Photo: Deborah & Doug Love Grove, John McDougal, Gary Davison, John & Ginny Trousdale, Ron Vadewal

South Frontenac honoured two of its residents for their volunteerism within the community.

John Trousdale: John Trousdale is a true native son of Sydenham Village, a graduate of Sydenham High School, and a man who has carried on his family business interests, which go back to the early days of the village.

He has worked behind the scenes supporting numerous initiatives financially over the years, and has served on numerous boards and committees, including an 11-year stint on the Limestone Learning Foundation Board. He serves on the Kingston General Hospital Board and on the patient care and finance committees at KGH as well, and on the advisory Board of New Leaf Link.

He sits on the Sydenham Canada Day Committee, and is a member of the cemetery committee, the Lions Club, and the Legion, as well as an active member of St Paul’s Church.

As a local business owner, John has, again quietly, pitched in in times of need and emergency, lending a hand to individuals and the community whenever it was needed, whether after hours, on weekends or holidays.

Doug Lovegrove: Doug Lovegrove has worked in leadership roles and on individual projects to make the community a better place.

Doug has been an active member of the Verona Festival committee and steering committee since the festival’s inception 16 years ago. He managed several duties such as the original festival web site, construction of the entrance kiosks, banners and flags, conducted visitor surveys, assisted with the logistics of setting up and taking down, managed the advertisement and promotion, was active on the steering committee and was chair for the festival for several years.

He has also been a director and vice president of the Verona Business Association, director of the Verona/Bell Rock Policing Committee, coordinator of the Verona and Area Neighbourhood Watch, President of the Prince Charles Public School Home and School Association, and reporter and columnist for the Triangle newspaper.

Doug has endeared himself to the Verona community, and many in Verona deeply appreciate his years of volunteer service and are proud he has received this prestigious award.

Photo: John McDougall, Paul Pospisil, David Hahn, Miguel Hahn, Dianne Dowling.

The Verona Lions’ 5th Annual Garlic Festival was a smorgasbord of everything garlic as area growers specializing in the beloved bulb offered shoppers a wide range of locally grown varieties and numerous edible products whose number one ingredient is garlic. The event attracts garlic growers from all over the area, who are fast finding a wide customer base at the Verona market, and not surprisingly, many sold out of their stock.

Garlic Guru, Paul Pospisil, editor of the Garlic News of Maberly and founder of the Eastern Ontario Garlic Awards, once again made the awards presentations this year. And once again, the cash awards were sponsored by the National Farmers Union Local 316 and Local Family Farms in Verona, and representatives Dianne Dowling and Kim Perry were on hand to give out both awards to the winners. Brent and Carolyn Smith of Croydonview Farm of Roblin once again took home the second place reserve champion trophy. David and Miguel Hahn of Forest Farm in Godfrey once again won as the overall champions, winning firsts in the overall collection and 12 bulb display categories, and seconds in the braid and best bulb categories.

David Hahn said, “Garlic epitomizes the best that local food has to offer. It is a superior product and it enhances every other local food product that it is added to. This festival is another way that local growers and eaters are putting food, families and farming back into the centre of our lives.” The Hahns have taken the first place award numerous times over the years and Miguel Hahn explained their success this way. “I think that is because we really focus on garlic; it’s our main product and our main priority so we put a lot of time and energy into growing it. We also love it and eat a lot of it and people tend to have the most success with the things that they love. ”

The Hahns also sell their garlic at the Perth Garlic Festival and for the last two years running have sold out of their product on the first day. “The popularity of local garlic is definitely on the rise. Though it’s not essential if you are trying to eat to survive, it definitely makes everything you eat better and if you have a commitment to local food, the health of your family and the community it is something that you will definitely choose.”

Photo: Ryan Harriman.

Ryan Harriman has been building, repairing and selling firearms for over 10 years as part of South Frontenac Rentals, the business he runs with his wife Marcie on Colebrooke Road, 1.6 kilometres west of Harrowsmith.

The firearms business has never been promoted, but it has expanded over the years through word of mouth.

“Finally, last year I decided I’d better pay some attention to it since it keeps growing anyway,” Ryan said of the firearms part of the business.

