Soldiers names released -repatriation expected Sunday

Top left - Sergeant George Miok age 28 of Edmonton, Alta;
Top right - Private Garrett Chidley, 21, of Cambridge;
Bottom left - Sergeant Kirk Taylor of Yarmouth, N.S.;
Bottom right - Corporal Zachery McCormack, 21, of Edmonton, Alta.

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, issued the following statement today on the death of four Canadian soldiers and a Canadian journalist in Afghanistan:

"Today I stand with all Canadians as we mourn the loss of four brave and selfless Canadian soldiers and one Canadian journalist who died after the vehicle they were riding struck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while on patrol in an area south of Kandahar.

I extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Sergeant George Miok, Sergeant Kirk Taylor, Corporal Zachery McCormack, and Private Garrett William Chidley who were killed yesterday while working to bring peace and security to the people of Afghanistan. My thoughts are also with the loved ones of Michelle Lang who was also killed while bravely risking her life to report on the important work Canadians are undertaking. Canadians have a much better understanding of what we are accomplishing in Afghanistan as a result of the risks journalist like Ms. Lang take to bring the story back home to Canada. For this we are all grateful. We also want to wish a steadfast recovery to those wounded during this incident.

Canada is in Afghanistan at the request of the democratically elected Afghan government and as part of an UN-mandated, NATO-led mission. Canadians will always stand proudly behind the brave men and women of the Canadian forces, and our partners, as they courageously risk their lives every day towards our goal of a stable, strong and peaceful Afghanistan.

Their sacrifice inspires those who will follow in our commitment to this mission and for this, the Government of Canada and all Canadians will remain forever grateful.”

It's once in a long blue moon

The old phrase "once in a blue moon" has a special meaning tonight. When the full moon rises tonight it will be the second time this month we have had a full moon.

The last time it happened on New Year's Eve was 1990. And it is being predicted that it won’t be repeated until 2028.

The rising of a moon twice in the same calendar month is a rare happening. The moon circles the earth once every 29.5 days. The last time the full moon rose was on December 2.

According to David Wilton’s fabulous Word Origins web site, the phrase Blue Moon probably started with an anonymous poem from 1528,

Read me and be not wrothe, For I say no things but truth:

"If they say the moon is blue,
"We must believe that it is true."

Is there really such a thing as a blue moon?

In 1883, an Indonesian volcano named Krakatoa exploded. Plumes of ash rose to the very top of Earth's atmosphere. And the moon turned blue.

Krakatoa's ash was the reason. Some of the ash-clouds were filled with particles about 1 micron (one millionth of a meter) wide - the right size to strongly scatter red light, while allowing other colors to pass. White moonbeams shining through the clouds emerged blue, and sometimes green.

Blue moons persisted for years after the eruption. People also saw lavender suns and, for the first time, noctilucent clouds. The ash caused "such vivid red sunsets that fire engines were called out in New York, Poughkeepsie, and New Haven to quench the apparent conflagration," according to volcanologist Scott Rowland at the University of Hawaii.

Other volcanos have have turned the moon blue, too. People saw blue moons in 1983 after the eruption of the El Chichon volcano in Mexico. And there are reports of some caused by Mount St. Helens in 1980 and Mount Pinatubo in 1991.

The key to a blue moon is having in the air lots of particles slightly wider than the wavelength of red light (0.7 micron)--and no other sizes present. This is rare, but volcanoes sometimes send out such clouds, as do forest fires.

The use of the phrase blue moon to indicate an astronomical phenomenon started in 1932 with the Maine Farmer’s Almanac. It’s definition was a season with four full moons rather than the usual three, where the third of four full moons would be called a "blue moon." Since seasons are established by the equinoxes and solstices and not calendar months, it is possible for a year to have twelve full moons, one each month, yet have one season with four.

That definition mutated into the definition used most often today when in 1946, an article in an astronomy magazine by amateur astronomer James Hugh Pruett misinterpreted the Maine rule to mean two full moons in one month. This definition seems to have stuck, despite its error, possibly thanks to being picked up by the Trivial Pursuit game.

Whether you use the newer definition or the one from the Maine Farmer’s Almanac, a blue moon, while not common, happens regularly. They occur approximately 7 times in a 19 year period.

Much less common is a double blue moon (2 in one year). That only happens once in the same 19 year period. They occur in January and March, thanks to the short month, February. The last double blue moon was in 1999. The next will happen in 2018.

Five Canadians die in Afghanistan

Five Canadians died today when their armoured vehicle travelled over an improvised explosive device (IED). Four of the dead are soldiers, the fifth was 34-year-old Calgary Herald journalist, Michelle Lang. Ms. Lang was imbedded with the force, reporting on its activities.

The armoured convoy in which they were travelling was moving through an area in the south side of Kandahar City considered to be a safe zone.

The names of the soldiers have not been released by the military as it informs the next-of-kin. This is taking more time due to the number who were killed and the timing. It is more difficult to contact relatives who may not be home during the holidays.

It is the worst death toll in 2 1/2 years for the Canadian force. On July 4, 2007, six Canadian soldiers were killed in a roadside blast west of Kandahar city.

Four soldiers died in two separate incidents on March 20 this year, while three were killed on March 3. To date, 138 soldiers havea died on this mission.

Ms. Lang had only been in Afghanistan for two weeks and this was her first trip "outside the wire".

"We are all devastated by the loss of Michelle and our thoughts right now are with her family and her fiancé," said Scott Anderson, editor-in-chief of Canwest News Service.

"Journalists need to – and do – put themselves at risk every day to report first-hand on important stories like Afghanistan. But that doesn't make this any easier."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered his condolences.

"Four brave soldiers paid the ultimate price while courageously serving their country in Kandahar. They perished seeking to help the Afghans build a better future for themselves while working tirelessly to advance Canadian values," he said in a release.

He also said Ms. Lang's death will be felt in Calgary and in communities across Canada.

Also Wednesday, U.S. officials reported that eight American civilians were killed in a suicide attack on a military base in southeastern Khost province.

More details will follow as information becomes available.

For a more detailed story about Ms. Lang go to Michelle Lang in Afghanistan

Mayor's year-end summary

It has been a busy year in Cramahe Township. Mayor Marc Coombs has writtent the following year-end summary -

I believe it’s no secret we have had a very successful year in 2009. We aren’t taking the back seat to anyone anymore and we should all be rightly proud of our accomplishments in this past year.

I would like to quickly touch on a few highlights:

We were extremely successful in obtaining funding from the other two levels of government, to the tune of almost $6 million. A large portion of this, just over $4m, is for the expansion of our wastewater treatment plant. A project that has been discussed since the 1980s, I am certainly pleased that this Council was able to obtain the funding to allow this to move forward. We also received over $400,000 through the Community Adjustment Fund to revitalize our Industrial Park area; we were one of only two municipalities in Northumberland County to receive money.

I would like to thank Rick Norlock and Lou Rinaldi for their continued support of Cramahe Township.

In 2009 Colborne celebrated its 150th anniversary and what a fantastic celebration. Led by Pat Westrope, the 150th Committee planned and executed a variety of events around this, including a golf tournament, school reunions and of course the parade, which was my personal highlight. We had a great time dressing up in the historical costumes for the day. They even managed to get the weather to co-operate, which I am sure impressed all the out-of-town visitors we had.

