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Wednesday, 19 July 2017 12:13

Friends of Bon Echo Park

If you haven’t witnessed majestic Mazinaw Rock with your own eyes then you’ve missed out on one of the natural wonders of eastern Ontario.

Just 20 minutes north of Northbrook within the bounds of Bon Echo Provincial Park, the gorgeous granite cliff rises 100-metres straight out of the depths of one of the province’s deepest lakes. It’s truly an awe-inspiring sight, and one immortalized by generations of artists.

The Rock is itself an enduring canvas; at water level there are more than 260 pictographs painted in red ochre by the area’s indigenous people. These paintings, some of them believed to be more than 1,000 years old, are images of a rich cultural tradition. Park visitors can see them up close as part of the fully interpreted Wanderer tour boat ride.

But the appeal of Bon Echo extends well beyond the splendour of the Rock. With numerous trails and activities to enjoy, the park has something to offer adventurers of all ages.

For anglers, Bon Echo boasts excellent fishing opportunities, for which it earned a nod from Outdoor Canada magazine. Those new to fishing are invited to join in on the Learn To Fish program being offered by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry on the weekend of Aug 5 and 6. No experience necessary and equipment is provided.

For art lovers, there’s the annual Art Exhibition and Sale, taking place this year from Fri, Jul 28 to Sun, Jul 30. With the theme “Canadian nature, wildlife and countryside,” the event will showcase original works from 40 artists and include activities for the whole family. Plus there’s the Colin Edwards Memorial Art Gallery, inside of Greystones store, that showcases local artists all season long.

For those looking for some lakeside lounging, there are three natural sandy beaches from which to enjoy a refreshing swim or just soak up the gentle sounds of the waves on the shore. Canoes and paddleboats are available for rent in the Lagoon.

Nature lovers can be on the lookout for the wide variety of wildlife that inhabits the park, including the peregrine falcons that circle Mazinaw Rock, the Blanding’s turtles and the elusive five-lined skink. The skink, Ontario’s only lizard, is being celebrated all-season long with a kids’ colouring contest (entries available at the Visitor Centre) and special events on Sun, Jul 30 and Sat, Aug 26.

Visitors who choose to stay overnight in the park can choose from a wide range of amenities, including cozy lakeside cabins, spacious yurts, RV and car-camping facilities as well as hike-in and paddle-in camp sites for those who want to explore the backcountry.

The season includes a variety of special events, including those presented by the Park’s Natural Heritage Educators and those presented by the volunteer organization the Friends of Bon Echo Park. For more information check out Ontarioparks.com/park/bonecho and Bonechofriends.ca.

Julia Garro lives just south of Tweed and is a board member of the Friends of Bon Echo Park.

Published in ADDINGTON HIGHLANDS

On July 29th, Robert Mcleod of the Ironwood Sword School is coming to Bellrock Hall to present a workshop for children 8 and older.

The Ironwood Sword School offers training in the Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA). A HEMA school teaches an actual period style of fighting art based on the study of historical manuals and sources. Ironwood bases its training on the sources for the German Longsword covering roughly the medieval period from the mid 14th century to the late 16th century. The school teaches the unarmored style of fighting where the longsword is the primary weapon, but the system includes techniques for dagger, wrestling, spear, and one-handed sword. Ironwood Sword School has been offering classes since 2014. Robert MacLeod  has been studying German longsword since 2008.

The introductory workshop includes a brief introduction to the period and the importance of swords to the culture followed by hands on training with blunt swords specifically designed for training safely. Children will learn how to handle a sword safely, the basics of stance and footwork, the basic cuts and guards, and a few elementary exchanges of attack and defense. Students get to practice making proper cuts on a “pell” – a wooden post with a cross piece which has been used since the middle ages. Drills are performed under supervision in pairs with the appropriate safety gear. The workshop ends with a session of “Fight the Knight” where groups of students get to attack the instructor in his full fighting kit.

The workshop runs from  1pm – 3:30pm and costs $20. Pre-registration is required. Call  613-358-9642 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Participants will need to wear long pants and shoes (no shorts and sandals).

Published in SOUTH FRONTENAC
Wednesday, 28 June 2017 09:36

Sail Mazinaw on July 8th

July 8 is the third annual Sail Mazinaw.  The objective of the event is to identify Mazinaw Lake as a remarkable sailing venue.  On July 8, all cottagers, campers and transient sailors are invited to rig their boats and their boards and go for a sail.  It is not a race nor a regatta.  It's a fun flotilla and an occasion , or an excuse, to get boats on the water.  It's a great opportunity to introduce a new generation to the sport.

