits to residents for both types of fires.

“The cost of the permit is just to get it in the system,” Beauchamp assured council, justifying the low fee of $10 per application.

The purpose behind the permit is not to generate revenue, but to reduce firefighter response numbers and, ultimately, costs.

Beauchamp proposes the permit system could save the municipality up to $6,000 in costs by reducing the number of calls that firefighters respond to, only to find out it’s a safe fire pit or open air fire. The cost for firefighters to respond to a fire call is approximately $600.

Council members discussed the fee, questioning if it should be raised to $25 per permit. Beauchamp will return to council at a later date with further details.

2) Door-to-door campaign for dog and

cat tags coming to Smiths Falls

In a report presented by manager of Planning and Sustainable Growth, Lynda McKimm, the recommendation was for council to approve a door to door campaign for dog and cat tags and to set a tag fee for micro-chipped animals of $5 annually.

The report stated that in 2014 there were 330 tags sold, equalling $3,760 in fees. McKimm believes that a door-to-door campaign could generate revenue of approximately $28,000. The calculation, made in cooperation with the Animal Control Officer, is based on the number of residences in the town and an estimate of the number of dogs living within town limits.

The creation of a database for all dogs and cats tagged in the municipality was also recommended, as this would eliminate the need for future door-todoor campaigns. In subsequent years, notices could be sent to residences who previously had purchased tags, reminding them to purchase new tags for the current year.

The report suggested approaching not for profit groups to sell the dog and cat tags door-to-door, with an offer for commission for tags sold. An increase in fees beginning after March 31, 2015, was also recommended, increasing the tag fee from $15 to $30.

Because there is no fee for

micro-chipped animals in Smiths Falls, McKimm also recommended charging $5 per tag for micro-chipped animals.

3) Procedural by-law

changes requested by Councillor Quinn

Councillor Dawn Quinn brought forward a request for changes to the procedural bylaw to reduce repetition at council meetings.

After engaging the clerk for information about how best to accomplish this, Quinn pointed out that under the current procedural bylaw, council must read bylaw aloud for three readings, which could be unnecessary.

Director of corporate services, Kerry Costello, suggested using a similar structure for COW meetings by receiving consent reports. This would mean that monthly reports received from staff would be accepted by council, and only discussed if there were any additional questions from council. Costello suggested creating a consent portion of the agenda.

Quinn stressed that this is an important issue for council, pointing out that council currently has a lot on their plates, and any time that is saved could be devoted to other items.

Costello will bring back more information at a future meeting with further suggestions for changes to council’s procedure that could save time.

Around the community: Smiths Falls Skate Swap

Smiths Falls Police Watch ADDRESS CHECK LEADS TO CHARGES

On the 31st of January 2015 at about 9:08 p.m. police attended a residence on Church Street West for a compliance check. It is alleged the accused was found not to be residing at the address despite conditions of his release. A warrant was obtained for his arrest.

On the 12th of February 2015 the accused was arrested.

A 30-year-old Smiths Falls man was charged with two counts of Breach Officer-in-charge undertaking. The accused was held for bail. The allegations have not been proven in court.

BABYSITTER’S BOYFRIEND CAUGHT STEALING

On the 6th of February 2015 the accused spent the night at a residence where his girlfriend was babysitting. It is alleged that sometime during the night the accused hid numerous DVD movies and music CD’s in his duffel bag which he took when he left in the morning.

On the 9th of February 2015 police located and arrested the accused for the theft.

An 18-year-old Renfrew man was arrested and charged with Theft and two counts of Breach Probation. The accused was released from Smiths Falls Police on a Promise to Appear and turned over to OPP for an outstanding warrant. The allegations have not been proven in court.

OUT OF CONTROL YOUTH FACING SEVERAL CHARGES

On the 10th of February 2015 at about 8:36 a.m. police responded to a 911 call regarding an assault in progress. It is alleged that that the accused had become violent with her foster mother after her Nintendo was taken away as punishment for her behaviour. The accused threw a pot of hot water at the victim and kicked dog food all over the kitchen.

The accused then punched, kicked and kneed the victim.

A 14-year-old Smiths Falls youth was arrested and charged with Assault with a Weapon, Mischief Interfere with use and Assault. The accused was released on a Promise to Appear. The allegations have not been proven in court.

WOMAN CHARGED AFTER SHOPLIFTING ATTEMPT FOILED

On the 12th of February 2015 at about 10:20 a.m. it is alleged that the accused attended a grocery store on Ferrara Drive. It is alleged that the accused concealed over $200 worth of meat products under bags in her shopping cart. The accused went through the cash and paid for other items in her cart, but failed to pay for the meat products. The accused fled when confronted by staff, but was later located by police.

A 48-year-old Toledo woman was charged with Theft under $5000. The accused was issued an Appearance Notice. The allegations have not been proven in court.

WOMAN CHARGED AFTER VISIT TURNS VIOLENT

On the 11th of February 2015 at about 7:30 p.m. the accused was visiting the victim at her residence. After an argument turned aggressive the victim locked the accused outside. The accused started kicking the door until the lock broke. The accused then shoved open the broken door, went back inside and began punching and pushing the victim. A witness intervened and the accused punched and spit at the victim as she left.

A 26-year-old Smiths Falls woman was arrested and charged with Assault, Forcible Entry and Mischief Under $5000. The accused was released on a Promise to Appear and Officer-in-charge undertaking. The allegations have not been proven in court.

Smiths Falls Police Service urges anyone with further information regarding this incident, or similar incidents, to contact our service at 613-283-0357. Information may be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Prepared by Constable Mack #45 Approved by: Sergeant P. Klassen #27.

KATHY BOTHAM/PHOTOS The Great Smiths Falls Skate Swap, held on Saturday, Feb. 14, was a tremendous success, with nearly 70 pairs of skates exchanged during the event. The skate swap will go far in getting skates out of storage and onto the ice, and ensure cost is not a barrier for community members to enjoy the use of the Gerry Lowe Memorial Sens RINK. “Definitely a success for our first skate swap,” Susan Richards, event organizer, explained following the event, expressing her thanks for members of the community who came out to drop off, exchange, or pick up skates. “We hope you all have fun skating and look forward to doing it all over again next year.”

Fellow event organizer, Heather Currie-Whiting, acknowledged the efforts of the volunteers for that day, without whom she said the event couldn’t take place, explaining that fitting skates for people looking for skates and organizing the donations was a lot of work.

The two organizers are hoping the skate swap will become an annual event in future years.

march 2015

7

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

community

Fire Chief looks to expand fire dispatch, bring in additional revenue AMY HOGUE Smiths Falls Fire Chief, Normand Beauchamp, is looking at ways of increasing revenue and reducing expenses for the fire department. At a Committee of the Whole meeting on Feb. 9, Beauchamp presented several cost saving and revenue generating ideas, including the possibility of expanding fire dispatch to serve an additional three municipalities.

In his report to council, Beauchamp outlined the background of the fire dispatch in Smiths Falls, which serves a population of 78,000, of which 66,000 are part of the Fire Dispatch Contract with Lanark County. By increasing the number of municipalities served by the fire dispatch,

Beauchamp said this can help recover costs associated with the call centre, which employs full time firefighters.

Beauchamp told council that in order to do a full costs recovery for the fire dispatch centre, they would have to serve a population of 205,000, which would mean increasing the service area by 145,000 people.

Beauchamp explained that a typical fire call runs at approximately 56 minutes, and dispatch currently handles an average of three fire calls daily, which is a light workload for dispatch firefighters. Beauchamp says he anticipates the Smiths Falls fire dispatch centre could increase that number to nine fire calls daily, which could mean tripling the dispatch area, and increasing dispatcher work

PATRICIA KROTKI/PHOTO Chief Normand Beauchamp told council on Feb. 9 that he is looking at ways of increasing revenue and reducing expenses for the fire department.

hours to approximately nine hours daily.

“This option would increase the efficiency without increasing the cost,” he

told council.

Increasing dispatch would also have minimal impact on the fire dispatch operational budget.

By

adding in an additional three municipalities, this would provide additional revenue of $24,000 but would only cost an additional $2,000 annually. The additional expense would primarily be related to the additional lines needed to answer a larger number of 911 calls.

Beauchamp described for council the progression of a typical fire call and how dispatch would handle the response.

“In Smiths Falls we have 15 seconds to answer the phone, and as soon as we answer we type in the address and call nature and then the page is sent out to the fire department,” Beauchamp explained, adding that dispatch remains on the line throughout the duration of the emergency.

Coun. John Maloney

questioned that if it takes 56 minutes to handle one fire call, what would happen if dispatch received two calls simultaneously. Beauchamp was quick to assure council that dispatch can handle up to five fire calls at one time, but that even if there are more fire calls than can be handled, dispatch can call and ask for assistance.

Mayor Shawn Pankow expressed his appreciation for Beauchamp’s efforts at reducing costs. “Progressive thinking helps move our fire department forward and helps reduce costs,” Pankow said, “I look forward to further dispatch contracts.”

Council’s direction to Beauchamp was to approach other municipalities to locate additional fire dispatch opportunities.

NEW tax break± for Canadian families.

Could mean a bigger refund This year, visit H&R Block and see if you qualify for the new Family Tax Breaks. You could claim up to an additional $2,000* which could give you a bigger refund. With over 50 years’ experience, we don’t miss a thing.

Come in today to see if you qualify.

24B Beckwith St S Smiths Falls, Ontario Phone: 613-283-7385

hrblock.ca | HRBLOCK © H&R Block Canada, Inc. *Availability and amounts will vary according to each family’s specific circumstances. See an H&R Block tax specialist for details.

march 2015

8

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

community

Planning department undertakes fees analysis, development charges policy is questioned AMY HOGUE Smiths Falls’ planning fees are lagging behind neighbouring municipalities for equivelant services, according to a report presented by Senior Planner, Niki McKernan at a Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting on Feb. 9. As part of her report, McKernan outlined recommendations for changes to the current planning fee structure.

McKernan’s report explained the planning department has not undertaken a comprehensive fees analysis since 1997, and that current fees are outdated and fail to cover administrative costs for application processing. In addition, the report stated that there are “numerous applications that we process that do not have established fees.”

“Staff became aware they need to start thinking creatively when it comes to costing applications,” McKernan told council at the meeting.

Under the present system, fees are considered as deposits and any additional costs to process the application are charged back to the applicant, including appeals to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). This means that an applicant who seeks a zoning amendment or variance, which is allowed by council, but subsequently appealed by a third party, is responsible for any costs associated with defending

council’s decision before the OMB. This is a practice McKernan recommends continuing in the future.

McKernan pointed out that Smiths Falls does not currently charge development charges for new development, while neighbouring municipalities charge between $3,000 and $10,000 for single detached dwellings, and suggested that council may wish to consider changing that policy to offset development costs to the municipality.

In addition, McKernan noted that subdivision development fees which are currently only $1,000 in Smiths Falls, range between $7,000 and $10,500 in neighbouring municipalities. Mayor Shawn Pankow pointed out that the subdivision fees are proposed to change only from $1,000 to $1,000 plus $10 for lots over 50, which seemed low.

