SCOOP The
DECEMBER 2014 / JANUARY 2015
www.thescoop.ca
celebrates rural life
Baking with Rita
Winter Redpoll
Mayo Underwood
Zoe Hennessy
Colebrook Dam
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CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE Jordan Balson, Grace A. Bell, Leah Birmingham, Sally Bowen, Catherine Coles, Kathy Felkar, Mary Jo Field, Amanda Gray, Jessica Green, Maureen Scott Harris, Zoe Hennessy, J. Huntress, Rev. Elaine Kellogg, Bill Kirby, Lena Koch, Barb Linds, Barry Lovegrove, Cam Mather, Blair McDonald, Susan Moore, Angela Saxe, Grace Smith, Terry Sprague, Chad Taylor, Stella Thompson, Isabel Wright
By Angela Saxe
ecember 6th 1989. The date is etched into the collective Canadian memory. On that day a young man, armed with a rifle, entered the École Polytechnique in Montreal. He shot 28 people, 24 of them women. 14 women killed, 10 women and 4 men injured. His reason, according to his suicide letter: “I’m fighting feminism. I hate feminists for seeking social changes that retain the advantages of being women [...] while trying to grab those of the men.” Twenty-five years later and unfortunately the world is still a dangerous place for females. I know from personal experience that there are many, many good men who do not mistreat women and who work hard to create a society where women are treated as equals. These men are not threatened by women nor do they feel that they are losing some of their own personal power. But yet, we still live in a world that is essentially patriarchal – rules and attitudes have been created by generations of men, and the real power rests with them. Violence and abuse against women encompasses acts both large and small. At one extreme end is the male who takes a high powered assault rifle and hunts down women. At the other end of the spectrum are comments and attitudes some mistake for humour – such as equating women with weakness, or stupidity. Recent events both at home and abroad reveal that there’s a whole range of actions that demean, humiliate, injure and silence women: the recent allegations against Jian Gomeshi are shocking and troubling. Members of Parliament are accused of sexual harassment by their peers. Old sit-com favourite, Bill Cosby is facing charges that he drugged and assault women over the last ten – twenty years. Female airline pilots have complained to Air Canada about the presence of pornography in their work place. A sixteen year old student in Winnipeg was beaten, sexually assaulted and thrown off a bridge by two men, twice. A long list of aboriginal
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women have disappeared or been murdered, yet the government ignores the call to investigate. In Africa hundreds of young women were abducted out of their classrooms and sold as sex slaves. In the Middle East religious extremists cover their women from head to toe, keep them indoors and deprive them of an education. Other extremists try to control women’s reproductive bodies by depriving them of medical options and information. Women are labelled as sinners if they do not conform to a narrow version of appropriate behaviour that is rarely asked of men. Everywhere we look we see some type of violence or attempt to control half of the human population. When did this happen? When did it become okay to treat our mothers, sisters, aunts, daughters with so much contempt and hatred?
It’s been less than a hundred years since women became “persons” with rights to vote, own property and access education – and women had to fight long and hard to get those rights. I’d like to know who told one half of the species that they were better, smarter and more entitled to freedom and choices than the other half. Men may be physically larger and stronger but they aren’t smarter, or more creative or more capable than women. We’ve seen this to be true by looking at women who have been given choices and been able to train: they are now soldiers and firefighters, doctors and politicians, engineers and accountants. Obtaining an education is one way that women can access these opportunities, but surveys indicate that 1 in 5 female students will be sexually assaulted during her four years at a college or university and even though 460,000 incidents of sexual assaults were reported to social service providers, less than 10% were reported to police (Macleans Magazine 2014). Why are women silent about the assaults? This question was asked of the female politicians in Ottawa, as well as of the women who experienced Gomeshi’s violence.
The answer is that the legal system and the accompanying attitudes were created by a male-dominated system that seeks to maintain its privileges and entitlements. The victim is seen as responsible for the assault and not the perpetrator. What did she wear? Did she send out the wrong message by what she was wearing? Did she talk to or go out with the perpetrator before? Did she drink? Did she make sure that no one slipped a drug into her drink? And if the perpetrators are “good boys” or a “famous, well-liked politician or celebrity” well then, she must be lying. Journalist Michael Enright reacted to the Gomeshi affair by saying: “As a father of sons, I have insisted that they understand that violence against women, that hitting a woman, is violence against us all, literally a crime against humanity, that which makes us fully human.” He’s right. Women cannot change attitudes by themselves; they need their fathers, brothers, uncles and sons to stand up and demand that “Boys will just be boys” and other excuses are not acceptable. All males are accountable and responsible for their behaviour. It’s a good thing that the country is talking about sexual harassment and violence against women. I believe that everyone – that means women as well as men – have to look at their own attitudes and biases. We have to raise healthy children who respect each other no matter what sex they happen to be, so that they’ll grow up to make good decisions. Maybe they’ll stop hurting and humiliating each other. Maybe we’ll see a world where men and women, boys and girls see themselves as companions, help mates, colleagues, and true partners in a balanced healthier world. That’s my Christmas wish!
CORRECTION Jason Larocque’s phone number was incorrectly printed in the last issue of The Scoop. Please contact Jason at 613.885.5307. We apologize for the error.
(______________________) HaPpY HoLiDaY GrEeTiNgS
Letters and submissions are most welcome and encouraged.
COVER PHOTO Rita Palumbo, owner of Zia Rita’s Gluten-Free Bakery in Bath. Photo credit R. Saxe.
WE WISH ALL OUR READERS & ADV ERTISERS A HEALTHY, HAPPY & JOYFUL NEW YEAR! Barry Lovegrove, Karen Nordrum, & Angela Saxe •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
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THE SCOOP • December 2014 / January 2015
Just a Country Gal By Zoe Hennessy
I
’m Zoe. I’m in grade seven and school works a little different for me than other kids. But there are a lot of similarities too. Like a lot of other kids I struggle with some parts of math, so I have a tutor to help me! She comes to my house and works with me for a couple of hours, starting at five thirty and ending at seven thirty. But if I am too tired or I am in pain she comes for a half hour or as long as I can stand it. I have something called EhlersDanlos syndrome as well as complex regional pain syndrome. Both of which are pain disorders. EDS effects my collagen and CRPS does not. I cannot put any part of my body in braces for too long or they get stuck, so even if it hurts I have to move. We now have a stair lift at home – it is wonderful! We organized a fundraiser to get it and succeeded. So many things I require are really expensive so fundraisers are the
best way for us to raise the money. We are currently working towards getting an accessible bathroom for me and the accessible van is on its way. We’ve had so much help from neighbours, donators, and supporters. My school Selby Public School hosted two fundraisers for me and little girls and boys brought me cards. They were and still are so kind. Even though life gets rough, I’m lucky that so many people help me. It even helps when someone says: “That sucks. But I know you’re working hard and that will help you get somewhere.’’ Unlike high school, we don’t get choices in elementary school. We take math, gym, French, language, art, science and history. We have tons of school events, like the Terry Fox run and tons more all throughout the year. I love these events. Most the time the activities are on the grass
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where I can’t go so I watch or I help inside or at a station on the pavement. I still enjoy myself. I love school where I have an extra large desk so my wheelchair fits underneath. I love my teacher. I love the whole school. Everyone has been so kind.
Zoe at home. Photo credit Barry Lovegrove.
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Letter to the Editor Another excellent SCOOP. I loved the discussion of e-readers versus paper books, “Contemplating Books: Tactile or Digital?” in the Oct/Nov edition. Halfway through reading the article in the (physical) paper, I began to scribble notes in the margins and got interested in this little debate. As a freelance writer and editor, I spend a great deal of time at the computer screen. I love what I do but, when I wish to read for recreation, I wholeheartedly choose paper books.
last page of my copy of Gone with the Wind.
For me, books are a different physical landscape, apart from the screen (the computer monitor or the e-reader). Taking a book into my hands is a journey of itself. Paper pages have their own depth and dimension. Turning the pages is a rhythmic experience and part of the adventure. The excitement of the first and last page is often tangible. In many books, the last page of the story is followed by an epilogue or postscript. Therefore, I begin to anticipate the end of the book when about five pages remain, knowing the next page I turn might be the ending. Sometimes I adjust my reading pace or schedule, so that I arrive at the last page at a time that suits me; when I can contemplate the intricacies of the book.
Vellum comes from the Latin word vitulinum meaning “made from calf.” The best quality, uterine vellum, was made from the skins of stillborn or newborn animals. Excuse me for rattling the vegetarians but, rest assured that commercial paper is no longer harvested from the skin of baby animals.
Can you sometimes remember a particular passage in a book by where it appeared on the page? I still have a memory of Scarlett O’Hara’s last words “After all, tomorrow is another day,” on the top right of the
Like Barb Wilson, I am also reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. It is indeed a hefty volume and it sits right beside the bed; I don’t try to cart all 532 pages around with me. It is printed on good quality paper and I like the feel of the textured edges. One passage of the book deals with vellum, an original source of parchment.
I like bookmarks too. Funny how they disappear though; perhaps there is a jumble of them wrapped in cobwebs under my bed. I often end up with grocery lists, receipts or postcards as bookmarks: not a bad thing, as I can write little notes on them as I read.
Wishing all my family, friends, clients past & present, a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Looking at a row of books on a shelf gives me a feeling of contentment that can’t be matched by a file of digital technology. And I still prefer the tangible, sensual experience of getting my hot little hands on a good book.
Sincerely, Cheryl Furlong
Susan Moore
December 2014 / January 2015 • THE SCOOP
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Making a Difference, One Bird at a Time By Kathy Felkar
I
n the deep dark hours before dawn, I slowly lift my head from the pillow and wonder – what was I thinking when I agreed to volunteer every Friday at Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory (PEPtBO) for the next two and a half months? I slowly put my arthritic feet on the floor and I remind myself that getting up this early has its benefits and I just have to get moving. My husband is already up and has PEPtBO’s Shade Tree coffee brewing, so I pull on my oldest jeans and a warm sweater, quickly organize my life so I can get to the car and head to the The Point.
Once all the nets are open, we return to the benches by the Banding Lab and wait for the Head Bander to return from his morning census. David will walk the trails and record all the birds he sees and hears so that he can document what is flying about The Point. We do not catch every species that is migrating in the nets, so it is very important that we have this data to monitor what is actually flying over and around the Observatory. For example, Golden Eagles in the fall fly over The Point but never come low enough to be actually caught in a net. That would be quite the day, if one did!
I ask Mike to drive as I am only half awake and he is better at dodging the flocks of sparrows, robins and thrushes that often dart out as we head south along County Road 13 towards Prince Edward Point. Making our way along the narrow, curvy road, we are often greeted with a glorious, rose-coloured sunrise over Lake Ontario that rivals any art show, anywhere, anytime. Once we drive into the parking area at this southeastern tip of Prince Edward County, we see the Bander’s cottage and the Obs (Observatory) also referred to as the Van Cott (named after an early occupant who was a commercial fisherman); their occupants are just starting to wake up. Generally, two or three young biologists stay at the Obs for the season, volunteering their time so that they can learn from our Head Bander, David Okines, who knows everything about identifying Canadian migratory species of birds. The biologists emerge slowly putting on their warm jackets and binoculars, grabbing a piece of toast and a mug of coffee; we all meet in front of the Banding Lab.
Chit-chatting about what was seen and banded the day before, we make sure our Data Binder is organized for the day so we can record all the scientific information that is required. Every bird is recorded with its band number by species, sex, age, wing length, weight and fat content. After the bander has affixed the tiny band on the bird’s leg with a pair of specialized pliers, he or she, then blows on the breast feathers to assess the size of the fat patch underneath. It could be empty or partially full on a scale of 1 to 6. Yellow fat will appear just under the transparent skin of the bird which helps indicate if the bird has eaten enough to power itself across the dangerous distance of Lake Ontario.
The Lab is a small, wooden shack situated beside the Obs where trained banders (or ringers if you are from the UK) put an individual numbered band on each bird that is caught in one of the nets. They are then released to continue their foraging before migrating across Lake Ontario and to destinations further south. As dawn breaks we head out as a team to open up the nineteen nets that have been erected in strategically placed net lanes cut out of the undergrowth at Prince Edward Point. These lanes have been open for every spring and fall migration since 1994. While we unfurl the nets, we hear many songbirds raising their voices to join the morning chorus. We hear the rustling sounds of birds beginning their morning hunt for insects so they will have enough fat on their bodies to make the trip across the lake. The nets are specially made to capture birds without injury and as we open each net, we wonder what kind of morning it will be. Will we catch a new species? Will there be a fallout of birds and will we be kept incredibly busy extracting birds from the nets or will it be a slow day and we will only be extracting a few birds each time we check the nets?
