Canada Day was busy, but it was only the first in a series of summer weekends full of events. Here is a run down of some of the highlights.

Sydenham Triathlon
Sunday July 9th, the 8th annual Sydenham Triathlon/Duathlon runs at the Point. The broad based event includes an Olympic distance triathlon, and a host of other events including only cydling and only running events. For further information go to somersault.ca/eventsydenhamtridu.htm.

Lakes and Trails
Back in Sydenham, on Saturday July 15th the first ever Lakes and Trails Festival is set to run from 10am to 1:45pm. The festival is described by organizers as a “community celebration of our many natural and historical assets” and it features a bike around the lake; a cycle skills course; paddling on the lake; a historic walking tour of Sydenham Village; and a community BBQ. All activities and BBQ are free. Everyone of all ages and abilities is welcome. From 10am until noon hirotic tours of Sydenham are being offered, starting at 10:30 bike around the lake starts (20,32, 1nd 46 km loops are available) Dragon boat instruction and rides are set for 10:30, 11:20 and 12:30. At 11am the canoe club is offering paddle the lake. Frontenac Outfitters have come on board. They will be bringing a trailer full of boats to use free of charge to paddle on the lakes for those who don’t have their own boar. In conjunction with the Canoe Club, introductory instruction will also be available.

The Kingston Frontenac Public Library will be bringing their giant lawn games to the festival. Over sized jenga, chess, checkers, snakes and ladders, dominoes and tic tac toe will be set up between the ball diamond and the Point.  
The BBQ runs from 11:30 to 1:45.

For those interested in learning about bikes a cycling, a skills course will be set up, and  Yellow Bikes of Kingston will be on hand for repairs and advice. For more information go to lakesandtrailsfestival.org, or call 613-374-5211

Frontenac Outfitters is also coming to the Festival.

Music music music
It’s impossible to list all the musical events that are taking place this summer. They range from the informal jam on Wednesday nights at the Sharbot Lake beach that can draw as many a 20 musicians, to major festivals such as Blue Skies in Clarendon that draws thousands. In a nod to the 21st Century, Blus Skies day passes are now available for purchase online at bluskiesmusicfestival.org. Weekend camping passes are still divvied out by a spring lottery, but anyone who ventures to the festival site on the Friday of the August long weekend with a tent, $100 and some hope, will likely end up being able to find a weekend pass. The event runs from August 4-6. Earlier this year, The Canadian Guitar Festival rins from July 28-30 at Loughborough Lake Park on Sydenham Road. It features the top finger style guitarists from around the world over three days. All the details, including ticket information, can be found at canadianguitarfestival.com.

Over in Flinton, also on the August Long Weekend, (August 3-6) the Flinton Jamboree is back for its 13th edition. The Jamboree now incorporates the induction ceremony for the Land O’Lakes Country Music Hall of Fame, which takes place on Saturday afternoon, August 5. Ticket information for day and weekend passes, can be found at flintonjamboree.ca.

Over on Wolfe Island, the Wolfe Island Music Festival is back, on August 11 and 12 (see wolfeislandmusicfestival.com)
Aside from the big events, the biweekly Bedford Jam is going strong and will celebrate its tenth anniversary on July 9th. The Harlowe Ole Tyme Fiddlers runs the 3rd Saturday of the month (July 21 and August 17) the Hilltop Jamboree in McDonalds Corners is set for July 9th, the Cardinal Cafe in Sharbot Lake brings in bands on Thursday nights in the summer, and The Crossing Pub in Sharbot Lake brings in national an international acts on a regular basis for dinner concerts. In addition, one off events in churches and other locations are coming up on almost a weekly basis.

Outdoors events
Both Bon Echo (see bonechofriends.ca) and Frontenac (see frontenacpark.ca) Provincial Parks have full schedules of events throughout the summer. The camping and canoe/kayaking is pretty good as well, as it is at Frontenac Parklands (see northfrontenacparklands.com)

Canada 150
Central Frontenac has a full schedule of events on its plate, all gathered under the banner of CFCanada150.ca. Highlights include the Arden weekend on August 11-13 and the 150 women, 150 stories, 150 words event on July 29th in Sharbot Lake. In South Frontenac, the focus is on the 150th Road Rally Celebration on Saturday, August 26, 2017. Look for details about that event in the coming weeks.

