The MERA schoolhouse in McDonalds Corners was the place to be on February 10 for music lovers wanting to sample the talents of two groups, both of whom are no strangers to the local music scene.

Listeners were first treated to the sounds of the sibling duo “Charlie in the Middle” comprised of Margaret and Noah Sullivan. Margaret played her stand-up bass, which she calls “Charlie”, hence the band name, and Noah played acoustic guitar. They shared lead vocals and provided each other with delicate harmonies in a repertoire comprised of both cover and original folk/roots material. Favorites included a cover of Sherman Downie's “Blue” whom the two met while he and his band toured local festivals last summer. Their version included beautifully blended harmonies and a plucky chorus. They also covered North Carolina songster Jonathan Byrd's “I was an Oak Tree”, which Noah sang with guts and gusto. (Byrd will be back at MERA performing along with Catherine MacLellan on March 9).

Other memorable covers the duo offered included Tom Waits' classic “Ol' 55” as well as a number of catchy original tunes. One noteworthy original was written by Margaret and inspired by regular family car drives to their grandmothers and the vehicles’ strange tendency to wind up at a beloved local doughnut shop. Margaret described those trips as inspiring the song and “a willingness to suspend your disbelief.”

The Long Sault Trio, a group that's hard to pin down as far as musical genres go, offered up their wide ranging repertoire of original material inspired by classic folk, blues, country, Celtic, rock as well as old jazz and swing standards. The group, who have been playing together as a trio for two years, is comprised of Linda Grenier on lead vocals/guitar, local famed fiddler Victor Maltby, and Dave Tilston on guitar/mandolin. The three opened up their set with numerous selections of their all original material comprised of and demonstrating the various styles that they are influenced and inspired by. Their first tune, a waltz called “I Wish It Was Me”, demonstrated both the trio’s talent as individual players and their prowess as an ensemble with pitch-perfect a capella harmonies that accented Genier's rich and expressive vocal stylings.

Their second tune was an original reel/medley featuring Maltby on the fiddle and Tilston on mandolin, which demonstrated their mastery of the Celtic genre. Tilston’s original up beat blues-inspired tune “Can't Get Out of These Blues”, which featured Tilston on lead vocals, Maltby on saxophone and Genier on brushes demonstrated the group’s further flexibility and comfort as straight ahead blues practitioners. Grenier had numerous opportunities to show off her skills as a jazz/blues diva on tunes like Tilston's original jazz standard inspired “I'm Lucky” as well as on Grenier's own original titled “Moonlight”, the latter of which highlighted not only Grenier's vocal strengths but also the heart and personal experience that bring a truthfulness to the lyrics that she sings so well.

For those who missed the MERA performance, the Long Sault Trio will be performing at the ABC hall in Bolingbroke on Fri. March 1 at 7:30pm.

Tom Shoebridge, who organized the Blue Jeans Classical Concert series at the MERA Schoolhouse, recalled that the idea to book a bassoonist for the final concert of the series was greeted with hesitation. “Some said that if we booked a bassoonist - no one would come...”.

However “they” were proved very, wrong indeed. Not only did people come, but they filled the hall and gave an uproarious standing ovation to acclaimed bassoonist Richard Hoenich and his accompanist Scott Richardson following an exceptionally entertaining concert on February 17.

The bassoon is thought of by many as the most clownish instrument in the orchestra but Hoenich's varied musical program and his masterful playing quashed that stereotype from the beginning. The program included a wide variety of well-known classical pieces covering a huge historical time period and vast emotional ground. The concert opened with a light and cheerful Mozart Andante originally written for flute and orchestra, which showed the bassoon at its most elegant and refined. This was contrasted with the next selection, Schumann's anxious, unsettling and vexing fantasy suite in three movements, which were written when the composer was in a desperate mental state, and which demonstrated the bassoon's more serious side. Both pieces showed Hoenich's mastery not only of the instrument but also his ability to express the wide range of feelings that these two very different composers intended.

The program also included a number of contemporary pieces, including one by Eric Ewazen titled "Allegro Vivace", a jaunty, rapid fire piece with the two players often sounding like they were playing a game of musical tag.

