Organizers of the Ompah Volunteer Community Association’s Fall ATV run on Sept. 20 were thrilled that the annual event was able to take place this year even though the Ompah fire hall and community centre, which has been under renovations, was not ready to fully host the event.

Lindy Hay helps organize and run the ATV run along with its founders Denis Bedard and Rose Boivin of the Double “S” Marina in Ompah and their crew of volunteers.

Hay said she and her crew decided to cancel the event roughly three weeks ago, but there was such an outcry from riders that they decided to go ahead with it even though they could not host the dinner.

Over 300 riders attended the ride, which is a popular one for ATV enthusiasts from across Ontario and Quebec.

Unfortunately this year’s run included an unexpected glitch. Members of the OPP's Safe program came to promote trail safety, but Hay and some other volunteers said that they treated a number of the participating riders unfairly.

“Normally we are pleased to see the OPP,” Hay said when I spoke to her in Ompah on the day of the run. “They (the OPP) are usually great and help make riders aware of safety issues and normally ticket those who do not comply. But that was not the case this time around. Today they were ticketing people for going over 20 km/hour, unaware that the speed limit in town recently changed to 60 km/hour, meaning that ATVs can go 50km/hour on the road.” Hay said that riders were also being stopped and being asked to remove their two-ups while on the road and were being forced to walk the road portions of the ride between the trails to avoid receiving a ticket.

Hay said that as a last-minute solution, ride volunteers ran a shuttle service for some of the two-up riders so that they could be shuttled to where they had to go and avoid being ticketed. “We really try to make this event a family friendly run and the riders were really grateful for our assistance. As a result many of them donated to the association the amount of money that they might have been ticketed by the OPP, which was really generous of them.” Funds raised from the event go to the Ompah Volunteer Community Association, who support the community hall, the local fire hall, the fire fighters and others in need in the community. Congratulations to the winners of this year’s prizes: Jenn Sargeant who won the ATV trail seat; Henry Dekroon who took home the carrying case; and Ralph Coleman who won the helmet. Though this year’s run did not go as smoothly as usual, Hay said she hopes that things will be back to normal for the association’s next Spring run in 2015.

Craft lovers visiting the north country take note. A new craft store recently opened its doors in Ompah, where local crafters, Debbie Emery and Betty Hunter have set up shop. They named the new store "Creative Inspirations" and it is located in the old Ompah United Church. The craft business is not new to either lady. In 2011 and 2012 the two ran a craft store in Plevna in the former United Church manse, which they had to close when the manse was sold two years ago.

Debbie Emery, who is a sewer and quilter, has for sale in the new store an impressive assortment of quilts, pillows, tea cozies, table runners, place mats and wash mitts. Her lines are crisp and clean and her colour choices are harmonious. Her teddy bears make the perfect cuddly toy for youngsters.

Betty Hunter knits, crochets and tats and her items include garden aprons and lovely denim vests made from recycled clothing. Her unique line of pine needle baskets are exquisitely made and are a native craft she learned from her mother decades ago.

Also in stock are works by other local artisans, which include Jennifer Hunter's one of a kind “garden totems” which she creates from “upcycled” glassware and china. Richard Emery of Forest Frames has a interesting line of natural wooden frames made from hollow logs, which he dries out and slices and uses to frame photos and wild life scenery. Other works include acrylic still life paintings by Linda Rush, and stained glass and watercolour landscapes by Ardoch artist Catherine Owen. Local cottager Denise Elms has a unique line of beaded jewelry for sale, and Don Hunter's decorative birdhouses are also a delight.

Creative Inspirations is located at 10223 Road 509 in Ompah and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am-4pm. For more information contact Betty Hunter at 613-479-2979 or Debbie Emery at 613-479-8057.

 

The opening of bass season last weekend attracted fishers in droves to the Land O'Lakes region to take part in a number of bass derbies that offered up many opportunities for fishers to win big. At the Double S Marina in Ompah, which is located on the shores of Palmerston Lake, owners/operators Denis and Rose Bedard held their 11th annual Bass Derby on June 21 and 22.