Farms and fairs
Farmers markets in Verona, Sharbot Lake, and McDonalds Corners run every Saturday all summer, and even with the cool rainy weather, produce is picking up more and more as we move into June. Each market has its own style and its own flavours. Later in the summer the Parham Fair will be celebrating its 125 birthday. This year the fair runs Saturday and Sunday, August 19 and 20. Saturday is Agricultural day, with horse shoes and pulls, Palace exhibits and contests, music, vendors, a petting zoo and a midway. On Sunday, the demolition derby is back. Admission is $7 on Saturday and $10 on Sunday. Check facebook or parhamfair.ca for details as they become available. This year fair will also include the work premier of a video by former Fair Board President Wendy Parliament that is all about the past, present, and future of the fair and the local farming community.

On August 26, the perfect little one day Maberly Fair returns with all of its traditional events intact, including the parade, zuchinni races, cake decorating contest, music, horse shoe, food, and more.

And on the Saturday of Labour Day weekend, September 2, the 11th annual Verona Garlic festival will fill the grounds of the Lions Hall in Verona once again this year,

This was just a taste of the events in Frontenac County and vicinity this summer. For details week to week look to Northern Happenings each week or go to our web events headquarters at www.frontenac-live.ca/events.

This week, Frontenac-Live.ca launched a new feature,  the Frontenac Five at Frontenac-live – highlighting five feature events each month for the benefit of tourists and residents alike.

This month the Frontenac Five are Canada Day Infrontenac, Dark Skies on July 22nd at the Dark Sky Preserve on Road 506, the Lakes and Trails Festival in Sydenham, Wolfe Island Culture Days, and Live Music Thursdays at Cardinal Cafe. Check it at www.frontenac-live.ca/events/frontenac-five.

A week ago, just before Canada Day, the Frontenac News teamed up with Frontenac County to launch the Frontenac Five, a web page that is hosted on our Frontenac-live site. The Frontenac Five are signature events or features of Frontenac County that are being highlighted each month. The page includes links to information about the event or feature and links to other information. It will be promoted on our social media feeds, including the newly launched Frontenaclive Instagram page, as well as those of Frontenac County, as well as in the newspaper each month. The initiative is part of an effort to promote the Frontenac County brand ambassador program as well.

The Frontenac Five for July are the Canada Day events, The Cardinal Cafe Thursday Night music series (don’t miss Tara Holloway tonight, by the way) The Lakes and Trails Festival in Sydenham on July 15 (see page 8 for details) Dark Skies in Plevna on July 22, and Wolfe Island Culture Days all month long. Look for the Frontenac Five for August to go up the last week of July.

For more details visit: www.frontenac-live.ca/events/frontenac-five

Central Frontenac’s committee for the celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday has launched a website to disseminate information about events in the township. It is called cfcanada150.ca. There are also links from the Township site and that of the Frontenac Heritage Festival.

On the website, the thirty or so events planned for the year are organized around the slogan “Embrace the Present; Reconnect with the Past; Look to the Future” . But, of course, many events fall into more than one category. And they are spread throughout the year. We will try to list them all on the website and keep the information current as plans unfold. Naturally, they will also show up in Northern Happenings in the Frontenac News and Frontenacnews.ca

There will be the parades and fireworks and festivals and fairs that we enjoy every year but this year they will be bigger and better than ever. And this year they will be topped off with flotillas, winter lake events and other celebrations.  There will be balls and banquets spread through the calendar. We started the year with the Red and White Ball and the New Years Day Levee. We will carry on with a period ball called “A Soiree with Sir John A”, with a “Giving Thanks” dinner to share across the whole community and we will usher out this special year with another New Years Eve dance.

We will enjoy special church services in May and July and the Shabot Obaadjiwan FN will host a sharing circle for the larger community in early autumn.  Heritage events will take different forms.  Many, such as the “150 Quilts” display will be part of the Heritage Festival in February but opening of the Kennebec Heritage Garden will take place later and Virgil Garrett’s collection of grandfather clocks will be on display all year.

And the best may be yet to come. The Village of Arden is planning festival week-ends for mid-June and mid August. Details are still being finalized but both week-ends will include music, sports, food and out-door activities. And last but not least, the North Frontenac Little Theatre will have activities in support of Canada 150 throughout the year. They kicked off this program with “Turtle Crossings” last November. Through 2017, they will be involved in community activities, stage a student theatre camp in August and conclude with a revue called “Central Frontenac Forever” in November.

It’s going to be a busy, fun filled year. The website Cfcanada150 should always have the latest, most accurate information about what’s going on. Keep in touch. Or go to  Canada 150 Central Frontenac on Facebook.

