The balmy weather brought out 34 participants and two dogs on Family Day Monday to raise $300 for the OSO recreation committee rink fund.  The finisher cookies were yummy and very colourful this year.   Runners and walkers were from Sharbot Lake and area, Crow Lake, Sydenham, Hartington, Perth, Carleton Place, and Japan.  The St. Lawrence College Employment Centre 10k winners were: 1st. Miyu Shimokawa, 2nd. Cathy Byrnes,  3rd. Anne-Marie McCauslan and 1st. Cory Plant, 2nd. Rudy Hollywood,  and 3rd. Bob Harding.  The Central Frontenac Heritage Committee 5k winners were: 1st. Kris Plant, 2nd. Erin Bridge,  3rd. Lynette Whan and 1st. Kai Plant, and 2nd. Andrew Martin.  The Central Frontenac OSO Rec. Committee 2k winners were 1st. Laura Bridge, 2nd. Alison Bridge,  3rd. Linda Harding-Devries and 1st. Denis Morel (lead by his dog Willow),  2nd. Darrell Bridge,  and 3rd. David Martin.  TriRudy.com presented two special awards: one to Lloyd Whan for his volunteer work and one to Miyu Shimokawa for the person who travelled the furthest to race.

The only thing missing was some guy spinning plates on sticks to Sabre Dance.

But as the dust settled, country crooner Zach Teal took top honours in Frontenac’s got talent, the kick-off event at this year’s 11th annual Frontenac Heritage Festival.

Singer-pianist Amber Minutillo took second, poi juggler Eric Zwier was third and the Bucket Drummers were awarded an honourable mention.

It was an eclectic evening at the Granite Ridge Education Centre as emcee Rob Moore introduced 12 acts in a spoof of the popular ‘Got Talent’ TV format.

The “No” dancers kicked off the show followed by local legend Dave Dawson (yes, he yodelled a bit). Minutillo followed showing considerable promise followed by the increasingly popular Bucket Drummers.

What followed next was anybody’s guess but essentially it was pictures of some guy playing with his dog.

The last act before intermission was Rudy Hollywood and Brian Robertson camping up an ode to “Tichborne,” a performance that prompted judge Sherry Whan to observe: “I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

Intermission.

Coming back from the break was an act that pretty much defies description. We’re calling it Mike McKenzie’s levitation trick.

After that, a sense of normalcy settled in with Brett and Nancy Hilder followed by last year’s sensation Jennifer Argyle.

Then the lights went down for Zwier to spin his lighted poi’s (no fire but it was still pretty cool).

Then judge Mike Proctor took the mike for some comedic musings followed by Teal’s winning performance.

The Food Bank however was the big winner on the evening, collecting $475 in donations plus food items.

With Central Frontenac Council approving the idea in principle at their January meeting, The Seed to Sausage Day of the Pig annual food festival is set to move from the cramped confines of the Seed to Sausage store and butcher shop site on Road 38 to the Sharbot Lake Beach.

Mike McKenzie of Seed to Sausage has been talking with Councillor Victor Heese and Oso Recreation Committee Chair Lesley Merrigan for several months with a view towards arranging for a change of venue for the event, which last year drew an estimated 3,000 people over 7 hours on the Sunday of the Victoria Day long weekend. McKenzie was happy to hear that Council is on board.

“Everything looks good now that we have this approval. I have already been looking at the site and it will be a great opportunity to take this event to another level entirely,” he said, when contacted last week.

Among the plans for the new site are an expanded stage and more entertainment in addition to improved facilities for the many food and craft vendors who participated in the show before, and the opportunity to increase the number and variety of vendors.

McKenzie said that there will have to be fencing for the new site, as there was at his own property, because regional breweries and wineries have been and will continue to be an important part of the event. Big Rig, McKinnon Brothers, Beaus and other breweries have been involved in previous years.

“We might be looking at a modest ticket price this year, maybe $10 or $15, which is a change from what we have been doing, but I want to take the opportunity to bring in some more expensive entertainment,” said McKenzie, who does not expect to see the event turn a profit but would like to see it as a break even proposition.

“When we started I looked at it as a party to open the store for the season, but it turned into an event, which should be able to support itself” he said. “If it ever did turn a profit the money would go towards next year’s event.” Among the entertainment he is looking at for this year is the Blue Mushroom Circus Psyshow which combines dance, theatre, vaudeville, burlesque and puppetry. There will be musical acts as well.

