CITY NEEDS MORE RENTAL HOUSING | STAY STRONG, LEST WE FORGET | PAYING LIVING WAGES
THE LINDSAY ADVOCATE KAWARTHA LAKES’ FINEST MAGAZINE
NOV 2020
TV and movie star Caroline Palmer
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November 2020 • Vol 3 • Issue 31
PUBLISHED BY
Fireside Publishing House, a proudly Canadian company. The Lindsay Advocate is published monthly and distributed to a wide variety of businesses and locations within Kawartha Lakes, North Durham and southern Haliburton County. We are a proud member of the Lindsay and District and Fenelon Falls Chambers of Commerce. TEAM ADVOCATE
CONTENTS KAWARTHA LAKES’ FINEST MAGAZINE
FEATURES
EDITORIAL
Publisher: Roderick Benns Contributing Editor: Trevor Hutchinson Associate Editor: Nancy Payne Research, Strategy & Development: Joli Scheidler-Benns Contributing Writers: Geoff Coleman, Nancy Payne,
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William McGinn, Jamie Morris, Ian McKechnie, Trevor Hutchinson, Roderick Benns Web Developer: Kimberley Durrant LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND TO
kawarthalakespublisher@gmail.com ADVERTISING & MARKETING
Advertising/Editorial inquiries: Roderick Benns
705-341-1496
CREATIVE
Graphic Design: Barton Creative Co. Photography: Mike Palmer, Geoff Coleman,
William McGinn, Ian McKechnie
On the Cover: Caroline Palmer, right, with her husband Mike Palmer and their dog, Tobias. Photo: Mike Palmer
Visit www.lindsayadvocate.ca for many more stories FOLLOW US ON
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The Lindsay Advocate @lindsayadvocate Roderick Benns @roderickbenns
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33 Paying a living wage, even during a pandemic.
11 Op-ed: What I learned on my summer staycation
IN EVERY ISSUE
of more rental housing, like the 90 new units proposed in Fenelon Falls just off Juniper Street.
13 Cover Story: Actor Caroline Palmer has appeared on a long list of TV shows and well-known movies. We find out why Burnt River, right here in Kawartha Lakes, has become her new home.
cf Printed by Maracle Inc. OUR PRIVACY POLICY The Lindsay Advocate is independently owned and operated. The opinions expressed herein are the views of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of this magazine. Photos, text, and art work contained in The Lindsay Advocate are copyrighted and may not be published, broadcast, or rewritten without the express permission of the Publisher. Liability for incorrectly displayed advertising is limited to publishing corrections or advertising credit for subsequent issues. The Publisher reserves the right to reject, revise, cancel, omit, discontinue or even decline to print advertising without reason or liability, and without notice. The Publisher has made every effort to ensure information contained herein was accurate at press time. The Publisher does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability to any party for damage, loss, or disruption caused by errors or omissions.
Small businesses will hold on — with your help
10 Editorial: City in need
/The Lindsay Advocate PRINTING
20 SHOP LOCAL
4 Letters to the Editor 6 UpFront 9 Benns’ Belief 36 Heirloom Recipe 37 Crossword 39 Friends & Neighbours 40 Just in Time 42 Trevor’s Take
Our Vision
We care about the social wellness of our community and our country. Our vision includes strong public enterprises mixed with healthy small businesses to serve our communities’ needs. We put human values ahead of economic values and many of our stories reflect the society we work to build each day. ~ Roderick and Joli
Advertising Sales: Contact us at 705-341-1496 • kawarthalakespublisher@gmail.com
Give people with disabilities a chance A TE
LIN
DSAY
AD O C V
Lots to enjoy in Lindsay
We enjoy every Lindsay Advocate magazine, but this October issue was jam-packed with interesting articles! I would also like to share with you how much I enjoy seeing the following three places which I see every time I go to town. The newly-completed Logie Street Park. That big Canada flag is the icing on the cake! The display in front of the locomotive on Lindsay Street is beautiful every year. Last, but not least, is the Crayola yard. Impressive colours and so well maintained. Thanks to you all! Linda Reeds, Reaboro
Fenelon Theatre Marquee Group helped secure sign
The Lindsay Advocate — great publication! Backyard Tourist article (September 2020) was a great article on Kawartha Lakes! However, note that information for the Fenelon sign is inaccurate. A group of nine very dedicated community members, together with the Maryboro Lodge: The Fenelon Museum formed a committee — the Fenelon Theatre Marquee Group — and worked diligently to have the marquee sign restored. Funding was secured through various organizations along with tremendous support from the local community. A Facebook page was created to follow the restoration process. On behalf of the Fenelon Theatre Marquee group, we thank you so very much for the recognition! Debra Churchill, Fenelon Falls
In my 40 years of living in Kawartha Lakes, I find that people with disabilities or people with lower incomes have a hard time finding a job or finding people to give us a chance. Right now I am studying at Durham College to be a horticulture technician. My dream is to buy a decent farm where I am able to grow fruit trees and vegetables and hire people with disabilities and people who have lower incomes, single parents or even homeless people to give them a chance to experience a new job. I want to provide half the food to the community like shelters, to single parents and more. For the other half I would sell it and use money for next year’s garden and pay people to work at my farm. Any profit would go to needs in the Kawartha Lakes community. Lolo Fegan, Bobcaygeon
Life in Kawartha Lakes is a blessing
I fully empathize with Trevor Hutchinson’s feelings of exhaustion from all the distractions and personal challenges to which we have all been subjected in the past seven months. (“Seeking A Little Compassion in 2020,” Oct. Advocate). As someone who suffered untreated clinical depression and panic disorder for more than 10 years, I can relate to the private psychic suffering that many people among us must endure due to the stresses of modern life in these crazy times. My wife and I retired in 2016 and moved to a rural forested area north of Fenelon Falls after a lifetime of frenetic living in Toronto. This decision has been such a blessing in too many ways to summarize here, but the move was motivated by a need to escape the hyper-stimulation of city life for the simplicity of country life and all of its natural blessings. Like Trevor, I crave the bountiful gifts of Mother Nature and appreciate them every day. Our isolation from heavily populated areas makes the pandemic seem otherworldly most of the time when surrounded by such tranquility and natural wealth. The depressing COVID and other news presented by social and
We want your letters! Send us your thoughts to be featured on this page.
The Lindsay Advocate welcomes your Letters to the Editor. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity or length. Simply email thelindsayadvocate@gmail.com. Please keep your letters to 200 words or less.
