The Navan Fair returns to the Navan Fairgrounds once again this year with a full slate of events from truck and tractor pulls to the demolition derby and evening concerts. FILE PHOTO
By Fred Sherwin
The Orléans Star
Ever since it’s inception in 1947, the Navan Fair has been at the heartbeat of the village, drawing in people from miles around. It is the first event on the rural fair calendar in Eastern Ontario and it is the biggest single event in the east end of Ottawa, attracting over 10,000 people every year.
The 49th edition of the Navan Fair gets underway this Thursday morning with judging in the Ayrshire, Holstein and Jersey Cattle Shows as the Purebred Heavy Horses. Both events are closed to the public which must wait until 4 p.m. for the grand opening with one exception –for the first time ever the Fair’s organizers, in partnership with Robertson Amusements, will be offering an accessibility hour from 2-3 p.m., during which persons with disabilities and their support persons can enjoy the midway rides without all the lights and sounds.
Anyone wishing to take advantage of the
Navan Fair returns Aug. 6-9
accessibility hour had until Tuesday, Aug. 4 to pre-register.
When the gates do open to the general public at 4 p.m., visitors will have access to the entire midway, which will once again be offering a Toonie Thursday discount in which you can go on any ride for just one ticket. The tickets can only be purchased on site in packets of four or 16 at $2 a ticket plus HST. The Beer Garden under the Domes will also open at 4 p.m.
The official opening ceremony of the Fair will take place at 7 p.m. on the second floor of the Navan Memorial Arena,
Thursday’s main event starts at 7 p.m. in the demolition derby arena where massive “car”nage will take place as six-cylinder vehicles go bumper-to-bumper to determine a champion.
After the demolition derby, fair-goers can head over to the Domes to see Eastbound of Bytown and DeeJay Nash who will be performing from 9-11 p.m.
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Navan Fair offers fun for the whole family
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Activities then pick up on Saturday morning with a special presentation by the Meet the Keepers Rescue Center in the Navan Curling Club at 10:30 a.m. Additional presentations will be held at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
The ever popular Ultimutts Animal Actors Show will take place at 11:30 a.m., 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in front of the Navan Fair Pavilion.
The midway will open at 11 a.m. featuring a pay-one-price option costing $45 plus HST which will be good for the entire day.
Horse fans will be able to catch the Heavy Horse judging at 3:30 p.m. in the Navan Memorial Arena which will include a performance by the Capital Cowgirls Drill Team.
The main event on Friday night is the return of the demolition derby with the children’s PowerWheels, and full-size car events followed by The Derringers and Signal Hill performing under the Domes from 9 p.m. which costs an extra $15 over the price of general admission to the Fair.
On Saturday, things kick off with a special
pancake breakfast in St Mary’s Hall at 1171 Smith Road starting at 8 a.m.
The fairgrounds will open at 9:30 a.m. which is also when the Prettiest Petal Farms Display will open in the Pavilion. The Navan Fair Parade will then take place along Colonial Road starting at 10:45 a.m. followed by the return of the Bed Races.
Other events on Saturday include a Cornhole Tournament beginning at noon in the beverage garden, the Zucchini-500 Car Race under the Pavilion at 1 p.m., and the Truck Pull at 4 p.m.
Saturday’s headline act under the Domes are The Road Hammers.
The Fair will wrap up on Sunday with one hour of complimentary rides on the midway from 10-11 a.m., the Heavy Horse and Tractor Pulls at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and The RockPhiles and Double Back under the Domes at 1 p.m.
Formore information about this year’s Navan Fair including a full schedule and pricing visit navanfair.ca.
Albert Haunted House for CHEO given one year reprieve
By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star
The Hallowe’en Haunted House on Pintail Crescent in Orléans which has raised over $100,000 for CHEO and has entertained kids for over 25 years has been given a one-year reprieve.
Orléans West-Cumberland city councillor Matt Luloff with the support of his east end colleagues and Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, has managed to find a way to allow Brian and Patrick Albert to operate the haunted house for one final year.
The father and son duo thanked their many supporters, including the more than 3,800 people who signed an online petition, in a post on their Facebook page on July 24.
“We are thrilled to announce, with the unwavering support of everyone and the dedication of the City, that we will be reopening for this final year,” the Alberts wrote.
“To everyone, thank you so
much for fighting for us and for the support throughout these past 26 years. Your generosity is amazing; you are the reason why we were able to donate over $100,000 to CHEO.”
The Albert residence has welcomed Hallowe’en and Christmas display enthusiasts for the over 25 years with elaborate displays that have been enjoyed by young and old alike.
The Brian and Patrick Albert put in hundreds of hours every year setting up the displays, especially the Hallowe’en display which in the past has included a haunted house made up of several temporary rooms.
Days after putting the display away last year they were visited by a bylaw officer saying that the City had received a complaint from a neighbour about the display.
The Alberts didn’t think much of it at the time because they were busy setting up their Christmas
display, which like the Hallowe’en display, draws hundreds of visitors to the street every year.
It wasn’t until they received a notice from the City’s bylaw office last month that they realized they had to make a difficult decision to remove the haunted house or risk getting a heavy fine.
But after making the decision to remove the haunted house on July 5, they received a call from Matt Luloff who told them that he was able to put a hold on the ban in order to allow time to come up with a compromise solution that would allow then to keep the Haunted House.
