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Rattled by our faults Do you feel the earth move under your feet? Of course, you do. We all have our faults, as in seismic faults, thus, it is not surprising that we are often rattled. While Earth has always been shifting, it seems that in recent years, our planet’s tremors have become more noticeable. Or, perhaps this heightened awareness is just another re- sult of our dependence on social media. People must share everything with everybody. So if you sense a ripple in a tectonic plate, no matter how minor, you instinctively must immediately share. Repetition somehow augments the gravity of an“event.”OMG! Everyone is talking about it on Facebook! Touch wood. So far, in recent memory, our district has experienced few biggies. But, as they say, there is no such thing as a small quake. So, what if a Big One did occur here? Drop, cover and hold on, experts suggest. Common sense dictates that you would stay away from anything that could topple and hurt you. Eastern Ontario has numerous fault lines running through it. Magnitude 4 events occur on average once every two to three years in this region. On average, the region experi- ences 100 to 150 small earthquakes every year. But most seismic activity here is so small that it can only be detected by scientific equipment. If you sense a tremor, feel free to pass on the info to Earthquakes Canada, which has a survey section on its website, entitled “Did You Feel It?” The goal is to collect people’s impressions of quake situations as part of the agency’s studies. The website is at www. earthquakescanada.ca. Bigger shoulders Cyclists and motorists would agree that roads are too narrow and that car-bike encoun- ters can be hairy for all concerned. So it makes sense that the Ontario government would propel forward a suggestion that a one-metre paved shoulder be added to designated provincial highways that are to be rebuilt or resurfaced. Studies have shown that paved shoulders have a positive effect by increasing opportu- nities for cycling tourism, while at the same time drastically reducing the occurrence of recreation-related accidents on highways, says Norm Miller, Conservative M.P.P. for Parry Sound-Muskoka, who has re-introduced a private member’s bill that would require the installation of cycling lanes on provincial routes. “Implementing this bill will have numerous positive effects. By making our provincial highways safer, recreational and transportation opportunities for uses such as cycling and walking will continue to increase,” stated Miller. About 15 to 20 cyclists are killed on Ontario roads every year. In October, Ontario’s chief coroner is undertaking the first ever province-wide investi- gation into cycling deaths. In Iowa, the number of crashes on roads has decreased by 16 per cent since paved shoulders were installed. “By expanding Ontario’s existing cycling network, we can also increase tourism opportunities, especially for active transportation in the province. This will undoubtedly contribute to the provincial economy, just as it cur- rently does for Québec” added Miller. The M.P.P. has received the support of doctors, cy- clists, the Ontario Safety League, Ontario Trails and the Canadian Automobile Association. Ontario has about 16,500 kilometres of provincial highways; more than 90 per cent of Ontario residents live within ten kilometers of a provincial road. As advocates note, the proposal would boost participation in “active transportation” at a time when we are constantly being told we must get more exercise. Tourism promoters everywhere are doing everything they can to lure more visitors. Yet safety must be a prior- ity in a region that is thirsting for tourists on two wheels. The paved shoulder notion is logical, thus, the likelihood of this idea becoming a reality is remote.
Piper Tom MacPherson, of Kirk Hill, leads a procession Saturday at the Old L’Orignal Jail, where a new exhibition celebrates Duldraeggan Hall, “Our Scot- tish Manor.” He is followed by Margaret MacMillan, emcee for the ceremony, and other members of the L’Orignal- Longueuil Heritage group.
“A magical place” RICHARD MAHONEY RICHARD.MAHONEY@EAP.ON.CA
L’ORIGNAL | If walls could talk, Duldraeg- gan Hall in L’Orignal could relate vol- umes about some of themost prominent families in the district. “It was a magical place with soul,” re- calls Diane Smith-Breton, a member of the Smith family who owned the 12-room mansion for about 80 years. Built in 1805, the stately home on Front Road was origi- nally the residence of pioneer Alexander Grant, and was later owned by Dr. Walter Smith, founder of the defunct Smith Clinic. Insight into the landmark, and its in- habitants, is provided in a new exhibition at the Old L’Orignal Jail, where a display entitled “Duldraeggan Hall, Our Scottish Manor” is being held. “Connections” would be an apt sub- title for the exhibition, observes Louise Bédard, of Patrimoine L’Orignal-Longueuil Heritage, the group who spent about six months researching the history of the property. Surprisingly, considering his status, there is only one photograph of Alexan- der Grant, relates Bédard. But tangible evidence of his influence remains to- day. A native of Scotland, Grant built the neoclassic stone structure on his estate that provided a view of the Ottawa River. A pioneer of the Seigniory of L’Orignal, Grant had arrived from America in 1785. He worked for the North West Company before becoming a wealthy independent fur trader. Grant was a driving force behind the
Diane Smith-Breton
construction of the first local churches. A captain of the first regiment of Prescott, he discovered Caledonia Springs during a hunting expedition. In 1910, the residence was purchased by John F. Raphael, then by Dr. Walter Smith in 1915. The founder of the Smith Clinic was later joined by sons Drummond and Irwin in the 1940s. The clinic closed in 1984 when it was amalgamated with the Hawkesbury and District General Hospital. Dr. Henry Drummond Smith, a horse- man who loved thoroughbreds, would later become owner of the manor. Both Drummond and his wife, Betty, died in the house. The Smiths sold the property in 1995. “They would be honoured”by the way cur- rent owner André Chabot is maintaining the property, said Smith-Breton. The exhibition continues until Decem- ber.
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Photos Richard Mahoney
Patrimoine L’Orignal-Longueuil Heritage group members Louise Bédard, Françoise Lussier, Pauline Parisien, Claudette Landriault, Helen MacLeod, Ray MacLeod and Margaret MacMillan discuss tartans.
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