Feature Article - February 8, 2007

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Feature Article - February 8, 2007

Glenda Bence

If there was a single individual who was identified with the hamlet of Kaladar, it was Glenda Bence. Glenda, who died on February 3rd of cancer at the age of 68, after a six-month illness, was well known for her business abilities. She has been central to the local Kaladar Community Club ever since she married Robert Bence and moved to Kaladar in 1959 and she was a partner for years in the family-run Bence Motors.

Even though Kaladar is a tiny community, it has a community hall, a youth centre, tennis courts and a summer camp. It’s fair to say this would not be the case had it not been for the dynamo that was Glenda Bence.

The Kaladar Community Club used to run out of people’s homes, but when the United Church building came up for sale in the 1960s, Glenda convinced club members to purchase it, which they did for $1. After renovating the hall, the community club had a location for dinners, euchre parties, variety nights, plays, and other events.

As the mother of six children, Glenda was always interested in events for children, and in helping young families in less stable circumstances than her own. Her daughter Laurie recalls that Glenda has organised a program for children in the summers for the past 30 years, and ran both the Girl Guides and the Brownies troupes.

In the early ’70s the local school was being closed down, and Glenda again convinced the Community Club to let her approach the school board about purchasing the building and the surrounding land. The church was sold, the school purchased, and a grant was secured to renovate the school. Other renovations have followed, including one in 1990, and just a few years ago the Kaladar Youth Centre was established in the basement of the community centre.

“She was the most amazing mother and grandmother,” her daughter in-law Tanya Bence said from her home in Kaladar earlier this week, “She went well beyond the story book grandmother. She taught my five-year-old more than I could ever teach.”

Glenda Bence looked at all of the children of the local community as her own. Through the Scamp Camp, which has been running for three weeks each summer, and the Youth Centre for older children, she made sure that children and youth have had somewhere to go and something to do throughout the year.

“She always wanted to help the kids,” recalled daughter Laurie, “She made sure none of them were excluded, and that money was never an issue.”

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Feature Article - March 15, 2007

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Feature Article - March 15, 2007

Local Scout wins grand prize

Local Scout Troy Perry has won the $2500 grand prize in Scouts Canada's Fill it Up to Win Contest. As a member of the 1st Verona Scout Troop, Troy took part in Scouts Canada annual popcorn sale last fall. Troy was able to fill every line on his order form, earning him an entry in the Fill it Up to Win contest, which was open to Scouts Canada members across the country. One prize a day was awarded throughout the month of February, with Troy being one of two Grand Prize Winners nationwide. Troy had a choice of four different prizes and opted for the Dell Inspiron Laptop and accessories package. He was presented with his prize at his troop meeting on March 20. Last year, Scouts in the Greater Kingston Area raised over $20,000 through Scouts Canada's annual popcorn sale. Scouts Canada, the country's leading youth organization, offers fun and exciting outdoor adventure for boys, girls and youth ages 5 - 26 in communities across Canada. – submitted by Harold Dalmas

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Feature Article - March 1, 2007

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Feature Article - March 1, 2007

Kaladar Teen Zone soaring back to life

At the Community Centre in Kaladar a youth recreation centre was established in July of 2002 for the youth, due to some unfortunate events; flooding, and illness The Teen Zone has been out of commission of late. This is about to Change!

The Kaladar Teen Zone is one of 7 Youth Centers across the province developing recreational activities for youth as part of a TYPS (Town Youth Participation Strategies) pilot project. Youth centers play an important role in communities as they are accessible for youth who might otherwise not become involved in healthy, physical recreation, as well, to keep them off the streets and give them a place they can call their own.

As part of the Ministry of Health 2010 Promotion, Teen Zone will develop and offer a variety of after school activity programs for youth. Youth activities and centers are key ingredients in providing leadership, participation, opportunities and space for youth to become involved in creative programming and recreation. SportChek for Kids, part of the Forzani group, has contributed sports equipment to each of the centers in support of this program.

A recent project by youth of the centre was to develop an Anti-Tobacco video, "Kick in the Butts, another project sponsored by TYPS and the Ministry of Health. In the near future we will be having a public viewing of the Anti-tobacco video at the Kaladar Community Club on a Tuesday night before a bingo game.

