Back to HomeFeature Article - October 16, 2009 Sharbot Lake Wellness Fair

File photo courtesy Tracie Goodberry.

More and more small businesses are coming to the area to assist in the move to better health, and The Sharbot Lake Wellness Fair is a perfect opportunity to find out what the hype is all about. The fair is a free event at the Oso Community Hall on October 24th from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm to explore the ever expanding world of Natural Health. Pamper, learn and indulge in samples, mini-treatments and conversation. Investigate earth and body friendly products.

Meet professionals, specialists and therapists in organic, vegetarian and live food cuisine, nutrition, massage, natural healing, and so much more.

Admission is Free but the opportunity to support the local Food Bank is encouraged. Non-perishable food items and/ or a monetary donation would be greatly appreciated as we approach a very demanding time of year for the Food Bank.

Many of the nineteen participants will be offering mini-treatments and samples without the commitment of time and money that a full treatment or meal would demand. Multiple products and modalities can be sampled for a fraction of the cost … and conversation is free.

As an added bonus, each vendor is donating a gift. Each time a product or service is sampled, a ballot will be given which is then deposited into the ballot box of choice; thus increasing the chance of winning multiple gifts. Prizes vary from $20.00 to $75.00 in value and will be drawn by Warden / Mayor Janet Gutowski at 4:00 pm.

The nineteen vendors have been drawn to this event from Verona, Lanark, Balderson, Perth and Kingston. Nearly half of these are centered in the Sharbot Lake area. A wealth of information is at your doorstep.

Based near Ardoch, Debbie Kiss will be promoting Brigid’s Balm ; a line of hand made super-natural goat milk soaps, bath and body care products as well as massage and essential oils. Incense blends, hand –crafted runes and divining stones create an interesting array.

Along a similar line, Janet Ducharme adds more flavour to the mix. Johnston Lake Organics of Ompah will display functional herbal planters, mixtures and herbal dog products. Old family recipes made from organic raw materials; the way it used to be.

Samaya Faiola, a new comer to the Sharbot Lake area, is certified as a Natural Health Practitioner, Canine/ feline Specialist, Certified Life Skills Coach, and Aesthetician, Aroma therapist and Reiki Master / Teacher. There should be no lack of conversation at her booth.

Carol Ann Belanger, near Tichborne, is immersing herself in the community with ten years (and counting) of education and experience. Her compassionate guidance and support enhance her skills and knowledge. Learn more about the Brennan Healing Science, Yoga, Qui Gong and more.

From just north of Parham, Dawn Morden will be introducing her handmade, all-natural beauty products. Many of the ingredients used are from her own gardens. If you wouldn’t put it in your mouth, don’t put it on your skin.

Lucie Gilchrist has been instrumental in bringing Natural Health Care professionals together over the past few years. Now living in the Sharbot Lake area, she can share over twenty years of studies. Certified in Reiki, Nutrition, Holographic Energy and Angel Guide Practice, she has also studied extensively in no less than eight other modalities.

Melanie Fyfe, Jocelyne Steeves, Janina Fisher, all residing in the Sharbot Lake vicinity, offer Foot Reflexology, Reiki and Isagenix respectively.

Those are just a few of the services on offer, there are ten more professionals of great interest taking part , so please join in the fun and see for yourself.

The goal in promoting this day is to support and develop the community, while furthering the introduction of natural, holistic and complimentary health practices.

Given the proper environment, the body knows how to be in a natural state of health.

So come on out; support the community, the Food Bank, small business and, above all, yourself.

For more information please call Tracie Goodberry at 613 267-3946 or Carol Belanger at 375-6448.

Back to HomeFeature Article - October 22, 2009 Community Supports Stuff a cruiser Event

OPP officers from the Sharbot Lake detachment have forged a partnership with the North Frontenac Food Bank. The first ever Sharbot Lake “Stuff a Cruiser” event on Saturday Oct 17 brought in 400 kg of food and $270 in cash donations.

“It also provided us with a good opportunity to get to know people in the community,” said Community Sergeant Jim Birtch of the event, which he organized in conjunction with Brenda Piat of the food bank.

Among highlights of the day were a breakfast that OPP Auxiliary Officer Andy Mouck threw for the officers who volunteered to come to the event, and the welcome the officers received from a group of women from the Sharbot Lake United Church.

