Jim and Sue Waddington pose where A..J. Casson painted one of the many works he made of Bon Echo Park

Art enthusiasts John and Sue Waddington have been following in the footsteps of Canada's most renowned landscape painters, The Group of Seven, for 30 years and on August 16 their travels landed them in Bon Echo Provincial Park. This was the couple's first ever visit to the park and its purpose was two-fold - firstly, to accept an invitation by Derek Maggs, Chair of the Friends of Bon Echo, who had invited the couple to present their power point presentation of “Following in the Footsteps of the Group of Seven”. The show is currently on display at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, ON until September 6, 2010 and it follows the couple as they have hiked, paddled and portaged their way through the Canadian wilderness, tracking down and photographing the actual views from which various well-known works by members of the Group of Seven were painted.

The presentation at Bon Echo included an overview of the various methods the couple uses to locate the views which often begins in the winter months with a search through the National Archives for paintings and sketches, the scouring of various land and contour maps, and the reading of countless books and letters written by and about the group, which often contain hints as to where the particular views are located. The hunt then begins in the summer where, armed with their findings, the couple pack up their supplies and head out into the wilderness.

Monday's presentation included the couple's first discovery in 1972 of the exact location from which A.Y. Jackson's Hills, Killarney, Ontario (Nellie Lake), was painted in 1933, over 75 years ago. The discovery came about when Sue, a long time rug hooker wanted to create a rug based on that particular painting. She and Jim, accompanied by their two young children, set out on a week-long excursion to the Killarney Park Lake, which Jim recalled “was a very hard lake to get to”, in the hopes of finding that one particular view. Funnily enough it was somewhat by chance on a family blueberry picking expedition that took them higher into the Killarney hills than they had intended, that Sue came upon the exact location. Finding the view was the couple’s first “eureka moment”, and since then they have located 200 more.

The presentation included many of their finds since then including Tom Thomson's, St Thomas Church, c. 1905, A.J. Casson's A Little Bay in La Cloche Channel, c.1958, A.Y. Jackson's Grace Lake, Algoma, c.1939 as well as works by Arthur Lismer like Bright Land, c.1938 and Little Lake, Bay Finn. c. 1932 and Twisted Pine, c.1935 and Mirror Lake, c.1929 by Franklin Carmichael.

The part of the presentation that solicited the loudest “ooh” and “aah” responses from viewers came repeatedly whenever the slide of a particular painting was juxtaposed beside one of the Waddingtons' stunning photographs, which in many cases, was an almost perfect match.

The second part of the Waddingtons’ visit to Bon Echo began the following day when they set out first by canoe and later on foot armed with 20 photos of 12 works painted by Group members at Bon Echo. When I met them the following day their expressions were triumphant and they informed me that Monday's findings represented “the most successful day we have ever had in our history of searching”. Of the 12 photographed works they brought, they had successfully located six. They shared one of the locations with me, and I followed them to the tip of a spit that juts out into Mazinaw Lake from where A.J Casson painted Bon Echo. They also found Arthur Lismer's, The Sheep's Nose, which depicts a part of the rock face now commonly known in the park as Turtle Rock.

They also located a second Lismer work depicting an old dock and canoers by discovering the remnants of the dock, from which they were able to locate the scenery behind. Most of the works they found were by A.J. Casson, which were painted further down the bay and which they located by canoe.

Jim said the work they do is like solving a puzzle. “Each one is different kind of puzzle and when the place is not mentioned in the title of the work as was the case with Bent Pine by A. Y. Jackson, we are then forced to find clues in other ways and it can be very exciting.” Sue added, 'When we find one of the views we have no trouble understanding why the painters painted them. And you have to keep in mind that the ones we tend to find are the magnificent and more obvious ones.”

The Waddingtons were greatly impressed with the beauty of Bon Echo and were thrilled to come across an artist painting the famed rock face, proving that the Bon Echo landscape still continues to inspire artists today with its magnificence and awe-inspiring views.

