Janice Conway has always been a supporter of the North and Central Frontenac Relay for Life, which is taking place this year on June 18 at the Parham Fairgrounds, from 12 noon until midnight.

Janice's maternal grandmother died of breast cancer, and her paternal grandmother, Marguerite, also developed the disease at the age of 84. Fortunately she has survived and is still kicking at 95.

Janice has been a participant and team captain over the years, and said she supports the event because it is a community event and contributes to fighting cancer locally and though research. “Being a team captain is a big commitment, but it is worth it. It is hard work to organize team meetings before the relay because people are busy and to help with fund raising, but the committee helps out and the relay itself is a great experience.”

Janice's own experience with cancer became more acute when her father, Alvin Conway, was diagnosed with lung cancer early in 2014. Alvin was well known in Parham since he had been the custodian at Hinchinbrooke school from the early 1990s until he retired in 2008. He had worked at Land O'Lakes in the 80s and at Sydenham High School and in Kingston before that, for a total of 37 years with the school board.

“He retired when he turned 60, not because he wanted to leave since he loved working in the school, but because my mother needed his support since she has diabetes and other health concerns,” said Janice. “At least he had a few good years of retirement.”

Until he started to have back pains in the summer of 2013, Janice does not remember her father ever being sick, much less seeing a doctor. It was late in the year that the possibility that the pains were caused by cancer was first raised and early in 2014 he got the lung cancer diagnosis.

“Throughout 2014, it was mostly my sister who took Dad for his treatments because I was working, but I took him quite a few times, and my brother as well. He had chemotherapy and radiation in Kingston. In early 2015 he had an experimental treatment but I don't remember what it was. My sister was the secretary; she kept track of everything.”

Over a year after her father's death, Janice is still dealing with his absence. “He was always the go-to guy, for all of us. Whenever we needed advice, or someone to come with us, to look for a car or anything, really, he was the one we went to for support,” she said.

When Alvin Conway died, Janice's mother Caren lost her husband of almost 47 years, and also a supportive partner, and the entire family is dealing with the loss, each in their own way.

“I still feel exhausted by it,” said Janice, who also has two uncles that are being treated for cancer.

Her commitment to the Relay for Life has not waned throughout the past two years, and although she may not register for the entire day this year, she will be there, with her mother, to light some luminaria candles with her mother, and to help her friends.

“We need to support the teams who come together to do the relay and support the fund-raising events that each team organizes before the relay,” she said.

For further information about the North and Central Frontenac Relay for Life, contact Christine Teal 613-375-6525, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Chair Vicki Babcock at 613-449-8834.

It's not that easy to qualify for the Boston Marathon, which is a bucket list event for many long-distance runners. Patricia Humphrey, a 66-year-old marathoner who has lived on Long Lake between Parham and Mountain Grove for the past three years, qualified for this year’s event based on her time at the Philadelphia Marathon in November of 2014.

She had already run the Boston Marathon before, five years ago, and when she qualified for this year's race, which took place on April 18, she thought it might be her last marathon and she wanted to go out in a good time.

She ran the 42-kilometre course, complete with the four Newton's Hills that culminate with the aptly named Heartbreak Hill, in 4:39.05.

The time is significant because it is 55 seconds faster than the qualifying time for her age group for next year's race, and that might prove to be a temptation.

Humphrey’s running career began 16 years ago, when she was only 50. Her mother had recently died of cancer, and Patricia decided to take up running in order to complete a 5 km cancer run later that year. She took to the sport and began increasing the length of her runs over time, finally building up to the marathon distance.

According to her husband and chief supporter, Colin, Patricia plans to stick to the half marathon distance from here on mainly because the preparation for a marathon is so onerous and time consuming.

She was a common sight this winter on Long Lake Road and Road 38 training for this year's event.

“She wanted to make a good time in case it was her last marathon, that's for sure,” said Colin, when contacted by phone early this week. “She was pushing her speed at the end to make sure she beat the 4:40 qualification time.”

Patricia has retired from working at FW Black's Appliances in Kingston, where Colin is a co-owner. They intend to remain in the area for years to come, as they enjoy living on Long Lake.

“We love it here. We never plan on moving again,” said Colin.

Two back-to-back events on April 9 helped to make local residents aware that the 2016 North and Central Frontenac Relay for Life is moving into high gear. The first was the Relay's official kick-off pancake breakfast fundraiser at Oso hall in Sharbot Lake. The Relay's newly appointed chair, Vicki Babcock, was on hand manning the merchandise table and selling sweat shirts, sweat pants, socks, head bands, coffee mugs and more.

