Prior to their regular board meeting on April 8 at the Limestone District School Board offices in Kingston, school trustees handed out their annual Outstanding Service Awards.

Among the recipients were three local residents who were honored for their dedicated service. The first is Cheryl Allen of Sharbot Lake, who has served on the school councils at the former Sharbot Lake public, intermediate and high schools, and at the new Granite Ridge Education Centre in various roles, including many years as council chair.

Allen began her service on school council in 1994 when her eldest daughter became a student at Sharbot Lake Public School. Since that time she has served on various councils and spearheaded the purchase of a number of requests presented to the council, which have included the school's score clocks, playground equipment, and more. The citation honoring Allen stated that over the years she has continually “set a mood on council supportive of providing a safe and caring environment for all students”.

As a active participant in the PARC (Program and Accommodation Review Committee) she was a tireless supporter of the new Granite Ridge school, recognizing the benefits that a new school could provide for future students in the area.

In the past Allen has successfully nominated several other people for LDSB awards and when I interviewed her by phone earlier this week she said that she was shocked and honored to be on the receiving end this time around.

Asked what made her get and stay involved in her local school councils over the years, she said, “I, as a parent, felt it was important to get involved and to offer my help wherever it was needed.”

Allen, who is currently the school council's vice chair, said that with the upcoming graduation this June of her youngest daughter, she will be taking a break from council and will be looking at other possible ways to continue to offer her services as a volunteer in the community.

Andrea Woogh, a grade 2/3 teacher at Loughborough Public School in Sydenham, was also honored with an award. In her citation Woogh was recognized as a “distinguished leader amongst her peers and someone who promotes each student's uniqueness while ensuring she has the training and skill sets needed to offer her students a nurturing, learning environment.“

Woogh, who has undertaken training in Aboriginal education, dispute resolution, literacy and technology, has introduced students to a number of innovative learning experiences, which have included the Yellowknife pen-pal program, and through a partnership with local high schools, woodworking and computer programming opportunities. She has helped co-create the LPS Green Team in an effort to certify LPS as an “eco-school. As an active athlete herself, Woogh recognizes that students' “growth and development can also occur outside the classroom”. She has coached soccer, track and field, volleyball and basketball at LPS as well as hockey and soccer in her local community.

Sharon Isbell, a long-time teacher at Loughborough Public School, was also honored with an Outstanding Service Award. Isbell was cited by Kim Deline, who wrote that she is “an effective educator, leader and communicator" whose positive teaching style and compassionate interactions with students demonstrate her love of teaching on a daily basis.

In her dedication to being the best teacher she can be, Isbell pursues her own personal professional development and was cited as “inspiring her students and fellow colleagues by offering extra programming through various school clubs while also acting as a liaison for the school's drama and arts programming.”

Isbell is also involved in championing the school's Green Team in their effort to gain eco-school status and is an active member of the school's 100th anniversary committee.

I spoke with Sharon Isbell by phone earlier this week and she said, on behalf of herself and Ms Woogh, that they were extremely honored to have received the award. "We both feel so humbled. There are so many teachers who go above and beyond their daily requirements and we are just grateful and feel privileged to be able to work in this school community with so many committed staff members, parents, students and administrators.”

Helen Peterson, principal at LPS, was thrilled that two of her staff members received awards and said “Sharon Isbell and Andrea Woogh represent the epitome of excellence in teaching. They focus on quality education for all students. They are both examples of the reality that it is just as much about who you are as what you teach. They lead students and other staff by example. Sharon and Andrea are part of the outstanding staff at Loughborough that put the needs of our students, our future, first!"

Heather Highet, principal at Granite Ridge, was equally pleased with Cheryl Allen's award and said she was “thrilled that the LDSB has recognized Cheryl for her unwavering support and decades-long contributions to our school councils."

