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It’s highly likely the phrase “fishin’ is better in the rain” was heard several times on area lakes Saturday as anglers of all ages took to the water amid rain and windy conditions in two fishing derbies.

Numbers were down at the third annual Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation Bass Derby, said Chief Doreen Davis, who also served as chief tournament official at the weigh-in at Oso Beach.

“You can’t anchor in this weather,” she said. “But because it’s any lake north of the 401, people could find their own favourite spots.

“And it’s about getting the community together. All of the kids get a prize and even though it’s a bass derby, kids can weigh in anything, even if it’s a minnow.”

However, the kids division win, was anything but a minnow. Owen Lightheart landed a 3-pound bass on his “last cast of the day” to win the rod and reel combination.

Craig Schonaier took the $630 first prize in the derby with a 4.7 pound lunker, which he caught in Mosquito Lake, followed by Connor Clow’s 4.1 pound $180 second place winner. Jacob White took third with a 3.14 pounder.

Over at the King of Sharbot Lake tournament, which was limited to fish caught in Sharbot Lake, 22 teams braved the weather with Team #12, consisting of Bill Bowick, Scott Bullen and Brayden Bullen taking home the $1,500 first prize with a combined weight of 14.11 pounds.

Second place ($750) went to Team # 19 consisting of Billy Chambers and Taylor Lowry with a combined weight of 13.12 pounds. Third place ($500) went to Team #5 of Dave Lockridge and Steve Lockridge with a combined weight of 13.11 pounds.

Cazz Bahm and Josh Carr (Team #9) won the Hidden Weight prize.

Published in CENTRAL FRONTENAC
Wednesday, 19 June 2019 12:44

Canada Day in Central Frontenac

Once again it’s time to celebrate Canada Day, July 1st. Central Frontenac is pleased to sponsor activities and events held at the Oso Beach in Sharbot Lake.

Starting with a pancake breakfast from 7:00 am to 10:00am, at the Wagner Road Fire station. Sponsored by Central Frontenac Fire Department.

The annual Canada Day run is starting with registration at 9:30 offering a 2K and 5k runs. $10.00 per person or $20.00 per family.

The Lions Club will be marshalling the parade again this year. We would like to encourage organizations, businesses and individuals of all ages to come out and celebrate red and white on Canada Day. Starting at noon, enter a float, walk your dog, ride your bike, or even ride your horse but please join us in making the parade a great start to summer in Central Frontenac.

Opening ceremonies are at 1:00 pm with local dignitaries in attendance to join in singing O Canada.

Along with a lot of local musical talent at the band shell we have karaoke, open mic and a karate demonstration in the lineup. Rural Frontenac Community Services will be hosting kid’s games and crafts. Face painting will be back as well.

A vendor village will also be available as well as the Masons and Lions Club will have their canteen with extended hours until 8:00 pm. The 39ers will have the delicious strawberry social fundraiser in the canteen area as well.

Back this year by popular demand is the fun-filled duct boat races. Challenge your neighbour, the island next door or another group of rivals to see who is the best boat builder in town! Starting at 2:00pm with registration starting at 1:30 pm, all age groups are welcome and prizes will be awarded. Rules and requirements are available on our Facebook page, District #3 Rec Committee or at the Central Frontenac Township office.

The evening will end with the always spectacular fireworks held at dusk.

A tax receipt can be issued at the township office for anyone wishing to donate to help with the Canada Days expenses.

A complete listing for Canada Day activities in Sharbot Lake will be published in an upcoming paper.

Hoping that Mother Nature cooperates on July 1st and we can enjoy celebrating together once again the great country that we are so lucky to live in.

Published in CENTRAL FRONTENAC

It’s almost hard to imagine Granite Ridge Education Centre (and its predecessor Sharbot Lake High School) without Mr. McVety.

But that’s the way it’s going to be once the spring semester of 2019 finally lets out for summer vacation.

