There was standing room only on April 26 at St. Paul's United Church in Harrowsmith for a special event that transformed the church’s main sanctuary into a runway for close to 40 models.

The event, which was organized by the Harrowsmith Women’s Institute (HWI), brought to light over 60 vintage outfits after members scoured their basements, attics and cupboards for vintage clothing, much of it treasured family heirlooms. The outfits were enthusiastically donned by models of all ages who sported clothing and accessories from the Roaring '20s, Depression era '30s, war time '40s, the bopping '50s, psychedelic '60s and the groovy '70s to a delighted crowd that numbered over 150. The models included members of the HWI, the local community as well as participants and staff from New Leaf Link (NeLL).

NeLL was founded by its executive director, Dr. Karen Steiner, and the organization’s aim is to provide education, life skills, arts and healthy living programming to adults with developmental disabilities living in rural South Frontenac and the surrounding area.

The fashion show was spearheaded by Karen Nickel, president of the HWI and came about when HWI member Joan Worsfold, who has been volunteering at NeLL for the last four years, suggested that the proceeds from the event go towards supporting NeLL.

Jo Lyon, who is a program director at New Leaf Link and teaches the healthy living program there (and who also modeled in the show) said that the event helped to bring community awareness to NeLL, which that has grown from four participants in its first year to 13 currently.

Lyon said that NeLL offers its participants opportunities that otherwise would not exist. “After these individuals leave the school system and after they reach 21 years of age there is no programming in this area available to them. They either have to travel to Kingston or Sharbot Lake and we feel it’s important for these individuals to be able to stay in their own community where they are able to be with their friends and families while participating in worthwhile programming opportunities.”

She said she was thrilled that participants from NeLL also modeled in the fashion show. “It's important for the community at large to see who we are at NeLL and to understand the important programming that we are offering through the organization.” For more information visit newleaflink.ca

Over 125 volunteers and a number of guests packed St. James Church Hall in Sharbot Lake on Monday night (April 13) for the 35th annual volunteer appreciation event put on by the staff of Northern Frontenac Community Services.

The suppertime event, which included a Lasagne dinner, cooked by Pat Rhyno and Jan MacPherson, was capped off by the presentation of the Volunteer of the Year Awards.

Karen Burke was honoured for her weekly contributions to the agency's Meals on Wheels Program. She helps run the kitchen where the fresh made meals are prepared before they are whisked across the expanse of North and Central Frontenac by volunteer drivers. One of the longest serving meals on wheels driving couples, Tom and Eileen Christenson, were singled out this year as they have finally decided to retire after delivering meals on wheels for longer than anyone can remember. The couple has been so dedicated that they continued to deliver meals even after moving to Perth a couple of years ago.

A second, surprise Volunteer of the Year award was given to Board of Directors Chair, Linda Chappel. The board had to meet in secret so Chappel would not know the award was coming. It was given to her in recognition of the extra work that she has been saddled with this winter, carrying out a search for a new executive director after the departure of Don Amos for a job in Kingston in late December of 2014.

Not only did she have over 60 resumes to filter through and send out to the other members of the search committee, she has also been the go-to person for the two interim directors of the corporation, Maribeth Scott (Children's Services) and Catherine Tysick (Adult Services) over the past four months.

Upon receiving the award, Linda Chappel said she is “pleased to announce that the search committee has had great success and we will be making an announcement very shortly”.

As Catherine Tysick pointed out, “The work of the volunteers and staff of the agency has carried on in exactly the same way it always has. Hardly anyone knew there was no Executive Director in place for the last four months. That is a tribute to the dedication of all of you who are here tonight and the many others who could not make it.”

After the award presentations, The Sage Age Players, an Almonte-based senior's comedy troupe, performed a 45 minute long set of skits, to an enthusiastic response.

Fourteen seniors attended a CPR workshop on March 30 at the Anglican church hall in Sharbot Lake. Headed up by Mark Powell, a local paramedic who works with Frontenac Paramedic Services, the presentation included a plethora of information on administering basic First Aid, like how to apply bandages, dressings, splints, slings and wraps. Other topics included how to identify and treat choking, stroke, heart attacks, bee stings, and nose bleeds and other kinds of bleeds. When I visited, the group was learning how to administer proper CPR and guests were also shown how to use a defibrillator.

Powell said that though the session was not a certified First Aid/CPR course, he was able to pass on a lot of important and helpful information to the seniors, who may not have been totally up to date on the most recent changes to basic First Aid and CPR training techniques. “The main idea is that, 'You can't do what you don't know’ and now that these seniors do know and are up to date on the latest techniques, they can now react to an emergency situation in a more informed and effective way.”