The Day of the Pig will continue to take place on the Sunday of the long weekend to enable some of the chefs from Kingston, Ottawa and beyond who are fond of using Seed to Sausage products in their cuisine, to attend.

Last year, there were 5 suckling pigs prepared throughout the day and at the new site there may be more, but they will all be prepared in the morning this time to make sure there are ready at all times during the day.

“I think at this location, in Sharbot Lake, there will be a greater impact on the local community and we can really show off all the food producers in the area, the beauty of the lake, and the charm of the village,” he said. “I see no reason for this event not to grow and be a way to demonstrate what is possible at other times during the summer season.”

Central Frontenac’s committee for the celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday has launched a website to disseminate information about events in the township. It is called cfcanada150.ca. There are also links from the Township site and that of the Frontenac Heritage Festival.

On the website, the thirty or so events planned for the year are organized around the slogan “Embrace the Present; Reconnect with the Past; Look to the Future” . But, of course, many events fall into more than one category. And they are spread throughout the year. We will try to list them all on the website and keep the information current as plans unfold. Naturally, they will also show up in Northern Happenings in the Frontenac News and Frontenacnews.ca

There will be the parades and fireworks and festivals and fairs that we enjoy every year but this year they will be bigger and better than ever. And this year they will be topped off with flotillas, winter lake events and other celebrations.  There will be balls and banquets spread through the calendar. We started the year with the Red and White Ball and the New Years Day Levee. We will carry on with a period ball called “A Soiree with Sir John A”, with a “Giving Thanks” dinner to share across the whole community and we will usher out this special year with another New Years Eve dance.

We will enjoy special church services in May and July and the Shabot Obaadjiwan FN will host a sharing circle for the larger community in early autumn.  Heritage events will take different forms.  Many, such as the “150 Quilts” display will be part of the Heritage Festival in February but opening of the Kennebec Heritage Garden will take place later and Virgil Garrett’s collection of grandfather clocks will be on display all year.

And the best may be yet to come. The Village of Arden is planning festival week-ends for mid-June and mid August. Details are still being finalized but both week-ends will include music, sports, food and out-door activities. And last but not least, the North Frontenac Little Theatre will have activities in support of Canada 150 throughout the year. They kicked off this program with “Turtle Crossings” last November. Through 2017, they will be involved in community activities, stage a student theatre camp in August and conclude with a revue called “Central Frontenac Forever” in November.

It’s going to be a busy, fun filled year. The website Cfcanada150 should always have the latest, most accurate information about what’s going on. Keep in touch. Or go to  Canada 150 Central Frontenac on Facebook.

It has certainly been a long haul for Andrew Kovacs, but the results are pretty spectacular.

When he purchased the former Shabot Lake Senior’s Home in November of 2014 it was a building in need of some major improvements. It had served the community well for over 20 years, but needed modernisation and a new business model.

Andrew Kovacs had hoped to have it opened within 6 or 8 months but that did not happen.

A little over 2 years later, with the building basically completed except for the elevator which was being worked on while we were talking in the main lounge overlooking Sharbot Lake, he talked about some of the delays that took place.

“Things took longer to do than I expected and there was more to do once we got into it as well,” he said.

But there were other personal reasons for the delays. After working on the building for a couple of months, during which time he gutted it, Kovacs realised he needed to divest of some other properties he owned. While he was fixing those properties for re-sale, his father took ill and died.

It set him back at least eight months. For the past 14 months, all new electrical, insulation, a new kitchen, upgraded sprinkler systems, new lighting, new windows, two sets of automatic doors, new flooring, complete renovations of rooms, installation of senior friendly showers, and on the list goes of changes that have been made to make the building sparkle.

“What we have now is a clean, inviting space where people can live a hassle free life,” he said.

The monthly fees start at $3,250 for a village facing single room, and $3,500 for a water facing room, and going up to $4,500 for a suite that can accommodate two people.

“Our concept is to include everything in one fee, there are no add-ons except for a phone line, which can’t be included because of CRTC rules,” he said. “we do include all meals and snacks, cable, internet, laundry, a 24 hour Personal Support Worker on site, cleaning, parking for residents with a car. Other residences have hidden fees, ours are all in.”