The day will begin with a crew breakfast at Mazinaw Lakeside Resort.  The staff will open the doors at 8:00 to get an early start for the sailors and friends.  Dock space at MLR is limited, so you are encouraged to arrive by car.  After breakfast, you have all day to enjoy a sail.

If you are near the lagoon in Bon Echo Provincial Park between noon and 2:00, pull your boat up on a beach and enjoy a hamburger or a hot dog prepared by Friends of Bon Echo.  The proceeds go to fund the many programs that The Friends organize throughout the camping season.  Your support will be appreciated.

Details of a potluck supper will be communicated at the crew breakfast.

Bring your boat, bring your board, crew with a friend, invite your neighbour, but get on the water for Sail Mazinaw, July 8.

Published in ADDINGTON HIGHLANDS

This past winter and spring has seen a rash of ATV and Snowmobile fatalities in Ontario, including an ATV death in North Frontenac whereby the causation was deemed alcohol related.

That day, the OPP laid numerous charges for failure to wear a helmet etc. We saw a spike in Snowmobile drownings across the province this past year. At my property (Marble Lake Lodge), I regularly observe ATVers with kids under 10 years old, riding without helmets, intoxicated, and without plates or insurance. Same for sledders, even while the OFSC's Snowmobile trails were closed due to unsafe trail and ice conditions, we observed numerous trail riders breaking the law and trespassing on closed trails. Last summer, with a Tornado Earning issued by Environment Canada one afternoon, we observed boaters out on the lake, and with open bottles of Coors Lite.

At the Toronto Sportsmans Show (had the OPP SAR Unit Seargent co-present with us), and at the ATV Power sports Show, my company (WSC SURVIVAL SCHOOL INC.) presents seminars on survival safety‎. Some valuable tips that could save your life, for ATVing/Snowmobiling/Boating, include the following:

- don't consume alcohol or drugs!
- have excellent communications equipment on your personal, eg tracking device (SPOT, IN-REACH), Cell Phone Amplifier-Booster etc)
- obtain up to date weather reports from Environment Canada, Weather Network, AccuWeather, Lighningstrikes.org)
- ATVers should wear proper safety gear, including a certified helmet, long pants, proper footwear, and abide by posted speed limits.
- Sledders should know your ice safety, ice thickness eg there's no such thing as safe ice, I like a minimum of 10+ inches for sledding‎, and wear flotation + ice picks and rescue rope, and abide by posted trail speed limits.
- wear Transport Canada approved flotation at all times when boating, and have at minimum, a baler, 50 feet of buoyant rope (throw bags are the best), and have a hypothermia kit handy (wool blankets, woolen clothing, camp stove/pot, high energy trail snacks etc)

For any outdoor activity, you should carry a Survival and Safety Kit, that is based on the rule of 3's: you can survive for 3 minutes without oxygen, 3 hours if you're hypothermic, 3 days without water, 3 week without food.

Survival gear should include something for shelter, fire, water, food, first aid and navigation, plus communications.

Many accidents and fatalities are caused by failure to be prepared, and failure to obey the law. Search and rescue costs the taxpayers, and risks the lives of the searchers and first responders. Regarding that recent FYI ATV fatality, I would not have wanted to be the attending police officers and paramedics, nor the individual that had to knock on the door of the next of kin to advise them that a loved one was deceased, and they needed to plan for a funeral.

To the majority of folks who go out and safely enjoy the great outdoors, keep doing that. To the others, smarten up! Before it's to late. Remember, you are biodegradable.


17 23 arama

David Arama's new book published this past fall: "501 Survival Skills that could save your life".

Published in General Interest
Wednesday, 14 June 2017 12:30

OPP Raising Concerns About Boating Safety

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have already investigated three boating fatalities this spring, with the same contributing factors being reported as in previous years.

Two of the three fatal incidents involved capsized canoes. During the third mishap, the vessel sank. Alcohol/drug consumption was involved in two of the incidents. Only one of the three deceased was wearing a life jacket or personal floatation device (PFD) at the time. One victim was a passenger.    

These details are all too common in OPP-investigated boating incidents from year to year.

Last year (2016), 16 vessel operators and seven (7) passengers were killed in 19 boating incidents on OPP-patrolled waterways. Nine (9) of the incidents involved a capsized vessel. Six (6) victims fell overboard. Alcohol consumption was a factor in six (6) occurrences.

Few victims were found to be wearing a life jacket - a statistic that has not changed from year to year. The exception was in 2015 when -- for the first time in more than ten years -- all 18 of the deceased were recovered without life jackets.

Fatal Marine Incidents                
Persons Killed
2016 - 23
2015 - 18

Persons Killed - No PFDs
2016 - 19
2015 - 18

Boaters continue to let their guard down in non-motorized vessels, despite the fact that a significant number of fatal incidents occur in canoes and kayaks every year.  