So, last winter, the Harrimans built an addition to their shop, which is located in the expanded garage at their business/home property.

The new gun shop includes a full display of guns, ammunition, and accessories, and it will be featured this Saturday at an Open House from 8-4 pm.

In addition to door prizes and draws and a free BBQ between 11 am and 2 pm, it will be an opportunity for customers to get a good look at the product lines that South Frontenac Rentals is now carrying.

These include Remington, Savage Arms, NEF, Ruger, Mossberg, Smith & Wessen, and many more.

With duck hunting season coming up in a couple of weeks, and deer hunting less than two months away, the Open House provides an opportunity for hunters to see all the gear and services that South Frontenac Rentals is now able to offer out of its new showroom and shop.

Ryan and Marcie have been working hard to get the shop fully stocked and ready for the Open House and the season ahead. Whether it is just some ammunition that is required, or bait, a new rifle, a repair, South Frontenac Rentals is ready to serve the needs of the hunting public.

For further information about the Open House, or for equipment rentals including log splitters, mini- excavators, compact backhoes, tractors, lawn and garden equipment, scaffolding and more, call 613-372-2662. You can also visit the website for the gun store www.theammosource.com, which is a full online store/catalogue.

Photo: Billy Day at the Bill Day Memorial Grass Drags at his family farm in Harrowsmith

Close to 300 people gathered over the weekend at the Day farm in Harrowsmith for the Bill Day (Sr.) Memorial Grass Drags, which are put on by Bill's son, 24-year-old Billy Day. The event attracted racers and spectators from all over Ontario, Quebec, and New York and Michigan states and included races for riders of average, improved and custom stock sleds, as well as sport and utility ATVs.

Day described the event as “the longest running grass drag event in all of Ontario.” It has been taking place for 30 plus years on the property and Day said his dad began the event and was passionate about the sport. “I'm continuing on the tradition that he started. In the 1970s he raced Kawasaki Invaders and in the early years he used to announce as well.” Day is hoping to offer a regular motocross at the site and both engines and emotions at the two-day Grass Drag event were running high as Day and enthusiasts eagerly await the outcome of South Frontenac Council’s upcoming vote, which will determine if Day will be allowed to proceed with his plans to run motocross on the property adjacent to the grass drag site.

The proposed motocross event has caused some friction in the community, with some neighbours opposing it because of noise and dust. Billy Day hopes that council will grant him the votes he needs to put on the event, which is what he is most passionate about.

“Unfortunately a few neighbours are opposed, but it looks as though council will go ahead with the one-year trial so that they can have a chance to come out and see it for themselves,” he said.

Day also said that he has resolved the dust issue by purchasing a water truck that will dampen the track prior to and during the event. As far as the noise goes, Day said that is what has yet to be determined but that it should not be an issue. “The nearest neighbours are 1500 feet away and in fact the grass drags are louder than the motocross event by far.” Day has every intention of abiding by the Ontario noise standards at the event and there will be sound testing on site if and when it goes ahead. “The only real issue is the fact that motor vehicle racing now is not allowed in the township but I'm hoping that this area will made exempt from the by-law.” Day stressed that this is not a business for him and not a money maker, but more of a hobby that brings enthusiasts, their friends and families together. He said, “At the end of the day there is not a lot of money to be made. There is a lot of work involved for comparatively little return. This event is a good thing in that it gets kids off the streets, gets them together with their families and gives them a chance to race in a safe environment.”

Asked what he would say to the neighbours in opposition, he replied, “It's hard and a bit frustrating. Council has asked them if there is anything I can do to make the event more agreeable to them and there should be bit of leeway there, but they are unwilling to offer up any suggestions. That and the fact that racing has been going on here for 30 years. This is definitely not something new to the area.”

I asked Day what would happen if the vote does not go through and he said, “I'll definitely appeal the decision. I have put so much into this up to this point that I feel that I should not have to back down.”

Day was circulating a petition at the Grass Drags for enthusiasts to sign with the intention of presenting the signatures to council on Tuesday night. By Saturday afternoon a total of 200 local residents had already signed on their support.

While there have been incidences of extreme weather in many parts of Canada this summer, Eastern Ontario has been one region that has enjoyed warm, dry weather, with just enough rain to keep crops coming along nicely without too much watering.