Vikki Newlove, community support service coordinator with Northern Frontenac Community Services (NFCS), who was present at the workshop, said that the session came about through a grant that NFCS received from the Seniors Community Grant Foundation whose goal is to provide information sessions to seniors in the community. Newlove said she and other staff from NFCS spoke to various local seniors groups through the Seniors Community Advisory Network, which is comprised of representatives from the various local seniors groups of Central and North Frontenac. Those representatives in turn advised NFCS staff of the kind of workshops that would most benefit themselves and their members. “We did not want to do a full First Aid/CPR course since most of the seniors have already done that in the past but we just wanted to do a review and allow seniors to have their personal questions answered”, Newlove said. Similarly because many of the First Aid/CPR techniques have changed in recent years, Newlove said that it is important that seniors are kept up to date of those changes. Seniors were also made aware of the numerous defibrillators that are located in the village of Sharbot Lake. Newlove said she was pleased with the turn out to the workshop, which included participants from Ompah, Plevna, Mountain Grove and Sharbot Lake.

The story of Northern Frontenac Community Services (NFCS) actually started five years before the corporation was formally established in March of 1975.

In November 1970, a group of citizens met in the Anglican Rectory at Sharbot Lake to discuss problems shared by residents in the eight northern townships of Frontenac County - problems such as decreasing population, economic difficulties, lack of social services and limited community spirit.

The group hosted a public meeting at Sharbot Lake High School on February 2, 1971. Agreement was reached that the ‘sense of community’ had to be revitalized. In earlier years, the railroads had provided a link between hamlets, villages and small rural settlements, and the passing of that era contributed to residents’ isolation.

A "Communication Group" was formed and in March 1971 the first edition of the North Frontenac News - a mimeographed, single sheet paper - was printed and distributed free of charge.

During that year, a Local Initiatives Program Grant was obtained to develop office space and room for any public group to hold meetings in the rectory basement.

In 1972 another grant was received for assistance in development of community initiatives. Continuing their efforts as facilitators who assisted community members in taking responsibility for community problems, the group developed a proposal for multi-service centre funding.

Two workers were hired to analyse organizational and social service issues in North Frontenac. The first of many senior citizens’ clubs was organized; the Children’s Aid Society was encouraged to work at the facility; and a part-time federally funded employment office opened. In response to the results of a questionnaire, the Communications Group facilitated the development of a summer swim program that was co-sponsored by the townships and the Sharbot Lake and District Lions Club.

With Ministry of Community and Social Services’ funding approval in 1973, the members established a Management Council and opened office space in the refurbished former rectory.

During the winter of 1973-74, a group of citizens, including some Management Council members, was brought together to discuss another vital concern. St. Lawrence College funded a worker to conduct the study, which ultimately resulted in the formation of the North Frontenac Association for the Mentally Handicapped, now known as Community Living - North Frontenac.

Finally, on March 20, 1975, North Frontenac Community Services became incorporated. It was the first multi-service centre in the province. Its stated aims were that: (1) the residents of North Frontenac have ready access to a full array of social services and that these be coordinated, appropriate and effective; and that

(2) citizens be encouraged and assisted to participate in community development and the solving of common problems.”

From 1976 to 1982, several new services and positions were created, including the Senior Citizens’ Home Support Program, the Adult Protective Services Program, and the first Coordinator of Volunteers. During that same period, under the guidance of Queen’s University law students, a community legal worker provided services that included summary advice, advocacy, and information for residents of North Frontenac. Identification of the need for these and more extensive legal services resulted in the establishment of Rural Legal Services, which is now known as the Legal Clinic-Sharbot Lake. The position of family counsellor was started in 1979 to provide assistance for individuals and families.

A small group of women began to advocate for local services to enhance the lives of children and their parents in 1983. With community support, they started a drop-in centre and toy library at Sharbot Lake the following year. Then, after acceptance of their proposal for funding, they opened a Child Care Resource Centre, with the program administered by NFCS. They purchased a van, some supplies and equipment, hired two workers, then began outreach programs at township halls. Eventually, as service requests increased and survey results were tabulated, they developed a proposal for funding of a multi-service child care centre that would be the hub for services in the North Frontenac area. The committee members actively participated in all aspects of planning for the Child Centre and celebrated its grand opening on March 21, 1991 during a heavy snowstorm.

