The Orleans Star Feb. 5, 2026

Fête frissons celebration set for Feb. 9

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star

Orléans resident are invited to celebrate winter’s halfway point at La Féte Frissons taking place this Sunday, Feb. 9 at the Shenkman Arts Centre, and best of all –it’s absolutely free.

The single-day festival will include activities for whole family, including live entertainment, workshops, demonstrations and displays.

The day will kick off at 11 a.m. with an Indigenous pow wow dance in the upper lobby. The Junkyard Symphony is scheduled to do three performances in the music studio next to the box office at 11:30 a.m., 12:45 and 3 p.m.

If you’re a fan of the spoken word, students

with the Ottawa School of Theatre will be doing storytelling at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the lower lobby.

There will also be an ongoing Capoeira dance workshop lead by Chrys Courchene in the dance studio from 1 to 3 p.m.

Ongoing activities from noon to 3 p.m. include a leather keychain activity with staff from the Cumberland Village Museum in the lower library, a watercolour and ink workshop led by Ottawa School of Art instructor Maryse Fillion in the upper lobby, and an origami workshop also in the upper lobby.

There will also be face-painting for the kids from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. by Lynne Art,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Orléans resident Richard Beaudoin stands besides a cut-out moose he made to surprise his grandfather, Bernie Beaudoin (inset), who used to be avid hunter. Beaudoin set the moose up outside his grandfather’s window at the Venvi Portobello retirement residence. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Shenkman celebration part of this year’s Winterlude festivities

Continued from page 1 while “The Bubble Guy” will be on hand to make massive soap bubbles with the kids from 1 to 3 p.m.

Other activities include an ice carving demonstration next to the main entrance and behind-the-scene backstage tours.

Finally, if you get hungry, there will be several food concessions on hand including Queensview Cafe, Juice Dudez, Maverick’s Donuts, and Chris’s Ice Cream.

The Fête Frissons event is part of this year’s Winterlude 2026 celebrations being held across Ottawa and Gatineau from Jan. 30 to Feb. 16.

After two years when the Ottawa’s biggest winter festival was limited due to unusually warm weather, organizers are looking forward to a providing a full slate of activities under “normal” conditions.

For a complete schedule go to www. canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/ winterlude.html.

The Fête Frissons is also the unofficial kick-off to February’s lineup of events at the Shenkman Arts Centre, which includes

The ‘Bubble Guy’ returns for this year’s Fête Frissons. FILE PHOTO

tribute performances to Elton John and Billy Joel by the Piano Men on Feb. 14, Creedance Clearwater Revival on Feb. 20 and Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton and Shania Twain on Feb. 28.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit shenkmanarts.ca.

Ice fishing a great way to spend the dog days of winter

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star

It may seem counterintuitive, but one of the best ways to get through the winter is to actually embrace it by renting an ice fishing hut at Petrie Island and drilling a hole in the ice.

People have been ice fishing at Petrie Island for decades. In its heyday, prior to the COVID pandemic, you could find over 100 huts on the ice just to the east of Tweddle Road and south of the Oziles’ Marina.

Richard Beaudoin

Today, there are half that number –owned or rented by a mix of weekend anglers, hobbyists and old-timers who have been ice fishing at Petrie Island for years.

One of those old-timers is Al MacIntyre, who first came to Petrie Island in 1981. After moving away from Ottawa for a number of years, he moved back to Orléans in 2000 and built the cabin he still uses four or five days a week.

In all those years the biggest fish he caught was a giant muskie.

Unlike most ice fishermen who drill a hole outside, MacIntyre drilled his hole inside his hut which is equipped with a pair of propane heaters.

When he’s not keeping an eye on his line, MacIntyre is face-timing with a group of 10 other ice fisherman across Canada who all met through social media.

Now in his 70s, MacIntyre says the things he likes most about his favorite past time is the social aspect.

“You meet all kinds of people down here and they all share a love of fishing,” says

MacIntyre.

Richard Beaudoin has been ice fishing at Petrie Island since the early 1980s when he used to tag along with his grandfather as a young boy.

Five years ago, he was hired by the marina to run the ice fishing village which entails managing the rentals and dragging the huts on to the ice in early January when it’s thick enough to support them, and then dragging them back on the shore near the end of February.

Space for each hut is allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Derek Horsley has been coming to Petrie Island for the past 12 years. Although the fish have been scarce this year due to lower-than-normal water levels, he keeps coming back to get away from all the noise and the hustle and bustle that comes with living in the city.