Another major event this year was the groundbreaking and start of construction of the new public school in Castleton. When the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board first announced it was planning to close both South Cramahe and Castleton public schools and bus our children to Brighton, I was told by some to not bother getting involved. When the school board makes up its mind there was nothing we could do.

Fortunately there were many in the community who thought differently and we were able to sway the school board's opinion and final decision, Believe me, when I received the phone call that the board was going to suggest the construction of a new school in Cramahe instead, it was one of my happiest days in politics.

And speaking of happy moments, just this month I was able to cut the ribbon at the official opening of Tim Hortons. We started pursuing Tim Horton’s almost ten years ago and so it feels great to see the doors finally open. I know that in many larger communities having a Tim Horton's has become expected but in a small community like ours it's still a big deal.

Everyone I have spoken to over the past nine months or so since this was first announced has mentioned it. Even people from out of town, who know I live here, have mentioned that they have heard about it.

I always say that there are two types of people ….those who told me that Colborne would never have a Tim Horton's and those who said, "Well, we might get one eventually, but Brighton would get one first. I am happy to say they were both wrong."

Not only does this signify to me that we are on the right track when it comes to economic development but I also acknowledge that it means real jobs for people right here in our community. And jobs for those who probably need it most, especially with what we have been experiencing in the past year.

There have been other highlights such as the gazebo, the dedication of the bell in Victoria Square, the heritage clock donated by Holcim, the new recycling containers throughout the township and the start (after 30 or more years) of the Parliament Street reconstruction. And this month we welcomed the Olympic Torch through Colborne.

Which brings me, finally, to thanking all of those involved.

I want to thank my fellow Council members for making this, by far, the best experience I have ever had on council. I want to thank staff for being supportive and working so hard on behalf of our ratepayers and making council look good.

I think that in this last year, we have come together more as a team and I feel your spirit has never been stronger.

I’d like to thank the firefighters for all they do to make our community safe and always responding when called. Theirs is a very noble and giving profession and I salute their commitment to Cramahe Township.

And lastly, to the volunteers on our Boards & Committees, thank you so much for coming forward and being part of our vision going forward. I have sat with many of them on various committees over the years and I think there is much a Committee can do in getting involved in making this a better place to live. I know that many of them are involved on other groups and charities and I thank them for the work that they do there as well.

So, on behalf of myself and Council, I wish you all a very Happy New Year.

Marc Coombs
Mayor
Cramahe Township

Cramahe November building report

With one month left in the year the Cramahe building report shows that there were permits issued for almost $12 million.

November was a quiet month with only $313,200 in permits issued. Of that total, $200,000 went to work done at 4218 County Rd. 25. There were no new homes started. As of the end of last month, 14 homes were started in 2009, down five from the same time a year ago. In 2007 32 homes had been started by the end of November. Four years ago there were 26.

Even with the new school and the Tim Horton's building this year is not quite what it was a year ago when the HD Supply building topped the list. With one month left in 2008 the township had over $13 million on the books.

The total value of construction in Cramahe has steadily grown in the past four years. In 2006 it was close to $7 million; in 2007 it rose to $8.5 million.

Despite the increased numbers the trend in housing starts seems to be on a downward slide. Four years ago the average was five homes per month. In 2006 just over two homes per month were given permits. In 2007 the number rose to almost three a month. The township is currently on track to complete barely one home per month.

MPP lists 2009 accomplishments

Northumberland-Quinte West M.P.P., Lou Rinaldi released the following list of his government's accomplishments in this riding this year.

2009 - YEAR IN REVIEW

NORTHUMBERLAND-QUINTE WEST - “Despite the serious economic downturn in the global marketplace, we still have plenty to be thankful for here in Northumberland-Quinte West,” said M.P.P. Lou Rinaldi. “2009 has proven to be a year of many accomplishments in my riding as well as province-wide”.

Some of these achievements include:

Tax Reform

One of the most important initiatives our government has undertaken was included in the 2009 Ontario Budget. It will see Ontario move from an inefficient “two tax” system to a single, harmonized sales tax.

Beginning this week, January 1st 2009, through our comprehensive tax package, 93 percent of taxpayers will see a permanent tax cut and 90,000 low-income Ontarians will no longer have to pay Personal Income Tax.

Economist Jack Mintz says our tax compensation package will create 591,000 jobs, leverage $47 billion investment, and increase incomes 8.8%.

The TD Bank estimates the HST will reduce cost of doing business in Ontario by roughly $5.3 billion and that the majority of these savings will be passed on to customers within the first year. In fact, the majority of items you purchase - 85 percent – will see no tax change at all.

Green Energy Act

Another key accomplishment was the passing of our Green Energy Act.

This will help the government ensure Ontario’s green economic future in two ways, by: building a stronger, greener economy with new investment, creating well-paying green jobs and more economic growth for Ontario – a projected 50,000 jobs in the first three years; and by better protecting our environment, combating climate change and creating a healthier future for generations to come.

Full-Day Learning

We are currently in the process of introducing full-day learning in Ontario.

Full-day learning is associated with improved reading, writing and math skills, a smoother transition in Grade 1 and increased high school graduation rates. It will take some time to implement full day learning for four- and five-year-olds in all schools across the province, but we have already committed to moving forward with $200 million in 2010/2011 and $300 million in 2011/2012.

Other Notable Items

We’ve passed our Poverty Reduction Act, which will require governments to take measurable steps to reduce poverty.

We've introduced a new long-term training program for workers who've been laid off. It's called Second Career, and it allows recently laid off workers to get skills training for up to two years -- so they can get the skills they need for their next career. Over 21,000 laid off workers are already retraining through this program.

Our government is reducing wait times in our hospitals, working to ensure that all Ontarians have access to a family doctor, and offering Ontarians new options when it comes to their healthcare.

Our government hosted numerous affordable housing consultations, including two in my riding, to help provide a framework for affordable housing in Ontario over the next 10 years.

The Ontario Child Benefit is almost doubling from $600 last year to a maximum of $1,100 per child this year (2009).

Northumberland-Quinte West has seen numerous successful projects in 2009, including funding of tens of millions of dollars fund by the province:

· New affordable housing starts in Quinte West and Port Hope

· The expansion of services through “Service Ontario” to be delivered through license centre

· Hwy 401 improvements in Quinte West

· Reconstruction of 401 service centres in Quinte West

· $1 million to Northumberland County to expand High speed internet

· $55 million to build broad band infrastructure for eastern Ontario

· Rolled out the Eastern Ontario Development fund which helped a number of industries expand in the riding

· The province uploaded a number of social programs to ease the tax burden on local municipalities

· Unprecedented infrastructure spending to stimulate the economy

We have seen numerous projects started and a number come to fruition with financial support from the provincial government. A few examples are as follows:

· The new YMCA in Quinte West

· The rebuilding of the Smithfield Bridge between Brighton and Quinte West

· The arena expansion and a new recreation centre in Brighton

· New schools in Quinte West, Brighton, Cramahe, and Port Hope

· Reconstruction of waste water treatment plant in Colborne

· Shelter Valley Road reconstruction

· Ground breaking for a multi use recreational facility in Cobourg, including new ice rinks

· Go Green initiative in Cobourg - street lights were replaced with energy efficient bulbs

· Renewal of Vincent Massey Memorial Centre in Hamilton Township

· The official opening of the new Community Health Centre in Port hope

· Approval of CT scanner for Campbellford Memorial Hospital

· Water and waste water upgrades for the Village of Hastings

· Numerous Roads and bridge reconstruction in Trent Hills.

