Community Columns - March 10, 2022

Mar 09, 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

The Kennebec volunteer Firefighters are holding a fundraiser for the month of March.  Guess the date that the ice will go out on Big Clear Lake and/or Kennebec Lake.  All details, plus the sign-up sheet, are in the C 4 Convenience in Arden.

Did you read the article in last week’s news about the book written by Dieter Euler?  If you are a non-computer person, the book can be purchased at the Pharmacy in Sharbot Lake. 

All three of the Arden Pastoral Charge Churches will resume in-person worship March 13.  The regular time of service is reinstated, with Covid protocols still in place. 

Sydenham Holiness Church will be hosting Easter Sunday Service at 11:00am.  Bonnie Wallace will be guest speaker.

If you would like to see what Gordon Wright has been up to this winter, you can visit the Side Street Gallery in Wellington.  It that is too big a journey for you, new pieces will also be on display, soon, at Quinn’s in Tweed.

Please don’t forget to order your Easter Bunnies from the Sharbot Lake Lions Club.  There are many varieties available:  milk chocolate, dark chocolate and no sugar are just a few.  Call 613-375-6318 to order your bunnies.

When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will live in peace.

Back to top

Battersea/Storrington
by Amanda Pantrey

Hey Dad – Your cake called. It said, “You wanna piece of me?!”. Happy birthday!

The Storrington Lions are hosting a Food Bank Drive this Friday, March 11^th from 1:00pm – 5:00pm at the Club in Sunbury. All donations will go to the Battersea United Church Foodbank. If you can’t make it but would like to donate, you can e-transfer the church at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you’re in need of the foodbank service, please call 613-353-6609.

Know an older person who could use help to stay in their home? Perhaps help with groceries or just enjoy a visit? Please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We’ve got your plans for this weekend! Join us for the last Music in the Park event from 1:00pm – 3:00pm on Saturday, March 12^th with the talented Jordy Jackson at the Battersea Ball Park! There will be a few other family-oriented activities and hot beverages for sale. Families are encouraged to bundle-up, bring their lawn chairs, and enjoy the winter weather in our parks! COVID-19 pending/ safety protocols in place. Volunteers are wanted! For more information and to get involved visit www.SouthFrontenac.net/music or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Are you looking for information about the different recreation, leisure and social programs offered in South Frontenac? Well, you’re in luck! Join us on March 26^th at the Storrington Lions Club in Sunbury from 10:00am – 2:00pm for the Community Recreation & Leisure Services Fair. Lots of organizations will be there with information of their offerings of interest to all ages. For more information and to get involved, email Amanda at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Who can drink five litres of gas and not get sick? Jerry can. Then he notice the price and couldn’t stomach it.

Back to top

Cloyne - Northbrooke
by Nancy Skipper

SAVE THE DATE; Saturday, April 2, 2022 - the Spring Market Extravaganza is back from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Lions Community Hall in Northbrook. Get in a little bit of local shopping just in time for Easter. There are two levels of vendors and prizes to be won! So much to see and buy! There are too many vendors to name! Check out the Lions Club Facebook page to check out the HUGE list of vendors!

More seasonal positions becoming available in our community. Larry Zajdlik’s office of royal LePage Pro Alliance is looking for a bright enthusiastic individual to assist with administrative duties during their busy season. Email for a complete job description!

The Friends of Bon Echo are excited to announce The Festival of the Arts taking place July 23-24! They are looking for musical talent to perform throughout the weekend. If you are interested, please send your details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Flinton Recreation Club is very excited to let everyone know that Monday Night Bingo will return on Monday, March 21st. Doors open at 6pm. Masks are required to be worn.

The Land O’Lakes Garden Club is developing a culturally significant community project. They are planning to build, with design input from our Indigenous neighbours, a traditional Medicine Wheel Garden, in local public space. They have been deeply touched by stories of the lost children and survivors of the Residential school system and have read the Truth and Reconciliation Report and the recommendations contained therein. The club wishes to develop the garden as a step forward in building better historical understanding, relationships, and friendships within our communities.

Investigating the creation and development of this project, they came across some wise words by an Indigenous man, who was also involved in building such a public space.

“This is only a little garden, but it hopefully opens a lot of opportunities to be in relationship, to have nation-to-nation relationship, to be in conversation about what it means to be stewards of the land." (Joce Two Crows Tremblay is an earth worker with the Indigenous Land Stewardship Circle in Toronto.)