The Waddingtons will be presenting their latest finds at Bon Echo to the pubic at the Friends of Bon Echo annual AGM that will take place in the fall of 2011.

Next, they will be heading back to Killarney Park in October to locate a painting by A. J. Casson called Trout Lake.

To view their presentation online please visit www.groupofseven.ca

In their submission to the Ministry of Natural Resources concerning the proposed five-year forest management plan for the Mazinaw-Lanark Forest, the Skootamatta District Ratepayers Association pointed to eight concerns they have about some proposed logging in the vicinity of Skootamatta, Sheldrake and Pringle lakes in Addington Highlands/North Frontenac.

Then they asked for a one-year moratorium on logging near the three lakes.

The first point made in the submission, which was written by association member Gordon Birnie, concerned the “viewscape” from the shoreline on the lakes. Birine said that in order for the viewscape on the lakes to remain that of pristine wilderness, a minimum of 350 – 500 metre buffer on all crown land is necessary.

Water quality – In some locations, such as Jacques Bay and the Narrows on Skootamatta Lake, the water depth is as low as 12-15 feet, and any potential run-off from logging could exacerbate the already elevated phosphorous levels in those locations.

High Density areas – where there is a high number of lakeside residents, the association would like to see the crown land set aside from cutting to maintain the wilderness experience and property values that residents have enjoyed over the years.

Logging roads – The concern was expressed that new logging roads, particularly in some areas adjacent to Skootamatta Lake, would attract more ATV traffic and “accelerate and already higher incidents of break-ins in this area.

Municipal Roads – The association is concerned about impacts on municipal roads from logging trucks, given that the roads are funded by ratepayers, and logging on crown land does not yield any revenue for the municipalities.

Biodiversity – The association is concerned that no studies on the impact of logging in the vicinity of lakes on biodiversity have been done, and they have commissioned a study, for which they will be seeking financial support from the MNR and the Lanark Mazinaw Forest Inc.

“Old Growth Forest” – There are mature stands of pine at certain locations, which the association would like to see protected.

Beaches and Public Campsites – the association would like to see a logging buffer around all crown land beaches and campsites in the territory.

In the concluding section of his submission on behalf of the ratepayers’ association, Gordon Birnie wrote: “The SDRA requests a 12 month moratorium (or until we reach a firm agreement) on any crown land logging within one kilometre of the shoreline of Lakes Skootamata, Sheldrake and Pringle.

“This moratorium provides Lanark Mazinaw Forest (LMF) with timely input that allows them to proceed with their near term crown land cutting plan in an orderly manner. We understand that LMF Inc. and their shareholders have a business to operate and we wish to continue to co-operate with LMF Inc. in a responsible manner.”

The final version of the Forest Management Plan for Crown Land in Mazinaw/Lanark forest will be brought to a public meeting this coming fall.

Photo: courtesy of Dave Deacon

For most of us the rocks of Bon Echo Park represent an exotic and awe inspiring landscape but for multi-award winning geologist Dr. David Pearson, founder of Science North and Professor of Earth Sciences at Laurentian University in Sudbury, they tell a story of the formation of the earth that goes back billions of years.

Close to 50 guests gathered at the Barrie Hall in Cloyne on September 11 to hear that story explained by Pearson, who traveled five hours from his home in Sudbury specifically to give the talk and to visit Bon Echo park courtesy of the Friends of Bon Echo.

To the professional geologist, the sinuous patterns and layers apparent in the Bon Echo rock faces demonstrate the fact that the rocks are roughly one billion years old and, in fact, are what remain of the Grenville Mountains, a mountain range that once stood as tall if not taller than the Himalayas and which formed when the super continent Laurentia was slammed into by South America. These continental collisions took place as the result of the ocean floors sliding underneath the edges of certain continents. Pearson stressed the fact that the Grenvilles were the “longest mountain bolt that the planet has ever seen”. Their roots are the rocks that we now know and call the Canadian Shield.