“I love fishing and I love the people,” says Horsley, who is often joined by his girl-friend and his eldest son who has his own cabin.

Getting away from it all is the primary reason why most people enjoy ice fishing, along with the challenge of actually catching a fish. It’s also a great way to spend some quality family time, providing your family also enjoys spending the better part of their day out on the ice.

When most people hear the words “ice fishing”, they immediately think of someone staring at a hole in the ice, waiting for a fish to take the bait.

The reality is much different. While most ice fisherman love to be outdoors, especially when it’s nice outside, they mostly spend their time in a cozy ice fishing hut which have evolved over the years.

While you can still see the more “rustic” type of ice shacks on Petrie Island that have little more than four walls and a

Al MacIntyre, pictured here in his fishing hut, top and right, has been ice fishing on Petrie Island for over 40 years. FRED SHERWIN PHOTO

small wood stove in the middle, most huts today are equipped with everything from a propane stove to a computer monitor that can be connected to a laptop on which they can watch their favourite show on Netflix using the wi-fi hotspot on their smartphone.

These are not your grandfather’s garden variety ice huts. And almost all of them have a generator outside.

The only thing they’re lacking is a fridge. But when you’re fishing on the ice, you don’t really need one – just put everything outside the door.

If you’ve never tried ice fishing or are thinking of dipping your toe in the icy cold water, you can rent a hut and equipment from the Oziles’ Marina at Petrie Island. You can find them at oziles.com or email piifa.info@gmail.com.

Every Tuesday from 10am to 6pm

FUBAR

When will OC Transpo get its act together? It’s a question Ottawa residents have been asking for a couple of years now.

Ottawa’s transit service has been plagued with issues going back before the pandemic when the opening of the Confederation LRT line from Lebreton Flats to Blair Road was delayed nearly a year and a half. And even after it finally opened, there were a series of maintenance issues and service disruptions caused by severe weather.

The development, construction and operation of the LRT was such a hot mess that the provincial government felt compelled to appoint a Commissioner of Inquiry to get to the bottom of it in December 2021.

Justice William Hourigan issued a scathing report 12 months later that among other things, found that project deadlines were unrealistic with unachievable dates and that former Mayor Jim Watson deliberately kept information about testing problems from city council and the public. The report contained 103 recommendations to the fix problems and prevent similar issues from happening in the future.

Given the ongoing delays with the opening of the eastern extension of the LRT, it appears that the city and OC Transpo failed to read Justice Hourigan’s report. It’s pretty obvious they didn’t adopt many of his recommendations, or at least the ones regarding the need to project realistic deadlines and strive to meet them.

Which brings us to the present day and the latest rash of problems that have besieged OC Transpo. Mechanical issues with the undercarriages of the original trains have taken them out of commission reducing service to single trains only. And while it hasn’t impacted their frequency, it has definitely impacted their capacity.

My son recently tried to catch an eastbound train at Hurdman Station late in the afternoon and watched as the first four trains passed by, all of them already packed to the gunwales with passengers.

Frustrated, he tried to catch a bus instead, but the first three buses he tried to catch were all cancelled due to a reduction in service resulting from a number of buses having to be taken out of commission for mechanical reasons.

To say that OC Transpo is suffering from a severe lack of credibility is an understatement. And it’s failure to address the ongoing issues that continue to erode that credibility is mindboggling and has a lot to do with why the transit service had a $47 million deficit last year, and is forecasted to have an ongoing $140 million operating deficit for the next three to four years. The only people benefitting from OC Transpo and LRT’s ongoing problems are Uber drivers. If city council wants to find out where that $47 million went to, ask them.

Everyone connected with OC Transpo and the City, from the mayor on down, is hoping that riders will start returning in droves once the eastern extension is opened. The fear is that the damage already done and continues to be done will prove difficult, if not impossible to overcome. Whether that is true or not, only time will tell.

– Fred Sherwin, publisher

When did watching the game turn into a gambling pitch

Most weekends this winter, you’ll find me where a lot of parents are: in a field house or under a dome, cheering from the sidelines, living on coffee and concession stand food.

It’s one of the best parts of being a parent. Kids working hard. Teammates supporting each other. Families in the bleachers.

But lately, there’s something else that follows us everywhere. The betting ads.

At home watching the game. On our phones. Between every commercial break. Even around youth sports venues.

