SCOOP The
August / September 2016
thescoop.ca
Romancing the Throne Cloyne Pioneer History
Therapy Lambs
Passing the Torch
Small Acts of Kindness
Here’s The SCOOP
The
SCOOP S Founded in 2005 by Richard Saxe
PUBLISHER & AD SALES Karen Nordrum stonemills.scoop@gmail.com
CONTRIBUTORS Jordan Balson, Ron Betchley, Sally Bowen, Lillian Bufton, Mel Galliford (cover photo), Glen R. Goodhand, Alyce Gorter,
ummer is, of course, a splendid time to be outside. On a lake, a trail, a boat, a stream, a hammock, a bike, a horse, or a tractor. There are few places in the world where the great outdoors are still as great as they are here.
experiences. Simply being outside is often enough to experience a range of new experiences with animals, as children know very well, always seeking interesting bugs, frogs, minnows, or crayfish.
This issue of The SCOOP is all about what’s on the other side of the door. It is, in fact, best read in full daylight, under a large shade tree.
Not all of these experiences are always welcome, of course. Being outside sometimes means answering the call of nature in, well, nature. This might still mean an outhouse, now mostly used in campgrounds and simpler cottages, but not so long ago a central aspect of rural life, as one of our writers reminds us. The outhouse is often itself wide open to nature and its many critters. We’ve seen some with swallows’ nests, impressive spider webs, well-sheltered rodents, and more than a few reptiles. Not necessarily
Our writers have provided us with a rich menu of things to see and enjoy this season. Trails around Yarker, for instance, that a few of us have already added to our list of places to visit. The touching, even heartbreaking stories of how the simple act of nurturing an orphaned lamb can ease some of life’s most painful
Kim Kerr, Lena Koch, Amy Mack, Susan Moore, Marcella Neely, Mark Oliver, Lisa Pedersen, Susan Rehner, Grace Smith, Terry Sprague 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:
everyone’s idea of summer fun, of course. But with renewed interest in composting, saving water, and a simpler way of life comes a greater appreciation for that most humble of buildings. And so the outhouse continues to elicit interest, with books, websites, and yes, even newspaper stories written about them. There are many other forms of culture to be enjoyed this time of year in our community, both in and outdoors: historical artifacts, books by noted local authors, the joys of gardening, and much more, all covered in this issue. Enjoy the summer and the great outdoors!
LEARN TO SQUARE DANCE with NAPANEE PIONEERS We start dancing again on September 16 & 23 at Southview Public School in Napanee at 7:30 p.m. First two Fridays are FREE for new dancers No partner or special dress required Donna McHale 613-354-7139 or Muriel Brough 613-354-4595
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Stone Mills Scoop 482 Adair Road Tamworth, ON K0K 3G0 The SCOOP is published six times a year. We mail The SCOOP for free to more than 6600 households in Tamworth, Centreville, Enterprise, Erinsville, Camden East, Newburgh, Colebrook, Yarker, Verona, Hartington, Sydenham, Roblin, Selby, Parham, Kaladar, Stella, Godfrey, & Marlbank. We also
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arrange with local retailers to display 1000 additional issues of The SCOOP in Napanee, Cloyne, Flinton, Kaladar, & many other locations.
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Visit our 20 acres of gorgeous gardens, architectural and water features, charming tea room, gift shop and brand new Orangery.
COVER Abandoned outhouse near
Open daily (except Tues. & Thurs.) from May to October
Tamworth. Photo by Mel Galliford. 6248 County Rd. 4, Tamworth, ON • 613-379-2755 • spindletree.ca
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The SCOOP • August / September 2016
Mailbag
The SCOOP looks forward to reading all your letters! Please send your letters to: stonemills.scoop@gmail.com
Over the last few years, I’ve been worried about ATVs in the river at Jones Street in Tamworth. We’ve had a car drive into the river on a wintery night (no injuries thank goodness) and of course plenty of ATVs. I would like the township to consider placing some guard rail and signage at the end of Jones Street to prevent ATVs, cars, and any motorized vehicles from entering the river. Having lived here since 1975, I know that the health of the Salmon River watershed at our location has improved: partly because of the behaviour and attitude of residents, but also because of better septic systems in
100 Women Who Care L&A Amy Mack
1
The Salmon River is a fragile ecosystem, and I believe it is our duty to try to preserve this habitat for future generations to enjoy. I am hoping that something can be done to stop vehicles from continuing to enter the river, and threatening the health of the watershed.
00 Women Who Care Lennox & Addington is designed to make an immediate, direct, and positive impact on the lives of our community members by bringing together one hundred women who share a passion for making change locally. When you become a member, you are making the commitment of $100 every three months to a local charity that has been selected at the meeting. Women can sign up as an individual or as a team with up to four members. A team will act in the same manner as an individual member and can nominate one charity and have one vote at the meeting.
Stephen Handerek, Tamworth
Here’s how it works:
the lakes north of us and at properties along the Salmon River. As well, the Friends of the Salmon River continue to educate the public on the ecology and history of the river. But then we have ATVs using the river as a trail for recreation.
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• We get together four times a year to hear about three local charities that were previously nominated and presented by our members; • During the presentation, we learn about the charities’ importance and impact on our community. The passion and energy that the speaker displays for the charity is very persuasive; • The group votes on which charity to support during each one-hour meeting; • Each member writes a $100 taxdeductible cheque on the spot to the winning charity. The Leading Ladies will present a cheque
to the winning charity shortly after the meeting; in return, the charity will issue a receipt to members for their donation. There is no administration fee to the 100 Women Who Care Lennox & Addington; ALL donations go directly into the community of Lennox & Addington. We can have a transformative impact here in Lennox & Addington County. When 100 people donate $100 at the same time, the group accomplishes collectively what few of us can accomplish on our own: making a $10,000 donation that can enable a charity to complete a project or attain a goal that had been out of reach. That’s real impact in our backyards. And it only takes one hour. Our first meeting was on June 22. We collectively donated $6,250 to the Morningstar Mission in Napanee. You are invited to attend our next meeting on Wednesday, September 14 at the Royal Coachman. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. sharp. You are under no obligation to join, but it is an excellent way to see how the evening unfolds. When you decide to register, you can visit our website or sign up at a meeting. Our meetings last for one hour only. For more information, visit www.100womenlennoxaddington.ca.
Culture Days Act ivities
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Members of 100 Women Who Care Lennox & Addington, at their first meeting in June. Photo by Jen Fitzpatrick of Serendipity Studios.