Keep your car locked

Keep your car locked whenever you leave it unattended.

The Northumberland OPP reports two incidents this week in Cramahe where thieves broke into cars and stole items.

Watch for scams

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), in cooperation with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), is warning people about a variation of the widespread “Emergency Scam” or “Grandparent Scam”.

Traditionally operating as a telemarketing scam throughout North America, fraudsters contact potential victims while posing as a family member or friend in urgent need of cash. Often the scenario involves an accident or arrest, with a request that cash be sent through a money transfer company, such as Western Union or Money Gram.

In a recent variation of this scam, compromised contact lists from hijacked email accounts are used to send the potential victim an “urgent” email request for money from a friend or relative with whom they have a correspondence. Common themes continue to be hospitalization or imprisonment. The friend or relative is unaware that their account has been used to send out these requests to everyone on their contact list.

The OPP strongly suggests that anyone, receiving a request for money, takes measures to verify the requestor’s identity and the veracity of their story. Anyone who suspects an attempt at victimization is urged to call the CAFC at 888-495-8501.

Formerly known as Phonebusters, the CAFC was established in January 1993 and is jointly operated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Competition Bureau Canada.
Visit their website at www.phonebusters.com. Specific information on the “Emergency Scam” can be found in “List of Scams”.

More federal money available

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) is now accepting applications under the second phase of the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) for projects aimed at stimulating local economies and strengthening the competitiveness of southern Ontario communities.

The announcement was by the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, that as of December 15, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are able to submit applications under the second intake of CAF funding.

Northumberland-Quinte West MP., Rick Norlock, stated, “This new intake process will ensure the people and businesses in the communities of Northumberland Quinte West will be able to build a brighter future.”

In addition to SMEs, municipalities, not-for-profits, Aboriginal organizations, colleges and universities are all eligible to submit projects.

The Community Adjustment Fund will support projects in and around resource-based and manufacturing communities depending on a single industry. The fund will invest in projects that create immediate job opportunities for communities. It will focus not only on economic development, but innovation and diversification.

Overall funding for the second intake process is $127.8 million in 2010-11.

Applications for funding in 2010-11 will be accepted from December 15, 2009, to January 18, 2010.

Cramahe Township CEO, Christie Alexander acknowledged before Christmas that the township was aware of the grant money and was considering the possibilities.

Blustery weather fails to daunt bridge observers

A driving west wind and snow squalls were not enough to turn away the regular contingent of Cramahe Township residents on the bridges over the 401.

On Monday, December 28, the remains of Lt. Andrew Nuttall passed through the township following the Trenton repatriation ceremony.

Lieutenant Nuttall was the 134th soldier to die in Afghanistan. He died from a blast from an improvised explosive device (IED) while on foot patrol in the town of Nakhoney in the Panjwaii district of southern Afghanistan.

The 30-year-old soldier was the first Canadian to die in almost two months. An Afghan soldier died in the same blast and an interpreter was seriously injured.

Lt. Nuttall,of Prince Rupert, B.C., belonged to the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton.

Join the festivities at the 2010 levee

Join your neighbours and friends; bring the family. On January 1 the Colborne Legion is hosting the annual New Year's Levee. The family event starts at 11 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m. There will be snacks and drinks - and a chance to rub elbows with our local politicians. Maybe you can give them your wish list for the new year.

Christmas in Cramahe Story 3

This is the final story in our series of Christmas stories written by Cramahe Township authors. We hope you enjoyed them.

Please remember that the copyright for all three stories remains with the authors. The stories may not be reprinted without their permission.

JUST YOU WAIT AND SEE
by Ed Greenwood

Copyright © 2009 by Ed Greenwood


If you should ever happen to drive into one of the parts of Ontario where pioneer families discovered that the biggest crop they were ever going to grow on their farms was rocks, and you get lost on one of the winding, broken-topped lanes that our government is pleased to call “county highways,” you just might happen to wind up in Lowcandle, where I used to live.

Used to live, because even back then there weren’t many jobs, or much money. Lowcandle had a garage, and a gas station, and a hardware store, and a cemetery . . . and sixteen churches. Fifteen of them empty, and no post office, either. The nearest store that sold clothes not meant for the farmyard, or televisions, or toys, or drapes, or anything at all seen in the ads on TV except cigarettes—yeah, they advertised gaspers on TV back then—was the better part of a full day’s drive from Lowcandle, down in Horn Falls. Which is not much more than a sign, now, but back then Horn Falls was a big, modern place. They had twenty-six churches, and a drive-in movie theatre!

Now if you did end up in Lowcandle, and noticed by the bridge at the south end of the village that a dirt lane branches off the highway to wind its way along the banks of the creek until it just fades away in the trees that used to be McHandlin’s orchard, and for some crazy reason you turned into that lane just far enough not to get your car stuck, you’d be able to see a little mound in the trees beside an old stone chimney standing up by itself, where a two-room cabin used to be. And if you got lost in Lowcandle on Christmas Eve, you’d see a huge woodpile just waiting to be lit, in what used to be a front yard, right in front of that mound. If you did get stuck and were still there Christmas morning, you’d see that pile turn into a bonfire. Heck, most years you can see its smoke half the county away.

These days, if you ask why there was a bonfire every Christmas on the lawn of a house that’s gone, but never any other time of year, you’ll hear all sorts of stories. But I know the truth. My name is Jack Gaunt, and I’m here to tell you about the year Christmas came anyway.

It happened when I was a lot younger than I am now, back when I was still in what they used to call short pants, which meant I was old enough to do the dirtiest and most dangerous of the farm chores but not grown up enough to be allowed to take part in anything that was fun.

Continued...

Christmas in Cramahe Story 2

This is the second of the Christmas stories written by local authors for our readers. Please remember that all copyright remains with the authors and stories may not be re-printed without their permission.


Stage-Struck

By Felicity Sidnell-Reid

The first snow fell late that year after an unusually warm fall. Even November was mellow, the sun turning the long grass pinky gold in the morning, the cedars holding their green, and the earth sending up a faint mist through the frost. Edward the donkey rolled in his field next to the house and brayed for his summer friends, who had been put out to pasture with him. By December they were all gone; he was left in his empty field with its small barn, where he could huddle in his straw bed on cold winter nights.

I’d inherited Edward from my uncle and aunt when they sold their farm. For several years he was my daughter’s pet, sharing the field with a couple of horses, which were boarded with us for the summers. But Megan was away at college that winter. She came home infrequently so Edward had to make do with me. I felt sorry for him—he needed company.

Early one morning at the beginning of December, the phone rang. I answered, “Nina Harris speaking.”

A deep voice I didn’t know said, “Oh hello. I believe you own a donkey. Is that right?”

“I do,” I replied, walking the phone to the window to check that Edward was safely in his field. There was little doubt in my mind that he was bored and ripe for mischief. I worried and felt I needed to keep a close eye on him. He had been known to escape in the past to seek his own entertainment, though he hadn’t done so since coming to us.

“I’m Ron Greene,” the voice continued, “I’m working with a youth group in town for a few months.”

“Oh yes, I’ve heard of you. Don’t you have a drama group that performs once in a while?”

“That’s me. I‘m calling to ask, if I could use your donkey in a Christmas play?”

Visions of Edward, who could be very obstinate, bringing the production to a complete halt, kicking one of the actors, or even escaping somewhere down-town flew through my mind. On the other hand…

to read the rest of the story Stage-Struck.

