CFB BORDEN, Ont. - Over 300 sea, army and air cadets from across Eastern Ontario competed in the Central Region Orienteering Competition Series at the Gould Lake Conservation Area north of Sydenham on October 15, 2016.

Central Region is broken up into four main areas (Western, Eastern, Northern and Central Ontario), each area is conducting a tri-service orienteering competition this fall to determine the top cadet orienteers in Central Region. Top cadets in each area will then go on to compete against each other in the Regional Championship, which will be held on October 29 and 30 in Borden, Ontario.

Orienteering is often referred to as the “thinking sport” because it involves map reading, problem solving, and decision-making under physically demanding conditions. These are important skills that the youth can easily transfer into adulthood and which prove advantageous as they become community leaders.

Orienteering is a thrilling cross-country sport full of physical and mental challenges that can be adapted to just about any geographical location and every age, skill and fitness level. With the involvement of the Gator Orienteering Club, who assist in running the competitions for the Cadet Program in Ontario, the youth are provided with an experience that is dynamic, fun, challenging, and community-based.

The aim of Cadet Program is to develop in youth the attributes of good citizenship, leadership and promote physical fitness. The skills learned by the cadets participating in this event are transferable, career-enhancing skills that will last a life time. At the same time participants were able to have fun and building lasting friendships with their teammates and fellow competitors.

For more information about the Cadet Program, visit www.cadets.ca

To see what other activities cadets are doing in Ontario, please visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/CentralRegionCadets

Kelli McRobert has come home to a hero’s welcome after representing Canada in the World Obstacle Course Race Championships on the unforgiving Blue Mountain.

A resident of Inverary, McRobert competed against some of the greatest obstacle course racers in the world in Collingwood, Ontario on Oct. 14.

“That alone would have been a dream come true,” said McRobert, more than a week after returning home. “But it was even more spectacular as I arrived at the Blue Mountain Resort and saw the quaint village set-up with a myriad of fantastic full-size obstacles for me to tackle at the World Obstacle Course Race Championships as a Masters participant.”

According to McRobert, more than 40 countries participated in the competition, creating a nervous energy that motivated racers and spectators throughout the weekend. McRobert completed 15 obstacles over three kilometres.

“It was difficult to sleep the night before and I found some comfort online with other insomniacs as we texted back and forth to alleviate some of our fears,” she noted. “The following morning came way too early. We headed down for a quick warm-up before our heat, and before we knew it, we were at the start line getting pumped-up with a motivational speech by Coach Pain.”

McRobert called the 3K mountain climbing course incredible.

“The obstacles challenged our deepest fears, including heights,” she admitted. “We leapt across deep divides and clung desperately to a thin pole on the Dragon’s Back. Then, as a test of strength and endurance, we climbed the mountain and up a set of stairs with 50lbs of sand on our shoulders. Up and back we went, relieved as we dropped the bags to race onto the next unknown.”

A member of the Canadian team, McRobert said racers displayed patriotic pride as they wore their Canada jerseys and clung to monkey bars, ropes, rings and suspended skulls while shimmying their way to the finish line.

“The final wall was a great spectator point and you could hear the crowds cheering us on as we climbed the rope vertically, scaled down the other side and raced with a full sense of accomplishment towards the finish line and our finisher medal,” said McRobert proudly.

Bruised and sore from the challenging course, McRobert said she is comfortable with her ranking of 33rd in a division for females 40 and older.

“I may even set my goal for 2017 to improve my placement to the top 20,” she said with optimism. “Who knows what the future holds.”

The Inverary Youth Activities Association needs your help! We are trying to build a children’s playground in Ken Garrett Park, a well-known ball park in the region. It has three ball diamonds, two with lights for night-time games. The ball diamonds are used every day from April until the end of September. The association sponsors children’s teams and hosts a number of tournaments during the season. The uniforms for children’s teams are provided, and umpire and tournament fees are paid. The income from diamond fees supports these costs plus our everyday expenses such as hydro, repair and upkeep, taxes etc. Volunteers open the canteen on tournament weekends to add to the revenue.

We have eight youth swings and two tot swings and most summer days at least 25 children are in the park daily.