At this point I should mention the incredible ability and versatility of accompanist Scott Richardson, who not only met Hoenich's playing note for note (and in the Schumann piece played three notes to Hoenich's one), but also stole the limelight on many occasions, demonstrating his flexibility and dexterity as a player. It was interesting to watch the subtle connection the two maintained throughout the concert.

Hoenich also has the gift of the gab and shared many amusing tales, like his experiences studying with famed conductor and West Side Story composer Leonard Bernstein. Hoenich recalled him as a genius who often struggled with his desire to become as respected and well known for his compositions as for his conducting. Hoenich played one Bernstein composition- “Cool”, the instrumental piece that animates the tense fight scene in West Side Story between the Sharks and the Jets. He and Richardson nailed it in all of its staccato and fitful finger-snapping glory.

In his second set Hoenich educated listeners about the bassoon, a member of the woodwind family, which, if it were stretched out, would measure 8 feet in length. It arrived on the music scene in 1540 in Italy and there is called “fagotta” because in its early forms, it resembled a bundle of sticks. He spoke of the mechanics of the instrument, how the sound is created and how store-bought reeds require meticulous reshaping to make them sound right. Continuing the program, Hoenich played a Camille Saint-Saens piece written in 1921, the one and only piece in the entire program written specifically for the bassoon. He also played an Astor Piazzolla tango titled “Oblivion”, a more mellow type of tango with long tender melody lines and a dreamy piano accompaniment. He ended the program with his 1 minute/10 second rendition of "Flight of the Bumble Bee", which of course brought down the house. Hoenich, I learned is not only an acclaimed player and recording artist but also a conductor, who served both as principal bassoonist and associate conductor with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, was resident conductor at the New Worlds Symphony in Miami as well as director of orchestras at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Currently he also runs a well-known bassoon camp in the summer months in Lanark County. He is not only an articulate, funny, knowledgeable and very generous performer who loves to share his experiences and has a penchant for telling great stories, but most importantly, he is a passionate musician helping to keep classical music alive and well in the area.

Those who missed the concert, have no fear. Due to the success of the Blue Jeans Classical Concert series, MERA organizers are planning more classical concerts in the near future. Hopefully Hoenich and Richardson will be back.

There was something for everyone at this year's 7th annual Frontenac Heritage Festival, which ran from February 15 to 18 and included a plethora of events in Central Frontenac put on by various community groups. The festival was moved to Family Day Weekend this year in the hopes of attracting out of town visitors as well as the local community. The festival attracts roughly 1200 people every year.

The breakfast kick off on Friday opened with a blessing by Chief Doreen Davis and included a presentation by Wayne Harris about the history of the K&P Trail. The Strong Women Drum Circle performed along with students from St. James Major Catholic School, who sang the national anthem.

Friday's highlight was the evening variety show at St. James Major Hall in Sharbot Lake. It opened with a wide variety of local musical talent, courtesy of the Center Stage Café House Band; Renee, Dan and Alyshia Richard of Arden (with 16-year-old Alyshia demonstrating her promise as a young and upcoming original country music talent); and second time to the stage, local crooners Rob and Nancy Moore with their selection of mellow covers.

Headliner Roger James, a Detroit-born comedian who worked for years alongside Nancy White in the Three Headed Trio, tickled the funny bones of the capacity crowd with his musical comedy. He demonstrated his prowess on guitar, banjo and bodhran drum, and his clever and witty antics poked fun at the metric system in his tune 500 Kilometers. His interactive show delighted the crowd and he easily managed the two young hecklers in the front row.

On Saturday at Oso Hall the Sharbot Lake Farmers Marketeers offered up their wide range of goods and services along with numerous heritage displays, including quilting. The Crow Lake School House as usual was a popular destination both for busloads of local school students, and a handful of brave young winter campers who experienced a night of winter camping and typical pioneer life. Other heritage enthusiasts enjoyed numerous heritage displays, including hand-made heritage guns and other implements courtesy of Bob Miller; an upholstery demonstration by Josh Amlin; rug hooking with Sandra Moase; spinning & weaving by Beth Abbott; soaps and knitting by Kathy Martin; tomahawk tossing with Mike Procter; and on the menu, hearty turkey soup, apple pie and samples of fresh goat cheese. Visitors were also treated to the festival's special campfire-cooked Crow's Feet donuts.

