Feature Article - March 6, 2008

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Feature Article - March 6, 2008 South Frontenac Council – Mar 4/08By Wilma KennySydenham Water: Annual Report

Kevin Riley of Utilities Kingston presented Council with the 2007 annual report of the Sydenham Water Treatment Plant. Three issues stood out.

The trihalomethane (THM) levels are still not consistently within the range considered acceptable by the province. THMs form when chlorine interacts with organic matter, and one of the three major THM compounds presents a threat to women in the first trimester of pregnancy.In December 07, a new coagulant was introduced with the goal of further reducing the organic matter in the filtered water. Although initial tests were promising, two recent samples have been high. Riley noted that the low rate of flow means it takes several weeks to move enough water through the system to be able to accurately test the results of any changes made at the plant. This, combined with laboratory turn-around time, means that it is almost a month before the results of any attempts at improvement are known. Riley says it will be easier to keep the system in balance once it has more users. In his notes to council, CAO Burns said the Ministry of the Environment has requested that they develop a secondary plan to address the THMs, and Utilities Kingston has suggested that they engage the firm of XCG Kingston to assist in preparing such a plan, if the current adjustments are not successful. They are waiting for test results from the most recent adjustment.Lead testing has been required by the province, and Sydenham is required to test the water of twenty users in Sydenham before April 30. They are looking for volunteers: phone the township offices at 613-376-3027, if interested.Pump Problem: The water system has three pumps that are used in the high lift section of the facility. All three are showing premature and severe pitting or “cavitation” of the impellers. The cost to redo the pumps is $15,000 each. (Replacement would be double that.) TSH and Utilities Kingston are meeting with the pump supplier (FLYGT) to attempt to resolve the issue.

Painting Tenders: OPP Building

Council accepted the bid of Barry Hawley Painting and Decorating to complete the painting of the OPP building in Hartington.

Plastic Bale Wrap Recycling

Kevin Bovey of the Frontenac Cattleman's Association made a lively presentation to council, requesting they set up a means to recycle the opaque white plastic used to wrap hay bales to preserve the feed quality. The same material is also used to cover boats and contain products on skids. At present, it is being burned, buried or added to landfill sites: as Bovey pointed out, none of these methods of disposal is environmentally acceptable.

The Cattleman's Association would like the township to create a drop site with a collection area where the plastic could be compressed and baled, then shipped out to be recycled into plastic lumber, playground equipment, etc. Council agreed that this sounded like a good idea: they will refer it to the Sustainability Committee for specific recommendations of how it could be implemented.

Feature Article - April 3, 2008

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Feature Article -April 3, 2008 Hockey is a family game for the Allisons of Parham By Jeff Green

When Debbie and Paul Allison were the parents of three young daughters, they encouraged them to go out for figure skating at the North Frontenac arena.

“The older two were into figure skating and the youngest was just learning how to skate, when a neighbour said 'You’ve got to start them in hockey, it's so much fun’, so we threw them all in at the same time,” recalls Debbie Allison.”

She couldn't have known it at the time, but the day that brought 8-year-old Laura, 6-year-old Jessica, and 4-year-old Suzanne to the first practice of the Frontenac Flyers' girls team, would be the beginning of over a decade of driving her daughters to and from hockey rinks on almost a nightly basis.

Laura is now attending St. Lawrence College and she is cutting back on hockey a little bit, playing on the intermediate team with the Frontenac Fury. Until last year, she was playing with the Kingston Ice Wolves and was on the Sydenham High School team.

Jessica, the goalie in the family, is really busy with hockey these days. She played goalie for Sydenham this year, and for the Kingston Ice Wolves Midget AA team. The Ice Wolves play in tournaments throughout the province and their season will end at the Ontario Provincials in Brampton on the weekend of April 11-13.

Suzie, the youngest of the Allison girls, also plays for Sydenham, but she plays her league hockey in Perth, with the Blue Wings.