And last Friday night, his contemporaries and co-workers gathered in the cafetorium to send him off to retirement in style (sprinkled with healthy doses of lunacy).

But how else would you say good-bye to a legendary performer?

Mr. Randy McVety has been a teacher for “almost 30 years” according to a slide show featuring some of the best moments of his youth provided by his family that led off the “McVety Minute” talk-show format good-bye.

Ben Moser served as talk show host on the McVety Minute, with sidekick Wade Leonard and the band “Three People Not Named Randy.”

First guest on the talk show was Liz Steele-Drew who confided she’d worked with McVety for 26 years.

“It had its moments,” she said. “But for the most part, they’ve been awesome.

“Randy did try to kill me a couple of times, though.”

“Randy carries every assignment he’s ever written in his little brown bag,” said Moser. “He actually invented the Dewey Decimal System (actually Melvil Dewey in 1876).

“Eight of his fingers have never touched a typewriter keyboard (and) he loses it twice a year just to prove to the kids he still has it.”

He was thanked by the IT department for “creating enough work for two techs — without you, our computers and projectors would be working just fine.”

He was remembered for legendary field trips, showing movies like Bad Santa, Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay and Quest for Fire, and cited as a legend in the world of car pooling as well.

As far as retirement plans, McVety told The News he wasn’t going to be one of those teachers who just can’t seem to give it up by accepting numerous supply teaching assignments.

He did say, however, that he planned to remain active in the school sporting community, continuing with one of his passions — coaching soccer.

Published in CENTRAL FRONTENAC

The organizers of the first-ever Frontenac Repair Cafe on Sunday in Sharbot Lake only had one complaint.

“We had plenty of fixers — we could have used more breakers,” said Derek Redmond. “A sunny day is not the best; we probably could have used a rainy day.”

But other than that, they did manage to fix nine items for 10 people, including sewing machines, speakers and Karen Burke’s candle holder.

“I’m so pleased,” she said.

“We had seven or eight fixers and four greeter/guides,” said Peter de Bassecourt. “But the day before, we only had three fixers so it worked out well.

“It’s nice, good to start off with less panic.”

He said it was a good turnout, even if there weren’t any bicycles, which he was expecting.

“The whole idea is that things just don’t have to go in the landfill,” he said. “Although, it’s educational too. I learned how to thread a surger.”

Fellow organizer Mary de Bassecourt said that Repair Cafe Frontenac is different from other cafes in that it is a “traveling circus that sets up in different locations around Frontenac County.”

To that end, the next Repair Cafe is scheduled for Bellrock Community Hall, June 23, to be followed by Perth Road United Church on July 28.

“And it’s looking like North Frontenac (Ompah) will come on board soon,” she said. “One visitor today remarked that the logo is the same one she’s seen in her home country of France.”

Another point worthy of note is how quickly this venture came together. The first meeting was March 19, meaning the repair cafe came together in just a little over two months, she said.

Published in CENTRAL FRONTENAC
Wednesday, 29 May 2019 13:45

Windfall Fine Gifts in Sharbot Lake

Leslie Gauer and her husband, Bruce, decided to move to Sharbot Lake from the Hamilton area to open up a bed and breakfast.

They opened The Cottages at Windrush on Sharbot Lake a year ago and have been surprised by the number of visitors they have welcomed who are from far flung corners of the globe.

“We were also surprised how busy we were this past winter,” said Leslie.

Working with other local business owners, Lesley and Bruce have been taken with the energy and range of businesses in Frontenac County and are supporters of the Infrontenac branding initiative as well.

All of this, and the fact that Leslie has always liked the idea of running a small craft store with a good selection of exceptional items, led her to consider opening a gift store with a focus on locally made artisan items for both the local and tourist traffic.

When a small space became available at the high traffic corner of Hwy, 7 and road 38 she grabbed it and Windfall Fine Gifts began to take shape.