Photo above:  members of the Sharbot Lake Farmers Market, Janet, Pat, and Mary at Oso hall with festival chair Central Frontenac Mayor and market and festival enthusiast Lyla Duggan.

Photo below:  at the Crow Lake School house l-r, Earl Bain, Peter Boudreau, Bob Miller and Laura Michels handle locally made heritage guns.

Polar Plunge

Photo: ballerina Jen Farnum was a graceful plunger

On Sunday over 100 people gathered in the -20 degree temperatures and a fierce biting wind at the Sharbot Lake Marina to witness dozens take the Polar Bear Plunge to raise funds for the Child Centre, the Sharbot Lake High School council and the Alzheimer's Society. Since the event's inception plungers have raised over $20,000 for a number of local community groups and causes.

Antique lovers got their fill at Dr. Bell's historic log home on the Fall River Road where Gordon Wright from Kennebec Lake entertained visitors on banjo and bagpipes, and a young bonneted and aproned Tilda Bron served up home-made biscuits. Visitors had a chance to explore Bell's amazing collection of heritage antiques and implements. The second storey of the house was open this year and a tour through it revealed four large bedrooms, each boasting interesting pieces, including a quilting frame, numerous settle beds or beggar's benches, as well as examples of typical domestic art pieces mounted in shadow boxes. One, an intricate hair wreath, was made from human hair.

Bell was pleased with the turnout and said he is happy to open the home to visitors. “I have a passion for old things and the old way of life and I think there's kind of a universal attraction to it. You can see people's faces light up when they are here and you can see the place and antiques grab them.”

Central Frontenac Mayor Janet Gutowski initiated the festival seven years ago and she continues to act as chair. She was pleased with how everything came together this year. “This is one of the few events where we have the participation of the whole of the township and beyond. Our goal with the festival is to make it a self-sufficient, community-driven event and we have been very successful in achieving that, thanks to all of the community groups who recognize the event as a way to fund raise and to create awareness of what they have to offer.”

Winter Fun on Kennebec Lake

Members of the Kennebec Lake Association made a sunny section of the lake a destination for family fun on February 16 as part of the 7th Annual Heritage Festival. The second annual event gave local residents a great excuse to get out on the lake and to enjoy some snowshoeing and skating on a rink that volunteers had prepared a week before. Volunteers not only supplied the snowshoes, hockey sticks and pucks but also offered up a hot snack of chili and hot chocolate. Back by popular demand was association member Howie MacKenzie's famous home-made fish chowder, which boasts five different types of fish including shrimp, basa, scallops, salmon and clams- it alone was more than enough to attract visitors to the Kennebec event, which is fast becoming a popular one for local residents during the Frontenac Heritage Festival weekend.

The Heritage Festival's Family Run/Walk

Photo: The family relay winners, the Pickard family with Mayor Janet Gutowski.

The Heritage Festival's Family Run/Walk was held on the Sunday, Feb 18. The results are: 2K Walk/Run (First Local Trophy given by the Rising Bun): Male - Ben Lusk; Female - Annika Putnam. 5K Walk/Run (Trophy given by the Heritage Committee): Male: Kyle Kinkly-Dale; Female: Sarah Armstrong. 10K Walk/Run (Trophy given by St. Lawrence Employment Centre): Male: Jim Steele; Female: Anne Marie Carter-McAuslan. Family Relay 10K (Trophy given by Oso Rec Committee): The Pickard Family - Lesley, David, Sam, Ben. There were over 50 participants and $400 was raised for Fitness stations on the Trans-Canada Trail

Over 150 people gathered at the Frontenac Arena in Piccadilly for third annual day of family fun in the winter sun on February 18. Visitors were treated to a free BBQ and a number of games and rides that kept youngsters entertained through the morning and afternoon. There was a constant group waiting for Norm Garrison of Parham, who offered horse drawn wagon rides. Kids won an assortment of free prizes as they snow shoed, ice fished, tossed bean bags, frisbees and rings, and rolled hula hoops, while others opted to climb the 8-foot snow banks surrounding the grounds. Inside the arena volunteers from all of the South Frontenac were invited to enter a draw, and the winners won gift certificates to Local Family Farms and Blossoms, two local area businesses who generously donated the prizes for this year’s draw.

