The Frontenac Heritage Festival will once again sponsor an overnight camp on Friday, February 12 at the Arden Community Hall. Bob Miller and Mike Procter will set up a re-creation of a trapper’s camp in the field beside the hall and we extend an invitation to anyone wishing to try a night of winter camping to join us. The camp will begin after supper and the heated hall will be open through the night for washrooms and to warm up if needed. Firewood will be available to keep a fire going or to cook marshmallows, make hot chocolate or taste Bob’s infamous camp coffee. Both Bob and Mike are experienced winter campers and have lived to laugh about camping in -35 degree weather (more cringing than laughing). Winter camping is something everyone should experience at least once, one item off your bucket list. The secret to a successful camp lies in the preparation and equipment. Forget about cotton T-shirts and summer sleeping bags, dressing in layers and wool blankets are the keys to a memorable camp and some of the newer synthetic long johns are quite useful. Also, having layers under you to insulate from the cold ground is essential. We have some extra blankets and mats available to lend on a first come basis and we will be happy to provide information about what you should bring. In the morning breakfast will be provided to all campers. There is no cost for the entire camp. Campers must pre-register quickly as space is limited. Please contact Mike at 613-279-2572 or 279-3151 to register or for further information.

When 74-year-old Betty Gervais fell and hit her head on a concrete block at the fire pit at her family camp late in the evening after a family gathering on Labour Day Weekend, she was not entirely unlucky.

For one thing she was with family, and her sons Trent and Terry are both trained first responders. In fact Terry is the soon to retire fire chief for the Napanee Fire Service and he knew exactly what to do. As well, the 911 call was quickly answered by the Arden and Henderson fire crews and among the first responders was an Arden firefighter whom Terry knew because he is also a paramedic in Napanee.

“The crew did a great job. They were there so quickly, and when the paramedics arrived from Northbrook after that, everything had been done as it should have been. They took her to Napanee hospital, and then to Kingston for tests the next day,” said Terry Gervais.

Betty suffered a concussion and although it took time for her to recover from the injury, she is now in Florida for the winter, completing her recovery.

“Trent and I, and the rest of our family, wanted to do something for the department because we know how things are in the rural areas. These volunteers are the first on the scene, before EMS (Emergency Services) arrive and they have to do assessments, secure the scene, and provide medical care,” he said.

When he found out that Central Frontenac is putting a new pickup truck equipped with firefighting foam into the small Henderson sub-fire station, he decided that he could provide a medical kit for that truck so the first responders from Henderson will have the same medical gear as those from Arden and the other main Central Frontenac stations. In addition, they added a defibrillator unit to the pack of gear.

With the new truck now having arrived at the Arden station, where it will have the foam unit installed in the coming weeks, Terry and Trent presented the medical kit to the fire crew on Tuesday night, November 24.

“This will bring much-needed added capacity to our Henderson station and will help with medical calls,” said Central Frontenac Fire Chief Bill Young, who was on hand with Deputy Chief Art Cowdy and the Arden fire crew to receive the gift.

Remembrance Day will have particular significance for Brian and Brenda McKinstry of Arden and their family this year. In the lead up week to November 11th, the McKinstry family are being profiled across the country as having provided military service over five continuous generations from 1917 to the present.

In 1917, conscription for the WWI war effort was in place in Canada. However, William McKinstry, Brian’s grandfather, volunteered for service at the age of 33. Leaving his pregnant wife and son, he was immediately assigned to demolition and trenching duties leading up to the battle for Vimy Ridge which would prove to be a defining moment in Canadian history. Sadly, William was killed in action in the month before the battle and is buried in the Ecoivres Military Cemetery near the Vimy Ridge memorial in France.

The son William never saw, Clifford McKinstry, Brian’s father, recognizing the threat German aggression represented, enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force early on into WWII. Flight Lieutenant McKinstry flew Lancaster bombers with Bomber Command, one of the deadliest and most dangerous assignments of the Second World War. For every 100 Allied airmen who joined Bomber Command, 45 were killed, six were seriously wounded, eight became Prisoners of War, and only 41 escaped unscathed (at least physically). It was a loss rate comparable only to the worst slaughter of the First World War trenches. Clifford returned to Canada after the war and continued to serve in the RCAF until retirement. Of note, Clifford and his wife, Eileen acquired property on Kennebec Lake in the late 1950’s and eventually retired to the lake until ill health necessitated a move to the Kingston area.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Clifford’s son Darrell enlisted with the RCAF in the early 1960’s during the height of the Cold War. With the constant threat of nuclear war from the 1950s to the 1980s, Canadian men and women in uniform served on the front lines of freedom’s borders in Europe, patrolling oceans for submarines and surface ships, watching for and intercepting aircraft flying into North American airspace, and deploying around the world, wherever they were needed. As part of this effort, Captain Darrell McKinstry served throughout the Cold War as an Instrument Technician and eventually an Air Traffic Controller until retirement.

