Belleville, ON

My Granny saw the best in all people and she had a saying that she lived by, "Give to the world the best you've got, and the world will give it's best back to you."
I take after my Grandmother on both counts and every day I see examples of how giving your best really does benefit everyone in the end, including the person who is giving their best.

Last year I was out with my Mother for lunch at an oriental restaurant and when I opened my fortune cookie, it said "The man who does more than he is paid for, will soon be paid for more than he does." I kept that fortune as I do many of the more interesting ones I receive.
Every now and then I'll read it and think of how interesting that concept is. Of course, I've heard the same things said in many ways and always it comes back to giving.

March 3rd-9th is Violence Awareness and Random Acts of Kindness week in the Quinte area. The Violence Awareness and Random Acts of Kindness Program was begun 12 years ago to counteract the negativity that violence brings upon our society and to promote positivity and make the world a better place by starting right here in the Quinte, Belleville and Prince Edward regions.

Participating stores and businesses will have donation boxes where people can donate to the program and attain a blue ribbon to show their support.

The Kindness Program is offered in 81 schools in the greater Quinte area and each school is supplied with a 'kindness kit'.
The kit promotes kindness through a colouring and poster contest and 'Kindness Citizen' ballots are made available for all high schools.
It also includes blue ribbons for all students and staff to wear as well as pamphlets and other promotional material related to spreading positive energy in the world.

Students who have won awards receive them at a special opening ceremony which is being held this Monday, March 3rd in the Kindness Court of the Quinte Mall at 7pm.

'Kindness crews' will be out and about on the streets of Belleville beginning on Tuesday, March 4th, committing random acts of kindness. Kindness crews will consist of approximately 6 people each and will also be stopping at schools, daycares, hospitals and retirement residences bringing with them their kindness and spreading positivity every where they go.

The Violence Awareness and Random Acts of Kindness booth will be set up in the Kindness Court at the Quinte Mall for the week of March 3rd-9th.
Be sure to drop by and say hello and remember as you go about your daily business to commit random acts of kindness everywhere you go.

In fact, you don't have to wait until 'kindness week', you can start today!

Wondering what you can do to spread kindness?
The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation has a list of hundreds of ideas for individuals and groups.
If we all visited the list and made it a goal to pick one action off of the list daily, just think of how much difference it would make not only in our own communities, but all around the world!

~Jo

There are numerous sources of contaminants for well water and all of these should be taken into consideration when choosing a site for a new well or when upgrading an existing well.
Purchasers of vacant land in the country or of country homes should make themselves aware of the possibility of contamination from any of the following sources before they choose a well location or sign an agreement of purchase and sale:

• Waste Products from Animals~Livestock and pet manure are serious problems when it comes to wells. The Walkerton tragedy was a direct result of an improperly located and maintained well which became contaminated with livestock manure run-off.
  Review farm and kennel management practices by following the guidelines put out by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. In addition, be wary of where you are locating your pet's run or a barn in relation to your well.
  
  
• Underground Storage Tanks~Underground fuel storage tanks may pose a particular hazard, particularly if they are over 10-15 years old and/or lack protection against corrosion. It's a good idea to remove underground storage tanks and replace them with above-ground storage tanks that have been installed according to government requirements and standards.
  
  
• Above-ground Storage Tanks~Storage tanks for any toxic chemical or fuel should be kept at least 50-100 feet (15-30 metres) away from a well, depending on the well type. This is a requirement under Ontario's Regulation 903. Tanks should have a spill containment system capable of holding at least 125 % of the volume of the tank.
  
  
• Toxic Chemicals and Fuels~Toxic chemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, oils and fuels should be stored in proper containers and well away from any wells. When filling your lawnmower's gas tank or that of any other machinery, be aware that one litre of gasoline can contaminate one million litres of groundwater. It's a good idea to refuel far away from a well and preferably on a hard top surface in case of spills. Clean up any spills quickly with sand or kitty litter. Never us water to hose down a spill !
  
  
• Gardens~Gardens should not be located near a well. Low-growing permanent ground covers such as grass should be planted around wells and fertilizers and pesticides should not be used anywhere near a well.
  
  
• Septic Systems~Septic Systems should be located down grade and far away from your well. The system should meet the Ontario Building Code and all chemicals other than human waste should be kept out of the septic system. Most septic systems should be kept 100 feet away from any wells in the vicinity. Keep your septic system well maintained and have it pumped it out every 2-3 years.
  