On Sunday when I visited, boats were making their way to the marina’s main dock for a final noon weigh in, with many participants hoping to bag the $1,000 first place prize. Denis Bedard was handling the fish coming in and staff member Kate Osborne was recording the weights. Adults could weigh in up to eight fish and children up to four. The winners with the greatest average overall took home the prizes. Ron Skevington and Robin Soluri of Frankfurt weighed in two bass that together weighed 4.45 pounds. It was their second year at the derby and Ron said he came back this year because of its “laid back feel” and his “not having to worry about heavy duty competition since everyone here gets along really well.” This year the derby attracted a total of 41 teams in that many boats. Over 100 people participated, 20 of them children who dined and fished for free. The $100 weekend ticket per team included fishing both days, a Saturday night steak dinner and a visit by Canadian champion bass fisherman Big Jim McLaughlin, who was to make a Sunday appearance to hand out the winnings.

This year the derby included fishers from Kingston, Ottawa and Perth and many of the participants rented cottages nearby for the weekend. The Bedards enjoy running the derby and especially love seeing the kids participate. They offer a prize to all of the children who participate and the young fishers can also win cash prizes of $100, $50 and $25. The couple purchased the marina in 2003 and have been running the derby ever since.

The weekend’s big winners were Dan Griffin and Tim McGuire, who took the $1,000 first place prize for their 23.99 pound total; Mark Lemke and Shauna Rowland won $500 for their combined 21.7 pounds and the $250 third place prize went to Tyler Ahsick and Kirt Zummers who weighed in 20.54 pounds. The young winners of the day were Braydan Dunham who won first place with his 9.68 average; Meagan Dunham who won second place for her 6.78 and Harrison Sargeant, who won third with 4.29.

For those who have never visited, the Double S Marina, which has now been renamed the Palmerston Lake Marina, is a full service marina that sells gas, fishing licenses, tackle and has a fully stocked convenience store, a full service post office and ice cream. They offer boat, kayak, canoe and paddle boats rentals and service and store boats on site. There is a payphone on the premises and free WiFi. The Palmerston Lake Marina is open all year round and is located at 9637 Highway 509 just west of Ompah. In the words of Denis, the location offers up some of the best fishing in the area.

This year’s Spring ATV Run in Ompah on April 26 attracted over 700 participants to the scenic wilds of the north country for what has become an annual event for avid ATVers. Riders from as far away as Renfrew, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Orillia, and Barrie enjoyed the 85 kilometre run, which began at the Double “S” Sports and Marina in Ompah and wound along the muddy and sometimes still snow-encrusted trails to Calabogie and then back again.

Dennis Bedard and Rose Boivin of Double “S” Sports and Marina are the backbone of the event and they helped found it approximately eight years ago.

Lindy Hay, another of the organizers, said that over 50 volunteers help put on the run and that many new riders participated this year.

The event is put on by the Ompah Community Volunteer Association and ticket proceeds go to the association, who support community events; the community hall; local fire departments in North Frontenac through educational scholarships and equipment purchases; and local residents in need of help.

Organizers also open the ride up to several local charities. This year they invited members of the North and Central Frontenac Relay for Life committee to provide riders with a trail lunch. Similarly the organization Ride For Dad took pledges to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer. Students from Clarendon Central Public School also were on site offering a $5 ATV bike wash to support events at the local school.

As well, following the run, riders enjoyed a chicken dinner with all the fixings at the Ompah community centre that was put on by Snow Road’s F.L.A.G. Ladies. Riders had a chance to win numerous prizes donated from sponsors, including helmets, back racks and an ATV snow plow. The Ottawa Valley ATV Club was also on board this year as a sponsor and members manned check points on the trail, had gas on hand and helped a few riders who were stuck in the mud.

The association's Fall ATV Run will take place in Ompah on Sat. Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The prizes will include a $3500 gift certificate travel card and a 2.5 HP Suzuki outboard motor, and riders will enjoy the scenic fall colors, delicious meals and much more. For many ATV riders across the province, Ompah is where it's at.

