In a special public meeting hosted by the Verona Community Association (VCA), over 100 residents had their say regarding the immediate and long term improvements they would like to see in Verona. The meeting, which took place at the Verona Lions hall on April 15, was attended by numerous council members from South Frontenac Township and was chaired by Debbie Lingen of the VCA. The meeting came about after South Frontenac Council asked to hear from the community following several presentations over the years by the VCA to council requesting improvements to community safety and curb appeal.

In a pamphlet that was handed out at the meeting outlining their top three priorities, the VCA highlighted the changes they would like to see addressed first: 1) the construction of a sidewalk on Road 38 from Verona Sand Road to Reid's Foodland, 2) measures to reduce excess traffic speeds on Road 38 between Reid's and Desert Lake Road and 3) a plan of action to clean up several properties in the community.

Residents were first invited to brainstorm the changes they would like to see addressed, after which they were asked to present their top five priorities. Most in attendance agreed with the VCA's top three with a few minor adjustments. Regarding the construction of a sidewalk between Reid’s and Verona Sand Road on 38, numerous residents suggested instead a paved shoulder that would allow for safe passage for pedestrians, bikes, strollers and carts, citing that it would hold up longer and could be more easily maintained. Some residents also wanted to see a sidewalk or paved shoulder constructed along the Verona Sand Road.

Reducing traffic speed through the village proved to be a priority, though by what means was a matter of contention. Some residents wanted multiple stop signs; others wanted to reduce speed through the entire village to 40km /hour, while some suggested speed bumps, or courtesy cross walks. Others wanted to see Road 38 made into a one-way road. One resident suggested digital traffic speed signs that let drivers know how fast they are going, which are portable and can be solar powered.

South Frontenac Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth informed attendees that a mobile speed sign has been ordered for Verona at a cost of $8,000 and he stated that other long term options would be considered after more research was done on traffic patterns. This raised the ire of some attendees, who did not want to wait years to see changes made.

On the topic of property standards, most agreed it was a priority and South Frontenac CAO Wayne Orr took direct questions regarding the township’s current property standards by-law, which now exists as a complaint driven safe properties by-law that does not address the aesthetic appearance of properties or buildings. It does address issues of public safety and health.

Attendees at the meeting were grouped around tables, and of the 11 groups, eight mentioned McMullen Manor as an issue, citing issues with some of the activities and behaviors of residents there. In order to provide clarification on the manor and how it operates, Councilor John McDougall invited Mary Lynn Cousins Brame, CEO of Kingston and Frontenac Housing Corporation, which owns and operates the manor, to speak.

Brame lived in Verona for 20 years and said she is constantly inundated with complaints from area residents about the manor. She gracefully and succinctly clarified typical misconceptions about the complex, which was built in 1980 originally as a seniors-only residence. She explained that the 28-unit, two-storey building has no elevators and no longer serves only seniors.

In 2000 the manor became designated as a rent geared to income property that now offers subsidized low income housing to individuals and families. “I am here to tell you that because of government changes and changes in legislation in 2000, McMullen Manor will never be a seniors only building and that fact will never change. I know that is disappointing but it is legislated.”

She said that people wanting to be housed there have to go through a centralized waiting list though the City of Kingston's Social Housing department and that KFPH has no hand in choosing who can live there.

Brame said that the last vacancy at the manor took 44 showings until it was accepted for occupancy, proving that the manor is a hard sell. “One of the reasons given was the isolation of the community. It is a very difficult building to rent to anybody.”

Brame also said that the manor costs on average $200,000 to $300,000 to keep up per year and a brand new septic system at a cost of $200,000 was put in last year. “People here have mentioned wanting more housing in the area but I am here to let you know that it won't be through KFHC since we are just trying to maintain what we have.”

Brame also spoke of a general feeling of negativity in the community towards the manor. “I want to remind you that it is not all negative. Many special community events happen at the manor and many tenants of the manor have mentioned how they often do not feel welcome in the community.” She also said that in the past some non-law abiding tenants have been evicted from the manor but are continuing to rent private properties in the community.