“They heard about it from the article in the paper last week, and they each brought two bags of food for the food bank. They also brought a tray of sandwiches for us,” said Birtch. “We didn’t starve on Saturday.”

Sergeant Birtch said he will keep in contact with Brenda Piat and will plan more events when food stocks run low. 

Back to HomeFeature Article - October 29, 2009 Fairs demonstrate the resilience of county’s business communityby Jeff Green

Dave Storm from Fronatenac Shores and Ken Hook of the Land O'Lakes Tourist Association.

A trade fair at the Lions Hall in Verona on Wednesday, October 21 was chock full of businesses, old and new, which represent some of the future directions for business in the county.

Then on Saturday, Oct 24 in Sharbot Lake there was a Natural Health Fair that filled the Oso Hall with a range of practitioners and producers of a variety of products - everything from alternative therapies to natural skin creams and soap products - for an ever-growing market.

The two shows bustled with energy and vision for the future.

The Small Business Trade Show, which was put on by the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation (FCFDC), was conceived by FCFDC Chief Executive Officer Anne Prichard.

“I really didn't know how many businesses we would attract,” a tired Anne Prichard said as about 30 businesses were packing up and heading home in the rainy dark of an October evening, “and all in all it went better than I had hoped.”

The businesses in attendance provided a pretty good glimpse of the opportunities that are cropping up in a region characterized by the twin economic engines of waterfront and the service requirements of an older population. In addition to Lake District Realty, which re-branded itself as a waterfront specialist two years ago, there were representatives from Frontenac Shores, a fractional ownership resort on Mississagagon Lake that is entering its second phase of growth, and Stoneridge Cove, a new seven-cottage development on Bobs Lake.

Alternative energy solutions were on display as well, in addition to three high-speed internet providers, investment companies, and companies such as Hubby’s House, a cleaning service. The Pampered Chef, Something Cool Frozen Foods, and Moms to the Rescue - three food companies all willing to take care of cooking needs for busy families or those looking for a bit of luxury - were also on hand.

“This event is a great opportunity for us to see what other people are doing and consider how businesses in the county can work together in the future” said Marcel Giroux, who was on hand representing the Robinson Group, a mortgage investment company that has seen an increase in business this year in spite of recession worries throughout the economy.

In fact there was little talk of recession throughout the afternoon.

“When you are in business, the only thing you can do is keep working hard every day,” said Alison Robinson of Lake District Realty, summing up the attitude of the vendors in the hall, “the rest will take care of itself”.

Photo right: Tracie Goodberry (L) presenting a cheque to Brenda Piat from the North Frontenac Food Bank, as Carol Belanger and Jocelyne Steeves hand over some of the food that was collected at the Sharbot Lake Health Fair.

From healing to pampering, the Sharbot Lake Natural Health Fair offered Reiki, foot massage, healing creams, meditation, organic coffee, bath and body products, aromatherapy, crystals/stone nutritional products, massage physiogamy, Intuitive Card Readings, and more to a very appreciative public on a sunny Saturday in Sharbot Lake.

The fair came about two years after a similar event had been held. This time the fair was organized by a core committee, headed up by Tracie Goodberry of Dewitt's Corners, who is originally from Parham, along with Carol Belanger of Tichborne and Jocelyne Steeves of Sharbot Lake. All three work in the field of Therapeutic Touch, but rather than competing for clientele they are working in a collaborative vein.

One of the people who stopped in at the fair said she had only planned to stay for 15 minutes or so, but found herself intrigued by so many of the offerings that she stayed for over two hours.

Central Frontenac Mayor Janet Gutowski, who helped out with the door prize draws in the afternoon, said it was a “great example of the vibrancy of the local business community”.

The stated goal of the event was to “support and develop our community” and in that spirit, food was collected for the North Frontenac Food Bank, and over $100 was raised from voluntary donations in place of an admission fee to the event.

“At the end of the day, people were already asking about signing up for next year,” said Tracie Goodberry.

Back to HomeFeature Article - October 29, 2009 “We have a people problem,”says MNR Officialby Jeff Green

Eugene DeShane, from the Kingston office of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Eugene DeShane, from the Kingston office of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), told an audience in Verona on October 21 that most nuisance bear problems that have been reported over the past few years have been the result of human activity.