McKernan assured council the subdivision fee would cover staff time spent processing the application.

Pankow also pointed out that if development charges had been charged for the Bellamy Farms subdivision construction of 360 units, this could have resulted in an additional $108,000, assuming a development charge of $3,000 per dwelling. McKernan explained that for something like Bellamy Farms, “council would have to be prepared to charge $120,000 for the development.”

McKernan explained that the applications themselves don’t take a lot of her time.

“What we’re looking at tonight is just the application fees,” McKernan explained, “If you want to look at developer cost recovery you want to look at development fees.”

She clarified that the costs for applications such as a zoning by-law amendment, minor variance, or consent application, are simply to cover staff time to review and process the application.

Council was in agreement with the increase in a number of fees, including changes in fees for an Official Plan amendment from $1,200 to $2,000; a zoning bylaw amendment from $1,200 to $2,000; a minor variance from $225 to $500; consent application from $500 to $1,000; site plan control agreement from $300 to $1,500; subdivision agreement from $1,000 to $1,000 plus $10 per lot over 50; a condominium agreement from $1,000 to $3,000; among others.

The staff report also recommended creating fees for a number of applications, including major subdivision extensions of $1,500; amending agreements of $1,000; and temporary use extension of $750. Council will consider further changes to planning fees in the future.

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

...we saved you a seat

Beach Boys tribute band hits Gallipeau Centre Theatre

LU N C H • D I N N E R • D E S S E R T

According to the HUB’s Facebook page, landlord Joe Gallipeau plans to donate 10 per cent of proceeds from the Feb. 21 Beach Boys Tribute “Endless Summer Beach Band” to The Hub. (PHOTO/JASON CODE)

Smiths Falls mourns passing of two local leaders AMY HOGUE Smiths Falls is in mourning for the passing of two local leaders: local business owner and community leader, Mike Fair, and former Minister of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Leo Jordan.

Fair will be remembered within the local community as someone with a helping hand for others, and a genuine interest in helping those in need. Beyond being a respected member of the business community and business leader, Fair was

also well known for his extensive generosity to the town of Smiths Falls, particularly the hockey community and the hospital.

Fair passed away after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer, on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015 at the age of 72. His family is asking any donations made in his memory be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Former long-time MPP Leo Jordan for the Lanark Renfrew riding passed away on Sunday, Feb. 15,

2015, at the age of 85.

Jordan was elected to the legislature in 1990 and served for the Conservative party until 1999, and was appointed as a parliamentary assistant to the minister of economic development, trade and tourism in 1997.

Donations to the St. Francis de Sales Blessed Sacrament Church Building Maintenance Fund, Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Tri-County Dental Coalition are appreciated in his memory.

march 2015

9

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

lifestyle sports

JASON CODE/PHOTOS A collection of February action photos of the Smiths Falls Bears.

Struggling Bears fighting for spot in the playoffs JASON CODE The Smiths Falls Bears are currently sitting in sixth place in the league standings, and are also on a five-game losing streak (as of Feb.18). The Bears kept the last four out of five games close by only losing by one or two goals, but with the recent lashing by the Pembroke Lumber Kings (10-3) at the Pembroke Memorial Centre, the squad is in tough with only six games remaining in the schedule.

After 56 regular season games the Bears have totaled up 59 points which is only one point ahead of both 7th (Kemptville) and 8th (Brockville) place teams with Gloucester sitting in 9th at 57 points looking in. With the regular season winding down it’s a crucial time for victories for the team, with games against Kanata, Carleton Place, Hawkesbury, Nepean, Kemptville and Brockville, the Bears have a tough back end of the season ahead of them.

With its recent offensive struggles, the team seems to be having a hard time finding the back of the net with only 12 goals so far in the month of February. Bears top point-scorer Kevin Groulx has been absent from the lineup since Jan. 31 with only six points (3 goals, 3 assists) in 10 games since the

Christmas break.

With the playoffs just around the corner, the Bears may find themselves in a battle against the Cornwall Colts or Pembroke Lumber Kings, which would make for a thrilling first round start. Smiths Falls, with an even-season record against Cornwall with three games each, in addition to outscoring them 15-to-13, would be the better candidate over Pembroke who the Bears won just one out of six regular season games against.

Bear Tracks Chris King, a top forward from last season’s playoffs, has returned to the line up. After being sidelined with an injury for almost the whole season, King has two points in seven games

with the Bears. He was often seen on the tough grinding line of Brett Costello and Zack Senyshyn in the 2013-14 season.

Bears defensive enforcer Chase Hawkey sits tied in 10th place with 77 penalty minutes in just 33 regular season games (as of Feb.18).

Smiths Falls top rookie Josh LeBlanc sits in 5th in Bears scoring with 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 55 games (as of Feb.18) and is one of the top under-18 rookies in the league, which would be a great pick for CCHL rookie of the year honours.

For your number one source of Jr. A Bears photos check out Smiths Falls HomeTown News on Facebook for up-to-the-minute game-day action.

JASON CODE/PHOTO

march 2015

10

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

lifestyle

Patient care to continue uninterrupted, pharmacy to remain in County Fair Mall AMY HOGUE Patients under the care of the pharmacy currently located in Target can rest easy knowing their prescriptions and files are in good hands, and that the pharmacy will not be closing alongside Target, but will instead be remaining at the County Fair Mall.

Experienced pharmacists, Paul Marques, Murad Al Hasan and Tarek El Shabrawy, are excited to announce the opening of their new pharmacy, Smiths Falls’ Remedy’sRX, which opens on Feb. 25.

Marques, who has been working as a pharmacist since 1976, moved to the Smiths Falls area in 1983, and worked at Zellers for many years before joining Murad in the opening of the Target pharmacy. His many years spent working with the residents of Smiths Falls has given him a strong relationship with the more than 300 patients he currently serves in the community.

Marques said he believes in a strong continuity of

care in the pharmacy services, and appreciates the more laid back pace Smiths Falls offers over the more hectic pace of the city. A quieter pace allows him the opportunity to dedicate himself more fully to patient care, something he considers a priority.

“My patients appreciate continuity and accessibility,” Marques stressed. “I also like to schedule so I work straight days in a row to enhance continuity and closure of issues.”

Marques said he sees advancements in this industry, such as digital technology, that have greatly enhanced the speed and accuracy of service, along with the interfacing of various levels of the healthcare profession.

The result, Marques said, has been a greater quality of timeliness and patient care.

El Shabrawy echoed that understanding. “In a more efficient pharmacy there is usually a pharmacist available to help with prescriptions,” El Shabrawy said, “This is what we can promise our patients.”

Smiths Falls Remedy’sRX

AMY HOGUE/PHOTO Pharmacist Paul Marques has been serving Smiths Falls patients for many years. Marques, along with fellow pharmacists Murad Al Hasan and Tarek El Shabrawy, opened their new pharmacy, Smiths Falls Remedy’sRX in the County Fair Mall on Feb. 25.

is located in the County Fair Mall, and will feature the full range of pharmaceutical services that patients expect, including phone in prescription refills, direct billing services and local delivery. Although delivery will be focused primarily in town, Marques stressed that urgent cases will be delivered, even if they are out of town.

El Shabrawy, who brings more than 15 years experience as a pharmacist, explained that a smaller pharmacy can mean a more intimate relationship with

a pharmacist, which can greatly benefit patients.

Remedy’sRX will be offering more time and individual attention for patients as well as a screening service for patients on chronic medication.

El Shabrawy added the pharmacy will also be creating a starting point for all medications, something which has been successful in other pharmacies.

“We will have a starting point for patient care, then build it up from there,” El Shabrawy said.

For his part, Marques

said he feels patient interaction is one of the cornerstones of excellent pharmaceutical care.

“The best part of a pharmaceutical practice is to counsel over the counter, this gives a greater opportunity to help people,” Marques said. “I feel it’s my job to help people and help solve their problems.”

Remedy’sRX will also offer disease focused programs such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and smoking cessation, which will both inform and initiate discussions of med-

ication, and which will ultimately increase patient compliance.

Smiths Falls Remedy’sRX will offer the same dispensing fee and will be open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

El Shabrawy stressed there would be no interruption in the continuity of care as the pharmacy changes locations, and that the transition will be smooth and without any effect on patients.

Festival committee modifies ambassador criteria, seeks vendors Plans are well underway for the 2015 Healthy Living Festival, scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2015, in downtown Smiths Falls. This year’s event will feature an expanded line up of exciting games and activities, including several new water-based activities, along with many of the favourites from past years like the rock climbing wall and obstacle course.

The 2015 Cardio Move-aThon will once again raise funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, but this year’s event will feature an 80’s theme, with prizes for best 80’s outfit, and an exciting selection of retro 80’s music. Other new components for the festival will include a basketball tournament organized by SFDCI basketball coach, Todd Spencer.

Each year as part of the festival, an award for Healthy Living Ambassador is handed out on the day of the event. The Healthy Living Ambassador is selected following nominations of individuals from the community who best promote a healthy lifestyle within their community. The 2013 recipient was Corey Turnbull, while Melissa Hillier was selected in 2014. Both are excellent exam-

ples of individuals who promote a healthy lifestyle in their community.

For 2015, the committee has modified the criteria to broaden the eligibility and make it easier for members of the community to vote for people they think would be an ideal selection. The ideal candidate will be the individual who best promotes healthy living within the community, but this has been expanded to identify those promoting active living,

healthy eating, healthy sexuality, mental health awareness and education, safety and injury prevention, substance abuse education and prevention etc.

The Healthy Living Festival committee considers the achievements of nominees who have served as a positive role model or who have made outstanding contributions to the community in the area of healthy living. Some examples of these contributions could include showing dedication to

FACEBOOK/PHOTO

working with others, being a good peer influence, involvement in community projects that promote healthy living, and demonstrating a commitment and leadership in supporting and promoting healthy lifestyles at the community level.

If the nominee is a business owner or a professional working in a healthy living related industry, the nomination could include examples of how the business has had a positive

impact on the community, descriptions of the specific activities in which the business or professional engages that have had a positive impact on the community.

Community members are encouraged to nominate their choice for Healthy Living Ambassador by visiting www. healthysmithsfalls.ca and clicking on the link to the form on the home page, or by submitting nominations via email at dba@smithsfalls.ca or in person at 77 Beckwith St. N. If delivering a nomination in person, please mark clearly on your envelope “Healthy Living Ambassador 2015.” The deadline for submissions is 4 p.m. on May 1, 2015.

The committee is also seeking vendors for the 2015 event, and the vendor’s package is available on the website at w w w. h e a l t hy s m i t h s f a l l s . c a .

Last year’s event drew more than 3,000 visitors to downtown Smiths Falls, and featured approximately 70 vendors. For more information about registering as a vendor, please call Downtown Business Association Coordinator, Nicola Thomason, at 613-2834124 ext. 1114 or email her at dba@smithsfalls.ca.

march 2015

11

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

Special Feature: International Women’s Day NOMINATE A WOMAN ‘MAKING IT HAPPEN’ FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMAN’S DAY AMY HOGUE Recognizing the passage of International Women’s Day (IWD), which this year will take place on Mar. 8, is nothing new for Lanark County Interval House. Each year, they celebrate this special day for women in their own unique way.

