New: Facebook has blocked all Canadian news. Join our mailing list to stay in the loop.

New: Facebook has blocked all Canadian news. Join our mailing list to stay in the loop.

Thursday, 15 September 2016 00:35

Group wants to bring Fermoy hall back to life

At the top of Fermoy Hill, one of the highest points on the Westport Road overlooking Wolfe Lake, sits the Fermoy Hall, where it has been since it was constructed over 150 years ago. For over a century it served as the hall and office for the Township of Bedford, until the early 1970s.

At that time the township purchased the Glendower school, a few kilometres down the road, after it was closed by the Frontenac Board of Education, for a very good price. The school building was larger, had modern conveniences including indoor plumbing, and with little renovation could function as an office and a public hall.

Over the next 40 years the Fermoy Hall slowly fell into disuse, and at one point was rented out to the Tom Cat Bat company. The company, owned by the late Tom Roberts produced baseball bats made out of maple.

While not much is left from that usage aside from some racks, the hall does now have a 200 amp electrical service. For the first 10 years of its existence, South Frontenac Township was run on an area rating basis, which effectively gave representatives from former townships like Bedford access to budget money to spend in their new wards based on recommendations by local recreation committees. It was during that time that the Fermoy Hall received a new metal roof; had its aluminium siding replaced by board and batten siding; had new windows put in; and an accessibility ramp built.

All of this made the building sound, but inside the building there are some major issues that have curtailed its use.

There is a hole in the ceiling; some of the lights don't work; and the floor and walls require attention.

None of these issues have curtailed a group of local residents from the north-eastern corner of South Frontenac to begin meeting in the hall to talk about ideas for developing it for community use.

At a preliminary meeting in July, 21 people showed up and talked about what needed to be done, how much would have to be done by contractors and how much by volunteers. They also talked about potential uses for the hall, ranging from public meetings, workshops, yoga classes, musical events - the whole range of activities that small halls are used for.

Alan Revill and Pat Barr are the councilors on South Frontenac Council who represent the residents of Bedford District. They have both been involved with the local group, providing advice and talking about how the township might become involved. Two other meetings have since taken place, one in August and another on September 1.

Last year the township placed $30,000 in the budget to be used for Fermoy Hall.

“Although that money was in the budget and we can roll it over to be used later on, council needs to approve any actual use of the money, and they will want to see that the spending is in line and will result in the hall being used,” said Barr, who has attended all but one of the meetings that have been held.

The group is preparing to make a presentation to Council with a plan and a wish list for spending to bring the hall back into public use.

“At this point they are talking mostly about making it a three-season hall, by repairing the ceiling, putting in new lighting and perhaps a ceiling fan,” she said.

The hall is serviced by an outhouse and has no running water, although according to Barr there is a well that was drilled in the 1970s, and the state of repair it’s in could be looked at as well.

“It is also, as we all know, a heritage building, and the township has invested money in it already in recent years, so it just makes sense to bring it back to a usable state. In my view once we are looking at lighting and repairs to the ceiling we might as well look at insulating while we are at it, and at ceiling fans. Not everyone is comfortable with an outhouse, so the township might look at port-a-potties in season, like they do at other locations,” she added.

Donna Garland is the chair of the Fermoy Hall group, and she has worked with the group on defining the kinds of uses that can be accommodated with limited alterations to the building.

“We need to be able to present these possibilities and a reasonable wish list for money to council,” she said at a meeting in August.

The group is meeting this week to finalise plans for a presentation to Council later in September or in early October.

Published in SOUTH FRONTENAC
Wednesday, 07 September 2016 18:52

Mountain Grove baseball champion

Thirteen-year-old Blayne Thompson from Mountain Grove plays left field for the Peewee Napanee Express baseball team. The Express played in the Eastern Canadian Championships in Bellechasse, Quebec, which were held August 25-28, and they won the tournament.

Blaine had been playing in the Central Frontenac League until this year when he decided to try out for the Express. He has been travelling to League games and tournaments all summer. The qualifying tournament for the championships took place in Stratford.

Francis and Linda Manion and Sharbot Lake Pharmasave have sponsored him, helping to cover some of the tournament costs.

The Express were undefeated in the tournament.