Over time the tall peaks of the Grenvilles eroded away and the hot slushy material found 100km below the earth’s surface also pushed up the roots of the Grenville mountains exposing the rock that now surrounds us today. “We are looking at rocks that were subjected to temperatures of 1200 degrees centigrade and to pressures that you would experience at 20km beneath the surface. We have to realize that these rocks were at one time plastic and were pressure cooked.”

Another part of the story, which accounts for the formation of the east/west bays found in Mazinaw Lake as well as myriad other lakes on the shield, concerns the breaking up of the super continent Rodinia that existed one billion to 800 million years ago.

At that time convection currents moving underneath the continent caused its break up and the east/west fractures and faults which resulted account for so many of the east/west bays that we know today.

The third part of the story, which accounts for the length of Mazinaw Lake, resulted from the break up of the last super continent Pangaea, which split apart 180 million years ago into the continents we now know as North America and Africa. The pulling apart of Pangaea caused north/south stress patterns resulting in the length of Mazinaw Lake following a north/south orientation.

The final part of the story is the part that caused the extreme depth of Mazinaw Lake, 475 feet in some spots. This event occurred 25,000-125,000 years ago when most of North America was covered by a sheet of ice two kilometres thick. As the ice sheet melted and retreated from the cliffs of Bon Echo rock, huge icebergs the size of city blocks fell off the cliff, were embedded in the sediment below and created incredibly deep pot holes, which account for the lake’s extreme depth.

Pearson included in his talk various maps, diagrams and photos which helped listeners visualize these incredible stories.

What is important is that after hearing his explanation, one can experience Bon Echo Park in a different way and with new understanding.

In Dr. Pearson's words “What people see in a landscape depends on their personal area of expertise.” By generously sharing his expertise, he has no doubt enriched how many of us will now view the magical landscape that is Bon Echo.

Photo: Viking Spirit!  Photo by Shenice Farmer

N.A.E.C. held their elementary soccer tournament on October 18. North Addington, Land O' Lakes, Hinchinbrooke and Sharbot Lake Public Schools all had two teams in attendance for a terrific day of play. The tournament is for fun only - no prizes are awarded, but valuable practice and a good deal of fun is had by all!! The following students represented N.A.E.C. at the tournament: Josh Blackwell, Austin Fuller, Jordan Brough, Jordon Freeburn, Wyatt Keller, Will Cruickshank, Deven Lessard, Kayden Smith, Johny Badour, Kody Kuruc, Andre Tryon, Brodie Munro, Robert Anderson, Nick Keller, Brandon Lloyd, Darian Flieler, Izaak McFadden, Andrew Freeburn, Randy Shire, Shane Arney, Hannah Cote, Allya Garey, Deanna Allen, Noah Thibodeau, Darian Asselstine, Haily Whitelock, Cayley Wilson, SarahOliver, Nick Flood, Carter Van Riel, Kassandra James, Brittany Wood, Bre Tryon, Cassidy Turk, Cassidy Wood, Megan Brzoska, Taylor Salmond, Brandon Lloyd, and Dwayne Rosien. Thanks to everyone for a short but great soccer season!

Photo:  Heidi, Kayla, Rebecca and Dallas sell stickers designed by the NAEC Graphic Art class at the Northern Highlights Show.

The Northern Highlights Arts, Crafts and Community Fair held at North Addington Education Centre on Nov. 17 was a huge success this year. We received a lot of student, parent and community support throughout the entire event. A significant amount of money was raised for the school and for the various school groups present at the event. A big thank you to anyone who donated items for the silent auction and to anyone who came out and supported our local artisans, community groups and school groups. This event would not be successful without the support of everyone involved. Please check the school website next September for the date of the 2011 show. Anyone wishing to be involved with next year’s show please contact Melissa Randle at NAEC.

Photo: L-R: Gary McLeod (East Central Ontario Training Board); Chris and Melissa Evans, owners of Addison's Restaurant; Helen Yanch of Addington Highlands Council

The north did pretty well at the annual Lennox and Addington Awards ceremony last week in Napanee.

