The Orleans Star March 19, 2026

The Navan maple syrup society

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star

They have become the first sign that spring is just around the corner. Long before the first crocuses start appearing on Parliament Hill and the first pallets of annuals start popping up in the box store garden centres, blue buckets suddenly begin to sprout on the trunks of maple trees in the village of Navan.

This year, they began appearing on March 1. First in front of a house on Delson Drive. Then in front of several more houses on Delson, Villeroy Crescent, Tyburn Court, Forest Lea Drive and Loeper Street.

A majority of the trees are owned by a group of friends who call themselves the Navan

Tappers. Their clubhouse is called the “Navan Tappin’ Shack”, which doubles as their sugar shack where they boil down the maple sap into delicious maple syrup.

Last year, the six friends collected over 400 litres of maple sap from the more than 100 trees they collectively tap on their properties. They then turned the 400 litres of sap into 100 litres of syrup.

“We had perfect conditions last year,” says the group’s founder and the man who built the Tappin’ Shack, Luc Picknell. “We had so much syrup we were using it to make BBQ sauce, pickled onions...we even used it to flavour vodka.”

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COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Orléans couple offering language instruction and fine dining in the heart of France

ORLÉANS – Orléans French language training experts Robert and Anne-Marie Fontaine are offering an immersion experience that combines travel and fine dining in the Dordogne region of France. The couple will lead an immersive French language retreat at the historic Château de Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the picturesque Dordogne region from June 1 to 8, 2026. As the driving forces behind Rebel French, Robert and Anne-Marie are taking their innovative approach to the next level with the French Immersion: Language, Cuisine & Culture retreat. The retreat promises a unique blend of language instruction, cultural immersion, and culinary exploration. Participants will practice French during guided château tours, wine tastings, market visits and relaxed evenings with locals. They’ll also enjoy meals prepared by chefs trained at Le Cordon Bleu and participate in cooking workshops and wine tastings. For more information about Robert and Anne-Marie Fontaine and their upcoming French Immersion retreat, please visit www.manorandmaker.com/maker/french-immersion.

Orléans businesswoman wins achievement award

ORLÉANS – Orléans businesswoman Sonia Emuan, founder and owner of Sonia’s Foot Care, was recently recognized her outstanding leadership, community impact and dedication to advancing foot health across the National Capital Region. Emuan’s work as a foot care nurse, educator, and community health advocate is helping people of all walks of life and with limited means get access to high-quality foot care across Ottawa. As the founder of one of the city’s highest-rated foot health practices, she has helped more than 5,000 people improve mobility, prevent complications and live pain-free. For her efforts Emuan was presented with the Business Achievement Award at this year’s Global Community Alliance Gala. Guided by her motto, “Don’t just walk, thrive,” Emuan blends her clinical expertise with compassion, a cheerful smile and an unwavering commitment.

Cumberland Maplefest

returns April 11-12

CUMBERLAND – Spring is in the air and the sap is flowing, which means the Cumberland Maplefest is just around the corner. This year’s Maplefest is being held on Saturday and Sunday, April 11 and 12 at the Lions Maple Hall in Cumberland Village. The 55th annual event is once again being hosted by Cumberland Lions with the proceeds going to support local charities. Enjoy pancakes, sausages, scrambled eggs and baked beans served with local maple syrup, coffee, tea and orange juice from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. while the food lasts. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12. Kids five and under can eat for free. Purchase your tickets online at e-clubhouse.org/sites/cumberland_on before April 4 and save $2 per ticket.

Group of Navan friends turn sap into syrup

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It’s hard to tell from one year to the next how well the sap will run. The best conditions for collecting sap are freezing nights with temperatures around -7°C, and sunny, mild days above freezing, ideally between 4 and 7°C. Those were the conditions between March 7 and March 10 and the group managed to collect over 40 gallons of sap, or about 180 litres.

What the rest of season has in store, only Mother Nature nows.

But maple syrup is only the byproduct of what Picknell and the rest of the group that includes Mathieu Boulianne, Charles Simard, Kyle Edwards, Tim Bernardi and Dan Reid, see as the perfect March pastime.

“There’s not really a lot to do in March,” says Picknell. “Boiling the sap down to syrup has gotten to be a nice tradition and a great way for everyone to get together every weekend.”

While most residential maple syrup productions consist of little more than a large pot of maple sap boiling over a propane

burner, the set-up in The Tappin’ Shack would rival any commercial sugar shack.

