by Julie Druker (with files from Wilma Kenny)

Photo: VisionSoup organizers Leslie Reade and Josey Steele with two of their volunteers Lily Chubaty and Clare Cook

Two well-attended fundraisers took place in Sydenham last weekend.

The first was on Nov. 18 at the Sydenham Legion by Southern Frontenac Community Services (SFCS) staff and the Sydenham Legion Ladies Auxiliary. The Legion ladies served up a 100-person turkey dinner that was completely sold out.

Those who missed the dinner had a chance to participate in the live and silent auction that followed, which included a line-up of gift items donated by individuals and businessesin the local area and Kingston. Auction goers had a chance to bid on a Schwinn bicycle, Avon products, chocolates, a trolling motor, artwork, jewelry, theatre tickets, multiple gift certificates and much more.

The auction alone raised $5000, an increase of 32% from last year’s event and together with ticket sales, the event raised close to $6,000. Proceeds will go to the SFCSC seniors programs, which include an Adult Day Program, transportation and foot care services, bereavement counseling, and more.

The second fundraiser took place the following day on Nov. 19 at the Grace Centre in Sydenham, the new home of SFCS.

Close to 150 gathered the 8th installment of VisionSoup, which has become for many an annual Sydenham event heralding the beginning of the holiday season.

Organized by Leslie Reade of Sydenham Veterinary Services and Josey Steele of Sydenham Chiropractic, and staffed by their friends and family, the lunch raised $3,000 this year, which is being divided between the Loughborough Christmas and Emergency Fund, and Southern Frontenac Community Services. The Grace Centre was crowded with lunchers comparing soups from a selection of over 15 varieties donated by various restaurants, individuals and groups. Some took small helpings so they could sample two or three soups; others settled for a big bowl of a favourite. Sheldon Cooke reprised his role as bowl-washer, so everyone had a clean bowl to take home, chosen from ceramics donated by artists Tim De Rose (of Wilton Pottery) Susan MacCrae, Sue Lyon, Maggie Jean Gray and June Lang.

The ticket also included coffee and an assortment of desserts, courtesy of Colebrooke Kitchen. Twenty red-shirted volunteers assisted in serving the soup.

Leslie Reade and Josey Steele were thrilled with the turnout this year. It was the second time that the event has been held at the Grace Centre, which is the perfect location to hold the event due to the large seating space and the full kitchen facilities.

I spoke to SFCSC executive director David Townsend and board chair Joan Cameron, who were in attendance at both fundraising events

“We really have an easy time of it with events like VisionSoup since the organizers have their own team of volunteers to do most of the work,” Joan said. “We make sure we are here to help out, but for us, it’s a pretty easy thing.”

The Grace Centre project continues to boost the fortunes of SFCS.

“It's wonderful to watch the changes that are taking place here and it’s put us in a very visible place in the community”, Joan said.

“We have been able to increase the number of seniors that we serve by more than 20% and the new space allows us not only to expand our current programs like Meals on Wheels but also to consider offering new programs like a hot meals program as well,” David added.

SFCSC has just received an $80,000 Trillium grant that will assist in the ongoing renovations at the centre, which will include upgrading the heating system. The Grace Centre seems to be meeting all of the corporation’s requirements and then some.

“The staff are very happy here and they have put a lot of work into getting the building to the stage that it is at now and as we move ahead we look forward to eventually relocating all of our programs and staff to the new building,” Joan said.

The next special event the SFCSC will be holding will be a heritage event; a wine, cheese and cake reception at the Grace Centre celebrating its 150th anniversary and the building’s recent transformation to the SFCSC's new home. The event will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 7 from 5 – 8 p.m. and will include special guests the Rev. Malcolm Steinburg, Wilma Kenny, Mayor Gary Davison and David Linton. Local musicians Sharon and Mark Alton and friends will entertain with traditional Christmas songs.

