New: Facebook has blocked all Canadian news. Join our mailing list to stay in the loop.

New: Facebook has blocked all Canadian news. Join our mailing list to stay in the loop.

Wednesday, 13 July 2016 22:24

Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre

A Night of Exploring and Understanding Moths will have you amazed by their incredible diversity at the Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre on Saturday, July 16 from 8:30 pm to midnight. Learn about the life cycle of a moth, their favourite foods and creative ways of deterring predators, as well as their role in the ecosystem as pollinators and indicators of environmental health. This event is co-hosted by the Kingston Field Naturalists.

Learn about Nocturnal Life at the Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre on Friday, August 5 from 8:00 - 9:30 pm. This interactive, hands-on and family-friendly program will introduce visitors to Ontario's most recognizable nocturnal animals, beginning with an indoor presentation and then heading outside on a guided night hike, rain or shine.

For information on both events, visit: elbowlakecentre.ca/events. Drop-ins are free, or book a cabin for $60/night. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 613-353-7968.

Published in SOUTH FRONTENAC

Bill Bowick, chair of the Central Frontenac Canada 150th Anniversary committee, said that it was no coincidence that the committee held its public meeting at the Kennebec Hall in Arden on Monday night, July 10.

He said that thus far the committee that has been established by Central Frontenac Council is over-represented by members from the Sharbot Lake area, at least partly because Sharbot Lake has been the focus of Canada Day festivities in the township over the years. However, the group is working to change that.

“Our goal is to help all of the communities that make up Central Frontenac share in the Canada 150 celebrations. The projects we support will respect the heritage of our communities, establish a legacy, and bring the peoples of Central Frontenac together as a single community.”

The committee is encouraging events and ongoing projects that take place throughout the sesquicentennial year, rather than only on the Canada Day weekend.

“As a group, we are here to facilitate and publicise events, and maybe help with grants, but we are looking for individuals and groups with ideas and the ability to take the projects on as well,” said committee member Linda West.

West, who is the current chair of Villages Beautiful, which has membership from seven of the hamlets in the township, said the group is looking at replacing some of the deteriorating wooden benches they put in 10 years ago with new red steel benches bearing the Canada 150 logo as a small legacy project.

“We are looking for grant money for that now,” she said.

Other ideas that are already being worked on include a heritage-themed geo-caching project that is being organised by Doug Steele, and the Fitness 150 project, an app to help residents track their physical activity towards the Fitness Canada-designated goal of 150 minutes a week.

A project that will be seeking stories and anecdotes for a kind of human history of the township is being worked on by Linda West. It will lead to a series of articles that will be published in the Frontenac News in 2017.

Two new groups indicated they are going to come on board. One is the Kennebec and District Historical Society. Its current president, Sarah Hale, said that the society has chosen the Memorial Park that is being created across the road from the Mill Pond in Arden as its focus for a sesquicentennial project. The project, which is a joint venture with the Friends of Arden, may include historical plaques marking local events or anecdotes and perhaps the red bench for Arden will be located there as well. Hale also said it might be viable to hold an anniversary event in Arden in the fall of 2017.

Brian Robertson, who represented North Frontenac Little Theatre, said the company is considering presenting programming with heritage and local themes next year.

Marcel Giroux also brought an update about Frontenac County’s signature project for the 150th anniversary, the planned completion of the K&P Trail between Kingston and Sharbot Lake, where it can join with the Trans-Canada Rrail.

The completion of an 8 kilometre section of the trail between Tichborne and Sharbot Lake, where the trail runs through 22 different private properties, requires that a deal be struck between Frontenac County and each of the landowners.

Giroux reported that all but one of the landowners have been contacted, and that while only two final deals have been struck, most are in process.

“There are only two landowners who have said no, and even in those cases we feel there may be an opening that we can explore, because the trail is very close the road allowance for Road 38 in both locations,” Giroux said.

He indicated that while he is confident that it will all be done, having the entire trail open by Canada Day 2017, which is the goal, might be difficult to accomplish.

“Things happen pretty slowly in the public sector,” he said.

One of the things that the Canada 150 committee will be taking on is publicity in the run up to 2017 and throughout the year. A Calendar of Events is being planned, and an events page for Canada 150 in Central Frontenac has been set up on Facebook.

Committee meetings are all public. The next one is set for Monday July 25 at 7 pm, and will be held in the board room of the Central Frontenac Housing Corporation at 1096 Clement Road (the building is at the end of the lane and the board room is at the far left). Bill Bowick can be reached at 613-279-3341.

