Peacefully, at the North Hastings Hospital in Bancroft on Friday, December 7, 2018. Pre-deceased by her husband Malcolm “Mac” Wise. Dear mother of Sandy Barrington, John (Annette) Barrington, David (Cindy) Barrington, Caroline Barrington and beloved step-mother of Janet Wise, Rick (Karen) Wise and Sandra Wise. Pre-deceased by her son Tom Barrington. She will always be cherished in the hearts of her many grandchildren & greatgrandchildren. Shirley will be sadly missed by her sisters Erma (Earl) Seabrooke and Verna (James) Brown. Fondly remembered by her nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. A Celebration of Life for Shirley will take place at a later date in the spring. Friends desiring may contribute in her memory to the charity of your choice. Online condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.milestonefuneralcenter.com
John passed away peacefully at the Kingston Health Sciences Centre on Wednesday November 28, 2018 at the age of 81. Will be lovingly remembered by his wife Marilyn Pierce (nee Emery). Much loved father of Grace Knutson (Merle), Joy Pierce-Presland, Wendy Pierce, David Pierce (Jayne) and Tim Pierce (Tracey). Cherished grandfather of 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Dear brother of Lorna Neumann (Elmer) and Lorne Pierce (Barbara). Predeceased by 1 sister Patricia Brown. Will be sadly missed by his brother in law James Brown. A Celebration of Johns Life will be held at the Cornerstone Calvary Pentecostal Church, 106 Hwy 32 Gananoque on Saturday December 15 at 11:00 am. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations made to Gideon’s International in Canada or to the Seeds International www.seeds.org would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences at www.tompkinsfuneralhome.ca
Edna Webb was quite young when she gave birth to Jennie, her first child, at home on Little Franklin Lake near Perth Road on December 6, 1918. WWI had just ended, and horse power still ruled on the roads.
The Webb’s - George, Edna and baby Jennie, soon moved to Ida Hill, at the Washburn Road in the southeastern corner of Storrington Township, in what would become South Frontenac 80 years later.
At the age of 82 Jennie was one of the recipients of the second annual South Frontenac Volunteers of the Year Awards in June of 2000. The award recognised her decades long commitment to the Women’s Institute, 4H club, the United Church and numerous other community efforts. The other winners that year included Mel Fleming from Bedford, Percy Snider from Loughborough and John McDougall, Portland.
A lot happened to Jennie Webb between 1918 and 2000, and a lot more has happened since.
As she reflected last week on the occasion of her 100th Birthday at Fairmount Home, with her eldest daughters Nadine and Linda at her side, a picture of a life of family, hard work, faith, and a love of the rural, farming life, emerged.
Jennie Webb grew up at Ida Hill, where she attended elementary school at the Ida Hill School. She was not an only child for long, as 6 younger brothers arrived in succession. Her father George worked for the telephone company as the service was being built out in the region, and was an active beekeeper. After leaving Bell, he had as many as 250 hives on his own property and the properties of many neighbours around the countryside. Jennie’s mother Edna was a midwife.
When Jenny was 15, a family from Desert Lake, near Verona, bought the farm across the road from the Webbs. John Abraham was the eldest son of that family. He was about 22. With his sister, he walked the family’s stock of cattle over from Desert Lake to Ida Hill in one long day.
There must have been a first glance, a first time when 22-year old John Cousineau and 15 year, Jennie Webb saw each other soon after the Cousineau family arrived at Ida Hill. That first impression is still alive in Jennie. It comes out when she looks at some of the family photos she keeps by her side, a sign of her enduring love for her John Abraham.
Two years after meeting, Jennie and John were married. When John passed ten years ago, at the age of 97, they had been married for 72 years.
Jennie and John purchased their own farm on the Battersea Road, and moved there in 1942. They have four daughters, Nadine, Linda, Shirley and Marilyn. They ran a Holstein Dairy Farm, and raised chickens for meat and eggs on the farm.
It took John ten years to build a new brick house for the family on the property, since he was running the farm while building the house, and they moved into the new house in the 1950’s.