Following Brame's address one McMullen Manor resident spoke to the crowd and said that following initial feelings of not being welcome, she has since made connections in the community and now feels a part of it. “We manor residents have our own issues as well. People park in our parking spots and often when I have come home from work I have not been able to park in my designated parking spot.” Resident Linda Brown suggested finding positive ways of individuals and community groups utilizing the common room at the manor to make residents there feel more welcome in the community.

Long time Verona resident Bill Asselstine spoke about what he regards as “the recent down turn in the area”. He said it was a result of low income housing, which he said has forced him to put his generations-old Verona home up for sale. “Low income housing doesn't belong here. I'd like to see this community come back to what it was. I don't feel that my kids are safe here anymore and I would certainly like to see things get better.”

Councilor John McDougall had the last word of the evening and hoped to end the meeting on a positive note. After thanking his colleagues on council for attending the meeting, McDougall reminded the crowd to think of the positives that the community has to offer. “Of course there are negatives but I have the utmost respect for this community and the people here. I have felt welcomed here since I and my family first arrived in 1975 and I think that nowhere else around the community or in the county can you find a community that looks out and cares for one another like people do here.”

VCA menber Wayne Conway, said that information from the public meeting will be processed and prioritized and then presented to council. Attendees were invited to provide contact information to the VCA so that they can informed of future developments on the topic of community improvements. Those who missed the meeting and would like more information about this and other VCA events, visit www.yourverona.com

On Sept. 8, local quilter Judy Skeggs opened up her century-old sawmill in Verona to the art buying and viewing public in what was her first official art show. Judy has been producing high quality quilts for over 30 years. She has been sewing all her life and got into quilting in her 30s. She said that it is the creativity and sewing aspects of quilting that kept her coming back to it. “I just love sitting at my machine and getting lost in my own little world. That and the fact that quilting is something that you can pick up and put down whenever you are doing other things around the house.”

Judy had on display at the Art in the Sawmill show eight of her large quilts along with a few examples of her quilted jackets and pillows and her custom machine embroidery. One of her personal favorites is her large “Latte” quilt, which she made using silk and satin materials in mocha/coffee-colored tones. The frames are meticulously decorated with her very artful machine embroidery. “The only thing about the Latte quilt - which is one that I really love - is that I can't use it because I have two cats,” she said.

Because “Latte” is her favorite quilt, she was not advertising it for sale though she did say that if someone offered her the right price, she might consider parting with it. She also had on display her “Professional Cats” quilt, which depicts individual squares of cats dressed in the outfits of different professions. There is a cat doctor, a cat artist, etc. and it is a quilt that she created for one of her quilting classes, which she taught locally for nine years.

Along with her more modern designs are quilts of a more traditional nature. One such quilt is her “Drunkard's Path” quilt, which is from a design made in the 1930s. She saw it in a magazine, and “fell in love with it and just had to make it”. The name comes from the optical pattern created by large balloon-like flowers floating on top of a linear background pattern, which gives it that feeling of a drunkard's unfocused bliss. Her “Basket” quilt is another traditional style quilt, which Judy sewed by hand and which took her over a year to make.

Prior to quilting full time, Judy ran the X-ray department at St. Mary's of the Lake Hospital in Kingston (now Providence Care) for 31 years. She recalled how she used to hang her quilts at the hospital, which was something that the patients really loved. She retired from St. Mary's in 2002 and started quilting full time then.

While she is well known and respected locally as a quilter, Judy said that she has never formally sold or shown her quilts in art shows, or entered them in contests. “I make them for me. It makes me happy and I prefer not to have them judged.”