Published in CENTRAL FRONTENAC
Wednesday, 06 July 2016 20:59

Canada Day fun in Frontenac County

While the kids played games, adults took the opportunity to visit at events throughout the region on a Canada Day where the rain held off, for the most part. The oddest event this year was certainly the best legs contest for men at Harrowsmith. Top left - waiting to get into the bouncey castle at Centennial Park (Harrowsmith) - top middle - Cooking up a storm at Gerald Ball Park (Sunbury) - top right, riding the Water Slide at the Point Park in Sydenham, and bottom right, the 2017 150th anniversary committee already promoting their plans for next year at the beach in Sharbot Lake

Published in FRONTENAC COUNTY
Wednesday, 06 July 2016 20:45

Northern Classic Car Show in Harrowsmith

Vintage car lovers need to mark Sunday, July 24 on their calendars. That's the date of a new car show at Centennial Park in Harrowsmith, which will run from 8 am to 4 pm.

The show was the brainchild of Larry Teal, a vintage car enthusiast from nearby Howes Lake who maintains 10 vintage cars in gleaming condition and good working order. He has purchased vehicles locally, and gone as far as Phoenix, Arizona to pick one up. He said he is always able to source parts to keep the cars running smoothly.

For 20 years, Teal participated in the Verona Car Show, which was part of the Verona Festival and will now be running as a stand-alone event in early August. He has always thought that Harrowsmith Centennial Park could be ideal for a car show, so he approached the township last year to see if they would be amenable to him hosting his own event.

“I thought that since it is such a great park, we should use it, and when I approached the township they were all very helpful, so I went for it and haven't looked back,” he said.

The event is free to the public and the cost for entries is only $5. Teal said that he has already lined up over 100 vehicles, some of them from the early 1900s and others going all the way up to the 1970s.

“We are offering dash plaques for the first 150 cars to register, and there will be prizes in the different categories, as well as a people's choice award, all to be handed out at 3 pm,” Teal said.

The show will also feature music from the ‘50s and ‘60s, a canteen courtesy of the Harrowsmith S & A Club, attendance prizes and special prizes as well. For information or to register a vehicle, call Larry at 613-374-2489

Published in SOUTH FRONTENAC
Wednesday, 29 June 2016 20:40

Fashion in the Frontenacs

The Kennebec Hall in Arden was the fashion center of Frontenac County last Saturday night, June 25, as a sell- out crowd came out to see local children, teens and adults strut their stuff on the runway.

The hall was decorated in formal black and white with a red carpet running down the middle of the hall.

Theresa Hooiveld of Horseshoe Lake was the chair of the show, and she sourced fashions from the Bay in Kingston, and Sand and Sea in Napanee.

The clothing ranged from casual, school wear, cruise wear, active wear, wedding, BBQ, lounge wear, graduation, western wear, children's birthday party and travel wear. Mary Kay cosmetics donated their time and products and The Bay provided perfume and men's cologne samples. Both clothing suppliers provided discount coupons for all members of the audience.

Although all the models carried themselves with the elegance befitting such an event, four-year-old Noah and seven-year-old Angie stole the show when they walked down the carpet to “Happy Birthday”. Guests all had a wonderful time, with many taking home door prizes or some of the table decorations.

The entire extravaganza was sponsored by the Kennebec Recreation Committee and raised money for sports equipment for local kids.

Models at Fashion in the Frontenacs included: Cindy Kelsey, Sandra and David Neil, Brenda McKinstry, Sheila Duthie, Noah Hertendy, Angie Woods, Peggy Breithaupt, Cayleigh and Cash Matson, Gloria and Peter Smiley, and Barb Kirkland.

Published in CENTRAL FRONTENAC

The 15th annual Pine Meadow Charity Golf Tournament took place on June 25th at Hunter's Creek Golf Course on Hwy. 506 near Cloyne. As in previous years, this year's tournament was generously sponsored by numerous businesses and community members, raising over $17,000. These funds are used for a variety of items at Pine Meadow, which cannot be included in their regular budget and which enhance the lives of the residents at the nursing home.

Funds raised this year will be used to subsidize the monthly excursions planned for the residents and to purchase an Arjo Maxilift, patio furniture and concrete pathways for the new courtyard, as well as raised garden beds and curtains and tablecloths for the activity room.

This year, 69 golfers participated in the tournament on a beautiful sunny day at Hunter's Creek Golf Course. Raffle prizes included a beautiful quilt made by Treadle Quilters and valued at $1100, which was won by David Thain of Napanee and a Smoker valued at $1000 donated by Lookout Home Hardware, which was won by Austin Sharp of Aurora. There was also a 50/50 draw with a prize of $165, won by Greg Wise, who donated $50 back to the

fund. The microwave, donated by Smitty's Appliances, was the prize for the chipping contest and was won by Cory Andrews. Hunter's Creek donated a prize of 10 golf games, valued at $250, which was won by Miller Hodgins.