“When people consider the cost of insurance, maintenance, snow removal, taxes, yard maintenance, food, etc. they will find they may be paying just as much as they would here while spending their time and energy on a home,” he added.

The residence also has access to Sharbot Lake, for fishing, boating, or enjoying from the shore line.

“We want to make this a community, and a part of that is the lounge overlooking the water,” he said.

Pretty soon after buying the building Andrew decided to move the dining area near to the kitchen and turn the dining room into a comfortable lounge, a shared space for all the tenants.

“If residents want to hold Euchres, do crafts, whatever they decide we will help make that happen,” he said. “I think this is a beautiful area, a great place to live.”

The residence is open for viewing now, and the website slrr.ca is up and running.

“It takes people time to deal with making this kind of change, I know that, which is why they can delay moving in for 60-90 days or longer once they pay a deposit on a room,” he said, adding that he is offering the first month free as well for new tenants.”

The home is licensed for 20 occupants but Kovacs is capping it at 18. He can be reached at 613-279-7799 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

After a whopping 68 years with the Oso/Central Frontenac Fire Department, Keith Hawley has hung up the bunker gear.

“I didn’t like him going out at night any more,” said Irene, his wife of 37 years.

Hawley, 87, is the last surviving member of the original department, formed officially in 1950.

“There were 13 or 14 of us,” he said. “In ’49, there was a fire at Keirstead’s store and that sort of brought the need for a fire department to a head.

“We had a meeting after that, and then another meeting in 1950 when we formed the department.”

That first department was high on enthusiasm but low on equipment, he said.

“Jack Simonett had a ’48 army truck that we used to haul around a two-wheel pump in the back of it,” Hawley said. “George Allen, who sold the store to the Keirsteads, had been a fire chief in Toronto but didn’t want to be one any more so Joe Harris became the first chief.

“George, however, did train the rest of us and told us what to do.”

Harris drove transport in those days and so shortly after, Verdon Morrow took over as chief. Understandably, Hawley can’t really remember how many chiefs he’s served under but a couple of names came to mind.

“Percy Lake and Bill Warren were both chiefs for quite awhile he said. “And Joel Snell.”

In 1959, Hawley and four other firefighters decided they really needed a pumper.

“We didn’t have the money, so the five of us went to the Royal Bank in Perth to borrow $1,000 each,” he said. “The Royal Bank didn’t want to give us the money so we went to another bank.

“The fellow at the other bank got on the phone to the Royal and after lunch, we had our loans.

“The Township told us if we could get the pumper, they’d build us a fire hall, which they did, but they didn’t give us any money for the pumper.”

Hawley has served as secretary for the fire department for many years, including right up until his retirement.

He seems uncomfortable with accolades and titles, despite having been a captain (“it’s just a name really”) and having been honoured by the Fire Marshall’s office with medals for 25, 50 and 60 years service (just shrugs).

“There was a need, so we filled it,” he said. “Bob England and I were on the resuscitator for many years.”
He remembers many events, such as going as far as Ompah to fight fires in the early days, and said the biggest fire was probably when the Sharbot Lake Hotel burned down in the late ’70s. Despite the inherent danger in the job, he said he was never scared.

“There were times I was a little worried,” he said.

The biggest difference he noticed over the years was the compensation a ‘volunteer’ firefighter gets.

“At first, we didn’t get paid at all,” he said. “Then Natural Resources gave us $2 an hour for fighting forest fires.

“A little bit later, the Township gave us $5 per fire.

“Now, they get paid for going to meetings.”

Hawley, an electrician by trade, said he “got along with everybody” and “never used the siren.”

“Keith was a leader,” Irene said. “He wouldn’t wait for someone else to do it.’

“I enjoyed it,” he said.

Keith and Irene are now turning their attention to writing a book on the history of the Oso Fire Department.

Central and North Frontenac Chief Building Official Jeremy Neven tendered his resignation (effective May 26) at Central Frontenac Council’s regular meeting this week in Sharbot Lake.

Neven told Council he was taking a similar position with Auckland, in New Zealand, for two years. Neven said he wanted to give the Township time to find a new CBO as well as finish up some bylaw changes he’s been working on.

“I have nothing bad to say about anybody and I’ve really enjoyed my time here,” he said. “It’s important to me that things go smoothly and I want to leave the department in good shape.”

He said his family is really looking forward to the opportunity to live in a foreign country for awhile but “the first place I’ll be looking for work upon my return will be Central Frontenac.”