2016 Summer Show 4 Aragon Rd. Kingston, 613-549-4044 Just north of 401 off Battersea Rd. (Montreal St.) Special exhibition featuring summer landscapes, originals & new limited prints Meet the artist, Jim, & Robere at their gorgeous riverside home/gallery
Thursday, August 18 - Saturday, August 20: 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, August 21: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
www.keirstead.net for more info
Algonquin Dawn, oil 24” x 36” August / September 2016 • The SCOOP
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The Quality of Mercy Is Not Strain’d Ron Betchley
M
an, not being the greatest of predators, knows very well how to shield himself in selfpreservation from those bigger and more tenacious in nature. However, other than and perhaps because of our methods of food production where animals are bred to be slaughtered, we do not apply our dominance over lesser wild and smaller animals in the predatory manner of a household cat that hunts and kills but does not consume his prey. Presumably, this is due to a gifted emotional compass bestowed upon us. And it is this compass that can be the source of our human intervention in the life exceptions of nature’s animals. With this thought in mind and cognizant of nature’s grand plan for things, I have taken it upon myself to intervene in individual cases, not to negate nature’s objective but to apply a little of my endowed compass. If a small animal or bird has been rejected or lost and is destined to be sacrificed within the food chain, then whatever time that creature has with us on earth should be, in my esteem, a little exceptional if not joyous. My first case involved a chipmunk who had lost one eye, perhaps in altercations with siblings or was just so born. Insensitive as it may sound, we named her “Eyereen”. She behaved as though she had been excluded from the nest’s weaning lessons in survival, for a more naive animal has never walked our acreage. Because we feed the small wildlife around our home, there has been a trust developed that allows us all to approach each other without fear. So when I presented Eyereen with a shelled peanut, her immediate reaction was to ignore it. But as others of her kind were gladly accepting them, she relented and took it from my extended fingers. She examined it, turned it, smelled it, tasted the outer shell, and finally dropped it. The one thing she did not do was open it. You could almost see her reaction of “Don’t know what all this fuss is about…” I was at a loss as to how to make her understand she was to crack it open, as doing it for her would be pointless. So with a pair of surgical scissors, I cut away enough of the shell to expose the scent of the contents. Eureka, she got the picture, chewed it open, and devoured the thing as if it was her first and only meal. From there it was much easier for us to treat her with almonds, cashews, and walnuts, all of which she knew to be special for she fiercely guarded them against her siblings. Without our intervention, Eyereen may have survived but a day or two in her partial blindness, but we managed to extend her life a little more than that by lessening the need for her to hunt for food, which would have made her most vulnerable to predators. She continued to enjoy her elevated status for a couple of weeks. But one day expecting her usual response and appearance to the calling of her name, we found neither. Repeat visits confirmed for us that it had been her time. So too there was “Limpy,” the baby black squirrel with the mangled back leg. Reluctant to leave the trees for any other reason, he came upon my approach, knowing that the plastic margarine container in my hand contained treats that few of his kind had ever tasted let alone had been fed them by hand. He responded to our call, for he too knew his
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Teacher’s College, Not Law School
name and knew he was secure in our presence. He mastered climbing trees without difficulty, his three good legs put to full use. His useless leg created the awkward crawl when on the ground. It was there that he became most vulnerable. He was a bon vivant of sorts when it came to his world of exceptional and exquisite nuts. Finally, although there are other tails to be told, I’ll close with the story of the black bird who came hobbling across our back lawn one day. He was unable to fly more than three or four feet at a time, but when it came to sprinting, he had no equal in our natural aviary. So we welcomed “Johnny Walker” to the fold, and he resided under our deck protected somewhat by the lattice surrounding it. He joined us for peanuts each noon and evening, and would partake of them right up on our outdoor table, being the distance and extent of his ability to fly. Without question, he too knew his name, for when we called him, he would turn and make his waddling dash right for the deck. One time I was speaking to a neighbour at the front of our house and was telling her about this bird and his antics. When I casually mentioned that we had named him Johnny Walker, the bird must have heard me, for just seconds later he made a beeline around the back of the garage, past the woodshed, and waddled his way out onto the front lawn to see what treat awaited him. While none of our wild visitors lived long lives, we hope and like to think that they experienced and enjoyed a better quality of life by our attentions to them. [Editor’s note: the headline is a fitting quote from William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice.]
Grace Smith
A
s some of you may or may not know, I recently started the newest chapter in my life. I received my degree in sociology after four years of hard work, and after an extremely short break, I’ve already moved on to teacher’s college, and I’m currently working on my Bachelor of Education. Now teaching wasn’t always what I wanted to do. All through high school, I had planned to go to law school. But once I got to university, I began to reflect on my time at high school and realized that I wanted to be a part of that school experience for someone else. I was one of those students that loved school, especially high school. But most of all I enjoyed the high school relationships with my peers, teachers, and coaches. I was connecting with some of my teachers more than I ever had in my life. The teachers that influenced me the most were the ones who enjoyed what they were doing, who got excited about the curriculum and encouraged me to do the same, and who created an environment in which I could succeed. They saw me as more than a student, and some of them have become great friends of mine since I left those halls. I realize now that some of my teachers went beyond what was expected of them. But because of their passion and commitment, I, too, want to join their ranks.
FRENCH TUTOR Conversational & written French Kids & adults Evenings or weekends Jean Lepage (Tamworth) 613.539.2495 jean.rodrigue.lepage@gmail.com
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These experiences have shaped the kind of teacher I want to be. I want to be the kind of teacher who encourages my students in all areas of their lives and is not just preoccupied with their grades and moving them through the system. I want to get them excited about school, but I also want to get them thinking about their lives outside of school and the ways in which they can better themselves. I want to be a teacher who encourages others to be inclusive of all people regardless of their background. I want to be the kind of teacher who speaks up about flaws in the system and who works to right these wrongs. Ultimately I aim to embody the qualities of those teachers who helped me to become the person I am today while working to ensure that all students get the chance to have this kind of positive experience within the context of education. And I wouldn’t have been able to do these things if I had gone to law school.
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The SCOOP • August / September 2016
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A Knight in the Forest Alyce Gorter
I
t had rained every day that week — heavy downpours — totally dampening plans to spend my vacation in the great outdoors. So when the sun timidly poked its head out from under the clouds Friday afternoon, like a sulky bear just roused from its winter’s nap, it was the opportunity I had been waiting for. It had long been my intent to pioneer a trail that would allow me to ride my horse from the house, through the forest, around the 75 acre pond in the backyard, catch the new logging track to the north, follow it to the road that Dad had carved along the western edge of the property and home again, home again, jiggity-jog. A couple of attempts at finding my way through the tangle of woods, around large ponds, small ponds, ravines, gullies, marshes, swamps, and bogs had convinced me it was possible but I still needed to discover a route that could accommodate horses and 4-wheelers without requiring much in the line of water crossings or effort (read “money, sweat and time”). There was still a lot of scout work to be done. So when Tarzan arrived home at six, I pushed the pork chops to the back of the stove and convinced him that we could make a quick foray into the woods. We would be back home for supper in no time. We could take the 4-wheeler. Adding a motorized vehicle to the equation gained his reluctant agreement. The first country mile of my planned route could be travelled without too much trouble as hunters had occasionally used it in the past. After that, it required a lot more effort to slog our way over rocks and deadfalls and find a way through the trees and brush. It is always hard for me to stop once I start working on a project –especially one of such importance – but my reluctant “volunteer” had already worked a full day, and his growls were getting louder. I might have been able to get another quarter mile out of him, but it WAS rapidly getting darker. That was when the 4-wheeler quit. Check the oil. This was done by wiping the dipstick with leaves, reinserting it in the tank, and then squinting with nose to stick to see the results. They showed that this machine was going no further that night. Now, this may not seem like a big deal to many – just follow the path back home, right? Not quite that simple. Tarzan has a few physical limitations that make walking a hardship in good conditions but in this terrain, it would be almost impossible. He decided that we needed to find a shorter route and thought maybe he remembered a trail that he had been on years before that just might be over that hill. With no reason to rely on this memory recall or his knowledge of the backwoods, I thought we should walk to the edge of the big marsh and follow it around to the road. The yellow marsh grasses would be lighter than the forest and would be our guideline to safety. That was the gist of the debate. Well, to put it mildly, it wasn’t exactly a debate. It was not in the best of moods that we struck off looking for the phantom road. It was not long before Tarzan was complaining that he couldn’t keep up and couldn’t see me in the dark. In fairness to him, he was waiting for cataract surgery on both eyes and apparently his bare feet in Birkenstock sandals weren’t an asset in this terrain. The woods were still soaked, water dripped down our necks at every step, the ground was slippery, and it was so dark it was impossible to tell where the rocks, crevasses, hills and valleys were
until either our toes found them or we fell. If we fell with our heads higher than our feet, we knew it was a hill. If our feet were higher than our heads when we landed, we were entering a valley. It had stopped being fun right around the time the 4-wheeler wouldn’t run. When Tarzan stated that we would have to spend the night in the woods, I thought he was joking. However, since he is not one to exhibit a humorous side when helping me with my projects, I quickly realized he was serious. We took stock of our camping supplies. Tarzan owned an ultralight flying machine and, as a precaution in case of crashing in some isolated area, had pocketed a lighter. It proved to be a lifesaver. He always carries a knife. Finding dry wood was impossible, but Tarzan managed to scrape pieces of logs into a pile of shavings. I collected dead wood and sacrificed a precious inner garment to get a fire started. My contribution to the survivorship (besides the above) was a hatchet I had brought along to clear brush and mark trees. I whacked off pine branches to make our bed. It was a long, cold night. Whichever side turned to the fire was toasty warm; the other side was cold and damp. Without that fire, though, hypothermia would have been a harsh reality! Our faithful Rottweiler, Justiz, slept at our feet (a plus) and frequently rose during the night to stare into the darkness with hackles rising, teeth bared and low growls (a minus when contemplating sleep or the need to go ‘out there’ and get more wood). The local wolf pack howled to the south reminding us we were trespassing in their domain. When the sun rose, we started our trek again heading toward the logging road we knew had to be there – somewhere. It was. I was told to hurry on home, grab the truck and come back to pick up Tarzan. So, at 7:00 a.m. two loggers watched in slack-jawed amazement as a woman with a Rottweiler strode out of the middle of the backwoods, nodded ‘Hello’ and kept on going as though it was just part of my regular morning routine. We had survived. What a fantastic, unforgettable experience! I am still working on that trail... Tarzan seems to be always busy with something else. Am looking for volunteers.