Published in CENTRAL FRONTENAC
Wednesday, 07 September 2016 18:29

The First Shift comes to Frontenac Fury

The Frontenac Fury Girls' Hockey Association is pleased to have been selected as a partner in The First Shift. The First Shift is a unique opportunity designed to help kids fall in love with hockey before you buy all the gear. This six-week learn-to-play program focuses on having fun while learning basic skills. Participants will be fitted head to toe with brand new hockey equipment from Bauer Canada and receive 1 hour a week for 6 weeks of on-ice trial. Registration is only $199, and includes all equipment. This program will help break down barrier for some families who might not otherwise be able to offer hockey to their children. The program is open to girls and boys between ages 6 and 10 who have never played hockey before.For more information, please visit http://frontenacfury.ca/news.php?news_id=1334080

Published in SOUTH FRONTENAC
Friday, 02 September 2016 14:31

Rivendell Golf Club ranked 13th in Canada

Course manager Jim Lansdell and the staff at the Rivendell Golf Club in Verona don't pay a lot attention to the Internet during the golf season. There's too much to do every day, keeping the course in the best possible shape and making sure that everyone who comes to play, members and casual golfers alike, enjoys themselves.

And during the off-season they don't pay that much attention either, it turns out. That might change a little bit as the result of something that a visitor to the course told Lansdell last week.

“A golfer told me that we had been rated highly on a golf website, and then said that we should look into it because we were in the top 25 in national ranking, which is something we never would have expected because those kinds of rankings usually go to golf courses that have millions of dollars invested in their design and maintenance,” he said.

On the weekend Lansdell had time to do a search and that's when he found that GolfAdvisor.com had Rivendell as number 13 in their list of the top 25 courses in Canada for 2015, as ranked by Golf Advisor reviews.

The reviews that are listed on the site reveal why Rivendell was so highly ranked. Here is a sample from one of them: “Rivendell is ALWAYS in geat shape - hats off to the grounds crew. This course offers a great mix of challenging and tough holes. A hidden gem to be sure. The staff are second to none in accommodating your every need.”

Golf Now course rankings are compiled by sampling reviews posted on the Golf Advisor website. Courses are ranked based on how they are graded in several categories, including: off-course amenities, value, pace of play, staff friendliness, course layout and course conditions.

While Rivendell scored highly in all of the categories, it received the highest ranking, 5 stars, for staff friendliness and value.

Ken Harper, one of the owners of the course, was also unaware of the ranking, but he was not surprised that the staff who work at the course were singled out.

“It is quite a surprise and I feel very proud. It is a reflection of everyone who works here, not just the course,” he said.

John Steele is the president of the Member's Association, and was one of the five founders of the course, along with Harper, Bill Davy, Roger Bauder, and Mike Bourassa.

In response to the ranking, he said that he is “very proud of the course and those who are dedicated to it.”

The ranking reflects comments by Golf Advisor members in 2015, and most of the comments are consistent with what reviewers said previously.

And if anything the course is playing better in 2016 than it did in 2015. Since 2015 was a wet summer, Rivendell had some problems with too much water in low spots, but that has not been not been a problem this summer.

As golfers and even envious drivers on Road 38 driving by the course this summer have seen, it has remained green and lush even with the dry weather.

“The course reacts well to dry weather,” said Jim Lansdell, “it always has. We did start to pull way back on watering in early August to protect the water supply for our neighbors and ourselves, but the rains came before the course showed any water stress.”

Lansdell also said that the hot weather this summer does not seem to have diminished the enthusiasm of golfers in the region and those from further afield.

“I think over time people got used to the hot weather and did not let it stop them from enjoying golf.”

The course owners and staff are pleased with the recognition, even if they did not find out about the rankings until nine months they were announced .

Published in SOUTH FRONTENAC
Thursday, 25 August 2016 00:00

COFA takes kids fishing

The Conservationists of Frontenac and Addington have an annual program to introduce local children to angling in our beautiful surroundings. Participants who have not had a chance to experience fishing are selected. Each is given a rod reel and some tackle by COFA and taken to a local lake to learn with experienced anglers. This year a COFA member and staff from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry provided boats and instruction.

The kids’ return to shore was one of excitement as they had caught several fish, learned a lot and enjoyed the company of their adult companions while they fished. One fish had to be kept to show the parents how big it was. The smaller fish were filleted, fried and served in a delicious shore lunch. There was enough to serve lunch to everyone in attendance, it was wonderful. Thanks to all who helped, to Ed Yanch who transported the fishers, and most of all to Brody, Zech, Jaydin and Scott, who caught the lunch.