Art in the Sawmill, which included the work of five other local artists, was Judy's first official showing of her work and judging by the positive feedback and the constant flow of traffic at the show it looks as though it will definitely not be the last time that quilt lovers will have a chance to see the wonderful talent of this local master quilter. For more information, contact Judy at 613-374-3420

Council Slams County Official Plan

In a five-page report that was received by South Frontenac Council on Tuesday night, Sept. 17, Mills praised the general layout of the County OP, which was authored by Joe Gallivan, the Manager of Sustainability Planning with Frontenac County. “The draft plan is well laid out … each section and subsection includes an introduction that explains the intent of each policy that flows from it … Also the document explains at the start that its policies are structured on the basis of six sustainability themes, namely: economic sustainability, growth management, community building, housing and social services, heritage and culture, and environmental sustainability. These six themes appear to be logical as a general basis on which to accommodate future growth and needs of residents … Joe Gallivan should be commended for his work on the Plan." Once he had finished praising Joe Gallivan, Mills set out a series of concerns he had with the plan. Mills said that while the County OP explains that it is intended to be a “high-level” regional plan, “in reality, under the present wording, the document is exactly the opposite.” He said that the policies in the OP are much too “intrusive into the decision-making authority of the municipalities.” He uses the example of the definition of agricultural land in the document. Regarding agricultural land, it lists every possible use that may be permitted on the lands. Secondary uses such as carpentry, welding, machine and small engine repair shops are listed. Mills says this level of detail has no place in the document. “The Plan should provide the introduction that explains the intent of the section and then simply state that ‘municipalities shall ensure that agriculture and the farming community are supported and protected’ or wording with a similar intent,” Mills wrote. Mills also expressed concerns over language used in the Daft OP, words such as "shall", "will", "permitted", etc., words that cause Mills to be concerned “that the County will be involved in every aspect of any planning approval”. While he says that he is not sure that is the intent of the document, Mill says that to make sure the County does not get involved in local matters, the “wording needs to be tightened up”. He also expressed concerns about the sections in the plan about forestry, regional roads, and regional community improvement plans. Lindsay Mills concluded his report by saying the draft County Official Plan “attempts to involve the County in all development. This too much intrusion into the affairs of local municipalities.” Although he says that the problem may be more one of wording than intent in many cases, he is concerned that the OP “has huge negative implications for the local townships and the Plan should be substantially revised accordingly” Mills recommended that South Frontenac Council endorse his report and forward it to the County as a township position regarding the OP. Before members of South Frontenac Council had their chance to comment on Lindsay Mills' report at their meeting on Tuesday night (September 17th) Mills told them that he has already had a discussion with Joe Gallivan about his concerns, and Gallivan has assured him “that he plans to reduce the second draft of the County OP by one half." This did not stop members of South Frontenac Council from attacking the County OP, and the County itself as well. “I don’t agree with where they seem to be going with it,” said Councilor Del Stowe, “they should stay out of it and let us do our own job. This degree of involvement in planning adds another tier, increases waiting time and costs: there is no benefit to it that I can see.” Councilor Ron Vandewal said he is concerned that the approach the County is taking “could choke off development”, and Councilor Larry York said “the County is too removed from the reality of the individual townships.” Even Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth had something to say about Frontenac County's role. “When it comes to roads we have shown that we don’t need an upper tier - we are demonstrating there is another way: collaboration between the townships. In my opinion, our future is in collaboration,” he said. Mayor Gary Davison said “The octopus gets bigger; they’ll have to pay extra staff to administer this. It’s all part of the issue at County council: there’s a hostile, divided environment.” Council unanimously passed a motion opposing the County’s first draft, and sent the full text of L. Mills’ notes back to County, and to all the other townships. Lindsay Mills assured Council that the County will make no decision about the Official Plan until they have circulated a second draft to the townships.

Guiderail Installation Tender

Public Works Manager Segsworth reported on the tender results for installation of roadside protection (formerly guardrails, now guiderails,) on Harrowsmith, Clarke, Perth and Latimer Roads, as well as extensive repairs to a recently-damaged section of Moreland Dixon Road. Council approved the $77,862 bid provided by McIvor Enterprises. Inclusion of the unanticipated repairs which resulted from an auto accident raised costs above the budgeted $50,000. The overage will be funded from contingency, and the township will seek remuneration from insurance claims.

Road 38 Corridor in Verona

Five proposals were submitted for a Multi-modal Transportation Study and Improvement Plan for the Road 38 Corridor through Verona. This was awarded to Stantec Engineering, for $22,487. Multi-modal refers to the need to accommodate several very different uses of the relatively narrow corridor: private and commercial vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, and atvs.