All of this leads to a pretty crazy schedule for Debbie and Paul Alison.

“Our normal winter schedule includes a game or two each weekend, and Jessie has practices on Tuesday and Thursday nights, power skating on Wednesdays, and there is school hockey on Mondays,” Debbie said.

Then there are tournaments on many weekends.

“It's quite common for me to be driving to Kingston or Napanee and Paul to be driving to Perth or somewhere else on a weekend day.”

With their eldest daughter Laura now in college, their hockey obligations are actually less onerous than in the past when they were ferrying three girls around and taking on coaching and managing roles.

As any parent knows, each child is different, and this extends to the attitude of the three Allison girls towards hockey.

“Laura has a lot of skills. She made MVP at Sydenham and was the fourth highest scorer in the league, but for her hockey has always been about having fun.”

Suzie, the youngest, has a similar attitude, but Jessica, who was picked for goalie back in the Frontenac Flyers days because her name was the first on the players' list when the coach brought the team together on the first day, has always had an intensely competitive streak, which is fitting for a high-performance goalie.

Next week, she will be between the pipes when the Ice Wolves play at the tournament that will determine the top Midget AA team in Ontario, the highest level of girls’ hockey for Jessica's age group.

“I've already told them that none of my grandchildren are playing goalie,” said Debbie Allison, “I can't take the pressure. If they win, they’re a hero, but if they lose ...”

Win or lose, Jessica will keep playing hockey next year, which will be her final year at Sydenham High. There will be scouts at the Midget AA tournament from many places, but the Allisons are not thinking that far ahead.

“After this season, we'll see where the girls want to play next year, and we'll keep going,” said Debbie Allison.

Feature Article - May 1, 2008

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Feature Article - May 1, 2008 Harrowsmith sign contestBy Jeff Green

The village of Harrowsmith is going to be the recipient of new signs, courtesy of the Sydenham High School Student Council, and the public is being asked to come up with a three or four-word motto to grace the signs.

The contest is open until the end of this month, and entries can be sent to Lance Gibson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The sign project was initiated by the student council in 2007, when Stephanie Doornekamp, one of a triumvirate of council presidents, was so impressed with the signs in Perth Road Village that she brought the idea to the council of funding signs for the school's host village of Sydenham. With the help of the students from Gord Darling's shop class, in particular Brad Hornbeck, two signs were built, and art student Steven Michaels painted a representative image to go with them.

A time lag as the image was prepared was one of the sources of a mix up. As the new business association began looking around for signs, the Sydenham students’ signs were somehow forgotten, and the buisiness association commissioned other signs for the village of Sydenham.

That's where Harrowsmith comes in. The 2008 Student Council, and their staff advisor, Scott Gordon, have decided to revamp their signs and place them on high-profile locations on Road 38 as a gift to the people of Harrowsmith.

“We contacted Portland Councilor Bill Robinson, and he expressed an interest in placing signs in Harrowsmith, so we're happy to shift gears since many or our students come from Harrowsmith,” Gordon said.

The student council wants this to be accomplished by the end of the school term in June, and that's where the people of Harrowsmith come in.

“We have some images on hand, but we need a three or four-word slogan that best represents Harrowsmith,” said Gordon, “and we would even look at images if people have them. We want the community to participate with the students in making this happen.”

Local merchants have donated prizes for the winning entry, which might reflect Harrowsmith's history as a farming and railroad community, or something more contemporary.

Feature Article - May 22, 2008

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Feature Article - May 22, 2008 Trihalomethane in Sydenham water prompts new consultant hiringby Jeff Green

XCG Consultants has received a $12,830 contract to sort out the persistently high trihalomethane (THM) levels in the water that comes out of the Sydenham water treatment plant.

In a report from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MoE) that the township received on May 8, it was recommended that the township have a “written action plan to control the formation of trihalomethanes in the treated water and thereby reduce the concentrations in the distribution centre below .080 parts per millilitre”.

