By Jeff Green

About five years ago a group called the Northern Rural Youth Partnership was founded by a number of individuals and agencies that are committed to bringing programming and services for youth to Frontenac County.

The partnership took shape in a half-day facilitated session in Sharbot Lake that was attended by about 50 people. During these kinds of sessions there are always opportunities for brain-storming, for putting out ideas that may not be easy to bring about because of costs or other factors. The one idea that everyone agreed to at that founding meeting was the creation of a youth centre.

Since that meeting, the Rural Youth Partnership, under the umbrella of NFCS, has survived. It has been able to establish a number of ongoing after-school programs, youth dances and outreach events throughout North and Central Frontenac, and starting this summer there will be a temporary youth centre set up in Sharbot Lake.

The centre will be based at the public meeting room at the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team, and will be open on Wednesdays and Fridays.

As well, NFCS has been successful in securing a Trillium Grant for $86,000 to continue offering youth programming, both at the new centre and at other locations.

Catherine Larkin, who works for the Children's Aid Society, has taken a leave of absence this winter to work on a master's degree. Part of her work has been to look at the demand for and feasibility of a youth centre in the Sharbot Lake area.

Last Thursday, March 31, she presented some of the results of her work to a meeting of the Northern Rural Youth Partnership and a number of representatives from recreation committees in Central Frontenac.

In addition to outlining the services that have been developed over the last few years, she talked about some interesting survey results. A survey of youth who participate in the existing youth program as well as students at Sharbot Lake High School, showed significant support for a youth centre.

“Sixty-nine percent of those surveyed supported the centre strongly” said Larkin “but there were other interesting results as well. Seventy-six percent of those surveyed said the youth centre should be located in Sharbot Lake. Another interesting finding, though not a positive one, was that 76% said they do not participate in any community activities currently, and 44% said they would need transportation to get to a youth centre.”

In terms of what the youth would like to do at a centre and through other programming, there was a tendency towards unstructured activities such as “computer access, a place to hang out, and a place to play games.” There was also interest expressed in movies, dances, cooking and music.

Catherine Larkin also had access to survey information that pointed to how much need there is for youth activities in the region. Some of the information is encouraging. Based on numbers that show a decrease in unemployment and in the number of families spending 30% or more of their income on housing, poverty seems to be easing in the region rather than getting worse. But some of the standardized educational test results have been discouraging. Alcohol use among high school students seems to be on the rise, and factors such as the number of students who do not expect to graduate high school and the number of students, particularly boys, who do not have a “positive sense of belonging” to the community is high.

“All of this information points to a need for youth programming and a youth centre,” said Larkin, “and it is a good first step to have this temporary centre in place.

“The partnership with the Family Health Team has made the youth centre possible,” said NFCS Executive Director Don Amos, “and what we need now is more engagement from youth and families to bring about more events and activities.”

Participants in last week's meeting brought forward ideas about activities they can help to organize and it is hoped that the recreation committees and the youth partnership will work together to bring more programs and events for youth.

A major video dance is being planned for May. It will be a collaboration between the North Rural Youth Partnership and the Oddfellows and Rebekkahs of Harrowsmith, and is taking place at the Frontenac Community Arena in Piccadilly. (see upcoming issues for details)

The youth centre at the Family Health Team will be starting up this June. 

Photo:  Mandy Steele riding Zena Warrior Princess and Elaine Steele riding Chanticleer Shadow, during a competition.

The annual awards banquet for the Ontario Competitive Trail Riding Association was held in Belleville on February 19. Once again the people from our area were well recognized with awards for riding in these long distance riding events.

Elaine Steele on her 13-year-old Arabian Gelding, Chanticleer Shadow, received many trophies and awards for the following: Champion Overall; Champion Endurance; 4th place in Competitive Trail Riding; High Point Arabian; Best conditioned Horse; Highest Mileage Horse

Elaine Steele riding Chanticleer Shadow was recently recognized by Endurance Canada, as being the 6th place endurance rider in Canada, and received a certificate to show this.