Canadian soldier killed

Lieutenant Andrew Nuttall is the 134th soldier to die in Afghanistan. Lt. Nuttall died from a blast from an improvised explosive device (IED) while on foot patrol in the town of Nakhoney in the Panjwaii district of southern Afghanistan.

The 30-year-old soldier was the first Canadian to die in almost two months. An Afghan soldier died in the same blast.

An interpreter was seriously injured.

Lt. Nuttall,of Prince Rupert, B.C., belonged to the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton.

"Andrew came to Afghanistan because he honestly thought he could make a difference to the people of Afghanistan," said Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard, commander of coalition forces in Kandahar province.

"He wanted to lead from the front and set the example, attributes he passionately displayed every time he was in front of his platoon."

Brig.-Gen. Menard described Nuttall as generous, someone who always had a smile on his face and "greeted everyone he met with enthusiasm and goodwill."

Lt. Nuttall is the first soldier to die in action since Menard took over as top commander in Kandahar province.

Since April 2007, 66 of the 89 Canadian deaths in Afghanistan have been the result of improvised explosive devices.

With the relative quiet of the post-summer ebb in violence, Canadian soldiers, reinforced by hundreds of fresh American troops, have been working to establish secure areas in the Kandahar city area.

The aim is to establish a "ring of stability" around the city before the increased fighting which traditionally begins in the spring – known as "fighting season."

Nakhoney, about 25 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City, one part of the Panjwaii triangle, has been an area in which Canadian forces have frequently encountered problems.

In July Canadian and Afghan soldiers uncovered four factories used by the Taliban to make IEDs. They also seized suicide-bomber vests, large quantities of explosive materials and weapons.

Menard recently cited Nakhoney as an example where the reinforced Canadian forces were having an impact in providing security for local Afghans.

At the time of his death on Dec. 23, Nuttall was searching for Taliban transit routes, Menard said.

"His patrol was part of our efforts to protect the people of the village from insurgents."

Nuttall is survived by his mother Jane and father Richard.

Under Menard's new strategy, soldiers are moving out of their relatively safe operating bases to move into platoon houses in the community.

Christmas in Cramahe Story 1

Through the generosity of several of our local authors, we are able to bring some Christmas stories to you. The first is by Pat Calder.
All stories remain in the copyright of the authors and re-printing is not permitted without their written permission.

Christmases

by Patricia Calder



I was six. In Toronto back in the fifties the lights flickered the whole time; it was very Christmassy. We were driving through a snow storm to visit my aunt’s family. The cloverleaf over the new four lane highway was mid-construction, the signs not in place, so we drove around and around, lost.

I can still hear my father, especially when we had the flat tire. The car was an antique, black, square topped ’29 Oakland, with turquoise velvet seats and curtains, my father’s pride and joy. Except for this Christmas Eve when it simply would not take us where we needed to go, like a stubborn old horse. Then we had another flat tire. Unbelievable. The air was blue, never mind that it was snowing to beat the band. Anyhow, I don’t remember how we got to Aunt Marjorie and Uncle Jack’s, but we did.

Uncle Jack by this time was writing children’s books. I never saw any (did I mention I was six?) but that’s what he was doing now. He used to be a salesman. Before that he was in insurance. Before that he must have been in the army because the wedding picture shows him in a uniform. He was a giant of a man, six foot four and stone bald. He had a peculiar twitch in his face that made him squint involuntarily off and on, like the lights. He liked to drink, smoke cigars, and eat.

The trouble with Christmas was that he served rounds and rounds of booze very enthusiastically until my father fell asleep in a chair. “You deliberately get him drunk,” my mother scolded, because the same scene had unfolded the year before. My brother remembers couches full of large uncles, all drinking.

For the rest of the story go to Christmases.

Provincial government announces help for seniors

The provincial government announced a new opportunity for seniors in this December 14 press release -

Seniors in Northumberland-Quinte West and surrounding areas will now have more opportunities to get and stay healthy through new programs being delivered by local organizations.

The province’s Healthy Communities Fund (HCF) provides support to not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, public health units, aboriginal and first nations organizations who form partnerships to deliver projects focusing on at least two factors that improve health. These may include: physical activity, sport and recreation, healthy eating, tobacco free living, injury prevention and mental health promotion.

A provincial grant of $20,523 to VON Hastings, Northumberland, Prince Edward will help seniors in Northumberland-Quinte West and surrounding areas gain access the following programs:

SMART (Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together) will benefit seniors from low-income populations with lower functional fitness levels. SMART is a group exercise program with healthy eating and lifestyle components for seniors who would otherwise slip through the system due to social isolation or lack of accessible programs. SMART offers physical activities that enable the older adult to increase their functional fitness. Classes are taught by Senior Fitness Instructors who are VON trained volunteers. The SMART program addresses determinants of health related to aging such as creating social support networks, providing educational development related to exercise and aging with increased access to health services through the VON.

Lights contest winners announced

The winners of the Cramahe Township Christmas Lights Contest have been announced.

Village winners (Colborne/Castleton):

Howard & Katherine MacDonald 39 Durham Street, Colborne
Winner of $50 gift certificate from Home Hardware

Jannine Razey 31 Streamside Drive, Colborne
Winner of $30 gift certificate from Cree

Rural winners:

Mary & Dan Darling 4172 County Rd #25
Winner of $50 gift certificate from Faces

Paul & Victoria Reddom 14335 Little Lake Rd.
Winner of $30 gift certificate from Brenda’s Restaurant



Honourable mentions (no particular order):

1440 County Rd #25

14742 County Rd #21

391 Blyth Park Road

354 Old Percy, Castleton

102 Pine St, Castleton

23 Streamside, Colborne

45 Victoria Street, Colborne

17 Division Street, Colborne

14 Elgin St South, Colborne




The MacDonald home is a perennial winner.

The Razey home is one of many well-lit homes on Streamside Drive in Colborne.

Beef farmers have a beef

One of our rural readers sent us this link. If you ever wondered why beef farmers are having a difficult time earning a living despite rising prices, you might want to read the story.

Beef price inquiry demanded

Castleton United Church Cantata brings spirit of Christmas

It was cantata night at Castleton United Church on December 20. It was a night full of the joy of Christmas and childlike innocence...

For more photos Castleton Cantata photos

Colborne Legion Remembrance Day winners announced

In its December copy of its upcoming events the Colborne Legion released the names of the winners of the annual Remembrance Day Contest.

Congratulations to the winners of the children’s Poster, Poem and Literary Contest hosted by the Colborne Legion. All entries, and therefore all winners, were from South Cramahe Public School. In my eyes, all children are wonderful, but, the following children are very special.

In the Intermediate Poem category -

1st Place went to Sadie Riopelle with her poem “The Battle Is Never Over”;
2nd place went to Alex Clarke with his poem “Remember”
3rd place went to Brooke Tozak for “The Bravery”.
Honourable Mention to Karli Voskamp for her Intermediate poem “Over Pass”.

Junior Poem winners were -

Shane Dunne with “End The War”,
Hailey Wilce for “The 11th”
a tie for 3rd place between Leya Kober and Joshua Rath.

Intermediate Colour Poster winners were -

Marion Gonsalves, Alex Clarke and Kyle Van de Valk.

Black and White Poster winners were -

Karli Voskamp, Allie Simpson and Adam Hohner.