Efforts aimed at controlling THMs by using a variety of coagulants to precipitate out the compounds have failed to bring them below the level of .100 parts per millilitre.

“The system operator, Utilitites Kingston, has had success in lowering the levels using aeration” said CAO Burns, “but without an engineer endorsing that process the MoE will never accept it.” One of the potential solutions that XCG will be looking at is aeration.

“The problem with the system is not enough water is used,” said Councilor Larry York.

“That’s true” said Gord Burns, “and the ministry has said we should force people who have not hooked up to the system to do so, but the Sydenham water project was so controversial that council has been reluctant to take a heavy-handed approach.”

The cost of the consultation will be covered by an $18,000 grant the township is receiving from the province this year as assistance to small communities with water systems. The township will receive the same amount for four more years.

Feature Article - May 29, 2008

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Feature Article - May 29, 2008 Mom, Mitch & Mr. Mol: The 3 Ms of the “Cody Bike Project”By Julie Druker

Mitchell Austin and Mike Mol with 'the Cody bike'.

Moms are responsible for many things in the lives of their children. It was Cody’s mom, Cara Lacelle, who got the wheels turning for this project in December 2007 when she approached Mike Mol, head of the Manufacturing Technology Department at Sydenham High School where her son Cody is a student in the School to Community program.

Her reason? To see if it would be possible to design and build a bike for her son Cody, a 15-year-old special needs student whose balancing abilities require him to ride a three-wheeled bicycle rather than a regular two-wheeler. He had recently outgrown his last three-wheeler.

Mitchell Austin, a high skills specialist student in the manufacturing program at the school had a lead role in the designing and fabricating of the bike. He sums up the challenge: “You can’t get a three-wheeled bike that big for a 15-year-old. I searched on the internet and realized that they just don’t make them.” Well that was then and this is now.

Mike Mol immediately recognized the birth of a special project for his class, one that would challenge his students on many levels and one that would make a real difference in the life of a fellow student and member of the community.

He and Principal Anne Otonicar approached the people necessary to make this dream come true. The “Cody Bike Project”, as it came to be known as, received a $2100 grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Kingston through the Limestone Learning Foundation and was given the go-ahead to proceed.

Mitch Austin and Dayton Campbell, both students in the Manufacturing Technology Program at SHS, began designing the bike in December using the trial and error approach. They executed a number of sketches and drawings before Mitch and Mr. Mol finalized the design. The “chopper” theme was an important consideration in the design process. The students unanimously agreed that the “chopper look” would add the element of “cool” to the bike’s final design.

The frame of the bike was custom made using a tube bending machine that was acquired with a portion of the grant money. The frame of the bike is finished in a mottled green metal spray reminiscent of heavy duty army vehicles. The design incorporates three different existing bicycles, including a mountain bike and an older three-wheeled shopping bike, donated by Mitch’s grandmother, which provides the stability.

Safety issues dictated specific designs elements as well. The back of the bike features a “grab bar” that can be used to slow the bike down. The chain and brakes are all encased in metal to prevent injuries from moving parts. The brake system works on a lever that can be easily accessed. The bike was designed to be rugged and take a lot of wear and tear so that it will require very little maintenance.

Aesthetically, the bike looks great! It definitely has that element of cool. Its sits low; its lines are long and sleek. When riding on it you feel as though you are riding on a chopper-style motorcycle. Mitch adds, “Everyone who has seen it at the school wants one. Cody’s mom even gave it a spin and loved it.”

Everyone agrees that the project was a huge success. As a student, Mitch learned how “so much attention needs to be paid to small details when designing.” He remembers that the newly acquired tube bending machine took a while to master in order “to learn how to bend the frame and keep the lines consistent.”

Department head Mike Mol, who taught the class and led the students through the project, explained that it reinforced the idea “that when you can perform a skill well, you automatically build safety and strength into the finished product.”