Even though it has just opened, the store already has a curated feel to it.

Some of the featured artists are Dave Travers from Hartington, who makes finely crafted folk-art inspired bird houses, and wood worker James Hanley whose small tables and other items are carried. Cards and smaller Batiks from Sarah Hale are available, as well as original work by Judith Versavel. Signs from Backwoods Country Creations, local honey and maple syrup, Perth Soap products and more are available at the store.

Free coffee is in the pot these days as Leslie encourages everyone to check out this new store in Sharbot Lake.

The store is open from Thursday to Sunday at the moment. Summer hours will be coming soon. Contact - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in CENTRAL FRONTENAC

With the Victoria Day weekend comes the opening of local farmers markets and Saturday at Oso Beach in Sharbot Lake was no exception.

“It’s been a cold, wet spring and vendors have been working hard to create options,” said Sue Cole, spokesperson for the Sharbot Lake Farmers Market. “But we do have plant starts, preserves and dried goods.

“And the earliest season greens are just starting to come in.”

They’ve added a couple of farm vendors this year, she said.

“We’re looking forward to having mushrooms and cut flowers,” she said. “And also some fresh soaps.”

She said they plan to have breakfast starting in June as well as a lot of other events, but they’re just getting started in that area as they’re a vendor-run market as opposed to having an administrator.

“We’re still figuring that out,” she said. “But follow our Facebook page for future events.”

One thing they would like to have is more music. They have a few days booked but they’d like to see some buskers around.

“We’re hoping to have more music,” she said. “There is power available, so bring your own equipment and put down a hat.”

She said musicians interested in playing at the market should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to book a Saturday.

The Sharbot Lake Farmers Market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Thanksgiving at Oso Beach in Sharbot Lake.

Published in CENTRAL FRONTENAC

Just to be clear. The first week for amnesty loads at Central Frontenac landfills doesn’t mean said landfills will be open during the entire week, Council heard during its regular meeting Tuesday evening at Oso Hall in Sharbot Lake.

Coun. Tom Dewey told Council some of his constituents found the dates listed for the first of three weeks for amnesty loads in 2019 confusing, asking if the Monday May 20 to Sunday May 26 listing meant that the Olden site would be open all those days.

Acting Public Works Manager David Armstrong replied that the regular hours for both Olden and Oso sites would still be in effect.

“And the Monday, May 20 is a statutory holiday (Victoria Day), so both sites will be closed.

The hours of operation for Olden are Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The hours of operation for the Oso site are Mondays (except May 20, Victoria Day), Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon and Tuesdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Large items and construction waste that are part of an amnesty load are only accepted at Olden and Township staff ask that residents “make their best effort” to take amnesty loads to Olden.

There will be two more amnesty weeks in 2019 — July 153 to July 21 and Aug. 26 to Sept. 1. Regular landfill site hours will apply then also.

An amnesty load is a single load of household refuse at no charge (up to a $40 limit).

CF to switch to KARC for recycling, a “more responsible” option

Armstrong also asked Council for and received permission to negotiate an agreement with the City of Kingston to ship recycled items from Central Frontenac waste sites to the Kingston Area Recycling Centre.

Armstrong said for the past four years, Central has had an agreement with HGC Management Inc. in Belleville but “having seen both operations, I believe Kingston is more responsible.”

He said operating expenses would increase by about $8,000 per year by switching to KARC but there will be savings in staff time and fuel given that Kingston is closer to our waste sites and Central Frontenac would be eligible for a 2.6 per cent share of any revenues from recyclable sales.

He said by switching to KARC, it would free up 268.5 staff hours to be used on other maintenance activities and save nearly 6,000 litres of fuel.

He said the $8,000 is already accounted for in the 2019 operating budget.