In past years, that recognition has involving marking the day with everything from movie screenings to creative bumper sticker campaigns, and this year’s event is guaranteed to be a big hit in the community. #Make it Happen, the theme for the 2015 Interval House IWD event, is in keeping with the Interval House movement to engage the community, and will encourage the community to recognize the efforts of women and women’s issues.

“We’re encouraging everyone in our community to honour a woman in their circle who is doing her best to make it happen,” Lanark County Interval House Executive Director, Erin Lee, explained. “We want women to know that everybody decides how we honour women.”

A few examples of some of the ways in which a woman could be considered to ‘make it happen,’ could include someone who leads by example, cheers for the underdog, engages in the struggle to end violence against women, mentors and volunteers, contributes to the strength of others, or is thoughtful and kind. Interval House encourages members of the community to honour this woman, who could be a friend, a family member, or a co-worker.

“It’s nice to post something that’s positive for a change,” Interval House Public Education Coordinator and Family Court Support Worker, Brianne Luckasavitch said, adding that they would like to demonstrate that someone’s efforts “no matter how small or how big aren’t going unnoticed.”

Nominations can be made between Monday, Feb. 3 and Thursday, Mar. 5, 2015, by visiting the Lanark County Interval House website at http://lcih.org/international-womens-day, to complete the fillable nomination form. For each nomination received, the nominee will be sent an e-card honouring her efforts to ‘make it happen’ as well as being featured on the Interval House Facebook page and website.

The Importance of International Women’s Day SABRINA BEDFORD Throughout my life, I was always intuitively feminist. As a young girl, my intrinsic values always fell on the side of gender equality, such as when my brother would tell me I throw like a girl as an insult.

As a young girl who’d

never been exposed to the concept of feminism, I still always felt angry when people would use sexist language in everyday conversation.

Since gender studies aren’t a focus of the public school curriculum, I wasn’t formally introduced to the idea until university.

I was exposed to a level

of debate and conversation I hadn’t really experienced before as someone from small-town Canada.

Suddenly I was in an environment in which I could learn about topics of social significance and personal value.

Feminism is extremely personal. There’s no rulebook – it’s a completely

subjective experience for every woman, but the foundational morals are universal – Belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.

We, as Canadian women, are very lucky to live in a society where this groundwork has already been laid by many women before us who fought for our right to be equal. It’s still an ongoing fight to make sure our equality is actually substantive as opposed to purely legal.

Feminists in other parts of the world are still fighting for basic human rights

for women. There are women around the world without the rights we take for granted as women in the Western world. There are women in the world who aren’t permitted to drive by their governments. There are young girls being sold into the sex trade or offered as child brides. These are the types of issues that prove feminism is still relevant in the 21st centry and that events and celebrations like International Women’s Day are necessary not only in North America, but more importantly throughout the

developing world.

According to the United Nations Women website, “[IWD] first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe. Since those early years, International Women’s Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike.”

Happy International Women’s Day, everyone.

Source: UN Women http://www.unwomen.org

Introducing: THE HARD-WORKING WOMEN OF SMITHS FALLS “Finding the right balance is the key…and the rewards are endless “

Francine Realtor

Over the next few pages, you will find a compilation of local women who deserve to be recognized. Whether they own their own business or are simply following their dreams another way, these ladies are the backbone of Smiths Falls. Happy International Women’s Day!

Caitlynn

Avon Representative

Francine knows rst hand that real estate is an exciting and rewarding career, but not without its challenges! Dealing with the market’s ups and downs that you have no control over can be tough, but you deal with it and keep going.

Over the years, Francine has obtained many awards, but the achievement that Francine is most proud of is meeting her personal goals; that has made it all worth it! Real Estate is a very demanding business, the responsibilities are great but it’s a business you can grow with. Today’s technology enables us to stay connected and enjoy time with our family. Finding the right balance is the key…and the rewards are endless!

For all your Real Estate needs, contact Francine at 613-285-7274

When it comes to the success of your real estate experience, Christine has the utmost dedication and determination. ese characteristics have proven to be the key elements that set Christine apart from her competition.

Whether buying or selling, Christine’s professional, no pressure approach, has naturally made her an absolute favorite with her clients. She really does work to deliver the best results for you! If you are looking to buy or sell, give Christine a call, you will be happy you did! Christine Bennett, Sales Representative

Caroline

Remax Affiliates Realty Ltd., Brokerage www.christineabennett.com 613-457-5000

Christine Realtor

Katie Kok is a wedding and lifestyle photographer from Smiths Falls. She is also a teacher, mentor and nature & wildlife enthusiast. Katie created Goose Creek Photography over two years ago and has enjoyed watching it grow.

Her passions are to preserve special moments and to help children realize their full potential. Two per cent of all profits from Goose Creek Photography are donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County. Katie’s photography can be described as professional, affordable and fun! She aims to create a custom final product that you will love and to help your wedding day run seamlessly. Visit www.goosecreekphotography.com to see her portfolio of photos.

Katie

Photographer

Lianne

Arranel Studios

Lianne is all about relationships and relationship marketing. She believes that every buisness needs to build a personal brand with friendship, celebration and service.

Strong Relationships = Strong Businesses Lianne Morgan-Sands Relationship Marketing Strategist 613 - 283 - 2237 info@arranelstudios.com arranelstudios.com

contact: 613-285-9091 goosecreekphotography@hotmail.ca

“We must master the bridge between hightech and personal touch to succeed in today’s marketplace”

Liz Stone is the new Sales Representative for Discover Smiths Falls and Hometown News.

Liz started out living in Smiths Falls and then moved away for many years, returning 14 years ago.

Discover Smiths Falls

Liz

Liz’s obtained her college education at Willis College in the Business Administration program, she was in the first class that opened in Smiths Falls in 2010.

After college Liz went to work at the Smiths Falls Chamber of Commerce in a couple of roles one as a social media coordinator and as the office coordinator.

Liz has great passion for the town of Smiths Falls and while embarking on this new path she is looking forward to developing new relationships as well as rekindling previous ones.

For your local advertising needs can contact Liz at liz.stone7@gmail.com

Lorraine Allen, elected Town Councillor for the Town of Smiths Falls, grew up in Smiths Falls and has been a strong supporter of it her entire life. She has just been reelected and looks forward to the next four years working with the new Council. Lorraine had a long career as an elementary teacher and Principal. Her experience in education has proved invaluable to her role as Town Councillor. She loves her new role and encourages other women to consider Municipal Politics. Of the 23 821 elected officials, only 5 734 of them are women.

The greatest accomplishment, for Lorraine, is being part of many volunteer groups, who work hard to make Smiths Falls the great town it is.

This term she sits on the on Lanark County Community and Corporate Services Committees, the Downtown Business Association, the Friends of the Library, the Municipal Heritage Committee, the Rideau Environmental Action League, the Smiths Falls Food Bank, the Smiths Falls Municipal Drug Strategy Committee as well as the Municipal Drug Strategy Steering Committee for the County, and the Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Healthy Community Partnership.

Contact Lorraine at 613-284-0572 or by email at Lorraineallen@ripnet.com

Lorraine

Municipal Councillor

Michele Baitley, the new owner of Michele's Doorway To Splendour (formerly Come Grow With Us) has an eye for detail that comes from her strong passion for wildlife photography. at and a love of fashion and sales has made for a winning combination in Michele’s new venture. Michele is not new to the consignment world though, she started Jewel’s Gently Used Clothing Store’s Perth location from the ground up! “I am proud to be able to provide quality women and children's clothing as well as a selection of women's accessories in our newly renovated store!” When asked if she has a word of advice to other women that are considering opening a business, “You have to be fueled by passion & you need to have faith” says Michele.

Visit Michele's Doorway To Splendour at 10 Beckwith St. S. in Smiths Falls.

Telephone 613-283-9942 or email at ralphmichele@hotmail.ca

Michele

Michele's Doorway To Splendour

As a cake artist, my passion for design escapes into my sugary medium!

Being original in a world full of amazing cake artists is my biggest challenge - however keeping my designs unique is what I strive to achieve. Something that showcases a variation of unique, whimsical elegance that can’t be absorbed with just one glance.

My designs are my “salvation of imagination.” My greatest accomplishment is the moment when someone notices that one small detail that makes my designs stand out from all the rest. www.rmccakecreations.ca.

Rachael

CAKE ARTIST

Sarah

Smiths Falls Family Chiropractic Sarah Patterson has a passion to help others. She graduated with a Nursing Certification in 2009. Sarah is a Theralase & Corescore technician at Smiths Falls Family Chiropractic.

Sarah is also a personal trainer and is looking to improve the lives of individuals & raise awareness of the importance of overall health and fitness. In June 2015, Sarah will be travelling to Bali to pursue a certification in life coaching & wellness consulting.

You can find Sarah at Smiths Falls Family Chiropractic at 22 William Street West in Smiths Falls (613) 283-4100

Stephanie

Tracy

Ste’s Cleaning

For a long time Stephanie Dixon has wanted to be her own boss, and now is doing just that with her cleaning business, Ste’s Cleaning. Stephanie prides herself on her ability to balance work and family as she is a grandmother of two little girls. While helping with the little ones Stephanie is in a unique position to be able to help her daughter grow as well as teach her to be self sustaining.

Her greatest giî‚? is to be able to show her granddaughters the strength that comes with endurance and perseverance.

You can reach Stephanie at stescleanmachine@hotmail.com

"ęFS B TVDDFTTGVM ZFBS DBSFFS JO SFUBJM 7JDLJF %JDLTPO JT SFBEZ UP NPWF PO 8JUI BO FNQUZ OFTU BU IPNF JU JT UJNF GPS B OFX BEWFOUVSF 7JDLJF JT DVSSFOUMZ FOSPMMFE BU ćF $BOBEJBO 4DIPPM PG /BUVSBM /VUSJUJPO JO 0UUBXB XIFSF TIFhT TUVEZJOH UP CFDPNF B )PMJTUJD /VUSJUJPOJTU :PV :PV DBO GPMMPX IFS POMJOF XIFSF TIF CMPHT BCPVU OVUSJUJPO XFMMOFTT BOE PČFST IFBMUIZ SFDJQFT GPS QFPQMF PO UIF HP :PV DBO BMTP QBSUJDJQBUF JO DMBTTFT BOE XPSLTIPQT HJWFO JO BOE BSPVOE 4NJUIT 'BMMT GFBUVSJOH IFS XPSL BT B EP5FSSB &TTFOUJBM 0JMT 8FMMOFTT "EWPDBUF *G *G ZPVhWF CFFO XPOEFSJOH IPX PO FBSUI ZPVhMM BDDFTTPSJ[F ZPVS TQSJOH XBSESPCF GFBS OPU 7JDLJF JT TFMMJOH IFS BDDFTTPSJFT POMJOF :PVhMM ĕOE TQSJOH TDBSWFT TUFSMJOH BOE DPTUVNF KFXFMSZ XFMMOFTT QSPEVDUT BOE NPSF PO IFS OFX XFCTJUF -PDBM QJDL VQ JT BMXBZT BWBJMBCMF

Vickie

/VUSJUJPO BOE 8FMMOFTT

'JOE IFS POMJOF BU XXX WJDLJFEJDLTPO DPN PS PO 'BDFCPPL BU 7JDLJF %JDLTPO /VUSJUJPO BOE 8FMMOFTT

The Ladies of Main St. Bistro

Drop by for a visit with the ladies of Main St. Bistro, in their new location, at 5 Main St. W., downtown Smiths Falls. î ˘is dynamic group of ladies, led by Wendy Andison, include Darlene Findlay, Chloe Croghan, Steph Durocher, Kalhyna Borax and Jenny McCleary. Stop by for a visit over lunch, a peek at their menu, or just for a chat and a cup of tea or coee. A visit to Main St. Bistro is guaranteed to satisfy your appetite!

