Back to HomeFeature Article - April 16, 2009 Sports and Trappers Exhibition this SundayBy Jeff Green

One of the surest signs of spring on Highway 41 is the annual Outdoor Sports & Trappers Show put on by the Frontenac Addington Trappers Council, the Conservationists of Frontenac Addington and the Land o' Lakes Gun Club.

This free event, which runs from 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday, April 19 at the Northbrook Lions Hall features a range of family-friendly activities centred on the great outdoors.

New to the exhibition this year will be a demonstration by the Ministry of Natural Resources Canine Unit between 1 and 2 pm.

Milt Houle, the long-time organizer of the event, said that the MNR canine unit has a different function than the OPP unit. “They are probably used to sniff out illegal game or investigate other outdoor crimes or in rescue situations, but people will have to come out to see everything the dogs do. It should be pretty interesting,” said Milt Houle

Other popular features of the exhibition will be back this year, including the fish pond for the children, sponsored once again this year by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.

There will also be skinning demonstrations by the trappers, and Don Harron, a certified antler scorer, will be on hand again this year. The army cadets will be set up at the show this year, and there will be log cutting demonstrations and chain saw carving, along with a variety of vendors from near and far.

Refreshments in the form of coffee, donuts, hamburgers and hot dogs will be available on site.

“It really is a neat event for the size of it,” says Milt Houle of a project he has shepherded for years, “and it takes place when it is too early for gardening or most other outdoors activities. People always have a good time when they come out, and that's what makes it worthwhile for us to put it on. And afterwards, people can head over to the Lighthouse Restaurant for fish and chips or to the new Addison's Restaurant down the road .” 

Back to HomeFeature Article - February 12, 2009 New manager takes the reins of Plevna’s one-stop-shopBy Julie Druker

In the kitchen at Plevna's North of 7 cooks Ruth Barr (left) and Kathy Rosenblath

Back in October last year, long-time Plevna resident Donna Lemke put forth an offer to Don Raycroft, owner of the Plevna Freshmart, gas bar and North of 7 Restaurant, to act as manager of his 6-year-old operation.

Don, whose wife recently passed away and who spends his winters in Florida, had been looking to slow down and enter retirement but was also hoping to grow his business. Donna felt with her years of experience as a franchise owner and operator in Perth, she would be a viable candidate for the job.

Donna admitted that there is "a lot to learn" as the job includes working with the close to 20 staff who offer a number of other related services in the multi-faceted business operation. These include a post office franchise, a bottle return, movie rental, ice cream bar, mini-putt golf course, and internet services.

The job might make other less experienced persons a little nervous but Lemke is looking forward to the challenge and has begun to make some changes, starting with the menu in the restaurant. She explained, “ The senior staff and I are still tweaking the new menu and we’re aiming for a fresh look and will be offering more choices.”

Some of the menu changes will include a platter option for most of the sandwich and burger meals, smaller and less expensive senior-sized main entrees, and activity placemats/children’s menus to offer to the kids and keep them occupied. The restaurant will also be offering a new smorgasbord-style brunch on Sundays from 10am -2pm. The first brunch will happen Sunday February 15.

Also new is a meeting/events room that was renovated last fall, which can be booked for various functions. It is adjacent to but separate from the main restaurant, and food is also available there.

Donna understands the first rule of growing a business. “I know that the presence of someone in charge can make all of the difference.” So she has been on site regularly interacting both with staff and patrons. She added, “Coming into an already existing business is always a challenge but the staff here have all been very receptive and helpful.”

Donna’s husband Ron Lemke, though not officially involved in the operations, adds an unofficial helping hand and was installing a bulletin board on the day of my interview. Ron was enthusiastic about the facility and grateful to have it here. “We’re very lucky Don decided to retire here and we’re very fortunate as a community to have all of these services here on account of him.”