  
• Farm field run-off~ Locate your well a good distance from any cultivated farm fields due to the dangerous affects of the pesticides and fertilizer run-off on the people who consume the well water. Some herbicides leach into the ground water for many years after they are spread and the nitrates and nitrites from fertilizers can cause devastating, permanent damage to the livers and tender bodily systems of young children.
  
  
• Be Aware of Abandoned Barrels and Tanks~ Check for evidence of any abandoned tanks that may have been buried by previous owners. Look for pipes sticking out of the ground or other evidence that something may be buried nearby. Harmful liquids may leach out of corroding barrels and contaminate the ground water, including your well, in the vicinity. There are many tragic stories of people who have become extremely ill or died from drinking well water that was contaminated with chemicals which leached in from surrounding decaying toxic waste barrels.
  
  
• Road Salts, De-icing Chemicals and Oils~ Keep your well far away from sources of contamination that may come from driveways or nearby roads. These may include chemicals used in de-icing as well as oil leaks from vehicles.

When it comes to your family's health, pure, uncontaminated water is of a paramount importance.
Where you choose to put your well today will impact all those who depend on it's water now and well into the future. Choose wisely!

Part One~Buying Country Property-Choosing a Location for Your Well

©2008JoSmith

~Continued From Part One:Sometimes Your Heart Just Says, "Yes"~Buying an Old House, Part One

As we stepped across the deep opening into the parlour, I couldn't help but notice how heavy the old door, that separated the winter kitchen from the parlour, was.
I reached out and swung it gently to ascertain it's heft and , feeling it's weight, wondered what kind of wood lay beneath the multitude of old paint layers.

An intricate cast iron door latch, that had been painted over, caught my eye and my heart skipped a few beats as my tender heartstrings began to flutter with the thoughts of how many thumbs had pressed down on that latch over the past 100+ years.
This weary old farmhouse was definitely having it's way with me and bit by bit I realized I was succumbing to it's charms.

A strong smell of heating oil reached my nostrils as we stepped into the parlour and noticing the old, oil spaceheater standing against one wall, I asked the REALTOR if that was the only source of heat in the house besides the cookstove.
He nodded his head as he said 'yes and it seems to be doing a fine job'.
I had grown up in a house where a gas spaceheater had stood in the living room and it brought to mind the memory of those cold mornings where I had jumped out of bed, raced downstairs with clothes in hand and stood near the spaceheater to dress.
This was turning out to be a bit more than I had bargained for as dollar signs started multiplying in my head.

The little, round woman led us to another room that was tucked off of the parlour, and she announced that this was the 'nursery or infirmary' room and was where the elderly, an infant or the sick were kept during the day so they could be carefully and lovingly tended to during the busy daytime hours of farm life.
The door, when left open, also allowed warm parlour air to keep the small room toasty and comfortable for the weak or very young.

I gazed out the tall windows of the small room and noticed the tilting, red outhouse in the backyard, tucked safely into a grove of lilacs.
Another expense, I reminded myself. Septic sytem, plumbing and bathroom required. The dollar signs quickly took another jump in my see-sawing brain.

Leading off the small room was another door that opened into the remaining room of the main floor of the original part of the farm house.
The small woman explained that it was the main bedroom of the house and was where the heads of the household slept, close to the nursery or the infirm and at the ready for early morning stoking of woodstoves and prior to that, an old fireplace that had once heated the functional, little dwelling.

My heartstrings were playing again as I was swept back into a gentler time where families stuck together and loved one another, throughout each stage of life that came their way.

The elderly were treasured family members and were always kept nearby, stories were told in the evening hours, fiddles were brought out, jigs were danced and laughter peeled out across open windows to the woods beyond where deer lifted their gentle heads in wonder at the new forest sounds that had recently come to the valley.

A song came to my mind and I found myself humming a few of the notes as my eyes carressed the view of the front yard that stretched off in the distance.

Far off, I could see the old gravel road that had led us to this enchanting place, long ago forgotten by time, and as I began to hum the tune a bit louder, the REALTOR gave me a half smile and the small woman reached for a porcelain doorknob to lead us on our way.
~to be continued.

©2008JoSmith

Appearing like a green monster from the deep, Meyer's Mill in Belleville, Ontario wears her finest August frocks.

A view of Meyer's Mill from the front. Belleville was originally called Meyer's Creek and the mill is the structure that the city grew around. It was restored by Quinte Construction Association and serves as a reminder of how it all began.

Children love to cool off in the shallows of the Moira River all summer long. There are many swimming holes and most folks who grew up in Belleville have fond memories of hot summer days swimming in the Moira River.

