by Helen Parfitt

Sydenham Lake Canoe Club will be offering an exciting variety of paddling programs this summer. SLCC, now in its 18th year at its Sydenham location, has its roots in the Cataraqui Canoe Club, a sprint racing canoe club established in 1886 in Kingston. The season will begin in mid-May with the After School Learn-to-Train Program. This program will allow youth who intend to register in the sprint paddling program to get a head start on the season. The Master’s program starts the same day. This program is for those 18 and over who want to paddle either recreationally or competitively. Paddling is a fun way to work out as it works the upper body, abdominal core, and back muscles. In July, the club will also be offering the Canoe Kids Day Camp and morning Kayaking Lessons.

The Canoe Kids Day Camp and kayaking lessons program are similar to the Red Cross swimming program in that there are attainable skill levels that paddlers can achieve. The week-long program involves paddling, and playing on-the-water games that indirectly lead to skill development. At the end of the week, paddlers will receive a bronze, silver or gold ribbon and certificate to recognize their level of achievement. “They can complete all three levels of the program in less than a month if they choose, or they can take one or two skill levels per summer,” says Parfitt.

The club will continue its tradition of offering its Competitive Sprint Paddling program, an intensive competitive paddling program for paddlers who enjoy the fun of serious competition. Sprint paddlers train daily to compete on weekends in divisional and provincial canoe and kayak CKC-sanctioned regatta events held throughout Ontario. These regattas are also open to any youth or adult paddler registered in our week long programs.

It will be a particularly exciting summer in Sydenham this year, as SLCC will be hosting the Eastern Ontario Divisional Regatta on August 8 and 9 at Sydenham Point. Sprint paddling athletes, age 15 and under, from all over Ontario will descend on Sydenham for two days of racing to determine who goes on to the Provincial Championships in Ottawa. “You never know where this sport will take you,” says Parfitt. “Genevieve L’Abbe, age 17, from SLCC, whose first competition took place right here at the Point at the age of 9, is now a member of the Ontario and National Junior Team in kayaking. She will be competing this June in Montreal in the hopes of going to the World Junior Cup in Portugal in July.” For more information on our programs go to www.sydenhamlakecanoeclub.com.

There was standing room only on April 26 at St. Paul's United Church in Harrowsmith for a special event that transformed the church’s main sanctuary into a runway for close to 40 models.

The event, which was organized by the Harrowsmith Women’s Institute (HWI), brought to light over 60 vintage outfits after members scoured their basements, attics and cupboards for vintage clothing, much of it treasured family heirlooms. The outfits were enthusiastically donned by models of all ages who sported clothing and accessories from the Roaring '20s, Depression era '30s, war time '40s, the bopping '50s, psychedelic '60s and the groovy '70s to a delighted crowd that numbered over 150. The models included members of the HWI, the local community as well as participants and staff from New Leaf Link (NeLL).

NeLL was founded by its executive director, Dr. Karen Steiner, and the organization’s aim is to provide education, life skills, arts and healthy living programming to adults with developmental disabilities living in rural South Frontenac and the surrounding area.

The fashion show was spearheaded by Karen Nickel, president of the HWI and came about when HWI member Joan Worsfold, who has been volunteering at NeLL for the last four years, suggested that the proceeds from the event go towards supporting NeLL.

Jo Lyon, who is a program director at New Leaf Link and teaches the healthy living program there (and who also modeled in the show) said that the event helped to bring community awareness to NeLL, which that has grown from four participants in its first year to 13 currently.

Lyon said that NeLL offers its participants opportunities that otherwise would not exist. “After these individuals leave the school system and after they reach 21 years of age there is no programming in this area available to them. They either have to travel to Kingston or Sharbot Lake and we feel it’s important for these individuals to be able to stay in their own community where they are able to be with their friends and families while participating in worthwhile programming opportunities.”

