by Jim Kelly

Two days of heavy rain didn’t stop the expert groundskeepers at the Rivendell Golf Club from having the course in playable shape when the Lions Clubs of Region 11 held their 8th Annual Charity Golf Tournament there on June 13.

One hundred and seven golfers teed just as the rain was letting up and by 2 pm the tournament ended with the sun shining on everyone and the Lions smiling at the success of the event.

In spite of the wet terrain there were still a number of fine displays of golf put on by the participants. First place in the Men’s division went to the team of Joe Bowes, Steve Bowes, Ryan Bowes and Chris Bowes. The top team in the Mixed division was composed of Jim Smith, Carolyn Smith, Ken Johnston and Irene Johnston.

Other winners were Karen Fargo, (Closest to the Pin – Women), Cecil Vrieswyk, (Closest to the Pin – Men), Lynda Derue, (Most Accurate Drive – Women) and Wayne French, (Most Accurate Drive – Men).

The winner of the $500 VIA Rail Travel voucher was John Sauve, who put on a terrific display of putting.

Approximately $9,000 was raised, which means the Lions will be able to purchase new equipment for their Vision and Hearing Screening programs. These programs, which have been in place for over 10 years at some schools, are offered in all the elementary schools of the Limestone District and the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Boards. Students enrolled in Senior Kindergarten and Grade One are screened each and every year and if a difficulty is detected parents are notified by letter with the suggestion that their child be examined by a professional from the appropriate field (vision or hearing).

This tournament was co-ordinated by the Sydenham & District Lions Club with tremendous support from the Lions Clubs of Bath, Kingston, Newburgh – Camden, Sharbot Lake, Storrington and Verona. Lions from all the Clubs across Region 11 wish to extend their sincere thanks to the many businesses that sponsored holes and donated prizes as well as to the golfers whose presence and good humour in trying conditions made the day such a success.

Sometimes even an organization dedicated to the future finds itself looking into the rear view mirror.

The Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation (FCFDC) celebrated its 10th anniversary at its Annual General Meeting last week.

The breakfast event, which was held at the Verona Free Methodist Church on June 12, was attended by a number of original board members, including Matthew Robinson (soon to be CEO of the Robinson Group), John Inglis from Lothlorien Woodworking, and Ryan Seeds from Seeds and Associates.

Anne Prichard has been the executive director of the FCFDC from the organization’s start, aided by Executive Assistant Sue Theriault, who has also been there for 10 years. “Our goal from the start has been to help local business initiatives, be they start-ups or established businesses looking to expand,” said Prichard.

Although the FCFDC is federally funded, it is a registered not-for-profit corporation, and decisions on loans and grants are made by a volunteer board comprised of business and community volunteers from Frontenac County.

Current Chair of the Board, Ron Higgins, outlined the results of some of the accumulated efforts of the organization.

The three major functions of the FCFDC include: providing loans, business support services and advice, and providing grants from the Eastern Ontario Development Fund.

In 10 years over $5.5 million has been loaned out by the FCFDC to 191 customers. The corporation holds $3 million in its loan portfolio currently, including over $1 million lent out in 2013 to 21 businesses.

“We estimate that for every dollar loaned another 98 cents is invested from other sources, be it a bank or the business itself, putting $2 million into the local economy from our loans this past year,” said Ron Higgins.

About 25% of the loans have gone to tourism-related ventures; another 25% to retail; 14% to the service industry; 10% to value added food; and 6% to farming.

In terms of grants, under the Eastern Ontario Development Program, in 2013 alone, $878,000 was granted to 96 different projects. A further $318,000 in grants, matched dollar for dollar by the businesses themselves went to 65 projects that created 18 jobs and supported another 318 existing jobs

In terms of business consulting, the FCFDC has conducted 414 in-depth consultations over the years, and has run 24 workshops on various topics.

Working with Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDC) from other counties, as well as agencies such as KEDCO in Kingston, a number of regional projects have been undertaken, such as the FAB (Food and Beverage) initiative in Frontenac, L&A, Hastings and Prince Edward Counties.