Ron is not the only appreciative one. On my way out I met Ted and Janet Kewley from Mountain Chute near Calabogie, who had just dismounted their snow machine after completing the 62 km one way trip from Calabogie for their third time this year. They were heading into the restaurant for a bite to eat and both spoke effusively about the services available here. Located on major sledding routes, the business is a popular destination for sled drivers since it offers parking, gas and a place to eat. Seasoned sled driver Ted explained, “It’s not unusual on a sunny weekend day to see 50 or 60 machines parked outside here, with almost all of their riders gassing up and having a meal inside.” The summer can be easily as busy with summer vacationers and cottagers frequenting the amenities offered here. Donna Lemke definitely has her work cut out for her as the new manager of Plevna’s one-stop-shop in North Frontenac, but it is a challenge that she has happily chosen to undertake with confidence and know how. 

Werner and Martha Lips in 2008 when Werner received the Addington Highlands Community Builder Award.

Werner and Martha Lips were living in Montreal some 40 years ago, when they received information from the Apostolic Church of Canada that the rector’s position was available in a little place called Denbigh, Ontario.

Somehow, Werner talked Martha into making the move to the little village, and off they went. If that didn’t seem like enough of a leap, the Apostolic Church does not pay a wage to their rectors, so not only were the Lips coming in to minister to a new community, they were also faced with making a living in an area that is not known for its economic prosperity.

It turned out that economic prosperity and community development were Werner Lips’ passions, and he became an untiring advocate for the Denbigh area and the Land O’Lakes region for decades.

After he tried a few different occupations, including running a taxi service, a local restaurant and motel called the Dutch Inn became available for purchase. Werner and Martha bought it and changed the name to the Swiss Inn because that’s where Werner came from.

It turned out that the Lips had a knack for the restaurant and motel business. They knew that it would be a mistake to ignore the local community and serve food that was only intended for the tourist trade, so they served a mixed menu, with Canadian family fare as well as the more exotic Swiss cuisine.

Over time the customers demanded more and more Swiss dishes, and the reputation of the restaurant as a regional destination grew. The motel rooms that the Lips inherited from the previous owners were in pretty bad repair, so they built an eight-unit motel in the front of the building, which remains busy to this day.

Werner also had an interest in working with neighbouring businesses to build up the tourism potential of the region. This drew him to the Land O’Lakes Tourist Association.

Janice Kerr, an Addington Highlands councilor and a former long-time employee of the Swiss Inn, said that Werner was always a great person to work for. “He was someone who never looked at competition as a bad thing. He once told me he was always very happy to see new businesses come into our area. He never thought of a new business as a threat; he thought it could only help his business if there was more available. He just thought it was good for the community.”

The Swiss Inn has also had a community role over the years, providing meals for the meals on wheels program and facilities for a satellite health clinic for Doctor Tobia of Northbrook.

Werner Lips was also associated with a group of contemporaries who were committed to improving the business climate along the Highway 41 Corridor. David Harcourt remembers Werner as a very good friend. “Along with Ted Cannon, who owned a resort on Mississagagon Lake, and Andy Anderson of the Kaladar Hotel, he was one of the founding members of the Land O'Lakes Chamber of Commerce, and he served as president on two occasions.”

Werner was also the president of the Land O'Lakes Tourist Association in 1981 and '82, and between 2002 and 2007. Other organizations he was involved with were the Highway 7 Community Development Corporation and the Addington Highlands Economic Development Committee.

Werner Lips was presented with a lifetime achievement award by Lennox and Addington County Council in 2002 and he was named Community Builder Of The Year in Addington Highlands in 2008.

Although he was able to work well with lots of different people over the years, Werner was not afraid to express his opinion when circumstances warranted it, as we learned here at the News back in 2002. Our then reporter Will Cybulski wrote an article about a provincial economic development “jump team” that had been sent into the area. In the article Cybulski said, “There is no suitable year-round accommodation, particularly of the high end calibre, in the region.”

Werner Lips wrote back in a letter to the editor: “... Please note that we have operated the Swiss Inn Motel and Restaurant for more than 30 years on an all year round basis. I feel that our motel rooms, as well as the restaurant are ‘suitable year-round’ accommodation.”

Werner Lips died on Saturday, March 6 of pancreatic cancer. His funeral will take place at the Apostolic Church in Denbigh on Saturday, March 13 at 1:00 p.m., reception to follow at the Denbigh Hall. 

