The Orleans Star Dec. 18, 2025

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December 18, 2025 • Volume 39, No. 17

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2026 budget approved with 3.75% tax hike

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star

This is just one of the houses on Taffy Lane that attracts hundreds of Christmas display enthusiasts to the small street every year.

See story on page 15. FRED SHERWIN PHOTO

Ottawa city council passed the final operating and capital budgets for 2026 last week, which included a 3.75 per cent tax increase and a 2.5 per cent increase in transit fares for OC Transpo and O-Train users.

More than one quarter of the tax increase, or one per cent, is accounted for as a direct result of an eight per cent hike in the transit levy.

For the owner of an average home with a market value assessment of $415,000, a 3.9 per cent tax increase will equate to an additional $166 on the municipal portion of property tax bill, while the average rural homeowner would pay an additional $93 per year. The amount could be higher or lower depending on the market value assessment of your home. Keep in mind that your tax bill also includes a school

board levy which is set by the province.

In practical terms, the five per cent increase in transit fares will see an adult monthly pass jump from $135 to $138.50. Passes for youth age 13-17 will increase from $104 to $106.60.

User fees and facility rentals will also go up by five per cent in the new year.

The 2026 operating budget provides funding for an additional 23 paramedics, invest about $23 million to build 350 affordable homes and spend $400,000 to get a jump on the mayor’s pledge to end youth homelessness. Another $1.9 million has been set aside to fund activities associated with the 200th anniversary of Bytown next year.

Money has also been earmarked to hire six new full-time equivalent by-law officers to improve response times and enforce property CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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City to invest more money in parks and roads in Orléans Continued from page 3 standards, $100,000 for hybrid/electric vehicles and equipment and $100,000 to modernize field technology.

The capital budget includes $135 million for road resurfacing, $25.4 million for sidewalk rehabilitation and $75 million for maintenance and rehabilitation work on existing community centres, sports facilities and parks.

Another $3.6 million will be invested in replacing firefighter breathing devices, $3.6 million will go towards repairing and renewing fire stations and $1.4 million will be spent on other fire equipment The capital budget also includes funding for a number of projects in the east end.

Orléans East-Cumberland has been allocated $3,653,000 for road resurfacing

projects which include Old Montreal Road from Dunning to Kinsella and Lough Drive from Kinsella to Wilhaven.

Another $989,000 has been allocated for pathways and parks renewal including the replacement of the asphalt pathways in Apollo Park and three separate asphalt pathway linking Cassia Circle to Springridge Drive, Schroeder Crescent to Peppergrass Road and Timbertrail Terrace to Pine Vista Drive.

Elsewhere in the east end, residents in Orléans West-Innes will see the following in 2026: • Resurfacing of the Bilberry Tennis Court and the Racette Tennis Court • Full lifecycle replacement of both the Barrington Outdoor Rink in Chateauneuf and the Bearbrook Outdoor Rink in

2 • December 18, 2025 • Volume 39, No. 17

Blackburn Hamlet.

• Construction of a new disk golf facility at 1475 St. Joseph Blvd.

• Road resurfacing on Innes Road through Blackburn Hamlet. Frank Bender Street, Fortune Drive, Bédèque Court, Superior Court, Tours Place and Hunter’s Run Drive and Champneuf Drive between Jeanne d’Arc Blvd and Beausejour Drive.

Meanwhile, residents in Orléans SouthNavan will see the following investments in 2026: • $10 million for the construction of the Francois Dupuis District Park in Avalon.

• Installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Innes and Lamarche.

• Intersection improvements at Mer Bleue and Decoeur.

• Road resurfacing on Trim Road from

Colonial Road to Delson Drive, Watson Road from Watson Road to Sarsfield Road, Navan Road from just past Markinch Road to Mer Bleue Road, and Millennium Park parking lot paving (gravel lot closest to the turf football field & adjacent to Park and Ride lot).

Correction In the Dec. 4 edition of the Orléans Star it was incorrectly reported that Marino’s Hair Studio was located in Blackburn Hamlet. In fact, it is located at 2701 St. Joseph Blvd.

2025 marked by two elections, tariff wars and a World Series run

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star

In March, Carney was chosen as the new leader of the Liberal Party and within weeks he would call a federal election which was held on April 28.

The Liberals won 169 seats, falling just two seats short of a majority. In doing so they had to overcome one of the largest deficits in popularity in recent history.

Prior to Trudeau’s departure the Liberals were trailing the Conservatives by almost 30 points. They would win the election by capturing 44 per cent of the vote. The Conservative Party received just over 41 per cent.

Just as big of a story as the Liberals win, was the complete demolition of the NDP which lost 17 seats, dropping fro 24 seats to just seven.

Locally, 2015 was another year in which Stage 2 of the LRT extension missed yet another hoped for opening date. While both the City and the consortium building the extension have long stopped setting

2025: The year in review

any dates for its potential opening, most residents were hoping to jump on board this fall, which obviously never happened. The hope now is that it will open sometime this spring, but you would be hard pressed to find anyone who is holding their breath to see that actual take place.

Fortunately, there were several good news stories in Orléans in 2024 to distract everyone from the LRT. In May, the Orléans Legion launched a campaign asking people to knit or crochet poppies for the purpose of putting them on a cargo net to be displayed during the their Remembrance Day ceremony in November.

Their goal was to collect 5,000 poppies.