On a good weekend, the boys will boil the sap around the clock, with one member often volunteering to take the overnight shift.

The process has even become a family affair with their spouses and older children helping out with the production process and the bottling.

The group has a new toy this year which they are excited to try out.

“We found an old-fashioned canner so we can can it rather than bottle it,” says Picknell.

Weather or not the end product will taste better coming out of a can rather than a bottle, is another mystery the gang is looking forward to find out.

One thing is certain, the group of six friends will have no shortage of maple syrup to spread on their pancakes this year, while their friends and extended family members could end up being the happy beneficiaries of any extra.

Saturday, April 11 • 10am-4pm

Spring in BloomARTISAN SHOW

Spring In Bloom Artisan Show featuring quality handcrafted products by local artists and artisans, a canteen and silent auction, and demonstrations by local artisan guilds.

FREE ADMISSION!

Proceeds from the canteen and silent auction will go directly to Sir Wil students’ special projects.

Donations of non-perishable food items or cash donations in support of the Orleans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre are appreciated.

East end well represented at Global Alliance Awards

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star

The Global Community Alliance held it’s 14th annual youth achievement award gala on Saturday, Feb. 28 in recognition of Black History Month.

A grand total of 12 awards were handed out at this year’s gala to a group of deserving young people for making a difference in their diverse communities and for being outstanding role models to their peers.

Seven of the recipients were from the east end – Isabel Hernandez from St. Peter High School, Jordyn Pemberton from Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School, Imaan Disu and Angelina Takhtehchian from St. Matthew High School, Annika Jacque from Cairine Wilson Secondary School, and Alexandra Ariella and Charmi Nzuzi from Lester B. Pearson High School.

Jordyn Pemberton is a dynamic and compassionate student leader at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School who plays a key role in the school’s Black 365 student group, helping to organize Black History Month activities and initiatives. She is also a member of the athletic leadership program and she mentors other students.

Isabel Hernandez is a proud second gen-

eration immigrant with Filipino heritage. She is an active member of the student council executive at St. Peter High School, as well as a school ambassador, tutor and parish volunteer. An Honour Roll student since Grade 9, she plans to pursue a career in industrial design.

Angelina Takhtehchian is an exceptional visual storyteller and dedicated student at St. Matthew High School who immigrated to Canada in 2023. A gifted photographer, Angelina is also an exceptional student, having earned four departmental awards in Grade 11 while maintaining a 90+ per cent average.

Annika Jacque is a Grade 12 student at Cairine Wilson Secondary School, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills. She planned the school’s National Day of Action and Remembrance of Violence Against Women Assembly and she organized a program to support women escaping human trafficking.

Imaan Disu is a student at St. Matthew High School where she has served as coleader of the Black Student Association and as a school council member since Grade 8.

Alexandra Ariella is a student at Lester B; Pearson High School who is proud of

her Congolese heritage. Passionate about education and cultural pride, she is dedicated to creating positive change both locally and globally.

Charmi Nzuzi is also a student at Lester B. Pearson High School with Congolese heritage who is committed to serving others and her community at large.

The Global Community Alliance youth achievement awards are organized by former Ottawa Catholic School Board teacher Moses Pratt and his wife Kelly.

Meet Mathieu, a 3rd-generation realtor proudly following in the footsteps of his sister, parents, and grandparents. Trained in every facet of the business – from signage and marketing to staging and investment analysis – he honed his skills for years before earning his license. Extremely client-focused, Mathieu excels in residential sales, condos, and investment properties, holding a Real Estate Investment Specialist certification. Whether buying or selling, he’ll prioritize your needs and deliver results. Call Mathieu today – you’ll be glad you did!

A very bad idea

Apparently, the Ford government wants to revamp Ontario’s postsecondary student loan and grant program and put students into even more debt than they are in right now.

The Ontario Student Assistance Program, better known as OSAP, offers students financial assistance through a combination of loans and grants. In the past, students who qualify can receive up to 85 per cent of their tuition in grants and the remainder as a loan.

The Ford government plans to change the formula starting in 20262027 so that grants for university students will be capped at 25 per cent of total aid, while loans will make up at least 75 per cent. College students applying for OSAP won’t be eligible for any grants at all – their assistance would come in the form of loans only.

The shift from 15 per cent of financial assistance in the form of a loan to 85 per cent would see students take on an additional $7,800 in debt per year.