Principal Anne Otonicar says the project “enabled the students to use their skills and ideas to do something special for someone else…and to make a real difference in the life of another person.”

Kudos to everyone who played a role in the “Cody Bike Project”.

Cody’s mom and dad will be on stage today with him at Sydenham High School when he is presented with the bike at noon in the auditorium. Both Mitch and Mr. Mol will be presenting the bike to him and are pretty sure what kind of reaction they will get.

And just in case you read this article and happen to run into Cody before noon ….Shhhhhh….mum’s the word.

Feature Article - May 29, 2008

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Feature Article - May 29, 2008 CountyStudents Net 2 of 7 Limestone Board Achiever awardsBy Jeff Green

Award winners, back row: Emillie Gauthier, KCVI; John Abrams, LaSalle; Brittany Lee, Sydenham; Ben Landen, Bayridge. Front: Kara Irwin, Sharbot Lake; Melissa Hogeboom, Bayridge; Jane Casson, KCVI.

Each year, the Limestone District School Board hands out Student Achievers awards, to “recognise the outstanding achievements of those students whose exceptional accomplishments merit recognition beyond the separate categories of awards at the school level,” in the words of Jane Douglas, the Limestone Board’s communications officer.

The awards were given out at a Board of Trustee meeting in Kingston last week.

This year, Brittany Lee, a grade 12 student from Sydenham High School is one of the recipients, and Kara Irwin, a grade 11 student from Sharbot Lake High School is another recipient.

Brittany Lee knew “that the competition would be stiff”, for the Limestone Achievers Award, and said, “I had a feeling of utter disbelief when Mr. Howe, the vice-principal, called me into his office and told me I had been nominated”.

Teachers from each school in the board nominated 2 students from their school.

After learning of her win along with six other students in the Limestone District schools, Brittany says, “I’m still in shock!. My parents keep telling me that it was all of the hard work I’ve put in and the sacrifices that I have made…but I still find it hard to believe.”

Not so hard to believe when one looks at her long list of accomplishments: honour student for 4 years; winner of numerous SHS awards; a leader at the IAWAH Leadership Camp; peer tutor; participant in the 30-Hour Famine, the Respect Committee and Students Helping Students; a volunteer teacher’s assistant, camp counsellor and community caregiver.

Her teachers are less surprised by her win. Mr. Shaun Kennedy explained that, “When you look at Brittany’s work or observe her in class, you can see that she really believes in giving her best effort all of the time.”

Visual arts are important to Brittany and she excels in painting, sketching, and photography. She has won the President’s Scholarship to Nipissing University in North Bay, where she plans to pursue her passion for history, fine arts and teaching. She could be back at Sydenham High School as a practice teacher in the next couple of years.

Alhough she still has one year left at Sharbot Lake High School, Kara Irwin (left with Principal Janet Sanderson) has already distinguished herself by taking on whatever challenges have been available to her for three years, and by being a driving force at school and community initiatives.

Kara has served as a grade representative to Students’ Council since Grade 7. She is an organizer of Earth Day, a dance convener, member of the leadership camp organizing committee, and leader for Grade 7/8 orientation. Kara currently serves as vice-president of Students’ Council. In addition to these roles, she has been a member of the organizing committee for the 30-Hour Famine. Over the past two years, more than $12,000 has been raised by this Sharbot Lake event, for which Kara served as co-chair this year.

In addition to her school activities Kara has been on the honour roll since the beginning of her high school career. She does not know what subject she will specialize in, but she plans to attend university after grade 12.

Kara is also involved in her community. She was involved in the fundraising activities for Mike Morrow after he suffered a debilitating injury last year. In addition, Kara has volunteered at the Treasure Trunk, and as support staff for the local Relay for Life.

“I enjoy being really active, being really busy and taking things on,” Kara said, “and I thank Mr. Russell, Miss Bartlett and our principal, Mrs. Sanderson for putting my name in for the award. I was really surprised when I found out about it a couple of weeks ago, and I was nervous when I went to get the award, but it was great.”