A case in point is the bear (photo left, see story)  that was shot by police in the Village of Sydenham earlier this year. As part of his talk, which was organized by the South Frontenac Natural Environment Committee, DeShane showed a slide of a large commercial–style garbage bin that was overflowing with bags of garbage. It had been ransacked by the bear that ended up being shot.

“Bears are extremely smart,” DeShane said, “and they are very opportunistic feeders. They spend all their time looking for food, and will eat almost anything. That's why they are found at dump sites.”

Bears need to put on a layer of fat during the summer and fall in order to support their bodies during winter hibernation, and their metabolism has adapted so they can accumulate fat from the berries and apples that are a mainstay of their diet.

Female bears have cubs every second year, and the cubs stay with the mother until the fall of their second year, when they are sent off. These juvenile bears are the ones that have the most encounters with humans because they don't yet know how to fend for themselves and they are often attracted to the easiest food source.

“Bears will eat oil cans, they will eat any kind of food; they will steal acorns from squirrels,” said DeShane.

The main problem, then, that humans face with bears has to do with the storage of food and garbage.

“Bears don’t know that what they are doing is wrong,” said DeShane, “they remember where they have found food and they will return until the food source is gone. The best way to avoid bears is not to leave attractants lying around.”

Bears can open garbage bins and remove even the heaviest of lids. Cleaning gas BBQs is a good idea, as is taking down bird feeders at the end of spring, DeShane added. Cat or dog food on a deck will also attract bears.

The best thing to do when a bear is around is to stay out of the way and avoid confining a bear in any way. When bear encounters do occur, the instinct to run away is not a good one. “A bear will outrun you every time,” said DeShane, “and retreating to the water will not help either. Can they ever swim.”

Bears that are stressed will huff and puff, making a clicking sound and swat at the ground. That is the signal to back off.

A predator bear will stare at you. “Predatory bears, they are very rare, and we don't know why some bears are that way,” DeShane said. “They keep their head down, their eyes fixed on you and keep getting closer and closer to you.

“At that point the best thing to do is to make yourself large, keep looking at the bear, and walk slowly away. Shout at the bear to go away, and throw rocks or sticks at it. If the bear attacks, fight with all you can. Don't play dead.”

But as DeShane said, predatory bears are very rare, but so-called nuisance bears are common.

The MNR has set up a hotline to deal with bear problems that recur or situations that are not being resolved. It is 1-800-514-BEAR (2327)

After his talk, Eugene DeShane answered questions for about 20 minutes from the 40 or so people who attended the talk.

To the inevitable question about increases in bear sightings being linked to the end of the spring bear hunt, DeShane said, “I don't know. Since the bear hunt was cancelled there have been more encounters, but there are other factors. In Northern Ontario the bears are very thin; the berry crops have not been good, so they may be moving south. There certainly has been more activity in the south.” 

Back to HomeOutdoors in the Land O'Lakes - September 3, 2009 A Bald Eagle Familyby Lorraine Julien

It was thrilling to learn this summer that we have a Bald Eagle family on Kashwakamak Lake. The exciting part is that two youngsters have survived and have now matured to the point of leaving the nest (generally, less than half of eaglets hatched reach maturity). In the accompanying photograph, you can see one of the young birds being watched over by a parent. This photograph, along with other beautiful pictures of the eagles, was taken by Tara Elliot of Kelowna, B.C. who was visiting this summer at her uncle’s cottage.

Though there are 59 species of eagles worldwide, there are only two found exclusively in North America. One, of course, is the Bald Eagle; the other is the magnificent Golden Eagle. In Canada, the majority of these birds are found along coastal areas of British Columbia and some of the Maritime provinces. Smaller populations are found in Ontario. (Note: Much of the data and statistical information contained here was taken from the excellent Environment Canada website).

When identifying these birds, the first thing you look for is the white head, but the white head and tail feathers do not appear until the birds have reached maturity at about four years of age. Unlike most other species of birds, there is no difference in the colouring of males and females but females are usually larger. Wingspans can reach up to eight feet across. These awesome predators rely on their excellent vision to survive: eagle vision is five times as sharp as ours, enabling them to pick out prey over an area of five square kilometers from 300 metres above.

Bald Eagles generally mate for life but if a mate dies, the remaining bird will seek another mate. In the wild, they’ve been known to live up to 28 years and in captivity, as much as 36 years.

