Volume 37 Number 2
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III 211 ti II glebe February 9, 2007 fLebni e repoFebruary 9, 2007 Vol. 37 No. 2 Serving the Glebe community since 1973 FREE FRANCOIS LETOURNEAU Katrina kayaking Quest for gold PHOTO: BY DEBBIE SILVA na's doing both our sports, so it's a dream come true for parents." Katrina Van Wijk, a 16-year-old Glebe Collegiate student, recently received Katrina has been paddling a kayak by herself since the age of seven and has a Quest for Gold award. She received the $3,500 honour after kayaking her taken up slalom kayaking in the past two years. Katrina says she chose to way to 52nd place at the Junior World Championships, held last year in Slove- focus on whitewater kayaking as her primary sport but she still does some nia. cross-country skiing during the winter. The Quest for Gold program, which is funded by the Quest for Gold lot- As a kayaker, she trains up to three hours on the weekend and two hours on tery, provides Ontario athletes with funding for training and equipment the weekdays. She is a dedicated member of the Ottawa River Runners kayak- expenses. Sport organizations provide the names of top athletes and in turn ing club, training before and after class. "Sometimes I'll go for a run before the Ministry of Health Promotion funds about a thousand of those athletes. class and other times I'll do everything after class." During the winter, they After receiving the award, Katrina says, she was excited for what it might train in the University of Ottawa swimming pool. mean. "I'm looking forward to getting a new boat and that'll help me get it Katrina's mother says that Ottawa athletes are being recognized by the pro- and also provide expenses for travelling. It just helps you out as an athlete." gram because of their training facility on the Ottawa River near Le Breton The love of sport runs in the Van Wijk family. Her parents run a kayaking Flats. "Ottawa has become the main place for kayak training because the and canoe school and they own a rafting company. Her dad is a cross-country coaching and facility here are so excellent." skier and her mom is a whitewater kayaker. Her mother is delighted. "Katri- However, Katrina says that she travels a lot because of the size of the sport. continued on page 3 M=T- Mark your calendars WHAT'S INSIDE Abbotsford 2 Business 14-15 February 10-11: Healthy Lifestyles Show - Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park Editorial 4 Environment 18-19 February 13: GCA Neighbourhood Planning Committee, 7 p.m. GCC Letters/VVe remember 5 Art 22 1 February 15: Public Consultation on the city budget - 7:30 p.m. GCC GCA 6 Music 23 February 23: GNAG Pub and Comedy night - 8 p.m. GCC GNAG 7 Schools 29-33 February 27: GCA board meeting - 7:30 p.m. GCC March 7-8: Spring / Summer GNAG program 34-35 registration begins (see insert) Good Old Days 10 Books March 12-16: March Break Glebe Questions 11 Religion 36-37 March 20: GNAG soccer registration 23: Abbotsford GST Auction, GCC March Councillors Report 12 Grapevine 38-39 March 24: Envirofair - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Ecclesiax Church, 2 Monk Street NEXT DEADLINE: FOR THE MARCH 9 ISSUE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2007 2 Glebe Report February 9, 2007 NEWS Abbotsford House Glebe's storied residence organize movie nights, bingo, and outings. BY JULIE IRETON Lord Lansdowne The new apartment building is expected company hopes to set The story of Abbotsford House and the entire to open in May. The Glebe Centre complex on Bank Street across from up a showroom in a retail space in the Lansdowne Park is one that continues to adapt to Glebe in the next month or so. the times. Abbotsford House the neighbourhood looks forward to "It was an old men's home. They lived in the As a new life for the renovated tower, people attic. They had a big garden and sold vegetables at at Abbotsford still appreciate the heritage the market," recalls Abbotsford member Charlie aspects of the old house. Hurst. "I remember seeing old men in the garden This Ottawa businesses and others sitting on rocking chairs on the porch." spring, when open their doors to the At Abbotsford House, the porch is gone, but the and organizations public Abbotsford House will be on the history is still vibrant for many elderly Glebe resi- list. Doors Open Ottawa is the weekend of dents who've seen the corner of Bank and Holm- wood change over the years. Jun. 2. is now a heritage site, but More change is on the way as a modern, refur- Abbotsford that old farmhouse has escaped the wreck- bished Lord Lansdowne retirement residence is set ing ball more than once. to open this May in the former Glebe Centre tower. tell us