The play area has recently been excavated thanks to Dig’n Dirt and is now covered with a safety cedar weave ground cover. The two tot swings have been replaced to comply with safety codes. All of this has cost $4950.87. A deposit has now been made on a play structure which will allow up to 30 children to enjoy it at any given time and it is suitable for ages 2 to 12 years. Total cost installed is $32,956.21.

We are asking for community help. Our project has been accepted into the funding competition of the Aviva Community Grant program. Now we need votes and lots of them! Voting continues until 4:00 pm on October 28. Each e-mail address is allowed 18 votes and these votes can be placed at one given time. Just copy and paste the address below into your web browser and follow the links!

www.avivacommunityfund.org/voting/project/view/16-79

Spread the news to your friends and post our campaign on your Facebook Page!

We are also collecting beer cans and beer & wine bottles and these can be dropped off at Garrett’s Meat Store, Perth Road in Inverary.   

On October 9, some of our "Stock Sport" folks from the Kingston and Area Ice Stock Club (KAISC) traveled to Kitchener, Waterloo to participate in the Ontario Masters Stock Sport final tournament of the season at the Concordia Club lanes.

Kingston needed to secure a win to claim the overall championship. From May until October there is one tournament per month; finishing with the Oktoberfest tournament. We had three teams in this tournament and placed 1st and 3rd, and therefore won the tournament, and the overall point total and therefore the Ontario Club Masters trophy for the league championship. KAISC did not win the May and June tournaments, but won each tournament in July, August (September was cancelled due to bad weather) and October. However, in May and June the club still placed in the top 3.

This achievement makes history for the KAISC has it has never (even as the previous Kingston Eisstock Club) won this title. Considering that our club and this cultural sport was nearly extinct and only re-surfaced 3 years ago - this is something we are very proud of. This success is directly related to being connected to a community (South Frontenac Township) that has embraced alternative sports and provided training spaces to "hone our skills" in this sport.  

The village of Battersea in South Frontenac is preparing to replace outdated playground equipment in its community park. The campaign is an initiative by local residents who want children to have new and improved play structures.

Located behind the Battersea ball diamond, the play structures are approximately 40 years old.

“They’ve been there since I was a kid. They’re well-worn,” said Amanda Pantrey with a smile. Pantrey is a member of the Storrington District Recreation Committee and a St. Lawrence College student who was born and raised in Battersea. She is helping spearhead the campaign, which was proposed by Kyle Gordon of the Creekside Bar and Grill.

Sitting in the restaurant nestled in the heart of the village on a busy Wednesday evening, Gordon said he was compelled to improve the park after regular visits there with his children. “I realized this is very outdated and needs to change,” Gordon, 39, said about the impression the park left on him.

Determined to upgrade the equipment, Gordon approached the Storrington District Recreation Committee in August 2015.

“As a committee, we voted to support the idea,” said Pantrey, who is the secretary.

Grateful for the support, Gordon plans to hold several fundraisers in the village in 2017 to officially launch the campaign. “My goal is to raise $25,000 in our community over a two-year period,” he said.

According to Pantrey, the committee is working to get a quote on the full cost to replace the equipment.

Once the campaign begins in earnest in 2017, they hope to secure grants and township funding to augment the money raised by Gordon and the community.

“I just want to build a new kids’ playground,” said Gordon.

“It’s for fun and stimulation,” added Pantrey. “A big part of being a kid is to play outside. .. This is going to last for years. It won’t just benefit today’s youth; it will also benefit future generations.”

Pantrey said the campaign goal will be attainable because new and improved equipment will contribute to the health and wellness of the village; a benefit for everyone.

“It’s a likeable goal,” she said. “People want to make kids happy. Plus, people from Battersea always rally together to get things done.”

Donations to the Battersea Park Project can be made to South Frontenac Township. Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $20 or more.

For the past five years or so the Kennebec Recreation Committee has organized a successful and fun-filled Italian experience in Arden.