Chanticleer Shadow also received an award for accumulating 2000 miles in competition, while Elaine received an award for accumulating 4500 miles in competition.

Elaine and Rick Steele both received awards for accumulating 1000 worker credits for volunteering in OCTRA events. Rick was also recognized for his contributions to OCTRA for managing two events in the 2010 ride season.

Elaine Steele’s second horse, Zena Warrior Princess, a part Arabian Pinto, who was ridden primarily by her daughter Mandy Steele, was Reserve Champion in the Competitive Trail Riding events for the 2010 ride season. This was Mandy’s first year competing in long distance riding.

Dagmar Downes, riding her 17-year-old Morab Gelding, Obi-Wan Gunnobi (Gunner) received the following awards: High Point Part Morgan; and 6th place in Endurance. Dagmar also received an award for accumulating 3000 miles in competition.

Dagmar Downes’ second horse Princess Leah, also a Morab, placed 9th in the Competitive Trail Riding events.

Everyone is looking forward to another exciting season of competitions, which will include the Provincial Championship Endurance Race being held in the Sharbot Lake area on the Labour Day Weekend. 

OK, you’ve been holed up in the house since Christmas, watching the meter drop on the oil tank or feeding the wood stove and watching the woodpile dwindle, or watching the electricity meter spin and spin at high speed - or doing all three – and almost two months have gone by.

The bad news is that winter is not about to end, notwithstanding this week's warm, slushy weather. The good news is there is something that can be done about it. It’s time you got out of the house. It’s time to shake off the doldrums and get out into the cold and wet and face up to the fact that we live in a country with winter.

It all starts tomorrow night, February 18, when the world-renowned Baroque Orchestra, Tafelmusik, will be presenting a pay what you can concert at St. James Major Catholic Church. Doors open at 6:15 and the concert starts at 7:00. There is no reserved seating, so people are encouraged to arrive early. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a famous orchestra in Frontenac County.

At the same there is a Youth Dance scheduled for the Oso Hall in Sharbot Lake between 6 and 9 pm.

Saturday the 19th will be hopping in both Arden, where the Legion is presenting a fishing derby, fish fry and dance, and in Plevna, where music will be jamming at Jack’s Jam from 2-9pm.

On Heritage Day, Monday Feb. 21, the communities really swing into action.

Heritage Day Monday will start with pancakes in Harrowsmith at St. Paul's United Church. With Shrove Tuesday being set for March this year, there is a pent up demand for February pancakes, sausage and syrup. The normal price for community pancake breakfasts ($5 to $7) is a pretty good deal - but get this - this one is free. The church is covering all the costs so the public only has to show up between 9 and 10 a.m. and eat.

From 10:15 on events will swing into gear at Centennial Park. Events include: horse drawn wagon rides, snow games, snowshoe races, ice skating, snowman building, and log sawing and log splitting competitions.

If all this wears down the calories from the pancake breakfast, not to fear, there will be apple cider, coffee, hot dogs, and chicken noodle soup available as well.

In the afternoon at the Harrowsmith Free Methodist Church the gym will be open for floor hockey between 2 and 4 o'clock.

This event, which is a Winter Carnival and also a Volunteer Recognition Day, is being co-sponsored by the South Frontenac Township Recreation Committee and the Harrowsmith S & A Club.

Further south, the Oso Recreation Committee presents its annual fun day at the beach in Sharbot Lake starting at noon, featuring skating, broomball, smoosh races, snow shoeing, horse drawn wagon rides through the village, spider dog roasting and maple syrup snow taffy making.

As an added attraction, thanks to the efforts of the Skills Link Program, the roar of the Sharbot Lake Snow Drags will be heard once again. The Sharbot Lake Snow Drags were a major regional event on the snow racing calendar for several years until they ended in 2004, and this year they are back as more of a local event featuring stock machines.