Delegations to Council
New Leaf Link (NeLL)
Dr Karin Steiner, Executive Director of NeLL, introduced several participants, parents and volunteers from this nonprofit program which provides continuing education, lifeskills and socialization to adults with developmental disabilities. Steiner pointed out that once these young people have graduated from the school system there are no ongoing program resources for them in South Frontenac outside their homes.
Since 2009, NeLL has provided activities and education two days a week, drawing on support from volunteers,
service clubs, individual donors and participant fees. They would like to be able to have sufficient finances to run three days a week for 34 weeks, and have two week-long summer programs.
At Mayor Vandewal’s request, Steiner agreed to provide Council more concrete numbers concerning program costs.
Solar Farm Proposal
Two representatives from SunEdison returned to discuss their intent to submit an RFP application to the provincial government this September. They are proposing a solar project on the Groenewegen property fronting on Florida Road, south of Harrowsmith, and need to be able to show municipal support. Two main concerns of Council are that the public meeting about the project should be widely advertised, should include a take-home information package, and that a reserve fund needs to be established to cover the cost of decommissioning the project after its projected twenty-year lifespan
Perth Road Fire Hall
CEO Orr reported on behalf of Fire Chief Chesebrough about the recent tours of three neighbouring fire halls, and three primary design points related to equipment bays: how many, how long should they be, and should these bays be drive-through? Opinions varied, but there seemed general agreement that two bays should be sufficient. Some said that while drive-through bays might be safest in theory, some of the firehalls they visited were clogging the drive-throughs with storage items.
Councillor Revill spoke of the importance of taking a longer view of the whole Township’s fire system: perhaps plan for one larger central station which would house administration and provide facilities for training of all township firefighters, with two or three mid-sized stations, their locations determined by call-out history, and the rest of the stations could be smaller, with minimal training facilities. He suggested that storage might be provided less expensively by secondary buildings adjacent to the main firehall.
Revill emphasized that immediate needs are not the same as wish lists, and budget restraints combined with “a lot to do ahead of us” mean that reserves would need to be developed to accompany long-range planning. He also strongly recommended engaging an architect to draw up the final plans for the firehalls.
Planner’s Response re Johnson Point
Planner Lindsay Mills’ response to Councillor Sutherland’s ten questions met a lukewarm response from Council. Sutherland said that although an argument could be made to have no development on Johnson Point it would not be reasonable to do so, and was not what the Loughborough Lake Association had asked for.
“It’s better to move on,” he said, adding that there still needed to be an environmental assessment on the neighbouring wetlands, for even though this was not a trout lake, an EA would be a “reasonable and responsible condition”, which would address the importance of preserving water quality and fish habitat. He suggested establishing a ten-meter buffer zone between the lot boundaries and the wetlands and using the lot on the southwest corner as common property with docking facilities for all residents.
Mills had said there already were docks in the wetlands around the bay: Sutherland countered that these docks may have been the result of bad planning decisions, and should not be held up as standards to follow. Mayor Vandewal said that creating the buffer might not be possible in this case, as it would be changing the rules in the middle of the process: however, it might be a good idea going forward. Councillor Mark Schjerning agreed with Sutherland, saying he would like a lake impact assessment, regardless of how that section of the planning act has been interpreted in the past.
Councillor Ron Sleeth said he’d like a legal opinion on the interpretation of that section (5.2.10) of the planning act, and Sutherland asked whether someone from the MOE or MNR could give Council a definition of “protected wetland”.
Mayor Vandewal said the issue would be coming to next week’s Council meeting for decisions.
Trailers (for sale or rent) … again …
The time period for compliance with the prohibition of the use of trailers on private residential property expires on December 31, 2105. This by-law has been haunting Council ever since it was established ten years ago.
Originally intended as a means of addressing the inequality of trailer residents paying no taxes, but using Township services: roads, waste disposal, fire and emergency, etc, it has been dragged out and extended, largely due to the difficulty of enforcement. A lively discussion offered CAO Orr no clear direction: the question of “what next?” will come to Council next week.
Where Would You Like to Live?
How about on a lane called: Abbey Road; Copperhead Road; Coronation St; Lannister; Mockingjay; Pivo; Bacon; Stark; Tamarak (sic); Warp Dr; Weevil; Gator or Bedbug? (I added the last one: has a nice rhythm. W)
These are some of the 127 possibilities that Planner Mills offered Council for consideration and approval. The final list will be provided to residents of newly developed lanes, to expedite the choice of names. The list is intended to be nonoffensive, and should not duplicate those of neighbouring Townships, or reference any living person.