This year the Italian Night was held on Sept. 24 and with the hall decorated in the “Italian” theme, the committee welcomed the guests. Thanks to Kathy Barr and her team of volunteers, salad and garlic bread were served at the tables, and the pasta was ready to be consumed. Throughout dinner, the sweet lilts of Italian music filled the hall. Bartender, Dave Moore, kept the wine flowing while guests finished their dinner and prepared for the tiramisu and fruit.

As dinner was ending and the band was preparing, Master of Ceremonies, Jim Duthie, told a few Italian ditties, some funny and some groaners. The band of the evening was Carleton Place’s own “Diplomats” led by Gary O'Meara, a nice east coast guy. After introducing themselves and their guest singers, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, the audience was entertained with a number of standards as well as some sing-alongs.

As the evening progressed, a Kennebec Rec Committee member and dancer extraordinaire, Jeff Matson, could no longer remain seated. Not only was he dancing, but he got others up off their chairs as well.

Another guest band, Mexican I think, made an appearance and after some samba music led the audience in a Conga line. Not to be outdone there was also a visit from a member of the armed services and tributes to our forces. The lone commando visited the audience and not only introduced himself, but his horse as well.

With the evening drawing to a close, the band helped with some door prizes and the chair thanked everyone who participated in the evening.

The Kennebec Recreation Committee leads the way in offering many physical and mental exercises in the community. Line dancing, Tai Chi, Fit & Fun and seniors’ baseball encourage all to get off their sofa and move, while Euchre provides mental exercise. The group is most proud of their sponsorship of the Kids Klub organized here in Arden. Supervised by Connie and Boyd Tryan, the children have an organized and safe place to get together for reading, crafts and sing-a-longs. The Victoria Day fireworks are another of the sponsored events.

The Kennebec Recreation Committee is a committee of Central Frontenac Council and enjoys their interaction with all residents. You can support the committee in many ways. You can join into one of the many sponsored exercise programs, purchase a ticket to one of the fundraising events or make a donation, for which you will receive a tax receipt. You could also share some of your ideas with the committee by coming out and joining the group. We’d be happy to have you join in any way you wish! Thanks to all!

The Treasure Trunk and Community Living-North Frontenac held a very successful fundraising ball tournament on Oct 1 at the Parham ballfield. The tournament and raffles raised $2000. They would like to thank everyone who participated and helped out. Congratulations to the Kurt Thompson team for winning the tournament. Special thanks to those who donated items to raffle including Godfrey General Store, The Pine Tree Hill, Deb's Delights, Bakers Cakes & Crafts, Sharbot Lake Petro-Canada; also thanks to District 4 Rec. Committee for donating their time and running the canteen. The 50/50 winner was Tracy Sands. Raffle winners were: Gwen England, Amanda Young, Bonnie Beattie, Laurie Love, Stephanie Thompson, Garnet Hartwick, Amy Gibson and Jen McPherson.

On September 26, Land O' Lakes Public School hosted its 10th annual Timber Wolf Run. North Addington & Granite Ridge Education Centres, as well as Prince Charles and Clarendon Central Public Schools sent students from grades 1 to 8 to participate with the Land O' Lakes students.

Jen Meulenaar, the Grade 1/2 teacher and running coach for Land O' Lakes Public School, organizes the Timber Wolf Run along with the help of staff, volunteer parents and former students. “This is a great chance to get the northern schools and southern schools together to have some fun and get some exercise,” Meulenaar said. “The kids always enjoy it.” This year, the students of Land O' Lakes also learned about Terry Fox and raised $84 for the Terry Fox Foundation.

In preparation for the Fort Henry Regional Meet next Thursday, students from grades 1 and 2 ran 1km; grades 3 and 4 ran 2km; and grades 5 through 8 ran 3km (distances approximate) up and over the hills behind the school.

