One of the more popular events in the annual Frontenac Heritage Festival (Feb. 17 – 20 this year, the Festival’s 11th year) has been the Polar Plunge. You know, it’s the event where brave souls jump into Sharbot Lake down at the marina to raise funds for local organizations and charities.

Individuals have their own motivations for participating in what some call lunacy, be it altruism, a lost bet, or even a candidate for a federal government seat.

This year, Ray Fletcher will be completing his 73rd trip around the sun (“I’m turning 74 for the arithmetically challenged”) and contemplated taking the plunge himself.

Originally, his musings were more of a quixotic notion, with the caveat that pledges (which would go to Connections: Adult Learning and Community Living) would have to reach $3,000 before he’d get wet. But, the best laid plans and all that . . .

Fletcher was recently named President of the Board of Directors of Connections: Adult Learning in Sharbot Lake and now feels somewhat more obligated to immerse himself in frigid water.

“As president, fundraising is something I’m somewhat responsible for,” he said.

Fletcher maintains that the $3,000 goal is still in effect, but he’s sounding more and more like it’s a go.

“I plan to wear my 150th Anniversary shirt,” he said. “But it’s just going to be an in-and-out job.

“I’ll be coming out of that water like a Polaris missile launched from a submarine (and) I poor pity anybody’s grandmother who gets in the way of me and the heater.”

He’s even made up a little poem for inspiration:

“Here I stand, about to leap
“I know I’d rather be asleep
“If I should die in this frigid lake
“I’ll see you at my friggin’ wake.”

Actually, he’s not all that worried. When he ran into a doctor friend who suggested that the shock of jumping into a frozen lake might not be the best thing for his heart, Fletcher replied: “heart attack? My heart is the only part of me that’s untainted.”

The Polar Plunge (then called the Polar Bear Plunge) first became part of the Festival in 2011. It’s been canceled and rescheduled because of brutal cold but to date, there have been no incidents.

The Central Frontenac Fire Department is in the water to assist plungers and there is medical help available on site.

The Plunge is set for Feb. 19 this year at the Sharbot Lake Marina on Cannon Road, weather permitting.

Those curious about local family-run farms will be pleased to know that they are invited to explore the 200-acre, three generations old Tryon Family Farm located on Wagarville Road near Parham. This is a new event at this year's 10th annual Frontenac Heritage Festival and the owners, Owen and Cari Tryon, along with their four children, will be generously opening their farm gate to guests to come and see what takes place at their farm, which has been in operation for close to 75 years.

The couple, who farm the property along with the help of Owen's father Boyd, will be showing off their sheep, goats, pigs, horses and cows to those interested in visiting the paddocks and the barns where the animals are front and center.

Guests will have a chance to feed, pet and observe the animals, and who can resist the sight of the newest farm animals, which appeared on the scene just a few weeks ago? These include a squealing brood of young piglets and a number of very feisty kid goats. There are also donkeys, rabbits, ducks and the three family dogs, who will also be in attendance.

Visitors will also have a chance to learn about the various types of farming equipment used to help keep this family-run operation in good working order.

The Hinchinbrooke Recreation Committee will be setting up a number of outdoor activities at the farm, which the whole family can enjoy. Guests will also be invited to sip a cup of hot cider and warm up by a bonfire. Visitors are asked to park their cars at the Wagarville Road fire hall, where a free shuttle service will be offering guests lifts to and from the farm every 20 minutes.

The fun takes place on Sunday, February 14 from 1p.m. - 4 p.m. Boots are a must since the weather has been spring-like, and make sure to dress for outdoor weather.

Also, don't forget the many other favourite activities on offer as part of this year's festival, which include historical re-enactments; free open mic events; a craft show and artisan demonstrations; and an Empty Bowls fundraiser event in Arden. As well, a number of special festival meals will be available at various local restaurants, community halls, and the local Legions. There will be a Valentine's Day dance, plus a number of outdoor activities like snowshoeing, a walk/run event, and also new this year, a leisurely snowmobile ride along the historic K&P Trail.

The festival opens on Friday, February 12 with a special ceremony at the Granite Ridge Education Centre in Sharbot Lake at 6:30 pm, which will be followed by the ever popular Variety Show at 7pm. The show will feature a star-studded line up of well-known musicians, singers and entertainers of all ages from in and around the community. For a full listing of all of the the events including dates, times and locations, consult the blue Frontenac Heritage Festival brochure that is inserted in this week's paper.