Feature Article - September 8, 2005

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September 8, 2005

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ArchiveImage GalleryAlgonquin Land Claims

Gray MerriamLegaleseGeneral information and opinion on legal topics by Rural Legal ServicesNature Reflectionsby Jean GriffinNight Skiesby Leo Enright

Addington Highlands offers to pay tuition to entice doctors

by Jeff Green

Last year representatives from Addington Highlands participated in five doctor recruitment events. This year they will have something more to offer: they will pay one year’s tuition for every a year a student doctor commits to spending in the township.

“Last year at the recruitment events the student doctors would come to our booth and ask if we have an incentive program. When we said no, they went to the next booth and asked the same question. We would like to be able to offer something when we go to those events this year,” Addington Highlands Reeve Ken Hook said in asking for Council’s support for the tuition fee proposal.

The tuition fee offer has the support of Dr. Tobia of the Northbrook clinic.

“Dr. Tobia suggested the outright cash incentives offered by some communities to attract doctors would not work at the Northbrook clinic since the doctors that practice there now would resent and object to a cash incentive being offered to someone new. However, he felt that a tuition incentive would be supported by the other doctors,” Hook said in a letter to Council in support of the scheme.

A similar program has been instituted in Bancroft. A formal contract is prepared and signed by both parties before any money is transferred.

“Dr. Tobia indicates that there are still 500 people in the area who do not have a family physician, so the need is there,” Reeve Hook told Council.

The incentive is not expected to become a burden to taxpayers, however. A fundraising golf tournament, similar to the Pine Meadow Classic, which raised $12,000 for the Pine Meadow Nursing Home this year, is envisioned as a way of funding the program.

The program could cost between $10,000 and $15,000 per year. Council unanimously endorsed Reeve Hook’s proposal and the incentive will be offered to prospective medical students at a doctor recruitment tour to be held later this month in Kingston.

(For more from Addington Highlands Council see page two)

Feature Article - December 1, 2005

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December 1, 2005

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ArchiveImage GalleryAlgonquin Land Claims

Gray MerriamLegaleseGeneral information and opinion on legal topics by Rural Legal ServicesNature Reflectionsby Jean GriffinNight Skiesby Leo Enright

Letters to the Editor

Where Is Christmas Going? As we met today we couldn't help but be saddened by the morning news that the Government of Canada has declared that all government personnel are to refrain from the use of "Merry Christmas" and substitute instead "Happy Holidays". Is George Orwell's "1984" finally coming true?

We find ourselves expected to understand and accept the traditions and religious beliefs of others and feel we would like the same consideration!

If you are also concerned about this issue, please write to the Governor General.

Merry CHRISTMAS to all!

- The Harlowe United Church Women

North Frontenac ServiceReport Card

Township councillors tell us it works this way: They set the amount of taxes we have to pay, we pay those taxes, they take a salary, hold meetings and see that we are provided the services. It seems to me that the process works up to the point of providing service.

Here's an example: One of my elected members pointed out how nice council had treated me in approving two severances and the purchase of a right of way on my behalf. This so-called township service took four months to complete after my paper work was submitted and cost me almost $3,000 in township fees. (That's above the $2,000 taxes I pay for what?)

Here's your service report card: The Ompah dump is closed. Two days a week the township office is closed and staff is not allowed to answer the phone, so the clerks “can get their work done”. Township administration (not the fire chief) fired our best firefighter. There's that whisper about closing our community centres. Our community volunteers cannot spend their own volunteer funds without council's interference, delay and final consent. The nonsense over the new fire hall at Plevna is disgraceful and, unfortunately, it’s the firefighters and thus our citizens who will pay for that blunder. Today's first snowfall sees no plows, no sand and shamefully unsafe roads at 1:30 P.M.

Look around us: Volunteers are losing interest, businesses are dying, permanent residences are simply laughed at and this township council says, “Pay your taxes and we'll provide the services.”

Apart from 'witching graves', can anyone tell us what those township services are again? J.G. at the News goes to all the meetings; perhaps he knows. Is there a single citizen in North Frontenac who can list even one positive thing that the township does for us aside from collecting the taxes?

- Leo Ladouceur

Re:"Any Sightings of Scott Reid?"I have just read an article in the Frontenac News by Jeff Green entitled "Any Sightings of Scott Reid?" and I would like to draw the newspaper’s attention to a couple of errors in the article.