OSAP is currently capped at a maximum of $13,000 per year – $11,050 in grants and $1,950 in loans. Under the changes being proposed by the Ford government, $3,250 would be covered through grants and $9,750 would be awarded in the form of a loan.

The changes would impact students with fewer financial resources than students who are more well off. In other words, poor students need the money more than their wealthier peers and therefore are more like to receive the maximum in financial aid. Unfortunately, that means that they will end up graduating with a much greater financial burden in terms of debt.

If they are eligible for the maximum in OSAP assistance, they could graduate with $39,000 in debt under the proposed changes, whereas those students who graduated under the old system would only owe a maximum of $7,800 in debt. That’s a massive difference, especially for someone is just setting out in their chosen field.

The proposed changes are bad for a number of reasons. It’s already nearly impossible for someone in their mid-to-late 20s to save enough money to afford a down payment on a first home. Saddle them with $39,000 in student debt and they can forget about ever owning a home unless a rich relative dies and leaves them a pile of cash, or win a lottery. Second, it will make a lot of students with limited financial resources think twice about applying for university. It will turn the universities into an institution for the elite: poor people need not apply.

If you want to change the current OSAP program, you should make students who already have the financial resources to pay for their tuition on their own to do so and keep the current grant/loan formula in place for students who really do need the money.

We all benefit from a more educated society. The more we can do to achieve that goal the better.

– Fred Sherwin

Men

and

boys

invited to take part in Health Strategy initiative

On Feb. 24, I joined the Minister of Defence, the Honourable David McGuinty, at the Uplands site of the Canadian Forces Support Group to announce the launch of Phase Two of Canada’s national military housing construction program.

This major expansion – an investment of $3.74 billion –will deliver approximately 7,500 new Residential Housing Units (RHUs) across the country. Here in Ottawa, this includes 280 new homes for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and their families.

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.

shine a light on exceptional community leaders who uplift and empower others.

This historic initiative is one of the most significant housing investments for our military in decades. By building more homes, faster, we are strengthening operational readiness, supporting recruitment and retention, and providing military families with the stability they de-serve.

On March 6, I was thrilled to welcome 115 women to the RAFO for my 12th annual International Women’s Day Breakfast. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women and girls in our community, including the 31 inspiring recipients of this year’s Orléans Leading Women and Girls Recognition Awards.

A special highlight was 10-year-old honouree Julianna La-belle, who moved us all with her heartfelt performance of “O Canada”. Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations, your participation helps

Tax season is now underway and runs from Feb. 26 to Apr. 30. I want to remind residents that several supports are available to eligible individuals, including free local tax clinics through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, and automatic tax filing for those with modest incomes and simple tax situations. Filing your taxes ensures you receive important benefits, including the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. To learn more, visit Canada.ca/taxes-help.

I am also pleased to highlight the Government of Canada’s launch of a national conversation on men’s and boys’ health. Feedback collected will help shape Canada’s first-ever Men and Boys’ Health Strategy, to be released in late 2026. This is an important opportunity to help improve health outcomes and overall, well being for men and boys across the country. Canadians can con-tribute to this initiative until June 1, 2026, at Canada.ca/HealthyMen.

Finally, this week marks the end of Ramadan for our Muslim community, as families and friends gather to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. After a month of fasting, reflection, and generosity, Eid is a time of joy and togetherness. To all those observing, Eid Mubarak! **La version française est maintenant disponible sur ma page Facebook**

Chance meeting in Mexico, uncovers Yorkshire roots

I’ve always said the world is a very, small place. Further proof of that was provided through a chance meeting with a young man volunteering at my favourite hostel in Puerto Escondido, Mexico, last month.

I was on vacation with my two sons, James and Dylan, during reading week when I met George Pearson at the Bonita Escondido hostel.

George, 26, first introduced himself as a Yorkshireman. He had just started volunteering at the hostel and was working behind the bar which gave us a lot of time to talk about traveling and music. As it turned out we both have an affinity for 60s and 70s classic rock including Pink Floyd and The Doors. I always have time for a young man with an old soul and great musical taste, especially if he can make a wicked gin and tonic.

At one point during my stay, I was chatting with George in the presence of my son Dylan, when Dylan asked him where in the UK he was from. George answered “York”. To which Dylan asked, “Where in York?” “Ripon,” was his reply.

“Ripon,” Dylan shot back. “My dad’s family is from Ripon.” To which I responded, “What are you taking about? I thought Dad’s family was from Nottinghamshire?”