She said she was thrilled that participants from NeLL also modeled in the fashion show. “It's important for the community at large to see who we are at NeLL and to understand the important programming that we are offering through the organization.” For more information visit newleaflink.ca

One of the conditions that were set out three years ago by South Frontenac Council when they agreed to support turning the former Hartington Schoolhouse, which is township property, over to the Portland District and Area Historical Society for a museum, was that the museum would be called the Township of South Frontenac Museum and will serve the entire township.

The Society was happy to agree. One issue that they are facing as they prepare the museum for its grand opening in August, however, is that although it is a beautiful building that has been well maintained and upgraded, it is a one-room schoolhouse and is not large. The amount of material that has been gathered over the 14 years the society has been up and running, when added to items that are stored in garages and attics throughout the township, far outstrips the capacity of the new museum.

A lot of materials are stored in members’ homes, and it will likely stay that way for quite a while.

This embarrassment of riches means that the museum has the pick of the crop as far as what is on display, and will be able to change its display easily over time to feature different aspects of the past in the region.

Barb Stewart and Irene Bauder met with me at the museum last week, as it is about to undergo some minor renovations in May. These will include the building of a new stoop and a fully accessible entrance, as well as the installation of new windows.

The windows are being produced by heritage window expert David White, who happens to live in the township, and Barb Stewart said they “are perfect, exactly right”. The stoop, accessible ramp and door are being put in by township staff as part of the contribution the township is making to the project. The township also helped in securing a $50,000 grant for the project.

“We hope to be back in the building by the end of June,” said Stewart, “which will give us six weeks to set up for the grand opening on the 15th of August.”

By opening in mid-August, the museum will be up and running when the three-day Frontenac County 150th Anniversary celebration takes place August 28-30.

The Portland District Historical Society had its roots in a series of meetings that took place in 2001

“Its charter members were Bill Asselstine, Inie Platenius, Enid Bailey and Jim Reynolds. They would meet over at a cottage on Rock Lake once or twice a month, and they would yak and talk about developing a historical society, and eventually having a building,” said Barb Stewart.

In 2002 the Verona Heritage Society was founded, but soon afterwards, concerned that people were saying it was all about Verona, the name was changed to the Portland and District Heritage Society, and it has had that focus ever since.

The focus on Verona at the start is a recognition of the central role that Verona held as a commercial hub in the post-war period.

Photo left: Verona in the 1930's.

Barb Stewart moved to Verona from the farm that her family ran on Road 38 at Cole Lake in 1949. Irene Bauder did not arrive in Verona until 1960, but they both remember how many businesses thrived in the village in those days.

Barb Stewart's father built a cold storage plant in the location where Asselstine's Hardware store is now located. The storage plant included a butcher shop and lockers where clients could store their meat and other frozen food.

“In 1949, fridges had very small freezers in them, and even later when the freezers went across the whole top there wasn't much room. So we had quite an operation there. My mother did all the butchering, and she had all the saws and hamburger machine and everything. She charged 3 cents a pound for butchering and the lockers were between $10 and $12 a year, which people think is laughable now, but money wasn't as good then. I made 50 cents an hour working at Walker's store,” Stewart said.

“There were all kinds of businesses in Verona at one time,” said Irene Bauder.

Where Topper's Convenience Store and service station is located, there was a motel. Eventually they built another big building, which was partly an extension of the motel and was also a health food store. However before all that there was Snider's Service Centre and a restaurant.

The Heritage Society has compiled a list of businesses that were up and running in 1951. It includes two car dealerships: Revell Ford, which is still a thriving enterprise, and Verona Motors, which was a GM dealership owned by Jack Simonnett, who later moved it to Parham and then Sharbot Lake. There was a laundromat, E.L Amey's auction house and hall, Genge Insurance, a pool hall, a number of stores, the Bank of Montreal, which has been located in a number of locations and is still in Verona, and there were several restaurants, two barber shops, and more.

