Over 100 youngsters turned up in full costume and force for the Olden Rec Committee's annual Halloween party, which took place at the community hall in Mountain Grove on October 25. The event included numerous kids' games and crafts, a pumpkin carving contest, a parade, plus numerous snacks and sweet treats. When I visited, many young revelers were lining up in anticipation of making a trip to the haunted house that was set up in the basement of the hall by Rec Committee chair, Corey Thompson. The haunted house included one very scary and one less scary section to suit the ages of the groups passing through.

Two GREC students, Sadie Clarke and Clare Willis, had the difficult task of judging the winners in the kids' costume contests based on various criteria that included home made-ness, originality, overall flair, and cuteness. Some of the memorable costumes included two youngsters dressed as the stars of the film Dumb and Dumber, one very cute Goldilocks and many more.

Lori Sproule, who is the vice chair of the rec committee, said that the event is all about giving the kids in the local community a chance to get together to celebrate the holiday and enjoy some special Halloween-themed festivities.

The Olden Rec Committee is holding an adult fundraising dance on Friday, October 30 at the Olden hall with DJ Derrick Hole, and costume judging. The cost is $15pp or $25/couple, which includes a light luncheon, and proceeds will go to supporting the many special events for kids and their families in the local community. 

The Aviva Community Fund is a pool of money that is available for community projects across the country. The Oso Recreation Committee has registered the Sharbot Lake Rink Project on Aviva under Community Health. The catch is that projects are judged based on community "votes". People are encouraged to go to the Aviva website and register an account (you can also sign in with your facebook account) and then vote every day from October 6 to October 23. The projects with the most votes will move on to the next round. The next round will be judged, with those projects being announced on November 3. Judging will be completed and the winner announced on December 2. So please support the Sharbot Lake Rink Project by voting often at https://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf32272

Volunteers are urgently needed or there may not be a 2016 soccer season for the enthusiastic group of young soccer players across Central Frontenac. The core group of four organizers of the association are no longer able to assume all of the multiple roles involved in coordinating the soccer season and are hopeful that they can attract six to eight new volunteers to help run the 2016 soccer season. Their last appeal for committee volunteers resulted in only one new person stepping up, so they are worried about the association’s future.

This past season, which ran from July 27 to Sept. 13, saw nearly 100 children ages 3 to 16 years enjoy the many health and social benefits that the sport of soccer brings. The season was a great success. Children learned new soccer skills, stayed active, and met new friends.

The coordinators of the association fear that they may be forced to dissolve the association unless a new group of volunteers are found by November 1. No experience is necessary for volunteering and the committee only meets a few times each year to assign tasks and goals. The meetings are fun, social and productive and the current coordinators are happy to assist and support any newcomers. Some of the tasks volunteers complete are preparing schedules, coordinating registration, arranging teams, and equipment organizing. So if you want to keep the sport of soccer alive for your children, please contact Lynette Whan now to offer your assistance at 613-279-2366 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Without new volunteers there will not be a 2016 season!

Karen Smith, Guider, 1st Sydenham Guides

The 1st Sydenham Girl Guides also recently participated in a local clean up of the shoreline area around The Point in Sydenham as part of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup and in advance of Earth Week. With the support of South Frontenac Township, which supplied bags and gloves, the Guides collected four bags of recyclable items and six bags of garbage. The Guides encourage everyone to do their part to help keep their community clean and help protect our common environment.

On April 11 the 1st Sydenham Sparks, Brownies and Guides had a successful Cookie Campaign and sold out! Thank you to the Foodland, the One Stop and everyone that supported GGC Cookie Day 2015.

Close to 30 youngsters attended the annual Easter Party on April 4 at the Kennebec hall in Arden. The event was organized by members of the Kennebec Recreation Committee, who had their Easter ears on especially for the event. The children, who were accompanied by their parents, enjoyed a free lunch and home made cookies and chocolate cupcakes and took part in a number of games including bean bag toss, Crokinole and more. Numerous Easter themed craft activities that included beading, bracelet making, and a special party bag craft were enjoyed by the youngsters. Wanda Harrison, chair of the Kennebec Recreation Committee, said that the annual event encourages members of the community to “come out on the holiday weekend, meet and socialize with one another while giving us a chance to do meet them as well.” Ten volunteers helped put on the event that continues to be a highlight of the holiday weekend for young and old alike.

Feature article, July 21, 2005

Feature article July 21, 2005

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deCycles: putting pedals to the mettle

by Meghan Balogh

On June 18, a group of 82 cyclists set out on a 1,500-mile journey. Their route will carry them from Bloomington, Indiana through Ohio, Ontario, Quebec, New York, and finally to their destination: Portland, Maine.

