Feature Article - September 13, 2007

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Feature Article - September 13, 2007

Exciting Season for Tay Valley Choir

September 10th marks the beginning of the fall season for the Tay Valley Community Choir.

This choir of men and women started singing together in 2004. What started as a small group of individuals who shared a love of song, has grown to a lively, friendly group of over 20 people.

Drawing its members from across Tay Valley and the surrounding area, the choir is led by well-known Perth vocalist/music director and music therapist, Nicola Oddy, and assisted and accompanied by Ann McMahon, former teacher and director of several area choirs. The musical selections cover a broad range of styles from contemporary to standards arranged in three and four part harmonies, with members deciding which parts they are most comfortable singing. This relaxed approach to singing includes vocal exercises and performance techniques.

Last year the choir performed at events in Maberly and Perth, and for residents of Lanark Lodge. This non-auditioned choir practises every Monday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. New members are welcomed.

COME JOIN US – EXERCISE YOUR VOCAL CORDS WHILE MAKING NEW FRIENDS!

If you would like more information, or would like to invite the choir to perform at your event, contact Nicola Oddy at 613-264-0242, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Feature Article - December 6, 2007 Back toHome Feature Article - December 6, 2007 Naomi Marchand Goes the Distance to Relieve Chronic Pain by Jeff Green

A benefit dance will be held on December 14 at the Maberly Hall for Naomi Marchand, who suffered a life- changing fall 18 months ago. She landed on a rock and her spinal cord was damaged. She is now confined to a wheelchair.

Naomi will not be in Maberly on the 14th however; she will be on the other side of the world, in Shanghai, China, in the care of Dr. Zhang, a pioneering surgeon in peripheral nerve rerouting. Although some of Doctor Zhang's patients have had bodily function restored, Namoi Marchand's hopes are more limited at this time. She is hoping the surgery will alleviate the debilitating pain she has developed over the past several months.

“Chronic pain has so many repercussions,” she said when interviewed from her home near Maberly two weeks ago, “it starts to manifest itself as a disease.”

This is Naomi's second trip to China. Last October she went to a clinic near Hong King for stem cell treatments in the hopes of restoring function to her lower body.

“I didn't receive much improvement from the stem cell therapy. I think it was too soon after my injury, while I was still in an acute stage. But I had dramatic pain reduction, and I was so strong after the stem cell treatments.”

Since returning from China a year ago, Naomi has been frustrated by what she sees as a lack of openness to different treatments for her condition from the medical establishment.

“When I came home, the medical community did not want to listen to what I had to say. Psychologically, I got a little bit sad.”

A couple of months after her return from China, the pain that had subsided returned, and in recent months it has become progressively worse.

Naomi has explored a variety of treatments for pain, including drug therapies, which she says are “absolutely horrible for your system,” and she is on the waiting list for a deep brain stimulation treatment.

Most of the neurologists Naomi has encountered are convinced that her pain is a so-called phantom pain, which is generated solely from her brain stem.

Dr. Zhang's treatments, however, are based on the idea that information does flow from her lower body, but the broken nerves at her injury garble that information, leaving her brain with nothing to do with the information but translate it into pain at the site.

Dr. Zhang's solution is to create a new pathway for information by creating a kind of nerve bypass, connecting peripheral nerves from above and below the injury to allow for communication to take place.

From his understanding of Naomi's case, Dr. Zhang thinks there is a 60% chance of pain reduction through surgery.

Dr. Zhang's work may not have been accepted by the mainstream of the North American neurologist community, but it has come to the attention of some researchers and practitioners.

Laurance Johnston is a U.S. based scientist and former director of the Paralysed Veterans of America's Spinal Cord Research and Education Foundations. He visited Dr. Zhang's clinic and has since written about peripheral nerve rerouting, describing it as an “exciting surgical procedure that has considerable potential for restoring significant function after spinal cord injury.”

Johnston also wrote that younger patients have a better chance of benefiting from rerouting, and that time lapse after the injury is another factor.

Originally, Naomi was planning to go to China in January, but Dr. Zhang will not be available then, leaving Naomi with a choice between December and February.

Even though a fundraising drive to raise the $25,000 needed for the flights, treatment, and a month in China, has reached only the $6,000 mark, Naomi and her family decided not to wait. She will be flying to Shanghai, accompanied by her father George, on December 8.