As soon as the census taker returns, we head out to the nets for the first net round. We carry a satchel of clean, cotton bags that will carry the birds safely back to the banding lab. We begin extracting at net lane 8 and work back towards the lab. This way, no bird is trapped in the net for any length of time. We are delighted to see the birds are “moving” and in almost every net, there are tiny birds resting in the net pockets. It is interesting, that most birds do not struggle, once captured, but reserve their energy for their chance to escape. Trained volunteers and the assistant banders extract each bird gently, with great respect and skill so that few birds are ever injured. I am excited as I easily extract a Golden Crowned Kinglet who flashes his yellow and red crown as I tenderly place him in the cotton bag. We continue down each net lane until we are back at the lab where we hang our bags up on the wall so that the banding can begin. I also scribe the data from each bird in the binder so the six hours of “nets open” flies by. I enjoy seeing every bird as it is taken out of the bag. It feels a little bit like Christmas each time the bander takes a bird out for processing. We revel in the beauty of an American Redstart or the grand beak of a Northern Flicker. We learn so much about each bird as we look carefully at their wing growth or their feather colour to determine its age. As it is released through the window of the lab, it often flies to a nearby tree so we get one last glimpse of this beautiful bird before it continues on its way. We walk the lanes every half hour, so
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THE SCOOP • December 2014 / January 2015
not only is there some exercise involved but we get to see some of our favourite birds up close. If there is a bird that has gotten tangled in the nets, we call the A Northern Flicker at Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory. experts Photo credit Michael Burge. to come and inherited. They will spread the release the bird so that every bird is message that bird populations are stressed as little as possible. being affected by climate change and from a myriad of other practices As the morning wears on, the that we humans have afflicted friendly banter with like-minded upon them. They know as I do, that people makes the “getting out of the scientific data that we have bed at a ridiculously early hour” helped collect will be sent to Bird worth it. We share our knowledge Studies Canada and beyond so that with our visitors; some of them have our governments will make better come for the first time while others decisions to protect our natural come down every migration season world. As PEPtBO celebrates its 20th to see the incredible birds in the area. Photographers arrive to take year of operation, I know that every pictures of the birds as well as the time I wake up in the early hours natural beauty of The Point. The of the day, I have helped to make a old lighthouse at the very end of difference and by volunteering my Point Traverse (the north corner of time I hope to leave this world a the property) may be decaying but better place for my children. it still holds photogenic interest to many. At the end of this fall migration, we banded 603 Northern Saw-whet Six hours later, our team goes out Owls and 5477 passerines (smaller and ties up the nets for another birds and hawks). This was an day. Every bird is processed before average year but as our climate anyone thinks of lunch and an changes, I am sure we will begin to afternoon nap. The banders work see new trends that will dictate how seven days a week. They are up we look at our bird species. Only at dawn every morning and live time will tell. in the cottage isolated from town and friends and family. Most come Prince Edward Point is a designated from England, and Europe but we National Wildlife Area which was have had Canadian students as established to protect migrating well. We also have hosted overnight birds. For more information guests who help out banding and on Prince Edward Point Bird extracting as a “working holiday”. Observatory, please visit In the fall, these young enthusiasts www.peptbo.ca. Or just come on are responsible for the Saw Whet down during migration and say owl banding that begins about 8 hello! p.m. and continues for four hours! In other words, these young people work very hard for little recompense but leave with such a depth of knowledge, their experience at PEPtBO is well worth it. They often use this experience to apply • PUPPY KINDERGARTEN for positions in • PUPPY GRADUATE the scientific job • INTERMEDIATE OBEDIENCE market. On the drive home, I feel honoured to have made the acquaintance of these young people who care about birds and the natural world that they have
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Lessons I Have Learned While Working With Wildlife By Leah Birmingham
W
hen 2015 comes, I will have been working with wildlife for fourteen years. They have been some of the busiest, most challenging years of my life, also the most rewarding. I know that when the end of my life comes, I likely won’t be rich. My successes won’t be measured fiscally, but I still think I will feel that my time on this planet was well spent. To me the true measure of my success will be the thousands of animals I have helped, the knowledge I have gained from working with them, and the hundreds of students that I have helped mentor in the wildlife care world.
animals every year.
One of the favourite aspects of my work is the constant learning curve, there is always a new species we have never worked with, and each animal I encounter teaches me something. At this time of year it is natural to reflect on a few of these lessons. The following are a few I would like to share with you.
When working with wild animals there is always an exception to the rule
How to help lots of animals on a shoestring budget When I was a summer student at Sandy Pines (2001), many of the people bringing injured or orphaned wildlife into the centre treated us like they had just done us a favour. If we mentioned that we were a charitable organization and all donations went directly to patient care, we often got an exasperated look and a comment about how they had already done their part by bringing the animal in. Our community’s awareness has grown greatly over the last decade and people are now beginning to realize the amount of work and funds it must take to provide care. They understand how lucky this community is to have a resource like Sandy Pines to call on when they need help with wildlife. Nowadays they often offer the donation before we even get a chance to ask. What hasn’t changed is how much of the funds go directly to patient care, and how we can stretch a dollar to help every patient we can. It helps that Sue Meech (Founder and Director) has never taken an income from the charity. She leads by example and has given even more of herself year after year. Those who are lucky enough to be paid employees believe in the cause and volunteer a lot of their time on top of their work week. During the winter months all but one employee takes a seasonal lay off. Our volunteers, who are critical to providing care all year round, become even more essential. They help in the caretaking that is accomplished with more staff and interns throughout the busier months. Having our amazingly reliable group of volunteers that commit to certain days and come out week after week without fail is a big part of how we help thousands of
One thing you will never find if you come to Sandy Pines is our staff standing around the front counter chatting. Down-time doesn’t exist at Sandy Pines. Staff are always on the move, making every dollar earned count, and never clock watching. We don’t like saying no to people who call with wildlife in need of care. Knowing that there are very few resources for both the people and the animal they have found puts a lot of pressure on our team. When the crunch comes we choose to sacrifice our time so that animals get a second chance.
We are constantly in teaching mode at Sandy Pines. From interns, high school/college placement students and new volunteers, we spend a lot of time conveying to new people how to complete a task. Many of those tasks involve directly working with wildlife. Sometimes it is just cleaning the cage of an owl or fox. Other times we are teaching them how to capture and restrain wild animals for medications, treatments and regular weigh-ins. If you think it is difficult to pill a cat, try pilling a Bald Eagle! I have learned that no matter how detailed I describe the event, when it comes to completing the task the animal will likely make a liar out of me, and behave very differently. This happens for a couple of reasons; just like humans, no two hawks, turtles, or fawns are exactly alike. They all have unique responses to the stress of being around their top predator. Because wild animals have to rely on their instincts more than most humans, they are constantly assessing every situation. Even before you have entered their enclosure, they have been eyeing you. They know the difference between someone new who may be feeling anxious about the impending interaction, and a rehabber that has been doing this for a long time and feels little to no fear. They submit a lot quicker when an experienced handler approaches – they know their whole bag of tricks won’t work on this one. For example, I send an intern to capture a Red Tailed Hawk that needed a bandage change. After thoroughly talking her through the procedure, she came back a half an hour later, without the patient in hand; looking dishevelled, she informs me that none of what I had discussed happened. Sure enough I go back to the Hawk’s enclosure with the intern, approach the bird and have it restrained in less than a minute. It’s a great feeling, the student looked at me with amazement, and for a few short seconds that day I felt, “Oh yea, I’m a natural”. My favourite thing is
watching those students a couple of weeks later, confidently restrain the same animal that initially terrified them. Seeing them have the – “I got this, I can do it” moment is priceless. Most wild animals also may have unique dietary preferences. We look it up in a reference book and find that particular species normally eat a list of items. Then we offer these options, and they eat none of it. This might be because they are not hungry enough yet, and the stress of captivity is over ruling the desire to eat. Then again, some of them are simply making a liar of the reference book. Most Gull species will do this; you will find hundreds of them hanging out in parking lots eating whatever is thrown their way. Yet they come into a rehabilitation centre and snub all of the platters of protein rich food you offer them! We can predict a wild animal’s behaviour, but never guarantee it. If we do, you can bet that will be the animal will be the exception. Wildlife rehab is a lot like pregnancy I came to this notion one spring day when we were in the middle of our busiest time of the year. It was the kind of day when you start feeling like you may be sinking under the enormity of the never ending need for help. I pondered “Why do I do this to myself every year?” What happens to my brain throughout the winter that makes me start to miss these cute but demanding little orphans? Surely after five months of insanity during the busy season, some sense of self preservation would have etched a memory of how exhausting and thankless this work can be. It doesn’t, and something about the blanket of snow throughout the winter months erases the memories of all the struggles. All that remains are the feelings of accomplishment. Not to mention the therapeutic moments of cuddling an orphan that won’t even acknowledge your presence in a few months. Raccoon kits purr when they are nursing, and feeding a litter of them, while sitting out in a field, (away from the chaos of the clinic), puts me in a meditative state. By the end of January those will be the moments I crave. The stress, frustrations and sinking feeling will be a vague memory. The thrill of releasing a bird that came in broken and unable to fly and the pride of watching orphans learn the skills they need to survive will
Leah caring for a baby fox. Photo courtesy SPWC. fill my soul and lead me back. From what I’ve heard of pregnancy, a mother’s mind and body eventually dull the harsh memories of delivery, if not she would be less likely to put herself through the pain, so this seemed like an apt analogy to me. Not everyone will understand my journey. That’s okay. It’s not their journey to understand, it’s mine Most of the people I meet understand my passion for working with wildlife. Friends and family accept that I won’t be at all the get-togethers, especially if they fall somewhere between April and August. As the years pass fewer people question why I do what I do. If they do, I have learned not to take it personally; it is more a reflection of them, than me. Statements commonly heard are: Why would you lose sleep for a bunch of squirrels? Why not let nature take its course? It’s just a Blue Jay, one of hundreds, it doesn’t matter. Don’t you think you are wasting your time? My answers have evolved from a long argument where I attempted to belittle the person who dared challenge my calling in life to simple responses such as: Because I like squirrels and they are the tree planters of the forest. Because most of the patients we see are not injured because of nature. They are injured as a direct result of human activities. Because it mattered to that specific Blue Jay, and finally No, I cannot think of a more rewarding way to spend my time. I felt a calling many years ago, and followed it, what have you done with your time? Leah is the Assistant Director at SPWC. You can contact Sandy Pines at info@sandypineswildlife. org and visit their website at sandypineswildlife.org.
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Tamworth, ON
December 2014 / January 2015 • THE SCOOP
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Reading Poetry
Pure Appetite
It was a wet, cool day in October but it didn’t stop a large crowd of poetry and book lovers from attending another wonderful literary event at the Tamworth Bookshop. Maureen Scott Harris read a selection of her poetry while Stan Dragland read the opening section of his new book, The Bricoleur & His Sentences. Afterwards, hot soup and hors d’oeuvres were served to the appreciative audience.
Weeks ago I saw crows thud one
two
three
into the bare maple tree
dogging a Red-tailed hawk. Stoop-shouldered black accusations erupting branch to branch, they lurked while the hawk tore at its meal.
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Wind moves down the valley: rattle of last year’s leaves, rough speech in the canopy. Just ahead a stream in continuous quibble with its stony bank.
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READING with JEANETTE LYNES and BRENT RAYCROFT at The Book Shop, Sunday Dec. 14 @ 2 p.m. All are welcome - light refreshments will be served. The woodstove will be going, but please bring your mittens!
Is scent also a sort of sound? If yes, then now I’m hearing insect buzz and hum contend with the redolence of pine when the tree sways a rejoinder to the wind. Why construe these differing sounds as discord, as if tree might pick a bone with sky, or stone with water? Instead say the sounds cascade as they are heard flowing into one music to make the valley’s eloquent speech. A place speaks itself compulsively, holds nothing back. We must lean close to hear echoes within the bone, feel
Turning unruffled head between swallows it ate deliberately, keeping its eye on the crows and me. I stood on the snowy lawn wanting my share. A white wing fell, vanishing. Feathers corkscrewed out of reach. The crows drifted off when the hawk finished eating. It preened and the feathers on its chest lifted in the wind. We looked at each other and I willed it to swoop toward me. Now, snow almost gone, I’m startled by a flare of white. I’d forgotten the hawk and what it dropped, how much I’d wantedpure appetite, like everything else. This wing, buoyant between my fingers, whispers what it is to be hungry.
within the ear its dance. Its overlapping voices uttering hosannas each to each make congeners of all who dwell.
Our talk might also be to praise—the valley shows us how: single letters joining make a word, words link arms in sentences, and they, tempered and tuned, meld into choir or conversation. Listen, think, choose words with care. Let their sounds weave among the others. By Maureen Scott Harris
By Maureen Scott Harris Maureen Scott Harris is a poet and essayist who was born in Prince Rupert, grew up in Winnipeg and now lives in Toronto. She has published three collections of poetry: A Possible Landscape (Brick Books, 1993), Drowning Lessons (Pedlar Press, 2004) awarded the 2005 Trillium Book Award for Poetry, and Slow Curve Out (Pedlar Press, 2012), shortlisted for the League of Canadian Poets’ Pat Lowther Award. Harris’s essays have won the Prairie Fire Creative Nonfiction Prize, and the WildCare Tasmania Nature Writing Prize, which included a residency at Lake St. Clair. In 2012-2013 she was Artist-in-Residence at the Koffler Scientific Reserve at Jokers Hill, north of Toronto.
The Bricoleur & His Sentences: Following the Brush By Stan Dragland
H
ow to read a person? “Personalities are charted by naming objects,” says Michael Ondaatje. “That is, if you speak of a couple who have a John Boyle postcard taped to their fridge you are saying more about the couple and what they probably think than what might be said in five paragraphs on their political thought.” No reflection on what that Boyle card might be saying. John Boyle, ultranationalist visual artist, Hamilton, Ontario. For Mary Oliver, “dawn is a gift. Much is revealed about a person by his or her passion, or indifference, to this opening of the door of day, No one who loves dawn, and is abroad to see it, could be a stranger to me.” Duncan Campbell Scott says of his friend Archibald Lampman, though he wrote a couple of decent dawn poems, that he “saw mighty few sunrises.” His best sunrise poem, “A Morning on the Lievre,” came out of a camping trip with Scott, who I seem to hear banging on the fry pan and hollering “wakey, wakey! Rise and shine!” to rouse the bleary-eyed poet who is sullen with resentment
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until, parting the canvas flap with a testy remark on the tip of his tongue, he suddenly . . . ! Mary Oliver is not dismissing the slugabed outright. I realize that. But suppose she and Archie had known each other. He would have been up at the crack far too seldom to share the gift she values so. Once in my youth I sat in the Oyen, Alberta barbershop, waiting for my brush cut beside a dog whose voluble owner declared from the chair that he could tell everything he needed to know about a person by the way that person and his dog related to each other. The dog regarded me, assessing. No way was I going to reach out and attempt a pat, as I would normally have done. If that dog bit me, or even if it growled, my nogoodness would have been patent. Of course not reaching out will also have spoken. No doubt the man in the chair had my number. Two point six. Even casual reflection shows that the business of character, biography or autobiography, is a lot more complicated than a person might think. I got to thinking about this when Michael Ondaatje asked me to
THE SCOOP • December 2014 / January 2015
send him my bundle of sentences, because it’s personal and quirky and not meant to be shared without commentary. I began to think of it as a kind of postcard taped to the fridge. What would Michael and Mary Oliver and the barbershop dog make of it? I foresaw scratching of the head. Then I began to think about the word “bricoleur” as regularly applied to me by Don McKay. Might it fit not only my gathering and making of odd things, but also my puddle-jumping mind? Does it describe me all too well? This is not modesty. I think better sideways or in circles than straight on, so I hand my best attempts to others then do what I can to fix the flaws they spot. Do not imagine that this comes direct from me to you. NOTES Michael Ondaatje, “Introduction,” The Long Poem Anthology (Toronto: Coach House Press, 1979), 15. ii Mary Oliver, Long Life: Essays and Other Writings (Cambridge, Maine: Da Capo, 2004), 21. iii Robert L. McDougall, ed. The Poet and the Critic: A Literary Correspondence Between D.C. Scott and E.K. Brown (Ottawa: Carleton University Press), 1983, 50. i
Stan Dragland is originally from Alberta and now lives in St. John’s, Newfoundland. He is Professor Emeritus, Department of English, University of Western Ontario. He was founder of Brick magazine and Brick Books, and is still active with the latter. Peckertracks (1979) was shortlisted for the Books in Canada First Novel Award; Floating Voice: Duncan Campbell Scott and the Literature of Treaty 9 (1994) won the Gabrielle Roy Prize for Canadian literary criticism: 12 Bars (2002) was co-winner of the bp Nichol Chapbook Award; Apocrypha: Further Journeys (2003) won the Newfoundland and Labrador Rogers Cable Award for non-fiction; Stormy Weather: Foursomes (2005) was shortlisted for the E.J. Pratt Poetry Award. SD has also published Journeys Through Bookland and other Passages (1984) and The Bees of the Invisible: Essays in Contemporary English Canadian Writing (1991). 2008 saw the publication of The Drowned Lands, a novel. Deep Too, a prose oddity, appeared in 2013. The Bricoleur and His Sentences will be published in 2014.