In those days, there were four hotels in nearby Battersea. At the Cousineau farm, they would raise 500 chicks at a time. Calls would in from one of the hotels for 3 or 4 dozen broilers for the next day, and Jennie and John were pretty experienced and efficient at preparing chickens. It took them 7 minutes to kill, dry pluck and prepare a chicken for delivery. They would bring up the chickens in the morning, for serving that evening in the dining room. Local food was a way of life back then.
Jennie lived in the house until January of last year, when a month after her 99th birthday, mobility issues, hearing and vision loss had progressed to the point where it became necessary to move to Fairmount Home. The farm is still operating, as a cow-calf operation now, in the hands of one of Jennie’s grandsons, one of many family members who continue to live nearby, and her house has been sold, to her great grandson.
Jennie’s daughter Linda lives across the road, Nadine is in Inverary, and Shirley lives nearby as well. Marilyn lives in Guelph, but has a summer cottage in Verona. Jennie has 9 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren, with another one on the way. Just as they visited at the farmhouse often, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren drop by Fairmount Home on a regular basis.
The changes that have taken place in the world during Jennie’s lifetime are unprecedented in human history. She has bridged the era of horse and carriage and driverless cars.
It is a tribute to her lifetime of hard work and devotion to community and family that the rural values she grew up with are still alive in her, and in her family as well.
Deputy fire chief says he's being pushed out
Bill Babcock, Deputy Fire Chief in Portland, addressed Council about his pending retirement: “I feel that I am being forced to retire: some of my duties have been removed, and I signed my agreement (to retire) under duress.” Babcock said he was 73, in good physical condition, and in the 48th year of service in the department; “April 20, 2020 is my 50-year mark, and I’d like to complete my service then.” He gave Council a document certifying good health, and letters of support from the community. Mayor Vandewal told Babcock that he had asked for a full staff report, in order to bring all council members up to date on the situation, before further discussion. Over 30 supporters left Council chambers with Babcock.
Swearing in
The inaugural meeting of South Frontenac Council opened with the swearing-in of Mayor Vandewal and Council members, three of whom, Ray Leonard, Doug Morey and Randy Ruttan are rookies: Pat Barr, Alan Revill, Norm Roberts, Ron Sleeth and Ross Sutherland were all on last Council. “South Frontenac Township is in a strong position, both financially and organizationally,” said Mayor Vandewal in his welcoming address; “but lots of work lies ahead. You will have to make many decisions, not always popular ones. It’s up to you to do what you feel is right.” He listed updating the Official Plan and hiring a new CAO as two of the many challenges ahead, along with the ongoing pressures of taxation and financing.
Warden Higgins brought greetings from the County.
Rezoning the Rezoning
A property on Bedford Road Sydenham had been rezoned last May to recognize a reduced road frontage and lot size for a new residential lot and a retained parcel. The intent was to remove a frame house and garage which were very close to the Bedford Road improvement area, and to permit two residential lots in their place. However this rezoning had been prematurely brought to Council by the then planning department, before the survey was completed. In October, when the survey was submitted, it was found that both lots had shorter frontages and one had a smaller lot area than had been indicated in the original information. The current rezoning is a largely technical correction, as the properties are within the Sydenham settlement area, and will be served by municipal water. Only one comment came from a neighbour: “I’d like to see them get on with (tearing it down!)” When Council passed the new amendment, they also agreed to charge the applicant only half the usual fee, for although the change required staff time and work, it appeared to have been a staff decision to initially bring the issue to Council with incomplete information.
Hartington-related Motions
Two motions related to the Hartington Subdivision, one requesting reimbursement of $28,792 to the Hartington Community Association for consultant fees, the other for Township funded twice annual private well testing, were deferred until the appeal period of the OMB decision is completed.
Recreation Committee
Tim Laprade, Township Recreation Supervisor, asked Council to authorize and include in the 2019 budget, the engagement of an external facilitator to help in the revision of the Recreation Committee structure in order to better meet the current and projected recreation and leisure needs of the whole Township. He also asked for budget approval for a new software package to do program registration and facility booking. The current software has been discontinued. This would be a one-time capital cost of $6,000 and an annual operating cost of $8,650.