At a time when conflicts became much more regionalized and Canada’s military assumed a role as a NATO peace keeping force, Darrell’s son, Shawn enlisted with the Canadian Army in the early 1980’s and would be assigned numerous engagements throughout trouble spots in the world including the Sinai, Cyprus and Croatia. It was while serving in Croatia in 1993 that Shawn would distinguish himself as part of the 2nd Battalion, PPCLI action in repulsing a Croatian ethnic cleansing effort at the infamous Medak Pocket incident. Shawn currently resides in South Frontenac and now serves as a reserve officer commanding the very same Canadian Army Regiment his great grandfather volunteered to join almost 100 years ago, the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment centered in Belleville, Ontario.

Much to his surprise, Lieutenant-Colonel Shawn McKinstry watched his son Justin enlist in the Canadian Army Signal Corps and be deployed to Afghanistan as a specialist in bomb detection, removal and disposal, thereby establishing a continuous succession of five generations of service to the Canadian military. Upon return to Canada, Justin successfully transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy as a Clearance Diver, and currently is stationed on the east coast.

‘Service before Self’ is the theme for this year’s Remembrance Week. The McKinstry family has demonstrated this concept in the past and continues to exemplify this spirit today.

The second installment of the Arden Legion's Open Mic event on October 10 attracted more than double the musicians compared to the inaugural event two weeks earlier. Organizers are hoping to see the event continue to gain in popularity and with that in mind have decided to make it a regular event, which will take place on the second Saturday of every month from 1 - 6pm. To date the open mic is not only attracting local talent but also musicians from afar willing to travel a considerable distance to have the opportunity to play. That was the case for Linda Faith of Kingston who made the trip from Kingston on October 10 to sing her three-song country set that included Willie Nelson's “Remember Me”, and Flatt and Scruggs' “Gimme My Flowers While I'm Living”. She said she made the trip since she loves “to get out and play and socialize with other musicians.” Marg and Dwayne Taylor, both musicians and singers who recently retired and returned to live full time in Arden, are thrilled to have a local regular venue where they can play and meet other local players. Local musician Larry Birney of Arden, who plays and sings and “loves to jam”, initiated the event. He approached members of the Legion with the idea of a regular open mic in the hopes of giving local players a chance to get together regularly.

Theresa Hooiveld, whose partner Peter has participated at both events, is the official name taker and at the second installment, participants were invited to play up to three songs. However, she states that number can change, based on the number of players who show up. The Legion's fund-raising chair, Malcolm Sampson, said that a similar event was started three or four years ago but eventually fizzled out. He said that the second Saturday was decided upon since it does not conflict with other similar musical events in the area.

Legion volunteers open up the kitchen and bar for the open mic, which so far has been free of charge for listeners and players alike. Sampson hopes to see the event catch on, especially in the winter months, since it will make for a warm and cozy way to spend a musical afternoon.

Signs are up for the 2015 Inroads Studio Tour, a familiar event for over 20 years here in Central Frontenac Township. This year, there are nine open studios and a dozen fine artisans displaying their work; hours are from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Sept. 5-7 of Labour Day Weekend. Now is the time of year when friends and visitors to my shop are likely to say something like: “You must be really busy getting ready for the Inroads Tour.” These comments got me thinking about what it is we do to prepare for Inroads – and realizing how long the process really takes.

Tour preparation began in January or February when former participants decided whether they wanted to do the tour again this year. With snow still on the ground, the interested parties got together, in person or via e-mail, and volunteered for various roles (chair, treasurer, secretary, sign manager, etc.) Previous tour members and possible new participants were contacted, commitments were made and cheques mailed to the treasurer so that the brochure co-ordinator could assemble the information and brochures could be printed to be given out during the summer.

For all tour members, preparation throughout the summer involves distributing brochures and generally promoting the tour whenever the opportunity arises. Closer to the event, we put up small signs and dust off the larger signs that we have stored, making sure we have enough and that they are in good repair. I think we all look around our studios and do whatever re-arranging and cleaning seems necessary.

For those of us on the tour who have a shop that is open throughout the summer, much of the pre-tour activity is what we would be doing anyway – filling current orders, replacing stock that has sold through the summer, and trying to keep ahead of the general mess generated in an active artist’s studio. Joanne Pickett (Arden Pottery) says that her usual long days just get longer. At this time of year, Joanne can often be found in her studio at 2 am, throwing pots or waiting for firings to be finished – fortunately, she finds these night vigils peaceful and rather pleasant.