“When I moved here there was any kind of trade and service you could imagine,” said Irene Bauder.

Verona was the retail centre serving a swath of territory spread out in all directions, from Westport to the east, Harrowsmith to the south, Sharbot Lake to the north, and Tamworth to the west.

Although compared to many of its smaller neighbours Verona has remained as a retail destination, with hardware, grocery and gift stores, government services and banking as well as restaurants, a pharmacy and the ever-successful Revell Ford Motors, the retail sector is a shadow of what it was in the 1950s and early 1960s.

One of the reasons that has been pointed to in the past is the fact that Verona, and Portland, remained dry right up until amalgamation in 1998, with a liquor/beer store opening up only when the Foodland store moved to its new location a few years ago.

“People did start heading to Sydenham and Sharbot Lake and Westport for alcohol and that hurt,” said Barb Stewart.

Other factors included the closing of the K&P Railroad and the fact that people tend to travel more readily for shopping than they did 50 years ago.

“We are less than 20 minutes from Princess Street and Gardiners Road as we sit here,” said Irene Bauder, “and people work in Kingston and shop in Kingston.”

The former schoolhouse, which is in the final stages of conversion to a museum, started life in 1903. It did not have electricity installed until 1947, and it closed in 1954. It was used for meetings sporadically after it was closed as a school. In 1967 the Frontenac County Library opened a branch in the building. The branch moved to the new Princess Anne building just across the parking lot in 1982. Community Caring (now Community Caring South Frontenac) then opened up a thrift store in the schoolhouse. When Community Caring moved to the Princess Anne building as well in 2012, the township agreed to dedicate it for use as a museum.

As the opening date of the museum approaches, there are reams of documents and numerous artefacts to be organized. The plan is to have several small exhibit spaces in the museum, each devoted to different themes, from agriculture to military history, to education, and beyond.

Jim Reynolds, one of the original members of the group that met at the cottage on Rock Lake back in 2001, is one of two people who will be preparing a layout plan for the museum once the construction work is done.

In the interim, the Township of South Frontenac Museum will have a display at the township offices in Sydenham as part of the Open Doors Frontenac County event on June 13.

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.

Over 170 diners attended the most recent Saturday morning breakfast fundraiser on April 4 at the Snow Road Snowmobile Club (SRSC). Following the meal, the club’s president, Ruth Wark, presented two cheques of $433.50 each to representatives from the Lanark and the Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) Alzheimer societies.

The annual fundraiser was started years ago when a member of the community, the late Colonial St. Pierre, whose wife had passed away from the disease, asked if club members would be interested in raising money for the Alzheimer Society. The SRSC has been fundraising for the Society ever since.

Wark said that the fundraisers have become a focus for the club due to the fact that so many members of the club have had loved ones with Alzheimer’s. “All of us here have had people in our lives who have been diagnosed with the disease and this is our way of giving back to the community.”

Vicki Poffley, executive director of the Alzheimer Society of KFL&A, who was present at the club to receive one of the cheques, said that she and her staff very much appreciate the donation and that community fundraisers are a big part of how they are able to support those affected by the disease in the local community. “About 75% of our budget is raised through events such as this as well as from other fundraisers and donations by members of the community. These funds are used not only for the services and supports we provide but also to raise awareness that the society is here in the neighbourhood to help support individuals and their families.”

Following a diagnosis, the Alzheimer’s Society offers education and supports to individuals and their families to enhance their quality of life and to encourage their continued social interactions.