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mainstream media which Trevor described as: “the impending climate crisis, hyper-partisan political culture wars and the dumpster fire that is U.S. politics,” is all something that I can turn off at will to spend more quality moments in my little patch of Heaven nestled in Kawartha Lakes. While modern technology has been incredibly valuable to human productivity and prosperity, these benefits come at a cost to the human spirit. Fearful messages are impossible to fully escape when we engage the products of contemporary communications and services. These messages are intentionally scripted to suck in our attention like a supercharged Dyson vacuum. Fortunately, serenity is a choice. For the sake of our mental health, it pays to choose serenity from time to time. Gene Balfour, Fenelon Falls
Backyard Tourist fan
I really enjoyed your Backyard Tourist features and hope to drive or walk some of the routes. It would, however, be very helpful if you had included a detailed map. John Rogge
Glad you enjoyed the series, John. We didn’t have the resources to create a custom map for each of the four installments, but we will keep it in mind for future. Thanks for the suggestion! ~Nancy Payne
Fenelon housing development concerns about transparency, infrastructure
Your headline has left a bad taste in the mouths of many. (“Neighbours oppose handful of geared-to-income apartments in Fenelon Falls” — Advocate online.) The truth of the matter is transparency and infrastructure. Had these issues been discussed in an open and transparent venue, residents’ backs would not be up. Limited sewage capacity has been an issue in Fenelon Falls for the past two decades and is not, as far as residents are aware, due for any enlargement anytime soon. It was reported on Jan. 17, 2020, that Fenelon Falls sewage bypass spills 6.2 million litres of partially treated waste into the river. On Oct. 5, I spoke (by phone) with Mayor Andy Letham regarding the proposed project. Mayor Letham stated that he had no idea what they would build there since it’s a few (three) odd shaped lots that are worth nothing and useless.
We the residents directly involved did not know (because our mayor did not know) exactly what was being proposed for the land until it was reported in your paper. The lack of transparency which, in my opinion, was shown by our city council has led to speculation and in some cases, fear. Your headline has done nothing but instil a social media frenzy. I hope, as the process moves forward, you will continue to report the facts as they are presented and your headlines will be less decisive and cause less hostility between people! Phil Comartin, Fenelon Falls
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UPFRONT
Have a holly, jolly jog for Food Source and APCH
Therapeutic horse riding in Lindsay needs help
THRIL, a local registered charity that offers horse riding therapy, is looking for some community assistance with equipment purchases. As a member of the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association, THRIL helps participants to work on their balance, strength and coordination while also improving their self-confidence, self-esteem, communication and socialization skills. Its goal is to improve the lives of children, youth and adults with physical, intellectual and emotional challenges.
A Place Called Home (APCH) and Kawartha Lakes Food Source (KLFS) refuse to let COVID-19 hinder their festive spirits. Their annual Jolly Jog fundraiser will take place on Nov. 28 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. despite the challenges 2020’s pandemic presents. “Many non-profits, including APCH and KLFS, have had to forgo annual fundraising events that are integral to sustaining operations and programs. At the same time, our services are arguably more essential,” says Kate Dorotheou, community engagement coordinator at KLFS. “Luckily, this event takes place outdoors, which allows us to more easily adapt to COVID-19 restrictions.” This year’s Jolly Jog will allow registered participants to either run a five-kilometre route of their choosing, or to run a set five-kilometre route starting and ending at Calvary Pentecostal Church in Lindsay. Money will be raised through pledges and will be split evenly between the two non-profits. A small team of volunteers will be on location to allow for staggered start times and to collect donations. As always, there will be prizes for the most festive attendees and for the top fundraiser. The charities are also planning for participating families to have Zoom meetings with Santa following the event. For more information contact Kate at 705-324-0707 or volunteer@kawarthalakesfoodsource.com.
Due to COVID-19, the Lindsay-area organization has lost most of its income in 2020. Its spring program was cancelled and its summer and fall programs ran with limited capacity. It has also had to forgo its usual fundraising functions. The financial shortfall is discouraging, says Kelly Russell, program director of THRIL. The charity was planning to buy two large pieces of equipment this year: a driving cart and a hydraulic lift to assist riders who cannot stand independently. “We need both volunteer support and financial support to ensure that our programming is not only sustained but can continue to grow to meet the needs of the most physically challenged participants,” says Russell. Visit www.thril.ca for more information or to make a donation.
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Business UPFRONT
New criminal lawyer in Lindsay
Hobart’s Restaurant re-launches
Photos courtesy of Reenie Brydon Photography.
Hobart’s Restaurant in Lindsay (located downtown in Kent Place Mall) got a makeover and a new menu recently. The restaurant held a soft launch in early October over three evenings, inviting select community guests to see the renovations while experiencing a four-course meal. Opened 20 years ago with the aim of providing a quality dining experience, the restaurant serves premium steaks in a casual environment. The menu also includes fish and seafood, pasta and chicken, and vegetarian options.
Michael Kohl is happy to be establishing his law practice in Lindsay at his office at the southwest corner of Kent and William Streets, inside the Income Tax Plus building. A litigation and criminal defence lawyer in Toronto and partner at Horton Kohl LLP, Kohl has moved to Kawartha Lakes to be closer to family. He plans on dividing his time between Toronto and Lindsay. Kohl’s Lindsay office offers a full range of legal services, including criminal defence, civil litigation, real estate, estate and family law. He started getting established in Lindsay just as the pandemic hit in March, which slowed his plans. But now the firm is moving forward with its plans for expansion, taking over the old Trent Travel location on the ground floor (facing Kent Street), in addition to his William Street office. Kohl says he is looking forward to meeting new faces in the community. Find the firm at 1 William St. S, Suite 9.
Need help as a small business? Are you a small business owner whose business was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic? You can apply to the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund through Kawartha Lakes Community Development Corporation for a loan of up to $40,000 for fixed operating expenses. No interest will be charged on the loan until Dec. 31, 2022, and no principal repayments are required until then either.You can choose to repay some of the principal at any time. As well, up to 25 per cent of loan repayments can be forgiven, provided the outstanding balance is repaid by Dec. 31, 2022. VIsit www.klcfdc.com/rrrf,or call 705-328-0261 for information.
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Enjoy winter at our house this year!
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BENNS’ BELIEF
RODERICK BENNS, Publisher
Our sense of place
All communities are not made equal. Some are fragile hamlets, hanging on only through the echoes of history. Other communities are sprawling behemoths oozing prosperity, big box stores and middle-class urgency — a place of perfect lawns and hungry bees. I think of Durham Region, where a tourist could drive from Oshawa through Whitby, then Ajax, then Pickering and never know they’re leaving one place and entering another, save for a sign announcing it had happened. (The west side of Toronto is similar.) Other communities — the best kind, I believe — are the kind we live in here. Lindsay is where I live. It’s clear when I’m leaving that I’m going somewhere “else” because I’ve traded the attractive small-town vibe for the beauty of the countryside along the way. I can arrive in scenic Fenelon Falls 20 minutes later or maybe to breathe in between and underrated Kirkfield Kirkfield 30 30minutes minuteslater. later.There Thereis room is room to breathe in between to enjoy the distinctiveness between thesethese places. (We (We may be allbe oneallcity and to enjoy the distinctiveness between places. may onenow, city and we need to support one another, but we still identify most closely with the now, and we need to support one another, we still identify most community we hail from — and there’s nothing wrong with that.) Of course, there are fine people who live in the suburbs and this comparison depends on at least some generalizations. But having lived in Durham Region for a decade, I speak from experience. Many choose life in the suburbs only to be close to a Toronto-paying job. (As in my case.) And that’s part of the problem. It’s hard to get involved at a community level and to feel truly connected when a job removes that person from their city or town to spend their working hours somewhere else. It is anathema to a sense of place. Sense of place, as a concept, is something that geographers study intently. Things that create a sense of place include a feeling of personal attachment and belonging, which in turn cultivates engagement and commitment to the community. It takes a lot of energy — both physically and mentally — to commute from one’s community in the suburbs to and from Toronto and then back again each day. Driving, I imagine, would be particularly draining. Even taking the GO train, as I did, meant witnessing people lined up at the doors like racehorses, ready to bolt for their car to go home and relax, only to rinse and repeat for another tomorrow. That is not sustainable living. High-paying jobs may be scarcer here, and we need to work on that, but there are significant positive trade-offs for working and living in the same community, including getting to know your neighbour and having time to volunteer. So, shop local (that doesn’t mean Peterborough), get involved with a local organization, and take part in local events. This is our place — and it needs us more than ever.
