Community Columns, January 18th, 2024

Jan 17, 2024

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
• Ompah
• Parham-Tichborne
• Perth Road
• Plevna
• Sydenham
• Verona

Arden
by Wanda Harrison

Well, to all of you who kept on asking, where is the snow? I hope you are very happy. I would just like it to fall more sporadically so everyone could manage it, and not bury us.

Some very brave folks ventured out last Friday evening to partake in the Rec Committee’s first Game Night. Looked like fun and I’m sure we will see another game night soon!!

The Arden United Church has resumed coffee hour Thursday morning at 10am and Bible study Wednesday evening at 6:30pm. There will be a pot luck lunch after worship on January 28. Everyone is welcome.

Being confined to your home because of snow could be the perfect time to join Connections, Adult Learnings for some of their free programs. There are many courses available including the introduction to Quickbooks, spread sheet prep, safe food handling, and building your own web site, to name a few. For more information, please contact Connections, Adult Learning at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 613-279-2499 or 613-336-0691.

Are you looking forward to Family Day/Heritage long weekend in February? And you are thinking of coming to your cottage? Check out Frontenac Heritage Festival on Facebook. There are lots of events that should satisfy you and the family, but keep checking cause more and more events are added each week. Come out ad enjoy!!

Thinking of you to June Hughes and family, on your loss.

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Battersea/Storrington

What do you get when you cross a snowman with a shark?  Frostbite :)

On behalf of Battersea United Church, THANK YOU to everyone who helped with this years' Christmas Hampers. Because of each one of you, the Church was able to distribute 30 baskets to local families in need!  WOW!  This thanks goes out to individual donors, corporate donors, community groups, volunteers, neighbours and friends.  For a full list of businesses and organizations, please see the Storrington Pastoral Charge Facebook page. However, although the holidays are over, the need is ongoing. The Lion's Club in Sunbury is hosting a food bank food drive Friday, January 18 from 1-5. Please continue to help if you can. 

Birthday wishes this week to Brooklyn on the 17th, and to Martina on the 23rd!! 

Dress like a well prepared Canadian and come out to the South Frontenac Township snow social, Saturday, January 20 from 11-4, throughout the village of Sydenham.  This is a free family event featuring live music, food, outdoor activities, vendors market plus much more!  Please visit http://www.southfrontenac.net/snowsocial for all the details. 

Storrington Stinger News... As of Friday, February 2nd, Mr. Pattison will be leaving as principal of Storrington Public School.  Over the next few weeks, Ms. Amie Domingo will be transitioning into her new position, coming to us from Joyceville and Glenburnie PS.  We wish Mr. Pattison all the best, and welcome Ms. Domingo to the Storrington hive!

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Cloyne - Northbrooke
by Nancy Skipper

Great news from Finnegan’s: FINNEGANS’ BREAKFAST CLUB! From 7:45-8:15 am and on first break, there will be a limited breakfast available at the store for the high school kids (yogurt, granola, muffins, toast, cereal etc.) This is a ‘complimentary’ breakfast club so if anyone who would like to donate an item, can drop it off to the store any day except Sundays. Suggestions of items include granola bars, small boxes of cereal, jar of peanut butter or margarine for toast etc. The idea is to have an easy, grab and go option for kids who may not eat before class starts. The school also has a program and donations can be made directly to them if you would like to do that. Please contact the Parent Council.

Family Literacy Day is celebrated on January 27, 2024 to raise awareness about the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family. Since 1967, International Literacy Day (ILD) celebrations have taken place annually around the world to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights, and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society. Despite steady progress made across the world, literacy challenges persist with at least 763 million young people and adults lacking basic literacy skills in 2020. The recent COVID-19 crisis and other crisis, such as climate change and conflicts, have been exacerbating the challenges. Although the official date is January 27th, this year Family Literacy Day will be celebrated all week from January 22nd to the 28th! The theme for this year is “Let’s Have a Party!”

Family Literacy: It’s easier than you think because Life Is Literacy! If you take a few moments to explain every day activities to your kids, that’s family literacy.

