The Scoop // October / November 2015

Page 1

SCOOP The

October/November 2015

thescoop.ca

celebrates rural life

Tales from the yellow bus

Church windows

SheďŹƒeld skinks

Fall colours

Movie theatres


The

SCOOP Celebrates rural life Founded in 2005 by Richard Saxe

PUBLISHER & AD SALES Karen Nordrum stonemills.scoop@gmail.com

GUEST EDITOR

Grace Smith graceemilysmith@hotmail.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Trever Abrams, Jordan Balson, Terry Berry, Leah Birmingham, Sally Bowen, Lillian Bufton, Cloyne & District Historical Society, Catherine Coles, Maureen Francis Doyle, Glen R. Goodhand, Alyce Gorter, J. Huntress, Lena Koch, Angela Malcolm, Blair McDonald, Andrew Minigan, Mike Paterson, Lisa Pedersen, Grace Smith, Terry Sprague, Todd Steele, Denice Wilkins, John Wilson All photos contributed, unless otherwise noted.

HOW TO CONTACT US 613.379.5369 stonemills.scoop@gmail.com thescoop.ca facebook.com/thescoop.ca Please write to us at: Stone Mills Scoop 482 Adair Road Tamworth, ON K0K 3G0

Here’s The Scoop By Grace Smith

F

all can be a magical time of year, if you’re open to it. The very weather begins to change before our very eyes. Warm, humid nights transform into chilly ones. Crisp air circulates through our lungs. Even the scenery changes with the arrival of fall.

The luscious greens of summer quickly mutate into something else. We begin to see most of the colours of the rainbow: vivid reds, warm oranges, bright yellows, and calming browns. And then as we become accustomed to this dazzling display of colour, the leaves begin to fall, fall, fall. Fall even transforms the way we dress. We put away our tank tops, bikinis, and shorts for next year, and hastily grab our fall uniforms of cozy sweaters, jeans, and sweat pants. We might even start to scrounge around for our mittens and hats. Our food even begins to change with the arrival of fall. In Tim Hortons all across Canada, a delightful flavour begins to pop up in our coffees, our treats, and more. Pumpkin spice takes over in September and lasts right through fall. But perhaps the most mysterious and magical aspect of fall comes with its most cherished holiday: Halloween.

Decorating your house is one of those ways. And again, there are many different ways to accomplish this. The simple, but classic pumpkin on the doorstep is always cherished. Upping the ante with a few more decorations in the yard is always fun too. And then

there are those who go all out. You know the ones I’m talking about: those folks with elaborate haunted houses in their garages, with fake blood, scary music, cobwebs and all, in full Halloween spirit. But perhaps the best way to celebrate Halloween is through dressing up. And dressing up for Halloween isn’t just for kids. Trust me; I’m currently trying to talk my siblings (all five of them) to dress up as Star Wars characters this Halloween. Dressing up is what makes Halloween so much fun. It’s that one night of the year when we can be anybody, when we can act out magical fantasies, and when we can play no matter what our age. Fall is that time of year when magic is in the air in many ways. Don’t be afraid to look for it, or you just might miss out.

The SCOOP is looking for writers and photographers! Are you a community-minded person who loves to write or take photos? Well then join our team and have fun making The Scoop the best little newsmagazine in the area! Contact Karen: stonemills.scoop@gmail.com

Halloween is a holiday for all ages. It doesn’t matter if you’re a child, teenager, young adult, or well on in your years; Halloween reaches out to something inside all of us. And there are so many ways to express this love of Halloween.

LANG

Professional Painting

THE SCOOP is published six times a year. We mail The Scoop for free to more than 6600 households in the communities of Tamworth, Centreville, Enterprise, Erinsville, Camden East, Newburgh, Colebrook, Yarker, Verona, Hartington, Sydenham, Roblin, Selby, Parham, Kaladar, Stella, Godfrey, & Marlbank. We also arrange with local retailers to display 1000 additional issues of The Scoop in Napanee, Cloyne, Flinton, Kaladar, & many other locations.

Interior & Exterior Painting

613 243 2850 A Family Business since 1965!

Michael Lang fmlangpro@gmail.com

2015 Annual

All rights reserved. No reproduction by any means or any form may be made without prior written consent by the publisher.

Art Show & Sale October 3 , 4 , 10, & 11 2570 Marlbank Road

COVER

Agnes Hagerman with her grandchildren, before her retirement from school bus driving this fall. Photo by Barry Lovegrove.

For me, one of my favourite ways to celebrate Halloween is through my love of scary movies. I can’t get enough of them. Despite my youth, I’ve already started traditions of my own: on Halloween each year, I have a Scream marathon. Meanwhile, my sister loves that Bette Midler one, Hocus Pocus, and my other sister can’t get enough of The Hills Have Eyes. So whether you’re into terrifying, goofy, sarcastic, or scary movies on Halloween, there’s sure to be one that’s right for you. But there are other ways to celebrate.

colebrookkeirsteadart.com colebrookstudio@aol.com

R.R. 2, Marlbank

La Senda

Eco Store & Naturopathic Clinic 46 Dundas Steet East, Napanee

613.308.9077

Your individual path to optimal health.

613-478-5370

Dr. Paul DeMan Dentistry

58 BRIDGE ST. EAST, NAPANEE

613-354-2828

Evening Hours Available

Watch TV during Treatment

Night Guards, Sports Guards

Implants, Crowns and Bridges Removable Implant Dentures! Teeth Whitening Systems Nitrous Oxide Sedation

New Patients Welcome

www.demandentistry.com

2

THE SCOOP • October / November 2015


Mailbag I am writing in regards to proposed solar installations in Centreville. Ontario does not need another source of energy as we already sell off 40% of our produced hydro to Quebec. The cost is prohibitive per kWh but the real cost is losing wildlife habitat and farmland to thousands of acres of industrial solar installations proposed for Centreville. There is no decommissioning plan after the 20-year contract so leased lands will have 6-foot deep screws with concrete about every 30 feet in all directions making it impossible to farm again. The companies will not spend millions to remove their posts and concrete. The cost of losing communities and devaluing homes is huge. No one wants to live in an industrial centre. There is no compensation for homeowners, although there are studies that claim that up to 40% of a home’s value is lost, and when surrounded by these complexes, the home will just not sell. This will kill a growing community with a low tax base, so then taxes will rise for those who stay and cannot afford to leave Stone Mills. The company reps do not tell the truth. Six to eight months construction? We have seen other installations built and it can take over three years. Then there’s the heavy construction 24 hours a day, and barbed wire and security lighting. Can you enjoy country life while trying to relax outside in the evening amid trucks, dust, and noise?

The Scoop looks forward to reading all your letters! Please send your letters to: stonemills.scoop@gmail.com Rural dwellers have a legal right to expect farming activities, not industrial installations. Farming is biological, not power generation. These are not “solar farms”. When I saw an ad for Algonquin Power in a newspaper showing trees, canola growing, and a field of red tulips under nine solar panels, I thought it was a joke. Take a good look on Unity road and Hwy. 2 to get a good idea of what it entails. —Will Mathieson, Centreville

Coming Christmas Events Sponsored by the Christmas Events Commi ee (TECDC) Victorian Christmas Tea and Hat Fashion Show SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2:00-4:00 P.M. Tamworth Library, SOLD OUT!

Christmas Carolling and Tree Lighting SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 5:30 P.M.

Tamworth Library, refreshments will be served.

Thanks to Robert Storring of C21 Lanthorn Real Estate for the refreshments

Village Christmas Craft Fair

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 10:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. Tamworth Library and Tamworth Hotel

Cooking • Cleaning • Shopping Help Is On The Way!

Royal Canadian Legion #458 Santa Claus Parade SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1:00 P.M.

Maid Service Meal Preparation (In Your Home or Delivered) Errands Personal Shopping Party Planning Property Management Gift Baskets

613-888-3566

Please bring non-perishable food items to all the above events for the Lions Club Christmas Hamper.

angiecares@outlook.com Angela Weese 613-888-3566

The Christmas Events Commi ee would like to thank Marshall Automotive and Tuepah Excavating for the reupholstery of our Santa Claus cu er for the Christmas Parade in Tamworth.

Angela Weese And So Much More!

Crafts and refreshments at the Legion after parade, and bring your le ers for Santa!

angiecares@outlook.com

October / November 2015 • THE SCOOP

3


The John M. Parrott Centre is ten years old By Angela Malcolm

O

n November 27, The John M. Parrott Centre will be celebrating 10 years of operation. My, how time flies. Long before the Centre first opened, Lennox & Addington was providing care and services to senior residents. In 1971, the County opened Lenadco Home with space for 76 residents, expanding four years later to accommodate 160 people. Over the years, Council, auxiliary, staff and community members have been very supportive of the Home, working together to ensure a high quality of programs and services to those who choose to live here. In 1998, the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care required the County to build a new long-term care facility by 2006. This facility was to meet the new Ministry design standards and be reflective of the changing care needs of the residents. Initial planning for the new Home began in 1998. County Council and Home staff toured many Homes across Ontario to determine the special features and design elements they wanted to ensure to incorporate into their new building. The Centre was designed as a Country Village with six residential home areas surrounded by beautiful gardens. The first shovel went into the ground in May 2004. In January 2005, Jack and Bernice Parrott made an incredibly generous donation of one million dollars to the “Finishing Touches” fundraising campaign. The Parrott family has strong connections to the County of Lennox & Addington. They were among the first settlers of the County. John M. Parrott’s

(Jack) grandfather and namesake, Jonathan M. Parrott, served for many years on Ernestown Township Council, Lennox & Addington County Council and from 1880-1892, he served as Treasurer of the County. In acknowledgement of this contribution and in recognition of the legacy of the Parrott family in Lennox & Addington, County Council approved the naming of the new long-term care facility “The John M. Parrott Centre”. The Centre embarked on Accreditation through Accreditation Canada in June 2005 during the building and planning phase of the new building, and have subsequently completed the process in 2008, 2011, and in 2014. The results have been rewarding. Comments from Accreditation surveyors in 2005 include “The staff are Lenadco’s most valuable resource. All who enter the doors comment on their dedication, caring attitude, and commitment to quality care.” In 2011, “The John M. Parrott Centre is a beautiful home that has captured the flavour of the local community… County Council has shown a strong level of commitment both financially and operationally to the home, as evidenced in the physical space design.” The Centre also received their Environmental Accreditation in 2006 – the Healthy High Performance Environmentally Responsible Cleaning Program. The Centre boasts many on site services for the residents such as vision, dental and hearing services. It also provides WiFi in common areas and an email address for each of the residents. There is also a general store that is run by the Auxiliary

members five days a week. The Centre is happy to have a full time physiotherapist on site along with many programs to meet the cognitive, social, restorative, and spiritual needs of the residents. The move across the street from Lenadco Home took place on Sunday, November 27, 2005. Residents enjoyed their breakfast at Lenadco and their Sunday roast beef dinner in their respective dining rooms at The John M. Parrott Centre. This, of course, after approximately 6 hours and 41 trips by bus or ambulance. The move went smoothly because of an incredibly dedicated and organized moving team, especially the staff who sported orange T-shirts stating “Moving on Over”! The Lenadco Auxiliary has been very supportive of the Home and it is through their efforts that we are able to provide some special touches for residents at the Home such as flowers to welcome new residents, and flowers for residents

celebrating their birthday. The auxiliary also provides the funds to support a variety of programs such as Music Therapy and the ongoing maintenance of the beautiful aquariums located throughout the resident areas. Of special note, seven residents remain at The Parrott Centre from the Lenadco Home along with an amazing 94 staff members! The John M. Parrott Centre is celebrating with an open house on November 27 from 2-4 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Should you be interested or considering long-term care and would like a tour of The John M. Parrott Centre, we would be happy to provide a tour by appointment. We are always looking for volunteers at the Centre and would love to hear from you if this would be of interest to you! You can find more information about The John M. Parrott Centre by visiting www. lennox-addington.on.ca.

“The Domino Effect of LIFE...” The domino effect describes a chain reaction that occurs when a small event triggers a reaction nearby, setting off another reaction, then another, until it produces an ultimate result. Getting your health back with Chiropractic care happens in a similar way.

Please call the SYDENHAM CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC at 613-376-3439, for a complimentary assessment 4

THE SCOOP • October / November 2015

Chiropractors start the process with a small event called an Adjustment. Spinal adjustments restore Ease in your nerve system which promotes Healing. Over Time your body literally Recreates itself… replacing sick, damaged cells and tissues with stronger, healthier ones. You experience improvements in the way your body Performs like stronger immunity, deeper sleep, greater physical energy and a confident sense of well being. The end result is more expression of LIFE. The ultimate goal of Chiropractic is to help you experience the abundance of LIFE inside you – so you can fulfill your purpose and bring more joy to those around you. Staying ‘lined up’ with regular Chiropractic care is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and those you love the most.