Feature Article - June 26, 2008

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Feature Article - June 26, 2008 Sydenham Scouting on the riseBy Julie Druker

Scout Counsellor Marc Meyers, his son Patrol Leader, Ben Meyers and Scout Counsellor Kris Rasmussen

The First Sydenham Troop of Boy Scouts held a bottle drive in Sydenham to raise funds for the troop, which has returned to Sydenham after an absence of eight years. Scout Leader Marc Myers, his son Ben Myers, the troop’s patrol leader, and Kris Rasmussen, the troop’s scouter, all helped out collecting empty beer, wine and spirit bottles donated by local shoppers.

The purpose of the drive is to raise much-needed funds to pay an outstanding $1000 loan that was taken out to pay some of last year’s fees. While the numbers of scouts are slowly rising in the Sydenham area, money to support their program is still an issue.

The Scout program has gained popularity in the last few years and the public is realizing the many advantages and positive effects that can be gained by joining the Scouts.

Thirteen-year-old Ben has been a “beaver” for six years and it was his first year this year as a scout. He is excited about the new responsibilities he will have. “I will be arranging everything during the camps and organizing most of the duties.”

Adults Marc and Chris explained that they are called scout “counsellors”, whose job is to guide the scouts more than to lead them. Kris explains, “Once the troop decides what they want to accomplish, within certain guidelines, it is the kids who decide how they are going to accomplish the goals that they have set out for themselves.”

The scouts meet regularly once a week in the gym at the Loughborough Public School and try to get outdoors at least once every six weeks for some kind of special event. “Urban Camping” is a favorite with the scouts, most of whom come from rural areas. The group spends the day in a city “hiking around it” and getting to know some of the features it has to offer, like its museums.

Last year a memorable trip was “winter camping” at Otter Lake when the scouts had a chance to learn survival skills. Kris recalls, “There was 2 feet of snow on the ground; we practiced how to light fires in the snow and how to build a survivor shelter.”

Scouts costs only $145 for the entire year, plus a dollar a week for dues. “Scouts is a relatively inexpensive activity, compared to playing hockey, let’s say.” Marc and Chris point out.

The first Sydenham Troop is already making plans for next year when they will be attending a Brotherhood camp down in the States. They are also talking about possibly attending the World Jamboree in Sweden a few years down the road. And why not? As these three know… anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

To join the Scouts or to find out more information please call Kris Rasmussen at (613) 767-9987

Feature Article - June 26, 2008

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Feature Article - June 26, 2008 Leukemia Fundraiser in Sydenham

Both students of Jiujitsu and non, take down "The Red Man" in the gym at Sydenham HS

On June 21 in Sydenham the community joined together for a huge fundraiser in a effort to raise money for a family who has been touched by Leukemia. The event included Martial Arts demonstrations and lectures, a raffle, silent auction, bake sale, BBQ, a car wash and live bands. Organizers Daniel Kennedy and Tammy Millar want to thank all of the volunteers who offered their time and services to all who came out to support the cause.

Jun 5/08 - Sydenham Canoe Club

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Feature Article - June 5, 2008 Sydenham Lake Canoe ClubBy Julie Druker

Commodore Erik Miazga his daughter, Head Coach Haeleigh Miazga and club member Jacob Sharpe.

This Saturday June 7, the Sydenham Lake Canoe Club will be holding a yard sale and raffle at the Rural VISIONS Centre to raise funds for the club.

Commodore Erik Miazga, the president of the club, explains that the club is dedicated to "the sport of flatwater sprint canoe and kayak racing". While this is an Olympic sport and members have many opportunities throughout the season to compete in various regattas, recreational paddling is also offered. Novices, both children and adults, are encouraged "to get out in a boat and simply enjoy themselves." Paddlers have the option of paddling alone or in groups of two or four. A war canoe holds 15 paddlers and competes in events as well.