Martha Dunn (at left) takes over the reins at Bravo from Christos Lianos

The old adage, “If it ain't broke don't fix it” is the approach Martha Dunn is taking since she took over the reins at Bravo Restaurant in Verona on September 1. First and foremost Martha recognizes the value of preserving a good thing and is taking lessons from Christos Lianos, who along with his two sons Angelo and Spiros transformed Bravo Restaurant in just six short years into a busy Verona eatery, known most fondly for its authentic Greek fare.

In her determined effort to make the turnover as seamless as possible, Dunn has been working14-hour days behind the scenes in the kitchen, learning the ropes and recipes - and for good reason. She says, “I've spoken to many locals who have said, 'You aren't going to change it are you?'”

She is thrilled that the Lianos have agreed to stay on for as long as it takes for her to replicate the dishes that the Bravo clientele have come to know and love.

For 15 years Dunn has worked in a number of restaurants, the last being the Greek restaurant Mino's in Kingston, where she met Christos prior to his leaving to open Bravo. While the front end of the business is her forte, for now she is now focusing her attention on Bravo's kitchen. She said, “I need to know everything so that I can take over at a moment’s notice and be able to do absolutely everything.”

The day I met her Spiros was in the kitchen showing Dunn the ropes. He said, “She will always have our support and we will be here for as long as that takes. We really want her to succeed.”

Like the Lianos, Dunn will run Bravo as a family business. Joining her in her new venture will be her 20-year-old son Ben, who is eager to learn the ropes of the restaurant business and who she says will “be her right man”. Her three other children also plan to work when time allows them. Mark Siemons, her life partner, will advise her on the business side of things, and will also be around to lend a helping hand when she needs it.

Initially, Martha had made an offer on a different Kingston restaurant but it was turned down. That same day she got a call from a friend who had heard that Christos was thinking of selling Bravo. Martha recalled, “I called him that day; we worked out a deal in a few days’ time and after all of the legal stuff was done, here I am.”

Christos had decided to sell Bravo since he was looking to retire and also because his son Angelo, who was running Bravo, wanted to be in Kingston where he has a young family. Both also wanted to focus on their latest restaurant venture, Greek Town, which is primarily a takeout business.

Bravo customers can rest assured that the restaurant will keep its same hours and same menu. The one and only thing that Dunn anticipates may change may be the desserts. “Christos is a trained pastry chef and has been making the Greek desserts for years. I'll try my best to replicate them but I'm not guaranteeing I'll be able to do it like him - but I'll definitely try! ”

She says that the community has welcomed her with open arms. “People have introduced themselves to me, welcomed me and sent me cards. It's been just great.”

Christos appeared at the end of our interview, freshly baked chocolate cake in hand and joined us after sliding it into the dessert fridge.

He feels strongly that his Bravo baby is in good hands. “I feel very good and am very happy that the business is going to someone at its peak and also to someone who really knows the restaurant business”. He smiled and added, “And I also happen to know that she is very good baker.”

Bravo Restaurant is located at 6557 Road 38 in Verona and is open 7 days a week from 8AM-9PM(to 8PM in the winter months).

Photo: Frank and Sandra White in the new gift store

Just in time for the final push of the holiday gift buying season, members of the White family, the new owners of the Sharbot Lake Country Inn and its newly renovated pub “”The Crossing”, recently transformed the former 1200 square foot restaurant space into a fully stocked gift store. Located on the main floor of the hotel and the brainchild of Sandra White and her sister Beverly Ward, the quaint store called The Doctor’s House Gift Shop is lined with old antique display tables and has been festively decked out for the holiday season. Over half of the gifts for sale are works by local area artisans.

“One of our goals in opening the new store was to support local area artisans by providing a venue for them to sell their work,” Sandra White said. Well represented here are many local artists working in a variety of mediums. Some of the unique, one of kind items for sale include framed and unframed prints by Martina Field; wood turned items by Ken Waller; jewelry by Laurel Minutillo and Lucie Gilchrist; and functional pottery by Johanna Jansen. Kathy Martin of Dragonfly Herbs is offering her line of all-natural herbal body products and Rodger MacMunn has a line of new signs based on vintage signs found in the local area from days gone by. There are original paintings by White family member Jen White (who is also assisting in managing the store) and original oil landscape paintings by Scott White. In the fibre department are knit wearables by Juanita Belanger and skeins of alpaca wool from Hanne Quigley. For those looking for more general gift items, Beverly is offering up other items in the store including assorted children’s toys, candles, Christmas-themed ornaments and gifts and much more.

