The Millstone

This week in the Millstone - May 14-20, 2012

• The Almonte Farmers' Market opens for the season
• Morris Ladouceur's body discovered in the St. Lawrence River
• Passion Capital by Paul Alofs - book review
• Elsie Goldthorp - obituary
• Cecropia Surprize
• Diana's Quiz - May 19,2012
• Scott McLellan responds to the Mississippi Mills Riverkeepers presentation before the MM Planning and Development Committee
• Mississippi Mills Riverkeepers make presentation re Enerdu to the MM Planning and Development Committee on Tuesday May 15
• Almonte RBC plant sale raises funds for AGH/FVM Foundation
• A hit, a very palpable hit! Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 2
• Wednesday May 16 Mississippi Mills Chamber of Commerce mixer a rousing success!
• Strong and capable university student seeks temporary work
• Alvin Logan - obituary
• Great Canadian Cheese Festival
• Canadian Cancer Society holds inaugural Mississippi Mills Relay for Life on June 8, 2012
• Gay Cook's omelette with fresh herbs
• Kick-Off to Mississippi Mills Bicycle Month
• The NIght Sky at the Mill of Kintail 
• Lanark County Interval House invites all our supporters and friends to the first annual "Homes for the House Tour"
• Free Samsung ML-2010D3 black toner cartridge
• Engineer's report finds Dungarvon building hazardous
• Downsizing sale
• OPP searching for missing Montague man
• 2 bedrooms for rent in waterfront country home - Carleton Place
• Humm happenings for the week of May 14, 2012
• Thoburn Mill rooted in Almonte's heritage
• Police hunt culprits in damage to Beckwith Sports Field
• Suspects arrested in 2011 robbery at McNeely Avenue Shoppers Drug Mart
• Notice of public open house - agricultural/rural designation boundaries
• Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists announces student bursaries for natural environment studies
• Road Closures for the Mississippi Mills Grand Prix cycling event June 1-2
• Community Garage Sale fundraiser for Light Up the Night
• Answers to Diana's Quiz - May 12, 2012
• Information about long-term care and respite care

The Almonte Farmers' Market opens for the season

   The Almonte Farmers' Market launched its 2012 season in the library parking lot yesterday, May 19. It is too early for many vegetables but green onions, rhubard, crafts, baking and compost were on display. Kevin and Janet Paige set up their traditional pottery stand and market regular Sarah Lalonde took up her traditional position on the western edge of the market. Shopper and vendors were serenaded by a group of local musicians.

Sarah Lalonde displays her knitting on the first day of the market

Ian and Janet Paige display his excellent pottery made with local glazes

Local vendor displays her handicraft and produce.

Morris Ladouceur's body discovered in the St. Lawrence River.

   The body of Morris Ladouceur, a Montague Township resident, has been pulled from the St. Lawrence River near Morrisburg. Mr. Ladouceur, 58 was reported missing May 10 . The police consider the death to be non-suspicious. Mr. Ladouceur was discovered by recreational divers.

Mississippi Mills Riverkeepers make presentation re Enerdu to the MM Planning and Development Committee on Tuesday May 15

   A new organization, spurred into  existence by the proposed Enerdu project to build a dam across the upper Mississippi river falls at Almonte appeared before the Mississippi Mills Planning and Development Committee on Tuesday May 15. Concerned citizens packed the gallery and Mississippi Mills resident  Bryn Matthews, on behalf of the Mississippi Mills Riverkeepers,   introduced a power point presentation which outlined their concerns. The Riverkeepers made it clear that they are not against development, are in favour of innovation, but do not want development at any cost, particularly without benefit to the community.  In the view of the Riverkeepers, there are significant downsides to the Enerdu project and no upsides for anyone other than Enerdu. Enerdu, owned by Jeff Cavanagh, son of the founder of Cavanagh Construction, is proposing to change the run of river facility at the top of the falls at Almonte, to a managed flow facility which can take advantage of the peak power advantages offered by the Green Energy Act. The Ontario Green Energy Act + FIT program provides a 50% incentive for hydro plants to switch to peak power production. Enerdu intends to hoeram out 1500 square feet of the river bottom at the top of the falls, build a dam across the falls and construct housing for a turbine on the west side of the river that critics estimate, will jut out into  the river, spoiling the view.