South Frontenac loses long-time volunteer
Deputy Mayor McDougall spoke of Richard Harrison at the beginning of this week's meeting of South Frontenac Council (April 7). Harrison, died recently, “on the job” McDougall said, at Community Caring in Hartington. For many years, Harrison has been an active supporter and organizer at the little community thrift shop in Hartington that through the sale of donated goods, mostly clothing, returns many thousands of dollars to the community every year.
“He will be missed.” said McDougall.
Johnston Point (Continued)
Johnston Point is the name of a condominium proposal which would create several large waterfront housing lots in an area adjacent to some environmentally sensitive wetlands on the eastern arm of Loughborough Lake. Local residents and most members of Council feel there are still too many unanswered questions about the relationship of these proposed properties and the neighbouring wetlands for this proposal to be forwarded to County Council, which is responsible for final approval of the proposal. (The Township has been delegated by the County to gather initial information on the application, and make recommendations to County.) Two motions, one asking for a peer review of the environmental assessment, and the second listing ten questions that the present proposal does not address, were deferred until Planner Lindsay Mills presents his final recommendations
at the next Council meeting. Mills assured Council that this final report will reflect feedback he has received
from community members and Council.
Meanwhile, the developer has appealed his plan of condominium to the OMB, on the grounds that more than 180 days have elapsed without his receiving a decision from the County.
South Frontenac Rides: Council accepted Frontenac Rides
(a group established to encourage participation in cycling) as a Committee of Council: this will provide liability coverage for the group and its activities, and facilitate partnerships with Frontenac County, the OPP, the Fire Service and the Public Health Unit.
Fire hall sub-committee turned down
Council decided not to form a sub-committee of the fire chief and three councillors to make recommendations on possible locations of fire halls. Instead these issues will come to Council as a whole. Council did approve a motion to have staff and the mayor ‘examine suitable locations for a new fire station within 2 km of Perth Road Village” and make recommendations to Council.
New Roads and Lane Standards Policy
Council agreed to replace the Roads and Lanes Standards Policy of 2006 with an updated and clearer version as presented by Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth.
2005 Tandem Truck needs New Engine
Segsworth reported that one of the Tandem Dump trucks has had sand entering the engine through an improperly seated turbocharger intake pipe. This has resulted in damage so extensive that the engine will need to be replaced. Council agreed with his recommendation that they apply the $50,000. that had been budgeted for portable hoists to the purchase of a new engine for the truck, which is in otherwise good condition. The hoists will be deferred to next year.
Hartington Cleanup Proving Costly
Segsworth updated Council on the environmental remediation of the Township-owned property at the corner of Holleford Road and 38. Soil contamination was much more extensive than anticipated when the fuel tanks were removed, and local people say there may be still more abandoned tanks to be discovered. The $50,000 budgeted in 2014 for cleanup has already been exhausted. Council approved an additional $100,000 for demolition, asbestos abatement and soil remediation. Segsworth noted that the cost would have been “substantially higher if we were not permitted to dispose of this material at our own waste disposal sites.

Alita Battey-Pratt moved to a historic home on Latimer Road in the 1960s, with her husband, who taught at Queen's University.

They were trying to “get back to the land, to use a phrase from the 60's, grow our own food and all that,” she recalls. After having twin daughters in 1969 and a son several years later, Alita still had had enough time to do some writing, and had taken an interest in the history of the area. She began writing for the Triangle newspaper, which served Storrington, Loughborough and Portland townships at the time.

When the project to create the book, County of 1000 Lakes, started up in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Alita was approached by Ethel Beedell, who came from Battersea, and Jenny Cousineau from Sunbury to work on the Storrington chapter of the book. Alita also ended up writing the Architecture chapter as well. The book is a 550-page people's history of Frontenac County from 1673 - 1973 and was published in 1983,

“I was raising young children and couldn't take a full-time job. It was fun to do and having a group of people who were so committed coming from all over Frontenac County to do it was a great thing. We met probably once a month. Each district doing a chapter would send a representative, and we got to know each other pretty well. Of course there was no Internet or email, so we communicated by phone and even then it was long distance. Unfortunately the manuscripts are only on paper; there is no digital version of anything, and only a fraction of what was written ended up in the book,” she said, when interviewed from her immaculately restored Heritage Home on Latimer Road on a cold, clear, blustery February morning.

All the research for the Storrington chapter gave her an insight into the history, not only of the former village of Latimer, but also of Battersea, Inverary and Sunbury.

One of the many interesting stories of the development of the area in the mid 19th Century was the development of Perth Road and the bridge over Loughborough Lake, which was necessary in order to bring development to Loughborough and Storrington Townships.