The deCyclers rode into Perth, Ontario at 4:30 on June 29, having completed 92 miles that day in seven and a half hours. Director Norm Houze shares, After going through the town of Tweed, there was nothing between there and Perth. So the riders put the hammer down and just speeded to the destination time. From Bloomington, Indiana, they had travelled more than 900 miles.

deCycles is an opportunity for young people to push themselves not only physically, but also mentally and spiritually. Everyone needs to renew themselves and get away from society, and see that theres another world out there, says director Norm House, a doctor practicing in Bloomington, Indiana. Dr. Houze is not only involved in the tour planning, but also supervises on-location for the 3-week journeys, and has completed 15 deCycles trips.

This year, half the riders on the trip are first-timers. However, this has not dampened their enthusiasm and determination. The youth taking part in this expedition exude confidence with all 82 of the group in the room, one can feel the camaraderie between them. Amazing kids! That's what they are, says Dr. Houze. And they cause quite a stir. Whether people are mowing the lawn, washing their car, or just standing around, when the riders ride by, everyone drops what they are doing to look at this super group of teenage cyclists.

The deCycles riders travel an average of 75 miles per day sometimes more or less depending on factors such as weather, traffic, and wind. Participating students are between ages 13-24, and from all corners of the United States: Oregon, California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana and Ohio are just a few. They have also had a few Canadian cyclists join them in the past.

The youth group of Asbury Free Methodist Church in Perth rounded up their bikes and met the deCyclers outside town to ride in with them, and then fed and housed the cyclists for the night. Kim Adrain, youth leader, organized meals, swimming access at the public pool, and sleeping accommodations.

The students who come back from this adventure have wonderful things to say about the experience.

Abbey Martin, who has completed seven other deCycles trips in the past and is now an assistant staff, captured the spirit of this group with her comments: Ill never get over how 82 people who dont know each other can make a commitment to support, care for, and help each other while working toward the same goal: completing 1,500 miles by bicycle together. These trips have taught me patience, taught me to value community, and to invest in others. But its also taught me that we should never get too comfortable with what life feels like. DeCycles is about pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone.

Feature article, August 4, 2005

Feature article August 4, 2005

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Province announces long-awaited early childhood plan

by Jeff Green

Soon after the Mcguinty government took office in the fall of 2003 and established a Ministry of Children and Youth Services, planning began on a government level for improved access to daycare and early learning.

It has taken almost two years to work out a model for the new system, partly because funding arrangements between levels of government were hard to work out.

This spring many municipalities throughout the Province, including the City of Kingston, which administered funding for Frontenac County, opted out of a proposal which would have seen 20% of the cost of any new daycare space or early learning initiative covered by municipal taxation.

In the end, the Province of Ontario decided to fund the entire expansion of service from their own budget, making use as well of a $1.1 billion transfer from the Federal Government over the next three years.

The Best Start Plan, as it has been dubbed, includes a long-awaited change in the way daycare subsidies are calculated. While final details have not been announced, Paul Dowig, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, told the News, Introduction of a sliding scale income test will begin in 2006, and each year the number of families eligible for subsidy will be increased.

Childcare advocates have long argued that the current subsidy system, which gives full subsidy to very low income families but no subsidy at all to low and moderate income families, is often an impediment to accessing licensed childcare. Last year the provincial government announced that a sliding scale would make partial subsides available for families with annual incomes up to $75,000.

In rural Frontenac County, licensed childcare is offered at the Child Centre in Sharbot Lake, and in South Frontenac a network of licensed home childcare centres is being established by Central Frontenac Community Services.

Ontario Early Years Centres, set up by the previous government, will continue to play an important role in Ontarios early learning and care system, both as service providers and as members of local Best Start networks, Paul Dowig said.

The Best Start system will bring a new partner into early years services, public schools.

The Ministry of Children and Youth Services has implemented a schools first policy. Schools will be the first choice for the expansion of childcare as part of Best Start, Dowig said, and added, the decision to expand childcare services will be driven by available space and community needs.

In communities where schools are not viable because there is no surplus space, other locations for childcare and other services will be considered.

The Best Start Plan also includes early screening for the estimated 130,000 children born each year in Ontario; ongoing support for parents of very young children; and a strengthening of existing hearing, speech, and language programs. Checkups for babies 18 months old will also be implemented, including vision screening

The Best Start Plan is based on a community hub model; services are designed to be accessed at a central location.

In the coming months, local planning will take place to implement the Best Start Plan across the province.

Feature Article - June 29, 2006

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Feature Article - June 29, 2006

Rural families surveyed

Even though they live in the country, rural families have identified programs focusing on the out-of-doors as their #1 request for new services.

The five elementary schools in South Frontenac Township were recently surveyed by the Staff at Rural VISIONS Centre to determine programming needs for each unique community. Lance Gibson, Chairperson of its Board of Directors, stated “we recognize that each community should receive the services it identifies as being needed rather than the most convenient to provide. A cookie-cutter approach has never been our way of serving our community.”