Grocery shopping? Give them an item to find. Talk about prices and how money works.

Doing laundry? Have them sort clothes by colour or texture.

Cooking? Talk about weights and volume, fractions, measuring, and read the recipe together.

If you do any research online, that’s digital literacy. Talk about how you use a search engine.

It’s not just reading and writing (though that is very important too!), it’s teaching kids about life.

“A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” Mark Twain

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Denbigh
Gail Fritsch

It looks like winter has finally arrived.    For those who like outdoor activities like snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice fishing or skating, we can wish for some continued nice winter weather!

Denbigh Rec Committee is hosting cards on Friday, January 26 at 7pm at the Denbigh Hall.  Come join the fun!!

The Matawatchan Hall would like everyone to know they are having two music events later this year for you to plan on.   There will be Suzie Vinnick on June 8 (https://www.suzievinnick.com) and David Francey on November 2 (https://www.davidfrancey.com).   Details to follow later this year.  You can also check the Matawatchan Hall Facebook page.

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Godfrey
Kelli McRobert

The VCA is updating the business directory on its website. If you are a business, organization, or club and are within the Verona area and outlying area roughly bounded by Godfrey, Bellrock, and Harrowsmith and wish to be added to this directory, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. This is a free service provided by the Verona Community Association.

Home daycare is opening in Godfrey on 38 acres!!! With tons of outdoor play in a rural setting with hiking trails. Offering: Healthy meals, arts and crafts, circle time, stories and songs, music and movement, dramatic play, sensory, and theme days. Many years experience, lots of references available. Pet friendly.

Contact Carrie-Ann Cook for further details or to arrange a meet and greet call or text (705)443-7119. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., www.carriescare.ca.

Thanks to our road crews for getting the streets cleared so quickly after a few days of rain and snow.

The Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital continues to experience capacity and pressures in the Emergency Department. Consider contacting or visiting Health811 for advice and information. Health811 is for non-urgent healthcare information, advice, and health service referrals. Health811 is also not a substitute for regular touchpoints with a healthcare provider.

**This service is not a substitute for 911, which should still be used for a medical emergency. **

On the Health811 website, Ontarians can:

• Use the online chat feature to talk with a registered nurse, request assistance locating health services, and ask general health questions.
• Check their symptoms with the online symptom assessment tool.
• Use the online health services directory to search for health services or health providers by keyword, location, and specific search filters.
• Review content about common health concerns and learn more about Health811’s features.

For those wishing to donate to the Tichborne family (Amanda) a separate bank account has been set up for e-transfers: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Contact Brenda Hyde on Facebook for details on ways to help.

Reminder from Fire & Rescue: With significant snow accumulation recently, be sure to clear driveways and laneways so first responders can easily find your civic address.

The Snow Social is happening next Saturday, Jan. 20th, at Sydenham Village from 11-4, to celebrate the winter season! SF Township is still looking for volunteers to ensure the event is a success. Please consider lending a few hours. If you are interested and available, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. today!

Along with a strong team of volunteers, this event is made possible by our proud event sponsors. Please support local! Revell Ford Frontenac Auto Service Lenny’s Deli Myers Design & Build Sydenham Veterinary Services Nomad Yogini Dig'N Dirt Ltd.

Fun Day @tichborne rink! Games, hotdogs, chili & more. Sunday, February 18, 10am-2pm. Enjoy this Family Day weekend with so much to do!

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Harlowe
Marie White

Hope you all had a great Merry Christmas and the new year of 2024 will be much better and healthy.

We had an exciting and supportive group of people at our Open Mic and Olde Tyme Fiddlers in Harlowe over the months. We averaged 15 entertainers each event. Great music and singing and lots of food. With our appreciation we are having a free Open Mic on Friday, January 19th at Harlowe Hall. We are inviting the people who supported us over the months to have a no admission party, but as we do have a pot luck supper, just bring a dish of your choice. This means there will be an Open Mic starting at 1pm, and ending at 5pm, supper following. Should be a bang, bang event (no guns of course) See you all there.