Poffley explained that the Alzheimer's Society's satellite office, which was up and running in Sharbot Lake from 2008 to 2011, was closed down due to cost concerns. However, the Kingston office continues to service the area. “We found that a lot of the support that we were providing in the community here was home-based so we are continuing with that support even though the office has been closed.” The Kingston office continues to offer a community Alzheimer support group at the United Church in Sharbot Lake, which takes place regularly on the first Tuesday of the month at 1PM. The support group was discontinued for a while but has now started up again. Those looking for more information about the supports that the Alzheimer’s Society provides can call 613-544-3078 or visit www.alzheimer.ca/kfl&a

Cheryl Bingley, a board member with the Alzheimer Society of Lanark County, also attended the fundraiser and received a cheque and was equally thankful for the donation. She stressed the importance of having funds available to spread awareness and support the existing services available at her office. “There is a significant aging population in this area and it is very important that people are made aware of the services that are available to them.” Lanark residents wanting more information about the supports offered at the Lanark office can contact Louise Noble at 613-264-5060.

The community hall in Harlowe has seen an upsurge in activity this past year thanks to the efforts of a few community-minded music enthusiasts. The regular Harlowe Open Mic/Music Jam/Community Potluck, which takes place on the last Saturday of each month, along with the Olde Tyme Fiddlers who play there every third Friday of the month, have been attracting close to 50 guests at each event.

These musical happenings came about thanks to the efforts of members of the Harlowe Rec Club, three of whom I had a chance to meet at the hall on March 28 while the Saturday Open Mic/Music Jam was in full swing.

Marie White said that the new regular events came about after the Saturday evening dances, which had been taking place there for 13 years, since 1997, started to wane. “The dances started to sour”, Marie said, “and because we had to pay the band and pay for the advertising for the dances, well... it just wasn't worth it anymore.”

In an effort to keep some kind of regular musical events happening at the hall, Marie who loves music and just so happens to be the president of the Olde Tyme Fiddlers' Association in Harlowe, with the help of other members of the Rec committee, who include Marie's husband George White, Terry Good, Pat and David Cuddy and Jannette, initiated the Open Mic/Music Jam and Olde Tyme Fiddlers events. These now keep locals and other music lovers from further afield coming back to Harlowe regularly every month. Admission is free and guests are invited to make a donation to the hall to help pay for its upkeep.

Marie pointed out one couple from Enterprise, Al and Louise Taylor who were up dancing. “They come every month all the way from Enterprise and never miss a week”. Music lovers from Harlowe, Hendersen, Enterprise, Northbrook and other hamlets in the area as well as one couple from Ottawa also regularly attend. On the day of my visit the musical entertainers included Jimmy Dix, Mary O'Donnell, Arnold Miller, Kevin O'Donnell, Ray Whitelock, Dave Johnston, Mary Johnston and Doreen Black.

Like most former two room schoolhouses that have been converted into local community centers, the Harlowe hall has become a hub for the local community. Its hard wood floors and ample hall space plus its updated kitchen and washroom facilities make it the perfect place for entertaining large groups.

While I was there, committee members along with volunteers Fay and Ray White were busy setting up the potluck buffet table in an adjacent room with loads of home made desserts and savory dishes. Committee member Terry Good spoke of the history of the hall, which opened in 1948/49 and was run as a school until 1971/72. At that time it was taken over by the Rec hall committee and in 1986 a $60,000 Wintario grant that was matched (and then some) by funds raised by the hall committee group, allowed for some significant renovations These included moving and updating the kitchen and washroom facilities and the addition of a new roof.

While Harlowe over the years has lost its post office and general store (it used to boast three stores), Good said that he is thankful to still have the hall in the community. The Rec hall club members welcome new visitors to come out to Harlowe, where they stress, “All are welcome”. I would bet that the friendly atmosphere, great music and wonderful food will ensure that one visit to Harlowe is not enough.

Serving breakfasts to over 100 Saturday morning diners has been a regular happening for the Sharbot Lake and District Lions over the last few months. Lions member, Linda Zwier, who has been heading up the monthly event said, “This is one of our best fundraisers and it makes us feel good because people are really getting something for their money.”