The excitement level will be high, as racers from around the county and beyond will be hitting the ice for fun and glory. Race categories include Trail Stud, Snow, Kitty Kat and Snow 120, Powder Puff Rubber, and Powder Puff Stud. The entry fee for racers is $15 and $10 for each additional class, except for the Kitty Kat and Snow 120 classes, which are free.

Registration and tech inspections take place between 7am and 9am and racing starts at 10 am and runs all day.

Meanwhile, over in Flinton there will be skating at the rink, and activities are scheduled for Northbrook at the Lions Hall between 3 and 5 pm. The fun is followed by a spaghetti dinner. The community fun day is sponsored by the Land o’Lakes Emmanuel Pastoral Charge

Don't forget, once the Heritage Day glow wears off there is another big event coming our way next weekend. The fifth annual Central Frontenac Heritage Festival kicks off with a Business Breakfast on Friday, February 25. Don't miss the Heritage Events at the Crow Lake Schoolhouse, (Friday and Saturday), the Arden Family Day events (Saturday) the variety show and fireworks (Saturday Night) or the Polar Bear Plunge and community walk/run in Sharbot Lake (Sunday) or the Tichborne rink events (Sunday)

(See the complete festival schedule)

Photo: Skills Link participants will be raring to go on February 21st.

It’s been over five years since the Sharbot Lake Snow Drags were last run, but the memory of the event has lingered in the minds of many.

Most of the participants in the Skills Link program that has been running for the past five months in Sharbot Lake remember going to the Snow Drags when they were still in elementary or intermediate school. So when the program co-ordinator, David Hitchcock, asked his group what they wanted to do as a culminating project, they jumped on the idea of bringing back the Snow Drags.

“I thought they were going to want to put on bake sales or something, but this was a lot more ambitious than that,” said Hitchcock.

The group approached the Oso District Recreation Committee with the idea, and the rec. committee agreed to include the snowmobile races along with the other events at their annual outdoor fun day at the Sharbot Lake Beach on the Heritage Day holiday Monday, which will be on February 21 this year.

“The rec. committee wanted the track to be moved from the government dock, where it was located before, to a spot near the beach, and they wanted there to be two instead of four tracks, and our group adjusted their plans accordingly,” said Hitchcock.

Members of the rec. committee, particularly committee chair Dave Willis and member Charlene Godfrey, have been working with the Skills Link group on the planning, and the group has been attending weekly organizing meetings for the Fun Day event.

“People like Gary Parks and others who were involved in the Snow Drags when they were such a big event have been offering a lot of practical advice on what has to be done,” said one of the Skills Link participants, “there are a lot of details to be covered.”

Local contractors have offered equipment to help build the track, and the 10 members of the Sharbot Lake Skills Link group will be joined by 20 others, the Skills Link groups from Perth and Smiths Falls, in the days preceding the drags so there will be plenty of hands available for the work of preparing and putting on the event.

One of the biggest differences between the events in the past and this one will be that only stock snowmobiles will be allowed to participate, even in the open class for larger machines.

“Through word of mouth and Facebook a lot people have contacted us and want to come out and race,” said Hitchcock.

The event will be split into different racing classes, including stud and rubber track, powder puff and the kiddy-kat class. Racers will be able to register in advance or on race day starting at 7:00 am at the community room on the lower level of the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team.

The Skills Link program has been active in the community and in their home base at the North Frontenac Telephone Company. Over the next few weeks, they will be visiting a number of colleges in the region (Algonquin, St. Lawrence, Loyalist, etc.) as a number of participants are headed to college when the program ends.

A second Sharbot Lake Skills Link is now in the planning stages for start up in May. For information about the Snow Drags or Skills Link, call 613-279-2700

Photo: Jane Timbrell & Lanny Newell 

Seven-year Sydenham resident, Jane Timbrell, who is one of the committee members for the Canada Day celebrations at the Point in Sydenham, has come up with a new idea for a competition for this year’s celebrations. The event will be the “Best Decorated House” competition and it will be open to the entire community as part of the Canada Day celebrations.

