Community Columns - January 20, 2022

Jan 19, 2022

These columns from our community reporters are updated every week.

Table of Contents

• Arden
• Battersea/Storrington
• Cloyne - Northbrooke
• Denbigh
• Godfrey
• Harlowe
• Harrowsmith
• Henderson
• Inverary
• Maberly-Bolingbroke
• Mississippi
• Mountain Grove
• Ompah
• Parham-Tichborne
• Perth Road
• Plevna
• Sydenham
• Verona

Arden
by Wanda Harrison

With all of us at home, and just plain tired of purging closets and drawers, it may be the time to learn a new skill or improve your computer knowledge.

Connections, Adult Learning, has always been in the forefront of improving our knowledge in all things electronic.  There are courses in android tablets and smart phones, iphone and ipads, but if none of that is of interest to you maybe you would be more interested in other programs offered. Featured are courses in gardening, accounting, decluttering, office skills and how the workplace has changed.  Spaces are always limited due to a large volume of applicants, so get in touch with Adult Learning at 613-279-2499 or 613-336-0691, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If you are more interested in a career change, the place for you to explore is St. Lawrence College.  They are always offering training in various skills such as heavy equipment training, employment training for youth or numerous other skilled jobs.  They also hold job fairs and often advertise job openings.  Get in touch the Sharbot Lake office and maybe they can help you out.

With all of us staying inside because of both the cold weather and the extremely contagious Omicron variant, please remember to support local.  Arden’s C 4 Convenience has everything from warm lunches during the week to weekend pizza and wings.  With football playoffs ongoing, now is the time for those wings.  Get them while they're hot.

Remember, spring is only about 59 days away!!  Keep smiling.

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Battersea/Storrington
by Amanda Pantrey

As Northway Home Hardware has officially changed hands, I wanted to send my sincere appreciation to Reta and Roger for all their community support over the years. I have called on them on many occasions to support this n’ that, and they were always happy to help. Having the hardware store in our community has saved a lot of us many trips to town – For that, I am extremely grateful. Enjoy your next chapter, Reta and Roger! And a warm welcome to Inverary to the new owners, Matt and Will Trousdale!

Another business change in our community – Battersea Auto Service closed at the beginning of the year. Kirk and Timmy have done so much for many of us, often without charge for a boost or topping up the air in your tires. That just what they do. Come and help when you’re in a tight spot. A few years ago, my sister dropped them off a case of beer when she bought a new car because they helped her out so much with her old one. They were always fair, never sold you what you didn’t need, and would go above and beyond every time. I can certainly say I took for granted having a reliable auto shop right up the road, it will be strange to see the garage empty. My very best wishes to Kirk, Timmy, and the rest of the gang at Battersea Auto!

The Storrington Lions Club is hosting food drive in support of the Battersea United Church Food Bank. Drop off is at the Lions Club in Sunbury on February 4^th from 1:00pm – 5:00pm.

Have you got your tickets for the February 12^th ham supper hosted by the Storrington Lions Club yet? Fear not! They can be reserved by calling 613-353-2086. Each meal is $20, you can it pick up at the Club from 4:00pm – 6:00pm. All proceeds from the supper go towards projects and initiatives in our community.

What’s a pilots favourite kind of donut? Plane. Thanks to Don in Parham for this week’s joke! Very well Don, indeed.

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Cloyne - Northbrooke
by Nancy Skipper

“Exceptional” to quote the Land O’Lakes Foodbank Volunteers of the generosity of the people living and visiting our area.  Financial individual donations and food drives by local people, associations, NAEC and a few vendors should ensure our sustainability and ability to meet the needs of our ever-increasing demand for nourishment during this disastrous pandemic.  We are so grateful for your righteous value and thank you all for being the generous part of our community.  No one in our area should go to bed hungry; simply call Land O’Lakes Community Services for assistance.  Our Foodbank volunteers wish you a great and healthy 2022.

Cottages at Bon Echo's Edge are pleased to announce an exciting new addition to our inventory for the 2022 summer season.