 

Feature article, March 25, 2005

Feature article March 25 2005

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Record Lake Trout caught in Palmerston Lake On Saturday, March 19, Mark Lemke, owner of Lemkes Contracting in Ompah, caught a Lake Trout which weighed in at the Double S Sports and Marina at a whopping 21 lb. 4 oz . The lake trout was caught in Palmerston Lake in Ompah, Ontario.

Denis Bedard, president of the Ompah Conservation Association, said, This is one of the largest fish taken from this lake in quite a whileobvious proof that fish like this are out there.

Feature article, June 30, 2005

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Dock task force formedTappins Bay issue returns to Council by Jeff Green

North Frontenac Councillor Will Cybulski was intent on doing some damage control at Council last week, after reaction to a debate about the Tappins Bay dock at the previous meeting led to a deluge of emails and phone calls.

As several audience members, all users of the Tappins Bay dock, looked on, Cybulski assured them that the dock is not slated for closure, at least not on my watch.

An emailed response from the townships insurer to a question about liability insurance for township-owned docks was presented. The insurance company representative wrote that the municipal general liability coverage automatically extends to cover all premises owned or leased by the township, including dock facilities. The letter also said that docks must meet or exceed Ministry specifications, and [be] inspected and maintained appropriately. No one on the township staff or Council is familiar with ministry specifications, and staff will be looking further into the matter.

A delegation from the township went to look at the Tappins Bay dock and launch and found them to be in pretty good repair, so it was not envisioned that much township resources will be required to bring the facility to ministry standards once those are determined.

The same cannot be said for the Canonto Dock, which is in need of immediate repairs.

It was last year that the Mazinaw Lake Property Owners Association requested that the Tappins Bay dock be enlarged and the number of parking spaces be increased.

While Council seems to be reassuring Mazinaw Lake residents that the dock will not be closed, there is little to indicate they are in favour of enhancing service at the site.

Councillor Cybulski said, I think if we make the dock larger, we will only make problems there worse. The dock and launch are intended to provide access to waterbound properties on Mazinaw Lake, but Cybulski says there are people who use it for parking, both for boats and for vehicles.

Other councillors pointed out once again how making investments at Tappins Bay would lead residents on other lakes in the township to demand docks on their own lakes.

There are 33 residents sitting at Mackie Lake, for example, said Councillor Bud Clayton, How are they going to respond if we spend 5 cents on a dock at Mazinaw Lake?

A policy on docks and a strategic plan for the future should be part of a multi-year capital management plan for the township, said Mayor Ron Maguire. Council came to the conclusion that staff should determine what needs to be done to the docks it owns in order to maintain insurability. At the same time they decided to form a Task Force on Docks, which will consult with all those with an interest in public docks within the township. The Task Force is to report back by the end of summer. Fred Perry, attending his third meeting as a Councillor, will be getting his feet wet as a Councillor by chairing the task force.

Ompah Fire Station receives gift John Hawe, the deputy fire chief at the Ompah station, appeared before Council bringing a list of expenditures the Ompah crew would like to make with a gift of $36,000 that they have received from the disbanded Ompah Snowmobile Club. The crew would like to use the money to buy a fire boat and other equipment designed to improve their capacity to provide water and ice rescue services.

Since the Fire department is a department of the township, the township will own the equipment, and Hawe was seeking approval from Council before making the purchases.

Deputy Mayor Gleva Lemke said, This is a very generous gift to the township. We would never have been able to budget for this.

The purchase of a boat and ice rescue equipment caused some concern for Council, however, both because of potential training costs and liability. We have 21 people signed up to do ice rescue training, and Billy Young from Sharbot Lake has offered to do the training for minimal cost, John Hawe assured them.

Hawe was invited to attend a Fire and Emergency Services Committee meeting on July 14 to discuss the matters further. Council could approve the boat purchase at their July meeting, which is slated for July 21.