Artist

Tracy lives in Jasper, Ontario, and has had the opportunity to enjoy being an artist. Growing up in Merrickville, Tracy has always had a flair for the arts. Her designs are unique and spellbinding and she enjoys different types of art. Tracy hopes to inspire all young people to follow their dreams and not to give up; believing that when you give yourself to your artwork your personality will show through.

Tracy not only paints, and creates spectacular designs, she is also an amazing poet.

To see some of Tracy’s art please visit her facebook page www.facebook.com/nauxsunamoon. For more information about Tracy, please visit www.fineartamerica.com/featured/the-beat-tracy-schruder.html or www.poemhunter.com/tracy-schruder/

Vanessa has always loved painting and with her love of furniture she has created something that started out as a dream more than a dozen years ago.

Vanessa’s dream became a reality on February 7, 2015 when her shop the Gilded Monarch opened in Davidson Courtyard.

She explained she has always loved creating and being self-expressive. “I wanted to bring something a little different and uplifting to Smiths Falls,� said MacLellan. “The Gilded Monarch carries re-purposed furniture, beautifully finished with chalk paint. It’s an eco-friendly, naturally pigmented, decorative paint with extremely low VOC (volatile organic compounds),� explained MacLellan.

The Gilded Monarch is a culmination of Vanessa’s love of painting, herpassion for interior decor and herdeep admiration for an artist by the name of Annie Sloan.

You can reach Vanessa at the www.facebook.com/gildedmonarch or at gildedmonarch@gmail.com

Vanessa

The Gilded Monarch

Bonnie & Stacy Lanark Sew and Save Centre Bonnie and Stacy are a mother daughter team who literally do it all, from sewing on a button to making a pattern for you or just changing the design on something you already own. In business since July 1986, Bonnie and Stacy will be celebrating 30 years in business this coming summer. They attribute their success to their many loyal customers.

Specializing in custom sewing and alterations, not to mention bridal and formal wear, Bonnie and Stacy are ready to serve you. Basic items often repaired with next day service, and if you are unable to make regular business hours, give them a call to set up an alternate appointment date. Regular hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and open Saturdays until noon. Contact Bonnie or Stacy at 613-283-8048.

march 2015

14

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

international women’s day

Youth Convention to confront elephant in the room with screening of ground-breaking documentary

Cheryl Cheryl moved to Smiths Falls in 2003, and is originally from Buckingham, Quebec. Before owning her own store and opening e Artisan Lo and General Store in Davidson Courtyard two years ago, Cheryl was an administrative assistant for Parks Canada. e Artisan Lo helps keep her busy in her retirement. e Artisan Lo carries unique, handcraed gis by LOCAL artists and artisans, fresh baked goods, fudge, cheese, chocolate, home decor, locally produced specialty foods and MUCH more! Cheryl also has several local vendors who bring in fresh Meals-2-Go and delicious baked goods (some gluten free)!

Store hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m and they are located at 7 Russell St W, (Davidson Business Courtyard) 613-284-4200 or visit their facebook page called e Lo Artisan Consignment to see what they have to offer!

Sarita and Paulette are coowners of the amazing cray business, Knit Knackers Yarn Warehouse, located on Russell St. in downtown Smiths Falls. e store has been in business for over nine years, and at their Smiths Falls locations for the last three years. Sarita and Paulette made the move to Smiths Falls because they were looking for a small town environment where they could bring their timeless craing skills. ey provide knitting, crocheting and spinning class at the shop and have taught many people how to make beautiful pieces.

One of their community involvements they are most proud of is the Chase the Chills event. December 2014 marked the second year for this event, where they had over 100 donations of hats, mittens and scarves that were put to good use.

You can reach these ladies at 613-371-7731 to inquire about all of your yarning needs or classes. Visit them on facebook at Knit Knackers Warehouse.

AMY HOGUE

Paulette

Knit Knackers Yarn Warehouse

Dawn’s Closet

Lanark County Interval House (LCIH) is looking at helping young women explore the realities of the relationships between women, through the screening of a ground breaking documentary at a grades seven and eight Youth Conference on April 15, 2015. The screening of the documentary, which is called “Finding Kind,” will take place at the conference as a means of identifying the behaviours that currently exist between girls, as well as exploring the different ways girls can learn to be kind to one another.

The film, which has been identified by Vanity Fair as a film “to redress the mean-girl phenomenon” can be used as a tool for educators and parents to try and stop the cycle of girl bullying that often takes place in society.

In the documentary, filmmakers Lauren Parsekian and Molly Stroud set out in a cross country journey of discovery, interviewing women and girls along the way about their lives and experiences.

The documentary also includes interviews with experts and authors in the fields of psychology, education, and the interrelation-

please respect the planet

ships of women and girls.

LCIH executive director, Erin Lee, explained there has been some push back from the community about the film, questioning Interval House’s selection, but that the reality for girls and women and their treatment of one another is something which shouldn’t be ignored. Lee pointed out that society has evolved where women have to fight for many things in their lives, such as votes, equality, or pay equity, and that if women and girls could show solidarity they would be more effective in winning these battles.

“Patriarchy and oppression exist, and we have young girls who are mean to each other,” Lee stated. “We can’t avoid the fact that people hurt each other through Facebook.”

LCIH public education coordinator and Family Court support worker, Brianne Luckasavitch echoed this statement.

“We confront uncomfortable topics every day, we talk about women in trouble... Our job is to unpack some of this stuff.”

Grades seven and eight were selected as the range for the screening of this film as Lee said she felt the transition at that age is more

stressful, particularly now that these ages are integrated into the high schools. To date, Finding Kind has spread to over 30,000 females in 300 schools and organizations.

Lee said she would like to talk about the elephant in the room and say to girls “let’s talk about how we’re all similar, and how we can appreciate the uniqueness in each of us.”

The film is scheduled for screening on April 15 at PDCI, and students from throughout the Lanark County school boards, both public and Catholic, will take part in the screening. Luckasavitch said if there is enough interest from the community there is the potential to arrange for a separate screening of the film for community members or older students.

If interested in arranging for a separate showing of this ground breaking film, please contact Brianne Luckasavitch at Lanark County Interval House at brianne@lcih.com or at 613-2573469 ext. 63.

recycle this paper

march 2015

column:

DARLENE MACLACHLAN

In the last column, we looked at how reaching success is the result of having realistic goals and a plan to achieve and measure success at various stages of the journey. More importantly, it emphasized that we needed to have compassion towards ourselves when we are not 100 per cent successful in reaching a goal.

So, you’ve worked hard at defining your goal, put a realistic plan in place, and you are off ! Then an obstacle appears and things slow down or complete to a complete stop. Maybe it was there in the planning phase, and you thought you had a way

15

lifestyle

Identifying Obstacles in Your Journey to Achieving Your Goals of dealing with it. Maybe you didn’t see it coming. There are numerous classifications of obstacles. Sometimes the obstacle may be internal, such as the baggage we may have, or external, such as financial. These obstacles seem to impede our success to reaching our goal, cause us to be frustrated, especially if we feel the obstacle is insurmountable or we lack the tools to effectively overcome it.

When we hit a roadblock, an obstacle, we need to identify and understand what it is.

One of the intrinsic obstacles is the baggage we carry around. In yoga we often tell clients to leave their baggage at the door. But what does this mean? The baggage may be emotions, past experiences, aversion to change, a bad day at work, home or school.

Basically our baggage is anything we hang onto, that doesn’t necessarily serve us positively.

It weighs us down. It affects how we feel and how we react. We are constantly reminded

that letting go of our baggage, leaving it behind so we can move forward is needed to achieve a goal or at least to have a more positive quality of life. What is not often relayed is that this baggage is often is the result of an accumulation of events over time. It didn’t just appear overnight and it won’t disappear overnight. It takes time to let go of the baggage to become unattached.

To let go.

I love the Swedish pop band Abba and their song “Money, Money, Money.” For anyone too young to remember this song, it had the verse, “I work all night, I work all day to pay the bills to pay the bills I have to pay” summing up that money affects what we can and often can’t do.

If your goal is to travel the world, but in the planning phase you have identified responsibilities tied to money, such as supporting the kids in college, paying the mortgage or having savings for retirement, this can be a significant obstacle. Monetary ob-

my crazy life BECKIE BROWN My crazy life is full of funny moments where I want to laugh but I know I need to not let them see how funny I think the antics are. My crazy life is full of moments that have me closing my eyes wishing for a hot bubble bath and the kids to go to bed.

My crazy life is also full of making big and little decisions every day, decisions that show my kids how much I care about them and how important it is to be hard working and reliable.

The kids are sick. As a working mom this is one of my biggest challenges - finding that so-called work/life balance (the one I am sure does not actually exist). Up in the middle of the night with one bawling boy who is complaining of sore eyes, then jumping in the car at midnight to go pick up another from his cousins because he has a fever and upset

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

stomach, all on a night where I need to wake up early for work the next morning. As I rubbed my sick boys head wanting to cry because I didn’t know what else to do for him Jeff came in with a cold cloth and put it across his eyes… within minutes he was asleep and I felt that nag of guilt - why didn’t I think of that?

Add the pressures of work. You cannot just miss work every single time one of your kids is sick, especially when you have more than one and you know darn well that gastro is going to make it’s way through every single person in your house over the next couple of days… including you.

As a working parent you have to weigh the pressure of your job and the pressures of home to determine what choice you need to make… and you need to do this every single time something happens because the an-

swer is never the same twice. Guess what, sometimes you will make the decision to go to work and leave your child with a family member and then you need to rush home because you need to take them to the doctor. Other times you will make the choice to stay home and then the entire day you feel that you could have gone. I have discovered that I question my decision making every single time because I need to balance the needs of both, and that is not easy.

Today I choose work because it is the weekend and my husband is home and though I know the boys are all safe and comfortable with their Dad I feel that sadness that I had to make the choice to come to work today when I would rather stay tucked in bed with my sick boys who would love to cuddle with Mommy.

stacles often mean some pretty deep soul searching on what is important to you financially and is intrinsically linked to how uncomfortable or for that matter comfortable, we may be with financial decisions we make in order to achieve our goal and overcoming financial obstacles.