They ended up receiving more than 11,000 in a show of support for Canada’s veterans.

In June, the federal government announced that it would be contributing $15.7 million for the construction of MIFO’s new home on Carrière Street, completing the final piece of the project’s funding puzzle.

On July 1, Orléans’ biggest Canada Day celebration returned to Petrie Island after a brief one year absence. The move turned out to be a popular one as thousands of people gathered on the island for the festivities.

In October, the City of Ottawa gave the green light to a new expanded Orléans urgent

care clinic which will be built on Innes Road near Tenth Line.

October was also the month when Canadians from coast to coast were enthralled by the Toronto Blue Jays unforgettable run at what would have been their first World Series title in 23 years. Unfortunately, their quest fell a game short, but not before capturing the imagination of the entire country.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Left, Wendy Fortier from the Orléans Legion holds up some of the more then 11,000 poppies that were knitted and crocheted by area residents for this year’s Remembrance Day ceremonies.

FILE PHOTO

December 18, 2025 • Volume 39, No. 17 • 3

2025

For everything that has happened over the last 12 months, I believe 2025 will be remembered as the year when the most controversial and destructive president in U.S. history brought this country together in a way it has never experienced before.

Donald Trump’s insistence on continually revisiting the crazy notion that Canada should become the 51st state has led to the greatest sense of national unity in Canada’s 158 year history. According to polling conducted in May, nearly 80 per cent of respondents indicated they were proud to be Canadian, including a majority of people living in Quebec.

Canadians’ universal revulsion of the thought of becoming the 51st state of the United States and our anger over arbitrary tariffs on Canadian resources and products led to the “Elbows Up” movement and the unofficial boycott of U.S. products and travel to the U.S, which has had a massive impact on the tourism industry south of the border to the tune of an estimated $5.7 billion.

Unfortunately, that sense of national unity has been short-lived. As the year draws to an end, the word ‘separatism’ has crept back into our national nomenclature. And the province where the call for separation is loudest is not Quebec, but Alberta.

Albertans have always felt a sense of alienation from Eastern Canada and Ottawa in particular. But with the election of the United Conservative Party and their leader Danielle Smith as Premier in 2022, the call for separation has grown steadily louder.

The Alberta Prosperity Project is the leading force in the call for independence. The group wants to hold a referendum on the subject in 2026, which Smith has agreed to do despite a recent court ruling that a referendum would be unconstitutional.

Fortunately, those calling for independence are still very much in the minority. Following the election of the Liberal Party of Canada in May, no fewer than seven polls were taken in Alberta on the separation question. The average level of support across all seven polls was around 33 per cent.

An Angus Reid poll, which was also taken in May, showed that 52 per cent of Albertans would “definitely” vote to stay in Canada, while only 17 per cent would “definitely” vote to leave.

In a cross country poll taken at the same time asking respondents whether or not they were either “proud” or “very proud” to be Canadian, 61 per cent of the respondents in Alberta indicated they were “very proud” to be Canadian, which was the highest level of that sentiment in the country by far. Ontario was second at 48 per cent.

Which brings us right back to the question of national unity and the fact that the sense of national unity in this country has never been higher despite the minority of naysayers who will never be satisfied.

We are a great country with a great future. We are Canadians.

– Fred Sherwin

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 distributed to over 40,000 residences in 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.

4 • December 18, 2025 • Volume 39, No. 17

Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday season As we move closer to the holiday season, I want to highlight the tremendous work of the Heart of Orléans BIA, whose dedication once again shone during the annual lighting of the beautiful tree at Centrum Plaza.

Our community came together to enjoy hot chocolate, festive music, and the joyful presence of characters like Elsa, Olaf, the Grinch, and of course, Santa Claus. A new addition this year, the Winter Market, brought even more warmth and holiday cheer to the celebration.

Another memorable event took place on Nov. 29.

During the 2025 Santa’s Parade of Lights nearly 70 floats lit up St-Joseph Boulevard, and thousands of residents lined the route to share in this cherished tradition. The smiles on faces young and old captured the true spirit of the season.

I want to extend my sincere thanks to the Ottawa Professional Firefighters for their exceptional leadership in organizing the parade year after year, and for their continued service in keeping our community safe.

I am pleased to share that the Strong Canada Pass returns this December from the Dec. 12, 2025, to Jan. 15, 2026. Families can enjoy free entry to national parks, discounted train travel, and access to museums throughout the holiday season. It’s a perfect opportunity to explore Canada and plan your next

winter adventure.

This month, I had the pleasure of joining Club 60 as they celebrated their 55th anniversary. It was a meaningful moment to unveil their new flag and to honour several members marking an extraordinary milestone, their 50th and 60th wedding anniversary.

I am also honoured to congratulate two remarkable Orléans residents, Tahawar M. Rana and Dr. Holly Ellingwood, who were presented with the Order of Ottawa on Nov. 27. Their dedication, leadership, and service have strengthened our community, and this recognition is truly well deserved.

I also had the privilege of meeting the team at the Centre des métiers Minto – Campus Desjardins to learn about their innovative projects and to discuss the importance of the skilled trades sector as we move toward Budget 2025. Their work is essential to the continued growth of Orléans and Canada.

