Hunt Club Community Association

General News

A Matthew Page Story

Posted on by Sue McCarthy

For Tyler, as for many, 2020 had not been a banner year.

His restaurant struggled to remain open, and the mounting bills on the kitchen table hinted that even if he managed to keep the lights on, it would be some time before his ledger wasn’t red.

A separation from his wife in the summer, partly the restaurant’s fault but mostly his own, meant that he would not see his girls on Christmas morning.

And now, COVID.

Tyler was in the midst of putting up his Christmas decorations when he felt his chest tighten. He retreated into his house to catch his breath but a few hours later he was in the emergency room. A month later, labeled a resolved case, Tyler still suffered from the effects of COVID, which left him tired, breathless, and weak.

His decorations remained unfinished and half hazard, including the beautiful conifer at the Bourbon Street entrance of Owl Park. While it was a city tree, Tyler took it upon himself to decorate it. It was his flagship. And now, with only days until Christmas, it was barren.

He kept it simple. Each year he would buy and hang new balls and garland on the tree, top it with a sparkling star, and light the tree with spotlights. With the decorations and a light dusting of snow, Tyler thought the tree was perfect. Neighbours and visitors to the park would often stop to comment and take pictures with Tyler’s tree.

2020 would take that from him too.

Tyler looked out on his naked tree, as a few snowflakes drifted past his window. From Mina Lane, Tyler noticed a figure approaching, bundled up and cradling something in their mitts. He watched, intrigued, as the figure approached his tree and carefully hung a homemade Santa Claus ornament on the highest branch they could reach. Once placed, they stepped back to admire their work; from his window, so did Tyler.

Caught up in the moment, Tyler didn’t immediately notice the others. From all directions, figures cut through the thickening flurry, each carrying an ornament to place on the tree. He saw some snowsuits and toques he recognized, and many he did not. After forty, Tyler lost count.

The figures slipped back into the snow storm and, as quietly as they came, they were gone. Tyler was left alone with his now decorated tree (well, at least the bottom two-thirds), his thoughts, and his tears.

For the first time, Tyler thought maybe 2021 would be better.

The Birth of Lady Dalziel – in the Apple Orchard

Posted on by Sue McCarthy

I have been approached many times to be asked about my sculpture and I had to confess that its beginning and conceptualization arose out of my discontent of seeing this very ugly black dead apple tree everyday for over two years. It was just standing there and no one was doing anything about it. I had even given it the name “Two hundred Fingers of Death”.  And then finally one Tuesday morning, I felt I had had enough and  I decided to cut away all that was ugly and have all the large branches  efficiently and tightly bundled up for the waste pickup on the next morning.

After about two weeks of sitting and watching the sunset from the apple orchard – I thought the least I can do is convert the bare dead tree trunk into something more aesthetically pleasing.  And at this time, as part of dealing with the virus, I would take long beautiful river walks along Mooney’s Bay, to Hogs Back Falls, and along the river, by Vincent Massey Park, to Billings Bridge. On one of these meditative walks, I fortuitously found some beautiful large grained slices of a big dead tree that was cut down. And it struck me somehow as fitting that these two dead and living things in my mind, be married together.

I think that my daily orchard sunset meditations, as the setting sun’s warm orange trance inducing rays penetrated my closed eyes, brought forth the creative expressions that followed. The art, upon the large attached wooden slices, – then followed. It was most primitive, and I believe flowed from my unconscious expression of my earlier mythological Egyptian understandings of the life sustaining energy of the sun as a living God. Other images recorded were unconscious and incorporated what looked, in the sunset, as a line of spiritual guardians; the metal monster hydro towers standing guard in the setting sun. On the back side of the sculpture is an image of a sea of eyes and an animal (some say Hindu Cow, representing goddess Aditi, mother of many gods; some see a female lion).  The image appears to be saying something of great importance as an ancient Oracle would do.