Ohlmanns Mountain - Councillor Bud Clayton has completed a questionnaire from the Ministry of Natural Resources concerning renaming Gorrs Mountain. Until 1968, the mountain had been named for the Ohlmann family, who were the original settlers on the mountain. Council decided to send the completed questionnaire in to the MNR, a further step in changing the name of the mountain back to Ohlmanns Mountain.

Dianna Bratina Frontenac County Economic Development Manager Dianna Bratina appeared before Council asking for approval of a plan to name her the contact person for an application for an underserved area designation for the County of Frontenac in terms of medical services. Following the lead of the townships to the South, Council approved the proposal.

While she was there, Bratina also informed Council that she had been made aware that a joint application from North Frontenac and Addington Highlands to the Provincial Green Enabling fund, which was prepared last September with the assistance of former County Economic Development Manager Karen Fisher, will likely come through in the near future. The application was for partial funding for a feasibility study into a small solid waste incineration system for the two townships.

Bratina offered to prepare a draft request for proposal document to hire a consulting firm to do the study. Council accepted the offer.

Where will the new Firehall be located? Council has set aside $125,000 in their 2005 budget for the construction of a new Fire Hall, but no decision has been made as to location. When they last discussed the issue, the possibility of keeping the Clar/Mil Firehall at the existing site was discussed, Mayor Maguire told the News.

A major problem with the existing site is a lack of water.

We need to do something about the water no matter what, said Maguire, because our township office is located there, so the public works staff will be looking at improving the existing well, or drilling a new one.

The idea that is being floated is to turn the existing Firehall space into administrative space, and put up a prefabricated Firehall somewhere else on the property.

A majority of Council seems to be in favour of keeping the Firehall on the same lot, said Maguire.

The proposal, favoured by Fire Chief Cor Bakelaar and other members of the now retired Firehall task force, was to use the former MNR site on Buckshot Lake road for a Firehall and training facility.

That proposal is not dead, said Maguire, but we are looking again at the existing site.

Maguire expects that $200,000 will be put into the 2006 budget for Firehall construction.

We all accept and agree that we have to do something. The status quo is unacceptable, Maguire concluded.

Feature article, July 28, 2005

Feature article July 28, 2005

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Ompah fire department gets one step closer to getting new boat, ATV

by Jeff Green

If the ancient Greek city of Troy had been administered by North Frontenac Council, its hard to imagine they would have been fooled by the Trojan Horse.

A proposal by the Ompah Fire department to spend $40,772, $36,000 of which had been donated to them at the dissolution of the Ompah Snowmobile Club, was brought to Council last month, and referred to the Emergency Services Committee for consideration.

The Emergency Services Committee met in mid July and heard from Ompah firefighters about the rescue boat and ATV they are planning to purchase with the money, and about the ice and water rescue equipment they are planning to purchase as well. The Firefighters also propose to build a garage to house the ATV and the rescue boat. In terms of finances, they have also committed to covering the $4,772 that the projects will cost over and above the $36,000 grant from the Snowmobile Club.

Ever cautious, Council still expressed concerns about the insurance and upkeep costs to the township that come with owning a rescue boat and an ATV, and about the ultimate cost and efficacy of ice water rescue training.

Since none of the items are terribly pressing, council deferred decision on the matters until their August meeting, at which time staff will report back on the insurance costs, and the Deputy Chief of the Sharbot Lake Fire Department will be invited to talk about the ice water rescue train the trainer program, which has been ongoing in Sharbot Lake for a few years.

Dock Task Force report One potentially complicated issue became more simple for North Frontenac Council, as a Dock Task Force, appointed a couple of months ago, has come to the conclusion that the township actually owns only one dock, the one at Tappins Bay on Mazinaw Lake. Docks on Shabomeka Lake, and Canonto and Palmerston Lakes, are not in fact the property of the township, but belong to other organizations. The Task Force then recommended to Council that the township maintain the one dock that they own, as required. Inspections are to take place each spring at ice-out to determine any damage or repairs.

The report was brought forward, but after a procedure ruling by the Mayor, a vote on acceptance of the report was deferred one week so all Councillors will have a chance to consider the findings of the Task Force.