As this is my final column before the holiday break, I want to extend my warmest wishes to each of you. Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and may the New Year 2026 bring hope, love, friendship, and kindness **La version française est maintenant disponible sur ma page Facebook**

Presenting the 33nd annual Fredzee Awards Welcome to the 33nd edition of the annual Fredzee awards. This is where I get to name some of year’s biggest winners and losers and hand out a few awards.

When I came up with the first Fredzee Awards 33 years ago, I did so to avoid having to write a real column. I figured, “How difficult could it be?”

Turns out, in the years when there’s been a lot going on, it almost writes itself.

Unfortunately, 2025 has not been one of those years. Other than the provincial and federal elections, and the collateral damage caused in this country during Donald Trump’s first year in office there hasn’t been a whole lot to write about.

Be that as it may – and in effort to maintain what has become an annual tradition – here are the 2025 Fredzee Awards. Please hold your applause until the end.

Up Front Fred Sherwin losing his own seat in the April 28 General Election as the Liberals came within two seats of forming a majority government.

Almost as miraculous as the Liberal victory was Poilievre’s ability to hold on to his party’s leadership. Jangmeet Singh, meanwhile, was not so fortunate. After the NDP lost 17 of their 24 seats in the House of Commons – including his own seat in Burnaby Central – he stepped down after leading the party for eight years.

North America and most of the known world in 2025. Why? I still have no clue.

The Timing’s Everything Award To the Quebec’s National Assembly for passing a motion to abolish all ties to the monarchy on the same day King Charles III delivered a throne speech to Parliament.

The Off With Her Head Award To cult leader and self-proclaimed Queen of Canada, Romana Didulo, who was arrested during an RCMP raid on her compound in Richmound, Saskatchewan in September.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmm Award Pope Francis dies on April 21, 2025, just one day after meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the Vatican.

Biggest Winner of 2025 Mark Carney. On Jan. 1, Carney was a private citizen and chair of the Liberal Party’s Task Force on Economic Growth.

Less than three months later, he would be sworn in as the 27th Prime Minister of Canada.

The Whoops There Goes Another Canadian Icon Award To the Hudson Bay Company which closed all 80 of its stores, including its store in Place d’Orléans after filing for bankruptcy in March.

When the Hunter Becomes the Hunted Award To Texas real estate magnate Asher Watkins who died when the Cape buffalo he was hunting in South Africa took matters into its own hands and charged him first and gored him to death.

The Biggest Losers of 2025 Tie between Pierre Poilievre and Jagmeet Singh. Poilievre blew a 45-point lead in the polls heading into 2025 and ended up

Worst Fad of the Year All-Time Award To the 6-7 meme. And you thought the floss dance was ridiculous. The meme, which is popular among young people swept across

The !@?&? Award To the news that former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and pop star Katy Perry were an “item”. I have no words.

Bringing a New Meaning to TED Talks Award To AI toymaker Kumma which had to recall hundreds of its AI teddy bears when they learned the toy could talk to kids about sex and weapons.

The Most Bizarre Story of the Year Professional marksmen hired by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency kill between 300 and 360 ostriches on a farm in B.C. on Nov. 8, bringing to a close a story that began when testing found the flock had contracted avian flu in December 2024.

The If This Doesn’t Put A Smile On Your Face Nothing Will Award To the story about the raccoon who broke into a liquor store in Ashland, Virginia and proceeded to break dozens of bottles of booze and then lapping up the contents before passing put drunk on the floor in the store’s washroom. Yes, that really happened.

A Special Place in Heaven To Jane Goodall, Diane Keaton, Robert Redford, Graham Greene, Gene Hackman, Ozzy Osborne, Loni Anderson, Brian Wilson, George Foreman, Loretta Swit, Ruth Buzzi, Bob Uecker, Connie Francis, George Wendt, Marianne Faithfull, Sly Stone, Roberta Flack and Val Kilmer to name just a few of the celebrities who passed away in 2025.

December 18, 2025 • Volume 39, No. 17 • 5

Budget season is the culmination of extensive year-round process

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So, I negotiated for our community, improved pro­posals, and brought forward motions that deliver. Through site meetings with staff, frank discussions with senior leadership, and continued work with the Mayor’s office, we secured important gains.

Building on this summer’s Transportation Master Plan update, the budget advances detailed design to widen Brian Coburn Blvd. from Mer Bleue to Tenth Line. It also funds intersection upgrades and key roadwork in 2026, including resurfacing the problematic stretch of Navan Road from past Markinch to Mer Bleue. Sections of Trim and Watson roads will be rehabilitated, and the gravel lot beside the Millennium Park turf field will finally be paved.

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investment of over $12 million.

City-wide, the budget strengthens core services by adding 23 paramedics, 25 police officers, and unprecedented investments in affordable housing and food security. Through the Service Review and the Agile Government Working Group – on which I serve – the City has achieved over $253 million in cumulative savings, protecting residents from what would otherwise have been a 12% tax increase.

That said, I made it clear during deliberations that our ward still needs a larger share of investment to keep pace with rapid growth. Progress on the Renaud realignment, the Innes Transit Priority Measures and the Cumberland BRT has been too slow. To push action, I carried a motion expanding a transportation study to capture Orléans South’s growth in real time.

Rest assured, the work to advance these projects will continue into 2026. I won’t let up.

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season!