Birthdays, lots of them, starting with me, following with Ken Black, Muriel Symington (piano player from Kingston) Terry Good, Clifford Shorts, Marilyn Tellier, and many happy birthdays to you all.

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Harrowsmith
Gregg Hamelin

HELMET found on Petworth Road.  Might have fallen off a motorcycle or an ATV.  For more information, call 613-376-6665.  

With winter and early sunsets these days it would be a good idea for anyone out walking to wear a safety vest with visible stripes or at least colorful clothing that can be seen in the dark.      

Sunday, January 21, 2024 there will be a TAKE-OUT beef dinner at the Golden Links Hall, Harrowsmith.  Advance tickets only with a cutoff date of Wednesday, January 17, 2024.  Cost is $20.00.  Tickets available at the gas stations in Sydenham, Harrowsmith and Hartington as well as Asselstine Hardware in Verona.  Dinner pick-up between 4pm and 5:30pm.  For information, call 613-372-2410. 

February 2, 2024 there will be a Youth Dance at the Golden Links Hall, from 7 - 9:30 for public school children.  Cost is $7.00.  For more information, call 613-372-2410.  

Sunday, February 11, 2024 is the Ole Tyme Fiddlers Open Mic at the Golden Links Hall in Harrowsmith.  Open at 1 until 5 pm followed by dinner.  Cost is $15.00.  Please bring a dessert to share.  For more information, call 613-372-2410.

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Henderson
Jean Brown

My word, we’ve had lots of snow storms these days. Keeping us busy on the shovels for sure! Our super-duper road crews really out-did themselves with thanks. The weather caused many cancellations including the dedication and ribbon cutting in honour of well-known educator the late Marcel Giroux planned for the Sharbot Lake Library. It will be re-scheduled.

In spite of the blizzardy weather, Kennebec Recreation rocked their first games night with a good crowd attending for games, laughs and the making of new friends. Thanks everyone.

Henderson United Church has suspended worship for January and February to save on heating bills, and in this time are enjoying joint worship with their sister United Church in Arden, weekly, with the Rev. Kaitlyn Ostrander at 10am until Sun. March 3 when services will resume in Henderson again. A pot-luck lunch follows the Arden church service on Sun. Jan. 28 and it will be yummy in the tummy - see you there!

The weather and global warming are playing havoc with fishing derby planning, but the Buck Lake (Shabomeka Lake) Ice Fishing Derby is tentatively planned for Sat. March 16, 2024 (weather permitting). Tickets will be available the first week of February. There may be other derby's planned but I haven’t heard of their dates.

Deepest sympathy to the family of the late Tom Hughes, whom we all remember fondly and thank God for his life.

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Inverary
by Judy Borovskis

Volunteer Drivers Needed! South Frontenac Community Service needs your help. Flexible scheduling to fit your free time. Call Chelsea to 613-376-6477 Ext 308 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thank you from the Storrington Lions Club to ANS Scrap Metal, Environmentall and everyone who donated or helped in anyway with our Can Drive! It was a great success, raising $344.50 for the Lions Guide Dogs program in Oakville.

Cards, Games & Conversation on Thursday, January 18th from 1 to 4pm. Everyone welcome

for any length of time! Tea, coffee and cookies provided. Cost is $5 for Inverary United.

Food Bank - Next collection is on January 19th between 1 and 5pm at the Storrington Lions Hall. All donations gratefully accepted. Wish list includes cheese; butter; eggs; milk; vegetables and fruit both canned, frozen or fresh; bread; peanut butter; cheerios; school snacks (nut free); crackers; salad dressings.

Snow Social Saturday, January 20th beginning at 11am at The Point Park in Sydenham and throughout the village. Please stop by the fire pit and enjoy s’mores with Storrington Lions Club.

Toe Tapping Concert with Chris Murphy! Sunday, January 21st at Inverary United Church at 7pm. Scottish music in honour of Robbie Burns Day, with special guest Jess Wedden. Free will offering. Re-scheduled from last week due to weather.