In 1995, provincial government philosophy changed and moved away from support of multi-service agencies. Administrative funding was removed from NFCS and a letter from the Ministry of Community and Social Services provided advice as to how to close down the agency in an orderly fashion. In spite of the extreme challenges presented by this action, the agency's demise never came about.

Twenty years later, Northern Frontenac Community Services (the name was changed after municipal amalgamation in 1998, when North Frontenac no longer meant 'north of Verona') is stronger than ever. Even with the ups and downs caused by the advent of all-day kindergarten in the last couple of years, the day care centre, located on the bottom floor of the Child Centre building continues to thrive, and provides care for a number of children and families with particular physical and social needs.

For the last 10 years, the Child Centre has carried out the role of an Ontario Early Years Centre, providing parent and early childhood education, including playgroups in communities throughout Frontenac County. A youth program has been up and running for five years, and it is also active throughout the county.

The nature of the service delivery has changed over the past 20 years as well, in the children's and adult services wings of NFCS. A number of services are offered by the agency in collaboration with affiliates who have office space in the NFCS Adult Services building, such as Ontario Works, Frontenac and Addington Children and Family Service, Frontenac Community Mental Health Services, Pathways for Children and Youth, and others.

The United Way has come on board as the funder of family and youth services, and the Local Health Integration Network funds community support services such as Meals on Wheels, etc.

“We like to describe ourselves as a cradle to grave organization,” said long-time board member and current Board Chair Linda Chappel. “Whatever the age group, we provide services, either with our own programs or in collaboration with others.”

While there are many funders behind the NFCS banner, from government ministries and departments to charitable foundations, community groups and individual donors, from the point of view of the residents of Frontenac County, the services are all provided by caring individuals, and the community activism that brought NFCS about 40 or 45 years ago keeps it going to this day.

If people need service and don't know who to call, they can call the Child Centre at 613-279-3260 or Adult Services at 613-279-3151

By Jeff Green

Katie Doran, the education and support co-ordinator with the Alzheimer Society of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington, will be facilitating a support group for caregivers on the first Tuesday of each month at 1 pm at the Seniors’ Centre at the United Church in Sharbot Lake. The first meeting takes place on April 7.

“The Alzheimer’s Society is here to support people through their journey with the disease or those who are caring for someone with the disease,” said Doran.

Doran said she will be bringing information with her to the support group meetings and will be prepared to make presentations, but that the participants will really determine what kinds of topics are addressed and how.

“My role tends to be that of a facilitator. There are so many common experiences that caregivers face that they tend to take the group in the direction that is most useful for themselves.”

In addition to running the group, Doran, who has been working with the Alzheimer’s Society since last June and is partly responsible for services in the rural areas, hopes to raise the profile of the society in Frontenac County, which has flagged a bit in the last couple of years.

“We run a number of programs and provide a lot of support and referrals,” she said. “The emotional side of care-giving is something that we pay particular attention to.”

Among the programs that the Alzheimer’s Society has championed is a music program. People with dementia often respond to music and the society offers an i-pad with earphones, pre-programmed with music chosen by the individual and/or their family. The service is offered for free, including the loan of the i-pad.

There is also a drop-in centre at the society’s headquarters in Kingston, but in Frontenac County the option of home visits by Doran or one of her colleagues is more popular, because of the isolation.

Anyone who is interested in the Sharbot Lake support group can call the Alzheimer’s Society for details at 613-544-3078 or can just show up at the seniors’ centre in April 7.

There is an ongoing support group out of the Grace Centre in Sydenham as well, which meets on the last Thursday of each month at 7 pm.

Former MPP and long-time member of the provincial cabinet, John Gerretson, was on hand to speak about the important role that Southern Frontenac Community Services (SFCS) agency plays in the lives of local residents at the campaign launch for this year's enhancement campaign on Friday, March 6 at the Grace Centre in Sydenham.

Last year, Southern Frontenac Community Services (SFCS) embarked on their first enhancement campaign, in order to help cover shortfalls in funding and provide services for all of the seniors and families in financial difficulty who come to them for help each year.

The campaign was a resounding success, raising $57,000 - $7,000 over its goal.

This year, the second annual campaign is going to require even more community support, even though the goal is the same at $50,000.

The William J. Henderson Foundation made a one-time donation of $25,000 last year, giving strong and early momentum to that campaign. Without that boost, this year's campaign needs to be even more successful.

However the campaign is not starting out from scratch either. At the launch, campaign chair Mark Segsworth revealed that a number of donors have already come through, and $17,000 (34% of the goal) has already been raised.