Coming up with a unique fundraiser can be a difficult task for even the most creative types. Not so for Michelle Sigsworth and Ted Lalonde, the two people responsible for brainstorming the latest fundraiser at the Bellrock community hall, Bellrock’s first ever Boogie, which attracted a crowd of close to 150 on September 7.

What accounted for the sizable crowd - apart from the perfect sunshine, the hall canteen’s home-baked goodies, the barbequed wieners and cotton candy - were the top-notch country bands that took to the outdoor hay wagon stage and entertained the listeners, many of whom sported cowboy hats and lounged atop the hay stack seating provided by Carl Grant of Grant Farms in Bellrock, who also provided the stage.

Credit for the stellar roster of country talent goes to 26-year-old event organizer Ted Lalonde, who is also lead singer and guitarist with the band Texas Tuxedo and played at the event. Ted grew up in Verona and now lives in Yarker. He has been playing music since he was just wee lad, when his grandfather Alvin Dafoe taught him how to play the spoons. He is now a well-known face in Kingston's country music scene. Lalonde not only offered up his own talents, but as a professional on the scene he was able to attract the impressive list of solid country crooners from in and around Kingston who joined him onstage.

They included Nashville recording artist Adam Knapp and his band Kickback along with a number of closer to home bands, which included Kingston radio personality and musician Jeff Code and the Silver Wings, Bob Goodberry and Chuck D'Aoust.

Lalonde and Sigsworth had approached the community hall association with the idea of holding a country jamboree fundraiser. Coupled with Lalonde’s ability to gather the talent, Sigsworh added her own signature to the event. She had cowboy hats for sale for a reasonable price, which buyers were encouraged to decorate to their own personal specifications.

The event was free and guests were invited to make a free will donation, which in the end raised over $600 for the hall. The funds will go towards upgrading and furnishing the Bellrock community playground an

Coming up with a unique fundraiser can be a difficult task for even the most creative types. Not so for Michelle Sigsworth and Ted Lalonde, the two people responsible for brainstorming the latest fundraiser at the Bellrock community hall, Bellrock’s first ever Boogie, which attracted a crowd of close to 150 on September 7.

What accounted for the sizable crowd - apart from the perfect sunshine, the hall canteen’s home-baked goodies, the barbequed wieners and cotton candy - were the top-notch country bands that took to the outdoor hay wagon stage and entertained the listeners, many of whom sported cowboy hats and lounged atop the hay stack seating provided by Carl Grant of Grant Farms in Bellrock, who also provided the stage.

Credit for the stellar roster of country talent goes to 26-year-old event organizer Ted Lalonde, who is also lead singer and guitarist with the band Texas Tuxedo and played at the event. Ted grew up in Verona and now lives in Yarker. He has been playing music since he was just wee lad, when his grandfather Alvin Dafoe taught him how to play the spoons. He is now a well-known face in Kingston's country music scene. Lalonde not only offered up his own talents, but as a professional on the scene he was able to attract the impressive list of solid country crooners from in and around Kingston who joined him onstage.

They included Nashville recording artist Adam Knapp and his band Kickback along with a number of closer to home bands, which included Kingston radio personality and musician Jeff Code and the Silver Wings, Bob Goodberry and Chuck D'Aoust.

Lalonde and Sigsworth had approached the community hall association with the idea of holding a country jamboree fundraiser. Coupled with Lalonde’s ability to gather the talent, Sigsworh added her own signature to the event. She had cowboy hats for sale for a reasonable price, which buyers were encouraged to decorate to their own personal specifications.

The event was free and guests were invited to make a free will donation, which in the end raised over $600 for the hall. The funds will go towards upgrading and furnishing the Bellrock community playground and park with new park benches and picnic tables. Bob Brown, treasurer of the Bellrock Community Hall Association, was thrilled with the turnout. “This kind of event not only brings in members of the village but also attract individuals and families from the surrounding areas as well. This event was such an overwhelming success that we are definitely planning to do it again.”

Lalonde and Sigsworth are also hoping to see the event become

Coming up with a unique fundraiser can be a difficult task for even the most creative types. Not so for Michelle Sigsworth and Ted Lalonde, the two people responsible for brainstorming the latest fundraiser at the Bellrock community hall, Bellrock’s first ever Boogie, which attracted a crowd of close to 150 on September 7.