Generally, one to three eggs are laid and are incubated for about 35 days by both adults. The eaglets are fed for up to 12 weeks until their feathers have developed and they’ve learned to fly. Bald Eagles feed mostly on live fish and aquatic birds although they sometimes scavenge food from their cousin, the Osprey. They also eat smaller mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Deer carcasses are a major source of food in winter.

The hard-to-pronounce, proper name for this powerful predator is Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Haliaeetus means “sea eagle” and leucocephalus means “white head”).

Bald Eagles were once a common sight in North American skies. Beginning as far back as the 1500s, however, habitat loss and persecution seriously depleted Bald Eagle populations. By the 1700s and 1800s, the eagle population began a dramatic decline with the influx of settlers. Bald Eagles were killed for their feathers, and because the birds were considered to be vermin and a predator of farm animals.

It wasn’t until the early 1900s that conservationists brought the problem of possible extinction to the attention of American authorities. In response, the United States government intervened in 1940 and passed the Bald Eagle Act, which reduced direct killing of the birds and helped slow the population decline.

Another major factor that attributed to a huge loss of Bald Eagles was the use of DDT and other pesticides that were in use along shorelines and agricultural areas from the late 1940s to the 1970s. The toxic residue left by these pesticides affected the eagles’ ability to reproduce.

Since the 1950s, no Bald Eagles had nested on the north shore of Lake Ontario; however, by the early 1980s, Bald Eagle populations began to recover, no doubt due to the significant cutback in the use of deadly chemicals. Still, Bald Eagles face many challenges, which include ongoing problems with human-caused deaths, bad weather, poor food supply and pollution.

Today, Bald Eagles are very slowly recovering from being almost on the brink of extinction. Even as recently as 2000, in southern Ontario, only 28 eaglets were known to fledge or successfully develop to the point of leaving the nest. Of the eaglets that did survive that year, some birds were from Frontenac and Northumberland Counties.

Good news update: I’ve learned from Bird Studies Canada that southern Ontario’s Bald Eagle population has increased to the point that it has been downgraded from being on the “Endangered” list to one of “Special Concern”.

The toxic chemical sensitivity of Bald Eagles has led scientists and conservationists to identify the birds as a bio-sentinel species. This means that the health of eagles can be taken as a reliable indicator of the health of aquatic ecosystems in the Great Lakes region (similar to the canary in the coal mine scenario).

Much work still needs to be done to ensure that future generations will have the thrill of seeing this powerful bird soaring on the updrafts or diving at full speed towards the water, talons outstretched for its prey!

Please feel free to report any observations to Lorraine Julien at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Steve Blight at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Back to HomeFeature Article - September 17, 2009GSCA celebrates the harvestBy Julie Druker

Photo: Andrea Cumpson (centre) of Sonset Farm in Inverary with GSCA chair Lori Reed and Anne Pritchard of the FCSDC at the GSCA’s harvest celebration

The Greater Sydenham Community Association (GSCA) is a community group striving to raise awareness and business activity along the Rutledge Road corridor, and specifically in the three communities of Perth Road, Sydenham and Harrowsmith. At their meeting on September 9, the GSCA invited food producers from in and around the community to set up displays at the Sydenham Town Hall.

Lori Reed, who is chair of the GSCA and also a member of the National Farmers’ Union, explained her motivation. “It’s harvest time and our concept is always to try to promote local business, so it only makes sense that we invited local farmers and their products to help us celebrate this special time of year.”

GSCA members and guests had a chance to mingle and get to know the faces of a number of local farmers whose products are available in and around the community. The event reflected the current global movement towards locally grown, sustainable food and food systems.

The meeting proved to be both informative and inspiring for those looking for alternative sustainable food choices close to home.

Present at the meeting were many well known local farmers including Kim Perry of Local Family Farms in Verona who, along with her husband Dave, owns and operates Perry-Maine-Anjou Farms where they specialize in pastured pork, beef, maple syrup, vegetables and preserves.