Executive Director Anne Prichard has been pro-active ever since the start, approaching businesses, township and county councils, and providing ideas for initiatives throughout the county and the region. Ron Higgins paid tribute to her efforts.

“On behalf of the current and past board members, I would like to let Anne know how much we appreciate how much effort she has put in and continues to put in to bring this agency to life,” he said.

For her part, Prichard says it has been and continues to be a continuing effort to get the FCFDC known to all businesses in Frontenac County.

As well, all of the CFDCs have been facing cuts to their core funding, and in the case of Frontenac County this has meant a decrease in staffing by one person in recent months. The Eastern Ontario Development Program, which has been renewed, has seen changes that will require attention by recipients and her staff as well.

However at the AGM last week, it was more a time to celebrate accomplishments than to strategise for the next phase of effort, and the packed house for the breakfast meeting, which was attended by representatives from all municipalities, Frontenac County, and the business and banking communities, made it clear that from its inception as a fledgling institution, the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation has indeed become an integral force in the economy of Frontenac County.

Students at Prince Charles Public School in Verona had no idea that Canadian Olympic gold medalist and NHLer Mike Smith would be joining them when they gathered in the school’s gym for a meeting about their upcoming Relay for Life event.

The surprise visit on May 30 was organized

by grade one/two teacher, Lisa Cousins-Badour, who knows the Smith family well and used to baby-sit Mike when he was a youngster. The students were delighted when Mike appeared at the side door of the gym with his Olympic gold medal in hand.

Smith, who plays in the NHL with the Phoenix Coyotes, was goalie number three for the Canadian Olympic team at the 2014 games in Sochi, where the team won Olympic gold. Students had a chance to see both Mike and his medal up close as he made his way through the crowd of overjoyed students, who requested autographs and photos with the former PCPS student.

Smith got his start in hockey playing floor hockey as a young student at PCPS. He fielded numerous questions from the students, who asked him how he felt at the Sochi games; how the experience changed him; when he began playing hockey; about his musical tastes and more. Smith answered the questions with honesty and charm and had special advice for the youngsters: “My advice to you kids is this - no matter what you like to do, be it art, sports, music, whatever, always remember that if you put your mind to it, work hard, set your goals and stick to them, anything is possible.”

Smith had skyped with PCPS students prior to Sochi and he said that he never tires of visiting with students at his former school. Since his return home after the regular NHL season, he has been busy meeting with fans who want to visit with him and see his Olympic medal. “Every time I come back here the kids are more excited than the last time and to be here now with a gold medal around my neck is a real dream come true.”

Mike is not the only Olympian in his family. His wife Brigitte skied at both the Turin and Vancouver Olympics and her mother skied at the Sapporo games in Japan. However, he said humorously that he is the only member of the family with the “official gold medal bragging rights”.

Smith got his start in the NHL with the Dallas Stars and has played most recently as goalie with the Phoenix Coyotes. He said that this past NHL season with the Coyotes was a bit of a disappointment. “We missed the playoffs and a chance to compete for the cup, which of course is the goal. But we had some injuries; we just couldn't find our consistency and lacked a couple of points at the end of the season, but next year is a new year.”

Before last season ended Smith extended his contract with the Coyotes to stay on for another six years, which he said will be beneficial to his young family. He and his wife Brigitte have two young sons and a third baby is on the way. Smith said that being a part of the Olympic team was a dream come true and over the next four years he hopes to improve his game so that he may reach his ultimate goal of playing at the next Olympic games.

However, he did say that even if he does not get another opportunity to play at the Olympics, his experience at Sochi will be an experience that he will never forget.

Three of the four generations of the Revell family were on hand in Verona on May 28 celebrating the recent facelift and expansion at the Ford Lincoln dealership that has called Verona home for 78 years.

Harry Revell, his sons Larry and Al and their sons Nathan, Josh and Brad, were all present greeting customers and members of the community who came out to enjoy snacks, live music and the official ribbon cutting ceremony at the dealership. The business recently underwent an impressive expansion and facelift that was headed up by local contractor Steve Tarasick. It includes a brand-new two-car-length service drive through with a new upstairs area that includes a meeting/lunchroom for employees and four new office spaces. A new Lincoln Ford tower was built out front and the entire main showroom downstairs was also renovated. The parts and service areas switched locations from north to south respectively and Larry Revell said that he hopes the new 16,000 square foot space, which now includes 12 service bays and nine additional bays in the body shop “will give our loyal customers a new and improved experience”.