Junior Colour Poster winners were -

Nathan Ryan Orr, Sydny Magee and Tye McCrory.

Junior Black and White Poster winner was Shane Dunne.

Primary Colour Poster winners were -

Jaxen Reid, Avery McCrory and Madison Turk.

Primary Black and White Poster first place winner was Kathleen Dunne.

I would like to congratulate all of the winners plus all of the students who contributed their talents. A big thank you to South Cramahe Public School for encouraging their children to remember our veterans and their supreme sacrifice all year and not just on Remembrance Day.

Faye Wile
Colborne Legion

Walker raises awareness of the homeless

Kerry Pakarinen and Preacher take a break in this photo last year
 in the Calgary Herald.

While many Cramahe residents were preparing for the excitement of the passing of the Olympic Torch on December 15, a walk of another kind was on its way through Colborne.

Forty-five-year-old Kerry Pakarinen is on the second year of a cross-Canada walk to raise awareness of homelessness. About half an hour before the torch went west through Colborne, he was on his way through heading east. In fact, the two cross-country efforts crossed paths near the eastern boundary of the former village.

The juxtaposition of the two could hardly be more striking.

Mr. Pakarinen is wearing his 17th pair of shoes and is in his second winter. There is no Coke trailer with dancing girls or Royal Bank tamborines being passed out by 20-something blondes - just his dog, Preacher and enough food to last him five days in the rough.

In a phone interview later the same eveng the determined walker talked about his effort to raise awareness, the issues facing the homeless, and some of the things that have been done in British Columbia to help those in need.

He was not sleeping rough on the night we talked. Through the generosity of the people at Presqu'ile Beach Motel ini Brighton, he had a warm room and a good meal. He is prepared to sleep out - he grew up in the bush and has been homeless ofr 12 years. But his faith in the kindness of the people of this country has been repeatedly reinforced.

During a recent bout with a lung infection, he was offered a place by the management at a Comfort Inn for a few days. He is often approached by restaurant owners with food. If he can't eat it at a the time, he saves it for times when his stash is low.

His journey began on July 23, 2008, when he and his bull mastiff left Vancouver, where Pakarinen has lived for the last 12 years.

The cold stopped them in December 2008; they stayed at his mother's farm in Wabigoon, near Dryden, Ont., before beginning again in September, 2009.

He walks during the country's coldest months because it brings to focus the hardships faced by the homeless.

And he is prepared.

Mr. Pakarinen can set up his tent on his groundsheet in a woods within minutes of the onset of bad weather. It doesn't take him long to get a fire started and the coffee on. If he's stuck for a longer period he throws together a shanty.

Wealth is a state on mind - and he is rich spiritually. And he shares his wealth with others in need. Just over 12 years ago he lost his job, got hooked on prescription drugs and headed to Vancouver to lose himself. Instead, he snapped out of it and threw himself into the massive chore of helping others.

He worked to create camps in B.C. which house the homeless. Most of them are on crown land or municipal property. There have been 5,000 through camps like Compassion Park in Abbotsford. He says the success rate at getting them out of the camps and into society is 80%.

In an interview for Canadianchristianity.com he explained the camps were "to help out people in need of shelter, clothing and companionship."

The camp is helping homeless people "to get them in touch with their spirit, give them a new start. It's a tool for re-education. There's food out there [on the streets], but people need healing. The ones on the street are lost. They're city dwellers who can't survive on their own; they have abuse issues."

It hasn't been entirely easy.

There have been times when those supervising the camps have had to impose "street justice" on unruly camp residents. But the successes have made it worthwhile despite the growing need.

One senses that Mr. Pakarinen finds the task of helping the homeless daunting and often lonely. He feels the politicians have walked away from the problem. That is irritating - this is Canada, he says. "We value human beings." There's a societal understanding that we look after those who can't look after themselves. Yet we close down mental hospitals and put the former residents on the streets. Thirty-day treamtment centres are revolving doors for the mentally ill. From his experience they don't work.

Mr. Pakarinen speaks with passion about how Canada is one of the richest nations and tells others they need to uphold human rights - but it fails to look in its own back yard. We are wealthier than India, but have more homeless per capita.

And he knows the problem can be successfully tackled.

We only have to look at the Netherlands or some of the Scandinavian countries. "There are a lot of good solutions, but the politicians don't want to address the problem."

The people he is working for have been forgotten by most of society. The majority of them have mental health issues and many have addictions to deal with. Some have been ostracized and pushed out of the small towns where they once lived and moved to the city. They have no sense of family or community.

"A lot of homeless people, if you give them half a chance, will surprise you with their intellect, creativity, work ethic and spirit.

These are still human beings. They came from somewhere. They didn't just materialize. They fell through the cracks."

In the Canadianchristianity.com article, Mr. Pakarinen said he believes in God, but stressed that the church has to do more to help -- and that some Christians need to change the way they view the homeless: "Live up to your faith. We need [your help]. God needs your help."

He said he had "turned away from" the church, because he felt too many Christians are "hypocritical." He added: "A guy went all the way a couple of thousand years ago, and they crucified him. Now his people need to go all the way."

Kerry emphasized that unity is important if the church is to successfully tackle the homeless problem.

"If you connect all the churches, it would be fixed in a blink. Some of us are working for Christian organizations now. We all need to step up to the plate."

Mr. Pakarinen hopes to be in Ottawa on Parliament Hill on Christmas Day. If all goes well he will reach St. John's, Newfoundland by his birthday on February 1.

How will he get home?

"By the grace of God,"he says. "God has sent me good folk along the way."

Rudolph the red-haired reindeer?

Everyone was in the Christmas Spirit at the Diners' Club on December 16.
There was a big crowd at the dinner catered monthly by Black Dress Catering - including this pair of unidentified reindeer.

Rotary says thank you

In a quick note to Cramahe Now Rotarian Al Brisco says, "We had a 'Sold Out' crowd, with numerous positive comments about the function....great DJ & Food, etc.

A big thanks to Colborne Foodland who donated the pop & mix.

Of course, we must thank all the businesses and people who supported this event. A lot of the proceeds will go back into the community to assist the various projects sponsored by The Rotary Club of Colborne.

Merry Christmas to everyone,

From Colborne Rotary

Keep track of Santa

We've added a new temporay feature to Cramahe Now. For the next week you can track Santa, find out what's happening at Santa's Village, play fun games and more.

Just click on Santa's photo in the left column and you will go to the North American Aerospace Defense Command website. It keeps track of unidentified flying objects and watches Santa as he travels around the world on Christmas Eve.

We promised more photos

We promised more Olympic Torch Relay photos - and here they are.
This bunch were taken by the Chapman family and by Devon Bourgeois of South Cramahe Public School.

South Cramahe and Castleton Principal, Michele Adams, sent the photo with her kids from South Cramahe in it and made the following comments -

"This photo was taken by one of our grade 7 students at South Cramahe, Devon Bourgeois.

We took the whole school down to see the torch. The Rutherflo bus company was kind enough to supply the buses and Rebecca Goddard-Sarria from the municipality helped us out a lot in the organization."

More Relay Photos

Where do you stand?

Cramahe resident, Ed Van Egmond wrwote this comment in response to the article about the lack of Cramahe Township torch bearers -

Ahhhhh yes, solid Cramahe citizens one and all ........oh wait I guess not ..I dont want to seem cynical but it seems the only sure fire way to become a torch runner is to be part of the television media... by getting them on side ..