Registration chair, Christine Teal, was also on hand to register new teams which that day included Scott Reid's “Team Steam”. To date seven teams have registered and Babcock said she hopes to have at least 10 teams registered by May 1. Over 50 diners came up out for the event.

Retro-Relay is the name of this year's community team, which is open for anyone who doesn't have a team but wants to participate. Teams who missed the event but still want to sigh up can contact Christine Teal at 613-375-6525 or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The second event was the first fundraiser this year for June's Angels, a long-time Relay team made up of relatives of the late June Fox, who passed away four years ago from cancer. The Angels, who number over 20, held a spring luncheon/bake sale at the Parham IOOF hall and not surprisingly, organizers perfectly timed it so that Relay chair Vicki could be there to show her support.

The Central and North Frontenac Relay for Life Volunteer Committee learned some lessons last year when they made some changes to how the Relay functioned, and found that some of those changes were not popular.

“We want people to know that we heard them,” said Christine Teal, a long-time committee member who is handling publicity this year.

“This year, we would like to get 'Back to the Basics of Relay - Community Style”, she added, “We can do this but we need people to sign up.”

Last year there was a $10 charge for entry to the grounds, but this year entry is free, although donations will be accepted, and for those who want to participate in the relay, the minimum donation is $15 this year, no matter when they register.

“But,” said Christine, “we need teams to register by May 1 in order to make the event happen - Currently there are five teams registered - with one being the Community team, Retro-Relay, so if someone doesn't have a team but really wants to participate this team is for them. It's easy – they sign themselves up online or email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I will set them up. All they need to do is wear a Relay T-shirt from years past and black pants/shorts and all is good!!”

The relay crew is also looking for groups/committee/family of 10 or so people that have heard the dreaded C word. Now is their chance to fight back. They can register as a team for $15 each, and do their best to raise $150 (but no worries if they don't)

“And then come out on June 18 at noon to help us Fight the biggest Fight of our life!!!” said Christine, emphatically.

A small but mighty committee has been hard at work planning for this year's event – and they want the community to come out like before.

“Grab your lawn chairs, jacket, bug spray, sun screen and whatever else you need and come enjoy the great entertainment line up and be prepared to be amazed! We have such great talent in our community and to have them all available at one location is fantastic! There are activities planned for the entire day so please take part - together we can do this.”

Luminaries are on sale now and are a great way to honor a loved one who has had to fight this fight, or to remember a loved one who was lost to this horrible disease.

“This is the least we can do after everything that they have had to endure. For $5 you can help light up the track for the participants and you too can walk the track and be reminded of those loved ones. It is truly a touching part to the event and we encourage everyone to take part in this ceremony,” she said.

Luminaries can be purchased online or at Hope's Store in Parham or from Margo McCullough or Christine Teal.

Survivors, who are the reason the relay is held, are going to be pampered on June 28. Survivors can register with Penny Cota or Tracy Riddell.

To kick off the relay in true style the committee we will be hosting a Pancake Breakfast from 8 am to 11 am on Saturday, April 9 at Oso Township Hall. For $5 you can enjoy pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice. They hope to see you there.

“Remember, together we can make Cancer History,” said Christine.

Parham United Church hosted a fantastic and spiritually inspiring ecumenical service to honour God and the World Day of Prayer movement. All area churches gathered to take part in a shared service written by the host country Cuba on the theme of “Receive Children, receive me”. Worshipers of all ages from various churches helped out with music, Cuban foods, Cuban prayers, and Cuban artifacts from many who had visited that area. Musical tributes by Stanley Stinchombe (piano) and cousins Jordan Lowery and Colin Hamilton (guitar) with Cuban rhythm instruments by the younger worshipers Hunter, Hailey, and Brody all added to the festivities and prayerful learning.

Through the World Day of Prayer, folks are encouraged to become aware of other countries and cultures and to embrace the world. They are also encouraged to prayerfully take up the burdens of other people, to sympathize with the problems of other countries and cultures and pray with and for one another. They are further encouraged to become aware of their talents and use them in the service of God. The World Day of Prayer aims to demonstrate that prayer and action are inseparable and that both have immeasurable influence in the world.

Following the service, folks thanked God for the fellowship and the wonderful food prepared in honour of the special ecumenical experience. It was a memorable event and a true way to share in learning, worship and service to God.

