New: Facebook has blocked all Canadian news. Join our mailing list to stay in the loop.

New: Facebook has blocked all Canadian news. Join our mailing list to stay in the loop.

For the first time in its 27-year history, the Verona Christmas in the Village tree-lighting ceremony was held indoors.

“With the weather this year, we thought we’d hold it indoors rather than have everybody have to dress up to go outside,” said Verona Community Association president Wayne Conway.

For years, the tree lighting was held at McMullen Park in downtown Verona but it turned out that the lights were killing the old Christmas tree in the park so it moved to the Lions Hall a few years ago.

But, Conway said, the Association is re-evaluating.

“The VCA will look at and assess the possibility of going back to our roots,” Conway said. “We’re looking at enhancing the program for next year and maybe even ways of returning to McMullen Park.”

Holding events at the Lions Hall does have advantages. For one thing, the kitchen is available and the Lions provided a nice spread including chilli and hot dogs, along with the popcorn and goodies.

“This is the second year the Lions have become more involved,” said Lions spokesperson Doreen Morey. “Last year we did it and this year we’re doing it together as a shared event.

“We’re very happy to join together as a community and by doing so, it maximizes the number of volunteers available.”

This year’s event featured the music of Jessica Weddon and Jon McClurg and the group Vocal Legacy.

Published in SOUTH FRONTENAC

The future of Remembrance Day services at the McMullen Park Cenotaph in Verona appears set as more than 100 people gathered on Remembrance Day to honour the fallen.

At the luncheon in the Verona Free Methodist Church following the ceremonies, one of the organizers, Linda Bates, announced that they plan to keep up the tradition next year, although they may change the starting time to 11 a.m. from 10:45 a.m. to better accommodate students from Prince Charles Public School.

“We think it’s more important to have the students here than to observe the moment of silence right at 11 a.m.,” Bates said. “It’s important students know and understand why we do this.”

There was a strong contingent of students and staff from PCPS at this year’s ceremony, both in terms of actual numbers and active participation.

Kate Walker and Madison Brushette read In Flanders Fields and Willa Morton gave the reply. Brent Orser and Emily Casement laid a wreath for the school.

The school has a history of Remembrance Day ceremonies. For several years, Verona remembrances were held in the school gym before a group of volunteers and the Verona Community Association brought the service back to the Cenotaph in 2016.

Published in SOUTH FRONTENAC
Wednesday, 19 June 2019 12:43

SF Volunteers of the Year

Rhonda Storring

After having retired from the Canadian Forces after 32 years of service and the Commissionaires in Kingston, Rhonda Storring now calls Verona home. Rhonda is a people person and has very much enjoyed being a member of the Verona Community Association for the past nine years. She is a Director on the Board and holds the position of Secretary. Rhonda records, distributes, and handles correspondence for the Association. She volunteers her time to the many activities and events that are sponsored by the VCA. She has participated in the VCA Family Free Skate and was the Chairperson for the event this year. Rhonda assists at the Verona Community Christmas Dinner, the Flower Barrel contest, Music in the Park, the Remembrance Day Ceremony, Canada Day Celebrations in Harrowmsith, and the Verona Car Show.

When not busy as a board member with the VCA, Rhonda also acts as the Secretary for the Verona Car Show and is an active volunteer during the event. Rhonda often assists with the South Frontenac Community Services Diner’s Club as well. She lends a hand with set up, take down, and the serving of meals. Rhonda contributes with the Verona Lions Club breakfast events throughout the year, all while owning and operating her own business in Verona, Restore Esthetics.

The VCA and the community of South Frontenac would not be the same without the hard work and dedication that continues to be shown by Rhonda Storring and her never ending desire to make this area a great place to live.

Alvin Wood

Alvin Wood has been an outstanding member of this community for as long as we have been lucky enough to have him and his family in Battersea. Alvin’s commitment to volunteerism and supporting our community truly enhances the quality of life for all residents. He is an inspiration to all who call South Frontenac home, and his hard work and dedication ensures that we all get to enjoy and celebrate our wonderful community.

Alvin currently sits on the Storrington District Recreation Committee, where he has been an active member for several years. Alvin has most recently acted as Chair of the Committee, going above and beyond to ensure that the district’s valuable teams, associations, facilities, events, and programs are well represented within the Township.