The last obstacle many of us encounter is brought upon by the external factors. Those we surround ourselves with; the activities we engage in; those elements external to us. If we go back to the goal

of travelling the world and you saw doing this with your best friend.

Your friend begins to constantly point out the negative news in world affairs and how dangerous it is to travel. Your obstacle to overcome is whether you will be influenced by your friend and give up on your goal or make decisions to overcome this obstacle. It could be straightforward, find someone else who shares your love of travel and adventure or engage your friend to better understand their behaviour - maybe they

are not comfortable with the idea of travelling the world, but don’t know how to tell you. Either way, you have the opportunity to be positively of negatively affected by external obstacles.

So my friends, obstacles exist, how we deal with them is a reflection of our ability to identify them and how we react to them. Next month, a little more on strategies to overcome obstacles.

Namaste.

Darlene Maclachlan Registered Yoga Teacher, Yoga Therapist

We offer a wide range of office supplies and accessories competitive prices, fast turnaround on orders & exceptional service.

FREE DELIVERY on orders $50+

4 Russell St. East, Smiths Falls Next door to Coffee Culture

613-283-6141 Fax 613-283-6553 hdoffsupp@gmail.com

Register for Smiths Falls’ first indoor triathlon and take part in a community event to raise funds for the Hub. Created in coordination with Generation Fitness and Sport X, registration fees are $30 for non-members or $25 if you are a member of the Hub, Cardio Fit 4 Life, Sport X Cycling Club or Generation Fitness. Registration forms can be found on the Facebook page created for the event, called The Hub Indoor Triathlon, or check with the Hub for availability at that location. Please drop off completed forms to the Hub, Sport X or they can also be mailed following the details on the form.

march 2015

16

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

culture celebrating local women: ANDREW SNOOK Stay positive and persevere.

Those were the thoughts echoing through the mind of Smiths Falls resident Jennifer Lawson-McNeely when she was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer at the age of 38 in January 2012.

Three years later, she is healthy and happy, but the road to recovery was long and daunting. Despite the challenges she faced, Jennifer always tried to remain positive through each phase of her treatment and recovery. Not just for her own sake, but for the well-being of her daughter, Abby, who was four years old when her mother was first diagnosed.

“It was difficult but she actually gave me strength,” Jennifer said. “You can’t just lay in bed all day when you’ve got someone to look after.”

Although Abby was a tremendous source of strength for her mother, the thought of never seeing her daughter again terrified Jennifer.

“It was very scary, thinking that you’re not going to

see your child grow up,” she said.

Abby was present when her mother was diagnosed.

Jennifer remembers her daughter’s reaction to hearing that her mother was ill.

“I told her that mommy was sick and she asked if I needed a Kleenex,” Jennifer said. “You can’t really explain much to a four year old. She thought mommy had the flu.”

When asked what the hardest part of the process was for her, Jennifer said not being able to do things with her daughter was at the top of her list.

“Things like jumping on the trampoline or going to the park,” she said. “For the first few days after chemo I wasn’t able to do much, and I hated letting Abby down.”

Thankfully, the combination of six chemotherapy treatments, 16 radiation treatments and several surgeries over the past few years have left Jennifer with a positive diagnosis.

“Everything has gone well,” she said. “There was actually no cancer left when they were done the pathology.”

Managing morale

Read the inspiring stories of three smiths falls women

Conquering Cancer: Jennifer Lawson-McNeely

FACEBOOK/PHOTO

Jennifer’s chemotherapy treatments began in March 2012 with her first surgery the following September.

She says remaining positive throughout her treatments and surgeries helped her cope with the challenges she was facing. Her husband, Dan, was a huge part of her support structure

during her recovery.

“My husband is a very positive person,” she said.

“He was very supportive.

He took me to every doctor appointment.”

Jennifer was also fortunate enough to have friends that took her to some of her radiation treatments, which she is very grateful for.

“You for sure find out who our friends are,” she said.

The family pet also played a role in Jennifer’s recovery.

“I have a dog so I would go for walks, which helped.

I also have a positive attitude in general, so I think that helped as well.”

Shortly before undergoing chemotherapy, Jennifer decided to turn her treatments into something positive, and held a head shaving party.

“Chemo is a big hurdle – how sick people get – you’re just waiting for that wave to come over you,” she said. “I knew I was going to lose my hair, so we had a head shaving party for my hair. My husband shaved his head, and so did a couple of my friends, including one of my girlfriends. It was a really fun day. I wasn’t going to let cancer beat me.”

Stay positive and ask for help When asked if she had any advice for people in similar situations, Jennifer said trying your best to keep a sunny outlook helps.

“It’s hard to tell someone who is not a positive person, but you have to stay

positive to get to the end of it, that’s how I got through it,” she said.

To her surprise, chemotherapy did not make Jennifer very sick, so she didn’t ask for as much assistance as she thought she would from her friends and family. However, she does recommend that anyone undergoing similar treatments make sure to ask the people close to them to aid them during their recovery.

“If people need help they need to ask for it,” she said.

“Nobody just comes to do it. You have to ask for it.”

Back to business When Jennifer received the news that the treatments worked, she only had one feeling rush through her.

“Relief,” she said.

Despite being a positive person most of her life, Jennifer says the light at the end of the tunnel is brighter than ever.

“I always thought life was pretty good, but it does make you appreciate things a little more,” she said. “It just makes life sweeter.”

Trish Krotki: Promoting small business a passion for local businesswoman AMY HOGUE There’s power in numbers, according to local businesswoman, Trish Krotki, and those numbers can be used to accomplish many great things, particularly for small businesses.

Krotki knows what she’s talking about. The innovative entrepreneur has been turning the marketing world on its ear for the past few years, leaving many scratching their heads and wondering what her plan is. And there is a plan, Krotki stated, and it’s a big one.

Most well known for her creation of Discover Smiths Falls and the local Smiths Falls newspaper, Hometown News, Krotki’s focus recently has been on new marketing techniques for small businesses and communities. Krotki first started Discover Smiths Falls as a Facebook page in April 2013, before moving on to creating the website a year later, and then on to founding the local newspaper, Hometown News in late 2014.

The decision to start Dis-

cover Smiths Falls came from a passion for the community and concern with the issues facing it, particularly following the closures of many local businesses, and it has evolved from there.

“It started out of passion and kind of grew, so for the first six months the drive was simply educating people what the community was about from a different perspective,” Krotki explained. “We needed a way for small businesses to get their name out there.”

Today, Discover Smiths Falls attracts roughly 20,000 visits each week, which is a wide potential market for small businesses. Not only as a tool for small businesses, Discover Smiths Falls also promotes the town and the area as well.

Krotki said she sees that by promoting Smiths Falls to a larger audience will by extension lead to more tourism for the town and help expand local businesses’ online presence.

“Discover Smiths Falls allows small business person to market themselves to a larger audience, one they may not

normally be able to afford if they paid for a marketing campaign,” Krotki explained.

Since she and her husband, Mat, are small business owners themselves, Krotki said she can understand firsthand the plight many of them face in staying afloat. And as a mother of five children, three of whom are still in local schools and involved in local sports activities, Krotki has a hefty emotional and financial investment in the community and would like to see Smiths Falls flourish.

Krotki said she sees small businesses as one of the many community assets a rural town like Smiths Falls has to highlight, identifying local bakeries, restaurants, small grocers and retail stores as being among those community assets.

“We want to highlight those types of assets within the community because those are the types of assets that draw people here,” Krotki said.

Beyond Discover Smiths Falls there are also Facebook pages for Discover Perth, Discover Carleton Place and Discover Merrickville and Krotki intends

to one day launch corresponding websites for them in the same way that Discover Smiths Falls was launched. The website then essentially becomes a channel to access information about community, events, contact information and business information.

“All of the Discover sites will start with a Facebook page to get the community interacting with one another, so when we introduce the website they’re already familiar with the name and the concept,” Krotki explained.

Krotki said the Discover Carleton Place Facebook page is run by someone who approached her from the community wanting to replicate the model that Krotki had already successfully established in Smiths Falls. Discover Smiths Falls is already an employer in the community, with five parttime positions that Krotki said she hopes to evolve to full-time as the business expands.

“The other Discovers will one day follow the same path as Discover Smiths Falls, each highlighting their local com-

BILL DAVIDSON/PHOTO Patricia Krotki.

munity and because the areas are all interconnected,” Krotki said.

Response to Discover Smiths Falls and Hometown News so far has been very positive, Krotki said, pointing to the events calendar in particular as a community resource that is well used.

“Our Facebook page just hit 2,500 users yesterday, which is one quarter of the population of Smiths Falls,” Krotki noted.

The ripple effect Krotki has had on the community has already been felt. When Smiths Falls is googled, the Discover Smiths Falls website is one of the first results that will come up, and so for many new to the area or visiting the area, it can be the first point of contact. A recent article for Hometown

News that was posted on Discover Smiths Falls and shared via social media attracted the attention of an Ottawa-based business who then became involved with a community grass roots organization.

“The whole purpose of all of this has been as a resource for the business community and the local community, as a way to market ourselves more fully,” Krotki said, before adding, “I love Smiths Falls. This is my home, my family’s home, and I’m glad my passions can be part of the change that we see happening here now. I really believe great things are coming and are already happening in this community.”

march 2015

17

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

culture

Susan Richards: Caring for the community ANDREW SNOOK From advocating for children with special needs to sitting on local school boards and business committees, Susan Richards has always been willing to put her time into improving her community.

Since moving to the Smiths Falls area at the age of nine from Brockville, the Toronto-born mother of two daughters has been passionate about making her community a better place to live for all residents. She has dedicated the last 23 years of her life to volunteering for a variety of initiatives.

In 2011, she was awarded the Town of Smiths Falls Volunteer Appreciation Award in recognition of her willingness to enrich the quality of life in the community without personal or financial gain.

The award is presented to someone who sits on one of the town’s committees of council. In her case, the Downtown Business Association (DBA), which she began volunteering with in 1992.

“Whether it is offering support to a parent of a child with a disability, bringing awareness to an issue, providing free outdoor movies, helping someone on Facebook to find a product or service, or sharing information about an upcoming event on my Community Events Facebook page, it is always about helping others in some way,” Richards said.

Getting people talking Richards got particularly active in volunteering her time almost 20 years ago, when she discovered a gap in services for children with speech disabilities, which directly impacted one of her children.

To help shine a light on the lack of services offered in her community, she volunteered her time with the Ontario Association for Families with Communication Disorders from 1996 to 2003.

Over that time she developed a public relations campaign for the association, created and managed its provincial website and successfully approached the municipal councils of Smiths Falls and Montague Township to have them declare the month of May, speech, language

AMY HOGUE/PHOTO

and hearing month.

Richards also carried out letter writing campaigns and presentations in support of speech and language pathology programs in schools, organized local parent workshops and monthly support meetings, and sat on various community committees to promote increased services.