Frontenac Heritage Festival organisers have issued a gentle challenge to businesses and not-for-profits in Central Frontenac. Any demonstration of festival spirit will make the businesses eligible for one of two prizes and will help to publicize the festival and their role in it.

The festival’s organising committee chair, Janet Gutowski, who set up the contest, said she doesn't want businesses to see this as anything that is difficult or a bother to do.

“They do not need to dress up in period costume if they don’t want to, although even if they do, it need not be from 150 years ago. For instance, perhaps the Royal Bank first came to Sharbot Lake in the 1920s. The staff could dress in flapper style and be celebrating their heritage,” said Gutowski.

She said that restaurants could put special dishes on the menu, and stores could put certain products on display. “As long as the establishments are feeling festive they can enter” she said.

And, she added, any kind of enterprise can enter. The not-for-profits, home-based businesses, even trades people, can enter.

In order to register, participants need only send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. saying that they will participate.

The judges, who will be in full costume, will be coming around on Friday Feb. 12, the opening day of the festival. Winners will be announced by Mayor Frances Smith after the opening ceremony, which is set for 6:45 pm at the foyer of Granite Ridge Education Centre. The ceremony will be followed by the annual Variety Show at 7pm.

*Please note – there were errors in the festival insert in the Central Frontenac tax bills. Contrary to what the insert says, there will be no fireworks on the opening night of the festival, and there is no photo contest.

As usual, the Sharbot Lake Snow Drags, which took place at Oso Beach on Saturday February 14, attracted winter speed demons of all ages. The annual event, now in its fifth year, was resurrected in 2011 after a long hiatus by an enthusiastic group of young participants in the YAK program.

Official snow machine races are few and far between in Ontario, and so the Sharbot Lake Snow Drags continue to attract hundreds of riders from all over Ontario, Quebec and New York state. This year the event attracted 125 registered machines, 10 more than last year and more than that number of racers, proving that it continues to grow in popularity.

There were participants from Vals-des-Monts and Saint Jolie, Québec as well as American riders from Hogansbury and Ogdensburg, New York. In addition to the regular races, a few new classes were added to the lineup, including an improved stock trail class and a King of the Trail open class.

This year Rob and Jen Day of Kingston put on the BBQ lunch to feed the hungry riders and announcer Robin Flaro did a stellar job announcing the races. Youngsters were awarded their trophies right after their races and the other awards and prizes were handed out at a special awards ceremony at Oso hall once when the races wrapped up in the early afternoon.

The event is put on by the Oso Recreation of Central Frontenac with the help of a number of dedicated community volunteers. Key volunteers include Scott and Mitch Cox and their crew, who prepare the snow tracks. Mitch Cox said that the work for him and his crew this year was considerably lessened when professional groomers from the Snow Road Snow Mobile Club offered to groom the snow track. Previously, it had to be packed down by countless volunteer riders prior to race day. Spencer Robinson and his crew took charge of preparing the ice track.

This year, conditions were perfect for the races and Mitch Cox said that riders, observers and volunteers really lucked out on race day because the weather was considerably warmer than the biting temperatures on Friday and Sunday.

The races also give young riders a chance to show their skills. Seven-year-old Kaylee Mustard of Westport, who has been sledding for just over two years, raced for her very first time and it was a happy day for her when she took home a trophy after placing first in the Kitty Kat half track class. Hats off to all of the organizers and the countless dedicated volunteers who together put on another safe, smooth and seamless event that keeps sledders coming back year after year.

So just who was that tall, lean, fur-cloaked man who toured Sharbot Lake village, speaking with a Scottish lilt and sparking off this year’s Frontenac Heritage Festival?

He was no one-time, off-the-cuff impersonator. Paul Dyck, who played our famed Scottish first prime minister, Sir. John A. MacDonald, hails from St. Catharines, Ontario. He studied drama at Queens University and recently graduated in 2013. For the last four years he has been working as an actor for the SALON Theatre in Kingston, a company that focuses on the history of Kingston and specifically on Sir John A. MacDonald. Most recently the company has been working on a project called Sir John A . 2015, which gives an account of the life and times of Canada's first prime minister. The company offers up costumed walking tours of Kingston in the summer months and performs in a touring road and rail show for students across Canada. Dyck's height and practiced delivery make him the perfect doppelganger for Sir John A.