A look at the history of the motion picture in Napanee By Andrew Minigan

A

s part of Greater Napanee’s Culture Days festival, the Lennox and Addington Museum and Archives recently screened a silent film, complete with live musical accompaniment. “Carry On Sergeant” was filmed in Trenton, Ontario, at a time when the small city was known as “Hollywood North.” Released in 1928, the film premiered to great reception, but was mysteriously pulled from distribution after only two months, and all copies of the film were lost until 1990, when a copy was donated to the National Archives and restored. In the wee hours of January 9, 1914, Napanee’s Opera House went up in flames. The January 16th edition of the Napanee Express ran an extensive article on the fire. Photographs in the collection of the Lennox and Addington Archives show the burnt-out carcass of the building, and the Warner Block, which also sustained severe damage. According to the article, “for some time past the opera house has been used as a moving picture theatre.” This is one of the very first mentions in a Napanee newspaper of motion pictures being screened at a venue in town. Early newspapers mention musical and theatrical entertainments being held at various venues around town, such as the Music Hall, the Market Hall (which would become the Town Hall) and at the larger hotels in the area, which sometimes had small concert and performance venues incorporated into the hotels themselves. Napanee could also boast an Opera House, located south of Dundas Street behind Thomas Symington’s store. Unfortunately, this structure collapsed in 1889, possibly indirectly due to a massive fire in 1886 that destroyed several neighboring businesses and may have weakened the Opera House structurally. In the winter of 1889, after a particularly

heavy snowstorm, the walls bowed out and the roof collapsed, crushing the auditorium. In a stroke of good luck, no one was injured or killed in the accident, though the House had been filled to capacity barely an hour beforehand. Within a year however, a new Opera House would be constructed by Brisco and Perry, who had been the proprietors of the old structure. The new Opera House would be located on the corner of East and Dundas Streets, and, when finished, included “ceiling and walls handsomely frescoed” and “thirteen sets of scenery, comprising everything required by a first-class travelling company.” Brisco sold the property to Arthur Mack in 1912. However, barely two years later disaster struck again, and the Opera House burst into flames one winter night in 1914. During this early period, the Town Hall and Armouries were used as performance venues, and the public could also view live performances at the Wonderland Theatre, constructed around 1910 on Dundas St, just south of Market Square.   The first films in Napanee were shown not in buildings specifically constructed for the purpose, but rather in traditional theatres, auditoriums and these venues were also used by the Napanee Drama Club for mounting stage performances featuring local actors. As the technology and demand for motion picture screening became more popular and practical, these public entertainment spaces would be sometimes converted to show motion pictures in addition to their regular repertoire of live theatre. It was not long before the motion picture craze caught on in Napanee, and soon the Opera House was retrofitted to allow the screenings of motion pictures as well as live performances. In the wake of this development, purpose-built moving-picture houses began to appear

The Napanee Beaver, August 26, 1936. in Napanee. Advertisements from this early period sometimes refer to the films as “photo-plays.” Early films were of course silent, owing to the technical difficulties at the time of synchronizing sound with motion pictures. To overcome this, silent films would be shown accompanied by music, specially cued to elicit reaction from the audience. The earliest film soundtracks were either put together from pieces of classical music, or were improvised on the spot by live musicians who would play in the theatre during the film. During the 1917-1920 period, the Wonderland theatre was owned and operated by James and Mary Foster. James was a classically trained singer, and would entertain audiences with his baritone voice during the intermissions when the film reels would be switched. The Fosters sold to future MP and Mayor of Napanee, George James Tustin, in 1920. During the Great War, films depicting the exploits of Canadian soldiers overseas were shown at the Town Hall and Armouries. These films of course were not meant to be entertainment, rather their purpose was to strengthen Canadian national pride and martial resolve during a time of global conflict, and convince young men and women to contribute to the war effort. An advertisement from the February 11, 1916 edition of the Express promised a “Thrilling, Inspiring, Realistic Record of our Boys…in Khaki Overseas…And How They are Making History.” One of the first of the new generation of motion-picture theatres in Napanee was the Strand. Named after the Royal Strand Theatre in Aldwych, London, the Strand boasted “Comfortable Seats. Good Ventilation. Everything Clean and Sanitary” in an ad from the Express, dated December 21, 1917. The Strand received a name change at the end of the Great War, becoming the Victory Theatre. Regular advertisements appeared in the Beaver and Express, giving the theatregoers up-to-date information on films being screened.

The Napanee Beaver, July 15, 1936.

On the north side of Dundas Street between Centre and East Streets, is a building that still shows hints of its heritage as

a theatre. The upper floors are devoid of windows, and the ground-floor entryway is arranged in the traditional box-office fashion. This building was once known as the Wonderland Theatre. One of the first references to Wonderland in the newspaper is in 1913, where it was used as a venue for a benefit concert to raise funds to purchase an artificial limb for local boy Bruce Boyd, who was injured in a railway accident. By 1919, Wonderland could boast the capability of showing motion pictures in addition to live stage performances, which placed it in direct competition with the Victory Theatre, only a block away. The October 17th, 1919 edition of the Beaver shows advertisements for features appearing at both theatres, on the same page. Interestingly, the Strand Theatre had changed its name to Victory only a month or so before this advertisement was published. One can speculate whether the name change, in the wake of victory in the Great War a year earlier, may have been done in an attempt to appeal to the patriotism of the moviegoers of Napanee as a way to get a leg up on the competition. Whatever the reason may have been, the Victory Theatre’s days were numbered. On the 1917 fire insurance map of the town, there is no sign of a movie theatre in the location, and by 1923 the entire Rennie Block had been bought up by none other than George J. Tustin, the proprietor of Wonderland, local politician and future M.P. Tustin operated the Wonderland Theatre until 1936, when he sold the business to Ideal Pictures, a chain of movie theatres. Ideal Pictures changed the name of the theatre to the “New Granada Theatre” and operated the business under this name until 1958, when the premises were sold to Beamish Stores, Limited and the space was renovated and converted to retail storefronts. The building, now the Dollar Store, still retains the architectural elements characteristic of an early twentieth-century theatre, including the “boomtown” style roof and unusual windowless upper storeys. This article was researched and written in support of Greater Napanee Culture Days 2015 by Andrew Minigan, Curatorial Assistant, at the Lennox and Addington County Museum and Archives.

October / November 2015 • THE SCOOP

5


its hard-earned reputation of serving slow cooked, fresh food without preservatives as well as tasty baked goods but it continues to grow and expand especially now under their new owners: Dalton Cowper and Beverly Frazer. As a team they work By Glen R. Goodhand long hours but it is quickly evident cobwebs in a orthat the most this column they part are doing what they love. There was a very practical reason for corner, where a remains impersonal—in the third rushed housewife person, if you like.of Itsus purpose is to thebeing excited. There would be no more Many still recall may have only coal oil lamps and lanterns. Instead, view personalities, things, and traditions original owners Poppy Harrisona mere flick of a switch filled each given a “lick and a from the past, in an objective manner. promise”, but not individual space in any building with But as we embark on another nostalgic and David Greenland ideal for providing tour, the subject at hand compelswho us toopenedinstant light. The illumination could be sufficient in just one room—or in all of them at the approach the theme subjectively—in the their doors boasting that “they madesame time! What a difference! florescence for the first person, as it were. kids to do their the best bagels in Eastern Ontario.” homework at the Only those who have a vivid recollection I can never forget that late afternoon table, father to during December havingchangedof the limitations of the former method Over the 1948, yearswhen, the Bakery read the Family of radiance can possibly understand. stopped to feed the cattle at the rented ownerstobut the quality the foodIn our family’s case we had two lamps, Herald on the farm adjacent our own, I walkedofout couch, and Mom similar to the one pictured here. One into the clearing past the cedar swamp, and the baked itemsouronly got bet-alwayssioned asinthe ofwas a five to do her knitting burned theculmination kitchen, which and viewed, for the first time, house the rocking hub of domestic life in those days, and outbuildings illuminated by electric ter. Now Bev and Dalton, with thethe year plan when they first moved to in chair. never moving from that room unless lights. There was a golden glow from was an emergency. The “candle the windows the house aid ofofDavid, whoand stillbarn, does the bulkthere Kingston. While working at a full- The other beacon power” of that metal and glass source and the large bulb on the yard pole lit equaled Dalton about that of a up the entire Indeed, it was that of theplace. baking, have expanded theof brightness time position, managed to was a “portable” model. Should the children decide to play a game in the 40-watt bulb. It was great for hiding proverbial “sight for sore eyes”. menu and offer a greater variety of fit in several years of part-time work parlour, or any member of the clan gifted enough to tinkle the ivories felt inclined take-out items. Bev always has a learning more about dog training to play—it was carried to that location. It guided each offspring to his or her warm smile to greet everyone who with boarding experts in Kingston. also place of rest; and, eventually, Ma and (the privileged ones) took it to the enters The Bakery and many of her Dalton believes that when dogs are Pa location where they went to roost. recipes are now in demand. Annette boarded, they are embarking on Little annoyances were frequently BARN REPAIRS Wilson, along with Anita Wilson, their own holiday from home. They experienced. At the same time the lady of the house decided she needed to welcome the patrons and provide & joinPAINTING the Cowper dogs who live there descend to the cellar to get some item the next day’s meals, Susie would first class service. Customers pop (all seven of them) for the duration for invariably want to find her paper dolls show her friends at school in the by to pick up a bagels, bread, muf- of their stay; they become a part of to morning. Coincidently, the wage-earner fins, pies and a wide variety of other the dog pack. Dalton’s love of dogs needed a screwdriver (which was in the back kitchen) to fix a loose connection on baked goods or they can sit down was evident when he rhymed off his the (battery-operated) radio. and have a delicious lunch from the own dogs names: Dabney, Saxon Similar grievances were inherent during chores at the barn. Even two expanding menu. The old favou- (the newbie), Porter, Kilty, Cooper, evening kerosene lanterns could not solve the of enough locations in the stable rites, such as the much-loved lemon Lacy and Louis Target (yes, he is so problem being lit simultaneously. We will not tarts are still available but look for special he has his own last name). bore the reader with all the possibilities that could—and did prevail relating to what’s new. A big hit has been the There are two Labs, three Beagles, darkness in the pigpen, the chicken house, and the milking area all at the slow-cooked ribs that are offered a Bloodhound and a Coonhound; all same time. Friday nights as part of a prix fixe of them serving as excellent hosts Nothing ers, this a huge knowing that hasisyet been relief mentioned about the maintenance of these obsolete menu with five delicious courses. welcoming the other dogs into the luminaries. their petsKerosene are in good hands. Even refills were a constant bother—all the more was so when • BARNS Dalton, wellHOUSES known for his kennel. as a youngster, Dalton drawn the keeper of the lamps guessed that the fluid would keep shining year-round boarding kennel forFOUNDATION Some dogs may never have magic to dogs, caringeasily for his own family’s DRYER SYSTEM for at least one more evening—and like dogs called the Regal Beagle on experienced this before, but dogs in Genesis, dogs and“darkness for those he walked prevailed on theas a BEAMS • TROUGH • BOARDS face of the deep”. The result? No light to Hwy. 41, had already brought the love to socialize with other dogs. replenish part-time while growing Bev the job light. Trimming the up. wicks to prevent uneven fl ames; cleaning STEEL ROOFS MORE same level of attention to detail and &Since they are free to mingle and thealso loves dogs and Labrador Rechimney (the glass globe) which frequently became by smoke— a love for quality organic pet foods roam in a safe environment, they because trievers have ablackened special place in her of the eff ort to squeeze a little www.turnermaintenance.ca candlepower out of theathing—was with little or no preservatives to their learn to enjoy the comfort of a rou- more heart as she always had loving Lab a pain in the elbow. Dare we mention the 705-238-6529 kennel. I share Dalton’s love of dogs tine that includes a nap and, yes, a ever-threatening growing up. danger of fire caused by upsetting the primitive device? 1-866-876-0266 and can appreciate the attention he weekly campfire night on Saturdays The kennel has many home pays to keeping both his and his cli- when humans and all the dogs are comforts including air conditioning, ents’ dogs on a nutritionally sound quite literally “happy campers”. homemade and branded organic diet which gives the lucky pooches Dalton was pleased to learn that the treats and CBC radio for their listenwonderful immune systems and su- burn ban has been lifted for now so ing pleasure. Some visitors of the perior health. So it’s not a surprise the dogs won’t have to miss thisCARPENTRY spe- canine kind stay for a month or 6 that Dalton andGARDENING Bev wanted the verySERVICE cial campfire night. Returning “cli- weeks at a time. There is a feeling of COLLEEN’S LICENSED CARPENTER Design andcustomers Maintainthat New best for the visitBeds Theor Old! entele” recognize their holiday spot comfort and safety communicated Flowers, Shrubs, Planters, and More Bakery. and jump out of HOME the cars looking by the resident dogs to CELL newcomers Free Estimates Call Colleen at 613-379-5959 (613) 379-5171 (613) 483-4607 The Regal Beagle was envi- forward to another visit. For own- and plenty of time to enjoy human www.ColleensGardeningService.com

Do You Remember Kerosene lamps?

F

TURNER’S

G.F. FRIZZELL

6

THE SCOOP • October / November 2015

The Scoop

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2011

Page 7

chase fresh bread, smoked almonds or specialty cheese, I bring one of my dogs, sit on the patio and talk “dogs” with Dalton. Sounds like a new show: Dogs with Dalton… never a dog’s breakfast! The website for the Regal Beagle www.regalbeagleunleashed.com offers a wealth of information for dog lovers. The website for the Bakery is in progress: www.riverbakery.com Top photo: Dalton and Bev. Bottom: Dalton, Anita, and Bev. Photo credits: Barry Lovegrove.