The enhancement campaign differs from other fundraising campaigns for service agencies because it is not devoted to raising money for a new building or to start up a new service, but goes directly into service delivery for existing programs.

“The money is needed because we are committed to ensuring that anyone who comes to us and demonstrates they are eligible for service is able to receive it,” said David Townsend, executive director of SFCS.

Programs at SFCS are supported by the United Way, the Ministry of Health (through the Local Health Integration Network), the Housing First Initiative of the City of Kingston (with financial support from the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing), and by donations from the foundations and the public.

The launch of its second Annual Enhancement Campaign also marks the 26th anniversary of SFCS.

SFCSC provides seniors’ services in South Frontenac and rural Kingston, north of the 401. The agency also provides financial assistance to low-income households in South, Central and North Frontenac townships and offers a food bank to qualifying residents in South Frontenac.

The enhancement campaign will feature a number of events in the coming months, since it extends until June.

For further information about the campaign or to donate, contact SFCS at 613-376-6477 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Mark Segsworth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Family and Children’s Services or Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (formerly known as the Children's Aid Society) has announced this year’s winner of the annual Family Advocacy Award – Maribeth Scott, the Manager of the Ontario Early Years Centre at Northern Frontenac Community Services (NFCS).

The award, given every year to celebrate Family Day, recognizes an individual, group or organization for their contribution making the lives of families in KFL&A better. She was chosen out of a field of more than 21 nominees because of her work in the community.

“We received many worthy nominates from across the community,” said Steve Woodman, Executive Director of Family and Children’s Services for Frontenac, Lennox and Addington. “Maribeth Scott was selected because of her outstanding service to families in Northern Frontenac and her commitment to working together with other agencies to help families in need, including our agency.”

Scott has been working at NFCS for 19 years, and throughout those years she has been a part of a team that has developed a family counselling program that is geared to the families in the NFCS catchment area of North, Central, and parts of South Frontenac Townships.

“When I started here as the supervisor of the play groups that we run, I noticed that some families were less engaged in the group activities than others,” she recalled from her office on Tuesday as she prepared to head to Kingston for the 3 pm awards ceremony. “It's like the old adage goes: When there is no food in the fridge, there is no time for the ABCs.”

As the NFCS/Early Years staff worked more closely with families, the needs became apparent. Families dealing with divorce and separation, financial challenges, addictions and a host of other issues are all part of the community that Scott and her colleagues serve, and supports they offer range from counselling to help in finding and accessing services.

“We provide specialized care to families with challenges, families that fall through the cracks. We support them in getting services they need and make sure their voices are heard,” she said.

Sometimes that involves engaging Family and Children's Services for support, and that can lead to children being removed from the home. In those cases, the Early Years staff do not walk away from the families, either,

“Family and Children's Services provides attention to children, and when that involves the children being removed from the home, the family still needs support. We stay engaged with them to help families deal with their issues and deal with the system,” said Scott.

Over the years she has developed her skills as a counsellor through experience and specialized training, including learning how to work through such taboo subjects as sexual abuse. Through it all, the goal of working with families has remained a constant.

“We work with families. At the end of the day everybody agrees they want the best for their kids. It is a whole team effort. We might have fewer services here in the rural area, but we are bigger problem solvers. It's all about being respectful to families that are in very difficult situations.”

The family support services offered at the NFCS/Early Years Centre in Sharbot Lake were developed locally and are not common across the province, but they are now offered as well in Lennox and Addington County.

“I can think of no one who better fits the spirit of this award than Maribeth, “said Steve Woodman. “On behalf of our entire agency and the community, we thank Maribeth and her colleagues at Northern Frontenac Community Services for the work they do. It is very much appreciated.” said Woodman.

“This award comes as a great surprise and represents the dedication of the many team players at Northern Frontenac Community Services who support families with young children to succeed,” said Scott.

More information on the Family Advocacy Award and Family and Children’s Services can be found online at www.FamilyandChildren.ca.  

Dave Linton, a long time volunteer with Southern Frontenac Community Services (SFCS), not only talks the talk but also walks the walk - and in this case, skis the lopp.

At 75 years of age Linton knows first hand the benefits to seniors of regular daily exercise, its positive impact on mental and physical health and its ability to help them live in their homes independently and with dignity for as long as possible. It is with those ideas in mind that Linton will be skiing the Gatineau Loppett, a 51 km international cross-country ski marathon, the largest of its kind in Canada, which will take place on February 14 in the Gatineau Hills of Quebec.