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EDITORIAL
City in need of more rental housing Terms like “desperate” have been used to describe the need for more rental housing of all kinds in Kawartha Lakes which currently has a minuscule 1.3 per cent vacancy rate, according to the last figures available from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The Fenelon Community Housing Initiative (FCHI), a local non-profit with a proven record of building multi-storey dwellings, would like to construct 90 new units of rental housing just off Juniper Street in Fenelon Falls, a little southeast of the falls themselves. Sandra Barrett, the project chairperson, said the FCHI venture will be a mix of tenants with most of the apartments renting at market value, while the remainder will be available to those requiring geared-to-income housing or assistedliving accommodation. “I have spoken to many businesses in town who report that their employees cannot find a place to live in Fenelon,” Barrett told the Advocate. “One business said they had an employee living in a tent hoping for a decent apartment to become available in the village.” Councillor Doug Elmslie is fully supportive of the project and describes the supply of apartments in Fenelon Falls as “shockingly low.” Many neighbours living close to the proposed site have expressed concerns about both how the land was sold to the FCHI by the city and what the project will look like. These individuals say they have felt ignored by various city officials who have either failed to respond to their concerns about the project or have indicated that they know little more than the citizens about the build. This lack of communication between concerned citizens, the city and FCHI is unacceptable and was completely avoidable. The Advocate believes much-needed new rental accommodation projects like the one in Fenelon Falls should be encouraged and welcomed right across our city. We support the FCHI project and hope to see more like it all over Kawartha Lakes.
LETTER SPOTLIGHT Wild rice is not unsafe
I am writing in response to a call out by Larry Wood to people on the Save Pigeon Lake email list, asking for feedback on the “safety” of wild rice beds. In all my canoeing and kayaking of the lakes, rivers and creeks in this region, I have never experienced any threat to my safety from the seeding or harvesting of manoomin (wild rice). The greatest threats have come from excessive speeding by Sea-Doos, speedboats and even pontoon boats in our lakes — and on our shores, the unsafe actions of a few ATV operators churning up lakes and even entering private property. This can create a huge noise disturbance as well, and continues throughout the summer. There are now more than 9,000 signatures on the Declaration on Manoomin (gathered by Community Voices for Manoomin), indicating a great deal of support. I believe that Save Pigeon Lake should proceed in mutual respect, truth and understanding and refrain from inflammatory statements like rice beds are an “accident waiting to happen.” I would ask members to respect the nation to nation process that is continuing between the First Nations and the federal government and in the meantime, begin to develop meaningful relationships with First Nations communities in this region. Brenda Wall, Bobcaygeon
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OPINION
What I learned on my summer staycation Even when you think you know everything about Kawartha Lakes, there’s lots left to discover.
NANCY PAYNE Associate Editor
1. Stop and visit that spot
kawartha Lakes
you’ve been driving by forever
You know these places — they look interesting, they’re on your regular route to somewhere, but for whatever reason you never actually stop. Well, it’s time to change that. From the Kirkfield Lift Lock to the Fenelon Station Gallery, Mennonite bakeries and the Ballyduff wind turbines, I was rewarded time and again. (Lesson 1a: Don’t beat yourself up for not stopping in years ago.)
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2. Our natural landscape is way more
varied than we realize
Kawartha Lakes is big, but not that big. So it’s kind of surprising when you go literally from the very northern tip to the very southern one and realize just how much variety there is to see and appreciate. The rugged north — one place I’ve marked for future exploration is Queen Elizabeth Wildlands Provincial Park — is wild and beautiful. (Victoria Falls is gorgeous, and well worth the long drive on bumpy gravel.) The neat fields and waterways of the broad centre are pastoral and beautiful. The rolling southern woodlands are dramatic and beautiful. And the unique Carden Alvar is flat and beautiful. Regardless of which landscape you’re most familiar with, it’s hugely enjoyable exploring all the other ones. As for our designated nature areas, If you’ve only ever been to Ken Reid Conservation Area, it’s time to check out Fleetwood Creek Natural Area (do not drive down the hill to the entrance!) or the Emily Tract.
3. We are incredibly fortunate
that so many people care
Time and time again, I ran across absolute gems that wouldn’t exist without people’s passion and dedication. There are businesses, like Quaker Oaks or Anna’s Perennials, where the owners love to share what
ottawa
115
401
peterborough
115 toronto
401
they’ve done regardless of whether you buy anything or not. There are community- or government-run places like Kawartha Settlers’ Village or Garnet Graham Park. But everywhere you look, volunteers are creating things that make Kawartha Lakes better, giving up their time, energy and even their private property for the delight of all. There are almost too many to list here, but I’m so grateful for the people who built and maintain the stone fences on the north side of Balsam Lake, to Ralph McKim and Jean Garsonnin for the astonishing gift of the Ballyduff Trails, to Meri Newton for preserving and sharing Cherry Tree Lodge in Sturgeon Point and to the heritage enthusiasts who preserved the Pontypool grain elevator. Our community is better for your selflessness. Perhaps above all, though, the thing I learned this summer was that when you look at your home area through the eyes of an explorer, as if you really were on vacation from another province, you’ll find wonder all around.
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Actor of Shazam!, Heartland fame living off-grid with partner in Burnt River
RODERICK BENNS Publisher
Caroline Palmer has appeared on hit TV shows such as Mr. D, Workin’ Moms, Suits, and even the 2019 DC Comics’ blockbuster, Shazam! She must live in Hollywood or Toronto, right? As it turns out, most of this star’s days are spent in a location a tad more rural: Burnt River, Kawartha Lakes. Not only do she and her husband, Mike Palmer (and their dog, Tobias), live in Burnt River, though — they’re also doing so off-grid, with no electricity or running water. Depending on the time of year, you might find Caroline and Mike chopping wood, picking cucumbers or clearing brush. On four remote acres, under soaring red pines that seem to scrape dull November skies, this is not the life you’d expect an actor to be living. But Kawartha Lakes holds a special place in Torontoraised Caroline’s heart because she remembers spending “almost every summer” at Wychwood Resort in Fenelon Falls, and sometimes at camp in Haliburton on Lake Kashagawigamog. “My dad instilled his love of the outdoors in us,” she says. She also happened to marry someone who has family in Bethany. Mike’s parents have a “country retreat” there and so the family was familiar with life north of Toronto. Polish-born, Caroline spent a couple of early years in Berlin, Germany, before moving to Toronto with her family at a young age. Although well-known as an actor now, she says her path to that career “was anything but linear.” “When high school ended, I went to Western University to study business and get ‘a real job,’” she says. And she did. She worked in advertising and later as the marketing director of Toronto Life magazine, while also completing her MBA at Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto in the evenings. CONT’D ON PAGE 14
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CAROLINE PALMER CONT’D FROM PAGE 13
THE ACTING BUG
Gathering a cucumber harvest. Not your average outhouse.