Photo: Sydenham's Golden Eagles soar out of the Panthers reach

Sydenham’s and Sharbot Lake’s junior girls basketball teams squared off in Sharbot Lake on Oct. 20, with the Golden Eagles giving the Panthers a run for their money. Sydenham took an early lead and maintained it throughout, never once giving the Panthers an in, though there was lots of action at both ends of the court. The Panthers played a great passing game but failed to get the ball in deep when it counted and by the end of the first quarter Sydenham was up 10-0. In the second the Golden Eagles’ leading scorers Emily Bennett and Katie McNicols shone bright and scored multiple points, increasing their team’s lead by 19 points. Sharbot Lake’s Anna Baker put the Panthers on the scoreboard late in the quarter for the first time and the quarter ended 23-2. In the third, Sydenham scored another 13 points, widening their lead, and the Panthers scored 4 more, ending the third 34-6. In the final quarter the Panthers turned it on, penetrating the net and scoring six more points, their best in any one quarter but it was too little too late. The Eagles took the game with a final score of 38-12. Panthers’ coach Ben Moser has struggled in the past to get players out for the junior girls’ team, and said he was thrilled to have 13 young and enthusiastic players this year. “We have a very enthusiastic team who are very excited to play. Right now we are working on our offense and while winning is not our focus, the main goal of the year is to improve at every game.” The Panthers, who have yet to win a game this year, are definitely improving and Thursday’s game was in their coach’s estimation “by far their best defensive game to date”.

Sydenham’s co-coach Mark Richards said his team is having a great season so far. Mid-way through the season the Golden Eagles have won 6 and lost just 2. Richard said the team’s strength is their speed and defense and he is currently having the players focus on their fast breaks. High scorers for Sydenham on Thursday were Emily Bennett, who scored 12 and Katie McNichols who scored 8. Richards says he hopes the team improves every game and is working hard to get the Golden Eagles ready for the playoffs.

Photo: Students on the high ropes course

“Leadership camp is a place where preconceived ideas about leadership and other barriers are broken down”, said Sydenham High School teacher and leadership camp staff supervisor, Kim Kippen.

Along with co-staff supervisor, Don Lalonde, Kippen oversaw a two-day camp for 70 Sydenham High School students on Oct. 18 and 19 at Camp IAWAH, located off the Westport Road, east of Godfrey.

The leadership camp, which has been running for years at Sydenham HS, aims to impart leadership skills to students from all areas of the school by offering concrete examples of leadership through a series of hands-on activities and discussions. Groups of students from grades 9 through 11 were invited by teachers to attend the camp.

The camp is led by four teacher-nominated grade 12 students. The four leaders were Calista Vogelzang, Cia Myles-Gonzalez, David Amos and Shayna Joron, and they were supported by additional grade 12 students who supervised the various activities.

This year’s camp theme, initiated by the four camp leaders, was titled “The Next Step” and it was designed for the students to explore and experience the defining qualities of leadership: initiative, perspective, setting goals, teamwork, overcoming obstacles, setting examples, and self-improvement. The ideas were discussed and also demonstrated through a series of activities that each student had a chance to participate in.

For the segment on perseverance and overcoming obstacles, students completed a relay obstacle course where a pair of students was tied together by one hand, and had no choice but to use their communication skills in order to successfully complete the course. Following the obstacle course students discussed what kind of communications worked well and what did not.

On the high ropes course, students faced a number of daunting aerial challenges that had them working in teams suspended on ropes high above the tree tops. Student organizer, David Amos, said he felt that the participating students benefited greatly from the camp. “One important idea they learn is that they are able to set goals for themselves and they also take what they have learned here back into the community.”

Shayna Joron agreed. “These skills can really help them to prepare to face challenges in their own lives.” “And they come to realize that anyone has the ability to become a good leader, even the quiet students,” Calista Vogelzang added.

Sydenham High School teacher, Beth Barz, who coaches with the Queen’s University women’s rugby team, the national rugby program and also at Sydenham High, was invited as the guest speaker. She shared some of the wisdom she has accumulated while attending a workshop for female coaches of national teams, particularly what coach Melody Davidson of the Canadian women’s hockey team imparted to her.

“I spoke to them about how Melody brought the team to victory, first with thorough planning and also by reviewing their performances.”

Beth Barz feels that the camp gives students something they might not otherwise get during regular school hours.

“Anytime students can get out of the school setting they are able to think a little bit differently. They are able to challenge themselves in different ways and this gives them a sense of autonomy over how and what they learn. We are recognizing more and more that students need that autonomy, which sometimes, academically they do not always get.”

Kim Kippen agreed.

“It's an incredible opportunity for students who may have never had this kind of experience before to reevaluate their own preconceived ideas of leadership and what it means. Each student tends to build on what they already know so while each student’s experience at the camp is different, it always tends to be a very positive and memorable one.”

Student organizer David Amos had the final word and mentioned that what likely makes students so eager to participate is that “the whole camp revolves around demonstrating leadership ideas in a really fun environment, which I believe is what makes the camp so successful.” 