Odds. Parlays. “Bet now.” “Bet live.” “Boost your winnings.”

It’s constant. And it’s starting to feel wrong.

My son is 16. I don’t have to explain what a “samegame parlay” is. He explains it to me.

That should tell us something.

Let me be clear: this isn’t about banning gambling. Adults can make their own choices.

alcohol ads around kids.

Yet we’ve allowed online gambling to become a free-for-all during the very sporting events families watch together.

What really worries me is who these ads target. Sports betting is being aimed squarely at young men, the same young men already struggling with disconnection, falling behind in school, and facing rising rates of anxiety and addiction.

We talk about helping boys and young men find purpose. Maybe step one shouldn’t be flooding their phones with apps designed to keep them chasing losses at 11 p.m.

Last year, Ontarians placed more than $82 billion in online bets. That generated roughly $3.2 billion in gambling revenue for operators.

But only a small fraction ends up in government coffers. The rest stays with the companies.

Jody Maffett Editor The Orléans Star

Fred Sherwin Owner and publisher fsherwin@orleansstar.ca

Jean-Marc Pacelli Editor L’Orléanais

The Orléans Star is a bi-weekly publication distributed to over 40,000 residences in Blackburn Hamlet, Orléans and Navan. The newspaper is locally owned and operated by Sherwin Publishing Inc., 745 Farmbrook Cres., Orléans, ON. Inquiries and delivery issues should be sent to info@orleansstar.ca.

This is about responsibility. We regulate cigarette ads. We regulate cannabis marketing. We restrict

Private operators keep billions in profit. Government collects a modest share. And society pays the real costs: addiction treatment, counselling, family stress, debt, mental health fallout.

Dislike of winter rooted in traumatic childhood experiences

Well, thank God that’s over. January has never been my favourite month. It’s too long. It’s too cold. And it’s too boring. Let’s face it, January has absolutely no redeeming qualities whatsoever, unless you’re one of those people who enjoys shoveling snow, or worse still, actually “enjoys” outdoor activities like skating or skiing.

My dad was one of those people. The first thing he did when we moved to Ottawa from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, in the early 70s was buy a family ski pass at Camp Fortune.

Mind you, I did enjoy skiing back in the day. That is until he started taking us on days when there was a -35 windchill factor. It didn’t matter how cold it was, he would make myself and my siblings go skiing, whether we risked getting frostbite or not.

I can still remember being halfway down the hill, bawling my eyes out and begging to go in the chalet for hot chocolate, and my dad yelling, “I paid good money for these passes. We’re skiing whether you like it or not!”

I’m still traumatized to this day. Is it any wonder I hate winter so much?

The other contributing factor to my intense dislike of winter and all things cold is my short-lived hockey career.

I grew up in the west end, near the corner of Baseline and Greenbank.

Fred

Up Front

Sherwin

After we moved to Ottawa, my dad was supposed to sign me up to the Pinecrest hockey league, which played its games in the Barbara Ann Scott Arena. Instead, he signed me up to the Parkwood Hills Hockey League. apparently he missed the registration deadline for the Pinecrest Hockey League and Parkwood Hills was the next closest league. The only problem is that the Parkwood Hills Hockey League played its games outdoors.

You can probably see where this going.

And back in the day there was no postponing games because of weather or extreme cold and back then we used to have leather skates with laces. My dad would tie my skates so tight that it would cut off the circulation to my feet. Adding to my woes was the fact that I played goaltender, which means I didn’t move around a lot.

On the really cold days, after my dad took my skates off, my feet would burn so much trying to thaw out under the heater in my car that the tears would start streaming down my face. It’s only the promise of a Big Mac combo that made it all semi-worthwhile. And we won the league championship that first year.

But prior to the start of my second year, they moved some of the players from my team to the weaker teams to try and even things out, including myself.

We lost the first three games 12-0, 10-1 and 13-0 and I must have faced at least 7080 shots in each game. After the third loss, the combination of getting shellacked every game followed by the pain I went through afterwards forced me to retire from the game at the tender age of 13. I’ve hated winter ever since. But it’s not for a lack of trying.

When my ex-wife and I bought our first house near the canal, we were looking forward to our first Winterlude in the new home. We lived a short walk away from the canal and the idea was to skate from Bank Street to Dow’s Lake where all the snow sculptures were.

Not only did we skate to Dow’s Lake, we skated back too. What can I say? It must have been a nice day.