Green says that "Scott Reid inherited (this riding)...". In fact, Scott won the Federal Election in the newly formed riding of Lanark Frontenac Lennox & Addington against another sitting MP, and he won by an impressive 10,000 votes.

Later, Green states that "...Scott Reid remains a Carleton Place-based politician, and he holds a secure Conservative seat". Far from being a Carleton Place-based politician, Scott has offices in Napanee, Carleton Place and, of course, in Ottawa. Moreover, while half of this new riding was Conservative before the last Election,the other half wasLiberal. If the seat is now securely Conservative, then the cause is Scott Reid’s performance as MP throughout this riding.

- Jim Spencer

Re:"Any Scott Reid Sightings?"In reply to the above query, I know that Scott Reid attends a great many of the local events in this Riding, and he does a great deal more as well. His involvement goes way beyond mere photo opportunities at events and activities. His representation of his constituents through such things as constituency referenda, his Buy Canadian Beef program, his opening of a second office in Napanee, and other similar initiatives are concrete examples of the positive influence Scott Reid has throughout this Riding. We are fortunate he represents us. - Simon Spanchak

Re:Scott Who?Oh yeah, the Reform Member from Lanark. Aside from "Info Bulletin", and "News Update", you wouldn't really know if the guy actually exists. And just for the heck of it, I clipped out and sent the "Yes, I would like to receive updates..." Nothing, maybe he's thinking "the less they see or hear of me the better". After all, his executive resigned en masse about this time last year in response to his "authoritarian" style. And didn't Reid get Stephen Harper to kick a chair at their Montreal convention?

Maybe his former executive members know something about Scott that we don't.

- John McEwen

Re:"Any Scott Reid Sightings?" - Scott Reid Replies

I was a bit surprised by last week’s editorial, which stated that I haven’t been visible in this part of the riding since the election a year and a half ago. In order to set the record straight, I thought I’d list off some of the events that I’ve attended, and groups that I’ve visited, since the last election. In the interest of saving space, I’ve included only items from Frontenac County:

audio-visual presentation of MP office services to Central Frontenac Township Council;

audio-visual presentation of MP office services to South Frontenac Township Council;

Sheep Marketing Agency annual banquet, Sydenham;

St. John’s Church 110th Anniversary service, Ardoch;

Pumpkin Festival, Battersea;

Santa Claus Parade, Sharbot Lake;

flag-laying ceremony on the graves of veterans, Sydenham;

Santa Claus Parade, Parham & Tichborne;

Frontenac Ploughing Match, Hartington;

Parham Fair;

“Feast of the Fields”, Elginburgh;

Frontenac Farmers’ Market, Verona;

meeting with Mitchell Creek residents regarding the bridge, Loughborough;

meeting with local residents regarding the water, Sydenham.

Travelling around the riding and meeting constituents at events like these is probably the part of being an MP that I enjoy the most, and I hope to keep on doing so after the coming election.

- Scott Reid, MP

Re:"Any Scott Reid Sightings?"

Unfortunately Mr. Green doesn’t seem to be aware of the full schedule of events and activities that Scott Reid has been involved in as our Member of Parliament for Lanark, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (a job he won with a whopping 10,000 majority over another sitting MP).

However, Mr. Reid’s involvement does not stop at attending events and activities. He has developed a number of vital area projects above and beyond the normal scope of a federal representative. For example, Scott created and guides the "Buy Canadian Beef" campaign in support of the beef farmers in this riding, and by extension, for all beef farmers across Canada.

Scott has also initiated a number of constituency referenda on critical items. When a salary increase was voted into being for all MP’s, Scott went to his constituents and asked them if he should keep it, reject it, or use it for a worthwhile cause. The result is a major program for students to learn the life-saving skills of CPR, and to provide defibrillators for rural fire stations and police vehicles.

Most recently Scott conducted a referendum on same-sex marriage. He wanted to know how his constituents wanted him to vote on the issue, and he voted accordingly. This is the Scott Reid way - he believes he is our Member of Parliament to represent us, the voters - not to tow the party line.

So yes, there are lots of "Sightings" of Scott Reid, and there are many more as well.

- Evan Crandall

Feature Article - February 23, 2006

Feature Article

February 23, 2006

NorthCountry Riders gets ready for 2006

by Meghan Balogh

Calling all horse lovers! The North Country Riders horse club is beginning their 2006 season, and the plans are bigger and better than ever.