The result was a reprieve for at least 2026. Rather than try to continue to fight with the City, the Alberts decided that this year’s edition of the Haunted House would be the last, however, they will continue to have a Christmas display and as well as a Hallowe’en display in future years only with
The Albert Haunted House for CHEO will be back for one final year this Hallowe’en after Coun. Matt Luloff and Mayor Mark Sutcliffe intervened to find a solution.
the Haunted House element. “This wasn’t just about a haunted house. It was about preserving something that has brought neighbours together for 26 years while raising more than $100,000 for CHEO,” Luloff said in response
to his successful efforts. Meanwhile, the Alberts are hoping that all the publicity surrounding the threatened closure will equate to the biggest turnout and largest amount of donations for CHEO they will ever receive.
Order yours today! Simply e-mail info@orleansstar.ca and indicate how many copies you would like. Please include your name and address.
R.I.P.
Last month, we lost two members of our community who will be greatly missed by their friends and family. One was a giant in our community and one of the leading real estate brokers in the Nation’s Capital. The other was a young lady who touched the lives of hundreds of people during her 33 years on this earth,
You would be hard pressed to find a single person in Orléans who didn’t know the name Paul Rushforth. Even if you never met the man, you would have recognized him by the dozens of real estate names and billboards that bore his name, or his face, or both.
Before getting into real estate, Rushforth spent a decade playing professional hockey in North America and Europe. When the British Ice Hockey Super League folded in 2003, he decided to return to Ottawa.
Eight years later, he earned his real estate brokers license and opened Paul Rushforth Realty in Orléans in 2011. Not long afterwards, he organized the first of many charity golf tournaments in support of the Do It For Daron Foundation which raised over $21,000. The OrléansCumberland Community Resource Centre was another beneficiary of the tournament.
Rushforth passed away on July 24 at the age of 52. He will be missed by his three children, his partner Sedlakova Blais, and his many friends and colleagues.
Although not as well known as Rushforth, Elizabeth Coventry was just as well loved by her family and friends and will just as deeply missed.
Elizabeth died on July 14 at the age of 33. I didn’t know the young lady but I do know her parents, Ashley Coventry and Sylvie Auger, both of whom taught at St, Peter High School, and if she is anything like her parents she must have been an incredible person. In fact, I’m sure of it.
They say that you can judge a person’s life by the number of people who’s lives they’ve touched in a positive way. Judging by the hundreds of people who took the time to attend her celebration of life on July 23, Elizabeth, or Lizzie as she was called by her family and friends, touched a lot of lives in her 33 years.
A gifted and accomplished horsewoman, Elizabeth built a life doing what she loved. She worked at veterinary clinics and barns throughout the Ottawa and Quebec region, earning the respect and admiration of the equestrian community through her knowledge, skill, and unwavering dedication.
Together with her beloved partner, Yanik Bourdeau, she created a home centered around their hobby farm, where she boarded horses, taught riding and braiding lessons, and generously shared not only her remarkable understanding of horses, but the quiet wisdom she carried through life itself. Like Paul Rushfrorth, she will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
– Fred Sherwin
Summer is always a busy and exciting season in Orléans
One of the month’s most significant announcements came on July 22, when I welcomed Minister Gregor Robertson, joined by City Councillor Laura Dudas to the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex. Together, we announced more than $6.3 million in federal funding toward the construction of a new full-sized gymnasium. This investment, delivered through the Build Communities Strong Fund in partnership with the City of Ottawa, will create more opportunities for residents of all ages to stay active, connect with neighbours, and enjoy modern recreation facilities for years to come.
Building strong communities also means preparing the workforce of tomorrow. During Minister Robertson’s visit, we toured La Cité’s Minto Trades Centre on Jeanne d’Arc Blvd., where we met with President and CEO Dr. Lynn Casimiro and students training for careers in the skilled trades. The Government of Canada’s additional $2 billion investment in skilled trades training will help equip the next generation with the skills needed to strengthen our economy and support growing communities like Orléans.
Mahfoud and Mohamed Saadoudi on this exciting new venture. Small businesses are at the heart of our local economy, and such investment is another great example of the confidence local entrepreneurs have in our community. As our local BIA always says: Why Not Orléans! It was also an honour to celebrate the Royal Canadian Legion’s 100th anniversary at Branch 632’s open house. During the event, I had the privilege of presenting the Governor General’s Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers to Joseph Patrick Sean McNulty in recognition of more than 50 years of extraordinary service to veterans, military families, and our community.
Supporting our seniors remains a priority. At the July 19 breakfast hosted by the Rendez-vous des aînés francophones d’Ottawa (RAFO), I announced nearly $50,000 through the New Horizons for Seniors Program to enhance programming.
Jody Maffett Editor
The Orléans Star
Fred Sherwin Owner and publisher fsherwin@orleansstar.ca
Jean-Marc Pacelli Editor L’Orléanais
The Orléans Star is a bi-weekly publication covering the east end communities of Blackburn Hamlet, Orléans and Navan. The newspaper is locally owned and operated by Sherwin Publishing Inc., 745 Farmbrook Cres., Orléans, ON. Inquiries and delivery issues should be sent to info@orleansstar.ca.
July also brought many opportunities to celebrate local achievements. Congratulations to Shamim, owner of Manicure Mansion, on the business’s first anniversary. I was also pleased to welcome Les Moulins La Fayette to Orléans at its new location at 2548 St. Joseph Blvd. Congratulations to owners
Now in August, I look forward to seeing many of you at our annual Corn Roast on Aug. 20 at Petrie Island as well as community celebrations, including the Chapel Hill Summer Sizzler on Aug. 14, the GACA Summer Fest and the Bradley Estate Community Association BBQ on Aug. 15, and the Queenswood Heights Music Festival and Family Fun Day on Aug. 22.
**La version française est maintenant disponible sur ma page Facebook**
Growing up in the west end of Ottawa on Baseline Road near Greenbank, the far east end of Ottawa, and Orléans in particular, was always a mystery to me.