As the evenings progressed, and as the sun paints the clouds each night, my mind turned to internal existential questioning of the nature and structure of the unconscious mind and systems of belief which attempt to tell us who and what we are. It was in these thoughts that I assembled the three small square mirrors, representing the reflective parts of the changing layers of the evolving ‘Self’. At this point in my meditative mind – the sculpture was a living form and the installed warm copper swirl pointing to the sky, was its emanating and receiving cosmic energy vortex. At this point, I felt the sculpture was no longer mine alone.

The children, over the remaining months, continued to come with parents and some began conversing with the sculpture. And some sat reading in the shade of the apple trees. It may have been solitude of sorts, and sanctuary space away from the tormenting reality of the virus that called out to them. And I tried to make myself invisible, but something transformative had now happened to the orchard.

I do not feel the little orchard is now the same – as more and more people stop their cars, or walking approach me in my garden offering expressions of gratitude and asking questions. Some ask me if the structure has a name and I say it does. It is called ‘Lady Dalziel” I tell them, after my Scottish grandmother that I revere, but never had the opportunity to meet.

What We Learned this Summer at Our Community Garden

Posted on by Sue McCarthy

Once all of the hard work of building our garden in June and July was done and we had finally sown our garden and planted young seedlings on July 20th, the fun just continued.  Here are a few things that we learned through this experience:

Alexis was reminded of how much she enjoys working in the ground and growing her own food, and teaching folks how to garden; that she needs to work on her own abilities so as to pass along the best information; and that gardening is such a personal thing.

Christine learned that green beans are much more difficult to harvest than yellow ones, because they are so difficult to see; beet greens are exquisitely delicious to eat in sautéed garlic and onions with some red pepper flakes and just a wee bit of salt; and carrot tops are edible and can be turned into pesto and other delicious dishes all packed with good nutrients!

Emily learned how rewarding it is to plant a seed and watch it grow; so heartbreaking to watch a plant struggle; and that the food you grow is sooooo delicious!

Kim learned that nature was smarter and far more talented than us, considering the late date at which we sowed our seeds.  Although we had agreed that this season would just allow us to gain practice for the next season … what happiness and what a great surprise to have been able to harvest from all of our plants!  Kim always thought that carrot tops and beet leaves were rabbit food, but since tasting them, she now knows that rabbits have long been outsmarting us. And, her trick of planting forks in the ground, the tips in the air to keep squirrels away from the plants? … Well, it turns out that on the contrary, it gave them the message that the table is set and that there is nothing left to do but to serve themselves!

Len observed that garden plots grow as differently as gardeners’ personalities.

Marie learned that there is a better use for autumn’s fallen leaves than putting them in the recycle bins: they are the perfect ‘blanket’ for our garden plots as we ‘put them to bed’, an end of October activity, which allowed us to spend some time together again.  Marie also learned that we can plant Egyptian onions and garlic in the fall and that they will survive the winter and give us some delicious greenery in the spring. She is looking forward to the coming planting season to keep learning new stuff!

Moto learned that green tomatoes at the end of the season should not be thrown out! She had four big green tomatoes sitting on her kitchen counter, which finally turned red after a few weeks and … were delicious!

And we all learned that gardening as a group is lots of fun, a great way to meet others in the neighbourhood and a definite source of joy for everyone involved directly or as interested observers and supporters.  We are looking forward to a regular gardening season with our seed planting sometime in May 2021, with new gardeners Noëlla and Denyse joining us.  To view our garden, which is now ‘sleeping’, walk along the pathway running along the south-east end of the Emmanuel Apostolic Church (3347 McCarthy Rd) next to the condo complex.

Wendy Stewart Ponds

Posted on by Sue McCarthy

The Wendy Stewart Ponds (aka the Sawmill Creek Constructed Wetlands), have become THE outdoor activity hub for our community. Walkers, runners, in line skaters, love birds, bird watchers and photographers, berry pickers, picnickers, naturalists and babies in strollers – all have discovered the beauties of the seasonal transformations of this natural oasis alongside the Airport Parkway.