Judith Versavel, who runs Gallery on the Bay in Arden, summarized her preparations for Labour Day thus: “Sprucing up the garden, mowing the lawn, washing gallery windows - again, rearranging items for maximum show, helping my guest artist and trying to figure out what to wear! Oh yeah … and trying to get new paintings and jewellery finished at the last minute!!!”

Here at the Arden Batik shop, I have completed some new pictures, and plan to get them matted and/or framed before the tour. However, I am also going to start some batiks that I know I will not finish, so there will be a selection of interesting pieces in process for tour visitors to see – and for me to demonstrate with during the weekend.

Nancy, at Hilderbrook Studio, tells me that she has some new necklaces, and is “madly busy” making more. Jo Crivellaro has been working on a new product -- collaged mirrors with hunting and fishing themes. She has yet to do the weed cutting and tidying up around her owner-built house in the woods, but will certainly be busy until the tour date. Laurel Minutillo, (Laurel Leaf Studio) has also been busy creating new work; she will be showing painted ceramic jewellery as well as new roller printed metal earrings and forged pendants for necklaces. The worst part about getting ready for the show, she says, is that you never think you are ready enough. Alas, how true!

Nick Hally, our sign man, puts up the large highway signs, and makes sure that all studios are supplied with the signage they need. He and Annette, at Maple Hollow Studio, write that they “ensure that we have enough of our various stock on hand for the full weekend, make sure our signage is all up and visible the night before the first day, cut the grass, weed the garden and make sure our whole place wherever customers will be going is neat, tidy and welcoming, and provide adequate seating and iced bottled water for tired feet and legs.”

Doreen Morey doesn’t show at her home studio, but at her cottage location, so her preparation includes setting up a tent for display and arranging a temporary work space on the cottage deck. She sews in preparation for the tour, and continues sewing throughout the weekend.

For those who are guests at another artisan’s studio, the process involves less house cleaning and more carrying of boxes. Jill Ferguson, guest at Gallery on the Bay, writes: “Worst part is packing and carting all the stuff and the best part is looking forward to meeting new people and seeing regular visitors. I have my must do cards and coasters ready to go and all made with prints of original artwork. I still hope to prepare some mini-prints so I guess that's on my wish list. I have several new landscapes of Ontario country scenes ... roads, fields, waterfalls, trees.”

Janet and Steve MacIntyre are guests at Ken Waller’s studio, and enjoy both the tour and a good visit with the Wallers. This year, Steve and Janet have been trying an unusual jewelry making technique called broom casting. Yes, it involves brooms – they hope you will come and see their new work and find out how it is made.

In fact, all of us look forward to our tour visitors, and hope that the preparations we have made will mean a pleasant tour for all who come and share, for a day, our work, our studios, and a bit of our lives.  

The annual seniors’ baseball game took place on August 9 at the Arden ball diamond. There was an enthusiastic effort from both teams and an exciting level of play. It is wonderful to experience the ability of a group of seniors who are able to make impressive plays in spite of the 60 to 80 years of wear and tear. The Arden team provided a barbeque after the game, which all enjoyed very much. They likely report the results as a tie. We were indeed tied in our sheer joy of playing. Credit goes to the Arden team who won the tightly contested game 27-24. The Cloyne Grey Jays return home to Wednesday morning practice and preparation for the next meeting of these two great teams. Thanks to Gord Brown and Don Patry for organizing the event.

CARE duck drop and race in Arden

by Julie Druker

The local community organization known as Community Angels for Rescue and Emergency (CARE) is a community care program in Arden that began with the local ladies auxiliary and members of the Arden Legion Branch #334. The six-member organization serves local families in the community by assisting them with emergency relief needs. The financial relief provided comes in many forms, and in the past the organization has provided local families with financial relief related to home fires, family burials, and the costs associated with hospital stays for sick children.

On Saturday August 1, Judy McClure, chair of CARE along with CARE member Doug Scott dumped close to 200 yellow rubber ducks off the Bridge Street bridge in Arden as part of their annual duck race fundraiser. The ducks, which are numbered, are purchased for $5 each or 3 for $10 by members of the community. The ducks were carried by the current a few 100 metres downstream to the Arden dam. The purchasers of the first three ducks that cross the finish line win cash prizes. The cash prizes given out this year were to Elaine Flieler, 1st; John McArthur 2nd; and A. Squibb 3rd. A number of onlookers watched as the ducks were dumped over the bridge, after which the organizers quickly made their way to the dam where they awaited the three first finishers. This year due to low water levels on the Arden Creek, the drop site was moved from its former site at the Arden mill pond to the bridge on Bridge Street.