The garden will be in Cloyne, at Benny Lake Heritage Park between the Barrie Township Hall and the Cloyne & District Historical Society Museum. The most prominent feature, centrally located in the park, is a Medicine Wheel with plants important and native to Indigenous culture. They hope to also include a butterfly garden for the children, a contemplative area with log seating and provide a peaceful view of the pond. They are inviting as many participants as possible to help with the basic structure, including the members of the club, local businesses, and tradespeople and importantly the NAEC. This is not a small project. They have designated $5K which is 65% of the club’s total annual funds this year. They have requested funding from both North Frontenac and Addington Highlands Townships who are aware and supportive of the project and applied for additional grants to fund the project. Receipt of grant money is always tenuous, and they do have a preference that this project be developed with community funds, raised locally. The children of NAEC will be involved in several ways as the project evolves. This means that NAEC will be able to build the Kiosks designated for informational and educational signage, and some irrigation will be installed to help enhance growth. They require materials such as water pumps, shingles, lumber, soil and much more than mere labour. All these items cost money, as you know. You may recognize us as the group that plant the community flower boxes, plant and maintain the Pine Meadow Nursing Home gardens, and who maintain the gardens at the Township Halls and the Pioneer Cloyne Cemetery on Little Pond Rd. We consider this new project to be seminal to our club and to our community.

If you find it possible to donate to this worthy cause it will be deeply appreciated. There are roughly 15,000 visitors and more visiting this area in the two prime summer months. With the planned Tourist Orientation Directional Signs which must be purchased, it is hoped that many of those visitors will stop by and learn something they may want to take back to their own communities. Most important is the fact that our Indigenous community embrace the nature of the healing plants we hope will flourish and find this a place for quiet reflection and thought.

Cheques can be made out to Land O' Lakes Horticultural Society and sent to: Sue Barchard, (Treasurer), 1084 Maple Lane, Arden, ON K0H 1B0 Or e-transferred to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Back to top

Denbigh
Angela Bright

The Denbigh Recreation Committee will have Community Coffee Time at the Denbigh Hall on Friday mornings, starting on March 11th at 8am.  For details, call 613 333 2224.

Meals on Wheels has delicious dishes planned for the month of March.  Thursday, March 17th is soup & roll, Salisbury Steak with fried onions, mashed potatoes & gravy, corn and Red Velvet cake for dessert.  Thursday, March 24th is soup & roll, Butter Chicken with rice and green beans, with Triple Berry Crumble for dessert.  Contact Shelby Rosenblath at 613 336 8934 ext. 229 at Land O' Lakes Community Services to order your meals.  

There is a new Senior Dental Care Program available through KFL&A Public Health.  Visit Ontario.ca/SeniorsDental for application details, as well as a list of services that are covered under the program.  If you need assistance with the application or would prefer a paper copy, contact Public Health at 613 549 1232 ext.1218.  Appointment locations are in Napanee and Kingston.

The next day the Denbigh Community Food Bank will open is Tuesday, March 22nd.  Please call Gail at 613-333-2224 for pick up.  The Food Bank is open the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month at 11am.  The Food Bank serves the communities of Denbigh, Vennachar, Griffith and Matawatchan.

March Break is almost here!  Wishing your family a great time, whatever you get up to!

Back to top

Godfrey
Kelli McRobert

Happy birthday 'shout-outs' to the Pisces out there: Linda Yohn, March 5^th; Jackie Thompson, March 9^th; Rachael Cumpson, March 16^th; Jewel Denison, March 18^th.

SFCSC has volunteers who can complete your return free of charge if your income meets the CRA limits. No self-employment, business, or rental income. Pick up a tax envelope at the main entrance, fill out the forms, and drop it off with all your tax slips inside. The volunteers will contact you if more information is required, and your return will be filed electronically. We'll call when your paper copy is ready for pick up. How easy is that?! For more info, call Ellen at 613-376-6477, ext 203.

Did you know that you can rent the Verona Lions Hall for all your entertaining needs?  Kitchen, bar, and ample parking with great indoor and outdoor spaces! The hall is also available to rent for pickleball INDOORS. Take a lesson, or grab a few friends while you 'stay out of the kitchen'. Check it out! 613-374-2821.