Having reviewed all that, the reader may have caught a glimpse why the sight of hydro flooding the old farmyard with light was so exhilarating. History tells us that a primitive kind of kerosene lamp was first used in the ninth century. But the first practical, commercially-sold model, was not introduced until 1853 in Poland. And, as strange as it may seem, candles, which they replaced, did not have wide usage until the 1600s. Aladdin-style models (sometimes using Naphtha gas instead of coal oil), which were pressure fed, causing a “mantle” to glow, as opposed to a wick flaming, were a great improvement, producing far more illumination. But they were expensive and were not as widely used as one might think. No! Hydro was the answer. It was like going from horse and buggy to the automobile; from the outhouse to indoor plumbing; from lanternslides to moving pictures. Today, kerosene lamps are mainly used for decorative purposes, for onslaughts of nostalgia, or in emergencies when electricity fails—and may it ever be so!

BUCKET TRUCK SERVICES - FULLY INSURED

EVANS’ TREE REMOVAL TRIMMING, REMOVING, TOPPING, STUMP REMOVAL FREE ESTIMATES YEAR ROUND

RR#3 YARKER

358-2629


n.com

y Law, usiness want to er.

n

s.

ayhew

9-9906 6, K0K 3G0

ng h and fer9

Lessons Learned By Blair McDonald

A

s many in the Tamworth and surrounding area know, this summer marked the passing of my father, Greg McDonald. Greg was a proud, lifelong resident of Tamworth who was known to many for playing and coaching fastball and hockey throughout his life. In anticipation of the deadline for this article, I went back and forth on whether or not I should write about this very subject. In the end, I gave in because as I’m learning when death comes, its comes with its own lessons, lessons that bring us into contact with the mysteries of life and the pressings of time. It might seem strange to even imagine that we could put the words death and teach together. For some, death remains

the very thing that for humans we remain “unteachable” about (search the work of French philosopher, Maurice Blanchot). For me, one of the strangest things about going through a loved one’s death is seeing how life doesn’t stop for any of us. Of course, many of us could say this is an obvious. But I never really understood it until now. I can remember clearly looking out the window in the moments following only to notice the indifference of the outside world – a couple walking across the parking lot, a janitor mopping a spill in the hallway, a woman digging through her purse, kids running across the hospital lawn. In this very moment, our world changes, and outside life marches on without so much as a blink.

BIZCARD

The Scoop’s The other unexpected thing is the way

Tamworth’s rising literary profile By Mike Paterson

T

here’s something special about a good owner-operated bookshop. It speaks to the imagination, it excites the mind, and it can even inspire a few dreams. But cultural shifts and online shopping mean that, even in big cities, they can be hard to find. So Tamworth is unusually fortunate to have its Book Shop: one that, beyond its shelves of new, near-new, and carefully refurbished volumes, steps outdoors from time to time to give good writing fresh expression in the open air. Since 2009, the Book Shop in Tamworth has hosted summertime poetry readings: free, outdoor presentations by some of Canada’s leading poets.

random household objects take on special significance. In the days that followed, banal, household items flooded Call us today to reserve your space: 379-1128 me with memories: a pair of running shoes in the closet, a pair of his reading Poets appreciate the setting, even glasses sitting on the shelf, a half bottle if the ambience is occasionally of cologne, his handwriting on a piece interrupted by a passing motorbike of paper, a recently completed Whigor a neighbourhood power tool. Standard crossword puzzle. Even when “People around town are always very JUST 39 BUCKS FOR A BIZCARD AD. $110 FOR 3 I was home this summer watching TVPurpose & considerate noise when they “Hope, Belonging about in Long Term Care” with him, he asked me whether the song know we have a reading,” said The Book ISSUES. YOU CAN’T BEAT THAT! in this one commercial was a real song Shop’s owner, Robert Wright. “And we do or not. At the time I had no idea what it appreciate their thoughtfulness.” was, but it turns out it was “Renegades” by the X Ambassadors (it turned into August’s readings featured two longone of the biggest songs of the summer). standing friends of the Book Shop — Now, every time I hear that song, I can’t John Donlan and Susan Gillis — and a help but be reminded of him. new face at the lectern, Jason Heroux.

F I L E

The great 19th century French writer Marcel Proust had a name for this experience: memoire involontaire (involuntary memory). Proust claims that we can experience unintentional memories when our senses are unexpectedly triggered by a moment like, for example, the smell of a particular flower or food, a song or even the feel of something. Never have I become more aware of this idea until now. As bittersweet as it may be, around Chartered Accountant every corner, one never knows where the next memory will come from. And to be 6661 Wheeler Street, honest, that’s ok.

John McClellan

Tamworth, ON K0K 3G0 613-379-1069

“John Donlan put the programme together,” said Robert. John Donlan grew up in Baysville, Muskoka. He remembers his father hauling logs with teams of horses and neighbours keeping skunks, crows, and porcupines as pets. It was an upbringing that instilled in him the awareness of place and nature that is so evident in his poetry.

Napanee & District Chamber of Commerce

He has five books of poetry to his credit and has seen his work has published in 47 Dundas St. E • Napanee Canada, the United States, and in Iran: 613.354.6601 in anthologies, magazines and poetry journals. www.napaneechamber.ca

He was last year’s Writer in Residence at Networking • Business the Saskatoon PublicSeminars Library and read from writing he completed there at$$ the Programs That Can Save Businesses Volleyball Book Shop. Tamworth School Ask Us About Membership

Adult Indoor

Fri Oct 2 - Fri Dec 18

Susan Gillis, the other familiar face at the Tamworth readings, teaches for a Cégep in Montreal but spends a part of her summers in Ontario.

Solid Gold Organic $40 to play. Pet Food.Indoor 100%shoes a must. She has won various national awards and organic! No Chemical award nominations for her poetry. Her 7 - 9 p.m. weekly books include The Rapids (nominated for Preservatives! Beef, unless PA Day. the A.M. Klein Award), Twenty Views of Lamb and Fish/ steven@moorepartners.ca the Lachine Rapids and Whisk. Come on out and play some susan@moorepartners.ca Vegetarian Formulas. Jason Heroux, who made his debut Pick-up or recreational delivery volleyball at Tamworth in August, is based in Kingston. He has two poetry collections and have available. Please calla fun time! www.moorepartners.ca 613 • of 379 • 5958 to his credit — Memoirs an Alias and for more information and catalogue. Call the Regal Beagle: 613-379-1101

The Stone Mills Fire Department is holding a Blanket Drive. We are looking for blankets to use at emergency calls. If you have any blankets you would like to donate please drop them off at the Township of Stone Mills municipal office. Thank you, Stone Mills Fire Department

Emergency Hallelujah — and has been published in Canada, the United States, Belgium, France and Italy. “Jason is a young writer with a quirky, original style that draws people in fairly quickly,” said Robert. The readers had a smaller-than-usual audience in August. “There was a major poetry event in Perth, Ontario on the same day and some of the poets we’d usually see weren’t with us and we drew fewer people than normally,” said Robert. “But what we found was that the chemistry of a smaller audience worked out nicely and there was a special interaction between the reader and the people who came to hear them. “A lot of writers come with friends, and at our last reading all three writers presented new work.” The readings conclude with free refreshments and there is time for audience members and poets to meet and talk. On 20 September, the prominent Albertaborn writer, Stan Dragland, Professor Emeritus in the Department of English at the University of Western Ontario, and Kate Cayley both read, with music by Toute Ensemble. Kate Cayley is this year’s $20,000 Trillium Book Award winner, for her collection of short stories, How You Were Born. Stan Dragland now lives in St John’s, Newfoundland. His new book is Strangers and Others: Newfoundland Essays. The Book Shop’s 2015 season will close on October 4 with readings by Britishborn poet Carolyn Smart. Carolyn Smart is director of Creative Writing at Queen’s University and the author of a number of books. Her poems and essays have been published in more than 150 magazines in Canada, the US, Britain, India and Australia. She has made radio and television appearances and given public readings across Canada and the United States. She will read from her new collection, Careen, which explores the story of Bonnie and Clyde.

October / November 2015 • THE SCOOP

7


One born every minute If you build it... By Alyce Gorter

H

aving an entrepreneurial spirit seems to be exalted these days and, for some, it’s a survival strategy. Check out the popularity of such shows as Shark Tank and Dragon’s Den to see the gamut of business plans presented to the monied judges. The people you see are just a small representation of the huge number of would-be-contestants most of whom didn’t make it to the front line. With such strong competition, it’s hard to come up with any new ideas. Well, I’m rich with inspired “Eureka” projects and impoverished with get-up-and-go. That means I can conceive some great selfemployment opportunities but stop at the point where effort would be required to put the plan into ‘Go Forward’ mode. But I think this can work—I will conjure up plans for new businesses then feather my retirement nest with the huge profits from their sale. I will be quite content sitting back and watching you, the purchaser of one of these do-it-yourself business kits, rocket your way to surefire success. Win/win! I can see I’ve piqued your interest but you’re still a little reluctant to reach for the chequebook. I was prepared for that, so to fan that spark of interest I’ll share a couple of ideas with you and the inspiration for each of them: Idea One: I was talking to what I assumed was a bright young man the other day – university degree behind his name, good job, and prospects of a delightful future ahead of him. “See my tattoo”, he said, rolling up his sleeve and showing me a huge black mark on his shoulder. “What is it?”, I asked. “It’s the Chinese symbol for courage,” he told me proudly. I was impressed. “Oh”, says I, “you can read Chinese!” He looked at me witheringly, “No, I can’t”, he said. “Oh”, I said, somewhat less impressed, “ do your friends read Chinese?” His look was frosty. “No,” he said. “Well, “ says I, “ how do you know what it says!” So,

By Trever Abrams

here’s my self-employment plan for the truly creative. Tattoos in foreign languages that most people would not understand. Now here’s where the real creativity comes in – YOU don’t need to understand them either so you can make up the picture and possibly even the language! See this brown patch on my leg? You probably thought it was a birth mark. Nope! It’s the word ‘Sucker’ in Alypalatian. Idea Two: I was reading an article in a popular travel magazine whose author had taken a guided tour of a certain Asian country. While on vacation, he noticed roadside vendors selling what he thought to be roasted nuts. They turned out to be piles of fried tarantulas, silkworms, and other creepy crawlies prepared for tourist consumption and promoted as local delicacies. Yeah, right. He bought and ate. He also tried a liquor from a bottle that contained a dozen venomous snakes. So … they say there are approximately 50,000 spiders per acre in any green area. Add in your grasshoppers, crickets, potato bugs, cutworms and occasional caterpillar and you have quite a potential assortment of mixed munchies. For the ‘Canadian Special’ add cheese curds and gravy – a protein poutine. For the dessert version, pour on the maple syrup. As a side benefit, it might even solve your cockroach problem. If you live in most parts of Canada you may have a problem getting the proper number of venomous snakes, but perhaps your personal distillation recipe (substituting garter snakes for example) could be developed. Come up with a catchy name for your stand, apply for your liquor license, advertise to the foreign tourists as ‘local delicacies,’ and set up your off-shore account. You notice I haven’t charged for these two ideas. They are presented so you will know the quality to expect when you contact me. Operators are standing by.

I

n the fall of 2014, I was out for a ride when I came upon the Yarker Recreation Park. I had never been there before. As I walked around the full size ball field, canteen and soccer field, I was very disheartened at the condition. Graffiti covered the canteen’s vandalized walls and roof. The power had been cut and all the wires stolen, yes the wiring was completely stolen including the breaker box. The bleachers were drowning in waist deep grass and garbage while they slowly rotted away. The dug outs and fences were broken, and littered with crawling vines. I couldn’t believe my eyes. A sports complex being completely abandoned and left to rot. I wondered around the complex for about 2 hours that day. After I left, I shared my experience with several people in Stone Mills. We all agreed that something should be done and that it shouldn’t be up to the township to get it done. My wife and I went up first on a Sunday afternoon in late June of 2015. We were armed with vine trimmers, a weed trimmer, and a rake. We spent four hours working, and barely made a dent. Shortly after, I spoke with Kris Shetler and Sam Woodcock from Shetler and Sargeant General Contractors and they felt as strongly as we did. So on Sunday July 9, we collected a handful of volunteers and we went at it again. This time, we brought lawn mowers, paint, rakes, weed trimmers, a dump trailer, a commercial paint sprayer, tin, and more. In all we had 13 volunteers. We painted over the graffiti, repaired the tin roof, painted the benches, bleachers, and trim. We cleaned and mowed all the grass. Around 11:00 a.m. as I was trimming around the back stop, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Karl Couture from Dedicated Environmental Services. He said that he was happy to see something being done with the park and wanted to help. I asked him if he had a wheel barrel. He replied, “Oh, I think I can do better than that”. About 10 minutes later he showed up with a tracked skid steer, a portable welder and a wheel barrel. He welded the fences and cleared all the debris. It was amazing. After a full day in the heat, we still had a lot to do. Sam Woodcock, Kris Shetler, Cassie Kent, Eric Jakobsen, Donna Abrams and myself formed a committee called the Yarker Sports Complex Volunteers (YSCV). We met several times planning on how we

would bring life back to the park and maintain it. We were going to need some money. We started our Facebook page and started asking for sponsors. Great local people like Ed Embury, Safety Guys in Yarker, and Todd Steele with the Stone Mills Summer Fest Committee stepped up right away and got us started. Our love for softball led us naturally to a charity softball tournament next. So we set a date and started planning. The date was set: Sept 27. We were approached by Eric Depoe and the Yarker, Colebrook & District Community Association to present our plan, as they wanted to help. We ended up partnering with the group to make the event even bigger. There was still a lot of work that needed to be done. We needed the infield redone. We needed the power back on and the lights fixed. After a conversation with Jake Detlor from the Township, he said locals Tom and Herman Westendorp wanted to help as well. Tom and Herman met us at the field in August with their mini excavator and helped us tear down the old vandalized bathroom facilities. Then later that month, Tom and Herman along with Karl Couture scraped off the old infield. Jake and the great folks at the township delivered eight tandem loads of stone dust to use for the new infield. We were making great progress. Currently, we are working to raise the money to replace the vandalized electrical and are very busy planning our charity softball tournament and community fun day on Sept 27. You can follow our progress on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ yarkerrestoration If you would like to volunteer or donate, please contact the YSCV Group at yarkersports@yahoo.ca

Cartoon by Jaeson Tanner.