The event was organized by Dan Bell and Pam Morey of Harrowsmith, who enlisted the help of a crew of dedicated volunteers. Bell said the event “is a great friendly, free event for everyone in the area and encourages people to get outside and have some fun. We are Canadians after all .. and the winter season offers up a great opportunity for everyone to enjoy the great outdoors.”

Although Bob Seger was referring to “that old time rock and roll”, many of us are reminiscing about “the days of old” as we look back affectionately on all the wonderful times spent at Sharbot Lake High School. Even with all the excitement that accompanies the building of a “new” educational facility, there are many fond memories that come to mind as we say goodbye to the “old” school.

In celebration of those “by-gone days”, a committee of energetic organizers has planned a final opportunity for SLHS alumni to gather together before the old building is subjected to a wrecking ball. The event, which is taking place on Saturday, May 25th, 2013, is being referred to as The Last Waltz, and has been planned in combination with the 65th Anniversary of Sharbot Lake High School.

The Last Waltz is intended to be a tribute to all the wonderful music that has been performed on the SLHS auditorium stage. It will involve a concert beginning at 11 a.m. and continuing well into the afternoon featuring an array of alumni musicians representing much of what has been enjoyed on the SLHS auditorium stage over the years. Wrist bands can be purchased at the door for $5, allowing people to come and go throughout the day as they please. The concert will provide an entertaining backdrop for a celebration of the school’s 65th Anniversary giving people the opportunity to socialize with old friends, and reminisce about “the good old days” as they enjoy a variety of displays and memorabilia as well as wander the hallways of SLHS. Lunch will be available on-site to satisfy people’s appetites. The supper time period has been left open for people to relax with friends and family over a meal at one of our local restaurants/venues or at private gatherings before the evening fun begins.

The day will culminate with a Concert/Dance from 7:30 p.m. to 12 midnight featuring the extremely talented Shawn McCullough and his band. It is going to be a great evening of merriment with a light buffet (11 p.m.) included and a licensed bar. Tickets will be $30/person. Due to limited space, they will be sold in advance, and can be obtained from the SLHS main office. If you are looking forward to attending the dance, make sure that you and your group purchase your tickets well ahead of time.

So mark Saturday, May 25 on your calendar, and join us for an enjoyable trip “Down Memory Lane”. Although the organizing committee is doing its best to advertise the event, we are also relying on the power of social media to get the word out. Please let other alumni know by messaging your former classmates online. You might even consider combining this event with plans for your own group reunion. See you at the Last Waltz!

t's that time again. The Polar Bear Plunge will be a key activity at the Central Frontenac Heritage Festival. The event will take place at 10 a.m. on Sunday, February 17 at the Sharbot Lake Marina. This is the 3rd annual Plunge and we encourage you to join us in the balmy waters of Sharbot Lake to raise funds for three very worthwhile groups: Children's and Youth Programs at the Child Centre (unfunded programs); Sharbot Lake High School Council (Council of students, teachers and parents) and the Alzheimer’s Society.

Richard Struthers has the pumps on and the marina is ready to host the event. Bill Young and the firefighters will once again be in the water to assist, and Emergency Services Personnel will be on hand to ensure our safety.

Trophies will be provided by St. Lawrence College and awarded for the oldest, youngest, best costume and most funds raised. This year's fund raising will feature a number of fund raising challenges with two previous winners squaring off - Mark Montagano "It's a cage match" vs. Art Holloway "The gloves are off". Challenge a friend; challenge a colleague; challenge yourself. It's all in aid of three worthy organizations.

It’s a lot of fun and the costumes just keep getting better. Over 95% of last year's plungers returned from the previous year's event. Last year a number of junior plungers joined us. The youngest plunger was 11, but there’s room for more senior citizen participants - Come on, you’ve always wanted to do it. We need a few more adventuresome souls to step up and take the plunge. Believe me, with all the crowds, the hype and the music - the water actually feels warm.

To receive a brochure and pledge forms, please contact the "Head Polar Bear", Mark Montagano, at 613-279-2886 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Plungers are already working on their costumes and collecting pledges. If you can't take the Plunge, please sponsor a Plunger.

We need a volunteer to do a video of the event. In fact, we want to use the video to entice Rick Mercer to join us in a future Plunge.