As summer winds down, the bounty on display at farmers’ markets, such as the Frontenac Farmers Market in Verona, gets broader every week.

This Saturday the market will be in full swing, and it will also be the location of the 5th Annual Verona Garlic Festival, the home of the Eastern Ontario Garlic Awards.

This year 12 garlic growers will have booths at the festival, the largest number ever, presenting 17 different varieties of garlic, in addition to braids, and sauces and spreads. The festival will also be a good opportunity for home growers to purchase seed and to get helpful growing tips from some of the top growers in the region.

The Verona Lions will also be presenting a fine breakfast and lunch menu featuring sausages made by market vendors to make for a full day of food and entertainment. In addition to the announcement of the garlic awards at 1 pm, the winner of the Verona Community Association’s Adopt-a-Barrel contest will also be announced. For children there will be an arts and craft table, as well as a miniature train and mini-golf. Admission to the festival is free and there is ample free parking on site as well.

So turn down the Sand Road on Saturday between 9 am and 2 pm, pick up the last of the summer’s sweet corn and mouth-watering tomatoes, and breathe the aroma of potent, fresh garlic. Remember – garlic is an essential ingredient in most fine dishes, from stews to sauces, to roasts and savoury pies, and fresh, local garlic is the best.

Photo courtesy of Pat Patricia Ward

Patricia Ward loves nothing more than cooking, and she aims to share her lifelong love with like-minded individuals in the community. Having recently retired from a long career in the high-tech world, Pat has just launched her new cooking school and business, and is offering small classes at her waterfront home on Hambly Lake in Hartington.

Pat spent years as a youngster in her grandmother’s kitchen, watching and helping her grandmother bake. She has since attended various cooking schools and classes in her world-wide travels in North America, North Africa and Europe, and also acquired a Culinary Diploma from Algonquin College in Ottawa in 2010. She is a trained artistic cake designer and decorator, and earlier in her life she baked and sold cakes from her home. She has studied Tex/Mex cooking in San Antonio, Texas, Sicilian cooking in Italy, and has taken numerous courses at the Cordon Bleu school in Ottawa. So it is no wonder that she is making cooking her new focus since retiring. “Some people eat to live whereas I live to eat,” she joked.

Her new business is called Pat's Kitchen, and on August 20 she launched the first of many classes with a session on Thai Cuisine, in which she and five students prepared a full-course Thai meal that included a sweet and sour lemongrass soup, fresh mango salad with a classic Thai dressing, a main course of red curried chicken and a typical Thai dessert made with sticky rice and coconut cream. Following the session, participants sat down to enjoy the meal they prepared and were given the recipes to take home and try in the comfort of their own kitchens.

Pat says that her classes are not just about eating, but cover all one needs to know to add ethnic foods into their regular meal roster at home. “Education is a big part of what I do in my classes - we not only cook but I also teach students about ingredients, where to find them, and how to pick the best. After that we work specifically on the recipes I have chosen for the class and I divide up all of the tasks between the students so that everyone can see first hand how to prepare each item on the menu.”

The prep time can vary from class to class and on Saturday the students spent about two hours preparing the food and another two sitting around the table enjoying it together. “Many people like to go out and enjoy ethnic cuisine in restaurants. I’m aiming to teach cooks how they can prepare the ethnic food that they love right in their own homes.” Pat is offering a number of ethnic food themed courses at her home this fall. On September 8 she is offering a vegetarian sushi class. She says, “Personally, I didn't think that I liked sushi until I was shown by a Japanese chef how to make it. It's incredibly easy to make and is the perfect hors d'oeuvre.”

On Sept. 10 she will be giving a class on making salsa from summer-fresh tomatoes, and on Oct. 1 she will be offering a class on Moroccan cooking, something that is close to her heart and that she has incorporated into her home.

Pat had her kitchen designed specifically to accommodate the cooking school. The open concept log home is perfect for accommodating large groups and the kitchen boasts a 7x6 foot island that provides each student with a comfortable work space. Her Italian Ilve gas stove provides the control needed by professional cooks, and an ample supply of kitchen utensils and a huge sink make her classes easy to participate in and enjoy.