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Ompah residents face dump closure

by Jeff Green

Mayor Ron Maguire and the entire North Frontenac Council faced a group of unhappy Ompah residents last week to confirm that the Ompah dump would be closing after Labour Day.

Guy Laporte, a senior engineer with Tottenham Sims Hubicki, made a presentation to the 40 or so residents in attendance.

“There are three options, really,” he said. “The dump can be closed, and the gates locked; the dump can be closed, and kept as a waste transfer station; or the township could apply for an expansion.”

Since there is a watercourse that flows through the foot of the dump site, Laporte said the Ompah site is not a good candidate for an expansion.

Councillor Bud Clayton chairs the Waste Management Committee of Council. He said that nobody should be surprised that this dump closing is happening.

“In 1993, the Palmerston/Canonto Council applied for the Mississippi site with the understanding that Ompah would be closed in 2004. The government has been asking us what we are doing with Ompah for 18 months now,” he said.

With the fate of the Ompah dump sealed, questions from the audience centred on the possibility of setting up a transfer station instead of closing the dump altogether.

“We considered a transfer station at the committee, and we don’t think it would work,’ was Bud Clayton’s first response.

“I was just wondering if you have taken into consideration people who can’t drive?” asked former municipal politician Barb Sproule.

Guy Laporte was asked what kind of approvals are needed for a transfer station.

He said that he knew of some transfer stations that were entirely portable. Something as small as a cube van hauling some recycling bins can be used as a transfer station. “At the end of the day, the contents are simply driven to the dump and unloaded,” Laporte said. “In those cases, no approvals are required, as far as I know.”

The question of a transfer station will likely come down to cost. There would be increased capital costs for a truck, perhaps a used crusher truck, and for the operator/attendant.

“I think we have to do the math on what it would cost for a transfer station,” said Councillor Will Cybulski.

While Council is doing the math, they will likely take into account that other dumps will be closing in the near future, and by establishing a transfer station in Ompah, they would be setting a precedent for other locations. The Cloyne dump, which is shared with Addington Highlands, will be closing in one year.

When a dump is closed, there are significant costs as well, mostly for extensive landfill to cap them. The estimated cost of closing the Ompah dump is $125,000.

“It’s going to be, probably, our biggest budget item, waste disposal, etc., in the next 10 years or so, even more than roads,” concluded Councillor Bud Clayton, who has been close to these issues as a member of the Waste Management

Feature Article - August 25

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Ompah dump to become waste transfer station

North Frontenac Council, August 18, 2005

by Jule Koch Brison

Pending receipt of a certificate of approval from the Ministry of the Environment, the Ompah dump will become a waste transfer station on a trial basis sometime after it closes next month.

This option had been considered and previously rejected by the Waste Management Committee, chiefly because of worries that garbage would be dumped illegally. The Ompah site was a full service site, but the transfer station would be for household waste only. The committee did not feel that residents would make a second trip to another waste site to dispose of goods such as refrigerators, stoves or tires.

Councillor Bud Clayton, Chair of the Waste Management Committee, stressed that the very first time any illegal dumping takes place, the transfer station would be closed immediately.

Nevertheless, the committee recommended to council that the waste transfer site be set up at the Ompah dump on a trial basis. Councillor Fred Perry asked that council review the costs after one year. The recommendation was accepted and a motion to that effect was passed.

Clayton was asked how long it would take to obtain the certificate of approval from the MoE, but he could not give a definite answer, only saying that it was “in progress”.

Council will proceed with the closing of the Ompah dump after Labour Day and then set up the site when the certificate is received.

A waste attendant would still be present at the site and the hours of operation would be kept the same as the present dump hours.

- ICE WATER RESCUE: Fire Chief Bill Young of Oso District, Central Frontenac, visited council to advise about setting up an Ice Water Rescue Unit of the Ompah Fire Department. When the Ompah Snowmobile Club dissolved, they donated $36,000 to the Ompah Fire department, which proposes to use the money to purchase a rescue boat, ATV, and ice water rescue equipment. The Fire Department will cover an extra $4,772 needed for the purchases.