Each year, Council passes a budget that pace the infrastructure needed to support it. shapes how our city serves the people who Some people may criticize me for rely on us. I approach this responsibility with supporting the Lansdowne plan while voting the same focus I bring to against this budget. The all of my work. Service comparison is not valid. to the community comes At Lansdowne, the prifirst. vate partner is covering After weeks of reviewsixty nine percent of the ing the document, meetcost while the city is reing with staff, and listensponsible for the remainOrléans East-Cumberland ing to residents, I reached ing thirty one percent. the conclusion that I could not support the This model limits the burden on taxpayers 2026 municipal budget. This decision was while renewing an important city asset. A not about politics or personalities. It was municipal budget is different. It draws about accountability, fairness, and making directly from residents and must meet a highsure people in Orléans East – Cumberland er standard of fairness, clarity, and value. receive the value they deserve.

I have worked hard over the last seven years Residents are being asked to shoulder a tax to secure real investments for our community, increase well above inflation at a time when and it is my job to hold staff accountable when the cost of living continues to rise. commitments do not materialize. My resolve When Council asks more of families, we remains strong. I will continue to fight for the must show that every dollar is spent respon- investments, services, and infrastructure our sibly and that each part of our city receives its community needs. When something does not fair share. Too often, that is not what people meet the standard residents expect, it is my in the east experience. Long-planned projects responsibility to say so. That is why I voted face delays, key roads like the 174 remain against the 2026 budget and why I will keep under pressure, and growth continues to out- working for better results.

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Caring community answers the call yet again

By Jody Maffett The Orléans Star

Orléans residents have proven once again that they are among the most giving people in Canada, as they opening their hearts and wallets to help the less fortunate members of our community this holiday season.

The season of giving started with Santa’s Parade of Lights where parade-goers filled the firefighters’ boots and used the Tap the Boot app to donate more than $15,000, which has already been used to augment the more than 4,000 toys that were either collected during the Parade of Lights and the Help Santa Toy Parade, or have been dropped off at fire stations across the city.

Area firefighters will be happy to continue to accept toys at local fire stations in Orléans right up until Christmas Eve. Ottawa’s firefighters were at it once again on Saturday, Dec 6, when they held their annual Firefighters Food Drive at area grocery stores in support of the OrléansCumberland food bank.

The firefighters collected 19,675 food items and over $8,850 in monetary donations, which will go a long way to meet the demand not only over the holiday season,

but well into the New Year.

Orléans residents and business owners have also donated over $105,000 as of Dec. 12 for the Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre’s Christmas program including a $40,000 donation from Orléans Toyota.

The money raised will be used to support over 1,885 individuals during the holiday season almost half of whom are children.

The Resource Centre is still accepting donations to the program in the hope of reaching their goal of $250,000. Donations can be made at www.crcoc.ca/christmas.

Other fundraising efforts were held in conjunction with the Cumberland Christmas Market, the National Capital Artisans Christmas Craft Show and the Heart of Orléans Christmas Night Market.

Elsewhere, more than 100 people dropped

by Taproom 260 to support the Christmas Angels program and help raise more than $10,000 in the process through a silent auction, raffle and corporate donations. The money will be used to purchase gift cards for 10 local families of children who are being treated for severe illnesses such as cancer.

(Top) Firefighters, volunteers and staff at the Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre all pitched in to make this year’s Firefighters Food Drive another huge success. (Right) Sobeys Trim & Innes owner Dereck Sawh pitches in to help firefighters.

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December 18, 2025 • Volume 39, No. 17 • 9

10 • December 18, 2025 • Volume 39, No. 17

December 18, 2025 • Volume 39, No. 17 • 11

12 • December 18, 2025 • Volume 39, No. 17

2025 marked by two elections, tariff wars and a World Series run Continued from page 3 In March, Carney was chosen as the new leader of the Liberal Party and within weeks he would call a federal election which was held on April 28.

The Liberals won 169 seats, falling just two seats short of a majority. In doing so, they had to overcome one of the largest deficits in popularity in recent history.

Prior to Trudeau’s departure, the Liberals were trailing the Conservatives by almost 30 points. They would win the election by capturing 44 per cent of the vote. The Conservative Party received just over 41 per cent.

Just as big of a story as the Liberals win was the complete demolition of the NDP which lost 17 seats, dropping from 24 seats to just seven.

Locally, 2015 was another year in which Stage 2 of the LRT extension missed yet another hoped-for opening date. While both the City and the consortium building the extension have long stopped setting any dates for its potential opening, most residents were hoping to jump on board this fall, which obviously never happened. The hope now is that it will open sometime this spring, but you would be hard pressed to find anyone who is holding their breath to see that actual take place.

Fortunately, there were several good news stories in Orléans in 2024 to distract everyone from the LRT. In May, the Orléans Legion launched a campaign asking people to knit or crochet poppies for the purpose of putting them on a cargo net to be displayed during the their

Remembrance Day ceremony in November.

Their goal was to collect 5,000 poppies.

They ended up receiving more than 11,000 in a show of support for Canada’s veterans.

In June, the federal government announ-ced that it would be contributing $15.7 million for the construction of MIFO’s new home on Carrière Street, completing the final piece of the project’s funding puzzle.

On July 1, Orléans’ biggest Canada Day celebration returned to Petrie Island after a brief one-year absence. The move turned out to be a popular one as thousands of people gathered on the island for the festivities.

In October, the City of Ottawa gave the green light to a new expanded Orléans urgent care clinic which will be built on Innes Road near Tenth Line.