The highlight from her time with the association came when she successfully lobbied the Upper Canada District School Board for the creation of three new speech language pathologist (SLP) positions – bringing the board-wide total number of SLP positions to six – and the creation of 12 additional speech language assistant (SLA) positions.

In 2004, she received the Consumer Advocacy Award from the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA) for making an outstanding impact on the profession through her activities and significantly advocating on behalf of individuals with communication disorders.

That same year, Richards also received a certificate of recognition from Township of Montague for her efforts to promote public awareness of speech and language disorders.

Good people generate good results So what’s the secret to Richards’ successes? If you ask her, it’s the people around her.

“I have had great support from my family over the years, which has allowed me to attend meetings and functions as needed,” she said. “Also, all the organizations I have been involved with have wonderful teams of volunteers helping with the workload.”

Richards says that the biggest challenge she ex-

periences these days is finding additional volunteers, particularly for events organized by Together Smiths Falls (TSF), a local association dedicated to community enhancement that she helped create five years ago.

One of the cornerstone events put on by the association is the popular “Movies Under the Stars” series, which offers residents free outdoor movies in the summertime.

“On our first Movies Under the Stars night we had no idea how many people would show up for the show,” she said.

“We were thinking that if we had 150 people come we would be happy. As we started to set up our equipment, families started to make their way to the park – moms, dads, grandparents and lots of children. We estimate that we had over 500 people in attendance that first night. I can remember just saying ‘Wow!’” Richards credits the local youth group, the Smiths Falls and District Centre for Youth (SFDCY) for all of their hard work during the movie nights.

“The youth group comes every night and helps with the setup,” she said. “They are always happy to help us out.

They’re making a difference.”

Other initiatives undertaken by TSF include the building of the community’s splash pad, the revitalization of Murphy Beach and the Celebration of Lights during Christmastime.

“Some people don’t realize that all of this work is being done by community groups and people that volunteer,” she explained.

Give a little, get a lot Even if someone only has a few of hours a month to offer an association, that time spent helping others holds great value for both the community and the individual.

“It is not just about what you can do for others, you will get a lot out of the experience too,” Richards said. “Volunteering is rewarding for everyone involved. You can make a real difference in your community when you take the time to help out.”

DAVE PRINGLE/PHOTO Bowl for the Kids! The team from Golden Age Bowlers and Harmony Club was out in full force for Bowl for Kids on Feb. 21. Front row, left to right: Gloria Fawcett, Lillian Howard, Linda Zeisman. Back row, left to right: Cliff Howard, Debbie Saunders, Hudson Cassell, and team captain Bud Fawcett.

Starter Company a great company starts with

mentoring, money and you.

Start a company, launch your future.

If you’ve got a great idea for a business - and the entrepreneurial drive to see it through Starter Company is here to help you start your company.

Up to $5,000 in funding , plus the invaluable guidance of a business mentor.

Starter Company is an Ontario program that provides young people with the resources and knowledge they need to start and grow their own business As a Starter Company entrepreneur, you get: . Funding of up to $5000 . One-on-one guidance from the Small Business Enterprise Centre Advisor . Mentoring with a local successful Entrepreneur . Access to business workshops on topics ranging from writing a business plan and budgeting, to executing a marketing campaign Could you be a Starter Company Entrepreneur?

You can apply to the Starter Company program if you’re an Ontario resident aged 18 - 29 and not attending school full time. To qualify for funding of up to $5,000, you need to be able to contribute least 25% (in cash or in kind) of the grant amount.

91 Cornelia Street West, Smiths Falls, Ontario K7A 5L3

(613) 283-7002 ext 108/109 cjames@smallbizcentre.ca smallbusiness@smallbizcentre.ca

www.smallbizcentre.ca

march 2015

18

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

culture

Opulence and extravagance await you on The Orient Express

L

ose yourself in the decadence of the 1920s and join the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario for an evening of sumptuous food and drink at its first annual fundraising dinner, taking place on the evening of Mar. 28.

Transport yourself back in time at The Ivy on William, surrounded by windows of stained glass, luxurious linens, and décor reminiscent of the turn of the 20th century. Guests are encouraged to don their best apparel and get glamorous for the swankiest event of the year.

The evening boasts a complementary signature cocktail hour starting at 6 p.m., followed by an eight-course menu of mouth-watering tasting plates featuring fla-

vours of the famous train’s route, such as Paris, Venice, London, and Istanbul. Throughout the event, there will also be a silent auction with an offering of unique and unexpected experiences to go to the highest bidder!

Tickets are $65 each and must be purchased in advance. Tickets are available on the museum’s website or at The Main Street Bistro, 5 Main St. West. For more information contact the museum at 613-2835696 or go to www.rmeo.org. Check back often for more details in the coming weeks.

The Ivy on William is located at 42 William St. W. Submitted by the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario.

Workers Co-operative becomes The Town that Grows, seeks community input as part of feasibility study AMY HOGUE It is an exciting time for the Smiths Falls workers co-operative, as the business concept that was sparked by the Target closure announcement begins to take shape, and the drive for community engagement and support kicks in.

A new website, called www.thetownthatgrows. com, created by the Ottawa-based design firm, prototypeD, will soon be circulating online to spread the co-op group’s message and gauge interest and support from the community, essentially functioning as the crucial next step for the group: a feasibility study.

At a meeting held on Feb. 17, prototypeD made a PowerPoint presentation to lead the group through the different stages of the co-operative discussion, helping to identify community resources along with potential obstacles to the endeavour and sources of funding.

The final component to this brainstorming session focused on the foundation for a business plan as well as the

first steps for the co-op, a feasibility study, to determine the potential for the proposed project (ie. the scope of the market, sources of funding, stakeholders etc.).

The feasibility study will serve as the first step and foundation for the creation of a business plan for the operation.

The question, which will be circulated through the website and through committee members, is to determine how many people would be willing to purchase a box of fresh produce from the co-operative on a weekly basis.

The assumption would be that a box would cost $30.

Co-operative meeting organizer and founder, Carol Anne Knapp, explained the basis for this question and how it will determine the scope of the available market and funding.

“If there are 10 of us willing to buy a box per week for $30, that’s $300,” Knapp explained in an interview after the meeting, going on to add that if those 10 people each found another 10 people, that would total 100 people willing to

purchase a box of produce.

“And that’s when the math came out,” Knapp said. “So it’s $30 per box for 100 people per week…it got up to around $150,000 in the end.”

According to Knapp, an indication of interest from the community, and the potential generation of more than $100,000 in revenue, could be used to leverage investment and funding potential.

Knapp did clarify that the $150,000 number was high, because it’s uncertain how many weeks of the year the co-operative would be growing, especially if they end up working outdoors.

Knapp said she envisions that if the co-operative moves forward and becomes a viable grower, they can then facilitate a different form of co-operative in the area, and help them create a business as well.

“That’s really my longterm vision, to take back our destiny and economy,” Knapp stressed.

“Then we can be in an economic bubble in Smiths Falls where we have a buffer against

AMY HOGUE/PHOTO

what’s happening in the bigger economy.”

Knapp calls this phenomena a “macro economy.”

The Town that Grows website will be used as the launch pad for the

feasibility study, and to draw interest in the endeavour and volunteers for committees. Anyone interested in joining the group can visit www. thetownthatgrows.com or email info@thetownthat-

grows.com.

Once the group receives sufficient information from the online question as part of the feasibility study, they will then move on to the next step in the process.

march 2015

19

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

food & drink New Coffee Culture owner happy with choice to settle in Smiths Falls SABRINA BEDFORD

PATRICIA KROTKI/PHOTO Vipul Shah, new owner of downtown coffee shop Coffee Culture, stands behind the cash at Coffee Culture. He bought the franchise location in December 2014, and kept all of the former employees when he took over.

local restaurant owner gives back to community

East Meets West (formerly Chuckles Jack), partners with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County to help fund mentoring programs Lanark County: Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Lanark County is thrilled to partner with East Meets West (formerly Chuckles Jack) in its grand opening in Perth.

“The Smiths Falls location of Chuckles Jack has always been a great supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark, willing to assist wherever needed so that more children in Lanark County can enjoy having a mentor who offers unconditional friendship,” said Beth Sinclair, resource development manager with BBBS Lanark County.

Chef Ram Mogandas, winner of the 2013 Smiths Falls and District Chamber of Commerce Immigrant Entrepreneur Award, is thrilled to be opening a new location, East Meets West, in Perth on Feb. 27 at 4 p.m. Diners will enjoy the same delicious food, friendly staff, and ownership that they have expe-

rienced for years in Smiths Falls at Chuckles Jack.

Mogandas will donate a percentage of his sales for the entire first week of East Meets West to BBBS Lanark County.

Let East Meets West prepare your meal for you between Feb. 27 and March 6 and a percentage of your bill will be used to help to provide more children in our community with a mentor.

“I have always loved to support charity events and being able to give back to the community where I live and work,” Mogandas said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has been helping local kids through mentoring programs for over 40 years.

They are well known for quality programs that build self-esteem, increase academic performance, allow free access to organized sports and healthy food.

The agency does not re-

ceive government funding, rather they fundraise to pay for the programs they offer. Over 500 children took part in their mentoring programs in 2014.

Dining out at East Meets West is an excellent way to support mentoring by doing something we already do regularly. Why not invite your friends, family or colleagues out to enjoy a wonderful meal and feel good knowing part of the proceeds are benefitting children in your area? The gift of your time can turn into the gift of mentoring for a child who needs a caring friend.

For more information, contact Beth Sinclair at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County 613-283-0570 or beth.sinclair@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca.

A popular downtown café has changed hands.

Vipul Shah is the new owner of the Smiths Falls branch of the Coffee Culture franchise, which was previously owned by Maria Christodoulou.

Coffee Culture, a higher-end downtown coffee shop on the corner of Beckwith and Russell Streets, offers specialty coffee, espresso and latte, along with cookies, muffins, deserts and a lunch menu.

It currently employs 14 people, who are all employees from the former owner, who Shah kept on in the transition.

The business, located at 2 Russell St. E., changed hands in December 2014, which is when Shah and his family relocated to the Smiths Falls area.

“I’m from India originally, but before this I was living in Brampton,” said Shah, who added his family and business partners own three other Coffee Culture locations throughout Ontario.

What brought Shah to Smiths Falls was the fact his cousin owned the Pizza Hut in Smiths Falls so a lot of his family was already in the area.

“The location just made sense,” he said.

Shah said he’s excited to get involved with the community – something he said is extremely important to him.

“I’m always willing to help any activities or donations for charities,” said Shah,

“I always try to do whatever I can to help.”

The North American franchise opened its doors in Smiths Falls in September 2009, and was welcomed by the community with open arms. It is consistently busy for lunch, and this is something Shah is grateful about.

“People are really good, business is really good,” he said.

food for thought OUR REGULAR SERIES ABOUT FOOD & DRINK-RELATED TOPICS. BECAUSE WHO DOESN’T LOVE FOOD?

RECIPE FIVE-INGREDIENT PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES Ingredients: 1 cup creamy peanut butter 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1 large egg 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ cup milk chocolate chips

Directions • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

• Mix all ingredients except chocolate chips.