As kids we thought that if you drove past St. Laurent Blvd. you would literally fall off the edge of the world.
I remember when we first moved to Ottawa in 1973, I had this hair-brained idea to ride my bicycle to the Museum of Science and Technology after I had read about it in a brochure.
On the map it didn’t look that far. And, yes, we used maps in those days. Smart phones, Google maps and GPS were still four decades away.
I remember staring out at 11 a.m. with the intention of riding down Baseline Road to Heron Road and followng it to Alta Vista and then Smyth Road to the museum. It seemed so simple. If we had google maps back then I would have learned that the Museum of Science and Technology was nearly 90 minutes away by bike from 2708 Baseline Road where we lived.
Ninety minutes doesn’t seem like mush unless you get lost along the way. I got lost
Up Front
Fred Sherwin
Yes, I know they run into each other, but I someone read the signs wrong and ended up on Riverside.
To make a long story short, I didn’t arrive at the museum until almost three and then I had to call my Dad to come and pick me up rather than bike back home.
All of which to say the east end was always a foreign place to me and Orléans just as well could have been on another planet. When my brother moved to Blackburn Hamlet in the early 80s I thought he was crazy.
And then I had a friend in the mid-80s, whose father built the A-frame house at 1378 Duford Dr. Every time we drove out to his place, it felt like we were driving all the way to Montréal.
It wasn’t until I started working at the
I began to appreciate Orléans for the unique community that it is.
I was able to meet a lot of interesting people and learn about the history of the community through people like Gerry Poulin, who was a long time columnist with the L’Express newspaper and lived in Orléans since the mid-60s.
Gerry taught me about the community’s francophone heritage and the importance of maintaining its francophone institutions.
Today, Orléans remains a very bilingual community. Thirty-one per cent of its residents identify themselves as francophone and speak French at home, while 52 per cent of its residents are bilingul according to the Census conducted in 2021.
In 2003, I enrolled my sons at Divine Infant Elementary School in Chatelaine Village even though I still lived downtown and would make the drive out to Orléans and back every morning and afternoon, although in those days I was still spending a lot of time in the east end after launching orleansonline. ca in 2001.
It weasn’t until 2006 that I moved to Orléans to stay after my ex-wife and I
on Fallingbrook Crescent that I first moved into on Aug. 1, 2006. That was 20 years ago. My, how the time has flown by.
When I first moved to Orléans, Maggie was 11 and the boys were eight. Maggie’s now 32 and the boys are now 28. Yikes.
A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then. I have met hundreds of people over the years and have written well over 5,000 stories. I’ve run for city council twice and lost both times. I started the Outstanding Youth Awards in 2007, which are still going strong. And I organized the Greater Orléans Canada Day Celebration on Petrie Island for 12 years from 2005 to 2017.
If you’ve lived in Orléans for any length of time you know exactly what I mean when I say that Orléans is one of the greatest communities in the entire country.
If you are new to the community –welcome. In time, you too will come to undertand what I mean.
So please, take advantage of the Community Guide contained in this week’s paper. And by all means take the time to take in some of the festivals and celebrations that help make this community the wonderfiul
FOPI group provides invaluable stewardship of treasured natural area
Communities are built by people who quietly give their time, energy, and passion to make a difference. Across Orléans East – Cumberland, we are fortunate to have volunteers who care for parks, support neighbours, and organize events that help make our community special.
This month, I would like to recognize the Friends of Petrie Island. For many years, this dedicated group has been an invaluable steward of one of Ottawa’s most treasured natural areas. Through shoreline cleanups, habitat restoration, educational initiatives, advocacy, and countless volunteer hours, they help preserve the island’s unique ecological character while encouraging residents to enjoy it responsibly.
trusted partners in that effort.
I recently attended one of their regular working meetings alongside City staff. Discussions focused on ecological preservation, visitor management, park renewal, signage, by-law considerations, and long-term planning. These conversations demonstrate the value of bringing together volunteers, residents, and City staff to find thoughtful solutions that protect our natural spaces while ensuring they remain welcoming for everyone.
On behalf of our community, thank you to every volunteer who gives their time to care for Petrie Island. Your dedication makes a lasting difference, and Orléans East – Cumberland is stronger because of your commitment.
Petrie Island is much more than a beach. It is home to sensitive wetlands, diverse wildlife, scenic trails, and an ecosystem that attracts visitors from across the region. Protecting this special place requires collaboration, and the Friends of Petrie Island have become
If you are interested in learning more about the Friends of Petrie Island or becoming involved, I encourage you to visit www. petrieisland.org and discover how you can help protect one of our community’s greatest natural treasures.
Councillor’s first full term in office marked by many accomplishments
As this is my final column before the City’s election-related communication blackout, I want to thank the residents of Orléans South–Navan for the privilege of serving you this past term.
I’ve always promised to be accessible, responsive and relentless in advocating for our community.
Transportation became the defining issue of the term. I challenged long-standing assumptions about how infrastructure investments were priori|tized and demanded a fairer share for the east end through a bombshell inquiry exposing a decades-long funding imbalance.
Growth also demanded careful planning. I consistently advocated for development that puts people first by strengthening planning policies to ensure infra-structure, transportation, parks, and community serv-ices remain in focus. Because I believe development should be measured not only by the number of homes we approve, but by the quality of the communities we create.
That work helped build momentum for the future widening of Brian Coburn Boulevard, made the Cumberland Bus Rapid Transit corridor the City’s top federal funding priority, and broke years of deadlock with the NCC to advance the Renaud Road Realignment. I also secured faster delivery of new traffic signals and key intersection improvements, alongside historic investments in road rehabilitation for our suburban and rural communities.