One of the characteristics of this program is to offer activities that are not heavily structured and competitive. The goal of this pilot recreational project is to make programs accessible to all youth in our community which include fun, physical activity, teamwork, and leadership development. Youth are invited to offer their ideas and creative input into developing activities that they want.

Volunteers are key to the success of this project and we welcome anyone interested in assisting in these youth programs. If you would like to participate in pick up games of basketball or volleyball, contribute to an evening of interactive games, or help create a recreational field trip please contact us.

Youth may even want to just come out and enjoy what the Teen Zone currently has to offer; a pool table, TV with DVD player, TV with a PS2 and many games, Computers with internet access, skate boards, volleyballs, basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, and there is a fully equipped kitchen for snacks and a new learning experience. The youth have everything they need for a “home away from home”.

For more information contact Lori Hamilton, Youth Planning Coordinator or Jeannie Allen President, Kaladar Community Club at 613-336-8846.

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Feature Article - May 31, 2007

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Feature Article - May 31, 2007

FCFDC youth entrepreneurship competition

by John Inglis

Michelle Nowell, a student at North Addington Education Centre, won the first prize of $750 for her business plan titled “Keep Fit Fitness” in Frontenac CFDC’s annual competition.

Second prize this year went to Duncan McGregor of Sharbot Lake High School, who wrote a business plan for a summer ice cream and milkshake venture. Duncan receives a cheque for $300.

The northern portion of the CFDC’s Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative involves high school students from Sharbot Lake and North Addington. The students hear a local business owner describe the ups and downs of the small business experience, followed by a seminar on business plan writing given by Lance Gibson.

There was a lot of support from teachers again this year- Lynne Young at Sharbot Lake and Valerie Allen at NAECand the quality of the student work is FCFDC youth entrepreneurship competition improving. As always, we hope that the exercise of writing a business plan will encourage some of these young people to get out and give self-employment a try.

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Feature Article - March 8, 2007

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Feature Article - June 21, 2007

Volunteers of the Year honoured in South Frontenac

The South Frontenac Volunteers of the Year for 2007 are an eclectic group, but they share a commitment to community, and their efforts have come to the attention of their neighbours.

Paul Wash – Loughborough – A resident of the Railton area since 1977, Paul Walsh and his wife Yvonne took a great interest in minor softball. Between 1980 and 1995, Paul had a role in every aspect of minor softball in the Sydenham area, from the T-ball all the way of to the Midget level. In that time, the number of teams in the area went from 8 to 18. His efforts were acknowledged when he received the Ontario Amateur Softball Association Outstanding Service Award in 1997.

Paul has also been involved in scouting, and has been a member of the South Frontenac Recreation and Sustainability Committees.

June Quinn – Bedford – June Quinn is being honoured for a project she initiated two years ago and has nurtured since then, the Bedford Historical Society.

Thanks to June’s efforts, the historical society now has a home, the Glendower Hall, a solid membership and a collection of papers, photographs and artefacts.

The greatest contribution June has made in establishing the society is that she has brought people together to talk proudly about their community, its people and its history.

June has done all this as a real team player, never really acknowledging her own work and dedication.

Dan Bell – Portland - Dan Bell has been the President of the Harrowsmith District Social and Athletic Club (a.k.a. the S&A club) for the past four years.

During his tenure he has brought some much needed physical improvements to the club, such as a parking lot expansion, improvements to the kitchen, and making the washrooms handicapped accessible.

He has also been instrumental in maintaining the social role the club plays in the community, take a strong role in the various activities of the club, from the baseball league to Canada Day Festivities, from Halloween Games Nights to Euchre parties and Youth Dances, Dan is always available to help.

Through his efforts and those of others, the S&A club continues to thrive.

Jen Williams – Storrington – Although she is a single mother, Jen Williams has found the time to be a long - standing community volunteer. For 20 years, she has been dedicated to the sport of fastball. She has been found behind the plate or in the middle of the field allowing the phrase “play ball” to be heard in Storrington ball fields. For the past four years, she has also been President of the Inverary Youth Group.