October was also the month when Canadians from coast to coast were enthralled by the Toronto Blue Jays unforgettable run at what would have been their first World Series title in 23 years. Unfortunately, their quest fell a game short, but not before capturing the hearts of the entire country.

Perhaps the most controversial news story of the year is a work still in progress.

In July, the city’s waste management department submitted a bid to buy the TaggartMiller landfill site near Carlsbad Springs.

Hoping to avoid the prospect of choosing a different site and going through the process of provincial approval, city council gave the bid its blessing, however, the outcome won’t be known until the new year.

And so that wraps up the year that was in 2025.

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December 18, 2025 • Volume 39, No. 17 • 13

Three east end residents receive Order of Ottawa award

By Jody Maffett The Orléans Star

Orléans-area residents Dr. Holly Ellingwood, Tahawar Rana and Wyatt McWilliams were among 15 people who were bestowed with the Order of Ottawa last week during a ceremony at City Hall.

A fourth east end resident, Courtney Rego, was this year’s recipient of the Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching.

Dr. Holly Ellingwood received the Order of Ottawa for her unwavering commitment to the rights of transgender and people with disabilities, as well as being a founding member of Orleans Pride.

Wyatt McWilliams owns and operates Navandale Farm in Navan

where he raises Clydesdale and Shire horses with his wife Cheryl and their three daughters. In 1995, he organized the World Record 50-Horse Hitch, along with his father Willard McWilliams as part of the Navan Fair’s 50th anniversary.

In 2002, Wyatt organized Hay West, shipping 711 train cars and 161 truckloads of hay to droughtstricken farmers in the prairies. He later founded Food Aid, which has provided over one million pounds of beef to the Ottawa Food Bank.

Tahawar Rana has been a dedicated leader in the Orléans community since 1997.

With more than 27 years of leadership and relationship-build-

14 • December 18, 2025 • Volume 39, No. 17

ing experience, including as the former president of the Bilal Masjid mosque, Rana is widely recognized for bringing people and organizations together to achieve shared goals. He has built lasting partnerships with civic, interfaith, and humanitarian organizations, reflecting his life-long commitment to unity, compassion, and impactful service.

Courtney Rego has been a proud volunteer, head coach, and for the past six years, Director of Coaching with the Capital City Condors – a program that gives individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to experience the joy of hockey in an inclusive and

supportive environment The Order of Ottawa recognizes exceptional residents who have made a significant contribution in a professional capacity to city life, including arts and culture, business,

community service, education, entrepreneurship, public service, labour, communications and media, science, sports and entertainment or other fields that benefit Ottawa residents.

Take a tour of Orléans’ best and brightest light displays

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star

Piling the kids into the car and taking them on a tour of the many bright lit and decorated homes in Orléans has been a local tradition for more nearly three decades.

In this article, I will take you on a tour of some of the very best. I’ll be starting off in Chatelaine Village, but only because the Albert house on Pintail Terrace is closest to my own house in Fallingbrook. But you can start at any of the houses along the way and follow along.

The Albert house at the corner of Pintail and Lawnsberry Crescent is among the top five most impressive house in Orléans. The father and son team of Brian and Patrick Albert have festooned their home with over 40 inflatable figures and more than 20,000 brightly coloured lights.

From Pintail drive out to Jeanne d’Arc Blvd. and drive west towards Orléans Blvd.

Once you reach Orléans Blvd. turn left and then left again just past Orleans United Church on to Sugar Creek Way. The world-famous Taffy Lane will be the first street on your right. The small street in Convent Glen North has become a mecca for residential Christmas display enthusiasts for more than 40 years.

One of the most brightly decorated houses on the street belongs to Peter Abercrombie, who is one of the four original residents who bought houses on the street in 1977.

The home is easily identifiable by the eight-foot wooden cutout of Frosty the Snowman carrying a candy cane in the front yard and a second cutout showing the Grinch tying an antler on the head of his faithful dog.

There are a number of other brightly lit homes on Taffy Lane, most notably the home at 1092 Taffy Lane which rivals the Abercrombie residence for its sheer visual impact.

The best way to fully take in the street and all that it has to offer, you should park your car on Sugar Creek Walk and go on foot.

After driving or walking down Taffy Lane, turn left on to Sugar Creek Way and turn your attention to the left-hand side of the street where you soon see the brightly lit home of Tony and Jocelyne Sullivan. To truly appreciate what the couple has done, you should get out of your car take a closer look..

After leaving Taffy Lane, you should turn left on to Orléans Blvd. and drive over the 174 to St Joseph Blvd. where you can get a

The Sullivan home on Sugar Creek Way is just one of the many truly amazing Christmas displays in Orléans. STAR PHOTO hot chocolate at Tim Hortons. From there, drive west down to St. Joseph to Grey Nuns Drive and take a right.

Grey Nuns has a number of nice houses to see, especially at the corner of Grey Nuns and Fieldstone Cres. At the end of Grey Nuns, turn right onto Jeanne d’Arc Blvd. and go back over the 174.

Continue on Grey Nuns until you get to

Voyageur Drive. Turn left on Voyageur and drive to Explorer Way where you will find Big Guys Big Christmas Display which is accepting non-perishable food items for the Orléans-Cumberland food bank. You can also make a monetary donation using the QR code displayed in front of the home.

