Music lovers came out in droves to the Sharbot Lake Legion on October 9 for the second installment of the fall session at the Centre Stage Cafe.

Beloved house band the Feral Five, (though they happened to be just four on Thursday), book-ended a generous set by Centre Stage Cafe regulars Rob and Nancy Moore and their band, which included Nate Paul on drums, Gabby White on fiddle and back ups, bass man Mike Dellios, and the band's latest addition, Dan Keeler on guitar.

The six piece charmed listeners with their relaxing eclectic mix of classic and alternative covers. By the end of the night the ladies were up grooving, bringing another great musical night at the Legion to a rousing close.

The next Centre Stage Cafe will take place on Thursday, November 13 when the famed Five will be joined by local rockers One Busted Ego. Admission is $5 and don't forget to wear your dancing shoes.    

By Connie McLellan

Every year from the last Friday in October to Remembrance Day on November 11, the Legion conducts the “Poppy Campaign”. Canadians have donated money to support the services we provide and to clearly show their recognition of the debt owed to so many Canadians who gave their lives for our freedom.

In Canada, the Poppy has stood as a visual symbol of our Remembrance since 1921. The reason for its adoption was due, in no small part, to Lieutenant-Colonel John McRae and his famous poem “In Flanders Fields”, written in May 1915. The Poppy was officially adopted by the Great War Veterans’ Association as its “Flower of Remembrance” on July 5, 1921. The poppies were first made in 1922 by disabled veterans and the work provided a small source of income for them and their families.

Each November poppies blossom on the lapels and collars of over half of Canada’s entire population and this single act ensures that our memories of those who died in battle will remain strong. The Poppy stands as our visual pledge to “Never Forget” those Canadians who have fallen in war and military operations and it forges a bond between people of all ages, not only within Canada but around the world. Donations to the Poppy Campaign raise more than $14 million for the support of veterans and their families. During the campaign some 18 million poppies and 70,000 wreaths, crosses and sprays are distributed across Canada and overseas annually.

So come this November, when you see one of our many Legion volunteers out there no matter what the weather, wearing a poppy, please give generously. Always remember those who have gone before and are responsible for the freedom we now share. “Lest we Forget”

(Information from the Royal Canadian Legion website)

At a special school-wide assembly on September 25 at Granite Ridge Education Centre in Sharbot Lake, students learned about the Canadian hero Terry Fox and his epic run across the country to raise funds for cancer research. Students watched a film about Fox, who was diagnosed with bone cancer in March 1977. He underwent surgery that left him with a prosthetic leg. On April 12, 1980 in St. John's, Newfoundland and after months of training, Fox set out on his Marathon of Hope to raise money for cancer research. He ran for 143 days though six Canadian provinces, averaging 42 kilometres a day for a total of 5373 kilometres, before finding out upon reaching Thunder Bay that the cancer had spread to his lungs. Terry then returned to British Colombia for treatment and sadly passed away on June 28, 1981 at the age of 22. His goal of every Canadian donating one loonie to the cause was not in vain and his Marathon of Hope inspired and rallied the nation to initiate and take part in annual runs and other events, which, as of May 2014, have raised over $650M for cancer research through the Terry Fox Foundation. Terry was the youngest recipient to receive the Companion of the Order of Canada and today, almost 35 years after his marathon began, he continues to inspire people from all over the world.

GREC students Sam Kempe, Josh Keith, Bailey Merrigan, Tyee Davis, Emily Baillargeon, Leah Neumann, and Wyatt McVeigh spoke at the assembly, which was organized by educational assistant Cathy Reynolds, and each student read an excerpt from the journal Terry kept during his marathon. Prior to the event each student was asked to donate a loonie or toonie to the Terry Fox Foundation and after the coins were counted the school had raised close to $400. Following the assembly the students and staff ran or walked the outdoor track at the school and on the following Monday Ms. Schall's grade eight class was awarded a prize for raising the most money for the event.

Families and children from the community enjoyed a Saturday of fun on Sept. 20 at the Child Centre in Sharbot Lake at their annual Mighty Machines and Roaring Reptiles event. Community Living-North Frontenac partnered with Northern Frontenac Community Services to sponsor the event, which included a free barbeque lunch, arts and crafts activities, and an interactive display of trucks and vehicles for children to explore from different businesses and organizations in the community. Colin Efford of Ray's Reptiles was a huge draw and he presented numerous creatures to a captivated audience of children who had a chance to get up close and learn more about snakes, turtles, lizards and many other exotic creatures. The event also included a yard sale for the United Way. It was a busy day and before noon already 60 guests were on site enjoying the free activities and food. Hats off to all the organizers, volunteers and staff. 

Fans of Elvis should mark Fri. Sept. 26 on their calendars. That's when Stephen Goodberry will be sporting everything Elvis and performing his Elvis Tribute act, Gospel/Inspirational-style at the Oso hall in Sharbot Lake for those who can't get enough of the famed jailhouse rocker. The event will begin at 7pm and tickets are $15 per person or $25 per couple, with all proceeds going to the Canadian Diabetes Association. Goodberry is no stranger to the area. The award-winning Elvis Tribute Artist grew up near Parham and is a graduate of Sharbot Lake High school. The show he performed there a few years back for a special Ladies Night event was the talk of the town for weeks after. So for those who love the King, Goodberry is sure to deliver a great night of entertainment - Elvis style.  

On September 5, Granite Ridge Education Centre students and staff enjoyed an afternoon in the sun participating in colour house challenges and a BBQ. Points for their colour houses are earned through participation in theme days and special activities organized throughout the year. The events featured for the afternoon were: puzzle games to get to know some of our new staff, parachute games, obstacle courses and the very popular water sponge game. The clap challenge led by Ms Robinson was a great way to involve all students in a rousing cheer to end the day. What a great ending to the first week of school.