Bill Young said that it was an unfortunate accident eight years ago that prompted his crew to get into ice water rescue. They fundraised and went ahead and bought the equipment, and have used it about half a dozen times since. The rescue boat is also used in the summer for boating accidents.

Bill Young offered to help with the training of the Ompah crew, and offer that was really appreciated by council. The training takes several days, with sessions for summer and winter conditions.

The Oso Fire department has two boats specifically made for ice water rescue; one is an inflatable Fortuna raft that costs about $5500. The Ompah Fire Department would not need to build storage for it.

Councillor Hunter asked Bill Young how he chooses who goes out in difficult and dangerous conditions. He said he puts it out on the floor and whoever wants to come, does. He said that the ice water wet suits really make one feel comfortable, and as one gets to trust the suits, their confidence levels go up.

Council agreed to go ahead with setting up the Ice Water Rescue Unit, and the sooner the better, as lives might be saved.

- COUNTY TRAILS

Lennox and Addington Rep Steve Roberts made a presentation to Council about the posting of signs for County Trails as part of a fitness trail initiative by L&A County Council. Roberts visited Central Frontenac Council on Aug. 8 with the same request, and it was well received.

The County Trails are not ATV trails, and in response to councillors’ concerns, Roberts said that there was no expectation of paved shoulders, as many of the already signed County Trails do not have paved shoulders. He said it would be indicated on the maps that there were narrow or no shoulders available. Clerk Brenda deFosse was concerned that many shoulders in North Frontenac are vegetated, and Deputy Mayor Gleva Lemke asked if there were any liability concerns. Roberts replied that the trails do not promote any uses of the highway, such as cycling and walking, that aren’t already legal, so there are no liability issues.

Councillor Betty Hunter brought up a concern that the “County” signs might be confusing to ATV drivers. ATVs are allowed on North Frontenac Township roads, but not on county roads, and some roads, such as the Buckshot Lake Road, are part county and part township. Roberts said that perhaps this information could be incorporated into the literature.

Councillor Hunter also asked if “places to eat” etc. would be placed on the map, but Roberts said that while they had considered seeking private sponsorship, they had not done that. The Land o’ Lakes Tourist Association is listed on the maps as the contact for tourist information.

L & A County will provide the signs and reimburse the township for the labour and installation costs.

Council agreed enthusiastically to the proposal.

- POLICY ON SELLING CONCESSIONS: A request by Len Connelly and Cathy McCann to purchase a concession road allowance leading to water has been denied. Councillor Will Cybulski wrote that it is township policy not to sell concessions leading to water. This was questioned by Councillor Clayton, and Councillor Perry said there should be a bylaw. Township staff will research the issue and see whether a bylaw can be passed.

- ROADS MAINTENANCE: Council discussed several complaints about road conditions: A petition with 36 signatures was received requesting immediate maintenance of Mountain Road from Schooner turn to Mackie Lake; emails were also received about Mosque Lake and Arcol Roads. Councillors agreed that the roads are bad and will consult with the Public Works Manager about the schedule for road maintenance. It was also agreed that the dry weather is partly responsible for the problem

Mayor Maguire said the township would consider paving Arcol Road next year. Councillor Cybulski asked, “Why pave, if calcium could do the trick?” Maguire replied, “Considering is not the same as approving”.

- NO SWIMMING? A request from the OPP to change the sign at the Mississippi bridge from “No Diving” to “No Swimming” was denied. The request was made because when an officer spoke to some kids about diving off the bridge, they said they were just swimming. Councillor Cybulski argued that unless there were a bylaw about the swimming – or diving, for that matter, any signs would be unenforceable.

- RECYCLING HAULER: Council will be putting put out a request for proposal for a recycling hauler. Manco, the present contractor, has not been showing up to haul recycling bins away as they have been filling up. This has resulted in piles of recyclables accumulating on the ground at the dump sites. The sites are in the process of being cleaned up by Frazer Haulage of Tweed with the assistance of township staff, but Council agreed Manco should be put on notice about their performance.