It is no surprise that numerous phone calls came in to the newspaper office following the glaring error I made in an article I wrote in last week’s paper, where I erroneously misquoted Central Frontenac Fire Chief Bill Young by stating that all of the fire halls in Central Frontenac, until recently, had been considered “a gentlemen's club”.

In actuality, Fire Chief Young was referring only to the Sharbot Lake fire hall and the error deserves not only an apology and a correction but also the following story.

Debbie Allison was deservedly offended by the error and made a call to the newspaper office stating that the Parham fire department is not now nor has ever been thought of as a gentlemen's only club. Debbie's 23-year-old daughter Suzanne has been working as a volunteer firefighter in Parham since the age of 16, when she joined the department in October 2008 as a junior fire fighter. Her mandatory two-year probation period included observing at calls, rolling hoses and cleaning trucks and other equipment. Two years later when she turned 18, she became a full-fledged member of the force and has since become a valued member of the Parham team and someone the other firefighters regard as an asset.

Suzanne herself credits her dad, Paul Allison, who has been a volunteer fire fighter with the Parham department for 22 years, as the person who encouraged her to take the training. “He knew of my background and my previous training as a life guard; that I cared about making a difference in the community and thought I would make a good fire fighter.”

When I spoke with Paul Allison earlier in the week, he was adamant about the fact that the Parham department has never been considered a gentlemen's only club. “Dawn Hansen, who is our current dispatcher and who has been with us for over 20 years, is an integral and valuable member of our team”, Paul said. “And we can look back even further to Sue Veley, who was one of the founding members of the department. She was a pillar of the force here for decades and a woman who pretty much ran the place”. Paul said he took offense when he read last weeks article stating, “I have been around the department here for 22 years and during that time women have always been integral and very much respected part of our team. I would not have encouraged my daughter Suzanne to join up if I had felt in any way the place to be a gentlemen's only club. If that had been the case, I never would have encouraged her to join up nor would have tolerated that fact myself.” Other female members of the department include or have included over the years Susan Peters, Melissa Shanks, Brooke Raymond and Stacey Rochetta and to this day Paul says that women are “an integral part of this close knit group many who have been here for a very long time and who all get along with each other very well.” Suzanne agreed with her dad stating “ I have never felt uncomfortable with the guys. I have always felt welcomed and comfortable and have always been treated as an equal.” Not only that, Suzanne said that she is a proud member of the Parham Fire department and someone who likes to encourage other women to get involved. “I like to let women and men in the community know that I am a fire fighter and tell them that if that if I can do it, they can do it too.”

Look forward to more upcoming stories about local women firefighters.

Those curious about local family-run farms will be pleased to know that they are invited to explore the 200-acre, three generations old Tryon Family Farm located on Wagarville Road near Parham. This is a new event at this year's 10th annual Frontenac Heritage Festival and the owners, Owen and Cari Tryon, along with their four children, will be generously opening their farm gate to guests to come and see what takes place at their farm, which has been in operation for close to 75 years.

The couple, who farm the property along with the help of Owen's father Boyd, will be showing off their sheep, goats, pigs, horses and cows to those interested in visiting the paddocks and the barns where the animals are front and center.

Guests will have a chance to feed, pet and observe the animals, and who can resist the sight of the newest farm animals, which appeared on the scene just a few weeks ago? These include a squealing brood of young piglets and a number of very feisty kid goats. There are also donkeys, rabbits, ducks and the three family dogs, who will also be in attendance.

Visitors will also have a chance to learn about the various types of farming equipment used to help keep this family-run operation in good working order.

The Hinchinbrooke Recreation Committee will be setting up a number of outdoor activities at the farm, which the whole family can enjoy. Guests will also be invited to sip a cup of hot cider and warm up by a bonfire. Visitors are asked to park their cars at the Wagarville Road fire hall, where a free shuttle service will be offering guests lifts to and from the farm every 20 minutes.

The fun takes place on Sunday, February 14 from 1p.m. - 4 p.m. Boots are a must since the weather has been spring-like, and make sure to dress for outdoor weather.

Also, don't forget the many other favourite activities on offer as part of this year's festival, which include historical re-enactments; free open mic events; a craft show and artisan demonstrations; and an Empty Bowls fundraiser event in Arden. As well, a number of special festival meals will be available at various local restaurants, community halls, and the local Legions. There will be a Valentine's Day dance, plus a number of outdoor activities like snowshoeing, a walk/run event, and also new this year, a leisurely snowmobile ride along the historic K&P Trail.