The store hours are Friday and Saturday from 11am-5pm and Sundays from 9:30am- 5pm but Jen tells me that she would open up the space if diners are interested in making a purchase during regular restaurant hours.

The White family definitely has their work cut out for them. Their newly renovated pub called The Crossing, named after the small Newfoundland town where both Sandra and her husband Frank were born, is keeping the family pretty busy. The Crossing offers diners a full lunch and dinner menu and Frank and Sandra do all of cooking on site with fresh ingredients. The décor is warm and homey, with its barn board pillars, exposed stone foundation and warm fireplaces throughout, and is meant to remind diners of old railway towns. The restaurant is also quick becoming one of the hottest spots for live music. Up and coming on December 10 is the Rick Fines Trio. There are just a few tickets left so to reserve, call 613-279-2198. The restaurant hours are Monday through Saturday from 11am-8pm, Sundays from 9:30am-8pm.

 

 

By Jeff Green & Julie Druker

CF Council unanimously passes Comprehensive Zoning By-Law

by Julie Druker

“It was an onerous task,” Mayor Gutowski said about the work that went into preparing the second version of a Comprehensive Zoning By-Law for Central Frontenac.

“I'd say it took about three years. It was an interesting process with a few hiccups along the way but a lot of consultations and public meetings took place and I hope the public feels that we have done a good job”, she said.

Prior to the bylaw’s passing, Councilor Purdon was presented with a complete consolidated version of both the Official Plan and the new bylaw by Glenn Tunnock, the township’s planning consultant.

“This is for all of your effort,” Tunnock said.

Purdon thanked Tunnock and agreed to withhold any further suggestions he might have, “for the moment.”

“Planning is the key and it is certainly important in a community - and it also never ends as we evolve and change,” said Mayor Gutowski just before the vote on the bylaw was called.

Two public meetings offer no objections to zoning amendments

Glenn Tunnock and his assistant David Welwood made back-to-back presentations regarding two separate zoning amendments. Both received no objections or questions either from council or members of the public who were in attendance. The amendments concerned lands at Kirk Kove on Big Gull Lake in Kennebec and the MacDonald property on Kellar Lake in Olden. Both reports were accepted by council for information and in both cases staff was directed to prepare the amended by-laws for the next council meeting on Nov. 8.

Novatech rep addresses council re drive-thrus

Prior to the passing of the Comprehensive Zoning By-Law, Adam Thompson of Novatech Engineering of Ottawa, representing members of the Ontario Restaurant and Hotel Association, which include Tim Hortons, Wendys, A&W and McDonalds, invited council to consider their Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw to ensure that the proper zoning be in place to accommodate drive-thru restaurant facilities. Thompson asked that drive-thru lanes be permitted anywhere there is a restaurant in the township.

Councilor Guntensperger said, “Frankly my response to your statement 'anywhere a restaurant is’, is that it is not appropriate in certain circumstances, like at Oso beach for example. That would just not work.”

Glenn Tunnock addressed the issue later and said that the new bylaw allows for that kind of development but common sense says it would most likely occur along the Highway 7 corridor, where those kinds of places would fit it. He added that site controls would determine where those developments might be located and that each one would be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Communications problem solved

by Jeff Green

Members of the Central Frontenac Fire Department have been using satellite radios that were managed and controlled by an outside company. Now, after five years of effort and delays, the township has full control over its own communications, using a tower that is located just off Highway 7 near Mountain Grove.

“We now have four ways to get hold of our members, including through their cell phones, which is much easier for members to carry than the radio pager when they are out working,” said Fire Chief Mark MacDonald.

Then new system, which is integrated with the fire dispatch service out of Kingston, also enables independent internal communication among fire department members, as well as the township roads department and even members of Council.

“Having control of our own communications was very important to us,” said MacDonald, “and the system is working really well. We have already seen our numbers growing during calls because of the cell phone application.”