   In allowing hydro facilities to conduct their own environmental assessments, the Riverkeepers intimate that the fox is in charge of the hen house and the local community, which will be deeply affected by project, is being left out of the equation. The Mississippi river and falls is a defining feature of Almonte and a major contributor to its success as a desirable community in which to live and to visit. It should not be appropriated to the benefit of one individual, Jeff Cavanagh, to the detriment of its citizens.

   Matthews' presentation, made to Councillors  Duncan Abbott (chair), Denzil Ferguson, Shaun McLaughlin, Val Wilkinson, Garry Dalgity, John Levi, and Alex Gilles, was articulate and well organized, however councillors asked only one question. According to Councillor McLaughin, the presentation was complete and left no questions unanswered.

Here is the presentation Download Mississippi Mills Riverkeepers Presentation to MM Planning Committee 

Wednesday May 16 Mississippi Mills Chamber of Commerce mixer a rousing success!

 

 

   We were delighted to welcome a number of new faces to the Chamber including Kate Gahan, the new practice manager for the Ottawa Valley Family Health Team. The team consolidates the services of a number of family physicians with complementary services of nurse practitioners and other allied services in the newly renovated site of the former Fairview Manor. Kate invites everyone to drop in at the Open House on Thursday, 14 June. For more info visit www.ovfht.ca.

   Also joining us for the first time were Tommy Lam, the new owner and pharmacist for Shoppers Drug Mart in Almonte; Joe Rizk, who has recently established his woodworking business in town (WOODWARE.CA); Colleen Russell, Account Manager and Customer Service Rep. for the RBC in Pakenham and Marion Taylor, joined us as a guest of Cindy Hobbs, manager of the RBC in Almonte. Marion is a writer with experience in developing grant applications for a neighbouring Chamber. Great news!

   The evenings "shop local" panel opened with Cynthia and Tony Stuart highlighting the homegrown Get It Here program, a customer loyalty card with strong links to the DowntownAlmonte.ca internet marketing initiative and a critical mass of businesses from all parts of Mississippi Mills already on board. For more info on the program and to register as a merchant visit the Get it Here web site.

   Scott McLellan, chair of the Town's Community and Economic Development Committee (CEDC) gave us a quick overview of the highlights from the Queen's Business Consulting (QBC) report Mississippi Mills: An Economic Development Plan. The QBC report's "three prong" approach recommends:

• Ongoing emphasis on tourism and promoting the diversity of the downtown core to generate traffic at all times of the day.
• Adopting the Asset Based Community Development model to encourage long term growth of permanent residents with an focus on the "Creative Economy" to capitalize on our existing strengths.
• Implementing the Enterprise Facilitation model and pre-building office space to stimulate development in the industrial park.

   Scott's talk generated lively discussion about how to ensure that at least some of these great ideas are put into practice! For more details, download a copy of the report and/or a copy of the presentation given to council by the Queen's University students who prepared the report.

   Margie Argue gave us an update on the ongoing Pakenham's Got It program which has displays in various businesses in the village with business cards for neighbouring businesses available for customers to take. Don St John of Don's Meat Market spoke to his experience running businesses in both downtowns of Almonte and Pakenham.

Jeff Mills, recent recipient of the Young Award Foundation award for Cultural Volunteerism gave an impassioned plea on the value of our many festivals to the business community and the mutual benefit of sponsorship opportunities. Of course a talk from Jeff would not have been complete without some reference to bicycles and he encouraged businesses to participate in the upcoming workshop on cycle tourism on Thursday, 24 May, sponsored by the Welcome Cyclists Network. To find out more about the workshop and to register visit http://welcomecyclistsworkshoplanark.eventbrite.com. For more info on events coming up during Bicycle Month in June, check out MMBicycleMonth.ca.

