Tag Archives: Community Engagement

Good Food in Schools Forum at Kemptville Campus spotlights schools’ efforts to build food literacy

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Partners across Leeds-Grenville and Lanark are collaborating to host the Good Food in Schools Forum at Kemptville Campus on April 11th. This one-day event will bring together stakeholders working on school food education and programs across Eastern Ontario, to share efforts to create healthy and positive school food environments.  

Organizers are excited to foster these conversations between educators, students, parents, food producers, community health and community food organizations.  “Food security, food education and affordability are front of mind these days, and schools have a major role to play in implementing solutions,” says Ramsey Hart, Executive Director of The Table Community Food Centre in Perth. “Schools today are actively engaging kids in food literacy: building a healthy relationship with food, understanding where and how food is produced, and building their own skills in growing, preparing and serving food.” 

The event is being organized by members of Foodcore Leeds Grenville Lanark (LGL), co-led by working group members: The Table Community Food Centre; Leeds Grenville Lanark District Health Unit; and Kemptville Campus. Foodcore is a multi-stakeholder working group committed to building healthy, sustainable and inclusive local food systems. Foodcore LGL has created a Food Charter and related toolkits, maintains a local Food Inventory, and supports food events and programming in our region.  

The Forum’s keynote speaker, Sarah Keyes from Sustain Ontario, will present the work of Canada’s largest school food network, the Coalition for Healthy School Food. Other presenters will share their work and experiences in school food programs locally, from school gardens to greenhouses to cafeterias.  

The Good Food in Schools Forum is open to all, including educators, students, school board trustees and staff, parents, volunteers, food producers and community food organizations. The event takes place on Thursday, April 11th, from 9am to 4pm at the Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre in Kemptville.  

For more information or to register please visit the Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/good-food-in-schools-creating-positive-school-food-environments-tickets-789489613687?aff=oddtdtcreator 

Contact Ramsey Hart: 613-267-6428 x 108, ramsey@thetablecfc.org

Heritage House Museum celebrates International Women’s Day, March Break

The Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum presents Remarkable Women of Smiths Falls.
The Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum presents Remarkable Women of Smiths Falls.

JANELLE LABELLE

During the Smiths Falls council meeting on Monday night, Mayor Shawn Pankow proclaimed March 8 as International Women’s Day. This is a day to “rally for women’s equality and celebrate women’s achievements.” The theme for this year’s Women’s Day is “Inspire Inclusion.”

Councilor Jay Brennan shared an update from the Heritage House Museum pertinent to the upcoming International Women’s Day.

“In 2022, the Heritage House Museum began celebrating remarkable women of Smiths Falls. This year, they’ve added 8 more women,” Brennan shared. 

This is a traveling exhibit. Many local businesses will display panels with images and stories of the remarkable women of Smiths Falls; pop into shops in Smiths Falls’ downtown business district to learn more. 

These will be on display until March 31.

As well, the Heritage House Museum will be busy over the upcoming March break, with a free Paddling Puppeteers show on Tuesday, March 12, from 11am-2pm. On Wednesday, March 13, the Museum will also be hosting a free drop-in activity and craft from 11am-2pm. The last two days of March Break, the 14th and 15th, day camp is available for children ages 6-12. These events require registration, a fee of $40, and take place from 10am-3pm.

The Table, Library Pilot Project extends Community Navigator Program

The Table Community Food Centre, Perth & District Library
A Community Navigator from The Table Community Food Centre offers support and resources to individuals at Perth & District Library every Wednesday in March and April.

For the months of March and April, a Community Navigator from The Table Community Food Centre will be at the Perth & District Library every Wednesday from 2-5pm to offer resources and support to individuals in navigating community resources.

Navigators can offer resources, referrals, and support on a wide array of issues from applying for help with utility bills, to replacing lost identification, to helping fill out paperwork, to discussing options in a difficult situation. This service is available to all community members. 

“Community Navigators are a team at The Table who have lived experience of living on low incomes and navigating programs and resources in our local area”, said Ramsey Hart, Executive Director of The Table. “It is currently offered at The Table Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2-5pm and we are excited to collaborate with the Library to pilot offering this program at the Library as well”. 

“The Library’s mission is to share knowledge and foster community, and we often assist in finding and connecting folks with information”, said Erika Heesen, CEO/Chief Librarian. “Partnering with The Table’s Community Navigators is a great fit, and we’re delighted to pilot this program at the Library over the next two months”. 