One of the largest park investments in our community’s history is set to begin this fall after I advanced the long-awaited expansion of a new district park next to the François Dupuis Rec Centre. I also changed how we approach park accessibility by identifying barriers across our parks so future investments can be targeted where families need them most.
There’s always more work to do, but I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together. Thank you for your trust, your ideas, your feedback and the opportunity to serve this remarkable community.
Bite Burger House in the Fallingbrook Shopping Plaza hosted a Veterans’ House Canada luncheon on July 22 and marked the occasion by launching a new burger.
The Veteran Burger was developed with input from several Veterans’ House residents. It consists of 1/2 lb ground chuck, made fresh daily in house, topped with white cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, tomato, pickles, lettuce and a maple syrup garlic aioli sauce
Two dollars from every Veteran Burger sold will go directly to Veterans’ House Canada, creating an ongoing source of support for the organization and its residents.
Veteran’s House Canada aids homeless veterans build a better future by providing them with permanent, affordable and supportive housing.
Orléans resident Jay Sanko is the lead organizer of the Veteran’s House Canada luncheons as well as the local Flag Day Dinner which takes place in February.
The July 22 luncheon was co-sponsored by Newfound Recruiting and the ADGA
Group.
“Their support reflects the commitment of local businesses to giving back to Canada’s Veteran community, and I would like to sincerely thank both organizations for their continued support,” says Sanko
“These luncheons are about much more than sharing a meal. They provide an opportunity for serving members of the CAF and Veterans to connect with one another, build friendships, and experience the tremendous appreciation that exists within our community. None of this would be possible without the generosity of our sponsors, volunteers, and local businesses that continue to stand behind our Veterans.”
The 7th Annual Flag Day Dinner will take place on Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Cartier Drill Hall on Queen Elizabeth Drive next to Ottawa City Hall.
Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and supporters alike, the evening is provided free of charge to serving CAF members and veterans.
For more information about the next year’s dinner, visit the SES Foundation website at www.stratus-es.com.
From left to right, Orléans East-Cumberland city councillor and Afghan War veteran Matt Luloff, Veteran House resident Bill Beaton, Bite Burger House owners Glenn Klepsch and Bettina Klims, and VHC luncheon organizer Jay Stanko (back right). Inset, Bite Burger’s new Veteran Burger.
Community resource centres launch school supply programs
By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star
The Orléans Cumberland Community Resource Centre (OCCRC) has launched its annual school supply program funding drive with the hope of raising $26,000 for 520 local school children.
It may be hard to believe for some readers, but there are hundreds of families in Orléans who face financial struggles every day. It may be a family in which a parent has recently lost their job and is having a hard time finding a new one, it could be a family struck by illness, or it could a single parent who is struggling to pay their mortgage or rent, along with feeding their kids and buying them clothes.
The Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre and the Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre already helps Orléans residents through a variety of social programs and supports, including financial and family counseling, crisis support and Early Years programs.
In addition, the Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre runs a food bank, which provides emergency food
supplies for more than 1,500 individuals a month which includes more than 430 families of varying sizes.
A number, if not all, of those families struggle to purchase school supplies for their children, especially as the price for everything from pencils to backpacks continues to go up.
You can lend these families a hand by donating to the OCCRC’s school supply program.
Through the program, each child will receive a $50 gift card to help buy the school supplies they need.
The OCCRC is only accepting donations made online. Donations of actual school supplies at the Resource Centre will not be accepted
To make a donation, simply visit the OCCRC website at www.crcoc.ca/en/ children-youth/school-supplies-program/ or you can scan the QR code in their ad on page .
The Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre (EORC) is once again teaming up with Caring and Sharing Exchange to provide free grade appropriate backpacks
Financially challenged families in Orléans and the surrounding community have access to two school supply programs depending on which neighbourhood they live in. FILE PHOTO
and school supplies for students in its catchment area which includes Beacon Hill, Blackburn Hamlet and the Orléans communities of Convent Glen, Chapel Hill, Bradley Estates and Chateauneuf.
The Caring and Sharing Exchange is a
local charity that provides assistance to Ottawa families and individuals in need, during the Christmas season and the backto-school season.
Donations can be made on the EORC website at eorc-creo.ca/donate.
Spring Living Retirement Communities Presents
Date: August 21 , 2026 Time: 11:30 - 1:00 PM
By Jody Maffett
The Orléans Star
The community of Orléans is made up of a collection of neighbourhoods in Ottawa’s far east end.
Neighbourhoods such as Convent Glen Orléans Wood, Chapel Hill, Queenswood Heights, Fallingbrook and Chatelaine Village were formally part of the municipalities of Gloucester and Cumberland. In fact, the border between the two former cities once ran through the centre of Place d’Orléans.
The name Orléans was given to the community by Jean-Théodore Besserer who was the first postmaster of Orléans in 1860. Besserer was born on Île d’Orléans in Québec and so he gave the fledgling community the name of his native island.
The community started out as the Parish of St. Joseph de Gloucester in 1860. The first known settlers
A community with a deep roots A community with a deep roots
to the area were François Dupuis, a veteran of the War of 1812, and Joseph Vézina, also known as Viseneau, who arrived in the area about 30 years before it became a parish. Other early settlers include the Major, Besserer and Duford families. The first anglophone families to settle in the area were the McNeelys and the Kennys.
In 1860, Father Alphonse-Marius Chaîne was appointed resident priest of the new Saint-Joseph d’Orléans parish. Construction of the first church was completed in 1885. It had to be demolished in 1920 for structural reasons and a new church was erected on the same site over the next two years.