Addison's Restaurant on Northbrook, which opened its doors 18 months ago in a location that had seen several restaurants come and go, has been a success from the get go thanks to the hard work and experience of owners Chris and Melissa Evans.

And now they have received a prestigious award to underscore that success. “We were very surprised to be nominated and even more surprised, even overwhelmed, to win the award,” said Melissa Evans.

Addison's Restaurant is open 6 days a week in the summer and 5 days a week in the winter months, and they have established a catering business for local functions as well. While the summer is the most profitable season for any tourism-related business, Chris and Melissa knew from the start that they had to attract the local trade all year round if they were hoping to make their business profitable.

“We hold our own in the winter, she said, “and the summer time is where you make up ground. Our formula is simple: good food at reasonable prices, professional service, and hard work is what it’s all about. Everything that has happened since we opened has been better than we could have imagined, and this award is an added bonus.”

Addison’s recently added a vestibule in the front of the restaurant. In the future they might expand the restaurant to the upstairs where they could put in some private dining rooms. But for now, Chris, Melissa and their son Addison have an apartment upstairs, so expansion plans are contingent on them moving somewhere nearby.

Andy Anderson wins lifetime achievement award

Ken Hook of the Land O’ Lakes Tourist Association, Andy Anderson, Dennis Larocque (TD Bank Financial Group)

Andy Anderson won the Community Builder Award in Addington Highlands three years ago, and he had no expectation that he would win any more awards.

Because of his involvement in a vast number of township and county-wide committees over many years, he received the lifetime achievement award last week. “I guess whenever they needed someone from the north to sit on a committee, I was the one who went,” said Andy.

Andy was involved in the bicycle path project for the county as well as an economic development coalition several years ago. His involvement goes back to the time the Lennox and Addington Hospital was facing closure and a local committee was formed to lobby for it to stay open. ”You get involved in these efforts because you are interested, not for any other reason. But I was amazed at the awards dinner when they ran through the list of things I was mixed up in.”

One other business that won an award is well known to people in L & A and Frontenac County.

The Wilton Cheese Factory, which is located just down the road from Harrowsmith and delivers cheese to schools and grocery stores throughout the region, was named Manufacturer of the Year.

Photo: NAEC N house cheer [N House Spirit booster on Frisky Friday.

Last week, students from grades 9 to 12 and staff of North Addington Education Centre participated in Spirit Week, organized by Mrs Sarah Sproule's Grade 12 Leadership class.

Each day had a costume theme and a lunch time event (duct tape a teacher to a wall, dodge ball and fear factor eating) that could earn House teams points towards the culmination of Frisky Friday; a day of team building games and challenges. Teams started Friday with a very competitive cheer off between Houses, followed by a day of tug-o-war, capture the flag, backboard ball, dizzy bat, three-legged race, an obstacle course and a scavenger hunt. 

OSAID hosted a free BBQ and hot chocolate lunch to keep everyone’s strength up. At the end of a very fun and spirit charged week, N House came out with top points to win Frisky Friday. Students then enjoyed their winter formal hosted by the Students’ Council in Flinton.

Starting in January 2011, both Addington Highlands and North Frontenac townships will be paying $15,000 a year for the next five years to Ann Wilson, a third-year medical student at the University of Toronto. Wilson will begin practicing at the Lakelands Family Health Team in Northbrook on July 1st 2012, and will be committed to remaining at the Family Health Team at least until July 1, 2017.

North Frontenac Council found the money for their share of the $150,000 commitment from their 2010 budget. They had put $88,100 aside to use for a medical clinic in Plevna as part of their commitment to the Family Health Team, but later in the year they decided not to pursue the clinic.

However, the money had already been placed in a reserve fund, and at their meeting last week, North Frontenac Council decided to divert those funds to a medical student recruitment fund, from which $15,000 will be paid annually for five years, starting on January 15, 2011.