Future classes will include how to prepare a typical roast beef dinner, and there will be a special class on cooking fish and one dedicated to Christmas baking. “These classes are perfect for new young cooks who want to learn how to prepare these basic meals, which can seem overwhelming to those who have never done a lot of cooking before.”

For more information visit www.patskitchen.ca or call her at 613-374-1366.

Photo: “Buzztown” skit a favorite with festival goers

This year’s Verona Cattail Festival created a new buzz with the addition of the original musical skit “Buzztown” to its on-stage stellar line up.

Written by David Archibald specifically for the festival, the musical skit starred members of the community, including the popular and beloved Cameron the Bog Lemming. The play had two runs during the festival and was a big hit with festival-goers. The skit tells the tale of community underdogs beating the greedy big wigs. In it, Buzztown residents led by Morgan (Lauren Clarke Ross) and Connor (Samantha Johns) foil the plans of the greedy Reeve (Dick Miller) and Bunny Duckweek (Deborah Spaar-Mueller) who want to destroy the Buzztown bog, home of Cameron the Bog Lemming, to make way for a new golf course/condo development. Morgan and Connor, with the support of the locals, make a video that goes viral and after much song, dance and hi-jinks, manage of course to save the day.

John McDougall, one of the play’s directors, says the production will evolve into a sequel next year. “The skit is the perfect thread that ties the whole Cattail brand of the Festival together. We have never had a play or musical in our 16-year festival history so it is something fun, and definitely something that we will build on every year.”

On the topic of cattails, volunteer crafters busied young festival goers with hands-on demonstrations of a wide variety of cattail crafts, including hats, ducks, boats, place-mats, reindeer ornaments and more. The festival offered up not only an impressive star-studded line up of musical guests over the three days but also ran its always popular events, including the duct tape boat races, the soap box derby, the celebrity dunk tank, the dog show, the Verona train ride, mini golf, the antique car show, the artisans’ market, and of course the Saturday morning parade. The shuttle bus carried visitors to the various event locations throughout the festival grounds

The festival’s general manager, Wayne Conway, was pleased with the turn out and grateful that the rain held off for the duration of the event. ”We're really pleased with the ways things ran and are hoping to continue to attract even more music lovers to the festival thanks to the hard work of our entertainment committee.” The musical talent on stage this year was a definite highlight and included numerous talented groups from near and far, including blues powerhouse Ila Vann, who opened the festival on Friday night; Luthor Wright and the Wrongs; The Beatles tribute band The Rattles; and triple-treat Celtic Bluegrass songstress/fiddle player and step dancer Kelli Trottier, who closed the festival on Sunday afternoon.

Kudos to all of the festival organizers and volunteers who have once again not only created a worthwhile and well thought out community event, but have given festival goers many fine memories to last them until the show goes on again next summer.

Photo: Rev. Lynda Price

Reverend Lynda Price, who headed up the Harrowsmith/Verona Pastoral Charge as the minister of St. Paul's United Church in Harrowsmith and Trinity United Church in Verona, recently retired at the beginning of July, after an eight-year post that began in November of 2003.

Price, who stepped down because of health issues, gave her last sermons on June 26. It was a very emotional day for her as she struggled through tears, but she is hoping that her stepping down will bring an input of fresh energy into both congregations.

The day ended with a potluck gathering and live musical entertainment at the Verona Lions hall, where members of both congregations made speeches and bade farewell to their minister.

According to Rev. Price, who lives in Kingston, the United Church’s policy recommends that ministers leaving a congregation stay away for two years to allow for the incoming minister and congregation to develop a strong bond. “For me that will be the most difficult part because I have developed so many close relationships with members of both communities, some of whom are presently ill. But that being said, I also respect the church’s policy.”

Lynda Price came to her calling later in life after many careers, including one as a museum curator at the Frontenac County School Museum and another as an office manager at a Kingston medical clinic. She was ordained in 1999, and following a one-year internship in Fredericton, New Brunswick, she worked at Kingscourt United Church in Kingston and at the Queens University Theological College before realizing that her strengths required a congregation. “It took me a while to realize that my gifts were in pastoral care. It may sound bizarre to some but one of the things I enjoyed most was performing funeral services; the reason being that that is a time when I felt I could really reach out and help people who were going through a very difficult time.” Price said it was her friends who initially convinced her to enter the church. “Initially I did not think that I had what was necessary but have since realized that the church was the place I was meant to be. Working one on one with people is something I have always loved.”