Take me out to the ball game...

8

THE SCOOP • October / November 2015


Keeping them wild By Leah Birmingham

A

t Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre, one of our focus in raising orphaned wildlife is to insure the young animals in our care have a healthy fear of humans. People will be their biggest threat once they are released, and having an appropriate response to an encounter with a human may just save their life. I think some people believe wildlife rehabbers are just a bunch of ‘Bambiloving’ softies that spend time hugging and cuddling wild animals. The truth is very far from that notion. In wildlife care we talk about social distance, which is the distance wildlife will allow between themselves and a potential predator. The more feared the predator is, the larger the distance will be. Without a doubt, wildlife that are raised by humans or grow up in habitats densely populated by people often have a shorter social distance. Those in areas that are more rural generally try to keep a larger distance between themselves and humans. Our goal in wildlife rehab is to raise orphans that keep a large social distance between themselves and humans. Some of the steps we take to encourage this behaviour are: raising them with other young of the same species, wearing costumes that disguise our faces and unique body forms, lining cage walls so that the people working in and around cages are not visible to the animals housed inside, not talking to our patients, and avoiding talking to each other around them. We limit the number of people that work with certain patients, and if need be we use aversion therapy

such as loud noises to make them realize that humans are unpredictable. Some of the species we care for require more of these precautions. After years of working with wildlife, I have met more than a few young raccoons found as orphans and raised by the people that found them. This rarely works out well for the raccoon, as they do not learn how to engage and bond with other raccoons. Instead, they bond with humans, and sometimes their dogs and cats as well. When these raccoons are put into cages with other raccoons, they have a hard time adjusting. They cling to the side of the cage and reach out to humans passing by as if to say, “There has been a huge mistake, I have been locked in a cage with a bunch of wild beasts!” Because raccoons are a highly intelligent and adaptable species, given enough time they appear to realize that they are in fact a raccoon, and not a furry human, and eventually they bond with the others. But their social distance is forever altered, and they are usually the first to approach the caretakers that come in to clean their cages. If they were exposed to the family dog they also allow dogs within too close of a distance, which frequently leads to injuries for the raccoon. The fawns we care for have a series of large cages that eventually lead out to a large field; all of these areas are covered with landscape fabric to prevent the fawns from becoming accustomed to seeing people. On top of that, we select 2-3 caretakers and have only those

people enter their cage to feed them. When they do enter, they wear a costume. The ideal costume is one that remains a certain shape regardless of what body type is in it, making everyone that puts it on look as if they are the same shape. The outfit has a hat and the hat has mesh over the face. If all the steps we have taken still don’t work we start the aversion therapy shortly before release. Raccoons are the species that require it most often. It sounds worse than it really is, we usually just yell at them, spray them with water if they approach, bang buckets and cleaning Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre worker Julia Evoy in the original tools to startle them and disguise outfit used for fawns. scare them away. If an who respect their natures and wish to animal has truly imprinted, then these let them live their natural lives, love efforts are wasted, as the damage has them more.” To lavish human attention been done and nothing will change the on a wild orphan and raise them like a programming already in place in their pet is easy, it takes a lot more personal minds. fortitude to resist the human instinct to want to tame the wild beast and When I am training new volunteers, make a friend of it. Those who resist interns and staff to understand why that urge will release wildlife more we cannot treat our young orphans like likely to be successful, have appropriate pets, I often share the following quote relationships with other members of by Edwin Way Teale, an American their species, and avoid humans at all naturalist: “Those who wish to pet costs. and baby wildlife love them, but those

MUSEUM & ARCHIVES 97 Thomas Street East, Napanee

ph: 613-354-3027 October / November 2015 • THE SCOOP

9


Highland Cow Adventures Angus the escape artist, part 1 By Terry Berry

I

’ve learned a valuable lesson in rural living – Don’t put off until tomorrow what you should have done yesterday… In anticipation of allowing our herd of Highlands access to an additional pasture, Lee – our neighbour to the east, and I got together to replace a section of line fence separating our two properties. We worked several Saturdays replacing 800+ feet of paten rail fencing that had long out lived its usefulness with new page wire. There was about 20 yards of paten rail fencing left to replace that would tie into the page wire previously done by Lee. The area left unfinished had a steep drop off on Lee’s side so his cows couldn’t climb it. On my side, it was heavily overgrown with prickly ash, sumac, and vines so I thought my cows wouldn’t find it. We agreed to leave it for another time – a decision I would regret. During the long weekend, I was working on some small projects around the house, when Lee came over to share some unwelcome news. Earlier that morning, it seemed Angus – our brindle bull, had decided the grass was greener on the other side of the fence and was found cavorting with his herd of Charolais. As Lee is telling me the story, Angus could be found mulling around in the background just close enough to hear our conversation. The highland breed being of docile nature made his return home uneventful. Lee led Angus back

to the spot in the fence he had traversed and coaxed him back to our side. Lee surmised that Angus had lifted a top rail from the remaining paten rail fence with his horns and stepped over the lower section to join the girls next door. Later that day I went up to the spot previously breached by our young explorer, fighting my way through groves of prickly ash, sumac, and vines. In the undergrowth were more prickly ash, sumac, and vines. Once reaching the presumed spot, I replaced the broken top rail with some beefed up rails and solidified everything using about five pounds of fence wire. The workmanship may not have met code, but I was sure it would deter any further escapes. If nothing else, it added five pounds of weight to the fence. The rest of the day was spent working on things found on the “honey do” list. All the while, I could hear Angus bellowing in the background to his new friends or anyone in the country that would listen. It wasn’t long before his calls were being answered. Thinking this to be normal bullish behaviour, I continued with my busy work, puttering until dark. As night fell and the chorus of cattle calls across fence lines continued, we settled in for the night. That evening our peace and quiet ended with the dreaded call – our boy Angus was next door again. I went out into the darkness, flashlight in one hand, grain pail in the other. I stumbled through

Angus, the escape artist. Photo by Terry Berry. the brush hoping to find our wayward ward and bring him back safe & sound. The white noise of courting cricket was splintered by my echoed calls to Angus, me tripping over branches, and the thud one makes when hitting the ground. In aptly named Stone Mills, there was no shortage of aggregate to help break my fall. In my not so quiet search, I was unaware of six followers breaking trail behind me. They seemed intent on

scoring some of the cob meant to coax Angus back home. Having my fourlegged posse on this search was going to be more hindrance than help. I walked them back to the field behind the house, and gave them the grain, hoping that would keep them occupied, and I could continue on my quest. To be continued in the next (December/ January) issue...

Struggling with credit card debt? You can clear your high-interest debt by rolling it into your LOWER INTEREST mortgage! If too much debt has slowed your cash flow to a trickle, consider a better plan... clear that debt and start building wealth. You could be seeing the difference right away: a boost to monthly cash flow, one easy payment, faster debt paydown, and potentially thousands of dollars in interest savings.

Compare & Save!

C U R R E N T S I T U AT I O N (Mortgage @5.0%, 25 yr am.)

Mortgage Car loan Credit cards/PLC Penalty to break mortgage TOTAL

Balance $160,000 $18,000 $15,000 $3,000 $196,000

Payment $930 $540 $450 $0 $1,920

N E W M O R T G AG E

(Mortgage @2.49%*, 35 yr am.)

Balance $196,000 PAID OFF PAID OFF PAID OFF $196,000

Payment $698 — — — $698

That’s a monthly savings of $1,222! Now decide how to use that $1,222. You can put it into your mortgage payment to reduce your amortization or invest in RRSP’s and reap some tax benefits. *Rates subject to change. Some conditions may apply. OAC, E&OE. Brokerage #10428. HO: 1.877.667.5483.

CALL TODAY!

Call me today for your FREE consultation!

Jonathan Mc Donald

MORTGAGE BROKER Jonathan.McDonald@migroup.ca

613·354·2224 10

THE SCOOP • October / November 2015


Luminescence By J. Huntress given by Bishop Michael Oulton of Kingston and Rev. John VanStone (Rector to Christ Church and to St. Luke’s) to mark years of service to the Tamworth community.

…”constructed beauty of space creates a state of beauty in the mind…” —Hector Abad, Colombian writer

I

sometimes can find replenishment of spirit viewing Christ Church’s building stones, many which were quarried from the Salmon River’s banks and in 1863 hauled up banks of the river at the back of the church’s land to help build the church. Also used were large stones from the Kingston area that were chiselled to size by inmates at The Kingston Penitentiary. One hopes these inmates and labourers received redemption for their part in the building.

I hope descriptions in this article may persuade some people to visit the church to see the eight stained glass windows (designed in the 1890s through 1990s) with light streaming through their coloured glass. It can be an astonishing sight at different times of the day. I hope people may also view the craftsmanship of the vaulted wood ceiling and appreciate the colours and patterns of ornamental wall stencils above the altar and the reredos. A reredos is a wood partition displaying a brass tablet and placed in back of an altar. It is a church which was fortunate with its beginning design in the 1860s and had craftsmen and carpenters labor to build not only a sturdy church but a beautiful one also.

Today the Anglican Christ Church of Tamworth is celebrating its 150th anniversary since consecration on St. Patrick’s Day in March 1865. Calvin Wheeler of Tamworth had given land for church and cemetery, and thirty prominent representatives of Village families donated funds and ideas to start building the church. This year on November 15th at 10 a.m. Christ Church and St. Luke’s Church of Camden East will hold a joint anniversary service

It was in 2005 that The Church’s Vestry Council documented and registered the windows with the National Architectural Registry of Stained Glass Windows. The

Inside Christ Church. Photo by Barry Lovegrove.

SWEET ALIBI

These eight windows were donated by Beautiful altar window in the Anglican Christ Church of Tamworth. families to Photo by Barry Lovegrove. commemorate There are different moods and mystery the past lives of members of their family. that can surround the church at different When one enters the chancel, one first times of the year. The radiance and sees the large altar window in three iridescence from sun shining through sections: the birth, the baptism, and the the windows, the reveries inspired by resurrection of Christ. This is the Stinson the coloured light, the power of lightning Memorial, donated by Jane Stinson in striking the church tower during a her parents’ memory. All but one of the thunderstorm, and the rainbows one remaining seven smaller windows were occasionally sees near the outer church— crafted at Dominion Stained Glass of all these sights can cause wonder. Toronto or the N.T. Lyon Co. of Toronto. One recent window depicting Christ at Tamworth has a special church built by the door is located on the street side of its founding families and may Tamworth the church; it is a memorial to the R. value it, maintain its beauty, and use Bell Family and was made at The Old it for service for years to come. Christ Glass Shop in Prescott, Ontario. Couples Church hopes that people will hear and individuals honoured by separate the call of its big bell at 10:00 on the window memorials are R. & A. Hazzard, morning of November 15 and attend the Elizabeth Hazzard, Mary Wheeler, B. & celebration. J. Mace, R. and I. Mowbray, and Andrew Coulter.

2015-16 TECDC Concert Series

Saturday, October 24 $30 • Roots Group Recording of the Year 2014 • 2012 Canadian Folk Music Awards nominee for Vocal Group of the Year • Performing appearance at the 2014 JUNO Awards

AMELIA CURRAN

organization and photography for the booklet was chiefly done by Elizabeth Weir and Barry Lovegrove. A limited edition of the book showing the windows was published and Rev. VanStone wrote in the introduction, …”you will find windows that help us each week to look back at the dawn of the Christian Church and worship our Lord Jesus Christ”.