Naomi Marchand knows there is a real possibility that no therapy will be able to restore her lower body function, and she also knows that the peripheral nerve rerouting may not work to alleviate her pain. But she is convinced she must explore all options.

She is keen to move on with her life, and is thinking of pursuing a career as a nutritionist, but the chronic, intense pain is stopping her.

“I know there is value in what I can contribute, but if I am debilitated by pain, if I am constantly a patient, I can't move forward.”

(The benefit dance at the Maberly Hall on December 14 will feature the popular Perth-based dance band Beatlejuice, and The Commuters. Admission is $20, and it is an alcohol-free event. For further information, contact Susan Tannahill at 613-264-9016 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Feature Article - August 28, 2008

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Feature Article - August 28, 2008 Country Fairs this Past Weekend

Maberly Fair

Parham Fair

Traditional Maberly Fair entertains

By Julie Druker

Whitney Lewis of Perth and Natasha Struthers of Sharbot Lake won first place in the team relay at the Maberly Fair

Maberly held it’s 126th Agricultural Fair on Saturday. One of the oldest Agricultural Fairs in Ontario, the day-long event has continued to be a destination for those who enjoy traditional fairs.

The agricultural society has specifically made efforts to keep the fair free of commercialism and tied closer to its roots of an agricultural, community-based event.

Events as usual included the opening parade, the light horse show and horse draws. Exhibit entries were up this year and as usual included various produce, photographs, knitted, crocheted and quilted crafts, baked goods, livestock (including farm animals, poultry and alpacas) and, of course, games for children.

Prizes were awarded throughout the day to many people: the longest married couple, the eldest lady and gentleman, the farthest traveled person, etc.

The theme of the fair this year was tractors and there were plenty of them on display.

Rosetta McInnes, first time President of the Maberly Agricultural Society who put on the event was pleased with the turn out and grateful for the excellent weather.

She was very excited about what was new at the fair this year. “When we were organizing this year’s fair, we thought we’d have live entertainment for a change. We couldn’t put the entertainers inside so we built a grand stand outside. The idea is to try to keep people on the grounds longer. So anyone not too keen on the horse draws will stay for the live entertainment.”

The plan seemed to work.

The outdoor stage was built at the east end of the main building on the grounds and was a hot spot all afternoon long.

The stage line up included, Dr. Kaboom’s Mini Mobile Circus, which Rosetta said “was a big hit“. Other performers included The Carleton Place and District Community Band, The Lanark Kitchen Band, and The Kemptville Legion Pipe Band.

The Limestone City Cloggers, an Appalachian style clogging group led by Karen Doyle, put on quite a show in their bright red and white outfits, all stepping in unison to the upbeat sounds of Appalachian music.

The Land o’ Lakes Shriners were some of the best-dressed clowns around and painted youngsters’ faces and twisted up balloon animals for them

The fair ended with a large sit down buffet in the Quonset hut, a delicious feast of hot beef and BBQed chicken put on by Waterfall Catering.

A traditional agricultural fair of course can be affected by what is happening in the surrounding farming community. Wayne Wesley who usually runs the heavy horse show and who normally has at least 4-6 entries had none this year. He explained why. “Farmers are getting their hay in while they have a chance now that it’s finally not raining.”

The fair proved to be another success this year and the new live entertainment an added bonus to what has always been one of the area’s best-loved traditional fairs.

Something for everyone at the Parham Fair

By Julie Druker

Fair goers try their luck at midway games

The Parham Fair has certainly come a long way from its beginnings 116 years ago. It began on the property of the Goodfellow farm and funeral caskets were used as display stands to exhibit the competing entries of vegetables, baked goods and crafts.

Today in its 116th year, it is one of the oldest running fairs in all of Ontario, and with the caskets long gone, this small-town fair has grown to become one of the most popular attractions in the Frontenacs.

While sticking close to its traditional roots, fair organizers have worked tirelessly also to keep up with popular trends and to include events and entertainment that appeal to all ages and types.

In so doing, the annual fair is an event that envelops the entire local and surrounding communities and has something to offer for everyone.

On opening night, after the traditional welcomes by Mayor Janet Gutowski, Fair President Frank Goodfellow and of course Mel Good, the kids took to the midway, traditionalists to the main ring for the heavy horse draws, and contemporary music fans to see “Ambush” at the main stage.