Over a dozen volunteers participated in a clean-up around the Wendy Stewart Ponds on Sunday, September 27, organized by James Mihaychuk, President of Ottawa South’s federal Green Party.  Relatively little garbage was found thanks to the weekly cleanup efforts of the Reussner-Pazur family and friends who have informally adopted this area. This has given them a deeper understanding of the flora and fauna here along with the various bird species and humans present and not. I’ll let Sophie tell the story now.


Volunteers ready to start the clean up. Submitted Photo

Clean Up Crew

James Mihaychuk

Since the start of the pandemic, my husband and I have been walking daily around the Wendy Stewart Ponds, just East of the Airport Parkway. For the first time – because we were confined and working from home – our neighbourhood has become our main destination for outdoor exercise and fresh air!  Day in and day out, we witnessed the wonders of nature in motion: the last snow of April, the budding leaves, the pulse of summer heat and the arrival and departure of migrating birds…

Yet, we noticed that people with reduced strength/mobility were rarely, if ever, seen on this path.  Indeed, one does have to be fit to walk the 40-minute loop, as there are no benches beyond the Airport Parkway’s Juno Bridge…!  Thus, we were wondering: How fantastic would it be if the City of Ottawa installed benches around the Watershed? How lovely if people with reduced strength/mobility could rest at various intervals and enjoy this natural gem, like everyone else? These two questions were followed by action. My friend Christine and I went on a “scavenger hunt” to find seven desirable bench locations around the Wendy Stewart Ponds.  We had fun pretending to sit on imaginary benches, as the photo shows!

Where’s the bench?

So I wrote to Councillor Riley Brockington and submitted our bench location suggestions, along with GPS coordinates and photos. For the cherry on the cake, I asked Riley if the City of Ottawa would also plant a (fruit?) tree by each bench, so as to provide some nice shade on a hot summer day…!

It is our hope that this inclusive project – to benefit people of all abilities – comes to fruition once the snow melts next spring!  If you think this is a good idea, please let Councillor Brockington know.

Although many of us are used to calling this area the Sawmill Creek Constructed Wetlands, we are trying to use its new ‘official’ name – ‘Wendy Stewart Ponds’, as per the plaque on the rock at the South-West end of the ponds, just North of the Juno Beach pedestrian and cycling bridge, in honour of the environmental commitment that former Councillor Stewart dedicated to our community in previous years.

City Councillor’s Update – Dec 2020

Posted on by Sue McCarthy

I trust you and your family are well.  December is already here.  2020 has been challenging in so many regards. With a COVID vaccine almost ready for distribution, I hope that we will be better protected from this deadly virus and can return to a greater sense of normalcy and safety.

McCarthy Park

At the HCCA AGM held in November, I stated my desire commence a review of the amenities in McCarthy Park and strike a small working group to note what currently exists in the park, with the objective of making some additional improvements.  Although I do not have a significant budget for this matter, I have been asked to review the possibility of expanding the current basketball court and illuminating it.  There is also discussion in the community about expanding community gardens.

I like McCarthy Park, it is large and has a lot to offer and in many regards is a hub for our community.  What do you like about it?  What does it need?  Feel free to share your thoughts with me.

Renaming Uplands Park

Uplands Park is a tiny park located on Uplands Drive in our Hunt Club community.  It contains a small playground, tennis courts, wooded area and manicured lawn.

It has been my intention for some time to engage the community and recognize a significant local leader and contributor for her/his efforts with a park naming commemoration.  I intend to strike a working group with the HCCA to discuss this further and develop a short list of names to be considered to rename this park in 2021.

Cannabis Dispensaries in Hunt Cub

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has notified my office that the application to open a dispensary at 800 Hunt Club Road, Unit 3 at Uplands Drive has been approved and a license was issued on November 16, 2020.

A second application earlier this year for 3310 McCarthy Road was objected to by myself and the HCCA.  This application remains under review by the AGCO.

Juno Beach Memorial Bridge – Winter Maintenance

During my recent annual review of winter maintenance with snow operations staff at the City, I reinforced with them the need to have the Juno Beach Memorial Bridge well maintained by the start of the morning rush hour, to assist pedestrians headed over to the South Keys Transit Station.  Within the vicinity of the bridge, I have also been working with Public Works staff to address the significant cracks and decay on the pathway network, around the Wendy Stewart stormwater ponds.  A geotechnical study has been actioned to try to understand what is happening under the pathway that is causing such strong deterioration.  Once this is fixed, I will be able to get this pathway network plowed in the winter, likely, next year.