TECDC Concert Series Mark Oliver
T
he Tamworth Erinsville Community Development Committee is pleased to announce its concert series line up for the upcoming performances. In keeping with past practice, we are offering a diverse series with a variety of musical styles. We are featuring some performers who are at the early stages of a very promising career, others who are well established and are making their presence known in the Canadian music scene, and some who have already left their imprint on Canadian music fans. The entertainers performing in the upcoming TECDC Concert Series have all been recognized by Canadian music award organizations. Saturday, October 1 is the kick-off show and features the blues-oriented, multiple winner of Entertainer of the Year and multiple winner of Male Vocalist of the Year, Chuck Jackson, along with the All Star Band. Chuck is the lead singer and harmonica player for The Downchild Blues Band, and he has brought together the All Star Band utilizing members of not only Downchild (Flip, Flop and Fly) but also Canada’s Powder Blues Band (Doin’ It Right On The Wrong Side of Town). This is going to be a high-energy performance highlighting some of Canada’s very best blues musicians. On November 5, we are very pleased to bring The Once to the Tamworth stage. During the past five years, The Once has been quietly making a name and building a reputation for themselves across Canada. The Newfoundland-based band has collected three Canadian Folk Music Awards, been named Newfoundland & Labrador Art Council’s Artist of the Year, and earned a Juno nomination for best Roots/Traditional album. The group performs a mix of original and traditional material and is often noted for their “gorgeous three-part harmonies,” which they sometimes perform acapella. Saturday, January 14 features the Toronto-based roots group The Young Novelists who play with elegant instrumentation and stacked multilayered harmonies. Their talents were nationally recognized when they won the New/Emerging Artist of the Year award at the 2015 Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMA). Topping off this accomplishment for the band was the naming of the bandleader Graydon James as this year’s recipient of the Ontario Arts Council’s Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award for his song “Couldn’t Be Any Worse.” The Young Novelists’ show is as engaging as it is endearing. Our “Valentine’s Day” show, being held Saturday, February 11
this year, features the unique, Western Swing Authority. Shane Guse (fiddle, vocals), Stacey Lee Guse (vocals), Ed “Pee Wee Charles” Ringwald (steel guitar), Dan Howlett (fiddle, vocals), Paul “Chappy” Chapman (guitar and vocals), Matthew Lima (stand-up bass) and Jimmy Boudreau (drums) make up the “WSA”. Their live shows are upbeat and fun, are enjoyed by music lovers of all genres and ages, and offer superior musicianship. Though individual member’s touring and recording credits are impressive, including names like Gordon Lightfoot and Dean Brody, it is the sum of the parts that is garnering attention worldwide providing them with more than two dozen national and international award recognitions since 2010. The performance scheduled for April 8 showcases The Marrieds, a husband and wife duo from London Ontario. With guitar and ukulele and spectacular vocals these up and coming performers who, for example, have shared stages with the likes of Kathleen Edwards, Bahamas, Treble Charger, The Trews, Lennie Gallant and Ian Thomas, will both impress you and warm your hearts. The season wraps up May 6 when Canadian music legends, The Skydiggers perform. With 18 albums, several top 40 singles, and twenty-five years of performing around the world, this JUNO award-winning band’s show will be one you won’t want to miss. The TECDC concert series, a not-forprofit venture, has presented more than forty performances since it began. All shows take place in the acoustically amazing Tamworth Legion Hall, officially named Abbott Hall. Since it is all about the music, it is worth mentioning that every performer makes mention of the great sound they experience in that facility, and more than one has stated that the sound in the Legion hall is superior to that in many of the larger “soft seat” theatres they often perform in. So a great listening environment with clean sight lines and intimate seating and the opportunity to meet and greet the musicians merge to provide a highly enjoyable experience. All shows are at the Tamworth Legion and start at 8:00 p.m. with doors opening at 7:00 p.m. Seating is by general admission with the exception being season ticket holders who get reserved seats. See our ad elsewhere in this issue of The SCOOP for the number to call to find out how you can become a season ticket holder (Patron or Sponsor) or to pre-order tickets for a show and to see the list of businesses that have already stepped up to serve as sponsors for the upcoming season. Tickets for shows appear at several local merchants: the River Bakery, Bon Eco Design, Stone Mills Family Market, and Marie’s Place in Napanee, a few weeks before each concert.
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August / September 2016 • The SCOOP
5
Do You Remember The Outhouse? Glen R. Goodhand
I
t was known by many names—the outhouse, the backhouse, the biffy, the little shack out back, the shanty, the privy—or simply, the little house. But whatever way in which it was described in those “good old days”, the outdoor toilet was as much a part of life as rural mail delivery or the little red schoolhouse. For the most part, these fresh air latrines have faded into oblivion like the horse and buggy—to the regret of no one who was forced to depend on one for everyday use. Since the introduction of the fiberglass porta-toilet, even in roadside rest areas and public parks, they are rarely seen anymore. Without going into unnecessary detail, these primitive bathrooms were quite simply constructed. They required a pit dug in the ground, a basic 4-foot by 4-foot by 7-foot high shack, complete with a bench, in which were cut the desired amount of round openings. That choice fostered the terms single-holer, double-holer, etc.—with the most common being the dual variety. For sanitary and perfumery purposes this convenience was commonly built at least fifty feet from the main house. Some more diligent designers made it a practice to wallpaper the little structure. It took away the rugged look and even acted as a buffer against the chilly winds blowing through the cracks between the boards. In more modern times, when indoor powder rooms were not within the family budget, store-bought toilet seats were added to dress up the place, and to add comfort to the stay. Some enterprising ladies of the house used to plant hollyhocks to improve the scenery, minimizing the reality of its presence. Whatever negatives have been ascribed to the outhouse, it usually has had to do with the inherent discomfort connected with the unit. Going out there in the dark, not knowing if an errant skunk might be poking around, foraging for a late-evening snack, was a very practical concern. For privacy reasons, there normally were not windows of consequence in those roughshod coops, meaning that heat built up rather quickly during hot summer days. But, beyond a shadow of a doubt, it was the prospect of an icy perch in the dead of winter which most frequently placed the engineering marvel on top of the hate list! Add an uninvited mini snowdrift to the seating area, and procrastination became a
A two-seat, “double-holer” in Tamworth, still in use today. common reason for reaching for the Milk of Magnesia bottle. “One of my bygone recollections As I recall the days of yore, Is the little house behind the house, With the crescent over the door. You had to make those frequent trips, Whether snow, rain, sleet, or fog— To the little house, where you usually found The Eaton’s catalogue.”
