Community Columns - December 8th, 2022

Dec 07, 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
• Ompah
• Parham-Tichborne
• Perth Road
• Plevna
• Sydenham
• Verona

Arden
by Wanda Harrison

Thanks to the United Church, the Wesleyan church and the Friends of Arden for starting the month of December with a bang. Everyone must have the Christmas spirit now. If you do not, then prepare yourselves for another great weekend of food, fun and entertainment. Hope this helps bring Christmas into your hearts!!

This evening, Thursday December 6, there will be a free will offering Turkey dinner at Circle Square Ranch beginning at 6pm. For reservations, please call 613-335-5403.

On Friday December 14, Land O’Lakes Public School will hold their annual Shop and Wrap, for the students. The youngsters will be able to chose gifts for their family members and volunteers will wrap each gift for them. A donation of new or gently used items is appreciated and can be dropped off at the school December 13. If you are unable to get to the school but still have items you would like to donate, please call Kathy Barr at 335-2708 or Ms. Rochport at 335-5254 and arrangements can be made. There is also a need for gift wrap, bags, tags and boxes. Please remember, that after the gifts are purchased and wrapped, they also have to be transported home, on the bus so in this case, size does matter.

The students, teachers and volunteers thank you in advance, for your consideration.

The Arden Legion, regrets that, due to unfortunate circumstances, the annual children’s Christmas party will not be held this year.

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Battersea/Storrington
by Amanda Pantrey

Sending sincere condolences to Joan and the Bryant family after the passing of Reverend Lewis Bryant. Reverend Bryant served the Battersea community for many years at the Pentecostal Church and was a part of many celebrations and milestones. He will be greatly missed.

Congrats to the organizers at the Lions Club for Breakfast with Santa last Saturday. They had over 300 people join them for some holiday spirit – amazing! If you have any photos of the event, the Club would love to see them. Please share them on their Facebook page.

Another congrats to the organizers of the Battersea Santa Parade. Despite the wet and windy weather, the parade was a great success! A cup of hot chocolate and cookies at the church afterwards was very welcome way to warm up. The big winners of the float contest went to: 1st prize – C&C Construction, 2nd prize – The Pumpkin Festival Float, 3rd prize – Shaw Insurance. Well done!

Please support the last Community Food Bank Drive of the year from 1 to 5 pm on Friday, Dec. 9 at Storrington Lions Club Hall.

Here is a vendor market message from Betty Barna: The Log Home Holiday Market – Local artisans in a cozy log home setting. Saturday December 10th from 10am – 3pm at 2281 Sands Road, Battersea.

Another vendor market message from Christine Harvey: The Not So Amateur Amateur’s is hosting a craft and vendor fundraiser on Saturday, December 10th. Join them from 11 am – 2 pm at the Inverary Playhouse at 4750 Latimer Road. They will have hot chocolate, prizes, and an inflatable (weather permitting). Be sure to stop by!

Calling all youth! Four Rivers Youth Cluster invites you for Christmas crafts and cookies from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday, Dec. 10th at Battersea United Church. Thank-you to Kaye from K’s Cottage for being our leader! Please let Rev. Heather know by Dec. 5 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Join Turpin’s Trail for a concert at the Battersea United Church on Sunday, December 18th. The show starts at 7:30pm and admission is by a free will offering.

What do elves use when they hurt their legs? Candy canes.

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Cloyne - Northbrooke
by Nancy Skipper

The LOL Lions Club invite all the children who believe in the magic of Christmas to come visit Santa’s Workshop at the Hall on Saturday December 10th from 10am -1 pm. Games, toy making and cookie decorating are just a few of the activities. Santa and his Elves will be busy getting ready for his journey on December 24th. This is an event that shouldn’t be missed.

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Denbigh
Angela Bright

The Denbigh Public Library will be having a Christmas Craft and Story Time on Saturday December 10th from 10am to 11am Please call the library to register your children 613-333-1426.