A further irritant came last month when Manco informed the township that there is a 5% gas cost surcharge being added to the haulage charge for each load of recycling they haul.

- FIRE BANS: There have been problems with people not respecting the fire bans. First warning letters have been sent out. The ban applies to everyone, including campers.

Feature Article - November 3, 2005

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"Thank You" celebration for Ompah's beloved Alice

by Helen Forsey

Alice’s Restaurant in Ompah was a scene of celebration this past Saturday afternoon as the community turned out en masse to say "Thank You" to the restaurant’s longtime owner-manager (and friend of Santa Claus), Alice Davey.

More than 70 people crowded into the "Hunter’s Cove" lounge downstairs at the establishment formally called the Palmerston Restaurant, but known and loved by all simply as "Alice’s". The afternoon of music, food and festivities was organized in Alice’s honour by a group of community members, including Barbara Sproule, Betty Kelford, Edith Beaulieu and Gilbert Dunham.

Barbara Sproule spoke for everyone when she explained how the event had come about: "When we heard Alice was leaving, we just had to do something," she said. "She has been so good for the community, she’s done so much!"

Tireless and relentlessly hospitable, Alice has made the restaurant a legendary local institution since she and her late husband, Jim Davey, "retired" there 17 years ago. After Jim’s death in 2000, Alice continued to manage the restaurant and adjoining motel, and organize Ompah’s annual Santa Claus Parade, which the Daveys instituted in 1989. This time last year, at age 81, she was still going strong. But some months ago she suffered a bad fall, and after hospitalization and a lengthy recovery, she came to the difficult decision to sell the business.

When her son Henry Davey brought her back to Ompah on Saturday to drop by the restaurant, she was a bit startled to see all the cars there. But with the gorgeous weather and hunting season about to begin, it made sense that business would be booming. "Alice was out of the car right away and headed inside, saying, ‘The girls are going to need help!’” But they found only a few customers upstairs, and Henry suggested they go down and check out the Hallowe’en decorations in the lounge.

The Woman Behind Santa - Alice with Santa Claus andher son, granddaughter and great-grandson, after Ompah's 2001 Parade.

Alice’s appearance was what the crowd below had been waiting for, and as she came down the stairs, there was a burst of spontaneous applause. With cheers and smiles, Alice was led to a seat of honour, words of welcome were spoken and a corsage pinned to her lapel. Then Mayor Ron Maguire presented her with a plaque from the Township of North Frontenac, which read: CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION: to Alice Davey, for her many years of dedication to the youth of North Frontenac, and the longest little Santa Claus Parade in the world.

As the musicians got ready to play, there were more presentations: a bouquet of roses from Marg Bradley and a second corsage, this one prettily handed to Alice by her four-year-old great-granddaughter, Grace Ranallo. Then MC and entertainment organizer Gib Dunham introduced the musical performers.

Ompah’s own Neville Wells began by dedicating his songs to Alice, noting with affection the many times he had had the pleasure of singing there for her guests. Randy Kay from Sharbot Lake treated the crowd to some great songs from his Johnny Cash and Merle Haggart repertoires. Throughout the afternoon, fiddlers Derek Wilson and Matthew MacRae, with Gib Dunham on the keyboard, provided wonderful music and demonstrated their tremendous talent. For one piece, Matthew did the fingering while Derek did the bowing! Other performers were Murray White, Hughie MacDonald and the Ompah Community Choir.

One of the stars of the afternoon was 21-year-old Matthew MacRae, who is a champion step-dancer as well as a gifted musician. He held the audience spellbound with his amazing footwork, putting into his dancing all his enthusiasm and affection for Alice, who sat beaming as she watched.

The sandwiches, squares and other goodies were topped off by a lovely cake, decorated with the words, "Thank you, Alice." The music continued as people signed the guest book and chatted with Alice. Then all the performers were up on stage for the grand finale, the Orange Blossom Special.

Altogether it was an unforgettable community event in honour of an unforgettable lady. Once again, thank you, Alice!