From Explorer Way, make your way back CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Restaurante Caravela is now accepting reservations for New Year’s Eve* Table d’hôte menu Soup of the Day Chef Salad w/Shrimp Cakes Choice of Shrimp and Scallops, Lamb Shank, Seafood Platter, Fernando’s Platter, Cataplana, Alcatra Pot Roast, Sea Bass, Seafood Pasta with Shrimp, or Oven-baked-Cod. Dessert with coffee or tea and a glass of champagne.

Feliz Ano Novo

$110 613-424-9200 3712 Innes Rd.

Per Person

*Two seatings at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. www.caravelaottawa.ca December 18, 2025 • Volume 39, No. 17 • 15

Take a tour of Orléans’ best and brightest light displays Continued from page 15 to St. Joseph Blvd and head east to Dusssere Street which is the first street past Orléans Blvd. on your left.

Dussere runs into Cholette Crescent where you will find the Giroux residence at 1143 Cholette Crescent on the left. There is another nicely decorated house beside it at 1135 Cholette Crescent.

From Cholette, take Dussere back to St.

Joseph Blvd. and turn left. Take St. Joseph to Belcourt and take a right. Follow Belcourt to Sunview Drive and turn left. Turn left again on to Larkhaven where you will find a home famous for its collection of 50 plastic Santas and 24 plastic carolers.

From Larhaven, drive back to Belcourt and turn left. When you get to Beausejour, turn right and follow it past Jeanne d’Arc where you fill find another impressive light

display at 6431 Beausejour Dr. From Beausejour, find your way to Hatfield in Queenswood Heights where you will find another elaborate display. From there you can drive to 1532 Briarfield Cres in Fallingbrook and Cheverny Cres. which runs off of Montcrest Drive.

If you don’t mind driving further afield I would strongly suggest visiting the Zintel residence on Henn Drive in Navan. I

promise you won’t be disappointed.

And there you have it. Pack the kids in the car, fill the thermos with hot chocolate and take the kids on a magical Christmas light tour. Who knows? It may just become a family tradition.

And if you see any other nicely decorated houses along the way, please let us know.

We’ll be sure to include them in the tour next year.

1137 Pintail Terrace

862 Explorer Lane

UNITED IN HOPE Together, we can support our communities, no matter what lies ahead.

Poverty. Homelessness. Mental health. Social isolation.

These challenges feel overwhelming. But united, we can bring hope to our neighbours.

With one gift to United Way East Ontario, you help families build stability, connect seniors with community, and give young people a brighter future.

Learn more and show your support: UnitedWayEO.ca/Holiday TD will match your gift!

Save at tax time by giving before December 31.

16 • December 18, 2025 • Volume 39, No. 17

The Year in Sports filled with champions and championships

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star For a lot of local athletes, 2025 was a year they will never forget, starting with Navan curler Dominique Vivier who skipped her team to the U20 junior provincial championship in February.

It was Vivier’s second provincial title in as many years. In 2024, she won the U18 championship.

In March, another curler, Orléans native Rachel Homan curled a perfect game on her way to winning her fifth Scotties TournaDominique ment of Hearts title, Vivier putting one behind Hall of Fame skip Jennifer Jones who won the title six times.

In April, the Ottawa-Gloucester Devils U19 team won the Ontario provincial ringette championship.

May signaled the start of the outdoor season in high school sports as well as the minor soccer and minor football seasons.

On June 4, The Béatrice-Desloges Bulldogs completed a marathon one-day play-

off to win the National Capital Secondary School Athletic Association varsity girls flag football championship.

On the same day, Cairine Wilson’s girls rugby team won its third city championship in the last four years.

The high school track and field season wrapped on June 6 and 7 with the OFSAA provincial championships in Toronto. Three athletes from Orléans would win gold at the meet including two athletes from École secondaire publique Louis-Riel.

Mallea McMullin, 16, won gold in the junior girls javelin, and Zachary Jeggo, 17, did the same in the senior boys 400-metre hurdles.

Orléans third gold medalist was Maxime Cazabon from École secondaire catholique Garneau who won the novice boys high jump.

Besides winning the gold medal in the 400-metre hurdles, Jeggo also won a silver medal in the senior boys 400 metres, and he combined with teammates Daniel Cova, Isaiah Wallace and Ayoub Shanghai to win the Open boys 4x400 metre relay.

As spring turned into summer, two teams from the Cumberland Panther football club rose to the top of their sport by winning the

ultimate prize as part of the Ontario Summer Football League.

The Panthers U16 girls team won its first provincial championship with a 58-28 win over their namesakes from Peel, and the U14 boys team won its third straight provincial title in as Mallea many years with a 49McMullin 29 win over the London Jr. Mustangs, becoming the first team in league history to complete the three-peat.

While the U14 Panthers were making history Navan native Angélique Pagé was helping Team Canada win the women’s world ball hockey championship in Slovenia, completing a year in which she also won national U-Sport university championship with the Bishops Gaitors.

August was also the month in which the Ottawa-Gloucester Celtics men’s soccer team won it’s third provincial championship

in the last four years.

In September, Samantha Couture, 15, was part of the national team that won a bronze medal in gymnastics at Jr. Pan Am Games in Paraguay.

In October, Marika Lemay, 13, and Ivory Cash Henderson, 11, teamed up to win the gold medal in AcroFitness at the IBFF Fit Kids World Championships in Croatia.