Councilor Jeff Matson, who was chairing the Council meeting on Tuesday, October 25 when MacDonald made his announcement, and who is also a volunteer firefighter, said that he finds it much easier to carry his cell phone, “particularly when I am out working on a loader.”

“That reminds me of another advantage. We won’t have to replace as many radios because they have been run over by loaders,” said Mark MacDonald.

No tax break for seniors’ housing project

On the recommendation of the Finance Department, Council rejected a request for five years of tax relief from the Central Frontenac Housing Corporation, which built and manages a five-unit seniors’ complex off Clement Road near Sharbot Lake.

The not-for-profit housing corporation faced cost overruns when building the complex, some of which came about due to complications in the planning process overseen by the township. A gap in the township’s Official Plan forced an Official Plan amendment in addition to a zoning bylaw amendment before construction could begin. The situation was further exacerbated when a group of residents took the township to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) over their decision to allow the project to proceed. Although the township covered the housing corporation’s legal costs at the OMB hearing, which went the township’s way, construction delays pushed the price of the building up.

In reviewing the request for tax relief, township Deputy Treasurer Christine Beaushaw said, “We calculate that this rebate would amount to over $23,000 over five years and it would have to be calculated into each year’s budget as an added expense to other tax payers. This will increase the burden of taxes on other taxpayers within the same property class, and we do not recommend that Council do this.”

Mayor Janet Gutowski, a long-time supporter of the project, said she has “mixed emotions about this report. On the one hand I am proud that we have stepped in and supported this project by helping out with development fees, and I would like to see us continue to support it because it is in the interest of our township to improve the stock of affordable seniors’ housing. However, this is an unbudgeted ask that we were not counting on and we have to be concerned about how other not-for-profits might see this. I will reluctantly be supporting this staff recommendation, but I do feel we need to some more thinking about how we address this property.”

Councilor Bill Snyder said that he has visited the property, and noted that the driveway and the area in front of the building have not been completed.

“Maybe we could have our public works department at least grade the driveway,” he said.

Council rejected the request for tax relief, and passed a further motion asking the staff and board of Central Frontenac Housing to meet with staff and council to consider further assistance from the township.

Mayor Gutowski thanked Christine Beaushaw for her service to the township, as she will be leaving her position in the finance department before the next council meeting.

Township all a-twitter: Among upgrades outlined in report by Charlene Godfrey, were a subscription email service that will enable subscribers to keep up to date with township new bulletins, and a Twitter account for the township, which is now up and running.

“I was disappointed that I couldn’t be the first ‘follower’ of the Central Frontenac twitter feed,” said Mayor Gutowski, “when I went to register I found that Alan McPhail, a township councilor in South Frontenac, was already listed as a ‘follower’.”

 

For five years, Sundance Studio Tour has welcomed thousands of patrons throughout the Labour Day weekend. To facilitate growth, allowing more artists to participate, a move to The Fall River Restaurant’s “river view” location was a natural progression and to reflect the expansion, the name has been changed to Sundance Artisan Festival. The festival, which takes place Sept 1st to 3rdthis year, is an evolution of creative, innovative and traditional artisans, local farm-to-plate cuisine and eclectic toe-tapping music. As always, the theme of Sundance is individual creativity with an element of reclaimed, recycled or natural materials, with impressions in wood, stone, cloth, metal, clay and other media. The original expressions of the returning artists will be complimented by new artists, 30 in all.

Along with visual art, patrons will enjoy the natural flavours of handcrafted food and organic drinks, to suit every taste. Culinary delights include organic salads, fiery pulled pork from Seed to Sausage, Arctic Char sandwiches, organic beer and Ontario wines. Flat bread pizza, served from a wood-fired stone oven, is a mouth-watering addition to the sight, sound and now taste of Sundance. For pancake lovers, the Maberly Fire Department will serve up a traditional breakfast, smothered in local maple syrup, on Saturday morning starting at 9 a.m.

The new hosts of Sundance, restaurant owners, Paul and Michele Zammit, welcome former patrons to return to the peaceful setting they offer in Maberly at the corner of Highway #7 and Country Rd. 36. Listen to the wind, watch the river, enjoy the moment of tranquility in the country.