This year was the first that the Saturday morning $7 all-you-can-eat breakfasts have taken place regularly at the Oso hall and they have attracted on average over 100 diners each time. For members of the community, the breakfasts became not only a great way to start their weekend but also a chance to enjoy a meal and socialize with friends and relatives. ”People have started to attend regularly on the last Saturday of the month and I think that that is because we started advertising for them.”

Now that the breakfasts have come to an end for the year, the Lions are focusing on a number of other upcoming fundraisers. On Sunday, April 26 the Lions will be holding their annual Spring Jamboree Country Music and Dance event at the Land O' Lakes Public school in Mountain Grove. The event, which will be hosted by Fred Brown and his band, will feature many notable musicians including local young fiddler Jessica Wedden, Debbie McLean, Charlie Lemmon, Lyle Van de Bogart, Paige Rombough and the beloved Old Habits. The $10 ticket will include light refreshments, and numerous door prizes. The fun begins at 1PM and tickets can be purchased by contacting Dawn Hansen at 613-375-6318 or Linda Zwier at 613-335-2053. Something new this year for the Lions is a huge community yard sale that will take place at the Oso hall on Saturday May 16, coinciding with the first Saturday of the Sharbot Lake Farmers Market. There will be 25 tables for rent at a cost of $15 per table. The yard sale is a great opportunity to get rid of unused and unwanted items that have been gathering in basements, cupboards and sheds over the years. The Lions will be serving a light lunch at the yard sale for a reasonable cost and will hold their usual 50/50 draw. Because it is happening indoors, the sale will go on rain or shine. Interested vendors can contact Linda Zwier at 613-335-2053.

Zwier also would like to remind the public about the Lions bottle shed that is located at the Crow Lake waste site on Wemp Road, where members are collecting empty beer and liquor bottles. Visitors to the site can drop off their empties at any time during regular hours. To date the Lions have collected over 20,000 empty cans/bottles at a value of over $2500.

Proceeds from the Saturday breakfasts 50/50 draw were donated to the Crow Lake Community Association and while their regular breakfasts have now come to an end, the Sharbot Lake and District Lions are working hard to find new ways to raise funds for the many services and programs that they support, and which benefit the local community.

By Madeliene Tarasick

Canadians for Women in Afghanistan is pleased to announce its Annual Fundraising Gala to be held on Friday, May 1 at the Vimy Officers Mess at Canadian Forces Base Kingston. Guest speaker will be General (Ret.) Walter Natynczyk, currently the Deputy Minister of Veteran Affairs. General Natynczyk, who was the chief commanding officer of Canadian Forces for a number of years while Canada was deployed in Afghanistan, will share his “Reflections on the Afghan Mission”.

The event, with doors opening at 5:30 pm, will also feature an Afghan dinner, an Afghan marketplace and the all-popular live and silent auctions.

Canadians for Women in Afghanistan is a volunteer-based, non-religious organization and registered charity whose mission is to support women, girls and families in Afghanistan. The Kingston and area chapter is one of 13 across the country. Together the organization has raised over 7 million dollars and educated more than 50,000 girls in Afghanistan by hiring teachers and supporting other programs. Currently, the organization is training teachers at a rate of 1,000 per year, which provides enormous benefit for thousands of children. This work aligns with Canada’s support of Afghanistan and offers a tangible way for ordinary Canadians to make contributions to Afghanistan, building on the traction so hard won over the past 14 years. National and Local President and Parham resident, Madeliene Tarasick, also emphasizes the urgency of public education: “Public education for the masses in any nation reduces poverty as well as the vulnerability to religious extremism, critical now more than ever”.

The Kingston and Area Chapter has raised more than $173,000 to date plus approximately $20,000 in direct donations. For an in depth understanding of the organization, see the national website: www.cw4wafghan.ca.

Canadians for Women in Afghanistan is still seeking sponsors for the event or donations to the auctions.