Stairs contract, already underway, gets approved

Andy Dillon, manager of development services/chief building official, recommended Council accept the bid from Jones Contracting and Building Services for the stairs at Oso Hall in the amount of $30,850 plus HST. Work actually began May 10 but since it was under $50,000, the Mayor and Clerk-Administrator were authorized to sign a contract.

“There was some urgency so that the hall could be used,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

Dillon said the work is expected to be completed “by the end of the month” and will include four light standards and an extended landing “so a ramp can be built along the side of the building ensuring that everyone will be able to use the front door.”

$250 for fishing derby toilet needs

Council agreed to kick in up to $250 for a portable toilet at the government docks June 15 for a fishing tournament being put on by B.T. Productions.

Representing B.T., Kirk Chabot said the tournament will be smaller than last year’s, with about 60 participants.

Council also gave B.T. permission to hold a car show at Oso Beach Aug. 25.

A third request, to hold a canteen on Canada Day from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. was withdrawn.

Published in CENTRAL FRONTENAC
Wednesday, 01 May 2019 11:25

Coworking in Frontenac County

Vandeross consulting (Ella Vanderburg and Katie Ross) is a new consulting company with a focus on helping small businesses in Kingston and Frontenac County.

They were approached recently by an organisation called Rural by Purpose to see if they wanted to participate in a pilot project that is focused on something that is normally associated with urban environments, freelance workers needing office space.

“We thought this idea was interesting, and approached Richard Allen to see if Frontenac County would like to participate in this, and when he said yes, we decided to give it a go,” said Katie Ross in a phone interview this week.

The local version of the project is called Coworking in Frontenac, and the week of May 6-10 is the target week for the project. During that week, participating Frontenac County businesses will be opening their doors and providing space for freelancers to work out of some unused space within their offices.

Vanderburg and Ross brought the coworking challenge concept to the April meeting of Frontenac County Council and have been helping find suitable locations over the last couple of weeks.

“So far we have found there are more people looking for places to set up than there are locations, and it looks like the main thing that freelancers in Frontenac County are looking for is reliable Internet service which many don’t have at home.”

An important aspect of coworking week, and one of the major goals of Rural on Purpose, which was co-founded by Belleville based Mary Doyle, is to retain and attract younger workers to rural communities. In blogs posted on the Rural on Purpose site, Doyle makes it clear that she believes it is only through retention and in-migration of youth that rural communities will survive. In one case, at the end of an entry, she talks directly to millennials, saying, “Do you want to create new ways of doing business? What support do you need from us?”

According to a media release from Frontenac County, the majority of the workforce is predicted to be freelance within a decade, and seventy-four percent of millennials are currently freelancing. Global coworking spaces are projected to grow from 14,411 in 2017 to just over 30,000 in 2022.

"More and more we find that people are working from their homes, so it has become important to let remote workers and entrepreneurs know they have places to connect in our communities. The Coworking Takeover Challenge is a great way to start thinking about how we can be freelance friendly," said Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development at the County of Frontenac.

So far, a number of locations have committed to having space available for the coworking week, including the township office in Frontenac Islands, the Frontenac County office, Rural Frontenac Community Services offices in Sydenham and both of their Sharbot Lake locations, and Holiday Country Manor in Battersea.

Information about locations is available at coworkfrontenac.com by clicking on participating vendors. Further down the page, there is an option for both freelancers and potential hosts to register. The site also includes a voluntary survey.

“A major goal of the pilot is to identify the need for coworking within the four municipalities. Our goal is to bring together existing business with those working in isolation and providing access to resources such as reliable internet services, networking opportunities and business support,” said Ella Vanderburg.

“As we have gotten into it, we are seeing that we might need to extend the week to a couple of weeks to get the word out and get a true sense of the potential in Frontenac County. That will also give us time to locate more vendors throughout the county,” said Katie Ross. “We think the demand is there.”

Ross and Vanderburg will be monitoring the pilot to see how it is progressing, just as they are establishing their own permanent headquarters on Sydenham Road.