Municipal expert Fred Dean packed the Oso Hall in Sharbot Lake on Sept. 4 for a public meeting highlighting the reasons of why and why not to run for council in the upcoming October municipal elections. Dean did not mince his words and gave listeners much food for thought.

On the “Do not run" side of the conversation, Dean targeted those who may have been thinking they could make a fast buck for a minimal amount of work. I am taking liberty here and summing up what I remember Dean stressing. “If you don't like meetings...council is not for you. And if you don't like reading reports, and receiving irate phone calls at all hours of the day, council is not for you.” Dean said also that if you think it won't impact your family life, council is not for you, especially if you are running for mayor. If you have motives of pecuniary interest (meaning your spouse, children or parents might benefit financially from your votes as a member of council), council is not for you. He advocated reading books regarding the laws on pecuniary interest.

On the "Do run" side, Dean did state the heart felt reasons as to why those interested should be throwing their hats in the ring. “It requires someone who is really committed to their community, someone who is a good listener, who loves meetings and who is willing to advance the issues that are important to the community and who can also work well with other people. Those elected to council do not get to chose who they play with in the sand box; they have to work well with all of the other electorates.”

Hat in or hat out, Dean definitely opened up a dialogue for those considering putting their hat in for the upcoming municipal race.

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Hurdles cleared for Arden Court transformation

The Arden Court Group Home, which closed earlier this year, may be turned into a housing complex for seniors.

Central Frontenac Council approved an Official Plan amendment for the building and the lands adjacent to it, which make multi-residential use permissible. The rest of the large property will remain zoned as rural. This Official Plan amendment, in addition to a corresponding zoning amendment, has been requested by the property's current owner as well as a prospective new owner who is planning a new housing development in place of the group home.

“This will have the effect of dealing head on with our identified need for seniors' housing,” said Mayor Janet Gutowski in supporting the proposed amendment, “and it is being done by the private sector, which is ideal.”

The Official Plan amendment is going to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval, at which time the township will approve a zoning amendment.

Township applies for road grants in Sharbot Lake

Recently retired Central Frontenac Public Works Manager Mike Richardson came back to Council to talk about two grant applications he has agreed to spearhead for the township. The first one is for a change to the bridge on Road 38 in Sharbot Lake, just south of the high school, which goes over the former CP rail line. The bridge needs repair, which would cost $325,000. But even if that repair were done, the township is facing future maintenance costs on a bridge that is no longer necessary as the rail line is now only used as a recreational trail. The Small Communities fund, which would cover the repair, covers 90% of the cost of projects that are approved. Given that, Richardson recommended that instead of repairing the bridge, the township remove it, lower the road to highway grade, and install a large culvert to allow for crossing on the trail. That would cost between $500,000 and $900,000 depending on the mode of construction, but would result in a safer roadway for pedestrian traffic and a lower maintenance structure for future councils to maintain.

The second grant is for a long contemplated reconstruction of Elizabeth Street in Sharbot Lake. It is a $1.2 million project, which would cost $400,000 to the township if approved.

Council decided to apply for both grants, as recommended by Richardson.

It was an all-ages event as staff from Bubba's Restaurant and The Junction clothing store in Sharbot Lake decided that Labour Day was as good a day as any to do a good thing. Together they challenged other members of the larger community to get cold and wet while raising some money for the ALS Association through their popular ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a disease that was first discovered in 1869 by French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot. It is a neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord and causing the progressive degeneration of motor neurons, which affects the ability of the brain to initiate voluntary muscle movement in the body and eventually leads to total paralysis. The famous baseball great Lou Gehrig brought world attention to the disease in 1939.

A total of 10 brave souls, most of them staff at Bubba's and The Junction plus a few of their brave relatives received the chilly dousing just outside of Bubba's restaurant on September 1, where Bubba’s employee Sidney Teal happily unloaded bucket loads of ice cold water onto the heads of fellow staff and their relatives as they answered the call, which was put out by Anne Marie Schonauer, the Junction employee who was nominated to hold the event.

Teal, while doling out the dousings, proved she was as willing as the others to take the challenge and invited guests to empty the remaining ice water in the giant aluminum bowl over her own head. Nine of those who took the challenge were women, including the youngest, Alley Teal.

Anne Marie Schonauer’s husband helped set up the event and thought he was going to walk away high and dry but that was not the case. As the only male present, he agreed on the spot to accept the challenge and happily stepped forward to take the final dumping of the day.

The event was an entertaining and refreshing hour to say the least. Thank you from Anne Marie to Bob Basra and Sharon DesRoche, who donated the ice for the event. Hats to the staff at Bubba's and The Junction and their brave family members and friends: Sidney and Alley Teal, Karen Steele, Anne Marie and Phil Schonauer, Sharon Ruckstuhl, Erin McConnell, Sherry Gorr, Chrissy Watson and Mona Perry. By the end of the day $140.50 was raised for the ALS Association.

In addition to the many who donated food items, some grocery shoppers like June Crowley, who cottages in Arden, offered a cash donation at the August 30 “Stuff the Cruiser” event in support of the North Frontenac Food Bank, which took place at Mike Dean's grocery store in Sharbot Lake. Crowley said that she believes that it is important for her to give to the food bank here as a way of supporting the local community. Also helping out was Food Bank volunteer Dan Cunningham of Mountain Grove, who stressed the importance of giving whenever possible, citing, “a huge need and the importance of taking care of those in the community who find themselves in need of help.” OPP Constable Greg Streng, who was also assisting with the drive, said that Sharbot Lake shoppers were being very generous and by noon both the cruiser and the donation bucket were quickly filling up. Thanks to all who donated.