Development in the 1830s in the area between Kingston and Loughborough Lake was hampered by a lack of good roads. In fact there are accounts of the requirement that landowners were required to put in a certain amount of time working on public roadways as a form of taxation.

“In 1853, every landowner in Storrington whose assessed property was less than £50 had to perform two days labour on the roads, and this increased to 12 days for wealthier landowners,” said Battey-Pratt in her manuscript.

When it came time to build the major north-south arterial roads, Perth Road through Inverary and Montreal Road through Battersea, the Province of Upper Canada was not interested in paying the entire cost, so “joint committees were formed from county councilors and citizen shareholders."

The Kingston and Storrington and Kingston Mills Road Company was formed in 1852. In 1854, the first 12 mile stretch of road from Kingston to Loughborough Lake was paved, and two toll booths were installed, which brought in £200 in revenue the first year. It cost £7,293 to build the road, including £615 for the bridge over the north shore of Loughborough Lake. By the winter of 1855, a winter road had been built all the way up to Big Rideau Lake, where Perth Road still ends today.

The rights to the road were sold in 1860 to “a triumvirate of three men, A.J. Macdonell, Samuel Smith and Sir J. A. MacDonald”

James Campbell built the first subdivision in what would become Frontenac County in 1855, subdividing his farm to form 2 acre lots along Perth Road in what was subsequently renamed Inverary from the original name, which was Storrington.

The toll on Perth Road remained in place for decades, much to the consternation of many people who made use of it on a regular basis.

Jabez Stoness, who carried the mail for 35 years over the Perth Road, paid $3,000 in tolls over that time.

In one celebrated case, “The wives of men working in the stone quarry north of Inverary refused to pay the toll because 'they were just taking lunches to their husbands'. They raced through the gate, [tollmaster] Charles Gibson went to get the bailiff ... and warrants were made out for the women's arrest. They were summoned to appear in court, held in Osborne's tavern, and the court fined them $16.50,” a hefty fine considering the toll was only 4 cents each way.

Even a toll road can deteriorate, however, and in 1890, Jabez Stoness, no doubt angered by a lifetime of paying fees, refused to pay any further tolls because of the condition of the road. Noting that the county engineer had deemed the road was “dangerous and impeding Her Majesty's travel” Stoness argued that tolls could not be charged until the road was improved and he won the case.

In 1907 the county offered R. H. Fair, who had purchased the road in 1899, $3,000 for the road. An arbitration board set the price at $7,000 and in June of 1907 the purchase was completed. The tolls were removed from Perth Road once and for all, and a steel bridge was constructed over Loughborough Lake, putting an end to decades of difficult crossings over rickety bridges (and ferries when the bridges would collapse every 10 years or so)

One of Alita's interests during the writing of the book was the history of Latimer and the history of her own property, which was originally granted in 1799.

During the research phase for County of 1000 Lakes, a neighbour who was living on the property that at one time had been John Woolf's store, found a sack full of papers which, when inspected, yielded a very clear picture of how the store and the Village of Latimer functioned in the mid 19th Century. At one time Latimer, which was the first settlement north of Kingston in what would become Storrington, had a post office, two cheese factories (including one that was turned into a fire station in the 1970s) a store and other amenities.

John Woolf came to Latimer from Thorold in 1820 or '21, settled and opened a black smith shop, which became a trading post.

Alita is still excited by what those old documents said about life in Latimer almost 200 years ago.

“What I found was that he kept scrupulous records of everybody who came and went from his trading post, because people didn't have cash. If you came in with homespun - the Campbell ladies made a lot of homespun, that has been documented - they would trade that for wheat or flour or scantling [small timbers].

“So you had a document that ran for 50 years, of everything that went on in the community, every family, every trade, recorded in pounds, shilling and pence, until it became dollars and cents after 1850.”

The documents also tell when houses were built and who built them

“Captain Everett, who was a wealthy man and an owner of the toll road, would buy flooring for a full house in one go, and you would get to know when he took on construction projects.

The Ansley family who lived on the farm where Alita lives, were in the lumber business, and most of their trading was done in terms of flooring, scantling and cedar shingles and they would trade for ground flour and ground peas, etc.

Her research also revealed details about the history of her own house and the families that owned and operated it and the surrounding 200 acres of farmland.