Council accepted these reports, and Laprade assured them that the review and revision will recognize the continued importance and involvement of community volunteers. Sleeth emphasized that he is opposed to any ‘centralization’ of recreation committees, and wants to keep the local rec committees.
Private Lane Upgrades
Mark Segsworth, Director of Public Services, asked Council to approve payments totalling $78,109. for 2018 Private Lane Upgrading Assistance. It is the tenth year for this popular program which subsidizes up to 50% of completed private road work which will improve access for emergency vehicles. This year, 27 lane groups were approved to submit invoices for subsidy of completed work. Mayor Vandewal complimented Segsworth for all his work in having initiated and developed this very successful program.
2019 Budget Schedule
Council received the 2019 budget schedule which will begin Dec 11, and wind up in mid-February or early March. CAO Orr reminded Councillors that Saturday Jan 26 must be set aside for an all-day budget session.
Council Appointments
After some minor wrangling about procedure, Council selected Deputy Mayors, and agreed that each Deputy Mayor should serve for one year, in the following order: Sleeth, Sutherland, Barr and Leonard.
Councillor Revill was chosen to serve the next four years as Township representative on County Council, along with Mayor Vandewal. (Sleeth was also nominated, but respectfully declined.)
Staff Appointments
Angela Maddocks was promoted to Township Clerk and Division Registrar for South Frontenac, and the role of Deputy Clerk was transferred to CAO Orr. Maddocks has completed Clerk I and II training in the past year, as well as training in election operations.
Emily Caird was welcomed as the new Executive Assistant, and Michelle Hanna has been hired as a Planning Assistant.
Bale Wrap Recycling
Sleeth commended Mark Segsworth on his leadership in developing a means of recycling bale wrap. Segsworth reminded him that Councillor Larry York had been the one who had pioneered the idea.
Three-way Stop a Good Start
Council agreed with Mayor Vandewal’s motion to make the corner of Latimer and Round Lake Roads a three-way stop, until completion of projected construction to improve the intersection.
January 2019 meeting Dates
Acknowledging a reluctance to hold Council meeting on New Year’s Day, Orr announced the January meeting schedule will be moved forward one week: Council will be on Jan 8 and 22; Committee of the Whole will meet January 15.
Central Council passed a resolution stating that it does not support MPP Randy Hillier’s request for support in his investigation of Conservation Authority practices at the final meeting of the outgoing council on November 27.
Coun. Brent Cameron questioned some of the Conservation Authority practices.
“I will support Council in its decision but CAs aren’t as easy to deal with as perhaps they might be,” Cameron said. “Remember when Welly Smith Road was flooded?
“There was a beaver dam on Authority property and we went back and forth with them on it too long. If it were anybody else, we could have forced action on it far more quickly.”
CAO/Clerk Cathy MacMunn said that she supported the CAs as they do site visits when planning matters are involved that would be far more expensive if private companies had to be engaged to do the same inspections.
“If their (CAs) responsibilities were downloaded to municipalities, there’s no way we could afford it,” said Coun. Bill MacDonald.
“Downloading can happen bit by bit,” said Mayor Francis Smith. “And we have been downloaded on before.
“It’s more cost effective for a small rural municipality to do it the way we’ve been doing it.”
Annual Christmas Bird Counts began in North America in 1990. It is North America’s longest running citizen science project. Results from the counts, which are conducted between December 14 and January 5 each year, are compiled by Bird Studies Canada and the Audubon Society. The counts are organised locally, taking place over a 24-hour period, and covering a 24km diameter circle. In our regions, there are counts in Lanark Highlands (on December 30 – contact Cliff Bennett – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) Westport (December 14, contact Judy Briggs-Jude, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) Frontenac Park (December 15 – see below – contact Carolyn Bonta, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) Sharbot Lake (January 5 – contact Andrew Keaveny - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and Kingston (December 16 – contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
The Frontenac Park bird count is presented by the Friends of Frontenac Park and incorporates some family friendly events. (the following was submitted by the Friends of Frontenac Park)
Christmas Bird Count at Frontenac Park
Celebrate winter birds and be part of the Frontenac Christmas Bird Count (CBC). Admission to Frontenac Provincial Park is free on December 15, so drop by anytime to meet our local birds, enjoy holiday crafts, and count birds for science. Family-friendly morning activities include a CBC for Kids from 11 am to 12 noon, then warm up afterward with hot chocolate and snacks. At 1:00 pm, join a team on a guided hike of park roads and trails as part of the official Frontenac CBC. A great opportunity to learn more about birding from local experts while exploring different habitats. Dress warmly, and bring binoculars if you have them. Information: 613-376-3489. This is a free event, between 10 am and 3pm.