Up Front

Fred Sherwin

Apparently, Dylan did the whole ancestry search for my dad’s family, without telling me about it, and it turns out that my dad’s family is, indeed, from Ripon which is located in North Yorkshire and has a population of 16,703.

Now, I’m no mathematician, but it seems to me the odds of meeting someone from my dad’s, and therefore my ancestral home which is only slightly bigger than Carleton Place, are long indeed.

As it turns out the history of Ripon dates back to 658 AD when a Christian church dedicated to St. Peter was built near the confluence of the Laver and Skell tributaries that feed into the River Ure during the time of the Anglian kingdom of Northumbria.

The church was built by Eata of Hexham a Northumbrian nobleman who would later became Archbishop of York and eventually St. Wilfrid.

The community survived under Viking and later Norman control for the next 300 years, until the buildings around the church were burned to the ground in reprisal for a Northumbrian rebellion against England.

In 1069, construction began on a new stone church which would eventually evolve into the current Ripon cathedral which was built between the 13th and 16th centuries.

Besides the massive cathedral, Ripon is also home to a race course and a pop-up drive-in theatre during the summer. It’s other claim to fame is that it was renowned for making spurs during the 16th century.

So now I need to visit Ripon, England, to connect on a physical and spiritual level with my fraternal roots. In the meantime, I’ve asked George to wander through the local cemetery and crypt to see if he could find any evidence of the Sherwins having been there.

George was just one of the amazing young people I met on this latest visit to Puerto Escondido. There was Pélon from Puebla, Paco from Mexico City, Tom from Milan, Maria from Argentina, Tyyna from Finland, Karla from NYC, Taylor from San Francisco, and Shaden from Paris.

I was also able to reconnect with some of the people who now work and live in Puerto

Yours truly and George from Ripon.

including Lilly, Nadia, Victor and Richard, all of whom ended up staying in Puerto after visiting the place for less than a month. Lilly from the UK, Nadia from New Zealand and Richard, who hails from Mississauga, have all been there for over three years now and Victor – who’s from Paris by way of Montréal – has been there for just over a year.

Punta de Zicatela, better known as just “La Punta”, is one of the few places on earth where you can work, play and dine out without ever having to wear a shirt, because the temperature is always around 30 degrees, plus or minus one or two degrees.

It’s one of the most magical places I have ever been and I will continue going back there until the day I die.

Letters to the Editor

Your numbers don’t add up

To the editor:

I thought the goal of an editorial was to stimulate discussion. In the March 5 edition of the Orléans Star, you wrote an editorial, “Giving the PM his due”, in which you’re preaching to the choir and patting the PM on the back. I doubt that my riding will change politically in my lifetime (Royal Galipeau only ran as a Conservative since the Liberal selection committee rejected him).

You failed to mention that the average Canadian wage is less than the poorest U.S. State. Even though 75-80% of our trade still goes to the USA, we are now behind Mexico as their main trading partner.

Not sure where you got a 2025 GDP of 1.7%. My math says that it is more like 0.7%, ending the 4th quarter 2025 at -0.2%,

based on StatsCan data. Meanwhile, the bear we keep poking is humming along at 3-5%. My friend reminds me that money is not everything but this imbalance does not give Canada much leverage in trade negotiations.

And what’s with Canada getting Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) from Australia. While good for the Aussies, it seems wrong on so many fronts... not very ‘green’ delivering 25,000km by sea to a country that has one of the largest reserves of Natural Gas.

So, you got some discussion. Hope your readers know the status of our GDP vs G7 and other Global competitors.

Lorne F. Orléans

According to the Stats Canada’s own website... “Real GDP increased 1.7% in 2025, the slowest pace of annual growth since the decline in 2020. Lower exports, particularly to the United States, were the main contributor to the slower rise in GDP in 2025.”

Proportional ballot good for democracy

Dear Editor.

Changing party leaders will change absolutely nothing. Big business absolutely hates democracy, and is promoting two-party political systems, that deny and defy the people they were elected to serve and protect.

During elections about half of the voters traditionally vote against a party, or candidate. The insanity of that is that when we vote against somebody, we also just as often vote for somebody we also do not want to win.

To destroy that disaster, we must have a ballot that separates the party vote from the candidate vote. Using any proportional ballot we vote for the party we want to form the government – and – on that very same bal-

lot, we also vote for the candidate we want to represent us in that government.

A proportional ballot is the only ballot that can and will reverse that nasty trend, because the people will finally be in the driver’s seats making all the decisions, while the politicians become loyal Trustees implementing them.