“All the while what I really missed was acting,” she tells the Advocate, so she took an evening class at Armstrong Acting Studios. This led to her finding an agent and, shortly after, booking a lead in a 2014 thriller, The Drownsman. “That helped me decide to leave my corporate track and leap into the unknown to pursue my original dream of being a professional actor,” she says. Since then it’s been a steady stream of work on shows like Murdoch Mysteries, Private Eyes, a recurring role on Heartland, and, recently, as Marilyn Batson — Billy Batson’s mom in the movie Shazam!. “It’s a totally different lifestyle with work coming in intense waves rather than a steady pace,” she says, explaining how it’s possible to have such a career and live in Burnt River. With Mike being a photographer and director, “It makes it easier because we both understand and appreciate each others’ schedules.” It was while they were spending some time at Mike’s family’s retreat in Bethany that they realized buying a house in “super-expensive Toronto” did not seem like the right move, considering they love to travel and get out of the city whenever possible. They started looking at properties around Bethany just for fun in January 2019. That’s when they saw the ad for the Burnt River location on Kijiji. “The privacy, the beach and swimmable pond got our imaginations turning right away,” she says. As Mike wrote on his blog, the “previous owners showed us around the 4 acres (and) it had everything we were looking for — space, privacy, a large pond, and even an old cabin.” But it was what the place didn’t have that was surprising — electricity. “Being off the grid wasn’t on our list of things we were looking for,” he wrote, “but the idea of living disconnected from modern conveniences was super exciting.” Within a week they put in an offer and had it accepted. As it turns out the previous owner wanted younger people to buy the land so that someone could put in the care and time it needed to be useful. The thirty-something Palmers fit the bill. Suddenly they were landowners with none of the modern conveniences one would normally have.
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Nothing to see here, other than a man forest bathing.
All Photos by Mike Palmer (@roamingpines)
“It seemed crazy at the time,” Caroline admits, but when the global pandemic hit suddenly their secluded land purchase seemed like especially good timing. We were so fortunate, she says, to “have our remote cabin in the woods to work on in isolation.” “Spending time isolated among the trees was very therapeutic at a time when the world was so uncertain — we could shield ourselves from it, in some ways, for which we’re incredibly grateful.” While they have kept their apartment in Toronto and must travel back for auditions and shoots occasionally, they aim to spend 60 to 70 per cent of their time at their off-grid cabin. One of their investments was a solar panel and a battery pack that can be charged from either from solar energy or by plugging into an outlet elsewhere, allowing them to stay connected to the world even without electricity.
THE CABIN AND THE OUTHOUSE
“Being off the grid wasn’t on our list of things we were looking for, but the idea of living disconnected from modern conveniences was super exciting.
When they first took over the property last year there was a small cabin “in bad shape,” she says, on the property already. They were happy to have something that was already there to improve upon and set about to fixing it up to their liking. They did a “total overhaul of the interior of the cabin,” Caroline says, including new floor joists, new insulation, new walls, solar lighting and three-season plumbing for a kitchen sink. They also eventually called Highland Propane in Fenelon Falls and splurged on a propane fridge and stove. CONT’D ON PAGE 16
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CAROLINE PALMER CONT’D FROM PAGE 15
Now, they’re focused on finishing the exterior of the cabin. And when winter comes, they’ll close their kitchen pipe to keep it from freezing and bring in pond water in a jug for non-potable use. A water cooler will suffice for drinking and cooking water. No off-grid lifestyle would be complete without also giving serious consideration to bathroom time – in this case, how to create a “glorious outhouse,” as Caroline calls it (pictured on page 14). Mike dedicated a full blog post to this topic, knowing that “creating a clean, comfortable, and environmentally friendly option was necessary to enjoy our time on the property,” as he wrote. “I knew that if I could build an outhouse that was ‘classy’ then I could convince anyone (mostly Caroline) that living off grid didn’t have to be as terrible or as rough as one might expect,” he wrote. The Palmers were able to construct a compostable system that allowed them to turn waste into plant food/ manure/compost without using any water or electricity. (Read more about it at roamingpines.com.)
CHALLENGING YEAR FOR FILM AND TELEVISION When the pandemic hit, the entertainment industry was one of the first sectors to shut down. The Palmers focused on their cabin and property, putting their energy into their new acquisition. On the side Mike started a production company, Roaming Focus, which Caroline also now helps run. It’s a photography and videography production company that does mostly digital commercials and editorial stills for a wide range of clients, including beverage, automotive, healthcare and fashion, among others. They also create original films and series. Caroline used to have to be in the city for auditions, but since the pandemic the industry has shifted to allow actors to record their own auditions and send them into casting. In the meantime, the Palmers are looking forward to connecting more deeply with their community on a local level. “What I love about the location is we are so close to so many great towns,” Caroline says, rhyming off Kinmount, Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Minden and Coboconk as examples.
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In a non-pandemic year, she believes they’ll be able to “really explore and get to know our community more.” “We missed the Victoria County Studio Tour this year but can’t wait to attend next year — there are so many amazing artists and entrepreneurs in the area that we cannot wait to support.” They would also like to see Mike’s photography work get into some local galleries, partly to find more work locally, “and not always drive into the city for that.”
LOCAL BUSINESS FOR SALE Kawartha Lakes Classic Flowers Opportunity knocks. A lovely, well established downtown Lindsay flower and gift shop is waiting for you.
LESS THAN YOU THINK In the meantime, she says it’s amazing how time passes so quickly in isolation because there’s always something to do. “The days here fly by and are always satisfying. We go to sleep easily and wake readily. There’s less time to worry about the future or stress about other things, because there is wood to chop before it gets cold.” She describes their off-grid rural home as “very grounding” and says it has been great for their creative juices, too, helping them to come up with some new film ideas. “I think we’ve learned that you need way less than you think. There is a multi-billion-dollar consumer culture out there that is always telling us we need the latest — well, everything — and it’s easy to get caught up in that. “But challenging yourself to make do with less can actually be far more satisfying,” she says, given that “stuff” can’t really make people happy. “But having time in nature definitely does.” “Working through challenges … learning new skills … having to work to get water — all of that has been so satisfying and a nice reset from the instant gratification culture” they see in Toronto, Caroline adds. They’ve also realized they were more capable than they first realized. These days, with the bleakness of November promising even colder days ahead, the Palmers are looking forward to having friends up for a game of pond hockey in the heart of winter. They also hope to start cross-country skiing and checking out more of the “amazing trails” in the area. Of course, there’s always a cozy wood stove to enjoy (for humans and dog alike), especially after a long day of work outdoors. They’ve also learned, says Caroline in a parting thought, that “humans aren’t programmed to want an easy life, but rather a meaningful one.”
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ADVERTORIAL
New regional program to support women
entrepreneurs
Kawartha Lakes Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre is partnering with Ontario East Economic Development to deliver a new regional program designed to support entrepreneurial women working towards starting a new full-time business in our community. The Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (WEP) offers entrepreneurial women virtual and in-person business support to help start a new business including online training, webinars and business planning. “The Federal Government has funded the Women’s Entrepreneurship Program to support female entrepreneurs start and scale thriving businesses,” said Diane Steven, Business Advisor, Kawartha Lakes Small Business and Entrepreneurship Centre (KLSBEC). “As part of the program KLSBEC will provide access to education opportunities, mentorship, business planning support and resources to assist participants as they grow successful businesses.” The program will support 45 female entrepreneurs as they establish and grow businesses in Kawartha Lakes over the next 3 years. Will you be one of them?