Founded in 2005, North Country Riders (NCR) is a riding club based in Parham , Ontario . Last year, NCR hosted two horse shows, two trail rides and a fun day for their members and for horse people throughout the community.

NCR's focus is to provide riders and horses of all ages, disciplines, and riding levels an opportunity to experience a relaxed show environment, trail ride events, and horse fun days.

NCR horse shows seek to incorporate both friendly competition and learning. The judges are fair, yet also an encouragement to inexperienced riders, and willing to give advice for personal improvement. All horse shows are held at the Parham Fairgrounds.

Trail rides are hosted by various club members from all corners of Frontenac County . These events are a great way to enjoy an afternoon with your family and horses, and you can make new friends in the process.

Fun days are non-competitive and offer standard western games and games invented by the club's members. This is a great event for those who don't like the pressure of showing, who want to have some fun with their horse, and who would love to get to know other members.

We hope that you will join us for some friendly competition and fun in the summer of 2006. For more information on North Country Riders, to see a schedule of events for 2006, or to access membership and entry forms, please visit our website at www.northcountryriders.ca. Or, you can speak to board members, who would love to answer your questions: Elaine Steele, 335-2529; Denise Cota, 375-6619; Meghan Balogh, 335-2895; Shannon Gray, 335-4303.

Happy riding in 2006!

Feature Article - June 15, 2006

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Feature Article - June 15, 2006

Summer Solstice gathering inSharbotLake

by JeffGreen

From early in the morning until dusk, activities involving a broad spectrum of community groups, from schools, church and seniors groups, and the Sharbot Mishigama First Nation, will take place at the Sharbot Lake beach on Wednesday, June 21.

The events are being organised mainly by Cheryl Matson and the Highway 7 Community Development Corporation.

“I have always had a solstice party,” Matson said in describing how this new event came about, “and the CDC wanted to do something social, and I thought this would be something that would not be limited to a single group but would be for the entire community.”

The 21st of June is also National Aboriginal Day, and since the Sharbot Mishigama Anishnabe Algonquins (SMAA) and their Chief Doreen Davis were interested in sharing their celebration of the day with the rest of the community, a day of events began taking shape.

In the morning, children from the Child Centre and from different playgroups will come to the beach for a story and a craft. At noon, students from Land o’ Lakes Public School , Hinchinbrooke School , Sharbot Lake Public School and St. James Catholic School will arrive. They will be greeted by a set of stations around the beach where they can participate in many activities.

Martin Wotherspoon, a student in the St. Lawrence College Alternative Energy program will set up a solar wall display, and Sun Volts (an alternative power business) will also set up a display. There will be two solar telescopes available, and the Friends of the Salmon River will be bringing a solar oven. There will be an opportunity to paint a sun on a T-shirt; the KFL&A Health Unit will have display about sun safety; the SMAA will present Algonquin stories about the bear/star constellation and the students will be able to make sun catchers as well.

At about 1:30pm Leo Enright will take the students and, outfitted with planets that were made at Sharbot Lake Public School last week, he will place students around the park in the same relative location as all of the planets are at this time of year. Other classes will then be placed around the park in the location of different constellations at this time of year. The students will turn the beach into a human model of the solstice night sky.

Organisers are hoping that the students will go home and tell their families to come back to the beach, because events will continue to develop throughout the afternoon and evening.

At four o’clock, clergy from area churches will be on hand to judge the biscuits and white cake competition (entry forms are available at the Treasure Trunk and the Valumart store), and the cakes and biscuits will then be used as the base for fresh strawberry shortcake which will be available to one and all (strawberries will be supplied by Crooked Hill Farm and cream by Robinsons Dairy. The Arden Glee Club will sing.

The public is then invited to bring a picnic to share with friends and the Sharbot Mishigama Algonquins will provide traditional food as well.

At 7:00 the planet/puppets will be put to use again as a parade winds its way through the park. There will be Celtic music and the SMAA drum as well, and a ceremonial fire will be lit as dusk approaches. Leo Enright will be on hand to point out the constellations as they appear in the June sky.

There is no entry fee for the Summer Solstice Gathering, and people are invited to attend at any point in the proceedings.

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Feature Article - August 10, 2006

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Feature Article - August 10, 2006

Verona Festival building on ten years of success

by Jeff Green

Last year’s 10th anniversary of the Verona Festival was a high water mark for the annual celebration of community life, featuring record-setting attendance and giving organizers and participants a feeling that the festival had really come into its own.