The reference to the catalogue had little to do with the reading material. It was just that store-bought toilet tissue was considered an extravagance when last season’s mail order volume served equally well (dream on)—and it was already postage paid. One of the most frequently asked questions about the little house concerns the quarter moon symbol carved in the door of most of them. Apparently, when these privies were the public toilets of the day, a star etched in the door indicated it was for males—a quarter moon likewise signalled it was for females. Not surprisingly, the men’s outhouses were often in such disrepair, that everyone wanted to use the women’s shanties. That situation was so widespread that eventually, only the latter ones were fit for occupation. Hence, the quarter moon evolved into being the sign for a biffy for every one of them! Back in the late 1960s, Billy Ed Wheeler introduced a novelty song that urged “Don’t let ‘em tear that little brown building down!” But from everyone who was ever destined to use such facilities, he must surely have heard a unanimous chorus of BOOS!
SCOOP columnist, Terry Sprague has published his latest book
Plants Aplenty Lisa Pedersen
T
he gardening gods smiled on the 7th annual GrassRoots Growers plant sale this year. The weather was hot, but the wind behaved. The starting whistle blew (literally) at 10 a.m. sharp and eager shoppers flocked to Beaver Lake Park in Erinsville to peruse the wide variety of plants, shrubs, and flowers on offer. Folks from Arden, Newburgh, Marlbank, Tweed, Kingston, Napanee, Bellrock, Westplain, Croydon, and Bannockburn attended the sale. Organizers of the event were pleased to discover that local people brought friends visiting from as far away as Newfoundland and Pennsylvania. The many volunteers that day were up to the task of helping everyone find what they needed. They set up the canopy, carried and organized plants, helped shoppers get their purchases to their car, and directed them to the nearest Master Gardener for advice and information. Thanks to the volunteers, the event went quite smoothly. People shopping the plant sale expressed interest in low-maintenance and drought – tolerant perennials; others wanted perennials for specific areas or conditions, for example, a garden on the shady side of the house. The “Pollinator Plants” were a big hit, as well as annuals. Many shoppers who had attended previous GRG plant sales already had a good selection of perennials and were now on the hunt for striking colours or unusual plants to add to their mix. Young children were given a free plant to encourage them to start their very own small garden.
613-848-4549 tsprague@kos.net 6
The SCOOP • August / September 2016
This year’s plant sale has funded a $1000 GrassRoots Growers award for a student enrolled in the Sustainable Agriculture Program at Fleming College. Special consideration will be given to applicants living in Lennox and Addington County. The plant sale is the GrassRoots Growers’ one fundraising event of the year, and it allows us to engage speakers for our free events in the fall and spring. Everyone is welcome to attend these events. Tamworth/Erinsville GrassRoots Growers is a community-based group whose principal activities focus on encouraging interest in local and organic growing of both food and ornamental plants. We strive to raise awareness of issues surrounding food production and to improve our practical knowledge of gardening. We welcome new members, and volunteers are always greatly appreciated. Visit our website at te-grassrootsgrowers. weebly.com.
presents the
10th Annual Garlic Festival Labour Day Weekend September 3, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. VENDORS AND GUESTS WELCOME! For more information please visit our website www.veronalions.ca or our Facebook page Pets are not permitted on site
L&A Mutual Insurance Company ESTABLISHED IN 1876
CONTACT ONE OF OUR AGENTS FOR A QUOTE
A hilarious collection of stories and misadventures from his colourful career of working with Glenora Fisheries Research, Sandbanks Provincial Park, Quinte Conservation and NatureStuff Tours
(see his column for more details)
In keeping with the community theme, any GRG sale plants that did not leave with eager gardeners were delivered to another plant sale. Grandmothers by the Lake (Stephen Lewis Foundation) held their plant sale the following weekend in Harrowsmith and appreciated the donation of plants for their sale.
Verona Lions
NAKED In The SAND
Available now at The Tamworth Bookshop
Shoppers were impressed with the extensive and varied tomato selection, everything from the smallest cherry tomatoes to the biggest beefsteak varieties. This event has become known at THE place to get your local, organic, or heirloom tomato plants. There were lots of vegetables and herbs for sale as well – sweet or hot peppers, kale, onions, arugula, parsley, cilantro, and the list goes on.
Two Locations to Serve You
Napanee
32 Mill St. E. 613-354-4810
Harrowsmith 5062 Hwy. 38, Unit #9 613-372-2980
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
Therapy Lambs Sally Bowen
H
ave you ever heard of therapy lambs? This year Topsy Farms invited the public to bottle-feed and cuddle our baby lambs, rescued from our fields when the ewe couldn’t nurture them. People came and later spread the word, and before we knew it, we were booked 11 hours per day for more than three weeks. We knew our own time spent feeding, cuddling and rescuing the most vulnerable lambs (usually from multiple births) of about 1400 born, was peaceful, calming quality time. We soon learned just how much our lambs were helping others. Of course, it is a joy for young families to introduce their kids to a vulnerable animal, to help them learn about the natural world. It was a balm for a teacher under stress to sit quietly with her ‘virtually’ adopted lamb. Stroking, humming and gently rocking brought her overloaded mind
and heart to a more quiet level, able to cope once again. We had a family with a girl who turned vegetarian very young, and who clearly had an unusually open line of communication with animals. The lambs flocked to the girl’s beautiful energies and reinforced her love. Her autistic sister also responded well to the animals. A woman came in a wheelchair, not yet reconciled to her immobilized state. She poured out her frustration and grief quietly, cuddling the therapy lamb that fell sound asleep in her arms. Her body didn’t change, but for a while, her mind was less fraught. Paula Chisholm, in the midst of chemotherapy treatments for a very tough cancer, spent more than an hour just quietly being in meditative link with the wee woolly animal snuggled at her neck. She wrote to us later to describe the tremendous healing impact that hour had on her heart and soul: “[...] when I saw the lambs and was petting and playing with them I relaxed so much and
allowed myself just to be in the moment. I truly believe that animals give the best therapy...they don’t expect anything from you but to be loved. Cuddling and playing with them allowed me to forget everything else going on in my life...it gave me a positive purpose and I left your farm feeling so happy and relaxed.” Niall Hartnett, blind from birth, came to visit on a rainy day. He sat quietly in a chair in the 3-room “playpen,” his sensitive hands softly exploring the lamb. The tiny animal responded, feeling safe. A few Syrian families came to visit, still struggling to adjust to their new world, to the absence of violence, to the low-key, warm welcome in Canada and at Topsy Farms. Their strained faces relaxed into laughter and incredulity.
One child who came has a rare medical condition that prevents her from interacting with other kids or groups of people. Her family carefully booked a time when she could be alone with the lambs. She has only recently been able to hear, thus speak, but after a few minutes, she was chattering away with the lambs, touching COLLEEN’S GARDENING SERVICE and exploring. Her mother and caregiver Design and Maintain New Beds or Old! were thrilled that she had a “normal” happy Flowers, Shrubs, Planters, and More hour, playing like any child, anywhere. Free Estimates Call Colleen at 613-379-5959
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A family with an older child who was
Paula Chisholm, cancer patient, cuddling a lamb. Photo by Michelle Moulton. severely autistic now have a young daughter with the same affliction. The older boy was helped when two of our lambs moved to his farm. Issues of frustration and anger melted away. Two new, sturdy, affectionate lambs moved to their farm last year, and again this healing happened. Their interaction is helping the five-year-old begin to use language and to socialize more freely. Topsy thought that people were rescuing lambs, but it turned out that the therapy lambs were rescuing us.
TOPSY FARMS Lamb and The Wool Shed on Amherst Island 613 389-3444 888 287-3157
Niall Hartnett, blind from birth, softly exploring a wee, wooly lamb.