Cottage 5 has breathtaking views of the historic Mazinaw Lake and Bon Echo rock. It has three bedrooms, a separate living room and a full kitchen with a dining area.  It also includes a large patio door that leads out onto a large completely furnished deck with furniture and a BBQ and stunning views.

Contact North is offering some great courses to help beat the winter blahs

T: 1-855-899-4788 | Z: 613-209-9049 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. What a great time to take a course just for your enjoyment. These are FREE, six weeks long, lessons given out every Wednesday and Friday and are online anytime. Contact us today, start dates of Jan 12, Feb 9, March 16.

Discover Sign Language will teach you how to sign basic phrases and complete sentences and how to put it all together, allowing you to introduce yourself and start a conversation. Along the way, you will learn signs for colors, numbers, locations, family, and the activities you like to do.

Throughout the course, you will learn by watching videos that demonstrate how to make the signs and how to incorporate facial expressions to communicate in this beautiful language. This course is taught using the best practices of the industry with a minimum of audio support. Throughout it, you will be immersed in silence, which will help you gain an understanding of the perspective of Deaf people and sign language. You will also gain an introduction to the world of the deaf culture and explore topics such as lip reading, baby signs, and the career of interpreting. By the end of the course, when you meet a deaf person, you will be ready to sign!

Fantasy is an increasingly popular genre of fiction, and now is a great time to become a fantasy fiction writer! This course is perfect whether you have an idea for a book or even if you don't know where to start. With the tools you'll gain in this course, you'll be ready to tackle your first fantasy novel.

In this course, you will learn what separates fantasy fiction from other types of fiction. You will also discover how to create characters and populate your world with unique, compelling, and interesting creatures. You'll learn how to outline your book, come up with a theme, and commit to actually writing. You will learn how to revise and edit so that when you complete it, your book will essentially be a finished product. You will even learn a bit about publishing your book, including the differences between self-publishing and traditional publishing. Finally, you'll get a number of tips about how to stay motivated and complete your novel - because, after all, writing is hard work!

Discover what you need to know to write for children. If you are a beginning writer, this course will help you transform your book idea into a finished product. If you are an already successful writer, this course will help you explore new opportunities and markets for your work.

You will explore the changing world of children's literature and understand the various formats, including picture books, chapter books, middle grade or young adult novels. You will get insights from publishing professionals to gain a better understanding of the needs of today's market. You will receive valuable tips about creating your manuscript, and even practice writing a query letter to submit to a publisher. By the time you finish this course, you will have all the tools and resources you will need to begin navigation the world of children's publishing and to continue growing as a writer for children.

Create an effective resume or improve the one you already have. Transform your resume into a powerful tool that will get you interviews. Learn different resume formats and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Make the most of your work experience and discover how to use references to your advantage. This course includes the use of online resumes and is invaluable for anyone who wants to create their own resume, or learn how to write resumes and cover letters for profit.

If you've always been interested in drawing but don't really know how to get started, then this is the course for you. Gain a solid foundation and understanding of the basics of drawing and become the artist you've always dreamed you could be!

You'll become intimately familiar with paper types, drawing styles, rendering techniques, and the basic principles of perspective, layout, design, lighting, volume, and space. If you have an interest in learning what it's like to draw or would love to increase your current knowledge in the field of art and illustrating, then this course aims to fulfill all of your needs.

Do you want to lose weight and keep it off? Now you can! In this comprehensive course, you'll discover how to establish a healthy approach to weight loss and weight maintenance. You'll master how to set and achieve weight-loss and weight-maintenance goals that make sense for you.

By the end of this course, you'll know how to set appropriate and effective goals for eating, exercise, and many other elements that affect your weight. You'll have the skills you need to lose weight and keep it off for a lifetime!

Barbara Davies

Education & Training Representative

Représentante de l’éducation et de la formation

Serving the Hastings Limestone Territory

Online Learning Centre Located in Madoc

T: 1-855-899-4788 | Z: 613-209-9049

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you know Stephanie, owner of Finnegan’s General Store, you know she loves baskets. So, you can imagine her excitement when @marleanmclean introduced her and Michael to @julia'shandwovenbasketsandmore
Julia & her hubby dropped off some gorgeous pieces to the store.
Julia has been weaving since 2001 and Stephanie and Michael are so happy to have her in their store.