The festival opens on Friday, February 12 with a special ceremony at the Granite Ridge Education Centre in Sharbot Lake at 6:30 pm, which will be followed by the ever popular Variety Show at 7pm. The show will feature a star-studded line up of well-known musicians, singers and entertainers of all ages from in and around the community. For a full listing of all of the the events including dates, times and locations, consult the blue Frontenac Heritage Festival brochure that is inserted in this week's paper.

As the committee is gearing up for a wonderful event on June 18, we ask you a simple question - how has cancer affected you?

Many of us will have a number of ways it has affected us: our dad, sister, uncle, aunt, grandparent, child, a close friend, or maybe you have heard that dreaded word yourself. Whatever your reason, Relay is here to help. I don’t know about you but I can’t sit around and do nothing, that is why I Relay - Ok, so one of the reasons.

Did you know that the CCS (Canadian Cancer Society) spends only 4% on administration costs, 30% on fundraising costs, which includes money spent with local businesses (ie porta potties for events, signage etc.) and 66% on our mission work – i.e. research and local services.

What about this fact - when the CCS began research back in 1938, only 25% of people diagnosed with cancer survived. Today 63% survive; that’s the power of research!!!

I didn’t realize this but it totally makes sense. It costs $56/per participant to run an event like Relay for Life! That is crazy! So when someone from the committee or one of the registered teams asks you for sponsorship, or to buy a track sign, luminary or to donate an item for the Silent Auction, think about that reason. That will put everything into perspective and you too will know that you have made a difference in finding that cure for cancer.

Thinking about registering a team to participate in the event? Awesome!!! Registration is open; if you have any questions or need assistance, email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call at 613-375-6525.

Do you have what it takes to be the Ultimate Relay team???? This year the Ultimate Relay Team will be the team that has all team members registered and their $15 fee paid; all team members have raised a minimum of $150 each; all team monies have been turned in at bank night; the team captain or designate attended the team captains’ meeting. Then you have what it takes to be the “Ultimate Relay For Life Team 2016”. So what are you waiting for? Let’s Make Cancer History!

Mark February 27 on your calendar for our Kick Off – we will be joining the Lions Club as they host another one of their wonderful breakfasts!!! See you there!

Central Frontenac Council has received a letter from Kingston Frontenac Library Board Chair Claudette Richardson, which sets out the way the library sees the future of the Parham branch. The letter was based on a meeting held between Mayor Frances Smith and library staff and Board members on December 11.

Not only does the letter outline who will pay for what as the branch is set up in an extra room that was built into the new Parham fire hall, it also makes it clear that the branch will only stay open if it meets “performance benchmarks” set by the library board.

The township needs to provide not only the space but all furnishings and equipment as well, and will also be responsible for facility costs such as utilities, snow clearing and insurance.

The library will supply all computer equipment and related costs, and will cover the costs of Internet and phone service, library materials and staffing for six hours a week.

Richardson said that not only will the board set benchmarks that need to be met by Parham branch users, they will also set out a timeline for those benchmarks to be met. She said they would close the branch and transfer the hours to a new branch in Mountain Grove if those benchmarks are not met. The fact that a new branch in Mountain Grove has not yet been approved in any Central Frontenac budget is also referred to in the letter.

“If the Mountain Grove branch is not built within the time frame specified, the Library Board will work with the township to determine the next steps,” Richardson wrote.

Finally, the letter gives the library board an option to remove service from Parham, perhaps even if the usage benchmarks are met.

“The continued operation of the Parham branch will depend on the availability of resources and funding within the budget targets imposed by our funders,” said Richardson

At a meeting of Central Frontenac Council on Tuesday (January 12) Mayor Frances Smith said that the shelving that needs to be put in place will cost about $28,000 and that a drop box will cost another $3,000.

She said that the meeting that took place in December had been a good one, and that “the library board is really trying to establish a reasonable target for usage given the size of the community and other factors. We will be able to engage with them on the benchmark and our two county representatives on their board, John Purdon and Annie Peace-Fast, will play a role in monitoring how the library handles the matter.”

She added that it is a “beautiful space” that has been created for the library at the back of the new Parham fire hall.

“I'm not convinced they haven't already made up their mind and are just stringing us along,” said Councilor Philip Smith.

Councilor Bill MacDonald said that in his recollection it was the Library that provided shelving when the branch in Sharbot Lake was upgraded in the 1990s.

When the Frontenac Public Library was originally established, each of the Frontenac townships committed to establishing a branch, and when four townships (Olden, Oso, Hinchinbrooke and Kennebec) amalgamated to form Central Frontenac, the new township inherited four branches.