In May, the OPP is partnered with the Canadian Safe Boating Council to promote safety on the water.  

The OPP is urges boaters to be extra cautious this season in particular, due to high water levels, swift currents and debris creating hazardous boating conditions.  

Whether you are a boat operator or a passenger, consider these facts when heading out on the water in any type of water craft:    

Of the 250 people who have died in OPP-investigated boating incidents during the past ten years (2007 to present), 209 were recovered without a life jacket or PFD (includes not properly worn).

As a passenger on a boat, you have a right to speak up if the operator is endangering your life in some way. If you know or suspect that the driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs, call 9-1-1. By doing so, you could save lives, including your own.

It can take 30 minutes or more for most adults to become even mildly hypothermic in icy waters. If you find yourself in extremely cold water, do not panic and remember that you have some time to make good decisions.

Published in General Interest
Wednesday, 14 June 2017 12:15

NAEC canoe trip to Algonquin

On Wednesday, May 31st, North Addington Education Centre’s Grade 11 and Grade 12 Recreation and Fitness Leadership class, travelled to Algonquin park to partake in a 4-day canoe trip.

The students prepared for the trip during the month of May during their class. They had to prepare presentations to teach the rest of the class important information about the trip. They also had to go through various amounts of training to learn proper canoe strokes and safety practices, such as canoe-over-canoe rescue, as well as how to portage efficiently over long distances.

Their trip consisted of canoeing multiple lakes throughout a day, as well as numerous portages, one being approximately 2.5 kilometres! The students successfully completed the portages in record times and kept a positive attitude during the entire trip, despite some rain and wind at times. Grade 12 student, Shaelynn Flagler commented on her experience, “The challenges were the weather, bugs and mud which made the portages and the days on the lake very difficult, but we as a group were able to conquer Algonquin Park and have a good trip.”

Their teacher, Mrs. Sproule, commented on her students saying, “the growth that we saw in students, both individually and as a group, was phenomenal.  Some students learned to camp and canoe for the first time on a trip while others had the opportunity to catch their first trout and eat it cooked over the campfire!” The students all agree that it was a great educational trip and a wonderful experience. They all grew closer to each other and bonded more than they ever would have in just a classroom environment.

The school and teachers hope to continue in their outdoor educational trips and are very grateful to their local sponsors for making these trips possible. Without the sponsors, they would be unable to afford the supplies and transportation needed for the trip.

Published in NORTH FRONTENAC
Wednesday, 07 June 2017 13:36

ATV reps enjoy North Frontenac hospitality

North Frontenac Township, in conjunction with the Ottawa Valley ATV Association,  hosted the Ontario Federation of All Terrain Vehicles (OFATV) Annual General Meeting last weekend, with great success.

Dave Baker, the OFATV Association President, said that representatives from over 50 associations attended the meeting.

“The venue, trails, accommodations, location, and volunteers were fantastic, and everyone enjoyed a great weekend. Many participants were excited to get more information about the area for future trail-side vacations!,” he said afterwards.

Putting the event on was a community effort involving supporters from across North and Central Frontenac. Lodges, B&B’s and Inn’s from throughout the township held rooms for the guests, who arrived on Friday and gathered at the Ompah hall for a meet and greet, catered by Cota’s Mobile Catering. On Saturday morning the Clar Mill Volunteers stepped up to provide breakfast for the delegates.  The delegates dispensed with some business in the morning and then had snacks prepared by the Snow Road Snowmobile club, before getting down to the more important task of the day, riding the trail network in the vicinity of Ompah. In case they were getting peckish, the Sharbot Lake Raise a Rink Committee prepared a traill lunch for them.

They finished their ride at the hall, another Cota prepared dinner was waiting for them, before they headed to Palmerston Lodge for a bonfire.

On Sunday, after another breakfast, they held meetings until noon, and then wrapped things up with another lunch.

“We absolutely had a great time. I don't want any of the other clubs to be jealous, but this is one of my favourite Annual General Meetings I have attended. Having the meeting hosted in the great outdoors, where we had to ride our ATV's from our cabin to the meeting hall is exactly what ATVing is all about -- now if only we could work on less mosquitos and black flies,” said Dave Baker.

Rose and Denis Bedard of Double S Sports, who co-ordinated the event, said that all of the volunteer efforts made the event a success.

“An event like this just doesn’t happen without the Community getting involved. We would like to thank the Volunteer Groups and Businesses for their help in making this event a success,” said Rose.

Published in NORTH FRONTENAC

In the 10 years the Ompah Community Association’s ATV ride has been running, it has grown by exponential levels.

From about 70 participants at the first one, it grew to just over 1,000 participants two years ago and featured a still-whopping 857 participants last Saturday.