Jane presented her idea to the Point's Canada Day committee, who not only liked it - but since she has decorated her own home for many years, they also appointed her as the event organizer and the judge. “I have always decorated my own home for Canada Day and thought it would be a lot of fun to run a competition so that the whole community could participate.”

It was around the time that the idea for a competition was born that Jane met Lanny Newell, of the Newell family business, the new owners of the Taylor Plaza in Sydenham. Lanny said the timing was perfect since he was looking for ways to give back to the community, and he agreed to sponsor Jane’s new Canada Day competition. “Giving back to the community is a really important part of what I and my family do.”

On June 10 in front of Hillside Coffee in the soon to be renamed Hillside Plaza, Lanny presented Jane with a cheque for $350 to sponsor her event. As new corporate citizens to the community, Newell, who hails from Brockville, feels it is important for him and his family, “to integrate ourselves with the Sydenham community by supporting community events like this one.” The competition invites all home owners and business owners to decorate their premises for Canada Day. Only the residential entries will be judged on the day of the event and prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. Area business have donated the prizes, which will be gift certificates for $200, $100 and $50. Canada Day at Sydenham Point will take place on Friday July 1 and will include all of the regular events and local musical entertainment. Watch for further ads and posters prior to the event.

Back in 1989, the Ottawa chapter of the Elvis Sighting Society said that Elvis Presley was alive and living in Tweed.

Although this never really caught hold in Tweed, an “Elvis is Alive” Festival was held there for several summers in the 1990s. However, not much has happened on the Elvis front in Tweed since then, in spite of the Toronto Sun sending a reporter to Tweed to look for Elvis in 2005.

All that is about to change this summer. The first Annual “Tweed Tribute to Elvis” Festival is set to go on August 26-28 at the Tweed Fairgrounds.

The festival is one of four events in Canada that are sanctioned by Elvis Presley Enterprises. Others are in Windsor, Penticton, BC, and Collingwood, with the Collingwood festival being the largest in the world outside of the “Ultimate Elvis Week” in Memphis each year.

The festival committee has been working on the event since last October, and in January the Tweed council endorsed the project and gave $15,000 in seed money to get it up and running.

Jim Keniston, one of the event’s co-chairs, said that the committee has sought the advice of the Collingwood event organizers and the general manager of the Belleville Waterfront Festival, and “while we are not going to have an event on that scale, we are hoping to attract up to 3,000 people.”

The core of the Tweed festival is an Elvis impersonator competition. The winner of that competition will progress to the semi-finals of the Ultimate Elvis competition in Memphis, which has a first prize of $20,000.

Bob Taylor from Northbrook is the entertainment co-ordinator for the Elvis festival. “In addition to the competition there will be a number of other events,” he said, “including a Elvis Gospel Inspiration Hour on Sunday, events on main street in Tweed during the festival including pancake breakfasts, classic car parades, pub crawls with Elvis, vendors, concerts in the park, and more.

“We now have ticket prices set and a weekend pass will only cost $40 for three days of music, or someone can pay $20 at the gate each day.”

The Elvis Tribute Artist Contest preliminary round will start with a one-song elimination round Friday evening and finish the preliminary elimination round Saturday. Saturday evening the remaining 20 performers will compete and Sunday the final ten tribute artists will perform to decide a winner.

More details about the festival will be announced in the coming weeks, after the official launch of the festival, which is slated for Tweed on May 14.

Photo: Virginia Lavin and Bob Brown of the Bellrock Community Hall Association helped organize the Chili-in-a-Bowl event at the Bellrock hall on September 22

The Bellrock Community Hall seldom looked better than it did on Sept. 22, dressed to the nines and ready for 86 diners to partake in “Chili-In-a- Bowl”, a fundraiser that included gifts for all of the five senses. The $20 ticket (or $35 for 2) included a generous helping of homemade chili; a gift of a wheel-thrown, hand-made ceramic bowl by local potter Tim de Rose of Wilton (itself alone worth the price of admission); an eclectic art show in the hall’s main front foyer; and live musical entertainment.