The Denbigh Recreation Committee is looking forward to celebrating Christmas with the community.  We are hosting a Stationary Christmas Parade on Saturday December 17th from 5pm to 7pm. at Heritage Park in Denbigh.  Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there for all the children (and adults as well).  There will be hamburgers, hotdogs and treats for everyone.  Please let the committee know if you would like to enter a float by calling 613-333-2224.  We will also be carrying on the tradition of the annual Christmas Lights contest in Ward 1; the prizes are 1st-$100, 2nd-$50  and 3rd-$25.  Please have your lights on the evenings of Dec. 17 to Dec. 21 as Santa’s helpers will be driving around one of those nights.  Winners will be notified before Christmas.

The Denbigh Food Bank is open December 13th at 10:30am-am Please call and we would be glad to help 613-333-2224.

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Godfrey
Kelli McRobert

The Community Cafe is free for seniors age 60+. The upcoming events are Wednesday December 7th - Dementia and Caregiver Resources at Ompah Community Hall; and

Thursday December 15th - Holiday Gathering presenting a Tai Chi Demo and Live Music at the Soldiers Memorial Hall (OSO Hall) doors open at 11 am, soup and social to follow, for more information call 613-279-3151, www.rfcs.ca or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you are passionate about a certain club, group, or activity, do not hesitate to let your Community Writers know about it so others can join in!  Locally, we still have Pickleball lessons/play indoors, Zumba, Yoga, Exercise Class, Martial Arts, Book Clubs, Diners Clubs, Volunteer Groups, Food Drives, Education, Cooking/Nutrition, Clothing Drives, ATV Clubs, Snowmobile Clubs, and Darts; to name but a few. A great way to meet new friends, stay active, and promote healthy living in Frontenac!

Revell Ford is having a Holiday Food Drive in December. Win a free “Works Package” while supporting our local community. Every food bank item donation earns you an entry into the weekly draw for a free Works Package during the month of December. (4 draws in total)

You are invited to the Frontenac Flyers U15 LL2 Community Breakfast. This will be held on Saturday, December 10 from 9am to 11am at the Verona Lions Hall. $8 per plate (pancakes, sausages and coffee/juice) $5 per plate with a food bank donation.

We are excited to announce that, after a 2-year absence, there will be a free sit-down turkey dinner on Christmas Day organized by John & Sheila Steele and Joyce & Doug Casement. The location will be at the Verona Lions Hall. Doors open at 10:30, meal served at 12 noon. To reserve your spot or get further information, by the 19th if possible, call Sheila Steele 613-374-2884 or Joyce Casement 613-374-3406.

Looks like change is coming!  Did you see that the Campbell farmstead has gone up for sale? 3 lots located on White Lake Road and it looks like one of them may already have an offer in...it will be interesting to see who is investing in the area and what the plans will be for this 300+ acres.

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Harlowe
Marie White

No column; check back next week!

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Harrowsmith
Marilyn Goodberry

Happy Birthday to Elaine Lazier on Saturday, December 10

Rebekah’s pie sale - Apple, strawberry rhubarb, blueberry, pumpkin, raspberry, cherry. Pick up date is Sunday, December 11 between 9am and 11am at the Golden Links Hall.

Rebekah's twelve (12) days of Christmas draw. The first draw was December 1st and the last one will be December 12th. Tickets are $5 each or 3 / $10. You could win a 32” smart TV, $100 cash and much more. Tickets can be purchased at the Golden Links Hall on Tuesday mornings from 10am – 12am and Thursday afternoons from 3pm – 5pm. All proceeds going to the Almost Home Kimmy Fund.

Holiday Remembrance candle ceremony on December 14 from 3pm – 4pm at the Grace Centre in Sydenham, 4295 Stage Coach Road. Drop-in 6:30pm 7:30pm for those who are unable to make the formal ceremony. See the Grace Centre website for more details.