Happy 39th anniversary to Mark & Denise Redmond!

Welcome to our 18 new pickleball players that came out to the Intro session!  Don't forget to check out the Frontenac Pickleball Club for weekly play timings and locations in South Frontenac.

Don't forget to pop into Food Less Travelled for some yummy 'scuffles' in support of Ukraine. Who doesn't love a tasty cinnamon treat that goes towards a good cause?

Back to top

Harlowe
Marie White

Our sincere sympathy to the Clark family on the passing of Stanley. He loved our dances and he hardly missed a time sitting out a dance. He lost his wife, Nieta, about five years ago. They were a great couple and will be missed.

Get well ribbons are flying over Kingston hospital for Ron Peterson. Ron slipped on the ice, fell and did a nasty break to his leg. They could not operate for five days last week. Hope you heal quickly and will soon be on the mend.

Ron Kerr thought he was doing well, until they operated on his lip last Friday. Can you imagine for the third time? Looks like sloppy food being sucked up again in a straw for a few days for Ron. I’m sure my tongue would not be sitting so idle if it was me.

Judy Little is home from the hospital but not doing well. Hope you will be stronger in a few days, Judy.

Back to top

Harrowsmith
Marilyn Goodberry

No column; check back next week!

Back to top

Henderson
Jean Brown

Henderson United Church begins in-person worship this Sunday, March 13 at 8:45am and all are welcome. Come and enjoy face-to-face worship. It will also be offered on social media. Special thanks to all who are making this happen after such a long interlude. Don’t forget to turn your clock forward the night before to bring in daylight saving time.

We will soon have a new hairdresser at 1151 Halowe Road and send a warm welcome to hair stylist Anne Bielowski when she opens up (phone 226-787-2352).

The Flinton Recreation Club are excited to offer Monday night Bingo starting Mon, March 21, and all are welcome. Vaccine passports are not required, but masks still need to be worn. Thanks to all the volunteers who work so tirelessly in our area.

Politician MP Shelby Kramp-Neuman is opening up a monthly office on the second Wed of every month, starting in March in Flinton at the Addington Highlands Municipal Building. Phone appointments can be made at 613-473-0649 and help with Covid support, Service Canada, Veterans affairs, passports, grants, fundraising, Canada Revenue can be received. Also thinking of you to Shelby’s Dad, Darryl Kramp, who is retiring from politics this summer due to health reasons. Many will recall Darryl attending the Flinton Jamboree and events in our area over the years.

The area Lions Club recently presented Lion “Red” whose name is Jean Jacques “Red” Emond with the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. It was presented by District A-3 1st Vice District Governor Lion Linda Zwier and Lion Gary. The Fellowship is the highest form of recognition and embodies ideas consistent with the nature and purpose of Lionism. It is presented to someone who has demonstrated dedicated humanitarian services by providing kindness and service to his club and to those in need. Thank you, “Red”, for your hard work, service and dedication.

Back to top

Inverary
by Judy Borovskis

Food Bank donations: March 11th.  Drop off between 1 – 5pm at the Storrington Lions Hall in Sunbury.  These items are on the wish list:  loaves of bread, butter, bags of frozen vegetables, blocks of cheese, frozen meat, eggs, coffee, fruit, carrots, onions, peanut butter.  All donations are gratefully accepted.

Spring ahead on March 12^th.  Set your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night.  

Ice fishing enthusiasts: enjoy the fun and keep safe.  Remember that the date to remove ice huts is March 15^th.

Baseball registration:  In person on March 23^rd  6-9pm or March 27^th  9-12 noon at Ken Garrett Memorial Park,  plus online at FCMSA.ca.

Community Recreation & Leisure Services Fair on March 26^th at Storrington Lions Club Hall in Sunbury from 10am to 2pm.

Pilates on Mondays at 6:15pm & Yoga on Wednesdays at 6:00pm - Inverary United Church Hall.  View the schedule and register at www.nomadyogini.ca or call 613 453 4195.

Martial Arts class at Inverary United Church hall on Thursday evenings.  Family Class 6:30 – 7:45pm.  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..

Inverary Pharmasave welcomes walk-ins for their vaccinations.  Doses available for adults and the younger generation, plus you can pick up your free Rapid Test kit.

Save the date!  High Tea is back June 4^th !  Sponsored by the Storrington Lions Club.  Reservations  opening soon.  More details will follow.