The next year we skated to the Dow’s Lake and took the shuttle back to Bank Street. By the third year, we didn’t even bother putting our skates on.

Fortunately, my ex shared my dislike of the season, which we ended up passing on to our kids, none of whom enjoy winter or any winter sports, except maybe curling which I did for years and so did my daughter, but it doesn’t really count because curling is an indoor sport.

I did take them tobogganing the odd time, but only when the temperature was in the minus single digits.

As for the other winter sports like snowshoeing, or cross country skiing, not a chance. And ice fishing? Forget about it. I don’t care how cold the beer is, or how warm the shack is.

I used to run a survey on my website asking people what do they prefer more -30C or +30C? My dad was a -30C kind of guy. I’m definitely a +30C person. In fact, if I do have a favourite winter sport, it’s called going down south.

Come to think of it, in the list of best inventions of all time, remote car starters and heated seats should be at the very top. And whoever invented the heated steering wheel should win a Nobel Prize.

Councillor hosting coyote information meeting Feb. 25 New waste reduction program about helping your neighbour

Every winter, as snow settles and the city quiets, many Ottawa residents begin to notice something familiar yet unsettling. A coyote crossing a street at dusk or a howl in the distance. By February, sightings often feel more frequent, and questions quickly follow.

This time of year is important in the coyote calendar. Late winter marks their breeding season, when coyotes travel more widely, are more vocal, and are simply easier to see. With trees bare and snow covering the ground, animals that were unseen all summer suddenly come into view, even though they have been here all along.

Coyotes are highly adaptable and live throughout Ottawa, from rural areas to suburban neighbourhoods and urban corridors. Most remain naturally wary of people, which is exactly what keeps both residents and wildlife safe. Problems tend to arise when that fear is reduced, and the most common cause is food.

Simple steps make a real difference. Securing garbage and green bins, removing fallen fruit, cleaning up bird seed, and never leaving pet food outdoors all help keep wildlife wild.

Several years ago, I partnered with Coyote Watch Ottawa to host an info-session on how to live with coyotes. You can find the video at LauraDudas.ca/living-with-wildlife.

As we once again see increased coyote activity, I am pleased to be co-hosting another online session with my fellow Orléans councillors. The session will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 7:00 pm. If you visit my social media, you can find the details on how to register.

Coyotes are part of Ottawa’s natural environment. With knowledge, prevention, and respect, we can coexist safely and responsibly.

Feeding coyotes, or any mammalian wildlife, whether intentional or accidental, teaches animals to associate people with food. Over time, this leads to habituation. Animals become bolder, approach homes more frequently, and are more likely to interact with people or pets. Sadly, these situations rarely end well for the animal.

Most people want to do the right thing with their waste. The problem is figuring out what the “right thing” actually is.

In many apartment and condo buildings, the recycling room can feel like a test you didn’t study for. The signs are unclear, the bins are overflowing, and everyone is hoping someone else knows the rules better than they do. When in doubt, things often end up in the garbage.

That’s the gap Ottawa’s new Waste Reduction Champion Program is trying to close.

The City is inviting residents of multiunit buildings – condos, apartments and townhome complexes – to step into a small but meaningful volunteer role: helping their neighbours reduce waste, recycle properly and compost with confidence.

Waste Reduction Champions aren’t enforcers or experts. They’re neighbours who care. Some may share clear recycling tips through newsletters or social media.

Others might set up better signage, organize swap events or litter cleanups, or work with property managers to improve how bins are placed and labelled. Simple changes can make a real difference in busy shared spaces. Champions receive training, tools and ongoing support from the City, along with a chance to connect with residents across Ottawa who are tackling the same challenges in their own buildings.

The payoff is practical. Less contamination in recycling and compost means less waste going to landfill and better use of city resources. But the benefits go further. Cleaner shared spaces, more communication between neighbours and a sense of shared responsibility can change how people feel about where they live. Small actions build trust, pride and connection. Waste reduction doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it starts with one person paying attention – and inviting others to do the same.

180 Fitness success story still going strong over four years later

By Jody Maffett

The Orléans Star

Joy Overtveld is one of those weight loss success stories that you sometimes read about and then never hear about again – or at least not until now.

When The Star first wrote about Overtveld in November 2024, she had lost 35 lbs taking part in the Bold & Beautiful program at 180 Fitness in Canotek Park.