Email: info@topsyfarms.com Web: www.topsyfarms.com topsyfarms.wordpress.com
11 Concession St. S., Tamworth, ON
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Follow us on Facebook @ The river bakery café & patio llbo We look forward to serving you! August / September 2016 • The SCOOP
7
A Natural View “Naked in the Sand” Exposes Exciting Career Terry Sprague
G
lenora Fisheries was an old building, and its ancient walls were always homes for mice and rats. Following a concerted effort to rid the building of the vermin, one large rat had become stuck in a small space that remained between the wall and the floor. There, it had died. Somewhere in the wall was its head and torso. Forced out by the pressure and the beginning of decomposition, its back end ballooned out like some grotesque, hairy cartoon character. Grabbing its tail without even benefit of gloves, I wiggled the carcass back and forth cautiously. Thinking I saw it give a bit, I wiggled some more and exerted a bit more force. The body seemed to be holding together quite well, so I gave it one final tug. Without warning, the tail,
CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ARTISTS!
Do you have what it takes to be published in The SCOOP? Send us your best photos and artwork documenting rural life in our area: stonemills.scoop@gmail.com
flanks and back legs all separated from the decomposing carcass, and I staggered backwards, trying to maintain my balance with the back end of the rat still firmly in my grip. “OH, MY GOD!...LORDY!” exclaimed the staff member who had summoned me earlier while I was having my lunch. I chuckled and threw the back end of the rat into a container for disposal and suggested that he poke the rest of the carcass on into the wall for now. We’d figure something out later. After all, I had to get going. It was almost 1:00 p.m. and my uneaten sandwich was still waiting for me. So began my new career in 1979 following the sale of our farm. Thrust into a world of uncertainty, I was very fortunate that an opportunity had come along to work at the research station, located just east of Picton. I had no formal training in anything beyond knowing the right direction to drive a tractor when spreading a load of manure on a windy day. Five years later, I graduated to the position of an interpretive naturalist at Sandbanks Provincial Park. This was my calling. I was put here on this earth to teach – to tell the park story. Not just the identification of this bird or that wildflower, but to take it one step further and explain why it was here and how it fit into the overall scheme of natural things at Sandbanks. Nature interpretation. I soon became addicted to conducting guided hikes and learning how to insert the unexpected appearance of a bald eagle or the inexplicable unrelated question of a participant into the theme of the walk. It was a career that was filled with many hilarious incidents. In a park that draws over 700,000 visitors a year, there are bound to be moments. Like the time I turned around during an interpretive hike along a nature trail in response to giggles only to see a pair of men’s under briefs dangling from the branch of a poplar behind me. Or, the camper who asked why it was so cool for this time of the season, and appeared quite satisfied when told that we hadn’t
turned up the heat yet, but was going to do that once I returned to the Main Office. Or, the time I dressed up as a wolf spider during a campfire program, and the weight of the extra appendages that had been sewn onto my costume, flung me right off the stage and into the audience. I hadn’t worked long at Sandbanks before I became anaesthetized to the various shapes and sizes of bathing suits, and levels of undress that paraded daily up and down the beach. I soon became hooked Columnist Terry Sprague signs copies of his new book on the pall of sun tan while cover designer Sacha Warunkiw looks on. lotion and campfire Photo by Michael Burge. smoke that hung over the park on a regular sight to experience the hike. I could feel basis. And there were incidents of nudity, it in everyone’s excitement when you like the fellow I saw jogging down the pointed out something, and I could smell beach wearing nothing but a smile and the decaying autumn leaves you spoke running shoes, accented by a backdrop of about, and I could hear the birds that we lightning flashes from an approaching heard singing.” She was absolutely thunderstorm that was closing in on him. beaming with pride. I think about that moment often. The misadventures continued as I left Sandbanks Park after eight summers, and From cows and crops to hikes and props, began developing an outdoor program it has been a rewarding career, filled with for Quinte Conservation, later running lots of good stories. You can read these the program under the NatureStuff stories in my latest book, “Naked in the banner. Like the time I was speaking to a Sand,” available now at The Tamworth ladies church group about the enjoyment Bookstore. The book is also available in of nature and the homeowner appeared the Picton area from Books and from the basement, grabbed a shotgun, Company, Printcraft and The Local Store. and dispatched a racoon right in front of It is also available by mail. To learn more the horrified audience. The theme of the about the book, go to my website at evening had been love, compassion, and www.naturestuff.net and click on forgiveness. “NatureBits” from the Main Menu. You will see the link to Naked in the Sand. There were profound moments, too, like the time a blind lady from Erinsville For more information on birding and completed a gruelling four-kilometre nature, check out the NatureStuff website group hike with us at Sheffield at naturestuff.net. Terry Sprague lives in Conservation Area, commenting on the Prince Edward County and is selfexhilarating experience when we employed as a professional interpretive returned to the parking lot. “I didn’t need naturalist.
2016-17 TECDC Concert Series
CHUCK JACKSON & THE ALL STAR BAND
Saturday, October 1
An unforgettable night of the “Blues” with Chuck Jackson (leader of the Downchild Blues Band) and his hybrid All Star Band made up of members from the Downchild Blues Band and The Powder Blues; two of Canada’s best!
THE WESTERN SWING AUTHORITY
Saturday, February 11
With 20 national and international music awards in the last 3 years and band members from Gordon Lightfoot and Dean Brody’s groups, this will be an amazing night with some of Canada’s greatest players.
THE ONCE
$40 Saturday, November 5
• Newfoundland & Labrador’s Artist of the Year • Three Canadian Folk Music Awards • Juno nomination for best Roots/ Traditional album
THE MARRIEDS
$35 Saturday, April 8
• Nominee 2012 Folk - Toronto Music Awards • 2013 Top 20 CBC Searchlight Competition • 2014 Top 10 CBC Searchlight Competition • Nominee Vocal Group of the Year Canadian Folk Music Awards
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! All shows at Tamworth Legion 8:00 pm start • 7:00 doors open
CALL 613 379 2808 FOR TICKETS OR INFO General admission seating Season ticket holders excepted! Steve Marshall Licensed Technician Erinsville 613 379 5818
8
The SCOOP • August / September 2016
THE YOUNG NOVELISTS
$35 Saturday, January 14
• New/Emerging Artist of the Year award from 2015 • Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMA) • 2015 recipient of the Ontario Arts Council’s Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award
THE SKYDIGGERS
$30 Saturday, May 6 • • • •
18 albums over 25 years Multiple top 40 hits JUNO Award winners True veterans in Canadian music
$30
$40
Passing the Torch Lillian Bufton
F
or many small rural towns, the grocery store is central to the community. It’s not just quick, nearby access to food, it also serves as a community hub, a “third place” for people to meet between home and work. For many residents of Tamworth and the surrounding area, that hub is the Stone Mills Family Market, located at 672 Addington Street. More than a decade ago, Kim and Larry McCutcheon bought the grocery store – the only one in the area. And now, as many Tamworth residents already know, the store has changed hands. As of June 30, Gisup (David) Yoon and Heakyeong (Helen) Yoon are the proud new owners and are eager to get to know the community and to continue serving the grocery needs of local residents and cottagers. Recently, I reached out to everyone to find out more and to share these exciting changes with SCOOP readers. In the past, small family-owned grocery stores formed the basis of the supermarket industry. One family member minded the cash register, another stocked the shelves, and another unloaded the delivery truck. However, today many of the small independent