Four generations of the Revell family have been involved in the business for its close to eight decades of operation in the community. Larry and Al's grandfather, Wesley Revell, originally opened the business in 1936 and his son Harry and his brother Glen soon took over the dealership side of the business. Al came into the business in 1975 and Larry in 1977. Their sons, Josh, Brad and Nate now work in the business as well.

Larry Revell spoke at the event first, thanking many of the special guests who attended, including South Frontenac mayor, Gary Davison, and councilors Ron Vandewal, John McDougall, Allan McPhail, and Bill Robinson. Representatives from Ford were also on hand, including Ford Motor Credit's Eastern Canada regional manager Kevin Taylor, business development manager Warren Russell, and Ford Motor Company sales managers Steve Semenak and Jennifer Strang, who each had a chance to speak.

Harry Revell was given the scissors to perform the ribbon cutting, which was preceded by a celebratory playing of the bagpipes by OPP Constable Mark Wellwood. Musicians Tom Thompson and John Kott also performed throughout the event. Close to 100 members of the community attended the opening and Kim Sproule offered up tours of the newly renovated facility.

Asked what has made this family business, which is one of Ford's oldest family-owned dealerships, such an ongoing success, Larry said it is the employees and the family tradition of treating customers with honesty and respect.

Harry Revell is now 86 years old. He entered the business out of high school, first working in the grocery store and then selling cars shortly after that. Harry said he always wanted to get into the car business for the simple fact that he loved cars. Harry, who has always driven Fords, said that he never imagined the business looking as it does today. Harry's father Wesley originally knocked down two houses to put in the two-bay dealership, which had two gas pumps out front. Harry recalled selling a lot of cars back in those days. Asked how the business has changed over the years. Harry said, “Today the Ford company is building better products which is what has kept customers coming back year after year.”

Harry credited his dad Wesley with passing along his values to the family business, which he said are based on church going values that put hard work and honesty first. Larry Revell also credited the patience, loyalty and hard work of his many long-time employees, some of whom have been working with the Revell family for over four decades.

Do you want to know where the local candidates stand on the issues of concern in our corner of the province? The Frontenac News is providing two opportunities for you to find out. On Monday, May 26 at 7 pm, we are teaming up with the Friends of Arden at the Kennebec Community Hall, located on the Arden-Tamworth Road at the junction with Elm Tree Road, a hundred metres or so past the Mill Pond if you are headed south.

The second meeting, co-sponsored by the Verona Lions, will be held on Monday, June 2 at the Verona Lions Hall at 4504 Verona Sand Road, which runs west off of Verona Main Street (Road 38) near the foot of the village.

The candidates (in alphabetical order by last name) are Randy Hillier (incumbent PC) Bill MacDonald (Liberals) Cam Mather (Green) Dave Parkhill (NDP).

The nomination deadline is Thursday, May 22 and this is being written on May 20 so another candidate may still come out of the wood work.

The candidates will each have four minutes for opening remarks at the beginning of the evening, and before taking questions from the floor, this time around there will be a question that we think may frame some of the debate. We will be asking each candidate to explain what their party will be doing for rural Eastern Ontario other than the farming community, in the next four years, if elected.

We are not asking what they will do individually as MPPs, or what their own issues are, and we are not asking what their party has done or advocated for in the past. We want information about the party platforms.

The reason for this question is that thus far the party platforms that have been publicized, as far as rural Ontario is concerned, have been limited to policies regarding farming issues .

The Liberal party is offering subsidies to support farmers. The Conservatives are promising to eliminate or streamline regulations, promote bio-diesel and cut energy costs. The Liberal and Conservative parties also have radically different policies regarding wind and solar power production, which is a rural issue as well as an energy policy issues

As for the NDP – the rural page on their election website says “The page you were looking for was not found” - an indication of the slow roll-out of their election platform.

