Cramahe Now has moved

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Thanks for your support. We hope you join us at our newly launched website.

Change your favourites - we're now www.cramahe-now.com - catch all the latest news at our new website.

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Last week for Cramahe-now.blogspot.com. The website Cramahe-now.com is up and running.

Cramahe Now offers "subscriptions"

A number of readers have asked us if they could "subscribe" to Cramahe Now. Their requests have generated a great deal of discussion and up until now we have resisted the idea. We are grateful for a generous subscription from one of our appreciative readers and this has pushed us to reconsider.


If you would like to "subscribe" to Cramahe Now by making a donation, it would be gratefully received. Subscriptions can be sent to Cramahe Now,
R R 2, Colborne, K0K 1S0.

If you wish to be acknowledged publicly let us know and we will post a page which lists Cramahe Now subscribers.

..... and don't forget we're moving to our new website  http://www.cramahe-now.com/ (http://www.cramahe-now.com/) at the end of this month.
 

 
 

Last week for the blog

This is the last week that we will post stories on www.cramahe-now.blogspot.com. At the end of the week all stories will be posted ONLY on www.cramahe-now.com.
If you are having trouble changing over please contact us at lowen@xplornet.ca.

World Day of Prayer Friday, March 5

On Friday, March 5 members of Cramahe and area will gather at Old St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Colborne to celebrate the 2010 World Day of Prayer.

The 3 p.m. ecumenical service will mark 35 years of coordinated work by area churches. The services were inaugurated 90 years ago in the U.S. as the Women's World Day of Prayer and spread world-wide two years later. This year's service is the creation of the women of Cameroon.

The clergy and members of all Colborne churches, Eden and Salem United will take part in the 2010 service hosted by the Catholic community and St. Andrew's.

The theme this year is "Let everything that has breath praise God."

Update your Internet Explorer

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Latest condo news in Colborne

Read the latest news about the Johnston condo proposal for Colborne in http://www.cramahe-now.com

Are you travelling?

We've been watching as our readers shift over to www.cramahe-now.com. Most of our stay-at-home readers have switched over, but many who are travelling have not. If you are having trouble getting the website try using the following address - http://www.cramahe-now.com

You have a week to make the change - this Friday we will begin posting only on the website.

Spring Break info

For information about Spring Break art classes go to http://www.cramahe-now.com/ or http://www.cramahe-now.com/. - your total news source.

Vet's Views

Veterinarian, Dr. Michelle Chiunti is a regular contributor to Cramahe Now. This month she takes a humourous poke at some the more unusual "emergency" calls.


WHAT IS NOT AN EMERGENCY:

The Funny Side

Michelle Chiunti, D.V.M.


Rinnnggg ..., Rinnnggg ..., Rinnnggg ..., Rinnnggg ... It takes at least four of these annoying sounds to wake the blissfully sleeping veterinarian on call for emergencies in the middle of the night. Even alarm clocks and ringing phones heard on television make my blood pump to jump into action. That call better be important.

As discussed last month, the dog or cat with constant vomiting and diarrhea, the cat unable to urinate and screaming in agony, the dog that just got hit by a car or poked by a porcupine, the bitch unable to have her puppies, the animal unable to breathe normally, or the cold and unresponsive animal are ALL emergencies. Over the years, though, it is hard to imagine the non-emergency calls we have received in the middle of the night.

Listening intently to the slurring person on the other end of the phone who just got home from the bar at 2:00 a.m. to discover that the new puppy just vomited up worms is NOT an emergency call. We all realize that our judgement is impaired after returning home from a night of drinking (that is why you took a cab home). However, before you pick up that phone to call the veterinarian about that “emergency”, I implore you to ask yourself these questions. Is your animal still happy, bright and more alert than you? Is that animal about ready to eat the vomit you just produced upon seeing the worms on the floor? Was this problem present before you went out partying? Will your animal live until the morning? The answers to all of these questions are “YES”. Therefore, your response will be to clean up all the messes, and call the veterinarian during regular business hours to arrange for deworming.

I also love hearing from shift workers in the middle of the night. Those whose night is day, and day is night forget that the world does rest opposite to them. We have had many midnight phone calls from shift workers regarding fleas and ticks on their animals. However, when you explain that they can come during the day to pick up the flea retardant of their choice, their invariable response is “but that is when I am sleeping. Aren’t you open 24 hours a day for emergencies? This is an emergency. My dog has fleas!” Fleas and ticks are NOT an emergency. Before you pick up a retardant, you can pick off and kill the pesty critters, eliminating half of the problem. It would also do well for you to remember that the veterinarian that you just woke up still has to put in a 10-hour day on top of managing your emergency flea problem in the middle of the night.

And then there is the invariably favourite emergency phone call about your dog being “stuck” to the neighbor’s dog. Yes, they are literally stuck together – it is called a “tie”, and they will part amicably in about 20 minutes. You will also likely have adorable puppies because of the “tie” in 63 days. Please do not disrupt this process as it could harm either or both the male and female dog. Look away, call your neighbour and start making plans for the impending birth.

Some of my all-time favourite emergency phone calls concern accidental medication ingestions. When your Labrador Retriever eats your pack of birth control pills, not to worry. Your dog will be fine (including fending off the neighbor dog’s advances!), but you may want to get to the drugstore as soon as possible.

Or the poodle that accidentally ate the anti-depressant that you just dropped on the floor. Your dog will also be happy for the rest of the day (who knows, it may even help the dog to be able to live with you more easily!). However, the possible side effects include monitoring him/her for suicide. Don’t let him/her near that rope toy for 24 hours! Luckily, the clients that I have talked to regarding these emergencies realize the humour in these situations, and it is easier to defuse the panic.

There are certainly some medications that are harmful if ingested by your pet, and calling your veterinarian or poison control center should be pursued. I am just saying that at times you can create your pet’s emergency without it trying hard.

At times, let logic, and sometimes sleep, prevail before you pick up that phone to call the veterinarian in the middle of the night.

Sewage treatment report

To find out about the new sewage treatment report presented to Cramahe Council on February 16 go to

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Has kindness disappeared?

A compassionate driver on Percy Rd. last week has acquired a more cynical lack of faith in the generosity of his fellow human beings.
The driver was driving down Percy St. just before 8 p.m. when a black Lab ran across in front of him and was hit. The driver stopped to check on the animal and found him still alive. The injured dog and the driver were only seconds from the Northumberland Veterinary offices but the dog was too heavy to get into the back of the truck.

For 10 minutes the driver watched as others drove by. Some ignored the situation; others opened their windows to hurl obscenities at the driver whose truck, with its lights flashing, was blocking part of the southbound lane.

Finally a young woman stopped and went back to get Dr. Chiunti.

The good news - the dog escaped with little more than scrapes and bruises and is back home.

The bad news - we have one more example of how little care we sometimes give to the feelings and needs of others.

Time to move over and get more news

As we begin to wind down the operations on the Cramahe Now blog and move to the Cramahe Now website, we encourage you to go to the website to see more stories and photos that are not being shown here.

To get to the website try one of the following options in your address line

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Get healthy with Sandy

It was a welcome to Colborne evening for Sandy Grant on February 17.

Ms. Grant has joined Angel's Hair Salon and Polished Esthetics as and will offer nutrition and wellness consultations.
The former resident of Brampton has been providing health education in the areas of disease prevention and lifestyle management for several years. She will build her private practise, working out of the King St. E. centre.
On Wednesday she was giving small groups a chance to learn more about nutrition and disease prevention. Her programs include stress management, detoxification, digestive disorders, allergies, weight-loss management, cooking and a variety of other disease-related topics.
In her consultations she helps people reverse the progression of disease and maintain healthy living through nutrition.

Appointments can be made by calling the spa at 905 355-3260.

Castleton soccer registration coming

Get those runners out - it's time for the annual Castleton Soccer Registration.