On Nov. 24 a local Sydenham area resident was charged by OPP with impaired driving while participating in the Sydenham Santa Claus Parade. This information was released by South Frontenac OPP and reported over several days in many media forums.
While the charge against the accused cannot be condoned, the reporting and subsequent failure of some media (not Frontenac News) to provide an accurate, unbiased, and balanced description of the incident creates significant concerns. More importantly, the initial identification of the individual who was arrested was inaccurate and, unfortunately, led to prominent businessman and local citizen, John Trousdale, being identified as the person charged with the offence. To further exacerbate the problem, television broadcasts over 2 consecutive days provided photos of some of John’s businesses, thus further implicating him as the accused. This egregious error in reporting accuracy was later identified and corrected.
The Trousdale families have a long legacy and proud heritage in Sydenham, Kingston, and Frontenac County. John is a respected business person and entrepreneur who has followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and his sons have now joined him in the many ventures the Trousdale family operates in the village. The reporter providing the on-sight television broadcast lamented about his failed attempt to interview over 20 people, and how they declined comment as they consider themselves friends of John and his family. This is obviously a testament to the relationship John has with the community. In addition to being the largest local employer in the area, John is also a major philanthropist and generously contributes freely to many causes including schools, church groups, and to numerous charities.
It is with hope that any media forums involved who have disparaged the reputation and name of John Trousdale and his family will make both a personal and public apology for their critical errors. It is also with hope that the integrity of good journalistic reporting will always follow the 5 core principles that include truth and accuracy; independence; fairness & impartiality; humanity; and accountability.
The Township of Addington Highlands awarded the Community Builder Awards at the Township’s Annual Christmas Dinner on November 23, 2018.
The Committee added new categories to the list of awards this year and named a Sportsperson of the Year and Emerging Youth Leader.
Joel Hasler was presented with the Sportsperson of the Year Award, this award is to recognize an individual who has dedicated their time to sport in our community. These are individuals have demonstrated leadership, encouraged sport ethics and fair play and contributed to improving sport opportunities in the community. These individuals are positive role models or have made exceptional contributions within the sporting community.
Avery Cuddy was presented with the Emerging Youth Leader Award, this award is to recognize an individual who has been a positive role model, who demonstrates strong leadership qualities and who has contributed to the community individually or as part of a team. Individuals who inspire volunteerism in others through their own initiative, enthusiasm and commitment.
The Township of Addington Highlands thanks all those who help build a better Community and congratulates this year’s recipients.
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. To raise awareness of diabetes and to provide information on best management, the Sharbot Family Health Team Diabetes Education Team (Cathy Fox, Certified Diabetes Educator, Registered Nurse and Saman Shaikh, Certified Diabetes Educator, Registered Dietitian) at Sharbot Lake Family Health Team will be contributing weekly articles during the month of November.
Wouldn’t it be nice if your body had an “early warning system” to let you know when something was not right? Prediabetes is just that: an indication that your blood glucose (sugar) is higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be within the range of diabetes. Sometimes referred to as “borderline diabetes”, a diagnosis of prediabetes is a chance to change the future. Chances of a type 2 diabetes diagnosis increase if you have prediabetes, but not everyone with prediabetes will develop diabetes.