Published in General Interest
Wednesday, 17 August 2016 23:29

Mooks Fishing Derby

The 8th Annual Mooks Fishing Derby was held on August 13 in memory of Trevor Meeks. The weather couldn't dampen the spirits of the participants. We had a fabulous day and raised $6507.75 for Camp Oochigeas (camp for kids affected by cancer). We would like to thank everyone for participating; the cooks, Gary Morrow and Dean Salmond for a job well done; for all the people who donated items for the silent auction; for all who helped organize, set-up, clean-up; the fish cleaners, etc, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. The winner of the derby was Brenda Scott with a 4.9 lb. bass. Brenda donated her $100 prize to Camp Oochigeas. Thank you everyone from Roger, Sandra, Misty & Tyler; we couldn't do it without you all. We are looking forward to next year’s derby which will be held on Saturday, Aug 12, 2017.

Published in ADDINGTON HIGHLANDS
Wednesday, 10 August 2016 17:39

Hot Steamy Night in Piccadilly at Arena Gala

All the net proceeds from the dinner and dance on August 6 at the Frontenac Arena, the first of many events in this 40th anniversary year of the arena, will be added to a $20,000 campaign for arena upgrades.

One of the main upgrades is heated seats in the stands so spectators don't have to freeze while watching games.

However, there was little need for heaters on Saturday night, as the arena acts like a giant heat trap in the summer and air conditioning was probably more on people's minds than heating when over 150 people gathered to eat and drink, reminisce about the history of the arena and dance the night away.

The evening was kicked off by a set of “Oyes” by Central Frontenac Town Crier Paddy O'Connor, followed by greetings from Frances Smith and Ron Vandewal, the mayors of Central and South Frontenac respectively. The arena was originally built by the former Portland, Bedford, Hinchinbrooke and Oso townships, and since 1998 it has been managed through an amicable partnership between Central and South Frontenac.

Phil Leonard, long-time reeve of Portland Township and three-term mayor of South Frontenac, emceed the evening. He provided his own memories of the arena, and introduced Marcel Giroux, who was on the founding committee of the arena, and arena board president, Brent Cameron. Presentations were made to Jim Stinson and Joy Nox for their outstanding, long -time service to the arena.

A blessing was given by Rev. Mac Steinburg, who also brought a short message from Trevor Steinburg. Trevor played his first hockey at the arena before playing his way into the NHL. He is now the coach of the St. Mary's Huskies.

As the dinner, catered by Linda Bates, was being served, many took the opportunity to check out a large table that was filled with memorabilia from the past; to purchase the arena memory book that was put together by the 40th anniversary committee, and to start off the bidding on the silent auction items.

After dinner, things got steamier yet as Texas Tuxedo got most everyone on the dance floor. The silent auction was also a success, with some items drawing bids of over $100, including a framed Mike Smith sweater, which went for over $400.

Event organizer Pam Morey said that it was a pleasure to work with the 40th anniversary committee to put on the gala.

“The best part of it all was that everyone who attended seemed to have a lot of fun. There is a lot of enthusiasm for the 40th anniversary which will carry through to other events this year, I'm sure,” she said.

There are copies of the memory book available at the low price of $10. For information, call the arena at 613-374-2177.

Published in SOUTH FRONTENAC
Wednesday, 10 August 2016 17:33

The camp with a heart

When the name Camp Kennebec is mentioned, some think of family camping and others think of a kids’ camp. Well, both are correct.

From the late ‘60s to the mid ‘90s, the camp was geared to family camping, so much so that many of the families that were first introduced to the Arden area through their camping experience later bought property here for their retirement years.

Camp Kennebec is located just off Cox Road in the hamlet, and the original owner, Steve Hammond, later decided that his camp should focus on the youth. He wanted to let them experience camping traditions, as many of them lived in the big cities, so in and around 1995 it became a camp for kids.

Since Hammond’s passing a few years ago, those now in charge have expanded his vision into a camp for those youth with special needs. The camp is now into their third year of the K I T program, and the focus is for the kids to master the art of living independently. These young people share cabins that are fully equipped with all the appliances necessary to make meals for themselves, so they can practice performing tasks that are second nature to the majority of us.

The camp began on July 3 this year and will run through to August 20. Regular camping fare such as archery, hiking, and horseback riding are offered, along with the special program.

As part of their interaction with “regular” people, the older campers, 18 +, prepared various items, such as wooden spoons, fire starters and candles and offered them for sale at the Arden Happy Gang’s summer sale on July 30.

Interaction, money management and work skills are just part of the program’s goals, and after speaking to the youngsters at the sale, it was very evident that they were just like regular kids, happy to be at camp and loving to craft their stuff to sell that day.