“It was built by Amos Ansley, who was a United Empire Loyalist and a well known master builder. It became interesting to me partly because when my husband and I purchased the house it was in a derelict state and we spent years restoring it so we learned a lot about how it was built in the process. But I also happen to be from a Loyalist family myself, and it occurs to me that a master builder such as Ansley would either have crossed paths with my family or at least they would have known about him.”

Amos Ansley Jr. ended up owning a mill in what would eventually become the Village of Battersea.

Ansley sold the mill in 1830 to another Loyalist who moved into the area, Henry Vanluven. Vanluven and his sons became an economic force in what became know as Vanluven's Mills until the name was changed to Battersea in 1857. He was also the first reeve of Storrington Township when it was incorporated in 1850.

“Battersea had a larger population in 1850 than it does now,” said Alita, “and it had a gristmill [which burned down] a number of sawmills in and around the village and a large tannery. It was a thriving industrial centre in its day.”

Once again local worshipers and music lovers will be treated to a special Good Friday concert where 30 singers from the choirs of the Harrowsmith Verona United Church Pastoral Charge and St. Paul's Anglican church in Sydenham, along with singers from the community will be performing John Staynor's, “The Crucifixion: A Mediation on the Sacred Passion of the Redeemer”.

The free concert will be conducted once again by Brad Barbeau, music director at St. Paul's Anglican church in Sydenham and the choir will be accompanied on organ by special musical guest Edward Norman, who has traveled once again from British Colombia, in part to play the concert.

Norman, who is a former organist at St. Georges Cathedral in Kingston, performed the piece with the choir last year. The one hour piece features a number of solo parts, which this year will include baritone Phillip Rogers and tenor Jared Buchmayer. The oratorio also offers up a number of cameo solo parts that will be sung by Ralph McInnes and George Turcotte.

The piece tells the story of the Passion, begining at the Garden of Gethsemane and ending at the cross when Jesus “gives up the ghost”. It is a very moving piece and Annabelle Twiddy, musical director of St. Paul's, Harrowsmith and Trinity United, Verona, who has been rehearsing with the choir for weeks, is thrilled to have five or six additional singers this year. Twiddy, who will also be singing in this performance, is equally thrilled to announce that the oratorio will be performed again on Easter Sunday, April 5 at the Bridge Street United Church in Belleville at 3pm. “We put over 200 man hours of practice every year into the piece so we are thrilled to be singing it twice this year," she said.

"The Crucifixion" was performed at St. Paul's in Sydenham in 2012 and again in 2014. For those who have yet to hear the piece, it is more than worth the trip to Sydenham. Music is one special way to unite and move people and that should definitely be the case at this special event. Guests are invited to make a donation to Southern Frontenac Community Services whose numerous programs support many families and individuals in the local community.

by Barb Rodgers

This year the Frontenac Women's Chorus is celebrating its 20th year. The chorus began in 1995 under the direction of Jennifer Bennett. She directed the chorus until 2001, at which time Betty Wagner assumed the role of director. The chorus is made up of about 25 women who rehearse on Monday evenings at Trinity United Church in Verona and new and former members are always invited to join in the fun. The chorus has performed many concerts featuring a varied repertoire in local communities as well as participated in Kiwanis Music Festivals in Kingston.

Former members are invited to celebrate this special occasion with an afternoon get-together and the rehearsing of a familiar piece of music to be sung during the concert performed by the current chorus on May 31 at the Grace Centre in Sydenham, beginning at 3:30. We are requesting that all former members who wish to be a part of this exciting celebration contact either Kathie Nichols at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Barb Rodgers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as soon as possible.

Our celebration will also include a farewell to Betty Wagner, who is retiring as director. This concert will be Betty's last time directing this dedicated and friendly group of women. The chorus will be welcoming Patty Smith as its new director in the fall.

You will be contacted with further details about the day of the reunion after sending us your contact information. The chorus warmly welcomes former members to come and help us celebrate!

By Dave Linton

On February 14, long time Southern Frontenac Community Services volunteer Dave Linton skied the 51 km Gatineau Loppet to raise awareness of the importance of daily physical exercise for seniors and seniors programming at the SFCSC. However, due to extreme weather conditions he was unable to finish. Below is his account of the race.