The first time Mayor Frances Smith called the vote to accept Neven’s resignation, no hands went up. “We really don’t want to accept this resignation,” Smith said. “But we’ll have to accept it with regret.”

Record building year - Still with Neven, the CBO reported that 2016 was one of the best years the Township has ever had in terms of building. Central Frontenac finished the year with $,658,259 in construction value (up from $7,055,805 in 2015) and $125,131 in permit fees on 121 permits ($100,127 on 116 permits in 2015)

“I haven’t really gone back to check all the files but if 2016 wasn’t the best year, it’s pretty close to it,” he said.

The numbers were even more impressive when compared with 2014, when total construction values were just over $5 million, and permit fees totaled less than $70,000

New name for school committee
After considerable discussion about the name, Central Frontenac Council decided to call the committee looking into what to do with the former Hinchinbrooke Public School the “Hinchinbrooke District Community Centre Committee”. Councilors Brent Cameron and Phillip Smith will join the committee as it applies for an Ontario Trillium Foundation Seed Grant to help with the preparation of a business plan.

New Deputy Mayor
Councilor Brent Cameron of District 4 (Hinchinbrooke) was acclaimed as Deputy Mayor of Central Frontenac Township.

His appointment almost didn’t happen though as current Dep. Mayor Bill MacDonald jokingly announced: “I’m not stepping down.”

New equipment for fire department
Council approved $258,336 plus HST for the replacement of 32 self contained breathing apparatus’s plus a spare bottle for each pack. Fire Chief Bill Young said the equipment the department has been using is 20 years old, and at the end of its dependable life span.

Another expensive culvert - Council approved $182,000 to replace the culvert/ bridge on 4th Depot Lake Road. Interim Public Works Manager Mike Richardson said the road would likely be closed for 4-7 days but it could be up to two weeks depending on how the replacement is handled.

He said residents on the road affected would get written notification as well as the school board because busing will be affected.

“You might get a bill from the school board,” he said.

OP amendment
Council approved an amendment to its Official Plan that removes a restriction on building within 300 metres of waterfront in lands zoned rural. Rules affecting setbacks, minimum lot size and lot creation are unaffected by the change.

Got talent? If so, Rob Moore of the Heritage Festival committee would like to hear from you.

Actually, the ‘talent’ part isn’t even all that necessary.

“Yes, if you have a stupid pet trick, juggle or do magic, everybody’s welcome,” Moore said with a laugh.

Yes, the casting call is going out for Frontenac’s Got Talent, the annual talent show component that kicks off the Heritage Festival Weekend (Feb. 17-20).

To that end, they’ll be holding auditions Jan. 18 at GREC from 6-8 p.m.

Of course if you sing, dance, play an instrument, chances are they’ll find a spot for you.

The idea is a ‘got talent’ format show and judges Mike Procter, Sherry Whan and Brian Roach will be on hand to make suggestions and such.

“Last year, we did a Hee Haw takeoff,” said Moore who has hosted the past two shows. “This year, we thought we’d do an America’s Got Talent format, that will be part actual talent competition and part staged event. A lot of it will depend on who shows up.”

He said the ‘judges’ will be adopting personas from the American Idol panel with Procter being Randy Jackson, Whan being Paula Abdul (“the more positive one”) and Roach as Simon Cowell.

“I guess that makes me Ryan Seacrest,” he said.

But Moore said any barbs and jabs will be reserved for a couple of “ringers” they plan to bring in, which could be people from the audience.

“It’s a staged event in the form of a contest,” he said. “But the term ‘auditions’ is just a word we chose.

“It’s really an open call.”

And, he said, they’d really like to reach out to North and South Frontenac, not just Central Frontenac or Sharbot Lakers.

“I’d like to hear from people I’ve never met before,” he said. “The only real requirement is that your act is legal and doesn’t require us to get special insurance (ie, nothing involving fire or pyrotechnics).

“We’d really like to branch out and we’re even having the bucket drummers this year. It doesn’t have to be just singers.”

You can just show up for the ‘auditions’ or you can call Rob at 613-539-1280 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details.

The show will take place on Feb. 17 in the auditorium following opening ceremonies in the foyer. There will be refreshments available at intermission and admission is by a donation to the food bank.