This question will be sent to the candidates in advance. Once they have a chance to answer, the public will be invited to ask questions for the rest of the evening, followed by a final statement by each candidate. The meeting will last no more than 2 hours.

For further information, call the Frontenac News (613-279-3150), email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact us through Facebook.

Regular vendors at the Frontenac Farmers Market (FFM) braved a cold and rainy season opener on May 3 at their new Saturday location. The FFM has moved from its long time location at the Verona Lions Hall to the parking lot of Prince Charles Public School in Verona, where it will be holding its regular market from 9am-1pm on Saturdays.

In addition, the market has expanded to include a regular Friday afternoon market that will be held from 3 – 7pm beginning May 16 in Harrowsmith at the junction where the K&P Trail meets Road 38 just south of the village. The moves have been made in an effort to increase attendance by making the market more visible to passing traffic, and the additional Friday afternoon slot hopes to attract weekend traffic as cottagers and tourists head north on Road 38 to lake country.

Debbie Harris, who is the treasurer/manager of the market and also a vendor, hopes the changes will make a difference in the number of visitors who attend. “The short 45 second drive that it takes from Road 38 to the Lions hall is not the real issue; it is more an issue of visibility to local traffic, which we are hoping to benefit from,” Harris said.

Road 38 is a busy corridor, especially in the warm weather months when cottagers and tourists use the road to access cottages and other weekend destinations in the area and further north. The Friday market, according to Harris, will be the only one in existence in the local area.

Many of the market’s usual vendors were in attendance at Saturday's opener including Haanover Farms who sell ecologically raised pork; Tuckamore Farms and Casey’s Cookies who sell seedlings, produce, and home made pet treats; Melody, the Tye Dye lady with her tie-dyed apparel; newcomer Pat and Kate Joslin of Bear Root Farm in Verona who sell seedlings and produce; and Judy of Judy's Jams Jellies and Jarfuls. Also on hand was Middle eastern cuisine from Memories of Alexandria, knitted items from Gina's Warm and Woolies, cards and butter tarts by Sharron Sole, and produce and meats from Sands Produce and Rock Ledge Farms. Interested vendors and shoppers can find out more information about the market and its vendors by visiting www.frontenacfarmersmarket.ca. While Harris said that certain aspects of the old location will be missed, (especially the Lions' breakfasts), she is hopeful that the move and the addition of the Friday market will increase attendance for the 2014 season. The Saturday market in Verona will run from May 3 to October 25 and the Friday market in Harrowsmith from May 16 to August 29.

Youngsters and their families enjoyed a day of fun and games courtesy of Verona Lions Club who set up a variety of children's activities and a free lunch for all at their first-ever Chili and Games Day at the Lions hall on April 5. Darlene Slack, who headed up the event that included numerous board, card and interactive games, and face painting courtesy of Kaye Traynor of K's Klubhouse said the event was initiated as a way to bring members of the community together.

“We wanted to let the community know that there is a place where they can come, where they can get together, and do something a little bit different.” Slack is hoping to make the event an annual one in the Verona community,

It was an event that Anne Prichard of the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) called “over-subscribed” at Trinity United Church in Verona.

Representatives from all three levels of government outlined in broad terms a number of granting programs that are open to businesses, not-for-profits and municipalities this year to well over 100 people who squeezed into the hall.

Anne Marie Young from Frontenac County and Louise Fragnoto from South Frontenac Township each made short presentations about community grants that are available to community groups. Up to $5,000 is available from Frontenac County for community based projects thst foster sustainablity and economic development. The township of South Frontenac has set aside $10,000 in total for small project grants (up to $2,000) for projects “which provide a new or improved community service or potential economic benefit” that are sponsored by a community group.

Katie Nolan from the Ministry of Farming and the Ministry of Rural Affairs, based in Kemptville, talked about several larger funding initiatives. These include Local Food Grants, the Growing Forward program which is targeted at larger farm operations, as well as Rural Economic Development (RED) grants which have been traditionally accessed by tourism related enterprises in the past. Most of the grants that Katie Nolan talked about are so-called 50-50 grants, the province will provide 50% of the funding necessary and the business or not-for-profit needs to come up with the other 50%. Other grant money can be used to cover some of the other 50% but it can't be from a provincially funded program and there is a minimum cash commitment required in all cases.