Pioneer Days in Moscow By J. Huntress In 1952 the Ontario Archives in Toronto acquired The History of the Pioneers in Moscow District written by Joseph Foster in 1941. His writing is so descriptive and informative that we’ve chosen to quote from it directly.
J
oseph Foster (b.1865-d.1962), was a Moscow farmer who lived at his family’s home, Maplehurst Farm, all of his life. In 1941 he began to recollect and record his memories of the history of Moscow, telling tales of early settlers and giving vivid descriptions about farming, industry and life around Moscow. Included in this book is a three page story called “Tale of the Deserted Village” a story of Petworth’s fate, written in 1946. Foster’s great grandfather, William, came to Canada (to Adolphustown) in the 1780’s—he had travelled from New England from which many United Empire Loyalists were fleeing because of the Revolutionary War. He traveled to the present day site of Moscow, surveyed the land and purchased Lot 50/Conc. 4, next to lots owned by pioneers Elijah and Jacob Huffman. The collection of homesteads would be called the Huffman Settlement. In the last issue of The Scoop, I had written of Mary Donovan who recorded her memories of the early years of Sheffield Township – her grandfather was James Huffman of Moscow. The Fosters, the Nathaniel Card family, the Caleb Brown family, Elijah and his brother and his cousin Michael Huffman comprised the first families forming the nucleus of Moscow. Together with many of their children they cleared the land, logged, hunted and trapped in virgin wilderness and constructed log structures as they built Moscow into a settlement of self-sustaining farms. Foster’s book includes many
descriptions of daily rural activities, local businesses and modes of transportation such as the Napanee—Tamworth Railroad which originated in Yarker and stopped in Moscow before reaching Tamworth from 1884 to 1934. One vivid description is about the river life and logging days on the Napanee River as it flowed round the edge of Moscow. In the nineteenth century the Napanee River rolled through Frontenac and Lennox and Addington Counties, carrying thousands of cut white pine logs to the sawmills. The twenty-five years of prosperity from logging profits reads like a morality tale for today’s commodity markets. “At every point along the course of the Napanee River where falling water could be harnessed to turn the wheels of Industry, thriving towns and villages sprang into being and continued to prosper for a number of years. Saw mills, grist mills, crying mills, woollen mills, distilleries and tanneries and cheese factories were erected, many of them of stone and substantial structure. There was no unemployment or labour strikes in those days. Millers, store-keepers, shoe-makers, wagonmakers blacksmiths, and even tavern-keepers were never idle. Then one day something happened: the timber barons had completed their job, our forest reserves of white pine were completely exhausted, the last drive of timber had passed down the River, and the people wondered what would happen next.” (From Tale of the Deserted Village of Petworth.) Foster also speaks about encounters between the early settlers and the Mohawk people who travelled through their settlement. The Aboriginals sought to trade and barter their handmade stone axes and woven baskets for food, cash, and other necessities. One young Mohawk from Deseronto named
Oronhyataka was appointed by his elders in 1860 to speak before the visiting Prince of Wales. The Prince was so impressed with his speech that he awarded the young man a “Royal Gift” of a course in medicine Local 19th century logger, hauling log with team of at Oxford horses. Photo courtesy L&A County Archives. University in nearby farms to test its worth. England. Dr. Oronhyataka returned to Canada in 1867 to start his medical Foster provided some random and practice in Napanee. colourful sketches of settlers and their families—one patriarch was In several profiles Foster describes Lyman Amey. Despite his shyness the ingenuity and inventive and retiring disposition …”he skills of local people used to possessed a personality which advance farming techniques and portrayed charm, zest and color, and transportation. James S. Bell was a his remarkable memory enabled natural mechanic and farmer; he him to be the best storyteller in was the first to buy and use a selfthe whole community; he was also binder—a piece of farm machinery one of its finest citizens. His farm used for haying. James Jackson buildings were substantial and he showed mechanical engineering had few equals in clearing land. abilities and a love of research with His farm immediately adjoined another resident, Tommy Vanluven. the village, and this proved to be Jackson’s first invention was: “…The advantageous…” Double Harpoon Power Hay Fork which has relieved many a farmer The early pioneers of Moscow and from the strenuous labor or lifting their families were “ …a people a load of hay from a wagon to a loft possessed of sterling qualities and or mow, high up in the barn.” There who believed in the old fashioned developed a steady demand for the virtues of honesty, loyalty, love James Jackson Hay Fork, and he and of family, hard work, and selfhis son Rufus served the farmers discipline. They also believed in well for many years from their using the rod and would even send Jackson Work Shop. the culprit out in the thicket to cut it.” Their courage and labours Tommy Vanluven’s first invented transformed the small Huffman contribution in mechanical Settlement into the dynamic engineering was…”the invention of community of Moscow. Hopefully it a machine to produce a 90 degree will continue to grow and prosper for stove pipe elbow from a flat piece of the future. sheet metal, completely eliminating objectionable joints found in (The author wishes to thank Mrs. the conventional stovepipe. The Cora Reid, related to both the Vanluven Patent Stove Pipe Elbow Huffman and Foster families, for the has never been surpassed.” He also loan of Foster’s The History of the invented the Patent Roller and Ball Pioneers in Moscow District 1941.) Bearing Axle, equipping a buggy with the new axle and driving to
2014-15 TECDC Concert Series TRENT SEVERN
$30
January 10 FEARING & WHITE
$25
February 14
CARLOS DEL JUNCO
$30
March 28 LUNCH AT ALLEN’S
$40
May 2
• Indie songster Emm Gryner, multi-talented finger picking Dayna Manning, & violin whiz/ songbird Laura C. Bates • Multiple JUNO nominations, appearances at Massey Hall, tours with David Bowie, Burton Cummings, & Joe Cocker • • • •
Multiple JUNO nominations & “Blues” awards 8-time Harmonica Player of the Year World Champion “Harp” player Carlos is to the Harmonica what Hendrix was to the guitar
All shows 8:00 p.m. Tamworth Legion doors open 7:00 p.m.
• Over 20 albums between them • Stephen Fearing: multiple JUNO Award-winner • Andy White: From Belfast, N. Ireland, has won many of Ireland’s most prestigious song-writing awards. Has collaborated with Peter Gabriel & Sinead O’Connor.
• Murray McLaughlin, Cindy Church, Marc Jordan, & Ian Thomas • 13 JUNO Awards, an Order of Canada, and 60 charting songs between them • Written for or sung on 25,000,000 CDs
Call 613 379 2808 for info. Tickets to these concerts would make great seasonal gifts! PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
Steve Marshall Licensed Technician Erinsville 613 379 5818
December 2014 / January 2015 • THE SCOOP
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Tradition and Free Spirit Lessons Learned Story and photo by Susan Moore
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attended the 25th annual Trenton Woodlot Conference on Friday, November 21. There was much to celebrate during a day of the traditional and the free-spirited. About 235 people collected to learn new perspectives on our forests and meet many like-minded folks. The first Trenton Woodlot Conference took place in Napanee in 1989, and was then one of three regional woodlot conferences. It was hosted by the Napanee Region Conservation Authority (which became part of Quinte Conservation in 1995). A presentation from BAFIA (almost, but not quite the Mafia), the Bancroft Area Forest Industry Association, highlighted the Local Woodlot Initiative, designed to help rural property owners improve the energy efficiency of their homes, explore sources of renewable energy, and manage woodlots and farmland sustainably. For more information, contact Matt at info@ hastingsstewardship.ca. Peter Hynard, Registered Professional Forester, gave a fascinating presentation on the four historical forces that have shaped our forest landscapes: deep geology, glacial geology, natural disturbances such as wildfires and blowdowns, and man-made disturbances such as logging. Peter is a logger’s version of Sherlock Holmes, and his historical slides ranged from dating trees (based on logging injuries and other events) to a map of forest fire locations from 1913. Peter drove home the point that, over time, our rocks become the soil for our trees. Keynote speaker, Diana BeresfordKroeger, is the author of numerous books, including Arboretum America: A Philosophy of the Forest. She
By Blair McDonald believes that woodland culture has been the basis of civilization around the world. As a medical biochemist and a botanist, her interests lie with the healing powers of plants as well as the spiritual and physical qualities we experience in the forest. Diana is definitely a renegade in the world of forestry; there were many traditional woodlot owners present and many eyebrows were raised. (I even heard a few grumbles: “what the heck is this spiritual stuff?”) Diana even prescribed a prevention technique for breast cancer. Moms and daughters should look for a black walnut tree in September, crush the leaves in their hands and rub them on their inner arms, where they are most easily absorbed. Seeds from the cucumber tree (Magnolia acuminata) were given out to gardeners who promised to plant, care for them and then give away the seeds. Diana has spent 20 years nurturing her trees and saving seed from this very rare, endangered tree, which is native to Ontario. A field trip to the Frink Outdoor Education Centre featured winter tree identification from branches and bark, microscopic looks at benthic invertebrates (creatures from stream bottoms used to determine water quality) and updates on the progress of the Emerald Ash Borer through our forests. The day was a great culmination of 25 years of forestry advice and perspectives. The Trenton Woodlot Conference will continue, so watch for it next November. It is a thoroughly enjoyable day for anyone interested in forest health, whether you are a renegade or a traditionalist.
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just got home from an inspiring movie about the life and times of one of America’s most famous movie critics, Roger Ebert, entitled, Life Itself. As it should be, the movie has been well-received by audiences for its depiction of, not only his bittersweet last days (Ebert passed in 2013), but also his vivacious past as one half of the television phenomenon, Siskel & Ebert. Looking back, there is no denying that the expression, “Two thumbs up!” really is, and remains, a cultural phenomenon. Surveying our current culture for film appreciation, it has yet to be repeated. The success of the television show Siskel & Ebert (and as the documentary points out, their difficult working relationship) reminded me of how much their success was made possible by the unique chemistry of their partnership – a mixture of friendship and rivalry. In one of my classes this year, we discussed an interesting book by former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, entitled Working Together: Why Great Partnerships Succeed. The book explores the link between partnerships and happiness, examining what lessons can be learned from studying the dynamics of successful relationships from the world of business, technology, the creative arts and sports (for example, Bill and Melinda Gates,
Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, Joe Torre and Don Zimmer). The consistent theme throughout Eisner’s discussion are trust, a lack of envy (i.e. wanting the other to succeed) and staying the course through thick and thin. He ends his book by focusing on the link between happiness and partnerships and shares three remarkable insights about achieving happiness. The first is having sustained personal relationships over the course of one’s lifetime. Second, in one’s later years, keeping in contact with siblings or family, and third, one of the most neglected sources of personal satisfaction, finding a way to give back to your surroundings – or sharing what you have learned from life. Relationships matter; connection is the cornerstone of a vital life and sharing what we know with others, in the end, comes back to fill us from the inside out. Who knew the answers were so simple? Perhaps this season, it’s time to take stock of the relationships which give our life vitality. In the end, it really is our relationships that sustain us. Recalling the legacy of about Siskel and Ebert, now it all makes sense. “One thumb up!” doesn’t quite have the same ring to it.
LAKEVIEW TAVERN Saturday December 6
CHRISTMAS BUFFET & UGLY SWEATER PARTY! Great prize!
THANK YOU TO OUR 2014 BIG BUCK SPONSORS! 25 Years in the Woodlot Community. Hastings Stewardship Council with Keynote Speaker, Diana Beresford-Kroeger.
Riverside United Church SCHEDULE OF SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES FOR ADVENT/CHRISTMAS (Sunday services are 9:30-10:30 a.m.; Sunday School program takes place during time of worship) Sunday, Nov. 30 - Advent I: HOPE. Holy Communion Sunday, Dec. 7 - Advent II: PEACE. Sunday, Dec. 14 - Advent III: JOY. The Christmas gift bags for families in need will be returned during the service, to be distributed to the children in the coming week. Sunday, Dec. 21 - Advent IV: LOVE. Sunday School Pageant Presentation. Wednesday, Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Candle Light Worship at 8:00 p.m.; Holy Communion. Sunday, Dec. 28 - Family worship, 9:30 a.m. Come as you are - informal celebration of the nativity.
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2 Mill St., Yarker 613-377-6406 ekellogg@persona.ca
mosriv.com ‘Like’ us on Facebook
LUNCHEON
Thursday Dec. 18, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Homemade soup, sandwiches, dessert, coffee & tea. Take-out is available. Cost: $6.00
CHRISTMAS BAKE SALE
Saturday, Dec. 13, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. A variety of homemade baked goods, just in time for Christmas.
THE FOOD PROJECT
We welcome your participation by giving a financial donation towards gift cards for groceries so that families in need can select the food they wish to have for their Christmas dinner. A turkey and gift card will be given to each family. For more info phone Judy Skinner at 613-377-6377. Cheques designated to the ‘food project’ can be made payable to ‘Riverside United Church’. Receipts will be provided for donations of $20 or more.