Tickets are $100, with a $45 income tax receipt, and are available at the Limestone District Education Centre, 220 Portsmouth Avenue, Kingston, during daily working hours or from Madeliene Tarasick at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 613 375-8290. Ticket sales will close on Apr

At a meeting of the Frontenac-Addington Trappers Council (FATC) on February 26th at the hall in Henderson, a young man in camo is handing out raffle tickets at the door for prizes to be drawn at the end of the night.

A group, mostly men, stand around chatting about the weather and their jobs with styrofoam cups of hot coffee in their hands.

These relaxed meetings of the FATC take place almost monthly and are a chance for local trappers to connect and converse and it gives Wilf Deline, the president of the FATC, an opportunity to update its members on any news in the trapping industry. The meeting is mixed discussion about their Big Gull Lake ice fishing tournament, deer ticks and Lyme disease, GPS training, local bald eagle populations, accidental trappings and more.

The Frontenac-Addington Trappers Council is a non-profit organization that was formed in 1981. Their focus isn't just on trapping wildlife but also on fostering conservation and stewardship throughout the area. These conservation efforts have led to the establishment of winter deer feeders, pickerel spawning beds, a bursary program for local schools, and many other community initiatives. Each year they host an ice fishing tournament on Big Gull Lake, which helps fund their projects throughout the year. This year's tournament, in February, sold over 400 tickets, and brought out adults and kids for a day of fishing and events on the ice.

The FATC works closely with the Ontario Fur Managers Federation (OFMF) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) to help shape regulations around trapping in Ontario. These local trappers are often called on to help deal with nuisance beavers and problematic animals that can cause road flooding and habitat destruction. The MNRF uses data collected by trappers, in the field, to govern catch limits, monitor species population, and keep a finger on the pulse of what's happening out in the woods. This information, provided by the trappers, helps supplement the heavy workload the ministry faces in Eastern Ontario, as they monitor this massive, constantly-evolving tract of forest and lakes.

Trapping in Frontenac County and the surrounding areas has a rich history.

At the Frontenac Heritage Festival in February, the FATC set up a booth at the Arden Community Centre displaying pelts, traps and photos of some of the conservation work they are doing in the area. I was able to chat with Isaac Hale, an Arden resident and active member of the FATC. Hale is a young, friendly guy, well-versed on the rules and regulations of trapping in Ontario, and was keen to answer my questions. He explained that in order to become a trapper in Ontario you must complete the Fur Harvest, Fur Management and Conservation Course. The ministry website explains that the training course, taught by MNR-licensed instructors, is a 40-hour program “emphasizing safety and humane trapping, survival skills, good pelt preparation and sustainable management.” Hale, who has been trapping for less than a year and has a trapline set up just south of Arden, is passionate about stewardship and explained to me how trapping has deepened his emotional connection with his surroundings and magnified his feelings of responsibility for the well-being of the land he traps on. He was able to show me some of the legal traps that are currently being used to trap animals in the area, from killing traps like Conibear traps and snares to restraining traps such as leg-holds. He explained that restraining traps must be inspected daily and for Hale this means going out on his snowshoes into the woods to inspect his line and see if anything has been caught.

For the most part, fur trapping starts in the fall, with seasons for most species opening in October and going until late-winter or spring. The season can be hard to define because, although trapping for certain species have strict time periods, some trappers work throughout the year trapping nuisance animals.

Fishers and muskrat are popular with local trappers, followed by beaver and coyote.

Wilf Deline, the head of the FATC and a fourth generation trapper, asked me to introduce myself, saying “[we] need to know your name to put it on your tombstone.”

His comments, although made in humour, point to the difficult relationship an organization like this can have with the press, and the publicity around a recent incident in Peterborough has made that relationship more thorny than ever.

A dog was accidentally caught, and later died in a Conibear trap near Peterborough in December of 2014.

The dog owner, Valerie Strain, has since started an online petition, which has garnered over 45,000 signatures, asking the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to start a public awareness campaign about the dangers posed to pets by these traps and also requesting that they publish maps online showing registered trap line areas.