Overtveld signed up for the program two years after suffering from heart failure. When she was diagnosed, she was told that most people who suffer from heart failure only live for an average of 2.5 years longer. After hearing the prognosis, she was bound and determined not to be average. She was 63 at the time.

When she started cardio rehab, one of the nurses who was assigned to work with her, happened to mention that she had lost nearly 50 lbs through a program she had been

located less than 10 minutes from Overtveld’s home.

Intrigued, Overtveld called the gym and talked to the owner, Adrian Delorey, who suggested she enter the Bold & Beautiful program. Thinking she had nothing to lose and everything to gain, Overtveld did just that.

She began the program in November 2022 and lost over 35 lbs in two years. More importantly, she regained her overall health to the point where she was taken off some of the medications she was prescribed for her heart condition and no longer had to undergo heart surgery.

More than a year later, Overtveld is still going to 180 Fitness at least five times a week and she’s started swimming three to four times a week to continue to improve her cardio.

She also is the co-leader of a women’s heart health course for women who’ve had

Your Orléans experts for more than 40 years

Locke Real Estate is one of the longest-standing independent real estate brokerages in Orléans. The family real estate tradition began in 1983 with Dave and Jackie Locke who were realtors at Re/Max at the time. It was then that the Locke name became a staple as one of the most trusted names in real estate in the Orleans area. The Lockes were guided by the philosophy of treating every client like family.

As soon as he was old enough, their son James obtained his real estate license in 1992 and joined his parents in the business. In 2003, James founded Locke Real Estate alongside his mother Jackie and wife Chantal (whose father Gerry Raymond has also built a successful real estate career spanning over 42 years). Under their leadership, the brokerage quickly grew into a highly regarded firm in Orléans, built on integrity, expertise, deep community involvement and, above all, proven results.

Driven by a desire to give back, James organized Canada Day celebrations in Chapel Hill for many years and, in 2005, partnered with Fred Sherwin to launch the first Canada Day event on Petrie Island. This commitment to the community, and to every client trusting them with their home, has fueled ongoing growth. In 2003 and 2008, respectively, Catherine Joyce and Samuel Barry joined the team, and they remain cherished, family-like members of the team to this day.

Today, a third generation carries the legacy forward. Christine Locke, James and Chantal’s eldest of five children, earned her real estate license in 2021. Clients often say she already feels like a seasoned agent with decades of experience (and Christine proudly notes she was ‘born and raised’ for this career!). More recently, their son Mathieu obtained his license, bringing fresh ideas and investment strategies to help clients build and grow their portfolios.

What sets Locke Real Estate apart from large corporate firms is their deeply personal approach: the entire team collaborates to deliver the best possible results for every client. Whether maximizing your home’s sale price or finding the perfect family dream home, you can trust that the Locke Real Estate team always has your best interests at heart. Over three generations, they’ve stayed true to their core principle: honesty, hard work, and putting the client first. To learn more about how they can help you, visit www.lockehomes.com or call 613-830-5555.

Committed to giving back to the community

Navan landfill site owner Waste Connections of Canada knows what it takes to be a model corporate citizen of the community. Perhaps the biggest step they made is the partnership with the local environmental group, Friends of the Mer Bleue. In 2008, the landfill site’s previous operators agreed with Mer Bleue to maintain a community improvement fund that has contributed over $2 million back to the community.

Under this partnership, Waste Connections contributes $0.44 per tonne of the waste brought to the site into the community improvement fund.

Since the fund was created more than $2 million has been donated to community initiatives including annual scholarships of $2,000 for 125 students at 12 area high schools and $200,000 to the construction of the outdoor pavilion built last year on the Navan fairgrounds.

The fund also provides $4,000 a year to a number of community associations in the area including the Chapel Hill South Community Association, the Blackburn Community Association, the Bradley Estates Community Association and the Navan Community Association.

They also contributed $100,000 to help the Miracle League of Ottawa establish their own baseball diamond in Notre-Dame-des-Champs in 2017.

One of the biggest misconceptions about the landfill site is that it’s nothing more than a garbage dump, when nothing could be further from the truth. Many residents are unaware of the environmental innovations that have taken place over the past 20 years.