THE SCOOP • December 2014 / January 2015
• Ray’s Power Equipment • Hartin’s Pumping • Tracy & Jim Pilbrow (Mortgage Brokers City) • Steam Whistle Brewery • Labatt’s Brewery • Sleeman’s Brewery • The Alpaca Stop • Todd Steele (L&A Mutual Insurance) • Giant Tiger - Napanee • Metro • Don Fenwick • Ken’s Gun Shop • Stone Mills Family Market • Paul McGrath • Concrete Plus
• Ad Snacks • Custom Tree Service • Sutcliffe Septic Service • Hart N’ Hart • Pete Locke (Sysco Foods) • Barry Lovegrove Photography • TCO Agromart Ltd. (O’Neill’s) • Carmen Peterson’s Camp • Tamworth VIllage Video • No Frills • Canadian Tire - Napanee • A1 Corner Store • Marshall Automotive • The Regal Beagle Unleashed • The River Bakery Cafe & Patio • Eve’s Exterior Add-Ons
THANK YOU TO ALL THE HUNTERS AND THE LAKEVIEW STAFF
Congratulations to this year’s winners: Dale Davy • BIGGEST BUCK • 258.5 lbs Bill Kimball • BIGGEST DOE • 135 lbs
Potter Mayo Underwood:
Moving to the New Tett Centre By Barb Linds
M
ayo Underwood walks me through the studio at her home on Amherst Island. Her shelves are filled with beautiful pottery. Picking up different pieces, she points out the various types, and colours of clay and the different ways she’s used to fire the pieces. She has just packed up a dozen beautiful coffee mugs ordered by Tango Nuevo on King Street in Kingston. She has been interested in both organic forms of life and pottery since she was a little girl. “I spent summers in Maine with my Mohawk uncle and my Italian aunt. They instilled in me a love of all things living, both hand crafted and garden related. From pottery to working with yarn and fabric, to my heirloom seed business, I loved working with my hands.” They also taught her how to save seeds of all kinds, including vegetables, herbs, flowers and “curiosities” such as ground cherries. Mayo is originally from Brooklyn. She moved to Chicago in the early 70’s, where she taught herself how to throw pots on a wheel in her kitchen while her kids were growing up. “I never took a lesson in my life. I learned by looking at the work of others, and by trying things. Playing in clay was great fun!” Her work was mainly done on a pottery wheel, and she sold her pieces in the Chicago area. Mayo is also one of North America’s pioneers in growing and selling heirloom seeds. In 1993, she broke her neck in a motorcycle accident and was told that she had lost her ability to function. She knew she would no longer be able to work as a potter, so she sold her pottery studio. She set about to reinvent herself. While in recovery and rehabilitation,
she started an heirloom seed company, Underwood Gardens. She was in a library one day in the early 90’s, still in a brace, and a book, Sleeping with the Sunflower, fell on her. This book describes the ongoing and alarming rate of loss of heirloom food and flower varieties. She decided at that moment that she would help save heirloom seeds. “My daughter is an artist, and I am a writer. Between the two of us we put together a small catalogue. Meant to keep me busy while in rehab, it grew like wildfire! Seeds came from seed savers and growers of old heritage varieties. We were one of first heritage seed companies.” She sold her business in 2007 because she was moving to Amherst Island to start a new life with Doug Green, one of Canada’s most famous gardening gurus. They met while working together on the on-line extension of Underwood Gardens. If you are a gardener, you can find the answer to almost any question on his website, www.douggreengarden. com. Over the past twenty years, and with a great deal of pain and hard work, Mayo has almost completely rehabilitated from the accident. A short time after moving to Amherst Island she was told by a fellow Amherst Island potter about a pottery studio in Kingston that was for sale. She bought the content and moved the whole studio to her home. She now has a second kiln, a second wheel, and a slab roller. Mayo also has studio space in Savannah, Georgia where she and Doug live their city-life in the winters. Her work can be found at Arts on Main in Prince Edward County, and on Amherst Island at The Weasel and Easel.
“When I moved to the area, I did what I do everywhere I go. I looked for potters and pottery guilds. I wasn’t sure I could physically Mayo in her studio. Photo credit R. Saxe. manage my own groundswell of community support. studio, so the Potters’ Guild was A new community organization, The perfect!” Soon she joined the board Friends of the Tett, was formed to of directors, and took on the role of lobby for the future of the building. running their library. Mayo has still The City agreed and a plan to never taken a lesson, but she attends renovate the building was created.” workshops and master classes provided by the Potters’ Guild as a The newly renovated Tett Centre way of expanding her horizons and will open in January. Former tenants learning new techniques. like the Potters’ Guild will be joined by Joe’s MILL, Theatre Kingston, The Potters’ Guild, established in the Kingston Arts Council and the 1967, was located in the Richardson Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre, Bath House near the Murney as well as eight artists working in Tower on King Street. They moved individual “creativity” studios. The to the Tett Centre in 1972, when Tett also has a variety of spaces the original centre opened, along available for rent, including the with the Hand Loom Weavers and Malting Tower, a rehearsal hall, a Spinners. The Kingston School of gallery and a multipurpose room. Dance and the Kingston Lapidary and Mineral Club joined the group The Tett Centre grand opening is later on. on January 31st. The Whole Shebang, Patty Petkovich, former chair conceived over the past two years, of the Potters’ Guild board, and will be a delight for all the senses current co-chair of the Tett Centre with arts, dance, drumming, for Creativity and Learning board drama and more! “It’s a full family commented, “The building was very community arts adventure, rough around the edges. There was where each Tett space will be no insulation to speak of. Potters animated and brought to life,” says had to wear coats when they came Shannon Brown, Tett Community to work in the winter.” In 2004, when Engagement Coordinator. “The Tett there was a question about the is the place to be on January 31st.” future of the Tett Centre, the tenants were involved in organizing to keep Mayo is excited about the move to the building alive. “There was a the Tett Centre. “I love the idea of collaborating with other art forms. Artists seem to be fairly earthy people who get ideas from each other. It will be great to have all these organizations in one building. It’s exciting to see something in glass or in fabric that you can visualize doing in clay. It’s my experience that artists freely share their ideas.”
Let’s Get Cooking
Free Educational Cooking Class for Individuals Living with Prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes
Dates: Friday February 13, 2015 Time: 9:30 – 11:45 am Location: Daly Tea Company Building 70 Dundas Street East across from Tim Horton’s ~ Enrollment is limited
Please Register: Contact: Aleris Cronk, Dietitian Phone: 613-354-8937 x 7154 Email: alerisc@kchc.ca
She is also looking forward to bringing the arts to people that will attend events at The Tett. “If someone comes to see a dance performance or to attend a wedding, their eyes will be opened as they walk through the building. They can experience something new and be inspired. In the past, all these art forms have been available but in separate locations. It’s brilliant to put them all into one place!” Classes at the Potters’ Guild classes begin the third week of January. More information about the Potters’ Guild can be found at www.kingstonpottersguild.com. More information about The Tett Centre and the grand opening can be found at www.tettcentre.org.
December 2014 / January 2015 • THE SCOOP
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Meet Rita Palumbo By Angela Saxe
Z
ia Rita’s Gluten-Free Bakery in the historic community of Bath is a dream come true for Rita Palumbo. Diagnosed with celiac disease years ago, she is keenly aware of the difficulties facing shoppers who want to eat tasty baked goods but cannot tolerate gluten. Now she can offer glutenfree baked goods using old family recipes. Originally from Kingston, Rita has traveled the world and worked in a variety of jobs, most of them in marketing and sales. After being laid off from a job in Toronto she returned to Kingston to be closer to her elderly parents. One day she and her mother were busy baking a traditional Italian recipe but using gluten-free ingredients, when her mother suggested, “Rita, you can bake these and then sell them to customers.” The idea sparked Rita’s interest and she got busy thinking: she and her mother could experiment with the recipes but what did she know about running her own business? Asking some questions eventually brought her an answer. The OSEB program (Ontario Self-Employed Benefits) is a “unique program that offers successful applicants extensive, intensive business skills and development training while completing a comprehensive business plan that fully supports their business idea.” (www.tcu.gov. on.ca/eng/eopg/programs/oseb. html) With a business plan in place, Rita went looking for a good location. Bath offered her affordable rental rates and a convenient location. A whole sale business was her focus and she spent the first year familiarizing herself with government regulations, sourcing her ingredients and packaging, learning about labeling (nutrition)
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and setting up an industrial kitchen. In May 2009 Rita opened her bakery in Bath making gluten-free pizza dough, hamburger buns, breads: Italian sandwich, Good Morning loaf and Alligator sourdough as well as cinnamon rolls, muffins, lemon squares, almond cookies and of course a favorite – biscotti. Then word got around. “People started knocking on the door wanting to buy fresh gluten-free baked goods. I realized that I had to go retail and open the doors to the public a couple of days a week. But I still had to fill my wholesale orders.” In the last five years the glutenfree food industry has grown tremendously and products are now available in local grocery stores. Rita realized that she couldn’t compete so she quickly reverted back to a wholesale business and eliminated food products that everyone else was making such as muffins, sweets and cinnamon rolls. One of the products she decided to stick with was her mother’s biscotti recipe. Biscotti is an Italian twice-baked biscuit. The dough is first baked in bread pans then while still warm, the dough is cut into sliced forms and baked again to give it a dry and crunchy texture. The traditional biscotti is made with almonds but there are so many variations today. Rita offers classic almond, chocolate and ginger biscotti. They can be eaten as is but usually they are dipped in coffee or any other beverage. Gluten is found in wheat, rye and barley and “is one of the most heavily consumed proteins on earth. It is created when two molecules, glutenin and gliadin, come into contact and form a bond. When bakers knead dough, that bond creates an elastic membrane, which is what gives bread its chewy texture. Gluten also traps carbon dioxide, which as it ferments adds
THE SCOOP • December 2014 / January 2015
volume to the loaf.” (Against the Grain, New Yorker Magazine) For thousands of years wheat has been used because of its essential versatility: it can produce moist muffins to crumbly scones to dense and chewy breads, but once Rita in her bakery in Bath. Photo credit R. Saxe. you’ve eliminated flours that contain gluten, the baker Once the holidays are over, Rita has to experiment in order to create will be experimenting again. She’s specific mixtures of rice flour, potato interested in offering pre-cooked, starch and tapioca to create the gluten-free meals, frozen in readyrange of textures. to-heat – containers. Tasty pasta dishes like lasagna or cannelloni Rita does not see her herself as a would fit in nicely with her baked baker: “I don’t create new recipes, goods product line. instead I test and adjust other people’s recipes and produce them. In the summertime Bath is a busy I’m a producer of baked goods. My spot as tourists drive along the clientele is comprised of people Loyalist Highway and the snowbirds with serious food allergies like celiac have returned to their homes in the but also people who are glutenarea. Now that it’s nice and quiet, intolerant as well as those who are Rita can be found in her kitchen dairy-free.” testing recipes (I tried a delicious hazelnut cookie made with ground For the holiday season, Rita will be hazelnuts, egg whites and stevia) as baking pies and turnovers, as well well as marketing her biscotti line. as Stollen, a fruit cake that usually contains dried fruit, marzipan, Zia Rita’s Gluten-Free Bakery’s hours: sometimes nuts and covered with Friday & Saturday 11:00 to 4pm. icing sugar. If a customer requires Located on 368 Street, Bath (enter a special order – a gluten-free from Davy Street) or contact Rita at birthday cake for example, she’s 613.881.0500 or at info@ziaritas.com. more than willing to fill the order.
Saving the Colebrook Dam By Bill Kirby and Amanda Gray
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bridge in Colebrook shows that the river would become just a creek without the dam.
f you followed the recent elections in Stone Mills Township you may have noticed how many candidates were in favour of repairing and stabilizing the Colebrook dam. Just in case you were wondering what that was all about, please let us give you a brief history of this dam and its current status. Back in the summer of 2012 on the 19th of July, an article appeared in the Napanee Beaver that talked about a major leak in the Colebrook dam and cited a study done in 2004. The findings stated that the dam needed repairs – it was “crumbling”. Well Council at that time apparently ignored the study and did nothing, so by the late autumn and early winter of 2012 it was clear something needed to be done. Why is this dam so important? Here are the facts: the Colebrook dam across the Napanee River helps to maintain a surface area of water of over 2.6 million square feet. It supplies water to a number of local wells as well as providing a major recreational area for many past and current generations of residents in our township to swim, fish, canoe and even skate on in the winter! This 1836 historic dam was originally built to power mills in the village of Colebrook. The deepest section of the Napanee River is found in this area – up to 16’ deep, and between Petworth and Colebrook, the river is at its widest point. Real Estate agents predict that property values on this picturesque section of the river would drop by as much as 30% without the dam and its headwaters. Our Township’s tax base would therefore also shrink. A picture from 1973 when the water level was completely lowered to rebuild the
After the local community became aware of the leaks they organized a delegation of residents from throughout the Township to appear before Council on Jan 21st 2013 – the coldest night of the winter as it turned out. Over 100 people crammed into the Township hall that evening to express their concerns – the largest delegation that the Council, and perhaps any Council had ever seen! Council at that time unanimously passed a motion to repair and restore the dam. Press coverage three days later would quote the Reeve as saying “Council is 100% behind you. We just have to make it work.” Inevitably another report was required to be financed and completed – this finally happened in October 2014. Thankfully however the Quinte Conservation Authority using surplus materials from other projects was able to make a temporary set of repairs to stop the worst of the leaks in the fall of 2013. Since the original study was done in 2004, the Province of Ontario has raised the bar as far as repairs are concerned. Nowadays, once work is to be done on a dam, then the dam must be brought up to modern standards – to withstand earthquakes and floods! As a result of such high standards the amount of work and costs are significant. The Province is willing to pay 50% of the cost but the Township needs to find the remainder.