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Access to a community of female entrepreneurs igniting their passions Virtual and face-to-face business planning, mentorship, and seminars/webinars Virtual collaboration among all program members Online resources to assist in starting, maintaining and growing a successful business.
Sara Archer, owner of SG Hair Company with a client.
“By partnering with Ontario East Economic Development to deliver this program we have an opportunity to help women in Kawartha Lakes as they build successful businesses and make important contributions to our local economy,” said Steven. “While great strides towards gender parity have been made in the past several years, female entrepreneurs still face significant roadblocks. This program provides critical supports to help participants reach their full potential.” The program is free to join, and open to female entrepreneurs over the age of 18. Participants must be planning to start a new full-time (30+ hours per week) business or have a business that
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The program is free to join, and open to female entrepreneu rs over the age of 18
Facts on female entrepreneurship Women currently make up 48 per cent of Canada’s total labour force. The global financial crisis of 2008 emphasized the importance of women’s participation in the economy. The pandemic crisis of 2020 has solidified how important it is to engage female workers and entrepreneurs.
32.6% of women business owners Diane Steven.
has been in operation for less than four months. The business must be sole proprietorship or partnership structure. KLSBEC is a program of the City of Kawartha Lakes “What excites me most about this program is that it provides women with the flexibility to access training when it fits in with their schedule. With the changes created by COVID-19 it is more important now than ever that entrepreneurial supports are designed in a way that meets the needs of participants who may not be able to take part during traditional 9 to 5 hours,” said Steven. “It’s also important to understand that in rural communities like Kawartha Lakes it can be difficult to be online during peak periods.” Those interested in participating should contact Diane Steven by e-mail at dsteven@kawarthalakes.ca or by phone at 705-324-9411 extension 1283.
who use credit
40.2% of self-employed Indigenous people are women
50% of online businesses recently launched by women 69.7% of self-employed Canadians
in Health Care and Social Assistance are women
90.8% of women-owned businesses
are micro firms with less than 20 employees
50% of all businesses started today
are started by women
14% of women entrepreneurs use a business loan
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Small businesses hold on and believe smalltown pride will trump Amazon convenience }} Shop local
GEOFF COLEMAN Writer-at-large
Kent Florist owner Ann Scarlett.
Barn & Bunkie owner Brandy Smalley-Watson.
With the peak of a second COVID-19 wave coinciding with the holiday gift-giving season, saying the small business owner faces some challenges is something of an understatement. Many businesses count on the November-December rush to carry them into the black, but this promises to be a season like no other. Throw in the seemingly endless market penetration of the online shopping behemoth
Amazon, and it becomes clear your favourite local business operators need your support more than ever. As recently as 2017, businesses with fewer than 10 employees accounted for a whopping 76 per cent of Canada’s economy, according to Statistics Canada. Approximately two-fifths of businesses with 5 to 19 employees report their sales dropped 40 per cent or more since COVID arrived, according to StatsCan.
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Meanwhile, Amazon reported an overall sales increase of 40 per cent, and saw its profits double yearover-year to $5.2 billion for three months in April, May and June. Analysts expect Amazon to exceed $100 billion in revenue for the first time ever in the 2020 fourth quarter. Despite a bleak outlook, there are bright spots in the local economic landscape. While some businesses were putting up the shutters, Brandy Smalley-Watson took the bold stop of opening a new, bigger store in Fenelon Falls, just as
In her case, turning to social media worked. Outgoing and personable, Smalley-Watson herself is the greatest strength of the shop. When the doors were regulated shut, she did what a Winners or HomeSense couldn’t do and launched weekly Facebook Live sessions where customers could see what was new. Her version of The Shopping Channel took off because she found a way to market the same personal touch she demonstrates in-store (such as remembering what a customer bought previously, or asking how a custom-mixed paint colour turned out) and it translated perfectly in a live, online format. She was delivering dozens of items the next day, many from stock she had ordered to participate in various cancelled home shows.
Another creative adaptation involved putting product with prices in her massive store windows. People phoned from outside, pointed at what they wanted, paid for it through e-transfer, and picked it up around back.
Amanda Pascoe, owner of Cake by the Lake.
[ All photos by Geoff Coleman ] tighter COVID-19 restrictions were again being re-applied. The Barn and Bunkie, a home decor store featuring a strong presence of local artisans, doesn’t sound like a bullet-proof business that could withstand a pandemic unscathed, but Smalley-Watson believes, “external circumstances that make it difficult to operate will always be there. They will change, but they will always be there, so you try, and keep adapting until something works.”
The business owner points out these were not e-commerce sales through her website; they were generated directly from the live interactions. People can buy items from Wayfair or Amazon that are remarkably similar to what she has on offer, but she found that when community members saw her making an effort, they were more than ready to support their local shop. This sentiment was echoed by Amanda Pascoe at Cake by the Lake in Bobcaygeon. Barely eight months into her start-up business when the COVID restrictions began — and still a little surprised at the demand for decadent desserts — Pascoe started selling cheesecakes to wholesalers. She also started selling to businesses like Lindsay’s Farmers Butcher Shop, through online orders, and to walk-ins on the three days a week she opens to the public.
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CONT’D ON PAGE 22
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SHOP LOCAL CONT’D FROM PAGE 21
She, too, recognizes the power of Instagram and Facebook. When she posted something about a new flavour, or a fresh batch leaving the ovens, orders increased. Keeping the shop in the public eye even when people weren’t getting out was a huge part of her success during the pandemic. Pascoe surmises, “People were doing their own cooking, but still wanted a nice dessert that they may not have had time or energy to make after preparing a meal.” She also saw the need for gluten-free, and keto dietfriendly offerings, and added those to the menu. And, after she announced a delivery service, the local community responded overwhelmingly. She now routinely sells out of product. Ann Scarlett at The Kent Florist in Lindsay also managed to stay connected to her customers during the first wave, thanks again, in part, to the power of social media. An early example related to “a couple thousand dollars’ worth of flowers” that were going to die unsold as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. She made an online announcement that they would be left out front of the store, free for the taking, and an hour later, they were all gone. “Individuals were taking turns walking up and choosing flowers to make their bouquet. It wasn’t a free-for-all, and people planned to give them to neighbours and friends,” Scarlett related. Another creative adaptation involved putting product with prices in her massive store windows. People phoned from outside, pointed at what they wanted, paid for it through e-transfer, and picked it up around back. E-transfers had not been commonly used at the shop previously, but this was another example of the business operator responding to the needs of the customer — and being rewarded for it.
The importance of an online presence is not lost on the city’s economic development department. It offers nine webinars to educate businesses on improving Google profiles, applying for Digital Main Street funding, managing reviews, driving traffic from social media, choosing better photos for online use, tools to help businesses communicate, and e-commerce. The department has engaged with 103 businesses to identify gaps in their digital presence online, and recommend actions to help move them forward. Twenty-three local businesses received grant funding (a grant of $2,500) to make improvements in this area.