Today, the site on Navan Road serves a dual purpose as a recycling facility for products within the waste stream. Materials such as wood, metals, glass, drywall, cardboard, tires, electronics and appliances are recycled and removed from site. Other materials such as rocks, aggregates, asphalt, bricks, concrete and other granular materials are re-used on site for road construction and other site projects and as a landfill site for solid waste that can’t be recycled like furniture and construction debris. Waste Connections of Canada is committed to the creation of a cleaner, greener future by diverting potentially hazardous materials from landfills and to maintain sustainable, safe and healthy communities.

The company recently embarked on an Environmental Assessment process under provincial guidelines aimed at continuing operations beyond 2027 when it is expected to reach its existing capacity. As part of that process, it is holding the first of two Open Houses at the Rendez-vous des âinés francophones d’Ottawa on Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting to learn more about the application and to provide their input. The Rendez-vous des âinés francophones d’Ottawa is located at 3349 Navan Rd.

Retirement living at its best in BLACKBURN HAMLET

Special to the The Orléans Star

Situated on a quiet street in Blackburn Hamlet, Aspira Bearbrook Retirement Living offers more than a residence – it offers a way of life. Steps from local shops and cafés, surrounded by green parks, and just a short drive to downtown Ottawa’s galleries, theatres, and Parliament Hill, Bearbrook is perfectly placed for those who want both convenience and connection.

Life, your way

Retirement should feel like freedom, a chance for a new chapter filled with choices and opportunities. At Bearbrook, daily chores fade into the background so you can focus on what matters most. Host your grandchildren in the backyard playground or wind down at the in-house pub. For some personal time, enjoy the library or a film in the movie theatre. Independence is at the heart of it all for residents, who are supported by services when they need them.

“A happy place”

As one resident’s family member shared, “Caring. Considerate. Kind. Thoughtful. Compassionate. That has been our experience dealing with the Bearbrook management and staff. They strive to make it a happy place and they succeed.”

For many, the cost of retirement living is comparable to maintaining a home – yet it includes so much more. Meals, housekeeping, utilities, and a rich calendar of activities all add up to a simpler lifestyle, free from the hassle of bills and upkeep.

Worried about your pet? Bring them along!

At Bearbrook residents can enjoy the fun and companionship of living with their favourite furry friend.

Dining to delight

Food is more than fuel – it’s an experience. With Nourish by Aspira, every meal is designed by our Executive Chefs to be both nutritious and delicious. Mornings begin with baked goods, yogurt, and fresh fruit. Lunch and dinner offer comforting classics, homemade soups, and seasonal market-inspired dishes, finished with fruit or something sweet. Don’t like what’s on the menu on any given day? Don’t worry. There’s always an à la carte menu for even more choice.

“The food is very good and varied, with soup, appetizers, desserts and two specials at each meal,” said Elizabeth, a respite care resident. “There are many organized activities and weekly outings available. The gym, pool table, sunroom, library and laundry facilities were great to have, I

wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again.”

Stay active, stay connected

At Bearbrook, wellness isn’t an afterthought – it’s built into every day. With Active by Aspira, fitness classes are tailored to all comfort levels, helping residents keep their pep and confidence. Explore by Aspira adds variety, with excursions and engaging programs designed to spark curiosity and joy. And for days when you just want to relax, cozy lounges and peaceful suites offer the perfect retreat.

More than a residence, a community

The real difference is the people. A warm, vibrant community means friendships form naturally, staff know residents personally, and milestones are celebrated together. Whether sharing stories at dinner, joining a group outing, or simply enjoying a chat over coffee, life here is about comfort and connection. This is your chance to live every day your way.

Interested in learning more about retirement living at Aspira Bearbrook? Email tammy.bedard@aspiralife.ca, or call Tammy at 613-837-8720

Les Sittelles gymnasts win bevy of medals at ENVOL meet

By Fred Sherwin

The Orléans Star

The Club de gymnastique Les Sittelles hosted more than 380 gymnasts from across Ontario and as far away as Sudbury and Fort Erie last month during the 36th annual ENVOL Artistic Gymnastics meet.

The gymnasts, aged 7 to 17, competed on floor, balance beam, vault and uneven bars at eight different levels based on their age and abilities.

The host club had no fewer than 28 of its members finish in the top three in the overall standings in their respective age groups and levels. Ten of them won overall gold starting with Maia Ford who placed first on the floor, beam and uneven bars on her way to capturing the overall title in the Level 9 competition for girls ages 15 and over.

Arij Horcine placed first in the Level 7, 15 and over division thanks in large part to her first place performances on the vault and uneven bars.