The Kingston Frontenac Public Library, which was created after municipal amalgamation in 1998, has continued to provide staffing and library materials to the four branches, but in a report tabled in 2006, it was proposed that one larger branch in Sharbot Lake be built to replace all four existing branches.

Since then the Arden branch has been upgraded and is included in the long term plans of the library, and the existing Sharbot Lake branch has remained busy, but the status of the Parham and Mountain Grove branches has been precarious.

While the letter from board chair Richardson creates doubt about the continued viability of the Parham branch, the reference to supporting a “new facility in Mountain Grove” is the first sign of a long-term commitment to a third branch in Central Frontenac.

Mayor Smith said that if the Parham branch is forced to close, the new shelving can be used for an upgraded Mountain Grove facility.

The commitment to a branch in every former Frontenac Township was broken by the KFPL Board when they closed the Ompah branch in the former Palmerston - Canonto township five years ago.

A community group has established an independent library where the KFPL branch used to be located.

Adele Colby, chair of Grandmothers-by-the-Lake, the local chapter of the Stephen Lewis Foundation's Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, recently returned from a trip to Entebbe, Uganda where she attended a conference for the Ugandan grandmothers who have been supporting and caring for the thousands of Ugandan children orphaned as a result of Africa's HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Colby said the trip has further strengthened her resolve as she and her group continue to fundraise for the cause they have been supporting for years.

Stephen Lewis began the campaign as a way for Canadians to support the thousands of African grandmothers caring for millions of orphaned African children. The gathering was sponsored by five different organizations including the Stephen Lewis Foundation along with four Ugandan organizations.

It was Colby's second trip to Africa. Her first trip was in 2010 to Swaziland for a gathering of grandmothers from all over Sub-Saharan Africa. For this second trip Colby was one of 20 Canadian grandmothers along with two others from the UK, whose roles were as observers. She said she was struck by the headway that the Ugandan grandmothers are making and how the conference, which was the first official gathering of Ugandan grandmothers since the campaign began a decade ago, was aimed at addressing the specific issues that the Ugandan grandmothers are currently facing. These issues include health care, children's education, pensions, violence and inheritances. “It's obvious just from being there and seeing the evolution that has taken place that the issues facing these women are changing. Whereas a number of the basic and major issues have been addressed since 2006, these women now are striving to gain more independence and the gathering focused on finding ways to support their constitutional rights, many of which exist in the Ugandan constitution but sadly are not being enforced.”

In illustrating the progress the women have made, Colby said, “When I was in Swaziland in 2010, it was rare to see women speaking out in the workshops whereas at this gathering, women were lining up to speak. A number of them are even running for political office, which was absolutely amazing to see.” She cited other major changes that have taken place, including community banking.

Still, she said, much work needs to be done. “These women are not asking for anything that they are not entitled to, but just want things like their basic human rights.”

The Stephen Lewis Foundation learned much from the first Swaziland gathering and Colby said that future gatherings will be held in specific single African countries in an effort to address each country's unique issues. This recent change means that each conference's agenda can be geared to address the specific action plans of the various African grandmothers. “I feel that this conference was a real turning point in Africa in that these women have an urgency now that they are getting older. They now have enough confidence to speak out and the focus that I took away is that these women want to make sure that the children are educated so they can successfully launch themselves into society”.

During the trip all the grandmothers joined forces and completed a three-kilometre walk where they passed by the Ugandan prime minister's office. Colby said their presence was well received by residents in the city. “I really had a sense during this trip that things are out in the open, and that nothing is hidden any more.”

The fact that there are still 260,000 new cases of HIV/AIDS every year across the African continent means that there is still much work to do; however Colby also believes that the role of the Canadian grandmothers is slowly changing as well. “You really get a sense that it is African women who will save Africa and our dream is that one day we will no longer be needed.”

Colby said that her group is planning a number of fundraisers for 2016. Green thumbs will be thrilled to know that gardening guru Ed Lawrence will be back by popular demand on Saturday, May 7 to speak and answer gardening questions at a venue to be announced. Tickets are $20. Also coming up is the group's annual bake and plant sale, which will take place at St. Paul's United Church in Harrowsmith on Saturday, May 28.

As well, participants taking part in the annual national grandmothers' walk will be looking for pledges. For more information about the Grandmothers-by-the-Lake group and/or to join, contact Marni Pedersen at 613-374-9929. Adele Colby is also available to speak to groups and organizations about the Grandmothers-by-the-Lake group, the Stephen Lewis Foundation and the amazing work that these African grandmothers have been doing. She can be contacted at 613-375-8845.