When I caught up with him as he toured Sharbot Lake prior to the festival's opening on Friday night, Dyck said that he has been playing MacDonald regularly for the last year and that he thoroughly enjoys the role. “You get to play a politician without actually having to be one”, he said. “I can be jovial and charming and offer up a bit of comedy and a bit of wit, which is always lot of fun”, he said as he posed with the staff at the Sharbot Lake Pharmacy.

As far as the challenges go, Dyck said the difficulties in playing the famed Scot come with MacDonald's “complicated legacy” and the fact that he was such a complex and often polarizing figure. “He had a lot of both positives and negatives associated with his legacy and though the negatives don't often come up, I am totally prepared to deal with them when they do.“

Part of his responsibility in playing the role is knowing both sides of the story and Dyck, who is well read and a Canadian history buff, said he knows his facts and feels confident to be able to respond to any issues that do come up. Some of the more negative aspects of Sir John A.'s legacy, which Dyck cited, include MacDonald's attitude and treatment of Canada's indigenous people and the Chinese migrant workers, and of course MacDonald's well known tendency to overindulge in drink.

But Dyck was also quick to point out that he was also responsible for uniting the country, building the Canadian Pacific Railway, which Dyck cited as “the impossible dream” and “one of the single largest achievements the world has ever seen”, as well as launching the RCMP and the Canadian Coastguard.

Dyck said that the policy at the SALON Theatre is to always play historic roles “with warts and all.” “Our goal is to always bring awareness to both the positives and negatives of these historic persons and we always try to avoid being one-sided”.

Dyck was presented with a print of Sharbot Lake's mural of Sir John A.’s funeral train following the festival’s opening ceremonies and he also performed a couple of songs in the opening night talent show that followed. His appearance definitely made this year’s festival a memorable one.

Highlights included the opening Friday night talent show, which took place for the first time at the cafetorium at Granite Ridge Education Centre. A large crowd of music lovers gathered for an eclectic line up that covered a wide expanse of musical ground and included many first time performances. The Arden duo known as Sympathy Ghost, comprised of Dan Keeler and Kate Turner, gave a heartfelt performance that included one original they co-wrote and which they performed for the first time.

Rob Moore, who emceed the event, kept the ball rolling and sang an original comedic ditty about his home town of Sharbot Lake, titled “One Cold Town”, the lyrics paying respect to its local folk and businesses. The local Sharbot Lake line dancers glided their way through a number of country and pop favorites, and Brian Robertson, accompanied by brother Sid and their good friend Fred also performed a number of locally inspired originals written by Robertson, which highlighted the unique rural landscapes and communities of Maberly and Mountain Grove.

The show-stopping sibling duo of Natalie and Lucas Reynolds charmed listeners with their highly polished and mainly Celtic-inspired repertoire. These two young musicians amazed listeners at the talent show last year and this year they were even better. Mike Procter played the town clown and did an impressive set of stand up comedy. Nancy and the Plaids closed out the show with an energetic set that left the crowd wanting more.

On Saturday it was the area’s pioneer traditions that were front and center at Dr. Bell's magical pioneer log home. A horse-drawn wagon brought visitors to and from the house courtesy of Bill Lee and his gorgeous equine team. There were quilting and spinning demos courtesy of Jean Clair and Beth Abbott, and local musician Gordon Wright alternately played on the bagpipes and banjo. Dr. Peter Bell and his crew of traditionally dressed pioneers offered up warm cider and Scottish oatmeal biscuits to their guests, and Dr. Bell, who can speak at length about the house, its construction and every single artifact that graces it, was on hand to answer questions.

For those who have yet to visit it, Dr Bell’s log house is alone worth the trip to the festival. It has the ability to transport visitors back in time to what living a pioneer life might have been like and is so inviting it makes one want to move right in.

by Joan Hollywood

Twenty-one brave souls toed the line and took off running when the town crier rang the bell.