Umpires needed for the 2022 baseball season.  If you can help out, contact  Shawn Pearce at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 613-453-2437.   

Our Lakes -  Enjoy the free, super-sized March issue at https://ourlakes.ca/data/documents/March-2022

March Break!  Students and teachers, have a great week!

Back to top

Maberly-Bolingbroke
Karen Prytula

Maberly in 1888 – Henry Moore will build a new building on a lot he has purchased from George Charlton at the end of this spring. He intends putting in a complete stock of all kinds of groceries. – Daniel Buchanan is making a display around the [train] Station by the large quantity of timber his is hauling there. He presently made a shipment to Kingston realizing a good profit. – The village of Maberly wants a resident doctor, a magistrate, and a Division court, a woolen factory, a telephone to the train station, a new bridge across the river, a resident clergyman for St. Alban’s church, a firm for the carriage works, one mile of sidewalk, a bell for the Methodist church, a registrar for marriage licenses, a company with capital to develop the rich iron mines close to the village. [Perth Courier, Feb. 17, 1888]

Back to top

Mississippi
by Pearl Killingbeck

Hello, March. Hope you are not going to wreak havoc on us this month.  Just ease into it slowly, then calm the wind, turn up the heat a little and not too much moisture.  That should make all people happy.

I want to thank Lise for the wonderful beef barley soup, Cheryl for picking up all my stuff at the drug store and for the lovely red rose, Rick for the homemade Chinese food – it was so delicious and I even got an egg roll with it, and to Barb for the homemade soup.  Rick – put that Chinese food on your chip wagon menu and it will be a big hit.  It will be a lot of work but everyone would love it.  Thank you, Alice, for driving me to two doctor appointments in Kingston and one in Smiths Falls, for getting my groceries and for the lovely apple crisp.

I lost a dear friend on February 22^nd    - my across-the-road neighbour, Gloria McEwen.  Gloria had not been well for a long, long time.  In the early years, Gloria and I walked miles together.  Going to miss you and your calls, Gloria.  Sympathy to all your family and friends.  Rest in peace, my friend.

Sympathy to Danny and the rest of the family and friends of Lois Stewart, who passed away in hospital last week.  

March birthdays:  Sharon Killingbeck, Lisa Lemke, Ruth Wark, Elaine DeLisle, Erma Millar.  Best wishes to everyone celebrating birthdays and anniversaries this month. 

When we went for our mail, Olive and I noticed that the cell tower is now up in Snow Road.  No word on when service will be available.

There is not much to write about here, nothing is happening... But this is my thought for the week: Never give up on anybody – miracles happen every day.

Back to top

Mountain Grove
Marilyn Meeks

No column; check back next week!

Back to top

Ompah
by Linda Rush & Marily Seitz

Sad news - Jim Holton passed away in his sleep last Tuesday after a lingering illness.  Jim and wife, Mary Lynne, spent their summers on Canonto Lake.  His children and grandchildren loved their time at the lake, tubing and skiing with Grandpa at the wheel of the boat.  Jim was instrumental in establishing the Canonto Lake Association and he served as the first president for many years. It seems appropriate that Jim passed away on Shrove or Pancake Tuesday as Jim was the main pancake flipper at the Canonto Lake Assn. pancake breakfast.  Jim and Mary Lynne were very involved in most community events, including working at the Fire Department booth during Ompah Stomp days.  Our sincere condolences to Mary Lynne and the family.

The outdoor STOMP dance party in the Community Centre parking lot was wonderful.  It has been two years since folks were able to get together, and all those in attendance seemed delighted to get out and see each other again.  About half of the over 30 in attendance danced and danced with Meredith leading many dance routines.  The other half were pleased to stand around the fire and get caught up with each other.  Finally, everyone formed into a line that snaked around the parking lot and ended in a circle with everyone going in and out of the center with arms raised.   A wonderful way to end - together again.

Back to top

Parham-Tichborne
by Elijah Abrams

Baseball registration is open... We will be holding in-person registration at the OSO Hall in Sharbot Lake on Wednesday, March 23rd from 6 to 9pm, as well as on Sunday, March 27 from 9am to noon.  You can also give your form and payment to any member of the association.  We are looking for volunteers to join the Executive Coach and help make this season successful for our kids.  We also need UMPIRES... This is a paid position which requires you to take an umpire course in order to participate. If this interests you, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We’re finally going to see temperatures above freezing for most of the week in the daytime. Dare I say spring is around the corner? I am sure many of you have already started planning your gardens, if you are not already propagating seeds indoors. With this warm weather and the snow we still have left on the ground, it’s going to be a muck pit lots of places. Keeping our floors clean with a Great Pyrenees is a dream we can hold out for the dryer days of summer, I fear.