Feature Article - July 19, 2007

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Feature Article - July 19, 2007

Scouting movement celebrates 100 years

HARROWSMITH - On August 1, 2007 at 8 a.m.,local Scouting will be joining world wide activities to recognize 100 years of the Scouting Movement. The ceremony will be held at Centennial Park in Harrowsmith, and is open to all current and former members of Scouting.

These “Sunrise Ceremonies” are being held at 8 a.m. in every time zone around the world in conjunction with a ceremony being held on Brownsea Island in England where Robert Baden-Powell held an experimental camp on August 1, 1907. Twenty-two boys from a variety of backgrounds attended this historic camp. This was the beginning of the Scout Movement and for 100 years over half a billion boys and girls representing Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers and Rovers have participated in hundreds of thousands of activities. They came from virtually every country and culture, forever linked in their enjoyment of Scouting activities. Through their pledge to live by the Scout Promise and Law they have helped change the world for the better.

“One hundred years is a unique milestone for Scouts Canada’s members and volunteers, both past and present. Over 17 million youth have participated in our programs during the past century. We are extremely proud that Scouting’s efforts in developing Canada’s youth during this period have made a significant contribution to Canada’s heritage, values and culture.I invite everyone to join with us in celebration of this historic accomplishment,” said Glenn Armstrong, Chief Commissioner of Scouts Canada.

Today there are 28 million Scouts worldwide, in 216 countries and territories. Scouts Canada’s 78,000 boys and girls, together with its 24,000 dedicated adult volunteers, are excited to be a part of this global Centennial celebration.

To further celebrate the local history of Scouting in South Frontenac and the surrounding region, there will be historical displays and information over a three day period in the old Sydenham town hall or currently the Township of South Frontenac Council Chambers. The doors will be open to everyone on Tuesday, July 31 from 1 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, August 1 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Thursday, August 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Former members of Scouting are welcome to bring in memorabilia, equipment, and records that belonged to formerScouting groups so it can have a new Scouting home for today’s youth and leaders.

Forfurther information, contact Harold Dalmasat 613-372-2050 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sept 11, 2008 - Rural Visions gets the message out

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Feature Article - September 11, 2008 Rural VISIONS Gets the message out earlyBy Julie DrukerJillian Manning, the family coordinator of CFCSC at Rural Visions in Sydenham is determined to get the message out early to families in North, Central, and South Frontenac who can benefit from the wealth of programs that are being offered this year.

Manning has held the position as family coordinator since May 2005 and explains “We know there are people out there who need these services and we worry that if these programs are not utilized that they may be discontinued.”

The programs are designed to help families with children and an income of less than $29,590, seniors, and those with physical disabilities who may find themselves in need, especially around the holiday season.

Manning adds, “It’s very important heading into the holiday season that we put the message out early so that we can get a clear idea of what is most needed.”

The list of services available at Rural VISIONS is extensive. Transportation services are available to those in need of rides and cost $5 - $10 depending on the length of the trip and number of stops made. Volunteer drivers are screened by the agency and rides should be booked in advance whenever possible.

The Food Security Program is run like a food bank and offers monthly boxes of non-perishable food items, milk vouchers, baby formula and diapers for infants. Rural VISIONS offers this program in connection with the Loughborough Christmas and Emergency Relief Fund.

Food and cash donations are accepted at Rural VISIONS. Anyone interested in making perishable food donations should call Rural VISIONS prior to dropping fresh foods off.

Financial Assistance is available to low income families, seniors and those with physical disabilities in South Frontenac through the Caring Community Fund in partnership with the Community Caring Foundation in Hartington and can assist those in need of payments for first and last month’s rent, arrears in rent, taxes, mortgage, hydro and oil payments. Funds are also available for certain home upgrades and replacements.

A new program this year is the Child and Youth Assistance Fund, designed to help youth and teenage needs for recreation programs and back-to-school necessities that are currently not covered by other existing programs. This program is available to residents of South Frontenac only.

The Good Food Box Program offers the purchase of fresh fruit and vegetables at wholesale prices in various quantities. Orders are due the second Thursday of every month. Host sites include Prince Charles School and the Trinity United Church in Verona, Rural VISIONS in Sydenham, Leonard’s Fuels in Hartington and 4530 Noble Lane in Battersea.

Various programs are available around the holiday season through the Salvation Army and include Christmas hampers, which offer dinners, toys and snow suits.