In a recent e-mail received from Bryon Keene, the Water Resource Manager for the Quinte Conservation Authority, he indicates that a consultant CONSULT • DESIGN • SUPPLY • INSTALL • MAINTAIN is currently Residential - Commercial - Life Safety completing design drawings for the work and once that is completed to the satisfaction Colebrook, ON 613-377-1002 of Quinte mail@crintec.com www.crintec.com Conservation Authority then
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the plans will be sent to the Ministry of Natural Resources for final review and approval – perhaps still a month or two before this final stage of planning is done. All the work of making a permanent repair to the leaks and the longterm stabilization of the dam is now planned for completion at the same time. A presentation will be made to the Council of Stone Mills along with a financial statement indicating their share of the costs once the final design has been approved. Our Township does have a number of budget lines with significant money in them so it is a matter of having the will Headwaters supported by the dam. You can to decide to act on the see the bridge in Colebrook at the bottom of issue. The new Council the photo and the Colebrook Road running up hopefully will use some through the photo to the right of the river. of the existing $3 million Photo credit Niall Leslie. Reserve Fund – created as supporting the restoration of the for just such a community need – to dam. We look forward to the day get the job done. If the Province is when we can report that Council has willing to spend their money then done its job, saved an important part now is the time for us to match their of our heritage and acted to ensure contribution. the future quality of life for many in our township. Stay tuned for further All of the past and incoming Council developments! members have gone on the record
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11
A Natural View Predicting the Birds at Our Feeders By Terry Sprague
H
aving pursued the study of birds as a hobby for close to 60 years now, it is always fun to reflect on how much we have learned about bird behaviour in that time. A lot, mind you, but we still have much more to learn. The late Toronto Daily Star birding columnist from the 1960s, Hugh Halliday, once wrote that the irregular appearances at our feeders of boreal species of finches that typically nest and stay in the far northern regions of Ontario, “might” be linked to food shortages in their normal breeding range. Food, or the lack of it, he felt, was more of a driving force behind these unexplained movements of northern birds, than any programmed instinct to migrate, just for the sake of migrating. After all, this explanation was already pretty much accepted for snowy owls whose appearance in winter was linked to shortages of lemmings, their favourite food. Made sense that the same might be true for other species. Today, it seems to be generally accepted that food is indeed the directive which determines the comings and goings of our birds. This is especially so with boreal species. What are boreal species? They are species of finches – crossbills, grosbeaks, siskins, redpolls, along with a few others, that typically call the far northern forests of Ontario, and sometimes beyond, their home. They don’t migrate in the general sense of the word, like our warblers do without fail every fall, but only move out of their normal areas when their favourite foods become scarce. While this movement usually is south, until they find something they like, it also can be east or west, wherever the dangling carrot leads them. Birds will go where the food supply takes them, then once they exhaust that supply, they will move on. Some nomads like crossbills don’t really have a permanent home, but just follow a baited highway through the coniferous forests across the continent, nesting as they go.
In recent years, friend Ron Pittaway of Minden, has made it a special interest to study the food habits of these northern residents, and make note of each species’ food preferences. From his own observations, and the input from many other knowledgeable contributors, he assesses the successes and failures of these crops throughout the region, then brings it all together in an effort to forecast what species may remain right where they are due to an abundant food crop, and what species will move out seeking greener pastures, and in what direction. Ron began his interest in birds at about the same time that I did. He spent a decade as a Park Naturalist at Algonquin Park and worked for 23 years teaching conservation and resource management at the Leslie M. Frost Natural Resources Centre near Minden where he lives. His involvement in birding though goes far beyond just a keen interest; he is a founding life member of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO), was co-editor of Ontario Birds from 1991 to 2006, and technical editor of OFO News from 1994 to 2007. He has authored over 130 articles on birds. He was a member of the Ontario Bird Records Committee for 12 years between 1984 and 2003, including three years as Chair and one as Secretary. Ten years ago, Ron received the Distinguished Ornithologists Award. After receiving input from numerous sources and from observers in the field, Ron predicts what we might have at our feeders every winter in the way of boreal finches. He summarizes this winter as a “mixed bag” of finch movements. He says some species like purple finches will travel south, and we have already witnessed this flight this past fall. Good cone crops, he says, will keep white-winged crossbills in the
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THE SCOOP • December 2014 / January 2015
The Pine Siskin. Photo credit Dave Bell. northern forests wherever spruces are laden with cones. Ron says to expect a moderate to good flight of redpolls south this winter because their favourite food, birch seeds, is in short supply. Look for them at a feeder near you. Once they arrive this winter, if they do, they will gravitate to niger seed in silo feeders. Among the most unpredictable are the pine siskins. In the Bay of Quinte region, they arrived in October in droves seeking out spruce cone crops. If they find anything worthwhile on these sojourns, they will stay; more times than not, however, they just keep on moving until they all but disappear from the area. Five pine grosbeaks seen in Prince Edward County in late October may be a good omen for this species. This sighting was unexpected since mountain-ash berries, their favourite food, are generally excellent. In theory, pine grosbeaks should stay put. So, the science of predicting isn’t cut and dried; individuals within a species that are not expected to move out of home territory will sometimes drift our way, but not in the numbers that we see other winters when there is an irruption and our area is bombarded with a certain species, like it was one winter when visiting Bohemian waxwings outnumbered cedar waxwings. Speaking of which, Bohemian waxwings (not a finch species, of course) are expected to stay where they are because they are also a mountain-ash specialist, but if a few do appear, they will be attracted to buckthorn berries and crab apples while they are here. Evening grosbeaks that once dominated feeders in the 1970s may move south in small numbers. Their population was high in the
1970s and 1980s due to major outbreaks of spruce budworm, the larvae of which they feed their young. Since we haven’t had a major outbreak of budworm since the 1970s, their numbers never really recovered from the days when feeder operators routinely raked up massive amounts of spent sunflower seed hulls from beneath their feeders. Birds, like other animals, regulate their populations in accordance to the amount of their favourite food that’s readily available. When a particular food is plentiful, numbers will be high, and when a favourite food is in short supply, the overall population will drop. The above predictions just scrape the surface. For a more detailed account, you need to access my website at www.naturestuff.net and click on BIRDING from the Main Menu. Then scroll down the selections until you reach ‘Winter Finch Forecast’. Here, you will find other species listed, including irruptive species like the blue jay and red-breasted nuthatch, and lots of information on the boreal finches and what they may be up to this winter. Included are several links to previous forecasts and some informative facts on finches. If some of these boreal species have not yet arrived as you read this, they may very well trickle in later this winter. 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 self-employed as a professional interpretive naturalist.
Let Us Celebrate the Return of the Sun By Stella Thompson
F
or thousands of years, our ancestors have tracked the sun’s journey as it traveled across the sky and built monuments or earth works to help them calculate and observe the sun’s yearly progress: Stonehenge and Glastonbury Tor in England, Machu Picchu in Peru and the temple of Karnak in Egypt. These early astronomers were curious and observant and with their emerging knowledge of geometry, they created calendars – first lunar and then solar. The Egyptians were the first to create a solar calendar with 365 days and they calculated the exact dates of both the Summer and Winter Solstices. City dwellers surrounded by street lights and neon signs can be forgiven for not knowing the exact time the time rises or sets but if you live in a rural area it becomes obvious at this time of year that twilight is arriving earlier and that the nights are getting longer. You will have noticed the low arc of the sun as it crosses the sky and you will notice that the noontime shadow will be the longest shadow of the year. This year the Winter Solstice will take place on December 21 at 6:03 p.m. – the exact time that the sun reaches its most southerly declination of – 23.5 degrees and the North Pole has tilted the furthest away from the sun. The sun will have risen at 7:48 a.m. and sets at 4:44 p.m. giving us only 8 hours and 55 minutes of sunlight. From that day onward, the sun will rise earlier, set later and days will lengthen. No wonder our ancestors chose the darkest time of year to celebrate the sun’s return by lighting candles or building bonfires, and sometimes even wearing a crown of flames.
Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus, the son of God and “the true light of the world,” in a variety of ways but especially by lighting candles and decorating their homes inside and out with bright, cheerful lights. It is no accident that Christmas is celebrated at this time of year. Historians and theologians agree that the date marking the birth of Jesus Christ was chosen by the early church to offset the celebrations of the Winter Solstice practiced by people living throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The return of the sun, the lengthening days and the accompanying warmth, along with the promise of renewal and the revitalization of the land was a powerful reason to celebrate. Many customs we see today originated from those old celebrations. The ancient Roman festival, Saturnalia, celebrated the deity Saturn. This festival was held on December 17 and later expanded until December 23. Saturn, an agricultural god, controlled the fertility of the land and was closely associated with the sun. Saturnalia was a festival of lights representing the birth of the “unconquerable sun” and over time it became associated with role reversals, gambling and over-indulgence – activities which were normally prohibited at other times of the year. The 23rd day of the month called the Sigillaria, was a day of gift-giving – children received toys and friends exchanged, just as we do today.
December is also the time of Hanukkah, a Jewish celebration originating in 165 BCE when the Jewish population revolted against the Seleucid monarchy. Once they liberated and cleansed their Temple, they built a new altar to replace the previous one. In order to light the menorah, pure olive oil had to be used – with Eco Store & Naturopathic Clinic only enough oil to last one day, 46 Dundas Steet East, Napanee the menorah 613.308.9077 miraculously Your individual path to optimal health. stayed alight for eight days. This miracle has been
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celebrated for centuries as an eight night festival with a series of rituals performed by family members. A special prayer precedes the lighting of candles at sunset and families usually exchange gifts each night. Further east in Persia (now modern-day Iran) Jashn-e Sadeh, a Zoroastrian holiday, celebrated the importance of light, fire and energy. From ancient times, young boys gathered wood and built huge bonfires near the temple. The fire was kept burning throughout the night and in the morning women would collect live embers and bring them back to their homes to light their own household fires. As well, the fire would be kept in a special container in the temple so that the “blessed fire” was kept alive all year. The link between the revival of the sun as the days begin to lengthen and the celebration of fire during the Sadeh festivities reflected religious beliefs: light comes from God and is found in the hearts of all his creatures. Another beautiful festival that celebrates light at the darkest time of year occurs on St. Lucia’s Day. Once celebrated on Winter Solstice but now held on December 13 in Scandinavia. St. Lucia is one of the few saints celebrated by the Lutherans of Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. The procession of young girls wearing white dresses with a red sash tied around their waist and a crown or wreath of candles of their heads re-enact the martyrdom of St. Lucia when she is burned to death for refusing to relinquish her religion. Again this ritual predates Christianity, especially the annual struggle between the forces of light and darkness. The British Isles and northern Europe celebrated the rebirth of the sun during the Yule or Jol season. This was a time for feasting, drinking, gift-giving and gatherings as a means of keeping away the forces of darkness and cold and of course the constant threat of death from cold and starvation. Its religious beliefs were deeply rooted
Saint Lucia. Contributed photo.
in the inescapable cycle of the year – the Great Mother gives birth to the new Sun King and from him comes the Sacred Fire, the Light of the World and the Coel Coeth – the spark of life contained in the seed which will be planted in the spring. Traditional rituals included the burning of the oak Yule log whose ashes protect, heal and fertilize the fields and the home. The hanging of mistletoe protects the home against fire and lightning. The burning of candles, first lit on the eve of Winter Solstice were believed to bring blessings of good health and fortune in each household. No matter what traditions you may follow, we all know that it’s hard to face the next five or six months of winter. Snow or freezing rain makes life perilous. Extreme cold temperatures are dangerous. Long hours of darkness cause depression and isolation. Even with the today’s modern conveniences, like our ancient relatives we still look forward to look forward to the warmth and vitality that comes when the sun starts its journey back to the northern hemisphere. So burn a candle or toss a log on the fire; buy gifts and spend time with friends. Let’s celebrate the return of light!
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December 2014 / January 2015 • THE SCOOP
13
Sheep to Knitter: A Woolly Journey By Sally Bowen
W
ool travels a long and adventurous path from the backs of shorn sheep to a knitter’s hands. Many people are involved along the way. Shearing day at the barn: one of our Topsy farmers encourages the sheep up a ramp to the upstairs shearing area, where another farmer moves the sheep from a large pen to an individual shearer’s pen. A shearer takes the sheep from the holding pen, skillfully and carefully removes the coat within two minutes, and hustles the startlingly white, shorn sheep out the swing door to an outside corral. One of our team of ten helpers or ‘roustabouts’ picks up that fleece in such a way that enables him/her to fling it in the air, so that it floats down onto the ‘skirting table’. Other ‘rousies’ work around the perimeter of that table, removing bits of fecal matter and chaff, then they roll the fleece into a ball and drop it into an eight foot long burlap bag, clamped to a frame in the floor. They are packed down very firmly with “foot power” then eventually sewn shut with a wicked four inch needle and baler twine. That bag is then hoisted with a pulley and manpower and stacked with the other bags. That makes seven pairs of hands, minimum, handling the fleece so far. At least three people maneuver the bags, weighing about 160 pounds, onto a waiting farm wagon, and stack them with others for the trip on the ferry boat from Amherst Island. (Large trucks cannot fit onto our boat, so we have to schlep the wool bags by hand and farm equipment.) On the mainland, a waiting transport trailer is loaded with the wool bags – four men haul and roll them into the trailer.
to remove any large impurities, then another hauls it onto a 70 ft “wash train” where only soap is used (not detergent or other chemicals). One person feeds in the dirty wool, another removes it at the other end. If the wool is to be dyed into one of our more than twenty vibrant or subtle colours, it is weighed for the appropriate amount. If it is being processed naturally it goes straight to the dryer. Yet another set of hands transports it into a packer which presses the dried, cleaned wool into a bale. That bale is manually transported to yet another picking room where the wool is blended before carding. One person puts it into the carding machine; another takes spools from carding machine to spinning frame where it is spun and strengthened. The wool is then removed by another pair of hands to the twister table which is set up to produce different sizes of yarn (2 ply or 3 ply). Bobbins are filled by the machine, and then a worker puts those bobbins onto a “skeiner”, where the wool is made into 4 oz skeins. Each skein is twisted and finished by hand. They are put in feed bags and carried upstairs, where they are bundled into eight pound parcels, then wrapped. (Someone of course has to complete the book work). A truck driver carries the Topsy Farms order for the skeins of wool away from MacAusland’s Woolen Mills where it has been handled by 18 – 20 pair of hands.
At least four sets of hands have helped this transition. When the transport truck arrives in Prince Edward Island, strong arms and hands again unload the wool bags. Two people open the bags, lug the wool onto scales to be weighed, and then grade the wool quality. Someone else manually picks through the wool before washing it
At Canada Post four or five people handle the packaged bundle of yarn as they are received, sorted, loaded on and off a truck and delivered to Bath Post Office. Topsy Farms shipping their wool on the “high seas”. Two Photo credit Anthony Gifford. people load skein of pure lanolin-enriched wool it onto a van to deliver to us on at the Wool Shed for $8. Amherst Island. The transport has involved another six or seven pairs of hands.
Forty pairs of hands took that wool from the sheep’s back to the knitter’s needles. That’s a long journey!