On this Family Day, the first family was the Melkmanaters, Liam, Elizabeth, and Derek. Two k winners were: 1. Hazuki Ono, 2.Natsuki Ono, and 3. Macy Whan for the girls; and 1. Graham Melkman and 2. Victor Heese for the men. The 5k was all ladies with Sandy Robertson 1st, Naomi Ono 2nd, and Christine Patterson 3rd. Donna Larocque was first in the lady’s 10k race, while the men’s 10k was hotly contested by Rudy Hollywood 1st, Jeff Green 2nd, and Karl Kent 3rd. Erik Zierer from Flight Centre Associates presented First Local trophies to Charlotte Hilder and Victor Heese. $160 was raised for future exercise equipment to be placed outside for the use of Sharbot Lake and area families. Polar bear cookies were enjoyed by all.

The Frontenac Heritage Festival this year kicks off on Friday evening, February 13 in Sharbot Lake at a new location, the cafetorium at Granite Ridge Education Centre. Not only will the Town Crier be on hand, Sir John A. Macdonald will be there as well, in addition to dignitaries from the First Nations and other communities. The ceremonies will get underway at 6:30. Before that, both the Sharbot Lake Country Inn and the Sharbot Lake Legion are putting on dinners, starting at 5:30.

The annual Heritage Festival Variety Show follows at 7:30, featuring music, dance, comedy and more with host Rob Moore.

Saturday will be a big day in the Arden area.

At the community centre, the Kennebec Trappers will be on hand, and the popular fur trader re-enactors, Mike Procter, Bob Miller and their sidekick Ray Fletcher will be cooking, throwing axes, demonstrating tools and making Crow's feet.

Rob Deruchie will be showing Wolf Creek Carvings, and the Arden Potters will be holding an empty bowls event in the all. Buy a bowl of soup or chili and keep the bowl, with all proceeds to the food bank.

There will also be games for the kids put on by the firefighters. Just north of Arden at the Henderson Road boat launch, the Kennebec Lake Association is presenting their 4th annual winter fun day; featuring skating, hockey, ring toss games, food and more. In the evening a fish derby and dance is slated for the Arden Legion (Branch 334)

Sharbot Lake will also have a full set of events on Saturday, including the popular Snow Drags at the beach. This event attracts hundreds of snowmobile enthusiasts from near and far.

For those who prefer the great indoors, the Artisan/Crafters Show & Sale runs from 10-4, with lunch available from Johnston Lake Organic's. The Craft show runs on Sunday from 12-4 as well.

The CF Railway Society is opening the Caboose at the Railway Park on Elizabeth Street for visitors, and over on the Fall River Road, Peter Bell is opening up the log home that he brought over several years ago from Brooke Valley and restored and furnished with authentic period antiques. Weather permitting, there will be a horse drawn wagon available at the junction of Fall River Road and the Trans-Canada Trail to bring people to the property.

In Tichborne, a broomball tournament, hosted by the Granite Ridge grade 8 graduating class, will take place at the rink.

On Saturday Night, the Sharbot Lake Country Inn is hosting a Valentine's Dinner and the Sharbot Lake Legion is hosting a dance.

Sunday is Polar Plunge Day at the Sharbot Lake Marina, starting at 11 am, where dozens of colorfully costumed Polar Plungers will descend into the icy waters of Sharbot Lake - and come out just as quickly!

This will be followed by snow shoeing on Fall River Road.

Finally, the Heritage Festival walk/run starts at 1 pm on Family Day Monday.

The Township of Central Frontenac is excited to announce that Sir John A. Macdonald himself will be participating in the 9th annual Frontenac Heritage Festival, which runs from Fri. to Mon., Feb. 13 - 16 with the official opening taking place at Railway Heritage Park in Sharbot Lake on at 6:30 pm. Members of the public are invited to come out and meet Sir John A., along with Town Crier Paddy O'Connor, and local dignitaries. A short ceremony will include a black powder salute acknowledging Sir John A's 200th birthday, and Frontenac County's 150th Anniversary. We will also celebrate our proud First Nations heritage with singing and drumming. Visitors will be able to keep warm by the bonfire and enjoy hot chocolate throughout the proceedings.

For more information visit www.frontenacheritagefestival.ca where you can

download our full event schedule and see pictures and videos from previous years. There's something for everyone and all activities are free to attend.

"I have fond memories of my travels on the K&P from Sharbot Lake to Kingston. My last trip was especially peaceful." -a quote from Sir John A. (a.k.a. Paul Dyck)

Central Frontenac to honour Bill Snyder

Central Frontenac's meeting this week on Tuesday (March 25) started with the oath of office being taken by Phillip Smith, who is representing Hinchinbrooke ward until the election this fall.