Anne Prichard then talked about the Eastern Ontario Development Program, which has been administered by the CFDC for a number of years. The program, which is set to get underway for the coming year on April 1st, has not yet been completely rolled out.

“I wanted to get out and discuss the program today, but there are details that I don't know about yet,” Prichard said.

One thing that she does know is that the EODP will no longer fund 100% of project costs for not-for-profit corporations. From now on, just like the business sector, they will have to cover at least 50% of costs, and in kind donations will not count.

Another change is that website development, for which the CFDC used ot be able to draw on EODP funds, is not longer eligible, although site upgrades of certain kinds, such as developing direct sales capacity, will still be eligible.

Local musician Lee Casement of Verona is pleased to announce the upcoming CD release party of the third and final installment of “In the Guestroom”, a trilogy of CDs that he has been writing and recording with a number of musical buddies and family members over the last five years.

The first CD was recorded in May 2011 and the second in December 2012. The last one, titled “In the Guestroom Part 3: Redemption in Disguise” will be released on Friday March 28, 7:30pm at The Next Church in Kingston.

Olympian Mike Smith got a send off to Sochi like no other! Mike is one of the three goalies who made the cut to play for the Canadian Olympic hockey team and on February 6 his former school, Prince Charles Public School in Verona, gave him a wonderful pep rally. The gym was packed with not only students and staff but also community members. With the great wonders of technology Mike was there via a Skype link that was set up by his supportive parents, Ingrid and Ron Smith. They were invited to the school by PCPS teacher Lisa Cousins-Badour, who wanted to help the students celebrate with Mike and his family.

Students had prepared for the day by decorating the school's main foyer and gym with 250 paper NHL jerseys, each inscribed with Mike's NHL number 41. Mr. Burnham's grade 8 class made a special banner wishing Mike luck at the games. Each student was given their very own Canadian flag to wave as Ingrid Smith set up the Skype connection with her son, who was in Phoenix at the time, which was then projected onto a large screen. Once the connection was made, the students began by chanting a number of cheers that they had prepared, one of them ending with the line “Go For Gold!”

The children were also able to ask him many questions including "Hey Mike, what are you packing in your suitcase?" and "Mike how do you keep fit?". The good-natured Veronaian had no problem replying... "Well of course my hockey equipment and I always start the day by having over 300 hockey pucks shot at me!"  He also said he would be using a brand new helmet that he had designed specially for the Olympic games.

Grade 7 student Olivia Minifie asked Mike how he planned to cope with the stress and pressure that competing in the Olympics can bring. Mike answered that he counts on his family for their support, which helps to relieve the stress and to keep him focused. Grade 2 student Clare Swinton asked Mike if his family would be joining him. He explained that the following Sunday he would be joined in Atlanta, Georgia by his parents (they have since made the trip to Sochi with him). Mike's wife Brigitte (a former Olympian herself) and their two young sons, both toddlers, would remain behind in Verona.

Mike spoke to the students of his days as a young student at PCPS and his dreams of going to Olympics as a hockey player, and of how he is now living that dream. He spoke of the importance of following your dream and encouraged the PCPS students to follow their own dreams and do their best to make them a reality.

Mike related to the students that even if he did not get a chance to get onto the ice at the games, he would be practicing with the team and that the experience of being chosen to be a part of the team will be something he will always cherish and be proud of.

After Mike thanked the students for all of their support, the school's principal, Peter Dendy, promised that should Mike play in any of the games, he would do his best to broadcast the games in the school gym and would invite all the students and members of the community to the school to watch. Mike's mother Ingrid spoke as well and became emotional, thanking the community for their ongoing support for Mike over the years.

Teacher Lisa Cousins-Badour, who organized the event, said one of her aims was to make the 2014 Olympics a more tangible and real experience for the students at the school.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and one to take advantage of and I wanted the students to be able to have a chance to make the experience an even more special and personal one."

She added that she wanted the students to also understand that Mike's dream has come with its own ups and downs, but that all along the way he has received support from his family and the community.

The Olympic men's hockey competition is slated to begin today, February 13.