Hometown News

FRIDAY

9 to 5: The Musical
8 p.m.
Studio Theatre Perth
For more information visit studiotheatreperth.com

Perth Fire Fighters’ Association Golf Tournament
12:45 p.m. start
Perth Golf Course

The 2016 Wally’s Classic is the fourth annual Strongman competition hosted by Wally Thorbjornsson. It’s a two day Professional and amateur competition held in the Carleton Place Arena on May 21st and 22.

On the Saturday the amateur competition starts at 10:00 a.m. with 40 strong men and women competing in few different weight classes. It’s a fast pace challenge that offers the athletes the chance to advance to the next level in this great sport.

At 2:00 p.m., 10 International professional strongman competitors will take the stage including some of the strongest men in the world. With four of the top Canadian Athletes facing two from the United States and four from Iceland it will be a battle of the beasts. Competition will start with the log lift, an historic Scottish event where a large steel log is lifted above head with increasing weights until only one man is left standing. Next is the circus dumbbell where athletes will lift a 220 pound weight above their head with one hand as many times as they can in 60 seconds.

On the Sunday the action starts at 1:00 p.m. and for about four hours the giants will battle in a truck pull, farmers walk, loading race and carry the historic Husafells stone. A few local strongmen will have the chance to try their strength by lifting the Husafells stone before the professionals begin.

A free kids zone with bouncy castles, tug a war, face painting and many more fun activities for the kids will round out the fun. Waterfall catering will be hosting a BBQ. For more information visit www.wallysclassic.com or find the event on Facebook.

FRIDAY

Riq Turner at the Golden Arrow Pub, Friday night at 9 p.m., Golden Arrow Pub (71 Foster Street)

SATURDAY

On Saturday afternoons, 1-3pm, at the PERTH & DISTRICT INDOOR POOL, the Town of Perth hosts Free Public Swimming for the whole family, thanks to the generosity of the PERTH FIRE FIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION. For further information please call the pool office at 613-267-5302.

Under the Covers at the Golden Arrow Pub, Saturday night at 9 p.m., Golden Arrow Pub (71 Foster Street)

SUNDAY

Free Public Skating is available at the Perth & District Community Centre every Sunday afternoon, from 12pm to 1:20pm, thanks to the generosity of the Perth Volunteer Firefighters’ Associtation. For more information please call the arena at 613-267-2455.

On Sunday, January 17th, 2016 at the Perth & District Community Centre, join THE PERTH BLUE WINGS as they take on the BOSTON BRUINS ALUMNI in this very special afternoon of hockey. A variety of tickets/prices are still available, including tickets for a dinner with your favourite Bruins players! Contact McLean Insurance in Perth for information on how to purchase yours – 613-267-5100. 

By Dianne Pinder-Moss

If you want to take in some great hockey locally featuring an alumni team of one of the Original Six NHL teams, Michael McLean has just the ticket.

The owner and head coach of the Perth Blue Wings has arranged for the Boston Bruins alumni squad to face off against past and present members of the Blue Wings early in the new year.

The matchup is planned for the Perth & District Community Centre on Jan. 17 at 3 p.m. and McLean is hoping for a similar sellout to two years ago when the Montreal Canadiens alumni team came to town.

“The rink hadn’t seen a crowd like that in years,” he said.

While McLean thought it would be “tough to beat” the turnout for the Montreal game, he thinks it can be done by Boston because of the “amazing,” players who will be suiting up for the matchup.

Among the former NHL stars that will be in the Bruins alumni lineup are Ray Bourque who played 21 seasons with the Bruins and won five Norris Trophies as the league’s top defenceman.

“Ray Bourque is a headliner for sure,” McLean noted.

Other fan favourites that are expected to take to the ice for the Bruins on Jan. 17 are another Hockey Hall of Famer Gerry Cheevers, as well as Terry O’Reilly and Rick Middleton.  There is also the possibility, McLean says, that Hockey Night in Canada commentator Garry Galley who played for the Bruins for a few seasons during his NHL career and for the Blue Wings for part of a season in his junior hockey years will be in a Bruins’ uniform that day. If that happens, “that would be awesome,” he remarked.

As to who will be suiting up for the Blue Wings, McLean hopes to fill the roster with local players.

“Hopefully, some Perth players now with us can participate,” he remarked.

On the day of the game, the Bruins will be doing a one-hour coaching clinic with 30 players from the Perth Lanark Minor Hockey Association, starting at noon. Participating players will be selected through a draw.

Also, as was the case with the Montreal Canadiens’ matchup, a novice team will have an opportunity to play five to six minutes against the Bruins during the game.

Tickets for the game are available by calling McLean Insurance at 613-267-5100 and asking for Courtney or Kerrie. Close to 1,000 tickets are being sold with general admission seating costing $25. The $50 tickets, which included entry into the Bruins’ dressing room between the first and second periods and a photograph with the players, are already sold out.

For a cost of $100, a select number of fans can attend the game, as well as a VIP meet and greet dinner afterwards with the players at Code’s Mill.

McLean is not surprised by the interest that is being shown in the game.

“There are so many Bruins fans around here,” he stated. Already, “we’ve sold a lot of tickets in the Smiths Falls’ area.”

McLean’s desire is to see alumni squads for all of the Original Six teams in the NHL – along with Montreal and Boston, the other teams are the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black Hawks, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers — play on Perth ice at some point. Next on the list to approach, he says, is either Detroit or Chicago.