What accounted for the sizable crowd - apart from the perfect sunshine, the hall canteen’s home-baked goodies, the barbequed wieners and cotton candy - were the top-notch country bands that took to the outdoor hay wagon stage and entertained the listeners, many of whom sported cowboy hats and lounged atop the hay stack seating provided by Carl Grant of Grant Farms in Bellrock, who also provided the stage.

Credit for the stellar roster of country talent goes to 26-year-old event organizer Ted Lalonde, who is also lead singer and guitarist with the band Texas Tuxedo and played at the event. Ted grew up in Verona and now lives in Yarker. He has been playing music since he was just wee lad, when his grandfather Alvin Dafoe taught him how to play the spoons. He is now a well-known face in Kingston's country music scene. Lalonde not only offered up his own talents, but as a professional on the scene he was able to attract the impressive list of solid country crooners from in and around Kingston who joined him onstage.

They included Nashville recording artist Adam Knapp and his band Kickback along with a number of closer to home bands, which included Kingston radio personality and musician Jeff Code and the Silver Wings, Bob Goodberry and Chuck D'Aoust.

Lalonde and Sigsworth had approached the community hall association with the idea of holding a country jamboree fundraiser. Coupled with Lalonde’s ability to gather the talent, Sigsworh added her own signature to the event. She had cowboy hats for sale for a reasonable price, which buyers were encouraged to decorate to their own personal specifications.

The event was free and guests were invited to make a free will donation, which in the end raised over $600 for the hall. The funds will go towards upgrading and furnishing the Bellrock community playground and park with new park benches and picnic tables. Bob Brown, treasurer of the Bellrock Community Hall Association, was thrilled with the turnout. “This kind of event not only brings in members of the village but also attract individuals and families from the surrounding areas as well. This event was such an overwhelming success that we are definitely planning to do it again.”

Lalonde and Sigsworth are also hoping to see the event become a regular annual event but Ted Lalonde has even bigger plans than that. He said that he hopes to hold a number of similar, smaller jamborees at the hall on an ongoing basis. “We were very pleased with the turnout and were really happy to see so many families come out to enjoy it. We’re sure that other similar events would be as well attended.”

a regular annual event but Ted Lalonde has even bigger plans than that. He said that he hopes to hold a number of similar, smaller jamborees at the hall on an ongoing basis. “We were very pleased with the turnout and were really happy to see so many families come out to enjoy it. We’re sure that other similar events would be as well attended.”

d park with new park benches and picnic tables. Bob Brown, treasurer of the Bellrock Community Hall Association, was thrilled with the turnout. “This kind of event not only brings in members of the village but also attract individuals and families from the surrounding areas as well. This event was such an overwhelming success that we are definitely planning to do it again.”

Lalonde and Sigsworth are also hoping to see the event become a regular annual event but Ted Lalonde has even bigger plans than that. He said that he hopes to hold a number of similar, smaller jamborees at the hall on an ongoing basis. “We were very pleased with the turnout and were really happy to see so many families come out to enjoy it. We’re sure that other similar events would be as well attended.”

Close to one hundred female diners had no trouble imagining a night out in the quaint Italian city of Verona thanks to organizers of the latest Sisters By Heart event titled "That's Amore!" Sisters By Heart events take place regularly at The Verona Free Methodist Church and organizers hold the events as a way of providing female fellowship in Verona and the surrounding local community. Organizers and volunteers transformed the sanctuary of the church on the evening of March 4 into an exclusive Italian style restaurant and for a $5 ticket, guests dined at tables decorated with Italian themed centrepieces. They were served a dinner of insalata alla Cesare, spaghetti con sugo di carne and gelato alla vaniglia. There was ample entertainment interspersed throughout the dinner, including the polished vocal stylings of golden-voiced Kathy Rice of Westport who was accompanied by Kathy Casement on guitar/vocals, Darlene Snider on keyboards/accordion/vocals and Erica Forbes on bass.