She is also asking the MNR to set a minimum distance that traps can be set from public trails as well as to introduce new regulations for signage of trap lines.

A similarly tragic incident occurred recently much closer to home, when a local couple from McDonalds Corners, who wished to remain anonymous, had their dog killed in a Conibear trap a couple hundred metres from their house in January of this year. Their dog, Toby, a Border Collie/Australian Shepherd cross, was active and playful, and their only pet.

The legally-set trap that killed him was baited with a squirrel and placed on private property, several feet off a rural side road that doubles as a snowmobile trail in the winter. Toby wandered off the trail, while off-leash, presumably attracted to the meat on the trap, and was caught in it at the neck.

(Photo of site where Toby was killed)

The body-gripping traps that were involved in both of these cases, better known as Conibear traps, are named after Canadian inventor Frank Conibear, who invented the trap in the late 1950s. Considered by trappers to be a great innovation in their industry, the Conibear trap is designed to lure an animal with bait and then clamp shut upon on the animal's neck, closing the trachea, restricting blood flow to the brain, and sometimes even snapping the animal's spinal cord. The animal loses consciousness after a few minutes and then, ideally, dies quickly afterwards. Unfortunately, in the case of Toby, the owners had to witness the slow death of their dog as the trap wasn't strong enough to kill him instantly.

When I spoke with the couple in McDonalds Corners several weeks later they were still visibly shaken by the event. They both struggled emotionally when explaining how things happened, but they were also hopeful that raising awareness of trapping practices in the community could make a positive difference moving forward.

“...at least some awareness would be good so we know where not to go,” one of them said.

The fate of the dog from McDonalds Corners was discussed at a meeting of the Frontenac Addington Trapper's Council (FATC) meeting in Henderson on February 26.

“No trapper ever wants to catch anyone's pet. We all have pets and we love them and don't want to see them dead. The pet owners have to take responsibility for their pet like I have to take responsibility for mine, and my children,” said Willis Deline, a FATC member.

Jolanta Kowalski, the Senior Media Relations Officer from the MNR, said that the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, Bill Mauro, had requested that MNRF staff “look into options that might ultimately reduce the chance of a pet being caught in a trap.” She did not know how often these incidents happen, saying that the MNR only becomes aware of them through public complaints and doesn't keep a record of them.

Kowalski said, “If people are walking their dogs on private property we [MNRF] suggest they get permission from the landowner and ask if trapping is occurring on the property and find out from the landowner where traps are set.” She also said, “Always keep your dogs on a leash.”

In the case of the incident in McDonalds Corners, the trapper was “properly licensed and had permission to be on the property. The trap was legally set and in season.” Kowalski explained. “No charges will be laid.”

The fatal trap in this incident was set by Lanark trapper Terry Bingley, who also happens to be a director for the Fur Manager Federation, and has been trapping since 1970.

When I spoke to Bingley in early March he was still noticeably upset about the incident. In the 40 plus years he has been trapping he told me “that's the first dog I've caught...I put 80 traps out a night from the 1st of December to the 15th of January...that's a lot of traps...”

(photo of conibear trap)

Most of the trappers in attendance at the meeting in Henderson seemed to agree that they needed to stay pro-active, post signs where the public can best see them, and to let people in their community know where they're trapping. The group is concerned that going as far as revealing exactly where their trap lines are placed would encourage tampering by activists, animal rights organizations, or thieves.

“There is a slight danger in that if you get some of these airheads... who have nothing better to do...you've told them you've got traps somewhere there so they're going to go mess with them,” said Wilf Deline.