Bellrock’s own Group of 7, a collective made up of local artists Katie Ohlke of Plevna, Tim de Rose of Wilton, along with Kim Ondaatje, Louise Day, Sukie Faulkner, Jill Harris and Virginia Lavin, all of Bellrock, hung selections of their artwork at the entrance to the main hall. The pieces were executed in a wide variety of mediums.

Inside the hall and making the evening that much more special were the sounds of flautists Anne Archer and Debbie Twiddy of Tout Ensemble, who entertained the guests throughout the event.

Bob Brown, one of the organizers of the event and a long-time member of the Bellrock Community Hall Association, said the fundraiser was also “a celebration to recognize the two substantial grants the association received to make numerous renovations”. The renovations included updating the heating, the kitchen facilities, washrooms and building a stage, all of which have transformed the hall into a popular venue and an events destination for residents from across the township and beyond. The grants came from the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation ($23,000) and the Ontario Trillium Foundation ($67,000). “These grants have given this hall a sustainable life and without them this kind of transformation would never have taken place,” Brown said.

The committee has planned a number of upcoming events at the hall, including two plays in October, performances by a big band in November, and a concert by the Frontenac Women’s Chorus in December. Also, just in time for Christmas will be a special Christmas play for kids. The Bellrock Community Hall Association was formed three years ago and is made up of roughly 12 members. The association will be listing all their upcoming events at the hall on both the Township of Central Frontenac’s website (www.centralfrontenac.com) and the FCFDC's website, www.frontenaccfdc.com. Also watch for event dates in Northern Happenings.

by Jeff Green and the Parham Agricultural Society

1883 and 1893.

Those are the years when the Maberly and Parham fairs were held for the first time.

It would be an understatement to say the world has changed over that time. In the early years electricity was still a novelty, and aside from the railroad the only mode of transportation was horsepower.

With all the changes that have taken place over the years, the horse shows at both fairs and the horse pull at the Parham Fair remain as events that harken back to the way of life in both communities in the 19th Century.

Other reminders of the past include the baking, growing, and textile displays and contests that are still hotly contested to this day at the fairs.

While the Parham Fair has modernized to include such popular events as lawn mower races, a demolition derby, and other events, the feel of the small town fair – the food, the smells, the sight of young students reuniting after a summer apart in anticipation of the first day of school, hasn’t changed that much in all that time.

The Parham Fair has its roots in Agriculture and its focus is still on highlighting agriculture. Friday night Aug 24 features the ever popular Horse Pull, with local favorite, Bill Lee, an annual participant. Come see the teams as they pull the stoneboat to become the Champion Team of the Night. Saturday, in the morning, there is a Cattle Show, with local 4-H clubs, and Poultry and Horse Shows all day. Have you seen the Dolly Pardon run yet? Watch for it Saturday afternoon in the games in the horse ring. In the Palace, there are agricultural exhibits along with crafts, children’s exhibits, vegetables and baking. You could spend hours in there. New this year, the best dressed cowboy and cowgirl. Youth between 7-9 and 10-12 may sign up for the contest on Friday at 6:45pm. There is still time to sign up for the Parham Idol Contest on Saturday August 25, open to ages 16 and under. To register, contact Debra Smith at 613-279-2116 ext 212. Come for the entertainment, food and midway. A good time is sure to be had by all for just $5\day; weekend passes $12.

The Maberly Fair is a tiny perfect one-day fair that starts with a parade and ends with a community supper. This year the fair has a scarecrow theme, featuring a great pumpkin garden of scarecrows. The scarecrows will feature in the parade before landing in the garden, where they will be judged and prizes will be awarded. In addition to the horse show and agricultural exhibits (there are 29 competitive categories this year with prizes in each one) the popular zucchini races and cow-pie madness events are back as is the Carleton Place community band and other entertainers as well.