Spaghetti Dinner Saturday, January 27 at the Storrington Lions Club Hall from 5 to 7pm. Enjoy spaghetti, garlic bread, caesar salad, dessert and tea/coffee. All yours for $20. Children 6 to 12 $8, under 6 are free. Cash bar available. Eat-in only. Call 613-449-4744 to reserve your seats.

Storrington Stingers Hockey Dance on February 3rd at Storrington Lions Club Hall. Includes music, buffet and raffle. Free parking and cash bar. Doors open at 8pm. Text for tickets: 613-929-9793.

Youth Dance for those in grades 5 to 8 on February 16th from 6:30 to 9:30pm at the Storrington Lions Hall! Music, canteen available, adult supervision. Cost is $5 pp.

Hockey Day in Battersea! Family Day Weekend Event - 3 on 3 Tournament. Form your team with as many players as you like. Cost per player is $60 and this includes lunch and dinner. To register your team, email Kyle at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Vendors Wanted!! Inverary Spring Market will be held Saturday, April 27th from 10 to 3 at Ken Garrett Memorial Park! A great event for all ages! Confirm your spot by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call/text Kim at 613-530-7446.

Pickleball Courts available at Storrington Lions Club. Call 613-353-6920 to book yours!

Line Dancing from 7 to 8pm every Monday night at the Storrington Lions’ Hall. The cost is $5. Contact Crystal to reserve your spot: 613-453-6303.

Hall Rentals: Inverary Church Hall – contact Judy Borovskis 353-1768 or cell: 613-545-5017. Battersea Church hall – contact Roberta Smith 353-2846.

VON SMART Exercise & Fall Prevention Classes Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30am to 10:30am at the Storrington Centre. To register, call Danielle McTaggart at 1-800-301-0076 ext 3414.

Yoga Class every Wednesday evening at 6pm at Inverary United Church Hall. Also Pilates & Foam Rolling. Full schedule at nomadyogini.ca or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Storrington Retirees Luncheon at the Storrington Centre the second Wednesday of each month. Enjoy a home cooked meal. Everyone welcome!

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Maberly-Bolingbroke
Karen Prytula

The Perth and District Historical Society January 18, 2024 Meeting 7:30pm. Frost & Wood of Smiths Falls: An Illustrated and Oral History. We welcome Doug Phillips, who will talk about, display artifacts, photographs, manuals/catalogues relating to the history of Frost and Woods. Doug is a retired school teacher from Smiths Falls. The Frost & Wood Company was founded in 1839 by partners Ebenezer Frost and Alexander Wood and closed its doors for the final time in 1955 when it was demolished down to the last brick. The Perth and District Historical Society is dedicated to learning about and popularizing our history and is a forum for discussion and celebration of our area’s rich culture and heritage. The meetings are open to the public, at 7:30pm at the Royal Canadian Legion, Perth-Upon-Tay, Branch 244, home of the Hall of Remembrance, 26 Beckwith St. E. in Perth. The usual “Toonie Fee” applies for each meeting. For information, contact Ellen Dean at 613-264-8362. Our website at www.perthhs.org has additional information about us and items of interest related to Perth and district. Article submitted by the Perth and District Historical Society.

The outdoor rink in Maberly is OPEN, so grab your skates and head on out!  Hockey nets have been placed

there for use, please remove them from the ice surface when you are done with them. We ask that you please watch the weather as warmer temperatures may make the ice soft to skate on.

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Mississippi
by Pearl Killingbeck

No column; check back next week!

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Ompah
by Linda Rush & Marily Seitz

Happy New Year to all.  Those who have been complaining about the lack of snow have nothing to complain about now.  We have almost 40cm of snow on the ground, and as I write this column, it is snowing again.

Stan Seitz, our local Master Track and Field Champion, was recently named Athletics Ontario 2023 All Ontarian in the Masters Jumps category.  Stan's Certificate of Achievement states, "This remarkable achievement reflects his dedication, exceptional skills, determination and talent.  His commitment to excellence serves as a shining example for others to follow."  Congratulations Stan.