CARE was established in 1996 and continues to support members of the community, and though the funds raised at this year's duck race have yet to be directed to a particular cause, the group will, as usual meet to decide how to spend the funds once a need presents itself. Those wanting to make a donation to CARE can do so at the Arden Legion Branch # 334 or by calling Judy McClure at 613-335-2540.

On July 15, six toga-clad “Greek Goddesses” attracted more than their fair share of attention as they shopped at local businesses in the Sharbot Lake area in preparation for their “Girls’ Annual” get together at Big Clear Lake near Arden. The ladies were spotted wearing white sheets in classic toga fashion, and were also adorned with interesting head gear like laurels, plus bangles and assorted flowers as they made their way through Sharbot Lake. The group, who have been meeting at the cottage of their hostess, Christine Seeley, for the last decade, decided three years ago to concoct a different theme every year for their annual five-day event. Part of the fun, they say, is coming to town dressed up and seeing the kind of reaction they get. Their spirited tour of the Sharbot Lake village attracted the attention of fellow shoppers and staff at Mike Dean’s grocery store, Sharbot Lake Pharmacy, the LCBO, Jossy's Chill & Grill and the Amazing Dollar Store.

Onlookers very much appreciated the ladies' efforts. Several people asked them to pose for pictures and wondered if they could be invited along for the fun. Christine said that that past themes have included Bathing and Bikini Beauties.

The six friends, who have been close since they were all just babies, said that the event is one that they always look forward to. “Friends are important and sometimes it's fun to do crazy stuff once in a while,” Christine said. “We always have a great time hanging out, eating, having a few drinks and always have some great laughs.” Asked about their plans for next year’s theme, the girls are undecided at this point but you might want to be on the lookout for six runaway brides in Sharbot Lake and area come next July.

It was a year ago when Brian Skillen came to Central Frontenac Council to fight for the right to keep his two miniature horses, Tommy and Teddy, on his Clarke Road property near Arden.

The horses are well known in the Arden/Tamworth/Tweed corridor through their appearances at public events, and their visits to seniors' homes.

However, they ran afoul of the township because Skillen's residential lot is under the 10 acre minimum for housing livestock, and a complaint, lodged by his neighbour, brought this to the attention of the township and its bylaw officer.

Skillen was ordered to move Tommy and Teddy at that time, but council relented and an accommodation was found. The Ministry of the Environment determined there was no impact of the horses on wells or groundwater, which was the neighbour's concern, and the township held the bylaw enforcement at bay as it considered fine tuning the bylaw.

Fine tuning the bylaw is not likely to take place soon, however, since the township is waiting for Frontenac County to finalize its Official Plan before starting to update its own, a process that will likely take another year or two.

Earlier this spring, a complaint was lodged against a family in Mountain Grove who were raising pigs at a property within the hamlet, bringing the issue of the 10 acre minimum lot size for livestock back before Council.

On June 9, then CAO Jim Zimmerman gave a report to council asking that the township either “adopt a consistent, fair and objective enforcement of the existing by-law, or instruct staff to not enforce the existing by-law under any circumstances ... “

Council chose to enforce the existing bylaw, which meant that not only did the Mountain Grove pigs need to be moved, but the Skillen horses, as well as four goats at a property outside of Mountain Grove, were also to be revisited.

According to Central Frontenac Clerk Cathy MacMunn, the situation with the pigs has been resolved, and a solution for the goats “is being worked on”.

As far as Timmy and Tommy are concerned however, the jig seems to be up.

“Here it is,” said Brian Skillen, as he produced a document signed by Ken Gilpin, the township's bylaw officer, ordering the horses off the property by July 20.

“I'm pretty fed up with the township,” he said. “Nothing has changed since last year when the Ministry of the Environment and the Health Unit and all the rest of them came here and said they weren't causing any problems, but now they want them gone.”

Unlike last year, Skillen is not planning to go before Council to ask for a reprieve.

“I'm not going back to them,” he said, pointing to a For Sale sign in front of his house. “I'm trying to sell the property anyway, not because of the township, but they don't help matters much, I can tell you that. All I want is for them to let me keep the horses here until I sell.”

Skillen said that he is concerned that if Tommy and Teddy are taken away they will not survive the ordeal.

“They need specific care because they are miniature horses,” he said. “If you put them on grass they wouldn't survive very long. One way or another I'll make sure they are cared for.”