The palace was fuller this year than in previous years and Julia Goodfellow, who was holding down the fort there, commented on the increased number of entries in most categories, along with an increase in general memberships.

Small but important changes have been made by organizers yearly to improve the overall quality of the event.

The grandstand was moved last year to face west so that the music would not interfere with the horse show.

Events have been added this year, like Maple the Cow, a life-like version of the real thing for kids to get to know, and karate demonstrations from Nikki Greenstreet’s group in Sharbot Lake, along with the ever expanding 4H shows.

These changes have proved effective and regular fair goers have noticed a difference. Syd and Sylvia Cain of Tweed, who cottage on Eagle Lake, have been coming to the fair every year since 1969. ”It’s really livened up a lot and seems cleaner and a lot more organized.”

Saturday was chock full of demonstrations and entertainment with the cattle and horse shows and a blacksmith and steam demonstrations.

There were games and finger painting for the kids, lawn mower races and karaoke for the competitive types.

Saturday’s entertainment line up also had something for everyone: the Parham Gospel singers, Carolyn and Kianna Derue, the Tweed Twangers and Crossroads.

On Sunday, as in other years, the most popular event of the day remained the Demolition Derby, a chance to witness car crashes where thankfully no one gets hurt.

First-time president Frank Goodfellow has been connected to the fair in a number of different guises over the past many years, along with many of the Parham Agricultural Society members who run the event.

As a result, his job as president has gone quite smoothly. “There’s a pretty good group of people that are working here and everyone is very familiar with what has to happen, so things seem to fall into place quite well.”

He pointed out that there is one area that is in definite need of improvement. “The biggest challenge for the fair as a whole is getting people to volunteer. That’s where we’re really starting to fall short.”

He explained that many older people who have been involved with the fair for years are taking a break and while the fair continues to grow, there is a real need for volunteers to step in and take their places.

Frank Goodfellow is taking a pro-active approach and is targeting the high schools, since students require a mandatory 40 hours of community service to graduate.

Efforts have been made to advertise as well.

Just as it takes a community to raise a child, it takes a community to put on a great fair.

Anyone interested in taking part in next year’s fair, whether by joining a committee or volunteering during the fair, can contact Frank Goodfellow at 613 375-6234. Every little bit helps.

Food Bank a big winner at the Parham Fair

The Hole-in-one Putting Contest at the Parham Fair on behalf of the Food Bank was a huge success thanks to the support of our community. $737 was raised. Our Volunteer Committee at the Simonett Building managed to gather 18 prizes for those who participated. The grand prize winner of the contest was Ray Hepburn of Godfrey, who won the overnight stay at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa.

The Volunteer Committee of the Simonett Building and the volunteers at the Food Bank thank everyone who participated in this event. Also, many thanks to the Parham Agricultural Society for allowing us to participate in the Fair. Don’t forget to pick up your prizes!

Dec 4/08 - Maberly Honours Volunteers

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Feature Article - December 4, 2008 Maberly honours its longest Serving volunteersBy Paul Pospisil

Arnold Fournier, Lorraine Fournier, Carl Ferguson, Doris Ferguson (with mike), Beverly Patterson, Gordon Patterson, Rosetta Van Alstine-McInnes, president.

On Saturday, November 29, Maberly Hall was packed with friends, neighbours and family to honour the longest serving members of the Maberly Fair. Rosetta VanAlstine-McInnes, president of the Maberly Agricultural Society, had planned and organized this event, keeping it a secret from the award recipients, bringing their family members from all over Ontario and even Western Canada, without their knowledge. There was no question about the surprise as tears flowed around the hall.

Volunteers honoured, with years of service to the Maberly Fair, were Carl Ferguson, 67 years of service, twice president, for a total of 10 years; Doris Ferguson, 59 years service, serving as Secretary-Treasurer for 10 years; Arnold Fournier, 32 years of service, serving as president for 4 years; Lorraine Fournier, 55 years of service; Gordon Patterson, 52 years of service, thrice president for a total of 13 years; and Beverly Patterson, 43 years service.

While the Fergusons and the Fourniers have “retired” and moved from Maberly to Perth, the Pattersons continue to farm on the boundary between North and South Sherbrooke. All continue to be active organizers of the fair.

Rosetta presented them with long service awards from the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies, certificates from MP Scott Reid and MPP Randy Hillier.