Participating field of 86 women and 459 men. 63 women finished; 23 women did not finish (36.5%).398 men finished; 61 men did not finish (15.3%) Non- finishes for the total field…84 (15.4 %). Fastest time…3hrs.20 min…Slowest time…8 hrs…(approx.)

70+ age group: In the field of 18 there were 6 non- finishes (33.3%)

In the previous 14 years of competing (and finishing) in this event, I do not recall non-finishes ever exceeding three percent. Cold air presented breathing problems in climb areas (wind chill of -38C). Cold dry snow presented glide problems. Fresh and blowing snow presented issues with grip wax. When waxes are not working, energy expended is vastly increased. With extremely cold temperatures, running out of energy created a dangerous situation for many. Skiers depend on their energy to generate body heat, and therefore wear less warm clothing. Running out of energy meant they could no longer stay warm; Hypothermia became a real issue. Over-dressing creates the issue of dehydration because of excessive perspiration, which also robs the energy bank. Knowing your body, your physical capabilities and limitations, and knowing what the weather is going to throw at us is so important when deciding what to wear on race day (given that this trek takes around 5 hours for us recreational skiers). I think all of the foregoing contributed to the high number of non- finishers…but maybe one more larger contributing factor: lack of knowledge, and lack of respect for a formidable foe who can become so hostile to those who have not prepared adequately.

Two weeks of physio was not sufficient to cure tendonitis of an Achilles tendon, and even though I would probably be skiing at half power, I felt I was fit enough to enter and complete this race. However, due to brutal conditions, it took me three hours to reach the 20 km. check point. All skiers are required to arrive at the 30 km time gate within four hours of start time, or face disqualification. So rather than ski another 10 km in less than enjoyable conditions, only to be disqualified, I declared myself out of the race to officials at the 20 km check point. Three of us non-finishers shared a van ride from a nearby parking area. The big (40-yr- old) guy in front lost energy enough to stay warm (hands and feet frozen) The woman beside me was in dire condition, suffering from extreme hypothermia…incoherent speech…frost bite… loss of equilibrium…shaking violently and continuously. I pulled the blanket she had been given up over her shoulders. In spite of her condition, she was able to stutter her thanks. In fact, my act of kindness was a comfort to me, because it helped me to keep my disappointing failure to finish in perspective. It reminded me, that on our ultimate epic journey, it is not the length of the journey, or how long it takes to get there that is so important, but rather the quality of the sojourn, and the foot prints we leave…. Maybe next year.

Former MPP and long-time member of the provincial cabinet, John Gerretson, was on hand to speak about the important role that Southern Frontenac Community Services (SFCS) agency plays in the lives of local residents at the campaign launch for this year's enhancement campaign on Friday, March 6 at the Grace Centre in Sydenham.

Last year, Southern Frontenac Community Services (SFCS) embarked on their first enhancement campaign, in order to help cover shortfalls in funding and provide services for all of the seniors and families in financial difficulty who come to them for help each year.

The campaign was a resounding success, raising $57,000 - $7,000 over its goal.

This year, the second annual campaign is going to require even more community support, even though the goal is the same at $50,000.

The William J. Henderson Foundation made a one-time donation of $25,000 last year, giving strong and early momentum to that campaign. Without that boost, this year's campaign needs to be even more successful.

However the campaign is not starting out from scratch either. At the launch, campaign chair Mark Segsworth revealed that a number of donors have already come through, and $17,000 (34% of the goal) has already been raised.

The enhancement campaign differs from other fundraising campaigns for service agencies because it is not devoted to raising money for a new building or to start up a new service, but goes directly into service delivery for existing programs.

“The money is needed because we are committed to ensuring that anyone who comes to us and demonstrates they are eligible for service is able to receive it,” said David Townsend, executive director of SFCS.

Programs at SFCS are supported by the United Way, the Ministry of Health (through the Local Health Integration Network), the Housing First Initiative of the City of Kingston (with financial support from the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing), and by donations from the foundations and the public.

The launch of its second Annual Enhancement Campaign also marks the 26th anniversary of SFCS.

SFCSC provides seniors’ services in South Frontenac and rural Kingston, north of the 401. The agency also provides financial assistance to low-income households in South, Central and North Frontenac townships and offers a food bank to qualifying residents in South Frontenac.

The enhancement campaign will feature a number of events in the coming months, since it extends until June.