Scarlett says her customers buy flowers to send to people they cannot visit the way they normally would, and purchase plants to brighten the newly minted home offices where they were suddenly spending their days. If these three businesses are representative at all of small operations in Kawartha Lakes, owners are making an effort to win local customers’ loyalty and business. Local shops offer some undeniable advantages. Customers can examine products up close, which also allows them to easily assess quality. Colour and texture are evident, and clothes are sure to fit. Businesses in Kawartha Lakes ranging from electronics shops to sellers of musical instruments are price-matching the big box stores, and if a return is necessary, it’s easier to do that locally than to take another trip out of town or to the post office. What local retailers are proving during hard times is that this holiday season, if given the chance, they will go to great lengths to prove that shopping local is the smart move. It’s also the move that will ensure they will be there for your convenience in good times, too.
What’s one of your favourite local businesses — and why? Let us know by emailing kawarthalakespublisher@gmail.com.
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BIA ADVERTORIAL
Supporting our downtown
}} Now, more than ever, it’s time to shop local
Melissa McFarland, General Manager, Lindsay Downtown BIA As the holiday season approaches, there’s no doubt that the usual festivities in every facet of our lives will look somewhat different this year. As October rolls into November, the organizations responsible for putting on holiday community events are still scrambling to figure out how to celebrate this season without encouraging gathering. For Downtown Lindsay, community events have two benefits — fostering community spirit, and supporting our downtown businesses by encouraging holiday shopping and dining. The fear is that without the gathering events, that the traffic into our small businesses will suffer. The pandemic that has dominated the majority of 2020 has negatively impacted numerous industries, and small businesses aren’t unique. But what is unique are the people behind these storefronts — not industries, not corporations, but real people who live in our community, and had the most challenging business year of their lives. They’ve had to make tough decisions, ones that have no choice but to impact their personal well-being as well — and not all of them were able to weather the storm. CONT’D ON PAGE 26
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For Life’s Colours Plan Your Arrangements, Gifts And Deliveries For The Holidays. Sign-Up For Our Monthly Newsletter + Floral Subscription. Fresh flowers arriving weekly. 92 Kent St. W. • Lindsay, ON • (705) 324-7314 (800) 669-4942 • www.kentflorist.net • cf
SUPPORT DOWNTOWN CONT’D FROM PAGE 25
The ones who did are feeling unsure of their future in a pandemic that hasn’t gone away at this point. “Shop Local!” has been a phrase heard again and again in the last six months, and our small businesses have been heartened by the show of community support. There was traffic to their newly created online stores, customers willing to be patient and accommodating of curbside pickup and deliveries, and social media posts showing support to their favourite businesses. Many of these shops and restaurants are just about “back to normal” – as much as that’s possible. There’s no doubt this upcoming holiday season is more important than ever before. A successful holiday season may be the make-or-break for many businesses as they look back on their 2020 and decide if 2021 is even going to be feasible. Fortunately for all of us, our retailers and restaurants are ready to serve you. All have policies and procedures in place to ensure their customers and staff can have safe experiences and workplaces. Your shopping and dining experience this holiday season can be as creative
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and fun as it always has. If you’re having trouble getting into the holiday spirit this year, perhaps a trip through the downtown, visiting our specialty shops and crossing items off your list could be just the ticket. If you’re feeling like in-person shopping isn’t ideal for you this year and find yourself turning to the computer to complete your lists, consider that many of our local businesses have put their stores online. Government funding became available in the closures of this past spring for small businesses to develop an online platform — and many in Downtown Lindsay accepted the challenge. They now have beautiful, functional online stores that give you the same convenience as the major online retailers, but with the bonus of knowing that you’re supporting the dream of someone in your community, and not lining the pockets of multinational corporations. The pandemic has caused many of us to re-identify and re-align our priorities. What is important to us may be different now than it was a year ago. What we do know is that our communities need thriving downtowns, and the holiday spirit can be alive and well, with support from our local community, and people like you.
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Out with the old, in with the new. Don't let the pandemic dampen your holiday shopping spirit. There are safe options across Kawartha Lakes businesses such as placing online orders or pickup and delivery. If you're heading to a storefront, restaurant or service provider, they're ready to safely serve you in person. Stay safe, shop local.
shopkawarthalakes.ca
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BOOKS
READER SPOTLIGHT Courtesy of Kawartha Lakes Public Library
JESSICA MOYNES & JENNY CONNELL
Jessica Moynes, left, Jenny Connell, right, business partners at Unwrapped in Lindsay.
ZERO WASTE HOME by Bea Johnson This is a book that makes you stand back and become mindful of every choice you are making throughout your day. In a world of high consumption and low consciousness, Bea helps the reader to make real changes by offering tangible advice and alternatives.
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Some small businesses are paying a living wage — even during the pandemic }} What does it really cost to live in Kawartha Lakes? WILLIAM MCGINN
From left to right, owner Julia Taylor with Robin Uprichard and Carson Keeler.
As COVID-19 rages across Canada, now in a second wave, most businesses and workers have been affected in some way. Some people have lost their jobs. Countless others have had their hours cut. And while major grocery store chains, for a time, inched closer to a living wage (calling it a “temporary pay premium”) the extra pay was eventually revoked. The minimum wage in Ontario is now $14.25 an hour. It was slated to reach $15 an hour 34 months earlier but the new Conservative government stopped the increase when it was elected in 2018. Then-labour minister Laurie Scott oversaw the halt to the wage increase. For Julia Taylor, owner of Country Cupboard in Fenelon Falls, the notion of a minimum wage does not sit easily.
“I hate this idea. It’s like, ‘Oh, how would I pay you the lowest possible (amount) that I can pay you?’ How does that value a person?” Instead, the environmentally conscious health-food store owner has kept her employees’ pay closer to a living wage — which is $18.42 an hour in Kawartha Lakes, according to the Ontario Living Wage Network. In fact, once COVID-19 hit, Taylor actually gave her employees raises. She said one of the main reasons for the raise was that COVID made the work environment very “highstress.”
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CONT’D ON PAGE 34
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food and grocery “Because we wewere were food and … we just [became] extremely busy grocery … we just [became] extremely overnight — and really didn’tdidn’t stop stop until busy overnight —itand it really the last weeks.” until thecouple last couple weeks.” A living wage reflects the cost of living in a particular community. According to the Ontario Living Wage Network, in a household with two parents and two children, the two parents both must make at least the living wage to make ends meet. The network uses a standardized calculation to determine each community’s living wage, while also accounting for government transfers such as child tax benefits, child care subsidy and government deductions and taxes. The living wage calculation also factors in a set amount across Ontario for clothing, footwear and contingencies. In a 2018 interview with the Advocate, Mary Lou Mills, a social deteminants of health nurse with the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, said employers can reap the rewards of paying a living wage. (The social determinants of health are the social and economic factors that affect people’s health, such as wages, social status, education and more.) “Generally, businesses that pay a living wage see an increase in productivity, experience less staff turnover and save on hiring and training costs. When lowpaid workers earn a living wage, they also tend to spend most of it in their local economy, which contributes to stronger economic growth,” said Mills. Another local business owner who pays a living wage is Kim Dupuis, owner of Lindsay’s Point of Balance, a physiotherapy and massage therapy clinic. Dupuis told the Advocate her employees were already paid above the living wage and it stayed that way as COVID hit, despite a reduction in revenue.