The members of the first place team at the tournament (pictured) were Paul Andrews, Hailey Andrews, Marty Lessard and Matt Lessard. The second place team included Randy Andrews, Mike Sagriff, Derek Maschke and Cole Maschke. Both teams donated their winnings back to the Pine Meadow Special Needs Fund.

The men's closest to the pin was won by Jamie Tryon and the women's closest to the pin was won by Donna Peters . The men's longest drive was won by Greg Wise and the women's longest drive was won by Sue Tobia.

The raffle sales brought in over $6000 and we are especially grateful to the many ticket sellers, who gave of their time and enthusiasm. Special thanks to Mike and Candy Donahue and the staff at Hunter's Creek for all their hard work in support of the Pine Meadow Golf Classic.

Published in ADDINGTON HIGHLANDS
Wednesday, 22 June 2016 23:45

Buck Lake Boatilla 2016

Once upon a time there was small lake north of Kingston and two people who lived there prompted a group of friends to get together and go for a boat ride and a picnic. While they were boating around this beautiful lake they collected money from everyone they saw with the purpose of sending an Easter Seals child to camp.

Thus the Buck Lake Boatilla was born. It has continued to be a wonderful tradition each year. The results are amazing because of the generous and caring people who reside on the lake. It has become a mission to fund handicapped children and their families to go to Camp Merrywood. Over the past 11 years the Buck Lake Community has raised $162,000 and supported 63 children for 10 days at camp.

The camp has amazing facilities and staff. Children who cannot walk are able to swim, sail, kayak, fish and canoe. They participate in sports, arts and crafts and evening campfires.

Their families report major positive changes in social skills and independence.

Chad has been to camp and been part of the Boatilla family for many years. He has completed high school and is looking forward to college. He loves to speak and hopes to be an announcer. He is delightful and humorous at our event. It wouldn't be the same without him.

Kierra is a young girl who was once very afraid of water. After her camp experience she is like a little tadpole and just loves to swim. She also has an amazing voice and has sung acapella at the Boatilla. Her choice of songs have been "Hear me roar" and "My Fight Song". You can imagine the emotion generated by her beautiful voice.

Izzy came to the Boatilla this past year and was hoping to attend Camp Merrywood in the summer. She was very shy and very concerned about her wheelchair which provides her with the ability to move around. Our guys lifted her and her chair onto one of the pontoon boards and she was able to enjoy the boat parade and celebration barbecue.

There have been many Easter Seals children and families at the Boatilla. It is heart-warming to listen to their Camp stories and share their successes. One year they were offered Seadoo rides and they loved it. Their faces shone with joy and their voices were shouting with glee.

Chad and Kierra have gone on to be Ambassadors for Easter Seals. They are poised and accomplished young people.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the camp experience has been very enabling for the children. It empowers them with confidence and optimism and helps build relationships with other campers and leaders.

Our Boatilla is an important event that our community has supported in a very big way. Last year there were over 40 boats which gathered at the boat launch and paraded around the lake. It was an inspiring display of community spirit and commitment. We should be very proud of it and it is back again this year.

So dig deep into your pockets and look forward to the July 2 Buck Lake Boatilla. Donations can be made at EasterSeals.org.

visit http://www.easterseals.org/buck-lake-boatilla/.

Published in NORTH FRONTENAC
Wednesday, 15 June 2016 17:48

Cycle South Frontenac

South Frontenac Rides held their second annual Tour de South Frontenac event at Prince Charles Public School in Verona on Sunday. Although the event was affected by the weather, a good number of cyclists took advantage of the safety clinic for youth, the hands-on bike maintenance workshop that was put on by Yellow Bike Action, and the free burgers, hot dogs and drinks that were prepared by volunteers.

Yellow Bike Action is a Kingston-based not for profit, which has a storefront on York Street in Kingston. It is dedicated to restoring and recycling bicycles and helping people learn how to keep their bicycles in good repair. They can be reached at 613-545-0404 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Tour was the occasion of the launch of South Frontenac Cycling Routes. The map marks out 12 routes, which range in distance from the short and sweet 13 km Sydenham Village Route to the 104 km Crow Lake Route, which includes Crow Lake Road in its entirety, including the very hilly part, and the picturesque Westport Road. Some of the routes on the map were developed by South Frontenac Rides last year, and some are new, including a couple that are part of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere (FAB) mapping.