In 1922, the Police Village of Orléans was formed with a council consisting of three volunteers elected to preserve peace, health and public safety. At that time, the village was part of Gloucester Township.
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In 1930, the Police Village borrowed $3,800 to build a sidewalk along Ottawa Street (known as St. Joseph Blvd. today) from Champlain Street to Cousineau Street. It wasn’t until 1957 that the Village Council successfully petitioned to change the name of Ottawa Street to St. Joseph Blvd.
The Police Village was eventually abolished in 1974 and Orléans was left divided – one half in the municipality of Gloucester and the other half in the municipality of Cumberland.
In its earliest days – and right up until the mid-20th century – Orléans was a predominantly French-speaking community. In 1849, the population of the area was approximately 50 people. Within 50 years, the area would see the construction of its first hotel, its first post office and its first school. But it wasn’t until the 1980s that the
community really boomed. During the early to mid-80s, Orléans was the fastest-growing community in Canada. Over that period, the population almost doubled. Today, Orléans is home to more than 140,000 inhabitants.
The community has a number of state-of-the-art recreation facilities such as the Ray Friel Centre and
Millennium Park, modern library services, a wonderful arts facility in the Shenkman Arts Centre, top-notch schools, a network of strong minor sports organizations, a thriving arts and culture community and dozens of parks.
The residents of Orléans have a lot be proud of, but there is a lot to look forward to as well.
Demandes de renseignements généraux sur les programmes provinciaux
By Fred Sherwin
The Orléans Star
The east end encompasses the federal district of Orléans as well as four municipal wards Orléans West-Innes, Orléans EastCumberland, Orléans South-Navan, Beacon Hill-Cyrville.
The current federal member of parliament is Marie-France Lalonde, while the member of provincial parliament (MPP) is Stephen Blais. Lalonde has been representing Orléans in the House of Commons since 2019. Prior to that she served five years at Queen’s Park as MPP. Blais first won his seat in a byelection in February, 2019 that was held to determine Lalonde’s replacement. He was re-elected in 2022 and again last year.
Lalonde’s constituency office is located in the Peter D. Clark Building at 255 Centrum Blvd. while Blais’ constituency office can be found at 4473 Innes Rd., Suite 204, just east of Tenth Line Road.
A well represented community A well represented community
At the municipal level, the east end is divided into four wards: Beacon HillCyrville Ward includes the neighbourhoods of Beacon Hill, Cyrville and Pineview.
Orléans West-Innes Ward is comprised of Blackburn Hamlet, Chapel Hill, Chateauneuf, Convent Glen and Orléans Wood.
Orléans East-Cumberland Ward consists of Fallingbrook, Springridge, Chatelaine Village, Queenswood Village, Queenswood Heights and Cumberland Village.
Orléans South-Navan Ward is made up of Bradley Estates, Eastboro Chapel Hill South, Avalon, Notting Hill and the rural portion of the former municipality of Cumberland south of Wilhaven Road including the village of Navan.
Tim Tierney has represented Beacon HillCyrville Ward on city council since 2010. He was re-elected in 2014, 2018 and again in 2022. He is current chair of the City’s public works and infrastructure committee and he
Orléans East-Cumberland
613-580-2471
Matt.Luloff@ottawa.ca www.matthewluloff.ca
was recently chosen as the next president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
Laura Dudas (Orléans West-Innes) and Matt Luloff (Orléans East-Cumberland) were first elected to city council in 2018 and were both re-elected in 2022.
Besides her regular duties as a member of city council, Coun. Dudas serves as chair of the community services committee and is a member of the emergency preparedness and protective services committee, the planning and housing committee and the public works and infrastructure committee.
Coun. Luloff is a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces and a veteran of the war in Afghanistan. Besides his duties on city council, Coun. Luloff is the chairperson on the Public Library Board. He is also a member of the emergency preparedness and protective services committee, the environment and climate change committee, the transportation committee and the agricul-
laura.dudas@ottawa.ca www.LauraDudas.ca
ture and rural affairs committee.
Coun. Kitts was first elected to city council in a by-election in November 2021 She was subsequently re-elected to represent Orléans South-Navan in the 2022 municipal election.
Besides her regular duties as a member of city council, Kitts serves as chair of the Ottawa Board of Health. She also serves as the vice-chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee and the finance and Corporate Services Committee. She is also a member of the planning and housing committee and the agriculture and rural affairs committee.
All four east end councillors make a concerted effort to be as approachable and helpful to their constituents as possible. They also have a dedicated staff whose job it is to make sure that issues raised by their constituents are addressed in a timely manner.
Orléans
613-580-2489
tim.tierney@ottawa.ca www.timtierneyottawa.ca
Catherine.Kitts@ottawa.ca www.catherinekitts.com
Your community contacts Your community contacts
Police, Fire, Ambulance
To report a fire, health emergency or a crime in progress 9-1-1
To report other emergencies or suspicious activities 613-230-6211
All other police inquiries ottawapolice.ca 613-236-1222
Orléans-Cumberland Community Police Centre, 3343 St. Joseph Blvd. 613-236-1222 ext. 3571
Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex, 1490 Youville Dr. 613-580-9600
Navan Memorial Arena, 1295 Colonial Rd. 613-835-2066
Ray Friel Recreation Complex, 1585 Tenth Line Rd. 613-580-4765
R.J. Kennedy Arena, 1115 Dunning Rd. 613-580-9860
Swimming pools
Bob MacQuarriie Recreation Complex, 1490 Youville Dr. 613-824-0819
François Dupuis Recreation Centre, 2263 Portobello Blvd. 613-580-8080
Ray Friel Recreation Complex, 1585 Tenth Line Rd. 613-830-2747
Splash Wave Pool, 2040 Ogilvie Rd. 613-748-4222
Arts Community
Gloucester Pottery School gloucesterpotteryschool.com
Les Chansonniers d’Ottawa facebook.com/LesChansonniersdOttawa
Ottawa School of Art – Orléans Campus artottawa.ca
613-424-2828
613-580-2765
Ottawa School of Theatre ost-eto.ca 613-580-2765
National Capital Artisans nationalcapitalartisans.ca
Arteast Ottawa arteastottawa.com
Bytown Beat Chorus bytownbeat.groupanizer.com
Coro Vivo Ottawa www.corovivoottawa.ca
Cumberland Community Singers www.cumberlandcommunitysingers.ca
By Jody Maffett
The Orléans Star
Like many other bedroom communities in Canada, Orléans has its share of residents who, for various reasons, need help in times of crisis.