The Food Bank donation box is in the foyer of the hall.  Non-perishable foods are welcome.  The donations will be delivered to the Sharbot Lake Food Bank regularly.

Regular Community Centre programs have started up again after the holidays. Everyone is welcome to attend any or all of the events.  A fee of $2.00 is usually collected to help support the hall:                                                                                                                 Coffee Group and Chat is held on Wednesdays from 10 to 11:30.  Meet your neighbours, chat about local and world events and enjoy some morning treats.

Exercise on Equipment is held Tuesday and Thursday from 10 to 11.  This program is intended for self-motivated exercisers. The group warms up together, then works individually on equipment and ends with light weight lifting.  Group support and laughter are hallmarks of this group.  Contact Kathy at 613-479-2897 for more information.      Community Pot Luck Dinner, also known as the Birthday Bash, is held on the third Wednesday of each month from 6 to 7:30.  Getting together to share a meal together, getting caught up with friends and neighbours, learning about upcoming community events and enjoying each others company.  Bring a pot luck dish to share.  For more information, contact Marily at 613-479-2855 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Did you make a New Years resolution to become more fit?  You are welcome to join the VON SMART Seniors Exercise Group and get fit while having fun.  No matter your fitness level right now, the exercise for seniors will help with your resolution.  This no cost class is Monday and Friday from 10 to 11.  For more information, contact Elaine Moffitt at 613-519-3588 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Bridge Group meets Friday from 1 to 4.  Everyone is welcome, from experienced to new-to-the-game players.  Contact Janice at 613-479-2318.

The Events Committee is meeting to plan programs for 2024.  If you have a suggestion for an event that you'd like to have happen in our community, contact Marily at 613-479-2855 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Parham-Tichborne
by Christine Teal and Colleen Steele

Hope everyone got dug out from the Winter Blast that started last week.

Coffee Time is starting up once again beginning on Jan 11th at the Free Methodist Church in Parham from 10 to 1130.  Come and have coffee/conversation and maybe a cookie.  Hope to see you there.

Looking for a few more teams for the 4 on 4 hockey tournament at Tichborne Rink on January 27th in support of minor ball.  

Lots of great events going on for Family Day weekend - make sure you check out all the great stuff happening.

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Perth Road
by Peter Bird

No column; check back next week!

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Plevna
by Rhonda Watkins

I would like to start this week's Plevna column off by wishing big congratulations on behalf of the Community to Megan Dunham for getting a great start to her 2024 and officially becoming a certified teacher! On top of that great news, she also got offered a position within the school board! We wish you all the best Megan for showing us that huge effort and hard work does pay off!! 

Euchre at the Plevna Clar-Mill Hall (6598 Buckshot Lake Road) has started back up on Tuesday nights at 6:50pm (games start at 7pm).

The next Clar-Mill Community Volunteer Meeting is Thurs Jan 18 at 6pm at the Plevna Clar-Mill Hall. It is the AGM Meeting. If you would like to be a part of this great Community group, come on out and see what we are all about. Everybody Welcome! 

Speaking of the Clar-Mill Community Volunteers, don't forget the next bi-weekly Poker Chip Grocery Bingo Lunch is coming up on Tues Jan 23rd from 11-1pm at the Plevna Clar-Mill Hall. For $10 you get a soup, sandwich, dessert and drink and one Free Bingo Card and if you like extra Bingo Cards are available for $2 each!

Just a friendly reminder to all crafters out there that the 2024 craft season began last Thurs Jan 11th at the Plevna Clar-Mill Hall. You are welcome to join this coffee, craft and mingle group from 10-3pm and bring a craft you are working on at home or help with a group project or participate in a group project you can take home! Don't forget to bring lunch for yourself. For more information you can contact Carlie Rainville 613 479-8023.

On Feb 4th at 10:30am you will want to check out the River of Life Christian Fellowship (7064 Road 506) to enjoy the musical stylings of the ladies gospel trio "New Journey". There will be a delicious potluck for everybody to enjoy after the service.