The results were:

GRADE 1/2 Girls: 1. Savanna Rose PCPS; 2. Lexie McCullough GREC; 3. Poppy Miller PCPS

GRADE 1/2 Boys: 1. Jackson Mosher LOLPS; 2. Parker Beeg CCPS; 3. Talan Stubinski PCPS

GRADE 3/4. Girls: 1. Chloe Saunders LOLPS; 2. Natsuki Ono LOLPS; 3. Cassie Tryon LOLPS

GRADE 3/4 Boys: 1. Logan Chiasson GREC; 2. Ryder Mallett LOLPS; 3. Drake Thomas PCPS

GRADE 5/6 – Girls: 1. Rylee Beattie GREC; 2. Julia Cuddy NAEC; 3. Alexus Wagner NAEC

GRADE 5/6 Boys: 1. Vann Thomas PCPS; 2. Lincoln Elliotte PCPS; 3. Josh Rowe PCPS

GRADE 7/8 Girls: 1. Lexus Cochrane PCPS; 2. Heidi Riddell LOLPS; 3. Katie Tryon LOLPS

GRADE 7/8 Boys: 1. Braydon Dunham GREC; 2. Mason MacDonald PCPS; 3. Gregory Ross CCPS

“It is only the farmer who faithfully plants seeds in the spring, who reaps a harvest in the autumn.”

That adage by Bertie Forbes before his death 62 years ago is still as true today as it was then.

Fresh from a harsh summer of hot and dry weather, local farmers are preparing to celebrate this autumn what they faithfully planted in the spring at the Battersea Pumpkin Festival

“The festival is coming together really well,” says Brian Ward, festival coordinator. “It’s our 22nd annual festival and we have a full roster of music and activities.”

Organized by volunteers, the festival on Oct. 1 is the highlight of the year for the small village, which is flanked by Loughborough and Dog Lakes.

“Last year, we had 2,000 people attend our festival,” says Ward. “We’re hoping good weather brings the same number this year.”

Volunteers have started baking cookies and painting signs & decorations. Corn stalks are lining the festival wagon route and pumpkins are appearing around the village.

At the heart of the festival is locally grown and produced food. Women from around the area donate homemade pies to a pie social at Battersea United Church. The Storrington Firefighters’ Association make beef on a bun, and families converge on the farmers’ market to sell homegrown produce and homemade products.

The festival is a celebration of the grassroots talent in South Frontenac Township. It has grown to include family-friendly activities such as a corn maze, haunted barn, train rides and pancake breakfast.

Admission to the festival is a mere $5; the same price when it started in 1994. To reduce financial barriers, the cost for a family is capped at $20. Children under two are admitted free.

The festival starts with a pancake breakfast at the Holiday Country Manor and ends with a pie-eating contest at the Battersea Ball Field at 3:30 pm.

Coordinator for the past three years, Ward says he felt the festival’s magic the first time he attended 14 years ago.

“It was obvious then that this is a wonderful way for the community to come together,” he says from his home. “There are a lot of parts that come together to form one big event… so many things going on for a small place. There truly is something for everyone.”

To view a full line-up of festival activities, go to the Battersea Pumpkin Festival page on Facebook.

For the 9th consecutive year, the Wolfe Island Corn Maze will host a day of family-friendly fun in support of children with physical disabilities. On Saturday, October 8, attendees can enjoy a walk through the two corn mazes and live music by the Kings Town Tenors. They can also enter a raffle to win a fall gift basket! Admission is $10 for adults (age 12 and older), $8 for kids (5-11 years) and children aged four and under are free. 100% of all ticket sales from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. will be donated to Easter Seals Ontario.

This year the creatively designed maze carved out of a cornfield features two mazes with a refreshment area in the middle called the "Oasis Rest Stop". The 50-acre property offers the perfect venue for a variety of activities that all come under the heading of good, clean fun! Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about the wind turbines at a featured exhibit at the exit of the maze, to visit with the farm animals, and enjoy the beautiful singing of the Kings Town Tenors. Families are encouraged to visit the Maze early in the day. Please check the ferry schedule to Wolfe Island at www.wolfeisland.com/ferry.php.

For over 93 years, Easter Seals has played an important role in providing support for children and youth with physical disabilities from all ethnic and religious backgrounds. Thanks to its generous donors, Easter Seals continues to offer programs to allow kids to experience freedom, independence and a sense of accomplishment. Easter Seals helps by providing financial assistance for mobility equipment, communication devices and summer camp opportunities at its two properties, Camp Merrywood and Camp Woodeden. Together we are helping kids BE KIDS. For more information or to donate, visit EasterSeals.org.