grocery stores in rural communities have either experienced financial difficulties or have been forced to close. Luckily for Tamworth and area residents, the Stone Mills Family Market continues to thrive. The store carries what locals seem to need. They cut all their own meat and do their own baking. They also do their best to buy as many local items as possible. “We get our corn from a local guy, we bring in apples and asparagus from the area, and the honey is from a lady who lives here in town and things like that,” says Larry. “We really try to make sure people can get everything they need in one stop when they come here. We listen to our customers and do our best to bring in the items they want.” Over the years, some of the changes they made included landscaping done around the building, adding a garden centre and installing a sub counter at the deli. The biggest challenge they faced was figuring out how to draw a larger customer base and to remain competitive with the bigger box stores. Even so, every year, they managed to hold a customer appreciation BBQ to raise funds for several different organisations within the community, including the Tamworth Fire Department, Napanee Hospital, Tamworth Legion, and local soccer association. This year, Kim and Larry decided to sell the store because they wished to slow down, spend time with their
family, and begin a new chapter in their lives. Their immediate plans are not to retire, but to enjoy the summer off, and meet their first grandchild when he, or she, arrives in September! The transition process with the new owners was very smooth. Their advice for David and Helen? “We know with hard work and dedication they will be successful. We wish them all the best.” Kim and Larry want to thank all of their loyal customers for their continued support over the years. “We have enjoyed visiting with you in the aisles, meeting new people, and making so many new friends along the way.” They have words of appreciation for their staff: “How does a business become successful? Respect, dedication, loyalty, honesty, and commitment. Every one of our staff members, past and present, has had all of these qualities. They are the reason Stone Mills Family Market is what it is today! We, along with our children, Blair, Brittany, and Chad, would like to thank our awesome staff. They have been like family to us. We have laughed together, cried together, and made memories together. We will miss them all!” I got in touch with the new owners, David and Helen, and learned that they used to live in Toronto and moved to Tamworth recently. They had been
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David and Helen Yoon, new owners of the Stone Mills Family Market in Tamworth. looking here and there for a suitable store to purchase, and the Family Market came up for sale. After visiting, they “liked it so much that we decided to buy it!” They have both worked at a convenience store before, but nothing of the size and scale of the Family Market. Taking over the store in the middle of the summer (the busiest time of the year) has been “a little hectic,” they admitted, so their biggest short-term challenge is just getting used to everything in the store. “There are so many different suppliers, deliveries, and orders to handle on a daily basis, it gets overwhelming quickly.” They wish to assure readers that they intend to keep much the same as possible and that there won’t be any drastic changes for a long while. They like Tamworth and comment that “everyone is so nice and wonderful. This is a really good and peaceful community.” David and Helen are both very excited about getting to know the area and its people well. They hope to keep the store going strong, and to continue to play a prominent role in the community. They invite SCOOP readers to come by: “we look forward to seeing you in the Market!”
Brittany, Larry, Chad, Kim and Blair McCutcheon, back when they purchased the store in August 2005. Photo courtesy Napanee Beaver.
For more information, drop by the store, give them a call at 613.379.2440 or visit stonemillsfamilymarket.com to take a look at the store’s weekly flyers.
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9
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A proud supporter of our local community. Terry & Sandra O’Neill, Larry Hutchinson – Owners
11 Pleasant Drive, Selby
18262 Telephone Rd., Trenton
613-354-4424
613-394-3371
Robert Storring
Broker
OFFICES 44 Industrial Blvd. Napanee
CONTACT Direct: Office: Toll Free:
613-379-2903 613-354-4347 1 866-233-2062 storring@kos.net robert.storring@century21.ca
14 Concession St. Tamworth
PRIVATE LAKE (ALMOST)
Only three owners on lake so very private with 325 acres, 2600 ft frontage & 3500 sqft home. 4+2 bdrms, 3.5 baths. Partially finished basement. Granny suite on main level, has private screened porch. Huge outbuildings to store all the toys, covered patio area & multiple decks, double attached garage & more. Typical Canadian Shield property, lots of woods, ponds, rocks, great duck & deer hunting, & good fishing for pickerel, monster bass & pike. Paradise & privacy. Includes boat & motor, 2015 side-by-side with 5 ft snowblow, Ford tractor, & more.
$799,900
MLS 16606654
HORSE FARM PERHAPS?
Historic home includes 10 acres & barn that would be a perfect setup for small horse farm. Home has been restored in historic fashion but with all modern conveniences. Studio room, all glass dining room, 2 baths, updated heating, A/C, wiring & plumbing. Pasture/workfield, stream through & good road frontage.
$319,900
MLS 450560076
LITTLE MARBLE LAKE
Original log incorporated as the living room of a much larger cottage. Features 3 bdrms, full bath, eat-in kitchen, LR with woodstove and access to front deck. 2 acre lot with sand beach, level behind with grass area. New septic system, shore well & storage buildings. Little Marble Lake is not large enough for huge boats & is an excellent lake for those who want a quieter atmosphere but has good fishing for pickerel, bass, pike.
$199,900
MLS 361770132
PALACE RD BEAUTY!
Immaculate Colorado split is a pleasure to show. Main level is 3 bedrooms, kitchen/dining, nice size living room. Lower level is perfect in-law, granny suite, or potentially rental income with bedroom, 3 pc bath, living rm and full eat in kitchen & could easily be set up with own entry. Recessed front entry porch & foyer. Lot is landscaped with private patio out back, tidy garden shed & mostly perennial flower gardens.
$274,500
10
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The SCOOP • August / September 2016
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The Wheelers of Tamworth Kim Kerr, L&A County Archives
“I
t was an eventful day in midwinter when Sam Hicks appeared at the top of the hill plying the whip to his steaming nag, which, with a mad rush, galloped down the decline and came to a sudden halt in front of Wheeler’s store. Sam dropped his reins and hauled from beneath the seat and delivered into the hands of James Wheeler the first bag of Her Majesty’s mail to arrive in the village, while the bystanders tossed their caps into the air and cheered lustily for the first Sheffield mail carrier.” W.S. Herrington’s dramatic description of the first mail delivery in Sheffield
highlights the Wheeler family featured in this edition of A Peek in the Vault. Calvin Wheeler, the founder of the Village of Tamworth (then known as Wheeler’s Mills) was instrumental in industry making its way to Sheffield Township by operating the first mills (flour and saw) and lumbering business in the area. By 1848, Tamworth was beginning to gain momentum as an important village, and a petition from the villagers for a post office was granted. The area owed its growth in part to its bounty of untouched timber resources. The Rathbun Company, a lumbering operation out of Deseronto, realized Sheffield’s richness and quickly bought up the timber rights in the township adding to the importance and industry of this northern area. Calvin’s grandson, James Allen McLean Wheeler, was connected to the Rathbun Company as paymaster for many years. He was born in 1853 in the “Wheeler House,” the first frame home built in Tamworth and was, for a period, inspector of liquor licenses for the County. His uncle, Luke Wheeler, ran the
Cabinet card portrait of James Allen McLean Wheeler, c. 1890. Cabinet card photographs were popular from about 1870 – 1910, and replaced the smaller carte-de-visites (see “A Peek in the Vault”, June/July issue of The SCOOP) in popularity.
Tamworth Hotel on the corner of Concession Road and Mill Street. The Wheeler family was industrious and ambitious, instrumental to the growth of Tamworth and surrounding area. James’ first wife Emma Sommerville died in 1893, and James married Ethel Coulter in 1908. The photographs for this article were recently donated to the Archives by their descendants. Thoughts? Comments? Email us at archives@ lennox-addington.on.ca or drop by for a visit!
Logging camp c. 1900. Logging was a crucial industry in the 19th century, and logging teams like the one pictured here were scattered around the northern townships. Horses would pull sleds full of logs out of the woods, and after the spring thaw, those same logs would be run down the river, as moving them on land was too treacherous a feat.
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The Wheeler house was built in 1840 and is the oldest house in Tamworth.
Culler’s certificate – The Ontario Culler’s Act – issued to James Wheeler on July 23, 1891, to allow for the culling of logs on Crown Land. Often farmers “presented themselves for examination as cullers” to supplement their meagre agricultural income over the winter months. Anyone could apply for the culler’s certificate as long as they passed an examination and paid the Department of Crown Lands the $4 examination fee.