We also had a wonderful response to our offer to sponsor door prizes. This months winners were:

• Maxine Brown, of Make Up by Maxine, won a lovely gift basket of homemade wine, wine glasses and treats from the residents of Carleton Place Manor donated by Liz Taylor, Marketing Director.
• Dianna Lachappelle, manager of the Almonte Antique Market, won a complimentary manicure-pedicure from Make Up by Maxine. Maxine has just opened her new location on Bridge Street in Almonte across from the Old Town Hall.
• Margie Argue and Joe Rizk each received one of two gift certificates for Don's Meat Market donated by Gary Gillis, of Gary Gillis Drafting and Technical Services.
• Bill O'Hara, O'Hara Insurance, and Kristen Ray, Naismith Foundation each won a Get It Here card donated by Cynthia Stuart, co-owner of Kentfield Kids.
•  Vicki Veenstra, co-owner of the newly opened Tin Barn summer pop-up store on Little Bridge Street, won a lovely parcel of books donated by Mary and Terry Lumsden of Mill Street Books.
     Thanks once again to the Barley Mow for hosting this month's mixer, to Paddye Mann and Kris Riendeau for organizing and hosting the program. Thanks as well to Art Levi and Stephen Brathwaite who handled the registration desk this month and Marilyn Anderson who took care of the door prize tickets.
  
  
     Finally, mark Wednesday, 20 June, in your calendars for the June Mixer to be held at the Equator Coffee Roasters with owner Craig Hall as our speaker. This will be our final mixer before the summer break and is sure to be a good one.
  
  
  Join us!
  
  
  David Baril, Secretary
  Mississippi Mills Chamber of Commerce

Kick-Off to Mississippi Mills Bicycle Month

 by Edith Cody-Rice

   Last Thursday evening, May 10, the Mississiippi Mills Bicycle Month kicked off with a presentation at the Old Town Hall in Almonte. To start the festivities,  MM councillor Val Wilkinson, Ed Sonnenburg from Carleton Place and Brian Stewart (the winner) from Lanark Highlands staged a slow bike  race, meaning the slowest person to cycle the short track in the parking lot of the OTH wins the race.

Val Wilkinson of Mississippi Mills, Ed Sonnenburg from Carleton Place and Brian Stewart  from Lanark Highlands ride s-l-o-w-l-y.

    The evening featured speaker Eleanor McMahon, CEO and founder of the organization  Share the Road Cyclist Coalition www.sharetheroad.ca. Share the road represents over 3,000 stakeholders across Ontario. It is a network of local experts, municipal officials, advocates, business and tourism officials and other members of the public who are dedicated to improving road safety for cyclists and pedestrians. It held its fourth annual bike summit in Toronto in April of 2012. Ms. McMahon started Share the Road after her own husband, OPP Sargeant Greg Stobbart, was killed by a suspended driver while enjoying an off duty bike training ride.

   Polling has shown that 60% of Ontarians would like to cycle, but are afraid to do so which only strengthens Share the Road's resolve.. As well as health benefits, Ms. McMahon indicated that there are huge economic benefits associated with cycling. Both Quebec and B.C. has taken measures to significantly increase their cycling infrastructure.

   A signature art work by local artist Jill McCubbin was unveiled.

    Events of Bicycle month include the opening of the BMX pump track last Saturday, May 12 at Augusta Park,  a new cyclists map for Mississippi Mills. This year, Bike month will add cycling races and there will be a community ride on Thursday evenings.  Weekly bike events will include a whole day of events on May 23. The Slow Food Ride will be repeated. This is a ride which passes farm gates where riders are invited to sample local wares along the way.   Go to website http://mmbicyclemonth.ca/ for a calendar of activities.  

   BIke tourism is becoming a significant factor in the summertime activities of Mississippi Mills. WIth the charm of the countryside added to that of the town of Pakenham, the hamlets of Blakeney, Clayton, Appleton, and the availability of all of Almonte's shops and restaurants,  it is a draw to athletic visitors who want to enjoy the summer outdoors.