In honour of the 130th Maberly Fair and the 120th Parham Fair let’s all leave our i-pads at home and our cell phones in the glove box of our cars and let the present and past merge as we indulge in the glory that is a community fair in late August.

Aloha Tweed – 2nd annual Elvis Festival by Jeff Green

The Tweed Elvis Festival, which was started as a way for the village of Tweed to turn a corner after the conviction of Russell Williams, has done that and much more, giving the town of Tweed a destination event that captures the imagination of locals and visitors alike.

And all that has happened in about 15 months.

The second annual festival, which celebrates the image of Elvis from the Blue Hawaii era, will feature strong amateur, professional and youth Elvis Tribute contests, as will a string of other events from Friday afternoon, (August 24) through to Sunday afternoon (August 26)

Dallas Arney, the pride of Addington Highlands, will kick things off at the Tweed Fairgrounds at 5 pm on Friday, performing the American and Canadian anthems and more (not in Elvis costume – as far as we know) Round 1 of the Elvis Tribute contest will follow at 6pm.

Other events on Friday night include a meet and greet at the Tweedsmuir tavern and Midnight with Elvis, featuring a performance by last year’s champion Matt Dowsett, fresh from competing in Memphis, for a $10 cover charge.

On Saturday there will be a street sale, Art in the Park, and a pancake breakfast in addition to the events at festival central in the Fairgrounds.

Round 2 of the main competition will take place in the late morning, followed by the youth competition and other events. Later in the afternoon (4:45) the semi-finals will get underway, followed by a showcase at 8 pm, as well as a rock’n roll dance at the Tweed Curling Club.

On Sunday, in addition to another pancake breakfast and a classic car parade with Elvis through the streets of Tweed, there will be a gospel show at 11 am at the fairgrounds. The Grand Finals in the tribute competition will start at 1pm and the award winners will be announced at 3pm, followed by the closing ceremonies.

Tickets are $55 for a weekend pass and $25 per day (HST included). They are available at the gate, in advance at locations in Tweed, at the fruit and vegetable stand in Northbrook and at the Junction restaurant in Sharbot Lake. For information, go to Tweedelvisfestival.ca 

Photo: Residents, volunteers and staff at Fairmount Home making fascinators for their upcoming fundraising event on September 12Residents at the Fairmount Home have been busy these last few weeks creating a wide array of products that will be for sale at an upcoming Kick Off fundraising event. Called a Fascinating Kick Off, the event will start the “Building Change Together" fundraising campaign for the Fairmount auditorium. The campaign aims to raise funds to update the auditorium, which is drastically in need of repairs and has become increasingly underused.

On August 16, volunteer Jeanne Ronan led a group of residents in creating a wide array of fascinators -those stylish pieces of decorative head gear that were brought back into vogue last year with Kate and Will’s royal nuptials across the pond.

With their laughter filling the activity room at the home, the group of Fairmount residents enthusiastically dove into constructing a wide array of fascinators from colorful items, including decorative grasses, butterflies and feathers. They made both the clip-on and head band variety, and their one-of-a-kind creations will be for sale at the Fascinating Kick Off. Many of the residents loved their fascinators so much that they often wear them to regular social events in and around the home.

Also for sale at the event, which takes place on Wednesday September 12 from 4-6pm, will be paintings and jewelry made by the many talented artisans at the home.

The goal of the campaign is to raise $200,000 by 2014. The drive to repair the auditorium came about as it became known that many residents have had to stop participating in activities at the auditorium because of the room's problems. For example, Violet Cooke of Parham, who loves to paint and whose works decorate many of the wall spaces, had to forgo participating in regular art classes in the auditorium. In Violet's case it was due to the poor air quality there. “In the summer the air circulation is unbearable; that and lack of windows makes me feel claustrophobic when I am there,” Violet explained when I spoke to her at the home. Others problems with the auditorium include poor acoustics due to an outdated hearing assistance system; excess heat and humidity in the summer months; a leaking roof; and a kitchen area, washroom facilities, and an entrance way that are inaccessible by wheelchair.