Leona Andrew of Southern Frontenac Community Services represented the Good Food Box Program, (GFB) a community-based volunteer initiative whose aim is to make fresh fruits and vegetables available and affordable to everyone in the community. The program runs out of the Rural VISIONS Centre in Sydenham and offers reasonably priced boxes of fresh food and vegetables in a variety of sizes. The program began in 1995 with 40 orders taken from a single site and has grown to the point where now over 800 orders a month are made available at over 41 host sites. (For more information on the program visit www.ruralvisionscentre.org or call Leona Andrew at 613-376-6477.

Also present was Gary Gorr of Gorr’s Maple Syrup, 1085 Gorr Road in Harrowsmith. Gary brought a wide array of pure maple products that he and his family have been making for close to a quarter of a century, including a new product, maple butter. On his farm 1623 trees are tapped on 45 acres of land. His products are available at local stores and at his door.

Beekeeper Tom Kaemmer of ToBa Apiaries near Sydenham comes from a long line of beekeepers and he currently manages 100 bee colonies from which he produces honey and beeswax. He was happy to share his fascination and admiration of bees and spoke of some new and serious challenges presented to bee keepers, namely mites, viruses and the Colony Collapse Syndrome. Despite these difficulties both his work and the bees continue to inspire him.

Darryl Silver of Silverbrook Garden Centre on Rutledge Road between Sydenham and Harrowsmith was also present with the wide array of fresh farm produce and products that he grows right at his businesses location

Andrea Cumpson, president of the NFU’s local 316, operates Sonset Farm, a family farm in Inverary with her husband and son. They sell a variety of organic meat, milk and produce to local buyers. Ever passionate about farming and aware of the tough and critical issues facing farmers today, Cumpson recommended to me viewing the documentary film “Food Inc. to understand what today's farmers are up against.” Cumpson said, “We have to start supporting these local initiatives like Kim Perry’s and when we go to the stores we have to forget about the price. Growing food is not an easy job and neither is marketing it and we have to start really thinking about our purchases and start supporting these people. We (the public) have a lot of power in how we spend our food dollars and right now things are happening in the corporate world that are undermining the farmers' ability to make a decent living and even their ability to survive.”

Prior to mingling with the local farmers and food producers, Lori Reed had a chance to update guests about the GSCA’s recent accomplishments: namely the publication of their 2009/10 directory, the establishment of key signage in all three communities and the recent creation of a website, all of which are helping to draw attention and business to the area.

Anyone interested in joining the GSCA or finding out more about the association can visit www.tgsca, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact Lorie Reed at 613-353-1011.

Everyone is welcome at the next GSCA meeting, which will be held at the Township Hall in Sydenham on Wednesday, December 9 at 7:00pm 

Back to HomeOutdoors in the Land O'lakes - June 18, 2009 Northern Water Snakeby Lorraine Julien Yikes! Have you ever gone swimming and thought you saw something else swimming near you? I have and it can be quite startling. The creature in the water turned out to be a Northern Water Snake. This has happened on only a few rare occasions – thank goodness. The snake appeared to be black but it can appear blackish under the water and I’ve learned that the normally blotchy pattern on water snakes fades somewhat with age.

Northern Water Snakes have a nice overall pattern with reddish brown squarish blotches down the back and a row of alternating blotches along each side. On older individuals (such as I’ve seen) the blotches may be obscured and, of course, these snakes appear black when in the water. The belly is a cream colour with irregular half moon crescents. This is a moderately long snake at about 2 – 4 feet - the record length being almost 6 feet. I was surprised to learn that these snakes have a lifespan up to seven years.

On land Northern Water Snakes may be mistaken for the Massassauga rattlesnake, Ontario’s only venomous snake. Though once common, the Massassauga is now quite rare and, in fact, seldom attacks humans. Their poison may cause swelling and discolouration but rarely death. Rattlers were granted protected status in the early 1990’s and now the Northern Water Snake is also protected. It is illegal to kill or capture either of them.

The Northern Water Snake glides quickly and smoothly in the water swimming just below the surface and appearing much scarier than it really is. The main thing to remember about this native snake is that it is not venomous and it would seldom attack a large mammal or human in the water. Little consolation if you happen to meet one eye to eye!

If cornered or threatened in any way though, water snakes can be very aggressive. They will attempt to strike repeatedly and can inflict a painful bite. Rather than fangs, they have four rows of 30 to 40 sharp teeth which curve inward to hold slippery prey such as minnows, fish, frogs and crayfish. Occasionally they may catch mice or shrews when near the shore.