One musical highlight of the evening was the two Kathys' duet of the Italian/English aria “The Prayer “ made famous by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion, which received a thunderous standing ovation. Kathy Johnson generated ample laughter from the crowd performing “Ditzy's Travelogue”, a comedic slide show tour of Italy's most famed historic sights in which she shared numerous historical facts about Italy and its ancient architecture. Evelyn Snider, one of the event's organizers, rewarded the diners’ knowledge of Italian cuisine in her “Italian Food Challenge” which engaged diners in a multiple choice quiz on terms like gnocchi, biscotti, tartufo, fazzolitti, zuppa Inglese and more.

The guest speaker of the evening was Ann Foster, one of several pastors at the Smiths Falls Free Methodist Church. Ann works full time at the Brockville Mental Health Centre as an administrative/clinical secretary. She spoke candidly (and with humour) about her difficult upbringing, the challenges she has faced, and how her faith in Jesus Christ helps her live a purposeful and joyous life of excellence. For those who missed the latest installment of Sisters By Heart, their next event will take place on Monday May 6 and the theme will be “A Teddy Bear Picnic”.

The 6th Annual Frontenac Old Time Music Championships took place in a new venue last weekend, Sept. 21 & 22, the Verona Lions Hall.

In their first year, the championships were held at the Piccadilly Hall, which proved to be too small. They then found a home at the Bedford Hall.

Clifford Rines, the chairperson of the championship committee, said that the committee decided this year that Verona is a bit more central; the hall is well appointed and the Lions Club were already major supporters of the event. So the venue was moved. The Lions proved to be very willing and helpful hosts, and Clifford Rines dubbed the move a successful one.

“We had a slow start on Saturday morning for the instrumental competition but there were over 150 people at the hall in the afternoon for what turned out to be a wonderful singing contest,” he said.

The competition was split into different age groups, and there was an overall instrumental and overall singing winner. The instrumental winner was Ottawa Valley Fiddler Mel McDougall, who also won the over 66 division for fiddle. Among the vocalists the grand prize winner was Brianna Cotton from Lindsay, who also won the 15 to 19-year-old division.

Other winners were: Glen Russell 1st guitar 46-65; Paul Rappelle 1st guitar 66 plus; Anastasia Burnside 1st fiddle 8 and under; Arianna Burnside 1st fiddle 9-14; Annika Burnside, 2nd fiddle 9-14; and Jessica Wedden, 3rd fiddle 9-14.

Among the singers: Hope Clarken, 1st 9-14; Lauren Carson, 2nd 9-14; and Michele Vanbergen and Hope Dixon tied for 3rd 9-14; Megan Harris 2nd 15-19; Mandy Kelly, 1st 20-45; Bernadette Kelly, 1st 46-65; Tom Macintosh 2nd 46-65; Glenn Russell, 3rd 46-65; Tony Davy, 1st 66 plus; and Larry Greer, 2nd 66 plus.

Prince Charles Public School in Verona recently extended its recycling program by reaching out to different community organizations as part of their Panthers' Pride and EcoSchool programs.

The Panthers’ Pride program aims to encourage students to take care of each other and others in the community and directly ties into the community outreach section of the Ontario EcoSchool program, which is now in its second year at the school.

For the first time at the school, students have begun collecting plastic milk bags, which are sent to church volunteers who crochet them into sleeping mats. The mats are then sent to a warehouse in Mississauga from where the organization Canadian Food for Children sends them out to various countries. Students are also collecting pop can tabs for various organizations, who use them to raise funds to buy wheelchairs and other products.

Used eye glasses, winter mittens and hats have also been collected for those who cannot afford them. Used batteries are also being collected and are sent through the Limestone District School board to area recycling depots.

Kevin Wenkoff, who teaches French at the school, has taken over the EcoSchool program at Prince Charles this year. The program awards points to participating schools in five different areas of achievement, which include teamwork and leadership, energy conservation, waste minimization, school grounds greening, and curriculum and environmental stewardship. Based on their achievements in each category the schools are then awarded points, and based on their score are given either a bronze, silver or gold rating.