Christmas Angels is a program put on by St. Paul’s Church in Harrowsmith and Trinity United Church in Verona where specific children’s needs are written on tree ornaments. The ornaments are then chosen and supplied by parishioners at the church. Anyone requiring further details about certain programs and eligibility requirements can check the Rural VISIONS website at www.ruralvisionscentre.org.

Anyone wishing to sponsor a family or make a donation is encouraged to call Rural VISIONS as well.

All program applications are available in Sydenham at the Rural VISIONS Centre located at 4419 George Street.

Jillian welcomes any queries regarding any other needs that are not covered by these programs and will happily make available any information and contacts that can help to have them met. All calls to the Rural Visions Centre are confidential. For further information, call Jillian Manning at Rural VISIONS at 613-376-6477 or toll free:1-800-763-9610.

Nov 6/08 - Jessica Nedow: Horsing Around

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Feature Article - November 6, 2008 Jessica Nedow: Horsing AroundBy Denise Nedow

Anyone who knows Jessica Nedow, realizes that her love for horses is strong. She began riding when she got her first pony at the age of 2.

She is now 14 and nothing has changed other than she’s going stronger than ever. Charles and Denise want to share with their families, friends and the surrounding community that Jessica has finished her first season with the National Barrel Horse Association. Racing with her horse ‘Sunny Daze’, she has travelled the circuit to Summerama, North Augusta; Horsearama, Norwood; Perth, Adulphostown etc.

Jessica trained Sunny Daze herself for one year before attempting to run barrels. Still training, Jessica competed this season in the NBHA from May to October, placing 1st in the youth 3 Division. Finding out she qualifi ed for the Eastern Canadian Barrel Finals, she left October 16 on a seven hour

trip for Fletcher’s Horse World in Waterford, Ontario. Jessica would race on the 17th, 18th, and 19th, against four other districts in a competition that was broadcast live, competing against 86 to 225 riders.

Finally, after lots of preparation, planning and last minute worry over her horse, she made it. With a positive attitude, strong determination a d her love and care for Sunny Daze, she placed first in the youth 3 division. With a time of 15.8 seconds, she brought home a N.B.H.A. belt buckle, an E.C.B.F. jacket, duffle bags and a grin to boot.

While Jessica was two tenths of a second from placing in the youth invitational with times of 15.7 and 15.6 seconds, her overall placing takes her to the 2009 World Youth Barrel Racing Competition in Florida in July.

Jessica, Charles and Denise would liketo take this opportunity to thank: Jessica’s sponsors: Eastern Cowboy Horseback Adventures, Parham; Bence Motor Sales, Kaladar; Kickin' Quarters Ranch, Parham; Tarasick Carpentry, Parham; kwik Load Products, Harrowsmith; and Nedow Construction, Sharbot Lake; family and friends for their support, hugs, pats on the back, and good wishes; Donna Beasely who decorated the Wrangler shirt Jessica wore during her races, with her Sponsor’s names. You’ve helped put a smile on a girl’s face.

Sincerely, Jessica & Sunny Daze of Heads or Trails Boarding Stable

Back to HomeFeature Article - December 17, 2009 Canada World YouthBy Jeff Green

Tichborne’s Danka Brewer, of the Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation, was invited to do a presentation for a Canada World Youth group in Perth on November 17.

After telling stories about the Algonquin culture and world view, she wondered if they would be interested in Algonquin cuisine. “I asked them, both the Canadians and their guests, who are from Bolivia, if they had ever tasted wild game. None of them had. So instead of trying to describe it, I decided to invite them to a welcoming feast.”

With the help of the members of Sisters if the Drum, and Janet and Jim Gutowski, Brewer set out to organize a feast at St. James Catholic Church in Sharbot Lake.

Last Saturday, December 12, the Canada World Youth participants and their host families were welcomed in Sharbot Lake. They had the opportunity to learn how to make bannock and were entertained by the Sisters of the Drum and the rock band Rock Bottom.

Canada World Youth Groups include 10 Canadian participants, who range in age from 18-24 and come from all corners of the country, and 10 from another country, in this case Bolivia. The youth were paired off, and one Canadian and one Bolivian are spending three months living with a host family and doing community work. The scene will then shift to Bolivia where the same pair will live with a Bolivian family. Part of the mandate of the program is to learn about the local culture, and for the youth from both countries this was their first opportunity to earn about the Algonquin culture.