Septic Re-inspection

Although no hard numbers have been determined as yet regarding the potential cost to homeowners resulting from the soon to be finalized septic re-inspection program, Chief Building Official Jeremy Neven stressed the fact that if a system fails it will definitely have to be replaced.

Neven made the statement when pressed by Councilor Brent Cameron, who reiterated his long time concern about affordability issues for low-income residents whose systems fail.

“I just want to make sure that when you are recommending that staff include associated costs in the committee’s report, that staff will also be looking into possible funding options that might be made available to help those who can't afford to replace their systems,” said Cameron

Neven recommended that township staff prepare a draft licensing by-law for septic pumpers and haulers with associated schedules, along with a draft of a proposed reporting format.

A communication plan to inform the public and receive their input on the proposed program is also recommended. Council also instructed the septic re-inspection committee to investigate all associated costs and implementation requirements before bringing the plan back to council.

Bud Clayton dedication

Mayor Frances Smith made council and guests aware of an upcoming special events day hosted by the Township of North Frontenac, which will take place on August 22 at the Clar-Mill Hall in Plevna. The event will include a memorial dedication to former North Frontenac mayor and county warden, Bud Clayton, who passed away last year.

New building inspector in CF

Council passed a motion appointing Scott Richardson as a township building inspector. Richardson will be undertaking the role in an “as needed basis” as defined under the agreement between North and Central Frontenac's Shared Building Services Department. Under that same agreement, Jeremy Neven has been appointed chief building official for both townships.

New load restrictions on the Oclean Lane bridge

In the wake of Raymo Road bridge collapse, council passed a motion limiting the maximum load on a little used bridge near Tichborne. The maximum load has been limited to 5 tonnes per axle with a maximum of three axles.

New Stop Signs

Council supported a request by Public Works Coordinator Kyle Labbett to install a three-way stop sign at the intersection of Anderson Road North and Old Anderson Road in Crow Lake. A second stop sign was approved and will be installed at the exit of the Recreation Park in Arden where that road exits at Queen and Bridge streets.

Full time position approved for public works staff

Council passed a motion recommended by Kyle Labbett to change one public works staff's position from a part-time contract position to a full-time one. Labbett said that the increase would enable staff to “maintain their expected level of service” and would “allow for continuous and ongoing maintenance in specific areas while also balancing out the work force at the township’s two garages.” 

Procurement Policy tabled

Councilor Victor Heese raised concerns about approving council’s new procurement policy as prepared by treasurer J. Michael McGovern. Heese cited his reasoning as “not because I am opposed to the by-law, but rather, that it needs some clarification.”

Because council currently has no CAO, Heese sees a need to have the wording made more precise so there is no confusion. Council tabled the by-law, giving staff more time to fine tune it.

Construction numbers up

In his report to council, CBO Jeremy Neven said this year is looking very good, with June's construction value numbers sitting at a robust $1,235,300, the best June in three years. Neven said that the numbers could continue to rise. The number of permits issued in June was 17, which matches last year’s total. So far this year, permits for eight new residential units have been taken out.

Upcoming Hazardous Waste Day - Saturday, July 18

Staff and members of council will be running a free household hazardous waste day at the intersection of Road 38 and Highway 7 on Saturday, July 18 from 9a.m. – 2p.m. Residents are encouraged to drop off all of their hazardous waste so that it can be safely disposed of.

Delegations

Anne Marie Young, Manager of Sustainability at the County of Frontenac, outlined for council the county's 150th celebrations that will be taking place at Harrowsmith's Centennial Park on the weekend of August 28, 29 and 30. Organizers have been planning the event for the last four years and events will include a plowing match, parades, live music, historical displays, numerous food and craft vendors, a costume ball, various fun activities for children of all ages, magic shows, a full midway with Ferris wheel and carousel and more.

A-60 person re-enactment crew will be firing off cannons and re-enacting a number of historic battle scenes over the three-day weekend event. Organizers are encouraging visitors to bring along family and friends for what will be one very special summer weekend to remember.

Arden delegations

Arden residents took advantage of council meeting at their hall and three delegations were made by local residents. They included a presentation by Wanda Harrison, chair of the District 1 Recreation Committee, who outlined the programs they offer and their hopes for the future.

A second presentation was made by Peggy Breihaupt, who spoke on behalf of the Arden Seniors Happy Gang about their programming, and a final presentation was made by Terry Kennedy of the Friends of Arden group, who spoke of the group’s history and their many accomplishments since they formed.

Following the delegations, council and attendees were treated to a delicious dinner courtesy of the Friends of Arden and the Arden volunteer firefighters.