Keith Kerr, Reeve of Tay Valley Township personally presented township certificates of appreciation for volunteerism.

They received a long, standing ovation from their neighbours, a final admonition from Rosetta that these awards in no way relieved them of their responsibilities to continue serving on the board of directors and the floor was cleared for dancing to a Lanark County Band, Memory Lane.

The evening was a fitting tribute to these six fine people, who have given so many years of their talents and still continue to give unselfishly to their community.

Back to HomeFeature Article - September 3, 2009

Frontenac County Plowing Match

117th Parham Fair

Maberly Fair

Frontenac County Plowing Matchby Julie Druker

Up close with Clydesdales Noah and Bob at the Frontenac County Rural Show and Plowing Match. L to r: Courtney and Lloyd Orser and Spencer and Mark Richards. 

Aiming for straightness, coverage and uniformity of furrows, Kim Hadwen of Belleville competed at the Frontenac County Rural Show and Plowing Match at the Orser’s farm on August 29 near Sydenham with his team of Belgians, Pete and Jake, on his sulky plow. Competitors in excess of 115 points can qualify for the International Plowing Match to be held in New Liskeard this year.

Plowing for Kim (photo right) is not just a hobby. He runs a Black Angus beef farm in Belleville and has started running his farm the old-fashioned way. He explained, “I’m going back to plowing this way. This spring I actually hooked up 8 horses and did all my spring seeding and planting this way. I’m doing it to save fuel and get back to the way it used to be.” He’s been working his team for just over a year and judging by furrows it looks as though he might indeed get those 115 points.

117th Parham Fairby Julie Druker

The horse pull, Firday night at theParham Fair

Saturday was every fair board member’s worst nightmare. It poured rain all day and the weather could not have been much worse. Attendance was down at the Parham Fair. Fortunately Friday night had been dry for the Horse Pull and Ambush concert, and the grounds would be packed for the demolition derby on the next day.

But on Saturday the energy level wasn’t that high, but all of that changed when the greased pig contest started. Contestants were split into groups of 6-8 kids, and they first greased up their hands and then set off chasing six piglets, the object being to be the first to grab a pig by the hind legs and drag it into one of two winning circle rings.

Photo right: at the Parham on Saturday contestants aged 7-12 years of age had to grease up their hands and raced to catch a pig by the hind legs and drag it to one of two winners’ circles. Ribbons were given out to all contestants. The event attracted and large and enthusiastic crowd

The crowds ate it up and the kids seemed to have a gas - the pigs, it seemed, not so much, although their loudest squeals came not during the chase but when they were initially taken from their trailers and put into the ring.

Although there has been some controversy over the greased pig contest, (see letters, Sept. 3/09) it appeared that no pig was hurt in the event.

It certainly was not the first rainy Saturday in the history of these two events, which go back to 1884 and 1882, and it won’t be the last.

Fierce competion at Maberly Fair by Jeff Green

Heat 1 in the "Anything Goes" category, gets off to a clean start.

In racing circles, people talk about winning by a nose, but in the rarefied work of Zucchini racing, there are times when the nose needs to be lopped off instead.

That’s what one of the contestants did at last weekend’s Maberly Fair to get the weight of his zucchini vehicle below the 2 lb. limit, and it worked; his nose-less zucchini hit the finish line first.

In the anything goes category, the simple design of young Max Bumstead (photo left) won the day over some pretty fancy opposition, including an 6-cylinder job, a zucchini with giant pink wheels and feathers, and a zucchini vehicle that used vinyl records for wheels.

All in all, the first ever Zucchini races at the Maberly Fair, even though they were held in the pouring rain, were exactly the kind of event anyone could have hoped for. Each competitor certainly dreamed of glory and of the lucrative cash prizes ($10 for 1st, $6 for 2nd, and $3 for 3rd), but there was a general feeling of mayhem and a touch of the absurd to the races that carried them through qualifying heats, the semis and the finals in each category.

Wheeled zucchinis zipping down a track is really a sight to behold, and while there may have been no redeeming value to this event, no compelling reason for it to be held, it provided an excellent excuse to have a really good time.

It also gave the Zucchini, the poor cousin to the cucumber, a chance to take centre stage.