Whether they are experiencing financial hardship, are new arrivals to Canada or victims of domestic abuse, residents in need have not one, but two agencies they can turn to in times of need.
The Orléans Cumberland Community Resource Centre (OCCRC), located on Centrum Boulevard in Orléans Town Centre, serves residents living in the former municipality of Cumberland which includes Queenswood Heights, Fallingbrook, Orléans Wood, Cardinal Creek, Chatelaine Village and Avalon, while the Eastern
Ottawa Resource Centre (EORC), located in the Gloucester Centre on Blair Road, serves residents living in the former municipality of Gloucester, which includes the communities of Beacon Hill, Blackburn Hamlet, Chateauneuf, Chapel Hill and Convent Glen.
Both resource centres provide services and programs for youth, teenagers and families and both agencies operate an Early Years drop-in centre. In addition, the EORC provides services and programs for seniors and adults with physical disabilities in both jurisdictions including Meals on Wheels.
The OCCRC also operates a food bank which provides emergency
Providing a helping hand Providing a helping hand
the Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard located at 2040 Arrowsmith Dr. which operates under the same rules.
Both resources centres are able to provide services to residents in need thanks in large part to the generosity and dedication of dozens of donors, and community groups which hold fundraising events throughout the year.
The OCCRC has several programs in which local businesses and individuals can contribute directly to the agency, the biggest being the Community Caring Connection program in which donors can either make a lump some donation, or a monthly contribution through a raising efforts and . You can learn more about the Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre and the programs the agency provides at eorc-creo.ca.
The Orléans Cumberland Community Resource Centre is located at 240 Centrum Blvd. across from the Shenkman Arts Centre. FILE PHOTO
The Orléans Cumberland Community Resource Centre’s website can be found at crcoc.ca.
2026 SCHOOL SUPPLIES PROGRAM
OUVREZ LA VOIE À LA RÉUSSITE SCOLAIRE ! PAVE THE WAY FOR STUDENT SUCCESS
Veuillez faire un don en ligne Nous n'acceptons pas de fournitures scolaires Please donate online. We do not accept school supplies
PROGRAMME D’EFFETS SCOLAIRES 2026
Services en français Services en français
Écoles catholique
Conseil des écoles catholique de Centre-Est www.ecolecatholique.ca
613-742-8960
École secondaire Béatrice Desloges, 1999, av. Provence 613-820-3391
École secondaire Garneau, 6588, rue Carrière 613-820-1750
Collège catholique Mer Bleue, 6401, ch. Renaud 613-744-4022
La Cité collégiale, 801 Aviation Pkwy www.collegelacite.ca 613-742-2483
Arts et culture
Les Chansonniers d’Ottawa facebook.com/LesChansonniersdOttawa
Mouvement d’implication francophone d’Orléans (MIFO) www.mifo.ca 613-830-6436
Club d’affaires
Business Club d’Orléans https://orleans.business-club-group.com
Centres de ressource communautaire
Centre des ressources de l’Est d’Ottawa, 1980 ch Ogilvie www.eorc-creo.ca 613-741-6025
Centre de ressources communautaires Orléans Cumberland, 240 boul Centrum www.crcoc.ca 613-830-4357
Patrimoine et l’histoire
Société franco-ontarienne de patrimoine et de l’histoire d’Orléans www.sfopho.com
Club des aînés
Rendez-vous des aînés francophones d’Ottawa, 3349 chemin Navan 613-834-6808 https://rafo.ca/
Centre Séraphin-Marion d’Orléans 613-830-6436 mifo.ca/activites-recreatives/csmo-50-ans-et/
By Jean-Marc Pacelli
The Orléans Star
Au service des francophones d’Orléans Au service des francophones d’Orléans
Depuis ses débuts, Orléans a toujours été fière de ses racines francophones.
Lors du recensement de 2021, plus de 30 pour cent des résidents d’Orléans ont indiqué le français comme langue maternelle et beaucoup plus s’identifiaient comme francophiles, ou possédant la capacité de parler et de comprendre le français.
La communauté francophone d’Orléans a travaillé fort pour établir et maintenir des institutions clés comme le Mouvement d’implication francophone d’Orléans (MIFO) et le Rendez-vous des aînés francophones d’Ottawa (RAFO).
Fondé en 1979, le MIFO est la source culturelle de la population francophone locale d’Orléans. L’organisme offre une multitude de programmes et de services communautaires.
L’organisme a élu domicile temporairement au deuxième étage du centre commercial Place d’Orléans pendant la construction de son nouvel édifice.
Le MIFO est également chargé d’amener des artistes, des comédiens et des représentations théâtrales de langue française au Centre des Arts Shenkman.