Water snakes do not eat their prey in the water and prefer to drag the food onto the shore where they may hide and digest the food over several days. On sunny days, they like to bask in the sun on rocks or stumps near the shore or on overhanging branches. Keep a lookout the next time you are canoeing near a tree lined shore!

Unlike most other snakes, when water snakes bite, they rip their victim’s flesh when they remove their teeth. The bite injects an anticoagulant that makes bleeding hard to stop.

In late August or September, a litter of up to 20 or so live young are born. When born, the baby snakes are 5-6” long and are left to fend for themselves. Winter hibernation is spent beneath the water or in rock crevices. In fact one of their favourite habitats is an old beaver lodge where they can hide among the sticks and mud.

Predators include great blue herons, minks, raccoons, foxes, red-shouldered hawks, gulls, various large fish such as pike and bass and the occasional turtle. When threatened by these predators, Northern Water Snakes flatten themselves to appear bigger and release a stinky fluid from their glands if caught. You definitely want to leave these fellows alone!

Turtle Reminder – Please watch for turtles crossing the road at this time of year. Just in the last couple of weeks I’ve seen many small turtles that have been run over by cars. If you see a live turtle and you’re not sure which type it is, there’s a turtle identification section and other turtle information at www.torontozoo.com/adoptapond

Please feel free to report any observations to Lorraine Julien at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Steve Blight at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

In an effort to keep the heat on at St. Paul's United Church in Harrowsmith, members of the St. Paul's Church Council held a chili dinner and silent auction on January 18 to raise funds aimed at replacing the two 20-year-old furnaces in the church, and to help pay for a recent $2800 upgrade to the church's elevator.

The old stone church, which is a Harrowsmith landmark, was built in 1919. In 1986 an addition consisting of an upper room with a kitchen, offices and a Sunday school room was built on to St. Paul's, and in 1990 an elevator was put in, making the church wheelchair accessible.

Sheila Anthony and Dan Hole organized the chili fundraiser and an army of volunteers worked in the kitchen serving up numerous batches of homemade chili, Caesar salad and home-made sweets as diners perused the wide selection of items for auction. These included numerous gift baskets, gift certificates, games and toys, sporting goods, home-made comestibles, and arts and crafts, all of which were donated by businesses and individuals from the community. Diners also enjoyed live musical entertainment courtesy of Brittany Smith and Meryem Venkirane.

Sheila Anthony said it came as no surprise that both furnaces in the church needed to be replaced this year.

“They've been hit and miss and working off and on for the last couple of years, which is something that we just can't have here. We knew that is was just a matter of time before both needed to be replaced.” Replacing the furnaces will cost $7,000, and Sheila said that the funds for that cost plus the additional $2,800 for the elevator upgrade will come wholly from community fundraisers. Other upgrades at the church this year will the refurbishing of two stained glass windows, which will be made possible by funds put aside in memoriam for Fergus Brown, a member of the congregation who passed away last year. Mark Thompson of Verona will be refurbishing the windows and a dedication ceremony will be held at the church later in March.

The church is used by a number of community groups.

Reverend Patsy Henry, who has been leading both congregations of the Harrowsmith-Verona Pastoral charge for the last two and a half years, said that it is the local church community who enable the church to keep its doors open year after year.

“Whenever there is a need to be filled, people just arrive and do what needs to be done. We're so grateful to the community for their ongoing support,” she said.

Glenna Lewers is one of those individuals and she was busy washing dishes at the event. She was married at the church 55 years ago and has been a member even longer.

“This is a very special place for me and it holds a lot of memories,” she said.

Suzanne Hoag and Marni Pedersen, who head up the Sunday school program at the church, said that this year their group raised funds for the Verona Community Association's Christmas for Kids program, the local food bank, emergency relief, and also helped provide 40 Christmas hampers to families in the community.

The next fundraiser at St. Paul's will be a turkey dinner on Saturday, March 1.

Over the years we have looked briefly at Christmas traditions and foods from many countries that are familiar to many Canadians, including France, Italy, the Ukraine, and others.

This year we looked to South America, and settled on Uruguay, whose capital Montevideo is a city of 1.35 million located across the Rio de la Plata and northeast from Buenos Aires, the Capital of Argentina.