that Alexander Mutch- While the Glebe Centre long-term care facility Historians mor owned the land that the Glebe Centre has moved to the south side of Abbotsford House, and much Lansdowne Park occupy the tower will remain part of the seniors communi- of House is the historic ty on Bank Street. today. Abbotsford gem in the middle. The neo-gothic, stone Devon Froislie is marketing co-ordinator for for Mutchmor in Dymon Health Care, the company that now owns farmhouse was built 1872. It was called Abbotsford after the the building. He says that although the ownership birt- hplace of Scottish writer Sir Walter has changed, the relationship with Abbotsford House remains constant. Scott. the farmhouse in 1879 "Our residents will have an Abbotsford member- Mutchmor sold to Ottawa mayor C.H. MacKintosh. But ship as long as they're living at Lord Lansdowne. by Abbotsford House faced demoli- They can go over through the attached hallway and 1889, tion. take part in crafts and activities without having to was saved by becoming the Protestant go outside," explained Froislie. It Home for At that time, the The building isn't yet complete, but some sen- the Aged. along with a little more than two iors have already put deposits on apartments. Frois- house, acres, was bought for nine thousand dol- lie says the building will have suites, one-bedroom As the story goes, a few philanthrop- and two-bedroom apartments with kitchenettes. Abbotsford House in 1971 lars. to assist All meals are included in the rental costs. The ic citizens of Ottawa wanted infirmity and misfortune were unable to help then:17 building will have a common dining room as well as a private dining area those who "through age, was Canada's Governor General. where residents can be joined by family and friends. selves." At the time, Lord Lansdowne again threatened with demolition "Some of the residents will be completely independent, others may need In the 1970s Abbotsford House was of maintenance. The addition of the new long-term more services such as bathing, laundry and help getting around," said Frois- because of the high cost the old house. lie. "It's like a hotel with care services." care tower saved years after the old farm house was originally built, an elderly The Lord Lansdowne will also have an activities co-ordinator who will One hundred Abbotsford resident turned the sod for the new Glebe Centre Tower at Bank and Holmwood. The farm house became a senior's activity centre, and it remains an active venue for seniors today, with wide-ranging programming for everyone. Mark Jun. 2 and 3 on your calendar for Ottawa's annual Doors Open, and visit Abbotsford House to see a living and vibrant piece of the Glebe's his- tory. Abbotsford House hosts second annual GST auction Have you ever thought about making a will? Does your dog need an obe- dience lesson? Do you need a well deserved cruise to the Bahamas? If you answered yes to any of these questions then the GST Auction is the place for you! GST stands for Goods, Services and Talent and that is just what Abbots- ford House will be offering up for live and silent auction on Fri., Mar, 23 at the Glebe Community Centre. Last year this event raised over $14,000 to support the programs offered at Abbotsford House for local area seniors. Programs such as the day away pro- gram, which gives respite to caregivers living with a loved one who has Alzheimer's disease or dementia, seniors home support and the luncheon club would not be possible without the generosity of local businesses and commu- GO GET SAND IN YOUR SHORTS! nity members coming together to make this event a success. Admission is free; the entertainment is soothing, the wine chilled and the variety of items out of this world. Please come out and support this event and the seniors in our community. Travel CUTS has sun packages for Upcoming Travel Talks: Socially Responsible Investing every destination including cruises, Explore the South Pacific Florida, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central Wednesday February 28 1-3pm Cara MacMillan, MBA and South America. Everything from The Abbotsford House Investment Advisor Presented by Australian Pacific Touring all-inclusive packages to adventure www.oramacmillan.com based tours. Explore the South Pacific February 28 6:30pm 613-798-4237 Support the Glebe Community Association! Wednesday Quote this code to your travel consultant 375 Richmond Road - Travel CUTS at time of booking: GCC00000C Please RSVP to 416-724-6206 BMO 0 Nesbitt Burns. 740 Bank Street 613-565-3555 of Bunk 01 ;4471RAVEL CUTS < "II\ I() roundel suithol)- is a regisiewil iraile-marks \ www.travelcuts.com See the world your way R*-Nisbilt Burns- is \ I() \ (:orporiiiiiiii Limited.