A proportional electoral system opens the doors for everybody to participate in the political process. It creates more parties, representing all the political ambitions and ideologies of our diverse multi-cultural society. We have to do this now, to allow these new parties the time they need to define, build, and organize, well before the next election.

A Proportional political electoral system will absolutely destroy party discipline, a killer of democratic governments, while dissolving what has become a monster 70-billion-dollar-a-year, taxpayer-funded Truth and Reconciliation scam. Without democracy – we will never know the truth.

Orléans MP recognizes Leading Women, Leading Girls

By Jody Maffett

The Orléans Star

Orléans is blessed with a large number of women and girls who strive to make a difference in their community each and every day. On Mar. 6, Orléans MP MarieFrance Lalonde an award ceremony to honour 31 of those women as part of this year’s Leading Women, Leading Girls Awards in recognition of International Women’s Day.

Among this year’s recipients were Orléans Legion Ladies Auxiliary president Wendy Fortier, Gridiron Academy and Uplift Ottawa 613 coach and mentor Charmaine Tedondo, Community Compassion Centre Food Bank co-lead Charity Kwapisz, and Black Women in Medicine and Health founder Dr. Kikachukwu Otiono.

The common theme or thread that connected this year’s leading girls recipients was volunteerism, community involvement and selflessness.

The oldest person among this year’s recipient was 91-year-old Jeanette Bourdeaux, while the youngest was 10-year-old Julianna Labelle.

Bourdeaux is a former president with the Orléans 60 Club who dedicated 26 years to her life to the organization, contributing

Orléans MP Marie-France Lalonde poses for a group photo with the recipients of this year’s Leading Women and Leading Girls Awards. PHOTO SUPPLIED

more than 9,000 hours of service during that time, while Labelle is a gifted young singer who has performed at retirement homes across the region.

Prior to the awards ceremony, Lalonde hosted an International Women’s Day breakfast for more than 100 women and girls at the Rendez-vous des aïnés francophones

d’Ottawa on Navan Road.

In her welcoming statement, Lalonde focused on this year’s United Nations IWD theme – “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls”.

“These three words capture something fundamental,” Lalonde said. “Because equality is not only something we celebrate.

It is something we must protect. Something we must strengthen. And something we must actively build. Here in Orléans, we are not waiting for change. We are leading it.”

The Orléans Leading Women, Leading Girls Awards take place every year with nominations accepted in December and January.

Anne Marie Amyot

Cassandra Auguste-René

Chantal Boudreau

Charity Kwapisz

Charmaine Tedondo

Danielle Carrière-Paris

Diana Official

Elyse Desrosiers

Jeanette Bourdeaux

Jill Vyse

Jocelyn Smith

Julianna Labelle

Karen Hurley

Dr. Kikachukwu Otiono

Louise Nadon

Madonna Sudletsky

Maria Steller

Maryse Bilodeau

Milana Grzela

Nermin Makar

Rachel Major

Rylee Batista

Sarah Awada

Sowmya Rajasekaran

Suzanne Benoit

Reverend Teresa Keogh

Valerie Lockhart

Veronica Hitchlock

Victoria Noisette

Wendy Fortier

Zahira Sarwar

FélicitationsCongratulations à toutes! to everyone!

(613) 834-1800 Marie-France.Lalonde@parl.gc.ca MFLalondeMP.ca

Orléans is rich with places that make memories that last a lifetime

A community is more than streets and buildings. It is the moments we collect along the way, often in places we pass every day without thinking much about them.

Sometimes it is a quiet morning walk along the Bill Holland Trail, the river moving slowly beside you while the world wakes up.

Sometimes it is that first sip of coffee at BBCR Café, or a peaceful morning at Petrie Island seeing the breeze roll in off the Ottawa River.

stretch out across the landscape and the quiet gives you a moment to breathe.

Maybe it is something simple, like a picnic on the great lawn at Coyote Trail Park, watching kids run across the grass while the afternoon drifts by.

Some memories are tied to small traditions. The first fresh pasta meal you had at Cucina Da Vito.

Moving beyond the minimum to create truly inclusive parks in Ottawa

Parks are among the most important shared spaces in our communities. They are where families gather, children explore, and memories are made. Every child deserves the chance to play, and improving accessibility in our parks is something I am actively working on.

the provincial minimum standards for accessibility in playgrounds, focusing on things like stable pathways and clearances for mobility devices. While important, it offers little guidance on what truly inclusive play equipment should include.