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In The Case for Increasing the Minimum Wage, author David Green raises the idea of a social contract when it comes to wages. “There is a sense in which the functioning of the labour market represents an important social contract to which we are all signatories. Part of that contract says that if people work, and work hard, they should expect that their share of the final product will allow them to live a life of dignity. A wage structure with substantial inequality that includes people working full time but still ending up in poverty breaks that contract. The result is a society that does not function well, that turns on itself and breaks into groups, that is not as good a place to live, for anyone.”
Julia Taylor, owner of Country Cupboard.
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Generally, businesses that pay a living wage see an increase in productivity, experience less staff turnover and save on hiring and training costs. When lowpaid workers earn a living wage, they also tend to spend most of it in their local economy, which contributes to stronger economic growth,” said Mills. The reduction stemmed from being unable to see as many patients because of social distancing policies, and new expenses like extra hand sanitizer. Point of Balance also hired a new staff member to make sure clients sanitize and go through proper screening procedures, and that PPEs and laundry were managed.
Kim Dupuis at Point of Balance. Photo: William McGinn.
Dupuis believes the clinic will stay strong as winter approaches. “I’m very proud to say that I am able to continue to support my staff and their families as they were supported before.”
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~ with files from Roderick Benns.
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LOCAL HEIRLOOM RECIPES Nellie Burnett’s Chili Sauce Muriel Burnett makes her mother-in-law’s chili sauce for serving with plain dishes like potatoes. Muriel’s husband, Murray, put it on absolutely everything, including muffins! Nellie (Pearn) Burnett raised her family on the Killarney Bay Road century farm where Muriel lives now. 18 large ripe tomatoes pinch of black pepper 4 onions 1 tablespoon salt 1 cup vinegar 1 cup white sugar (Muriel adds celery)
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Sharon Walker is the creative director at Maryboro Lodge: The Fenelon Museum. She is documenting local, heirloom recipes for a cookbook. If you have a recipe that you would like to see featured, contact her at sharon@maryboro.ca.
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It's No No Big Big Thing Thing It's It's No Big Thing
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byBarbara Barbara Olson by Olson CROSSWORD © ClassiCanadian Crosswords © ClassiCanadian Crosswords by Barbara Olson © ClassiCanadian Crosswords
IT’S NO BIG THING 11 22 33 44 55 66 13 13
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51
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puzzle'stheme themewords words(see (see puzzle's circles) circles) theme words (see puzzle's 25 circles) Wheat,ininQuébec Québec 25 Wheat, 27 ___ large (be ominous) You’ll find the 25 Québec 27 Wheat, ___ largein(be ominous) 28 Café lightener solution on 27 (be ominous) 28 ___ Cafélarge lightener page 42 29 Stamp's football rival 28 lightener 29 Café Stamp's football rival 33 Is involved in a trade 29 football rival 33 Stamp's Is involved in a trade By Barbara Olson 34 Sine's reciprocal, trig. 33 involved in a trade 34 Is Sine's reciprocal, inintrig. © ClassiCanadian 35 Sine's Do-gooders? 34 reciprocal, in trig. 35 Do-gooders? Crosswords 40 Do-gooders? "Hello?",au autéléphone téléphone 35 40 "Hello?", 45 "Hello?", Prefixmeaning meaning 12-Down 40 au téléphone 45 Prefix 12-Down 50 Prefix Vanishing sounds 45 meaning 12-Down 50 Vanishing sounds 52 Morning break time,maybe maybe 50 sounds 52 Vanishing Morning break time, 53 Word with couture or cuisine 52 break time,ormaybe 53 Morning Word with couture cuisine 54 Word Roomwith extension? 53 couture or cuisine 54 Room extension? 57 202, in Romannumerals numerals 54 57 Room 202, inextension? Roman 59 202, "$chitt's Creek" airer 57 in Roman numerals 59 "$chitt's Creek" airer 60 Former Tory cabinet minister 59 Creek" airer minister 60 "$chitt's Former Tory cabinet Oda Oda 60 Former Tory cabinet minister 62 Guesstimator's suffix 62 Oda Guesstimator's suffix 64 3-D movie graphics, forshort short 62 suffix for 64 Guesstimator's 3-D movie graphics, 64 3-D movie graphics, for short
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37
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FRIENDS & NEIGHBOURS
Downtown Lindsay’s Ironman steels himself to ride out COVID-19 Greg Nisbett was well into a 150-kilometre training ride on his carbon-fibre bicycle when he was caught in a flash storm. High winds buffeted him, and he was soaked by freezing rain. Drenched and shivering he reached the turn toward home. Then, after cresting a hill by Omemee, he faced steady headwinds for the final 20 km. He never gave in. Memories of that victory over adversity — along with restorative chicken broth at an aid station — sustained him later, during his first Ironman triathlon, at Lake Placid in 2006. He’d completed the four-km swim and the 180-km bike ride when, early in the final leg — a marathon-length run — he became dizzy and had to slow to a walk. In another race, he wiped out on his bike, sustaining road rash and a broken rib. Greg has completed nine Ironman events as well as the Escape from Alcatraz in San Francisco (swirling currents and 11-degree water temperature, a run in deep sand and a 400-step climb up a “sand ladder”). Only once has he not finished. Shoulder surgeries (most recently in 2018) have curtailed his athletic career, and when I drop in on Greg at Nisbett’s Clothiers on Kent Street in Lindsay, the menswear store he’s owned and operated for 35 years, I can see changes from the Greg I interviewed for a column eight years ago, back when he was training 12 to 30 hours a week. He’s still dapper, dressed head to toe in the merchandise he sells. But what he’s wearing now includes microfibre slacks with some stretch to accommodate a few pounds he’s put on, and a Horst-brand face mask. His hair is greying a bit and verging on the pandemic shagginess so common now. And though Greg’s happy to reminisce about athletics, “Right now my focus is on business,” he tells me. “I’m in survival mode.” He’s ridden out many business challenges over the years, including recessions in 1981, 1991 and 2008.
JAMIE MORRIS Writer-at-large
This year began well, despite gas line work that affected sidewalk traffic. Sales were up and he had a business plan to allow him to manage downtown reconstruction. Then came COVID-19 and unprecedented challenges. He had to lay off staff (including his daughter) and close his doors for 12 weeks, reopening in May. Fully a quarter of his business has been the formal wear trade: rentals for weddings, graduations, and other events (he has roughly 1,000 tuxes in stock). That’s been literally decimated — reduced to a tenth of what it was. In addition, there are supply-chain problems: a big order he placed with the manufacturer Columbia has been sitting in a warehouse for over a month. Most difficult for Greg, a meticulous planner who attempts to control what can be controlled, is the uncertainty. “This week has felt like a normal week,” he tells me, “but I don’t know what will happen tomorrow, or when there might be another lockdown.” We’re in times that call for the business equivalents of chicken broth. Fortunately, they’re out there. Greg’s benefited from federal and provincial government support, including a $40,000 interest-free loan. And the business community is banding together. “We’re neighbours here,” he says. The most important support has been loyal customers. Some of those coming in are the third generation of families he’s assisted over the years. “People are increasingly community-minded and realize how important it is to support local busines.”