TAMWORTH LIONS CLUB ANNUAL FISH FRY & CORN ROAST Tamworth Arena, Sunday, August 21, 4-7 p.m. Music by Land O’ Lakes Cruisers - Music starts at 3 p.m. Adults $15 / Children $7 / Children under 5 FREE Enjoy lots of fish & corn • Dance to good country music Over 400 people attend this event annually. During the past 27 years the Lions have raised over $74,000 with this event and returned 100% back to support programs in our community.
The Lions appreciate your support!
The SCOOP is looking for writers!
Are you a community-minded person who loves to write and would like to have fun making The SCOOP the best little newsmagazine in the area? Contact Karen: stonemills.scoop@gmail.com
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11
Film Buffs Take Note Susan Rehner
T
his past February marked an exciting development for film buffs: the start-up of the Napanee Documentary Club by Meghan Balogh. Thus far there have been three documentaries screened — “Frame By Frame”, a film that follows four photographers in post-Taliban Afghanistan; “This Changes Everything”, narrated by Naomi Klein and based on her best-selling non-fiction book by the same title in which she makes a case for climate change; and “The Messenger”, a film that documents the diminishing numbers of songbirds worldwide, and what people are doing to prevent their disappearance. Meghan Balogh, a reporter with the Napanee Guide, figured that folks in Napanee and area would appreciate the opportunity to see top-notch documentaries and would be happy to support such a venture. She was right, and it’s expected that support will grow as word gets out about the club. In the fall, screenings will resume – nothing booked yet, but ideas in the offing. There’s also a baby in the offing in October, Meghan’s first.
Beat the Summer Heat
Asked why documentaries, in particular, Meghan replied that she has always been interested in them and that while she was studying photojournalism at Loyalist College, she met fellow student Farzana Wahidy, one of the four photographers from Afghanistan featured in “Frame by Frame.” When the film was finished, Meghan screened it at the Boulevard Cinema in Napanee for an appreciative audience and thus began the Napanee Documentary Club. Films for the club are selected from Kingston, Belleville, Toronto, and American film festival playbills with the aim of including a wide variety of types, issues, and locales. Meghan considers the club to be a community project so suggestions for future films are welcome. To get in touch email napaneedocclub@ gmail.com, check out Facebook, and watch the local papers. Tickets are available in advance from Ellena’s Café in Napanee for $10 or at the Boulevard Cinema on the day of the show for $12. Films are shown approximately every other month on Sundays at 4:00 p.m. In the fall, Meghan plans to celebrate Culture Days by showing a free familyfriendly film, so watch for notices.
Roblin Holiness Camp 2016
Jordan Balson
as your oven).
aking up on hot summer days is a struggle; you were so hot you could hardly sleep, and you wake up covered in sweat, only to face the same sweltering conditions as the day before. Sure, the heat is fine when you’re at the beach, but not every day can be a beach day, unfortunately. Some of us are lucky enough to have air conditioning, but for the rest of us that have to get by with just a fan, how do you avoid the sweltering summer days?
Most workplaces have a nice fan or air conditioner. But at home on those hot evenings or your days off, it can be too easy just to watch TV or sit at your computer. If you leave the house, though, you might find somewhere cooler and get more done. Most grocery stores and malls are air conditioned, as well as restaurants. To keep myself busy and out of my boiling apartment on these hot summer days, I’ve volunteered, gone to the library, picked up extra shifts at work, and made arrangements with my friends just to hang out at the mall or wherever it is cool.
W
One of the easiest ways is to eat differently. One of my best friends loves summer because it’s his excuse to eat frozen treats and sip cold sugary drinks all day. Although this isn’t the healthiest diet, it is effective at beating the heat. A simple, healthy alternative is always to have lots of ice on hand and to make sure that you drink lots of water. Another easy way to avoid the heat is not to use your oven! Of course, you can always go out to eat or get take out. But it’s also easy to make a sandwich, buy vegetables and fruit that don’t need to be cooked, or reheat something that you cooked on a cooler day (a microwave doesn’t heat your house nearly as much
GREAT CAREER OPPORTUNITY! Looking for people who enjoy talking to large and small groups.
Another thing to do on your days off is to head to a beach or a lake. It doesn’t have to be at Sandbanks (although the beaches are great); it can be as simple as heading to a local lake or dipping your toes in Lake Ontario in Bath—maybe even go swimming if you’re brave enough! There are also local splash pads for kids to go to as well. There are a bunch of ways to beat the summer heat if you’re motivated enough to get up and do something, and in the process, you might just end up having a great day.
YARKER FARMERS’ MARKET Local produce and flowers/plants and local artisans. Lunch is available and bake table. Support your community. Riverside United Church, 2 Mill Street, Yarker, ON Saturday, August 6 & 20 Saturday, September 3 & 17 Saturday, October 1
For more info: 613.377.6385 1 km. north of Roblin, 3418 County Rd. 41
A car and internet required, use your
“Music On The Grounds” August 13 @ 7 p.m. Family Camp, August 14 - 21 Evening services @ 7 p.m. VBS “Cave Quest” August 15 - 19 mornings
throughout the community.
SPEAKERS Jason Parker: Aug. 14 - 17 • Ross DeMerchant: Aug. 18 - 21
Speaking at luncheons, seminars, etc.
INFO roblinholinesscamp@gmail.com or RWC 613-388-2518
Diana 1-866-306-5858
G.F. FRIZZELL CARPENTRY
LICENSED CARPENTER
HOME (613) 379-5171
CELL (613) 483-4607
steven@moorepartners.ca susan@moorepartners.ca
www.moorepartners.ca 12
home as the base while working
613 • 379 • 5958
The SCOOP • August / September 2016
TAMWORTH PRO HARDWARE RE-INVENTED
Introducing boomerang 100% RECYCLED CANADIAN PAINT Just $22.95 pre-tinted colours & primer! Plumbing • Electrical • Hardware Key cutting • Farm supplies • Screen repair 613-379-1064
tamwpro@gmail.com
Tamworth Minor Softball THANKS YOU! Our players would like to thank the generous businesses and individuals that have made this year’s season possible: • Pennell Wm. A Custom Carpentry • Stone Mills Construction Ltd. • Royal Canadian Legion – Tamworth Branch • Sheffield Camden Minor Softball • Grays IDA • Waylen Car Wash • Wild Orchid Health and Wellness Center • The SCOOP • Honest Bob’s • AM Sports • LCP Landscaping • Angie Cares • Weese Landscaping • Roblin Gas Bar • TCO Agromart Ltd. • L & A Cattlemen’s Association • Gary Donohue • Selby Garden Center I am proud to be a member of such a great community that has supported 93 children to play baseball this year. Thank-you to the coaches and parents! Without your dedication and commitment we wouldn’t be able to have such a fun and successful year. The new uniforms and equipment have helped our players to represent our community well throughout the season. Thank-you, Tabatha Rutledge 2016 Tamworth Minor Softball Convenor
Puzzle Page Crossword: Be a Dahl by Matt Gaffney
August Maze
Word Search: Swimming
Sudoku
August / September 2016 • The SCOOP
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The Friends: New Landscapes & Members
T
newsletter and website, and someone with strong IT skills to help manage the site. However, a special skill is not essential; if you have a strong interest in a healthy river system and watershed, you are certainly welcome.
Organizing a bus tour with partners was a valuable project. On the Woodlands and Wetlands Tour in April, fifty passengers learned to look at their terrain in a new way, thanks to the running commentary from local scientists and experts. Everyone viewed the Kennebec Wetlands complex, forestry practices and woodlot management, the geology evident in the rocks at roadsides, and the complexity of the relationships between living things and the landscape.