It's at the Castleton Town Hall on Tuesday Feb 23, 7:00-9:00 p.m., and on Saturday Feb 27, from 10:00 a.m. - noon.

Bingo anyone?

Why go out of town to spend your gambling dollars when you can spend them in town and support local activities for youth?

The Castleton Colborne Optimists host a weekly bingo every Wednesday at 5:30 at the Keeler Centre. It's great fun and you might get lucky!

Profits from the bingo support the Apple Blossom Festival Soap Box Derby, the Santa Claus Parade, scholarships for local graduates, school programs and educational activities, the Legion Christmas hampers and local minor hockey and figure skating programs.

Through the bingo, and the Rockin' Walkathon, the Optimists improve the lives of the young people of our community. Come out and support their bingos - and have some fun.

Vehicles for sale

Need a pickup, a flail mower, or possibly a lightly used fire truck?
Cramahe Township has them for sale.

All three items have been replaced and will be sold by tender. The truck is a 1995 Chev 4WD one-ton. The fire truck is the 26-year-old pumper which will be taken out of service when the township’s new truck arrives in a matter of weeks. It has a mere 34,000 km but it has little value due to its age.

The vehicles will be advertised with the highest bidders taking home the prizes.

Council was set to advertise for only the mower and pickup, because the pumper is not available. The replacement pumper is in Brampton and will arrive soon. Councillor Tim Gilligan suggested the municipality put them all in the ad. Potential buyers will have longer to think about it.
 
Councillor Pat Westrope wondered about the suggestion made a few weeks ago that the Works Department  keep the pumper and adapt it.
 
Works Department Director, Barry Thrasher said they had rejected the idea.  The tank on the pumper is only 600 gallons and the single-axle pumper is not designed to hold more. The current tanker owned by the township holds 2,000 gallons.

 
 

Drive slowly at crossings - save your car

Cramahe resident, Donald Maybin spoke to council last night about rail crossings.

Cramahe Township shares a problem with all the municipalities in the south end of Northumberland County. The rail crossings in the township are regularly in need of repair.

Cramahe resident, Donald Maybin brought the problem to the attention of Cramahe Council on February 16 and it seems as though he has some agreement. The Simpson Rd resident has done some research with the assistance of former municipal politician, Ted Pedlar. Mr. Maybin is concerned primarily with four roads which are more densely populated south of the tracks.

He has observed that the crossings are repaired on a demand basis. The repair has been spotty and inconsistent, deteriorating quickly.

Councillor Pat Westrope agreed, noting that on Peters Rd. where she lives the crossing has been repaired twice in five years.

Councillor Ed Van Egmond farms south of the tracks and has come close to losing hay when crossing.

Mr. Maybin approached Brighton, Alnwick/Haldimand and Cobourg to see what they are doing.

The neighbouring municipalities of Alnwick/Haldimand and Brighton have both purchased rubber matting which the rail companies have installed at some crossings. And the County of Northumberland has installed one in Lakeport. The problem is that they are expensive - $25,000 for a two-line crossing. He acknowledges that $100,000 is a lot of money for the township to fork out for rail crossings, but suggested to council that it phase in the addition of the rubber mats.

The mats appear to be a better solution than the current method of replacing the ties and hot patching the edges of the track. Public Works Director, Barry Thrasher explained to council that the trains create vibration which in turn causes wear on the ties and adjacent road materials. The township is not allowed to repair the portion of road adjacent to the tracks.

There seemed to be agreement on council that the township should move in the direction of finding a suitable solution. Councillor Westrope says the township needs to get started.

The concern was expressed about the money already forwarded to the rail companies to pay for maintenance. That money is used largely for the monthly electronic-signal checks. Councillor Tim Gilligan wondered about the idea of withholding the maintenance money.

Due to the cost of rubber matting, it will be some time before the residents of the township see any improvement. Under the rules governing the upgrades, the municipality pays for the materials and the rail companies install them.

Just call me Super Dan

Cramahe Township moved quickly in a closed meeting on February 16 to replace outgoing Public Works Director, Barry Thrasher, with Community Services Director, Dan O’Brien.

Mr. Thrasher leaves his job this Friday to go to a Deputy Director's job in Cobourg.

Cramahe Now broke the story on January 13, suggesting this as one of three options open to the municipality. It was stated at the time that township CAO, Christie Alexander, had approached Mr. O'Brien about the concept of running two departments.

Mr. O’Brien will be Acting Director of Public Works, supervising four full-time and 20 part-time employees as well as his Community Services Department staff. The job description, created in 2007 for his Public Works position, is extensive and over three pages long. It includes supervision and training, financial oversight and a wide range of daily duties.

He will oversee the operation of the wastewater treatment plant which serves Colborne.

Township Chief Administrative Officer, Christie Alexander stated after the meeting that Mr. O’Brien will receive a modest raise to reflect his added responsibilities. She will sit down with the acting director and consider any additional costs and staffing needs he may have.

Mr. O'Brien has been Cramahe's Director Of Community Services barely a year. Prior to joining the Cramahe staff on February 2, 2009, Mr. O'Brien held senior positions with the Markham Fair and Canadian National Exhibition. With the departure of Mr. Thrasher to Cobourg, Mr. O’Brien becomes the sole head of department who lives in the township.

Twindmills Roadshow a sellout

Twindmills Roadshow was a sellout last weekend, appraising over $100,000 of cherished treasures.

The Antique Experts at Twindmills Antiques in Colborne could hardly keep up with demand for their services at the second annual Roadshow Style Appraisal Clinic in Support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. By the end of Sunday well over $800 had been raised for the Foundation.

Highlights of the weekend were an 1812 Napoleonic war helmet valued at $6500, an extremely rare 1950s Omega Speed Master wristwatch at $4000, a rare Georgian inlaid gent's chair $2800, an early Quebec pine cupboard $2500, and a pair of folk art penquins by renowned folk artist Ewald Rentz valued at $1,800.

Not all items were valuable but you cannot put a price on sentiment and many items were cherished treasures passed down through the family. The Twindmills experts are rapidly gaining a reputation for their expertise and honesty as well as injecting a healthy dose of humour into their appraisals. They are putting the fun back into collecting!

Curious owners came from as far away as Toronto and Kingston. The next clinic is March 13/14 from 11-4 with all proceeds going to the Canadian Cancer Society and appraisals once again will be $5.00/item 3/$10.

Twindmills would especially like to thank Experts Ed Fedora and Ray Cobbing for donating their valuable time and all the curious collectors who helped support this worthy fundraising cause.

Twindmills Antique Market is located at 114 Purdy Road. Hwy 401 Exit 497 Colborne Ont.
905-355-3715.

Corporal Baker repatriated

Corporal Joshua Baker, the 140th soldier to die in the Afghanistan mission, passed through Cramahe Township on the Highway of Heroes on Monday afternoon.

Township breaking Police Service Board law

The township appears to have been breaking the law regarding the operation of its Police Services Board.

For years the township has not been paying the members who have been appointed by the province to supervise the operation of the OPP in Cramahe. That is despite the regulations of the Police Serives Act of 1990 which states in Section 27 Clause 12, "The council shall pay the members of the board who are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council or Solicitor General remuneration that is at least equal to the prescribed amount."

The matter was brought to the attention of the Cramahe Township Police Services Board by board member, Roseanne Quinn. According to accounts of a recent PSB meeting the OPP officer at the meeting concurred with Ms. Quinn.

Some members of Cramahe Council seemed to be aware of the requirements when the matter came up at the council budget meeting on February 9.

Mayor Marc Coombs noted that honorariums were legally required but hadn't been distributed "in years".

Councillor Pat Westrope was aware that neighbouring municipalities were paying the provincial appointees $60 per meeting. Councillor Westrope did not feel that council could go back and re-budget for 2009 to pay what was owed last year. And Deputy Mayor Jim Williams commented that it was "the least painful way to reduce costs". Councillors are not appointed by the province to the board and do not have to be paid.