For further information, go to coworkfrontenac.com, or call /email Vandeross at 613-777-2200, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Published in FRONTENAC COUNTY
Wednesday, 01 May 2019 11:24

Opening Minds Innovations with Liz Bonser

Liz Bonser is a retiree on Brewer Roar near Sharbot Lake, and has been seeking an outlet for her creative energy.

She found it by attending a workshop in Ottawa that introduced her to Paverpol, a glue-like material that hardens when it dries. Using it as a textile hardener, it can be used to make statues, both for indoors and outdoors, as well as abstract objects, wall decorations, vases, bowls, animals, jewelry and masks.

She took to it right away.

“I love this art form so much, from the start. I took the intensive teacher’s course and am now a certified instructor,” she said. “Being who I am and always looking for ways to have fun I decided to start my own business.”

She now has a studio space set up in her home, where she is able to do her own work and is also offering workshops for others who are interested in working with Paverpol.

“This art is so easy and so much fun to work with. Yes, everyone is an artist even if they don't think they are. There are still so many more new ways to create using Paverpol.”

Starting this month, Liz will be conducting workshops for 3-5 participants in May and June. Participants will create a seated figure. For those who really enjoy the process, intermediate and specialty workshops are also being planned, and Liz also sells Paverpol so people can work on their own projects at home.

For information about Paverpol and dates of upcoming workshops, or to see a gallery of Liz Bonser’s work, go to openingmindsinnovations.ca.

Published in CENTRAL FRONTENAC

Very few people do anything for 82 years.

However, Eileen Whan is a bit different in that regard. You see, at age 93, Whan is still writing to a friend in Quebec — a friend she began writing to when she was 11 years old, 82 years ago.

“I was 11 and she was nine,” Whan said. “Her name was the same as mine — Eileen.

“But she was a Beattie and now her name is Eileen Greer.”

Whan, who now lives just south of Sharbot Lake, was born on a farm near Leggat Lake, the eldest of 11 children. When they moved to Crow Lake, she began selling Gold Medal products — greeting cards, seeds, etc — door to door.

“I got a slip in the order sheets saying they wanted pen pals,” she said. “So I thought why not?

“I sent a letter and within a few days, I got one back.”

They’ve been doing it ever since.

So, what do they write about to each other?

“They say you’re not supposed to write about religion or politics,” Whan said. “So we don’t.

“We just talk.”

A big topic of conversation is their kids. Whan had six and Greer had seven.

“The best letters were usually about what we got the kids for Christmas,” she said. “We both shopped out of the Sears Christmas Wish Book and we could tell each other what page and the colour we ordered.

“It was nothing to write eight pages or so.”

It’s not that they completely ignored what was going on around them in the world. When 9/11 happened, they talked about it.

“You couldn’t avoid it,” she said. “It was everywhere on TV for weeks.”

And there were other things that couldn’t be avoided, such as when Greer’s first husband took his own life, or when Whan’s second oldest, Vickie, died in an accident.

But mostly, they just talk.

They have met over the years.

“We went to Quebec the first time,” she said. “Then she came here with her first daughter about four or five years later.

“That was around ’59, I think.”

And Greer came to visit when Whan married her second husband, Doug, in 2000. (They’ve both been married twice.)

And they’re planning to meet up again in May if things work out, in Cornwall, which is about halfway between them.

“My second oldest, Brian (who is married to Doug’s daughter) thought we should do it and he’s arranging things,” she said. “We haven’t heard back yet.”

But even if they don’t meet up, the letters will continue, she said.

“Aren’t memories wonderful things?” she said. “I wouldn’t say having a pen pal has played a ‘major’ role in my life, but it is part of my life.

“We never talk about finances but we didn’t have any secrets from each other — we never held anything back.”

And has the content of the letters changed over the years?

“Not really,” she said. “Except that as we got older, we started telling about all our aches and pains.”

Published in CENTRAL FRONTENAC
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