Some memories are small, but they stay with you forever. Reading a book to your daughter at the Cumberland branch of the Ottawa Public Library. Hearing the tiny giggles of your kids as they race down the Apollo Crater at the park.

If you grew up here like I did, you probably remember discovering Fallingbrook Falls for the first time as a teenager. It felt like stumbling onto something hidden right in your own neighbourhood.

Maybe it is a crisp autumn walk along the trails at Mer Bleue Bog, when the colours

The first bite of a black walnut butter tart from a local bakery. Watching the game with family or friends when the Gabriel’s pizza finally arrives.

And sometimes it is the little adventures children never forget. Catching frogs at Bilberry Creek and then letting them go.

Places like these do something powerful. They bring people together. They become the backdrop to birthdays, walks, conversations and the ordinary days that quietly turn into the moments we remember most.

That is the magic of a community like ours. The places matter. But it is the memories we create in them, together, that make Orléans home.

Last summer, an accessible sway slide was installed at Tulip Tree Park in Bradley Estates, and I’m continuing to push for stronger accessibility features in upcoming parks, including the future François Dupuis Park, which will be a fantastic example of offering something for everyone.

Council also supported my motion to create a public-facing map of accessibility features in parks, helping families identify locations that meet their needs while highlighting where gaps still exist.

At the same time, improving playground accessibility can be challenging because the rules governing playground design in Ontario are quite limited. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act sets

In growing areas like Orléans South, developers design and fund most new parks as part of the subdivision process. They submit a fully costed plan that meets the minimum standards, which effectively sets the budget and equipment choices early and leaves little flexibility later to add more inclusive features, which are often more costly. This is where the disconnect between meeting the standard and creating truly inclusive play spaces occurs.

Despite these challenges, the goal remains the same: moving beyond minimum standards toward parks that are welcoming to everyone. I will continue working to strengthen accessibility in both new and existing parks so that every child can play.

Avalon residents on the lookout for roaming coyotes

By Fred Sherwin

The Orléans Star

Roaming coyotes have long been an issue in the late winter and early spring along the northern part of Orléans in neighbourhoods like Chatelaine Village and Orléans where they can often by sighted near the Ottawa River around the walking and bike paths.

Rural parts of Cumberland often have their fair share of coyote sightings at this time of year.

Now they have infiltrated into Avalon where recent sightings of a pair of coyotes near Scala Park and Rancourt Park have area residents on edge.

“I’ve seen them three or four times just in the past week,” says St. Bruno Street resident Joanne Ouellette, who want to make her neighbours aware that the coyotes are in their midst.

Ouellette called 3-1-1 but was told there was little they could do about it. They also told her that if she ever felt in danger she should call 9-1-1.

Coyotes have also been spotted in other parts of the city including Kanata and Greely.

The city’s Wildlife Resource Officer, Dom Ferland, says that in general, coyotes

do their best to avoid people. That said it does happen occasionally that coyotes and humans come face to face.

If and when that happens, Ferland suggests that A) you do not turn your back on the animal or animals, and B) don’t try to run away. Instead you should make yourself as large and loud as possible. In most cases, this should run them off.

Children should be taught to react in the same way, and to let you know immediately if they see a coyote. To avoid close encounters at night, carry a flashlight and avoid walking in wooded areas. It is also advisable to carry a whistle to help scare them off.

Dog and cat owners should be especially wary of coyotes in the area. Dogs should be kept on a leash at night and cats should never be let outside on their own.

If you insist on walking your dog without a leash, be sure to maintain a direct line of sight at all times.

There have been cases where small dogs being killed by coyotes in the past, but the incidents have been few and far between.

There are several reasons why coyotes venture into neighbourhoods like Avalon. One of the main reasons is for food. Avalon

Coyote sightings have become more and more common in Orléans, in recent years. In late February, a pair of coyotes were spotted in and around Scala Park in Avalon. FILE PHOTO

has a very high population of rabbits and field mice. Coyotes are also more active during their mating season which is in January and February.

Coyotes also tend to use abandoned railroad tracks, hiking trails and bike paths to make it easier to get from point A to point B. And they tend to be attracted to parks and ravines to make their dens.

According to the City’s records there were 644 coyote sightings in 2024 and 650 sightings in 2025.

Why oral health is about more than just teeth

By Dr. Natasha Rizk, Co-Owner of Forest Valley Dental

When most people think about oral health, they think about cavities. Maybe braces. Maybe whitening. Maybe that reminder they’ve been meaning to book their cleaning.