In any event, Ms. Quinn will not let the issue rest. She feels she is due the money for meetings attended since she joined the board and will appeal to higher authorities if she does not get her due.

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Cramahe schools get a music boost

South Cramahe and Castleton Public school kids and their caregivers are getting a unique opportunity to have some fun and learn through music.

Noted Kindermusik teacher and retired educator Sharon Graham is leading four, 45-minute programs at the schools on February 24-5. The free interactive music sessions are geared to children in kindergarten to grade two. The children who attend must bring a parent with them and must register in advance.

The programs are part of the school plan to bring the families of the two schools together as they prepare for the new Northumberland Hills Public School in the fall. Kids and parents may choose to attend at either school for the music program.

On February 24 the kindergartens start first at 5:00 at Castleton Public School. At 6 p.m. the grade ones and twos do their stuff. The next day the order is reversed at South Cramahe, with the grade ones and twos getting the 5 p.m. start.

The program is funded by the Ontario government and the Parents Activity Councils. Space is limited and parents interested should call Alison Osborne at either school for information or registration.

School board supports brain science workshops

The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board is promoting two brain science workshops for parents. A $47 full-day workshop is being held on February 24 at the Lion's Community Centre in Cobourg. Participants will learn more about the latest findings of brain research and how they affect parents and educators.Feature speaker is Alanna Mitchell, Toronto-based writer and journalist. Ms. Mitchell ran a recent series on brain research.

Also on February 24, How our Brain Works: Debunking the Myths, a workshop for parents and their school-aged children, will be held from 7-9 p.m. at Terry Fox Public School in Cobourg. Donations will be accepted at the door. For information, contact Donna Harris, Coordinator of the Northumberland Domestic Abuse Monitoring Committee, at 905-377-8702.

(submitted)


The Municipality of Brighton and the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board have joined forces to build a new track and sports field at East Northumberland Seconday School.

The fundraising kick-off event, called "Out of the Blocks" will take place on Friday, March 5 at 6:30pm at the Community Hall in the Brighton Arena. Show your support for this project by coming to "Out of the Blocks" on March 5. Members of the fundraising committee will be delivering invitations to the kick-off event to local business. Thank you for your support.

Now a little about it..... the event already has Mayor WIlliams, Mayor Herrington, MP, Rick Norlock, MPP, Lou Rinaldi, the Trenton Base Commander, and Cramahe Mayor Marc Coombs confirmed to be there. There will be wine served, as well as some light refreshments, and food. At the kick-off we will be talking about the goals, where the money goes, and what else we are doing for fundraising events, as well as accepting donations.

The goal of the committee is to raise $850,000 by May 2011, and to date we have already had donations! Brighton Municipality has committed $200,000 as a matching grant for any funds raised locally, and KPRDSB has agreed to budget $140,000, and we are still in the progress of gathering other donations. The organisers of the event will have donation cards, and you will have the option of purchasing a "piece" of the track in the form of your donation. The pieces will be sold, Platinum - $500, Gold - $300, SIlver $100 and Bronze $25.

Parents invited to complete survey

The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board’s Parent Involvement Committee is inviting all parents to complete an online survey. The survey results will provide information on how parents prefer to communicate about their children’s education, and will help determine awareness of various parent involvement activities, such as in-school volunteering, school councils and the Parents’ Conference.
The survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete and is accessible from the home page of the school board website at www.kprschools.ca. The survey is active until March 8.
“We know that parent involvement is so very important to student success, and we continue to search out ways to further encourage and support our parent community,” says Diane Lloyd, Chairperson of the Board.
“We really want to know more about why and why not parents are involved in our schools. We will use this information to increase awareness about certain activities, and address any barriers that discourage parents from being more involved,” says Parent Involvement Committee Chairperson Heather Robinson.
“Parents are busy, important people and we thank them in advance for taking time to complete this survey. This is one of many examples of how we can work together to continue to do great things for our students,” says W.R. (Rusty) Hick, Director of Education.

Canadian killed in training accident

Corporal Joshua Baker became the 140th soldier to die in the eight-year Afghani mission when he died in a training exercise near Kandahar City. Four other soldiers were injured in the accident which is under investigation. The injured soldiers are in stable condition.

"This type of training is normal for soldiers in theatre and essential in helping them to maintain high levels of expertise," said Brigadier-General Daniel Menard, the commander in Kandahar.

An Edmonton native, Cpl. Baker, 24, served with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered his condolences to Baker's family, saying he served valiantly in order to build a better future for Afghanistan.

"The courage demonstrated by Canadians on this mission speaks to their dedication to creating a better country for the Afghan people. Their commitment to this goal is not diminished by this incident," Harper added.

Governor General Michaelle Jean said Baker served bravely and generously to support Afghans’ hopes for security, justice and a better life. "He merits our wholehearted admiration."

Defence Minister, Peter MacKay, called Baker's death "a tragic loss for Canada and for the Canadian Forces."

Speaking personally about Cpl. Baker, Brigadier-General Menard, said Cpl. Baker had a laugh that lightened up any room. "Joshua had a laugh rumoured to cure cancer," he said. "No matter where you were or how down you got, his laugh would find your ears and bring a smile to your face."

The Brigadier-General described Baker as an "extremely passionate" person who loved his job. "Joshua was mentally tough, physically robust and had a personality that made him a natural leader," he said.

"He had a deep love for his family and worried constantly about them. He also had a deep love for his faith; it was something he took pride in and that gave him strength."

News of the soldier's death came as Canadian troops were taking part in Operation Moshtarak, the largest air assault of the Afghan war in neighbouring Helmand province.

American, British, Afghani and other coalition troops stormed the insurgent-held town of Marjah and the district of Nad Ali early Saturday morning.

Three Canadian Chinook helicopters helped ferry 1,100 coalition troops to Nad Ali, under the watch of four Canadian Griffon escorts.

The repatriation ceremony for Corporal Baker is tentatively set for Monday, February 15.

Cottage break in at Little Lake

On February 11 at approximately 4:52 p.m. the Northumberland OPP responded to a break and enter to a cottage located on Barnes Road in Cramahe Township. Culprits broke a window in the front door and gained entry and once inside, made off with a stereo system and a chainsaw.

Is township set for new super director?

Is Cramahe Township preparing to appoint Community Services Director, Dan O'Brien, to a new position overseeing both Community Services and Public Works?

A source advised Cramahe Now on Friday that the township CAO, Christie Alexander, had approached Mr. O'Brien with the idea. The story could not be confirmed by anyone at the township.

The township, in theory at least, has a vacancy at the head of Public Works due to the resignation a week ago of Barry Thrasher. Mr. Thrasher left the township to take a Deputy Director's position with the Town of Cobourg. His duties there begin on February 22.

That doesn't leave the township much time to decide its direction. There have been no in camera meetings to discuss the situation so it is unclear how much discussion has been held on the matter by council and staff.

There appear to be three options open to the township.

It can hire a new Director of Public Works, it could offer Mr. O'Brien more responsibilities, or it could promote two of its current staff within the Works Department to supervise rural and urban activities. The third choice would be somewhat ironic since the township went the opposite way six years ago before hiring Mr. Thrasher, claiming it was a cost-saving move.

Time to make the move

Have you changed over to http://www.cramahe-now.com/? You only have 2 weeks before we stop posting on this site. On March 1 all stories will be posted on http://www.cramahe-now.com/.

If you are having trouble getting to the website try typing http://www.cramahe-now.com/ and when you get there save the address in your favourites.

Let us know if you are having trouble making the change. It's not always as easy as we try to make it sound.

School yard sale coming

The Castleton 7/8 class is hosting an indoor yard sale at the Castleton Town Hall on Saturday February 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be baked goods, some artisans and of course, lots of great yard sale items. For all those yard sale fans itching to get out, here is a fantastic opportunity!