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Denbigh
Angela Bright

Addington Highlands Public Library has added some new e-resources; Canadian Points of View Reference Centre, Consumer Health Complete, NoveList (k-8) and NoveList Plus.  Find AHPL on Facebook and follow the link.  The library is currently curbside pickup and computer service only.  Call the library at 613 333 1426 if you have any questions.

Skating at the Denbigh rink is open every day except for scheduled hockey nights. Hockey nights are Monday, Wednesday & Friday 6:30pm to 9pm(approximately); Sundays 4 to 9pm(approximately).  Maximum number on the ice is 25.  The rink building is not open, however, there is a bench beside the building where you can lace up your skates.  Lights will be on until 9pm, as long as the ice service is suitable.  Visit addingtonhighlands.ca or Denbigh Rink page on Facebook for updates.  We have been to the rink a number of times over the last couple weeks and the ice has been great!

The Denbigh Community Food Bank will be open the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of every month at 11:00am.  The next pick up is January 25th.  Please call Gail at 613-333-2224 for pick up.  The Food Bank serves the communities of Denbigh, Vennachar, Griffith and Matawatchan.

The Meals on Wheels menu for January 27th is soup & roll, Southern Fried Chicken, potato wedges, sunrise veggies and apple pie.  Thursday, February 3rd is soup & roll, BBQ Pork Chops, mashed potatoes with gravy, Italian mixed vegetables and a date square.  To place your order, contact Shelby at 613-336-8934 ext.226.

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Godfrey
Kelli McRobert

No column; check back next week!

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Harlowe
Marie White

My what a wild wintry day out there today, but we have been lucky so far in January.

Our sincere sympathy to the family of Lola Gray on her passing. She was a pleasant lady and was a neighbour of my parents for years. Another Harlowe resident gone.

Get well wishes are reaching out to Stanley Clark, who has been ill for quite some time. Do hope a miracle drops by.

I'm sorry Bruce. I forgot your birthday on January 15. Happy belated birthday to Bruce Osborne. HE was a great violin player until about 4 years ago, when he fell on the ice and damaged his shoulder, so he bought a mandolin. Maybe, Bruce, you can get Helen to buy a guitar and start singing. Many more great years.

Wilbour Maracle fell on the ice last week and hurt his hip. Hope the hurt is healing and is soon back to normal.

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Harrowsmith
Marilyn Goodberry

No column; check back next week!

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Henderson
Jean Brown

Howdy, folks- hope the deep freeze soon lifts. Let's stay safe and be careful of frost burn!

Folks are excited about the free family fishing weekend coming up Feb. 19-21 2022 when fishing is allowed without the usual fishing version of the outdoors card. This will be a fun time on our area lakes, so please set the date aside.

Congratulations to our Lions Club of Land O’Lakes who received a $69,300 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to upgrade the bottle/can sorting and storage shed at their Community Hall in Northbrook. We certainly appreciate all that the Lions do for our area and communities, and this bottle sorting revenue will be a great asset. Thanks!

The United Churches of Arden, Henderson and Mountain Grove are hosting a virtual games afternoon for all youth on Sat. January 22nd at 2:30pm and it sounds like fun. Please be in touch with the church by emailing Kaitlyn Ostrander - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the Zoom link or if you have any questions. All youth are welcome to attend. With Covid restrictions in effect, the churches are offering virtual worship on line and the link can be obtained at the previous e-mail address (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), or by calling the church at 613-335-2474.

Deepest sympathy to the family of Lola Gray who died at Pine Meadow Nursing Home where she received excellent care. Born in Harlowe, Lola loved her home, garden and pets, especially her beloved Molson who lived to be 19. Lola will be remembered for her love of cooking, organizing family dinners, and volunteering for local and area events involving square dancing, country music and the Old-Tyme Fiddlers. She will be missed in our community and at the ever-wonderful Harlowe Hall events.