There are several risk factors that may lead to type 2 diabetes and being aware of these can be helpful in keeping on top of your health. People over 40 years of age are at higher risk of diabetes. A family history or genetic predisposition to diabetes can also be a major factor, along with being a member of a high-risk population such as Asian, African, Indigenous, Hispanic, or South Asian populations. Other risk factors include having high blood pressure or high cholesterol, being overweight (especially around your tummy), having sleep apnea, or taking medications such as glucocorticoids that may raise blood glucose. Women who have been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, or who may have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy, are also more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
The good news is that research has shown if you take steps to manage your blood sugars when you have prediabetes, you can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. The treatment of prediabetes is usually based on making healthy changes in your lifestyle, though some medical professionals may prescribe medication to further reduce your chances of developing diabetes. If you are overweight, losing weight in healthy, sustainable way can also make a significant different in your health and quality of life.
A healthy, balanced diet that includes moderation of all foods, regular meals and snacks, and plenty of fruits and vegetables is beneficial. A healthy diet also includes minimally processed foods, whole grains, and little or no added sugar. Keeping well hydrated by drinking water and limiting sugary drinks such as pop and fruit juice is also important. As well, physical activity is necessary for a healthy lifestyle. Diabetes Canada recommends 150 minutes of moderate-vigorous aerobic activity each week (e.g. brisk walking, biking, jogging etc., for 30 minutes a day). If you are not used to such physical activity, you may have to start slowly and increase your activity level gradually.
If you have prediabetes, keeping on top of it can be paramount to preventing or delaying diabetes. People who have been diagnosed with prediabetes should have blood work done at least once a year to make sure your blood glucose level is not creeping up. If you would like to learn more about healthy eating and active living, or just need some support with setting goals and getting motivated, the Diabetes Education Program at the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team can help.
Please call the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team at 613-279-2100 to book an appointment to discuss your diabetes. Our Certified Diabetes Educators are here to help you learn how to best manage your diabetes or pre-diabetes.
A Registered Dietitian is available by appointment for patients of the Sydenham and Verona Medical Clinics on alternate Wednesdays. Patients of the Sydenham Medical Clinic can call 613-376-3327 to schedule an appointment. If you are a patient of the Verona Medical Clinic, please call 613-374-2077.
Monthly diabetes education group sessions are held at the Verona Medical Clinic. A Registered Dietitian and a Nurse Practitioner are available to discuss a range of topics related to living with diabetes and pre-diabetes. Everyone is welcome to attend. The next season is Thursday November 22nd, from 9 a.m. to noon."
David John Breeze (1945-2018) passed away suddenly November 15, 2018. David will be greatly missed by his wife of almost 50 years, Chris (Kirsten) Breeze. His daughters Nicole and Kerry and his son, Shane will miss spending time with their dad. Champ, as named by his first grandchild, will be missed by his grandchildren Andrew, Braydon and Taylor and by his great grandchildren Brielle and Briar. He was a cherished father-in-law to Nicky and Rishi. He was a proud uncle to Danny, Dionne, Chantel and Rene Filiatrault and Jason, Jeff, Anthony and Jeremy Caddick. He was the son of Mary Breeze (nee Joyce) and John Breeze. He is predeceased by his parents and his sisters Molly and Marlene and his brother Lawrence. His dog, Windy, will sorely miss his constant companionship and the treats that were just as constant. Dave was a quiet but invested member of the Arden community with a reputation for lending a hand, providing advice and guidance or offering a few words of kindness and support. He will be remembered for his ability to fix anything and everything, his need to be productive and talent for creating projects. Every April he swore he wasn't going to make maple syrup and by the following spring he’d start tapping trees. Likewise, every September he planned to cut back on the garden, yet, every April he'd start cultivating the garden and getting it ready for the planting season. As a child Dave had a strong connection to nature, that connection grew stronger throughout his life. The family takes comfort knowing that he passed outdoors, doing what he loved. A memorial will be held on Saturday, November 24, 2018, 1:00-4:00pm with words of remembrance at 2pm at Gordon F. Tompkins Funeral Home – Township Chapel, 435 Davis Drive, Kingston. In lieu of flowers, donations to Heart and Stroke or Kingston Humane Society would be appreciated. Sharing memories online at gftompkinstownship.ca.