Once you have visited the festival, walk next door and delight your senses yet again with the finest organic lunch or dinner you have ever enjoyed. The Fall River restaurant was recognized by the Ottawa Citizen as “Canada’s Greenest Restaurant,” and Sundance Festival is a natural addition to the restaurant’s mandate… natural, organic, complimentary and memorable.

 

 

Mike McKenzie, left, caught up with his brother, who was one of of over 1000 visitors to the Food Fair and Grand Opening event.

“What just happened?” Mike McKenzie posted on the Seed to Sausage twitter feed at 7 pm on Saturday, two hours after the doors closed and the guest chefs had packed up their portable smokers and pizza ovens and departed for their home restaurants.

On a normal week day, a few cars can be seen parked next to the unassuming Quonset huts on a normally lonely stretch of Road 38 near what used to be the village of Oconto. The Seed to Sausage logo and slogan (Local, Ethical, Humble) on one of the huts is the only indication that there is more going on there than boat storage. Years ago food lovers used to pay more attention to the property across the road, where Levi Ducharme used to grow and sell some of the best sweet corn in Frontenac County.

The property that presently houses Seed to Sausage was developed by Martyn Jenkyns, who built a butcher shop and slaughtering facility there and opened M&C meats. Just over a year ago Seed to Sauage took over the property, and since then sales have gone in one direction - up!

Seed to Sausage's start up coincided with the establishment of the Sharbot Lake Farmers Market, and even before their shop was opened they were meeting new customers at a stall in the farmers' market. By mid-summer last year the store was open, and until Thanksgiving they kept store hours, selling some of the cured, fresh and frozen sausage and smoked bacon that they produce for markets in Toronto, Ottawa, and Kingston.

Since then, while the Seed to Sausage shop has not officially been open, a steady stream of customers has stopped by whenever there was someone available there to sell some fresh or frozen meat.

Meanwhile, Seed to Sausage's profile in the foodie communities has kept building. When interviewed last summer Mike McKenzie asked me not to name one of the restaurants that was carrying Seed to Sausage's dried meats for their charcuterie plates because they wanted people to think they were making it themselves. Now, that same restaurant is actively promoting the fact that they have Seed to Sausage Sopressata and Chorizo available. When a number of celebrity chefs took over an Ottawa restaurant one weekend this winter because the chef/owner of the restaurant was off to a Food Olympics in Vancouver, most of them included something from Seed to Sausage on the plates they prepared.

The Chien Noir restaurant in Kingston, which is at or near the top of the food chain in that city, is a big booster as well, and they had a crew on hand on Saturday at the grand opening, cutting up a freshly prepared side of pork and doling out meat and skin to a drooling public. Olivea Restaurant, also from Kingston, brought a portable wood-fired pizza oven with them to promote their rustic Italian locally sourced fare. Perhaps the most popular spot was the Whalesbone booth, from Ottawa, which served fresh shucked oysters to go with wine from Sandbanks winery from Prince Edward County and Pale Ale from St. Ambroise brewery from Montreal.

Where did the customers come from, however? Of the 1,000 plus people who came out, there were many local faces, to be sure, and the cottagers were out in force last weekend because of the mid-summer weather on Victoria Day weekend, but there were a number of people from Ottawa and Kingston, and some from Toronto and even Guelph, who made the trip to Sharbot Lake just for the food.

The shop itself was full to the brim all afternoon, with people lined up at the shelves carrying local and regional products, at the meat counter and on to the checkout counter.

When contacted a few days later, Mike McKenzie talked about the trajectory of the business and plans for the coming summer.

Last summer, about four pigs were processed each week in the shop. Now that number is over 10, in addition to beef and venison, and McKenzie now has about a dozen employees. The store will be open from Wednesday to Sunday from now until Thanksgiving weekend, and it features a full butcher shop in addition to cheese and other specialty food. A converted chip truck will be selling sandwiches and other items on site as well. Seed to Sausage products are also available at Local Family Farms in Verona, and Jossy’s chip truck in Sharbot Lake is carrying Seed to Sausage on a bun.