    The major sponsors of Mississippi Mills Bike Month are NeilCorp, the Mississippi Mills Council and the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. A significant number of other sponsors sponsored events or offered in kind services. A full list of sponsors is available at http://mmbicyclemonth.ca/sponsors-2012/

    A card was presented to Nicole Guthrie, Mississippi Mills Community / Cultural Programmer, who is leaving her position this month. Jeff Mills, Coordinator of Community Development at the Mills Community Support Corporation,   expressed the appreciation of the community for her dedication.

Engineer's report finds Dungarvon building hazardous

by Edith Cody-Rice

   John G. Cook and Associates, engineers hired by the town of Mississippi Mills to assess the Dungarvon building, provided a damning report to the Planning and Development committee. They said that much of the mortar between the large stones was defective or absent, its condition poor, that the buttresses at the  south and west  corners of the building are separating from the tower and that the roof is in such poor condition that it is considered a fall hazard. The engineers are of the view that the condition of the building is so poor that there is no temporary fix that would allow the security fences to be removed. It provides the following recommendations as options:

1. Budget for a multi ‐year (multi‐phase), million dollar conservation programme that would include the  replacement of the roof cladding, the rebuilding/rehabilitation of the exterior stone masonry, and replacement of wood cornices and windows. No further interior restoration work should proceed until exterior work is complete. The amount of water/moisture infiltration currently getting into the building envelope needs to be addressed immediately.

2. Demolish the building and sell the stone.

Humm happenings for the week of May 14, 2012

   This week's update begins with some good news for you procrastinators out there. The appropriately named Once-in-a-While Bookclub (for people who can't commit) organized by Mill Street Books will NOT be taking place on May 16 as listed in the print version of theHumm. They will now be meeting on May 30 at 7:30pm to talk about The Elephant Keeper by Christopher Nicholson. So if you have not quite finished reading it yet, you've still got time!

 

   On Thursday, May 17, Ballygiblin's Restaurant & Pub is the place to be for some Flippin' Art. That evening, a new display of works by Colleen Gray and photographer Charles Ebbs will go up. Sponsored by Arts Carleton Place and featuring free munchies and great conversation, it is always a great cultural evening.

 

   Did you know that woodpeckers' brains are subjected to deceleration impact forces of up to 1500x the force of gravity? No wonder Woody was such a screwball character. Find out more about these novel ornithological specimens at this year's Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists Spring Gathering on Thursday, May 17 at the Almonte Civitan Hall. This banquet will feature a presentation of World of Woodpeckers by biologist Dan Schneider of the Grand River Conservation Authority.

 

   Almonte is the place to be for all foodies on Saturday, May 19. First up, the Almonte Farmers' Market Opens for the season in the parking lot of the Almonte Public Library. For a list of vendors or more information about the market visit their website. After visiting the farmers' market, be sure to stop by 89 Mill Street for Peches & Poivre's Grand Opening. They will be celebrating with food samples and opportunities to win gift baskets all weekend long, but there will be door prizes for the first 30 visitors.

This week in the Millstone - May 7-13, 2012

• 2 Women Productions does the Odyssey at the NAC
• The Almonte Mill Street Ultramar
• Mississippi Mills Riverkeepers will appear at MM Planning and Development Committee
• Young Awards 2012
• The Almonte clock tower goes national
• May greetings from Mill Street Books!
• The Threads of Life - an exhibition of embroidery
  Diana's Quiz - May 12, 2012
  The Night Sky at the Mill of Kintail
• You've changed!
• Peter Ulrich Palm Parsons- obituary 
• John Clive Bevan - obituary
• Fridg, dining room set, bed, bookcases, table saw and other tools for sale
• Gay Cook's marinated pork tenderloin with rhubarb coulis
• Welcome Cyclists Workshop is coming to Lanark County
• Humm happenings for the week of May 7, 2012
• Continued support for the children of Centre Vie Orphanage
• Mississippi Mills Councillor Duncan Abbott responds to the Francis Report
• Enerdu Project - Remain Calm
• The Millstone has added a donation button to the website
• OPP proud to showcase Police Week
• Tree vs Man: A brief history of the forests in Lanark County

The Almonte Mill Street Ultramar

 Abandoned and lonely!

Site cleaned

Going!

Going!!

GONE!!!