A die-hard Maple Leafs fan, McLean would like nothing more than to bring Toronto to town. He concedes he has had to temporarily at least put that dream on hold as the Maple Leafs currently don’t have an active alumni team.

“I’d also like to get the Ottawa Senators alumni team one of these years,” he said.

FRIDAY

Nana’s Naughty Knickers
Smiths Falls Station Theatre (53 Victoria Avenue)
Adults $20; Students $10

SATURDAY

Indoor Yard Sale
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Smiths Falls Lawn Bowling Club (150 Elmsley Street North)

BBQ in support of the Air Cadets
11 p.m. – 1 p.m.
RCAFA Hall (44 Abbott Street North)

Charity BBQ in for the Gerry Lowe Foundation
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Smiths Falls Kia (171 Lombard Street)

Doef/Bowick-Sandor Charity Golf Tournament
Smiths Falls Golf & Country Club
Hosted by Kinsmen Club of Smiths Falls

Nana’s Naughty Knickers
7:30 p.m.
Smiths Falls Station Theatre (53 Victoria Avenue)
Adults $20; Students $10

SUNDAY

Smiths Falls Flying Club Fly-In Breakfast
7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Montague Russ Beach Airport (Roger Stevens Drive)
Fly-in, Drive-in, Bike or Walk – All Welcome

Library Annual Book Sale 
9:30am – 3:00pm
Daniel Street beside the Library
Sponsored by Friends of the Smiths Falls Public Library

Doors Open Smiths Falls
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Various locations around town – For listing visit:http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/Events/Smiths-Falls.aspx

Nana’s Naughty Knickers
2:30 p.m.
Smiths Falls Station Theatre (53 Victoria Ave)
Adults $20; Students $10

BY: HOWAIDA SOROUR-ROBERTS

It almost seems there are more fitness facilities in Smiths Falls than there are people. Besides the golf arenas, the walking concourse and trails, the skateboard park and the ball diamonds, parks and beaches there are at least six fitness businesses in addition to the martial arts offerings, and active play facilities.  It all suggests there’s at least some interest in fitness in Smiths Falls.

“I know that I started out with a group of runners and there were eight of us some seven years ago, now there are tons of us and they’ve branched out to form other groups and take up other pursuits,” says Wendy Hillier, Century 21 broker and Spring Fling organizer.

This year the Spring Fling saw 400 registered runners for a Sunday morning run and the majority of runners were from the Smiths Falls and Perth area.

Most of the fitness businesses agree that there seems to be a shift happening in Smiths Falls, towards healthier lifestyles.

“I get a sense that there are more people worried about their long term health outcomes,” says Amanda Fournier, Insanity instructor with CardioFit 4 Life.

Most of the businesses contacted said they were seeing a lot more clients with health issues that they wanted to work on or correct.

“We see quite a few clients who are borderline diabetic or at onset who have been told by their doctors that exercise can reverse or stabilize their condition,” says Mark Leach, co-owner of Good Vibrations Gym.

Several other businesses agreed, they’re seeing more of that group and there are other health related issues that people are now turning to fitness to correct.

“I see people of all different age groups and a lot of people with health issues, like knee problems, back problems and lots of muscular imbalances.  I work with clients who suffer from osteoporosis, and I do see more people seeking better health outcomes,” says Natatia Gemmell, owner and chief instructor at One-on-One Fitness.

It isn’t just exercise that’s driving people.

“I’m seeing people become a lot more aware of the benefits of nutrition and understanding that they can’t outrun a bad diet,” says Caroline Foster, owner and instructor at CardioFit 4 Life.

Although most people agree that weight loss remains the biggest motivator, most of the businesses are noticing that attitudes regarding fitness are changing in Smiths Falls.  There also seems to be a new fitness demographic emerging, and one that is quite encouraging.

“I’m seeing a lot of younger men and older women,” says Kerri Maidment, proprietor of Generation Fitness.  “I don’t see as many middle aged and older men.”

Maidment isn’t the only one who’s noticing that mix.

“Most of the men who come in here want to work independently and they’re usually between 16 and 25 years old, while we see women between 25 and 60 who get involved in more group classes,” says Brian Paquette, owner and chief instructor at Zendragon.

Even the Hub Community Pool is seeing a slight shift in demographics with more young clients coming in, although the clientele still remains more focused on the older, heavier adults with weight bearing concerns.

“I have noticed some younger people starting to come here recently,” says Bonnie Bulmer, chief instructor and Hub Community Pool supervisor.

Then there’s all the fitness events, including Canada’s oldest Triathlon, The New Years’ Run, The Spring Fling Running Thing, the Healthy Living Festival, Paddlefest and this year there’s the Hospital Foundation’s Gauntlet coming up in the fall.

Organizers of the festivals agree the events are growing from year to year.

“This is the third year for the Healthy Living Festival and in our first year we had between three and four thousand, last year we had between four and five thousand and this year the interest just among vendors suggests it will bigger still,” says Tracey Pankow, a Healthy Living organizer.

True the festivals are designed to bring people into Smiths Falls, but the energy that they generate and the town’s exposure to all that health focus seems to be rubbing off on the town because the bulk of participants are still from Smiths Falls and immediate surrounds.

Now that the town of Smiths Falls has also been awarded a Bronze medal for walkability and is adopting United Leeds and Lanark Food Charter, there seems to be unlimited ways for everyone to jump on the bandwagon – at least this one is geared towards longevity.