Uruguay has a lower profile than its neighbours Argentina and Chile, but like many others it is a soccer-mad nation, and was the host and winner of the first ever world cup in 1930.

Political strife dogged Uruguay throughout much of the 20th Century, but in recent years it has become renowned for the lifestyle of its current president, Jose Mujica, who is known as the poorest president in the world. When elected in 2009 he turned the presidential palace over to the poor and has lived in his own small farmhouse ever since. He was jailed for 10 years, including spending two years in solitary confinement at the bottom of a well in the 1970s for his Marxist-related activities. As president, he has taken what can be called a liberal pragmatic approach, and remains a popular leader at the age of 78. In recent days, Mujica has made headlines across the world when the Uruguayan senate passed a law to create a government-controlled marijuana market for local residents but not foreign tourists.

Picture postcards of snow-covered sleighs and Santa Claus don't fit that well in Uruguay. For one thing, snow is unheard of, and for another Christmas takes place at the beginning of summer. There is no school holiday for Christmas because it takes place during summer holidays. But some of the worldwide traditions find their own particular expression in Uruguay. The main Christmas meal is on Christmas Eve, and it is followed at midnight with large fireworks displays, which make it seem at times more similar to Canada Day than Christmas in Canada.

The story is that, also at midnight, Christmas presents are simultaneously delivered to all children in the country, and the tradition of fireworks arose partly as a diversion, to pull the children away from the house to clear the way for a clandestine delivery of toys.

Again, similar to Canada Day, the Christmas Eve meal is often a barbeque. However, in place of burgers and hot dogs, a Uruguayan barbeque pit or Asado can accommodate diverse cuts of meat, as well as sausages. Beef is the major Uruguayan export, and grilled beef is eaten often and in large amounts.

At Christmas, however, it is also common for a roast suckling pig to be prepared and served. While salads and grilled vegetables are served as well, vegetarians should not expect an easy time at a Uruguayan Christmas feast; unless, that is, they eat dairy and enjoy desserts, particularly desserts that make use of Dolce de Leche. Among popular Urugayan Christmas desserts are Alfajores, cookie sandwiches with Dolce de Leche filling, Mil Hojas de Manjar (Caramel Dulce de Leche Napoleans) and Budin de Banane con Corazon de Dolce de Leche (Banana pudding cake with a Dolce de Leche heart)

While many of the Christmas recipes in Uruguay are local versions of recipes that are commonly eaten in many neighbouring countries, Uruguay is famous for its Chivitos, served year round, but also at Christmas time. Chivitos are essentially steak-based sandwiches. Served on a large, soft bun, they can include a thin layer or two of steak, bacon, ham, egg, tomatoes and lettuce and a number of other toppings.

Dolce de Leche.

Ingredient

1 or 2 can condensed milk

Dolce de Leche is caramelized condensed milk. It can be made in the can itself, by punching holes in the top of the can and simmering it in a water bath on an electric stove for 3 to 4 hours. Alternatively the condensed milk can be poured into a sauce pan and cooked over medium low heat, stirring constantly until it turns creamy and brown. The easiest way is in a double boiler, where the condensed milk can be left cooking undisturbed for 60 to 90 minutes until it is brown. Ready-made Dolce de Leche is also available in grocery stores.

Alfajores

1 cup cornstarch 
3/4 cup all-purpose flour 
1 tsp baking powder 
1/2 tsp baking soda 
1/4 tsp salt 
1/2 cup room temperature butter 
1/3 cup sugar 
2 egg yolks 
1/2 tsp vanilla extract 
15 oz Dolce de Leche 
flour for dusting

Sift together the first 5 ingredients and set aside. Cream butter and sugar in mixing bowl. Mix in the egg yolks and vanilla. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and while mixing gradually add the corn starch, flour, salt, baking powder and soda and mix together until it holds together as a dough. (The above can be done by hand or with a mixer)

Turn the dough onto a piece of plastic wrap, shape into a disk and wrap it tightly. Cool the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Heat oven to 350. Unwrap the dough and place on a floured work surface. Roll to 1/4 inch thickness. Dough may crack but can be easily patched back together. Cut out to 20 to 24 rounds with a 2 inch round cookie cutter, reshaping the dough as necessary until it is all gone. Place the dough on cookie sheets that have been lined with parchment or wax paper. Cook 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Spoon 1 tablespoon Dulce de Leche on one cookie and cover with a second to make a sandwich. Makes 10 -12 Alfajores