To learn more about the services offered by The Table, please visit The Table’s website at www.thetablecfc.org. To learn more about the services offered by the Library, please visit the library’s website www.perthunionlibrary.ca.

What’s on the agenda for Perth for 2024?

Perth Mayor Judy Brown.
Perth Mayor Judy Brown. Photo credit: Submitted.
BY LAURIE WEIR

What’s on the agenda for the Town of Perth in 2024?

We reached out to Mayor Judy Brown and discovered her list of priorities includes development, transportation, and housing.

Here are her top picks.

1. Satisfactory conclusion to the land development issue with Caivan. 

BACKGROUND: Caivan is the developer that is seeking zoning and bylaw amendments in the Town of Perth to build a 940-unit subdivision that will hug the Perth Golf Course. Public outcry has been swelling in opposition to this development. The matter has been referred to the Ontario Land Tribunal, where a case management conference was scheduled Dec. 14. A second CMC will be held Feb. 12 where a decision will be made regarding party status for a community group of 190 participants. There are 25 identified participants. Following this, a four-week hearing has been scheduled to start on Monday, Aug. 19 through Sept. 13. 

Community concerns include the absence of plans for affordable housing, infrastructure, traffic management, safety measures, preservation of heritage, environmental impact, and the potential burden on community services, including childcare facilities and the local hospital.

2. Analyzing with council regarding taxes – the balance between using only taxes, reserves, or reducing services.

BACKGROUND: On Dec. 12, the town council passed its 2024 budget following extensive deliberation and consideration over multiple meetings between November and December. 

“We know that significant financial pressures continue to persist for many of our community members as we approach 2024,” stated Brown in a release from the town. “We value the feedback provided by the public, the prudent and thoughtful input from town staff, and the collaborative efforts of council in delivering the 2024 budget.”

Council approved a four per cent property tax increase and six per cent water and sewer rate increase as part of the budget. For the owner of a residential property in Perth assessed at $300,000, the total annual impact of the combined rate changes will be approximately $157 per year.

3. Finding ways to provide more affordable housing within the town, (and providing more active transportation options).

BACKGROUND: Housing options are popping up throughout the town with councillors hearing from various developers in December on nearly 200 units for eight apartments for Drummond, Wilson, and Harris streets. There are also plans for a 36-unit building on Joy Street that is being hung up on parking issues. More to come on the plans for all these developments in the coming year.  

On the transportation plan, Brown helped develop a new service, Ride the LT, which is a once-a-week service for residents in the Town of Perth. She coordinated this with Lanark Transportation. “We heard loud and clear that yes, there was a need,” said Brown, who is also a member of the working group.

In a Dec. 20 media release, the town announced its plans to move forward with the Active Transportation Plan by awarding the contract to Parsons Incl, after an RFP was issued. 

“Perth residents are active, and this is an opportunity for us to look at how we can build more opportunities for active transportation throughout town,” said Cathy McNally, Director of Community Services. “We’re really looking forward to working with Parsons Inc. as their team has an incredible amount of experience working with municipalities, specifically tailored to active transportation.”

Engagement with community partners will take place in early 2024, along with a public information session which will include a presentation of the Draft Pedestrian and Cycling Network. 

Further details, including meeting dates, will be released as they become available.

30th Annual Perth Polar Bear Plunge set to make a splash on New Year’s Day

Photo of David Lavery, 30 years ago signing the first contract.
David Lavery, 30 years ago signing the first contract. Photo credit: Submitted.

On January 1, starting at 8:30am, cold plunging enthusiasts will once again gather at the Perth Legion to participate in the annual Perth Polar Bear Plunge for its 30th anniversary. The Perth Polar Bear Plunge began in 1994, as a fun idea and fundraiser for Crime Stoppers. Founded by David Lavery, Stan Munro and others at the Perth Legion, it quickly grew into one of the safest and most successful true Polar Bear Plunges in Canada. To date, it has raised over $385,000 for local non-profit and charity organizations. This year, the Rural FASD Support Network is the recipient. The Rural FASD Support Network is a non-profit corporation based out of Montague Township and serves over 225 families from the counties of Lanark and Leeds-Grenville raising children and adults living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Research shows 4% of Canadians – or 3000 residents of Lanark County – currently live with this permanent disability. Research also shows 98% of those individuals are not currently diagnosed. Rural FASD would also like to thank the Hillside Church Men’s Group from Almonte for running this year’s breakfast and Wanda and Eric Labelle for their organizing of the breakfast which will consist of pancakes from Costco, syrup, sausages, fruit, eggs from BurnBrae Farms, and coffee, tea and hot chocolate from Jarryd Lee of Mighty Valley Coffee. Breakfast is free to pledgers and $10 to anyone else joining this party.