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39
JUST IN TIME
Romance and Mystery
}} Ruins in Kawartha Lakes A year and a half ago, I had the opportunity to spend a week in England. One sunny Sunday afternoon saw me sitting on a bench a short distance away from the Tower of London, munching on a large bag of candy I had purchased from Lindsay’s own Burns Bulk Food. Right across from where I was sitting stood a portion of the old London Wall, originally constructed during the Roman occupation of the British Isles. A couple of days later, I found myself strolling through the expansive ruins of Fountains Abbey, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enormous rooms once occupied by the Cistercian monks who lived there for more than 400 years starting in the 10th century now form the centrepiece of a beautiful park. Later that day, I peered into the ruins of Yorkshire’s 19th-century Toft Gate Lime Kiln. For this lover of history, exploring England’s enchanting ruins was a wonderful way to learn about that country’s rich heritage without being overrun by the crowds of camera-toting tourists so common at other sites, like Westminster Abbey. The landscapes surrounding these ruins were largely quiet, affording the opportunity to meaningfully reflect on the stories they told. While they may not make it into the glossy guidebooks, Kawartha Lakes has its fair share of ruins. Like those across the pond, our ruins, too, tell tales — not of medieval monks or military conquests, but of our history as a hub of commerce and industry. Some, like Lindsay’s 151-year-old mill, are wellknown; others have faded into the landscape, their stories obscure to most passersby. Consider the concrete bridge abutments just north of Lindsay, known colloquially for years as “the pillars.” Rising above the surrounding autumn foliage, there is a certain Stonehenge-like quality to them; their massive form can’t help but impress. Built in 1911, they carried the Georgian Bay & Seaboard
IAN McKECHNIE Writer-at-large
Railway across the Scugog River for over 25 years. (A branch of the Canadian Pacific Railway built to facilitate the shipment of grain from the Great Lakes to places like Montreal, the GB&S line snaked across the Kawartha Lakes countryside from Eldon Station in the northwest, through Lindsay to Dranoel Junction, about 3.5 km southeast of Bethany.) When the CPR removed its track between Lindsay and Orillia in 1938, the enormous wooden trestle bridges on either side of the Scugog River were unceremoniously dismantled. Left behind were these beautiful concrete structures, which in 1911 would have represented the latest in bridge construction. Prior to this, most railway bridges
Lindsay CPR bridge abutment (1911). Photo: Ian McKechnie.
40
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were built of stonemasonry. The most substantial and visually appealing of “the pillars” can be found on the west side of the Scugog River, easily accessible after a short hike or bike ride up the Victoria Rail Trail. The east side is a debris field of rotting timbers, bridge decking and the occasional rusty railway spike. In the shadows of the old GB&S embankment paralleling Lindsay’s Rivera Park on the east side is yet another ruin, that of the old Hodgson Bros. Chemical Plant. Opened around 1919, the plant was used for wood distillation. Like the GB&S, it was abandoned in the 1930s and left derelict. According to Brenda O’Keefe, who has lived in the neighbourhood for almost seven decades, the old factory soon became a haunt for curious children and local transients. Deeming it a hazard, local authorities demolished most of the building in 1976. Hidden in the tall grass between Hamilton and Albert streets in Lindsay are the ruins of the Grand Trunk Railway’s locomotive sheds. Built from red brick in 1888, the facility employed a large and skilled staff who ensured that the railway’s steam engines were kept in good repair. A series of pits, long since filled in, enabled crews to inspect the rolling stock from below. Demolished in 1961, the heavily overgrown, brick-strewn site remains one of the largest surviving remnants of Beyond Lindsay, some Lindsay’s railway age. Beyond Lindsay, some of the of the most interesting most interesting of this region’s of this region’s ruins ruins are the lime kilns which are the lime kilns which dot the countryside. The bestpreserved examples are those in dot the countryside. Coboconk, which have towered The best-preserved the surrounding landscape for examples are those in over more than 120 years. Like those Coboconk, which have in Yorkshire, the kilns in Kawartha towered over the Lakes were used to make lime which surrounding landscape in turn was used in the production of mortar for building construction. for more than The remains of railway and 120 years. industrial infrastructure from the last two centuries are among our most substantial ruins. But they are far from our most plentiful. A glance at many of our weather-beaten barns reveals ruins in the making. As farming practices changed over the last century, many of Ontario’s barns were displaced by prefabricated structures and the picture-perfect old barn, with its stone foundations and wooden walls, fell into disuse. Though some barns have been lovingly restored and repurposed, fires, powerful windstorms and sheer neglect have all taken their toll. Many of our ruins will reappear at this time of year as the leaves that obstructed them fall away. Now is the best time to get out and see them. “Ruins add a romantic and mysterious quality to the landscape which makes them exciting to explore,” says Emily Turner, the municipality’s economic development officer responsible for heritage planning. “They remind us of how our community was in the past and how it has changed and evolved.”
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Chantel M. Lawton barrister, solicitor and notary public
“Guiding Families Forward”
Accredited Family Mediation Services & Collaborative Law 189 Kent St. W., Suite 220 Lindsay, Ontario
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41
TREVOR’S TAKE TREVOR HUTCHINSON Contributing Editor
Stay strong, lest we forget
Every November, I find myself thinking of my great uncle Alex J. Balfour — a man I never met. He was killed in action in the Netherlands in the Second World War during the last days of the war in Europe, 21 years before I was born. Uncle Alex enlisted with the Canadian Dragoons in 1940, going overseas in 1941. He served in Italy in 1943 – 44 and then later at the front in France, Belgium and Holland where he would eventually be killed. In May of 1945, a Lindsay paper described him as “a graduate of Collegiate Institute,” and a “quiet, athletic and a very popular young man.” He was the first person to die in the war who attended William Street Baptist Church in Lindsay. His name, along with 57 other men, is inscribed on the WWII portion of the Lindsay cenotaph, although his body was eventually interred at the Holten Canadian War Cemetery in Holland. Over the years I have read his service record many times. I have been saddened to think about him dying just 19 days before VE day. The details of his records can be moving: the list of his personal possessions at the time of his death; the accounts of his burial and reburial. But like in any historical trove the miscellany and mystery are fascinating too: his enrollment address listed as Vision Street instead of Division Street; his official religion listed as Church of England instead of Baptist; a letter to the Department of Defence from a resident of Holland who wanted to tell the family “something about Alex’s grave.” His 1,228 days of overseas service, at 25 cents a day, would add $307 to his total war service gratuity of $892.35 for 1,705 days of total service. Over the years the sacrifice of this man I never knew has been a source of pride and has served as a personal connection to the sacrifices that hundreds of thousands of Canadians have made over the decades. But lately, given world events, I have found myself celebrating the fact that my uncle was what we would now call “antifa,” or anti-fascist. Some may bristle at that given the misuse of the term — by adherents and detractors alike. But the facts are pretty clear. My uncle died fighting fascism. Do I think that he would have much in common with the unorganized coalitions that are fighting fascism today? Probably not so much. What I do know to be true is that fascism is on the rise around the world. The ugly spectre of nationalism is on the rise. White supremacists, proud boys and neo-Nazis are growing bolder and louder, bringing their hate-filled venom out of the shadows. I just hope that we collectively have the will to fight as hard against these dark forces this time, as did my uncle all those years ago. Lest we forget.
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By Barbara Olson © ClassiCanadian Crosswords
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