Banana pudding cake filled with Dolce de Leche

1/2 cup butter 
3/4 cup sugar 
2 eggs 
1 cup ripe Bananas 
scant cup all purpose flour 
1/2 tsp.Cinnamon 
1 tsp baking powder 
1 cup Dulce de Leche 
1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and set aside. In a small bowl, mash the bananas. In a larger bowl, cream butter and sugar, and add eggs. Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, mashed bananas and walnuts, Pour 1/2 the batter into a greased 9 inch loaf pan, pour Dolce de Leche on top and then pour the other 1/2 of the batter over the Dolce de Leche. Cook 40 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

Back to HomeOutdoors in the Land O'lakes - May 7, 2009 Eastern Pheobeby Lorraine Julien

Eastern Phoebe - Our resident flycatchers, a pair of Eastern Phoebes, arrived back here a few weeks ago re-occupying the same nest they’ve used for the past few years, with a few repairs and modifications. Typical of Phoebes, this nest is tucked up on a beam under our screened porch. It’s a cozy little home fairly safe from predators and inclement weather. The nest is made of mud mixed with moss and leaves and lined with fine grass and fur and, in this case, some scraps of fiberglass insulation!

The use of buildings and bridges for nest sites has allowed the Eastern Phoebe to tolerate changes made by humans and even expand its range. However, natural nest sites are still used when they are available. Perhaps this adaptability and lack of shyness with humans is one of the reasons Phoebe numbers have remained relatively stable. Their preferred habitat, whether manmade or natural, is farmland, woodland or suburbia, usually near water.

The cheerful little Phoebe is one of the first birds to arrive here in the spring and one of the last to leave. Flying insects are their favourite food but if flying food is scarce, then ground insects, spiders, fruit and berries are next on the menu.

Eastern Phoebes are probably the most familiar flycatcher in eastern North America and are fairly easy to identify with their distinctive call of fee-bee, fee-bee, fee-bee and their constantly wagging tail. Interestingly, Black Capped Chickadees do a great imitation of the Phoebe’s call, especially in winter.

The Eastern Phoebe is a small bird with a dark, larger looking head and a slightly lighter olive brown back with a light grayish breast. Two indistinct buff bars are present on each wing. Its lack of an eye ring and clearly defined wingbars, and the dark bill distinguish it from other North American tyrant flycatchers. Phoebes belong to the Passerine order, which includes more than half of all bird species – sometimes known as perching birds having three toes forward and one back. Crows and ravens also belong to this group.

Eastern Phoebes made ornithological history in 1803 when John James Audubon tied silver thread on the legs of nestlings – the first North American experiment in bird banding and migratory tracking.

While the Eastern Phoebe has a fairly stable population, other flycatchers have not been so lucky.

Insectivores at Risk – According to the Nature Canada website, the Olive Sided Flycatcher is Canada’s newest threatened bird with a drop in numbers of about 50% over the past two decades. The Eastern Wood Pewee, Eastern Kingbird and the Purple Martin are some others that have experienced similar declines in population.

Other insectivores including the Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Chimney Swift and the Barn Swallow have declining populations of about 70% since the mid-sixties.

These drastic declines in flycatcher and hawker populations seem to be due to a number of factors not the least of which is an overall decline in the number of flying insects. Many factors may contribute to this decline in insect population, one of which is the widespread use of pesticides. Obviously this would affect bird food supply and general health. Another factor, especially in eastern Canada, is the retirement of non-productive farmland that has been reverting back to forest. Migrating bird populations have also been affected by development – loss of habitat, high rise structures, etc. Detailed information on this subject is available on the Bird Studies Canada website.

Note: The Canadian Lakes Loon Survey 2009 season is almost upon us and participants are needed throughout Canada. The CLLS provides a great opportunity for lake users and cottage owners to support research and conservation activities. CLLS participants only need to visit and survey their lake a minimum of three times during the summer (once each month in June, July and August), record the number of Common Loon pairs and track each pair’s breeding success. If you are interested in participating, please contact Kathy Jones at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 1-888-448-2473 ext. 124 and a reporting package and instructions will be sent to you.

Please feel free to report any observations to Lorraine Julien at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Steve Blight at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.