When it came time to eat, Danka delivered a welcoming prayer; the food was smudged, as was the company, and an Algonquin potluck was served. In addition to the Bannock, moose burgers, rice, venison chili, Three Sisters Soup (corn, squash and beans) and a whole lot more was served to the hungry Canada World Youth group.

As Danka Brewer put it at the beginning of the meal, “Anyone who goes away hungry from a welcoming feast has no one to blame but themselves”.

After dinner, Rock Bottom rocked out. 

Back to HomeFeature Article - September 17, 2009 Canada World Youth at Lancaster's ResortBy Jeff Green

L to R: Ken Lancaster; Canada World youth participants Anne, Scott, Maggy and Solomon;  Linda Lancaster

Eleven young people from Kenya flew in to Toronto last week. For most, if not all of them, it was not only their first trip to Canada, it was the first time they have left Kenya, and their first flight.

Organizers with Canada World Youth and their partners at KENVO, an environmental organization that works in the Kikuyu escarpment forests in Kenya, are used to dealing with the culture shock that the Kenyan youth are dealing with, and they have a perfect solution: bring them to Lancaster's resort on Mississagagon Lake in North Frontenac.

Ken and Linda Lancaster have hosted many orientation camps for Canada World Youth and their global partners over the past five years, and they are more than happy to show some northern hospitality to young people from across Canada and around the world.

It all started for them when their son Derek participated in a Canada World Youth exchange in 2003-2004.

“The program was perfect for him,” said Ken Lancaster, “and he brought his enthusiasm for it to us, so when he said that our resort would be a good place to hold orientation camps and retreats, we jumped at the chance.”

Over the past five years, Lancaster's has hosted groups from Honduras, Cuba, Peru, as well as Kenya.

For five days last week, 11 Kenyan and 11 Canadian youth between the ages of 19 and 24 were guests of the Lancasters as they became comfortable with the program and each other.

Canada World Youth exchanges are six-month programs. Three months are spent doing volunteer work in each country, and participants billet with families in the host communities. As they were leaving Lancaster's last Saturday, September 12, the group was headed to Ottawa, where they will remain until December.

The 22 participants were getting accustomed to their new partners. The evening before, they had learned whom they would be living and working with for the next six months. One Canadian and one Kenyan will share a room in the house of a host family for three months in Ottawa and three months in Kenya.

Scott, a Canadian and Solomon, a Kenyan will be living together. Scott is an Ottawa University student, who is a veteran of the Katimavik program, and Solomon has been working with KENVO for two years.

Because the exchange is with KENVO, it is part of the environmental stream of Canada World Youth, so the work and conversations that will be dominant for participants will have that focus.

“One goal of the program is to help us to become global citizens, which is something we can learn from the communities we visit and from each other,” said Scott.

Solomon said KENVO creates a lot of environmental awareness with its programs that the Canadians will be able to learn from. For himself, the first few days in Canada brought exposure to some realities that he had never considered. “It is still light at 7:30 in the evening; that I had never seen. I also had my first experience with swimming. We also don’t usually eat raw vegetables back home, but they serve them here,” he said.

Anne Wangari Kimende, who has also been working with KENVO, said she is very interested in this kind of cultural learning. “I really look forward to learning skills and knowledge,” she said.

Anne's counterpart, Maggy Gravelle Caron, is a recent graduate of the University of Montreal's Criminology department. She is planning to work in the rehabilitation-intervention child protection field after the program is over. “For me, the cultural exchange and exposure to different realities will help me in my job afterwards. It is also a chance to do something totally different after university.”

As the 22 participants prepared to leave Lancaster's to continue their adventure, Ken and Linda Lancaster were determined to provide something their new Kenyans friends are certain to need. “Before you leave, you better grab winter jackets from the table over there,” Ken said.

The Lancasters will be able to take it easy for a while now that the Canada World Youth group is gone and the summer traffic is dying down. “We are having 44 coming the day after Thanksgiving, 22 Canadians and 22 Cubans. But I'll say this, we really enjoy them - the youth, the coordinators, the facilitators, all of them.” Ken said.