In addition to his work with community recreation, Alvin has been on the Battersea Pumpkin Festival Committee since its inception 25 years ago. This festival is a keystone event for the Township of South Frontenac and Alvin has been an invaluable member of the team, always taking on many roles and responsibilities. Without the hard work and dedication of Alvin, the festival would not be where it is today. Alvin also plays a large role in other volunteer pursuits, such as the Pumpkin Pie Coffee House and Blue Skies Musical Festival. He can often be found volunteering wherever is needed in the community, such as one-time fundraising events, church happenings, and anywhere else that needs a skilled helping hand.

Alvin is a tremendous supporter of this community, and there is no doubt that he deserves this award for his outstanding volunteerism. Our community is a much greater place because of all that he does.

Published in SOUTH FRONTENAC
Wednesday, 02 December 2015 20:03

The VCA's third annual Christmas in the Village

The Verona Community Association's annual Christmas in the Village event, now in its third year, continues to attract young and old to the Verona Lions den in Verona for a full day of holiday fun and activities for all ages. The free event, as always, took place in and out of doors and included lots of games, activities and crafts for the kids.

They were also treated to a visit from Santa, who handed out candy canes. Outside, the kids enjoyed trips on the Verona Express train, hay wagon rides and a special gathering for the official lighting of the Christmas trees, which took place at the outdoor pavilion at 5:15pm. Doors prizes were given out through the day and evening and guests enjoyed home made chili, soup and homemade donuts and other sweet treats, courtesy of Phyllis Harper and Yvonne Guthro.

New this year was the auctioning off of a number of Christmas wreaths and centerpieces created and donated especially for the event by individuals and businesses from the local community. The proceeds go to support the VCA's annual programming events, which include Music in the Park; the kids' fishing derby; the Verona Cattail Festival and more. Guests also enjoyed a number of live musical acts, including Glenda Nichol, famed trick fiddler Jessica Wedden, Don Cochrane, Bob Connors and Glenn Foster.

Linda Bates, vice president of the VCA and chair of the Christmas in the Village event said, “The aim of the annual event is to kick off the holiday season here in Verona. We want to have a fun free event to celebrate the upcoming Christmas season, which everyone is invited to come out to and enjoy.”

Published in SOUTH FRONTENAC
Wednesday, 10 December 2014 23:14

Verona bottle drive for Christmas for Kids

On November 29, four student volunteers collected copious amounts of empty liquor and beer bottles at the LCBO in Verona for the Verona Community Association's annual Christmas for Kids program. This year the program will offer Christmas gifts to 63 children in the local community. Each child will receive a gift of hand-made pajamas, socks, underwear, toques, and mittens plus art and crafts supplies, books, puzzles and new toys. Mary Jo Dowker, who is heading up the Christmas for Kids Committee, said that new unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the Asselstine Hardware and Verona Hardware stores in Verona until Sunday December 14. Any gifts dropped off after that date will be used for next year's drive. Volunteers will be wrapping the gifts, which will be delivered to local area schools where they will be picked up by parents in time to be handed out to the children on Christmas morning. For those who missed the bottle drive, a number of donation jars are also located throughout the community where cash donations can still be made. Thanks to these young volunteers and to the members of the VCA Christmas for Kids committee, many local youngsters will be receiving gifts that they otherwise may have gone without this holiday season.

Published in SOUTH FRONTENAC
Thursday, 04 December 2014 00:36

Verona's 2nd annual Christmas in the Village

The Verona Community Association’s 2nd annual “Christmas in the Village” is truly an event that has something for everyone. It is completely free and was put on at the Verona Lions hall on November 29 by members of the Verona Community Association (VCA) as a thank you to the local community.

Linda Bates, the chair of this year’s event, said that it is “the VCA's way of saying thank you to the local community for supporting us in our many events that have taken place throughout the year and is our way of welcoming local children into the beginning of this holiday season.”

Christmas in the Village included numerous indoor and outdoor activities for kids including rides on the Verona Express train, wagon rides courtesy of Wayne Garrison and his team Prince and Skittles, an outdoor marshmallow roasting pit, numerous holiday crafts, a tree lighting ceremony and judging contest, door prizes, games for adults and much more. Musical entertainment was provided by the Camp Fire Boys and a plethora of snacks including chili, burgers and hot dogs, plus numerous sweet treats including Phylis Harper's famous homemade donuts and Yvonne Guthro's holiday rice crispie squares were also in abundance and available free of charge.

Children also had a chance to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, who made a special appearance. Close to 300 people attend the event annually and families, especially those with young children, had a chance to relax and socialize thanks to the hard work of the members of the VCA.

Published in SOUTH FRONTENAC
With the participation of the Government of Canada