New Year's Eve Dance on December 31st, at the Golden Links Hall in Harrowsmith. Dancing from 9pm -1am Music provided by All Stare Karaoke and DJ Services. There will be a cold buffet served at 11pm. A bus ride home is available. Cost is $40 per person with a cut off date to buy tickets on December 22nd. For tickets call 613-372-2410

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Henderson
Jean Brown

Our Pine Meadow people enjoyed visits from Santa's reindeer with thanks to Sherwood's Reindeer Farm for making the trip right to the windows of all the residents and to the courtyard. Special cookies were distributed and now the reindeer are getting rested up for their long adventure on Dec. 24. Christmas is coming faster than a herd of reindeer and excitement is mounting. Folks are cooking up a storm of yummy Christmas sweets. Yahoo!!

This Sunday, Dec. 10, Harlowe Wesleyan Church will feature well known Christian musician Ron Lemke on guitar at their 11am musical tribute service.

Special thanks to all who responded to the Henderson United Church mission project. We meet weekly at 8:45am and on Christmas Eve will feature a 7pm candle lit service with student clergy Kaitlyn Ostrander and all are welcome.

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Inverary
by Judy Borovskis

Winter Parking Restrictions began December 1, 2022. Remember! There is no over night parking on Township roads between midnight and 7:00 am.

Rotary Calendars displaying local photography and offering 312 chances to win $15,000 in prizes are available at Inverary Pharmasave, Mrs Garrett's Bake Shop, Neil's Flowers, & Limestone Creamery. Great as Christmas gifts. For info call Darlene at 613-353-1142. Help Rotary to help others!

Breakfast with Santa! at the Storrington Lions Hall was a huge success and a great community time of friendship and fun. Thank you to the Storrington Lions Club for taking a rainy day and turning it into a bright event for both young and old!

Thank you to all who met me at the gates of Ken Garrett Park with LCBO Returnables or to buy last minute tickets on our draw. The weather was a challenge, but as always, the people were great! Thank you to Mayor Vandewal for drawing the lucky winners. Winners were Lesley Briscoe – the tree; Mike Bailey- the luggage set; $100 Visa Gift Card winners were Troy Lloyd, Alf Laily, Chris Chard, and Sarah Langlois; Gisele Labrie - the bird house & sea glass and winners of Certificates for use of Frontenac Arena were Lucy Tobin and Theresa Gribbon. Total tickets sold was 927 – money raised $4635.00 The bottle drive so far has netted $545but still lots more to return.

Eyeglasses & Hearing Aides! Storrington Lions Club is collecting used eyeglasses and hearing aides. Drop off at the Lions Hall along with your Food Bank donation on December 9th. You can also bring your can tabs!

Food Drive to fill Christmas Baskets! December 9th drop off time 1 to 5 at the Storrington Lion's Hall. Any and all donations gratefully accepted. Also give thought to warm mittens, hats and socks! Put a warm smile on a happy face!

Calling All Youth! Four Rivers Youth Cluster invites you for Christmas Crafts & Cookies from 2 to 4 pm. on Saturday, December 10th at Battersea United Church. Thank-you to Kaye from K’s Cottage for being our leader! For more info email Rev. Heather. (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Holiday Sale at the Inverary Playhouse. 4750 Latimer Rd. on December 10th from 11 to 2.

Join the Storrington Lions Club! Offering fun, friendship and a sense of purpose – become a Lion. You are welcome at the next dinner meeting at the Lions Hall in Sunbury at 6:30 pm. on Tuesday, December 13th. RSVP to Catherine at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Maberly-Bolingbroke
Karen Prytula

Sorry, I don’t have anything for this week except for the following that was in the Perth Courier in the last edition of December 1882 or sometime in January 1883:

Maberly News – Progress on the Ontario & Quebec railroad – Since the cessation of work on the Toronto & Ottawa line the men have flocked to the Ontario & Quebec railroad so fast that tools could scarcely be found for them to work with. New gangs of men are being put on between Maberly and Sharbot Lake. – Ties are now being distributed along the line so as to have everything in readiness to commence track-laying in the spring. – Stealing – At Morrow’s Hotel, on Wednesday evening last, two men got into a quarrel, and one of them threw off his vest and in his pocket was a watch. When the row was over, the man found that his watch was missing. After searching for some time if was found that a man named Ballivan had it concealed in his boot.