This year Prince Charles’ grade 5/6 class French class is leading the school’s Eco team. Students are raising worms to be used for composting and there are also plans this year to continue greening up the school grounds. Students will be involved in a number of initiatives this spring, which will include extending a natural section of the playground in the back of the school, transplanting shades trees, and planting a variety of low maintenance vegetables in a garden plot. The program not only teaches students to care for the environment by reducing their material and energy consumption and reducing landfill waste, but also to care for others in the community by reaching out to those who might not be able to afford basic necessities.

“The community outreach part of Panthers’ Pride is an awareness program that invites the students to take action. It's symbolic of the greater need that people around the world have and it opens up the students’ eyes to those needs,” said Wenkoff.

The Eco team at the school will also be starting their boomerang lunches, which aim to minimize food and packaging waste in students’ lunches.

“The environmental issues of the program of course are huge”, said Wenkoff, “and while we are aiming to conserve energy and minimize waste, the ultimate goal here is to plant the seeds that enable the students to make choices in the future as they get older.”

Wenkoff has seen a difference in the students attitudes towards waste this year. “But really, what we have to keep in mind is that this is a long range project. Where at first I thought that we could make a huge impact on land fill, I now see that what we are making here at the school is a small impact. But we need to remember how that can snow ball into something bigger down the road as the students' imaginations run with it,” he said.

Olivia Minifie and Jack Revell, both grade 6 students at PCPS and part of the Eco team expressed their thoughts on the program.

“I like working with the worms,” Jack said. “The program is great because we are helping to keep the planet greener. We have a garden at our house and have worms and plant vegetables and my sister and I have been ones feeding the worms here at the school, which has been really fun.”

Asked what the program has taught her, Olivia said, “I've learned a lot about recycling and never knew before that milk bags could be used to make sleeping mats.” Both students said that they hope this year to earn a gold certificate in the EcoSchool program at PCPS.

The seats filled up quickly at the Bellrock Schoolhouse Theatre on January 26 for a special production of the Pulitzer Prize nominated play “Love Letters”, written by A. R. Gurney.

Fred Colwell, whom some may remember for his remarkable portrayal of Scrooge in the theatre’s holiday production of “A Christmas Carol”, introduced the play, and his two long-time pals, well-known Canadian veteran actors Carolyn Hetherington and Fred Euringer played the roles of Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd.

Carolyn Hetherington appeared as Eliza in Sarah Polley's feature film “Away From Her” and in other TV and movies roles in addition to spending decades as a stage actor.

The two actors have performed the play numerous times in their careers. Both seated in arm chairs, they read the script, which was written in epistolary form, more commonly found in novels. The play consists of a series of back and forth letters that span over 50 years.

While it is a very simple premise, “Love Letters” touchingly reveals the relationship and the love that develops between the two very different characters. Melissa is a well to do, free and highly spirited person, first a girl then later a mature artist and painter who comes from a wealthy and very dysfunctional and broken family. Alan, on the other hand, is more driven by common sense - a hard working and conservative type from a loving, close-knit family.

The script reveals their relationship first as young, carefree school children with an emphasis on their comical family and everyday school lives, and then moves forward delving into and the more complicated thoughts and feelings that their young adulthood brings. The play takes on a serious undercurrent that is developed more fully in the second half of the play as the two continue to correspond, even as their lives enter onto more unsure and shaky ground.

The play as a whole is a homage to the lost art of letter writing and its ability to reveal the beauty, depth, humour and tragedy that is contained in seemingly ordinary people's lives.

Though some might anticipate that over an hour and a half of listening to two seated characters read a written correspondence from centre stage could be a trial, both actors brought their own expertise and emotional depth to the performances and managed to create an entirely believable world based solely on words.

Their correspondence, while often very humorous, also portrayed the heart felt, personal trials and tribulations each character faces as their lives, though remaining connected, go in two very separate ways.  While the two did make several attempts over the years to create a romantic relationship between themselves, for a variety of reasons that proved unattainable, though the correspondence is always kept up.

Not to reveal the cathartic ending of the play; “Love Letters” speaks of how written correspondence can contain the most intimate feelings and thoughts of two separate individuals who still manage to stay connected even after one of those lives comes to an end.