But the truth is, oral health is about so much more than just teeth.

As a dentist, I see the clinical side every day. As a mom and small business owner here in Ottawa, I also see the real-life side. And the two are deeply connected.

Your Mouth Is the Gateway to Your Body

Your mouth is not separate from the rest of you. Research continues to show strong links between oral health and overall health, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, pregnancy outcomes, and even inflammation throughout the body. When gum disease is left untreated, the bacteria and inflammation do not just stay in your mouth. They travel. That is why preventative dental care is not cosmetic. It is foundational healthcare.

We often talk about wellness in terms of green smoothies, workouts, mindfulness apps, and supplements. All important. But brushing twice a day, flossing properly, and keeping up with cleanings are some of the simplest and most powerful health habits you

can build. The basics matter.

For Families, It Starts Early

As a mom, this topic feels especially important. Good oral habits start long before permanent teeth come in. Teaching kids that brushing is not a chore but a normal part of their routine sets them up for lifelong health. We encourage parents to:

• Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears.

• Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for young children.

• Make brushing fun, not stressful.

• Lead by example.

Kids learn what they see. If they see you prioritizing your dental appointments, they will view it as normal, not scary.

Prevention Saves More Than Teeth

One of the hardest conversations we have in dentistry is when a small issue becomes a big one because it was left too long Preventative care saves money, time, discomfort, and stress. A routine cleaning and checkup twice a year can catch concerns early, when they are simpler and less invasive to treat.

Avoiding the dentist out of fear or busyness is something we completely

Dr. Natasha Rizk with her husband and fellow dentist Dr. Andrew Denardo and their daughter Stella. PHOTO SUPPLIED

understand. Life gets full. But modern dentistry is not what many people remember from childhood. Our goal is always to create a calm, supportive experience where patients feel heard and cared for. No judgment. Just partnership

Oral Health Is for Everyone March is filled with dental awareness days, including National Dentist Day and

World Oral Health Day. They are helpful reminders that oral health is not a luxury. It is not optional. It is for kids, teens, adults, seniors, and everyone in between. Whether it has been six months or six years since your last dental visit, make time for your oral health by booking an appointment with your dentist. Oral health is about so much more than just teeth. It is about your whole self.

Join Restaurante Caravela owner Fernando Diniz for a week or two on his beautiful native island of Terceira in the Azores. Stay in his family home and enjoy everything this Portuguese Island has to offer with Fernando as your host and guide.

The next chance to find out more about this unique opportunity will be held on Monday, April 6 with two sessions at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Each session will start with a short slide presentation followed by a Q&A.

Deaf-blind advocate warns against ‘fake’ service dogs

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star

Deaf-blind athlete and disability advocate Kevin Frost is warning people to be on the look out for possible “fake” service dogs.

Frost recently attended an event at the Shenkman Arts Centre where he not only witnessed someone using a fake guide dog, but was subjected to bias on the part of one the Arts Centre’s volunteer attendants.

Frost had taken his seat in the Harold Shenkman Hall with his guide dog Woody at his side when one of the volunteer ushers started asking people around him if they were okay with his dog being there.

“Asking other people is they are ‘okay’ with a service dog is unnecessary, uncomfortable, embarrassing and should never happen,” says Frost, who has brought the incident to the attention of the Shenkman Arts Centre’s management.

“Several of the people (the usher)

approached expressed shock and confusion that he was even asking the question,” says Frost.

“In over 20 years of being a guide dog owner I have never experienced this situation before.”

After everyone around him said they had no issue with Woody being there, Frost proceeded to enjoy the show. Although he is technically deaf and blind, he still has three per cent tunnel vision and nine per cent of his hearing.

When the show ended, the situation went from bad to worse. As Frost was leaving the hall another service animal started barking and acting aggressively towards Woody, something a properly trained and certified service dog would never do.

The owner did nothing to curb the dog’s behaviour, which appalled Frost even more.

This type of interaction would never happen if both the individual in question and

their “service” dog were truly legitimate, says Frost.

“The staff also did nothing to help quell the situation and we were forced to wait for the other animal to leave.”

Although Frost has since received an apology from the Shenkman Arts Centre’s management, he is trying to convince them.

In the meantime, Frost is asking the Shenkman Arts Centre and the City of Ottawa to request members of the public who have a service dog to produce an ID to prove the authenticity of the animal and to post that requirement on their websites.