Best wishes to everyone for a safe and festive holiday season.

Riley Brockington
City Councillor, River Ward
613-580-2486

Sign up for my newsletter at https://rileybrockington.ca/

The Sky’s the Limit for the Hunt Club Neighbourhood – Let’s Soar

Posted on by Sue McCarthy

What do you love about living or doing business in the Hunt Club neighbourhood?

What would you change?

These two pressing questions (yes, really!) were the hottest topics during the Hunt Club Community Association (HCCA)’s September Zoom meetings, and the debate was certainly lively!

From the abundance of green space to its proximity to shops and services, the airport and downtown, to the incredible diversity of its neighbourhoods, new and seasoned residents alike agree that Hunt Club is a great place to live.

But we also agree it could be even better.

  • Imagine if we had a covered, year-round outdoor central meeting place that could host events like a farmer’s market, a winter holiday/Christmas market, outdoor yoga or even open-air concerts (when safe to do so)?
  • Given that many of us are spending more time at home, how about some independent coffee shops, bakeries, and a greater selection of bricks-and-mortar eateries and pop-up food vendors and food trucks?
  • A library branch that could do double-duty as a cultural venue within our Hunt Club-Riverside community centre?
  • At least one community garden per neighourhood – green thumbs not required!
  • More amenities for the fabulous parks in our area – including Uplands Park, Cahill Park and Owl Park
    • – such as chess/checkers tables, performance spaces and gazebos to provide shelter from the sun/snow/rain…while savouring a gourmet ice cream or hot chocolate from a nearby vendor?
  • More things to do for the different age groups and resident profiles that make up our fantastic part of Ottawa!

As you can see, there are lots of opportunities – and spaces – for our neighbourhood to grow and expand, and there is no shortage of enthusiasm to help it along!

To borrow from the movie Field of Dreams, our unofficial motto is, “if you build it, they will come!” (If you haven’t seen it, check it out!) In fact, there’s another opportunity: community movie nights in the park…

The sky truly is the limit, but we need to hear from you, our Hunt Club residents and businesses, about what you want our community to be.

If you have ideas or resources and want to help our community grow and prosper, we’d love to hear from you!

If you want to meet us and see your HCCA in action, we’d love to have you attend our monthly meetings (held via Zoom) the first Monday of each month. Just send an email to outreach@hunt-club.ca and we’ll be in touch! Tip: no one has to know you’re logging in PJs!

Not ready to commit? No problem! Get to know us and what we are up to:

News and Views from Paul Landry Park

Posted on by Sue McCarthy

Pride in our community was on display with the dozen volunteers who came on Saturday, October 17 for the annual fall litter pick up at Paul Landry Park.  Even our municipal councillor, Riley Brockington, joined in with rake in hand!  It was a gorgeous day weather wise, and with so many helping hands we made quick work of the pick-up.  The good news is that the quantity of litter continues to diminish over the years, with just a few ‘usual suspects’ seemingly unable to hold on to their cigarette wrappers, chip bags, candy bar wrappers, water, beer and juice bottles or cans, until they get home.

Unfortunately, last winter was rather dismal with our pristine snowy pathways continuously despoiled by dog poop droppings all along the way.  This coming winter, we ask all dog owners to please ‘Stoop and Scoop’ (City by-law No. 2003-77 ‘Animal Care and Control’) and respect others who use the park. We thank the vast majority of dog owners who do pick up after their dogs, for the pride and respect that you are showing for our community.

Garbage pickups have now stopped in the park, until next spring.   Please do not dump your litter or dog poop bags in the bin at the Uplands Drive end, as they will not be picked up.   You need to dispose of your own waste.  Thank you for remembering this.