I suppose the opposition to the corporate b.s is kept to a minimum ,..everyone just smiles and waves and asks not why.....

It's kinda like the lottery which had an inordinate number of store owners as winners..

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone
grinchy Ed Van Egmond

We've heard from Ed. Now where do you stand?

Do you think the torch bearers should have been local?

Do you know anyone local who applied and failed to be picked?

Was the relay a corporate whitewash, and little more than an expensive ad for the corporate sponsors?

Was it a genuine reflection of Canada today?

If you were here for the last torch run, was it any different than this one?

Do you think Cramahe should have its own O torch relay?

Who would you nominate to run/walk/roll through Colborne as our standard bearer?

It's your turn...

Cramahe resident in Torch Relay

There was a resident of Cramahe in the Olympic Torch Relay - just not in this area. Accomplished film director and screen writer, Deepa Mehta ran in the Toronto segment of the run this evening.

New school gets a name

The new school currently under construction in Castleton has a name.

The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board announced at 8:02 this evening that the new school will be called Northumberland Hills Public School.

The text of the board press release is below -

BOARD APPROVES NEW NAME FOR CRAMAHE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL

At the last Board meeting of 2009, Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board Trustees tonight approved a name for a new public school in Cramahe Township.

Cramahe Township Elementary School

Acting upon the recommendation of a joint community-board Ad Hoc School Naming Committee, Trustees tonight approved Northumberland Hills Public School, as the name for a new school being built on the site of the current Castleton Public School in Cramahe Township. The new school will serve students within the current boundaries of Castleton and South Cramahe public schools.

“I understand that this was a consensus decision by the committee even though there were a number of submissions worthy of consideration,” says Diane Lloyd, Chairperson of the Board. “We would like to thank all those who participated in the process, and we look forward to opening Northumberland Hills Public School, a new modern facility, for Cramahe Township students.”

As required by board policy, a school naming committee including Trustees, parent, student, community and staff representatives, was established to consider the 49 names submitted for consideration. The committee established a short list of preferred names, and recommended Northumberland Hills Public School to the Board for approval.

Board policy favours names based on people who have made positive contributions to society; the current or historical areas served by the school; the street on which the school will be located; and the diversity of the school communities served.

Great baked goods for Christmas

For as little as a dollar you could get a large platter of delicious home-made Christmas treats.

Colborne Community Care is raffling off five wonderful trays at their offices on King St. E. behind Downey Pharmacy on Friday at 2 p.m. Tickets on the  raffle are $1. If you want you can buy 3 tickets for $2 or 10 tickets for $5.

Christmas - a time for giving

If anyone thinks the recession is over and there is no one in need, they're badly mistaken. One only has to go to the Colborne Legion to see the entire hall lined with Christmas hampers for the needy.

This year the Legion is filling 97 hampers, six more than last year and counting. The Legion has been taking the names of the needy since November 2. Some have walked into the Legion on their own; others have been to the Salvation Army or one of the local foodbanks and referred to the Legion.

The boxes, with hams or turkeys supplied by Colborne Rotary, are being filled right up until they are delivered for Christmas. Churches and some local businesses have donated food and toys. Donations are being taken at the Liquor Store, Downey's Pharmacy and at the Colborne Post Office.

Last weekend Johnston Motors sponsored a "stuff the Avalanche" day.

Local schools are contributing, but Legion President, Patti May, says donations are down. Prior to this year the donations from ENSS in Brighton have been shared equally with Brighton. This year the half the Colborne portion is being sent by the school to the Dick and Jane Drop In Centre.

Ms. May says any leftover donations from the hamper drive will go to the Colborne Food Bank in the Colborne United Church. Any money that is not used for the hampers will be set aside and used in the school breakfast program or to pay for food vouchers handed out by the food bank and used at Colborne Foodland.

Council ties up loose ends at fire department

At a December 1 in camera meeting Cramahe Council appointed staffer, Jim Harris, as its interim Fire Chief, effective immediately. At its regular meeting on December 15, council passed the bylaw making it official.

Mr. Harris's role will be purely administrative. All incident command work will be handled by the two deputy chiefs, Gary Cammack and John Jakab, appointed on December 15.

Chief Harris stated in an earlier interview New chief moves forward that Mr. Cammack had new responsibilities in his work which made it difficult to complete the required administrative duties as chief.

Mr. Harris will remain in the position for six months, or until all the administrative requirements are in place. Cramahe will advertise for a new chief at that time.

The township cleared up some other fire department business on December 15, passing a new bylaw governing the operation of the service. The new bylaw replaces a one-page document previously on the township books. The new bylaw fulfills a need to inform the residents of the township what emergency services are offered by the township.

Fire suppression, emergency response, fire prevention and fire safety education are all provided. To help his men become better qualified to do their work the chief is sending some of them for training. Some will take 17-day college courses, others will go to the Eastern Ontario Fire Academy in Norwood.

Chief Harris says this training is part of making the force “more compliant” with provincial guidelines.

Once he has the department in order he expects to dedicate 1-2 days per week to this part of his job.

April 3 is hockey night in Cramahe

On April 3, 2010 the Keeler Centre will host an NHL Alumni Hockey game with benefits going to the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and game time is 7:00.

In his December 15 report to Cramahe Council, Community Services Director, Dan O’Brien stated, “This is an event for all ages with skills competitions and a number of high profile former NHL players.”

Council looks at two developments

One development moves forward – another delayed

The proposal by Dana Johnston to build nine units in a multi-residential complex was given more time by Cramahe Council on December 15. Mr. Johnston wants to build two buildings, one with five attached bungalow-type units and the other with four in the interior of a subdivision his family started in 1988. It lies between Victoria St. and Elgin St S.

The original plan included 32 lots for single residential use, one block for multi-residential and a new street to be named Keeler Court. To date, many of the lots have been developed that fronted on existing roads. The 14 interior lots which were to have been created on Keeler Court remain undeveloped, along with the multiresidential block.

The property being considered by council is part of the section approved for one multi-residential block and 14 detached homes.

Earlier this year the township gave Mr. Johnston until the end of 2009 to get the paperwork together for the proposed change to his subdivision agreement. He came before council on December 1 with some of the necessary work done. He needed an extension to complete the rest.

His Application for Rezoning will be forthcoming within the next week.
It is expected that Mr. Johnston’s application for rezoning will go before council at a public meeting on February 2. Council is expected to consider the request at its February 16, 2010 meeting.

With council recognizing that the project is moving forward, his request for an extension to the end of 2010 was granted.

Devlopment delayed...

On the other hand, the McDonald Homes multi-unit apartment at the corner of Earl and Victoria Streets has stalled as council waits for more information. In a December 10 letter to Bob Clark, the consultant for the project, the township’s planning consultant, Peter Josephs stated the need for more details about the form and design of the building.

The builder wants to erect a 14-unit multi-level apartment building with seniors as the target occupiers. In the initial public meeting to discuss the project the neighbours expressed numerous concerns.

McDonald Homes is requesting permission to build the unit on about .86 acres at the northwest corner of Victoria and Arthur Streets in the former village. With rents of $1,000 or more, the apartments will be aimed at seniors and people who do not want the burden of home ownership.

To achieve their goals the group building the proposed apartment require that a portion of the land be rezoned from Community Facility to R3. Much of the rest would remain environmentally protected. R3 allows a range of residential dwellings.