Back at our farm, the skeins of yarn For more information contact Topsy are individually labelled, counted, Farms at 613.389.3444 or 888.287.3157 bagged, and added to the inventory. or visit their website at We store them in bins in the unused topsyfarms.com. shearing area. The wool has “come home”. When the Wool Shed inventory for a particular dye lot of yarn gets low, someone gets it from the barn, notes the inventory change and stashes it in its cubby for retail sale. You Email: info@topsyfarms.com 613 389-3444 Web: www.topsyfarms.com can purchase a 113 topsyfarms.wordpress.com 888 287-3157 gram, or 1/4 pound
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THE SCOOP • December 2014 / January 2015
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Saturday, December 6 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hannah Funeral Home in Tamworth We would like to extend a warm invitation for you to attend our second Candlelight Memorial Service. A time of refreshment and friendship will follow. This service will offer a warm and thoughtful tribute in honour of those who have gone before us and remain close to our hearts. Each person will be remembered by lighting a candle and their name announced. We are inviting all of the members of families we have served here in the last year, and a welcome is extended to our community. The service will feature beautiful live seasonal music and a special memorial message delivered by the Rev. Howard Dudgeon and assisted by Rev. Barbara Mahood. We hope this will provide you comfort and peace.
A Goose is a Farmer’s Best Friend By Mary Jo Field
G
eese are absolutely the best employees a farmer can have. They work 24/7; they don’t have to be fed and they won’t eat the strawberries but they will eat dandelions; they pretty much stay put; and they can be eaten when the season is over. Not many employees would agree to those terms, according to John Wise, who spoke to an audience of farmers and home gardeners at a GrassRoots Growers event on Tuesday, November 4. We were there to hear what John had to say about organic farming. A graduate in agricultural studies from Guelph University, John has owned and operated Wiseacres, his farm in Centreville since 1978, so he speaks from both knowledge and experience. And speak he did, focusing on three topics – good soil, perennial food crops, and his philosophy of farming. His presentation was filled with facts and anecdotes and I came away feeling it was over too soon and we had barely scratched the surface of his knowledge. Judging from the questions from the capacity crowd, others felt the same. If I tried to put all the information John imparted into one article, this issue of the Scoop would be double its usual size. So I will simply pick some interesting bits and put them on paper for you loyal Scoop readers. It is a fairly recent phenomenon, perhaps only in the last 300 years, that people have NOT been growing and harvesting all their own food. Growing organically was just the way it was until the 1930’s to 1960’s, depending on where you lived. In most of the world, it still is that way. Not that John started off doing everything organically. He admits he used to spray his strawberries, and he began growing his apples using a low-spray technique, which he found gave him the worst of both worlds – poor insect control and apples he could not sell as organic. Over the years he tried various ways of doing things and now the entire Wiseacres farm is certified organic. “You mustn’t treat your soil like dirt,” says John. Nurture it, feeding it with living, green organic matter
to restore its structure. The best way is to plant cover crops of rye, oats, alfalfa or wheat. Either have two gardens and alternate growing food crops with cover crops, or plant cover crops between your rows of food crops if you have space for only one garden. For the home gardener, work in some old partially rotted hay or straw. We understand less than 10% of what goes on under there, but the top twelve inches of your soil contains billions of bacteria and other microorganisms that are important in any garden and absolutely critical to the success of organic gardening. Have your soil tested, using a kit or by sending a sample away to a lab. Find out whether your soil is deficient in phosphorous, apparently a fairly common problem in this area due to the types of rock and vegetation that created our soil over the millennia. Then you will know whether you need to add bone meal or rock phosphate, because phosphorous is necessary for root formation. A fair bit of the evening was devoted to strawberries and asparagus, covering when to plant, how to plant, how to feed, when and how to prune, how long to pick during each season, how many years of production you can expect, diseases, proven remedies and some promising new ones, dormancy, weeding, renovation of patches, where to buy virus-free plants, and so much more. John’s asparagus production significantly exceeds the norm for non-organic farms, a fact he attributes to the soil structure. Apparently Ag Canada is surprised by the amount his quarter acre of asparagus plants produces, but John is not. The audience heard lots about fruit trees, especially apples. For anyone wanting to start an orchard, John recommended using oneyear-old whips of fungus-resistant varieties rather than buying older, pot-bound trees. He stressed the importance of keeping the ground free of vegetation out to the drip line, and replenishing the soil with compost early in the spring for these shallow-rooted heavy feeders. I found it interesting that if fruit trees seem to produce a good crop only
every second year, it is likely because they are not being fed and need to store up energy longer between crops. There was discussion about pruning too, but once again John simply shared too much practical knowledge to be contained in one article. (Maybe there is a book somewhere in John’s future. My idea; John never mentioned that – now I’ve probably started a rumour.) However I must include his story about using the loader-pruning method on his apple trees a few years ago, flattening them John Wise, on the all important top twelve inches. all and turning the Photo by David Field. orchard into pig pasture. He went on more to look forward to. The Santa to make more money in two years Claus parade, to be held on Sunday, of raising pigs than in 20 years of December 7 at 1 pm in Tamworth, selling apples. may be over by the time you read this but we hope you joined us in Which leads nicely into John’s the parade dressed as a pollinator final subject – his philosophy of or a plant or anything else related farming. There is no such thing as to growing things. In April, 2015, an ecosystem without plants; there the exact day yet to be finalized, we is no such thing as an ecosystem will host a presentation by Peter without animals. Ruminants eat Fuller, owner of Fuller Native and cellulose that humans cannot digest. Rare Plants of Belleville. Date and Cellulose comes from plants that location of this event will be posted are necessary for soil structure. on our website as soon as finalized. Soil structure is critical to the production of our food. The circle Don’t forget the annual GrassRoots continues. Growers seedling and plant sale, which will be held on Saturday, It was a great evening, which also May 23, 2015 at the Lions’ Park in included a free seed exchange and Erinsville. light refreshments prepared by Marilyn McGrath. The GrassRoots Tamworth/Erinsville GrassRoots Growers are indeed grateful to John Growers is a community-based group. Wise for sharing his knowledge Our mission is to encourage interest and experience. It probably bears in local and organic gardening for repeating that although most of our both the home garden and the market previous events have been held at garden; to raise awareness of issues the Tamworth Library, the audiences surrounding food production; to grew to exceed the library’s capacity. improve our practical knowledge This event was held at Christ Church of all aspects of plant life; and to in Tamworth and we thank the provide networking opportunities church for allowing us to use their for gardeners. We welcome new premises. members. Visit our website at te-grassrootsgrowers.weebly.com If you missed this event, there are
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On the Cover of Rolling Stone… or Mother Earth News By Cam Mather
D
uring my high school days in the 1970s, there was a band called Dr. Hook that had a song about wanting to get their photo on the cover of a Rolling Stone magazine. It was a great concept with some great lines … “gonna get my picture on the cover … gonna buy five copies for my mother …” I learned to play the guitar in my late 30s as an “interest” – something one often pursues in the luxury of a city, in a home heated by natural gas and food grown by “someone else.” (In other words I had some time on my hands back then.) The one thing I never deluded myself about was the possibility of making it on to the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. I have no natural musical abilities, although when I play Elderly Woman Behind a Counter in a Small Town, I am light years better than Eddie Vedder … at least in my head… and I’m just using the C, G and A chords! When we moved off the grid and started heating with wood and growing food and publishing books about sustainable living, the guitar, like the canoe, was put aside and gathered dust. I no longer have the time or desire to use it. We enjoy magazines like Harrowsmith when we can find old issues published before 1980 when they used to publish long detailed articles.
Mother Earth News magazine is also an important resource for us. The articles are detailed and relevant to what we are doing. After we published The Renewable Energy Handbook we started pitching story ideas to Mother Earth News and several got published. There’s nothing like picking up a magazine you respect and flipping the pages to a story you’ve written. It’s awesome! I’ve continued to suggest story ideas and a while back they liked the idea about discussing some of the ways to avoid the pitfalls of going off grid. When we moved to Tamworth 16 years ago there was very little information about using renewable energy sources and everything was very expensive. So we made a lot of mistakes. We shared our experiences and how to avoid them with people who attended our workshops. Today of course, there seems to be a lot of interest in this topic; even if people aren’t going off grid and are only interested in adding some renewable energy to their homes. As we were working through drafts back and forth with the magazine editor, they mentioned that they were considering our article for the cover story. I was surprised because their covers usually had images of things like baskets of beautiful tomatoes and not individuals. So I
pushed the thought aside. I didn’t want to get my hopes up. Michelle has taught me over the years to lower my expectations. I have a tendency to expect too much. Years ago, if I was going to a conference to speak at or just attend, I would start mentioning how much I was looking forward to the coffee and Danishes at the breaks. This would ramp up to historic proportions to the point where they could have had a European bakery full of chocolate éclairs and donuts, and it would not have lived up to my hopes. This time though I didn’t need to lower my expectations or worry about getting my hopes up. This time our little piece of paradise has made it on to the cover of Mother Earth News! It’s kind of big deal for us! I feel we’ve hit the big time of sustainable living magazine-dom! It’s interesting too that in the age of declining print readership Mother Earth News readership continues to go up. So if you’re going to be on any magazine cover, this is the one! And unlike getting our photo in People magazine, we don’t have photographers hiding in the bushes
taking our photo. There is no paparazzi in our bushes, and Jasper the Wonder Dog would constantly charge at the tree line with that terrifying bark of his to ensure that any photographers stationed there would high tail it. If you can find an October/ November 2014 issue of Mother Earth News that’s a local house on the cover! My mother died over a decade ago, so I won’t be buying her five copies, but I will buy one for my Dad… and my daughters… and Katie at the Post Office … and that guy who said “Good Morning” to me on the street the other day… and … You can follow my blog at www.cammather.com
HAPPY HOLIDAYS from Adair Place
Talking Health A FREE Interactive Healthy Living Education Series with a Registered Dietitian and Registered Nurse Learn how to make healthy lifestyle choices
Discover how to prepare local and seasonal foods Learn ways to enjoy physical activity –receive your own free thera-band Understand why it is important to have a healthy relationship with food
This is not a diet program, this is a new look on healthy lifestyle habits
Offered in 2 locations!
Where: Deseronto Public Library 358 Main Street, Deseronto When: Monday February 23, March 2, and 9, 2015 Time: 5:30 – 7:30 pm
To register or for more information call: Aleris at 613-354-8937 ext. 7154 or Email alerisc@kchc.ca
16
THE SCOOP • December 2014 / January 2015
Where: Napanee & Area Community Health Centre 6 Dundas Street East When: Thursday February 26, March 5, and 12, 2015 Time: 2:00 – 4:00 pm
BUCKET TRUCK SERVICES - FULLY INSURED
EVANS’ TREE REMOVAL TRIMMING, REMOVING, TOPPING, WISHING EVERYONE STUMP REMOVAL
A HAPPY AND SAFE FREE ESTIMATES
YEAR ROUND
HOLIDAY SEASON
RR#3 YARKER
358-2629
D
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L ISI HE D RKS.
Winter in Yarker Story and photo by Lena Koch
T
he view from the window is grey and dull. The leaves are gone and the sky is overcast. It looks like rain or could it be snow? It is cold outside and I can see wood smoke rising from the chimneys in Yarker. A few white flurries drift from the low lying clouds hovering over the river and our small village. Winter is almost here. One morning, the grass is white with frosty dew and the trees are covered with a white dusting of hoarfrost. The village is transformed into a crystal palace reminiscent of fairy tales and childhood dreams. The sun eventually appears and burns the frost away.
stretch and then picks up speed again. The image of the river as a bridal veil trailing behind the bride comes to mind. Meanwhile the walking trail is quiet and only the chickadees can be heard with their repetitive call. They are happy to see the sun as the blue sky has replaced the flat whiteness of the last few days. There’s a flash of colour as the blue jay screeches by. A flock of geese still remain in the village and their happy jabbering voices can be heard from far away. The river is not frozen yet, but soon the heavy ice will set in and the geese will have to find open water in order to survive the long hard winter in southern Ontario.
There’s a hustle and bustle mood Evening clouds roll in from the west. hanging over the village. Decorations The wind is picking up and a deep are brought down from the attic chill is settling in. Snowflakes start or out of the shed and people Purpose & Belonging Care” down and soon more flurries floating start“Hope, decorating their houses in Long Term transforming the grey November landscape into a festive world filled with sparkling coloured lights, evergreen, hollies and Christmas figures. Cheerful Christmas trees can be seen behind the curtains of the houses and the aromatic scent of freshly baked goods fills the air. Some of the cookies, pies and gingerbread are destined for the church’s Christmas bake sale. The silver flow of the river, sparkling from the sun’s rays moves quickly through the village. More rain than normal has come down and the river roars as it goes over the falls, turns 47 Dundas the bend, slows down for a short
join them. In the morning a heavy blanket of white has spread over beautiful small village of Yarker. The air is fresh and wonderfully clean. The dazzling white snow brings with it the spirit of the Christmas season. Hopefully there will be plenty when Santa arrives with his sled. But it doesn’t matter, because the fire truck in our little village will be ready and waiting for him, one way or another, to take him around the streets of Yarker blessing young and old alike.
Napanee & District Chamber of Commerce Merry Christmas and a wonderful St. New E • Napanee Year to all! 613.354.6601 www.napaneechamber.ca
Networking • Business Seminars Programs That Can Save Businesses $$ Ask Us About Membership
HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON
FOOD 4 FINES
A
ll eight branches of the County of Lennox & Addington Public Libraries will once again be participating in a ‘Food 4 Fines’ amnesty program to take place the entire month of December. During this period all branch locations will accept nonperishable food items in place of cash for overdue library fines. ‘Food 4 Fines’ provides library users the opportunity to clear their record, return overdue materials, and support local food banks. During the program fines for items are waived on a one to one ratio; it’s simply one item of food for each book overdue. Fees for lost or damaged books are not eligible. Fines often act as barriers to library patrons, and by removing small fines the library can encourage customers to come back to the Library and use its services. All donations through this program are redistributed to food banks within the County of Lennox & Addington.
STORYTIME WITH SANTA On December 5th from 10:30-11:30am, we’re inviting families to join us for “Storytime with Santa”, a special holiday story celebration with a very special guest: Santa Claus himself. All are welcome to this FREE event. Children will have a chance to decorate cookies or make tree ornaments. We will also be staging Santa photo sessions.
renew or check out a book, or try to access our e-books. Each new library member and/or updated account will be entered in to a draw for a Kobo e-reader.