We invite you to attend the Annual General Meeting in October (date TBA) and join our board. The board meets every other month, but a fair bit of our business is conducted by email. A commitment to attend meetings regularly is necessary. For further information, please contact Susan Moore at 613.379.5958 / susan@moorepartners. ca, or Herb Pilles at 613.374.2097 / hpilles@gmail.com. Elections to the new board will take place at the AGM, but we are happy to have a discussion anytime.
Susan Moore
he Friends of the Salmon River love the Salmon watershed. They encourage conservation and healthy river practices. The Friends are a group of volunteers who initiate projects – often with partner groups – to protect and promote the natural beauty of the watershed.
From Verona, we drove north to Ompah, had lunch in Plevna, then looped south-west and down Road 41 through Arden, returning to Verona. The trip was a partnership sponsored by Friends of the Salmon River, the Ontario Woodlot Association (Limestone Chapter) and the Frontenac Stewardship Foundation. The feedback from participants was very positive, and people said they learned new perspectives on the landscape. Most would love to go again. The Board of Directors of the Friends of the Salmon River currently has some openings for board members. Particularly needed at this time are members with an interest in writing/ producing the newsletter or with an interest in photography and other media to support the
Y
arker is a small community surrounded by trails that are ideal for hikers, cyclists, dog owners, runners, and nature lovers. One of the best maintained is the Cataraqui Trail, which runs along a former train route between Smith Falls in the east and Strathcona in the west. You can find the map online at cataraquitrail. ca. Today a road runs along part of the trail, but in general, the trail is very quiet.
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Please visit friendsofsalmonriver.ca to read about the group and how it serves the Salmon River watershed residents/ visitors of all ages.
Don Cuddy & son Andre examine a salamander on the bus tour.
LANE Veterinary Services
Since 1983
Serving Animals Mon, Tue, Thu: 8:30 am to 5 pm Dr. Calvin Lane, DVM Pets & Farm Mon, Tues, Thurs: 8:30am-5pm 211 McQuay St. Wed: 8:30am-7pm La Senda Fri: 8:30am-4pm R.R. #3 Yarker, ON K0K 3N0 Eco Store & Naturopathic Clinic Sat: 10am-1pm 46 Dundas Steet East, Napanee
613.308.9077
www.lanevetservices.ca
211 McQuay St. off Cty. Rd. #6 Wed: 8:30 am to 7 pm (between Colebrook & Moscow) RR#3 Yarker, Fri: 8:30 amON to 4K0K pm 3N0 Emergency Service By Appointment Sat: 10 am to 1 pm
www.lanevetservices.ca www.lanevetservices.ca info@lanevetservices.ca
Your individual path to optimal health.
info@lanevetservices.ca
Emergencies By App’t. (613) 358-2833 or Farm 1-888-832-1904
(613) 358-2833 or 1-888-832-1904 “Prevention is the Best Medicine” Solution to the crossword puzzle on page 13:
can see and hear on our local trails. Many of the trails were part of the old railroad system, and although the trains are long gone, if you stand still and close your eyes, with a bit of imagination you may be able to go back in time. Can you hear the whistle of the train in the distance? Watch the trails for poisonous plants – wild parsnip is one of them. Read signs when walking on the trails and obey the rules. Protect nature for yourself and your children. Most importantly, have a great summer!
This year-round trail is closed to motorized vehicles (except snowmobiles in winter) for good reason – it harbours many wild animals that need protecting. This year we have a large turtle population in the marshlands. In the morning, baby turtles sit in the sun on tiny grassy islands in the marsh area. Ducks, loons, geese, bullfrogs and many other creatures live in the marsh and sing their songs to passersby. Only nature can produce such a concert. There are so many amazing things you
Quinte Conservation and other likeminded groups.
The Friends have access to excellent resource people and
Happy Trails Lena Koch
use that knowledge to recommend care for the river and forge new connections that nurture the watershed and its communities. The Friends of the Salmon co-operate with the Stewardship Councils of Frontenac, Lennox & Addington, and Hastings, as well as
Turtle laying eggs right beside a trail.
The SCOOP • August / September 2016
Cloyne Pioneer History Marcella Neely
T
he museum is now open for the season, and we look forward to welcoming visitors from far and
near. Our hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week until Labour Day. We often get requests for group visits in the off-season or after hours, and if possible, we accommodate. The Cloyne Pioneer Museum’s displays feature the history, genealogy, and artifacts of our local area. The Archives often gets requests to research family members who once lived or worked here. What a pleasant feeling for everyone when we can match descendants to their predecessors. Sometimes we get lucky. For seekers of local history or anyone wanting an authentic souvenir from right here, we have a sales corner, stocked with books of poetry and stories from towns and villages nearby. We also carry
picture postcards, notepaper and more. Every year the Historical Society issues a heritage calendar. The 2017 calendar features the area’s “Men from the Past” and is available for purchase in the museum and on our website: www. cloynepioneermuseum. ca. In addition to the artifacts shown here, there is much more of interest on display. Come in, bring vacationers, family, children, and students, and spend a few hours touring the past.
The antique portrait of Queen Victoria oversees the Pioneer classroom with its school marm and wooden desks. Victoria is called the first Queen of Canada because she was the sitting monarch in 1867 when Canada was founded. While visiting the classroom, the letters to the teacher are a must read, just for chuckles.
The unique chair that is also a weigh scale is a bit of a mystery, and we would be grateful for any information from readers.
Sharbot Lake Farmers Market will be at the Oso beach in Sharbot Lake every Saturday morning, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy breakfast, or coffee and snacks (including gluten free treats) while browsing the offerings of our vendors. All foods are grown or produced within 100 km radius. You will find seasonal produce, local meats, preserves, maple syrup and honey. Crafts include quilts, fine yarns and weaving, crocheting, wood working, tie-dye clothing, painting, jewelry and more. Knife sharpening and shiatsu massage are also available.
The Sawyer-Stoll logging exhibit recalls the history of lumbering that flourished, employed hundreds, and attracted many businesses and settlers years ago.
Hilltop Variety and Gas Bar
Visit our website: www.sharbotlakefarmersmarket.ca for a full listing of other upcoming events or follow us on facebook.com/ sharbotlakefarmersmarket
2068 County Rd 1 E, Box 89 Newburgh, ON K0K 2S0 Phone: 613-378-0185
Upcoming Readings Quality Second Hand Books Fri – Sat - Sun: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Bridge Street East at the foot of Peel
Tamworth, Ontario 613-379-2108 www.tamworthbookshop.com info@tamworthbookshop.com
Store Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
LCBO Agency Store
JOHN STEFFLER & SUSAN GILLIS Sunday, August 7 STAN DRAGLAND & ELIZABETH HAY Sunday, September 18 All readings @ 2 p.m. Attendance is free. All are welcome. Light refreshments will be served.
PATIO IS NOW OPEN 12 noon to 10 p.m. August / September 2016 • The SCOOP
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Paul G. Payne Funeral Home Announcement Jason & Collette Smith along with their son Hudson of Tamworth, would like to officially announce themselves as owners of the Paul G. Payne Funeral Home in Odessa. We are committed and will continue to offer professional and compassionate service to families in Odessa and surrounding communities. We would like to thank former owners, Paul & Janet Payne, for their assistance and guidance throughout the transition and we wish them all the best in their retirement. As a full-service provider, Paul G. Payne Funeral Home offers traditional and modern funeral services and cremation, with various options including celebration of life and memorial services, receptions, pre-planning, monuments and more. Our facility can accommodate large and intimate gatherings, is wheelchair accessible, and has ample parking. For more information about us, our contributors and our facility, feel free to call or visit our website, www.paynefuneralhome.com.
Jason R. Smith
Owner/Director paynefuneralhome.com
Our family, here for your family 178 Main Street, Odessa 613.386.7373
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The SCOOP • August / September 2016