There is a beautiful Belleville Riverfront Trail along the Moira River as it snakes through Belleville and numerous photograph opportunities. This is looking south towards the Dundas Street (Highway 2) Bridge and the mouth of the river.

The river bed is limestone and there are numerous small waterfalls and natural ridges along the way. Herons and Grackles as well as turtles can be seen sunning themselves on rocks and along the shores.

Looking west towards the Front Street bridge, one can see how dry the river was this past August'07.
There was a severe water shortage throughout the watershed and wells were low. Many people mentioned they had never seen the river this low before.

The Lion's Club has built a beautiful park along the Moira on Station Street. There are numerous benches for sitting and abundance of small paths through glorious flower gardens. The riverfront trail footbridge over the Moira can be seen int he distance.

Two boys hunt for turtles and fish on a hot August afternoon along the Moira. Can you spot the second small boy?

The Moira River empties into the Bay of Quinte along Belleville's waterfront near the Bay Bridge, which you can see in the distance.
During a windstorm that occurred last week (January '08), a truck crossing this Bay Bridge was blown right over and the bridge was closed down for a number of hours. Note the sailboat in the distance. The Belleville and Quinte Regions are a boater's paradise.

The Ramada Inn sits on it's own inlet off the Moira River in Belleville. Great for boaters who decide to spend the night.

Looking southeast, we see the Anchorage, one of Belleville's premier condominums with each unit having a beautiful bay view. The Anchorage overlooks the mouth of the Moira River and the Bay of Quinte.

At Victoria Park, we see the final journey the Moira has taken to arrive at the Bay of Quinte. Numerous docks at Victoria Park are used for small craft in the summer months and for happy citizens out to catch some dinner.

I love to bring my lunch down here and watch the birds and listen to the water lapping the shore.

This is Morch's Marine looking across the Moira to Belleville City Hall and the towers of some of our gracious old limestone churches.

There's no finer place to spend a lazy summer day in Belleville than stretched out on a blanket with a good book in hand under one of these fine old trees at Victoria Park on the Moira River.

Along the path that each of us takes during the course of our lives, are many transitions. One of the major transitions most of us make, during various stages in our lives, is moving to a new residence.

Very few of us remain in the same home from the time we are born until we reach our life's end; although it has been known to happen.
For the rest of us, we are accustomed to things in life taking place which bring us to another fork in the path as we consider moving once again.

• Sometimes it is a personal choice as we desire to move to another town or community within our existing town. Perhaps a job change forces us to relocate or we desire to move closer to loved ones.
  
  
• At other times a move is thrust upon us due to the natural progressions of our lives.Young people marry and buy their first home.
  
  
• Children are born and a bigger home is required.
  
  
• Children grow up and move out on their own and we realize that the old homestead has become much to big and empty and a smaller place, perhaps all on one floor, is now desired.
  
  
• Sometimes there are health issues which force us to give up our present home and move to one more easily managed or in with family.
  
  
• Perhaps we have lived as a single person for a number of years and we meet someone new and fall and love. The decision then comes as to who should sell and move in with who, or should both homes be sold and a new one be purchased where we can make a new start as a couple in a place all of our own.
  
  
• At times a spouse dies and we are faced with all of the memories of a happy life at every turn. The house we shared seems empty and different and we find ourselves no longer being able to cope with the constant reminders of our loved one at every turn. Perhaps a new start in a new home will help, we surmise.
  
  
• At other times, we are called upon to manage the estate for a parent or relative who has died and as part of the execution of the estate, there is a property to sell.

No matter what the transition period we are facing in our lives is, be it happy or be it sad, we require the services of a real estate sales representative who is caring, trustworthy, knowledgeable and patient. Finding such a REALTOR® will make all the difference in the world when it comes to a smooth property sale as you go forward to the next step in your life.

The first thing to do when you are considering the sale of your property, is to locate a REALTOR who is a good match for you; someone who you feel comfortable with and who comes highly recommended either through their personal testimonials from prior clients, or as a recommendation from a friend or family member.

The real estate sales representative you choose will guide you through the sale process and be with you every step of the way as they take care of all of the details and provide you with advice on the things you can do to facilitate the successful and smooth sale of your home.

Your real estate sales representative will make numerous recommendations to you with regards to preparing your property for sale.

Please watch the video below for valuable information you won't want to miss as you begin to prepare your property for sale .
Proper preparation can make all the difference in the world when it comes to a quick and productive sale that nets you top dollar for your home.