This year’s festival will introduce some new events and different performers, at the same time keeping up the traditions it has been built upon.

One new event is a pet show, which will take place between 11am and 1pm on Saturday. It will be hosted by Furry Friends, Verona ’s own pet store. The show will be an opportunity for pet lovers to show off their animals. There are three categories of competition in the show: the cutest pet, the best dressed pet (for those who bring their animal in costume), and the best pet trick. There is a #2 entry fee to the show, and there will be prizes for all. Although it is new, the pet show harkens back to the early years of the festival, when a pet parade took place. Dogs and cats, even the occasional chickens paraded around the festival grounds in costume during several of the early Verona Festivals. The pet parade was replaced after a couple of years with a full-fledged parade which marks the start of the festival on Friday evening at 7:00 pm. On Friday, night, popular children’s performers Shari and Jerry will entertain, followed by one of the most accomplished country bands around, Red Rose Express with Sawn McCullough.

Saturday is always a busy day at the Festival. It all starts with a pancake breakfast between 7:30 and 9:00, and after that there a numerous events starting up, including antique car displays, a craft show, and flea market, and for the first time there will be a mini putt course set up. The Red Green boat races will take place at 1:00 pm, but entrants will start building their cardboard and duct tape boats at 11:30 am.

Concurrent with the festival, the Frontenac Farmers’ Market will be held, as usual, between 8:00 and 12:00 at the Lions’ Hall grounds on Verona Sand Road .

At 1:30 in the afternoon, performances will begin on the main stage. Performers will include pianist Lisa Carue, Handsome Molly (bluegrass), Stone Mills Idol, Crooked Wood (folk).

The United Church will present a fish fry starting at 5:00 pm, and at 7 pm the evening performances begin with Rock n’ Roll bands the Brink and Bauder Road playing.

Many of the hands-on activites will return on Sunday, along with the annual ecumenical church service and the Soap Box derby.

In the afternoon, Lisa Carue starts off the program, followed by gospel bands The Old Hims and Crimson River . The final performance of the weekend will be a good one, as the popular Celtic band Shores of Newfoundland will take the stage.

The Festival will wind down at about 4:30 on Sunday afternoon, when prize draws will be held, including the winner of the bike giveaway.

There are many more events and activities planned for this year’s festival. For information, pick up a brochure or check www.veronacommunity.on.ca.

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Feature Article - September 7, 2006

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Feature Article - September 7, 2006

Weekend events carry on, in spite of wet weather

Exhibitors atSundanceStudio onZealand Rod, a popular stop on the Inroads tour.(L toR)GaryBarr, JohnMacDonald, CarmenAllen,Mark Burnham, DawnBurnham, Doug MacDonald, and CamAllen. Smart’s Marina, the artisans of the Inroads Tour and the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation all spent months planning annual events for Labour Day Weekend, only to be greeted with news of Ernesto’s northward spread of cold, wet weather right in the middle of their events.

For the Inroads tour people, the weather did not prove to be a hindrance since most of the artisans were showing their work indoors. Attendance at the tour was up over last year.

At Smart’s Marina, the rain did not stop the fish from biting, and the hardy fishermen told themselves the weather was ideal for bass fishing.

The Ardoch Algonquin’s third annual Pow wow got off to a booming start on Saturday, and although it was a struggle, spirits remained high throughout the rain showers that came on late Saturday, and persisted right through Sunday.

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Feature Article - October 5, 2006

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Feature Article - October 5, 2006

Marigolds at MERA

by Linda Rush

Friday, Sept. 29th, was one of the coldest evenings we’ve had so far, and the furnace was not working at the MERA Schoolhouse in McDonalds Corners, but this did not deter an audience of about 60 people from enjoying a terrific concert put on there by “The Marigolds”. This group is composed of Suzie Vinnick, Caitlin Hanford and Gwen Swick, each of whom is an outstanding singer songwriter in her own right. Singing a mixture of blues, folk, country and jazz tunes, they captivated the audience with their wonderful voices and beautiful harmonies. The MERA Schoolhouse is a wonderful setting for an intimate concert, with its good acoustics and comfortable ambiance. This concert was one of a series organized by Jenny Whiteley of Elphin. Several of these excellent events have been offered in the Maberly Hall in the past year or two. Our community is indeed fortunate to have a musician of the caliber of Jenny who is willing to bring quality musical events to local audiences. Jenny does not have another such concert finalized at the moment, but if you want to keep up to date on her activities you can visit her website at jennywhiteley.com

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