Glebe Report

The closest thing to a state funeral in the Glebe community will be the memorial service to be held for Penny Sanger on September 24 at 4 p.m. in the Glebe Community Centre. It will be a standing room only event and for good reason.

Have you ever heard strumming, humming or even a full-fledged song wafting through the air as you meandered along Fifth Avenue on a mid-summer’s eve? You may have been catching the musical creations of long-time Glebe resident, retired Ottawa police sergeant Dominic D’Arcy, otherwise known as the “Singing Policeman.”

Southminster United Church, the beautiful stone building that has graced the Old Ottawa South end of the Bank Street Bridge since 1932, is about to undergo tremendous change. The church, along with the adjacent Bank Street Bridge and the Rideau Canal, is an important visual cultural heritage element defining the entrance to the Old Ottawa South community. It is a showpiece, a neighbourhood-defining landmark within the urban fabric.

What a difference 40 years make. In the 70s, I frequented Alpha Stereo and TV. Fast forward to 2015 and a fire we all remember: the reincarnation of that row of commercial outlets now houses, among others, Whole Health Pharmacy Glebe. I met recently with Renu Pillay, owner and operator of Whole Health Pharmacy, and he brought me up to speed on his new pharmacy.

Basia Vanderveen took part in the Canada Man / Canada Woman extreme triathlon from Lac Mégantic to Mont Mégantic this past summer, which consisted of a 3.8 km swim, a 180 km bike ride, and a 42.2 km run up a mountain. The slogan was “reach the stars before midnight!” Here is an account of her experience.

The names of 48 men from St. Matthew’s Anglican Church in the Glebe who were killed in action in the first and second world wars are poignantly displayed on special wall plaques in the church. Sixteen of these men were killed in the First World War. Sadly, as the years have passed, their personal stories have faded from memory. Here is the story of Albert Edward Cuzner.

Does the Glebe have an invasive tree problem? Do we have a concerning overabundance of non-native trees in our midst?

Louise Allard and Susan Potter of DiversiTea started mixing tea leaves with dry fruits and herbs in 2012 and launched their business with a few tea blends when they set up their first table at the Metcalfe Farmers’ Market in the winter of 2013. Soon the business expanded to include the Ottawa Farmers’ Market –temporarily located at Brewer Park – and DiversiTea has been a noteworthy presence at Lansdowne ever since.

In 2015, for the purpose of increasing tax revenue, a new probate regime came into effect in Ontario that greatly affects all Ontarians. The following discussion is not about the new probate requirements, but rather how probate may be avoided thereby resulting in reduced work, legal fees and tax. Look for part 2 in the October Glebe Report.