Saturday, February 13 $35 • Multiple JUNO Awards and nominations • Multiple East Coast Music Award nominations • Winner of 15th Annual USA songwriting contest (Folk)

LYNN MILES

JACK DE KEYZER

THE LOVELOCKS

DAVID FRANCEY

Saturday, November 21 $30 • One of Canada’s most accomplished singer/writers • Multiple JUNO Awards and nominations • Multiple Canadian Folk Music Awards • With Keith Glass of Prairie Oyster Saturday, April 9 $30 • Soaring vocals, sweet harmonies and sultry strings • 2015 CMAO nominee for Roots Artist of the Year & Album of the Year

Saturday, January 9 $35 • 5 JUNO Awards and nominations for Blues Album of the Year • 3 times Maple Blues Guitarist of the Year • Maple Blues Lifetime Achievement Award Saturday, May 14 $40 • 3 JUNO Awards and 3 JUNO nominations • Winner 9th Annual USA songwriting contest (Folk) • Multiple Canadian Folk Music Awards

PLEASE THANK AND SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! All shows at Tamworth Legion 8:00 pm start 7:00 doors open CALL 613 379 2808 FOR INFORMATION General admission seating Season ticket holders excepted!

Steve Marshall Licensed Technician Erinsville 613 379 5818

October / November 2015 • THE SCOOP

11


A Natural View Run fast, hide, and stay alive By Terry Sprague

I

t was a flitting glimpse. In fact, I never saw it at all, but someone behind me did. It appeared for just a few moments amidst shrieks of excitement and pointing fingers. Then, it was gone, after skittering across the rocky edge of a creek, and disappearing under a ledge of rock. For most of us, this is about as long as we ever get to view a five-lined skink. Its scientific name, Plestiodon fasciatus, sounds like it could very well be some sort of foot ailment. Skinks call this 1,100-acre conservation area, 11 km south of Kaladar, their home, but if you choose to seek them out, chances are that you won’t find them. Rather, they seem to find you. If you are lucky, one may scurry across the granite rocks ahead of you. Other times, they seem content to remain under the broken wafers of granite that lay strewn on the large expanses of granite rock. They seek out these little hiding places to escape the hot, noonday sun, and also to keep out of sight from potential danger. The trail at Sheffield Conservation Area can be difficult to follow. The barren rock offers little in the way of landmarks. Volunteers will sometimes paint coloured arrows on the bare rock when direction is doubtful. Other times, an Inukshuk points the way in questionable areas, carefully constructed by thoughtful hikers. There is no other maintenance on this rugged fourkilometre trail where only regular hiking serves to keep a vestige of a cow path barely open beyond Haley Lake. Stories abound of hikers getting turned around, and even one couple reportedly spending the night there until morning daylight showed them the way again. Two additional Inukshuks likely serve to mark the trouble spot. However, does the practice of building these small Inukshuks adversely affect the skinks when rocks they would normally hide under are scooped up to build a single structure? The point was brought up once by a member on one of my hiking groups. It causes us to ponder now and again the effects that our well-meaning efforts may have on the biodiversity of a given area. I have done at least 25 guided hikes along Sheffield’s rocky terrain during my career as an interpretive hike leader, and can remember only one other time when skinks seemed to be everywhere. Was it weather conditions, or just

inexperienced young of the year who had yet to acquire a fear of the unknown? Certainly all that we found carried the diagnostic bluish tail identifying them as juveniles. One even clambered up the pant leg of one surprised hiker that day. We will never know what caused these skinks to act so out of character. In many ways, skinks somewhat resemble our familiar salamanders. But there are differences. For one thing, salamanders are amphibians. The fivelined skink is a reptile. When we had the rare opportunity to actually pick up a skink on that memorable day at Sheffield, we could see the differences immediately. Its skin was dry and scaly, like a snake, quite unlike the smooth and moist skin of a salamander, typical of amphibians. As we rolled it about in our fingers, its toes seemed much longer than those we see on a salamander, probably quite useful for climbing the smooth rocks on which we stood. What the lizard we held that day didn’t do was drop its tail, a useful escape ploy that is guaranteed to baffle any predator as the severed appendage continues to thrash about wildly by itself on the rock. Meanwhile, the skink successfully eludes its pursuer and escapes under a rock where its tail will grow back again in time. Insects and invertebrates that live on these dry rocks attract the skinks that live here. Their habit is to dart out and snatch one passing by, then quickly retreat under a rock again. There seem to be two separate populations in Ontario with distinct habitat preferences. The Carolinian populations, which are listed as endangered nationally and special concern provincially, occur in Carolinian forest and prefer wooded habitat with sandy soil and ground cover. They use woody debris as shelter and hibernate by burying themselves in the soil. The Great Lakes/St. Lawrence populations, which are listed as special concern provincially and nationally, occur on the southern part of the Canadian Shield and it is here at Sheffield where the population reaches almost the northeastern limit of its range. So, the rest of us never got to see the fivelined skink at Sheffield that others had seen, despite several moments of peering and cameras poised. Five-lined skinks didn’t get this far in life by being careless. We carried on and forgot the experience with this rare lizard, and concentrated

The five-lined skink calls Sheffield home. Photo by Joe Bartok. our efforts instead on the songs of eastern towhees and the appearance of a rare prairie warbler in amongst rocks that supported parched sprigs of pale corydalis. It was an exceptional threehour walk on this remote property off the main highway, highlighted by the trumpeting of two sandhill cranes as they passed overhead.

However, I will guide you in to see it. Perhaps along the way we can scare up a five-lined skink! For a southerner like myself who lives in Prince Edward County, I don’t get to see skinks down here. I always look forward to return visits to the Canadian Shield to reacquaint myself with these little reptiles.

The presence of these skinks, in addition to a small colony of nesting prairie warblers, make Sheffield Conservation Area a very special place. So does the prickly pear cactus. I don’t tell many where the cactus can be located; too many gardeners know about it already.

For more information on birding and nature, check out the NatureStuff website at www.naturestuff.net. Terry Sprague lives in Prince Edward County and is selfemployed as a professional interpretive naturalist.

Dental Surgeon Family Dentistry Conscious Sedation New Patients Welcome

613-544-5312 The trail at Sheffield crosses barren Canadian Shield. Photo by Louisa Ielo.

12

THE SCOOP • October / November 2015

5 Princess St. Kingston

“For All Your Dental Needs” • • • • • • • •

Zoom! Whitening IV Sedation / Nitrous Oxide Comprehensive Hygiene Programs Crowns, Bridges, and Veneer Orthodontics Ask about your free Restorative take-home Zoom Implants Whitening kit! Dentures

613-354-6294

310 Bridge St. W Napanee


Mystery of missing bus driver solved: Evidence shows signs of happy retirement By Lillian Bufton

A

gnes Hagerman is a hardworking wife, mother of three, grandmother of five, goat and cattle farmer, and recently retired from driving a school bus for nearly 41 years. Almost everyone knows Agnes, and many of our readers have been on her bus as children, and are now putting their children, and even in some cases grandchildren on that same bus!

there were only 5-1/2 year’s difference between her and the oldest kids on her bus. They were “like buddies”, and sometimes even found themselves at the same parties. They all got along really well, and some of these older kids became life-long friends.

But Agnes is also a well-known farmer, whose beautiful animals this writer has admired many times while driving on Mountain Road. Many of us already know her quite well, always willing as she is to share a good story. But here are the fine details the Scoop has been able to find, thanks to our many confidential sources (thanks, Agnes!). She’s been farming in Tamworth “since she was able to walk” and took over the family farm after her father’s death in 1971. Wanting a job where she could be around the farm, she got in touch with Claude Richmond, who at that time owned most of the bus lines in the area. She had told him that “when he could pay [her] $50 a week, [she’d] drive for him”. After obtaining her class B license during the summer of 1974, and marrying Ernie in October, she returned from her honeymoon, and Claude informed her that she had her first bus run. Agnes remembers her first day on the job when Claude unceremoniously threw her the keys and told her to “go talk to the previous driver – he’ll tell you where to go”.

Agnes got to know her bus runs like the back of her hand. Her last route went something like this: She’d leave home at 6:30 a.m. and head south towards Roblin, picking up the fifteen or so high school kids along the way – up County Road 15 to the river, then down Cedarstone, up to Bradshaw, out to the 41, down the 41 to Kidd, and then down to the Wesleyan Church in Roblin, where all the kids would get off her bus and take another bus into Napanee. Then she’d turn around and start picking up the elementary school kids to bring them to Tamworth School: Deshane to Boundary, across to Clareview, then back onto the 41 to McGuire Settlement, then Donahue, out to the 41, Keegan, Waddell, County Rd 13 to Marlbank, back down the 41, onto County Road 4 to Tamworth, picking up more kids in the village, and then arrive at the school by 8:45 a.m., sharp. After dropping the kids off safely, she’d always meet for coffee with the other bus drivers before heading back home to the farm. Once a week, they’d all meet for breakfast at one of the local restaurants. “We had a great group of drivers”, Agnes tells, “we all supported each other and had a great relationship”.

Those early years driving were fun, she recounts. When she first started bussing,

Her favourite part of her twice-daily runs were the mornings, because she could

have real conversations with the kids then, more than in the afternoons when they’d typically be more energetic and noisy. Like most bus drivers, Agnes had her own set of rules (in addition to the bus safety rules that everyone has to follow) to keep her bus under control. Bullying and belittling were absolutely not tolerated. Treating all the kids with fairness (“like they were my own kids”) was important, and please and thank you was mandatory. For Agnes, the greatest joy of bussing was getting to watch the kids grow up. “It’s really neat to talk to the kids down the road, finding out what they’ve done with their lives – that’s the rewarding part of my job”. And after driving two generations of students, she’s probably seen hundreds of kids grow up, and has made many “everlasting friends”. These days, she’s enjoying not having to get up at 5:00 am every morning, she laughs. She does miss the kids (“especially the little ones”, the young kindergartners who always had a story for her), but now that she’s retired, she gets to bring her own grandkids to the

Agnes, comfortable in the driver’s seat. Photo by Barry Lovegrove. bus in the morning, something she could never do when she was the one behind the wheel all those years. So who can replace Agnes now that she’s no longer behind the wheels of a yellow bus? Clearly, nobody. But here’s hoping she can share her remarkable experience with the next drivers, and, in the nicest possible way, tell them “where to go”!

MATT WHITLEY - NEW TRUCK SALES mwhitley@kenworthontario.com 1-800-267-0212

KENWORTH ONTARIO - KINGSTON 191 Dalton Avenue Kingston, ON K7K 6C2 T: 613-544-1212 F: 613-544-4080

SALES: Mon-Fri 8 am - 5 pm PARTS & SERVICES: Mon-Fri 7 am - midnight Sat 8 am - 4 pm October / November 2015 • THE SCOOP

13


Blueberry fields forever By John Wilson and Denice Wilkins

T

o our dear customers... We have come to the end of the row, but before we pack up the tools, close the gate, and head for our next adventure, we wanted to reminisce a bit and say a proper goodbye to all of you who made John’s dream come true.

literally by a headlamp and the light of the moon. Fast forward to 1991, Wilson’s Organic Blueberries opened for the first picking! It is incredible to look back at the books and see that some of the people that came that first season, were here picking this year, our last season.

The blueberry patch was a twinkle in John’s eye, long before I was ever in the country. He was only in his 20s when he met the original “back-to-the-land” gurus, Helen and Scott Nearing, and was inspired to grow blueberries.

In addition to growing blueberries, John had a long career making wildlife and travel documentary films for television and lecture presentations. I was a Naturalist at Bon Echo and parks across the U.S. before making films with John. During the years we were away filming, a number of other local people ran the blueberries in our absence. Then in about 2003 we took it on full time and have spent Spring, Summer and Fall each year irrigating, pruning, weeding, mowing, mulching, and picking ever since.

In the late 80s, John found the land for his passive solar home 10 km east of Tweed and later found the perfect spot for his blueberry farm. And it was already a U-pick berry farm! Russell Flieler (yep, that would be Jim’s Dad), had a U-Pick raspberry farm where the blueberries now grow. Russell not only sold the land to John, he became a wonderful neighbor and most of all, a great source of farming information and encouragement to a young city fellow who’d done lots of research but didn’t have much dirt time. It was the spring of 1987 when over 1000 one-year-old, one-foot high, bare root saplings arrived in Tweed. John spent weeks planting them in individual pots, nursing them through the summer and then protected them over their first winter. This is when I arrived on the scene. So there was love as well as blueberries growing that summer. In 1988, John, with some help from my Dad, spent the late spring, planting all the little blueberry plants, sometimes

It’s hard to believe that almost 30 seasons have passed since the blueberry bushes of John’s dream began to grow in Tweed. Along the way we have met so many wonderful people – YOU! How many times have we thanked people for their purchase, only to have them turn it around and express deep gratitude to us for providing the opportunity? You have brought us gifts; given us your smiles; told us how thrilled you were to come and pick berries; made eating local, organic produce an important part of your lives; kept coming back in the boom years and stood by us in the bust years. We have heard friends and families making memories in the blueberry patch; we have watched children grow up picking our blueberries and then bring their own children to pick and we

Denice and John picking blueberries. remember with great fondness some of our long-time customers who are now picking blueberries in that ever-bearing patch in the sky. It is truly because of you, that Wilson’s Organic Blueberries was a dream come true. You made it the fulfilling and gratifying endeavor that it was.

John started in Tweed. We are delighted to have found a young couple that has the energy and commitment to keep bringing you local, organic blueberries for years to come. And the next time we see you in the patch, it will be from the other side of a bush and we might just be reaching for the same berry.

