Review-Mirror

By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror Rideau Lakes' 'Doors Open' event last weekend put 19 locations across the township on display over Saturday and Sunday thanks to multiple teams of volunteers. The event's coordinator Wendy Alford was pleased with the response from the community to the chal- lenge of hosting an event and with the number of visitors who came out this weekend. Alford, as she had expected didn't make it to all 19 sites over the week- end but enjoyed the ones she was able to visit. "They exceeded all my expectations. I was cer- tainly not able to get to all 19 but to as many as I could," she said. "It was really gratifying for me and I'm sure for the MHAC committee. Most of them were working and probably didn't get a chance to see everything," she said. Host Sharon Okum, whose family owns the Bell House in Delta, was pleased to be able to have others enjoy her home for the event. She and her husband David and son Justin along with friends Janet and Karl Janzen, for some extra fun, got in period costume for their hosting duties over the weekend. The home saw just over 200 visitors over the weekend, half the 400 they hosted when they had their house on the tour on 2009 before their move to Delta from Niagara on the Lake. "We had time to chat with people. I like seeing they love the older homes. They asked a lot of ques- tions. Different people had interest in different things. It feels good that all the work my husband put into it is appreciated. The home was not without sentimental inter- est when they purchased it in 2000. The home was owned by the Willard fam- ily from 1956 to 1994 when it was the home of David's maternal grand- parents. The Okums pur- chased it in a bank sale after the post-Willard owners abandoned their restoration project. Portland on the Rideau Historical Society made Public and exhibitors enjoy Rideau Lakes Doors Open event Thursday, August 24, 2017 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 126, No. 33 $1 incl. tax Canada Post Contract No. 40021501 Emily Fennell, Gord Sinclair and Rob Baker were the closing act at Soho's Saturday, fol- lowing the Kingston Ceilidh Band, Brea Lawrenson Band and The Barrel Boys. Photo by Tracy Ferguson 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 43 Bedford St., Westport 613-273-8848 soho@rideau.net Mirror The Review Music Westport's 11th edition passed without a hitch last Saturday thanks to teams of volunteers and weather which didn't include rain on the two outdoor performance venues. "Our job is to make it look seamless," said West- port Arts Council chair Robin Jones. This year's organiza- tion included teams taking ownership of venues with a board member in charge. "The comments I heard was 'what a great event'," said Jones, who was pleased that poor weather didn't interfere with the efforts of volunteers who have dedicated many hours to the event's suc- cess. If the success was only measured in crowds this year's event was a winner. "The crowds were huge. At Soho's there were 650 people still out at the end of the day enjoying the music," said Jones who gives Seamus Cowan the credit for choosing great bands for the event. The event's Kid Zone was also a popular venue on Saturday with Jones noting around 75 kids and mums and dads enjoying the activities. The day wasn't just a big day for the music venues at Soho's and at the lawn behind The Cove. "We know it was good for the restaurants. There were lots of people around with bags from local - •Continued on page 5 MUSICwestport draws largest crowds to date Overlooking Lake, Locks & Falls at Jones Falls, Elgin Exceptional Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner 613-359-5500 Reservations Recommended. HOTEL KENNEY Since 1877 Join us for Pub Food Thurs., Fri. & Sat. 1/2 Price Wings Thursdays only Sunday Brunch, 11:30-2:00 www.hotelkenney.com The Westport Rideaus 50th anniversary weekend is fast approaching with the alumni set to celebrate Sat., Sept. 2. Founded in 1967, the team is marking the occa- sion with a golf tourna- ment, dinner and dance, and the retirement of Jimmy Howard's jersey. The golf tournament slots are filling up with the number of participants capped at 72. It all starts at 9 a.m. at Evergreen Golf Course with a shotgun start. Golf, lunch and cart costs $75. Contact Tom Dodds at t o m . d o d d s @ centralwire.com to regis- ter or sponsor a hole. Those sponsoring a hole for $100 will receive a gift from Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard. Howard, who played two seasons for the Rideaus as a 14-15-year old in 1998-2000, will also be on hand for the event. From there the event moves to the Community Centre for cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by a dinner, silent auction, dance - and the official retirement of Howard's Rideaus Jersey. There are only 200 tick- ets available at $100 per couple, or $50 per person. Advance tickets only, are available from Ryan Carty at cartywestport@ yahoo.com. The event is also a fundraiser for the team's goal of a new centre ice clock for the Westport Community Centre. Rideaus 50th anniversary celebration next Saturday Duncan ' s APPLIANCE SALES & SERVICE Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING AT DUNCAN'S Continuing a 30 year tradition serving North Leeds • Small Freezers • Coffee Pots • Kettles • Toasters • Microwaves • Telephones • Toaster Ovens • Panini Makers 50th Anniversary Celebration Saturday, Sept. 2

• Cover