Terry Bingley had 12 traps stolen last year and has had a few go missing this year as well. Bingley said he makes around $10,000 a year trapping and about half of that goes back into the economy in gas, clothing, ammunition, guns, etc. When asked why he continues to do it if the financial return is so small, he said “I enjoy it. It's like playing. You do it because you enjoy it,”

(photo of OFMF sign)

The OFMF printed a brochure to educate the public on trapping and how to prevent incidents with pets, as well as providing signs for trappers to purchase and post near their trap lines. The signs warn people that traps have been set in the area and these can work as a preventative measure to hopefully reduce accidental trappings.

Willis Deline said, “We're fighting hard...for us to not lose our rights to trap on these trails that we trapped long before there was a trail there. The dog was running large. He broke the law. But she [the pet-owner] never gets charged. It's always the trapper that looks bad...but we gotta keep educating ... try to dog-proof.”

I asked Ministry rep. Kowalski if it's possible to dog-proof a trap and she said, “Yes, traps can be set off the ground out of reach of dogs.” The OFMF code of conduct, as published on their website, states that, “Traps should never be set where cats and dogs or other unwanted animals may get caught.”

Terry Bingley explained how trappers can dog proof their traps by setting them up off the ground on logs and setting the traps in boxes where a dog has a harder time getting at it.

“You're never going to be able to completely stop it but we can certainly avert a lot of it...we do have to convince more trappers to do better sets.”

But calls for legislated minimum distances from trails are not reasonable, according to Willis Deline.

“How are they going to identify a public trail? Is it going to be the snowmobile trail you've been using on Crown land?” he said, pointing out that the distance from the trail rule would mean more work for the trappers, having to trudge through knee-deep snow to check their traps as well as limiting them from certain areas where target species are known to travel.

Then there is the matter of enforcement if new restrictions come in.

“The MNR does not have the field staff to deal with all the issues they've already got. Increasing the legislation and creating more rules and regulations would do nothing without more manpower. Why create laws you can't enforce?” said Isaac Hale.

The FATC composed a letter to Minister Mauro expressing their concerns about the current petition that asks for more restrictions to the trapping industry and suggests that “more unnecessary regulations are not the answer. Better communications between the trapper and the general public...would be more productive.”

One of the trappers' concerns is that it's easy to buy a trap online and use it without any prior education on how to trap safely and ethically.

The group felt that governing the purchase of these traps should be similar to the way guns and ammunition are purchased. They suggested that a buyer should have to show a trapper's license, or something similar, before being allowed to purchase a trap.

Wilf Deline summed up the way trappers feel.

“We get a little frustrated...because we're the guys that work on the pickerel spawning beds, we're the guys that feed the deer, we're the guys that blow the whistle when there's a problem in the bush with disease or anything else and we just wanna keep on doing that and we don't wanna get into this media circus.” He asked, “who else is out there doing what we do?” and a local trapper added, “for free!”

For more information on the Frontenac-Addington Trappers Council and trapping in the area you can go to www.trapon.org.

by Barb Rodgers

This year the Frontenac Women's Chorus is celebrating its 20th year. The chorus began in 1995 under the direction of Jennifer Bennett. She directed the chorus until 2001, at which time Betty Wagner assumed the role of director. The chorus is made up of about 25 women who rehearse on Monday evenings at Trinity United Church in Verona and new and former members are always invited to join in the fun. The chorus has performed many concerts featuring a varied repertoire in local communities as well as participated in Kiwanis Music Festivals in Kingston.

Former members are invited to celebrate this special occasion with an afternoon get-together and the rehearsing of a familiar piece of music to be sung during the concert performed by the current chorus on May 31 at the Grace Centre in Sydenham, beginning at 3:30. We are requesting that all former members who wish to be a part of this exciting celebration contact either Kathie Nichols at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Barb Rodgers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as soon as possible.

Our celebration will also include a farewell to Betty Wagner, who is retiring as director. This concert will be Betty's last time directing this dedicated and friendly group of women. The chorus will be welcoming Patty Smith as its new director in the fall.

You will be contacted with further details about the day of the reunion after sending us your contact information. The chorus warmly welcomes former members to come and help us celebrate!