And now it’s time to hand the neckties and berry baskets over to James and Teresa Murray to continue the tradition

With bushel baskets of gratitude, we wish you great picking in fields wherever life takes you.

CHALK WELL DRILLING LTD. Established since 1922

Wells for home, farm & industry Rotary & cable tool drilling CorridAir Inc. is 100% locally owned and we carry a full line of welding and cutting gases.

• • • •

Prompt service Free estimates Pump installations & service Wells decommissioned & abandoned

ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED Licensed by the Ministry of the Environment

We also offer inhouse welder repair and sell CNC plasma cutting tables. We offer the most competitive pricing in the industry.

Call us at 613-507-9353 or 1-855-707-9353 Monday to Friday 8 am till 5 www.CorridAir.com 14

THE SCOOP • October / November 2015

RR 6 Napanee

1-800-850-2881 chalkwel@kos.net


Let’s plant trees By Lisa Pedersen “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” —Chinese proverb

T

rees are all around us in the rural landscape. Everyone has a different outlook on trees. To a child, they represent a world of adventure, of summer afternoons spent climbing or building hideaways. To the homeowner, they are a source of shade and privacy and a focal point of attractiveness. To the arborist and the landscape architect, they are a tool for defining open spaces and for providing a transition between buildings and streets. Unfortunately, trees are removed by people wishing to improve their lakefront view. Treed lots are cleared to build new subdivisions and business parks. The area surrounding the 401 corridor between Kingston and Napanee is not as green as it used to be – the result of rapid growth and expansion. Times are changing though. Landowners are reforesting their rural properties and there is a new interest in urban forests, as people understand the importance of a revitalized, naturalized environment. So what’s the big deal? “The world has already lost 80% of our original forests.” —United Nations Environment Programme Let’s consider the importance of trees:

Economic Benefits: Savings. Planting shade trees on the south and west faces of your house can

reduce summer cooling bills. Planting conifers to the north and west of a building provides a windbreak in winter and shelters our homes from wind and snow. The impacts of wind and rain are muted. Winter heating bills are reduced. Studies have shown that well-treed businesses project a warm, welcoming, and inviting atmosphere for shoppers who tend to linger and spend more time shopping, resulting in increased sales for those merchants. Higher property values. Mark Cullen says, “A survey of 1350 real estate agents showed that 85% believe that a home with trees would be as much as 20% more saleable than a home without trees. Why do trees add value to property? They beautify it by bringing shape, flowers, and colour, and combining with architecture in striking ways.

Environmental Benefits: CO2. Through photosynthesis trees store carbon dioxide and emit oxygen – the more trees, the more carbon is sequestered, and the less carbon dioxide contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Trees also help curb what is known as Heat Island effect (when it’s hotter in town than out in the country). Curbing Heat Island Effect helps reduce energy use. Habitat. Trees provide habitat for wildlife – shelter, nest sites, and food. They can also provide a significant food source for humans in annual harvests of fruit and nuts. Global Warming and Severe Weather.

Robert Storring

Broker

OFFICES 44 Industrial Blvd. Napanee

CONTACT Direct: Office: Toll Free:

14 Concession St. Tamworth A REAL GEM! A classic 1930’s house in Tamworth. Home features large eat in kitchen with original birch cupboards, formal dining room for entertaining, living room and separate den. Upper level has 4 or 5 bedrooms, including nursery, front and back stairs & full bath. Hardwood floors, cedar trim, glass panel French doors & closed in sun porch. The garage has room for all the toys and the cars. Services have been updated including septic, wiring, windows etc. See www.classiccharacterhome.com $279,900 MLS 15608163 DO THE WORK/SAVE LOTS Country home on Martin Drive near Newburgh has had all the tough stuff done. New roof and trusses, updated heating, plumbing, electric, spray foam insulated basement with walk out, dry walling where needed, deck, and there is enough hardwood to complete downstairs. Home is 3 or 4 bdrms, eat-in kitchen, decks & double garage. Don’t miss it! See www.ruralcountryhome.com $184,500 MLS 15608565

613-379-2903 613-354-4347 1 866-233-2062 storring@kos.net robert.storring@century21.ca

Sun shower among trees. Photo by Lisa Pedersen. Trees are important factors in reversing the effects of major environmental crises such as global warming, species loss, and drought. During a storm, the canopy and root systems of trees act as a both a sponge and a filter, cleaning the water as it seeps into the water table and reducing storm water runoff. Forested areas are far less prone to flooding and soil erosion.

Health Benefits: Increased Physical Activity. Mark Cullen’s website states that “comfortable outdoor environments are more conducive to encouraging exercise – research indicates that people were more likely to walk or cycle to work if the streets were lined with trees. Residents feel better and live longer as a result”. Sustainability Kingston recently completed their Sydenham Street Revived Pop-Up Park that ran from August 27—Sept 13. The park included trees, flowers, and seating. The purpose of this project, according to their website, “is to test out a fun and engaging pedestrian-friendly design for Sydenham Street and to evaluate its impact before the start of the next phase of the downtown reconstruction project.” What better way to get people moving than to provide a pedestrian friendly space in the heart of a city? Less Stress. Trees are shown to have a calming effect on people; people

suffering from high stress tend to feel calmer in the presence of trees, thus improving overall health and well-being. Trees add so much to our lives. Wouldn’t you like to learn how you can plant and manage trees on your own property? When you know how a tree grows and what it needs, then you will know how, why, and when to care for it. This is neither time-consuming nor complicated. The Tamworth/Erinsville GrassRoots Growers would like to invite you to their next event on November 10, 2015. Bruce Bostock, arborist with Bostock Tree Service in Toronto will be the speaker providing insight into tree selection and care. Admission is free. Also, a reminder to save your seeds for the seed exchange taking place at the same event. Location: St. Patrick’s School, Erinsville, 7:00 p.m. November 10, 2015 Tamworth/Erinsville GrassRoots Growers is a community-based group. Our mission is to encourage interest in local and organic gardening for the home garden and the market garden; to raise awareness of issues surrounding food production; to improve our practical knowledge of all aspects of plant life; and to provide networking opportunities for gardeners. We welcome new members. Visit our website at te.grassrootsgrowers.weebly. com

CLASSIC BRICK, VERY PRIVATE Gardens and walkways, wide verandahs, sauna & hot tub are some of the bonuses of original brick farm house near Newburgh. Services updated, wonderful hobby rm, family rm with woodstove & garage with workshop. Sellers anxious for an offer. See www.homeprivatesanctuary.com $299,900 MLS 15607866

FAMILY HOME Great opportunity for a good size family home at a reasonable price in a village setting. Master bdrm and full bath on main level, 2 good size bedrooms and 2 pc bath upstairs. Kitchen opens to dining room with patio doors to deck. Full basement. Walk to groceries, post office, restaurants & shops. See www.villagefamilyhome.com $199,900 MLS 15608348

October / November 2015 • THE SCOOP

15


New life for an old milk wagon By Sally Bowen

A

n old horse-drawn milk wagon frame has seen new action.

In the early years of the century, there were up to 110 dairy farmers on Amherst Island whose milk was drawn to one of the two cheese factories by horse and wagon. Our barn at Topsy had the biggest herd, milking the most cows in the 1950s and 1960s. We obtained one of the old wagons, though there is some question whether this one actually came from the mainland. The Turvy Construction Company was formed to help the farmers earn a bit of cash to keep farming. One of their jobs was to build the big barn on Geoff and Marnie Matthews property in the winter on the Island’s south shore, open to the winds. They built a warm up shed on the framework of the old wagon for mobility, using recycled wood. The little stove, a pizza oven that ran off propane, came from Patrick O’Connell and Kitsy McMullen’s former coffee truck. It was a very cold winter. The structure was tippy, too tall for its base, so after that job it was returned to the farm and parked for a while near our “new barn” and used as shelter by a young couple, camping there while helping the birthing ewes in the spring. It returned to our back yard where the tires were removed and it quietly subsided into a variety of uses – a shelter for Muscovy ducks – a boys’ playhouse (painting it was the most interesting) – and a stash for junk.

We had two women carpenters visit us for a week from Twin Oaks Intentional Community in VA, asking for a project for play, not for work, so we asked them to transform the old structure into a sauna. The men had recently taken down the grain elevator at Emerald and had something like 7 miles of boards of rough-cut spruce and pine. Donna and Cass did a fine job, insulating, reroofing, putting in stovepipe with safety protection, building the lining on a diagonal just for interest, and created a tiny vestibule and small-benched seating area. It was used for a few years as a sauna with a cattle trough or the lake for cold water, and was a fine source of fun during our sons’ teen years. But it aged, and rusted and the boys went to college and it appeared to have run out of lives. We had to move or demolish it. Jake decided it could be resurrected. With painstaking labour, he jacked and braced the corners, reinforced and stabilized, using a tractor to lift. He scrounged adequate tires for its 300 m journey to his back yard, next door to our farmhouse.

Autumn in Yarker By Lena Koch

S

eptember has arrived! The end of summer is near. School has started and traffic has increased in our small villages and towns. Yarker’s small school is alive with the happy sounds of children and teachers. Parents take the trail and cycle with their children to school or just walk. Fall has arrived on the trail and it is lovely with the changing colours. Asters in different shades, goldenrod, and sumac are abundant. The trees by the waterfall are still green but not for much longer. The heat is gone and now the nights are getting cool and dry. Air conditioners are no longer needed anymore and are put away. People can open their windows to let in the clean cool night air. The light wind whistles around houses, cooling the rooms inside for a good night’s sleep. Fog settles over the river and a few cool nights with sunny days change the colours of the trees. The small tree that sits by the stones of the waterfall turns red. It doesn’t have much soil and the dryness and cool nights with just the moisture of the waterfall’s spray have turned its leaves to a bright red.

Many of the birds are gone already. The swallows left in August, the black birds too. The geese are starting their trip soon, but many of them choose to stay behind. The little ruby throated hummingbird is a regular visitor each year from the beginning of May to the beginning of fall. It’s amazing how such a little bird can fly so far. Just before the hummingbirds fly south again they feast on the hanging feeders of sugar water. They drink from sunrise to sunset to collect as much energy as possible to start the long way down south to avoid our long cold winter. Deer are munching on fallen apples in our village gardens. Some trees have no apples this year. The warm weather in the spring and the frost very late in the season destroyed many blossoms, and a few cold nights kept the pollinating bees away. Now, the deer have to really search for apples and roam the farmers’ fields for food. Another foggy night will come, perhaps bringing the first frost. The fields are empty and the wind picks up toward morning. Autumn has arrived in Yarker.

Travelling a few inches at a time he moved, checked, then moved again. It is now established in its new home, sheltered by a pine, with new safety features, a new cattle trough, and some clean outdoor footing. But the pleasure of sitting and sweating with friends remains. The milk wagon frame lives on.

Deer browsing for fallen apples. Photo by Lena Koch.

Sauna on the move. Photo by Sally Bowen.

Wellness 360 Counselling, Coaching, Consulting Specializing in Hypnotherapy

Cheryl Shurtliffe, SSW, CCP, CH

TOPSY FARMS Lamb and The Wool Shed on Amherst Island 613 389-3444 888 287-3157 16

Email: info@topsyfarms.com Web: www.topsyfarms.com topsyfarms.wordpress.com

THE SCOOP • October / November 2015

www.wellness360.ca

613-888-5377

STOP SMOKING IN 1 HOUR! No medications • No cravings No weight gain LOSE A DRESS SIZE IN 4 WEEKS! End Sugar, Fat & Salt Cravings Regain control over emotional eating Begin eating smaller portions immediately without hunger End the dieting cycle starting today!

wellness360@mycando.ca

OTHER WELLNESS SERVICES Sleep Better Lifting Low Moods Reduce Nervousness and Fearfulness Release Stress and Tension Pain Reduction Decrease Menopause Symptoms Eliminate Bad Habits

Private Group Sessions and Individual Sessions available by appointment only


Pioneering rural doctor Ellen Blatchford By the Cloyne and District Historical Society

E

llen Henrietta Comisky Blatchford graduated from the University of Toronto in 1923. She specialized in anesthesiology, became chief of the anesthesiology department at Women’s College Hospital in 1932 and published the first scientific papers on the subject. She was a sought after speaker at the Toronto Academy of Medicine. All this during times when there were few women in medicine. How fortunate for the Land of Lakes residents that in 1934, Doug and Ellen Blatchford bought a summer property on what is now Loon Nest Road in Cloyne. The nearest doctor, at that time, was in Tweed and there were no phones and no

roads around the lake. The “D” license plate was a welcome sight each summer. The kind doctor arrived equipped with supplies and medicine and generously tended bites, fish hook incidents, ailments, and injuries. People followed paths through woods to reach her door. She eventually turned her cottage living room into an emergency treatment area. Dr. Blatchford refused no one. It couldn’t have been much of a vacation for her or the family but she made her patients feel special every time. Dr. Blatchford passed away November 25, 1990. Her family donated her cottage medical instruments to the Cloyne Pioneer Museum and Archives. Our seasonal residents and seasonal businesses have helped sustain the area from years passed and will continue doing so into the future. In the November 2013 Pioneer Times you’ll find a detailed account of Dr. Blatchford’s life on Skootamatta Lake written by Carolyn McCulloch: www. cloynepioneermuseum.ca. The Cloyne and District Historical Society will be holding their October general meeting on Monday, October 19 and November general meeting on Monday, November 16. Both meetings will be held at 1:00 p.m. in the Cloyne hall. We have history related speakers, refreshments and laughs. Everyone is welcome and we encourage new members. No commitment, no admission.