Very happy to report that seven new trees were planted on November 20 at the Uplands Drive end of the park: two each of Sugar Maple, Prospector Elm, and Honey Locust and one Hackberry.  These trees will eventually provide food and shelter to birds and small animals, as well as shade for all of us.  We thank our City’s Forestry department for replacing those diseased trees that had to be cut down over a year ago because of the Emerald Ash Borer.

Next on our ‘ask list’, as shared by many neighbours, is to have a few more benches installed around the play structure – for adults who are supervising their children; and maybe a picnic table or two near the newly planted trees, where people will be able to find respite in the shade on those hot sunny summer days.

2020 Election Results

Posted on by Sue McCarthy

As part of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on November 2nd, elections were held for positions on the Board of Directors. This year due to COVID 19 restrictions, votes were cast over the preceding weekend using an electronic vote tabulating system called Election Buddy.

Please join me in congratulating long time Director and former Past President John Sankey and former Secretary Peter Brimacombe for their many years of dedicated service as they will be leaving the board but staying on as lifetime members of HCCA. Peter Foulger remains on the board as Director but has stepped down as Treasurer.

We welcome new Directors Jason Dubue, John D. Reid, Kat Gracie, Sabrine Barakat and Zivana Pavic. Brian Wade was acclaimed as President and Sue McCarthy as Vice President. Jason Dubue has stepped forward as Secretary and Sabrine Barakat has agreed to take on the Treasurer’s role.

Continuing as Directors are Abiodun Mosuro, Lynette- Joseph-Sankey and Marilyn Koch. Christine Johnson continues as Past President.

We are looking forward to a dynamic and fruitful year serving our community.

Maudlin Matilda McEwan Community Garden

Posted on by Jason

I’ve had a vision of community gardens dotting our Hunt Club community since 2013, not long after transitioning out of my career in education. I shared this vision with the Hunt Club Community Association, and this summer we took the first steps to making it become a reality.

Thanks to the generosity of Bishop Bryan Williams and the board of directors at his church, we were able to secure a site for our community garden at the Emmanuel Apostolic Church property at 3347 McCarthy Rd. With the financial support of our Hunt Club Community Association and the Community Gardening Development Fund of ‘Just Food Ottawa’, we had the soil tested and once given the green light, we started digging. Since early June, a dedicated group of twenty local volunteers turned an 18 foot by 32 foot piece of lawn into a community garden. We were happy to name our garden in honour of the mother of Bishop Williams’ wife, who passed away five years ago: Maudlin Matilda McEwan. She too, loved to garden!

Through the sweat of our brows and the power of our muscles, we dug up the sod, piece by piece, preparing it to go into one of the three compost bins after releasing its soil. Discarded lumber from neighbouring driveways was scavenged on garbage days and hauled to the garden site, screened, released of any screws and nails, then repurposed to create a border frame for our garden. As one team continued to work on the sod pieces, line the pathways with locally donated mulch, enrich the earth with three cubic yards of organic top-dressing soil, another team built a chicken wire fence with a gate to enclose the garden, safeguarding it from ravenous critters. And there it was: a garden with ten separate plots ready to be planted, each gardener responsible for one of nine plots, the tenth being a ‘common plot’ this year, but designed specifically to welcome a person confined to a wheelchair to join our gardening team next spring.

Councilor Brockington attended the soft opening of our community garden on July 20th, helping the volunteer team celebrate its first late planting season by sharing a Frozen Raspberry Torte made by one of the volunteers. Stoked with sufficient calories, we planted our seeds and young plants and the growing began. Or should we say ‘continued’, as most of the volunteers participating in this adventure, some living on the same street nearby, hadn’t previously known each other. However, through the many collective work bees to get this garden ‘in the ground’, friendships grew and along with these a sense of JOY, of shared purpose and of belonging.

Although addressing Food Security issues in our community is what first propelled this initiative, what became clear as it unfolded, was that a sense of belonging and connectedness within our community was as big a need being fulfilled. Caring about things that grow has parallels with raising children. You need to be consistently present, attentive, caring and reliable for your product to grow strong and healthy. That takes responsibility. Assuming it produces competencies and a sense of confidence. Sharing this responsibility with others nurtures community. We all know the saying “It takes a village to raise a child.” Indeed, it is this very community engagement that sparks vibrant communities everywhere.