The survey was developed and distributed as a result of the adoption of the Annual Plan for 2006-07. Each year Central Frontenac Community Services Corporation, also known as Rural VISIONS Centre, develops objectives to address organizational, youth and family, long term care, and community needs throughout the Greater South Frontenac Area. Children’s programming was one of three objectives for youth and family services.

CFCSC will now begin approaching potential partners, with Scouts Canada being the first contact. “There are groups running in Perth Road, Verona and Sydenham currently and the price and time frame fit what parents were requesting: maybe its just a matter of families being educated about what scouting has to offer and the fact that it has been open to boys and girls for years” said CFCSC Executive Director Beth Freeland.

The other top-five requested programs were “How-To Series”, “Music and Movement”, “Pre-teen Self-Esteem”, and Weekly Recreation activities.

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Feature Article - September 14, 2006

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Feature Article - September 14, 2006

ArdenLegion rocks inLegionWeek

by Rev. Jean Brown

The third week in September (Sept 17-24), by an official declaration of the Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, has been declared Legion Week in Canada to honour the Legion, veterans and their families who contribute to society by sponsoring sports, youth programs, seniors’ programs, community events, and supporting various organizations. The year 2006 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Canadian Legion and Arden ’s Gordon Gaylord Legion Branch 334 has many plans to recognize this special heritage. The plans include a complimentary Veterans Appreciation Turkey Dinner for all area veterans, whether Legion members or not, on Sunday, Sept 24 at 4 p.m. as a way to thank and recognize the veterans. Reservations are required so it can be determined how much food needs to be prepared. The general public is also welcome to reserve and to come as paying guests.

Branch 334 is also hosting its annual fall car rally on Saturday, Sept 23. The “Triple C Poker Rally” will include a challenging and exciting route, lots of fun, and a hot home-made soup supper for the participants. Pre-registration is required for this fun-filled event, that last year was a great success.

As well, Branch 334 Arden is getting a Community Emergency Fund organized, and to that end is raffling off tickets on a quilt and afghan made by Marie Deline. The draw will take place in December.

Future plans include a Christmas Tree of Remembrance, whereby folks can place the name of their departed loved ones on an angel as a way to cherish their memories at Christmas time.

The Royal Canadian Legion represents a living heritage and warrants our admiration for their sacrifices and for the way they give back to their communities by raising funds to assist local and regional organizations, medical centres, and communities affected by natural disasters, and in training the youth of the benefits of peace. In addition, funds are raised for ex-service personnel and their dependents and the youth are taught about the contributions and offerings of our veterans. It's important for everyone to remember the sacrifices of all the men and women who have served our country in times of peace or war. By understanding the nature of those sacrifices, we are able to better appreciate the rights and freedoms secured by our veterans and Peace Keepers and set our sights on promoting peace.

Legion Week is one more way we can thank Canadian veterans and today’s military personnel and peace keeping units for their courage. It’s also a chance to pay tribute to the work they do every day helping build strong communities that embrace the freedom and opportunities they fought to preserve.

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Feature Article - February 15, 2007

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Feature Article - February 15, 2007

Northern RuralYouth Partnernshipby Jeff Green

Last October, an innocuous little item in the Frontenac News asking for interested parties to attend a meeting about services for youth in Central and North Frontenac led to a tremendous response. Thirty people, including representatives from Sharbot Lake High School, social service agencies, community groups and the general public showed up to talk about how the lack of activities for youth in the two townships can be addressed.

Four months later, the Northern Rural Youth Partnership, as it has been named, made their first presentation to Central Frontenac Council. Lori Hamilton, who has been hired with the help of a grant from the Eastern Ontario Development Program, told council of the initiatives that are underway. With help from Cindy Scott from Sharbot Lake High School , a youth committee, dubbed NACFAC (North and Central Frontenac Activity Committee for Youth) has been established; a recreation and activity guide for the two townships is being prepared; and a two year grant from the province is being sought. The grant will be used to increase access for youth to activities that already exist, purchase portable recreation equipment, and co-ordinate the project and develop recreational leaders.

Lori Hamilton and Sue Leslie, from Northern Frontenac Community Services (the lead agency for the project), asked that council agree to post the activity guide on their website; to provide a limited amount of staff time to the project as needed; and to take on the responsibility for looking after equipment if some is received.

The presentation was well received by council, which agreed to support the project.

NACFAC is organising some events for the coming month, including a movie night and a ski trip. For further information, contact Lori Hamilton at 279-2244. Anyone or any group that provides recreational activities is asked to submit their information to the activity guide, which is being called the Rural Recreation Guide please see the ad on page 8.

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