A formal announcement of the arrangement will be made at the Lakelands Family Health Team on Friday, when Anne Wilson will be present.

(Note: the Denbigh clinic of the Family Health Team has moved its location to the Denbigh School as of next Tuesday)

On Halloween night, October 31, students from North Addington Education Centre canvassed the community in their costumes; not for candy or treats, but for non-perishable food items. Students and adults were stationed in Flinton, Northbrook, and Cloyne. The response was overwhelming. Most homes had a bag or box of food ready, and were not reluctant to contribute to the community. The event and pick up were supervised by a staff member.

In total, students collected approximately 700 items, which will help the food bank through the winter season. Darian Asselstine, an NAEC student, said, “I couldn’t believe how much fun I had! A lot of people recognized the Campbell’s soup can costumes right away”. School Council chair Sarah Collins said, “I want to do it again next year- I think the supervising adults had just as much fun as the kids.” The items were then taken over to the food bank and unloaded by some of the grade 10 Careers and Civics students.

While this event helped stock the shelves, the winter and holiday seasons are a busy time for the food bank. An attempt was made to go to as many houses as possible, but if your donation was missed, please call North Addington at 613-336-8991 and ask for Candice Bovard; we will pick up your item(s). For those requiring assistance, please contact Land O’ Lakes Community Services at 613-336-8934. Those wishing to donate food, please call Karen Anderson at 613-391-1408 (leave a message if there is no answer).

Angela Salmond, the principal of NAEC, was excited to show her support for the event: “I am so proud of our students and would like to extend my thanks to their families and the community. Our students are able to contribute because of the support we receive from the community. The kids are happy and the shelves are full; that is success. Thank you for investing in our students - I am very grateful.”

Photo: Wilf Heggart shows off his completed snowflake.

On November 28, students from the Grade 11/12 Art class traveled to The Glass House in Kingston to learn how to make stained glass sun-catchers.  Profits from the November 16 “Northern Highlights” Art class booth subsidized the trip. Students had made glass jewellery, candle holders and coaster to sell at the art show.  

At The Glass House, students learned about the origins of stained glass, and were then guided through the process of making their sun-catcher.  Usually, a beginner’s class lasts 6 hours, but due to time constraints, the time was cut in half because the staff of the Glass House had pre-cut the glass. The sun-catcher was in the shape of a snowflake, with different colours of blue glass, iridescent glass and glass beads.  

Students were still required to grind the glass pieces, and then foil them with copper foil.  After this, they painted flux on the copper foil and soldered their pieces together. It was a very labour-intensive process, and students only stopped for about 20 minutes to eat lunch before continuing their creative process. All the students had completed their project by the time the bus arrived to take them home.  

Students really enjoyed this trip, and it seems likely that this will be an annual occurrence for Grade 11/12 students.

Empty Bowls Project a Big Success Submitted by NAEC

NAEC will delivering a cheque to the food bank this week.  The Empty Bowls Project at “Northern Highlights” netted a total of over $250 for the local food bank, along with two bags of non-perishable food items.  NAEC’s Grade 11/12 Art class produced bowls, which were sold for a minimum donation of $5 and filled with chili made by the Grade 9 girls Physical Education class or soup made by the Grade 9 Academic French class.  These delicious meals were accompanied by wonderful bread made by the School to Community class.  The materials for the bowls were donated by the Arts and Humanities Department, so the only cost associated with the project was the cost of the food.

People were delighted by the various choices of bowls, which came in all shapes and sizes, and a variety of glazes.  Students produced nearly 60 bowls, and only a few were left by the end of the night.  

Staff, vendors and visitors also enjoyed the food that went into the bowls, and the bread that accompanied it.  It was a hearty meal. The chili ran out, and the leftover soup was donated to the NAEC Lunch Club program

NAEC has been very active in supporting the Food Bank over the last few months, and will continue to support this very important community service.  Principal Angela Salmond remarked, “It is so good to see so many classes working together for a common good.  This shows how our “Whole School” community is unique and serves our community at large.”