In addition to the paper maps, the map is available at http://frontenacmaps.ca/sfcycling

The Frontenac Municipal Information Services department designed the map using the latest Geographical Information System (GIS) technology. “This new cycling map is part of an ongoing collaboration to make the wonderful natural spaces in our township more accessible to residents and visitors,” said South Frontenac Rides volunteer and Township of South Frontenac Councilor Ross Sutherland.

The web version of the map will be accessible as riders tour the routes through its mobile version.

“Using ArcGIS Online cloud technology that we host on our own county servers made this application useable across most devices and platforms,” said Kevin Farrell, GIS Specialist for Frontenac County and lead developer of the map.

“It is nice to know we jointly developed this application and that people who are out on their bikes can just pull out their phone and see where they are on the route they choose,” he said.

However, cyclists should also consider carrying a paper version as there are cellular dead zones in rural areas. The map is available at locations in the township, including the township office in Sydenham.

South Frontenac Rides is also participating in an initiative aimed at determining alternative means of commuting for South Frontenac residents.

Published in SOUTH FRONTENAC

Sunday June 12 dawned cool and wet for June - perfect weather for a run or a long walk. That's what more than 50 people did at the Frontenac Arena that morning, raising money for the Frontenac Fury hockey program and helping to bring the Healthy Kids KFL&A Challenge to South and Central Frontenac.

Later on, it was a cold start to Hockey Day, which included an outdoor BBQ and a large bouncy castle. Luckily, the arena was available for some very young players to get in some ball hockey. The weather turned sunny and warm in the afternoon, however, and the once lonely bouncy castle came to life as children and families arrived on the scene in large numbers. The fun continued until late in the afternoon, when the ball hockey league got one of its last sessions of the season underway.

Hockey Day arrived just in time for the Fury to announce that the Girls' Hockey Association has been selected as part of the First Shift Program for the 2016-2017 hockey season. The First Shift aims to overcome barriers to participation in organised hockey.

For a $199 registration, girls between 6 and 10 who are not currently enrolled in hockey can receive a full set of Bauer equipment including: helmet and face mask, shoulder and elbow pads, base layer top with neck guard, Jersey pants and socks, shinguards, protective under shorts, gloves, sticks, and skates.

The program also includes six one-hour on ice training sessions this fall with a 1-4 participant to coach ratio.

The program is designed to focus on fun and on helping kids learn how to skate.

There are 35 spaces available in the program and they will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Families are encouraged to contact the Fury through their facebook page or by email at frontenacfury.ca.

Published in SOUTH FRONTENAC

The Canadian Power and Sail Squadron (CPSS) is a 75-year-old organization devoted to boating in Canada. The local affiliate, Kingston Power and Sail (KPS) is offering a free program to promote safety and help boaters comply with boating regulations.

Stephen Duggan, who lives on Eagle Lake, is a member of KPS and he has organized a Recreational Vehicle Courtesy Checks (RVCC) program for local lakes. Two free safety check rallies will be held in the near future.

The first will be at Eagle Lake on Sunday, June 26 at Parham Landing. From Road 38, take Eagle Lake Road to the end.

The second will be held at Sharbot Lake on Sun. July 3 at the government dock, adjacent to the K&P Railway Park, near the Central Frontenac Township office on Elizabeth Street.

Both rallies are from 10am to 3pm.

A local marina, Sharbot Lake Marina, is offering a 10% discount on safety equipment needed to pass the check.

The safety requirements and criteria for the check are published by Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety in their Safe Boating Guide, which can be found by searching the keywords “safe boating guide Canada” on Google.

The check takes about 15 to 30 minutes to complete, depending on the size of the boat. Boaters who have on board the equipment as outlined in the Safe Boating Guide will receive a 2016 decal that can be displayed on their boat. Authorities will be able to see that the check has been done and give that boat a pass. The check is anonymous; only generic information (boat size and type, complete or uncompleted) is provided to Transport Canada for review.

The foremost purpose of the program is to ensure the safety of everyone in or on the water, but as well, law enforcement levies hefty fines ($200 per offence) for each piece of missing safety equipment, which can add up to thousands of dollars.

The KPS points out in their communications that drinking and boating is not only unsafe, it is illegal and jeopardizes the safety and enjoyment of all those on the water.

Finally, KPS reminds boaters to wear their personal floatation device (PFD) or lifejacket on the water; 80% of boating fatalities involve boaters not wearing them.

Similar events are scheduled for this summer at Charleston Lake, and in Portland, Westport and Rockport.

Stephen Duggan is also approaching the Sharbot Lake Property Owners Association to help publicize the July 3 safety check rally to its members and the KPS is open to setting up similar programs on other lakes with large boating populations.

For further information, contact Steve Duggan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in CENTRAL FRONTENAC
Page 9 of 26
With the participation of the Government of Canada