Dr. Blatchford.

YARKER FREE METHODIST CHURCH

Dr. Blatchford’s cottage medical instruments, donated to the Cloyne Pioneer Museum and Archives.

Sharbot Lake Farmers Market ANNUAL TASTE FEST Saturday, October 10 — 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sharbot Lake Beach Shop for your holiday dinner and gifts and enjoy breakfast and lunch snacks at the beach. Vendors offer local honey, maple syrup, relishes, preserves, condiments, tye dye clothing, wood working, rustic furniture, shiatsu massage, stained glass, scissor and knife sharpening, hand knitted and crocheted items, herbal products, baking, cranberries, grassfed beef, pastured pork, lamb, vegetables, wool and mohair products from farm-grown fleece, and more. Thank you to our customers and the community for their support and patronage over the 2015 market season. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Hosts a Prime Timers (50+) social the 3rd Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. We have theme meetings, special interest topics, games, movies and refreshments. Ladies and gentlemen are all welcome to come and join with us for fun and fellowship. For more information call Dorothy at 613.388.9205

Trinity United Annual Fall Bazaar 25 Bridge St., E, Napanee SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 9:00 A.M. - 1:30 p.m. Morning coffee $4 Luncheon – 2 sittings 11:30 a.m. & 12.45 p.m. $12 Children under 12 – free. Advance tickets phone Peggy at 613.354.3539 or the church office at 613.354.3858

Tamworth Variety & Gas Bar Open 7 days a week 6:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. • Gas • Diesel • Propane • Soft ice cream

6682 Wheeler Street, Tamworth

• Ice • Coffee • Hot dogs • Groceries

613-379-2526

Tel: 613-379-5874 Email: soscsvcs@gmail.com Web: www.s-o-s-computers.com

Wm. (Bill) Greenley Kim Read

Network and Internet Security Specialists Wired, Wireless, Network Design and Implementation Computer repairs and sales New or reconditioned

613-358-YOGA yogatogo@bellnet.ca www.yogatogo.ca Do you experience sore shoulders, tight hips, or an aching back? The practice of yoga helps these issues. It releases tension from the body, and promotes a sense of well being. Classes in Amherstview, Bath, Bellrock, Centreville, Enterprise, Kingston, Newburgh, and Switzerville. ALL LEVEL YOGA CLASSES WITH JACKIE ARE FUN AND RELAXING

October / November 2015 • THE SCOOP

17


Whatzit? T

hanks to Scoop readers, who identified the mysterious plastic wrapping in the August/September Scoop photo at right as Woodpecker Wrap (aka “pecker wrap”). It apparently stops utility poles from becoming a shelter for woodpeckers or a climbing ladder for squirrels.

Colleen Martin-Fabius of Tamworth writes that a lineman from Hydro One once informed her the poles were “wrapped to keep wood peckers off them, as they won’t leave certain poles alone, probably due to their location. So the woodpeckers choose the poles. Wrapping them then is a great cost saving to us, and the woodpeckers aren’t harmed.”

Moscow United Church Friends Meeting House With the support of our community the Friends Meeting House was able to assist a Roblin child suffering from Cystic Fibrosis. On this past Labour Day weekend, the Saturday breakfast raised $1000 for this family to use as needed. The Friends Meeting House is owned by the Moscow United Church. Our objectives are to support our church programs; to fund local organizations and families in need; and to bring our community together by providing a community hall. Freewill offering breakfasts are held monthly on Saturdays 7:3011:00 a.m. with volunteers serving 100-140 people. Friends Meeting Hall is the original name of this pre-1900 former Quaker hall, one of the first churches in the Village. We are fortunate to be able to share our wealth with organizations serving our community, and those in need.

Answers to the crossword on the Puzzle Page (page 19):

Making the most out of fall By Jordan Balson

I

t really surprised me just how fast the summer flew by; and now it’s already the fall. Autumn can be such a beautiful time, with the leaves falling and each day having just a bite of winter in the air. With a new school year, taking out old winter clothes, seeing friends that you haven’t seen since the spring, and having those quiet, perfect moments in the crisp autumn air, the fall just seems to be the best season. But it’s sometimes grossly underappreciated; so let’s learn how to make the best of these gorgeous fall days!

but with a new school year, the weather changing, and new challenges facing you, the fall ends up being the perfect time for changes. My big change this fall is heading off to Queen’s. That in itself is a big change for me, but more than that, I’m aiming to make the most out of each day, by becoming involved and having fun. But whether you have a goal for the school year, or if you have something in mind that you’re working towards; if you start to apply yourself now before the days get cold, you’ll be so much more motivated to keep it up all year.

First of all, get outside. The weather is perfect for it; not too hot, and not too cold. And even if exercising outdoors isn’t necessarily your thing, you can still go outside and make the most out of these short days. Going for a walk, packing a picnic lunch, taking a book outside, or even just playing with a family pet or some friends; being outdoors in the autumn is what life is all about. Now’s the time to breathe in the crisp air, in those moments before winter will render you housebound. And, as an added bonus — no bugs!

Finally, make time for your friends. Brisk autumn days provide endless opportunities to do things together; hanging out in the great outdoors, going for walks, or cozying up indoors. A friend will make anything you do better! These short days are perfect for that; and whether you’re making new friends or strengthening old bonds, you’ll always be able to have a good time.

Secondly, make a change. I know that it’s not yet time for New Year’s resolutions,

Christmas Shopping Tour in the Country SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 ‘Unique Handmade Creations by Local Artisans’ Come to the Friends Meeting House in Moscow for a home cooked breakfast, then meander your way through the countryside to find local artists featuring unique, handmade, one-of-a-kind creations, all within a 10-minute radius from Moscow to Yarker. ‘It’s a day of shopping and fun in the country!’ Look for the Red & Green Balloons !!! Moscow Breakfast (1) Friends Meeting House 20 Huffman Road, Moscow 7:30 am – 11:00 am Enjoy a delicious home cooked breakfast, featuring the ‘Dump Run Special’! Free Will Offering. Creative Art Show & Sale (2) Moscow Church Hall 25 Huffman Road , Moscow 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Quilting • Jewellery • Knitting • Paintings • Preserves • Tole Painting & more …all by local artisans Love Jewelry (3) 474 Huffman Road, Moscow 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Specializing in Hand Forged Jewelry & Scarves Susan Farber’s Annual Show & Sale (4) 4045 County Rd. 6, Moscow Sat. Nov. 7 & Sun. Nov. 8 • 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Home Decor, Clothing, Jewellery, Pottery, Sweet Treats

18

THE SCOOP • October / November 2015

So no matter what you’re doing this fall, it’s always possible to make the most of this season. So roll your long sleeves, take a deep breath, and get ready to seize the day!

Deb Storey Jewellery & More (5) 1403 Bethel Road, Yarker 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Stone & Glass Bead Jewellery Irene & Ingrid Tiffe & Bark’N Up The Green Tree(6) 1855 Bethel Road, Yarker 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Knitting, Sewing, Eco-Fashion & Accessories, Cards, Dog Treats The Sheep Shelf (7) 347 Freeman Road, Yarker 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Lamb Meat, Chevre, Feta Cheese, Shampoos, Soaps, Lotions, Farm Eggs & Meat Chickens Luncheon & Bazaar + Local Artisans – Riverside United Church (8) 2 Mill Street, Yarker Luncheon & Bazaar • 10:30 am – 1:00 pm Local Artisans • 10:30 am – 3:00 pm Come & enjoy lunch until 1:00, then coffee/tea and treats & local artisans until 3:00 pm Chili, Sandwiches, Home Baking, Crafts, Silent Auction & Local Artisans with their Wares


Puzzle Page

Word Ladder

Can you turn SPOOK into WHACK, by changing only one letter per line?

October / November 2015 • THE SCOOP

19


Kids & Parents L&A County Library programs & events October/November Amherstview

Tech Talks – Monday – Thursday by appointment PuppyTales – Wednesdays @ 10:30 a.m. The Learning Circle – Fridays @ 10:30 a.m. Maker Club – Saturdays @ 10:30 a.m. Book Club – Meets October 15 and November 19

Bath

Maker Club – Wednesdays @ 6:30 p.m. Book Club – Meets October 26 and November 23

Camden East

Storytime – Mondays @ 10 a.m.

Napanee

Chorus by author Helen Humphreys. This event will be held at the County Museum and Archives in Napanee. Tickets are $10.00 and are available now. October 20th – Tuesday Night at the Museum – Featuring Evergreen award nominee Jennifer Robson author of Somewhere in France and After the War. This event will take place at the County Museum and Archives at 7 p.m. November 26th – A Mad Hatter’s Tea Party – Help us celebrate the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland at the Napanee Branch Library at 2 p.m. There will be tea samplings and baked goods served.

The Learning Circle – Mondays @ 10:30 a.m. Tech Talks – Monday – Thursday by appointment PuppyTales – Wednesdays @ 10:30 a.m. Maker Club – Saturdays @ 10:30 a.m. Book Club – Meets October 19 and November 16

Fun Fridays with The Early Years Centre WYNN FARMS APPLE ORCHARD October 2, 2015 11:00 a.m. 8191 Hwy 33—Napanee

South Fredericksburgh

Families are able to pick apples, and take an adventure in the corn maze. Interact & cash accepted. Sarah from Wynn’s will be doing an apple testing with the children & parents.

Maker Club – Thursdays @ 6:30 p.m.

Yarker

Maker Club – Tuesdays @ 6:30 p.m.

Special Events

For more information or to register please call LARC 613.354.6318 ask for an Early Years Staff

October 1st –Join us for the library’s Second Annual Author Gala featuring our One Book, One L&A – The Evening

FALL REGISTRATION Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 6:30 - 8:30 PM NAPANEE KARATE CLUB 140 Richmond Blvd. Ages 6 to 96 Build Confidence! Focus! Control Stress! CHIEF INSTRUCTOR Brian Lowry 613-354-0506 kicks@kos.net www.napaneekarate.org 20

THE SCOOP • October / November 2015

Immunization key to safe & healthy schools

G

etting immunized is a safe and essential part of keeping your child and family healthy. Immunization provides protection against many diseases that can cause serious illness and result in disability or death. In Ontario there are certain immunizations that are required in order for students to attend school. The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) outlines the required immunizations, and was amended in 2014 to include more diseases. Public Health Units are currently reviewing the immunization records of all children in the province. Under the ISPA, elementary and secondary students are required to provide their local public health agency with proof of immunization against: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and since 2014, varicella (for children born in 2010 or later), meningococcal disease and pertussis. Exemptions from these immunizations can be obtained for medical reasons, or for conscience or religious belief. Reminder letters are sent home during the school year for children who do not have an up-to-date immunization record or valid exemption on file at KFL&A Public Health. Students who do not provide the missing information may be temporarily suspended from school until it is received. Parents and guardians are responsible for reporting each time their child gets an immunization against these diseases to KFL&A Public Health. Doctors do not automatically send immunization information to the health unit. Report your child’s immunizations to KFL&A Public Health: • online at www.kflapublichealth.ca • by fax at 613.549.0985 • by phone at 613.549.1232 or 1-800.267.7875 ext. 1451 or

Little Counters TM Math play for toddlers Little CountersTM is a playful interactive program for you and your child. Join us each week during playgroup for 45 minute of math play. Throughout this 5 week program, we’ll discover fun, simple ways to nurture your budding mathematician. NEWBURGH PLAYGROUP NEWBURGH COMMUNITY HALL Tuesdays 10:00—10:45 a.m.

• by mail or in person at 221 Portsmouth Ave., Kingston, ON, K7M 1V5

The KFL&A Public Health Immunization Team also visits elementary schools twice a year to give immunizations to Grade 7 students. These immunizations protect against meningococcal disease and hepatitis B infections. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) immunizations are given to Grade 8 girls. Consent forms are sent home with students at the beginning of the year and must be filled out, signed by a parent or legal guardian, and returned to the school in order for a student to receive the immunization(s). Students who miss these immunizations at school can get caught up at a KFL&A Public Health Immunization Clinic. These immunizations are highly recommended for all eligible students and the meningococcal immunization is a requirement under the ISPA for students in Grades 7-12. It is important that immunizations are given on time. School-aged children are due for tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis and polio (Tdap-IPV) and measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) boosters between the ages of 4 to 6. Adolescents are due for a tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) immunization between the ages of 14 to 16. These immunizations are available at your family doctor’s office or through KFL&A Public Health Immunization Clinics. For more information about school immunization requirements or your child’s immunization record, contact the KFL&A Public Health Immunization Team at 613.549.1232 or 1-800.267.7875 ext. 1451. —KFL&A Public Health Immunization Department

Thank You I would like to thank all who made my retirement such a memorable occasion; the school party with all the kids, teachers, parent teacher association, and my family. What a well kept secret! Thanks to all my bus driver friends for the surprise breakfast.Mike and Kathy Sagriff, you’re too much!

Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, & Nov. 3, 2015 Register with Trish by Sept. 29 patricias@larc4kids.com

Also a big thank you for all the well wishes from the public and on Facebook.

YARKER PLAYGROUP YARKER FREE METHODIST CHURCH

I miss everyone, especially my little munchkins on Bus 716.

Wednesdays 9:45—10:30 a.m. Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25, Dec. 2, 2015 Register with Jennie by Oct 28 jennieh@larc4kids.com 613.354.6318 ext 23 Facilitated by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist, and The Ontario Early Years Staff

Thanks again, Love and miss everyone. Sincerely, Agnes P.S. I’m enjoying my retirement after over 40 years. Very big adjustment :)


Blast from the past: The Lakeview Tavern By Todd Steele

I

The day was aptly called “Blast from the Past”. All living former owners were in attendance as were relatives of many former owners who have passed on.

t was a beautiful, sunny day to be outdoors. On Sunday, August 30, 2015 a party was held to honour the history of, and for that matter, to ensure the future of, the Lakeview Tavern. Established in 1878, the Lakeview Tavern in Erinsville, on the shores of Beaver Lake, hosted many former owners, their families, and the many, many folks who consider “The View” to be an integral establishment in the community. In its 137 year history, The Lakeview has only had 10 owners. Present owner, Tanya Meszaros, had been researching the ownership of the building from its early days. Earlier this year, after some renovations, she decided it was important to reflect on what the place has meant to the many patrons who have walked through the door.

The highlight of the afternoon was the unveiling of a portrait commissioned by Meszaros depicting the inside of the tavern including all owners. Local artist Heather Hugh spent countless hours capturing the many details. If you haven’t been to the Lakeview in a while, you should stop by. Great food, live entertainment, and a rustic ambiance make for a great outing. Despite many renovations and improvements over the years, The Lakeview really hasn’t changed a bit. Just better.

Old photo of The Lakeview Hotel with its original owners, the Polmateers.

LAKEVIEW OWNERS • Thomas Polmateer 1878-1899

Neil & Marlene Kimmett 1986-1993

Sarah Polmateer/Hamilton 1899-1913

George Malcolm 1993-1996

Jack Stinson 1913-1940

Jim & Pat Sawyer 1996-2005

Bill Wagar 1940-1949

John & Elizabeth Liggett / Mark Oliver &

Sam & Pat McLean 1949-1971

Barb Pogue 2005-2007 •

• Wayne & Fran McLean 1971-1986

Tanya Meszaros 2007-present

• General excavation - land clearing, basements, retaining walls, trenching, etc. • Septic systems - design and licensed installer • Landscaping • Trucking - sand, gravel and topsoil • Demolition - buildings, barns, etc. For all your excavating needs call RICK at

Phone: 613-388-2460 Cell: 613-561-6585

Email: rick.tuepah@gmail.com

Remembering all Veterans and supporting all members of our Services thank you. Clarence A. Kennedy

Past and present Lakeview owners who attended the event: Mark Oliver, Barb Pogue, Tanya Meszaros, Pat Sawyer, Jim Sawyer, George Malcolm. Photo by Barry Lovegrove.

OPEN: Mon. - Fri. 8 - 7 Sat. 8 - 6 Sun. 11 - 5 Visit tamworth.ca to see our weekly flyer

TAKING FRESH US OUT FOR ALLTURKEY YOUR ORDERS FOR THANKSGIVING

CHECK GrOCerY Needs & MORE! Fresh Sub Sandwiches • Party Trays Made to Order Fresh Bakery • Deli • Produce • Fresh Cut Meats

We carry a large line of gluten-free products

672 672 Addington AddingtonSt., St.,Tamworth Tamworth

613-379-2440 613-379-2440

Reeve, Township of Stone Mills

LANE Veterinary Services

Since 1983

Serving Pets & Farm Animals Mon, Tues, Thurs: 8:30am-5pm 211 McQuay St. off Cty. Rd. #6 Wed: 8:30am-7pm (between Colebrook & Moscow) Fri: 8:30am-4pm RR#3 Yarker, ON K0K 3N0 Sat: 10am-1pm Emergency Service By Appointment

www.lanevetservices.ca www.lanevetservices.ca info@lanevetservices.ca

(613) 358-2833 or 1-888-832-1904 “Prevention is the Best Medicine” October / November 2015 • THE SCOOP

21


A note before you begin the journey By Maureen Francis Doyle

H

ave you ever wondered how writers of historical fiction choose their subjects? Or why they were inspired by a particular project? My father, Jim died in 1998. On his deathbed, he asked me to find his long-lost brother, John. I found him, but unfortunately, he had died one year prior. My father and his brother grew up in an orphanage in Detroit, Michigan in the early 1900s. We grew up knowing virtually nothing about his side of the family and he rarely shared his memories. Once I found my father’s brother, I became compelled to find the other family members. It took fifteen years of phone calls, writing letters and doing continual research, but one by one, they seemed to come forward just as if they wanted their memories preserved and their voices heard. The Ontario Genealogical Society, St. Anthony of Padua and Church of the Assumption were instrumental in providing cemetery records and other historical documents.

John Doyle, my great grandfather was born in 1821 in County Wicklow, Ireland. The Great Potato Famine drove John and family out of Ireland like so many in 1847. They survived the horrors of traveling steerage on a coffin ship and quarantine in Gross Ile, Quebec. But regardless of his setbacks and obstacles, he arrived safely in the Centreville area. John married Ann Elizabeth Latimer in the Catholic Church of St. Anthony of Padua in Centreville. They had four children before her untimely death in 1871. A short time after Eliza died, John married Catherine Garrett from Sheffield, and together they had nine children, the oldest boy my grandfather, James. John built a long cabin when he first arrived in Canada. Years later, he built a large farmhouse on the same foundation which still stands today on Dewey Road in Camden East. Patrick and Peter Murphy built a saloon and general store in Stoco in the late 1800s that was later sold to William Keilty. My grandfather, James was considered a prizefighter in Erinsville and surrounding areas. When the saloon was having problems with a gang of boys named the Sinclair’s from Tweed, Mr. Keilty hired my grandfather to safeguard the saloon from bar fights. “Big Jim” took care of the Sinclair’s

High Speed Internet starting at $49.99*

613 328-6811 DON’S SATELLITE

Your local Xplornet sales and service dealer *New plans. Call for more details.

www.donssatellite.ca Quality Second Hand Books Fri – Sat - Sun: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tamworth, Ontario 613-379-2108 www.tamworthbookshop.com info@tamworthbookshop.com

The Keilty Saloon in Stoco. Tim Marlin contributed this picture from his great grandmother, Bridget (Whalen) Mulrooney. Pictured sitting left to right is Leo Mulrooney, Alex Mulrooney and James Doyle. Standing in the back row, Big John Finn (others unknown). single-handedly and peace and order were restored. James left for Windsor in the early 1900’s to work in the steel industry. He married Mary Francis Fox from Sheffield in 1923. Annie, John and Catherine’s only daughter lived at the farm on Dewey Road with her brother Michael until her death in 1975. She bequeathed her personal estate to St. Anthony’s of Padua. In the chancel of the church stands the altar and communion railing that was built in her honor.

Sunday, October 4 @ 2 p.m. Free event – all are welcome • Light refreshments will be served 22

THE SCOOP • October / November 2015

Maureen Doyle lives on Lake Oconee in Georgia with her husband, Ron. A Journey in Time: A Novel can be purchased online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. maureenfrancisdoyle@yahoo.com www.maureenfrancisdoyle.com

Mary Ellen Garrett, Catherine’s niece and Annie’s best friend, married Joseph Patrick Cavanaugh in 1913. They both attended Newburgh Academy and prior to her marriage, Mary Ellen was a teacher at the Academy. The Doyle’s were photographed many times by F. S. Richardson. I inquired about this photographer at Lennox and Addington County Museum and Archives. Richardson was born in England and was an early pioneer in the field of photography. He opened an ambrotype gallery over Grange’s Drug Store at John and Dundas Streets in Napanee and died in 1913. I found the courage and determination of John Doyle and family to be extraordinary. Inspired by my newly discovered ancestors, I wrote about their experience from Ireland to Canada in my novel, A Journey in Time. I believe I have given a voice to their indwelling spirits to tell their story since my father never

L&A Mutual Insurance Company ESTABLISHED IN 1876

FARM • HOME AUTO INSURANCE

 READING  Carolyn Smart & Anne-Marie Turza

could. With a few exceptions, many of the characters are fictional and their actions are based on events that may or may not have happened. However, the major narrative arc is based in fact and historical truth. I hope this story of John Doyle will inspire and delight you.

Two Locations to Serve You Napanee

32 Mill St. E. 613-354-4810

Harrowsmith

5062 Highway 38, Unit #9 613-372-2980

CONTACT ONE OF OUR AGENTS FOR A QUOTE Todd Steele 613-354-4810

Susan L. Wright 613-373-9733

Nikole Walters 613-372-2980

Kathy McCaffrey 613-378-6847

Donna Hudson 613-354-5680

Brian Powley 613-374-3888

Gary Hodson 613-354-3664

Tracey Moffat 613-354-7239

Rick Bowen 613-354-4810

Sally Blasko 613-353-2739

www.l-amutual.com


Canadian Library Month By Catherine Coles

F

rom major metropolitan areas to rural communities, from researchintensive universities to school libraries serving early learners, libraries add vitality to their communities and endeavour to offer their users equal access to valuable resources. In recognition of the contributions libraries make to our day-to-day lives, Canadians of all ages are encouraged to connect with their local library, and each other, by celebrating Canadian Library Month in October and Ontario Public Library Week from October 18-24. Consider these facts about Canadian public libraries:

• More than 97 per cent of Canadians

• •

live in communities served by a public library and more than 21 million Canadians have a public library card. (Source: Canadian Library Association) Toronto has the busiest library system in the whole world. With 100 branches across the city, there are more yearly visits to the library than to Air Canada Centre, Rogers Centre, CN Tower, The ROM, The AGO, The CNE, Toronto Zoo, Wonderland, Ontario Science Centre, and TIFF combined! (Source: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives) On average, libraries in Canada run on 28 cents per day per Canadian. (Source: Canadian Library Association) Here in Lennox & Addington our eight branches checked out 166,059 items in 2014 – and we’re on track to beat this number in 2015! As a local resident, you are entitled to a Lennox & Addington library card. This means you have FREE access

to our collection of approximately 85,000 books in various print and audio formats, 4,000 movies, 75,000 e-books, and many non-traditional circulating items like telescopes and GPS units. If we don’t have the item you’re looking for, we turn to Interlibrary Loan – and suddenly your library card provides you with access to the entire province’s library holdings! Statistics like these are important but they don’t tell the whole story. They don’t mention the people who rely on library Wi-Fi to run their business remotely or the unemployed who use library computers to apply for jobs. They don’t mention the scores of people who count on their libraries as their sole source for recreation (whether

it be reading, movie watching, or internet browsing) or those who have upgraded their skills thanks to library programming and services – early literacy, technology, language-learning, genealogy, you name it. Stats also don’t mention the community relationships developed, both between people and between organizations. In February, we asked local library users to write down why they love their library on paper hearts that would decorate the branches. The submissions we received ran the gamut. Some patrons just loved “free books” plain and simple, others loved a particular program, service or member of our staff who went above and beyond for them. Others expressed their love for the library in principle, the role the library plays in the community and,

in a larger sense, in a free and democratic society. It was clear from the exercise that our libraries meant a lot of different things to a lot of different people. For Canadian Library Month, we’ll be running month long voting for the OLA (Ontario Library Association) Evergreen Award, the “readers’ choice” of Canadian literary awards. Other events we have going on this month are our 2nd Annual Author Gala with Helen Humphreys on October 1st and a special Tuesday Night at the Museum (co-presented by the County Museum & Archives) on October 20th featuring Evergreen Award nominated historical fiction writer Jennifer Robson. We hope to see you out and about at our branches this month – and every month, really! Thank you for your support.

Tree PlanTing? FUNDING SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE If you are planting trees on your property you may be eligible for funding assistance. Planting trees on your property helps fight climate change, increases wild life habitat and water conservation. Forests Ontario is working with its tree planting partners across the province to deliver the Ontario government’s 50 Million Tree Program.

If you have at least 2.5 acres of productive land, you could qualify. Call or visit us at:

Forests Ontario 416.646.1193 www.forestsontario.ca /50mtp

Paid for, in part, by the Government of Ontario

October / November 2015 • THE SCOOP

23


SURE-FIRE HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING Proudly serving Kingston, Napanee, Gananoque and surrounding areas

BUY A

FURNACE

AND RECEIVE A TANK OR TANKLESS

WATER HEATER 1/2 PRICE!

NATURAL GAS OR PROPANE

EXTENDED! NOVEMBER York Certified Comfort Expert

*MUST ACT BY OCTOBER 1ST, 2015!

Rinnai Authorized Service Provider

KEEPING CUSTOMERS COMFORTABLE FOR OVER 10 YEARS. CALL FOR DETAILS. FINANCING AVAILABLE. * plus applicable taxes

613-634-0133

www.surefireheating.ca 24

THE SCOOP • October / November 2015


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.