In 2009, as a result of the problems cited, an auditorium redevelopment study was undertaken, which pinpointed the improvements needed to modernize the auditorium to make it a community gathering space and an income stream for the home. These improvements include adding an addition at the north end of the building to make it more accessible; expanding the vending and games area; installing a new HVAC system to improve the air quality; installing new hearing and vision aids; and developing a conference /meeting room suite. Alison Vandervelde, who is the communications officer at Fairmount, anticipates a good turnout for the Kick Off, which will be the second of numerous upcoming events to raise funds for the Fairmount Auditorium Campaign. “We’re really excited about this event and the residents have been working very hard creating some really nice items for it.”Along with the sale, the event will include a tour of Fairmount's famed gardens, a tour of the auditorium and a power point presentation about the planned renovations. Anyone unable to attend can make a donation by mail to Fairmount Home Auditorium Fundraising Campaign, 2069 Battersea Road, Glenburnie, ON, K0H 1S0 or by calling Julie Shillington at 613-546-4264 ext.500.For a list of other upcoming fundraising events for the campaign visit www.frontenaccounty.ca->Fairmount Home. It will soon be possible to make online donations on the site.

For close to six decades the Social and Athletic Club has been a central social hub in Harrowsmith and the surrounding community. Club members have worked tirelessly for years to bring a countless number of free and low cost events to area residents and their families.

Now, with many of its long-time members either retired or deceased, it was recently decided by its remaining directors that the club has no other choice but to close its doors due to a shortage of manpower.

Kim Gow, who is the club’s current vice-president and secretary, wants more than anything else to avoid that closure and is inviting all persons of the same mind to come forward at their next meeting, which is to be held on Monday August 13 at 7:30PM at the club.

Gow believes that this will be the very last possible chance for supporters of the club to come together in one final last-ditch effort to expand the membership, which has dwindled over the last years to no more than ten. Gow remains hopeful that support at August’s meeting will allow the club to remain open. “Since the last meeting, when the decision to close was made, there has been an outpouring of community support and many residents have stated that they want to see the club remain open,” Gow said this week. “Because the club is the only one of its kind in the community and one of the only places that offers such a wide variety of programs and free events for families and their children, I and numerous others want to see it continue operating as it always has - as a social club that provides numerous opportunities for the community to come together.”

The S&A Club was opened in the early 1960s, back when baseball and marching bands were all the rage. The club opened first as a means of supporting local baseball, which was the number one community sport at that time. Harry Snider was the club’s first president and it was under his leadership that popular programs began, which included the marching Majorettes and a very popular drum and bugle band under the direction of Martin Eys. Other activities that eventually evolved included seniors’ euchre, the annual fair (which eventually became today’s Canada Day parade and celebrations), bingo, youth dances and more.

The building, which for years was fondly referred to as “the chicken coop”, was originally a chicken slaughterhouse owned by Claude Snider, who lived in a house next door to it. The club’s first members purchased the building from Snider for a small fee and paid him back in manageable monthly installments from funds raised at various club events.

Over the years the building has undergone numerous renovations and now boasts washrooms and kitchen facilities.

Val Ruttan of Harrowsmith, who has been a member of the club since its early years, has very fond memories of the club, especially back in the early days, but she also understands why at this point its existence is under threat. “So many older members who have been involved since the beginning have retired recently, and as a result there is real problem getting the manpower necessary to run the events”, she said. “The roughly 10 members that we do have left are not even enough to maintain the necessary voting quorum at our meetings. So though it would be very sad to see the club close, unless we get a significant outpouring very soon and a significant influx of new members at this upcoming meeting, it looks as though we will have no other choice but to close, “ she said.

Gow is hoping to see many faces at the August 13 meeting, which will begin at 7:30 pm. The club is located at 4041 Colebrook Road in Harrowsmith. For those who cannot attend the meeting but who still want to offer their support through membership or by volunteering, contact Kim Gow at 613-372-0018 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.