For further information about the campaign or to donate, contact SFCS at 613-376-6477 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Mark Segsworth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

By Jonathan Davies

Former Parliamentary House Speaker and longtime Kingston MP Peter Milliken was in Sydenham Sunday to speak to a group, primarily Liberal party members from the riding, receiving plenty of questions and insights from those in attendance. Milliken's address was introduced by Federal Liberal candidate for Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington, Philippe Archambault.

The event was entitled “Why elections matter: Being citizens in a healthy democracy,” and covered topics ranging from the growing mismatch between issues raised in parliament and the actual concerns of constituents; to the increased use of “in camera” sessions, which limit public access to parliamentary discussions, including recommendations by experts on a given issue; to the role that media plays in bringing the grit of legislative negotiations to the public in an honest and thorough form.

The discussion had a partisan flavour to it, and Milliken was not shy about condemning the Harper government, charging that they have despoiled question period of its substance and forced opposition parties to follow its format: ask a scripted question that the party has approved and is of general, national interest, and respond with an attack.

Whichever party or parties is most to blame for the current state of parliamentary discourse may not be the point so much as what this means for democracy. As Milliken put it, the public lost interest.

“Diversity made the House of Commons a more effective place,” he said.

Voter apathy may be further stoked by the fact that the media has not been reliable in reporting a comprehensive picture of legislative developments. The Harper government has been criticized for its engagement with media. Milliken suggested that news organizations critical of the government are restricted from attending press conferences.

His comments recall NDP MP Charlie Angus' lament that Harper “ran on a campaign of open and accountable government [only to then] bar access to the doors.” Or, as University of Alberta academic Graham Darling writes, “Mr. Harper has not placed any legal restrictions on what can be published, but he has limited what information is given to the press and has restricted the opportunities the press has to gather information.”

As for the use of “in camera” sessions, Milliken noted that for any detailed study of a public bill, there is little reason to hold discussions in camera unless there is sensitive information, such as details related to state security. The practice, in his view, had come to be used too liberally in recent years.

Finally, the infamous omnibus bill, where various disparate pieces of legislation may be bundled together, was discussed as an item that could be used more judiciously, and thereby more democratically. Milliken suggested that the House of Commons could adopt rules around ensuring that no bill could adopt more than a given number of statutes unless all of the statutes were related to a single subject.

Partisan interests aside, the takeaway from Sunday's gathering was the importance of citizens following politics, and engaging through party involvement as a means of combating apathy.

This, Milliken noted, was especially true for getting younger people involved in politics (it should be noted that among the politically-savvy attendees, few were under 50 and no younger voters attended.)

“Get them to participate in the election doing canvassing...if you get somebody who's keen and doing it, he or she can go to friends and tell them. Once they learn how to do it, they enjoy it and it's terrific.”

In their ongoing efforts to showcase the work of local artists, the Grace Centre Arts Committee held a special artists talk and reception at the Grace Centre in Sydenham on March 1. Three artists, Elaine Farragher, Jill Harris, and Virginia Lavin, whose works will be on display at the centre until March 26, each spoke on what inspires their work. The paintings that make up this expansive show are mostly landscapes and all three women spoke of being inspired by the bounty and beauty of the local nature where they live.

Farragher, who spoke first, said she has always “gone in for realism” and paints nature in all its glory and minutia. Farragher said she has always resisted the trend to paint more abstractly and her works are highly detailed and demonstrate her determination to paint the natural world that surrounds her.

Jill Harris is also inspired by Canadian land and sky and her far-flung travels throughout the country have captured various intimate and expansive landscapes including those from the far north, British Columbia's west coast as well as a number of intimate rural scenes in and around Verona and Harrowsmith. Her pictures are subtle and her virtuoso talent with colour creates paintings that are rich, diverse and sublime. Virginia Lavin spoke of the calming and therapeutic effects that painting offers her. She switched from watercolour to acrylics, opting for the latter for their “versatility and forgiveness”. Much of her subject matter is what she sees from her own back yard in Bellrock. Her swan series is especially pleasing. Her downy swans are lush and intricate and are masterfully and realistically depicted on bright and vibrant rice papered abstract backgrounds. For those who missed the opening talk and reception, the show can be viewed at the Grace Centre during regular business hours by calling the SFCSC at 613-376-6477. To arrange for a weekend viewing email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.