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Inverary
by Judy Borovskis

Rotary Cash Calendar 2022 can be yours for $20!   313 chances to win and you can win more than once.  Calendars available at Mrs Garrett’s Bake Shop, Inverary Pharmasave, Maple Country Home & Farm and Limestone Creamery or call Darlene at 613-353-1142.

Food Drive!  Next Community Food Drive will be held on Friday, February 4, 2022.  Drop off at the Storrington Lion’s Hall in Sunbury between 1:00 and 5:00pm.  A wish-list of items will follow later in the month.

Baked Ham Dinner!  Storrington Lions Club is offering a take-out ham dinner on February 12^th.  A delicious Valentine treat for yourself or someone else for $20 per dinner!  Your order must be in by February 9^th.  Reserve by calling Teresa at 353-2086.

Remember, with the return of winter and snow that the parking of vehicles on Township roads and village streets from 12:00 midnight to 7:00am is not permitted from December 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.

Martial Arts classes at Inverary United Church hall on Thursday evenings hope to begin soon.  For more info, call or text Hamid Nam at 613-328-6742 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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Maberly-Bolingbroke
Karen Prytula

Tay Valley Township Recognises the Allan Farm, amongst the first land allotments of the Perth Military Settlement - The first historic property to be recognised in Tay Valley Township for the New Year was announced this week by the municipal Council.  The heritage Allan Farm on Allans Side Road in North Burgess Ward has been operated by five generations of the family.

The founders of the farm, John and Ann Allan, arrived at the Perth Military Settlement in 1816, amongst the first of the European settlers from Scotland to receive government land allotments.  The beautiful stone farmhouse, at 620 Alans Side Road, was added in the 1840s.  A significant historic feature of the property is the Allan family’s first home, a two-story log building, still standing not far from the present residence, now housing the early blacksmith shop and furnace. 

The Allan Property also provided land for the S.S. #7 North Burgess one-room schoolhouse in 1874.   In 1968,it was consolidated with other area schools into the central Glen Tay School.  One of the Allan daughters, Euphemia, taught at the schoolhouse in 1900. 

The Heritage Properties Recognition Program acknowledges Tay Valley Township’s long and diverse Indigenous and settler history, and the wealth of heritage properties that define our community.  Properties eligible to receive recognition include buildings that have historic or cultural significance to the community, structures such as monuments, cemetery markers or bridges, and heritage landscapes, archaeological sites, and cottage properties. This program is commemorative and carries no legal restrictions for properties. For further information please visit https://www.tayvalleytwp.ca/en/discover-tay-valley/historic-structures.aspx  For further information about applying for the program, contact:
Laurie Hudson-Craig, Corporate Administrative Assistant, Tay Valley Township, 217 Harper Road, Perth, ON K7H 3C6,613-267-5353 ext. 110, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. In this photo, we see the presentation of the Heritage Certificate to the Allan family by Tay Valley Township Deputy Reeve Brian Campbell (middle). Photo used with permission by David Zimmerly.

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Mississippi
by Pearl Killingbeck

No column; check back next week!

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Mountain Grove
Marilyn Meeks

No column; check back next week!

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Ompah
by Linda Rush & Marily Seitz

No column; check back next week!

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Parham-Tichborne
by Elijah Abrams

No column; check back next week!

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Perth Road
by Peter Bird

Perth Road United Church announcements: 

In-person services are continuing in 2022: Sundays at 10am, 5614 Perth Road Crescent. All COVID restrictions/protocols remain in place.

At present, we are going through the search process to hire a new minister but will continue with Supply/Lay Ministers or personnel until a suitable candidate is found.

All members of the congregation will be receiving, or have already received, a questionnaire. When completed and returned, this will greatly help with our search.

BIRTHDAY WISHES to those who have birthdays this week.