Il en va de même pour le Rendez-vous des aînés francophones d’Ottawa (RAFO) qui offre normalement une grande variété d’activités pour les aînés francophones de la région. Le RAFO est le plus grand club francophone d’aînés à Orléans. Il est situé au 3499, chemin Navan.
Un autre organisme francophone important à Orléans est la Société francoontarienne du patrimoine et de l’histoire d’Orléans (SFOPHO). Le groupe est chargé de convaincre la ville de nommer plusieurs des rues et des parcs locaux en l’honneur de personnalités francophones importantes qui ont joué un rôle clé dans la communauté.
Alors que le MIFO est la source de la culture francophone à Orléans et que la SFOPHO est la gardienne de son patrimoine, l’église St-Joseph d’Orléans en est le cœur etl’âme.
L’église située au 2757, boulevard St-
The new MIFO cultural centre is scheduled to open in late summer or early autumn of 2027. PROVENCHER ROY ARCHITECTS
Joseph a été achevée en 1922 pour remplacer le bâtiment d’origine qui se trouvait sur le site de 1885 à 1920, date à laquelle il a dû
être démoli pour des raisons structurelles. Le bâtiment a récemment subi d’importantes rénovations.
Là où tout commence.
A thriving arts and culture community A thriving arts and culture community
By Jody Maffett
The Orléans Star
If you appreciate the arts, either as a patron or a practitioner, Orléans has much to offer for residents of all ages starting with the Shenkman Arts Centre.
Opened in 2009, the Shenkman Arts Centre is the cultural hub of Orléans offering programming in both French and English.
The Mouvement Implication de Francophones d’Orléans (MIFO) brings some of the best-known francophone acts in Canada to the Arts Centre every year with a variety of musical genres, comedy and dramatic performances.
The Shenkman Arts Centre is also home to the Ottawa School of Theatre, the Ottawa School of Art, the Gloucester Pottery School and four different galleries.
The Ottawa School of Theatre offers programming for all ages in both English and French. In fact, registration is now available for their fall and winter classes.
The OST also has several classes for adults including an adult comedy workshop and a theatre appreciation course that involves go-
ing to productions across Ottawa.
The OST will be holding an open house at the Shenkman Arts Centre next month. For more information about the OST and their programming for the 2026-2027 season, visit ost-eto.ca.
If singing is your thing, there are several talented choruses that hold regular auditions in search of new voices.
Coro Vivo Ottawa and Les Chansonniers d’Ottawa both have their roots in the east end and enjoy a well-earned reputation.
Additional information about Coro Vivo Ottawa can be found at corovivoottawa.ca, while information about Les Chansonniers can be found at leschansonniersottawa.com.
If you appreciate barbershop harmony you should consider joining the Bytown Beat chorus which specializes in Sweet Adeline music that is similar to the barbershop quartet style of singing. Auditions are held on a regular basis and can be scheduled by e-mailing info@bytownbeat.com.
The Gloucester Pottery School offers classes and courses for beginners to experienced artists. Registration is ongoing for more infor-
Opened in 2009, the Shenkman Arts Centre is the cultural hub of Orléans offering programming in both French and English. FILE PHOTOS
mation visit gloucesterpotteryschool.com.
The Shenkman Arts Centre, itself, is home to both the 500-seat Harold Shenkman Hall and the more intimate Richcraft Theatre. Performances range from comedy shows to children’s entertainers and award-winning tribute bands.
For more information about the Shenkman Arts Centre, including scheduling and ticket information, visit shenkmanarts.ca.
Panthers capture U14, U16 provincial football championships
By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star
The Cumberland Panthers Football Club went a perfect 2-0 at the Ontario Summer Football League (OSFL) championships in London on July 24, winning both the U14 and U16 AAA crowns.
The U14 team made history by becoming the fourth Cumberland Panther squad at that age level to win an OSFL championship in a row, and they did it in convincing fashion, downing the Durham Dolphins 31-12.
The U16 Panthers also made history by becoming the first U16 team in the club’s history to win a provincial title by beating the London Jr. Mustangs 12-8.
Ryan Gauncher was at the helm for the first three U14 championships before moving up to coach the U16 team to a perfect 10-0 record this season.
In fact, Gaucher’s teams have not lost a single game in four years.
That record looked to be in jeopardy, after the U16 team was trailing 8-0 through much of the first half. It was only a Hail Mary
pass from quarterback Chartles Dicaire to Jack Costanzo with three seconds left that narrowed the halftime deficit to 8-7 and gave the Panthers a boost of confidence coming out for the third quarter.
Cumberland’s defence, which had been stellar all season long, shut the Jr. Mustangs down through the third quarter and into fourth, even forcing a safety in the third quarter which gave the Panthers a 9-8 lead.
A 37-yard Ranieri field goal in the fourth extended their advantage to 12-8, meaning the Jr. Mustangs would need a touchdown to rob the Panthers of the win, which very nearly came to pass – literally
In the final two minutes of the game the Jr. Mustangs moved the ball down to the Panthers’ 30-yard line.
Then, on the final play of the game, they tried to pull off the same type of Hail Mary pass the Panthers did to end the first half and repeat history in the process.
It was just a year ago that the Jr. Mustangs U16 team defeated the Cumberland Panthers on a similar play in the dying seconds to
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Boston Pizza Soul Stone
Little Turkish Village Restaurant
Markies Montreal Smoked Meat
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Taproom 260
Caravela Restaurante
St. Martha’s Brasserie
The Garlic King
Seau de Crabe
To order your Taste of Orléans Dining Card today e-mail info@orleansstar.ca
The Cumberland Panthers U16 team made history last month by becoming the first team in that age cohort to win an OSFL provincial championship. PHOTO SUPPLIED
snatch the 2025 championship from the jaws of defeat.