As passersby on the sidewalk observed this project develop, some engaged in friendly conversation; some wanted to know how they could contribute; one couple offered us a nearly full bag of peat moss; we got to know many of their (and their dogs’) names; others wrote letters of support to help us secure funding for the cost of building the garden; still others just wanted to know what we had planted and if there would be a harvest before this winter.

So, to satisfy everyone’s curiosity, young regular and cherry tomatoes transplanted from home-started plants are already yielding their fruit; as are the radishes, lettuce and sisho. Before the end of October, we expect to be harvesting yellow and green beans, cucumbers, carrots, beets, Asian spinach, peas, pumpkin, squash, and peppers.

Not bad, for a late planting season. There are open spaces all over our Hunt Club community with full sun exposure for six hours or more each day. These would all be perfect for community gardens. Community gardens are such a great way to increase our food security, our sense of community and safety within it as we get to know more of our neighbours. So, if you have a space in mind where you can imagine a community garden, let us know; we know how to make it happen and would be happy to help you get it started. Contact us at info@hunt-club.ca.

Your Community Association is Looking for You!

Posted on by Jason

Ever wonder why things are the way they are, why things in your neighbourhood just aren’t to your liking. Why there are cars speeding. Why there are developments springing up that you weren’t aware of? How can you find out about these things? One way is to get involved in your community. I know you’re busy, you’ve got the kids activities, you work, you’re running ragged. But it doesn’t have to take a lot of your time.

The Hunt Club Community Association (HCCA) is your voice to your Councillor, Riley Brockington and to the City of Ottawa. As a group we can have a bigger impact than as an individual.

We are the focal point for information and consultations on projects. For instance, the HCCA has provided comments on the New Official Plan for the City, provided input on proposed developments on Hunt Club at the Airport Parkway and at Riverside and Hunt Club. We host special events like the Fall Festival and Art in the Park. We are planning a Community Garden and sit on some inter-organizational committees working together on issues like Food Security and the Environment.

Keep in touch with what is going on in your neighbourhood, your city. Join us, attend meetings, maybe even join the board.

We meet at 7 pm on the 1st Monday of the month from September through June. Our Annual General Meeting is in November.

HCCA Community Outreach

Posted on by Jason

Recently, I was invited to join the HCCA FaceBook page team as one of the moderators. I was also one of the volunteers answering the GetGrowing! Hunt Club enquiries by email. That’s meant in a very short time frame, I’ve communicated online and in person with numerous neighbours, who were excited and engaged to further build a vibrant healthy community in Hunt Club. We are grateful for the warm reception GetGrowing! received and excited to further develop the friendships and shared opportunities that resulted from the initiative. As we further adjust to pandemic times, local efforts will markedly sustain and improve our quality of life. By making strategic use of online community-building tools to complement periodic in-person COVID-19 mindful events, we can make the most of our local talent and resources for the benefit of all residents.

Some ideas we’d like to hear your thoughts on:

  • Do you have a business you’d like us to promote in the new local listing section on the updated HCCA website?
  • Would you participate in a Hunt Club specific book/tool library?
  • Are there examples or links for programs and initiatives in other communities you like us to explore?
  • Is there a service you’ve previously accessed outside our boundary that you would like to show some local interest for?
  • Would you like to help develop a Welcome Kit for new residents or HCCA members?

If you are interested in being involved and shaping what the next few years could look like here in Hunt Club, please share your thoughts, concerns, hopes, wishes and ideas with our team, email outreach@hunt-club.ca

Get Growing Hunt Club

Posted on by Jason

An idea was planted. Like a seed, it germinated and grew. And a project was born. It rolled out right here, within the geographical boundaries of our Hunt Club community, between May 4 and 24, with its visible manifestation on Saturday and Sunday, May 23rd and 24th: GET GROWING HUNT CLUB.

So, just what was the genesis of this project?