For more information, please contact jennifer_breckenridge@kprdsb.ca

 
 

Food for thought?

We do little in this country to support our farmers. Our municipalities have gobbled up prime farm land until there is now a fraction of what there once was in southern Ontario. Unlike some countries we provide little financial support as our farmers fight rising input costs and diminishing returns.


Today is Food Freedom Day. It's time to thank a farmer for the endless hours spent raising and growing the quality food we demand. We include the press release below sent to us by reader Pat Johnston which heralds the day when we have earned enough to pay for our food bills for a year.

On February 12, 2010, the average Canadian will have enough income to pay his or her individual grocery bill for the entire year.

"Farmers are very proud of their role in providing high quality food produced at the highest food safety and environmental standards," said Laurent Pellerin, Canadian Federation of Agriculture President.

Food Freedom Day is occurring on the same day as it did in 2009, which is slightly later than in previous years, due to the effects of the recession on disposable income and an increase in the price of food. The calculation is a simple comparison of Canadian’s disposable income and the amount they spend on food.

For Food Freedom Day 2010, the CFA looked back at food prices over the past 30 years at both the farm gate and retail levels. This research highlighted the hard work farmers do in ensuring Canadian’s receive great value for their food dollar.

“While the prices Canadian consumers pay for food has been steadily increasing over the past 30 years, the amount that returns to the farm gate is relatively small,” said Pellerin.

The Farmers' Share, a recent study commissioned by prairie members of the CFA, showed that, on average, only 27 per cent of the cost of an entire week's worth of groceries for a family of four goes back to the farms where the food is produced.

To ensure that consumers are able to identify Canadian food products and support our agriculture sector, the CFA will continue to advocate for effective ingredient-based 'Product of Canada' guidelines that are both informative to the consumer and practical to the agri-food sector.

New track and field plans unveiled

The plans for a new track and field at East Northumberland Secondary School (ENSS) were unveiled for Cramahe Council on February 9. They are ambitious, but they are needed,say school officials. And ENSS Principal, Jeff Kawzenuk and Head of Physical Education, Tim Larry believe they can be achieved.

The two secondary school representatives were at council to ask for a grant of $30,000 a year for three years to help pay for the $850,000 revamp of the facility. About 25% of the 1,400 students at ENSS live in Cramahe.

This is not a pie-in-the-sky idea.

The planning committee has a commitment from the Municipality of Brighton for $200,000. It is based on matching donations from the community. Quinte West students make up about 30% of the school population. That municipality has pledged $50,000. The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) has chipped in another $140,000. If the matching grants are maximized, the organisers can now count on $590,000 of their total.

In his powerpoint presentation, Principal, Jeff Kawzenuk, took council through the history of the track and field and the way to a better future.

He explained there has been a need for a long time. The school has a long history of academic, artistic and athletic excellence and it has been a consistent contributor to the feeder communities.

ENSS has won the Bay Of Quinte track and field championships for 25 consecutive years, a dominance that is unlikely to be matched anywhere in the province. The teaching of sports is an element in the development of capable adolescents.

The existing track is 50 years old and beyond repair, and it is too small. Despite being a dominant player in secondary sports and the largest school in the KPRDSB, ENSS cannot adequately host any track and field events. With the proposed facility, the school can host regional, provincial and national events.Local athletes can be showcased in front of a home audience.

ENSS has a large group of special needs students. With a new track and field the school could host a special olympics event.

The current field is unsafe. It has poor drainage and wears out.

The school recognises it can't do this alone. It must be a partnership with the community. The two presenters pointed out how the partnership is a two-way street. Relay for Life, the Terry Fox Foundation, local walking clubs and soccer teams all benefit directly from student fundraising and organization. They have also paid for most of an eight-room school built in Tanzania and collected money so that 105 children had Christmas presents last year. Cramahe foodbanks received a portion of the 10-foot high pile of food collected last December. Businesses and local communities are stronger with a better-equipped school. And the students who attend the school deserve to learn using the best possible facilities.

The planned project will have a six-lane track worth $440,000, an irrigated field which costs $147,000, and environmentally lighting valued at $113,000.

Perhaps in anticipation of a council question, Mr. Kawzenuk explained the need to ask fro money from the local communities. Every secondary school is facing the same kinds of needs. The KPRDSB must share its resources equally and it can't pay for everything. The school is reaching out to the community to fill the void.

The fundraising committee will also be seeking grant money from various agencies, including the Trillium Foundation. They hope to have the fundraising done by May,2011 and the track and field installed by that fall.

The educators did not get an answer to their financial request. Mayor Marc Coombs told them it is a tough budget year. Council has had numerous requests for money and not all Cramahe kids attend ENSS. A decision will be made later this spring after council has pared down the draft budget for 2010.

Strawberry Lane gets sweet little grant

The residents of Strawberry Lane, a private road in Cramahe Township asked for and got $196.50 from Cramahe Council on February 2.
The request came from the Strawberry Lane Secretary-Treasurer, Donald Maybin. His accounts for 2009 showed a shortfall of $196.50. The lack of funds was the result of a dramatic increase in snowploughing last year. Their road was ploughed 12 times, almost double the six times in 2008. The township has a reserve set up in 2009 for this purpose. It currently has over $4,000 in it. Another $5,000 is slated to go into the fund this year if council does not cut it from its budget.

Barry Thrasher off to Cobourg

On February 5, Cramahe Now announced the resignation of Cramahe's Public Works Director, Barry Thrasher. In a February 9 interview, Mr. Thrasher revealed that he has taken a position as Deputy Director of Public Works in Cobourg. He has resigned his position in Cramahe effective February 19, and will start in Cobourg on February 22.

Mr. Thrasher has been with the township since April, 2004.

He brought 16 years municipal experience, six in a rural community, the rest in an urban posting, when he joined Cramahe. The previous 10 years were spent in Perth, where he lost his job in a re-structuring move

The move to Cobourg will be a step up for the departiing director and will be primarily in an urban setting.

Mr. Thrasher was upbeat in his February 9 interview. "I think the future in Cramahe Township is promising and exciting with the developments that are occurring,' he noted. "I am grateful for all the help the administration and council have given me over the past six years. We have built a strong team. I wish everyone all the best."

Mayor Marc Coombs praised Mr. Thrasher in the February 9 township budget meeting and thanked him for all his work on behalf of the township.

Cramahe tenant history unveiled

It was billed as a chance to learn about the history of Cramahe - it was much more than that.

Dr. Catharine Wilson gave her audience of 60 a detailed history of tenant farming in this township and across Ontario. The speech was the result of groundbreaking research which re-wrote the story of rural life in the 1800's.

Cramahe became the focus of her research, due in large part, to the efforts of James Merriman, a conscientious census taker in 1842. Merriman's records were thorough and they survived to provide a new insight into farm life in pioneer times. The Cramahe records are now being studied by historians across the country.

Dr. Wilson took those records and then followed the family trees of the tenant farmers, taking them back to 1802 and forward to late in the same century. What she found has changed our view of how this country was settled.

The history books depict Upper Canada (Ontario) as a land opened by freeholding yeomen. Lower Canada (Quebec) was perceived as feudal. Tenants were ignored by the leaders of the day and by those who recorded life at the time.

It came as a surprise to Dr. Wilson that up to half of those who farmed in Upper Canada were tenants. She recounted in her speech her findings about settlement east of Colborne. Merriman's 1842 records showed that 157 farmers were owners and 97 were tenants. In 1848 the census showed 47.2% of farmers were tenants. By 1871 tenancy had dropped to 22.3%

In eight years before the 1842 census Charles Fiddick, his wife and eight children had been landless. At census time they had cleared 260 acres of a 400-acre parcel. They had 1,500 bushels of oats, 1,200 bushels of potatoes, 18 cattle, 42 sheep and 24 hogs.