BOOKISH GIFT BASKETS FOR SALE Starting December 1st, as a supplement to our regular book sales we will be selling premade gift baskets at our Amherstview and Napanee Branches. Each basket will follow a particular theme and feature a selection of new and slightly used books plus other trinkets. They would make a perfect gift for any book lover on your Christmas list. All proceeds go towards supporting library enhancements. For more information on these programs or other events at your library visit your local branch or www.countylibrary.ca. Contact: Catherine Coles, Manager of Library Services County of Lennox & Addington Libraries Tel 613.354.4883 ext. 322 ccoles@lennox-addington.on.ca
For the entire month of December we’ll be running a membership/ account update drive. If you do not have a library card, we welcome you to join us and take advantage of our services. If you do have a library card, we want you to visit with us so we can ensure your account information is up-to-date and accurate. It’s normal for library cards to expire every two years – and some of our longtime patrons may see expiry messages when they go to
613 • 379 • 5958
WISHING EVERYONE A
By Catherine Coles
LIBRARY MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
steven@moorepartners.ca susan@moorepartners.ca
www.moorepartners.ca
December Activities @ L&A Libraries
La Rock Established 2005
PROPERTY & BUILDING MAINTENANCE Fully Insured & Bondable CONSTRUCTION • RENOVATIONS • GENERAL CONTRACTING RESTORATIONS • LANDSCAPE DESIGN • SNOW PLOWING Jason Larocque 613-885-5307
Free Estimates ERINSVILLE, ON. K0K 2A0 613-358-YOGA yogatogo@bellnet.ca www.yogatogo.ca
Tel: 613-379-5874 Email: soscsvcs@gmail.com Web: www.s-o-s-computers.com
< HOLIDAYS Y HAPPY
Wm. (Bill) Greenley & Kim Read
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
December 2014 / January 2015 • THE SCOOP
17
Taize Worship
Four Great Reads
By Rev. Elaine Kellogg
By Isabel Wright
“I
boarded a train in Germany, full of anticipation – I was navigating the European train system in search of the small village of Taize in the Burgundy region of France…The year was 1996. I was seeking a connection to my own spirit and to God’s presence, all the while asking questions about my life and purpose.” So begins the account of Doris Kizinna’s first visit to Taize, France. She finds the community, and continues, “The design and aesthetics of the church were the first things that drew me in. Warm lighting illuminated a central simple altar with large pieces of red fabric rising up to the ceiling. There were small clusters of candles around large icons, and the community was seated on the carpeted floor or on small wooden benches along the walls. “Then came the music. So simple, so clear, so deeply grounding. A single voice leading, and those gathered sharing the repetitive chanting. A guitar, a flute would join in – each sound rising into a harmonious balance. The chanting would go on for five minutes or longer…I was enveloped by sound, and I let the sound soak into my soul.…The words became a meditation, deeply etching themselves into my mind and soul. Even today, I can sing any Taize song by heart. They will not leave me.” *
Moscow United Church, in its own small way, set about to replicate this kind of experience on a Sunday evening in September. Church member Helen Down had filled the sanctuary up with candles, and draped violet coloured fabric at the front of the worship space. With all the candles lit, there was no need for the usual electric lights. As worshipers entered, they were given the opportunity to light their own candle with a prayer for someone or something of their choosing. Pianist Charlie Pritchard, and harpist Pauline Vaughan, played for the singing of quiet, meditative chants. There were also periods of silence when people could meditate, pray, or simply enjoy the beautiful candlelight. There were many worshipers who were curious about this kind of experience, or simply wanted some comfort in a time of distress.
Years of Service
hese four works, all by Canadian authors, often offer unique, yet simple, perspectives into daily life. I have been an avid reader most of my life, and am always excited when I discover books as satisfying as these. This last year has been a lucky one for encountering good reads, and these four are among the highlights.
166 Pleasant Drive Selby, ON K0K 2Z0 Phone: 613 388-2693 Fax: 613 388-2694 Email: lpierce@omniway.ca
“Hope, Purpose & Belonging in Long Term Care”
This is a wonderful, lyrical novel with a unique perspective on World War Two.
Maureen Garvie, Amy by Any Other Name Set in Kingston, this young adult novel tells the story of a rower, with a “Freaky Friday” twist.
Alexander MacLeod, Light Lifting Another book of short stories written by a Canadian author, this collection has a large range in subjects, but most of the pieces conclude with unusually satisfying cliff hangers.
This Taize worship was an experiment for Moscow United Church, but the leaders of the church feel it is worth repeating. The second Taize worship will be the first Sunday of January 2015, 7:00pm. It is hoped that this will be a time to come in out of the dark and cold of winter to a place of calm and peace and gentleness. * Passages taken from Creating Change: the arts as catalyst for spiritual transformation, edited by Keri K Wehlander, Copper House, Kelowna, BC, 2008
4G Fixed Wireless in most areas. Two 4G Satellites now available. Call or email for details.
Elisabeth Harvor, Let Me Be the One A collection of stories with beautiful composure and emotion, written by Elisabeth Harvor, a writer currently living in Ottawa.
Answers to the crossword on the Puzzle Page (page 20):
FREE CLASSIFIEDS Free to private individuals or not-for-profit community groups. To place an ad, phone 613.379.5369 or email stonemills.scoop@gmail.com.
WANTED: Poets to share their poems. Let’s get together in the New Year. Call me at 613.375.8256 or email me at jerry.ackerman31@gmail.com
INDOOR CO-ED VOLLEYBALL @ TAMWORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL October 3 – May 15, from 7 – 9 p.m. Call to register 613.379.5870 or email cna420@yahoo.ca SEE YOU ON THE COURT!
Desmond Technology
Derek Troyer
Owner
24 Desmond Road RR#3 Yarker Ont. K0K 3N0 Cell (613) 328 5558 Phone (613) 378 2331 desmondtechnology@gmail.com http://desmondtechnology.com
Authorized Hi-Speed Internet Dealer + Installer 4G Fixed Wireless and 4G Satellite Service Solar Systems Integration
18
Anne Michaels, Fugitive Pieces
At the end of the worship time, participants volunteered the opinions that it was “so peaceful,” “beautiful,” “I found it to be very calming,” “It really helped to give me time and space to think about my problem.”
Linda Pierce Administrator
35
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The Taize religious community is a well-known centre for pilgrims all around the world who are seeking to connect with the divine through communal living, and deeply meditative worship experiences.
THE SCOOP • December 2014 / January 2015
Desmond Technology
WISHES
Derek Troye
Owne
24 Desmond Roa RR#3 Yarker Ont. K0K 3N Cell (613) 328 555 Phone (613) 378 233 desmondtechnology@gmail.com http://desmondtechnology.com
SCOOP READERS A WONDERFUL
Authorized Dealer + Installer Hi-Speed Internet, Fixed Wireless and Satellite Service
HOLIDAY SEASON
Desmond Technology
Derek Troyer
Owner
24 Desmond Road
Desmond Technolog
Derek Troy
Own
24 Desmond Ro
KIDS & PARENTS
County of Lennox & Addington
Public Library Programs AMHERSTVIEW
NAPANEE
Storytime – Tuesdays @ 10:30 a.m. Puppy Tales – Wednesdays @ 10:30 a.m. Lego Club – Thursdays @ 6:30 p.m. & Saturdays @ 10:30 a.m. Avid Readers Book Club – Dec. 18 @ 2 p.m. & January 15 @ 2:00 p.m. Computer Classes & Tech Talks available please contact 613.389.6006 for dates & times Babytime (January) – Mondays @ 2:00 p.m. Reading Buddies (January) – Mondays @ 6 & 6:30 p.m. & Saturdays @ 10 and 10:30 a.m. (Readers & volunteers are needed) National Film Board Screening of Little Big Girls – January 12 @ 10 a.m.
Lego Club – Tuesdays @ 6:00 and Saturdays @ 10:30 a.m. Puppy Tales – Wednesdays @ 10:30 a.m. My Family Tree Club – Friday December 5 @ 10:00 a.m. Novel Readers Book Club – December 15 & January 19 @ 2:00 p.m. Computer Classes and Tech Talks available please contact 613.389.6006 for dates and times Storytime (January) – Mondays @ 10:15 a.m. Reading Buddies (January) – Mondays @6 and 6:30 p.m. & Saturdays @ 10 & 10:30 a.m. (Readers & volunteers are needed) My Family Tree Club (January) – Friday January 9 @ 10:00 a.m. at the Museum and Archives National Film Board Screening of Little Big Girls January 14 @ 10:00 a.m.
BATH Lego Club – Wednesdays @ 6:30 p.m. Storytime – Fridays @ 11:00 a.m. Coffee Club (Book Club) – January 26 @ 6:30 p.m. National Film Board Screening of Little Big Girls – January 12 @ 6:00 p.m.
CAMDEN EAST
Principal’s Message By Chad Taylor
T
his is a special time of year. We get to reflect on the past year and especially on the first 3 ½ months of the school year: both our school communities have done a great job! From classrooms expectations to community involvement, Tamworth and Enterprise Schools have had some very positive reviews. I am very proud of all the staff and students and we will continue to work hard to make both schools the best they can be. Right now we are busy preparing for our annual Holiday Concerts. When we come back in January we will be hitting the ground running, working on Inquiry Based Learning, Problem Solving and
Critical Thinking. You may hear your children talking about these things, so don’t be afraid to ask them what they are doing. Coming soon in 2015 – new class twitter accounts at both schools allowing us to keep you better informed. From all of the Staff at Tamworth and Enterprise we would like to say Happy Holidays and we hope that you have a safe and enjoyable break. Have a great Holiday Break! Chad is the Principal at Tamworth Elementary School and Enterprise Elementary School. You can reach him by email at taylorch@limestone.on.ca
Celebrate the Season at
SOUTH FREDERICKSBURGH Lego Club – Thursdays @ 6:30 p.m.
TAMWORTH Storytime – Thursdays @ 11:00 a.m. Lego Club – Saturdays @ 10:30 a.m.
Storytime – Mondays @ 10:15 a.m. Lego Club – Wednesdays @ 6:00 p.m.
YARKER
Friday December 12, 2014 at The Early Years Centre
Lego Club – Tuesdays @ 6:30 p.m.
ODESSA
1178 County Road 8, Napanee
Lego Club (December) – Thursdays @ 4:00 p.m / (January) – Saturdays @ 2:00 p.m.
SPECIAL EVENT
Saturday December 13, 2014
Storytime with Santa Takes place December 5 @ 10:30 a.m. at the Napanee Branch Library. Children will enjoy storytime, crafts, Colourful, fun-filled string puppet productions for schools, cookie decorating libraries, community, corporate and family events. and photos with Santa.
DAViD SMiTH MARiONETTES Puppet Theatre Productions
Visit www.dspuppet.com Call 1-800-379-0446 Write dsmith@kos.net
W&S Environmental Services Approved by the Ministry of the Environment
SNOW PLOWING
Seniors receive 10% discount
GARBAGE PICKUP & RECYCLABLES LARGE ITEMS PICKUP
Phone: 613-379-5872 Cell: 613-483-8441 sadie.4309705@gmail.com
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
at
Flinton Recreation Centre, Flinton Pancakes, Sausages, Juice, Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate
Christmas Crafts, Songs, & A Visit with Santa! A donation of a non-perishable food item for the local Food Bank is appreciated! For more information Contact LARC 613 354-6318 ext. 27 or 613 336-8934 ext 257
TA M WO RT H V I L L AG E C H R I S T M A S C R A F T FA I R S unday D ecember 7, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Featuring over 30 quality artisans to help you with your holiday shopping! A variety of unique items will be displayed at three venues along the parade route. Look for handcrafted gifts in the library, the dining room at the A One Corner Store & Restaurant, and at the empty storefront location just a few doors down. Many of your favorite products will be back including stained glass, pottery, jewelry, & soaps. Some of the new exhibitors: mosaic products made from broken china, quilted bags & wall art, & hand woven baskets. Lily the Fairy will be in the empty storefront for the kids, and of course there will be baked goods for sale! Bring the whole family for a fun day including the parade, a visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus, & enjoy free hot chocolate & hot dogs provided by the Small Town Diner & Catering from 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
613-379-2202 613-379-1064
SEASON’S GREETINGS 12 Concession Street
December 2014 / January 2015 • THE SCOOP
19
PUZZLE PAGE New York Times Crossword Robert Fisher / Will Shortz ©New York Times Across
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1 Close with a bang 5 Crimson Tide, to fans 9 Loss's opposite 13 Aria da ___
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19 Shifting piece of the earth's crust
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22 Exist naturally
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23 ___ Royal Highness
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28 ___Vista (search engine)
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31 Dwell
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33 Extraterrestrial's transportation
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Created by Sue Lindlauf Grand Forks Herald 2011
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27 Supped
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24 Cut (off), as with a sweeping motion
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17 Warning 18 Slightly open, as a door
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16 Muscat is its capital
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15 Hip about
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14 Establishment with hair dryers
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS WORD SEARCH
P R E S E N T S C M J B S L F
O S E I V O M O H P A G X U M
J S H I R T U L R J N G N D S
A H S H O P W L J E I K R D L T A M Y Y N U S B I S T O W V P Q L Z I C M S V J D Z K Y P
E N P I B L C F P O O L Y U L W M A K A Q C A O Z F M P P A
A N X N I I K H S A O L R H H
N K L F O N U N S A E O D P D
C Y D G M F M A F M D F M A P W L O E O O T I L T I O T U J O K I A T A I E N O W M I E N
A C A S H O G S S N X O A I T T N A A R S O P C S E M D S W
See how many of these words you can find in the puzzle. The words can be forward, backward or diagonal.
1. 2. 3. 4.
Happy Holidays Christmas Vacation
5. 6. 7. 8.
Family Friends Presents Decorations
9. Shopping 10. Candy canes 11. Cookies 12. Milk
13. Santa 14. Songs 15. Movies 16. Fun
CHRISTMAS WORD SCRAMBLE
35 Lotion ingredient 38 Psychology 101 topic 39 Sail holder
63 "I bet you won't go bungee jumping," e.g.