We also thank the Perth Legion for hosting, the Perth FireFighters Association for ensuring everyone’s safety, MPP John Jordan for providing a signed certificate of participation, MP Scott Reid in supporting our entry of Pete the Polar Bear in the Perth, Almonte and Carleton Place Santa Claus parades, Lake 88 for providing media coverage, Perth’s own Town Crier for opening the event, the Town of Perth for marketing, Councilor Erin Rose of Beckwith Township for plunging, Parks Canada for hosting, the incredible Rural FASD Youth Group for volunteering, plunging and sharing their voice and to everyone pledging. Prizes including toques, gloves, and gift baskets will also be given to the top pledgers thanks to sponsorship from Wills Transfer, 3M, Giant Tiger, Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, Barnabe’s Independent, Metro and Jersey’s Joes in Perth, Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, and Andress Independent in Smiths Falls, and Canadian Tire, Giant Tiger and Wal-Mart in Carleton Place. Due to the generosity of Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth, all Perth Polar Bear pledgers can receive a tax donation slip by going to https://www.polarplunge2024.ca/register and registering to participate or donating to their preferred plunger. On January 1, let’s make the 30th anniversary of this incredible event the best one yet!

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Perth & District Library launches new satellite service at Maberly Hall

Maberly Hall
Photo credit: Shared on Google by Maureen van Dreumel.

The Perth & District Library has officially launched a new satellite library service at the Maberly Hall in Tay Valley Township. This new library service offers pickup and drop-off of library materials and Babytime and Book Club programs.

“The Library is very pleased to be offering this service for our rural residents who cannot always physically come to the library building”, said Erika Heesen, CEO. “This service is one of the many ways that the Library fosters community.”

Library patrons can order their books for pickup at the Maberly Hall Saturdays from 9-2, and drop them off at the outdoor book drop anytime. To sign up for this service, call the library at 613-267-1224 and ask for Michelle, or email mwolford@perthunionlibrary.ca.

The Maberly Hall Book Club meets on the last Tuesday of each month from 1:00-2:00pm. For more information or to join, call the library at 613-267-1224 and ask for Michelle, or email mwolford@perthunionlibrary.ca.

Babytime is a drop-in, half hour program designed to introduce new parents and babies to the joy of reading and songs. The next Babytime will be offered on November 27 at 10am, with more dates to come in the new year.

A formal launch event will be held at the Maberly Hall on Monday November 27 at 10:30am following the Library’s Babytime program. Light refreshments will be served and the CEO and Children’s Librarian will be on hand to answer any questions about this service.

To learn more about the services offered by the Library, please visit the library’s website www.perthunionlibrary.ca. 

Local Government Week ‘a really good week’ in Smiths Falls

Smiths Falls town hall
Smiths Falls town hall. Photo credit: smithsfalls.ca

During Monday night’s council meeting in Smiths Falls, Councilor Jay Brennan shared an update on the recently-celebrated Local Government Week. Members of council were busy engaging with the community face-to-face from Monday October 16 to Friday October 20. 

The town council meeting was held in the cafeteria at the high school during school hours. “We had a council meeting in the cafeteria at SFDCI with approximately 90 students present, Brennan said. “It was great to bring democracy to them. It’s good to do that.”  As well, 250 students came to the municipal job fair at the library and chatted with members of council about the role of councilors. 

Council also welcomed members of the public into the town hall. “We had a coffee morning with the public,” Brennan said, “we had some good conversations and it was very informal; I enjoyed that as well.”

The town also held an essay contest for grades 5-6 students at Chimo Elementary School. Students were requested to write a 500-word essay on the topic ‘What does Smiths Falls mean to you and what would Smiths Falls look like if you made all the decisions?’”

Councilors read the essays and selected first place, second place, and third place essays. 

“We all read the essays. They were all worthy and very well written. Nobody wanted to put root beer in the fountains or anything like we used to say, but they had some aspirational things that they think the town should do; a lot of things we should keep in mind,” said Councilor Brennan.

“First place essay was written by Kaden Chambers. Second place was a four-way tie: Tobin Vandermeer, Charlotte Doherty, Emma Berthelette, and Cain Staples. Third place was written by Raija Salama.”  

“I really want to thank staff, particularly Clerk Costello, for organizing that week,” Brennan added, “Let’s make that an annual thing. It was a really good week.”

Article by Janelle Labelle.