“We’re getting people from all over, including the States,” said organizer Lindy Hay, who helped organize the first ride with Denis Bedard and Rose Boivin of the Double S Marina in Ompah. “I was talking recently to some people from B.C. and they said ‘oh, I know of that event.’”

Hay said they’ve seen the number of side-by-side ATVs increasing, primarily among seniors, who are using the ride to spend time with their grandchildren.

Proceeds from the event go to a number of causes, including the community hall, firehall, firefighters and others in need in the community (they even made a contribution to the outdoor rink fund in Sharbot Lake recently).

For the past five years, there’s also been another partner.

National Ride Captain Byron Smith, who along with Garry Janz co-founded the Telus Ride For Dad program 17 years ago, said that since the Ride started adding ATV, snowmobile and watercraft runs from the original motorcycle ride, the partnership with the Ompah run has been an excellent relationship.

“We’ve been doing this as a fundraising partnership for about five years now when Denis Bedard invited us,” Smith said. “For us, we have other ATV rides but a lot of bikes come through here.”

Smith said the Ride For Dad program began when Janz was diagnosed with prostrate cancer and decided to do a little research.

“Prostrate cancer is 80 per cent curable when detected early,” Smith said. “We’ve now raised more than $23 million for research, are in 40 cities and partnered with Telus.

“This ride is the right demographics for us and helps get the word out.”

Smith said there’s another reason he likes to come here.

“It doesn’t matter what the weather is like, they still go,” he said. “These guys don’t care.

“I can’t say enough about these guys.”

Published in NORTH FRONTENAC
Thursday, 27 April 2017 11:23

Citizen Science in the Woods

On Saturday, May 6, enjoy the great outdoors with a spring walk in the woods and a new citizen science project offered by the Ontario Woodlot Association. The distinctive topography of the Frontenac Axis is the setting for families to take part in a half day of exploration and learning. Registration is required.

The Woods Walk will feature forester, Justin Smith, leading an examination of how the geology and the soil shaped the forest on his family’s property. The property is relatively untouched; the last timber harvest was 80 years ago, so this is a good example of a natural Frontenac Axis mixed forest. Wildflowers will be in bloom, so the group can put their heads together identifying flowers and forest plants.

In addition, the Limestone Chapter of the Ontario Woodlot Association will introduce their new “Citizen Science” project. Professional forester, Thom Snowman, will demonstrate how to set up a permanent test plot in your woods and use it to conduct a long term study of the growth characteristics of various species. This is an important step in understanding how a forest develops over time, and has applications in forest management planning and determining carbon sequestration capabilities.
Professionals will be on hand to answer questions about forestry and local resources. During lunch hour, there will be a short Annual General Meeting to discuss the program for the coming year.

The event runs from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at 8333 Canoe Lake Road in South Frontenac.  Bring a lunch to enjoy at the lake shore. This event is free for all OWA members; a $5 donation is requested from non-members to be used for landowner kits for the Citizen Science Project.

Register in advance; due to restricted parking, the number of participants may be limited. (Carpooling please!) Contact Dave Sexsmith at 613-373-9334 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more on the organization, visit www.ontariowoodlot.com

Published in SOUTH FRONTENAC
Thursday, 27 April 2017 11:15

Easy ride on K&P trail

Flat terrain, prepared surface--the K&P Canada 150 Bike Ride taking place on May 6th (10 to noon) will be a comfortable ride over historic ground. This family-friendly Bike Ride takes place on the former rail bed abandoned by the Canadian Pacific Railway. Starting from Tichborne, cyclists will travel 10 km each (for a total of 150 km) passing through bush, swamps and over bridges.

The Kingston-Pembroke Railway (known locally as “The Kick and Push”)  once connected a string of small villages that depended on it for commerce as well as for their household goods. The Conboy’s shipped their maple syrup on the railway; Eatons delivered dressers and tables; cattle, fattened on the local farms, ended up in Toronto stockyards .

Formed in 1998, the K&P Trail Group promotes the K&P as a right of way with a free multi-use trail starting at Sydenham Road. No motorized vehicles are allowed. In November 2015, the County of Frontenac, which owns its portion of the trail, completed the section from Harrowsmith to Tichborne. The new section is approximately 20 kilometers long and includes bridges over White Creek, Elbow Creek and Fish Creek. The next phase aims to bring the trail to Sharbot Lake and is expected to be completed in 2018. The K&P Canada 150 Bike Ride is hosted by the SteeleBender Cycle Club and is sponsored by the Railway Heritage Society. Further information at 613 279-2144.

Published in CENTRAL FRONTENAC
Page 4 of 21
With the participation of the Government of Canada