Dedication of the Maberly Fair Exhibit Hall by Julie Druker

Present for the Bill Kennett memorial plaque and dedication ceremony at Maberly Fair on Saturday (l to r) Paul Pospisil, Dennis Pratt, Bill’s wife Valerie Kennett, Rosetta McInnes, Carl Ferguson and Bill’s daughter, Brenda

Friends, family and fans of the late Bill Kennett of Maberly gathered at the entrance to the main exhibit hall at the Maberly fairgrounds on Saturday for a dedication ceremony, which named the hall the Bill Kennett Building in his honour.

The large steel building, the most valuable property of the Agricultural Society, was constructed in the early 1990s with funds raised and hours of work put in by numerous community volunteers. According to Paul Pospisil, past president of the Maberly Agricultural Society, who made the dedication, the “building represents a community spirit of generosity and volunteerism.”

Bill Kennett and his wife Valerie moved to Maberly in 1986 and soon after Bill joined the Agricultural Society as a director working on the financial, insurance and legal aspects of the books as well as preparing an emergency plan. He served as president in 2002 and 2003 and also became the organizer of the fair’s Light Horse Show just so that the event would not be lost. He was also the driving force behind the construction of Diagon Alley, the building that shelters arts and craft displays during the fair.

Bill's most important contribution to the fair was the Thursday morning work parties in which he organized teams of volunteers to carry out the numerous jobs involved in putting on a fair and which inspired local pride in the Maberly fair grounds and its buildings.

President of the Agricultural Society Rosetta McInnes made the formal dedication and unveiled the plaque which will permanently hang as a lasting tribute to Bill Kennett and to the pride and dedication that he brought to community through his work with the Maberly Fair and the Agricultural Society.

After the plaque was unveiled, Bill’s wife Valerie spoke of how the fair site is an important place for her and her family. She thanked Carl Ferguson, who initiated the project, and Dennis Pratt, who carved the plaque.

Emily Morin of Kemptville and Nova S.S., her quarter horse mare, entered a number of events in the light horse class at the maberly fair and camme away with a number of prizes, including first place in the English Pleasure Riding event.

Back to HomeFeature Article - August 27, 2009 127th Maberly Fair, August 29, 2009

There's an old joke about a city dweller asking someone from the country if they ever lock their car door. “Only during zucchini season,” the country dweller replies.

The folks at the Maberly Fair have come up with a different solution to the same problem. Instead of foisting five-pound zucchinis on unsuspecting neighbours, put some wheels on them and run them over to the Maberly Fair this Saturday August 29.

Unwilling to rest on their laurels after 126 years, the folks at the Maberly Fair are bringing a unique new event to their 127th annual fair: zucchini drag races.

At 1:30 on Fair Day, the races will take place. The rules are pretty simple. Zucchinis are graded into three classes: 1 lb, 1-2 lb. and the open class. The vehicles must be un-motorised, and their width cannot exceed 8 inches. First zucchini to the bottom wins. The reason for the race is listed as “Just because”.

The fair is centred on theme of “Horses” this year.

Included in the schedule are a Light and Heavy Horse show, starting at 9:00 am, the annual parade at 10:30, poultry judging at 11:00, the light and heavy horse and pony draws at noon, Tip the Clown at 1:00, and the fair supper from 4:30 until 7:00 pm.

This year's fair will also include a farmers’ market and a kids’ bouncy castle.

Along with all of the fun and frivolity, there will be one serious event at the Maberly Fair this year. A plaque will be unveiled at the exhibit building in memory of long-time fair member Bill Kennet, and the building will be renamed “The Bill Kennet Building” in his honour.

Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for ages 7-17,and 6 & under free. For further information go to maberlyagsociety.ca

Canada Post spokesman John Caines said last week that home delivery is not on the chopping block in rural Canada.

Although the embattled company will begin phasing out home delivery next month in urban and suburban areas, Caines said that a process of re-evaluating rural addresses was undertaken by the company a couple of years ago and no further changes are envisioned at this time.

He confirmed that changes in the hours at three post offices in Frontenac and western Lanark County - Godfrey, Parham and Maberly - are under consideration but said the specific changes as well as their implementation date are still up in the air.

“We have been looking at our retail outlets, based on foot traffic, and we are looking to tailor our hours to when people use our services most. We have been in consultation with the union, as part of our collective bargaining agreement, about the hours at those locations, but no conclusions have been made, and there is no time frame on it.”

When asked if Saturday closing would form part of the changes to the three offices, Caines said, “Saturday is not a good day for us in terms of customer traffic. No business stays open during times when customers do not use their service.”