Their neighbours across the road, Reuben and Eliza Crandall, harvested 160 acres of field crops.

To the west the aging John Garbutt had a servant and 60 cleared acres where he had planted oats and potatoes.

To the east of the Fiddicks, Mr. McFall was over 60 but still had over 90 acres of crops.

All were tenant farmers.

Dr. Wilson explained that life for tenant farmers was different in the new world than in Europe. To induce farmers to stay, they were given credit for improvements they made to the land. They used the credits they had earned through their labours to improve their holdings. Some went on to purchase their own farms, by selling the improved leases to other farmers.

Most of those who decided to rent and become tenant farmers fell into three categories - young men starting out, newcomers, and anyone who couldn't afford to buy.

When she traced the families back to the 1820's, Dr. Wilson found that there was little settlement north of Colborne, and tenants predominated. Joseph Keeler owned and leased land.

In her study, the professor looked at Lot 27, Concession 2 and found 11 changes in the leasehold between 1802 and 1842.

Some farmers, as they got older, chose to lease or sell their farms. Thomas McMurray advertised his land for sale or lease in the July 21, 1845 edition of the Cobourg Star. In Cramahe Township Nathan Gould chose to lease his land to his son, Burr. Richard Haynes and David Bradd did the same. The lease held by David Reddick was passed on through several generations.

The professor concluded from her studies that tenant farmers weren't poor, slovenly or on the move, as they have often been depicted in the past. Tenant farmers were on the social ladder. Labourers were below them and land owners were above them on the ladder.

When she tracked the families forward, Dr. Wilson found 1/3 became landowners, 1/3 left the township and were hard to trace. One-third remained tenants. Thomas Ventress, David Turney, Caleb Purdy and Andrew Inglis were among the farmers she followed. Purdy sold his land and bought land elsewhere.

William Cox, John Garbutt and John Nellest all had large improved farms near Colborne with livestock. Julius Ives had a large collection of books. Charles Fiddick was a leading member of the agricultural society. Albert Yerrington lived in a two-storey home with four fireplaces, five servants and the only fancy carriage in the township.

Figure skaters do well at Interclub

Colborne Cramahe Figure Skating Club does well at the Trent Interclub Competition in Baltimore – January 30 -31, 2010!


The skaters brought home 6 Gold Medals, 13 Silver, 11 Bronze, 5 Fourth Place, 5 Fifth Place and 6 Sixth Place! What an amazing weekend for all the skaters in the club. Congratulations everyone and keep up the great work!
Here are the skaters Individual results:
Skater Name Results Event
Abby Kober 1 Introductory A Freeskate - 9 & younger
Abby Kober 6 Introductory Individual Elements
Abby Kober 3 Introductory A Team Elements
Cassidy Bowditch 1 Stage 4 Freeskate - 8 & older
Cassidy Bowditch 1 Stage 4 Individual Elements
Cassidy Bowditch 5 Stage 5 Team Elements
Christie Mutton 1 Introductory A Freeskate - 10 & older
Christie Mutton 3 Introductory Individual Elements
Christie Mutton 3 Introductory A Team Elements
Christie Mutton 2 Introductory Solo Spiral
Ellie Norton 3 Stage 4 Freeskate - 8 & older
Ellie Norton 6 Stage 4 Individual Elements
Ellie Norton 3 Stage 4 Team Elements
Gabby Corbeil 2 Introductory B Freeskate - 9 & younger
Gabby Corbeil 2 Introductory Individual Elements
Gabby Corbeil 2 Introductory B Team Elements
Gabby Corbeil 4 Introductory Solo Spiral
Jordan Bartley 6 Introductory A Team Elements
Jordan Bartley 4 Introductory Create A Solo
Jordan Bartley 3 Stage 6 Freeskate - 9 & older
Jordan Bartley 5 Stage 6 Individual Elements
Jordan Kemp 2 Introductory A Freeskate - 10 & older
Jordan Kemp 2 Introductory Individual Elements
Jordan Kemp 3 Introductory A Team Elements
Jordan Kemp 2 Introductory Solo Spiral
Kayla Read 4 Introductory B Freeskate - 10 & older
Kayla Read 3 Introductory Individual Elements
Kayla Read 2 Introductory B Team Elements
Laura Robinson 3 Stage 5 Freeskate 8 & older
Laura Robinson 3 Stage 5 Individual Elements
Laura Robinson 5 Stage 5 Team Elements
Lauren Buchanan 4 Stage 3 Individual Elements
Lauren Buchanan 6 Stage 3 Team Elements
Lexie Kober 1 Stage 4 Freeskate - 7 & younger
Lexie Kober 2 Stage 4 Individual Elements
Lexie Kober 3 Stage 4 Team Elements
Lexie Kober 5 Canskate Solo Spiral
Leya Kober 2 Introductory B Freeskate - 10 & older
Leya Kober 2 Introductory Individual Elements
Leya Kober 2 Introductory B Team Elements
Leya Kober 5 Introductory Solo Spiral
Leya Kober 4 Introductory Create A Solo
Lindsay Kemp 2 Stage 6 Freeskate - 9 & older
Lindsay Kemp 6 Stage 6 Individual Elements
Lindsay Kemp 6 Stage 6 Team Elements
Lindsay Kemp 4 Canskate Solo Spiral
Madison Turk 1 Stage 5 Freeskate 8 & older
Madison Turk 5 Stage 5 Individual Elements
Madison Turk 5 Stage 5 Team Elements
Madison White 3 Stage 4 Freeskate - 8 & older
Megan McLaughlin 2 Stage 6 Individual Elements
Megan McLaughlin 6 Stage 6 Team Elements
Megan Shepherd 5 Stage 4 Freeskate - 8 & older
Megan Shepherd 3 Stage 4 Individual Elements
Megan Shepherd 3 Stage 4 Team Elements
Morgan Turk 3 Stage 3 Individual Elements
Morgan Turk 6 Stage 3 Team Elements
Rianna Hess 5 Stage 4 Freeskate - 8 & older
Rianna Hess 2 Stage 4 Individual Elements
Rianna Hess 3 Stage 4 Team Elements
Sarah Harnden 3 Stage 2 Individual Elements
Sarah Harnden 6 Stage 3 Team Elements

Cramahe staff faces tough test

Department heads in Cramahe Township will need sharp pencils in the next three weeks.

Township Council took its first long look at the 2010 budget on February 9. If it were passed as it was presented, Cramahe taxpayers would be facing a 17% increase in the township portion of the tax levy. For a homeowner with a property valued by MPAC at $100,000 it would mean an increase of $140 and a total tax bill of close to $1,700 per year. Half of the total collected stays in the township. The totals do not include any increase in water or sewage treatment rates which are currently under study.

The projected increase was unacceptable to council and the heads have been sent back to find about $800,000 in cuts from a $4,957,405 budget. Last year the township budget was $3,906,787.

Council began the process on Tuesday with cuts to a several reserves of about $15,000, but it was clear from the tone of the meeting that this was only the beginning.

Residential taxpayers pay about 80% of the municipal tax. Farms and commercial establishments pay most of the rest.

The wish list presented to council would wipe out the work done by the township to bring its taxes more in line with other rural municipalities in Northumberland County. In 2009 is sat fourth out of eight in terms of taxes paid out by its residents on a $100,000 home. It was second highest among the rural municipalities, with only Trent Hillshigher. Residents in Port Hope’s Ward 1 paid the highest tax bills in 2009, almost 25% more than Cramahe residents. Port Hope’s Ward 2 had the lowest tax rate.

Cramahe’s tax rates have gone down 6.42% since 2002. Last year the rates dropped by over 7%. The county rates have risen by 14% in eight years. Councillor Ed Van Egmond advised council that taxpayers don't care what the mill rate is - they want to know how their taxes will change.