Speaking of selling their crafts, they were sold out of wooden spoons by about 10:30, so they took orders from those who missed out on buying a spoon, and are even going to make special spoons with longer handles for others. They worked in shifts of an hour each, with about 12 youngsters participating. The group was so elated with their success at the sale that they celebrated by taking a road trip to Kaladar’s Spud Box.

As one of the partners at the camp, Rob Daman explained to me, the kids come from as far away as Waterloo, Warkworth, Ajax and Curtis, and as near as Kingston and the surrounding areas.

Daman and the other partners will be meeting in September to summarize the year’s success and also to make their plans for the following years to come.

I am sure this camp would welcome some community support. Like so many others in the area, I had no idea of the camp’s far-reaching mandate. Let’s make sure that if they plan a fundraising event, or a tour of the camp, or need help painting or redecorating, we support their efforts with our time and energy.

Published in CENTRAL FRONTENAC

Mike Procter of Sharbot Lake won the Provincial Tomahawk Throwing Championship again on the August long weekend. Procter has been throwing tomahawks for close to 17 years and he first took home the Bob Gregory Provincial Tomahawk Trophy in 2014. Procter is one of the founding members of the Frontenac Blades, a group of knife and tomahawk-throwing enthusiasts. The Blades gave a demonstration at the Sharbot Lake Farmers’ Market on August 6.

Published in CENTRAL FRONTENAC

After finishing second in both 2014 and 2015, Mat Fraser easily won the 2016 Reebok Crossfit games, the elite event in a sport that tests strength, agility and endurance with a large number of extreme events.

Forty top male and 40 top female finishers from qualifying events around the United States gathered at the Stubhub Centre in Los Angeles last Wednesday (July 20). They were bussed to an airport and flown to an unknown location. This year it was a place called The Ranch, the same location where the original Crossfit Games took place in 2009.

They completed three events at the ranch on day 1 of the five-day, 15-event competition.

The first event was a 7 km run, which included three 1 km loops on flat pavement, and 4 km climbing up and down hills with steepness ranging up to 50 degrees. That event was followed by a dead lift event with 20 weights ranging from 415 to 625 pounds. The final event of day 1 was known as a chipper. A 30 lb soft ball has to be tossed over an 8 foot mark on a wall 50 times and then the ball is carried to a kind of sit up machine. The athlete does 30 situps while rolling the ball and up and down their body, making sure it touches the ground on the way back and a bar on the way up. Finally, the athlete runs up a steep hill, while still carrying the ball.

Mat Fraser finished first in the 7 km run, tied for 23rd in the deadlift (by far his lowest result in the five-day championships) and finished 2nd in the Chipper. He was in the overall lead by the end of day 1, and never looked back.

The athletes then returned to the StubHub Centre, and completed 12 more events over a four-day period. The events included a 280 metre handstand walk; a swim; weightlifting and gymnastic events and a sprint event; all culminating in Redemption, which features six climbs up a pegboard wall alternating with barbell thrusts.

Mat Fraser did not win a single event after the 7km run, but he reeled off seven 2nd place event finishes, including three in a row at one point, along with a 4th, a 5th, two 6ths and two 10ths. He was so dominant that he could have sat out the last three events in the competition and still won the overall title on points.

By the end of the games, he had beaten the second-place finisher, Ben Smith, by 194 points.

It was indeed redemption for Fraser, who was beaten by Smith last year. Fraser even finished 2nd in the final event, in front of a capacity crowd at the StubHub Centre, which included his ecstatic parents, Don and Candy.

Mat Fraser is from Sharbot Lake. His parents Don and Candy were Canadian Champion Pairs Figure Skaters in 1975 and 1976 and competed in the 1976 Olympics. They went on to win the World Professional Pairs Championships in 1983 and 1984 and are still remembered as the only pairs team to perform what became their signature move as professionals, the no-hands death spiral.

They lived in Sharbot Lake in the late 1980s and early 1990s while Candy practised medicine at the Sharbot Lake Medical Clinic. They then moved to Vermont and have lived there ever since, but have never cut ties to Sharbot Lake.

Don's mother, Dorothy Fraser, has been a mainstay of the Sharbot Lake 39'ers for many years and still lives on Wagner Road, where Don has been seen often lately, as he is building a new house.

Mat has also maintained contacts with friends in Sharbot Lake over the years.

(The CrossFit Games events are available on Youtube, including the final event and celebration.)

The final event is captured here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGb3pPp0idE – Mat Fraser comes up at about the two-hour mark)

Published in CENTRAL FRONTENAC
Page 7 of 26
With the participation of the Government of Canada