Photo: Tracey Timmerman, Pete Redmond and Emma Redmond

Close to 125 friends and family of long-time farmer, Pete Redmond, whose 100-year-old barn in Holleford burned to the ground on September 10, came out to assist in raising funds to replace it at a silent auction and dance held at the Sydenham Legion on Oct. 15. The event was organized by Tracey Timmerman and Pete's daughter-in -law Emma Redmond. Pete was in attendance and graciously greeted attendees at the door. He recalled being woken up by a neighbour who called him to tell that his barn was on fire. “I remember looking out the window at 2:30am and seeing the barn up in flames. My daughter usually keeps her show calf in there but luckily that night she left it outside.”

The fire department was quick to respond and managed to keep things under control, remaining on the scene until the next afternoon and returning three successive times to douse the still smoldering bales. The fire totally destroyed the barn and the 3500 square bales stored inside. Formerly his grandfather’s farm, Pete has resided there since he was 10. He ran the farm first with his dad. He is currently in the process of rebuilding and said he hopes to have the new 34x 50 foot building finished, for a cost of about $60,000, before the snow flies. Presently he keeps 60 head of beef cattle Supporters who attended the event were treated to a silent auction with a wide variety of items donated by local businesses and individuals and danced the night away to the music of Cory Tucker. Members of the Frontenac Cattleman’s Assoc. provided beef on a bun and by the end of the night over $2800 was raised for the cause.

Photo: Auxillary Constable Jeremy Saunders in Sydenham

Auxiliary Constable Jeremy Saunders was at Sydenham’s Foodland, taking food and cash donations to add to the donations shelved at the Southern Frontenac Community Services Food Bank located at the SFCS Centre at 4419 George St. in Sydenham. Donations from the Sydenham area drive totaled $1700 in food and $260 in cash donations, which Jennifer Linton, chair of the food bank, said will go a long way in assisting families in need in their catchment area. “The response has been wonderful”, she said. “Jeremy asked us beforehand what we were especially in need of - which these days tends to be mainly children’s lunch food items, tinned fish and meats. Parents these days are having trouble finding protein-rich foods to put in for their children’s lunches, with peanut butter being banned in most schools.”

A similar drive took place in Sharbot Lake and Verona for the Sharbot Lake food bank, which raised $1200 in food and cash donations combined. Jeremy wanted to thank all of the students who assisted by making the signs for the event. Thanks to Laurie Adams’ grade1/2 class at St. Patrick’s Catholic School in Harrowsmith, Leslie Smith’s, grade 8 class at Prince Charles Public School in Verona, and Aaron West's grade 5/6 class at Sharbot Lake Public School.

Photo: Matt Rennie, Stephanie Laurin, Cindy Woodcox, Mickayla and Kelly Green-Meadus and Karl Hammer

Now in its third year, the Sydenham Tackles Cancer fundraiser once again fulfilled its aims of raising awareness, funds and remembering two very special young men, Andy Green and Mike Woodcox, both former Sydenham High School students and football players who succumbed to cancer years ago.

Attendees filled the gym at Sydenham High School on September 23 for an evening of live music, courtesy of local bands Bauder Road and Still Standin’, a silent auction, and, in between musical sets, the first ever “Chuck-a-puck” contest. In attendance were event organizers Stephanie Laurin, Matt Rennie and Karl Hammer, numerous friends of Andy and Mike and, of course, members of the Green and Woodcox families. Mike's Mom, Cindy Woodcox, took a break from greeting guests and spoke to me of the importance the event holds for her and her family. “This of course is a very special event for us and it is really great to see so many of Mike and Andy's friends from years ago. Though Mike was a pretty shy guy until you got to know him, he was also a real people person and I know he would be very proud of this event and what it stands for,” Cindy said.

Mickayla Green-Meadus, Andy's niece and a grade 10 student at SHS, was also on hand selling bracelets to augment the ticket sales and she recalled her hero, Uncle Andy, who was like a second father to her. “He had a amazing sense of humour, was always smiling and never believed in the word 'can't' and always showed incredible strength and courage throughout his battle with cancer,” she said.

Andy's sister Kelly spoke of the two families’ decision this year to use the funds raised to support patient care at KGH. “Not only is facing the disease difficult, but financially for Andy and our family, it was also not easy. Not only are you battling the illness and undergoing surgeries and treatments (Andy had three major surgeries and numerous chemotherapy treatments), but because Andy owned his own home and worked in a family business and had no health benefits, it made things even more difficult. People don't realize that there are a lot of costs that many families find difficult to afford, so this year we decided to donate the funds to help patients and families get the services they need.”