Cramahe Mayor Marc Coombs suggested that council would like to see a budget total of $4.1 million presented by staff when council next sits down to review the figures on March 2.

Some heads have already seen the writing on the wall. Community Services Director, Dan O’Brien proposed that council cut his new proposals in order to bring his totals close to last year’s.

It is uncertain what will happen in the Works Department where Director Barry Thrasher is leaving on February 19 to take a Deputy Director’s position with the Town of Cobourg.

Once the township has brought its department budgets into line, it will see what it has left to grant to 15 agencies and groups who have made requests for funding.

Already a couple have been discarded. The county physician recruitment request for $17,000 is gone. Deputy Mayor Jim Williams agreed with a suggestion made by Mayor Coombs that a decision on a request for $30,000 by ENSS for a track and field renewal is premature.

Councillor Tim Gilligan launched a debate on the merits of using public funds to support private businesses. He pointed to the township support of the Auction Barn Jamboree. The township has paid for signs located at municipal boundaries to promote the annual country music jamboree.

Councillor Pat Westrope countered that there is a spin-off when 2,000 people visit the community. They purchase goods and services during their stay.

Go Girls really gets to go

(submitted)


Northumberland Big Sisters BigBrothers

Go Girls! program gets $5,000 boost from United Way

The United Way has come through for Northumberland Big Sisters Big Brothers with a $5,000 Community Impact Grant to our “Go Girls!" program, which is designed to provide girls aged 12-14 with information to help them make informed choices about healthy, active living and support them in dealing with the emotional, social and cultural issues they may face.

This mentor-led seven-session program incorporates fun, educational games and activities that stimulate self-reflection and group discussion. Each weekly session is two hours long.

Go Girls! mentors are young women who are passionate about healthy, active living and sharing their life experience with a younger generation. Each mentor will need to complete an application, screening and training process (which requires two evening sessions). Since its launch in 2007, 134 girls have benefitted from the course, which is provided at local schools and recreational facilities.

Some comments from past participants about the program, which offers a valuable volunteer development opportunity:

“ I’ve always done volunteer work, but I don’t think I’ve ever had this much fun doing it!” Mentor

“ I have learnt that even though I am not good in sports I can still participate and have fun!” Participant

“The girls were really interested in my personal experiences with peer pressure and what I was like at their age.” Mentor

For more information or to set up an interview with a mentor, contact:

Sandra Clegg, Go Girls! Coordinator
Northumberland Big Sisters Big Brothers.
905-885-6422 or 1-888-278-2484

Do you have talent?

Are you young? Do you have talent?
Old St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Colborne is hosting a talent night and is looking for young people from 8-16 who can sing, dance, play, musical instruments, or public speak.
They haven’t set the date yet, but plan to hold it on a Friday night. If you are interested call John Rutherford at 905 344-7481 for more info.

Cramahe Now is launched

We are now ready to launch our latest venture to make your news reading better. Since April, 2009, we have strived to make the blog www.cramahe-now.blogspot.com a better product, and one that meets the needs of our readers and advertisers. We have grown and you continually stretch our limitations with your ideas for improvement.

Our list of advertisers is growing and our readership is currently just under 2,000 per week. In December, we were approached by Cramahe resident, Tony Meekes. He saw potential that we did not – we decided he was right. It was time to become a website.

In December, he created the new website www.cramahe-now.com and for the past two months he has been revising while guiding us as we learn how to use this new tool.

It is now time to move forward.

Today marks the official launch of www.cramahe-now.com. We ask you to change your “favourites” to the new address. Explore the new features the new website offers. Check the calendar – we are particularly pleased with it!

The site is optimized to the latest versions of internet browsers - Internet Explorer 8, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. If you have trouble with some of the content in the new site you can get a free update for your browser by going to the menu in the top left corner of the site and following the simple instructions after you click on "Having Trouble Viewing This Page"..

We will continue to post our stories on the blog and on the website until March 1. If there are no major problems with the transition, we will cease posting on the blog. However, you will still be able to access the blog archives using the old blog address or a link at the top of the website.

The new site looks great on our computer and should be the same on yours. We do need to know if it does not.

So if you are having any difficulties, please let us know. We need your input to make this transition go smoothly. Email us at lowen@xplornet.com

Arrest made in Comeau murder

A military commander from Canadian Forces Base Trenton in eastern Ontario has been charged with the murder of Corporal Marie-France Comeau of Brighton.

At an Ottawa news conference today, OPP Detective Inspector Chris Nicholas announced the arrest in Ottawa of Colonel Russell Williams, 46, of Tweed, Ont., the 8 Wing Commander at CFB Trenton.

Williams has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Corporal Comeau and Jessica Lloyd, 27, whose body was found Monday off Cary Road in the Municipality of Tweed. Ms. Lloyd had been missing since January 28 from her home outside Tweed, about 30 kilometres north of Belleville.

Nicholas said police linked the two slayings because of similarities in the cases. They do not expect to make any other arrests.

In addition to the murder charges, Williams faces counts of forcible confinement, breaking and entering, and sexual assault in relation to two home invasions in the Tweed area in September 2009.

Williams made a court appearance Monday afternoon for a bail hearing, walking into the provincial courthouse in Belleville, Ont. His hands and legs were shackled and he wore a blue prison-issue jumpsuit.

When asked, he said he understood the proceedings against him. He was remanded in custody and will appear in court by video on Feb. 18.

A publication ban was ordered, as is typical in bail hearings, and the names of the sex assault victims cannot be published.

Ms. Lloyd was last heard from on the night of January 28, when she sent a text message to a family friend. She did not report for work in Napanee the next morning.

Her disappearance prompted a massive 48-hour air and ground search by police, the military and more than 100 volunteers.

Det. Ins. Nicholas said Williams was brought to the attention of police based on evidence gathered while questioning people along Highway 37 last Thursday night.

Police would not comment on possible links among the cases other than to say they took place within the same geographic area. They said they were looking at where Williams has been for the past several years and were continuing their investigation.

Lt.-Gen. André Deschamps, chief of air staff for the Canadian Forces, issued a statement saying "although one is considered innocent until proven guilty, in light of the seriousness of the charges, and in consideration of the high level of responsibilities" attached to Williams' position, an interim wing commander for 8 Wing Trenton will be appointed to replace him.

A review will also be done by 1 Canadian Air Division in Winnipeg to determine the most appropriate action pending the outcome of his trial, said the statement from Deschamps, chief of the air staff.

It was not immediately clear if the military has suspended Williams in the meantime, or if he will continue to be paid while he is relieved of his duties.

Williams joined the Canadian Forces in 1987 after earning a degree in economics and political science at the University of Toronto. He moved steadily up through the ranks, taking postings in Shearwater, N.S., and Ottawa and receiving his master's in defence studies at Royal Military College along the way. He became wing commander at CFB Trenton in 2009.

2010-11 school year announced

The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board announced its 2010-11 school year calendar on January 28. The schedule conforms with that of the separate school board.


1st day of classes – Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Last day of classes – Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Winter Break – Wednesday, December 23, 2010 through Thursday, January 6, 2011

March Break – March 14, 2011 to March 18, 2011

Godly Play returns

The activity program, Godly Play, which ran at Colborne United Church last fall, is back.


Rev. Anja Guignon started the one-hour program on February 2 with Brenda Chapman and Patricia Lawrie, and will continue to run it through the winter. The kids from 4-12 come to the church at 6:30 p.m. They sing songs, and do crafts as they learn about the stories of Jesus.

Anja says it’s a chance for kids to learn about Jesus, especially if they can’t make it to Sunday School. Parents can stay for the hour and observe or they can drop the kids off and pick them up at 7:30.

There is no charge for the fun. Anja asks that parents fill out a registration form when they arrive for the first time. Call 905 355-3010 for more info.

The fall session attracted nine participants.

Twindmills hosts Heart and Stroke "Roadshow" clinic

Twindmills Market at the corner of Purdy Rd. and Big Apple Dr. is hosting its second annual series of Roadshow appraisal clinics starting this weekend.