In the interim before finding a permanent replacement for Lynda Price, Reverend Patsy Henry of Parham will be taking over for a six-month term while a committee made up of members of both congregations is appointed to enlist a new minister. Looking back on her accomplishments, Price said one of her goals was to get both congregations working together. She did so by establishing group worship on months with five Sundays, when services would alternate on the fifth Sunday between the two churches. Similarly the congregations now regularly assist one another with their fundraisers. “I really hope that the newly appointed reverend will continue to build on the fellowship that exists between both churches.”

Some of Price’s fondest memories include working alongside volunteers at a number of hands-on projects including the renovations at St. Paul's in Harrowsmith. “That was when I got to strap on a pair of coveralls and work side by side with the community and that for me was a very special time.” Reverend Price leaves her post with sadness but also with a strong feeling of gratitude. “I feel incredibly lucky and privileged to have been a part of these two wonderful communities who have been so supportive to me all along the way.”

An infusion of cash for a province-wide initiative to combat homelessness will allow Southern Frontenac Community Services (SFCS) to solidify some programming, provide counseling and make it easier for families facing poverty and housing challenges across Frontenac County to access support programs.

The $20,000 grant is coming from an unusual source, the Greater Simcoe County United Way, which came forward with a Request for Proposal process for homelessness prevention projects throughout the province. SFCS answered the request for Frontenac County, and received the $20,000.

“This funding will greatly improve the ability of SFCSC to deliver our community services, including the applications and processing for programs such as Rent and Utility Banks, Food Security Programs (Good Food Box, Food Bank, and Meals on Wheels), Community Caring Fund and Consolidated Homelessness Prevention Program,” said David Townsend, SFCSC’s Executive Director.

According to Kate Hulton, Family Services Coordinator for the agency, the funds will be used to combat rural homelessness in three key areas:

The Rural Women’s Group, a monthly support group, will be re-instated in August of 2011. This program aims to combat the isolation of rural living and provides support and informative educational sessions on topics such as: mental health, budgeting, healthy eating, parenting, and helping to break the cycle of abusive relationships;

Specific housing pages will be added to the www.sfcsc.ca website, providing timely and accurate housing information for both potential tenants and landlords;

The Hydro LEAP Program (a low-income Energy Assistance Program) will be expanded, making accessing LEAP much easier and effective for SFCSC’s clients.

Ongoing case management from SFCSC’s staff will ensure that recently housed and at-risk households remain housed, preventing further setbacks. Additional services will include the provision of six-months to one-year of follow-up and case management for the agency’s recently housed clients, through advocacy, referrals, assistance with filling out forms, applications, budgeting and other individualized support.

All three project components will be operational by September 1, 2011 and will be ongoing. This funding will provide direct access to more than 200 families each year.

While most of SFCS’ programming is focused on residents of South Frontenac and North Kingston, the homelessness initiative is a county-wide project.

For more information regarding the above services and programs, people can contact Kate Hulton directly at 613-376-6477 ext. 31; Residents living north of Verona in the catchment area of Northern Frontenac Community Services (NFCS) can call 613-279-3150 for a referral.

In other news from SFCS, programming for seniors will begin being delivered at the Grace Centre on August 8, as the agency gradually centralizes its operations in its new home.

The Harrowsmith Odd Fellow and Rebekah Lodges provided dinner for delegates on the United Nations Pilgrimage for Youth Tour on July 1 and July 8.

For over 65 years the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs have been sponsoring students for this tour. The 14-day tour includes a four-day stay in NY City where they visit the UN and attend workshops as well as visiting other historical sites of the city. The tour also includes visiting historical sites in the United States and Ontario. 

In this picture, taken at the Golden Links Hall in Harrowsmith where the dinner was served, are the delegates from several U S states, western Canadian provinces and Sweden. The menu was all you can eat spaghetti with all you can eat ice cream cups for dessert. The students were very pleased with this menu as they get a lot of meals at the fast food restaurants along the way.