• When blended, mix in the chocolate chips.

• Using your fingers, form 1 1/2 inch balls (dough will be very wet and sticky) and place onto an un-greased parchment lined cookie sheet. You

don’t want to make them too big because they do spread.

• Bake for 9 minutes. Let the cookies sit on the cookies sheet for about 30 seconds to 1 minute before letting cool on a wire rack.

• Makes around a dozen small cookies.

Source: tablespoon.com

march 2015

20

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

explore spotlight on business: MAIN STREET BISTRO SABRINA BEDFORD You might not know the name right away, but you may recognize the logo and you’ve definitely eaten here before.

Whether it was at Bakery Café, Courtyard Café, or most recently the Good Life Bistro, chances are at one point or another you’ve tried this awesome little café’s food. Its new name? Main Street Bistro.

The café and bakery changed both its name and location in February, relocating to its new home at 5 Main St. W., formerly the Sweetbriar/Pie Bird Bakery.

Owner Wendy Andison said while the name is different, you can still expect the same menu.

“It’s still the same great food we’ve offered since we started in 2006,” she said.

No matter the moniker – Andison said wanted to freshen things up with a new name – this restaurant has really great food. A few

menu favourites of mine that I’ve become obsessed with are: the falafel wrap, the loose leaf tea, the sweet potato fries, coffee, and the California salad with chicken and feta - just to name a few.

The menu offers healthy food options that simply taste great and fill you up. In a world where most of the “fast” food available is pre-packaged and frozen, it’s always appreciated when a restaurant offers real food with actual nutritional content.

With a focus on breakfast and lunch foods, they’re also known for their hearty oatmeal, in addition to their many daily soups, sandwiches, desserts and specials.

When asked why she’d give up the larger dining space only to move to a different store on the same street, Andison explained the kitchen at the new spot was too good to pass up.

On top of their in-house service, they are also in the business of ca-

tering. This aspect of their business has grown more recently, and the layout of the kitchen at the old location was no longer working.

“The kitchen gave us an opportunity for all of us to be together, now everybody can be in one big area,” she said. “At the other spot we were all over the place. Here we have much better equipment.”

They cater lunch to conference meetings for the school board and O.P.P., in addition to more formal dining events such as weddings and dinner parties.

She also said that while they may have lost space in the dining room, the new location has potential for an outdoor patio at the back of the restaurant - a project they hope to have ready for the summer.

You can check out the cafe in person at 5 Main St. W. in Smiths Falls, or by going online to www. facebook.com/TheGoodLifeBistro.

Viewpoint: LOCAL WOMAN SHARES PERSPECTIVE AFTER RECENT TRIP TO MIDDLE EAST

Naming our perceptions HOWAIDA SOROUR-ROBERTS For obvious reasons the Middle East is not at the top of most people list of place to go at the present time. But I grew up there and have family there, so on Feb 5th, I got on a plane and flew to Cairo, Egypt.

It was an interesting trip and one that opened my eyes to a few things that can be hard to gage at a distance. As in what is happening on the ground in Egypt, what is the mood and how do they perceive ISIS. As it happens what I learned was very pertinent to the debate/furor unfolding south of the border with regards to President Obama’s insistence that the West is not at war with Islam but with extremists.

His critics in their ignorance choose to quibble. But the point that Obama is mak-

ing is very important and we would all do well to listen and more importantly - learn.

Right now Cairo, and Egypt as a whole are on high security alert. The current government, led by an army general who also happens to be a devout Muslim and with what appears to be the support of the vast majority of the populations is engaged in an effort to rid the country of Muslim Brotherhood extremists. ISIS or ISIL hasn’t reared its head inside Egypt yet but it’s certainly a concern and the barbaric beheading of Egyptian on a beach in Libya certainly brought that home.

I was as heartened to learn of Egypt’s military response as I was to see graffiti scrawled across a wall in Cairo that said, “I am not Muslim or Christian, I am Egyptian.”

Nationalistic yes, but it beats the alternatives of a murderous Brotherhood inside the country, and ISIS on all sides.

Did I just refer to ISIS?

Well I was very quickly corrected in Egypt. There and in most of the Middle East, I’m told they prefer to call them Daesh, and while that’s still a loose acronym for Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Arabic, once the letters are run together the resulting word takes on other connotations.

Rhymes, alliteration and puns are an important part of the culture and language. Daesh sounds very similar to the Arabic word ‘Daes’ – one who steps on something crushing it underfoot, or Dahes – one who sows mayhem and discord. It is that word that is used by most Arabs to describe what they see as a renegade gang of misfits with little or no actual knowledge or understanding of Islam.

Daesh have committed atrocities against anyone and everyone who doesn’t adhere to their bizarre and draconian ‘rules’, Muslim, Christian or Jewish. In Islam, believe it

or not, killing is not allowed and there is a saying that when you kill a fellow believer, a universe dies. How you choose to interpret ‘believer’ is going to depend on your perception. I choose to interpret the word ‘believer’ as anyone who adheres and lives by the values embodied in the 10 commandments regardless of religious affiliation. Yes I appreciate that my interpretation may be broad but the more I see of the similarities in the core values of most societies and religious groups the more convinced I am that it’s the only logical interpretation.

Daesh followers do not qualify as ‘believers’ in my book.

They are simply a loosely organized gaggle of thugs with no affiliation real or imagined with Islam or any other religion. Their use of the word is such a mockery of Islam it becomes a mockery of all religions- a travesty, in fact that has been recognised

in Europe at least. In September 2014 France declared it would no longer refer to this group as Islamic State.

“This is a terrorist group and not a state. I do not recommend using the term Islamic State because it blurs the lines between Islam, Muslims, and Islamists,” France’s Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius was quoted in a statement. “The Arabs call it ‘Daesh’ and I will be calling them the ‘Daesh cutthroats.’”

He makes an important point – to give these people the legitimacy of a religious affiliation or state is to vilify some 2 billion peaceful Muslims around the world.

How we label an entity is as important as how we label ourselves – it speaks to our understanding, beliefs and ultimately our actions and policies - a subtlety that seems to be sadly lost on too many of our neighbours south of the border.

Website Design. Logo Design. Branding. Graphic Design.

Web Hosting. Advertising. Promotion.

84 Lorne Street Unit B Smiths Falls,Ontario Canada K7A 2A5

613-284-9826 | www.pdgmedia.ca

march 2015

21

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

explore

Your Data - In the Cloud

Legion Awards

BRYAN MCKAY

Welcome back! Hopefully you’ve been following along since the inaugural issue in October. Here’s a brief recap. In the first few issues I’ve focused mainly on identifying the economic forces driving the shift toward cloud computing and defining cloud computing in such a way that it’s more relevant to small business. Last month I provided a concrete example and application of cloud computing and also introduced the idea that cloud computing differs from the electric utility model in a very important way - while you consume both electricity and computing resources you also store your data in the cloud. This month we’re going to focus the issues around storing your data in the cloud - ownership and security.

I have personally been using cloud computing in one form or another for roughly a decade. I started with web-based email such as Hotmail, Yahoo and eventually Gmail. If you’re like me those were probably your first encounters with cloud computing too. But it wasn’t called cloud computing back then. It was just web mail. And the best part was it was free and accessible anywhere and anytime as long as you could access a browser.

If you think back, the key issues and threats were already surfacing. Although it was most likely your personal email and contacts, if you decided to switch services or extract, download or backup your email archive you had to jump through hoops. The other issue which just seemed to grow over time (grow in terms of being an annoyance more than anything) was SPAM and the threat of being HACKED. I’m sure we’ve all received the emails from the “Nigerian Prince” and one or two announcing that our accounts may have been hacked and advising we should change our passwords. But was there really any damage and was our data (email and contacts) really at risk?

The risk at the time was minimal in terms of economic or material loss. The reputational risk was minimal too in the event that someone (or something) was able to hack into your contacts, spoof your account and send out emails with an attached virus.

Eventually we all learned to ignore these emails and in time the service providers developed spam filters to automatically filter them

out. No real harm was done.

But what happens as we move more and more of our information, our personal lives and our business lives to the cloud? Eventually we begin to move data to the cloud that really matters to us, to our spouses, to our families, to our businesses, our partners, our clients and our employees. And then the issues of data ownership and security become real.

Security - Unfortunately, the issue of security is real.

The Sony hack is extreme, so here’s a more realistic example. It’s well known in the cyber security business that most people use the same or similar passwords for many online services (for example email, file storage, calendar, chat, music etc.). The hacker community knows that too. And they often target services to steal user ID’s and passwords. Then they can use those logins to try and break into other services such as banking and online accounting (except they aren’t really breaking in at that point - they are logging in). This is exactly what happened to Evernote about a year ago. The best strategy to minimize the risk is to use what is called two-step authentication.

This approach requires two forms of authentication to login. You can still use your user id and password, but you will also be required to use a token the service provider provides (usually sent as a text message). Check with your service provider to understand all of the options.

Data ownership - Now let’s discuss data ownership. Just because you can login securely, setup your account, import data and configure and manage your service doesn’t mean you own all that data. How can you get your data out? What if you want to move to a different service? Where does your data reside? How do you get your data back in the event the service pro-

vider runs into financial difficulties? Can a foreign government access your data? What are the privacy measures in place to protect the privacy of your data and any data the service provider collects about you? Just as I said regarding security, check with your service provider to understand all of your options.

To be clear it’s not all doom and gloom when we talk about data ownership and security in cloud computing. In fact its quite the opposite. And it’s worth taking a little time, doing some research, being informed and being prepared.

To be sure, there are risks.

And there is good news.

When it comes to the issues of data ownership and security Google, for example, sets the bar very high, and so do many others such as Amazon, SalesForce, DropBox, Box, Apple, and many others. The Cloud is their business and it makes good business sense to take these issues seriously. Another indication that there is progress in these areas just over a year ago the Wall Street Journal reported that CIOs around the globe view cybersecurity as a diminishing strategic priority.

And that is a very good thing.

The issues of data ownership and security in cloud computing are real. And they are manageable and becoming more so with time. Do your homework, do your due diligence, be prepared and you will find you can take advantage of the benefits of cloud computing with minimal risk.

Next month we will delve into one of the biggest obstacles standing in the way of small businesses moving to the cloud - dealing with change and finding new ways of doing things.

PATRICIA KROTKI/PHOTO

7-year-old Lombardy Public School student Makenna Cleaver received an award from the Royal Canadian Legion for her Remembrance Day poster. Great Job Makenna!

column: Are your employment expenses an eligible tax deduction?

STEVE BENNETT

Senior Tax Professional H&R Block Smiths Falls, ON It’s not all that uncommon to hear stories from co-workers who write off their phone bills, home expenses, or even vet bills.

Some of these may be eligible expenses, but many certainly are not. Unfortunately, these incorrect tax deductions can be perpetuated when CRA does not identify them immediately. Since Canada’s tax system is self-reporting, many of these errors can go on for years before the taxpayer is audited

by CRA. At that point, the taxpayer will owe the tax difference plus interest, which can add up pretty quickly – and, depending on the severity of the omission, penalties may apply.