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Mississippi
by Pearl Killingbeck

No column; check back next week!

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Ompah
by Linda Rush & Marily Seitz

The Ompah Hall was filled with excited children and their parents as Santa arrived with a Ho! Ho! Ho!  Santa handed out almost 70 gifts to delighted kids.  While waiting for their turn with the big guy, kids could make Christmas ornaments or get a glitter/glue tattoo.  Then kids and parents went into the fire hall to try out the refreshments.  The party was such a such a success thanks to Dillon and Michelle and their band of elves and to the Community Centre and their elves who provided the lunch.

Later that Saturday evening the annual Christmas Parade traveled from the township office through Plevna on to Ompah. The parade was in doubt earlier in the day due to rain and winds but the weather cooperated later and the parade was greeted by many children and folks along the route.  In fact, large fluffy flakes of snow appeared just as the parade neared Ompah.  The perfect end to a perfect day.

Palmerston Lake Marina held a craft fair last Saturday. Wonderful craft were available for Christmas shopping.

The annual Cookie Exchange will take place on Saturday, December 10 from

10am to 11am.  Bring your favorite cookies to share between 10am and 10:30am.  Put them on the table with the others then the exchange will open at 10:30. Bring a dozen (or more) and take home an equal amount of a variety of delicious Christmas cookies.  Contact Marily (479-2855) for more information.

Sad news in Ompah. Melvin (Mel Jr.) Peters passed away suddenly on the weekend. Mel was a big help to his mother Lorena when his dad passed away a few years ago. Our condolences to Lorena and the rest of the family.

Fiddlers and Friends will lead the Carol Service at the Sharbot Lake United Church on Sunday, December 11 at 10am.  All are welcome to come and sing in the season.

The Birthday Bash will be held on Wed., Dec. 21 at 6pm.  Bring $2 for hall rental and a small salad or dessert.  The hall will provide roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy and vegetables.  A donation to the Birthday Bash Benevolent Fund or food bank donation is welcome.

The 9th Annual Christmas Light Display is on at 1311 Struthadam Road every evening from dark until 9pm from now until Dec. 30. On the weekends mini donuts and tractor-drawn wagon rides are available. Remember that your donations make it all happen.

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Parham-Tichborne
by Elijah Abrams

On Dec. 10 following the Sharbot Lake Santa Clause Parade the Sharbot Lake  & District Lions Club are hosting "A visit with Santa".  There will be Free Hot Chocolate Hot Dogs, and a free candy bag for the children.  This will be held at the Sharbot Lake Royal Canadian Legion Branch #425 from 2 to 4 pm.

Also if you are interested the Lions Clubs "goodies" including dark and light Christmas Cake, Cherry Cake, etc, give Dawn or Dave Hansen a call.  The Sharbot Lake & District Lions Club help out so many in our area around.  If your interested in joining this amazing organization call the Hansens.

Sincere condolences to the family of Cheryl Brown and Meta Wagar.

Thinking of you to Doroth Verbeek.

Wednesda Euchre at the Legion in Sharbot Lake are finished till after the New Year.  If you are a euchre player please join us for an afternoon of fun & fellowship

The Happy Travellers in Parham will hold their last meeting on Wed. Dec 14th at noon beginning with a pot luck luncheon, followed by sing song under the leadership of Rev. Ken Walton and his wife May.  Don't forget to wear your ugly Christmas sweater.  After the New Year regular meetings will resume on the 3rd Wednesday in Feb.

Festival of Trees looked beautiful as always.  Hope you were lucky enough to win one of the beautiful items.  Thank you to all who make this event happen!