The consulting planner for the project, Bob Clark, outlined in October how the proposal appears to meet the current provincial guidelines for urban growth.

Mixing the residential land use is good planning, he said. It would be a transition between the single-family dwellings to the south and the downtown area to the north.

The project fits all the provincial and municipal guidelines, and related regulations for buildings of this size. Provincial policies now stress increasing the housing density in urban areas. This is considered a medium-density project.

At the October meeting the consultant asked council for permission to allow him to consider all suggestions made by critics of the project and bring forward a detailed plan.

If the more detailed plan is accepted the Official Plan must be amended. Any amendment can be appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).

The zoning bylaw, which is a township document, must also be amended. Changes to it can be appealed to the OMB as well.

In order to have the right to appeal, people must speak at one of the township-run public meetings or submit a written comment before any decision is made.

The final requirement is a site plan which defines everything which will be done on the property. Use of the property can be frozen until all the terms of the site plan are met.

Torch relay runners revealed

Amid all the hoopla of the Olympic Torch Relay, many in the crowds wondered who the runners were. We asked the officials from the run and searched the web, and found nothing. Thanks to the Twitter work of Patti May we have the names. We don't know anything more than that, but at least you know who they were.
Runners - Nathan Card, Chengbo Qian and Roger Chernuck.

Keeler Centre gets new storage

The Keeler Centre in Colborne will get more storage. At its December 15 meeting, Cramahe Council approved an $84 thousand building to be built to the south of the centre.

Only one company bid on the request for proposal but it offered three choices.

Greydanus Construction will install a Steelwood prefabricated building.
The cost is greater than the $75 thousand council allocated in its 2009 budget. Community Services Director, Dan O’Brien suggested to council that the missing $9,339 be taken from the parking lot lighting account.

The other two options under consideration were a pole style wood/steel building for $79,530 and a Tasco Dome Fabric building for $85,745.

The building will be 60x108 feet and will house materials and equipment.

Council, in its 2009 budget, allocated $75,000 for the supply and install of a storage building to be located at the Keeler Centre and shared by Public Works and the Community Services departments.
A request for proposals was published in the local media to accommodate this initiative.

Community Services Director, Dan O'Brien recommended that the most appropriate building for the township's storage and security needs
would be the Steelwood option with two 16' by 14' doors, two
man doors, interior and exterior lighting and a ventilated storage room for storage of paint.

The picture, right, was distributed to council with the Community Services proposal.

We keep growing

Cramahe Now continues to grow. Yesterday we reached a new milestone when 600 pages were read. We surpassed that today, with over 625 pages picked up by our readers. There were 3,700 page reads in the past week, and three days in the same period there were over 300 readers. At the current rate of growth we will soon be able to boast a week with over 2,000 readers - double the number who were reading our local news at the end of the summer.

Torch Relay draws big crowds

For the second time in a week residents of Cramahe Township came into direct contact with the world of the corporate high flyers.

On December 11 Tim Horton's held its grand opening.

Four days later the Olympic Torch literally rolled into Colborne. Churches and service clubs jumped in for the celebration, providing food and drinks for the crowds. Businesses even got involved with decorations and offers. For the hundreds who lined King St. and up Victoria Square it was a memorable moment, one that will be talked about for years. The arrival of the Olympic torch revived memories for those who witnessed the last one in 1988. It was truly a significant event in a small community.

Behind the scenes the event brought out some of the more unpleasant sides of the corporate world.

Even after the event, does anyone know who carried the torch through Colborne? In a chance encounter, Nathan Card's father told us his son was runner number 114. None of the on the ground torch relay workers, and none of the corporate websites supporting the run could provide names or details about any of the participants. Even township officials were kept in the dark. Why the secrecy? And why such control over every aspect of the event?

Anyone who ventured out onto the road at the wrong time found out the accompanying runners and biker were there for more than appearances. And it was hard not to know who was sponsoring this event. The corporate sponsors ensured that we were left with souvenirs sporting their logos.

But we were the fortunate ones. The relay ran through our community. Others were not as lucky. After packing up the runners in Colborne the vehicles hopped onto the 401, headed  for Cobourg. Grafton was just a road sign on the relay.
The image of the runners led by the glitzy trailers and gladhanders of the corporate sponsors was even more striking, juxtapositioned over another traveller through our community. Going the opposite direction almost without notice just 45 minutes before the torch relay was Kerry Pakarinen, a homeless 45-year-old B.C. man raising public awareness of homelessness. Kerry's story will be posted in Cramahe Now in the next few days.

Yes, it was a grand few moments, and a time we will all savour; after all, it is the Olympics -  let's view it in the broader context.



Thanks to the generosity of two local photographers we have a plethora of pictures for you to view. Professional photographer, John Brunke, sent us a bunch which we have posted in a separate album. Dr. Doug Galt fired one off which we have included with the ones from Cramahe Now.

John Brunke Torch Relay

Cramahe Now Torch Relay

Administrators give Council wish lists

The administrative staff in Cramahe Township have given Cramahe Council their wish lists for 2010. Now it is up to the members of  council to decide where to apply the axe.
The December 8 meeting gave  the administrators an opportunity to make their cases informally for the projects and capital items they want in the upcoming year. It also allowed councillors to get clarification and consider alternatives. There were no decisions made. That will come in the new year.

If everything were granted (and it won't be) the total increase in the tax bill would be just over half a million over the $3.9 million budget of 2009, and double what was spent from the tax levy for the same budget items sin 2009. Some items will simply be cut, others delayed, as council does its late-winter cutting to bring the budget in line.

The Fire Department pumper request counts for 10% of the proposed increase. The township is scheduled to purchase a new pumper to replace the 1984 that cost $69,000, 25 years ago. Cost estimates vary widely on the replacement. It is budgetted to cost $230,000 with $50,000 of that paid for this year from the tax levy. But new Fire Chief, Jim Harris has quotes from $180-280 thousand, depending on the seating capacity and options. He suggested that the township may want to look at a pumper which is better suited to the road accidents that dominate the fire department's call outs.

Works Director, Barry Thrasher, has a new plow truck in his sights. The good news for the taxpayer is that the municipality has saved enough in reserves to pay the anticipated $210,000.

Staff is recommending that the township set aside $200,000 a year for the next five years to fund a new backup well. If this is approved by council it would affect only those who are on town water.

Proposed roadwork takes a big bite out of the township's budget if the proposed work is done.

Work on Trenear Rd. is expected to cost $132,000. Fiddick Rd. work will cost another $75,000. On the plus side, there is another $271,000 slated to be done on roads, and it is being paid for from grants and reserves.

Community Services Director, Dan O'Brien wants to clean up some sore spots with any money he gets. He is asking for $30,000 to clean up the old arena site and make it safe. Lighting repairs are expected to cost another $10,000. Paving the Keeler Centre lot will take $150,000 of taxpayer money if it is all done. Add another $25,000 if you include paving the Castleton Town Hall lot.

Improvements and repair work on township-owned buildings and equipment could affect the budget by $129,000.

Rebecca-Goddard-Sarria has requested over $18,000 to complete her gateway signage project.

Add it all together and throw in a few small miscellaneous projects, and you have a sizeable request.

Now we watch to see what council will do with it.

Ruth gets life membership

When Ruth Chapman went to her regular meeting of the Community Women's Institute on December 2 she got a real surprise. She and two fellow members, Florence Chatten and Jean Cassan, were awarded life memberships in the organization.