The Cumberland Panther defensive back that got burned on that play was Adrian Saumure. He was so devastated by the play that he wanted to quite football. It was
Gaucher who talked him into returning for one more season.
Flash ahead to this year’s championship game and Saumure went from goat to hero by knocking the ball out of the Jr. Mustangs
CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
Panthers U14 team win fourth provincial championship in a row
Continued from page 17
receiver’s hands and thwarting what would have been a game winning touchdown.
To add extra insurance, Saumure’s defensive secondary partner, Bentley Capelle, whose birthday was on the same day, batted the loose ball to the ground to end the threat and the game.
For Saumure, it was sweet redemption.
For Gaucher, it was his 40th win and fourth OSFL championship in four years.
For the players who had moved up from the U14 team this year, it was their second or third championship in a row depending on when they joined the younger cohort.
For the players who returned from last year’s U16 team, it was a chance to experience the sweet taste of victory and erase the memory of last year’s loss.
After the win, Gaucher was quick to praise his assistant coaches and especially his defensive and offensive coordinators, Paul Deek and Luigi Costanzo.
•
The Panthers’ U14 team didn’t need any last second heroics in their game against East Division rivals Durham.
After opening the game with a rouge in the first quarter, the Panthers scored their first touchdown of the game on a seven-yard run by Asher Bradley. A Grayson Williamson convert would make the score 8-0.
After the Dolphins responded with a touchdown of their own to narrow the score to 8-6, Panthers’ quarterback Christiano Saghbini hooked up with receiver Jaylen Clergé for 22-yard touchdown catch and run early in the second quarter to make the score 15-6.
The Dolphins then scored to make the score 15-12.
A couple of series later, the Panthers’ defence was able to pin the Dolphins back deep in their own end, forcing them to give up a safety rather than risk giving Cumberland excellent field position and the chance to score another touchdown. Not that it would matter.
When play resumed in the third quarter, the Panthers marched down the field, setting up another touchdown run by Bradley to widen their margin to 24-12.
An 11-yard touchdown run by Ronin Van Gessel in the fourth quarter would make the final score 31-12, giving the Panthers their
The Cumberland Panthers U14 squad won the club’s fourth OSFL championship in as many years on July 25, downing the Durham Dolphins 31-12 for the title. PHOTO SUPPLIED
fourth U14 USFL championship in the past four years. A period during which they’ve gone a perfect 40-0.
For 17 players on this year’s team, it was their 20th win and second championship in a row.
For first year head coach Stephen Paiano, it was the end of a remarkable season and one which he will never forget.
“It’s been a heck of a run,” says Paiano.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have a great group of assistant coaches and young players who really wanted to win a second championship.”
A lot of the players will now enjoy a short break before heading off to their various community teams for the start of the National Capital Amateur Football Association (NCAFA) season in just a couple of weeks.
Summer Festival
COMMUNITY BILLBOARD
THURSDAY, AUG. 6
ORLÉANS FARMERS’
MARKET from 11 am to 4 pm in the Orléans Town Centre Plaza, 290 Centrum Blvd. Browse 130+ local vendors, grab a bite, and discover amazing handmade and local finds. Plenty of parking available.
THURSDAY, AUG. 6 TO SUNDAY, AUG. 9
THE NAVAN FAIR returns to the Navan Fairgrounds. Plenty to see and do including the demolition derby on Thursday and Friday night, midway, livestock shows, the Ultimutts Animal Actors Show, tractor and truck pulls, the Capital Cowgirls Drill Team and live entertainment under the domes on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night as well as Sunday afternoon. For a complete schedule visit www.navanfair.ca.
FRIDAY, AUG. 7
SDBC TAPROOM SERIES presents Not Broken live and in concert. Showtime 8 p.m. Tickets
$20 in advance available at straydogbrewing.ca. The Stray Dog Brewing Company is located at 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park.
SATURDAY, AUG. 8
CUMBERLAND FARMERS’
MARKET from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the R.J. Kennedy Arena in Cumberland Village with a variety of local farmers and vendors ready to showcase their freshest produce, handmade goods, and unique finds! FREE ADMISSION.
MONDAY, AUG. 10
TRIVIA NIGHT from 7:30 p.m. every Monday night at the Royal Oak Pub Orléans. Free to play.
ESTATE SALE AUG. 15TH
9 AM TO 2 PM 6803 Barsona Place, Orleans Everything for sale, E-Trike Like New, Furniture, Household items, Appliances etc. No reasonable offer refused.
Prizes for the winning team! The Royal Oak Pub is located at 1981 St. Joseph Blvd. near Jeanne d’Arc. For more info visit facebook.com/ RoyalOakPubsOrleans.
SATURDAY, AUG. 15
DAPO FUN DAY from 12 noon at the Blackburn Community Park. Live music, DJs, BBQ, kids activities and much more. This is a fundraising event for the Dapo Agoro Foundation for Peace.
THURSDAY, AUG. 20
CORN ROAST AND BBQ hosted by Orléans MP Marie-France Lalonde and MPP Stephen Blais near the nature centre close to the northwest corner of Petrie Island. Hot dogs, corn and refreshments with live entertainment.
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Among other things gold level supporters will get exclusive access to a bi-weekly podcast featuring live interviews with local newsmakers and business owners. They will also receive guaranteed home delivery of both the Orléans Star and the L’Orléanais as well as a weekly newsletter and occasional news alerts.
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Among other things gold level supporters will get exclusive access to a bi-weekly podcast featuring live interviews with local newsmakers and business owners. They will also receive guaranteed home delivery of both the Orléans Star and the L’Orléanais as well as a weekly newsletter and occasional news alerts.