Both girls are coached by former Olympian and four-time Ms. World Fitness, Vanda Hadarean who runs the IBV Fitness Studio in Orléans.

This fall, the Cumberland Panthers pulled off the rare three-peat repeat by winning three of the four division championships up for grabs on A-Cup Sunday as part of the National Capital Amateur Football Association.

The Panthers won the U10 tyke, U12 mosquito and U14 peewee trophies, solidifying their position as one of the most successful minor football programs in the city.

Last year, they won the U12, U14 and U16 bantam titles.

December 18, 2025 • Volume 39, No. 17 • 17

SPONSORED CONTENT

Caravela owner taking bookings for summer stays in the Azores

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star During most of the year, Caravela Restaurante owner Fernando Diniz is busy running one of the most popular eateries in Orléans. But every year from July 1 to midSeptember, he returns to his native island of Terceira in the Azores where he opens his home up to visitors, many of whom are customers at his restaurant.

Terceira is one of nine islands that make up the Azores archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean midway between Canada and Portugal.

Fernando grew up there before immigrating to Canada in 1985.

During the COVID pandemic, Fernando dreamed of turning his childhood home into a guest house for his friends and customers.

He began renovating his family’s fourbedroom home in the spring of 2022. Later that summer he welcomed the first of nine couples, who each spent a week on the island with Fernando acting as both host and tour guide.

This past summer, 18 different couples stayed at the house and enjoyed Fernando’s hospitality as their host.

All of the couples were regular customers at Caravela, who wanted to visit Terceira and experience all the island has to offer.

Most combined a week on the island with either a week on mainland Portugal, or the nearby island of Madeira.

Overnight flights are available every Sunday from Ottawa with a connection in Toronto.

Once you land on the island, Fernando will pick you up at the airport and take you to his home which has two rooms on the main floor and two rooms on the second floor.

Although there are four rooms, Fernando tries to limit the visitors to two couples at a time, mainly because he can use his own vehicle to take the couples on tours and out to dinner.

The extra rooms are for larger groups such as families or small groups of friends who are traveling together.

While on the island, Fernando will take you to a different attraction every day punctuated by a trip to a nearby beach or a local restaurant for lunch. You then eat at a different restaurant every night.

Some of the attractions on the island include the gardens at Angra do Heroismo; the natural ocean pools at Quatro Ribeiras; the wine museum is in Biscoitos; the volcanic lava cave at Algar do Carvão; or the Serra do Cume plateau which is actually a volcanic caldera, to name just a few.

Terceira is one of nine islands that make up the Azores archipelago in the mid-Atlantic that’s part of Portugal. FACEBOOK PHOTO To learn more about Terceira and what you might experience as Fernando’s guest there, you can attend one of the upcoming information sessions that he is holding at the restaurant starting on Monday, Jan. 5.

You can attend one of two sessions that day at 3 p.m. or 5 p.m., during which you will be treated to a slide show followed by a period of questions and answers.

You can RSVP by contacting Fernando at

613-868-1237.

If you can’t attend one of the meetings you can either drop by the restaurant beside the Food Basic store on Innes Road, e-mail fernando@accuratepoint.ca, or call the number provided. Fernando will be happy to answer all of your questions.

You can also visit caravelatours.ca where you can view the picture gallery and see a sample itinerary.

Join us for our yearly

Resident & Staff Christmas Sing-A-Long Tuesday, December 23 • 2pm Mardi, 23 décembre • 14H Rejoinez-nous pour notre événement annuel

Chantons ensemble de noël avec les résident et le personel 691 Valin St, Orléans • 613-824-6909 VenviPortobello.ca

18 • December 18, 2025 • Volume 39, No. 17

Local Christmas Services

Christmas Services CHRISTMAS SERVICESSt. Andrew’s United Church Redeemer Alliance Church Worship Service 2557 Old Montreal Rd., Cumberland Village Samedi – 24 décem December 24,at 10am 6:30pm Sunday, December 23rd 613-833-2604 Candlelight Christmas Eve Service 16h - 18h - 20h - 22 Candlelight Christmas Eve Service Monday, December 24th at 6pm & 7:30pm Christmas Eve Services Sunday, December 23th Dimanche – 25 déc 4825 Innes Rd. • 613-837-9953 • www.redeemeralliance.ca December 25, 11am 4 pm With carols and interactive Christmas story 10:30 am – Christmas Cantata during Nativité du Seigneu 9 pm Candlelight service Family Christmas Day Service 9h30 – 11h the regular service Celebrate Christmas

x u e y o J l ë o N

Christmas Day Service 10 am Pajamas welcome!

Monday, December 24th

at St.Innes Helen’s 4825 Rd.

613-837-9953

5:00 pm – Christmas Eve Children’s Service 6:30 pm – Christmas Eve Service

Anglican Church

Christmas Eve: 4, 7 & 10 PM Christmas Day:St. 10 AM Andrew’sBUSINESS United Church DIRECTORY

PAINTING T 2557 Old Montreal Road E G St. Andrew’s United Church S D A 2557 Old Montreal Road OUR Cumberland Village Cumberland Village !

D E 613-833-2604 OTIC 613-833-2604 N 1234 Prestone Drive, Orléans sthelens.ca

info@orleansstar.ca Christmas Services:

Divine Infant Catholic Church Dennis Brunton PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography

Christmas - Children’s Service 5 pm to get started!