Canada Post is making changes to its service delivery model in a effort to reverse a trend, brought on by the widespread changes in communications technology in recent years, which are projected to result in $1 billion yearly losses for the Crown corporation by the year 2020.

The corporation turned a profit for 16 consecutive years until 2010, a year in which it turned a net profit of $314 million. However, in 2011 the company reported a net loss of $188 million.

It returned to profitability in 2012 to the tune of $127 million, but that was done, according to the company’s annual report for the year, “largely due to reductions in the future costs of sick leave and post-retirement health benefits ... a result of reaching new collective agreements with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.” That agreement only came about after a bitter strike in June of 2012 that was ended by back-to-work legislation.

In 2013 Canada Post's financial results plummeted sharply, with losses in excess of $100 million in the third quarter alone.

Wholesale changes in its delivery model, including a sharp increase in stamp prices and an end to home delivery in urban Canada, were announced late in the year.

(Publisher’s note – In all likelihood, this copy of the Frontenac News was delivered to your mailbox, directly to your home, at a community box, or at your local post office box, by Canada Post. We have no plans to alter that method of delivery, which remains the most effective option we have found for delivery in our distribution area. Canada Post has indicated that there will be little if any change in service levels that would affect the timely delivery of the Frontenac News to the 9,219 households that receive our newspaper through the mail.)

Back to HomeFeature Article - June 11, 2009 Anti-uranium art show in MaberlyBy Jeff Green

Paul Gervin and Wolfe Ehrlichman presented a skit with Dumbglo the $28 billion (and counting) elephant

The protest against uranium exploration in North Frontenac has taken many forms, and on May 31 it was the turn of the artists, as a group of activists/artists - or perhaps artists/activists presented a diverse set of works at a one-day show at the Maberly Hall.

The art was as varied as the political struggle has been, taking on Aboriginal issues, issues of social justice, and the question of uranium mining in addition to the protest against exploration.

Sulyn Cedar presented a spoken word piece that sprang from her tangles with the police at the Robertsville site. Among the 20 or so varied pieces on display, woodcarver Mickie Mackie showed a carved Osprey he spent a year making as a gesture in support of the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, who have an Osprey on their own flag. The Sullivan family took photographs of No Uranium signs from the surrounding countryside and mounted them on a background. Students from Sharbot Lake High School made a large puppet, with the assistance of artist Cheryl Matson, to be used in protests. Other artists, including Sandy McNulty, Isidora Spielmann, Carol Pepper, Martina Field, and Sheila Macdonald also presented pieces, and Dave Dawson read a poem about the struggle, followed by an appearance by Dwayne Scudder.

Filmmaker Liisa Rissanen presented a 30-minute film about a group of canoeists who traveled from Mud Lake at Ardoch all the way to Parliament Hill to present water to Scott Reid and declare a moratorium on uranium prospecting on Algonquin territory. And in the realm of theatre, Paul Gervin and Wolfe Ehrlichman presented a skit with Dumbglo the $28 billion (and counting) elephant that they have prepared for use at political gatherings this summer as a protest against Ontario's plans to build new nuclear reactors.

All in all, the art show was an opportunity for the varied currents of thought and action about the uranium process and the local struggle to be expressed.

To mark the second anniversary of the start of the occupation of the Robertsville mine site, the Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium (CCAMU) is planning their next event on June 28. A potluck dinner and dance will be held, also at the Maberly Hall, featuring the popular Perth dance band BeatleJuice. Tickets are $20 for the fundraising event. For information, call Sulyn Cedar at 613-268-2424.

Canada Post is planning to cut 25% of its hours at the Parham, Godfrey and Maberly post offices.

The proposed cuts were announced via letters to township councils on January 8, and communicated directly to the postmasters involved by Glen Baldock, the local area manager for Canada Post in Kingston. The changes include eliminating Saturday hours in all three locations, and cutting overall hours from 36 to 27.

While the hours are somewhat different in all three locations, the changes would result in later openings and earlier closings on weekdays, with the notable exception being Thursday afternoons, when extended hours are being contemplated.

The postmasters at all three locations, who are unionized employees under a collective bargaining agreement with the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA), were reluctant to talk about the proposed changes, but they did say that they were not consulted about the proposals before Glen Baldock came to see them a week or so ago. Without going into detail, they said they did offer alternatives to Baldock, based on their own experience with their customers.