A dedicated crowd of well-wishers braved the cold and snow last Thursday to help Registered Massage Therapist Annette Gray-Jackson and five other health and wellness practitioners mark the opening of a new centre at a converted house at 14253 Road 38.

Gray-Jackson will be seeing patients at  least 4 days a week, and the other practitioners have varying schedules.

The new building was purchased by her, and she will be joined by Chiropractor Sean Rogers, who has been seeing patients in Sharbot Lake at least one day a week for many years to go with his practice in Westport, and was co-located with Gray-Jackson most recently just down the road at the Sharbot Lake Country Inn. Dr. Jennifer Wheeler, who runs a Naturopathic Clinic in Perth, will see patients every second Wednesday at the centre. Megan Stewart, an Atheltic Therapist and Kinesiologist, Melanie Fyfe of Healing Feats Reflexology, and Personal Trainer, Natasha Anderson Emery, are also using the centre at different times.

“I had the idea of setting up a permanent space for all of the services that we offer here, so patience can make use of all of the services when they need them. We are always referring people to each other and having a friendly homelike atmosphere will be good for all of us and our clientele,” said Gray-Jackson.

Frontenac County Warden Frances Smith, in perhaps her final role before being just plain Mayor Frances on December 21st, had a huge pair of scissors on hand to cut the ribbon and mark the opening.

“It’s great to see this kind of initiative and to see another business opening on Road 38, just across from the new Senior’s residence across the street,” said Smith.

The centre also has a small fitness gym, which has as separate entrance and will be open 18 hours a day for members.

Sharbot Lake Criminal Court has always had a reputation for informality as compared to the courts in Kingston and Perth, which is something that court officials tend to talk about during the breaks. Court proceedings held in the township hall, where the Festival of Trees has just been cleaned up and the decorations for the New Year’s dance are next to come, do tend to be more informal than the proceedings in 200 year old Victorian era courthouses.

At this month’s court, however, things were more informal than ever, since the lawyer assigned for the role of Duty Counsel did not show up, leaving Judge Griffen to work directly with accused parties to determine if their matters could be resolved on the spot or should be put over to the January date. At one point, the clerk of the court was not even in place, leaving Griffen to fumble through the papers on the clerk’s desk.

“Now, I don’t even have clerk, Griffen said as he leaned over from his desk to the clerk’s desk to find some paperwork.

“I’m here, trying to get a hold of duty counsel,” the clerk said, his head popping out from behind the false wall behind the desks.

After a short break, Griffen returned and said Duty Counsel was not coming.

Still, the wheels of justice did not fall off in Sharbot Lake this week. Two of the five matters before the court were resolved, and the rest are progressing.

Convictions
Donald Kellar, 52, pleaded guilty to a charge of un-authorized possession of a firearm. Kellar was in a truck driving on Westgate Road, near Hwy. 7, west of Arden, on November 17, when the truck was stopped by Constable Lefaivre because the driver of the truck did not have his seat belt fastened correctly. There were a number of rifles in the vehicle as the occupants were hunting. While the rest of the occupants had Possession/Acquisition Licenses (PAL) for their rifles, Mr. Kellar did not have one for the Remington Woodmaster 742 that was located near where he was sitting.

The gun is the property of his son and was in the care of his wife when he took it to go hunting.

Judge Griffen gave him a 12-month probation order, and asked how his wife had reacted.

“I have six months house arrest, dishes, floor sweeping, you don’t want to know the rest, your honour,” he said.

Judge Griffen did not impose a prohibition on owning firearms on Mr. Kellar, although he said the conviction might make it difficult for him to get one.

Brandon Gill, 27, was unlikely to receive legal aide and pleaded guilty on his first appearance on a charge of assault. The details of the case are covered by a publication ban. He received a 12-month probation order.

First Appearance
Nicholas Holmes, 41, is facing six charges related to impaired driving and driving without permits and while disqualified. He is seeking legal aide and will return on January 16th.

Ongoing
Wayne Kimberly, 61, is charged with failing to comply with probation, failure or refusal to provide a breath sample, operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, and public mischief. He has paid part of a retainer to a lawyer from Kingston, and received an adjournment until February 13 to pay the rest of the retainer and will then appear with counsel to plead to the charges or set a date for trial.

Alison Potter, 39, charged with production of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of an illegal substance, an un-authorized possession of a firearm. She was not in court, and a warrant with discretion was issued. She will need to appear in court on January 16th to avoid arrest.