If you enjoy singing or listening to Christmas Carols, come out to either the Sharbot Lake United Church or Parham United Church on Dec. 11.

Thank you so much to everyone who took part in the Drive By Santa Claus Parade on Sunday in Parham.  Once again District #4 Recreation Committee outdid themselves with Santa's Workshop that housed Santa himself.  Thank you to all the businesses who put in a float for the parade and to everyone for supporting our events.  Let's make next year bigger and better.

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Perth Road
by Peter Bird

Christmas Eve Services: 8:30 pm at Perth Road United Church.

The 10pm Service at Wilmer Church has unfortunately been cancelled.

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Plevna
by Rhonda Watkins

The Palmerston Lake Marina would like to thank everyone that came out to their vendor sale last Saturday to help support local vendors and the North Frontenac Food Bank! They raised $282 for the food bank and the winners of the 2 raffle prizes were Peter Haw and Donna Lemke! Congratulations to the lucky winners!

The River of Life Christian Fellowship would like to send out a great big thanks to everybody that helped support the North Frontenac Hampers for Christmas! So many families will benefit thanks to our small, but mighty community!

Last Saturday night after enjoying the North Frontenac parade, my family and I took a drive down to visit the Riverhill Farm Christmas lights display. It is a truly spectacular sight and the new walk-through present is a fabulous addition! With over 150,000 twinkling lights, the displays are breathtaking! Don't forget to set your radio to Christmas tunes as you drive through to get the complete holiday effect. We were lucky to visit on the Saturday night because we were able to get some delicious mini donuts too! Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 5-8pm mini donuts and hot chocolate are available for purchase and you can even buy tickets for wagon rides!

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Sydenham
by Karen Brawley

No column; check back next week!

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Verona
Debbie Lingen

Revell Ford is having a Holiday Food Drive in December. Win a free “Woks Package” while supporting our local community. Every food bank item donation earns you an entry into the weekly draw for a free Works Package during the month of December. (4 draws in total)

You are invited to the Frontenac Flyers U15 LL2 community breakfast. This will be held on Saturday, December 10 from 9am to 11am at the Verona Lions Hall. $8 per plate (pancakes, sausages and coffee/juice) $5 per plate with a food bank donation.

Come out and see the Hockey Game between Frontenac OPP and South Frontenac Fire and Rescue to benefit the Food Bank. This will take place on Sunday, December 11 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Frontenac Community Arena. Puck Drop at 6pm. Admission by donation or non-perishable food item.

Style Revival will be open Saturday, December 10 from 10 am to 1 pm. It will also be open as usual Wednesdays from 10 am to 1 pm. Style Revival, which is located in the Verona Free Methodist Church at 6804 Hwy 38, offers free gently used clothing and footwear for all ages

Everyone is invited to the annual Prince Charles Public School holiday market on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 9am to 3pm at Prince Charles Public School. Over 50+ vendors! Breakfast with Santa 9am - noon. Lunch Cafe and more! Admission: non-perishable food item or $1 (for the South Frontenac Food Bank) This is the school's annual fundraiser in support of student activities.

Free Public Skating at Frontenac Arena! Wednesdays from 9am to 10:30am and Sundays from noon to 1:3 pm. It's free all winter long thanks to a Queen's Platinum Jubilee grant.

The team at Food Less Travelled has stepped up their fund raising!! For every donation to their Christmas For Kids jar, you or your children can chose one of the ornaments from the tree. Beckie Laine Cox crocheted skates and Annah Harriman made acrylic hand painted ornaments. Food Less Travelled added single sprinkle sugar cookies to the tree and Kate has offered to make one of their famous pies for the business that gets the most donations to the Christmas for Kids fund.

There will be a free sit-down Turkey Dinner on Christmas Day at the Verona Lions Hall. Doors open at 10:30am with meal at 12noon. Please call by December, if possible, to Sheila Steele 613-374-2884 or Joyce Casement 613-374-3406. All welcome, no one will be turned away.

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