As restrictions and mandates continue to lift and we can go more places again, it’s not hard to forget the feeling of isolation. For most of us, we will happily go back to our lives, much like they were. For many others in long term assisted living or stuck in hospitals for assorted reasons, the feeling of isolation continues. One of my musical heroes, and a creator of countless others’ favorite music, Garth Hudson (the genius behind much of the music by The Band) is in such a place. He has requested that fans send written notes in the mail to Ten Broek Commons, 1 Commons Drive, Lake Catrine, NY, 12449.  

If anyone else's loved ones require the same for the sake of spirit lifting, I would be happy to arrange it here! Stay safe and look forward to the longer, warmer days ahead! 

Back to top

Perth Road
by Peter Bird

No column; check back next week!

Back to top

Plevna
by Rhonda Watkins

What a time I have been having for the last couple of weeks! You never realize how much you appreciate something until it's gone. My laptop's hard drive broke, so I have been typing out this community column on my cell phone. Not an easy task, to say the least! Thanks to a very kind girl, I am able to get the column done on her laptop this week. If you have a laptop or Chromebook that you are not using and would like to sell, I would be very happy if you contacted me! When I took mine in for repair to The Geek Squad in Best Buy, they estimated $600 for repairs. I just can't justify that cost.

If you ordered Little Caesar Pizza Kits from Clarendon Central Public School, they arrive at the school today – Thurs, March 10 - for pickup! I am already dreaming about those deliciously cheesy garlicy bread sticks! Yumm!

Welcome to the Community Dr. Mitch Broser DC, BHK(HONS), CSCS. He is a Chiropractor, International Educator, Medical Acupuncture Provider, Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach and FRC Mobility Specialist. You can contact him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling (416) 904-9150. He is located in the basement of the Lions Club in Northbrook.

North of 7 Market and Restaurant is back open to full capacity and everybody is welcome!! The Restaurant hours are still Friday, Saturday and Sunday for now. Although masks are still required, vaccine passports are no longer necessary for dine-in patrons!!

Would you like a chance to win one of four $50 gift cards for a local business? The Kingston Frontenac Public Library is asking our community to take a few minutes to answer a very short survey (approx. 10 minutes). It will help the library respond to the needs of our communities over the next 20 years! You can find the survey online at www.kfpl.ca.

To learn more about the project and share your thoughts, you can come in and visit the community open house event. It will be taking place at the Plevna branch on Fri, March 18th from 10am-noon and the Cloyne branch on the same day from 2-4pm. 

The Township of North Frontenac has begun half loads on the roads again, which means spring has sprung! Fingers crossed.

Back to top

Sydenham
by Karen Brawley

Need a little Spring in your life?  Well, it’s starting - time to spring ahead those clocks 1 hour.   Don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour on the 13th. 

Who else has dealt with muddy paws?  Oh, the fun of start to winter thaw.  And add to it the landmines in your yard left behind by your 4 legged family members.  

Save the date: our friend Don White is turning 90 years young on March 23rd and would love for his friends to join him at the Legion for some celebrations and a drink at 4pm. 

As we transition back to some normal ways after this pandemic time, please remember common sense will prevail.  Isolation times and taking time to get well if you are unwell may be inconvenient indeed, but an inconvenience could be a life saver to some.  We’ve done so well, and learned some valuable lessons in preventing a wide spread of a virus. Let’s continue to be smart and be kind.  Stay kind.

Maple syrup is running, trees are tapped, so many locals try their hand at making maple syrup.  Let’s support our local entrepreneurs who sell syrup and have a sweet treat for  our breakfast table as well.  Many of our local businesses carry locally made syrup. Be sure to check it out.

Back to top

Verona
Debbie Lingen

Style Revival will be open this Saturday, March 12th from 10am to 1pm. Style Revival is a free clothing store. It is also open Wednesday's from 9am to 1pm. They take donations of clothing and accessories - clean and in good condition.

Back to top