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Plevna
by Rhonda Watkins

Snow, anyone? Monday, January 17^th , (Betty White-out day; actress Betty White would have been 100 on this date!) brought in enough snow to make all the snow lovers in our community very pleased! Closing down businesses and schools and even Highway 7. The only snowstorm on record that may have Monday beat is the Granddaddy of all winters, back in 1970-71 with almost 15 feet of snow. It was a 5-month long winter of non-stop snow!

Thanks to Dillon Bowles for eliminating a few dangerous locations between Plevna to Quackenbush with his mini-ex to help make the trail safer for snowmobiles!

The outdoor skating rink in Plevna has re-opened for the season! Located at 6598 Buckshot Lake Road next to the Clar-Mill Hall. This rink provides a family friendly and safe way to get outdoors and enjoy a leisurely skate. There is a maximum of 50 participants allowed on the ice surface at one time. Users and spectators, please remember to maintain 2 meters from all others who do not reside in your household. Users are encouraged to wear a mask and although the rink building remains closed, benches are set up outside for use. For now, only recreational skating is permitted due to physical distancing protocols. The Township of North Frontenac hopes you enjoy the rink and would like to thank everybody for respecting the guidelines!

Did you know that 1 in 3 adults over the age of 65 fall once per year and 6 out of every 20 falls happen at home. The good news is most falls are predictable and preventable. The Rural Frontenac Community Services would like to invite you to their Fall Prevention Presentation with Guest Speaker Riley Saikley; Occupational Therapist at the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team. It takes place Tuesday, January 25^th from 2-3pm over Zoom or telephone. It’s open to everyone and you can register by calling 613 279-3151.

With Valentine's Day coming, February is the perfect month for making romantic wine!! Creative Grapes' wine-making hours for February are 10-4pm on Friday, February 4th and Saturday, February 5th, also, Wed Feb 9^th to Fri Feb 11^th, Wed Feb 16^th . Fri Feb 18^th and Sat Feb 19^th. Happy wine making!!

Finding a new favourite author makes my day! I read Karen Cleveland’s Keep You Close last week and I really enjoyed it! Being her second novel, I was very excited to order her first book, Need to Know, from the Kingston Frontenac Public Library. Visit kfpl.ca to order any favourite books you would like to enjoy! I can’t wait til mine arrives!!

If you would like to check out the Ardoch Buy, Sell and Trade Site on Facebook, you will find it to be a great local Facebook place to list items that you would like to sell and downsize in your home or maybe find something that you might like to buy! With everything getting so expensive nowadays, buying somebody’s previously loved items is a nice inexpensive alternative!! It’s also another great way to keep our shopping local!!

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Sydenham
by Karen Brawley

No column; check back next week!

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Verona
Debbie Lingen

Verona Lions are hosting a Takeout Valentine Chicken Dinner on Saturday, February 12 from 4:30pm to 6pm. Dinner includes chicken, fries, coleslaw, dessert and ginger ale for $15 each. Advanced tickets can be purchased at the following places: Food Less Travelled, Asselstine Hardware, Verona Hardware and Nicole's Gifts, or online at  https://www.veronalions.ca/

Friends of the Napanee River's Zoom presentation on the 50 Million Tree Program described large-scale tree planting programs and the value of planting trees to wildlife, watersheds and communities. The presentation provided valuable information to both large and small scale property owners, including the tax benefits. Through this program, Forests Ontario has now planted more than 34 million trees, producing over 17,000 hectares of new forests. Jim Hendry's and Steve Pitt's presentation can be found at the following link to the Friends of the Napanee River YouTube channel. The presentation runs until minute 56 followed by a VERY informative 20-minute Q&A session.  https://youtu.be/AjGZNZXwo24

Bellrock Hall's 160th  anniversary was very well attended by old and new residents and South Frontenac council members. The committee would like to thank South Frontenac for all their support. They received a Covid relief grant and a community project grant in 2021. The hall has been painted, and new lights and bathroom fittings placed. The garden has new fruit trees and berry bushes. Visitors to the hall were able to enjoy the work and knowledge of Steve Manders. The locally found artifacts, photographs and researched history were on display. Bellrock Hall will open in March 2022. New volunteers are needed. Contact bellrockhall@ gmail.com if interested.

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