“I carry a certified ID proving my service dog is from a registered Guide dog school,” says Frost. “l have found that a courteous request for identification is the most effective method to confirm a dog’s legitimacy, and their training. Refusal to provide that could be evidence that the animal is not a certified service guide dog.”

There’s no time like the present for preventative car care

By Fred Sherwin

The Orléans Star

If you’re one of those people who takes your car in for some routine preventative maintenance every spring, but usually have to wait in line, not out of choice, but because everyone else wants their car serviced at the same time, then you should think about beating the rush this year and taking your car to Precision Automotive.

With 10 bays, six licensed technicians and three apprentice technicians, Precision is one of the largest service centres in Ottawa so scheduling an appointment to suit your schedule is usually never a problem. They also have the expertise to service any make and model of vehicle.

Precision Automotive owner Rob Brouwer and his staff have been providing peace of mind along with honest service and honest value for over 30 years. In fact, they offer an industry-leading 2-year/40,000km warranty on most newly installed parts and labour.

More recently, Rob has been joined in running the business by his son Spencer who shares his passion for offer honest service for honest value.

The expert technicians at Precision Automotive can make a multi-point inspection of your vehicle that includes the brakes, the cooling system, all your belts and hoses and all of your fluids.

After the inspection, Precision’s service advisors will send you a Digital Visual inspection (DVI) report which details any issues or deficiencies needing attention today, or may pop up down the road.

Multiple studies have shown that preventative maintenance can often save the average car owner hundreds of dollars by avoiding expensive repairs down the road.

Think of it as an insurance policy against the type of surprises you can do without.

Ottawa is notorious for having some of the worst potholes in Canada and potholes are notoriously bad for your suspension and your wheel alignment which can cause uneven wear on your tires limiting their lifespan and greatly reducing your vehicle’s mileage overall. Should you have any suspension or alignment issues, the technicians at Precision can fix it on site.

If you switch your tires from winter to summer every year, Precision can take care

With 10 bays, six licensed technicians and three apprentice technicians, Precision Automotive is one of the largest service centres in Eastern Ontario. FILE PHOTO

of that during your inspection as well, or they can offer nearly every make and model of tire should your existing tires need to be replaced.

Precision Automotive is located at

385 Vantage Dr., behind the McDonald’s at Innes and Tenth Line Roads. You can also visit their web site at precisionautomotive. ca or call them at 613-841-5550.

Happy motoring!

FRIDAY, MARCH 20

SDBC TAPROOM SERIES

presents a stage hypnosis show with Mai Ngo from 5-6 p.m. NO COVER. The Stray Dog Brewing Company is located at 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park. For tickets visit straydogbrewing.ca.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21

SDBC TAPROOM SERIES presents C.A. & Sonny live and in concert. Showtime 8 p.m. Tickets $10. The Stray Dog Brewing Company is located at 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park. For tickets visit straydogbrewing.ca.

TUESDAY, MARCH 25

TRIVIA NIGHT from 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday night at the Royal Oak Pub Orléans. Free to play. Prizes for the winning team! The

COMMUNITY BILLBOARD BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Royal Oak Pub is located at 1981 St. Joseph Blvd. near Jeanne d’Arc. For more info visit facebook.com/ RoyalOakPubsOrleans.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25

TRIVIA NIGHT from 6:30 p.m. at the Stray Dog Brewing Company. Exercise your grey matter before it turns to mush over the holidays. Reservations are a must to secure your spot. Send your team name and number of people to info@straydogbrewing.ca. The Stray Dog Brewing Company is located at 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park.

OYSTER NIGHT at the Orléans Brewing Co., 4380 Innes Rd. from 6 to10 p.m. Indulge in the finest oysters and unwind with a drink in hand. We also offer wine and ciders for the non beer lovers!

THURSDAY, MARCH 26

TAP THAT THURSDAYS AT THE ORLEANS BREWING CO. Come try our weekly brew release. A different brew every Thursday. All are welcome to come try a pint of our weekly release beer. The Orléans Brewing Co. is located at 4380 Innes Rd.

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

EASTER ACTIVITY –

Abiding Word Lutheran Church will be hosting Easter for Kids from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Please join us for a fun morning of crafts, singing, and story time. This FREE event is for children aged 3 to 11 and there is a limit of 45 spots. Please register your child at abidingword.ca. and click on the Easter for Kids event tab. Abiding Word is located at 1575 Belcourt Ave. in Orléans.

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