They expressed a concern, as did a number of customers we talked to, that the earlier closings in the afternoons, along with the Saturday closings, will make it difficult for customers who work 9am-5pm jobs to get their mail at the post office.

If the changes go through as contemplated, it will result in the Godfrey and Maberly post offices being open from 11 am – 4 pm Mondays to Wednesdays and on Fridays, and 11 am – 6 pm on Thursdays.

In the case of the Godfrey post office, this will not be possible, because the office is located within LD Powersports, which closes at 5 pm each day. The post office does not have a separate entrance so it must close when LD closes.

In Parham, where the current hours of operation are 9am until 12 noon and 2 - 5:30 pm on weekdays, and 9 am -12:30 pm on Saturdays, it is proposed that the hours will be 9 am until 12 noon and 2:30 to 4:30 on each day except Thursday, when the afternoon opening is to be extended until 6:30 p.m.

According to the letter Glen Badock sent to the local councils, “A careful review has determined that we have a very small number of local customers” during the hours of the day that Canada Post is planning to cut.

This review was based on the time of day when most sales are made at the outlets, which is tracked by the Canada Post computer, but the postal employees at the locations said that the data does not account for the use of the post office by customers to pick up their mail, which is not tracked.

In his letter to the townships, Baldock indicated that a final decision about the changes has not been made yet. “We will be holding discussions with the local representatives of our employees' associations, the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA) and will communicate the results with you once these discussions have occurred. Rest assured that these potential changes will take our customers' and your constituents’ postal needs into consideration. We remain committed to providing postal services in urban and rural communities across the country.”

The News called Glen Baldock for comment but we did not receive a return call before our publication deadline for this week's paper.

There is nothing like the sounds of a four-part men's and ladies' choir singing the songs of the season to ignite warm holiday feelings. That was the case for the over 100 listeners who crammed the Community hall in Maberly on December 7 to listen to “Christmas is Coming”, the annual concert put on by The Tay Valley Community Choir.

The 28-member strong SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) choir, who looked as good as they sounded in their blacks and whites and colorful ties and corsages, wasaccompanied on piano by Richard Byrd.

They performed an eclectic program that included songs like "Christmas Canon", "Born In Bethlehem", and "When Christmas Comes", the latter a light and lively old-fashioned tune with a bright melody and impressive harmonies. Highlights included "The Angel's Carol", which showcased gorgeous unison singing that alternated between the ladies and men, who later came together in the chorus with uplifting harmonies. Their version of "In The Bleak Midwinter" was one of their more sombre and solemn selections and they performed it with prowess with lovely blended harmonies and long, soaring melody lines. Their final tune, "A Festive Call to Freedom", an old traditional Quaker tune from Vermont, ended the program on a high note, with its rousing marching rhythm and a call to rejoice in the upcoming holiday season.

The concert was the choir's first ever under the direction of Grace Armstrong, who was formerly the choir's accompanist when it was directed by Ann McMahon. Armstrong has directed many choirs and was invited to take over the reins from McMahon. She said the challenge of directing a community choir is never knowing how many singers will be available to sing the four different parts. As is the case with most community choirs, tenors and basses are often greatly out-numbered by the female soprano and alto parts. "If a tenor or bass falls ill, it can make it difficult to get the balance that you are striving for right,” she said.

Armstrong's song choices for the concert were made with the “hopes of including songs that would bring forth emotions from listeners that come from the pure harmonic sounds of four separate vocal parts that are distinct.”

Interspersed with the choir's program were special musical guests. Jessica Wedden, the wunderkind fiddler from the Blue Skies Fiddle Orchestra who has been playing the fiddle for just two years, charmed listeners with her fast-paced playing and impressive bowing tricks. Later in the program 15-year-old Isaac Matthews Hanna, founder of the band Murray's House and the second place winner in the "My Town" talent contest, played a number of selections demonstrating his great vocals and guitar playing.

The evening was emceed by Paddy O'Connor and as usual the entire audience was invited to herald in the holiday season by joining in a number of Christmas favorites that included "Jingle Bells", and "Silent Night".

The choir rehearses regularly every Monday night at 6 p.m. in Maberly and at Glen Tay Public School and is always looking for new singers. Anyone interested can contact Grace Armstrong at 613-264-1999.