10 Oscar winner Huston
40 Quadrennial soccer championship
64 Give 10% to one's church
12 Neither's partner
45 Traveled with Huck Finn, e.g.
65 A/C opening
46 Those, in Tijuana
67 Impudence
47 ___-Town (Cubbies' home) 50 Surgeons' workplaces, for short 51 Sponsors' spots 53 Showy cock's object of affection 55 Los Angeles Philharmonic summer venue 59 Dud 61 The Hunter constellation 62 Merle Haggard's "___ From Muskogee"
66 Gave the boot 68 Energy output units
11 Make ___ habit 14 In a rational way 20 ___ vaccine 21 General location 25 Poems of praise 26 Bouncy 29 Stadium level
Down 1 Nova ___, Canada 2 Bemoan 3 Cochise or Geronimo 4 Del ___ Foods 5 Storied isle near Java 6 Actor Baldwin 7 Undergo transformation, as one image into another 8 Stag's pride 9 Billy or nanny
30 Viewpoint 32 Drainage pit 33 Impressive act 34 Dwellers on Mount Olympus 35 Hardly a close-cut hairdo 36 Fabricator
42 Stock in nonstandard quantities 43 Gangster known as Scarface 44 Exploited 47 Snug necklace 48 Felling 49 Small bays 52 Neighbor of Israel 54 Over 56 ___ page (newspaper part) 57 Jokesters 58 Sounds of amazement 59 Prescription safety org. 60 Too permissive
37 Not on land, as an oil rig 41 Prosperity
3
2 1 4 7 2 6 5
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1 9 3 6 1 20
THE SCOOP • December 2014 / January 2015
3 9 3 6 8 4 9
Daily Sudoku: Thu 27-Nov-2014
9 7 very hard
(c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2014. All rights reserved.
8 4 9 2
A Toxic Date
The Perfect School
By Jessica Green, Grade 12, Sydenham High School
By Jordan Balson, Grade 12, Napanee District Secondary School
R
I
elationships can be an invigorating and exciting adventure – creating memories and experiences with someone you care about. Although this is usually the case, relationships can often appear supportive and loving yet mask the signs of a toxic relationship. Feeling depleted, dealing with excessive and unwarranted jealousy, feeling that someone else is trying to control you, and consistently being the focus of blame are common signs that you may be in an unhealthy relationship. When the person you are with is filled with negativity, you are left feeling drained instead of enriched. Whether it’s threats to end the relationship or constantly being reminded of one’s mistakes, the pressure builds up and leaves you feeling less self-confident. In a toxic relationship, the main focus is only on one person’s happiness. It’s difficult for you to feel self – respect or to receive any gratification from your achievements, when the person closest to you only cares about him or herself. In the book, 7 Reasons Why You Need to Let Go of a Toxic Relationship, the author says: “A healthy relationship encourages growth and dialogue on both sides,” whereas a toxic situation can lead to someone losing their sense of self. When dating, the person you care about can wield a lot of power and if they abuse that power, they will rob you of your selfworth and change the way you see yourself and the world around you. In an unhealthy relationship, a common form of control is jealousy. This can be directed at your friends, family, or even a stranger you speak to in passing – anyone who grabs your attention or takes up your time
can become a target for accusations. Signs of this are easily spotted when your peers or family notice that you aren’t communicating with them as much as you used to. Possessiveness becomes destructive when you begin to feel obligated to limit or avoid contact with people aside from your partner. When jealousy causes anger in your partner, you may start blaming yourself and you may feel fearful of speaking or spending time with someone that he or she doesn’t approve of. When this occurs, you may become isolated and heavily dependent on the relationship. Isolation enables the person to control you not only by restricting who you visit and communicate with, but also by taking control over your time and your possessions. Sometimes the person may want to control your money and how it is spent thus causing you to become even more reliant on them. Another form of control is how you dress. In a healthy relationship, it is normal for a significant other to offer a polite opinion or a concern about what you wear, though you are not forced to agree. Whereas in an unhealthy relationship, they may insult your choice of clothing or demand that you follow their ideas of what is appropriate to wear. There’s a fine line between a toxic and an abusive relationship because they both share similar traits, so it is important to be wary. Observe the signs. How does the relationship make you feel? How does it affect your life? Follow your instincts. It is always better to be alone than in a relationship surrounded by negativity. Value the relationships you have with your friends and family and remember that a relationship that diminishes your voice is toxic.
t’s approaching that time of year when Grade 12 students have to make an important decision— which post-secondary school is right for me? It can seem almost impossible to decide sometimes, with all of the schools out there and all of the programs but with a little research, everyone can find the program that is perfect for them. If you’re debating between schools and trying to decide which one is the right one for you, plan to visit the schools. Visiting the campus gives you an idea of the school environment and prepares you for the type of education you will be receiving there. My friend Rachel Agombar can vouch for the importance of visiting the campus before you make your decision. “I was told that loving your campus and residence is just as important as loving your courses. After looking at different universities, I would have to agree. A student should be excited about where they are going to be living. If you don’t feel inspired by your learning environment, how can you expect to be creative and energized?” For some people, visiting the campus and taking tours can give you a perspective on what you really want. For others like Rachel, who has always wanted to go to Brock, it just reaffirmed the dream that she’d always had. “Visiting campus was amazing! It was a great experience and I can see myself going to Brock University so much more clearly! It makes me feel so at ease!” I recently visited Queen’s University on their open house day; it was such an eye opener. Not only were there tours of their campus so you could experience University life, but there were information sessions with all of the departments to show what the school has to offer academically. By seeing what’s out there, you can discover who you are and what interests you, and in turn, discover what courses and careers are right
for you. I personally found the classroom tours the most interesting. By visiting the classrooms and hearing about the courses, I found that I was able to picture myself as a student there! There are even resources for those who can’t visit the school of their choosing. A lot of schools have an extensive Internet presence so pictures and diagrams of campuses, residences, and university life are available. Some schools even go as far as to offer virtual tours! Additionally, universities and colleges often make visits to local areas and give presentations in the autumn. Even just attending these presentations can be such an insight into what the school has to offer, and what you can offer it! The representatives from the school are typically more than happy to speak with you if you have any questions, so by going to the presentations you can get a sense of the university, the programs offered, and actually speak to a person regarding any concerns you might have. Overall, it’s a great way to learn about any school and their programs even if you don’t have the resources to visit every one of them. So no matter what you’re interested in, or even if you haven’t decided yet, there’s a world of options and by doing a little research you can find the program and school that’s perfect for you.
WAYLEN CAR WASH
Christmas Blessings to All….
u
MERRY CHRISTMAS Dave, Barb, Kallista & Shae-Lynn Way December 2014 / January 2015 • THE SCOOP
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Christmas Memories The Magic of Movies from Maple Nook and Christmas By Grace A. Bell, nee Patterson
By Grace Smith
G
I
race Patterson (born in 1890) and her family lived on a farm, Maple Nook, a couple of kilometres from Moscow. Like many young women of her time, she taught school after completing her high school education first at Long Lake near Parham and then in Desmond. When she married Fred Tate Bell, a farmer, she settled into the life of a farmwife and mother. Included below are excerpts from her extensive memoir of life growing up in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries: “Christmas concerts were the highlight of the school year as well as in the community. At Moscow, the Christmas Tree Concert was always held in the church. The practising for the event would begin in November to make them the outstanding entertainments of the season. There would be all kinds of clever outfits made for shepherds, wise men, angels and the Holy Family from crepe paper, sheets, tinsel and artificial snow. “In the early days Christmas was celebrated at the homestead. In the week before Christmas, mother would make fruit cake, mince meat for pies, doughnuts, jelly tarts, etc. While we girls did the decorating. Long garlands of coloured paper looped together festooned from one corner of a room to the other and a red paper bell hung from the register in the ceiling. Cedar boughs were mounted inside and out.
’ll admit it. I’m one of those people that absolutely adores the holiday season. This time of the year brings out many warm and fuzzy feelings inside of me. And one of my absolute favourite parts of the season is the plethora of Christmas and other holiday movies that seem to take over our televisions.
Vintage Christmas postcard. Photo courtesy L&A County Archives. with raisins, nuts and candy. A pair of spring skates was a welcome gift. “Christmas wasn’t bought at a store. It was Christmas, the birthday of Jesus, the Prince of Peace and we as a family were together celebrating it. Father always gave the farm animals a treat of grain on Christmas morning and maybe a fork full or two of fresh bedding. The day ended when the family gathered round the organ or piano and had a rousing singsong of Christmas carols.” The Scoop would like to thank Irene Teffe for loaning us a copy of Grace Bell’s entertaining and informative personal memoir.
This year, I was sitting at home with my family the day after Halloween and we were shocked to see a Christmas movie playing on TV later in the evening. After all, it was November 1st and to some, the race to the holidays had begun. At first, I was a little dumbstruck and slightly against the viewing of such films so early. If I started watching them now, surely I would be sick of them by the time Christmas arrived. However, as the evening wore on, I found myself becoming excited for the movie and the holiday season as well. Well, needless to say, I watched the movie, a cute little made-for-TV film called Love at the Christmas Table, and the one that followed it, the more mainstream New Year’s Eve (which I decided to personally count as a holiday movie), and I loved every second of it. For me, holiday movies provide us all with a little bit of cheer and a whole lot of warmth. Despite all the cheesy storylines, holiday movies always have a happy ending. And they always stress the importance of good will toward others. This is the most crucial aspect of the Christmas season and it is accordingly
“Our dinner, which was at noon was farm produced: great platters of choice roast chicken with dressing, baked A special thank you ham, mounds of creamy mashed for your potatoes, gravy, support in 2014 peas, carrots and from turnips from Dr. Calvin Lane DVM and Staff the garden.... plum pudding, Serving Christmas cake, Pets & Farm Animals steamed Talman Since 1983 sweet apples and mince meat pies. Only the 211 McQuay St., RR#3Yarker oranges, nuts and www.lanevetservices.ca info@lanevetservices.ca cranberries were (613) or Toll Free: bought. The 30 pound cheese was cut on that day. It was bought at the factory in September for nine dollars and ripened until Christmas.
reflected in the films about this time of year. And as such, I’ve set out to watch as many Christmas and other holiday-related movies as possible this season and keep a record of my endeavours. I’ve already watched quite a few. Some are lesser known ones that I’ve seen once or twice before, such as The March Sisters at Christmas. Others have become classics for my generation, such as Elf and The Grinch that Stole Christmas. And I’ve also watched a few that I had never seen before and become instant favourites of mine, such as Arthur Christmas. These movies are about helping others and believing in the spirit of the holidays. Whether we’re a group of famous sisters who decide to give up our free time and money to help our parents out, a human who grew up with elves and just wants to fit in with his family and spread some Christmas cheer, a grinchy fellow who ruins and then saves Christmas, or the youngest son of Santa who just wants to make sure that each and every child receives a gift for the holidays, we all need to make a point to look beyond ourselves. These movies have only proven to me that now is the time to become immersed in the holiday spirit and think about what we can do for each other. And hopefully the good will lasts all year round.
Season’s Greetings
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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
“All the decorations and gifts were homemade such as aprons trimmed with hand crochet or knit lace, pomanders (an orange studded with whole cloves) handmade pin cushions trimmed with beads and lace, knitted stockings and socks, mittens knit in the fox and geese pattern and sometimes a quilt. Little girls found a doll in their stocking
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THE SCOOP • December 2014 / January 2015
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Barry’s Photo Tips
The Importance of Composition Story and photos by Barry Lovegrove
T
he composition of a photo is a very important component of any successful image. There are many websites out there that relate to Composition and YouTube has some great examples. There is a lot of information on the Internet that is worth checking out, like The Rule of Thirds. Rather than going into a lot of detail check this website out to start: www.photographymad. com/pages/view/10-topphotography-composition-rules Keep in mind that you are in charge
of the photo that you are about to take and rules are suggestions. They are not set in concrete. When composing a photo remember that what you see through the viewfinder or the screen on the back of your camera is the image that you are going to get. Don’t be afraid to move around checking different positions. You will be surprised at how much that can help. Take lots of photos from different angles, that way you can see them better on your computer screen and choose the one you like.
Here is an example that I took last winter when driving home in the early evening from Kingston. The sun was setting over the fields which were frozen over and the sky was cloudy. These are elements that make for a great photo. Photo Composition 01: It’s a nice photo of the sun reflecting off the frozen icecovered fields, but I stopped and had a good look around at what the scene had to offer. By stepping back and checking what I can fit in my viewfinder the whole image took on a totally new story. Photo Composition 02: I was able to see a house to the left with a hill slopping down directing my eye to the sun’s reflection over the field. The sun and its rays framed between a couples of trees really added to the scene. I also placed the horizon line approximately 1/3 of the way up from the bottom allowing for the dramatic colours and shapes in the cloudy sky to complete the image.
Photo Composition 02.
Photo Composition 01. Remember it’s your eyes that see and the camera is the instrument that captures it. Have fun this Christmas taking photos. Candid shots are usually the best and show a true story of presents being opened or the family sitting around a dinner table and even grand pa sleeping in a chair. I wish you all out there in Scoop land a very happy Holiday season and may all your photos bring back memories in years to come.
Craving Change A How-to Workshop for Changing Your Relationship with Food
Do you:
Struggle to maintain healthy eating habits? Eat for comfort or in response to strong feelings? Feel frustrated with the usual weight loss programs? Want to feel more in control of your eating?
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
3050 Rutledge Road Sydenham, ON K0H 2T0 613-376-3618 www.sydvets.com
If yes, then program is for you!
3 session workshop offered in 2 locations Sign up today! Napanee Public Library Deseronto Public Library 358 Main Street, Deseronto 25 River Road, Napanee Thursday January 8th, 15th Monday January 12th, 19th & 26th, 2015 & 22nd, 2015 Time: 6:00—8:00 pm
Time: 1:30—3:30 pm
No cost to attend
No cost to attend
To register, please contact the Napanee & Area Community Health Centre at: 613-354-8937 ext. 7154 or email alerisc@kchc.ca
Wishing You the Joy of Family the Happiness of Friends and the Wonder Wond of this Christmas Season. Sincerely, Clarence Kennedy
December 2014 / January 2015 • THE SCOOP
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From our family to yours May you all enjoy your Christmas Season and all of the best for 2015!
Wishing you a
Warm and Safe
HOLIDAY SEASON Don’t forget your feathered friends this Christmas!
Black Oil Sunflower Seed
The Big 50lb Bag (taxes included)
Only $
25
Plus many other bird seed options in-store.
Tree PlanTing? FUNDING SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE
Planting trees on your property could help fight climate change. It could also increase wild life habitat and water conservation. You can receive funding assistance. Trees Ontario is working with its tree planting partners across the province to deliver the Ontario government’s
If you have at least 2.5 acres of productive land, you could qualify. Call or visit us at: Trees Ontario 416.646.1193 www.treesontario.ca/programs/#50MILL
50 Million Tree Program.
Paid for, in part, by the Government of Ontario
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THE SCOOP • December 2014 / January 2015