The club puts out a brochure explaining the breakdown of class groups beginning with Atom (under 10 years old) and continuing up to Junior (18 years and older). A pre-season training camp is offered that runs from June16 to June 28 (Monday to Friday) and includes introductory lessons available to both new and returning members. The regular season runs from June 30-August 15 (Monday to Friday) and prepares paddlers for weekend races.

Members have the unique opportunity to travel with other members, friends and family to a wide range of regattas (all listed in the brochure) that occur on weekends throughout the summer in Gananoque, Carleton Place, Ottawa and North Bay. The club will host two of the regattas on Sydenham Lake and should attract over 2500 visitors to the area. Club members also have the opportunity to compete at both the provincial and the national levels, the nationals being held this year in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

The club began in 1997 as the Cataraqui Canoe Club and split into two that year when the Kingston contingent relocated to the Kingston area. The second group became the Sydenham branch and remains based in Sydenham on the lake. The Sydenham club has no official building but rather is located on a piece of land abutting the lake just behind Foodland grocery store. The club owns 30 boats and a trailer to transport them.

Erik stresses the importance of fundraising and volunteering to keep the club up and running. Many expenses are incurred including the upkeep of the boats, the trailer, and the site location. Other costs include advertising, fuel, insurance, signage and racing fees. "The only people getting paid are the three coaches." Erik admits, "We're lucky if we can get a grant, otherwise we are solely dependent on fundraising." He reminds me, "that though it is not a cheap sport, it is not expensive to join." A member needs only to supply their own life jacket.

Erik desribes the sport as exciting, "It involves team work but you can also chose to be alone or be in a group." He adds that "lots of kids join and remain members for years...it creates very strong bonds between members." Like all sports it is a chance to become fit physically and to get out in nature on the lake. The sport tends to be very family oriented since whole days are spent at regattas where there are often other social events taking place.

Erik has passed his love of the sport on to his daughter, Haeleigh Miazga, who has been coaching the team for the last three years and will be head coach this season. Haeleigh's been paddling for nine years "every summer from June until school starts." She was competing as a canoer up until last season. She looks forward to this year since there will be even more kids involved. "I look forward to seeing the kids progress and will enjoy working with the new staff members."

Erik encourages anyone interested in joining the club to contact himself or Kimberley Miazga at (613) 376-3654 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more detailed information regarding specific programs, regattas, fees and dates pick up a brochure or visit www.freewebs.com/sydenhamlakecanoeclub

Happy paddling to Erik and Haeleigh and to all members of the club old and new.

.

Feature Article - June 12, 2008

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Feature Article - June 12, 2008 Customer Appreciation Week at Sydenham's Royal BankBy Wilma Kenny

L to R: Jason LeBlanc, Account Manager: Anne Pritchard, FCDC: Lorie Reed, Sydenham and Area Community Association: Chris Lucas, Branch Manager, Glenda Cox, Teller: Irene Pierce, Account Manager: Wanda Hartles, Teller: Charlene Anderson, Teller: Terry Creighton, Small Business-RBC.

"We want folks in the Sydenham area to know we’re staying here into the future," says Chris Lucas, Manager of the Sydenham Branch. He noted that too many small villages are losing services. Monday was ribbon-cutting day to celebrate recent renovations: two new offices provide greater privacy for clients, and new furniture, carpeting and paint have brightened up the main reception area.

The Royal Bank opened in Sydenham in 1904, as a branch of the Odessa bank. The original building burned and was replaced by the present one in 1935. John Trousdale recalls a story of his aunt foiling one robbery attempt by snatching the keys from the getaway car, left running outside the bank.

Last weekend as part of customer appreciation, the RBC of Ontario sponsored a free day at all the conservation areas in the province: Sydenham Branch invited people to explore the Gould Lake area.

Friday June 13 the bank in Sydenham will be offering a free BBQ: any donations will be put into the Strokes for Hopes fund raiser at Rivendell Golf Course.