Lilyanne Amaral was a model of consistency in the Level 6, Age 16+ division, placing first on both the beam and uneven

the overall title.

Another Les Sittelles gymnast, Catalina Estevez Wallace, finished at the top of the podium in the Level 6, Age 15+ division with first place performances on three of the of the four apparatus – uneven bars, beam and vault.

Daphne Parker placed first in the overall standings in the Level 6, Age 11 division with first place results on beam, vault and the uneven bars, and fourth on floor.

Mia Rainville managed to finish on top of the podium in the Level 2, 13-14 age group after placing a first on floor, fourth on vault and second on both the beam and the uneven bars..

Other Les Sittelles gymnasts who won overall gold in their respective divisions include Sophia McCallum in the Level 2, Age 10 division, Amelia Veillette in the Level 5, 15+ age group, Madeleine Farago in the Level 6, Age 13 division, and Kerene Devarice in the Level 7, 13-14 age group.

Five other Les Sittelles gymnasts placed second in the all-around competition at their respective levels and age groups:

• Brooklyn Doerdrechter placed second

after finishing first on beam, second on both the vault and the uneven bars and third on floor.

• Mackenzie Gagnon placed second overall in the Level 2, Age 9 group after finishing second on the beam, vault and uneven bars and seventh on floor.

• Émanuelle St-Amour placed second overall in the Level 2, Age 12 group after finishing first on vault, second on floor, third on beam and fourth on the uneven bars.

• Sophia Menzies placed second place overall in the Level 3, Age 12B group after finishing first on floor, second on the uneven bars and sixth on both the vault and beam.

• Natasha Bergeron place second in the Level 6, Age 14 group after finishing first on floor and vault, third on the uneven bars and fifth on beam.

Overall, the Club de gymnastique Les Sittelles had a tremendously successful meet, winning 10 gold, five silver and 14 bronze overall medals – a testament to the level of coaching at the gym and the dedication and commitment of

Club de gymnastique Les Sittelles gymnast Dayna Pacelli competes on the bean at the Les Sittelles

SATURDAY, FEB. 7

QUEENSWOOD HEIGHTS

WINTER FESTIVAL from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Queenswood Ridge Park, 346 Kennedy Lane East. Sledding and snow-based games at St. Helen’s Anglican Church. Face painting, skating and free hot chocolate. Presented by the Queenswood Heights Community Association.

SUNDAY, FEB. 8

FÊTE FRISSONS celebration at the Shenkman Arts Centre from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring art and dance workshops, demonstrations and performances. Fun for the whole family. For more info, visit shenkmanarts.ca.

TUESDAY, FEB. 10

TRIVIA NIGHT from 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday night at the Royal Oak Pub Orléans. Free

COMMUNITY BILLBOARD BUSINESS DIRECTORY

to play. Prizes for the winning team! The Royal Oak Pub is located at 1981 St. Joseph Blvd. near Jeanne d’Arc. For more info visit facebook.com/ RoyalOakPubsOrleans.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 11

TRIVIA NIGHT from 6:30 p.m. at the Stray Dog Brewing Company. Reservations are a must to secure a spot. Send your team name and number of people to info@straydogbrewing.ca. The Stray Dog Brewing Company is located at 501 Lacolle Way.

THURSDAY, FEB. 12

VALENTINE’S COMMUNITY

SENIORS TEA co-hosted by councillors Matt Luloff and Catherine Kitts from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Notre-Dame-desChamps Community Hall,

3659 Navan Rd. Visit https:// shorturl.at/a02EV to register.

FRIDAY, FEB. 13

SDBC AND CAPITAL TEASE PRESENT STRUT

BURLESQUE presented by the Kin Club of Orléans from 7 p.m. Enjoy an evening of sultry dance, vintage glamour, and tongue-incheek humour – all while sipping on our finest. For tickets visit www.straydog.ca.

MONDAY, FEB. 16

FAMILY DAY ALL AGES

MUSIC BINGO DANCE presented by the Kin Club of Orléans from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Queenswood Heights Community Centre, 1485 Duford Dr. Tickets are $15 per person and include one bingo card, a bowl of chili and tortilla chips. projects. For tickets visit www.kincluboforleans.ca.

Bernard Beaudoin, 89 Passed away on January 25, 2026

Peter Karen Catalan, 50 Passed away on January 23, 2026

Yvon Proulx, 85 Passed away on Janaury 22, 2026