Karl Hammer, who spearheaded the event three years ago and who teaches in the School to Community class at SHS, remains steadfast in his goal to create awareness and support for those in the community affected by cancer, as well as his goal to keep the memory of Mike and Andy alive. “I played football with both of them. Both were pretty quiet guys and amazing athletes and the thing that struck me most is the sad fact that cancer takes anyone. So with this event we are not only celebrating their lives and their courage but are also aiming to help others in the community who are facing and battling cancer and are in need of support.”

Funds raised this year totaled over $5,000 and together with the donations made in the last two years, which were matched 9:1, the total raised to date is roughly $75,000. Anyone who would like to donate can do so by contacting Karl Hammer at SHS at 613-376-3612, ext. 332.

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.

The Crystal Ball Black Tie Gala fundraiser for the Limestone Learning Foundation hasn't taken place yet, but it has already taken off beyond the wildest dreams of its organizers.

“We were originally planning to sell 250 tickets, and then we went to 350 and 500, and finally we have ended up at the KROC Centre with 700 tickets available, and there is still a waiting list,” said Leslie Myles, a long-time Learning Foundation Board member who took on the executive director role just a few months ago.

The gala will be held on the floor of the KROC centre and will include gourmet food and drink as well as a solo acoustic headline performance by Sarah Harmer. But in addition to Sarah Harmer, three other well-known Kingston area musicians, Chris Koster, Emily Fennel and the Tragically Hip's Paul Langlois (more about the 'the Hip' later) will be performing songs along with 12 Limestone District School Board students.

The students auditioned to perform at the gala by uploading videos of their performances onto a Facebook site.

The contest took place during June, and 70 students from the school board, which has schools in Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox and Addington counties, uploaded videos.

Nicholas Babcock of Sydenham High School was one of the 12 who were chosen. Nick has a You Tube channel where he has posted a number of his interpretations of songs by a wide range of popular artists, ranging from Eminem to Leonard Cohen. “I’ve yet to find a kind of music I don’t like,” he said, describing his eclectic tastes. It literally took him seconds to audition for the Crystal Ball event. He simply posted a link to his You Tube versions of “Cry” by Justin Bieber and “Everything” by Michael Buble.

Nick lives on Sydenham Road and attended Elginburg Public School until grade 6. He then went to Loughborough Public School for the challenge program in grades 7 and 8 and followed his classmates to Sydenham High School instead of attending a school in Kingston. He attended Napanee District High School for its music program during one term last year, and will be back at Sydenham for the first term this coming year. He is taking a break from his You Tube channel to work on a record.

Nick Babcock was chosen by Emily Fennel, and he will be performing with her at the gala, with piano accompaniment by Sam McNichols of Ernestown Secondary School.

“I have absolutely zero clue what we will be doing, he said, adding that he’s “excited and flattered at being chosen”, particularly because he was Emily Fennel’s choice, “since I’m a pretty big fan of hers.”

When Dallas Arney (photo right, courtesy Dallas Arney) from North Addington Education Centre uploaded some of her music to the Crystal Gala Facebook site, it was not the first time at least one of the judges had already been exposed to her work.

Paul Langlois of the Tragically Hip was already planning to record with Arney at the 'Hip' studio in Bath, and she is well known to Frontenac News readers from her performances at local and regional events, ranging from the Flinton Jamboree to the Tweed Fair. She has recorded a CD already, and is a prolific writer of country songs and an interpreter of some of the best songs in the traditional country repertoire.

For the gala audition she chose songs from her favourite artist, Dolly Parton, who is a fitting role model for Dallas Arney because Parton has had a long and successful career performing her own music and interpreting the songs of other artists.

For the Crystal Ball Gala, the Tragically Hip's Gord Sinclair and Rob Baker will join Paul Langlois on stage to back up Dallas Arney for the opening number or two. The Tragically Hip are known across Canada as a stadium rock band, but they have an interest in country music as well, so don't expect Dallas Arney to be singing rock anthems.

“I don't know what we'll be performing or how many songs,” said Dallas Arney in a telephone interview this week, “I'll be getting together with Paul to talk about that sometime soon. But we might do 'Wild Horses', which would be a lot of fun.”

Show organizers have said that Dallas Arney is opening the show because she has already had a lot of exposure to audiences, having performed in Nashville and on festival stages throughout Ontario.