Last year the antiques and collectibles market hosted the charity fundraiser clinics and they were such a success they're doing it again.

This Saturday and Sunday, February 13-14 the Twindmills experts with a combined expertise of 150 years will evaluate that knickknack, family heirloom, childhood treasure or antique, and tell you what it's worth.

The format is simple. You pay $5 for single items or $10 for any three items and they will appraise them for you. All the money raised this weekend will go to the Heart and Stroke Fund.

Ray Cobbing will draw on his expertise in furniture, primitives and glass. Ed Fedora will hande the militaria and Orientalia. Marshall Gummer, fresh off his live tv stint on breakfast television can tell you all you want to know about china, pottery, art and jewelry. Rick Mutton handles memorabilia and advertising, while Robert Watt does the toys, implements and coins.

It promises to be two fun-filled days with surprises guaranteed. Last year the team of appraisers raised over $1,500 and valued more than $150,000 in treasures.

Spectators are welcome. Appraising starts at 11 a.m. both days and ends at 4 p.m.

If you miss this one, there will be two more, on March 13-14 for the Cancer Society and on April 17-18 for the Easter Seals Foundation.

Fire truck is on the way

The new $236,900 fire truck which Cramahe Council voted to purchase at a special meeting on January 28 is on its way from  Seattle, Washington.

Cramahe Township Council approved the purchase of the vehicle after extensive research was done by a Fire Department selection committee. The price included $6,900 of options designed to make the truck safer and more efficient.


The first choice cost $5,000 more than the second choice but had features which outweighed the slight increase. The preferred 2009 model pumper is a heavier vehicle, designed to carry 1,000 gallons of water, rather than 750 gallons. It also has an enclosed area to store the ladders and equipment and a better hose setup. In the $231,500 model the equipment is inaccessible when the ladders are pulled down.

The purchasing committtee was able to negotiate favourable prices for an additional foam system, extra shelving and an extra divider for the hoses. They got the axes and wrench sets mounted on the truck and a heat pan installed under the pump so it doesn't freeze. A traffic advisor will be mounted on the back of the truck. A metal piece will be installed on the back of the cab to protect the operator, and safe running boards will be installed.

The new truck is expected to arrive around the beginning of March.

It will be paid for through $210,000 now in the fire department reserves. The balance will come from the 2010 budget.

The township may keep the old truck, depending on research being done by Public Works Director, Barry Thrasher and Fire Chief, Jim Harris.

Lucky us - figure skaters win draw

Colborne Cramahe Figure Skating Senior Girls along with Club President Catina Bowditch accept a cheque for $500 from Rodger Oliver, Sales Representative of Lamontagne Chocolate Inc. The figure skating club was the lucky winner of a random draw done by Lamontagne Chocolate Inc. from all participating clubs with in the Eastern Ontario Division for their fundraisers.

Birthday girls celebrate

Birthday girls Peggy Tozek, left, and Cheryl Ashbridge both celebrated at the Salem Lunch on Friday. Peggy is happy to announce she is now 85 years old. Cheryl's age is her own secret.

ENSS Student Athletes of the Month

                                            ENSS -Subway Student Athlete of the Month


Curtis Sansom and Danielle Quinn have been selected as the ENSS -Subway Student Athlete of the Month for the December-January Time period.

Curtis Sansom is a member of the ENSS wrestling team and has had a very successful season on the mats for the Blue Dragons. He is a leader on the team and is rounding into form as the wrestling season winds down. In the classroom, Sansom is always at or near the top of his class, in spite his busy wrestling season.

Danielle Quinn is a member of the Jr Girls volleyball team. She is always one of the first to practice and is one of their top players, showing leadership on her team through her play and her conduct. She is a very dedicated student as well, achieving success in all of her course.s

Colborne kids help Haiti

There may only be 162 students at Colborne Public School but they know how to raise money for a good cause. When the Haiti earthquake brought devastation to the impoverished country the Colborne students went to work.

They wore hats for Haiti, had hops for Haiti, sold popcorn, had coin collection days, and even had a buy-your-way-out-of-class day for $2. The staff joined in with a wear-your-jeans-to-school day.

Together the efforts of the group brought in $2,488.08. On February 3 the school assembled for an official cheque presentation and popcorn party.

In announcing the total the principal, Susan Wilks, told the kids that their money would be matched by the federal government, bringing the total to $4,976.16 – not bad for a bunch of kids!

Public Works Director resigns

Cramahe's Public Works Director, Barry Thrasher, has resigned his position effective February 19. Cramahe Now received the news Friday afternoon. It has not been announced by the township. It is understood he has accepted a position elsewhere.

Mr. Thrasher has been with the township since April, 2004.

He brought 16 years municipal experience, six in a rural community, the rest in an urban posting, when he joined Cramahe. His last 10 years were spent in Perth, where he lost his job in a re-structuring move

Mr. Thrasher's time here has been relatively uneventful, but he came into the position amid controversy which was not his own doing.

In December, 2003 the township demoted four of its senior Works Department employees in a re-structuring move. Jim Black, Brian Williams, Greg Davey and Jim Blakley took reduced positions as the township went about hiring a new director.

A township press release at the time stated it would "be looking for an individual who has a civil engineering background, MOE certification for water and waste water , and demonstrated experience managing a diverse works department with an urban/rural mix."

The township office was contacted to Friday afternoon for comment but none was made. It is understood Mr. Thrasher will begin his new position on February 22.

Library Board does some math

The Cramahe Township Library Board did some math this week, adding three and subtracting one.


Marie Prins has served on the board a number of years, some of the time as treasurer. She has resigned.

New to the board are the Rev. Mary Ryback, Melenie Killman and Megan North.

Cramahe Council approved the changes at its February 2 meeting along with the resignation of Bruce Bowden from Heritage Cramahe. Mr. Bowden no longer lives in the community.

Johnston unveils condo plans

Dana Johnston has unveiled the plans for condominiums he hopes to build this summer.

At the Wednesday meeting of Probus Dana and his builder, Mike Voskamp, provided drawings and details about the proposed single-storey buildings set to be built east of Victoria Street and south of Colborne Creek.

If Dana gets approval for zoning changes from Cramahe Council this spring he hopes to start one of the two buildings with possible residency this fall.

The proposed residential development is being proposed for part of a parcel of land bought by the Johnston family back in the 1980's. When the original subdivision plan was approved in 1988-9 the zoning allowed for a three-storey apartment. In the interim, houses were built along the outside edges of the property.

Dana says the timing is right to get together with Mike Voskamp, one of the prominent builders in Cramahe, to build the two townhouse-style buildings. One will house four condominium apartments, the other, five. All will have attached garages and be approximately 1,200 square feet. Construction will start when they have some units pre-sold.
The condominiums fit within most of the parameters of a study done in 2007 by Lakeport resident, Clare Musselman.

In his study Clare found that most people wanted a home costing between $175,000 and $250,000. Most of the 19 people who returned their surveys wanted two bedrooms plus an office or den. They wanted handicap compatibility, an eat-in kitchen, air conditioning, high-speed internet, new appliances and a deck or balcony.

The Johnston units will be heated by forced-air air exchangers. The only element which appeared to be lacking from the survey was the deck. They will be built on slabs, with frost walls to eliminate cold penetration.

The base units complete with appliances are expected to cost $180,000 and the end units are expected to be about $10,000 more. Dana says they can put anything the buyers want in the condominiums including granite counter tops, gas fireplaces and skylights - but they will add to the cost. Mike agreed and added that radiant in-floor heating could be installed. But he noted that it would duplicate the heating already being installed.

Using his many years in the automotive business as his guide, Dana explained the rationale for offering the units as condos. It was his experience that you want to buy something if you think it will appreciate over time. If it is going to diminish in value, you lease. He anticipates that the condo fees might be about $100 a month. One the condos are occupied the owners will have to establish a board of directors to manage the common elements.