Barb Shea proposed an initiative to help address food security needs in our community which was passed at the May 4th Hunt Club Community Association (HCCA) board meeting. The idea was to provide kits with a small vegetable plant and a package of seeds to as many residents as possible to encourage self-sufficiency by learning how to grow one’s own vegetables. Seed money of $250 from the HCCA, matched by Councillor Brockington, plus two anonymous donations of $100 each, launched the project. Using Zoom meetings, HCCA Director Barb Shea pulled together a planning team and volunteers and an action plan with tight timelines, identified responsibilities and specific targets. In the space of two weeks:

  • A project logo, posters, communications pieces and the Get Growing kit handout were designed by Kat Gracie and Jason Dubue (co-founders of BWYL Group) with the OSEAN group contributing the educational component of the gardening handout
  • Andrea Ward, Assistant to Councillor Brockington, coordinated the printing of the posters, communication pieces and the Get Growing kit handout
  • A team of volunteers distributed posters around the neighbourhood encouraging residents to contact the HCCA Get Growing team through email or Facebook. Thanks to Lorraine Busby, Christine Johnson, Jason Dubue and Kat Gracie
  • www.hunt-club.ca/getgrowing was created through the efforts of Brian Wade (President, HCCA) and BWYL Group and then promoted on the HCCA Facebook page to allow residents to register online for a free seed/seedling starter kit
  • Barb Shea and Tania Mushka successfully identified our five other wonderful sponsors, who either donated the seed, seedling plants or provided a significant discount towards their purchase. Thank you to Greta’s Organic Gardens, Gaia Organic Seeds, Lee Valley Tools, Artistic Landscape Designs, and Green Thumb Garden Centre.
  • Seeds and plants were picked up by Tania and Barb.
  • Christine, Lorraine, Barb and friend Caroline bagged and sorted all the products into ‘kits’ with one small plant, one seed package and an information sheet about the ‘Get Growing’ initiative along with an additional ad for free Zoom gardening tutorials.
  • Manuel Costa volunteered his trailer to take all packages to the delivery points.
  • Distribution dates were identified along with five different distribution sites and volunteer helpers for each shift.
  • Safety Guidelines were developed to ensure protection from the COVID-19 virus at all distribution sites.

Mother Nature offered perfect weather for both distribution dates. Volunteers handed out the kits at the Ashgrove and Shearwater Community Housing sites on Saturday and at household driveways on Archer Square, Twyford and Pattermead on Sunday. Any remaining kits were delivered locally.

Thank you to Alexis Doyle, Sophie and Pauline Pazur, Lorraine Busby and her husband Len, Christine Johnson, Piero Narducci and his wife Živana, Dianne Nahal, Kat Gracie, Jason Dubue, Barb Shea and her husband Mick and Bert and Millie Beechey, for manning the distribution sites. HCCA President, Brian Wade and Vice President, Sue McCarthy, each came by to show their support. Councillor Brockington also took the time to visit each site with his daughter Katie to show his support and encouragement.

And that was Year 1 of the GET GROWING HUNT CLUB initiative, 450 kits later. We’ll call it ‘the ‘COVID Get Growing Kickoff Year’.

What made this project so unique?

  • Residents from across our community participated in it from households in Quinterra-Woods, on and near Uplands Drive at the Riverside, middle and Hunt Club Road ends, to streets at the Airport Parkway end with all kinds of residences in between, this project brought the community together!
  • New connections were made with neighbours from all sectors of the socio-economic, cultural, gender and age demographics in our community.
  • Conversations, exchanges of gardening tips, laughter, information about each other’s cultures and ‘neck of the woods’ all happened, when residents came to pick up their ‘Get Growing’ kits.

Growing food, growing community is GET GROWING HUNT CLUB. Watch for this initiative on our HCCA Facebook page in March/April 2021 or contact us at getgrowing@hunt-club.ca to get on our mailing list. Let us know what you’d like to see for next year!

Hunt Club Community Association (HCCA)
3320 Paul Anka Drive, Ottawa, ON K1V 0J9
info@hunt-club.ca

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