Even as a cold snap was setting in at the Flinton Recreation Centre on Monday, Jan. 21, all thoughts were focused on a steamy June night as the committee organizing the return of the Flinton Relay held their first meeting of the year.

The committee took a year off after the 2011 relay, which raised a staggering $130,000, and while they have set a more modest target of $70,000 this year, they do expect to entice between 30 and 35 teams to join in. There were 35 teams in the 2011 Flinton Relay.

The committee will be led by co-chairs Carolyn Hasler and Donna Wood this year, and a number of the area chairs are back from 2011, including: Sue Tobia (luminiarias), Sherry Tebo (Survivors), James Wood (logistics and facilities), Edna and Bethany Lessard (events), Brian Whitelock (volunteers), Beth Hasler, (registration/recruitment), and Janice Andrew (Finance)

The meeting this week drew 27 people, and organisational meetings will be held monthly from now on, starting on February 13 at 7:00 pm at the Rec. Centre.

The official kick off to the relay is slated for April and anyone who is interested in participating or volunteering can phone Donna at 613-336-8114, Carolyn at 613-336-8659, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Photo: Bob Miller winter camping at -24 celsius. It doesn't get any better than this

Again this February the Heritage Festival will hold an overnight camping experience open to everyone. Last year eight brave souls ventured into the world of winter camping and all survived to tell about it - in fact, most of these are returning to try it again! The evening will begin with a hearty supper of homemade stew, cooked over an open fire.

Through the evening the kind people of Crow Lake will visit to offer moral support and goodies. Everyone is invited to visit the encampment through the evening and get a taste of the life of a heritage fur trapper. Period canvas tents and a large lean-to will provide shelter through the night and a roaring fire will be kept going to provide warmth. The heated school house will be kept open through the night to use the washrooms or to warm up if necessary. In the morning a delicious home cooked breakfast will be served to all who survive the night.

There is no cost to participate in this fun event but space is limited, so you must pre-register by calling Mike at 613-279-2572 or Bob at 613-279-3003. There is room for only a few more campers so call soon to book your spot.

Robbie Burns would have been proud of the Birthday Celebration held in his honour in Northbrook on January 26. Gordon Sparks, enthusiast of all things Scottish, and Ian Brumell arranged the high spirited, sold-out  evening of fine dining,  poetry readings, music and Scottish Country dancing. It was sponsored by the Cloyne & District Historical Society. The Lions Hall was transformed into a romantic venue where Piper Mark Rowe of Denbigh piped in a delicious haggis that was addressed  "cut up wi' ready slight " and served with a wee dram.  

Contributing to the program were the Men's Chorus  (Gordon McCulloch, Ernest MacChinski and Gordon Sparks) Ian Brumell, Joe Grant, Eileen Flieler, Graydon MacCrimmon, Dallas and Randy Arney, Margaret Axford, Sandra Sparks, Ken Hook, and Carolyn McCulloch.

The exuberant occasion was a "first" for this area, and hopefully will become an annual event. It was a fundraiser for the extension of the Cloyne Pioneer Museum and Archives. The expanded building  will provide more display and storage space, as well as a wheelchair accessible washroom, space for preparing artifacts for display and an area for classroom presentations and research. The construction, under the leadership of Ian Brumell, is on track in every way. The addition will open in the summer of 2013.

The popular Walk/Run & Family Relay is sponsored by St. Lawrence Employment Services and will take place on Monday February 18. The Walk starts at 1pm; the Run at 1:30pm. Contestants may walk or run the 2k, 5k or 10k distances throughout the village of Sharbot Lake. Registration is 12:30pm at the Medical Center and the entrance fee is $10/person; $20/family. Proceeds will go to support the Oso Recreation Committee for fitness stations along the Trans-Canada Trail. The first 50 to register will receive a free tote bag. Call Rudy at 613-279-2761 for more information.

Oso Rec Committee Family Fun Day:  Also on Monday Feb 18, the Oso Rec Committee will be holding their annual Family Fun Day at Oso Beach. All events start at noon, and will include Skating; Snowshoeing; Spider dogs on an open fire; Broom Ball games, Horse-drawn wagon rides; Snow Taffy making; and of course, hot chocolate. Best of all, everything is free!