To avoid any difficulties down the road, it’s important to understand the conditions under which employees can deduct expenses. The employee must have paid for the expenses, been contractually required to pay the expenses, and been employed in an occupation eligible to make the claim.

For instance, a commission employee can claim entertainment expenses whereas a salaried employee cannot.

Before the deduction can be made on the tax return, the employer must complete form T2200, Declaration of Conditions of Employment. By completing this form, the employer certifies that the employee is contractually required to pay for certain expenses. When completing the tax return, Form T777, Statement of Employment Expenses, must be completed. This form contains a breakdown of each expense category and calculates the total eligible expenses.

The total is then carried to Line 229 as a deduction.

Since employment expense deductions can provide significant refunds, they are regularly audited by CRA. One of the key defences against a CRA audit is documentation. It’s a given that receipts are needed to support a claim, but recordkeeping becomes a little more complicated in the case of automobile expenses. With automobiles, there is usually some personal use, so a logbook, detailing all travel related to employment, must be maintained – this is a key piece of documentation that many employees do not retain. Using the logbook, the ratio of employment vs. total use is determined and that ratio is used to calculate the amount of vehicle expenses eligible to be claimed. If 55% of all kilometers driven were related to employment, then 55% of all gas, maintenance, insurance, etc. would be an eligible employment expense.

For most Canadians, employment expenses are not an eligible deduction – simply because we do not incur any of the expenses that are specifically allowed. For the common expenses encountered by most employees, the government provides the Canada employment amount which is a credit equal to the lesser of total employment income and $1,127. That usually works out to a refund increase of $169.05, which often seems like a small consolation prize, but every little bit helps!

This article provides only an overview of the regulations in force at the date of publication, and no action should be taken without consulting the detailed legislation or seeking professional advice. Therefore, no responsibility for loss occasioned by any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the material contained in this bulletin can be accepted by Steve Bennett or H&R Block Canada, Inc.

march 2015

22

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

explore

Station Theatre launches jazz concert series Mar. 21

I

n the first of a four part series, the Station Theatre is bringing Robert Fontaine and his jazz quartet to the Station Theatre for a one night only performance on Saturday, Mar. 21. Jazz Goes to the Movies features Robert on drums, Rick Rango on flugelhorn, Tom Denison on bass and Jean-Pierre Allain at the piano.

Fontaine is best known in the Ottawa area for his quirky, irreverent movie reviews on CBC Radio. In fact, it was while he was visiting the Station Theatre last November to talk about movies and read from his latest book on memorable films that the directors of the Theatre hatched he idea of

bringing him back—this time as leader of his jazz quartet.

According to Fontaine, what links all the group’s music together is that it is jazz with melody, tunes that he enjoys and that the guys in the group enjoy. “I call it contemporary mainstream, because it certainly is in the tradition, and I grew up with certain styles of music,” Robert said. “My father was a trumpet player and he liked traditional jazz like Louis Armstrong, and he also liked big bands and Artie Shaw .... I grew up with that stuff so I’ve kept this love of melody, and I think Rick Rango is a beautiful melody player on flugelhorn.”

For this concert, Fontaine and his group, who have played at the International Jazz Festival,

will perform music from the leader’s favourite movie tunes.

Tickets for the jazz concert are $28, which includes wine and cheese, and can be reserved by calling the Theatre at 613-283-0300. The show starts at 8 p.m.

We invite everyone to keep in touch with all our upcoming shows - great plays, movies and jazz concerts like Robert Fontaine’s Jazz Goes to the Movies. Simply sign up for our e-newsletter through a visit to our website at smithsfallstheatre.com or join us on Facebook (Smiths Falls Community Theatre).

Submitted by the Smiths Falls Community Theatre.

SUBMITTED/POSTER Head to Station Theatre for a one-night only performance on Saturday, Mar. 21. Jazz Goes to the Movies features Robert Fontaine on drums, Rick Rango on flugelhorn, Tom Denison on bass and Jean-Pierre Allain at the piano.

a

kinder, gentler menopause

VICKIE DICKSON To understand why menopause has such widespread effects on the body and mind, we must first understand what menopause is and what estrogen does.

Menopause is the natural progression out of the child bearing years, marked specifically when the ovaries stop releasing eggs and producing estrogen. For most women, this happens between the ages of 46 and 52.

In the years leading up to this, there will be a gradual decline in estrogen production, creating a period known as peri-menopause, where symptoms of menopause begin to appear.

Estrogen plays a role in many systems of the body, not just in the reproductive system. To name a few, there are estrogen receptors in the cells of the pituitary gland, liver, bone, cardiovascular system, and GI tract. Estrogen appears to keep weight down. It keeps skin soft and moist, regulates our internal thermostat, assists in proper bone formation, and protects from heart disease, among other things. It’s no wonder then, that some of the symptoms of menopause include mood swings, hot flashes, irritability, difficulty sleeping, weight gain, dry skin, memory lapses, bone loss, and fatigue.

One of the major nutritional changes that you can make to ease

the transition to menopause is to add phytoestrogens to your diet.

Phytoestrogens mimic the estrogen produced naturally in the body, allowing for a less severe menopause.

Soybeans are the highest source of phytoestrogens. Consider adding foods like organic tofu, nuts, seeds, alfalfa, yams, fennel, flax, oats, barley, beans, legumes and lentils to your diet. Eliminate as many processed foods as you can.

In a study of Japanese women who follow a traditional diet of soy, fish, and rice, it was noted that they experienced milder symptoms of menopause than women in Western societies. It is believed that this is due to the isoflaves contained in the phytoestrogens being consumed. The rate of consumption for Japanese women is 20-40mg of isoflaves per day. In the West, our consumption is just 5mg per day. For reference, a 3 oz serving of organic tofu = 23mg of isoflaves.

It would seem that the symptoms that bother us the most are weight gain and hot flashes. Perhaps because many of the other symptoms are unseen? Some lifestyle recommendations that I would make are as follows: Adding moderate, weight-bearing exercise daily will counter the effects that a loss of estrogen has on the systems of the body and will: • build muscle mass • build stronger bones; lowering the risk of osteoporosis • increase metabolism • decrease the risk of heart attack and cardiovascular disease •increase joint and muscle strength

• increase insulin resistance • aid in mobilization of stored estrogen from fatty tissues Exercise that counts as moderate weight bearing could include walking, hiking, lifting light weights, dancing, etc.

Cleaning up your diet in the years leading up to menopause and losing any excess weight that you may be carrying may lead to a gentler menopause with fewer, less severe symptoms. Drink plenty of filtered water, eat your veggies, whole grains, lean protein, healthy fats, and fibre.

Again, eliminate as many processed foods as possible and be sure to supplement 1200-1500mg of calcium daily.

Supplements that should help throughout menopause include: evening primrose, vitamin E, B6, vitamin D, zinc, and magnesium.

As a side note, lecithin will help to emulsify vitamin D and is excellent for brain health.

For relief of hot flashes, essential oils and herbs offer natural support and relief. Clary sage, ylang ylang, peppermint, frankincense, and cypress oils have been proven to lessen or eradicate hot flashes.

Herbs to try include: black kohosh, licorice root, mint, hops, and red clover.

On the bright side, many women who have made it through to the other side describe this stage of life as the most liberating. It’s just getting through it that’s hard!

Vickie Dickson is currently studying Holistic Nutrition at CSNN in Ottawa. Follow her blog at vickiedickson.com

www.discoversmithsfalls.ca

spotlight on small business

Pitch your business to the media Written by Canada Business Ontario Have you considered pitching a story idea about your business to a local newspaper, a magazine or a trade journal?

In a competitive marketplace it is wise to consider all forms of advertising to help promote your product or service.

Having your business mentioned in an article or on social media (remember, journalists use social media as a tool as well) can help you reap benefits and attract new customers.

A pitch is different from a press release. A press release announces something newsworthy like the launch of a new product or an event. The style is more formal and it can usually be used as is. A pitch, however, is a story idea that you are trying to persuade a journalist to write about.

The pitch is more informal, like writing a letter.

Think of it as a written elevator pitch.

Journalists receive hundreds of pitches by email, so how do you get yours to stand out? First, start by finding the right people or publications. If you have a snow removal business, you may not want to pitch your idea to a food magazine. Do some research and know what various journalists specialize in and the type of articles they write.

How to write your pitch: • Your pitch should tell a story and not be just

about selling your product or service.

• Pitch one idea at a time.

• The pitch should be short and concise and have an angle that the journalist or publication would be interested in.

• Put yourself in the journalist’s shoes and think what the target audience would want to read about.

• Can you relate your story to an event that is in the news? Does your product or service fit into a seasonal theme such as Valentine’s Day? Does your snow removal business have a weather-related story?

• Your angle should be something that would pique the journalist’s interest enough that he or she will want to contact you.

• Remember the 5 Ws — who, what, when, where and why — when preparing your pitch.

• Make sure to add your website and contact information to your pitch.

Pitching to the media requires research, an interesting story or angle and patience!

Learn more about ways to reach customers through the use of public and media relations and creative thinking.

Submitted by the Small Business Advisory Centre in Smiths Falls, Ontario.

Advertise your business in the

April 2015

Advertise to enthusiastic couples who are planning their perfect wedding, honeymoon and new life together. Call today to be seen by couples in the market for: Bridal Lingerie Bridal Shower Bridesmaids Cakes Cars & Limos Catering & Bar Honeymoons

Engagement Rings Event Rentals Flowers Giſts & Registries Groom’s Formal Wear Hair & Beauty Destination Weddings

Invitations & Favors Reception Venues Videographers Wedding Dresses Wedding Music Wedding Photography Wedding Planning Contact your sales representative today at (613) 284 - 9826

Ad Size: 4.875” x 3.875”(wedding targeted ads only)

84 Lorne Street, Smiths Falls, ON discoversmithsfalls@pdgmedia.ca www.pdgmedia.ca

business directory COMMUNITY

CAKE CREATIONS

HOME CARE

PHOTOGRAPHY

CONTRACTORS

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

WEB DESIGN

See Your Business Card Here Only $24.99 per edition

Advertise Your Buisness Here for more information contact: 613-206-0708 advertising@pdgmedia.ca

The Rideau Winery 22 Russell Street East, Smiths Falls

G N I R P S

O T ISN UMMER

Come and enjoy the experience at The Rideau Winery with our great wines and friendly staff. Make bottling fun with our automatic corker and custom labels.

FRU

I

EXPL T WINE O SPE SION CIA

22 Russell St E. 613-205-1500

Bellissima

Monday- Friday 10am-6pm Saturday 9am-4pm

Buy one wine kit and receive 5.00 off or buy 2 wine kits and receive 15.00 off NEW EXCITING FLAVORS; CRANBERRY, TANGERINE ORANGE

Reflexion 4 Week Wine Kit Buy one wine kit and receive 5.00 off or buy 2 wine kits and receive 15.00 off A LARGE VARIETY OF RED OR WHITE

Sale ends April 30, 2015 we will beat any competitors price made on site and instock kits only custom labels and shrinks included

L!!!