This was the first public presentation of the development. The project goes to council on February 16 for re-zoning. Dana has made arrangements with local real estate salesperson, George Boycott, to evaluate anyone's home who might be considering the move.

Guide leaders commended for their work

Area Guide leaders were commended for their service to young people at the Cramahe Township Council meeting on February 2. Mayor Marc Coombs presented the women with certificates. In front, from left, are - Linda Thompson (10 years), Maria Wakimoto (27 years). Behind - Meghan North (5 years), Emma Root (15 years), Ciji Robb (6 years), Ann-Marie Stone (17 years), Mayor Marc Coombs.

Absent from photo - Shelley Nelson (2 years), Kristin Dingman-Price (2 years), Crystal Beaudry (8 years).  

MPP addresses Cramahe Council

Northumberland-Quinte West MPP, Lou Rinaldi's admission to Cramahe Council on February 2 was not a surprise – last year was a tough year full of economic challenges. Ontario was particularly hard-hit with its extensive industrial base.

The MPP is encouraged about future prospects and sees potential opportunities for growth in this area. He says he has talked to more potential investors in the past year than he has in all the other five years he has been in office combined.

The provincial budget, expected in March, will maintain support for education and health at current levels. Other ministries will see their budgets managed.

Mr. Rinaldi handed out a summary of the grants promised and received by the township and Northumberland County last year.

Cramahe Township got $4.4 million in funding for a new school last year and will have all-day every-day kindergarten at all its schools in the fall. It will also receive over $2 million pledged by the province for the waste water expansion now in the planning stages.

Other grants included half a million dollars for roads and bridges, $158 thousand spent on the Castleton Town Hall, and $274,700 in Trillium grants.

At the county level the province provided $55 million to ensure there is high-speed broadband across the county. Another $2.7 went into county court facilities.

Councillor Tim Gilligan asked the MPP about money being invested by the province in companies from outside Canada which are developing wind generation.

Mr. Rinaldi spoke to the comment about the money being spent on a wind generation project built by Samsung. He explained that the money was being spent to build four plants in the province. The total government input will be $400 million over 25 years, or about $1.60 per Ontario ratepayer. Samsung is putting $7 billion into the project.

Funds from the same provincial source are being spent at Wheetabix and other companies.

Councillor Ed Van Egmond asked the MPP to be mindful of the plight of farmers whose input costs are extremely high and product prices are so low.

Mr. Rinaldi admitted beef and pork prices are at their lowest since the BSE scare. His government is working with agricultural federation representatives. He noted that Ontario's farm industry is very diverse, unlike that in other jurisdictions. The diversity makes finding solutions more difficult.

The MPP admitted that we will be in trouble when we have to depend on foreign sources for our food.

Mr. Van Egmond replied that we are doing that now in the pork industry.

Mayor Marc Coombs thanked the MPP for his co-operation and contributions regarding the new school being built in Cramahe and infrastructure projects.

To sell or not to sell?

It’s only a small piece of land off in a corner of the former Village of Colborne, but it is causing considerable discussion at Cramahe Council.

The subject property at the corner of Earl and Victoria Street came up for tax sale last fall but was not sold. A late bidder expressed interest in the property but did not submit a bid at the December deadline, and council has been struggling ever since with how to proceed.

The potential buyer, Mr. Wayne Patrick, approached the township on December 15 about buying it. For him to do so now, the township would have to declare the land surplus to needs, obtain at least one appraisal of fair market value, and give notice to the public regarding the proposed sale.

The township has a statement from George Boycott recommending it be listed for $20,000. Mr. Patrick is not interested in it at that price.

Councillor Pat Westrope wanted assurance that township policies be followed, and Deputy Mayor Jim Williams agreed but suggested that the appraiser not necessarily be certified.

Councillor Ed Van Egmond wondered if the property might be suitable for Habitat for Humanity to build a home.

Mayor Coombs replied that it was not.

At the regular meeting on February 2, council decided to get two written appraisals and put the land up for sale. It must get $10,841.13 to pay off all taxes owing. Of that total, $3,227.39 must be forwarded to other levels of government.

Area sports leaders feted

Three leaders in sports with ties to this area received certificates honouring their efforts at a special reception on January 27 hosted by Northumberland-Quinte West MPP, Lou Rinaldi.

Leaders from across the riding were given awards recognising their many efforts on behalf of their communities. They were nominated byy members of the public for their unconditional contributions to the development and experience of athletes of all ages and levels of competitiveness.

In his notes, Mr. Rinaldi stated, "It is important to take time to recognize those special individuals who give their valuable time so selflessly. We are fortunate to live in the best province in the best country in the world, where neighbours colleagues, friends and family are giving back. Volunteers are the backbone of our communities..."

Included in the list of recipients are the three below with ties to Cramahe. Attached are the biographies read at the ceremony and a brief note on Bill Dunk -

Ed. Note - Bill Dunk grew up on the family farm in Cramahe Township with his parents Bill and Edna. Bill Jr.  moved to Brighton in 1959. The father of his Bill Jr.'s wife, Sandra (Turney) ran a garage in Colborne many years ago.

WILLIAM DUNK - Bill has been involved in community sports in Brighton since the late '50's when he began coaching minor hockey. His coaching career continued into the 60's and 70's and 80's, where he shared his talents behind the bench with men's hockey and fastball. Bill was on the committee that saw the first set of lights installed at the ball diamond in King Edward Park. As years passed, Bill then became part of the Brighton Curling Club, sitting on the executive for years and is still on the Board of Directors. Bill has been a member of the curling club for over 30 years as well as the ice maker for over 14 years. He now acts as a consultant to the ice-maker as his expertise is very helpful when needed. Bill was very active with his own children growing up; be it hockey, golf, curling, basketball, soccer or baseball. Bill's saying was "Never send your child to sports; take them and be there for them". Today we honour a volunteer that has been involved in sports in Brighton for over 50 years.

TIM LARRY - Tim Larry, in his 27th year of teaching at ENS S and has coached thousands of students in basketball, cross-country and track and field. Tim is also involved in coaching soccer and hockey within his local community. This past year Mr. Larry celebrated his 25th Bay of Quinte track and field championship, while turning 50 years old. For half of his life, he has produced championship track and field teams. ENSS has also won the last 9 out of 10 COSSA championships in cross country. No other coach in the history of school sports in the Bay of Quinte Region has dominated a sport as ENSS has, and all under the coaching of Tim Larry. Tim is passionate about sports and this love for athletics is contagious among other staff and students. He believes that involvement in school and community athletics will make students better citizens. Tim is recognized Provincially and Nationally for his coaching and mentoring. He is the co-convenor of COSSA (Central Ontario Secondary Sports Association) and organizes track and field and cross country meets and events across Ontario. Currently, Tim is very involved in raising funds for a new track and sports field at ENSS and given his drive and motivation for ENSS and sports in general, they are bound to reach their goal.

DAPHNE SIMMS - Daphne Simms has been a teacher/coach at ENSS since 1986. Ms. Simms has volunteered as coach to thousands of students in volleyball, basketball and track and field, and has won numerous championships over the years including Bay of Quinte, COSSA and placed at OFSAA. Regardless of how talented her teams may be, Daphne consistently demands her teams to demonstrate good sportspersonship, dedication, hard work and improvement in skills. Ms. Simms organized school intramurals and athletic councils and worked as a teacher-facilitator at the Ontario Educational Leadership Centre. She has always focused her efforts around athletics and student leadership. Ms. Simms has single handedly raised money to repair and build schools in Nepal, through hat days at ENSS, bake sales and other events. Daphne Simms truly exemplifies the true meaning of humanitarian, mentor and coach. Ms. Simms has announced she will be retiring this month and plans to referee volleyball in her retirement.