At the tail end of the meeting Mayor Gutowski suggested that council sponsor some sort of permanent recognition for Bill Snyder, whose death last month precipitated Philip Smith's appointment to Council.

“I would like to see the township place something of lasting value at the Piccadilly cemetery, a bench or trees or something else. I was thinking of something that costs up to $500. Bill's heart and soul was in Piccadilly. He was fiercely supportive of the community. We are all proud to have known this fellow. I think it would be appropriate if the Hinchinbrooke members put a motion on the floor about this,” Gutowski said.

She then looked up to the ceiling and said “I know, Bill, that what you really want is the wrought iron fence all around the cemetery, but we can't afford that.”

Last year Bill Snyder attempted to convince Council to invest in a wrought iron fence to mark the limits of the Piccadilly cemetery but the proposal did not achieve majority support.

A motion authorising staff to investigate a memorial for Bill Snyder, in consultation with his family, was moved by Heather Fox, seconded by Philip Smith and supported unanimously by Council.

Budget increase cut to 3%

When the township received the audit and consolidated financial papers from KPMG, a lot of numbers were tossed around, but the only one that stuck in everyone's mind was the operating surplus of $380,000 for 2013.

With the township tax levy set to go up by 5%, Councilor Frances Smith suggested that some of the surplus be used to cut down on the increase.

“I am running for mayor, but aside from that I just look at the people that I know whose heating costs have gone through the roof, who have astronomical hydro bills, who are having trouble keeping their finances together. Let's give them a break, and still set aside some of the money for our own needs.”

Treasurer Michael McGovern said that after cutting the levy to ratepayers to a 3% increase, $240,000 would be left to establish a stabilization reserve.

“I agree that this is the best thing to do,” said Mayor Gutowski, who is running for re-election. “I'm comfortable we've done the best we can do with the budget. I will be voting in support of this.”

The motion was supported by Council and the budget bylaw will be brought before Council at their next meeting, on April 8.

New contract for fire dispatch – Fire Chief Bill Young brought a proposal to Council that what he called level 2 fire dispatch be contracted out to the Kingston fire department, which already provides level 1 dispatching for the township.

“Until now, Kingston would do the initial call, which we call level one, and then one of our members is assigned to report to the fire hall to take over from there.” said Bill Young.

The problem is that it is getting more and more difficult to find someone to fill that role, and there have been times when a crew member has had to be re-assigned from a fire scene to cover dispatch.

“All of our neighbouring services have already done this. Not only would it relieve us of some responsibility, it would be better for liability reasons because they are able to record every call and keep a complete record of times of calls, etc.” he said.

The cost of the new service will be phased in over four years, but at the end the cost will be over double the $10,000 or so that the township pays Kingston Fire currently for level 1 dispatch. It will phased in over five years, ending at $21,600 in 2018.

“What will happen after that?” asked Councilor John Purdon. “Will it keep going up over the next five years?”

“We haven't had a price increase until now, so I don't think it will keep going up,” Young responded.

Council approved the proposal after asking Bill Young to seek a contract with Kingston Fire Services to ensure the price will not keep going up after five years.

Frontenac Heritage Festival

Jesse Mills, who was taken on to help promote this year's Frontenac Heritage Festival and create a video record for promotion in future years, showed two videos, one he made of the whole festival and a second one devoted entirely to the Polar Bear Plunge. The festival video is being posted on the township site.

Mayor Gutowski thanked Mills for his work. She also said that while it is hard to put firm numbers to the economic impact of an event like the Heritage Festival, all the local restaurants reported they were full on the festival weekend, and the Arden Legion set a record at their fish fry.

“In addition to the good that the festival has done for our sense of community, the business community has seen a benefit as well, as have a number of charities,” she said.

Septic Re-inspection Task Force – Councilor Jeff Matson, who is chairing a task force that is looking into the possibility of a mandatory septic re-inspection program, said the task force has already met twice, and has talked to the two agencies that could take on the inspections, KFL&A Public Health and the Mississippi-Rideau Septic Inspection Office.

“This seems to be moving along much faster than I thought. We might have something to bring to council pretty soon,” Matson said.