Each of them has more than 50 years service with the group. When Ruth joined in 1957 there were four local chapters - in Edville, Carman, Brighton and Hilton. They merged to form the Community W.I. based in Brighton.

In the beginning they met in each other's homes. Ruth became a member in the home of Mrs. Kay Whitehouse. But their increased membership forced them to move to Trinity United Church in Brighton.

Membership hasn't waned significantly in the local group, where there are currently 35 members. Ruth guesses that is close to the highest enrolment they have ever had. Even after 52 years, Ruth gets excited when she talks about the speakers and activities they have. "It's a learning experience," she beams.

A member since her daughter was three, Ruth says her husband Dean always said, "Of all the groups you belong to, don't give up the W.I."

Over the years she has been president twice and served on various committees. But even with all that experience and her many contributions, she was genuinely surprised to be acknowledged.

Always one to deflect the attention from herself, Ruth recounts that the December 2 presentation "was a proud time for all of us".

The location is not all that has changed in the W.I., once a rural-based organization geared to improve the lives of farm wives and their families. Ruth recalls her early days as a member when a lady came and spoke to them about her goat and the cheese she made from its milk. It was one of many farm-related experiences shared by the members. The Brighton-based group now draws women from urban settings and with urban backgrounds.

The Women's Institute was founded by Adelaide Hoodless in 1897.

Born Born near St. George in Brant county in 1857, Adelaide Hoodless was motivated to her advocate role when her youngest son died in infancy after drinking impure milk. She organized Household Science classes at the YWCA in Hamilton and influenced Lord Strathcona to assist in financing the Ontario Normal School of Domestic Science and Arts in Hamilton in 1900. Mrs. Hoodless prevailed upon Sir William Macdonald, the tobacco millionaire, to contribute financially to the establishment of Macdonald Institute in Guelph and Macdonald College in Quebec.

Mrs. Hoodless is perhaps best known as the inspiration behind the Women’s Institute movement. Along with Erland Lee, she drafted the charter for the organization and helped organize the first Institute at Squire’s Hall, Stoney Creek. That meeting, in 1897, opened the way for the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada and internationally, the Associated Country Women of the World.

At a meeting of the Federation of Women’s Clubs in Toronto on February 25, 1910, Mrs. Hoodless made an appeal for a university school of Home Economics. While she was speaking she had a heart attack and died a few minutes later.

Mrs. Hoodless was in the vanguard of many movements in the interest of women. She was involved in founding the Y.W.C.A. in Canada, and became national president in 1898. Mrs. Hoodless was a member of the founding executive of the Victorian Order of Nurses in 1897, and was involved in the founding of the National Council of Women. But she will be remembered longest for what she did for education in homemaking and for the founding of the Women’s Institute.

Arrests made in church break-in

The OPP have released a statement that they have arrested two suspects in the theft of food gift certificates from Colborne United Church.

The December 14 statement is posted below -

On the 13th December 2009 at approximately 3:10 pm the Northumberland OPP responded to Foodland in Colborne who advised they had received a gift certificate from a person that was one of the gift certificates stolen from the Church on Church Street in Colborne last week.

As a result of the investigation a 16 year old youth was arrested and charged with Break and enter, possession of stolen property and possession of break in tools. Also charged with break and enter, possession of property obtained by crime, possession of break in instruments and possession of a schedule I drug is a 20 year old Colborne man.

The 16 year old is scheduled to appear in court on the 1st February 2010 and the 20 year old man is scheduled to appear in court on the 2nd February 2010.

The bells were ringing...

Gayle Burgess throws herself into
the bell ringing at Trinity.

Anyone in the village of Colborne on Sunday afternoon will have heard the bells of Colborne United Church and Trinity Anglican Church as they rang out 350 times.

The purpose was to draw attention to global warming warnings and the talks currently going on in Copenhagen.

It is recognised by many scientists that 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide is the safe upper limit in the atmosphere. Up until 200 years ago the number was 275 parts per million. The current level is 390 parts per million.

Rev. Anja Guignion and Harold Harnden share the load at Colborne United.

Find out about bus cancellations on Cramahe Now

Now you can find out about school bus cancellations and delays simply by logging onto Cramahe Now.

All you have to do is click on "Bus Cancellations" in the left column of the blog and then choose the school. The latest bus news will be there for you.

Christmas Cantata a big hit

Close to a full house enjoyed the Christmas Cantata at Trinity Anglican Church on December 13. The Ecumenical Choir of 21 led by accomplished director, Gerald Burgess, filled the sanctuary with rich sound in four parts. Soloists Jordan Bartley and Bryan Mutton led off the performance after a half hour of carol singing.
More photos Christmas Cantata".

Clear off your car - before you leave home

The following release from the Northumberland OPP is a reminder to clean off your vehicle before you leave the property.

Windshield smashed on car on Highway 401

(Cramahe Township, ON.)- On the 10th December 2009 at approximately 4:49 pm a vehicle travelling westbound on Highway 401 was following a tractor trailer when a large piece of ice came off the trailer and struck the vehicle damaging the windshield. The driver was able to make it off the highway without injuries.

Motorists are advised to make sure you remove all ice and snow from their vehicles before travelling on highways.

Merchants Party 2009 was a sellout!

The second Rotary-hosted Merchants Christmas Party was a sold-out affair this year with 240 partygoers. Numbers were up by 40 over last year and organisers had to turn away a few last-minute callers who were looking for tickets.

For more photos Merchants Christmas Party

Bells peal out in appeal for change

Local churches are joining in a World Council of Churches campaign to alert more people to the prospects of global warming.

This Sunday the bells of Trinity Anglican, Colborne United and possibly Old St. Andrew's Presbyterian Churches will peal out 350 times starting at 2:15.

It is recognised by many scientists that 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide is the safe upper limit in the atmosphere. Up until 200 years ago the number was 275 parts per million. The current level is 390 parts per million.

Readers might want to read 350 Science to learn more about the global warming problem.

The churches have chosen this Sunday to connect their campaign to the Copenhagen Summit on climate change.

Tim Horton's has grand opening

The Cramahe Township Tim Horton's is now officially open.

Co-owner Jeri Horton-Joyce cut the ribbon at the December 11 ceremony. Township staff, elected members of council and representatives from the upper levels of government joined in the occasion with Jeri and her co-owner Ron Joyce.

In his remarks Mr. Joyce shared some of his personal history, commenting that he had first come to Colborne 25-30 years ago to visit his brother, Gary at the Colborne Home Bakery. He and Jeri live north of Brighton and own two other Tim Horton franchises on Division St. in Cobourg.

Mr. Joyce explained in a post-ceremony interview that once Tim Horton's management had decided to locate here, he and his partner had to apply to own the restaurant, competing with other franchisees.

At this time the partners in the new franchise do not have any plans for further expansion, but the parent company is expanding in North America and Europe.

This restaurant is the 3,481st to open its doors in Canada. There are another 500 in the U.S. and hundreds of kiosks in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Everything in the local restaurant is baked on site to Tim Horton's specifications. It's open 24/7 and only closes on Christmas Eve at 3 p.m., re-opening at 5 a.m. on Boxing Day.

Township congratulates artist

Jirina Marton was applauded on December 11 by Cramahe Township for winning the Governor General's Award for illustrations in children's literature.

She was given a plaque by Cramahe Mayor Marc Coombs at the township's Christmas party for staff and committee members.