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.