Her feet are still well planted on the ground, however.

She is entering grade 12 this fall at the smallest school in the Limestone Board, and has had to ask for time off from her summer job at the Cloyne Pioneer Village in order to travel to some of the festivals at which she performs.

For more information about the Crystal Ball Black Tie Gala, call 613-544-6920 ext 210.

Photo: Mayor Davison and Gladys Lewis, first person to enter the new Sydenham branch library.

Although the official opening isn't until September, a large group was on hand Monday morning eager to get their first peek inside the new library building in Sydenham, as soon as the doors opened. Mrs. Gladys Lewis was guest of honour, and was first through the door. A long-time resident of Sydenham, Mrs. Lewis, who is nearing her 106th birthday, spoke of her lifelong connection with the library. She was part of a group of dedicated volunteers who kept it functioning for many decades. She first remembered a collection of books in a room of a small yellow house near the bank, which was destroyed by fire in 1935. Shortly after the war the Red Cross donated money to buy a house at the corner of Cross and Mill, which became the Sydenham Memorial Library. The books must have been saved from the fire, for Mrs. Lewis remembered helping clean and repair the tattered collection, and scrub the shelves: "We had very little money to buy new books in those days." Later, when the county system began, the library was relocated to the stone tearoom, then to a space built for it adjoining the township hall. "I remember Joan Clarke was librarian there, and we had a lot more books, but after that, I moved to Kingston." Gladys Lewis continues to get 15 books a month from KFPL, delivered by volunteers to her present home in Rideaucrest.

Former library board member Carol Forde was first to sign out a book using the new self-serve checkout, a feature intended to give the staff more time for other duties. Soon books, CDs and DVDs were flying off the shelves; the quiet study room was occupied; computers hummed; and everyone stopped by the community room for punch and cookies. 

New Sydenham Branch Library Opens Monday

Sydenham’s library has closed, and for the rest of the week library staff will be moving material to the new building. The ‘soft’ opening of the new library will be Monday July 11, at 10:00 am, when Mayor Davison will welcome a very special first patron. (The official opening date is Monday September 19, also at 10:00 am.)

Council received a letter from Chief KFPL Librarian Deborah Defoe thanking them on behalf of the library Board for their ongoing support of libraries in South Frontenac. “While the beautiful new building in Sydenham is an outstanding example, the allocation of funds to refurbish the Storrington Branch is equally appreciated.” She also reported that the library board had passed a motion in May asking that the Verona Project identified in the KFPL Branch Services Master Plan (a 5,000 to 6,000 square foot library building in Verona) be included in the South Frontenac 10-year Capital Plan. Councillor Ron Vandewal commented that although he agreed with the need to move forward, this size of project would have to depend on outside funding, similar to the provincial/federal grants that made it possible to build the new Sydenham branch.

Grass Drags Issue Drags On

Council denied third reading of a resolution which would have permanently rezoned a portion of the Bill Day farm in order to get it off the books before the August 2nd council meeting. The planner has been directed to bring a temporary use by-law to that meeting, outlining the requirements etc. which would permit a limited amount of racing for one year only. There will be a public meeting that evening before Council votes on the issue. CAO Orr said the new by-law and site plan will come in final form, so that if Council wishes, all three readings could be completed at that meeting, and approval would be given.

Ron Vandewal said that unless there was new information, he would be prepared to pass the temporary use by-law. Most of Council seemed to agree, except for Mayor Davison, who said he was not in favour unless there were more safeguards in place, addressing the neighbours’ concerns.

Verona Community Improvement Plan (CIP)

A public meeting at which County representatives outlined the proposed Verona CIP raised no comment from the several Verona residents who were present. The plan outlines four different financial incentive programs involving matching grants of up to $2,500 to help individuals and businesses improve community appearances, amenities and safety, as well as building conditions and land use. There is also a loan program to further assist projects and a grant program to help cover attendant municipal fees. Council approved the CIP, which is expected to run for four years. Further details are available through the township office, or on the township website.

Parks Maintenance Complaints

In response to complaints about garbage accumulating at parks in Sydenham and Verona, CAO Orr noted that the maintenance contracts call for twice-a-week pick-up. Because the local representatives on the recreation committees tend to be the first line of contact, they have all been provided with lists of the contractors, and details of the contract requirements. They will be sent follow-up letters with the same information. Councillor Vandewal asked why there were so many complaints this year, if the garbage situation had been under control with twice-weekly pickup other years?