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Sydenham
by Karen Brawley

Sandra Sigsworth wished me to extend her gratitude for the lovely Christmas meal that was held at the Verona Lions hall. She wishes to thank everyone involved in making this happen as well as compliments to the cooks, she thoroughly enjoyed it.

Our community is in mourning of the loss of one of our own, Rietta.  To say you’ll be missed is an understatement.  Keeping your family and friends in our thoughts, as difficult as it is to see beyond the sorrow, may the memories help you with tomorrow.

Well, Mother Nature… You sure got the memo, giving us snow for our Snow Social... January 20, 2024, 11am - 4pm, Sydenham Village - Join us for the second Snow Social! This event will be a celebration of the winter season and will feature activities at The Point Park and throughout the village of Sydenham, just 20 minutes north of Kingston. Admission is free; however, donations will be gratefully accepted. This is an all-weather event. Visitors should dress like a well-prepared Canadian and plan to take part in all sorts of winter fun, including snow tubing (conditions permitting) and firepits. We will have a vendor’s market, lots of live music, activities at the Library Community Room, and SNOW much more. Huge shoutout to all our local businesses and volunteers involved in making this event a huge success. 

If you missed the debut of All-Star Karaoke night at the Legion, it’s back by popular demand. Saturday, February 3rd is a date you won’t want to miss.  Our host will be back again, $5 cover charge.  Grab your friends and come out to sing and dance starting at 7pm.      Dust off your vocal cords, and have a great time. Reminder: the bar is cash only.   Upstairs.  Everyone welcome. 

The Legion also has a Valentines Dance on February 10th, music by Dieter Boehme, upstairs hall, $10 per ticket, can be purchased in advance at the Legion or The One Stop.  Doors open at 7, music starts at 7:30.    Everyone welcome, get your tickets today.  Reminder: bar is cash only.

Thanks to all the crews involved in keeping our roads safe in South Frontenac.  You are superstars.

Well, our Peanut Butter Challenge was a huge success. Harrowsmith is nuttier than Sydenham and collected more jars.  But we’re all a bunch of nuts… Nuts about helping our local Food Bank.  Way to go; we donated over 600 jars of peanut butter and jam and honey to the Food Bank.

Are you feeling stressed? Worried? Depressed? We can help. We are now offering FREE and immediate one-hour counselling sessions to children, youth, young adults ages 0 – 24, parents/caregivers and families from communities in KFL&A through our Mental Health Walk-In Clinic.   Sydenham – Alternating Wednesdays at 2876 Campbell Road..Clinic runs from 10am to last appointment at 4:45pm. No appointment necessary. Just walk right in!  January 24th onwards.

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Verona
Debbie Lingen

Enjoy breakfast with friends at the Winter Warm-Up Breakfast at Trinity United Church on Saturdays in January. Next breakfast is January 20. Breakfast from 8:30am to 11am. Eggs, sausage, ham and bacon, toast and home fries, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, juice and muffins. Payment by donation. This is hosted by Trinity United Church and the Verona Community Association.

The Robbie Burns Day Celebration will be held January 20 from 12 to 2pm at the Verona Lions Hall. Join local MP Scott Reid for this annual drop-in celebration featuring live music, food and friendship. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 613-257-8130.

The second ever Snow Social happening on January 20 from 11am – 4pm at The Point Park and throughout the village of Sydenham. This event is a true celebration of the winter season and will feature lots of family-friendly activities including kid’s games, face painting, fire pits, live music, a vendor fair, and much more. Check out www.southfrontenac.net/snowsocial for more information. Volunteers are wanted! Get involved today by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Friday, February 2 is hockey night in South Frontenac. Come cheer on our local senior men’s team, the Frontenac Phantoms as they take on Tweed.

Style Revival Clothing Center will be open Saturdays January 27 from 10am to 1pm. Style Revival provides gently used clothing, free of charge. They are also open every Wednesday from 10am to 1pm.

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