CLERGY: Rev. Molly Bell &Eve Rev. Caroline Penhale

Insulation Services

Christmas Day – 10:15 am CHRISTMAS EVE

dennisbrunton@rogers.com

Special Christmas Eve Mass will also be celebrated at: WINDOWS & GLASS 6:00pm YOURSt.ONE SHOP PeterSTOP CatholicGLASS High School 750 Charlemagne Blvd., Orléans COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL Christmas Day, December 25th 8:00am, 9:30am & 11:15am

5 pm Family Christmas Eve in... Rev. Molly 7:30Specializing pmCLERGY: Canadian Nativity Bell and Rev. Suzanne Sykes 18 • Volume 33, No. 16

M GREER GLASS SOLUTIONS

9:30 pm Candlelight and Our team has been providing Communionoutstanding insulation services to GREEN INSULATION SERVICES

• Home Repair and Maintenance • Small Engine Repair • WoodMasses Working Services New Year’s

Divine Infa Catholic Chu Solemnity Call Norm @ 613 913-6771 Mary, Holy Mother of God E-mail: normlap2591@gmail.com Monday, December 31st

CHURCH LISTING 5:00pm

Church of God International Tuesday, January 1st Canada 10:00am & 12:00 Please come andnoon join us

CHRISTMAS MASS S

in worship and fellowship DIVINE INFANT Weekly Sabbath Services (Saturday) at 1:00 p.m.

40 Christmas EveDODecember 24th YEAR+ YOU NEED PRAYER? S CATHOLIC PLEASE EMAIL US. 4:30pm, 7:00pm, 9:00pm & CHURCH midnight

of expe ri

ence!

Please call or email for location 613-416-1533 From Queensway, or info@cgiottawa.ca

N Sat

go north Eve on Jeanne Special Christmas Massd’Arc www.cgiottawa.ca cogcanada past Orleans Blvd. to Bilberry S will also be celebrated at: Dr. CHURCH LISTING Turn right at St. Matthew H.S. 8:00am, 9 6:00pm St. Peter Catholic High School Orleans Seventh-Day 6658 Bilberry Drive, Orléans Adventist Church 750 Charlemagne Blvd., Orléans

613-824-6822

www.divineinfant.on.ca

Please join us on Sabbaths Ottawa residents for over 10 years! th OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: Christmas December forDay, worship and 25 fellowship Replacement of thermal panes • Custom showers Contact us today for assistance and Repair & replace hardware on windows School @ 9:30 8:00am,Saturdays: 9:30am &Sabbath 11:15am Innes, glass Orléans, 4B3 advice. Call 613-702-8374 for4831, your chemin Custom railings(ON) • Cut toK4A size glass & mirrors and Divine worship @ 11:00 a.m.

4831, chemin Innes, Orléans, (ON) K4A 4B3 Repair damaged screens & fabricate new screen frames Téléphone : 613-830-9678 - Télécopieur : 613-824-1457 FREE insulation quote today.

1241 Cousineau St., Orléans

1111 Orléans Blvd. orleansunitedchurch.com

Paroisse December 24 Sainte-Marie Call : 613-859-7828

Télépho

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE

Reasonable Rates

Eve, December 24th CallChristmas 613.302.5536 or e-mail 4:30pm, 7:00pm, 9:00pm & midnight

Christmas Eve – Children’s Service 5 pm Ottawa’s Best Attic Lessons and Carols 6:30 pm

Lessons and Carols 6:30 pm HOME RENOVATIONS INSULATION SERVICES Christmas Day – 10:15 am NAVAN BASED

Paroiss

CARPENTER & HANDYMAN 2757, bou Experienced carpenter and general handyman at your service!

Over 35 years of experience

Contact us at Christmas Services:

- kitchen remodeling - bathroom installation and remodeling - painting - flooring - tiling - handy man services

Messes de N

Téléphone : 613-830-9678 - Télécopieur : 613-824-1457Location: Grace Presbyterian Church www.saintemarieorleans.org (613) 715-3856 or (613) 824-2664 www.atticinsulationpros.ca www.atticinsulationpros.ca www.sainte-marie-orleans.org 1220 Old Tenth Line Rd. • 613-834-9638 Website: www.mggs.ca Email: Marty@mggs.ca

D CAT

Messes de7:30 Noël,pm lele24 2015 Family Christmas Eve Celebration, 5Messes pm &de Noël, 23décembre décembre 201818, 2025 • Volume 39, No. 17 • 19 go December à l’église 16 h, 18 h, 19 h 30, 21 h, 22 h et minuit – à l’église 16 h, 18 h, 19 h 30, 21 h, 22 h 30 et30 minuit past Or –- ààl’école De ruerue Scala, 16 h 16 15 h 15 l’école DelalaDécouverte, Découverte, Scala, Christmas Eve Holy Communion, 9:30 pm Pour se rendre à l’école De la Découverte : Pour se rendre à l’école De la Découverte : de l’église, tourner à gauche sur Innes, à droite sur Portobello et à gauche sur Scala.

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From our families to yours - best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season!

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED Ericat Foget, Owner613-590-2205 of store #4738 5150 Innes Trim, Allan Foget, Owner of store #7496 Dereck Sawh, Store Owner 20 • December 18, 2025 • Volume 39, No. 17