Linton will be participating this year, not as he has done in the past, to raise funds for the SFCSC (he also has another idea about fundraising that I will mention later), but to raise awareness of the importance of daily exercise while also promoting the seniors programming offered at SFCSC.

Linton began volunteering with SFCSC 36 years ago when he and his wife Jennifer, who is the coordinator of the SFCSC food bank, first moved to the area. He currently volunteers as a fundraiser and driver and highly recommends the organization as “a place to hang your volunteer hat.” For Linton volunteering has become a way of life and fulfills an important need. “It gives me an intrinsic satisfaction and makes me feel connected to the community.”

SFCSC runs a number of Adult Day programs at the Grace Centre in Sydenham that are geared to seniors, many of whom are physically frail and socially isolated. Some may have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, and may also be survivors of other illnesses. The programs offer participants a plethora of physical, social and cognitive activities under the direction of trained personnel and staff members, which help to stimulate brain and body function while offering clients a chance to socialize and interact with their peers.

The programming at SFCSC has expanded in recent years from three days a week to five and from a capacity of eight clients per day to 12. Participants in the program are provided with snacks and lunch, and trained PSWs also provide any assistance they might require while in attendance. Referrals to the program are typically made by the Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) or by self-referral and are followed up with an in-office visit, after which clients receive a free one trial visit to the program. The cost is $20 per day and transportation can also be provided at an additional cost.

Dave Linton understands that skiing a 51 km marathon is definitely not for everyone, and stressed that it is the daily training leading up to the event that is most important. “It is the daily exercise required to prepare for a marathon and not the marathon itself that is most beneficial. My training equipment is not sophisticated: a chainsaw, an axe, a wood pile plus regular walking with a set of weighted poles…no running, jogging or any other high impact exercises is how I prepare for the race.”

Linton is an incredibly fit 75-year-old and is perhaps not a standard that other seniors can aspire to. He knows this but still he says regular daily exercise is key to overall health. “Daily physical activity changed my life (maybe even saved it on occasions). It is a life-enhancing tool for me and I strongly believe that it can be for others … If we seniors can stay out of nursing homes and long term care facilities, we will not only save tax payer dollars, but will enable ourselves to live healthier, happier, more independent lives in the long term”.

Now back to Linton’s idea about fundraising. He suggests that, given the fact that most seniors usually have everything they need in life, when families are celebrating a milestone event like a birthday or anniversary, they could invite guests to make a donation to the SFCSC in lieu of gifts.

For more information about seniors’ programming at the SFCSC and/or to make a donation call 613-376-6477 or visit www.sfcsc.ca

This year's annual Christmas Open House at the Child Care Centre in Sharbot Lake on December 6 was very well attended. Staff from Northern Frontenac Community Services transformed the centre into a festive holiday hub for the entire family. Santa was on site speaking to youngsters about their Christmas holiday wish list and was also available for family photos. Youngsters had a chance to wrap a special gift for their caregivers in “Santa's Secret workshop” and there were numerous activities for the kids, including face painting, a plethora of Christmas crafts and cookie decorating plus refreshments for all. The event was enjoyed by hundreds of members of the community, many of whom later made their way to the Sharbot Lake Santa Claus parade. NFCS staff entered their festive “Frozen” themed float, which was a sure-fire hit and capped off their generous contributions to this year's memorable holiday festivities.

Staff at the Treasure Trunk in Sharbot Lake will be raffling off their gigantic Christmas holiday gift stocking, which they have filled to the brim with Christmas goodies for the entire family. The stocking includes brand new gifts items that have been donated by businesses and individuals from the local community, including brand new flannel pajamas, slippers, hats, scarves, mittens, New Year's Eve crackers, numerous games, toys and crafts for youngsters, plus body lotions, jewelry and more. The draw will take place at noon on December 19 at the Treasure Trunk. Proceeds from the raffle will help to fund a new CLNF video titled “We Are the Champions”, which was created for Community Living by local videographer Jesse Mills and shows how Community Living-NF assists members of the community with its many diverse programs. Janet Barr, vocational instructor with CLNF at the Treasure Trunk, said the raffle is the first one of its kind. Tickets cost $2 can be purchased at the Treasure Trunk up until the day of the draw. Holiday shoppers looking for special gift giving ideas should note that the Treasure Trunk is also selling a wide range of special Christmas-themed holiday gift baskets and gift certificates for the upcoming holiday season. The Treasure Trunk is located at 1171 Canon Road in Sharbot Lake and is open until December 24, Monday to Friday from 9 am-3pm. It will be closed from Christmas Day until New Year's Day.